July Lifestyle Favourites

What a great time of the month this one is! I love me some favourites, I really freakin' do. Let us check out what I have been loving:

On TV: The Honourable Woman - Maggie Gyllenhaal is my new spirit animal.
On Youtube: The amazing Emily Diana Ruth has had me hooked on her Letters To July series; just beautiful.
On my iPod: I have listened to Kygo's remix of Brother by Matt Corby endlessly since hearing it in this lookbook by the fabulous Sarah Hawkinson.
On my bedside table: I have been reading Abhorsen by Garth Nix and I will be finished any minute now!
On Bloglovin': It's been all about A Girl And A Beauty Blog, That Grace Girl and Citron and Guavaberry this month and brilliant they each are!

And on my end, I loved filming and editing my 7 Days of Makeup and 3 Things To Do This Weekend, and my Trying Some Style Classics post was one of my faves I've done ever!

I hope you enjoyed guys, and that your July was as wonderful as mine. Take care and see you tomorrow for an exciting blog project!

VIDEO: Skincare Update

Ooosh, do I love me some skincare wafflin' - today's video is all about the products I have been using lately, with some rates, hates and tolerates thrown in!

My Favourite Daft Punk Songs

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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!

GIMME 5: Hand Creams

I'm somewhat new to the hand cream game, but I strongly feel that what I lack in experience, I make up for in litres of enthusiasm. I have been slathering my mits in these five babies for the last few weeks: here's my rundown of the Good and the "Good God..."

Also, if you missed last month's Gimme 5, you can get the dirty here...

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream
Still not a brand that I've been convinced by, this hand cream failed to push me onto the Nuxe bandwagon. Formula-wise, is one of the more decent formulas of the five: it absorbs well and I do feel its moisturising benefits, but the smell... I can't even begin to describe it to you properly.  According to the internets this fella contains Chilean rose, avocado and sweet almond oils, which possibly explains why it smells like a weird old herbally jumble to my nose.

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector
I have actually tried this chappy before (in TBS's pre-L'Oréal days) and, along with their Shea Lip Butter, I feel there has been a distinct decrease in quality since the company changed hands. No longer sold in its cool, medicine-style metal tube, this is now available in a tacky, plastic one that is 20ml smaller. It's also somewhat lacking formula wise; I remember it as a light but potent balm that was powerful but weightless... Now it's by no means a bad hand cream, but just not a patch on the old formula, and it's another one with a smell you're probably going to have to learn to love.

Pure by Waitrose Hand Cream
At £1.99 I wasn't expecting much... but good LORD this is awful. Two minutes post application, all hints of hydration are long gone. I could weep... but I won't, I swear I won't.

Clarins Hand and Nail Cream
One of Momma B's faves, this one hit the (finger)nail on the head with a great formula and nice scent... It's the priciest of the bunch, but Clarins put its success down to the sesame oil and Japanese Mulberry: how lovely sounding. It does work well and would have come top if another hadn't beaten it...

La Roche Posay Lipikar Xerand Hand Repair Cream
It turns out my first hand cream is my fave... so much so the tube pictured is my second. While it's not quite rich enough to be my overnight hand cream of choice (that quest continues... chime in if you have recommendations!) it is going to live in my handbag, forever. It's got what I think of as a "proper" hand cream vibe: a floral smell, nice formula and the packaging just reminds me of whatever my mum was using when I was little... For the mo, it's my hand slap of choice and it's also only a fiver from Escentual... nice one.

I'll be back with another Gimme 5 next month but until then, what hand creams are you feeling? And basting your paws in? I am pumped to hear about them as per!

Mini Budget Haul

Guys, I have a confession...

I may have gone to Boots and some accidental shopping may have occurred.

If I'm honest it felt like good deals were just fighting to be exploited.

I couldn't not.

Here you go my loves!

Why I Love Lost In Translation

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There are few films I love more than Lost in Translation (2003).

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I love its grungy vibe.

I love its soundtrack.

I love how it encapsulates alienation in a foreign culture.

I love just about every shot could be a work of art.

I love how it represents a quarter and midlife crisis.

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If you haven't seen it, you should, then come tell me how much you loved it.

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7 Days of Makeup

In case you missed it, last week I posted my week in makeup (with products linked in the description, easily the longest description I've ever been responsible for!) and very exciting it was too.

Each look took 15 minutes or less to complete so they'll be super easy to recreate should you fancy it!

Let me know your thoughts - which day was your fave? And are there any you'd fancy a tutorial on?

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!

Trying Some Style Classics

Lately I've been far into my fashion than my beauty stash - though trust me, my makeup love may wane but never it truly dies out - so I'm here again with another style post to follow on from my Whistles jumper purchase confession, which can be read here. Today I'm telling you about the four classic pieces that I plan to always mix into my wardrobe.

First off is the Classic Red Lip... I told you my love for makeup never strayed! I've got a few classic, yellow and even pink based reds in my makeup stash, but the one that screams old school glamour most is my MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Laquer in Reckless. To me it's a refreshing antidote to all the orangey red lippies that are in season at the moment; not summery in the slightest, this is a very blue toned, darker red that dries to a very matte finish. It's not got the greatest applicator or formula in the world, but at just £3 and with a banging colour to boot, it's become an instant favourite.

Next is my Little Red Bag, which looks rather vintage to me despite the fact it's a modern buy and you can get yours online here. It's got a decent length shoulder strap, a couple of nice zipped bits to stash your cash in and a completely timeless, trend-free vibe that I for one am loving. It also has the added bonus of perfectly matching the colour of my lippy: something that definitely did not factor into its purchase...

I am also into my super cheap little Pearl Earrings, that came as part of a set in C&A, now no longer in business in the UK. Here I've linked you a £6 pair from John Lewis, but you could definitely find them cheaper elsewhere! I am a bit temperamental when it comes to earrings; I either lust after them endlessly and am desperate for more piercings, or else I forget I've had them done at all and my lobes sit bare for weeks on end. I've been wearing my pearl ones for the last week or so and I love that they're a subtle touch of chic (to offset my mad red hair of course).

Then finally we have my Vintage Denim Jacket - an unexpected family heirloom (!) from my dad. It's older than I am, having been bought from Levi's in the early 80s, and Dad did an amazing job of keeping it so well it could be brand new. You can get similar, modern versions from Levi's here, here and here.

3 Things To Do This Weekend

In need of a practical demo of what you could be up to this weekend? Fear no more my darlings, it's right here - enjoy!

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...

Makeup Shakeup

Guys I only made you a video!

Shopping the stash is given a YouTube-based dust off in this little vid, I hope you enjoy!

If you do one thing this month... book a facial

I'll leave the counter choice up to you of course, but having had my first two facials this year,  I think it can be said that I'll be having a good few more. If anything my love for them is an incentive to get out there and get earning post-uni.
At some point I'd love to do a before and after photo and see how much of a difference they actually do make;  but what I will say is that at the time of writing, my skin has never looked better and maybe it is down to my treatments...
Failing that, the lovely feeling of being pampered has me totally hooked.
If you're not booking one for yourself, book one for a friend! I myself would love a facial as a present. Hint hint to any family members reading this post...
If a professional facial isn't in your budget at the mo,  get your pamper on at home!
Now there's an idea for a future blog post...

This Month's Finest... June Lifestyle Favourites

GOOD GOD it is July already... I couldn't feel any less emotionally prepared.  As before, this post may be a longer one (aren't they always though?! AREN'T THEY ALWAYS??)... but without further ado, Imma break down what I've been loving in the month of June yo.

I promise there will be no further efforts to be G from here on out.

The Best of Space NK's Sale...

Excitement levels in our household generally rise when the words "sale" or "Space NK" are heard, reaching a peak when these two greats combine and our fave high end retailer announces that prices for premium products are plummeting... This time round I "limited" myself to "only" buying one thing...

..one thing that happened to contain about 18 smaller things. Sigh... But I'm pretty sure this is what overdrafts were intended for?

I treated myself Parks and Rec style to the fabulous Luxe Colour Wardrobe Double Decker for Lips and Cheeks, which is a nifty little palette that is as chock full as its name would suggest, reduced from £78 to just £39: and it's a complete bloody bargain. GET A WIGGLE ON because I just can't believe he won't sell out sharpish...

I've also had my beady beauty eye fixed on the Laura Mercier Mini Lip Glacé Collection, these Diptyque Mini Oval Decorations that may be meant for Christmas but I just don't care, these beautiful Shu Uemura False Lashes, and this By Terry Rouge Terrybly Lipstick. I am just crushed my spending habits mean I can't justify a purchase!!

Lip Product Addict Tag

I made you a present guys, I made you a present. I know, I know, that's me, selflessly gen as always.

God I am great.

A Week In Photos

I am all about trying to take more photos: it's one of my resolutions on the To-Do list I posted last week and, as last week was a such a shutter happy one, I thought I'd share it with you!

Monday: Scones with Lizzie

Tuesday: Impromptu massage courtesy of Alfie to kickstart the day

Wednesday: getting chatty and stitchy with the village Sewing Bee

Thursday: An amazing day spent visiting the Charles Rennie Mackintosh house in Northampton

Friday: Treating myself at work... always a risky move!!

Saturday: Chowin' down in our fave caff (pulled ham, poached eggs, fried taters and baked beans, in case you were wondering!)

Sunday: A pic from the lush walk Mum and I went on...