Bloggers Made Me Buy It Tag

I love me a good tag - this one I saw over on Parisian To Be's blog and knew I had to get it on mine, not least because a beauty stash based 95% on blogger recommendations meant I would have heaps of material... Let us commence!

Who are your most influential bloggers?
Obviously, obviously Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup - a no brainer there! I also super trust the opinion of Siobhan from LetzMakeup and Sharon Farrell. Of course, I rarely watch a Lisa Eldridge video without my blogging notebook at the ready for some product recommendations. More recently, I have been swooning over That Grace Girl and some lush picks on her part!

Who are the ones you rely on for reviews and swatches?
I don't really have an answer for the swatches part of this question other than my old friend Google, as it's rare that a blogger I follow has the exact same skin tone/hair colour combination as I do, and I find this helps make a huge difference to how a product will look on me. In terms of reviews, Temptalia is probably my first port of call, followed by Makeup Alley too.

Do you buy a product solely as a result from one review of your favourite bloggers, or do you look for more reviews from others?
I want to say that I am a good girl and always shop around with a range of reviews from different sources but I would be lying to you. I hope that now I have learnt the error of my ways as there is plenty of evidence of the disappointment I have felt when I've just bounded from one blogger's rave review to Feel Unique/Space NK/Boots.com (delete as appropriate) without doing sufficient homework.
I'm not perfect guys (hard to believe I know!)

What is your favourite item you have bought as a consequence of blogs?
Right now I think it's got to be Effaclar Duo! As you will know if you saw my Skincare Update last week I am a big fan of this little white tube and it has really helped keep blemishes at bay now that my acne is too mild for my old prescription treatment. It's also true that the new formula is some how even better than the old one.

Name five products you have bought recently based on blogger recommendations!
I am currently obsessed with the No7 Shade and Define Eyeshadow Crayons (I have 3 shades so far, for me that's a pretty big deal!). I also bought another Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet, this time in the shade 08 Grand Cru, whose colour is beautiful but the formula appears to be seriously dodgy. I have also bought the Body Shop Honey Bronzer, Origins VitaZing and Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Clearing Gel in recent times too.

And we will leave it for the tag there (I deleted some questions I felt were too repetitive!)

I hope this tag sparks you to get answering these questions too - if you do this tag please let me know so I can show some lovin'!

10 Reasons To Follow My Instagram

Guys, I love Instagram.

I mean love Instagram.

We're thinking of moving in together, it's getting that kinda serious.

This post is simply a showcase of my finest Instas to date, in case you need some convincin'.

LET'S GO.

1. I am getting way too into VSCOCam.

2. I make friends with a fair amount of wildlife.

3. I have great taste in desserts.

4. I wasn't kidding about the last one.

5. My cats are models, whom I occasionally force to pose for me.

6. I lived in France and there is photographic proof.

7. I am passionate about taking photos of flowers.

8. Do it for my bat friend.

9. I make the occasional, INCREDIBLE, collage piece.

10. There will be food porn, and lots of it.

There we go guys... Are you Insta lovers? Are you following me? More importantly, am I following you??

My Favourite Daft Punk Songs

Image Source

I lurve Daft Punk... my adoration is a fairly recent one, as I bought their album Discovery on a whim in my first year of uni and I'm about to go into my forth, but the love is real guys, the love is real. I figured as I'd shared my love of some obscure acts and their songs in this post, it was about time I made some recommendations for bands you may have heard of!

We'll do this in reverse order, to keep things exciting!

Get Lucky
Oooh come on, you can't begrudge me this one?! I figured I'd pop this fella in first just to get it done. Overplayed, maybe... but does it deserve it? I'm gonna say yes - I've had a weird thing for proper 70's disco for a couple of years now (please don't tell my dad) and any songs that combine the old with the new are always my faves. This just gets me dancin'.

Rinzler
From the Tron Legacy Soundtrack, this song has some seriously bad ass vibes. Come my wedding I'll be walking down the aisle to this one for sure. Play it loud and feel the goosebumps.

Motherboard
This track is from their latest album Random Access Memories and is arguably my favourite. Probably nothing like you might expect from the album that gave us Get Lucky and Lose Yourself To Dance, it's a slightly wacky but seriously wonderful piece. BIG LOVE.

Da Funk
I mean, if you're not guessing the vibe of this one from the title, I just don't know where your mind's at... Fun and of course funky, this one makes me want to move. For hours on end.

Make Love
Nope, not an instruction from me there, that's actually my favourite Daft Punk song's title. This is a lush, subtle catchy number that I serious could listen to for hours on end (there's a link here if you share the urge!) I could listen to this all day and I am amazed I've not heard more people talking about it/bloody well playing it.

Man I love these songs - if you've not heard them already, feel free to listen and let me know what you thought!

In Defense Of Luxury Makeup

Everyone has their vices.

For some it's smoking. Others gambling.

Mine is expensive-ass makeup.

Most people recognise that of the addictions I could have got hooked to, makeup really is a pretty harmless one - but there'll always be the odd voice that says, "But why?"

Today, I consolidate my reasons into one handy post, so that next time that voice pipes up, I can hand them a piece of paper with the URL of this page on it, and my troubles will (hopefully) be over.

1. I am pale. I have yet to find a cheaper foundation that has both matched my skin and my formula needs, so it means that when it comes to base, I am happy to pay more if it means I'm not orange.
2. The. Packaging. By and large, this is where high street brands really fall down for me and high end just sprints ahead: the frosted glass on my Giorgio Armani foundation bottle... the exquisite opening of a Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick... And Tom Ford. Oh boy, Tom Ford.
3. That stuff is going on ma FACE. I want it to stick around... Higher end products that really work justify their price tag to me, not least as their cost-per-wear works out as pennies...
4. Colours. Some drugstore shades are up there for sure, but when I think of iconic or unique colours, I'm thinking MAC Satin Taupe, Laura Mercier Sable, Nars Cruella, Clinique Black Honey... most of the time, it's higher end brands that have the shades I love.

That's me done for now... I could of course wax lyrical for months on end, but I figure you probably have better things to be doing! Are you a high end honey or drugstore diva? I am desperate to know as always!

Optimal Prime

Is the title intended to be a Transformers pun? Yes, friends, yes it is...

I figured my love for this trio was so strong that I needed to verbalise my feelings on my blog; having been a primer sceptic for the longest time, these three are my bros that I turn to when I need a look to last. Allow me to introduce you...

First up, and on its last legs, is my beloved Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. This is a product I cannot wait to repurchase as he is a little champ at making my makeup last. I tend to spray him before anything else, as I find my face is a little sheeny when I spray this post foundation application, to act as a base for whatever I am putting on top. Other primers seem to make no difference or break me out, but I have a huge soft spot for this little pump: he's a real step up from the hairspray I had been using for special occasions before!

Then we move on to another friend that's about to empty, my Nars Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base. At one point I was using this and my UD setting spray in every single Youtube tutorial, as my lids are some of the oiliest in town and there's not a hope in hell of this oustripping any other products. Now this is running seriously low I have been using my Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden but his lasting abilities are absolutely nothing to write home about. I will be very, very sad when Nars really does give up the ghost!

Last of all is MAC's Prep and Prime Lip primer. The newest to the bunch, this is also my least frequently used, but I definitely had to mention him as when I'm wearing a bold lip for a long time, this is my product of choice. I'm not 100% sure as to how much longer my matte lips last whilst wearing this (matte lips being pretty heavy duty in that respect anyway) but if your lips are chapped and uneven, Prep and Prime will magically mask the situation and create a smooth canvas for colour - well worth a look in if you're a lippy lover too!

These are my priming picks - I'm ever so curious to know what yours are! Has anyone found a traditional, non-dewy primer that works without causing breakouts? If so, let me know down below!

Wardrobe Shopping Survival Guide

Trying to save some money? I know I am... With a year of being a student again staring me in the face, the need to spend sensibly is more apparent than ever.

You may thinking, Shopping Survival Guide?? If you're after constructive advice on how to avoid being eaten by your shopping basket or how to swerve falling makeup counters (I'd never had to imagine a shopping apocalypse until now) you will have to head elsewhere I am afraid... though it is an idea I may come back to...

But for questions that you should be bearing in mind when shopping with a budget, you may want to look this way.

1. How will this wash? Sometimes buying cheap basics is a false economy... You wash them once and they're good for nothing but a life as pyjamas; sometimes you're not actually saving anything at all. For me, it's meant that I've bid farewell to buying from Topshop and Forever 21, unless pieces are massively reduced in the sale.
2. Pale colours = high maintenance. I learnt this one the hard way last week; I bought a beautiful dove grey jacket from H&M and stained it on its first wear. Be careful; this one will lead you back to point 1...
3. Is this a staple or a statement piece? I tend to reserve my statement pieces for special occasions; a bold, unique piece will definitely be worn less, whereas staples should combine with one another and form the backbone of your wardrobe; less exciting, but a lot more useful.
4. Get savvy with separates. A few years ago, my wardrobe was full of garments that worked for one outfit but couldn't be combined across the board. I've since learnt my lesson and am a separates convert. I've never been so happy with the state of my wardrobe.
5. Read your labels. Dry clean only is my worst enemy.
6. Don't spend on a trend. A no-brainer here but a mistake lots of people seem to make; ripped jeans may be cool now, but they're not worth splashing out on if you're bothered about falling out of style. Especially important if you're keen on being first to try a trend: you may end up hating the look after a while.
7. What's already in your wardrobe? Will this combine well? Or are you making a mistake that I have committed many a time - am I buying a carbon copy of something I already own?

These are genuinely the questions I ask myself when buying and I find it super helpful to take a moment, in my changing room, and imagine myself walking out with what I have in my hands or with nothing and deciding which I am going to do today.

Have you got some wardrobe buying thoughts that you feel like sharing? I am all about hearing more!

Last Chance Picks

You know those products that you just don't fall in love with... but don't exactly hate either? Or the ones that you had such high expectations for, didn't get on with, but can't face admitting your distaste for? This post is all about those guys... being give one last opportunity to hold their own, or else move on out to pastures new.

First up is one that many, many bloggers seem to love, but my face just didn't seem to get on with. The Clarins Exfoliating Toner contains tamarind fruit acids, which are meant to brighten, exfoliate, and even reduce the appearance of pores. For some reason, I felt like this was just doing the opposite - my skin felt unpleasantly tighter, duller as opposed to brighter, and I swear to you, my pores just looked more noticeable than ever... I gave it three weeks to prove itself and my skin is now looking significantly better now this guy is no longer in my skincare rotation. I am gutted.

Another fail, even on the second time around, was Benefit's Porefessional Primer. I have mentioned previously that the first time I used this, my cheek decided to celebrate by breaking out spectacularly. It was not pretty. Quite the opposite in fact. Prior to testing this primer again, my skin had been a blemish free zone for at least three weeks... A day later, and a few little beauties had erupted on my chin. Thanks for nothin', Benefit. It also failed to win me over with amazing primer power. It's not a keeper for me.

This post does have a happy ending; all this facial abuse, courtesy of last two products - most especially the Clarins toner - meant that my final pick, Liz Earle's Brightening Treatment Mask, was at last given a chance to shine... and shine it did. It's not a Whoa-there-you're-glowing-like-a-disco-ball kind of product, but if your face is looking a bit drab and dour, a minute or so of this might add a little life to your skin. I had considered hoofing this guy, but for now he's passed the test and will be on reserve for duller days and maybe even hungover skin.

Are there any products that you just can't fall for, no matter how you try? I'd love to hear about them in the comment section!

Beauty Rules I Should Stick To...

...but nine times out of ten, I so don't!

We've all got them. The things we're told again and again we should be doing, have read up on and know the benefits of, but fail to put into practice. I like a good ole confession (I was raised Catholic, what can I say) so today I am 'fessing up to my makeup sins.

1. Buy the smaller size first, and try before you buy. It sounds so, so embarrassingly obvious but it's a mistake I've made more times than I like to admit. I work out how much the smaller size of a product is value-wise, then look at its larger sibling and invariably it's the larger one that goes into my bag as I convince myself it's a bargain. This is all despite the fact that I know myself, and am perfectly aware that I am very, very likely to go off a product if it's not 100% what I hoped for. I have also made the mistake of buying two shades of a new beauty item only to get both and realise I hate the formula (Hourglass need to send me a personalised, ideally handwritten apology for their Opaque Rouges, of which I have for some reason got two.) Not. Good. 
2. Google thoroughly before purchasing/don't listen to the hype. How many times have a bought a product based off one blogger's recommendations and ended up crushingly disappointed, as well as out of pocket? Even with products that seem okay after a swatch in-store, it's always worth checking out their online reputation on places like Makeup Alley as you can always be left surprised... I would never have bought MAC's Club Eyeshadow had I read its Makeup Alley status first!
3. Go in with a little product, then build up if needed. When you think about it, the logic to this one couldn't be more sound: squirting out masses of your expensive foundation leads to waste and over-application; just because you're used to two pumps of your serum doesn't mean that right here, today, two pumps is what your skin needs. But more often than not I get a little squirt happy and end up wiping most of what I've got on my hand away. It's far better to work up. I wish my hands would remember this...
4. Be. GENTLE. Some makeup artists like to go in heavy-handed. I couldn't hate this idea any more if I tried. No one's face benefits from being tugged and pulled and even contorted for the application of makeup and I would encourage anyone reading to make a conscious effort to halve the amount of pressure they apply when doing their makeup. Your skin will thank you. I just need to keep remembering  - my eyes are hooded enough as it is!
5. Be hygienic with your makeup. Cleaning up palettes, washing my brushes, keeping things out of direct sunlight and actually paying attention to use by dates are all things that get chalked to the bottom of my to-do list, but I know they are worth doing. 

So that's me done - over to you guys: what are those good habit's that just won't stick? I'll be waiting, very, very much interested in what you have to admit to...

Raiding Momma B's Beauty Cupboards

I reckon if you guys saw the size of my momma's beauty stash, I am pretty sure you'd agree that my love for all things beauty-related is most definitely hereditary. Mum has been a very generous donor of products to review since I moved home from France, so here's a post of the bits I've been liking and loathing...

THE RATED
I was so impressed by the Clarins Hydra Drench Mask. It's perfect for the dehydrated skin on my cheeks as an overnight treatment and has only been beaten for this role by my lovely bottle of Origins Drink Up Intensive (which smells of apricots, so was only ever going to come out top...)
I also really got on with the Sanctuary Body Wash - to the point where I'm surprised it was less than £6 - as it's a really nice, somewhat hydrating little gel. I even got on with the smell of it too; I may pick this up for myself sometime...

THE HATED
A big name here - and not one I thought I'd be slamming given its price and reputation - is Glam Glow. Cashing in at around £40, I had hight hopes and I have to say, I didn't think it was all that... I'll save my thoughts for my more in-depth face masks comparison coming soon!
Also a serious no go for me was the Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile. This really doesn't stand up against my beloved Guerlain Super Aqua Lotion in terms of hydration and the smell... to me it whiffs of baby shampoo, not the most pleasant or luxurious of pongs I must say!

THE TOLERATED
They do the most beautiful, on point colours around (besides Essie - I love you Essie) but the formulas of Chanel's nail varnishes are just so awful. They sometimes really do chip within hours of application... it's just a hard pass for me. Mum has since said that some of the newer colours have better formulas - stay tuned for a Nailed It post when I let you know my thoughts! (They're saved from being in The Hated section as those colours... they're so good...)
A product I've read lots about is the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - and I think on this occasion, I just don't get it. It is another Clarins product whose sent reminds me of baby shampoo (curse you, Clarins!) but aside from that, I just think the claims it makes are a bit ridiculous... Brightening and tightening? Really?! Perhaps if you do have dry skin and you want a boost of hydration, you'll like it more than I do... as long as you can figure out how to make it work, that is...

I hope you liked this post - I am positive I'll be helping myself to more from Momma Bananas' collection in the future (sorry Mum!) but in the meantime, what products are you lovin'? I'm always down to know (and Mum is too!)

Sunday Wishlist #1

So, it's a Sunday and I am chilling in my pjs in bed, with a mild hangover and the cat.

Fun fact: I woke up to find I had drunkenly spent this week's wages on a Monki order (well done, last night me, well done). When that guy comes I'll probs do y'all a haul on here, because I've been buying but not hauling for a while now and I feel like you guys are missing out...

Anywho, I woke up feeling spendy despite being skint so here is what I am lusting after:

All Things Anomie

dumb and ugly tee | kelly jumper | seaglass candle | hammered stacking ring = all Anomie

Oooh God. I am planning a style heroes post soon (to go with my makeup heroes feature from a month ago) and I know that Chelsea from ChelseaWears is so gonna be in it. She is pale, she is edgy, she looks far cooler with roots than I do and her shop Anomie is da bomb. Dot and com.

Don't get shirty with me - oh wait please do

silk shirt | sleeveless striped shirt = Zara | shirt collar tips | cropped vintage shirt = Nutshell Vintage

I wanna get into wearing collared shirts. I had such a phobia of wearing them after school, but now I am just all kindsa loved up for 'em. I also love the idea of changing up some cool collar tips - all about makin' one garment look like it's actually five. Also Nutshell Vintage was started by one of the gals I was pals with back at school and it looks so cool (its FB page is full of some good chuckles). Desperate to go hit it up sometime!

Some Stylish Reads

Paris Street Style | Betty Cornell's Teenage Popularity Guide | Popular: Vintage Wisdom For A Modern Geek

You're all probably a bit fed up with seeing the Paris Street Style book so I won't dwell on it too much (other than to say I NEED IT) but the other two reads are ones I have been keeping an eye since reading about them in the Daily Telegraph magazine; they both sound thoroughly fascinating!

I'm gonna call it off hear and chow down on some form of brunch (Momma Bonanas bought bacon, the beauty that she is) so I will see you in video format on Tuesday, definitely not hungover I swear!

Hangover Survival Guide

I've done a lot of preparation for this post - as in, I went out last night and consumed many spirits - so I feel extremely qualified for briefing you on how to survive what the French call a guele de bois; so elegant sounding in French, the literal translation for their word for hangover being "gob of wood" or something similar.

1. Get some aqua in ya. An ocean's worth if you can. Your body is mentally dehydrated and water is what it is needing my friend.
2. SHOWER. YOU SMELL DISGUSTING. EVERYTHING SMELLS DISGUSTING. WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO YOURSELF AGAIN?!
3. Relax. Deeeeep. You are not going to be productive today my friend. Anything you make yourself do, you'll probably have to redo the next day, or whenever it is you start feeling human again. So, get a box set, or some crappy films, your favourite comfy clothes (I, as your temporary advice giving sister, will let you have a pyjama day if this is what is needed. Just make sure they're clean ones.)
4. If you're feeling seriously rough, eat some bland food that you won't mind chucking back up again. We're talking bread, rice, paper... I am joshing about the paper but stick to all things dull and you will thank me from your slumped stance across the toilet bowl later.
5. Get enough sleep. For me, this is legit the only real cure. A lot of the reason you're feeling crappy is not because you stayed up drinking till 4am, it's simply because you stayed up till 4am. Get some rest my babe.
6. Put on your hangover jam. For me it's listening to the albums Jenny Llewellyn or Sophrosyne (all about 80s pop elements in my chill tunes) by WMD. So deliciously mellow. Bon Iver is also a nice shout.
7. Bond with whoever you were out with. Hangovers are best served with company and chances are you are all in a similar state of disrepair. Let your hangover gel you together, growing in experience but probably not in wisdom because your brain cells aren't capable of learning anything just yet.

And that's it my darlings. If you are after some product recommendations that I like for when I am a bit worse for wear, do shout and I'll pop them in a separate post for you. Excuse me while I lie down with Parks and Rec and down this litre of water.

So you've heard about the T Zone... but what about the U Zone?

So I'm pretty sure we're all familiar with the concept of the T zone. That oily bit in the middle of ya face. It ent exactly the new skincare fad on the block... But has anyone else heard about, and more importantly, been pampering their U zone?

HD Brows: Reviewed (in-depth)

HD Brows were all the rage a few years ago, and back in 2010/11 I had a great stint of getting them done regularly. A few weeks ago I was desperate to try them again as my brows were bushy but not in a Cara kind of way, so back to HD it was.

So, to brief you on the structure of this post, I'm gonna chuck in the before and after pictures early on as I figure that's the most exciting part but stayed tuned for a more in-depth chat about the benefits, the procedure itself and about the brand afterwards!