The Beauty Blogger Tag

How many times do you wash your face?

I used to be really slack with this but I've started to get into a routine of every morning and every evening and I have seen an improvement in my skin.

What skin type do you have?

I used to have dry skin but now it's got more oily. And I also have acne prone skin which scars quite badly.

What is your current facial wash?

I am loving Philosophy Purity Cleanser right now! It leaves my skin feeling so soft.

Do you exfoliate?

I probably don't do this enough. To be honest I forget to!

Which moisturiser do you use?

Currently I'm using Molton Brown Rosa Fruit Anti Ageing Hydra Creme. Although they are discontinuing the skincare line I heard so I need to stock up.

Do you have freckles?

Yes, but they show up more in summer when I get a bit of a tan.

Do you use eye cream?

I didn't normally... I know bad beauty blogger but I got a sample of Benefits It's Potent Eye Cream and I love it!

Do you or did you have acne-prone skin?

I'm the opposite to a lot of people. Growing up I never really had a problem with blemishes. I would get them here and there but now I'm older I suffer a lot more and my skin scars really badly!!

Did you ever have to use Pro-Activ?

No I haven't, I never thought my skin was bad enough for it. However now I feel slightly different!!

Which foundation to you use?

Currently I'm using Guerlain Lingerie de Peau BB Cream with an SPF of 30. I love it!!

How about concealer?

I love Mac Pro Longwear concealer. Great coverage and stays put all day!

Do you know your undertone colour?

The first time I ever got colour matched was at mac and they said I was a NC, I got the foundation and it made me so yellow so I always get warmer toned foundations.

What do you think of fake eyelashes?

I wish I could apply them I would definitely wear them more often!!

Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every three months?

Yes I did but to be honest and I bet a lot of beauty bloggers will agree with me my mascaras aren't dried out or empty in 3 months so I feel sometimes it's a waste to chuck them.

Which brand of mascara do you use?

I'm currently using the Smashbox Full Exposure mascara. I've had so many compliments and people asking me if my eyelashes are real I think I'll purchase the full size!!

Sephora or MAC?

I've never been to a Sephora before so I can't really comment! The only thing I can think is although I love MAC products at Sephora it's more choice of brands so you can try more out.

Do you have a MAC pro. card?

I wish!!

Which makeup tools do you use in your makeup application?

I've taken a liking to using the Real Techniques Sponge to apply my foundation. It gives such a flawless finish to the skin, which is perfect for me.

Do you use makeup base or primer for the eyes?

I flip between Benefit Stay Don't Stray and Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Do you use makeup base or primer for the face?

I use Benefit Porefessional on my nose and my oily areas and then on my whole face I use Smashbox Photo Finish Light primer.

What is your favourite eye shadow?

I'm in love with the original Urban Decay Naked Palette!! So I guess all the shadows in there!

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?

I've actually just discovered the easiest liquid eyeliner to work with from Primark of all places!

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?

Every now and again!

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?

They are so pretty but I normally don't have the time to sit and apply them properly!

Do you use mineral makeup?

No, I have tried the Bare Minerals makeup before though and loved it!

What is your favourite lipstick?

I couldn't possibly narrow that down, but my favourite brand is MAC!

How about lip gloss?

I don't wear it enough to have a favourite!

Which is your favourite blush to use?

MACs Springsheen is the most gorgeous coral perfect summer colour!

Do you buy your makeup on eBay?

Nope, never bought makeup from there but have bought makeup brushes before and they are fab!!

Do you like drugstore makeup?

Oh yeah! I'm a Boots addict! It's impossible for me to go into a Boots and not buy some form of makeup!!

Have you ever considered taking makeup classes?

Definitely! I kick myself all the time that I didn't follow my dream and study it at college (long story!). I would love to go to classes now I just can't afford them!!

Name a makeup crime that you hate...

People that don't blend foundation properly. I can't stand when I see girls with tidelines along their jawline!!

Do you like colourful shades of makeup, or neutral ones?

I'm a neutral girl at heart but do love a bright, bold lipstick!!

If you could leave the house using just one makeup item, which would it be?

Probably concealer. Just because my skin isn't perfect and it's the thing that bothers me most!

Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?

If you asked me this a year or so ago I would have said no!! But I've learnt to accept that I don't need to be fully done up to leave the house, especially in summer when it's far too hot to wear makeup!!

Have you done this tag before? If not then I tag you!

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Haul | Bargain Of The Century

There's never a better feeling then finding a really good bargain on something you've been lusting after for a while. So whilst browsing TK Maxx, which is very much a hit or miss shop I came across the best find I ever have before. I spotted right at the back of the shelf after a root around the Urban Decay Naked Palette.

Amazing I thought, until I noticed it didn't have a price on it. Had someone bought it from Debenhams and accidentally left it behind? Was it even suppose to be out? These were all questions running through my mind. So with it safely in my hands I carried on looking about and then took it to the cash desk to find out how much of a bargain it would be.

After a couple of phone calls and a thorough check of the beauty department to check there were no more in the store, I heard the best price I could of possibly ask for. For an originally priced £37 palette I bagged this beauty for £9.99. So of course I said yes and the lovely store assistant bagged it up and I was on my way.

I'm so happy as I've wanted the Naked palette for so long and now finally I own it! Now I just need to get my hands on the Naked 2 and 3!

Do you own the Naked Palette? Do you love it as much as I do?

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Collection & Swatches | Models Own Polish For Tans

I consider myself unlucky when it comes to competitions. And I know a lot of people say it and the saying "You've got to be in it to win it" springs to mind but seriously I never win anything so I never normally enter a lot of competitions. But a couple of weeks back I was perusing Facebook and saw Models Own were holding a competition to win all 5 of their new nail polishes from the Polish For Tans collection. To my surprise I was one of the lucky winners!!

The collection is formed of my dream colours. Neon brights that help you look more tanned and with a tan look absolutely stunning! I'm so happy that I won, not only because I received these gorgeous polishes but it means I don't have to go out and purchase them now! Let's run down the colours.

The only way I can describe the shade Sun Hat is the brightest Barbie pink I've ever come across.

Flip Flop is best described as a highlighter green, and definitely the brightest of the 5 polishes.

Beach Bag is my favourite shade of the bunch. It's a bright peachy orange colour.

Bikini just like Flip Flop is a super bright highlighter yellow. This with Flip Flop will be a perfect duo for the summer when the World Cup is on as it reminds me of the colours of Brazil.

Shades is a mixture of Sun Hat and Beach Bag. A nice bright coral pink.

Have these put you in the mood for summer because it sure has for me! I can't wait to sport these during the summer, ideally whilst sitting round a pool with a cocktail in hand (a girl can dream right!).

Will you be picking any of these up? Or do you already own them?

Available now from the Models Own website, Boots and Superdrug.

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Baking | Cookies From A Mason Jar

I'm back finally with another baking post! It's been a long time since I last posted a baking post and hope to add them more frequently into my blog in the future. So today I bring to you a little beauty I found in Homesense, which has quickly become one of my favourite stores to peruse when I'm in town. I found this SistersGourmet Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix and thought it was such a cute idea I had to purchase it to try it out. So here's what you need...

SistersGourmet Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

1 1/2 Sticks Of Butter

1 Egg

1 Tsp Of Vanilla Extract

First soften the butter in a large bowl. It's best if the butter is at room temperature as it's easier to mix and you don't get lumps of butter. Next add the egg and the vanilla extract to the butter and mix. I put in a little more vanilla as I love it.

Next you want to add the entire contents of the mason jar which is all the dry ingredients. Make sure you have a rather large bowl or put in the dry ingredients a bit at a time.

Tip: If the dough isn't sticky enough and won't stick together add a bit of water to the mixture. I found I had to do this and I added about 2 Tbs which made it perfect.

Finally form little balls on a baking tray and bake for about 10-15 minutes. It states the mixture makes about 3 dozen but I varied the sizes to see how they would come out so I got about 15-20 out of it.

My final thoughts are... I love this idea!! They came out nice and tasty and couldn't find a fault in them. There were other types in Homesense so if they are still there when I go back I'm definitely going to give them a try.

If only this company wasn't American I would definitely order some more mixes from their website here.

What's your most favourite thing to bake?

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Review | Eye Of Horus Eye Pencil

Eye Of Horus Jewel Amethyst Pencil* £13 - Cocktail Cosmetics

Eye Of Horus was a completely new brand to me so I was excited to read about them and see what they had to offer. They are a Australian cosmetics company with a range of products mostly concentrating on the eyes as the brand name would suggest. Inspired by the Ancient Egyptians and their method of using oils and wax in their products, the creators have come up with formulas that use the same ingredients and techniques.

Products are paraben-free and not tested on animals. They contain naturally occurring waxes (Beeswax, Ricebran Wax, Carnauba, Candellia, Jojoba) and oils (Almond, Moringa, Sesame) and promise high-performing products that don't irritate the eyes.

The branding is beautiful. I forgot to take pictures but the pencil arrived in a beautiful black bag with gold writing on it. Along with the branded tissue paper and the eye sticker on the bag it definitely gives off a luxury feel to the brand.

The pencil itself is double ended with a smudger on one end. I don't often use those type of brushes but it's really good if you want to smoke your eye look out. The shade I received was Jewel Amethyst, one of two new shades. It's a beautiful rich purple with micro glitter, which when I read 'GLITTER' I did panic but it is so teeny it just adds a subtle shimmer.

Overall I love this pencil for days when I want to add a pop of colour and not just same old black liner.

Have you tried Eye Of Horus before?

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Holy Grail Product | Smashbox Photo Finish Primer 'Light'

It's been about a year since I learnt and started using a face primer and understood exactly what it could do for my makeup throughout the day. So today I wanted to tell you about my holy grail primer which I have found and fallen in love with.

The Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is one I had heard about from watching YouTube videos from across the pond way before Smashbox was readily available in the UK. It was a definite love or hate product as there was a mixture of good and bad reviews. When a smashbox counter was installed in my local Boots, it was one of the first products I wanted to pick up, so I did and haven't looked back since.

I use the 'Light' version as I hate the feel of anything too silicone and it feels more of a cream then anything. You only need the tiniest amount and it covers your whole face. I use mine along with Benefits Porefessional and can honestly say it makes a complete difference to my makeup throughout the day.

Although a bit on the pricier side retailing at £25.00 from Boots, I feel it's so worth it that I will keep going back and repurchasing. I have tried other drugstore and high end primers but nothing compares so at this moment in time I've only got eyes for this one.

Have you tried any Smashbox primers? What's your favourite primer?

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Brand Focus | Urban Decay

I like to read a post where someone goes in depth into a favourite brand of theirs and shows what they own from that brand. I wanted to do one of these posts and this time it's for Urban Decay.

Urban Decay Get Baked Palette

I hate to start off with bad news but unfortunately this palette is now discontinued. It was my very first Urban Decay product I ever bought a fair few years ago. I can't even remember buying it to be honest. It's a very strange palette as it consists of three neutral shades and a bright turquoise. I haven't yet made use of the blue colour but as a neutral loving girl myself I have made full use of the three other shades.

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

My heart still yearns for all three Naked Palettes but for Christmas my sister got me the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette. I was so happy that although I still remain without the full version I had some sort of naked palette in my possession. It's basically a slimmed down version featuring six shades, four which are never before seen colours and they are all matte which is nice to have as most my shadows have some hint of shimmer in them,

Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette

Another Christmas present from my other sister was the Naked Flushed Palette. Besides my MAC blusher palette which I put together myself I don't own any other face palettes, just eyeshadow! So receiving this was a nice addition to my makeup collection. It's made up of three products, a bronzer which is the perfect shade not too orange and not a dirty colour, a highlight which is not too glittery and a blush which is the nicest pink shade. This palette is great for travelling as you've got three products and it won't take a lot of room up in your bag.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils

Finally is possibly one of the best range of eye pencils I have come across so far. Available in 52 shades you're bound going a favourite or two. The consistency of these pencils are amazing. So soft and creamy which is good for blending but wait 30 odd seconds and they won't budge an inch. As well as having such good staying power they are surprisingly easy to remove with a normal eye makeup remover. I only own two colours but will definitely be adding more in the future.

Do you own anything different from Urban Decay?

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Tag | The Procrastinating Beauty Blogger

I can't quite remember who's blog I saw this on now but I've already done a couple of tags on my blog which you can find here. I actually really enjoy writing these kinds of posts so do let me know of any other tags going around.

Name a beauty regime you rarely do?

I try so hard to remember to exfoliate twice a week but I haven't found one I love so I've kinda slipped into hardly ever doing it!!

Is washing your brushes something you do regularly?

I try to deep clean them at least twice a month. Spot cleaning I admit I should do more often!! Total beauty sin I know!!

How long will you last with chipped nail polish?

Less than 24hrs!! I can't stand chipped nail polish, if I'm in the position to remove it straight away I will if not then I will be hot on it as soon as I am able to.

How long will you put off buying/replacing a nail polish, even if you need it?

If I have enough Boots points then straight away ha! If not usually til payday!

What is your worst beauty habit?

Having crappy makeup storage and misplacing a lot of makeup. I really need to invest in the Alex 9 Drawer.

Name something non-beauty related you put off doing all the time?

Cleaning! Whether that be my laundry, dishes or my room ha!

When going somewhere, do you leave getting ready until the last minute or not?

Depends on what I'm doing. Usually I get caught up watching TV or YouTube and then have to rush to get ready. But if it's something important then I will make sure I leave myself enough time.

Can you commit to spending bans?

I would like to say yes but I'm not sure. I'm going to IMATS in June and have told myself not to buy any makeup unless it's essential like concealer etc. so we shall see how that goes.

How organised is your makeup and nail polish collection?

My makeup is somewhat organised although I need bigger storage as my collection grows. This also means I have lost bits of makeup from not having enough storage space. My nail polish on the other hand is all tidied away in my Helmer drawers from Ikea.

What is the longest amount of time you have gone without writing a blog post?

It was a couple of months but not willingly. I had started a new job which my shift took some getting used to, then on top of that my laptop I shared with my mum and dad decided to pack up. With neither my mum, dad or me being able to afford to fix it I was stuck!! Then along with my new job came slightly more moolah so I decided to invest in a iPad Air (which I'm paying monthly!!)

I tag anyone that wants to do it! Have fun!!

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Gift Guide | 2014 Mothers Day

Not long now til it's time to spoil that special woman whether it be your mum, aunt, step-mum, mother-in-law or grandma. I thought I would lend a helping hand and just show you a few possible gift ideas for those very special ladies in your life.

I've chosen a range of beauty related products for this gift guide and will do a few more later with different genres. They vary in price so there's something for everyone.

Molton Brown Hand Cream Gift Set

I know my mum is very into making sure her hands are nice and soft so this would be perfect for her. It contains three of their new hand creams, including their limited edition Rhubarb & Rose, which are perfect for throwing in your handbag and using when you're out and about.

OPI Nail Polish

I've chosen a picture of the Gwen Stefani Set but any OPI nail polish is what I was going for. They have such a huge range of colours there's bound to be something for everyone and also don't forget their base coats, top coats and nail treatments they sell.

Elemis Anti-Ageing Super Duo

Skincare is a big thing in most womens life. Why not treat your mum to a luxury skincare brand. I've only recently dabbled with Elemis but so far love it and I think my mum would love it to.

Jo Malone Candles

I couldn't do a gift guide and not mention Jo Malone Candles. The one I particularly love is Sweet Almond & Macaroon. It smells amazing and they will definitely love it if they are into sweet/bakery smells.

Philosophy Amazing Grace Fragrance

A nice fragrance is a perfect gift this Mother's Day. I decided to pick a Philosophy one as I sometimes think it's a brand that gets forgotten about for their fragrances amonst all the bigger names. So next time you're in a boots have a sniff!!

Lush Mum Gift

I obviously couldn't not mention Lush and their array of gifts for Mother's Day. A lovely little gift set like this one is perfect and has everything they could need to pamper themselves and have a relaxing evening in the bath. And a bonus is she gets a tin to then store her stuff in.

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Wishlist | NARS

NARS is one of a few high end brands I have yet to purchase from but am very excited when I do eventually buy my first product from them. In the meanwhile I thought I would show you my wishlist of what I can't wait to get my hands on...

First up is the infamous NARS Sheer Glow Foundation which I have read review after review on and have mentally fallen in love with. I love that it leaves you with a dewy finish as I'm definitely not into the matte look. I also love that there is such a big range of colours to choose from.

NARS Satin Lip Pencil is the first NARS product I physically tried out. My friend had bought one in a bright pink colour and I knew straight away I needed this product in my life. Said to be highly pigmented whilst still hydrating the lips, it is definitely high up on my wishlist. I also included the picture in a orange shade as I want to inject orange into my lip collection this summer.

Next is the NARS NARSissist Eye Palette but I can't seem to find it online anywhere so I'm guessing it was limited edition and is no longer available so I'm just going to say NARS Eyeshadows in general I'm very interested in trying. I've read so many positive reviews about the NARS Duos so I may splash out on one of them.

Maybe one of the most well known products is the NARS Blush more particularly in Orgasm. I may just be giving in on the hype here but as people regularly compare it to Sleeks Rose Gold Blush which I own and bloody love, I really want to try the high end version.

Finally is NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base something I've only recently heard a lot about, especially on YouTube. After months of using MAC Paintpots and Maybelline 24HR Color Tattoos as my base I want to go back and try products specified for doing so. I've used a few drugstore versions so would like to try a high end one.

Do you own any of these items? 

Are there any other NARS products I should add to my wishlist?

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