Tag: 2019

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2019 BLOGMAS LIFE

MY FAVOURITE APPS OF 2019

Hey Everyone,

I hope youโ€™re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 10! Todayโ€™s post is all about the apps that Iโ€™ve been loving throughout 2019. I’ve included all of the apps that I consider to be staples and must-haves so that you can download and enjoy them too!

Check out my favourite apps of 2017 and 2018!

FILMM

This is an absolute must-have for Instagram stories! Earlier this year, YouTuber/Blogger, Zoe Sugg, collaborated with the founders of A Color Story (Emma Chapman and Elsie Larson) to create “Filmm”. Created for creators, the app includes new video effects and filters to add all kinds of funky things to video clips. You can add light leaks, grain and dust to your videos and photos as well as filters and music! Filmm is free to download but you can also purchase packs containing more filters and effects. There’s also a subscription available to get everything for one price. I personally love using this app as it gives my videos a lovely home-made vibe. The effects aren’t just static filters but they actually move with the videos, making them look so realistic!

LIGHTROOM

I only started using this app properly earlier this year. Now, I cannot imagine my life without it – especially as a blogger and influencer! Lightroom is an editing app that allows you to edit everything from the exposure and contrast of a photo to removing haze or adding grain to it. It literally lets you edit every aspect of an image until you’re happy with how it looks. It really allows you to be a perfectionist with your work – which I love! You can also create your own or download presets, ready to copy and paste so that all of your images have the same edit. I love using presets for my Instagram themes – they have made a huge difference to my photography! There’s absolutely no going back now that I have this app in my life – it’s an everyday staple for me!

APPLE PODCASTS

I absolutely love podcasts. I listen to at least one episode of a podcast every single day. They’re perfect to have on in the background whilst I’m working, cleaning or even on a walk or a run. The Apple Podcasts app is basically a library for IOS users to access over 750,000 shows. There’s a category for everything; Comedy, Sports, True Crime, History and even Fiction! I’m not only constantly entertained and inspired by podcasts, but I can learn from them too. You can keep up to date with your favourite shows or you can download episodes so that you’ve always got some stored for those long and boring journeys. I feel like I’m always recommending podcasts to friends and family – I actually think I listen to them more than I watch TV or movies.

I’ve written two posts about the podcasts that I listen to; My Favourite Podcasts in 2018 and 3 Podcasts to Make You Laugh, so give them a read if you need something new to listen to!

SLEEP CYCLE

I’ve been struggling with sleep since I was a kid. I’ve been having very intense lucid dreams since I was about twelve years old, so I’m used to waking up in the middle of the night feeling confused and questioning what’s real etc. It usually means that in the morning, I’m still extremely tired. I currently have no problem with falling asleep, but during the night, I know my sleeping pattern is very inconsistent and easily disrupted.

I noticed this app and I thought it would help me understand my sleep cycles much more. Sleep Cycle offers a variety of features to help users track and analyse their sleep. It also has an inbuilt alarm that gently wakes you up during a light sleep in the morning. I love this as I never feel like it interrupts my sleep as I’m usually just stirring as it starts to go off. Now, I understand my sleeping pattern so much more thanks to the detailed analysis that the app provides. Also, I love that I don’t have to have anything under my pillow or attached to me. I can just put my phone on my bedside table and I’m good to go!

Pinterest

I know Pinterest has been around for a while! It’s just that I’ve been using it so much this year that it simply felt wrong not to mention it. Pinterest is probably the most inspiring app that I own. There’s everything available from makeup ideas and motivational quotes to storage hacks, DIY tips and tricks. There’s also plenty of beautiful and inspiring images to look at. You can discover so much just by typing a word or phrase into the search bar and hey-presto, you’ll have hours worth of content to scroll through! It’s very therapeutic to use. You can create and organise boards by theme and save what you find, it feels a lot like digital scrapbooking! As someone that likes to be creative, this app has been an amazing source of inspiration, motivation and ideas for me!

I can’t really fit everything that this app has to offer into a small paragraph, but it’s absolutely worth downloading if you don’t already have it!

Follow me on Pinterest!

I’m always looking for new apps to use, so let me know your favourites in the comments! Iโ€™ve put links to all of my social media down below and Iโ€™d love it if you would come and say hi!

Read about my favourite apps of 2017 and 2018 here!

N xxxx

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2019 BLOGMAS LIFE

MY FAVOURITE FESTIVE CANDLES

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 2! Today’s post is all about my favourite festive candles. I look for any excuse to buy candles all year round but when they start getting christmassy and seasonal – I cannot resist. It’s the perfect time of year to get cosy and have the house smelling like Santa’s grotto – what better way to do it than with candles? I thought I would share some of my latest finds with you from Homesense!

*This post contains affiliate links

DW Home – Peppermint Bark

I discovered this candle this year and I am so glad that I did! I’ve actually bought back ups because I don’t want to run out (call me crazy but I am NOT risking it). The scent takes me back to my childhood! When I was younger, I used to go to the park with my dad and get an ice cream and I would always choose mint-choc-chip! It’s such a yummy smell and is perfect for making the house smell fresh and sweet!

Yankee Candle – Cinnamon Stick

It just doesn’t feel right to celebrate Christmas without some cinnamon scented candles! This is one of my absolutely favourites from Yankee Candle. It smells absolutely flipping amazing. It features Cinnamon (obviously), Clove, Cardamom and Cedar-wood. It literally smells like Christmas in a jar and it always makes me feel so festive!

DW Home – Christmas Morning

The DW Home Christmas Morning candle has been a festive must-have of mine for a couple of years now! I always have one of these prepared for Christmas as it’s possibly my favourite scent ever… It smells of sweet roasted coffee with hints of vanilla. It’s basically like walking into a cosy coffee shop!

Vila Hermanos – Christmas Spice

My best friend actually gave me this for my birthday, she knows me too well! It smells like a combination of the typical Christmas spice ingredients (cinnamon, ginger etc.) and something smokey. I can’t quite put my finger on it but it smells SO GOOD. It’s the perfect candle to light on a cosy movie night in!

DW Home – Sweet Peppermint

I couldn’t find the exact one, so the link above is for something really similar by DW Home! For some reason, I have a bit of a thing for all things peppermint at this time of year. I think it’s because they remind me of candy canes and all the festive sweet treats that emerge during the holidays. Also, the packaging is adorable! I will definitely be keeping the jar once I’ve finished with the candle!

DW Home – Gingerbread Cookie

This literally smells like I’ve been transported to a gingerbread village. It smells like Christmas baking and warm cookies! I’m actually giving this one as a gift this year so I will definitely have to get my hands on one for myself now that I’ve fallen in love with it! Annoyingly, I can’t find it online but so many places are selling gingerbread candles at this time of year so have a good old browse and see what you can find.

I hope you enjoyed my festive candle favourites! If you have any recommendations of favourites of your own, I would love to hear all about them in the comments. Iโ€™ve put links to all of my social media down below and Iโ€™d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX OCTOBER 2019: REACH FOR THE STARS – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope youโ€™re all doing well! I’ve been at my boyfriend’s for the last few days and we’ve been absolutely hooked on Prison Break. I cannot believe I’ve never watched it before! Apparently I’m not allowed to watch it unless we’re together so it’s going to be a while until my next hit. However, I came back home to a lovely little Birchbox which I am definitely allowed to enjoy by myself! I cannot wait to share this one with you as it might just be one of my favourite boxes. Ever. Before I begin, Iโ€™ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much it costs and all that jazz below! If you already know all of this, feel free to carry on scrolling. 

*This post contains affiliate links

About Birchbox:

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You donโ€™t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription โ€“ no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only ยฃ10 per month plus ยฃ2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for years and I still look forward to receiving their boxes every month. Iโ€™ve gone on to buy lots of the things Iโ€™ve been sent because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too!

Get ยฃ5 off your first Birchbox with this link or just use the code: “Nina Louise” at checkout! (affiliate link)

This monthโ€™s box is about pushing yourself you be the best version of yourself. Since coming back from university I have felt like I’m stuck in a bit of a rut. I feel like I’m disappointing people because I haven’t gone straight into a swanky new job and I just miss university life and the routine that came with it. I’ve written all about graduation and post-graduation, so check out this post if you want to know more about my experience. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve really been trying to push myself to achieve something every day, big or small. It’s like this month’s theme was made for me! The packaging is beautiful. I absolutely love the glossy gold stars and moons against the dark blue background. I think this will be a really popular box design with the Birchbox subscribers. Let’s take a look at what’s inside, shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

Ciatรฉ London – Fierce Flicks Eyeliner – RRP ยฃ15

I go through phases with black eyeliner and I’m currently obsessed with it. I’ve been absolutely rinsing my stash so I was actually on the lookout for a new one. I normally go for paintbrush style liners but The Fierce Flicks Eyeliner is more of a felt tip style – which is also a style that I’ve used before. The first time I wore this I was absolutely stunned – it literally did not budge. I tried smudging it with my fingers and still, nothing! I have to admit, I do prefer to use something slightly finer but that’s just my preference. It is still possible to create fine lines if you just use the tip of the pen. It’s also jet-black and ultra pigmented so it doesn’t look patchy whatsoever and I don’t have to layer it up. Overall, I think this is a really great eyeliner and I will use it, I just think I’m quite picky when it comes to the style of liner that I use.

Vitamasques – Evening Goggle Eye Mask – RRP ยฃ5.99

Now, I flipping love a mask of any kind so I was buzzing to find The Vitamaques Evening Goggle Eye Mask inside my October box. My job means that I spend most days staring at a screen and sometimes that can really take its toll. I’ll end up with aching eyes or migraines in the evenings and that’s where this mask has been a game changer. It contains centella (apparently an amazing healer), amino acids (to strengthen skin) and hylauronic acid (deep hydration). I put this on whilst I was in the bath and it made such a difference. It was very relaxing and my eyes felt better than ever afterwards. I think it just helped to relieve the stress and tension that had clearly been building for a long time. I am a huge fan of this product!

This Works – In Transit Camera Close-Up – RRP ยฃ32

I already have a lot of love for this brand and own a lot of their products, but nevertheless, I still enjoy receiving things from them in my Birchbox every now and again. The In Transit Camera Close-Up is a real multi-tasker. It can be used as either as a mask, moisturiser and a primer. Three in one! I tried this out as a primer and within minutes, any redness was reduced and my face looked fresh and bright. There was definitely an airbrushing effect after I’d used it. I love the idea of a product being designed for close-up inspection, not today pores! I’m not the biggest fan of the price tag but then again, the clue is in the name, this stuff works.

GLOV – Moon Pad – RRP ยฃ8.90

I was extremely excited to see this inside my October Birchbox. Personally, I barely ever used cotton pads anyway as I tend to use reusable cloths instead. Throughout the year, lots of brands have launched reusable makeup remover pads, which I think is an amazing idea! The reason they’re doing this is that most cotton pads are not biodegradable and are terrible for the environment. One Moon Pad replaces over 400 single-use cotton pads. GLOV also chose some powerful words on their packaging “It’s just 1 pack of cotton pads. Said 7 billion people.” Imagine if everyone were to start using these? It still gets rid of all of my makeup and any dirt or impurities and yet it’s miles better for the environment. Also, you get 5 in a pack for ยฃ8.90 which is amazing value! It’s a big yes from me.

Philip Kingsley – Body Building Volumising Shampoo – ยฃ19.50

I’ve been using the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer for years and I love it so I had high hopes for the Body Building Volumising Shampoo! It contains cellulose and keratin proteins to help strengthen and condition hair. It even thickens the appearance of each strand! I can imagine that this will be popular with people who have thin or thinning hair. After I used this, my hair was left feeling beautifully soft and smelling amazing. It also gave me some great volume too which is what I was hoping for. My hair looked much fuller and healthier – both of which are always what I’m after when it comes to haircare.

I’m so happy with this box. I think this has got to be my favourite so far! The design is beautiful, the theme is perfect and the products are all fabulous! The value of the products inside the box, altogether, comes to ยฃ81.39. I think thats great value! Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beauty boxes? Let me know in the comments.ย 

Get ยฃ5 off your first Birchbox with this link or just use the code: “Nina Louise” at checkout! (affiliate link). You can also get a free MAC mascara with the code: “MAC” at checkout!

N xxxx

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MONTHLY FAVOURITES

AUGUST 2019 FAVOURITES

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m still stunned that summer is almost over. It feels like it took forever to get here and now it’s already coming to an end! Since moving back home, I’ve been working hard on lots of new content for my blog and for instagram – don’t forget to follow me over there too! You can find all my social media linked at the end of every blog post. I’m back with another favourites post for you and I’ve included a real variety of things this month – makeup, clothes, skincare, a game (I know) and a TV series. Let’s take a look at what I’ve included, shall we?

*This post contains affiliate links and gifted items

Reflex Light Palette – Pixi

I’ve already written about this palette here, so I won’t go into too much detail. This palette is amazing! At first I wasn’t sure about an entire palette of just shimmer shades, and then I swatched them. These are potentially the most pigmented shimmers I’ve ever used. This is the kind of product that makes you do a double take when you use it. Also, when I wear any of the shades, people always ask me what I’ve got on my eyes so I can’t be the only one that’s mindblown by them. I cannot recommend this palette enough.

CYCLING-STYLE SHORTS

I honestly never thought I would jump on the whole cycling shorts bandwagon but here I am. In fact I’ve leapt and I am now fully on board and here’s why. I’m a baggy t-shirt kind of girl and these shorts go perfectly with anything oversized, longline or baggy. They’re so comfy and given that they’re also black, they go with just about everything. I’ve paired them with crop tops too and they actually look really cute! On a more nerdy note, they’re actually really practical (don’t laugh at me). When my boyfriend and I went to Paris during that ungodly heatwave in July, I literally wore cycling shorts every day. I even wore them to Disneyland because I knew they would be the comfiest option plus they kept me cool! I highly recommend grabbing a pair if you’re unsure. These were ยฃ1.50 in Primark!

P.S. I’ve written an entire post about this entire outfit as part of my new “Updating My Wardrobe” series here!

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask – The Body Shop

Since going on holiday, my skin has improved a lot and I feel a lot more confident without makeup. However, this doesn’t mean that I’m not still battling with the occasional blemish. The trouble with a lot of anti-blemish skincare is that it can be quite drying and during the summer, that is not something that my skin needs. This tea tree mask is amazing at targeting spots whilst also not drying my skin out – the perfect combination! It stops my spots getting angry or irritated and usually they’re gone the next day.

Bye-Bye Miss American Dry Moisturiser – Anatomicals

I’ve spent a lot of time in the sun this summer, particularly when I went to Paris during their record breaking heatwave (it reached the mid 40s) and then again in Spain where of course, it was also very scorchio (The Fast Show should have taught you that reference). Since arriving back in the UK, I’m doing my best to keep my skin hydrated and moisturised at all times as firstly, I need this tan for as long as possible and secondly, it definitely needs some TLC after catching all of those rays. This moisturiser from Anatomicals is one of my absolute favourite body care products. It smells of cherries (one of my favourite scents) but it also sinks in really quickly without leaving me feeling sticky for the rest of the day. You also get a lot (200ml) in one tube so it lasts such a long time!

Disney Magic Kingdoms

Yes I might be 21 and sharing a game in my monthly favourites but I’m okay with that! I went to Disneyland last month with my boyfriend and once we’d come home, it felt like I’d just dreamt it all and none of it had actually happened. In an attempt to stop the withdrawal symptoms, I downloaded the Disney Magic Kingdoms game and have been totally addicted ever since. When I say “addicted” I mean I spend hours on it! Basically the aim is to create your own little park by unlocking characters and completing quests. It’s surprisingly entertaining!

Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser – Superdrug

I’ve already written a blog post on this skincare range (check it out here) so I’ll keep it short and sweet. This is one of the best cleansers I own. It smells like a spa day, it feels soft and gentle and it takes my makeup off in seconds. I don’t use makeup wipes because they just made my skin worse and they’re also terrible for the environment as they’re not biodegradable. I switched to using cleansers and it’s been a total game changer. My skin barely has any breakouts anymore and it looks so much better than it did before I started using this product. I’ve been using it a lot this summer as it’s so hydrating and literally leaves my skin glowing. I love it!

Image source: Netflix.com

13 Reasons Why – Season 3

I know this is a controversial series. Some say it’s too triggering and some say it needs to be seen and heard. I actually agree with the latter. Personally, there’s a lot in this series that I can relate to and that makes some scenes quite difficult to view but I think I would rather see a TV series exploring these issues than ignoring them. The series always has trigger warnings and they’ve even created a website where viewers can find local resources and helplines. They even have a mini series called “Beyond The Reasons” which allows the cast and the team behind the series to explain why they made certain creative decisions as well as discussing their own feelings on the themes explored within the show. I’m really enjoying it and I think they’ve made a lot of effort to keep a very important conversation going, as well as remaining sensitive and responsible with their content.

The cast are incredible, given that most of them are young adults playing extremely intense roles. When they’re being interviewed, you can see just how invested they are in their roles. Some of them deliver such powerful and convincing performances that, as a viewer, I often wonder if they have actually been through something similar to their character. It’s just a very real and gritty series that I think lots of people needed. I’m just so impressed with the whole thing.

What have your favourite things been this month? I’d love to hear about them so let me know in the comments! Iโ€™ve put links to all of my social media down below and Iโ€™d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2019: LET LOVE GROW โ€“ REVIEW

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Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well and that you had a lovely Valentine’s Day, no natter who you spent it with or what you did! I explored a lovely little town called Matlock with dad yesterday. We sat and watched the world go by whilst sharing a huge slab of white chocolate and raspberry cake. Anyway, it’s time for another Birchbox review and I’m really excited for this one! This month, we received some amazing products and I can’t wait to tell you about them! Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much is costs and all that jazz below!

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You donโ€™t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription โ€“ no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only ยฃ10 per month plus ยฃ2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for a long time now and I stil look forward to receiving their boxes every month. Iโ€™ve gone on to buy lots of the things Iโ€™ve received because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too as they’re too pretty to throw away! If you want to try Birchbox for yourself, click here and use my referral link to get ยฃ5 off your first box!

This monthโ€™s box is all about celebrating love, which makes sense because after all, it’s February and that means Valentine’s Day is upon us once again! Birchbox have collaborated with the gifting gods from notonthehighstreet to remind us all about acts of thoughtfulness and kindness. I think it’s a lovely idea, especially as lots of us are feeling a bit down in the dumps after the January blues and could definitely do with a pick-me-up. Let’s see what’s included shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

LOC – Liquid Shimmer Shadow in Eclipse – RRP ยฃ8 (Full Size & Birchbox Exclusive)

If you’ve read my recent post about my latest makeup obsession, then you’ll know how much I love liquid eyeshadows. Powder formulas can get a bit boring so it’s nice to just sweep some shimmer onto my lid and be able to leave the house within five minutes – no blending necessary. It’s described to add a “subtle hint of colour” but I certainly wouldn’t call it subtle…as you can see from the swatch, she is PIGMENTED. I was expecting a sheer formula, perhaps something that needs building but this is on another level. I’m not complaining though, it just may disappoint those of you that were hoping for something more natural looking. It’s really smooth and buttery, making is easy to apply and shift around the lid until it looks exactly how I want it to. It dries pretty quickly and when it does, it’s going nowhere fast! Ten hours after application, it still hadn’t budged and it only came off with makeup remover.

Anatomicals – Shower Gel – RRP ยฃ4 (Full Size & Birchbox Exclusive)

This smells absolutely amazing! I already have a lot of love for Anatomicals. I’m a huge fan of their packaging too, I love how vibrant and eye-catching it all is, plus they know how to make puns like it’s nobody’s business. It’s like they’re a conveyor belt of beauty related humour and I love it! It makes a change from the boring packaging we see everywhere else, right?

Coco & Eve – Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque – RPP ยฃ9 (Full Size)

I spend so much time thinking about skincare and makeup that I forget to about my hair! Given that I love to fry it with straighteners on a regular basis and I’m guilty of forgetting heat protectant on a few occasions, I should probably change this! When I’m straightening my hair, I’m usually in a rush to get out of the house so I don’t have time to faff about with sprays and creams. The idea of a hair mask sounds so appealing – you can even be doing something else whilst it’s on. For example, when you have those heavy duty baths/showers, where you have to wash your hair, shave and exfoliate (if you know, you know), you could apply this mask, leave it for 5-10 minutes whilst you’re faffing around with everything else! Meanwhile, the mask is repairing damage, improving texture and shine, deeply hydrating AND sealing split ends – one heck of a multi-tasker!

Luxie – 205 Tapered Blending Dreamcatcher – RRP ยฃ11 (Full Size)

Since I started wearing makeup, I’ve learnt that the key to flawless eyeshadow is blending. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have the right brushes for this though and the Luxie Tapered Blending brush is perfect for the job! It’s so soft and fluffy, great for creating seamless eyeshadow looks. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free and hypoallergenic. With brushes like this, it barely takes any effort to get the look you want.

Joliderm – Nose Patch – RRP ยฃ13.90 (Birchbox Exclusive)

Patches are some of my favourite skincare must-haves! I always have some in to target blocked pores, blackheads and impurities. Apparently these strips only take 10-15 minutes and then you’re able to “wave goodbye” to all the bad stuff immediately. However, I tried this patch last night and I just didn’t notice any difference, at all. I also noticed how expensive they were too. Had it been a great product, I might have repurchased them but I definitely won’t be. I’ve found cheaper alternative that are much more effective!

I’m really impressed with this month’s box. We received four full size products when typically it’s only one or two. There was such a variety, we had makeup, skincare, haircare and an beauty tool too! Although I was disappointed by one of the products, I’m okay with that. When you subscribe to something like Birchbox, you have to be prepared to receive something you might not like at some point and I guess that’s what happened here! I know that I will use everything else though, especially the makeup and the blending brush. Altogether, the products inside the February box are worth roughly ยฃ45, which is less than usual but still good value. The subscription itself costs only ยฃ12.95 per month! Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beaut boxes? Let me know in the comments. Check out last month’s Birchbox review!

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get ยฃ5 off your first box! (affiliate link)

N xxxx

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MONTHLY FAVOURITES

JANUARY 2019 FAVOURITES

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Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’ve been settling back into university for my second term and let me tell you, it’s not much fun preparing to graduate. I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel but I have a lot of things to do to get there! I’m working on my dissertation whilst also running my own study – is this what adult studenting feels like? If so, I think I’ll go back to first year if you don’t mind. I’m back and blogging though and that means I have a new monthly favourites for you! Can you believe it’s already time for this? January has already been and gone and of course, that means I have some new things to share with you.

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links

Lโ€™Orรฉal Paris Pure Clay Blue Algae Blemish Rescue Face Mask

This. Mask. Is. Amazing. I don’t know what I used to do without it to be honest. Every time I have a spot attempting to get it’s own postcode, I apply a layer of this and within a day or so it’s completely gone! It smells amazing, it’s not too expensive and it’s effective – the perfect combination, right? I’ve written a post called 5 Face Masks That You Need in Your Life, so be sure to give it a read!

Makeup Revolution – Eye Glisten Foil & Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadows

Even though it’s only January, this is already one of my favourite makeup releases of 2019. These are the Eye Glisten – Foil & Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadows from Makeup Revolution! They’re just so pretty and sparkly, I can’t stop using them. I really hope we get some more shades at some point because I need more immediately, if not sooner. I’ve actually written a review of all five shades so be sure to check that out if these make you feel all weird and tingly too.

Peppermint Tea

I grew up drinking normal tea, hot chocolate and Earl Grey and that is IT. Like the true brit that I am I never dreamed of venturing beyond the realms of the average steamy beverage until I discovered peppermint tea. If someone had mentioned it to me a few months back, I would’ve said “I’ll pass thanks” but now, I can’t stop drinking it. It’s probably the healthiest addiction that I have, in comparison to The Sims and chicken nuggets. It’s just so refreshing and it’s perfect for drinking after dinner. It’s also my go-to when I have a stomach ache or if I’m feeling anxious! The fact that it only costs 75p for 40 bags at Aldi, makes it even more tempting.

Afterspa – Facial Scrubber

This is the ultimate skincare assistant. I always make sure I take my makeup off before I go to sleep but sometimes I just cannot be bothered to do it properly. You know when you’re so tired you can hardly keep your eyes open? That’s where this comes in handy because it does the work for you! It removes dead skin cells, dirt and impurities which is exactly what I need whilst my skin is having its annual January crisis. I actually received it in my January Birchbox and you can read my review of it here.

Thermal Water Bottle

I noticed that the rest of the world has slowly becoming obsessed with these “Chilly’s” bottles and the only thing stopping me from joining them was the hefty price tag. As much as I’d like to carry my tea out and about with me, there’s no way I’m paying ยฃ30 to do so. I started looking around to find a cheaper alternative and voila! That’s where the love of my life, T.K. Maxx saved the day. I was on my way to the till after my weekly trip to the store (yep I know, I’m absolutely wild) when I saw an entire shelf of these bottles and they only cost ยฃ7.99! Due to my love of animal prints, I went for a snakeskin design and I practically skipped home to start using it. Since then, I’ve been using this bottle almost every day, to take hot drinks to university with me. Typically, I’ll have peppermint tea or lemon and ginger but since my boyfriend has kindly given me his cold, I’ve been taking Lemsip in recently. It’s the perfect cold weather companion! In summer, it’ll be great for keeping drinks cold too.

I Heart Revolution – Bronze & Shimmer

Ladies and gents, say hello to my little friend, the Bronze and Shimmer duo from Makeup Revolution. I have quite the collection of highlighters and bronzers ranging from Benefit to Bobbi Brown and Urban Decay to Too Faced and yet this still comes first, every time. To make it even better, it only costs ยฃ6! I’ve written an entire post all about it here, so check it out if you’re interested! This monthly favourites is going to seem like one big plug of my own content but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, sorry not sorry!

Image Source – Netflix

NETFLIX – SEX EDUCATION

This series is so good! I finished it in two days because I just couldn’t stop watching! It follows a teenage boy with a mother that is a sex therapist (awkward) whilst we attempts to start a sex clinic at his high school. It’s quirky, hilarious and different from most of the other gloomy serial killer documentaries that I spend most of my time watching. There’s talk of a second series too! I love how they’ve made it timeless, with a mixup of the retro and the modern, whilst also featuring elements of British and American culture. It sparked debate on social media, as nobody could work out when or where it was set!

There we have it, my January favourites! What have you been loving over the last few weeks? Let me know in the comments and be sure to check out my social media – I’ve linked it all below!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX JANUARY 2019: SHAKE YOUR POM POMS – REVIEW

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Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! It’s hard to believe that we’re already well into the first month of 2019 but somehow, here we are and of course that means another Birchbox review is coming your way! Even though I’ve been subscribed to Birchbox for a long time, I still feel excited when one of their lovely little boxes arrives at my door every month. Before I dive in, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much it costs and other important info below but if youโ€™re just here for the review, keep scrolling! RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get ยฃ5 off your first box!

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You donโ€™t have to worry about lifelong commitments or any contracts, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription โ€“ no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only ยฃ10 per month plus ยฃ2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site in order to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for a long time now and I look forward to receiving their boxes every month. Iโ€™ve gone on to buy lots of the things Iโ€™ve received because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the older boxes to store makeup in too as the designs are too pretty to throw away!

This monthโ€™s Birchbox is focused on beating the January Blues by making each day more vibrant – even if it’s dark and gloomy outside! As usual, the packaging is gorgeous. I love how bright and colourful it is, definitely one to keep on show! I’ll probably store some of my makeup in it as it’s far too pretty to get rid of. Is there anyone out there that actually throws these boxes away?

CLฤ’ Cosmetics – Essence Moonlighter Cushion in Apricot Tinge – RRP ยฃ22 (Full Size)

In all honesty, at first glance, I wasn’t too sure about this. I nearly always use a powder highlighter as I just seem to get on better with a a dry formula. However, I wanted to give this product a shot so I kept an open mind whilst doing swatches and it turns out that I bloody loved it! The Moonlighter Cushion is enriched with luminescent pearl powder to add a gorgeous gleam to your skin. It’s sponge-like texture allows for a precise amount of product to be picked up and applied. A little bit goes a long way! It has a really refreshing and cooling sensation on the skin, something that makes it stand out from the other highlighters in my collection! I expected it to be darker in colour but it’s actually a pearly white shade when swatched! It’s so easy to apply and because it’s liquid-based it doesn’t appear cakey or cling to any dry patches. It’s also full-size and I understand that Birchbox can’t always do this, but sometimes it’s really nice to have the whole thing rather than a tiny sample – especially if it’s a product that I really like!

Dr. Botanicals – Cleansing Bar in Pomegranate – RRP ยฃ5.90 (Full Size)

If you’ve read my latest post, 5 face masks that you need in your life, you’ll know just how much I love the Dr. Botanicals Pomegranate range. I was so excited to find this cleansing bar in my January Birchbox! It promises to restore our skin’s natural glow and I don’t know about you, but mine seems to have been left in 2018, so I would quite like it back. Although it acts as an exfoliator, it’s not rough whatsoever. In fact, it lathers beautifully for a gentle and soothing cleanse, leaving the skin radiant and glowing. Despite how hard it has to work, it also manages to smell amazing too. Also, I was expecting it to cost a small fortune but ยฃ5.90 seems too good to be true!

Philip Kingsley – Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo – RRP ยฃ24

I’d say my hair is more on the damaged/lifeless side of things, rather than flaky or itchy so I was unsure of how this would help me until I read the description. Apparently you don’t need to have those issues to benefit from using this product! This shampoo was created to help maintain a healthy scalp but also to encourage a good haircare routine. It gently cleanses to soothe irritation and clear product build-up, leaving your hair silky, soft and shiny. The 3 S’s that you need in your life (as opposed, to straggly, slimy and split ends)

Afterspa – Facial Micro Scrubber – RRP ยฃ7 (Full Size)

I already use their makeup removing cloths and my god they’re good so my expectations for this scrubber were pretty high. The dual-sided scrubber can be used every day for exfoliation on the face and neck. It wipes away any dead cells, dirt, oil and impurities, leaving skin feeling cleaner and healthier. You can use it alongside your favourite cleanser too – so it can easily fit into your skincare routine.

Lord & Berry – Line/Shade in Purple – RRP ยฃ14

Now, I’m sure the perfectionists amongst you will have picked up on something wrong, just as I did. The top of the pencil seems to have been sliced off in transit but I couldn’t find it anywhere so who knows! I actually love using coloured pencils along my waterline, they quickly make an everyday makeup look a bit less boring! This liner is waterproof, so it stays put all day without budging. I like that it’s an actual pencil too as there’s nothing worse than those stingy ones that you can’t twist up or sharpen. I can’t wait to get creative with this!

Birchbox – Pom Pom Hair Ties

This month we were given a little something extra in the form of two cute little Pom pom hairbands! Like socks, hair ties seem to disappear without a trace so I always like to top up my supply! I always go for the boring pack of brown ones so for once, I will have something colourful to use!

As usual, we received some amazing bits and bobs. This month had a real variety! We had skincare, makeup and makeup and even three full-size products too! I’m sure I will get lots of use out of everything, particularly the skincare as my face has decided to hate me right now. Altogether, the products inside the January box, are worth roughly ยฃ72 which is pretty good given that the subscription costs only ยฃ12.95. Are you subscribed to Birchbox? Are you subscribed to any other beauty boxes? Which is your favourite?

N xxxx

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get ยฃ5 off your first box!ย 

CHECK OUT LAST MONTHโ€™S BIRCHBOX REVIEW

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BEAUTY MAKEUP

URBAN DECAY – LIQUID MOONDUST EYESHADOW REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m currently drowning in work for my dissertation so I won’t be posting as regularly as I’d like to but please bare with me whilst I try and get my life together! Final year seems to be a bit like a circus act – keep all of the plates spinning at once and you’ll be fine. Let one drop and you’ll be missing lectures to catch up on lectures! I just need to keep spinning for a bit longer and it’ll all be worth it (I hope).

This post contains affiliate links

I have another review for you today and this time it’s looking at one of Urban Decay’s Liquid Moondust Eyeshadows in the shade “Chem Trail”. They had a sale just after Christmas and I snapped this up as soon as I saw it! I’m always attracted to anything glittery, shimmery and sparkly so as you can imagine it was only a matter of seconds before we reached the checkout together. I hadn’t heard much about them and I couldn’t figure out if that was because they weren’t great or because they were the underrated dark horse that we hadn’t discovered yet. So, let’s find out.

The Liquid Moondust eyeshadows retail at ยฃ15.50 each, which I think is a bit much. I think ยฃ10 would be a more reasonable price for the 5g of product that we get. The packaging is really pretty. I love the cosmic theme and the way that it catches the light at certain angles. Urban Decay have always done their branding and their packaging right – despite taking the mickey with prices most of the time. When you open up the pretty little box, you’ll find something that looks like Tinker Bell created it herself. I love that you can see the product through the clear tube and the way that the silver font adds some more sparkle.

It’s a no from me. Eyeshadow brushes are ideally meant to be soft and big enough to spread product quickly. This is tiny, stiff and just awkward to use. It’s more of an eyeliner brush which isn’t what it’s sold as so I’m a bit confused as to why they went for this design. Am I just being weird about it? Let me know in the comments what you think.

Note that this swatch shows how the product sits when it’s immediately applied to the skin, not what it looks like blended out – that was too difficult to capture in a photo, which I think says enough anyway!

The formula isn’t chunky thank god. There’s nothing worse than attempting to blend and instead you’re just dragging huge clumps of glitter around. It dries quite quickly too and it didn’t budge until I removed it with a makeup wipe. I would have preferred it to be be more pigmented though, as when I blended it out, it practically disappeared into a very subtle shimmer. When I say blending, it was a bit of a nightmare with that brush…

So, what’s the verdict?

In terms of what I don’t like… If you’re looking for something that makes people stop and ask “what eyeshadow are you wearing?”, I don’t think this is the one for you. However, if you’re looking for a sheer and barely there shimmer on your lids, I’m sure that you will love this product. I might sound really harsh, but for me, this eyeshadow just doesn’t compare to some of the others that I own. If the formula was a little more like the Makeup Revolution Eye Glisten range, I would be buying every shade available! Most of the time when it comes to glitter, I like to go all out, like a glitter ball (don’t judge me) but this is much more…subtle.

That being said, it’s still extremely pretty once it’s blended out and you’ll be looking like Edward Cullen in no time – by that I mean the shimmering, not the fake six pack or the yellow eyes. It’s probably not going to be your night on the town ally but more your summer sidekick. It’s perfect for those days where you quickly need to slap something on sharpish but still look like you’ve made an effort. If you want to go for that “no makeup” makeup look, it would look stunning all over the lids when fully blended out. It’s also exactly what you need when you want to add a touch of sparkle along the lash line, in fact, it’s almost like it was intended for that to be it’s primary use.

If any improvements were to be made, hands down, I’d want a doe-foot applicator, just to make application (shock) a bit easier. I don’t want to faff around with whatever that thing is when I’m trying to get my eye makeup done. I need something that can blend! I think the formula could do with being much more pigmented and less watery. Annoyingly, if you don’t use the product for a while, it separates and all you’ll get is a glittery puddle on your face. Not a fan of that – none of my other liquid eyeshadows do this so that’s a bit of a let down. However, I do really like the way that the shadow works as a subtle shimmer on the eyes. Come to think of it, it could even blend out to be a shimmery highlight on the cheekbones. I’m definitely going to have a play with it and see how I can make it work for me.

Check out Urban Decay’s Liquid Moondust Eyeshadows here!

Have you tried Urban Decay’s Liquid Moondust Eyeshadows? What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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LIFE

MY GOALS FOR 2019

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Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! 2018 has been both good and bad for me. I’ve had some difficult things to deal with, as well as celebrating some amazing achievements too. I want to try and make next year the best it can be and I thought I would share my 10 goals for 2019 with you! I’m hoping that because I have an entire blog post dedicated to this, I have no excuse but to stick with it. This time next year, let’s see how many of these goals I have achieved! I’d love to hear what your goals are for the new year, so be sure to comment some at the end of the post!

READ MORE

When I was younger, I used to read all the time! In the car, at school, before bed – I was always reading something. Even though I’m already struggling to manage my time in my final year of University, I definitely need to make time to read more. I regularly read peoples blog posts but it’s just not the same as having a story to get stuck into. I’m going start the year by absolutely rinsing Amazon’s stock of books! Does anyone have any recommendations, the kind that you can’t put down?

ACE MY FINALS

I’m slowly getting closer and closer to my university finals (as well as handing in my dissertation) and with that comes the pressure to do well. I don’t just want to scrape it, I want to be able to say I did my best and that I achieved a grade that I’m really proud of. So far I’ve been working my socks off so I’m hoping that next year when it comes to my exams, I’ll still be feeling this motivated!

RECOGNISING WHAT I DO WELL

I’m sure the saying goes; “you’re your own worst critic” and that’s very true in my case. I’ve always found it much easier to criticise everything that I do, rather than see the good in it. I will always manage to find a “but…” in response to compliments. I’m like this with my writing, with my singing (I used to perform regularly) and with my academic work. I once sung a massive song (Alive by SIA) and I didn’t hit a note the way that I wanted to. The performance was recorded and all I could think of every time I heard it back was how awful it was, even though nobody else could tell. It’s actually quite exhausting as I never seem to let myself off the hook. I aim to celebrate my successes far more next year. Although it’s good to give myself  some criticism to improve, I need to make sure that I’m not being too harsh! 

REACH 3K ON INSTAGRAM

I barely have time to keep up with social media whilst I’m studying but whenever I manage to dedicate the odd 10 minutes to it here and there, it always pays off. In 2019, I’m going to consider it as a side project, so that I always keep it going in the background – even when I’m really busy! My next goal is to hit 3K and fingers crossed I manage it! Be sure to  follow me here!

PUSH MYSELF LITTLE & OFTEN

Last year, I found myself having at least two panic attacks a day and that was almost always because I’d tried to push myself too much. I kept doing things that made me anxious, just to keep everyone else happy or so that I wouldn’t miss out. For example, I sometimes find social things really stressful and at university – that’s hard to get away from! Rather than taking it easy, I kept pushing myself to attend everything which only left me feeling exhausted and deflated. This year, I want to continue to push myself little and often, so that it’s more manageable. 

EAT MORE HEALTHY FOOD

Whenever I come home from university, I always lose so much weight and no doubt, it’s down to my eating habits. I share a flat with my boyfriend in central Nottingham, which means we always have access to Deliveroo and UberEats. At home however, the apps don’t work – so you do the math. I need to stop snacking and make sure that I eat proper meals every single day – no excuses! The odd dominos here and there never hurt anyone but I need to restrict myself to one every now and again rather than the nights when I can’t be bothered to cook. 

START A YOUTUBE CHANNEL

This has been my dream since I was about 13 years old. I’ve always wanted to be creative and blogging has allowed me to do that, however Youtube has always been what I want to do. After I graduate – I can finally do it! I have the camera and the equipment ready and waiting so all that’s left to do is pick up the camera and go!

HAVE A SORT OUT

One of the things that makes my anxiety worse, is feeling like I’m constantly moving from one place to the next. Since moving to Nottingham and certainly since my Dad moved to Manchester, I feel like I’m constantly packing bags and living out of suitcases. At university, I spend most of my time doing work or in lectures on campus, so it never really feels like home. At my Dad’s, I haven’t had much of a chance to move my things in properly and make my bedroom my own. At mum’s I keep landing and dumping my bags before I have to head off somewhere else – it’s just a mess and I don’t feel at home! You know when you just have piles everywhere and bags that need unpacking? In 2019, once university is done and dusted, I’m diving straight into a (much needed) big sort out! 

SUPPORT MORE SMALL BUSINESSES

It’s so easy to stumble into the usual high-street shops or Costa’s but I actually really enjoy discovering new and local places to visit. Since I started working for myself, I’ve realised how much every little helps – especially when it comes to word of mouth. I always like to recommend quirky coffee shops and sweet little gift shops to my friends. In 2019, I want to discover lots more as well as letting others know all about them! I read something the other day, about how Netflix didn’t need to advertise their new film, Birdbox, because we did it all for them on social media! If we can make Netflix some extra cash, think how powerful a like or a share is for a small business.

Join me in December to see how many of these goals I’ve smashed! Let me know what your goals are in the comments too.

N xxxx