Organisation Tips & Tricks

Hey everyone, I hope you're well!

Today I have something a little bit different and it is my tips and tricks to staying organised!

Keep a diary. Whether it be a physical diary, or an app on your phone; writing down all your tasks and events will help you to keep on top of things and stop you from stressing out!

Set goals and deadlines. Even small goals will help, like rewarding yourself with a new pair of shoes if you stick to your gym schedule for a month. Setting goals gives you something to look forward to, and completing them feels even better.

Plan ahead. If you have a busy week, whether it be work, school or just life in general, making a plan is the best way to stay on top of it all. Keeping a diary will help with this because you'll know what's happening and when!

Make lists. Write down all the things you want/need to do, shopping list, chores, blog posts, everything! Ticking them off as you complete them will make you feel productive and help you stay motivated.

Keep your work space tidy. The last thing you need when trying to get work done is stuff all over the place! You're more likely to feel motivated to complete that essay if you have a tidy desk!

Get plenty of sleep. This is very important, especially ahead of a busy day. If you're preparing for exams, you're more likely to forget things if you haven't had enough sleep. Getting the right amount of sleep could determine how well you perform the next day!

That's all my tips for staying organised, I hope you find these helpful!

Primark Makeup Storage Review

I recently went browsing in Primark, not really looking for anything in particular and I stumbled across some makeup storage. I immediately had to look at everything and was shocked to find they had some super cute acrylic storage for just £2 so obviously I had to buy it!

 I picked up two of these multi-use storage units, which have space for 6 lipsticks, lip liners, and a few small compacts. As you can see, I've filled mine to the brim with products, and it's perfect for putting on my vanity so I can easily reach all my favourite products! I was so surprised at how much makeup they actually hold! I also have this unit in black, because I actually picked up the last clear one in my local shop, and while I'm not so much a fan of the black acrylic it still does it's job perfectly!

I also picked up two drawer sets which I've filled with products that I had no place for in my Alex drawers. I think these drawers were £4 which is such a good price for makeup storage! One of the drawers in one set does get stuck sometimes so the price does show but for 4 quid you can't really go wrong! They also have little rubber sheets inside that stop your products from moving around.

I've noticed some people have paid up to £30 for their acrylic storage, and while they do look a lot better than these sets, it all does the same thing! If you're on a budget, I'd definitely recommend these storage sets as they hold so much makeup and look really cute on your vanity/desk!

My Thoughts on 13 Reasons Why

Hey everyone, I hope you're all well!

Today I have something a little different, I'm going to be sharing my thoughts on the Netflix Original series 13 Reasons Why. 

*possible trigger warning and spoiler alert*

Just recently this series has been talked about all over social media and everyone is watching it. I've wanted to talk about the series since I first watched it myself, because I've read a lot of different people's opinions and theories and I feel like some people are missing the point of the show completely. I think it's a really great show, and the story behind it is something that is happening all over the world, but goes unnoticed in some cases. It highlights how something so little can affect someone, without anyone ever realising and sums up how some people are feeling right now.

Though I've not personally suffered from a mental illness, I have been bullied and I can tell you now it is awful! If you've ever been the victim of bullying, you'll know exactly how Hannah is feeling throughout the whole show. Everything she does is a cry for help, but no-one seems to realise which is heartbreaking. I'm not going to lie I was a complete mess after watching all the episodes, especially when she's explaining things to Clay. 

It's such a hard hitting series and but I feel like some people will watch and think "she's making a big deal out of nothing, that's just how school is" but some people deal with things a lot easier than others and obviously people forget that. I think if you've been bullied before, even the tiniest amount, you will understand what Hannah is feeling. I definitely think watching this series will make people realise how powerful their words can actually be. 

This series does as much for suicide awareness as it does for rape culture. With very graphic scenes of rape and sexual assault, it literally forces the viewer to think about what could be happening somewhere. It's a big slap in the face for ignorant people who don't believe these kind of things are going on. While there is a trigger warning at the start of the episode that shows rape/suicide, I feel like Netflix should have issued one at the start of the season for anyone that doesn't actually know what they're about to watch. 

I definitely feel like the producers of the show left it open for a second series which could focus on other mental health issues. I'd also personally like to find out how everything pans out, from Alex's attempted suicide, to the lawsuit between Hannah's parents and the school. I'd also love to know if Bryce gets his comeuppance for his disgusting attitude and behaviour to girls. 

I did really enjoy this series, and I've already recommended it to so many people because it's definitely an eye opener! It gives people an insight into how their actions and words can affect someone, and hopefully will make people nicer in general. 

If you know someone who is considering suicide or self harms, do something about it. Showing even the smallest amount of support for someone could make a world of difference. If you are suffering, the best thing you can do is talk to someone, whether it be a family member, a friend or even your doctor. There are people that can help. 

You are worth more than your mental illness, I promise.

April Favourites 2017

Hey everyone, I hope you're all well!

Today I have my monthly favourites for April, I can't believe we're into May already!!

I have to be honest, I didn't really try a lot of new things this month but the ones I did try, I fell in love with! 

BEAUTY

Primark PS Bronze Shadow & Shade Palette || After seeing so much hype over Primark's makeup range I wanted to check it out for myself so I went on a mini shopping spree and picked up a few things including this gorgeous eyeshadow palette. If you know me, you'll know I probably have way too many palettes already but I couldn't not buy this at only £4! The pigmentation isn't the best but you can't expect the world for a few quid! I love the shades in this palette, so much so that it's all I've been wearing this month!

Makeup Revolution Ultra Sculpt & Contour Kit || Something else I've used nearly everyday this month is this contour kit which includes a matte bronzer, a pink toned highlighter and a pink/gold shimmer blush. As you can see I've used the bronzer to death, and I think I'm probably going to hit pan soon! The highlighter isn't as 'blinding' as I'd have liked but it's a lovely shade and so is the blusher! This is perfect for travelling to save space, and it has everything you need including a small mirror all in one little palette!

Jeffree Star Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Daddy || I recently had a little shop on Beauty Bay and managed to pick up two thirds of the JSC x MannyMUA collab, the Daddy liquid lipstick and the Eclipse Skin Frost. Since my order got delivered I have been wearing Daddy non-stop! It's quite a cool toned nude on my skin and is great for everyday makeup looks. The formula is amazing, making application flawless and it lasts all day and night! If you want to see what else I picked up from Beauty Bay, click here.

TV & FILM

13 Reasons Why || Every man and his dog has watched this Netflix Original series, and while I really like the idea behind it (suicide awareness) I feel like there was a few flaws. I did really enjoy the series, and am patiently waiting for a second season to be announced. I'm thinking about writing a full post review of the series soon, so let me know if that's something you'd like to read!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 || I know this film only came out in cinemas a few days ago but I've been so excited for it since the release date was announced! I went to see this on Friday, thankfully with preordered tickets as it was rammed, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I find Chris Pratt hilarious, as well as Rocket and Drax. I need to get myself a Baby Groot though, he's so cute!! If you're a fan of superhero action films, I'd definitely recommend this, it's great!

MUSIC

Maroon 5 ft Future - Cold

Little Mix ft Machine Gun Kelly - No More Sad Songs

Zedd ft Alessia Cara - Stay

John Gibbons - P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)

Linkin Park ft Pusha T & Stormzy - Good Goodbye

Kendrick Lamar - Humble

That's everything I loved in April, I hope you enjoyed reading! Leave a comment telling me one of your favourite things from last month!

Makeup Collection: Lipsticks

Hey everyone, welcome to the final post in my makeup collection series!
I hope you've enjoyed reading so far! Today I'll be talking about some of my favourite lipsticks. It was really quite hard for me to pick just a handful of lipsticks and I noticed a couple of them were basically the same colour, but who doesn't love a good nude right?!

MAC Amplified Lipstick - Half 'n Half

First up is a lipstick from MAC, one of the first I ever bought and it's still going strong! It's in the shade Half 'n Half which I've found is very similar to Velvet Teddy, just with a slightly glossier finish. The staying power is amazing, and I can wear this all day and not have to top up which is great! This lipstick is the perfect nude for an everyday makeup look and one of my go-to lippies!

Kylie Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick - Dolce K
Another perfect nude for everyday is Dolce K from Kylie Jenner's makeup range. I really like the formula of this liquid lipstick, it's not too matte that it dries your lips out but it has really good staying power! I bought this as a kit, so I received the lip liner to match and I have to say it's one of the best lip liners I've ever used! The only issue I've had is the customs fees when ordering from Kylie Cosmetics with it being from America, but it's definitely worth it!

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - London
This is my first and only product from NYX and I have used this to death! It's what I usually wear when I'm trying to achieve that 'no-makeup' look. The consistency of this lip cream baffled me at first, because it's like nothing I've ever tried before. It doesn't have as good a staying power as other matte lipsticks, but the pigmentation is great and it smells amazing too! I keep meaning to buy more shades but for now I'll be sticking to my trusty London shade!

Rimmel Apocalips - Celestial
As far as I know, these gloss/lacquer have actually been discontinued now (correct me if I'm wrong) but this light pink shade is one of my favourites, I usually wear this over a brown-nude lip liner and the mix of the two colours gives a lovely natural shade. They are, however, a little bit sticky so I sometimes dust a bit of translucent powder over the top to try and mattify it a little.

MAC Glaze Lipstick - Hot Tahiti
Just like the NYX lip cream, this is definitely one of my holy grail lip products. It's a glaze finish, so has a sheer glossy look to it but is a gorgeous dark pink. I wore this lipstick to death in Autumn/Winter and will probably do the same this year! It doesn't last as long on the lips as the matte lipsticks do but is still an absolutely gorgeous shade!

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick - Smitten
Just like the name suggests, this lipstick is party proof! I have worn this on so many nights out and it's lasted all night which is impressive to say the least! It doesn't have a fully matte finish, so does transfer when kissing but doesn't lose any pigment which is fab! A gorgeous deep red that is actually darker when worn on the lips, it's also perfect in the Winter months to give a bit of edge to your look!

Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream - Rioja Red
Last but not least, a new favourite of mine. I discovered this lippie after seeing Rachel Leary talking about it in one of her YouTube videos, and it looked absolutely stunning! It's a beautiful true red, and the pigmentation is incredible. I have noticed that it doesn't last very long while eating, but drinking doesn't affect it so it's great for a night out. This has fast become a staple in my makeup bag!

So that concludes my makeup collection, I hope you've enjoyed reading! What's your favourite lipstick? I'd love to know!

Beauty Bay Haul

I think it's safe to say my spending ban has well and truly been demolished! (oops)
I did a little shop on Beauty Bay on Saturday, spending way more money than I intended but what's a girl to do..

 The first items I picked up were from Jeffree Star Cosmetics. Beauty Bay had a restock of the JSC x MannyMUA products over the weekend and I was lucky enough to get my hands on the liquid lipstick in Daddy and the skin frost in Eclipse. I also picked up another liquid lipstick in the shade Unicorn Blood.

The liquid lipstick formula is nothing like I've ever tried before, they apply so well onto the lips! I wore Daddy all day yesterday to test the longevity of it, and it did last a while without eating but that soon ruined it haha. I think Daddy might be a little too like for my skin tone as it is a cool toned nude but I am in love with Unicorn Blood!

I don't think I have any words to describe the skin frost other than WOW! It's insanely pigmented and very buildable so it's perfect for everyone. I really like the shade, and I feel like it compliments my skin really well with me having slightly pale skin. I will definitely be buying this skin frost in more shades!!



 Up next is the well sought after Holy Grail eyeshadow palette from Violet Voss. I've been wanting this palette since it was released, and after stalking Instagram for a good few hours I decided to treat myself! This palette is very similar to Morphe's 35O and ABH's Modern Renaissance palettes with its rusty oranges and warm reds. I am a sucker for warm tones though so obviously I had to have this! I swatched a couple of the shades and the pigmentation is incredible, and I can't wait to try this palette out properly!

 *Oh look, another eyeshadow palette* Ever since I got the Morphe 35O palette for Christmas, I've wanted more so I bought myself the 35T. It's full of taupes, golds and pinks, with a few olive shades. It's mostly shimmers and glitters so it's perfect for those who like to go all out with the sparkle, but it does have a few mattes which are the perfect transition shades for most skin tones. I haven't swatched this palette yet but the 35O is very pigmented so I'm going to assume this is the same.. *fingers crossed*

I also picked up the Morphe 35K which is a palette I've wanted for as long as I can remember, probably as long as the 35O to be honest! This palette is perfect for a smokey eye, it has a transition shade for every skin tone and shimmers galore! The only thing I feel could be improved is the black shade being a bit more intense, but I haven't tried it on the eyes yet so it might perform differently than when I swatched it on my hand.

That's everything I picked up from Beauty Bay, I'm so so happy I've finally got my hands on the Violet Voss palette! I've spent a ridiculous amount of time just staring at it because it's so beautiful!! Let me know if you'd like to see more in-depth reviews of any of the palettes!

SaveSave

Makeup Collection: Eyeshadow Palettes

Hey everyone, welcome to the penultimate post in my makeup collection series!

Today I'll be talking through some of my all time favourite eyeshadow palettes, which was pretty hard to narrow down since I have so many!

Makeup Revolution New-Trals Vs Neutrals Palette
First up is my probably my favourite palette from a drugstore brand. Makeup Revolution's stand in Superdrug is my happy place! This palette is absolutely gorgeous, the shades are perfect for an everyday look or a full glam get-up. They are really pigmented and so so creamy! I'd definitely recommend this palette to anyone that likes to stick to drugstore brands because this is a must have at only £8!

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette

Up next is a palette I received as a surprise gift on Valentine's Day from Ross and I absolutely love it! It has such a nice shade range making it so versatile for a day to night look. The shadows are super creamy, and I was so impressed with the shimmery shades because they have hardly any fallout which I surprised at! I'm not a big fan of the packaging with it being cardboard (it's a bit flimsy) but it definitely looks nice on a vanity/dressing table!

ABH Modern Renaissance Palette

I'm not even sure I have the words to describe this palette! I bought this just after Christmas and I've used it SO much since, not that you'd be able to tell! Some of the shades in this palette are very similar to the Makeup Revolution, but this one is on another level completely! This is my first high-end palette and you can definitely tell the difference, there's more pigmentation and you barely need anything on your brush to get a lot of colour payoff. This is definitely one of my best investments!

Morphe 35O Palette
Another palette that Ross bought me, this time for Christmas (he's too good to me) I was very late to the party with this palette, but I can definitely see why everyone raves about it so much! It has the perfect balance of neutral mattes and super sparkly glitters. I'm forever playing around with it and finding new looks that I didn't think I'd be able to even create! It's a staple in any makeup collection and I'm so glad I finally own it!

MUA Undress Me Too Palette
Last but not least, my old faithful! I'm pretty sure this was one of the first eyeshadow palettes I bought when I started wearing makeup on an everyday basis. It has some lovely neutral shades and while the pigmentation isn't the best, it's only about £5 so I didn't expect much. This is my go-to for everyday looks, and I take this when I'm travelling hence why it looks a bit worse for wear. I've used this to death and haven't hit pan yet which surprises me daily!

So that's my favourite eyeshadow palettes in my collection, did I mention one of your faves?

Birchbox April 2017

Hey everyone, I hope you all had a great Easter and ate your weight in chocolate.. Just me? Oh...
Anyway, today I have an unboxing/review of this month's Birchbox!

Polaar Ice Pure Gentle Scrub
The first item is a body scrub which contains Arctic cotton, an ingredient known for its moisturising properties which basically means it both smooths and softens the skin. It has a lovely smell, and the packaging is super cute. If I don't end up using this I might just keep it on display in my bathroom!

Luseta Beauty Keratin Smooth Conditioner
Up next is a conditioner by Luseta Beauty, a brand I've never heard of before. This conditioner is perfect for strengthening your hair against all the stress we put it through from curling/straightening to blowdrying! Now that we're in the warmer months, my hair gets so frizzy from all the humidity so this conditioner will hopefully be my saviour.

Baija Paris Creme Moana
When I first saw this cream, I immediately thought of the movie Moana which I suppose makes it a memorable product haha! This is a body cream, infused with a blend of coconut oil, shea butter and jojoba wax which not only make it smell amazing, it combats those pesky dry patches leaving your skin feeling as smooth as a baby's bum!

Manna Kadar Cosmetics Split Pan Bronze & Highlight
This split pan was actually announced last month as sort of an enticer to subscribe to this box, and I've got to say I'm slightly disappointed. I was expecting this pan to be a bit bigger and looking at the RRP, I feel like it's a bit of a rip off! After swatching, I noticed the bronzer is slightly orange toned but is a lovely colour. The highlight is really nice, and both are very pigmented! They swatched really well and felt very smooth.

ModelCo Eye Definer Crayon

The last product is a black eyeliner crayon, which is apparently water resistant so I will definitely be testing that out! You can never go wrong with a black eyeliner, and with this one being a twist-up liner, it's perfect for travelling with! The only thing I don't like is the eyeliner actually fell out the first time I opened it, but that might have been broken in transit so I'll have to blame the postie haha!

I'd say I'm moderately happy with the products I received this month, and I like discovering new brands and products. I will definitely be trying out all of these products, but I doubt I'll repurchase any purely based on the fact that I don't really need any more of these.

I hope you enjoyed reading, if you want to sign up to Birchbox click here.

Makeup Collection: Brows, Liners & Mascaras

Hey everyone, I hope you're well! Today I have another addition to my Makeup Collection series.
I will be talking you through all my favourite eye products including brows, liners and mascaras!

Freedom Brow Pomade

I was so scared to try this brow pomade out, after using a powder kit for so long I wasn't sure if I'd adapt to anything else! I'm so glad I bought it though as it has become one of my all time favourite products, I have the shade Chocolate which is a slightly warmer shade than I thought but it still applies perfectly every time!

Collection Brow Kit

My first and only brow 'kit' I bought this on a whim in Boots about 2 years ago after dying my hair black, I realised my brows were a little bit too light to match. This is definitely my ride or die brow product, it's one I will always go back to because I know it's a good product and won't let me down.

Benefit Clear Brow Gel

I got this in a recent issue of ELLE magazine, just because it was free and everyone knows how pricey Benefit can be! I thought I'd try before I buy and I will definitely be buying the full size when I've ran out. I used up all the brow mascara in the Collection kit so this is now my go-to!

Maybelline Gel Eyeliner

This eyeliner is a recent purchase of mine and one I'm still trying to get used to. For as long as I can remember, I've always used 'marker' liners as they're the easiest for me to use. But I thought I'd try something a little different and this Maybelline liner was recommended to me by so many people! It comes with it's own little brush, which is great for achieving a perfect wing.

Soap & Glory Supercat Liner

Another recent discovery, the Soap & Glory Supercat liner has been raved about by every blogger and YouTuber around so I had to try it for myself. It has a decent sized nib to help create the ultimate cat eye and although it's quite a bit more expensive than the Maybelline liner, I'd recommend it to anyone that's still not sure on gel liner!

Eyeko Fat Liquid Eyeliner

OMG I can't tell you how much I love this eyeliner! I received this in a Birchbox about 6 months ago and fell in love straight away! The nib is a little bit thicker than the Soap & Glory one but I find it so easy to use, even if you're not creating a winged look. I find this super handy for creating super spooky looks on Halloween too!

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara 
First off, well done to me for buying the waterproof version of this mascara by mistake. It's both a pro and a con that this mascara will not budge for anything! It's perfect for nights out, especially if you're one of those girls that gets a bit teary at the end of the night haha! I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a mascara that sticks to your lashes like there's no tomorrow!!

Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara
I've probably had this mascara in my collection for a good few months, and apparently it's my first choice since it's nearly ran out now. I'm not sure if I'll repurchase this since I have quite a few mascaras that need using up first! It's a great mascara for lengthening lashes but doesn't really give them much curl or volume which is a shame!

Soap & Glory Thick and Fast Mascara
This mascara has fast become one of my faves! It has a proper brush, not one of the rubber ones, so it gets right to the root of your lash and gives it so much volume and length! I love the packaging too, it makes the product look really high-end and expensive when it's not! I'd recommend this to anyone, it's my go-to mascara and my collection wouldn't be the same without it!

That's all my favourite eye products from my collection, I hope you enjoyed reading! Did I mention any of your fave products?

Glossybox April 2017

Hey everyone, I hope you're all well! Today I have an unboxing/review of this month's Glossybox so let's get straight into it!

Elgon Deliwash Cleansing Conditioner

So apparently this isn't just any normal conditioner.. It's a co-wash which means you use it like a shampoo and it cleans and nourishes your hair more than you normally could with a shampoo and conditioner. It's designed to be used everyday so won't damage your hair, but will leave it feeling cleaner than ever! 

ModelCo Contour Stick

I've never tried a contour stick before, usually I just stick to powders as I know that's my safe zone. This is a very versatile product as it can be used on the cheeks, and to define the nose and jawline. At first glance, it looks a bit orange toned for my skin but I will definitely try this out to see how well it blends out!

Sport FX Buffer & Powder Duo Brush

When I saw this brush in the box, I knew instantly that I'd like it. It's a dual ended brush, with a buffer on one end and a powder brush on the other which is such a great concept! I've never heard of the brand before but according to the little pamphlet, Sport FX creates products that make it easy to get dolled up after being at the gym. It has synthetic bristles, which are super soft and I can't wait to use this brush!

Merci Handy Cleansing Gel

No matter what my plans are for the day, I always carry a hand sanitiser with me and this pocket sized bottle is perfect for travelling! I've tried Merci Handy hand gel before in the scent 'flower power' and I really liked it, so I'm excited to try out this Lollipop scented one! It leaves my hands feel fresh and super clean without that weird alcohol smell, perfect for getting rid of nasty germs!

Rodial Glamolash Mascara

Last but not least, a super cute mini mascara from Rodial, a brand I've heard of but never got round to trying. I love trying out new mascaras, especially when they have 'proper' bristles on the wand like this one! I feel like this might end up being in my travel makeup bag, since it's the perfect size to take out and about!

I really like the products I received in this month's box and I can't wait to try them all out! Keep your eyes peeled if any get mentioned in my favourites post later this month!