If You Buy One Powder This Summer

I can't believe this is the final post of the series "If you buy one _ this summer!" Please let me know if you liked this series because you could be seeing this again soon if you did !

If you've read my blog for a while you'll know all about my devotion to the Tarte Amazonian Clay Powder Foundation (and of course airbuki - another firm recommendation from me!). Its soft and finely milled texture means its perfect for setting makeup with a small dusting across the t-zone, but can also be built up for a fuller coverage. It melts seamlessly into the skin, without accentuating fine lines, pores dry patches, or blemishes. It leaves a silky and semi matte texture upon the skin, but still removes shine but leaves the skin looking brighter and refined. It is completely weightless upon the skin, and perfect for both dry and oily skin! There wide range of colours offers a suitable product for all skin tones. It is available along with brush here for £34!

Whats your favourite powder for summer?

The Blogging Process

The Blogging process isn't an easy one, and I've been speaking to Becca who is one of my really close friends here on the interent (who also has a blog - one of my favourites actually which you can read here) and we were talking about how the blogging process is completely underestimated and how hard it actually is to start a blog! So I thought it would only be fitting to explain my blogging process, and hopefully give some advice to new bloggers! 

So I will begin (this can happen whenever I have spare time, but I try to do it as early in the month as I can, or before the start of the month) by planning out my posts for as long as I can until I run out of ideas. I do this from my organiser that my friend kindly bought from me where you can design your own planner (available here for anybody interested). I will also need to take time to purchase any items that I need for the post! The next opportunity (free time) I have I will take as many photos for the post as I can, which typically takes about 4-5 hours each time. (Usually done, three to four times a month) The next opportunity I have I take to edit and select photos and upload them to posts, which can take generally a whole day, and I will also sometimes need to make collages for posts too. All of this is done using a website called fotor. My absolute favourite website for editing. I have written a post a few weeks back about my in depth photo process which you can read here if you wish! 

After this, I will then have lots of draft posts to write! Sometimes I have an opportunity to write many posts (each post - including layout and links will take around a 30-60 minutes!) and sometimes I have no time and will write a post minutes before I upload it! However, when I go on holiday or have an exam period I will need to write all of my posts for the next few weeks in one go. For example, I'm in America now so before I left I had to write five weeks worth of posts and take photos for them all too! From there I will either schedule these posts or upload them myself on the day (depending on whether I will have internet access) After they are all written, I try and proof read them all but sometimes there isn't time to proof read them so I have to trust that nobody will pick up on all the gramatical errors!! 

So there we go! Thats my blogging process! I'd love to hear about yours down below in the comments! 

If You Buy One Skincare Product This Summer

I was very lucky to be sent this as a sponsored 'gift' shall we say for a previous post, however I'v loved this so much that it is now my favourite skincare product, hence why I'm writing this!

I use the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Clearing Facial Wash, every night after I remove my makeup, and my skin has improved incredibly significantly. This is the fastest working skincare product I've tried, I can notice an immediate improvement after use! It fastens the improvement of my skin, whilst also working to prevent break outs in the future. As well as looking clearer my skin looks far brighter. This product contains salicylic acid which works to deep clean pores in order to remove bacteria and clean and clear spots/pimples. Salicylic acid is also great for acne (can sometimes be drying so make sure to compensate with lots of moisturiser and other hydrating products!) It leaves skin feeling silky soft, and improves the general wellbeing and look to my skin! Its also inexpensive, readily available across superdrugs for £4.49 and available online here.

Whats your must have skincare product for summer?

If You Buy One Eyebrow Product This Summer

In the summer I don't like to spend very long on my makeup, especially if I'm buy the pool so thats why I turn to the Anastasia Clear Brow Gel. It allows you to set and define your brows completely fuss free and super quickly. Because it's completely clear and 'crisp free' it's a product that I carry round in my beach  bags for touch ups (unfortunately its not waterproof - if anybody does know of any waterproof brow gels please let me know in the comments below!). The size of the brush is perfect as it grabs each and every brow hair for a super fast application. It remains undetectable on the skin and brows and  thus is another huge recommendation from me! 

Whats your favourite brow product?

If You Buy One Concealer This Summer

It was only recently that I bought the Chanel Concealer, and immediately I fell in love. It is very expensive (retailing at £27) however I'm a total beauty snob so I instantly knew I had to have this after reading some rave reviews! This concealer offers a medium coverage (that is semi buildable) however it feels totally weightless on the skin and is such a thin consicentency it blends almost instantly upon on the skin. It does not cling to dry patches, smudge, irritate or accentuate pores or fine lines. It is a completely matte finish so its perfect for anything that you are  looking to conceal whether it be blemishes, underage circles, redness, etc. The only downside to this concealer is the very poor colour range, so if your looking to purchase this (available here) I would recommend that you first get color matched, to check that there is a suitable color match for you. If not a second recommendation would be the Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer! (Thick, and full coverage)

Whats your favourite concealer? I'd love to hear your recommendation in the comments below!

Beauty Storage Ideas

I was very lucky to have recently moved rooms in my house, and this meant I was fortunate enough to redecorate and get new beauty storage. Prior to this I was using muji drawers but they get dirty very very easily and I wanted something new. And I myself have been looking for beauty storage inspiration for my room, so I thought I would share my storage today after its been completed!

If your looking for new storage, Ikea is the deffinate place to go. It's inexpensive and durable and theres always something new that will fit your room! I purchased the Rajtan Spice Jars and they cost £1.50 for four, and I love them! I use them to hold my beauty blender, hair clips, hair bands, etc. They are transparent jars and made of glass so deffinately be careful when using these! They make great centre pieces and look fantastic on a night stand, desks, and vanity and a huge reccomendation of mine. If your looking at purchasing they are available here.

To Store my brushes I use two of the Rektangel Vase's, one for face brushes and the other for eye brushes. I use the Kulort crushed glass filler inside the vases in order to hold my brushes in place. I really like this method of holding the brushes as its easy to select each brush and see each of the brushes. The crushed glass is reflective and eye catching and super pretty! Both of these are once agains super inexpensive! If you are looking to purchase these the Vases available here and the decor glass available here.

To store my beauty products in the drawers I use the Muji PP Baskets, and these are also stackable so if you have deep draws and limited space these will be perfect! There are a range of sizes which means you'll easily be able to find suitable sizes for your needs! They are long lasting, sustainable and very inexpensive. They are available here if you wish to purchase, I use the PP Basket 3, 2, and 4. 

So thats my beauty storage ideas, I'd love to hear about any of yours in the comments below!

If You Buy One Eyeshadow Palette This Summer

It was this time last year that I bought this palette, and a year later we are still going strong in a saucy love affair. The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette offers a fairly versatile range of colours (for a nude palette) that creates hundreds of different looks. The shadows themselves are creamy and buttery, and blend like an absolute dream. The pigmentation is by far the best I have seen (highly comparable to mac - if not better!) and lasts all day, with very limited fall out. The shadows range in finishes - matte and shimmer both available offering versatile looks for both day and night. Whilst the diverse colors are comparable for each and every season, and perfect for both beginners and those who are comfortable with makeup. A huge recommendation from me for all girls of different skills and skin tones!

Whats your favourite eyeshadow palette? I'd love to hear about them in the comments below! 

How to Contour, Bronze, and Highlight Using Cream Products!

A few months ago, if somebody had mentioned ANY cream makeup products whether it be eyeshadow, contour or blushes, I would have ran a mile. The conception of cream products is enough to completely scare people enough for them to never venture into cream products, but I decided that I really want to venture into cream products and now I love cream products and suddenly want everything cream form. (I'm coming for you byterry ombre blackstar and Nars Multiples) So I thought that writing a post on how to contour, bronze and highlight using cream products would be beneficial for you all and hopefully you find it useful!

So I recommend beginning with the darkest shade - the contour. You'll want to use this along the contours of your nose (on the edges of your centre bone) and along the tops of your cheekbones and along your hairline in order to define the shape of your face. Whilst you should place the bronzer beneath the contour in the shape shown in the photo above - almost like a zig zag. You should also apply the bronzer on top of the contour around your hairline. I also like to apply my bronzer in areas where the sun will naturally bronze me up - on the tips of my nose and along my jawline. As for the highlight I recommend applying this in a triangle beneath the eyes in order to brighten and highlight the under eye area. I also recommend completing a third triangle above and in-between your eyebrows, along the centre of your nose, and your chin. I recommend blending by using a wet beauty blender (note - wet, not damp!) to blend and soften all of the harsh lines. Of course a brush is also fine, however I always notice it looks the most natural when using a beauty blender. Even after you believe all of it is blended I recommend to continue with the blending for another few minutes to ensure it looks completely natural - if you are going to use a brush I recommend blending upwards! With enough practise cream products become ever so quick and easy!

I hope you found this helpful! I'd love to hear about whether you use cream products and if not whether you'll be giving it a go - practise makes perfect!

If You Buy One Mascara This Summer...

When the Benefit Roller Lash first came out, I was very skeptical about this mascara, its claims were high and all the reviews were amazing (I am yet to see a bad review of this mascara) so I did put off buying this for quite the while. But it quickly became my absolute all time favourite mascara! I recommend using this by starting from the root of your lashes, and wiggle it back and forth upwards, this way it will give you the most curl. The groves on the wand will separate you lashes, and gives an instant lift and curl that will last all day. I would say this is also (semi) waterproof, and doesn't smudge or flake at all! The packaging is so cute, and super easy to use! I have also been pleasantly surprised at the fact that has lasted at least 3-4 months now (using it everyday) and is yet to dry out. (Touch Wood) The design and size of the brush allows you to reach even the shortest lashes, and all the lashes on the inside of your eye very very quickly! I will continue to repurchase this throughout my life, as this has clearly reached holy grail status for me and a 100% recommendation! 

Have you tried this mascara, what are your thoughts? If not, what mascara are you using?

How to improve your CV this Summer..

This isn't a normal post from me, but its something that I feel that you'll hopefully find useful and beneficial! I know that summer is a time for opportunity as well as relaxation. These tips are what I think will help you stand out and seem like a well rounded individual who will work hard which will hopefully result in employment/placement in sixth forms, colleges or universitys!

Extended Project Qualifications or otherwise known as an EPQ is something that I am not able to do due to my school only letting certain callibres of students take part which is a deep shame. An EPQ means that you will study a topic of your choice in a greater depth and you will work closely with a teacher known as a mentor. It does not have to be a topic related to school subjects and can be lots of fun. It does take a lot of work and management so you must be willing to put in time and effort. As this has to be done with teachers, it is something I would recommend that you talk to your school about it and a teacher that will be willing to help you.

Online courses are widely available across the web some are costly and some are free, ones that I reccomend and are taking part in are available via futurelearn. These courses are very much vocational meaning they apply to certain jobs rather than specific subjects, for example, there are many courses available to Journalism, nursing, and a large host of others. Each course runs for a certain extent of time and all differ. They are free, however they offer printed statements of participation and exams on courses and there is a charge for these. I do recommend getitng one or two printed statements in case you are asked however one for each course you take seems excessive to me... Some schools offer funding and so may offer to pay for the statements so talking to a teacher about that before the start of summer is my reccomendation so that you can begin to take part if you wish. They can be a lot of fun and an opprunity to learn something new! I am going to be doing courses centred around nursing/journalism/history/geography/politics/english language.

Something that I have enjoyed recently is working with my local girl guides. I help out at rainbows once a week which is where girls aged 4-6 go for an hour and we do a range of activies/outings. It's so much fun, and I always look forward to going every week. I do this for free as with the elder leaders so this is known as volunterring. Volunterring does not only account for girl guiding, you can help out a local charity shop, (something I'm looking at doing in the summer) help out at animal shelters, etc. It is very rewarding and lots of employers and schools look for volunteering on CV's and strengthens the likelyhood of your acceptance.

So those are my recommendations for improvements to your cv's, I'd love to hear about yours in the comments below!

If You Buy One Contour This Summer...

I bought the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium about three weeks ago now and words can't begin to explain my love and devotion to this already! As soon as I tried this, I was left speechless. It gave instant cheekbones, to somebody who has absolutely no shape or distinction to their face! I actually described this to one of my friends as "cheekbones in a box", and it couldn't be more true. I use a real techniques contour brush, or a fan brush and very lightly pick up a small amount of product and dust it into the hollows of my cheeks. The contour powder, has the perfect undertones for it to look natural and create the desired effect. It is completely matte, with grey/ashy tones to create the shadowing effect. The powder is very soft, and 'butter like'. I blend it in using a large fluffy brush and blend it upwards, however even after blending this in it still leaves a beautiful shadow leaving a natural contoured look. If I was to select one product from the whole collection to buy, this would be the one I recommend. This would complement very light and darker complexions, and I can't find a single falt with the product and from now on comes every where I go! Once again, this is a huge recommendation to any girls looking for the perfect contour powder! I don't think I will bother trying any more from now on! 

Have you tried this before? What's your favourite contour?

July Favourites

I know we are well into August now, but I thought that it was better late than never!

The summer has been really drying out my skin but the Glamglow Thirsty Mud has been really helping to reduce the dryness and flakiness to my skin! I've also noticed lots of TKMAXX'S sell glamglow products for a very small fraction of the price - a huge recommendation from me! Blackheads are also a major skincare concern to me, and the Superdrug Deep Action Pore Cleansing Nose Strips have removed the vast majority of my blackheads and I've noticed frequent improvement after each use! Whilst for my redness I have been using the Smashbox Color Correcting Primer for about five months now, and I still love it! It minimises redness, and leaves your skin feeling silky soft and helps increase the longevity of your makeup! The foundation I have been loving the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 4, it offers a buildable medium coverage that leaves a completely natural satin finish to the skin! 

After a recent trip to Spacenk upon viviannadoesmakeup's recommendation I picked up the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium, and I think this is my all time favourite beauty buy. A quick sweep of this creates non existent cheekbones in a natural, quick and easy way! Whilst the Benefit Roller Lash has turned my stumpy (and grumpy!) straight eyelashes into long and curled eyelashes. It doesn't smudge nor clump and is estonishingly easy to remove compared to They're Real! In order to remove all of my makeup at the end of the day I have been loving the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, it means makeup removing is quick, simple, gentle and easy (and pain free!) as well as toning and soothing the skin. As for cleaning my brushes and beauty blenders I have been loving the Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser, for its simplicity for spot cleansing and deep cleansing! Another huge recommendation!

I'd love to hear about your beauty recommendations in the comments below! 

If You Buy One Blusher This Summer...

I'm not a fan of blushers due to my already red cheeks, and normally I wouldn't wear blushers but this particular tarte blusher has managed to weasel its way into my regularly used makeup! The Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blusher in Exposed is a dusty mauve rose shade that provides a naturual glow/sheen to the skin. Its long lasting pigmentation certainly lives up to its name. They are ever so smooth and melt into the skin ensuring it lasts from the morning to the very end of the day and allows a quick and easy application. It is completely matte but still offers a gentle glow and sheen to the skin, whilst failing to accentuate any fine line, pores, or redness. A perfect blusher for summer!

Whats your favourite blusher? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below! 

How I Photograph And Edit My Blog Photos

(The Difference After Each Photo has been edited is crazy!) 

I always get lots of emails, and comments asking about my photos so I thought that I would write a post entailing my photos and hopefully help some of you or give you some inspiration!

So after planning out my posts for the week (sometimes the month) ahead, on the weekend I will begin to set up my lights and backgrounds. I have three studio lights (which I purchased here) which were an expensive purchase however ever since I bought these I feel like my photos have improved tremendously! They were such a good purchase, and in the future I will be looking at buying more! i love them! I will then lay out my white cloth background on the floor, with a white acrylic card to make sure the background is completely white and increase the reflections. From there I begin to take out all the items that I'm going to photograph and lay them out into piles. I take out my photo book which is pictured above, and in that book I have magazine pages that I have ripped out, and that way when I'm going to take a photo I can select a background really easily. Whenever my mum has read elle magazine, I will go through and rip out all the pretty pages and put it in my book! (Which is slightly overflowing now!) From then I just place the chosen page on the acrylic, and place the items across the page. I take about 50 photos for each item that I'm looking to take. After I have taken all of the photos for the posts, I will upload them to my computer. Normally this process takes about 4-5 hours, so I do the rest of the work in the following days.

When I have some spare time on my hands, I will begin to go through all of the photos and immediately delete photos that I don't like, until I end up with a few for each post. I will then use the website fotor which is such a good website for editing. It's really easy to understand and operate, typically I will crop a photo and increase the exposure and saturation of photos. I highly highly recommend this website, for somebody with absolutely no editing experience it took me minutes to understand it! I edit all photos for each post and put them onto my post, and choose the best one or two! 

So thats my process, for my blog photos! I hope you were able to understand this, and found it useful!