Wednesday 29 February 2012

Review; MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer

Review; MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC15, £13.50 for 5.5g of product.
I got this concealer for Christmas as a gift and I totally love it!

This gives excellent coverage for my under eye circles, the redness around my nose, old acne scars and spots in general, it makes you look flawless. 




It wears well, lasting over 6 hours on me and I personally find the consistency is great, I really don't need to use much at all so I know this product is going to last me a long time. 




The best way I find to apply is with your fingers because it warms it up and then it blends so smoothly. This is definitely a full coverage concealer with a beautiful matte finish. I don't think the price is that much of an issue for me, as i've had this pot for a couple of months now and i'm only just beginning to make a dent.




Overall I really like this product, and would recommend it to anyone who needs a full coverage concealer.

Emily x 

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Monthly Favourites - February


This is the first of many monthly favourites for my blog, so lets just get right into it; 

Makeup – MUA eye shadow in shade 19, I use this everyday to fill in my brows and I don’t know what I would do with out it.


Hair – I’ve been wearing my hair extensions a lot this month, I just love having long hair with a little bit clipped back on the side, simple and easy for school.


Nails – Even though I’ve been on a nail polish kick this month, my all time favourite is black. I think it looks classy and goes with everything, I use a glitter polish on my ring fingers for a little sparkle.

Scent – For perfume I’ve loved Ed Hardy Born Wild scent, it’s sweet like berries but has a touch of peach that makes it refreshing. Another scent I’ve loved is Yankee Candles Vanilla and Lime, it’s warm and sweet but has the citrus note of the lime.


Bath – The Yuzu and Cocoa bubbleroon from Lush, is lush. It’s very fruity and coconutty and although it's really more of a warm weather scent, I have used it this month and loved it. The scent also has a long staying power so you can walk around all day smelling all fruity.  If you have read my Lush collection post, here, then you may notice it wasn’t there, that’s because I used it before I took the pictures, I couldn’t wait any longer!


Fashion – Since it’s been quite cold then warm this month, I’ve stuck to simple comfy clothing. I love checked shirts, they are just my thing, and them teamed with leggings are just the perfect outfit for me during school and out!



One last thing... I HAVE TOTALLY LOVED BLOGGING THIS MONTH! I'm completely addicted to it and I cant see myself ever wanting to stop. 







I hope you enjoyed it!

Emily x

Sunday 26 February 2012

Tattoo & Piercing TAG

I love tattoos and piercings and when I saw this tag I just had to do it! Enjoy;

TATTOOS
1. How many tattoos do you have and where? 

I have two tattoos, one on my right thigh and one on the back of my neck.


2. Do you regret any of your tattoos?

Nope, I love both of them.

3. Which tattoo hurt the most?

The one on my thigh, I was getting tattooed for 2 ½ hours, by the time it was almost done I was in pure shock because of the pain.

4. Did you have any problems with your tattoos?

Nope, they all healed fine. I did have a slight limp for 2 days with the one on my leg :P

5. Do you want more tattoos?

Yes! I have two already planned.


PIERCINGS
1. How many piercings do you have & where?


I have 15 right now, but I have had 17. I got my normal lobes pierced when I was around 10, then when I turned 13 and onwards I got the rest of my ears pierced all the way around both ears. When I turned 16 I got my lip pierced.

I also had my belly button pierced twice but had to take them out as they rejected and I was allergic to the metal the piercer used, bummer!

2. Do you regret any of your piercings?

Nope. I mean when I lie down a certain way sometimes I catch a ear ring and it digs in but in the long term no.

3. Which piercing hurt the most?

I suppose my belly button, the clamping really hurt. My ear piercings didn’t hurt just burned. My lip was numbed so I didn’t feel anything.

4. Did you have any problems with your piercings? 

Oh yes! Even though I clean them and took care of them, my two belly button piercing rejected, and my lip got infected. 

When I got my lip first pierced, it was fine a few hours later it fell out. The ball unscrewed and fell off into the sand (I was at the beach) but I lucky found it. The next day my lip was so swollen so I went back and the piercer put a new stud in, it stayed swollen for a week, and then looked like a cold sore for a month, not pretty. Now its fine, so are all my piercings. 

5. Do you want more piercings?

Not really, I'm happy with the amount I have.


My left and right ear, I also have a expanded ear in 6mm.


I tag everyone with a piercing or tattoo to do this tag,
Leave me a comment,
Emily x

Nail Varnish Haul

I went shopping yesterday and again I bought some nail varnishes, but as of yesterday i'm not going to buy anymore until April.. we will see how that goes! I also bought a pink glitter covered box from The Card Factory, they have a range of sizes from 99p (I think) to £3. I got the £2.19 box which just fits all my nail polishes. 

 Left - Collection 2000 Hot Looks in Jitter Bug
Middle - Miss Sporty Clubbing Colour in Blueberry
Right - Miss Sporty Clubbing Colour in China Glaze


Look at it sparkle!


It just fits them all :)

 Emily x


Recipe; Chocolate & Fudge Cupcakes

These are the best cupcakes I have made, they are so easy to do and the taste so good! I'm a very keen baker and these cupcakes are some of the best I've ever made it was an effort to stop myself from eating all the mixture as it was so fudgy and delicious!  I found that I only used half the icing and this was plenty. I topped mine with Galaxy Minstrels and Cadburys Buttons :D 


Ingredients;
200g butter
200g plain chocolate
200g light, soft brown sugar
2 eggs beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract
250g self-raising flour
Galaxy Minstrels and Cadburys Button to decorate

Icing Ingredients;
200g plain chocolate
100ml double cream
50g icing sugar

Method;
  • Heat oven to 160C and line a a baking tray with cupcake or muffin cases. Gently melt the butter, chocolate, sugar and 100ml hot water together in a large saucepan, stirring occasionally, then set aside to cool a little while you weigh the other ingredients.

  • Stir the eggs and vanilla into the chocolate mixture. Put the flour into a large mixing bowl, then stir in the chocolate mixture until smooth. Spoon into cases until just over three-quarters full, then set aside for 5 mins before putting on a low shelf in the oven and baking for 20-22 mins. Leave to cool.

  • For the icing, melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl in a microwave or over a pan of simmering water. Once melted, turn off the heat, stir in the double cream and sift in the icing sugar. When spreadable, top each cake with some and decorate with your chocolate buttons.

I hope you try the recipe, leave a comment,
Emily x

5 Things

 Five this that have made me happy this week, they all kind of link in together; 


 I had a really lazy duvet day with my boyfriend, all day Friday. 


 We subscribed to Netflix, and found loads of T.V shows and films we want to watch.  


 The best ones being How I Met Your Mother and Heroes, both our favorite shows.

I burnt my favorite candle while watching the programs and our room smelt beautiful!

Although its been a shitty week this week, reasons i'm not going to include, Ross has made me so happy, hes the sweetest! (even though hes snoring at the moment :P

I hope you have had a good week, 
leave me a comment,
Emily x

Saturday 25 February 2012

My Lush Collection


Since July last year I have been into Lush, and over the few months I have collected a lot. I store my Lush in a series of boxes, wrapped in a plastic wrapping (yes I know not so eco-friendly, but it works) or a separate tin. So heres my collection;

Overall


Bubble Bars 
  1. Ma Bar x 4
  2. Super Star
  3. Marzibain
  4. Christmas Eve
  5. Creamy Candy
  6. Sunnyside
  7. Comforter ¼
  8. Candy Mountain x 2 and 1/3
  9. Magic Mushroom


Soap

  1. Honey I Washed The Kids 
  2. Milky Bar 
  3. Dirty 
  4. Rockstar 
  5. Lady Catrina 
  6. Godmother 
  7. Candy Cane 
  8. Angels Delight 
  9. Miranda 
  10. Snowcake 
  11. Vanilla In The Mist 
  12.  Snowglobe 
  13.  Angels Delight 
  14. Sweetheat 


Shower Jelly/Gels (at the back)
Snow fairy shower gels in; 500g, 2x 100g
Flying Fox shower gel in; 250g
Its Raining Men shower gels in; 250g and 100g
Dirty shower gel in; 250g
Calacas shower jelly



Bath Bombs
  1. Think Pink
  2. Lil Lush Pud
  3. Sex Bomb
  4. Leap Frog
  5. Twilight
  6. Snow White
  7. Ickle Baby Bot
  8. Golden Wonder
  9. Blackberry
  10. Honey Bee x 2
  11. Skullduggery
  12. Spacegirl 


Bath Melts, Massage Bars, Extra


1.       Sugar Babe
2.       Mange Too
3.        Heavanilli
4.        Enzymion (sample)
5.       The Melting Snowman
6.       Happy Blooming  2/3
7.       Shimmy Shimmy
8.       You’ve Been Mangoed 1/3
9.        Mint Julips Lip Scrub
10.   Lemmony Flutter (sample)
11.   Dreamtime 1/3
12.    Ceridwen’s Cauldron ¾
13.   Oatifix
14.    Celestrial (sample)
15.    Gorgeous (sample)
16.    Vanashing cream (sample)
17.   Coal face
18.   Fresh Farmacy




Vanilla Dee-Lite in; 100g
Dirty Body Spray x 3
Tea Tree Water in; 250g




 In My Shower
  1. Honey I Washed The Kids
  2. Vanilla In The Mist
  3. Snowcake
  4. Sweetheart
  5. Rockstar
  6. Godmother
  7. Lady Catrina
  8. Snowglobe





If you would like a review on anything please leave me a comment,
Emily x

Recipe; Fairy Cupcakes

I love baking and these cupcakes are one of the easiest recipes to make and taste delicious.

Yum!

Ingredients;
100g butter or margarine
100g caster sugar
100g self-raising flour, sifted
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence


Ingredients for Icing;
75g butter
175g icing sugar


Method;
  • Preheat the oven to 180°C and place 12 paper cases onto tin.
  • Using an electric whisk, beat the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating each one in well before adding the next. 
  • Add the vanilla essence.
  • Carefully fold in the flour and baking powder 
  • Spoon the mixture into the paper cases
  • Bake in the oven for 10 - 15 minutes or until golden brown
  • Don't overcook the cupcakes otherwise they will dry out.
  •  Lift the vanilla cupcakes out of the muffin tin and leave to cool on a wire rack.

Make the vanilla butter icing;

  • Using an electric whisk beat the butter until very soft.
  • Gradually add the icing sugar and a few drops of vanilla essence and beat into the butter until you have a smooth paste. 
  • When the cakes are cool, spread some vanilla icing mixture over the top. 


These cupcakes are best eaten on the day they are made.


I hope you try the recipe, 
leave a comment,
Emily x

Friday 24 February 2012

Recipe; Double Chocolate Cookies

These are the ultimate gourmet cookies: crisp on the outside, chewy and soft on the inside, and really simple to make! They also look adorable when cut into a gingerbread man shape.



Ingredients;
225g butter, softened
400g caster sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
250g plain flour
65g best quality cocoa powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
300g white chocolate chips


Method;
Preheat the oven to 180 C / Gas mark 4.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Fold in the white chocolate chips. 

Leave the mixture in the fridge for 1/2 an hour, then roll out onto a flat clean surface, then cut with cookie cutter.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cookies are set. 

Allow cookies to cool on baking tray for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Overall; The cookies were definitely chewy and yummy.

I've made these cookies numerous times now and always go down well with family and my boyfriend. 

Leave me a comment,
Emily x

Thursday 23 February 2012

My Fake Nails


I hate my real nails, they are so short and I bite them, I know it’s so bad but I cant help it! Anyway I use false nails nearly all the time mainly because my nails are too small for designs, or I just want nails that look better than my real ones.

These are the set I always use, in Boots and Superdrug this cost around £8, however I bought these for £4.99 from my discounted store. I currently have 2 packs of the 200 nails in my collection.


They look so much better than my real nails, and people are always surprised to learn that they're fakes. They are so good that I know exactly which ones fit my nails, and but I do have to file them down as they are very long and as it comes with a nail file that's super easy!




On my nails they last around 10 days before coming loose, which if only one does I just glue it back on. When it comes to taking them off I usual just bite and pick them off, yes I know it’s bad but feels so good! But normal people would just soak them in nail varnish remover...

The nails come in nine varied size;

These are the biggest and smallest size, both sizes dont fit me but the others are perfect.

The set also comes with glue that is very strong holding the fake nail on, perfect; 



So now my nails look great :)

Emily x



Nail Varnish Haul

I recently went shopping and got some great deals, so I made a haul to show you what kind of things I found! I got 3 glitters in pink, silver/black, purple/hot pink, and some other colours with a metallic shimmer. This month my nail polish addiction is getting a bit out of hand, I have bought 11 nail polishes this month and its only the 23rd of February, however I can say I only paid £1.99 a polish!!! It’s such an amazing deal! 


My awesome deals ;)


Back Row;
  • Saffron – Black and silver glitter colour 06 
  • Saffron – Pink Glitter colour 03 
  • Astor Lacque DeLuxe – 616 Purple dream 
  • W7 – 18 Fluorescent purple 
  • W7 – 48 Pink 
  • W7 – 71 Cosmetic purple 
  • W7 – 90 Metallic Neptune 
  • Bourjois 1 Second – 24 (I think)
Front Row;
  • Sally Hanson – Dry Kwik 
  • Tesco All About Nails – Emerald

My favourite colour is W7’s Metallic Neptune, I loved the green undertones so had to buy it, and I think it’ll be one of my go to colours. I am also impressed with the Saffron glitters, they are so glittery but also have a colour as a background, I'm so impressed! 

Took with a flash on the camera, such a beautiful colour. 


I found these polishes at a discounted make up stall. If you are from the north east, you may know of the Metro Centre, well outside the Fossil shop there is a make up stall which sells all kinds of well known brands for most of the time less than half price! Woohoo!

The only polish I didn’t get from there was the All About Nails one, this was from Tesco and was only 99p, a steal for such a pigment polish. Anyway here’s some photos of the glitters; 




Saffron glitters - lovely and sparkly 



So sparkly! I really like this glitter.
I hope you liked my haul :) 
Emily x

Monday 20 February 2012

My Wish List

I'm totally feeling sorry for myself today, I went back to sixth form and I have a MASSIVE tension headache. Blegh :/ So I'm making a little list of things I would like...

Mac Soft and Gentle,  a Grey Blazer and more Glitter Nail Varnishes :)


Orange Circle Tee-Shirt 




 A New Laptop 

And a little puppy to snuggle at night, since my mam cuddles the cute Labrador I already have. 


I hope you enjoyed my list and the little puppy made you smile :D

Emily x

Beauty Questions


So I went back to sixth form today and had a rubbish day a per usual, so I thought I would just do a little blog question and answers post, I hope you like it!

1) How many times a day do you wash your face? Twice a day, a waking foaming gel, and a deep clean at night.

2) What is your skin type? I've got an oily t-zone, but dry patches near my nose and outer face. I also have a few spots in the mix too.

3) Whats your current facial routine? Wake up, wash face with clean and clear awaking stuff, slap on simple moisturiser, put on my make up. At night, I wash my face in the shower with an exfoliated scrub, and moisturise with the simple again, see photo.


Left - Clean and Clear Morning Energy
Middle - Simple Replenishing Moistener
Right - Garnier Pure Active Scrub 



4) Is it important to moisturise? Nahh

5) How often to you moisturise your face? Twice a day, if I can be bothered.

6) What foundation do you use? MAC studio fix fluid or Max Factor lasting performance.

7) How about concealer? MAC studio sculpt.

8) What do you think about false eye lashes?  I don’t wear them day to day, but i do wear them occasionally for a big night out or random days I want to feel glam.

9) Did you know that your meant to change your mascara every 3 months after opening? Yes i do, but I don’t do it.

10) What mascara brand do you use? I use all different ones, Miss Sporty Studio Lash is one of my favourites.

11) What tools do you use in make up application? The ELF powder brush or my fingers for foundation, then random powder brushes for powder, bush and bronzer, eye shadow brushes from ELF, and a angled brush from ELF for my eyebrows.  

12) Do you use primer on your eyes? My face primer goes on my eyelids, does that count?

13) Favourite eyeshadows? I have a FRONT COVER pallet I used everyday, the colours are; Miss Grey, Pale Gold, Almond and Sunray

14) Do you line your eyes? Yes! Both liquid and pencil, I wing it on my lids and pencil my tide line – I think that’s what it’s called- black.

15) Pencil or Liquid? Liquid for wings, pencil for waterlines.

16) Favourite lipstick? I don’t have one, I love the colour red on my lips though.

17) And lipgloss? Never wear the stuff.

18) What blush do you use? MUA in shade 2 or 4

19) Do you buy make up on ebay? Nope

20) Do you like drug store make up? Yes, I love the stuff.


Emily x

Sunday 19 February 2012

My Hair Story


 My hair has been an interesting part of my life it all started 6 years ago, when my mam (or mum) let me dye my hair for the first time. When I was little I had very dark chocolate coloured hair, but from the age of 7 it started to get lighter and lighter, until I had mousy hair, I hated that colour and till this day I still do. So when I was 11, my mam said I could have it coloured darker, yes!! At this time my hair was around armpit length. A few months later I got blonde and red 'streaks' put through, I was the coolest in my class at the time and that when my hair dying journey properly started. 

So from the age of 11 until 13 I was happy with dark brown hair, just playing with different accent colours every so often, but when I turned 14 I wanted needed blonde hair. At the time everyone else was doing the opposite, dying it black or brown (the chav black with an orange face YUCK), I felt like a sheep and I liked to be different. So one day I came home with this thought in my head of being blonde, and after a few weeks of begging my mam (my dad didn’t have any say) she said yes. Brilliant, I was different again, and I loved it, my hair was a multi tone of pale blonde and cool blonde just how I wanted. Oh how that changed. 

By 14 I was sick of blonde, it was damaging my hair and as my hair grows fast it was too much money to keep dying it every month. So what could I do? Go back brown? No I was too bored of it, what about red I though. Bright red was my answer. Only a few children in my school had red hair, these were the goth or emo kids, but I didn't care what other people thought. I went ahead and did it, and again loved it, my hair felt so nourished and healthy. Perfect. So from the age of 14 to 15, I loved my red hair, it did vary from blood red to bright red over the year, and did once change in purple for a month. Introduce Cheryl Cole, my red hair thief. 

Let’s get this out of the way, I do not, in anyway, like Cheryl Cole, she is a Geordie like me but I still despise that women. I just can’t stand her.

From the day she dyed her hair red, almost every girl in my school went red. It was as if someone had tipped red dye all over my school, and I hated it. Myself still having red hair, felt like a sheep again. This was the time I first dyed my hair black, just turned 16.

Black hair; my favourite. It contrasts with my pale complexion (so pale MACs NC 15 is too dark) brings out my bright blue eyes and makes me feel great. I loved it, everyone loved it and I always got great attention because I paired it with black and bright coloured clothes, and lots of kohl eyeliner.

But after a year and a half, I got bored and did the most stupidest thing I have ever done, I tried to get my raven hair platinum blonde. How I regretted it.  

No lightener will work without destroying your hair to straw. My hair did go blonde, after it went from black, red, brown/ginger, orange, brighter orange, yellow, bright yellow, to dark ashy blonde. I had to use 5 lighteners all of which I used in 2 weeks. Basically my hair snapped off. I was so stupid, a dumb blonde. My hair was at armpit length when I started the process by the end, it was above shoulder length. I had to dye it every 3 weeks and it was killing my hair, it wouldn’t grow past my collar bone and above all it made me look washed out. I can’t tell you how much I cried, I hated it. So after my mam spent all this money getting me blonde, 4 months later I dyed it back black. She wasn’t best pleased to say the least.

Anyway I was back black, happy but with hardly any hair left. And this is where the story has ended, I'm sat here getting my roots done eating jelly beans, staying the colour I'm meant to be. I just wish I had known that earlier. I'm a pale girl who loves black hair.

Please leave me a comment,
Emily x

Friday 17 February 2012

Best of Lush: Top Ten Products

As I said in my last post, I am a Lush addict. I have a brilliant stash of Lush stuff that just smells so good. However since a lot of people have never tried Lush I thought I would do my top 10 favourite products. 

Products;
Top Line 1-4
Bottom Line 5-10

1. Honey I Washed The Kids soap - This is an amazing soap that smells like honey and toffee. It is creamy caramel colour, and is so moisturizing. I have so much of this in my stash it my top favourite soap and all time Lush product.

2. The Comforter bubble bar - My very favourite bubble bar because of it’s huge size and gorgeous scent!. Love it! It has a pink and white swirl and you crumble it under running water and it makes HUGE bubbles while turning that water pink and smooth! It smells like sweet blackcurrants and fruit, a little like Ribena.

3. Its Raining Men shower gel - This a shower gel that smells just like Honey I Washed The Kids soap, but I feel like it is slightly more florally. It smells divine though! It is very bubbly and lathers well; a little bit goes a long way! It also leaves a lasting scent on my skin. 



Left - Honey I Washed The Kids
Top Middle- Its Raining Men
Bottom Middle - Slice of The Comforter
Right - Twilight

4. Twilight bath bomb - This smells like lavender and vanilla and is very soothing. It is a good one to use before bed as it will help you sleep and make you so relaxed. The bomb is a pink/purple with stars embossed on the top, the inside is blue with sparkles. The first layer turns the water a dusky, creamy pink, and the blue core deepens the colour until the bathwater turns purple and the sparkles make the water so pretty and fun.

5. So White bath bomb – So White has such a light and refreshing apple fragrance, it's perfect for summer and it even moisturises my skin quite nicely.

6. Brazened Honey - I love this mask so much! It's makes my skin glow and exfoliates it so softly. I've been using it once or twice a week for a few months now and my skin feels great.

7. Calacas shower jelly - This smells AMAZING. If this was sold year round, I would repurchase and repurchase over and over again. It smells like sweet fruit and lime, and lathers up really well. 


Left - So White
Middle - Brazened Honey
Right - Calacas
8. Vanilla Dee-Lite - This a liquid body lotion which contains vanilla, kiwi fruit, coconut butter and illipe butter. It smells very sweet and vanillary with a slight hint of kiwi which stops it from being sickenly sweet. I really love the scent! It absorbs very quickly and does not leave my skin feeling oily in the slightest. 


9. Skullduggery bath bomb – although the bath bomb is not much to look at the smell makes up for the appearance, the ballistic is very citrus smelling and contains olibanum and neroli which help the fragrance to last on your skin. 

10. Snow Fairy shower gel – This smells absolutely delicious. It's sugary, bubblegum pink, and sends you back to a time where as a little girl. It makes the whole bathroom smell good after using it. It foams up really well, meaning a little bit of product goes a long way. 


Left - Skullduggery
Middle - Vanilla Dee-Lite
Right - Snow Fairy

More of my favourites include;

  • Dragons Egg bath bomb 
  • Honey Bee bath bomb 
  • Sex Bomb bath bomb 
  • Dorothy bubble bar 
  • Mabar bubble bar 
  • Yuzu and Cocoa bubble bar 
  • Happy Blooming bath melt 
  • Rockstart soap 
  • Snow Cake soap 
  • Lady Catrina soap 
  • Bubble Gum Lipscrub 

If you want a review on a product leave me a comment,

Emily x