Skincare 101: Facial Serums & Oils

When I hear the word facial oil or serum, I scream because I have absolutely no idea what they are or what they do! But in the last few months, I have been getting to grips with the skincare jargon and getting on the bandwagon. As they say, don't knock something until you've tried it and when it comes to these two skincare items I stress the exact same thing. Little do you know, they can change your skincare game forever. 
facial oils and serums for oily skin


Glitter In My Veins


After so long, I'm back with a new whats on my nails post! I've become a 'regular' at a salon in Leeds but have had no time to go back from Liverpool to get them done. This then started the hunt to find a local salon, and after a few messages here and there and a stalk on good old facebook. I finally found one, will I go back to it? No idea, maybe try another and see which is best. But for now, they have done the job and infilled my nails. 

nude nails cnd

cnd shellac nude knickers


My go to nail shape is almond, it looks natural and allows me to type, pick up coins and all those other nail struggles you have to deal with. Acrylics are bad for your nails but touchwood, mine have stayed strong underneath and life without having nails on to me is unimaginable. This stunning shade is from the CND Shellac Range in Nude Knickers. Which I can only describe as a flesh toned, pinky nude - in different lights on my skin it looks different and at first it didn't appeal to me but its grown to be well loved. 

It looks very subtle and due to the flesh toned colour, it makes me stubby fingers look a lot longer and lady like! The glitter design on both the ring and thumb finger isn't a polish but actual glitter, yes actual glitter. The nail technician held my finger at an angle and then tapped glitter down using a small 'shovel' like tool, it created this gorgeous fade and suits the colour really well. 

Overall, I am in love with this combination and the nude shades are getting me ready for spring and pastel! 

What's on your nails currently?!  

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Review

Skincare, Skincare, Skincare. To me its become the most imporatnt thing to do and stick to, having a routine makes such a difference and if there is one product that has literally worked miracles its the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. Everyone and their next door neighbour talks about this product and for someone who's got skin that is an absoutle mess it was one thing that I always wanted to try. 
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Review

Loreal Infallible Foundation Review - US vs UK

Loreal Infallible UK VS US

The L'oreal Infallible Foundation used to be a firm favourite of fine, it was all I ever used. But as time went on, the formula becoming too drying on my skin and their darkest shade (30 Honey, might I add) became far too light for me. A few bloggers have been raving about the how the US formula is much better than the UK one and I just had to try it out. Unfortunately, flying over seas just to buy the foundation seemed a tiny bit too expensive, but good old eBay came through.

There is a UK Seller which you can find under the username suntastic0_1, that supplies you with a variety of American makeup goodies. They are based in the UK and delivery was fast and with me within 3 working days. They sell a whole range of makeup items from the drugstore and you could spend hours browsing and choosing what to buy. 

I'm just going to put it out there, this foundation is incredible. Along with a few others I've been using lately this has restored my faith in L'Oreal foundations! I ended up going with the shade #107 Fresh Beige, after browsing swatches for days and watching videos of people similar shades to me in other foundations. It's just about perfect, its very yellow toned which is a good thing on Asian skin however I think the darker shade may have suited me a little bit better but it doesn't look awful.

The packaging for the foundations, are very similar. Both in a tube, without a pump annoyingly however I have found that the US version is a lot larger in size compared to the one we get here in the UK. Its a slimmer tube and a bit more difficult to handle. 

This for me is very much high coverage, you need a small squirt on each part of your face to cover everything and anything. My scars, spots and uneven skin tone all get covered with this miracle worker and it blends like a dream. I have used both a buffing brush and beauty blender to see the difference in results, both work amazingly well! I prefer the blender as it looks a little more seamless and is easy to blend away but a brush is just as good. I find it covers perfectly and lasts me for an entire day, after applying at 7am for work and coming home at 7 its still in tact. No need to powder to remove shine or blot to control cakiness. 

The EBay seller has it retailing at £12.95 which is £5 more than what the UK version is sold for however I would repurchase this over the UK one any day. If you have always wanted to try the US verison/this foundation in general then I urge you to buy now!


Colourpop Haul

Colourpop are the brand that everyone on my instagram seems to be talking about right now, since they've started to ship to the UK people have being going crazy! I had to fall in for th hype and find out what all the fuss was about and decided to make an order. Highly recommend to either order a large amount so you get free shipping, or split with a friend like I did so you don't feel as guilty for buying so much makeup. Here's a little haul of everything I got because why not and otherwise I'll have to keep them in their boxes until I photograph them - blogger problems!! 
Colourpop Haul UK

If You Buy One Thing This Month


Modern Renaissance by Anastasia Beverly Hills Review

If there's one palette that everyone on the world wide web has been talking about its the Modern Renaissance by Anastasia Beverly Hills. Its taken the world by storm and I've had my close eye  on it since it lauched but it never seemed to be in stock. Then a few weeks ago, I saw someone tweet that it what back in stock on Cult Beauty! 3 Days later with a crying bank balance, annoyed post man but a happy Parie it was here. I spent about 1/2 an hour just staring it at it and then another 1/2 an hour taking pictures before I runied the hell out of it. 

Kiko Universal Fit Foundation Review


kiko universal fit foundation review

I've found a new and very unhealthy obsession, foundation. In the past week I have worn a different foundation/base product every single day. Its become a fun thing to do, testing them out and trying them. One that I keep coming back to was kindly given to me as part of a secret santa with Nishi. Its one of her holy grails and my new favourite, Kiko's Universal Fit Foundation. 

A Year in Review

2016 for me was the year of discovering beauty to its potential, starting to experiment with trends and try new things. Monthly favourites aren't something that appear regular on here because I either forget to round things together or use the same things over and over again. Publishing this post has been a bit of an um and an ah but today we are talking all about my top 16 of 2016. I've tried to include makeup, skincare and random favourites. 


2016


The Two Brushes You Need


If there is one thing you can never have too many of, its makeup brushes. You just have to have some for all occasions, moods and from different brands to try and test. I strongly believe that a good base (skincare wise) and quality brushes either make or break the final makeup look. My makeup hero is the beauty blender, however there are some things that magic sponge can't do. That is where these two brushes come in, my new holy grails, rid or die's and life saviours. Both makeup brushes are from MAC, who's brushes I have never tried and now am obsessed. 

4 Ways to Keep Your Hair Healthy This Winter




I'm very guilty of giving my face and body a lot more attention than my hair, the lucious locks that I have sitting on my head seem to take a backseat during the winter and its time to change that. This winter, as well as focusing on my skincare, makeup and body care, I am giving more love to my hair. Here are some easy tips and helpful hints to keeping your hair healthy and happy this winter. 

4 Ways to Save Money on Beauty Products

flatlay

As a student, money is very tight! But I still manage to save my pennies and buy some new beauty products every now and then. In the past week, I have been really spendy because there are so many ways to save and I didn't even know. These 4 easy ways are a perfect excuse for you to do a little shopping without feeling guilty. 

Why the Following to Unfollow Needs To Stop


Grab a drink and a snack, this is going to be a long one. I have a real love, hate relationship with instagram. Its a great platfrom to post pretty flatlays, be nosey and stalk the hell out of your old school friends. But its also a right pain, unfortunately some bloggers and in general 'users' think its acceptable to do certain things that get my blood boiling. In the past few weeks I've seen so many tweets about instagram, I just had to write it all down. 

The Only Diary You Need

As a blogger, you can never have too many diaries/notebooks. They are all really pretty to look at, use and as decoration. The latest one that I have added to my collection, is the Feel Unique Beauty Diary

Unlike any other diary that you own, its filled with everything a beauty junkie needs in their life and looks so freakin' cute. The font is all fancy, the colours are pretty and its amazing at keeping you on track this year. Happy New Year to you all as well!! 

Feelunique Beauty Diary