Essie Fall Collection

Hey guys,

Sickness seems to have taken over my life recently, and that combined with uni has left me with very little time for blogging. So once again I'm sorry for not being around as much! 

A few weeks a go I got the chance to go to London for the Olympia beauty event, and while I was there I picked up the essie fall collection. I love deep and dark colours in the autumn time which is why I think I was drawn to this collection.

I like the fact that these are all mini colours as well, because I have yet to ever use up a nail polish and so it keeps costs down! The collection cost about the £10 mark from the event, which if you ask me is a bargain! 

Overall I really like all of the colours but I think 'For The Twill Of It' and 'The Lace Is On' are my favourites, as they're slightly more colourful. I especially how the colours change slightly in 'For The Twill Of It' in the light.

Have you tried any of essie's collections? 

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Review | Urban Decay 'All Nighter' Makeup Setting Spray

Hey Guys, 
First of all I need to apologise to you all for my lack of post this month. I have been a busy bee, with going back to uni and traveling up to London, which is no excuse, but its the only one I have. But I thought I would take some time today to sit down and write a post I've had planned for awhile.

I've mentioned before that I've always been on the look out for a product that keeps my make up on for longer, and so when I saw this travel size in Debenhams for £9 I thought I'd give it a try. And since then I use this baby every time I do my make up. 

'All Nighter keeps your makeup looking gorgeously just-applied for up to 16 hours – without melting, cracking, fading or settling into fine lines. 

Developed in an exclusive partnership with SKINDINÄVIA, our groundbreaking, clinically tested formula is suitable for all skin types and features patented Temperature Control Technology. Yep, this baby actually lowers the temperature of your makeup to keep foundation, eyeshadow, blush and concealer in place – even in hot and humid or cold and windy conditions. The result? Smoother-looking skin and vibrant makeup that lasts all day (or all night).'

So it works pretty simply, you do all your make up as normal and then when your done, spray this in an 'X' and 'T' formation over your face to lock it all in. and lock it in it does.

I'm not saying that after a 10 hour day it leaves your make up looking freshly applied but by god does it make a difference. You can still see some of my make up left on my skin and my dark scaring is still barley visible. I also notice that when I take off my make up theres more product on my cotton pads.

It leaves my skin looking less patchy, less flaky, less missing, less everywhere to be honest.

 In short I don't know the technicalities of how it keeps my make up on longer, I just know it does the job beautifully, and also with that it makes a brilliant mid day top up when i'm feeling the need for a refreshing spritz.

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August Favourites

Hey Guys! 

Today I thought I'd come back to the old blog and bring you guys my August Favourites! 

My first favourite of the month has to be the Urban Decay 'All Nighter' Make up Setting Spray. I will eventually do a full review of this on my blog but for now I'll do a quick sum up! I had never found anything that would keep my make up on for longer before I found this. And although I'm always dubious as to how much these product works I really do see an improvement to how my make up looks after a days wear and to how much product is coming off when I actually take my make up off. It leaves my make up looking fresher for longer so a big thumbs up from me.

My next favourites are the MUA 'Undress Me Too' eye shadow palette and the Eco Tools 'Eyeshadow Brush' which kinda go together on here. Im not a huge eye shadow wearer, but I thought with the summer months coming I'd step out and try some colour! I've been loving this palette, for a novice like me its perfect for trying out some combinations and getting the hang of it all. The Eco Tools brush has also been so handy, Its such a multi use brush and perfect for the basics that I need it for. Will definitely be investing in more of these brushes! 

Next up I've been loving a new face mask by 'Mudd'. I picked this up from Sainsburys on a whim and im surprised how much I love it. I've missed actual mud face masks that dry and stiffen. I've always felt like I get a deeper clean from them, and although I know there are better on the market, this works for me, plus the pack is reusable which is a big plus for me, I've used it about 3 times and its still going strong! 

My next favourite I seem to be coming back to over and over again and its the Witch Skin Clearing Primer. I love the consistency, to me it feels more like a moisturiser than I primer which I love. But creates the perfect base for my make up. I also feel it does keep my skin at bay. And if I ever have an angry-looking red spot, I feel this acts a barrier between it and my makeup and calms the area down a bit. 

My Last Favourite is the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Violet Pop. I got this a few weeks ago at a blogging event, and have been wearing nothing else since. I love how with a light hand and lipgloss over the top it makes a perfect day colour and can be built up to make quite a dramatic lip. It's quite a smooth texture as well and very moisturising. This is the first Rimmel lipstick I own by and I will definitely be looking into more! 

If you haven't already seen, I've started YouTube! Let me know what you think, and any videos you like to see! 

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Haul | Topshop, Boots & H&M + A Cheeky Video?!

Hi Guys! 

A few days ago I tried to bring you guys a haul post, but I was having one of those 'Nothing is working' days and the photos looked awful! So after much deliberation, I decided to make my first Youtube video! It's something I've been wanting to do this for years. And I actually did make about 5 videos years and years ago. (which are long gone I may add). 

There's no harm in trying right? So Please let me know your thoughts and feelings bellow and any suggestions would be lovely! But please go easy on me, I'm still a novice and still have a lot to work out! :)

New Hair | Ombrè

Hey Lovelies!

About 2 weeks ago I decided I would finally mix it up a bit a dye my hair. I've never done dyed my hair before so It's safe to say I was slightly nervous! Unfortunately I didn't take any photos of the process *bad blogger!* but I thought I would share with you the results!

I used the Loreal Paris Wild Ombrés Preference kit in the shade Ombré 2. I couldn't be happier with the results! I love it and wish I had done it sooner! Although my hair is feeling a little damaged its nothing compared to what I expected, and is feeling relatively healthy now I've had it cut. So a big thumbs up from me!

I also have a questions for you guys! 

For the last few weeks I've been debating taking the leap onto YouTube! I would love to hear you thoughts and suggestions or if they're is anything at all you would like to see from me on here or on YouTube! 

The Uni Experience.

*Its another long one, you might want a cuppa first!*

For me university has been the best whirlwind of a journey I've ever been on. And even the times I wished I was at home, I loved it too, and I have so many crazy, hysterical memories that I will never forget. The best part of my life in uni has to be the people I've meet and the friends I've made. From the friends for life, to the 'best friend' you drunkenly make in the bathroom queue in a club, they all count.

Jumping back a year from now...
Excitement is the only emotion I remember having towards going to university, like many of you guys getting ready to move now I'm sure. I was ready to move out, and the idea of doing silly things like cooking and shopping for myself was something I really looked forward too. I bought all my matching crockery sets and had everything packed and ready for about a week before I was actually due to move in.
 Moving in week passed in a blur of 'hello's' and 'I'm Megan'. But by the end of the week I felt as if I'd already been there for a month. It was crazy how quickly and easily me and my flatmates all formed as a kitchen. I was so incredibly lucky to be placed with the people I was, and although we are all completely different (and have actually agreed that we would never have normally hung out with each other) In this kind of environment, where your alone we all got along.

Freshers Week...
Again this passed in a blur, but this time it was more of an alcohol induced blur. Foam parties, bar crawls and nights sat on the bathroom floor holding back hair, it all happened. But it was one of the best weeks at uni. It was also the same week I began my course, so although the 9am lectures weren't appreciated on 3 hours sleep, I finally got to see what I had signed myself up for over the next three years.
  I was one of those students who had researched and knew everything there was to know about my course. Thats my one piece of advice to anyone starting out at uni. Make sure you know what you've signed up for, and that your doing your course for the right reasons. There would be nothing worse than resenting and hating your course, after hoarding out a small fortune to get onto it.

The Next 6 Months...
Surprise Surprise, they passed in a blur. Sometimes alcohol induced sometimes stressed induced. The months passed with a combination of nights out, and deadlines. Nights in watching 'Saw' films in the fire escape and water ballon fights in the corridors. Birthdays and again more alcohol, followed by again early lectures and pretty bad hangovers. Playing in the park in the snow and sitting in the park in the sun drinking cider.
Before I knew it exams were rolling around. A year ago when I thought of moving into halls, I never once thought about the day when it would end. I never once did when I was there, and quickly it crept up on all of us, until all of a sudden someone was packing up their room and moving out. I was one of the last to leave and so I watched all of my friends who I had lived with for the last 6 months pack up and go. Some I knew I would see again, some I knew I wouldn't.

A Year On...
My summer is nearly over and in about a month I will be moving in with 4 other amazing girls to live in a student house. I know this year I'm not in for such an easy ride. The work load will be heavier for all of us and i'm sure the sight of my overdraft will again be a recurring and unpleasant sight. But looking back on my first year at uni and the all the people I've meet i'm pretty sure we still have tons more laughs.

To those of you about to start uni, enjoy it! Never again will you get to live in halls. To those who are nervous, as cliche as it is (but true), everyone is in the same boat, and everyone wants to make friends, so maybe leave your door open when you move in, or make a point of hanging about the kitchen. To those who are worried about the workload, stay on top of what you have to do so your not in for any nasty surprises. To those of you worried about money, work out how much you can afford to spend each week and stick to it. To those of you worried about sharing your bathroom or kitchen with a bunch of boys, bring rubber gloves! Uni and living in halls is difficult and wont always be a bed of roses, but even on the worst days there will always be 20 more good ones to make it worth it.

My Least Loved Products

Hey Guys, 

I've been having a bit of 'bloggers block' at the moment and while looking through my make up draw for inspiration I realised how many products I rarely use, and voila! This post is born. I didn't want to name this 'products least worth the hype' because I think these products just aren't for me rather than them being bad products. But I don't hate any of the products and still try to work with them, they just tend to end up at the back of my shelf collecting dust! 

First on the list is Nivea's In-Shower Skin Conditioner, I know this is a relatively new product to already be collecting dust, but it just isn't for me. Like many of you know I went on holiday a few weeks ago and I took this with me as my skin tends to end up looking and feeling like a desert when I'm away. But this did absolutely nothing for my skin and I still had to moisturise afterwards, to me defeating the point of it.

Next up is the beloved Real Techniques Stippling Brush. Although I love the Real Techniques brushes, I have never grown to love this one. I really didn't love the finish it gave my foundation and the few times I've used it with cream brushes I still haven't been wow'ed. 

The next product pains me to put in this as I love Benefit so much however Benefits Boi-ing Concealer just isn't for me. I was matched up horrifically wrong at the counter and even when I have a tan I still don't find I love it. The consistency makes it hard to work with and blend, and I feel it leaves my skin looking patchy which is not a good look. 

This is another Benefit Product however this is from the skin care range. Benefits Triple Performance Facial Emulsion. I actually have had about three samples of this for as many years and two are still unopened. This may sound slightly odd but it tastes awful if it gets on your lips! I also think it broke me out back when I tried it and since then i've always avoided it.

Finally I have a hair care product that I really wanted to love but just don't. Lee Stafford's Lightening Spray basically 'naturally' lightens your hair. Which I loved the idea of as i'm always worried about dying my hair. However it left my hair so unbelievably dry and straw-like that I was instantly put off and i'm to scared for my hair to try it again.

I hope you liked this post, let me know if they're is anything you'd like to see from my blog, and if you've tried any of these products! 

Summer Dessert | Eton Mess!

Hey Guys,

Now im back in the comfort of my family kitchen I thought I would bring you another recipe post as baking is something I really love. Today I fancied something fruity and sweet and all around summery and so I thought i'd quickly put together an Eton Mess! I love Eton Mess, its so quick and simple and really tasty! Normally you only use Strawberries but I threw in some Raspberries and Blueberries too because why not?! Hope you Enjoy!

Ingredients 
300ml of Whipping or Double Cream
100g Maringue Nests
1tbsp of Caster Sugar
1 tbsp of Icing Sugar 
and a few handfulls of fruit 

Method 

Start by adding your cream and both lots of sugar to a bowl and whisk until the cream is light and fluffy (be careful not to over whip, I made that mistake once!)

Next break up the meringue nests into large chunks and mix them into the cream.

Press your fruit with the back of a fork slightly to break them up and release the juice and stir them into the meringue mix and your done! 

Quick, simple and really tasty! Perfect for a summer bbq! Let me know what you guys think of this type of post, and if you'd like to see more! 

My Top 5 Holiday Essentials | Beauty & Body

Hey Guys,

So as a few of you may know I recently went to Turkey for two weeks. While I was there I found myself reaching for a few beauty and body bits and bobs constantly, so I thought I would share them with you! 

 Suncream is a staple on every holiday but this year I was loving Piz Buin Tan & Protecr Suncream in SPF 6 it was really moisturising which is really important for my dry skin and didn't feel horrible and sticky on my skin like most sun creams. I also found the protection good, although being blessed with tough skin means I dont ever burn, I do occasionally peal ans with this I didn't really at all.

I spoke about this a few posts back but Im still really loving the Garnier Ultimate Body Oil. Its so quick and simple and worked so well at keep my skin moisturised in the heat. When I didn't use it my skin was super dry and horrible so I feel this really does work.

Although when Im away I dont tend to wear a huge amount of make up, in the evening I like a little colour on my cheeks and NARS blush in Taj Mahal has been my go to blush the whole time I was there and since I've been back. The gold colour looks brilliant with a tan and the hints of shimmer just made me look awake and sun kissed. 

Along with blush I was also wearing mascara and this year I picked up L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Waterproof. Again I loved this, it left my lashes long and full and really was waterproof, lasted all day when I was in and out the pool but came off at night with bioderma.

Lastly while I was away I carried MAC fix + with me everywhere! Probably not for the main reason your meant to but it was so nice to spray on my face if I was feeling really hot and sweaty and I felt like it was almost clearing my skin of all the dirt and dust it picked up while I was walking around and really refreshed my skin. I have a full review of fix + here

Turkey '13

Hey Guys!

A few of you may know that I've been on holiday in Turkey for the last couple of weeks! We stayed in the Suntopia Tropical and I had the most amazing time and it was so lovely to relax a bit. I couldn't have asked for a better two weeks! We meet some amazing people and did some awesome trips! So I thought I would share with you some photos on what I got up to and also some outfit pictures from while I was there! Enjoy!

Also you may have noticed I've had my blog redesigned by the lovely Amy from Little Koala! and cannot recommend her more! Let me know what you think of the new look! 

June Favorites!

Hey Guys! 
June has been a hectic month to say the least! Exams, moving out of halls and my birthday! So I thought i'd share my quick round up with you of my holy grails over this busy month! 

Half way through this month I suffered a bit of a break out, which im putting down to stress, so I kicked up my skin care and introduced my beloved Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser back into my life! I had forgotten how much I loved this, how soothing it was. My skin felt quite tight and red and almost inflamed ans this really helped calm my skin down and feels amazing on my skin too! 

At the same time I also re purchased Witch Skin Clearing Primer. I used to loveeeee this and when it finished I went on to try different things but nothing works like this. To me it feels like it stops my make up from aggravating my skin if im suffering a break out and also calms my skin down too! 

The one new beauty bit I tried out this month was the L'Oreal Super Liner, which im loving! It lasts all day and when it comes to taking my make up off its still completely there! Im still getting the hang of using it but its simple enough and I really like the pen style applicator.

This month I repurchased my MAC Pro Long-wear Concealer. My first one lasted me well over a year and I use it almost every day and I dont see myself using anything else from now on, I use this under my eyes and it doesn't crease and lasts all day I love the thick coverage and it really does cover any blemishes and dark circles, what more do you want from a concealer?!

Onto the body bits! I picked up the Garnier Ultimate Beauty Oil when I saw it on sale in Tesco. Im the worst for moisturising my body, So I thought this might give me the incentive to try a bit more! I'm also going on holiday in a few days and I thought this would be handy to have with me. Its quick and simple and really does leave my skin feeling soft and moisturised and looking amazing, a completely different result to what you get with a body butter.

Over my Birthday I also repurchased the gorgeous Daisy by Marc Jacobs. Im a bit of a newbe to all this perfume talk but instead of the original design I picked up this one as I was informed it lasts longer on the skin, I dont think it actually does and I think I would save myself the money and buy the bigger original one next time. But the scent is still the same. floral and light and perfect for spring/summer!

Beauty Haul | MAC

Hey Lovelies! 
 Over my birthday I took a trip to my local MAC and bought my very first MAC lipstick (well two actually!) I couldn't decide which one I| loved more and did they typical 'It's my birthday so i'll treat myself to both', which i'd been doing all week! 
 I'm always a little wary of lipstick colours and I didn't want to spend £14 on a horrible shade so I pretty much let the make up artist try about 12 lipsticks on me and before we settled on Captive, which is a Satin finish, and Girl About Town which is an Amplified finish. Every day since i've bought them I've worn Captive and every night out i've swapped it for Girl About Town, which works perfectly with the  Lipliner I picked up in the shade 'Magenta' (which was £11.50) I never would have chosen these shades for myself but I don't see myself wearing anything else on my lips for a long time! 
 I also re purchased my Pro Longwear Concealer I picked up the shade NC42, typically im going on holiday next week and no doubt it wont match when I get back but this is my shade for the majority of the year so I know I'll get use out of it!

Food | Green Juice Challenge - Day 1

Hey Lovelies! 

Over the last few months i've heard so much talk about Green Juice, the benefits they bring you, the taste of them and not to mention the lovely look of them (which isn't to appetising.) Dieticians swear by them and the benefits to your energy levels, digestion, skin, blood sugar levels, liver, lungs and the list goes on.
 So after spending a few days researching I thought I would give it a go. I know some people do juice fasts and drink nothing but this, but I know i'd never stick to it, so I thought I would start by introducing the drinks once a day and see how I go. Im the worst for having my five a day and I thought this might be a good way, to get all your five a day in one. Cant hurt to try right?

I dont really have a recipe as such for the juice, i've just seen what other people put in and then mix and match my own juice. Todays juice was a definitely trial and error but now I know what it tastes like I have a better idea!

I used:

- A handful of Spinach 

- Small wedge of Cucumber 

- Small stalk of Celery *

- 1 Apple 

- 1 peach 

- A handful of grapes 

- Very small slice of lemon 

- Juice of half a lemon

- Cup of water 

* After trying this one I would definitely use a lot less celery, It ended up being one of the only things that I could taste (and not in a good way) 

I made a second one for my mum and used a lot more grapes and apple and less lemon and celery as they dominated the taste, and this was a lot better. She also made me strain out the pulp for her and it made it a lot more drinkable, I think this may be down to our blender not being that powerful though.

Judging on this second juice It was good! I mean lets be realistic, If they tasted like liquidized chocolate we would all have been drinking them for years. They aren't incredibly tasty but considering there was 6 of my 5 a day in it, it tasted pretty darn good! 

After drinking a glass of this I was shocked at how full it left me feeling, It was the first thing I 'ate/drank' this morning and sitting here at half past 3 this afternoon I've only had a slice of toast and Im still very full. Normally if i'd only consumed this must by this time I'd be feeling sluggish and even dizzy where my blood sugar levels are so low but right now I'm feeling great.

I know this is a slightly different post compared to my beauty posts but I thought seeing as im hoping this will improve my skin and well being I thought it would be a good way of documenting changes! 

Have you ever tried a juice detox? Or have any tips on recipes?