RED LIPS FOR CHRISTMAS

I need to stop beginning every post with "long time no see!" but life has been crazy, what with school, UCAS (5/5 offers make me happy), work and a boyfriend, eyy up, that blogging just hasn't been high up on my priorities! Only now its the holidays have I had time and write a super quick spontaneous blog post!

I've forever dismissed red lipstick as something that would never suit me but finally I've found a combination I feel fairly comfortable wearing - or maybe it's just the Christmas spirit? Rimmel Kate Moss 107, beautiful shade but I always panic and dab most of it off until there;s only a stain left. This I find fairly drying so put some Maybelline Baby Lips Cherry Me on top, and BAM, moisture, colour and a finish I enjoy.

HALLOWEEN

Sometimes I feel like an outsider with this Halloween thing: I'm a wimp with scary movies, dressing up properly is too much effort and I never really did anything for it as a child apart from a few terrible Halloween discos (my parents always considered trick or treating as rude and to be fair I see their point) However, it is one of those things I have enjoyed more as I got older: last year I dressed up as a cat with pretty strong eyeliner flicks, and today I'd like to share the makeup I plan to use on Friday with an all black outfit and a half hearted prop (the cat ears may come out again) 

First things first - prepped base with Max Factor's primer which I've probably mentioned too much but it does such a good job at keeping makeup in place for longer, and when you have oily skin that eats makeup as easily as mine, this is important.

I wanted a fairly matte base with good coverage so it was time to bring out Maybelline's SuperStay Better Skin foundation, with the classic Collection concealer and Rimmel powder. In hindsight I should really have saved concealer for after the eyes as there was a fair bit of fall out, however you live and you learn.

I feel eyes is always the fun part. First things first, prepping the eyelid with a Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Pink Gold (admittedly not entirely matching the eyeshadow) and then moving onto brows while that sinks in (is this a thing?) I've recently been using my Seventeen Brow's That brow kit, despite opening it and thinking these colours would never work with my brows, with a light hand I can use them pretty well. I use the pencil to make my blonde eyebrows look like eyebrows then fill in further with the brown powder in the middle. Still don't feel brave enough for the tinted wax - one day perhaps! I then get out my Naked 2 pallette, apply Verve as an inner eye highlight, Pistol all over the lid and Blackout in the crease, outer corner and along the lash line, and then blend (a lot, although I do think being Halloween this being slightly on the messy side could work?) Below is how the eyes look like at this stage: 

 I then apply eyeliner and lots of mascara, clean up any fall out and eyes = finished.

I was pretty boring with the rest of my face and simply bronzed and lightly contoured with Bourjois's bronzer as I felt there was enough happening without adding blusher / highlighter.

   

The finished look with two lip options! First we have a is a Bourjois lip crayon in the shade Plum Russian. This is super glossy and can be either sheered out or built up depending on preference, and it's a great Autumn colour for when you don't want your lips to be too brave or in your face (me) To go a bit brighter I pulled out a Maybelline Colour Sensational lipstick in the shade Hot Plum. Insane colour and pigmentation, this is beautiful, but not something I feel like I can pull off unless dabbed on and then sheered out as much as possible. However, with this look, I really like it.


 All done, and can I just get a shoutout to my Primark Hogwarts tshirt? So comfy, and c'mon it's Harry Potter!

What are you going as for Halloween? :) 

SAYING GOODBYE TO A HOLY GRAIL

Long time no blogging! I was doing so well, but school, work, driving lessons (although happily I've since passed my test!) and a mass of 18ths suddenly built up and I struggled to find time to read blogs let alone update my own. Worry not, for I have returned to y'all.

The Benefit They're Real mascara, a favorite among many. Retailing at £19.50, for me and my budget this doesn't come cheap. If you fall in the same boat I'd recommend trying it out first if possible to see if it works for you. I ended up having this put on me when me and my friend scrounged a benefit makeover ("Hmm I just don't know if this is my colour..") way back in 2011 and was blown away by how great it made my lashes look. I felt other mascaras just didn't compare, and after a magazine sample the full size finally came into my possession in summer 2013 (thank you duty free for making me justify the price tag!!!) 

So the big question - is this better than the average mascara? Personally I would say yes yes yes, if you like insane length and volume this can only be a winner, and it really worked for me. I felt like it did a lot more than just coating the lashes with black and really made a difference. It's also pretty long lasting on the lashes too (although I never seemed to have the impossible to remove problem others struggles with). One of the most important aspects for me is the brush and this is a pretty great brush, I particularly like the dome tip which makes it easy to reach every lash.

However, although I would say this is by far the best mascara I've tried, I'm reluctant to repurchase. This little tube just didn't last long enough, and it was dried out within a couple of months when I hadn't even used it every day - not what you want from a £19.50 mascara! Ironically the sample I got a few months before the actual mascara outlasted it by far. I've been hanging on to it for ages but I think it's time to admit it's past it and say goodbye. Nice having you, I may or may not see you again.

HOW TO SURVIVE SIXTH FORM

Probably inaccurate as I have yet to get out of this in one piece, but 1 year in and I'm doing okay. I'm surviving. And with a few simple tips and "what I've learned"s, so can you! (hopefully) 

1. Pick subjects and do activities you genuinely enjoy and find interesting rather than just doing what everyone else is doing because it might look clever. You'll never have a good experience unless you follow your heart to an extent.
2. Be prepared for the step up from GCSEs to A Levels - it's huge. Don't presume that just because you aced your GCSEs you don't need to work for these (guilty)
3. You should probably start revising for your summer exams now (slight exaggeration, but seriously, its so much better sooner than later)
4. No one is going to care (or even notice) if you wear the same outfit more than once. Save yourself that stress.
5. Don't be scared to express yourself or stand out from the crowd or do something differently. Now is the time.
6. Driving (or having a friend driving) will most likely make you lazier, and that is okay ... to an extent ;)
7. It's okay to not get straight A's and it most definitely doesn't make you a failure. 
8. It's okay to not know where your life is heading, but as long as you're doing what makes you happy it can't go too wrong.
9. Your friendship circle will change, you will see less of some, more of others and meet and interact with completely new people. Embrace it.
10. Enjoy it. Try to make the most of it. Have fun

THE PICK ME UP PURCHASES

I went shopping. Twice. Adding spice into my wardrobe, makeup bag and my life.

• I'd been lusting over Daisy Dream ever since it had been released (totally not mainly because of the perfect packaging) so when my mum offered to get me it with a variety of Boots vouchers as a "well done on your exams / sorry for going on holiday without you" present I was over the moon. It smells heavenly and looks so good on display.
• Leeds Festival was INCREDIBLE so I had to pick up these CDs (£4.99 each, HMV) to revisit the experience. I really should have done this before the festival to cement the lyrics in my head further but this is just how I roll.

• Heading to Boots to see Buy one get one half price on L'Oreal, ah I had to take advantage. The foundation seems to actually be my colour which is a novelty for me (but what you would expect when it's True Match) and I'm loving the Miss Manga mascara brush.
• Barry M 3 for 2 - shared with my friend who was such an enabler, damn. I got Prickly Pear and Huckleberry nail varnishes. 

• I couldn't resist this skirt, which was only £12.99 from H&M. It's super cute, A/W appropriate and I think I will get a lot of wear out of it when I get back to sixth form. (Side note: the jumper isn't that new, but it's also H&M. The skirt wasn't agreeing when I tried to photograph it on its own)
• New boots are such a necessity at this time of year, these are Dorothy Perkins and were around the £30 mark. 

• And drumroll please, the dress. I have a few 18th parties coming up (read: 3 in 2 weekends. I feel exhausted just thinking about it) and needed something to wear pretty desperately. I fell in love with this Topshop number - annoying as it will only do for one of these occasions, and the price tag (£48 but I got student discount) is steep for me, but I just had to have it. 

I really need to stop spending money. 

FESTIVAL BITS AND BOBS

The moment summer seems to be over I have a festival to go to and a relatively summery post to do, how typical. I'm going to Leeds Festival tomorrow (!!!!!!), so today is a day for SERIOUS PACKING. So, on the agenda:

• Primer that actually makes your makeup stay - MaxFactor Facefinity All Day Primer (with SPF 20) (yay)
• Convenient stick foundation - Maybelline Fit Me Anti-Shine Stick (in 120 classic ivory)
• Blush that don't need no brush - MaxFactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush (in 14 Soft Pink)
• Do it all mascara - Maybelline Big Eyes mascara
• Jazzy "I'm at a festival" eyeliners - Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer (in 250 Emerald Sparkle) and (old) No7 Glitter Eye Liner (in Royal I believe)
• Easy lip colour - Revlon Lip Butter (in 015 Tutti Frutti)
• Hair savours (hopefully) - Dove Refresh + Care Dry Shampoo (probably some Batiste as well) and VO5 Give Me Texture Dry Texturising Spray
• And a hat if that fails - H&M
• Mouthwash (just brushing is never enough) - Listerine Stay White Mouthwash
• Some "ITS STILL SUMMER" shorts - River Island, last year
• Wellies that make me happy - Joules. According to me brother these are "townie" wellies because I didn't opt for the classic farmer green. I'm done. 
• ALL THE WET WIPES - I have baby wipes, face wipes, anti bacterial wipes. Should  also have photographed my Soap and Glory Hand Maid Hand Cleansing Gel, an essential. 

EVERYDAY SIMPLE SUMMER FACE

Through "heatwaves" and normal British weather, my makeup has ended up to be mainly a five product face.  Concealer, powder, mascara, lipstick and some eyebrow definition and I'm sorted. This version is slightly more deluxe with a touch of blusher, bronzer and primer, but as something like this has been on my face most days this summer I'm sure it's acceptable. 

First things first: Max Factor Facefinity primer, as it's the only one I've tried that actually makes my makeup stick around. Confession time: as lasting power is the thing I prioritize in a good primer, I prefer this to my Benefit Porefessional - and it's half the price. Ouch. The usual base of Collection Lasting Perfection concealer, Rimmel Stay Matte powder etc etc, everything is only put where I feel I need the coverage. Can I be bothered with a full face of foundation that will only melt off in the heat? I think not.  My trusty Collection eyebrow definer has run out, so in my desperation I whipped out this Seventeen pencil from a brow set, which I thought was nowhere near my colour. Unbelievably it isn't too bold so it works, and I really like how my eyebrows look with it. I've been skipping eyeliner because panda eyes caused by the heat (ha) just generally isn't a good look. I use a mixture of my sadly rather dried out Benefit They're Real and my good Maybelline The Falsies. I warm up my face using the bronzer and blush from the Sleek Face Form pallette in Light, although now I have a slight tan I find this step isn't necessary but it's just fun to do (how sad am I?) Normally I mix up my lip products every day but I've found myself reaching for my Mac lipstick in Coral Bliss practically every time I do my makeup - although the Creamsheen finish isn't my favourite, it's light, easy and summer appropriate, and the coral colour is perfect.

The Classics

my little pony pjs = too cute not to feature

This summer I'm leaving my beloved YA books and trying to get into something a bit more intelligent sounding. These are all books I feel like I should read in my life, so what better time than now?

1. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte    I am doing an English Literature A Level, so I am supposed to read good love books (basically not 50 shades ha). Jane Eyre is a classic love book, so I tracked down a copy. The copy I have is the cutest, from 1926 (!!!!) and was originally given to a girl for reading a Bible passage correctly. As it's so old I'm terrified I'm going to damage the book in some way. So far I am finding it a little slow, truth be told - I feel like I've been reading it forever and I'm only on like page 60. I will persevere, but as there are some other books on my reading list that have caught my eye, I may move on to something else, who knows.
2. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo The first of two books I got from the library and are completely unrelated to my studies, whoops. So I saw the film, loved it - to the stage of obsessively listening to the soundtrack and searching Tumblr for anything related to it at all. Yep. Obviously the next stage is reading the book, which might I add is 1432 pages long, not a quick read by any measure. So far, I am on page 520 and generally enjoying it quite a lot, I just need to get my shit together and finish it.
3. Nineteenn Eighty-Four - George Orwell The amount of times this book has been mentioned I just feel like I should read it. I've read Animal Farm and liked it, so hopefully I will get on with this too, although I am yet to begin.

That's my summer, what's on your reading list?

goodbye money

I've been incredibly lazy with my blog, but I currently have ideas and some motivation so lets go! Recently I went shopping to Newcastle with two friends, despite being too poor to justify it (but we'll try not to think of that too much). We drove the 150 mile round trip on our own and got the bus from the Metro Centre to Newcastle itself once we arrived, which felt pretty cool, ngl. I hadn't been shopping in agesssss, so some serious spending happened, although I am very happy with each of my purchases, and lets face it, it could have been worse.

• First stop: H&M (which I am loving at the moment). I picked up this black hat, totally out of my comfort zone, for £12.99. Why? -I will be going to Leeds Festival this year *squeals with excitement* and it's sinking in that my hair will be unwashed for longer than I am comfortable with. 
• Grey flowery skirt, Urban Outfitters, £10 in the sale!!!!! down from £30!!!!! Why? - it's a bargain and I wanted to own some Urban Outfitters (sad)
• Primark, such a stressful experience. For once I didn't put my Primark head on - you know the "OH MY GOD EVERYTHING IS SO CHEAP LET ME HAVE IT ALL" thing. I got two items: the ice lolly t-shirt (£6) and the cat knickers (£1.70) Why? - because they're just awesome and being a massive cat lady and general ice lolly enthusiast, could I pass?
• From New Look I got two fairly basic tops which were 2 for £10 + student discount = £9! Why? - I like that they had some sort of detail to make them more exciting eg lace back of black top, cool straps on the blue one. Plus I probably need them.
• Finally, I ended up in House of Fraser and ended up splurging on my third Mac lipstick, and possibly my favourite. Chatterbox isn't another nude, it's bright enough to make a statement, but it is so wearable, and the Amplified Creme finish is just a dream. Sadly, it was £15.50 (why Mac??). Weirdly I found the packaging to feel more secure than my other Mac lipsticks - maybe it's that extra 50p, or maybe it's just been too long since I got a new lipstick. Who knows? Why? - because I can't say no

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the fault in our stars - book to film adaptations #1

Obviously not the first book to film adaptation that has ever been made, but this could be the start of something new (oh god, who sung it? and now the HSM playlist is activated). Basically, I read a lot of books (and often watch the films that are based on them) and enjoy being a general fangirl, so what's better than merging them together into one massive book/movie post with added OOTD and FOTD?  And who knows, maybe this could become a little series because lets just say 2014 is the year for book to film adaptations.

THE BOOK

The Fault In Our Stars - undoubtedly one of the best books I have ever read, and one I can never do justice to when it comes to review writing.  I first picked it up way over a year ago in February 2013, because I'd heard some people talk about it online and I was curious about what the big deal was. I read it, cried, cried some more, loved it, and then passed my copy onto my mum, two friends and a friend's mum, all of which ended up loving it too. SUCCESS. If you haven't read it, I urge you give into the hype and find a copy now. John Green makes this an absolute dream to read (despite the slightly very depressing subject matter) because of the way its written - conversational enough for it to be easy enough to get through, yes,but it's also intelligent, witty and full of some pretty awesome quotes. I fell in love with all the characters, special mentions to Hazel, Gus and Isaac, but I was so emotionally invested it was inevitable that it would kill me. I cried at the sad bits and also the happy bits, but this book also makes me genuinely smile, which is why I am happy to pick it up and start the emotional rollercoaster again.

Because I loved the book so much, the idea of a film terrified me, although the trailer (which you can see here) convinced me it would definitely be worth seeing. So, me and six of my best friends booked tickets to the UK advanced screening of Thursday 12th June, and this is the story:

Just a heads up - I've lost the charger for my digital camera (i'm great) and have no decent professional photo type camera so APOLOGIES FOR THE IPHONE PICTURES. Most of these were taken five minutes before i set off for school. I tried.

THE OUTFIT

Not the most exciting outfit in the world, I had planned nicer BUT THEN THE SUN CAME OUT AND I NEEDED TO FIND AN ACCEPTABLE OUTFIT FOR SCHOOL. Obviously I had to wear my tshirt which I got from a store I found on instagram, I 100% wouldn't recommend them as I got horrible customer service, with my items arriving ridiculously late, and there's definitely better places and tops out there. However, I'm still very glad I got this, and I loved having people fangirl because of it. My favourite moment was in school when I passed these girls a few years younger than me and I heard them go "Did you see her t-shirt????" Life made.
Anyway, my skirt is from Topshop last year which I still love a lot, my necklace is Primark (I couldn't find the necklace I actually wanted to wear so have a necklace I wore in my last and only OOTD) my shoes are Vans and my socks are from Dorothy Perkins aka the only shop my town has. I also wore my black H&M leather jacket for when it got a bit cooler, which isn't pictured.

THE FACE

For makeup, I had to wear this all day for school so this is probably not how I looked walking into the cinema haha. 

I started with primer in an attempt to make my makeup stick around which is quite some feat with my oilyish skin, Max Factor's Facefinity All Day Primer is the only one that actually does that for me, but I did use some of Benefit's Porefessional around the nose to blur my horrendous pores. I then applied a liberal amount of Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in the lightest shade on any blemishes (ie a lot) with a bit for the under eyes and randomly on my nose because I can. Blended in with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, I feel this is all the coverage I need, mainly because I hate covering up those areas of skin which aren't throwing a tantrum. Next, I shove on some Maybelline Color Tattoo in On and On Bronze just to look like I've made some effort. I define my eyebrows with my trusty Collection Eyebrow Definer in Blonde, and my eyes in Rimmel's Exaggerate Waterproof (yay) Eye Definer in Black just to make it look like I have some facial features (blonde hair you suck). I think I then went in with some Natural Collection Bronzing Pearls (in Sahara Sun) which I've had forever as I felt super pale, then using the same Real Techniques Multitask Brush some of my favourite Max Factor blusher in 225 Mulberry. It's so natural I feel you really can't go wrong. I then set my makeup in place with the Rimmel Stay Matte powder in Translucent and a Real Techniques Powder Brush. Finally, my favourite parts, mascara and lips. I used Benefit's They're Real mascara, which is sadly on its last leg, so I had to go in with some Maybelline The Falsies to get my desired effect. For lips I used Topshop's Brighton Rock lipstick, but I dappped at it with some tissues after applying so it wasn't too harsh. And that's pretty much it!

i should really be a model

THE EXPERIENCE

After an exciting day of school made bearable by other fans of TFIOS, it was time for the adventure to begin!!!!! Except my adventure ended up starting as a meeting in the library so I can be a volunteer over the summer. lol. The person who was interviewing me was lovely, but I could see the clock, and could see that the short 10 minute interview was quickly turning into 35minutes, which was pretty stressful knowing my friends were waiting outside for me and yeah. Eventually I was out and on the open road in my friend Laura's car. We reached the smallish city where the advanced screening was, and after some fabulous searching for a parking space in rush hour, we parked up and headed to Nandos to meet the rest of our pals. I had my usual medium butterfly chicken with chips and salad which was pretty tasty. We then headed to the cinema where we got GIANT POSTERS AND LANYARD THING (i'm never sure if that's the right word). The film started with John Green the man himself appearing on screen which made us all jump, and ended with a special Q&A with the cast and crew and the deleted scene featuring JG. Advanced screenings rule.

THE FILM

I should have known that with so much input from John Green, The Fault in Our Stars movie was never going to be a disaster. It was actually really really really great. Any film that gives me goosebumps, makes me laugh out loud and makes me cry get the thumbs up from me. Apparently people could hear me crying which is super embarrassing but there you go. It was so nice having all read the book and loved it individually to enjoy it together with my friends, and we'll definitely be going again. I'm a slight cheap skate when it comes to cinema so that must prove something. If you have any worries, I assure you that apart from some minor niggles the film was very very true to the book, and probably the closest book to film adaptation I have ever seen.  It was genuinely funny and I maybe fell in love with the characters even more. But even if you haven't read the book, I know someone who went and hadn't read it, and she loved the film. I definitely think it's worth seeing, and I'll definitely be there when it comes out properly in the UK on the 19th June. Will you?

BEAUTY HAUL

It was one of those days when I just had to do some damage to my purse. Firstly, this learning to drive business means a lot of randomly parking and having a break, meaning I found myself in town and realising I needed some new (essential) makeup. Cue Superdrug's 3 for 2 offer. I picked up two items, my mum picked up a third, but I still wasn't satisfied. Walking past Boots to find out they also had a 3 for 2 offer was too much for me to stand, and my boredom with my current make up collection meant I just had to dash in and grab a further 3 items. I'm not even sorry.

Firstly I picked up the Collection Eyebrow Definer in the shade 3 Blonde for literally the fifth time, which was really what started this whole day being expensive I wouldn't even call it my holy grail product, I just like the fact its wind up (no faffing around with a pencil sharpener) and cheap enough to be repurchased five times (£2.79 oh yeah).  Also in Superdrug, I'd been lusting over the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms (£7.99) for what felt like forever, so in a wild flash of #YOLO i got the shade 205 Elusive. It's love. I put some on in the toilets straight away, and ohmygosh, the formula is so creamy and moustirising and lovely I definitely need some more in my life. The colour is great too, a nice mid pink one or two shades darker than my natural lip colour which looks natural enough to be wearable anywhere but its not boring and doesn't wash me out. My mum got the Barry M nail paint for £3.99 from the very jazzy Aquarium collection, in the shade Arabian (I think). Its such a cool colour, I'll definitely have to steal it from her.

Boots next. After reading this review, I knew the Max Factor Facefinity All Day Primer would be something I had to try, as make up not lasting on me is one of my biggest hates, so fingers crossed this will do something about it! At £10.99 it's pretty pricey, but I've never been disappointed by Max Factor yet! I also picked up one of the Maybelline Color Sensational lipsticks in the shade 906 Hot Plum for £6.99 I think, which is totally out of my comfort zones (I find anything too dark or bright on my lips looks ridiculous on me, and this is purple) but I really can't wait to try it. My third item was the Maybelline Color Tattoo in On and On Bronze, such a typical makeup product but I have it in Pink Gold and absolutely loved it, and this will definitely be wearable. For only £4.99 you can't go too wrong.

This photo doesn't do justice to how beautiful the colour is

Deutschland

Germany will always have a special place in my heart- it was to there that I ventured abroad for the first time, traveled by plane, plus two amazing exchanges (in 2012 and 2014) where I met so many lovely people.

We were based in a smallish town to the south of Munich, and we did a lot, skiing, swimming, castles, a (daunting) day in the German school, bowling, shopping and ... a cheese factory. By the end of the trip we had plans to pool our resources, buy our own Käserei and live in Germany forever, however sadly that plan didn't materialise. But we can dream.

This picture is from like two years ago, but I wanted to include it because there was basically no snow this year, and also it looks a bit more professional than the rest of my pictures. Cough selfies cough. Seriously, you have no idea how many selfies I had to sift through to get a halfway decent blogpost. Anyway, enjoy Germany in pictures :)

gambling sweets on the plane how very badass

RIGHT WE GOT TO MUNICH AND WE HAD GIFTS WAITING FOR US FROM OUR PARTNERS AND I GOT THIS AMAZING LION WEARING LEDERHOSEN AND 

seriously how iimpressive s this church

Schloss Neuschwanstein

weather game was strong in the school

me and beth hitting munich

IT WAS VERY EXCITING BECAUSE IN GERMANY I CAN DRINK BEER LEGALLY HEY

well i was awful at skiing

up the Olympia tower

We went to BMW World

Me and my lovely exchange partner Conny, miss her!!!

I'm sorry that was very picture heavy, and very grainy iPhone picture heavy, but oh well! I had a great time and I seriously can't wait for the Germans to come to England in July. If you ever get the chance to do a foreign exchange I would recommend it so much - its a great way to meet new friends and improve your language skills. Now hopefully I can do this German A-Level thing...