Hero Products of 2015

 I can't believe that it's almost the end of 2015! 2015 brought some awesome things to my attention, from new music, to amazing beauty products to staple skin-care items and I would like to share a few of my hero finds with you!

In May I finally tried the brand La Roche-Posay and it just changed my outlook on skincare, skincare should be simple, minimalist but still thorough, and this is a brand which delivers just that. I have a post dedicated to three of my La-Roche Posay finds and I can happily tell you that I have repurchased them all and they are still in my skincare routine.

In terms of music, three artists really stuck with me this year; the first is Muse, their new album Drones is fantastic, I am such a fan of their music and I am going to see them next April! My favourite songs are Dead Inside, The Handler and also JKF which then leads to Defector! The next album I listened to on my trip to India and that was Maroon V's album V and it was really good! More on the pop side but really energising and just good fun to listen to! I mentioned their album in My September Favourites! The last artist I want to mention is Lo-Fang, I just discovered his album Blue Film a week ago and I am already obsessed! If you love mellow music which has meaning and love to just sit down and listen, then this is the album I would point you to! My favourite songs include Blue Film, #88 and Boris!

My next hero product, well hero brand that I discovered this year is NARS, their foundation the All Day Luminous Weightless (£32.00/ 30ml) was the first product which really called out to me, I did a full review of it, but  to sum up, it's super lightweight, really pigmented and just lasts nicely on the skin. If you want an all rounder foundation, then this is the one I would point you towards! I received my first NARS blush this year in the shade LibertÉ (£23.00/4.8g) and although it looks a bit out there in the pan, it's actually really lovely on the skin. It's a burnished apricot shade that adds a bit of definition, and just really suits tanned skin. The formula and pigmentation are phenomenal, I only need the tiniest amount and I am set!

The last thing I want to mention is my blog, this year I have really enjoyed delving into my more lifestyle post, my 10 studying tips was one of my most viewed posts! My holiday photo posts also get quite a bit of views, this year I went to Paris and India! I want to thank you guys for reading and commenting!

I would love it if you subscribed on  Bloglovin', it really is the best place to keep up to date on all my posts! I hope all of you had an awesome year, let me know in the comments what your hero products were! I would love to know!

Review: L'Oréal Volume Million Lashes Waterproof

For some reason, I've never really ventured into L'Oréal, they always seem to have lovely stuff, and some products have been forever on my wishlist ( the True Match foundation, is something I want to try). In Boot's L'Oréal have an excellent offer: if you spend £14.99 or more you get a free gift, the Feline Fatal Christmas 2015 gift which includes a mascara, an eyeliner, an eye-shadow quad and also a nail varnish. So I snapped up this mascara, along with a primer and I've been so impressed with the deal I just had to share. 

The L'Oréal Volume Million Lashes Waterproof  (£9.99/ 2ml) is eye-catching, it has a lovely mirrored gold exterior and is more on the chubby side, I wanted this purely because it is waterproof, I have learned the hard way that short, thin, straight lashes need a waterproof formula in order to hold a curl. This actually lived up to it's claims, I don't have a million lashes but it seems to bring out a few more, giving me a more doe-eyed effect, also it holds a curl so it is a good mascara in my books! What I love about this product is that it has an anti-clump wiper, so when you pull out your mascara wand from the product, it's got a nice amount of product to give you what you need and so it's hard to really make a mess of things.

I only wear one coat, and I find that this is good for separating and defining individual lashes, it gives you a slightly fanned out effect which is nice. This mascara makes your eyelashes feel normal, it's not crispy or hard, and so you can tell that this product just wants to emphasises and make use of what you've already got.

As this is waterproof, and some people may find taking this off an issue, I always use a separate eye make-up remover just because I don't want to irritate my eyes. I found that this wasn't that hard to remove without using an actual eye-makeup remover, but I only use one coat, so that may be why!

I'm happy with this product, and I'm glad I went and bought it. Usually with mascara's, I know within the first five minutes if I will like it (my eyelashes will usually start drooping) and this has most definitely exceeded that! 

I can't wait to try out the other L'Oréal stuff and I will be reviewing them for sure! Let me know what your favourite products are from L'Oréal.
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The Best Winter Eyeshadow Palette: M.A.C Burgundy Times Nine

I made a new purchase a few months ago and it's completely astounded me how I failed to mention it on my blog, because I have been using it like crazy! 

I honestly think this palette is the one to get this season because it's just got a little more edge over other eye-shadow palettes out there...

M.A.C's Burgundy Times Nine (£30.00/0.8g), is the winter palette that beats them all in my opinion. The packaging is standard M.A.C: simple black plastic that encases nine small eye-shadows, it's sturdy but sleek and also has a magnetic strip, so that the eye-shadow is protected.

The reason I was drawn to this is because I think it's very good value, you get nine shadows which equates to just over £3 each and you do get a decent amount of product. I have never actually finished a full size eye-shadow before and so I think having these mini ones is just really convenient as it really lets me test out some novel eye-shadow colours that haven't been hyped about so that I can really just discover and explore.

M.A.C do four of these little palettes and I was torn between this one and the Amber Times Nine, which is more brown and gold oriented. What urged me towards this one was that it actually does contain a gold and also a brown, so I figured this would be the best of both worlds. I have to say the colours in here are the perfect balance, the matte and satin finishes are perfect for everyday wear, but you also have the more shimmery and 'out-there' colours to deepen your look for evening wear.

The quality and pigment of these shadows are great too! They are super smooth and don't require much product to get an opaque layer of shadow on your lids and they blend out amazingly, especially the mattes. 

My new favourite daytime eye-shadow is Haux, it's a nude beige-purple colour which is great for all over the lid and because I have brown eyes, this really makes my eyes stand out and look a little brighter. If I feel like adding a bit more 'oomph' to my look, I'll add either Embark or Sketch to the outer corner of my lid. I know I would have never chosen this colour as a singular eye-shadow because I would get drawn to the more ostentatious colours, but I will purchase a full-size of Haux, If I ever finish this!

This is my go-to palette for everything at the moment, but it's especially handy if I am travelling as this takes no space, and makes my Urban Decay Naked Palette look a bit bulky, and too much for if I am just going home for the weekend! All in all, great palette for yourself or even as a gift for people who want to ease into wearing a bit more colour on their lids!

What do you think of this palette? I would also love to know what you are reaching for this season, so leave me a comment down below!

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Sì by Giorgio Armani

I love fragrances and although I don't talk about them a whole lot, I want to start exploring with scents a bit more. I think perfume is one way that you wear your personality, especially before you meet someone, it creates an impression, and so picking something that feels comfortable and like you is a must!  

Giorgio Armani Sì Eau de Parfum (50ml/£67.00) was a gift from my older sister, and as soon as I had a whiff of this, it was love at first smell! It's a scent which makes you want more, it's powerful and potent which means that you only need a few spritz but doesn't get too overpowering or sickly either. This scent lingers on my clothes, which I love, and so the quality of the product is definitely on point. 

When I smell this I can detect a woodsy rose and vanilla, and that's what captivates me with the scent, it's sultry but also really comfortable to wear in the day and night. I honestly wear it everyday now, I am totally hooked and I really wish I discovered this sooner because it smells fantastic. If you haven't smelt this, I would urge you to, especially if you like vanilla based musky scents. I haven't yet heard of anyone who doesn't like this, so I would love to hear what you guys think! 

Packaging wise, I love the simplicity, it's probably more of dressing table staple due to the heavy glass bottle but I have no complaints! All in all, it's just a beautiful fragrance that I think can be used in all seasons, but I think in spring and summer, this will be perfect for the evening due to the muskiness. Right now, no one is going to stop me wearing this. 

 For a more detailed descrption Boot's describe Sì as:

"Sì – The Modern and Elegant Chypre. Chic, sultry, intense and soft at the same time, Sì is a chypre scent reinvented, lingering on the skin and captivating the senses. It combines an inflection of three accords: blackcurrant nectar, modern chypre and light musky wood. The fragrance opens with notes of Sicilian Bergamot, Mandarin oil and blackcurrant liqueur which is supported by a heart which bursts with Rose May, Neroli and Egyptian Jasmine. Warm undertones caress the unique chypre base notes of Patchouli oil intertwined with Blond Woods, amber and musky undertones known as OrcanoxTM. Finished with a sweet animalic accord of Vanilla which gives this fragrance, longevity and unforgettable sillage. "

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Review: Rimmel London 60 seconds Nail Polish

It's kind of strange, but changing up my nail  polish really gets me ready for the season. Lucky for me, I have already found my perfect nail polish for me this Winter and it is the Rimmel london 60 Seconds Nail polish in the shade 313 Rita Rouge (£2.99/ 8ml).

To me, this polish is an all rounder, it's super quick at drying (in 60 seconds the polish is dry to the touch), so excellent for those last minute occasions. The brush is also a bit wide, so the application time is reduced and the pigmentation is amazing! One coat can do it all, however I still like to do two thinner coats. The result is a  nice and even layer of polish that is almost gel like in appearance and so a top coat isn't really necessary!  Longevity-wise, this is pretty standard, it lasts nicely for around the 3 to 4 day mark before chipping. But what I love about this is that it's the perfect colour for toenails and also the hands too! It's a lovely deep burgundy that is more brown toned, and so will suit a huge range of skin tones. For me, the colour and the ease of application is the best selling points as there are days in which I just want to do my nails as quickly as possible, and the more fuss free the better. This is the first polish I have in the range, but I would certainly be interested to buy more and at £2.99, you can't really go wrong! 

What colours are you gravitating towards this winter? I would love to know, so leave me a comment down below!

My Trip to India 2015

My time in India was an experience, it was good but also had some not so pleasant aspects (mosquito's love me too much). Throughout the whole trip I was constantly carrying a camera so I could capture the life I lived whilst I was there and also the great sights I saw! My favourite part had to be going to Shimla, the sights there are absolutely amazing and I would love to go back to that region again!

The Taj Mahal, Agra

                       

Near Qutab Minar, Delhi

Near Qutab Minar, Delhi

Near Qutab Minar, Delhi

The Qutab Minar

The room where Mahatma Gandhi had his last meeting, Delhi

Rock Garden, Chandigarh

India Gate

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Shimla

When the electricity goes out, they use this to make Chapatis

Eating Dosa in Delhi!

Jalandhar train station

Rock Gardens, Chandigarh

My hotel view in Shimla

Shimla

Shimla

 

This was done for a £1!

      

5 Tips on How to Start a Blog

I have just recently release my 100th post, (I know, where has the time gone?!) and I think it's about time I released some tips on how to start a blog. These are my personal tips and what really helped me to actually get to this stage after one and a half years.

1) Background research

So just like any old research project that you want to do well in, you gotta know what's out there first. So if you want to start a blog, surf the net and check out a few blogs. Think about your favourite blogger/author and why are they so good at what they do. I put up a blog recommendations a while back, and to me, these people are pretty awesome in the way that they write; they are clear, concise and have a point. So get your notepad ready to jot down on what style/approach you would like to achieve on your new blog. Even now, when I have a bit of free time, I evaluate how I want my blog to sound and look. I think constant evaluation is the key to progression.

2) Consistency

This is a big one to me, I love bloggers who update regularly because then I have something new to read! I update my blog once a week and have done for the past year and a half (with two exceptions). I think commitment, when you are writing a blog, is important because I think it says a lot about the type of person you are, obviously if life has just creeped up on you it's okay to miss a deadline or two, but it's the getting yourself back on the wagon that is the important thing. As long as you have the drive to get back to blogging then I think you'll do well!

3) Advertisement 

So if you want readers, you need to put yourself out there. It really took me a while to jump on board and truly advertise myself and honestly, it's made a whole lot of difference to the amount of views I get. Firstly, joining Bloglovin' is a must, because it's a nice way to read blogs in one go. Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram are also really handy tools because hash tags make it really easy to search for a category. Another way to advertise is to read other peoples blogs and comment and they will most likely do the same for you - it's tit for tat. 

4) Gets some posts idea down

With maintaining a blog, it can be difficult at times because you just hit a brick wall and don't know what to blog about next. It you update regularly, you'll find that this happens a lot! So preplanning is your best bet, I have a list of idea's that I want to do in the future, from reviews to lifestyle posts and even some book related content. Writing a list honestly saves so much hassle because then you won't do a post halfheartedly, you know you wanted to talk about a topic anyway and so you finally get a chance to do so. In my opinion, reviews are the easiest thing to write when I'm in a hurry, because I already know how I feel about a product. So if you are a beauty blogger and you are short of time, think of some products to review! Also if you are starting a blog, then preplan your first few posts so it's not like you are jumping straight into the deep end! 

5) Be yourself

It's easy to go ahead and copy from someone else, or write the same review as another person but what people really want is a different perspective. I read a wide range of reviews and blogs because I am interested in their thoughts and if they were all writing the same thing, well then I would be sure to cut down on how many blogs I read. Doing what you want to do is vital, especially since there are so many blogs out there it's hard to stand out, so be original and don't be afraid to put what you really think out there because there is bound to be someone who agrees with you. I write like this because this is how I speak in real life and I want my readers to feel as though they are speaking to me in person. Being yourself makes blogging much easier and more like having a chat than writing an essay. At least that's what works for me!

I hope this has been useful to anyone who is looking to start a blog, when I first started, it was really spontaneous and that's really unlike me. I wish I knew how to advertise myself sooner, because it has really made a difference to the kinds of readers I get!

Follow me on Bloglovin' to see more of my posts if you enjoyed this one! I would also love to see if you with have any more tips to add in the comments below! 

Review: Urban Decay Deslick Make-up Setting Spray

Being an oily skinned person, I think its only natural to assume that I am going to try everything in my power to prevent my make-up from melting off everyday. Just under two months ago I saw that Debenhams actually did a mini travel size of the Urban Decay Deslick Makeup Setting Spray (£9.00/30ml) annnnd I absolutely could not resist in purchasing it!

So this is actually a really lovely size, it's perfect for travel and the spray itself is actually perfect, it adds a bit more product than a mist, but does distribute nicely, which makes it feel like less of a shock! 

                                               

As for the product, I wasn't totally wowed by it, I used to apply this after I had finished my make-up, and you can feel it a bit on your face (but that feeling goes away after around 30 minutes). I noticed that my face would be fine for two hours, and then suddenly it would look really really shiny and greasy, it doesn't help that I'm not exactly wearing the most mattifying foundation, but still! Recently I have been applying this after I have applied my primer, and that made more of a difference, it has a good three to four hour period before I start to look like my normal greasy self. Maybe my face is just too oily? It would be my luck. So I think this would be perfect for combination skin, but not oily skin. I also think it's best if you spray it before and after your make-up for more longevity.
I'm glad I tried it but I wouldn't repurchase it again - I have my eyes set on the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (£21.00/118ml) to see if that one is better for me, but I will try to test it out in store before purchasing. I will continue my search for my perfect setting spray!

I would love to know if you have tried this setting spray - did it work for you? Or do you have any tips on how to use it so it works better? Just leave me a comment below and be sure to subscribe and  follow me on Bloglovin' so you don't miss out on any of my posts! I would love to see you around!

September 2015 Favourites!

I haven't done a favourites in so long, so I thought you guys deserved an update on what I am loving! This month I was in India and so it was a...different month to all the rest for sure.

So before jetsetting to India, I wanted to update my Ipod and while I did do that, I wanted to listen fully to an album I had never listened to, and so I chose Maroon 5's album V 'cause I like Maroon 5 and that was all the reason I needed. I love this album now! My favourite songs are 'In Your Pocket' and 'This Summer's Gonna Hurt Like a Mother*****r' the last one fit to a tee in regards to the blistering heat I was in. I love all the other ones too, but I thought you guys should check out those two! Another favourite is Dan Brown, I love his books, he is just so captivating when he writes! I have read all of the Robert Langdon series (which I think are my favourite), and I took Angels and Demons to India for another reread since I know it's awesome and I won't get bored. I also took Digital Fortress which I have never read and that was such a good read! Again, it's fast paced and a real page turner and it's got so many twists in it that you'll be astounded! If you love learning new things on a range of different topics then Dan Brown's books are something to check out. What I love is that his books are fact based, however it's the events that are fictional and so you can really get sucked into the book! I'm so not obsessed.

Make up wise, I've been obsessing over my new NARS blush in the shade LibertÉ  (£23.00/4.8g) because it's such a different colour for me! It's an burnished apricot shade, which adds some colour and life to the cheeks but also some definition as well. Honestly, I've been wearing it every day now that I have come back (I didn't want to risk anything happening to it in India, so I didn't take it). I will do a full review on this products very soon! So be sure to subscribe so you don't miss it! In India I did discover some gems which can withstand the excessive heat and the MUA Colour Blast Eyeshadow Tints (£3.00/2.5ml) in the shade Bring it Back was one of them. It's a nice sheer wash of brown which surprisingly didn't crease or budge, and when applied it doesn't look too much either, which I preferred because when your face is melting off, less make up is usually better! The price is very affordable and I am really happy with the product as a whole! If you haven't tried eye shadow sticks before then this is a nice introductory one! The last favourite I have been gravitating towards is the Loved by Lou Lesage tinted lip balm, which was part of the My Little Dream Box I got a few months ago. I like that this is more of a lip balm than a tint, it's so nice and nourishing that you can still feel it on your lips after an hour. Also the tint is lovely too, it's not too strong and you still can have that choice of how deep you want the colour to show. This is a really nice product that is perfect for any handbag!

That's about it for my favourites! What are your favourites this month? I would love to know! Also if there are any Dan Brown fans out there let me know in the comments below!

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How to: Work From Home

So I have this feeling that most people actually do quite a bit of work at home whether it be studying, emailing, or filling out paperwork. I actually do all three at home, along with blogging and other things and so I wanted to share tips on how to successfully work at home, because I bet we all know a thing or two about procrastination and distraction.

1) Dedicate time

When you have work to do, I bet you also have a billion other things you could also be doing (Is it time to tidy the bedroom?). Procrastination can get the better of us a lot of the time, but if you plan out your day properly, then you will be able to make sure everything gets done without flitting through three different things at the same time. For my blog, I usually set aside around six hours a week with I spilt over various days, one day for writing and taking photographs, and then other days for using social media. Also knowing that you need to do work, makes you prepared to do it so make sure you bedroom is clean before people! 

2) Figure out your optimal setting

This is an important one, knowing your optimal setting means that you can get work done efficiently. Think about whether you like music playing while you work, or what time of day you work better. Also if you like doing everything in one go or breaking it down into pieces. Personally, I like background music when working (because it's feels less like work), and I also like to work in the morning and get everything done in one go so that I have the rest of the day free. If I am short of time, I like to work on a desk, however if I have the whole day for one or two tasks then I love to chill out and be comfortable in my bed. Once you know what works for you then you can utilise it and save time!

3) Organisation

Like the first point, organisation is important because it helps you save time, if your work space is organised  then your mind can focus on the task at hand. I'm a huge fan of planning the day before about all the tasks I want to accomplished, and since that list is made all I have to do is actually do the work. 

4) Goals

One thing that's good about working from home is that you don't have a manager breathing down your back, however that also means that you might slack off a bit and not perform as efficiently as you should. Making daily goals can help as you have somethings to work towards, and once your goals are all ticked off then you can truly rest (once tomorrows goals are all written up!).

So these were my top tips on working from home, can you guys think of anything I might have missed? On another note I am back from India and I will soon be posting some of my photos from that trip so be sure to subscribe and  follow me on Bloglovin' so you don't miss it!

Review: Ted Baker Body Spray

While I bet that everyone knows the brand Ted Baker, I wonder how many people associated them with having a fragrance of any kind ('cause I sure didn't!). So when I spotted these cute bottles in Boots, I really couldn't resist and since there was a 3 for 2 deal on...me, my sister and my mother all got a bottle to ourselves.

The product that we picked up us the Ted Baker Mini Body Spray (£2.50/50ml) and the the reason why I picked it up was because of the packaging, it's pink and small and honestly just looks girly, but in a sophisticated way. What I also like is the fact is that the packaging is plastic and so this is great for travelling or just throwing into your handbag (which is what me and my sister plan on doing). 

As for the scent, I will let the Boots website do the talking:

Sparkling fruity grapefruit, mandarin and mango are teamed with subtle floral notes of neroli and jasmine, while the base of patchouli, sandalwood and musk completes the scent.

I would describe the scent quite fresh and feminine, potent without being overpowering, you only need a maximum of three sprays of this to go about your day. The mist is fine and does deliver and distribute the product nicely. The only negative about this item is that the scent doesn't last very long, which is a shame, on me it lasts around the 3 hour mark, so this really is a 'refresher' type product, that is perfect for applying midday or just before an event, rather than at the start of the day where you are relying on this scent to get you by. Although I would like this scent to last longer, at £2.50 I do think this product is worth it, in my bag I know this will last me a lot longer than any aerosol sprays that I usually carry. Since I got this on the 3 for 2 deal that Boots do, I got three of these cute body sprays for £5, and so for me that really does outweigh any negatives. At the very least, I think this product deserves a sniff. 

I would love to know what your favourite fragrances are! Let me know in the comments below!
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Mini High End Haul!

I recently posted a highstreet haul and not even a week later I already collected all the products for this haul, it was accidental, I swear, I was just in need of a few things...all of which I am blaming on my trip to India. You'll see why....

For a while now I have been meaning to buy a makeup setting spray, and I've had my eye on Urban Decay's collection since they are partnered with Skindinavia (who make bridal setting sprays) and when I saw online that Debenhams did a mini travel size I couldn't resist buying it as I could try the product without investing too much money in it. I ended getting Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray (£9.00/30ml) which is specifically an oil controlling spray since my face is a greaseball in England so it'll be interesting to see how this holds up in India.

Whilst I was on the Debenhams website I also saw that Make Up For Ever also had a travel size version of their new primers and again I couldn't resist since I have always wanted to try the brand and I did want to try a new primer, that could deal with my oily skin. The Make Up For Ever Step 1 Mattifying Primer (£15.00/15ml) sounded like a good choice especially when Claire Marshall mentioned it in a video a few months back, I knew I had to try it.

The last thing in this haul is actually a gift from my sister, we went into Selfridges, since she wanted to buy the same foundation as me (I've totally enabled people to buy it!). While we were at the NARS counter, I wanted to try some blushes, as I find it difficult to select a shade that looks nice with my skin tone, but is still wearable for the daytime. Since I was being so indecisive about which one to buy, my sister bought me the one that she thought looked the nicest on me. As you can imagine, I was totally ecstatic to receive the NARS blush in the shade LibertÉ (£23.00/4.8g) for freeeeee. NARS describes the colour as a burnished apricot which is actually a perfect description, and although it looks quite strong, you only need to use the tiniest bit, I have really fallen in love with it and I don't know how I ever doubted it. You can totally expect a full review coming your way in the near future!

This haul was really short and sweet, but I was really excited about these products and wanted to let you guys know what reviews will be coming your way in the future!

If you liked this post be sure to  follow me on Bloglovin'! Also in the comment let me know if you have been doing any splurging recently!