Update | No Uni No Life?

Hi lovelies,

So, long time no speak I guess. I'm writing this post to give you guys a quick update about where I've been and why I haven't blogged in quite a while. I've been working full time while I try and decide what I want to do with my life, whether I want to go to university and stuff like that. If I'm being honest, my head has been all over the place and blogging has been the last thing on my mind, I kind of lost my way a little and forgot how much I actually loved writing and editing my posts because I was too focused on what career I want for the future. My answer is I have absolutely no clue. I have put so much stress on myself because I felt like university was the only option and I had no idea what I wanted to do. I've finally realized that there is NO rush. If you don't know what you want to do that's fine. If you don't want to go to university that's fine. There is so much pressure on younger people these days, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who was made to feel like they'd failed because they hadn't gone to uni? At school I was taught that university was the only option and that you'd pretty much get no where in life without it. Now I know that isn't true, I'm taking the time to figure out my life at my own pace, and that means doing the things I love and focusing on my blog. I don't know where my life is going right now, and that's okay. I know I'll end up on the right path when the time is right, whether that's going to university or not.

I'm going to try and make a plan for my blog posts and I'm going to try and at least write 4 or 5 posts a week. I hope you guys forgive me for my break!

Lots of love,

Poppy Loves Book Club

Hi everyone!

So just a quick one from me today. I wanted to share with you something that I have been absolutely loving over the past couple of months. I really love my reading, but with work and college practically taking over my life I started slipping out of my reading habits. I came across poppy loves book club on instagram and decided to check it out. It's an online based book club however there are locations where you can go and meet up with other people in that area. There's one book a month that's allocated to read and on the last wednesday of the month there's a big online discussion on the facebook page, sometimes the author of the book even joins in too. I've found it's the perfect way for me to read new things and to read stuff that I wouldn't normally pick up myself. It's also really nice to be able to talk to other people about the book and see everyones different thoughts and opinions! If you love reading but there are no book clubs round your area, I'd highly recommend this one! For all the information on how to join visit the poppy loves book club website here. This month we're reading Shame by Melanie Finn and the discussion date is on the 26th October at 7:30pm.

I have quite a few posts lined up over the next couple of weeks so make sure you stay updated!

Lots of love,

Glossybox | February 2016

Hi lovelies!

So just like my Birchbox post, I thought I'd share with you what I got in my Glossybox this month. For those of you who don't know what Glossybox is, it's a beauty subscription box where they send you deluxe beauty samples/full size products in a pretty little box each month. You can find out more here. This months box was valentines day themed which I thought was super cute, plus everything was full size! Here's what I got inside..

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Floral Slanted Tweezers: I absolutely love these! The packaging is so pretty and I love the floral print. I've had the same old boring silver tweezers for ages so it will be nice to replace them with something prettier. The original price is £8 and you can buy them here.

Naobay Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner: I literally rely on hair masks so I was really excited to get this. It's supposed to give your hair volume and leave it feeling silky and smooth. I haven't actually tried this yet but it smells like lemons which I really like. I'll post a review once I've tried it! The original price is £10.64 and I can't actually find where to buy this but I presume you can buy it from the Glossybox website.

Wilkinson Sword Hydro Silk Razor: I have to admit I was a little dissapointed with this.. I didn't really expect razors in my beauty box! These are the one's I always use anyway and they're originally £9.99 so I guess it saves me buying some more blades. You can get them here but I know they're on offer at boots for about £5!

MUA Power Pout Glaze Low Voltage Gloss: This lip gloss is lovely, mine is in the shade allure and it's kind of a purpley pink. It gives you a hint of colour to your lips which I love. I think MUA products are really underrated and they're so cheap! This lip gloss is £3.50 and you can buy it here.

Nicka K New York 24 Hour Waterproof Eyeliner: This eyeliner seems really nice, it's a twistable pencil and it has a blending tip at the other end. I don't tend to use pencil liners and unfortunately this one is in dark brown (I would have much preferred black!). I'm still going to try it out and see if I like it because it does seem like a really nice liner and it's only £3.99. I think this is only available to purchase in America but I'm pretty sure you can get it off the Glossybox site.

So that's the end of my box! What did you guys think of Glossybox this month? Let me know in the comments! Don't forget to follow me on bloglovin and twitter ♡

Lots of love,

Birchbox | February 2016

Hi lovelies!

So my February Birchbox came yesterday and I was super excited, I thought it would be nice to share what I got in mine! I'm also going to do this with the Glossybox when it comes. This months theme is "shine bright like a diamond" and the box is so pretty. I was a bit gutted that there wasn't a bit of a valentine's theme but it doesn't matter too much. Here's what I got inside..

Spectrum Collections Tapered Powder Brush: This was the first thing I pulled out because it caught my eye the most! I've actually tried this brush and it's perfect for applying highlighter. It's super soft and I love the colours. The original price is £7.99 which is more I paid for the box itself (I got 50% off with unidays student discount)

LOC One and Done Shadow Stick in Champagne Problems: I actually knew I would get this in the box because we had to choose which shade we wanted. I chose champagne problems because the other shade was a bit too gold and brassy for me, I prefer more subtle colours. The shade is gorgeous! This is actually Birchbox's own brand and I have to say I am really impressed. It says we can expect "up to 11 hours of creaseless, waterproof colour in one handy stick" and they're not wrong. I wore this out last night and it didn't move! I also swatched a little on my arm and it was still there when I woke up and only came off when I went in the shower this morning. The original price is £8.

Doux Me Comforting Face Mask & Exfoliator: This little sample has the cutest polka dot packaging! It can be used as a face mask or scrub which I think is really nice. The smell is absolutely gorgeous, it's a mix of apricot and marshmallow which is what the scrub is made from as well as camomile and rice powder. I was a bit worried at first because I have dry, sensitive skin so face scrubs can sometimes be too harsh but this one is so gentle. It didn't leave my skin feeling sore afterwards like most scrubs do, but still got rid of dry, dead skin on my face. The original price for the full size product is £18 and I think I may have to invest in some once my little sample has ran out (yes I love it that much)

Number 4 Lumiere d'Hiver Super Comb Prep & Protect: This is a leave in conditioner and is supposed to strengthen and repair tired strands and also de-tangle the hair. It smells amazing and does what it says on the box, but the original price for the full size product is £20 and I think you can get much cheaper ones that do exactly the same! I will keep using it to see if I think any different, but at the moment I don't think I'd pay £20 for this.

Cochine Water Hyacinth & Lime Blossom Hand & Body Lotion: I haven't actually tried this yet, the only reason being is that I'm a bit hesitant when it comes to trying new body creams as I suffer from eczema and don't want it to flare up! The smell is okay but it's not my personal favourite. I can't really give you a review but the original price is £19 and I'm not sure I'd be willing to pay that for any body lotion (unless it magically gave me perfect, flawless skin!)

L. Erickson Grab & Go Ponytail Holder: This bobble was a beauty bonus. To me, it's just the same as an ordinary bobble except it's probably a bit stronger. It does it's job and I will have to keep this one safe because it's £11.50 for a set of 15.

So that's what I got in my Birchbox this month. Did any of you get this months box? What did you think of it? My Glossybox is due to come next week so I will do a post like this on that too! Just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone reading my blog, I've just reached 1300 views!

Lot's of love,

Tips & Tricks for Dry Skin

Hi everyone!

Some of you may already know that I suffer from really bad dry skin spells. Sometimes my skin will be perfectly fine and others it will be terribly dry! I've recently bought some face products from the body shop that are meant to be great for dry skin so I'm going to test them out and share them in a haul/review type post next week. In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you some of my tips and tricks that have really helped me with my skin. 

1. Moisturize - This may seem fairly obvious, but moisturising once a day isn't going to be enough if you have dry skin. I've learnt that I need to moisturize at least twice a day (in the morning and at night), after I shower and preferably whenever I get chance throughout the day. It's also important to remember NOT to stop doing this if your skin looks and feels better (I know I'm guilty of this!) because your skin is more likely to dry out again. 

2. Water - Drinking plenty of water throughout the day flushes toxins from your inside which helps to hydrate your skin. You should aim to drink the recommended 8 glasses a day, I know it's hard sometimes, I sometimes go through the whole day only having one drink. One way I've found to help me remember is to drink one glass when I first wake up, one glass with every meal and one glass before bed (and obviously in between when you're thirsty or remember) 

3. Vaseline - This has been amazing for me! Every night before bed I apply Vaseline onto my dry areas and leave it while I sleep. It helps lock in moisture overnight and your skin should feel less dry in the morning. 

4. Avoid Harsh Scrubs & Washes - I've used plenty of face washes that make my skin feel tight and dry after washing, and this means the face wash isn't right for you. A lot of face washes are targeted to help remove oils and prevent breakouts. I've found that using a gentle, cream face wash works a lot better than the gel types. Try looking for moisturizing washes and cream cleansers and use a baby's wash cloth instead of a towel. (It's softer and less harsh on the skin)

5. Milk - As strange as it sounds, washing your face with milk helps to hydrate skin and reduce blemishes! I pour a small about of milk into a mug, and massage it into my face using a baby's wash cloth. I do this a few times a week and it really has helped me. 

6. Vitamins - Eating plenty of vitamin rich foods ensures that the skin is getting the right nutrients! I've been trying to eat at least 3 portions of fruit and veg a day to help keep my skin hydrated. You can also take vitamin tablets to help, I know they sell some specifically for skin/hair.

Do you have any more tips for dry skin? Let me know in the comments below!

Lots of love,

High Street Loves | Topshop, New Look & River Island

Hi everyone!

So yesterday I took a walk round town and tortured myself knowing I couldn't by anything! I decided it might be a nice idea to take a picture of all the things I loved and share them with all of you in this post. I went to Topshop, New Look and River Island and found a few bits and bobs that I really liked.

Topshop

Topshop is usually hit and miss for me. Sometimes I'll want everything and other times I won't find anything at all! Yesterday I found 4 things that I really liked.

Dip Dye Rib Jumper - I'm absolutely loving jumpers at the moment! They're perfect for these first few cold months of the year. I really like the dip dye effect and think it would be great in my wardrobe for everyday wear. I would style this with black ripped jeans and black boots for a casual, dressed down but kind of up style. This is £39.

NYPD Hoodie By Tee and Cake - Grey hoodies are my favourite for lazy day looks. I don't know what it is about this one but I really liked it! I think it would look great with either black jeans or leggings and a pair of trainers to create a laid back look. This is £35.

A-Line Denim Skirt - I thought this denim skirt was really pretty. These kind of skirts are the perfect addition to your Spring wardrobe. I would personally wear this with a cute white bodysuit or long top that can be tucked in and a little pair of boots, maybe add tights if it was a bit on the colder side. This particular skirt is £29.

Lace-Up Fur Boots - These are so cute! And again, perfect for the Spring. These would look great with the denim skirt I just mentioned above! You could wear these with pretty much anything, whether it be jeans, leggings, a skirt or a dress. I think these were around £40, but I can't seem to find them on the website.

 New Look

I really like New Look most of the time because they have some really nice pieces and isn't as expensive as Topshop or River Island! There are 4 things I took pictures of but looking at the picture above now, I really like the black and white striped jumper, the grey ribbed cut out top and the khaki shirt dress.

Dark Yellow Dip Hem Jumper - I love this colour! I feel like my wardrobe is too plain at the minute and I could do with something to brighten it up a bit. I would wear this with a light blue pair of jeans and brown boots to create a comfy and casual outfit. This jumper is £19.99, which is a lot cheaper than the jumper I found in Topshop!

White Stripe Shirt - I'm a big fan of shirts, I love to wear them when I'm going out somewhere that's not too dressy. This would look perfect with a pair of dark blue ripped jeans and black boots (I think I've suggested boots with every item.. I just love them they go with anything!) This one is £19.99, again not breaking the bank too much.

Khaki Tote Bag - Tote bags are my favourite type of bag. Why? Because they look good with everything and have plenty of room inside! I can't have small bags because I always have too much stuff. Khaki is one of my favourite shades and this bag is only £27.99, which compared to other high street stores isn't that much. This would look great with an all black outfit (with black boots of course)

Run The World Bottle - Okay not really fashion related but how cute are these bottles?! I'm not quite sure why I didn't purchase one for the gym because they're only £6.99.. Definitely going to pick one up soon!

River Island

Last but definitely not least is River Island! This is the shop I found the most in because it's my favourite. I always love pretty much everything in here (especially the bags), unfortunately my bank account doesn't! When it comes to all the lovely jackets and coats which are priced between £60 and £100 I cry a little inside.

Tan Faux Suede Kimono Jacket - How gorgeous is this though?! I am loving suede at the minute and the tan colour is gorgeous! I would style this with a white v neck top, black jeans and strappy heels for the perfect night out look. This is £55.

Pink Trench Coat and White Shirt - This is actually two seperate items but they were together on the hanger and they go perfect together. I am in love with this pink shade. I've always felt like I can't wear trench coats because I'm so small haha but this one would be an exception (if my bank account could take it right now!) I would wear the coat and shirt together with black jeans and strappy heels for a gorgeous, classy look. The coat is £80 and the shirt is £25.

Faux Suede Wrap Over Skirts - I've included these two together because they are pretty much the same except one is a bit longer. I love both of these colours - rust and camel. I don't wear skirts as much as I should! These could be styled with a black long sleeved top and black high knee boots so that the skirt colour makes a bold statement. These are £30.

Cream Faux Suede Winter Coat - This coat is absolutely gorgeous and I'm sure you can see why it's in my high street faves! I love the neutral colour and the fur detail. This coat would go well with pretty much anything and is £100 (yes I'm crying on the inside)

Cream Fur Gillet and Rust Lace Up Front Top - I love this combo! Again, it's 2 seperate items but they look so good together. I love the detail on the gillet and the rust colour of the top. This would look great with a pair of jeans, perfect for when the weathers cold but not that cold. The gillet is £60 and the top is £25.

Suede Slouchy Handbag - I literally love every bag in River Island, but I thought it would take way too long to show you all of them so I decided to stick to one. I love the effect the two different shades/materials have. It's such a simple bag that would make any outfit look amazing. It's £32 which isn't too bad!

And we've finally come to an end.. I got a bit carried away with River Island! Which of these is your favourite? Let me know what high street trends you're loving at the moment.

Lots of love,

3 Highlighters I've Been Trying | £5 and Under

Hi lovelies!

Today I'm going to be sharing with you 3 drugstore highlighters that I've been trying recently (all £5 or under) and give you my opinions on each one! I've been looking for a good quality highlighter that isn't going to break my bank so I decided to try a few to see what worked for me. I feel like drugstore make up is really improving lately, which is great because not everyone can afford to splurge on high end products 24/7 (like myself and my part time cinema wage!) 

Make Up Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter (Golden Lights) - £3

 

I was a bit skeptical about trying Make Up Revolution products at first because I didn't think they'd be very good. However, I love their eye shadow pallettes so I decided to try something different. This highlighter has actually been my go to highlighter for quite some time. It's a gorgeous golden shade and it lasts on my face all day. It definitely gives your skin a golden glow, but after using it for a while I started to see that it became very drying on my skin. I'm not sure whether that's to do with my skin type (normal/dry) or whether it's just the product, but it would look great when I first applied it and then after a while it would look slightly dry. With that being said, my mom uses this highlighter and really likes it, she has quite oily skin. For £3 you can't really complain.

Rating: 3.5/5

Collection Speedy Highlighter (Pearl Sheen) - £3.99

This highlighter came in a stick form which I thought would be really useful when it came to applying, however I actually found it a lot harder! I much prefer using a brush or even my fingers. The colour gives you quite a subtle, natural glow, but it took me quite a few layers to be able to see the slightest bit of highlight. I also found it really hard to blend with my bronzer and unfortunately it just isn't long lasting! I could see it fading after just half an hour, and with that being said I'm not a big fan. The Make Up Revolution highlighter is cheaper and much better than this one!

Rating: 1/5

Freedom Professional London Pro Highlight Pallette - £5

 

I am absolutely in love with this pallette! I'd never really bothered with Freedom make up before, it was always one of those brands that I'd walk straight past when I was make up shopping. I spotted this pallette whilst in Superdrug and I couldn't resist. The pallette contains 6 cream highlighters and 2 powder ones and as you can see, there are a wide variety of gorgeous shades to suit pretty much anyone! For £5, they are amazing quality and super easy to blend. They seem to be lasting most of the day on my face too which is great! I prefer cream highlighters to powder ones because I feel like they give you more of a glow, but that's just my personal preference. The only thing I'd say is they are abit glittery which I don't mind but I know some people do. This is my favourite out of the 3. The shades don't have names but I've swatched them below.

Rating: 4/5

2 powder highlighters (middle 2)

3 of the cream shades

The other 3 cream shades

Rankings (from best to worst):

1: Freedom Pro Highlight Pallette
2: Make Up Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter
3: Collection Speedy Highlighter

What good drugstore highlighters have you tried? I'm thinking of doing more posts like this, I love trying new products and not breaking the bank whilst I'm doing it!

Lots of love,