Spring and other rambling.

Spring is finally here and what a difference a slight change in the weather makes.
It's been warm, sunny and cheery. Today a lady was mowing the grass.
These little things make such a difference.


I'm currently sat here nursing a cold, feeling sorry for myself but when I look out of the window I'm greeted with a blue sky and it's still very light even at 17.57.


Spring, for me at least, is one of those seasons that is a between. It's warm enough to just wear a cardigan but not too warm where you're melting and wanting to wear as little clothes as possible.
I love waking up to a pretty sky and walking out of the door to get on my way to university and have that light air on you. The "Oh, it's a lovely day today" conversation every morning and everyone seems to be cheery.


I'm looking forward to April. The welcoming of the beautiful weather, the joy of going home for Easter. Spending time with my family, leaving university work behind me and actually enjoying myself - crafting, doing make up looks and chilling out. Having a breather from the hectic life.


I feel like I've been neglecting my blog as of late. I solely started it up to gain experience within make up, to have a place to keep all my inspirations and to (hopefully) meet other bloggers who share a love for the cosmetic world.
But I seem to have taken a back seat to this. Not wanting to do a make up look or feeling like I can't put the effort into the blog incase it affects my uni work or means I'm neglecting my day-to-day goings on.
I seem to have so many worries and wants at the moment that it's taking it's toll.
But I think once the worse is over, I can enjoy myself again.


I do have lots of ideas for upcoming make up looks. 
I recently just finished the 1st and 2nd books of the Hunger Games and I LOVED them.
I'd really love to have a chat with anyone, whether you follow my blog or not :)


I hope you all enjoy the weather (hopefully it will last!)

Tag. You're It!

I was tagged by Natalie from YourAlmostAlice - her blog is really good and we've gotten to be quite good blogging buddies.
I have to answer 11 questions then tag 11 people to answer my own individual 11 questions!

Here are the questions I was asked:
1. When did you start blogging and why?
I started blogging at the end of last christmas. It was something I'd been thinking of doing for a while because I had been reading other peoples and watching videos on YouTube. One day I just thought "Just do it!" and here I am :)


2. Your favourite season and why?
I love Autumn. I love the colours of the trees and how all the fallen leaves looks beautiful on the ground.

4. A goal or aim you have, that you'd like to achieve before you die?
I really want to just live a full and happy life. I'm looking forward to the future and seeing what will be around the corner.


5. Your favourite make-up brand?
I love Urban Decay because they're so individual. But I'm also becoming a big fan of MAC, Illamasqua and also Sleek.


6. Favourite thing to drink?
I really love Coke. And I've become really keen on Bubble Tea too as of late.

7. A country you'd love to visit and why?
I've always wanted to go to Rome, to see the Coliseum and take in the history. I also desperately want to go to Japan!

8. Your favourite place to shop?
I love makeup shopping in Selfridges. But clothes shopping I usually go into Primark or Dorothy Perkins.


9. What is the most expensive make-up item you own?
That's a hard one. Probably my palettes?


10. Flats or heels?
I wear flats on a daily basis because I think they're more practical but I do like getting dressed up with some heels!


11. A goal that you have for your blog? 

I want to stay true to myself and create my blog around me - my likes and dislikes of the beauty world.

I TAG:
- http://www.barbiebombshell.com/
- http://www.bowsandcurtseys.com/
- http://makeupownsmyheart.blogspot.co.uk/
- http://adaisychaindream.blogspot.co.uk/
- http://jadestobbs.blogspot.co.uk/
- http://blog-allthingsbeautiful.blogspot.co.uk/
- http://all-made-up-21.blogspot.co.uk/
- http://anniemacj.blogspot.co.uk/
- http://babygothgurl.blogspot.co.uk/
- http://holding-beauty.blogspot.co.uk/
- http://zozeze.blogspot.co.uk/

My questions for you are:

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What is your favourite band/artist?
3. What is the aim of your blog?
4. Do you like to read? If so, what is your favourite book?
5. What are your hopes for your future?
6. What can't you leave the house without?
7. What is a must have in your makeup bag?
8. What do you think was the best product of 2011?
9. What are your hobbies other than your blog?
10. If you could go anywhere, where would you go/
11. What are you hoping to achieve from your blog?


Hope you enjoyed reading!

Laugh, Love and Chester Zoo

It's taken me a while after my latest university project to actually get around to wanting to blog again. I got myself so stressed out and focused on it that I had to completely wipe away any interest in my blog and my other hobbies away to be able to knuckle down with work.


Now I feel refresh, revived and full of new ideas!
Sometimes you need to have a break away from something to be able to free yourself of anything holding you back.


On Tuesday (13rd March) after handing in our projects, and then starting our final project of the second year, we decided to take a trip to Chester Zoo.
I haven't been since I was in my early teens and it was something different and fun to relieve us of our stress.

I can honestly say we had such a laugh. I think it's great when you had a group of friends who just click together and it works. We seem to have created a trio as of late, and although it's often "3's a crowd" it just doesn't feel that way, everyone feels included and certainly no one is left out.


I was extremely excited to see the Lions, Monkeys, Elephants and Penguins. But more importantly, the Tigers had had little baby cubs. We literally squealed with joy when the little one came out from under a rock!

We had a full day of seeing the different animals and I honestly felt so lucky to be able to see these wonderful animals up close.


Have you done anything exciting this week?

EOTD: Grunge

Hi all :)


I handed in my assignment today and I feel happy that I can chill out this weekend now!
I decided to have a play around with make up and I came up with this little beauty.
I know it's a little strange and out there, but I think this would be a good look if you were off to a rock concert or something similar.


Here it is:

It's grungy, dirty and something I imagine Lady Gaga would wear!

Hope you like! :)

I'd be happy to create a tutorial for this look if any of you would like to see how it was made.

Tutorial: Nicki Minaj Viva Glam Look Part 1

Hello ladies!

Oh, it feels so good to be back blogging!

I've been piled under with work and been unable to waste a small amount of time blogging, but tomorrow is deadline and I've finished my work so I'm so happy...

Onto the look...

MAC released their new Viva Glam range this month and we all know that Nicki Minaj was one of the faces of this. I decided to recreate the makeup look from the poster.

I love this look, it's so bright, cheery and out there!

I hope you enjoy!

This is a screen grab from the Viva Glam youtube video.

I started off by applying MAC Painterly Paint Pot all over the lid as a base.

I then used the Sleek Acid Palette and applied the Neon Green to the lid with a MAC 217 blending out into the crease. 

 I then took an ELF Eyeliner Brush and applied the top right blue onto the bottom lid.

Blend it out to create a much thicker line and create a flick.

Apply eyeliner to the waterline.

And apply liquid liner to the top lid.

And of course, this look wouldn't be complete without the Nicki Minaj Viva Glam Lipstick!

I really hope you love this look as much as I do!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Let me know in the comments what your plans are :)

Review: My First Carmine Box

Hi lovelies,


So the rage continues with the beauty boxes, and I've only tried 1 so far - Glossybox.
I completely fell out with them because I felt I just wasn't getting my moneys worth and the products I was receiving I wouldn't use on a day-to-day basis, or even buy.


On I went, still reading about and looking at the reviews on the boxes, and I decided I wanted to try again. This time with Carmine.
I've heard nothing but great reviews about the company, and so I thought I;d make my mind up!


This morning, I had a knock on the door and Mr.Postman was there with my box in hand - very exciting!
I ran upstairs, grabbed my camera and of course, ripped open the packaging (very carefully!)

First off, I lovelovelove the packaging!

It's very out there with the lime green, but it took my ages to actually get the lid off!

The products inside:

Andrea Fulerton Nail Boutique Colour - Matthew (Full Size)

I don't wear nail varnish. I'm a nail biter therefore nail varnish just doesn't get used on me. I have to say though, I adore this colour! It's a pearly white-pink and would gorgeous for every day wear.

Apparently it has a Resin system which gives easy application, and it allows nails to flex with chipping.

These are currently sold in Superdrug (after me researching) and retails at £4.99.

Daniel Sandler Eye Delight - Ice (Full Size)

I am made up with this! Daniel Sandler is a name I've heard about through the beauty world for a while now, and here is an eyeshadow in my carmine box - yay!

The colour is a beautiful white, with bits of pink in to give it an amazing shine. 

I'm looking forward to trying this out with my makeup to see what it can achieve.

This retails for £10.25

The Balm - FratBoy Shadow/Blush (Full Size)

This is another product I am delighted with! I've heard amazing things about The Balm products, especially FratBoy and a few weeks again I decided to do a search to see where I could buy it from. I don't actually think they sell over in the UK so I am SO happy that I now have it.

This is a gorgeous matte pink colour that can be used as a blush or as an eyeshadow which I think is fab!

I'm really excited to use this as I've been looking for a new blush!

Diego Dalla Palma Lipstick - 42 (Sample)

This is a brand that I've never heard of before but I'm always up for trying something new.
This lipstick is a colour that I don't think I'd ever reach for in a shop, but I'm looking forward to trying it out on my skintone.

 It's a warm browny-pink/red colour, and it applied nicely when I swatched it.

White Glow Toothpaste (Sample)

I was shocked to find a toothpaste in my box, as it's not something I'd ever expect to see.

It says that it is formulated and aimed at coffee and tea drinkers. I drink neither often so this probably won't work for me but I'm passing it onto a friend to see what she thinks about it.

It has a really fresh minty smell, and it's certainly something different to be found in a beauty box.

Last but not least, Yardley London Peony - Eau De Toilette (Sample)

I really don't like the smell of this perfume - it reminds me of air freshener. It's certainly not my kind of smell, very floral and heavy. I personally don't usually go for scents like that but I guess this would appeal to people who like that kind of smell.

Overall, I am so happy with my Carmine box! Especially as it's my first one too, and it's set me in good stead for the next coming boxes.

I've found that I don't like receiving perfume samples, basically because I only like certain smells on me and I'm really picky.

I'm certainly going to be continuing my subscription with Carmine onto the next box certainly, and I'm pretty sure you'll see the Daniel Sandler eyeshadow and the FratBoy blush knocking around in future tutorials.

Hope you enjoyed my review of the Carmine box, and let me know what you thought of yours!

Much love,

Haul: Real Techniques Stippling Brush

Hello lovelies,


I haven't posted in forever, and the reason for that is because I am completely bogged down with work. Honestly, I can't wait for it to be out of the way so I can focus on bringing you more looks and posts!
But until next week, I'm going to be quick although I do have a few posts scheduled for you all.


Anyway, onto this post...


Real Techniques are a brand that I've known about for a while, anyone who is a fan of the Pixiwoo sisters on Youtube will know that the brushes have been brought to us due to their popularity.
They've recently starting selling the brushes in the large Boots store throughout the UK, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on one!


I picked up the Stippling brush because I wanted to try it out and all I've been using recently is my E.L.F Stippling brush.

The brush has a nice sturdy handle which makes it great to move and be flexible. I love the way that the bottle is flat so that you can stand it up when you're not using it, it'll make it easy if you're applying make up.

The brush itself has a lovely feel to the bristles, they're so soft and easy to work. It's a perfect shape to be able to work really closely and move around the face, fitting into all the different dips and shapes. 

I feel that the bristles are hard enough, they're soft to the touch but when worked on the face they're hard to accomplished an airbrushed look. 

One of the other great things about these brushes is that they're all colour co-ordinated! I think this is such a great idea, especially for those learning or starting out with makeup.

I love how pretty the brushes look!

I'm really looking forward to trying out more brushes in this range, especially the eye starter kit (purple) because I've seen them used in videos and they look great.

Have you tried any of the Real Technique brushes?