FOTD #4 and some exciting news!

Hey everyone!

My life has been so crazy right now so I haven't been able to do much blogging recently, I've missed you all so much D':

Anyway, I'm here with a quick face of the day! This is the make up I'm wearing to a social "gathering" I'm having with my friends today (it sounds so much more sophisticated than it is xD

You'll have to excuse my hair, I took this before I styled it (for some reason) -_- Silly me xD

Face-

Benefit Pore-fessional Primer

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Technic High Lights Highlighter

FashionistA blush in Butterscotch

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Eyes-

MUA Eye Pencil in Snow white (smudged on inner corner to highlight)

Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo in Permanent Taupe

MUA Extreme Liquid Eyeliner in Black

No7 Amazing Eyes Pencil in Black

Avon Infinitize Mascara in Black
Lips-
Beauty UK Lipstick in Snob

Now for the exciting news!!! I going to be writing a guest post on Erinn Wood's amazing blog, Erinn's Beauty Blog! I'm so excited, now I just have to figure out what I'm going to write.
Go and check out her blog, it's awesome! Make sure to look out for me soon ;)

Lots of love, Laura

P.S. I'm thinking of doing a "how much is your face worth" post soon, let me know what ya think. I'm also going to pick up Skincare sundays again tomorrow, so look out for that! I love you all so much, see ya later ^^

A collective haul ^^ (picture heavy)

Hey everyone! Just a few items I picked up when shopping with my nan and casually strolling through boots and superdrug recently...I, like many others, have a bit of an "impulse-buying" problem. The worse thing is that I regret NOTHING :'D

Clothing

1. White skull tank top (no idea what make it is :L)- I got this adorable top for £2.99 from a charity shop, it's so awesome and will be perfect for summer. I've found it here for £19.99, so I got a pretty good price :)

2. Blue lace pattern tank  top, £10 from Primark- I LOVE this top! I think it's so cute and will be perfect for my summer holiday to Venice (with my school's art department in June ^^). It looks great on and is just so sweet and summery...I suck at description, I apologise :)

Peekaboo! Skully sees you! That was a tad bit creepy and YES he's named Skully!! Problem?

3. Black knitted cardigan, £6 from Primark- There's nothing like a simple black cardy to finish off any look. Such a bargain.

4. Blue and white/cream striped knitted cardigan, £6 from Primark- Another really cute essential piece. I got this in the sale for £3 and it's a size 18 (I'm a size 8...) but it really isn't that big on (I think it's because it's stretchy). It's just so cosy! I've been wearing it a lot with my Skully top ^^

Skincare

5. Boots Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz, £4.99 from Boots- Got this last week on offer for half price (I think). I heard about it on BeautyCrush's blog and it has such great reviews on Boots.com, it really is amazing! I've used it a few times and my skin drinks the stuff. Review coming soon!

6. Witch Naturally Clear Blemish Stick, £2.89 in Superdrug (currently a third off in Superdrug!)- I've always wanted to try this stuff. It was on offer, so, why not? ^^

Make-up

7(Far left). Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in Vintage Pink, £6.29 in Boots- Such a stunning mauve toned pink lipstick! It suits me so well but it's more of an autumn colour, I picked it up out of sheer curiosity ^^ (roll on autumn!) I'm loving Rimmel lately!

8. Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick in Vintage Rose, £2.99 in Boots- A really nice orange toned natural pink lippie. It looks coral on the swatch on the Boots website, but it's not xD So pretty ^^

L to R, Vintage Rose, Vintage Pink

Immortal Charcoal

9. Maybelline Expression Colo(u)r Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in Immortal Charcoal- I already have the permanant taupe shade and LOVE it, this is a gorgeous grey which is quite mettalic and more green toned than blue (which the packaging suggests). 

L to R- Vintage Rose, Vintage Pink, Immortal Charcoal

Haircare

10. Garnier Fructis Style Big Volume Heat Protect Spray, £3.89 in Superdrug (2 for £4 ^^)- I've never used a heat protect product (naughty, I know) but I never usually straighten/curl my hair. However, I do blow dry it when I was it in the morning and I thought this would be good for giving me a boost at the start of the day.

11. Garnier Fructis Hairspray Bamboo Flexihold Volume, £2.39 in Superdrug (2 for £4)- Just needed some more really, these products smell absolutely divine!

Random

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald- I'm re-reading this for my AS level literature exam on friday. This has to be my all-time favourite book. I love the complexity of it, the glitz and glamour of the era it captures but, at the same time, how it conveys the darkness and corruption of the "roaring twenties". A literary masterpiece that I would highly recommend.

That was so long! I apologise xD Make sure to pop along again some time ^^

Lots of love, Laura xx

March Favourites ^^

Hey everyone! So today I'm going to be posting my favourite beauty/skincare/general items of this past month. Enjoy :)

1. Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Treatment- £4.75

2. Lush "No Drought" Dry Shampoo- £6.50

3. Maybelline Expression Colour Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in "Permanent Taupe"- £4.99 

4. "She's so...Jetset!" Set by Benefit- I think around £23.50- It was a limited edition set by can probably be found on amazon or ebay.

5. Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub- £5.25

6. Natural Collection Lipstick in Raspberry- £1.99

7. The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Tint in Rose Pink- £10

8. NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer- £3.49

9. Natural Collection Liquid Eyeliner- £1.99

10. Nivea Creme- £3.39- So great for moisturising my dry post-winter hands

11. Lush Jungle Conditioner- £2.95

The Make-Up ^^

From left to right-

• "She's so...Jetset!" Set by Benefit- I got this set for Christmas last year and I have been using it A LOT lately. The set contains a mix of products for eyes, cheeks, lips and face, which makes it a really nifty set to have. This is my first Benefit set and I hadn't used any of the products inside before- it includes a mini POREfessional, 4 eyeshadows, mini They're Real...Mascara, a pink lipgloss, and a pink/peach blush/highlight duo with a square fluffy applicator- therefore this is great for those who want to experience a variety of Benefit products. I LOVE the eyeshadows, the blush, the mascara, and the POREfessional primer- I've been using the eyeshadows everyday. They all feel so glamorous ^^.
• Maybelline Expression Colour Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in "Permanent Taupe"- Such a gorgeous taupe cream eyeshadow. This is my eyeshadow staple, a lovely nature base that I'll wear alone or as a base. If you don't know already...I LOVE TAUPES.
• Natural Collection Lipstick in "Raspberry"- This is such a lovely pink raspberry (funny that xD) lipstick. I got this last summer and wore it all the time. It's so cheap but so smooth and creamy, as well as a really flattering, bright collection. Perfect for spring/summer!
• The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Tint in "Rose Pink"- I use this mostly on my cheeks which gives a stunning pink flush of colour, so pretty! It is also lovely on the lips as a stain.
• Natural Collection Liquid Eyeliner- Another winner from the Boots Natural Collection make-up range! The colour is actually jet black (and actually stays put!) with an applicator that is really thin and easy to apply. I will definitely be re-purchasing this when it runs out. 
• NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer- It's taken a while for me to fall in love with this, but I've finally got there. I've been using this as an all-over primer under foundation which gives a nice glowing (almost dewy) finish, but I also use it sometimes as a liquid highlighter. It's gorgeous used either way and so affordable! Plus it makes my make up last ages, even on my oily skin ^^

Swatches

1. Permanent Taupe cream eyeshadow 2. Raspberry Lipstick 3. Natural Collection eyeliner 4. Body Shop Lip and cheeck stain 5. NYC primer

"She's so...Jetset!" Set by Benefit

From left to right-

•  Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub- This has been a favourite of mine for ages! My lips love it and it tastes divine. Plus it lasts a very long time- definitely a great purchase :)
• Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Treatment- An absolute SAVIOUR for my terribly weak nails. They feel strong and healthy and I can really see that they are growing.
• Lush "No Drought" Dry Shampoo- You know those days when you wake up to have a shower before school/work and just feel like getting an extra 15 minutes in bed? Yeah, this is great for those days. The citrus scent leaves my hair smelling fresh, non-greasy, and doesn't leave that dreaded white tint to your hair.
•  Lush Jungle Conditioner- I got this for my birthday last year and I've only just rediscovered it. And THANK GOD. I'd forgotten how amazing it leaves my hair! They've redesigned the look of this and it's under £3! For how many washes you get out of it, it's an absolute bargain!!

I hope you liked my first EVER favourites post!

If you have done one this month please put a link for it in the comments- I love reading them ^^

Also please follow me if you want more :)

Lots of love, Laura xx

Going back to the past...a classic 40s make up look

Hey everyone! There is something so elegant and sophisticated about the classic 40's look, think Dita Von-Teese ^^ This look is really simple yet gorgeous, a lovely cat-eye paired with a bold shiny red lip, so I'm here to share my version of it.

Her classic make up will be the inspiration for this look.

The finished look complete with "Von-Teese" beauty spot (that's dedication ^^)

*Cough* Poser *Ehem* ;)

Admittedly this isn't a look I sport very often (as a socially-awkward student I don't get many chances to wear red lipstick, but I take every chance I can xD). The key to this look is a matte, flawless complexion (I tried my best), thick jet black gel/liquid eye liner  a defined eyebrow, and the lipstick- I think my effort ticked most of these boxes, so I'm happy with it ^^

Products used-

Foundation- Max Factor Colour adapt in shade 40 Cream Ivory

Concealer- Collection Lasting Perfection in shade 1 Fair

Powder- Rimmel Stay Matte pressed translucent powder 

 Eyeshadow- I used Tranquil from my MUA Undress Me Too palette to cover my lid and line the lower lash line. I also used Estee Lauder Pure Colour Eyeshadow in shade 10- Ivory Box to highlight my browbone and shade 64 Espresso Cup to fill in my brows ^^ and shade 61 Tea Box to add a slight contour to my cheeks

Eyeliner- Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Black

Mascara- Benefit They're real!

Lipstick- Avon Extra Lasting Lipstick in Eternal Flame

Lipgloss- Rimmel Shock Gloss 3D Magnifying Lip Gloss in shade 208 Amp'ed (not sure if this is discontinued or not in store but it's still avaliable on Amazon :)

*Blows kiss* :3

I hope you liked this post! Have a great evening everyone and I hope I did the "classic" 40's make up look some justice. Stay tuned (figuratively) for more reviews/tutorials/raves/and other great stuff and thank you for reading! Feel free to leave a comment with any views/questions/suggestions, all are welcome! ^^

Lots of love, Laura xx

Boots and Superdrug Haul (what I bought in town today)

Hey everyone! Today I'm going to be sharing with you a few make up and skincare products I purchased in town today mostly from Boots and Superdrug, as well as a couple of things I've been given randomly recently. On with the haul then...

Skincare (YAYYYY!)

Skincare

Clearasil Ultra Overnight Wash- I've been having some "blemish" issues lately, so when I saw this wash was reduced to £3 in my local Boots I jumped at the chance.

Boots Skinclear Oil-free Mattifying Lotion, £2.99- I have REALLY oily skin so when I saw all the amazing reviews for this "miracle product" I was so excited to try it! Even more excited when I saw it was half price in Boots (£1.49!!!) which it doesn't seem to be at the moment (however, the range is currently 3 for 2). 

And finally Boots Essentials Fragrance Free facial sponge, £2- Ever since I saw the budget "essentials" for various bloggers on The Sunday Girl's blog, which mentioned using a facial buffer, I was intrigued to try one as I've never considered it before. I'll have to update you on what I think of it.

Make up ^^

I have wanted to try some products from NYC (New York Colour) for a while so I decided to try a few :)
NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer, £3.49 but on offer in Superdrug for £2.49- I have seen SO MANY good and bad reviews about this product so I was so eager to get it and find out for myself! Will definitely do a review soon.
NYC Showtime Volumising Mascara, £1.99 (!?)- For £1.99 can you really go wrong? I needed some new mascara and this looked promising ^^
NYC In a New York Minute (see what they did there ;D) Quick Dry Nailpolish, £1.79 in Shade 246 Park Avenue- On the website this colour looks grey but it's really a GORGEOUS taupe colour (if you don't already know...I LOVE TAUPES!!!! :D) This was really an impulse buy...I literally picked it up and ran to the counter, I regret NOTHING.

Some more Make up (yay)

MUA Lipstick in Shade 2, £1- My fourth MUA lippie...enough said xD

W7 Lipstick in Kir Royale, I think around £3 from Amazon- I bought on a whim but really like it, the second W7 product I've tried (I really like them!) It's a gorgeous plum red/pink ^^

MUA Pressed Powder Blush in Shade 3, £1- I already have Shade 4 which I LOVE so I can't wait to try this!

Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr Eyestudio Gel Cream Eyeshadow in 40 Permanent Taupe, £4.99 - What can I say, I'm a sucker for taupe shades ^^

Random stuff I've been given 

Benefit Prrrowl Lipgloss & Mascara Duo- My friend got this for her birthday and didn't like it so she gave it to me (was I ever going to say no to a free, practically unused, benefit product?? :D)

A really random pot of Nivea moistururiser- Can you actually beat this stuff for hydrating dry skin?? I don't use it on my face as it's quite heavy (however, I do used the Nivea Light one on my face in the evenings), but it's really good for dry hands or elbows etc.

A little Estee Lauder bag- My step mum received this with her last order and I thought it would be good for taking my make up essentials in when I'm on the move. It's just so cute!

Look at that shimmer xD So snazzy!

That's it!! That was a very long post, I apologise, I got a bit carried away. I'll be reviewing some of these products in the very near future ^^ I hope you enjoyed it.

Lots of love, Laura xx