(late) february favourites

Hey guys!

Sorry this post is a little late, i have just been a tad busy recently, and i've actually been having a social life.. haha. On friday i went to pizza express for my friend's birthday meal and then on saturday i went to her surprise birthday party, arranged by her boy friend (so cute!) and i had a great time.Anyway, on with the favourties..

beauty favourites

| rimmel nail polish | barry m gelly nail paint | maybelline dream touch blush | real techniques contour brush | MUA undressed palette | GOSH primer |

 rimmel lasting finish nail polish in sweet as sugar & barry m gelly nail paint in prickly pear

during the month of february i have been loving pastel coloured nails, especially these two. due to still being in high school (and my excessively strict form tutor who says 'let me see everyone's nails' religiously every morning - he even checks boys nails) i'm not allowed to wear nail polish during the week but as soon as i get home on school on fridays, the first thing i do is paint my nails. i have a more detailed post on the barry m gelly nail paint which you can see here but it is basically just a really gorgeous pale purple-y lilac colour perfect for spring/summer! the rimmel lasting finish nail polish in sweet as sugar is also a gorgeous pastel colour but a lovely baby blue colour, also perfect for spring/summer and it goes beautifully with the gorg weather we've been having in manchester, and all over the UK, lately.

 

real techniques contour brush & maybelline dream touch blush

as many other beauty bloggers, i adore the real techniques brushes (i've done a blog post on them if you want to check it out here) i have been especially loving this brush. it's amazing for contouring with cream/powder products! it's also really good for blending in concealer to large areas! i just love it. i also have been using it with cream blushes and my favourite cream blush in february was the maybelline dream touch blush in apricot! it's a lovely corally colour. i sometimes like to use it as a bit of a highlighter too. its a gorgeous consistency and goes on like a dream. for a cream blush, it actually lasts pretty well on my skin, however it summer i'm not sure if it will be as long lasting.. but for now its perfect.

 

mua undressed palette 

 i also have a more detailed post on this with swatches and all my views (check it out here) this was super cheap and such good value for money. it has been compared to the urban decay naked palette, which i don't have so i'm not able to compare. there are a couple of matte colours, but i think the shimmery ones are more pigmented and last better on my lids.

 

 GOSH make up primer

i've actually had this for quite a while (probably longer than i should) which explains the lack of the lid, as lids just tend to go missing in my make up bag. anyway, my skin hasn't been great and it's been a bit rough, but putting this on my skin before make up really helps to make my make up go on a lot smoother and maybe last a bit longer. if you'd like a more in detail post on this just comment below!

non beauty favourites

film and music

this is a bit of a 2-in-1, i have been loving the submarine soundtrack, which is actually only 5 songs but they are so amazing, and amazingly used. they are all sung and written by alex turner, who is the lead singer/guitarist for the arctic monkeys! and i have also been loving the film. it was on tv a while ago and i recorded it and it soon became my favourite film. it's so cute but so funny in a non funny way, but not taking the mick sort of way (that doesn't even make sense to me) i won't say anymore, just in case you haven't seen it.

other

home ware

i adore these cute cath kidston mugs from john lewis. they are so cute and i love the print on them. my favourite is the blue one. they just make me want to drink tea all day, which i really can't as i already drink too much! they also hold so much, im not sure of the exact capacity but it's so much more than normal, which is something i love! i also think tanya burr may have the blue one haha!

so, that is the end of my feb faves! thank you for reading, don't forget to comment me with your february favourites!

Olivia 

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yay or nay: plum mascara

hello my lovelies!

i have been seeing more and more coloured mascaras on the high street recently and wanted to try some out! I bought the collection 2000 collagen curl mascara a while ago by accident because back then i thought all mascaras i picked up were going to be either brown or black.. obviously not ha ha! i was a bit miffed when i got home and realised id picked up a plum mascara instead of black, and never even tried it until i saw sam and nic from pixiwoo mention an aubergine coloured mascara and was intrigued by the whole idea of having different coloured lashes! So i revisited this product and thought i'd try it out again to see if i had changed my mind on the idea!

as you can see, on the wand it doesn't look too plummy, it just looks black, but swatched you can see the plummy-ness of it! I think this is a really nice colour to have as a mascara - its not too outrageous-y or bright, but not the normal black/brown.

So, what does it look like on?

on these pictures, it looks incredibly disappointing and just like normal mascara, which it does in real life too.. UNTIL you catch it in a different light and really get the warmth and deep plummy-ness of it! Ive had many compliments when wearing this, and paired with the right eyeliner/eyeshadow it can look so pretty! and im hoping to try more different coloured mascaras!

so that is my verdict on plum mascaras, what's yours?

thank you for reading,

Olivia

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cute lil boots

hey guys, hope you're all well!

ive been searching for some new boots seeing as my chelsea boots have had their day and are beginning to look shabby! i have had them for a year and i did only pay £40 for them, so it is more than expected for them to look the way they do! Anyway, these are the shoes ive been wearing instead! ive had them for a while and even my mum has a pair ha ha! if i remember rightly they are from charles clinkard and are from the brand hush puppies which i think are for middle age - old people.. haha. Anyway, these are the shoes.

they are a suede material and are actually really comfy, they look kind of dirty and faded in the pictures but they look fine in real life! they are available in a range of colours and my mum has them in black and purple! I like these because they are quite different but not so different that you look wacky, if you know what i mean? they are so casual too, and will hopefully last me till i can find some new chelsea boots, i currently have my eye on some for asos! I think these will last a while

what are your favourite shoes at the moment?

thank you for reading,

Olivia x

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everyday make up #1

hey guys, hope you're all well!
today i'm going to show you my everyday make up routine because i love seeing everyone elses!
my face

1. wow i look so happy here! this is me without any make up on, just moisturiser!
2. foundation and concealer done!
3. eyebrows and eyeliner
4. mascara and a light eyeshadow in my inner corner and on the bridge of my nose!   
the products

lips
rimmel kate moss lasting finish lipstick in 01
eyes
mac eyebrow pencil in lingering
eco tools angled eyeliner brush
elf lip brush (used for eyeliner)
elf eyebrow kit in ash
elf gel eyeliner in black
rimmel eyeshadow in moonstone, featured in my
no7 mascara, full review
face  real techniques stippling brush revlon photo ready foundation sleek contour kit real techniques contour brush  collection lasting perfection concealer primark foundation & concealer brush (used for concealer)   finished look

    So guys, that is my everyday make up look! hope you enjoyed, and would love if you could leave me a link to your everyday make up if you have done one! have a good evening! Olivia x     twitter  ●  instagram  ●  bloglovin

first favourites of 2013

hey guys!
hope you're all well, can you believe we are already a month (more or less) into 2013? i can't! Any way here are my first beauty & non-beauty.

from left to right:
no7 stippling brush
part of set, sadly not available anymore!:(
real techniques buffing brush
boots £21.99
soap and glory bright here bright now instant radiance energy balm (that's a name and a half isn't it!)
boots £11
oilatum natural repair face cream
boots £7.65
benefit bad gal mascara
boots £16.50
mac eyebrow pencil in lingering   mac £12.50
tweezerman tweezers
boots £19.50
rimmel mono eyeshadow in 244 moonstone
boots £3.99
mini bourjois loose eyeshadow in shade 6
not available - similar from 17 here
favourite skincare

These two products have been my favourite moisturisers to use under my foundation recently. I mentioned the soap and glory brightening balm in my recent haul. It brightens my skin under my foundation, and if im having a good skin day i will just wear this on it's own!
I picked up the oilatum moisturiser when i went into my local boots with high hopes of them stocking the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, which they sadly didn't (cry) so i decided to pick up a bottle of this instead! And i certainly do not regret it!
favourite brushes

The brushes i have found myself reaching for the most this month would have to be my real techniques buffing brush and my no 7 stippling brush, which i got in a set a couple of Christmases ago. The buffing brush has such a variety of uses, from buffing in your foundation to applying highlighter. That said, i actually use the stippling brush to apply my highlighter, as sometimes the buffing brush can be a bit big. but that makes it better for buffing out bronzer/blusher (which i tend to do a lot.) i also love all the other brushes in the core collection.
favourite eye make up

my favourite eye make up for the start of 2013 would have to be my benefit bad gal mascara. It gives my eyelashes length and volume without going over the top, which is good for me seeing as i am at school most of the time! I may do a more in depth review on this with before and after pictures if you'd like to see that? also, my favourite eyeshadows have been rimmel's white eyeshadow and bourjois loose eyeshadow. I prefer the white eyeshadow as a highlight for my inner corner/tear duct area and brow bone! I like the pink, loose eyeshadow to just dust over my lid! So pretty!
favourite eyebrow products

my favourite eyebrow pencil would have to be mac's eyebrow pencil in lingering (full review here) i just love the way it makes my eyebrows look: defined, but not drawn on! round of applause to mac! and with the help of tweezerman's tweezers i get my brows looking nice and groomed! Although these tweezers are expensive, you can get them sharpened for free and they last forever! They are by far the best tweezers i have ever used!
NON BEAUTY FAVES
favourite item of clothing

It was so difficult for me to pick just one item of clothing! but i went for this 'popcorn' jumper from new look that i received for christmas and i can't stop wearing it! it is longer at the back than it is at the front so perfect for wearing with leggings/ thrown over some jeans! Sorry for the dodging photo, ha ha!
favourite music

If you follow me on twitter or instagram you will know i love lana del rey and i'm going to see her in concert in may (eeep!) I have been loving born to die: the paradise edition ever since it came out in november! my mum and my sister both love her too so this is constantly playing in our house, as is the normal born to die cd! ahh i love lana so much!
favourite food

you may think i have a couple of screws loose for posting my favourite food on a beauty blog, but seriously, reeses cups are worth raving about on any type of blog as they as so delicious. In fact, delicious is an understatement! I love them! They are currently on offer for 3 for £1.20 when one pack would usually be 60p.. Bargain! (and i wonder why i haven't got a six pack and legs like a victoria secret angel! haha!)
favourite household-y type item

excuse the extremely vague, not very professional name of this category as i'm not too sure on which category this little beauty would fall in to! I'm also not to sure on how to explain what they are either! The packet they came it didn't give too much away either! They are called Toast Stamps (which you can buy here) and you push them into the bread, remove and then toast! I have the ones that say "LOVE" and "HOT STUFF" and i just think they are sooo cute! I think these work better with a toaster, not the grill!
That is the end of my favourites for the first month of 2013. Hope you enjoyed and have a marvelous weekend , thank you for reading!
   Olivia x       twitter  ●  instagram  ●  bloglovin

my favourite perfumes!

Hey guys!
i hope you're all having a good day! Today I thought i'd share with you my current favourite perfumes that i've found myself reaching for the most!

right: beyonce pulse perfume
left: ralph lauren the big pony collection 2

These perfumes are very different, the beyonce one is more light and sweet, whereas the ralph lauren one is quite fruity and citrus-y! They are really nice for just everyday wear! I think the beyonce one is around £25 and the ralph lauren one is around £40, quite a big price different and i would say my fave is the beyonce one!
I love both though!
What are your favourite perfumes for spring?

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed!
Olivia x

favourite winter items

This is going to be a post on a few of my favourite things to have in winter, and seeing as it is getting on for Christmas i thought i'd better do it soon (despite the fact that winter lasts up until around march in the uk, especially where i live in manchester)
So these are a few of my winter favourites:
first of all..

DECORATIONS!
next..

SOCKS!! or warm clothes in general and fairisle pattern.

A dewy foundation is great in the winter if you skin may be a little dry and dull from the weather.

These eyeshadows from No 7 are great for the festive season! I love the gold and dark blue combo! They are really pigmented too!

MOISTURISER! this moisturiser is amazing! It's quite light but really moisturising and sinks in immediately!

Another moisturiser! Soap and glory the righteous butter! I'm sure many of you have heard of this and may have tried it! it's perfect for this time of year!
and to conclude..

Another moisturising product! Burts bees lip balm! It keeps your lips smooth and soft all day long!

So there are some of my favourite winter items, hope you enjoyed and don't forget to comment with your favourite winter items! ITS SO CLOSE TO CHRISTMAS AHH!
Hope you're all having a lovely run up to Christmas!
Love Olivia X

Products I'm Currently Loving

Over the summer and the past months, I've found these are the products I've been reaching for the most.

Revlon ColourStay foundation here Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Shimmer here Soap & Glory Bronzer here ELF Eyebrow Kit in 'Ash' currently out of stock :( here Real Techniques 'Buffing Brush' part of the Core Collection here EcoTools Bamboo Angled Eyeliner Brush here Bourjois Volume Glam Ultra Curl Mascara here Revlon ColourStay foundation £12.49

image source:google images

Mine is in 110 ivory and this is the best foundation I have used, concerning the colour match to my skin. This colour is very pale and suits my skin very well, despite being a bit pink. I got the one for dry to normal skin, simply because I do have combination skin but it is mainly dry, despite my oily t-zone. I would say this foundation is full coverage, so I usually sheer it out on a day to day basis as it is quite heavy but great for when you need full coverage and for night out make up. The only downside is that there is no pump so it can get a bit messy, other than that I love the glass packaging as it makes it feel a lot more expensive that it actually is. Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch £4.99

I love this because it can be used as either a highlighter or a blush. I got the one in 002 Radiant Rose and it is a lovely pink shade with shimmer. Full review coming soon! Soap & Glory Solar Power Bronzo £11.00

Soap & Glory are a brand pretty much EVERYONE has heard of! It is one of my favourite brands and I love the make up range. This bronzer has 2 shades, a darker colour and a lighter colour. They have slight shimmer, but they are almost matte so great for contouring! The colour pay off is fab, and the colours don't make you look like you've rolled in doritos, so an overall thumbs up from me! Elf Eyebrow Kit £3.75

I've heard that this is a great dupe for omega by MAC, although I do not own omega, they do look pretty similar of what I've seen of it, but I think omega may have a better colour pay off. The powder is great if you are fair and can't find eyebrow products that are cool tones enough! It is true to it's name - ash. It isn't too warm for my eyebrows at all! The darker colour is the gel which is also amazing, but I tend to use the powder more! But I have hit pan on the powder, so I may look into buying omega my MAC or I may repurchase this.. hmm. Real Techniques Buffing Brush (Core Collection £21.99)

POSSIBLY THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER BOUGHT UNDER £25!!! That is not an exaggeration. The buffing brush (if you don't already know)is from the Real Techniques Core Collection by Samantha Chapman (one of the Pixiwoo sisters)and it is amazing. It is dense, it washes well, doesn't shed and is SO soft. I use it for foundation, powder, cream blushers etc.. It is just amazing. EcoTools Bamboo Eyeliner Brush £5.49

Admittedly, I don't use this for eyeliner (unless I'm using eyeshadow as eyeliner) simply because I already have a brush for it. I do, however, use it for my eyebrows, along with the ELF Eyebrow Kit, together they can do wonders.. Bourjois Volume Glam Ultra Curl Mascara £7.99

This mascara makes my eyelashes look voluminous and ultra curly;) I do have mascara phases and this seems to be one of the longest. It isn't too wet or too dry, it's just right. It's amazing. Thank you for reading, what products are you currently loving? Olivia X