Blog Photography Without A DSLR

Over the past few months, I have started to put much more of an effort into my photo's, both here and on instagram. Not in any way saying that I'm a pro or the best, there are hundreds of other people out there who have better photo's than I do. But I have upped my game and it is all without an expensive camera. To this day, four years of blogging, not once have I used a camera for photo's (apart from the past few fashion posts, but someone else has taken them for me). Believe it or not, everything is taken on my phone. 

Spring Skincare with Caudalíe

Testing out new skincare is something that I am loving at the moment, my skin is getting a treat nearly every month and to say that it is usually prone to breakouts, switching it up every so often has helped it in a way. On rotation at the moment, is the new Vine[Activ] range from Caudalíe, these along with some the skincare bits that will be featured soon have changed my skin in ways that can only be imagined.
This range is aimed at those with hectic lifestyles, always on the go and your skin is going to be the one that suffers. All the products help to fight signs of ageing, which isn't a big issue for me at the moment but it is also glow activating. Having an entire range from one brand has been really lovely to use, and I will be using these for a long time! 

Weekend Pamper

Who doesn't love a good old pamper evening? Or even day, whatever you prefer! Thursday marked my last day at university for a month, before going out on placement and there was no better way to celebrate than having some me time and indulging in some beauty treatments. We all deserve some TLC from time to time and don't forget that. My focus this week is on three things, skin, lips and nails!!

Running Late Routine

Everyday, I see people who have spent a reasonable amount of time in the morning putting themselves together. Whether it be perfecting the winged liner, wearing the knee length boots with a thousand and one laces or creating that super sleek straight hair. 

 If you’re one of these people, then hats off to you because where on earth do you find the time? 

I'm definitely a morning person over night owl but in the sense of ... 

1. Hitting the snooze button a thousand times over

2. Using simple and multi-purpose products to make me look alive

3. Having to eat breakfast on the way to university or work

The Current Favourites

Really had no idea what to call this post, it isn't really a monthly favourites as they don't seem to be a thing on here anymore/it's not the end of the month. So I guess more of a currently loving at this moment in time post?! Hopefully, I can come up with a much better title than that...they are by far the hardest part about writing a blog post - anyone else agree? I've been loving so many products lately and just had to shout about them! 

The Beauty Edit with John Lewis

At the moment my university timetable is a little all over the place, we are due to go out for placement next month so it is a long wait ahead. My placement will be over the summer term, which I couldn't be more excited for! The weather will hopefully be better so I can take the children outside as well as have the chance to wear pretty floral dresses and ballet shoes. As it will be during the summer, my makeup needs to be long lasting and fresh. John Lewis have recently launched their Beauty Edit: Artistry which is a collection of products perfect for that fresh and summery look. 

Technic: 5 Under £5

I love the feeling of when you are wearing something clothes or makeup wise and someone compliments you, upon telling them where that item is from and they hear that its purse friendly - you've made a friend for life. I love sharing products that cost a fortune and cost next to nothing, Technic is one of those brands. They are brand that I used all those years ago when I first started wearing makeup. Their nail polishes used to be some of my favourites, recently they have had a revamp and have come back better than ever. 

Mother's Day with The Body Shop

Last week, my mum and I were very kindly invited along to the Body Shop store in Leeds for their Mother's Day Event. All about celebrating mum's and everything they do for us. We really didn't know what was in store for the night but it turned out to be one fun evening and of course we ended up shopping whilst in the store too!

The Leeds Briggate store is a concept store from the brand and the first of them, it includes a VIP treatment room where you can book and have makeup/skincare consultations. A swanky makeup station, personalised body butter station (how cool!) and so much more. As one of the staff members said its as though lush and The Body Shop had a baby. 

Easy Weekend Face

Happy Weekend Everyone! This is the first weekend in what feels like forever, that I'm not doing anything! It feels weird and wonderful at the same time. On the weekend I tend to opt for a much lighter look, that doesn't take much time yet looks gorgeous. It is also the perfect time to try out products from my 'stash' getting a real use out of things I haven't used in a while! 

Makeup Revolution First Impressions

Let's just say that I am slightly obsessed with highlighting, all forms too! The post all about highlighters under £10 went down a treat and there was a lot of love for the gorgeous MUR palette. Since that post, I ended up buying two more palettes from the brand, one is labelled as a strobing palette and the other highlighter - either way they are beautiful and here's the low down. 

Products Worth The Splurge

Anyone else watch videos and read reviews before buying a beauty product? I love seeing what other people thing and then debate over whether I need it or not. 99.9% of the time I end up buying it anyway and love it, there is rarely an occasion where I hate something - because I do so much research around it first. Always late to the party on luxury items, but the price puts me off and being a student is hard money wise, when you have a unhealthy shopping habit. There are a few products however, that have been worth the money and I do not regret buying! 

My makeup is all kept in a large acrylic display, the draws are divided into different things such as one draw is for everyday makeup to allow ease of access. There's a draw beneath this that contains all the following luxury items, for some reason I love having them all together in one place. The storage unit is then accompanied by a pot of brushes and a pot of liquid lipsticks that refuse to sit inside a draw. The only thing missing is a mirror, I currently have my eye on a illuminated one from hollywoodmirrors, it would complete my beauty area and make up it look more high end.

The first product that takes proud place in the luxury draw, is of course the ABH Modern Renaissance. It hasn't been mine for very long but its very well loved. My go to shadows are the first six, more neutral and wearable everyday than the others but the pigmentation on all of the shadows are incredible. I was torn on whether or not to purchase this palette when it came out but a few months later (always late to the party) it just had to be mine, it is expensive but the velvet touch packaging alone is gorgeous and I am so excited to try more from ABH, 

One of my favourite products/launches from last year had to be the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop. It used to be a 'only on special occassions' highlighter but I've started using it more regularly and fallen in love with it even more. It adds the perfect champagne glow to your skin and the compliments you get when wearing it are like no other, others fall in love with it. Such a shame that I didn't manage to get my hands on the rest of the collection because Jaclyn did good! 

If there is one product that everyone and anyone talks about in the beauty world it has to be the NARS Orgasm. As per, I am late to the party! This is the most gorgeous blush that I have ever seen and used, the bright pink colour should not put you off because when you apply it, a gold undertone makes it look gorgeous. It is also one for all skin tones, so universal and you need it in your life. 

Including Colourpop in this post was a last minute option, the brand is very inexpensive but if you are in the UK and have to ship it over then its more of a luxury. It isn't a brand that I would be buying from all the time, more of a treat so it is definitely a luxury/worth the splurge on. Even though their lip products are to die for, the eye shadows have really stood out to me. Having single eye shadows may seem like a pain but its a lot easier to create eye looks.

I've only had the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk for a few weeks and I have not put it down. All the hype you hear around this legendary lip liner is all true and worth a try. Its a your lips but better colour, looks great with any lipstick over it and is so creamy. The first time I used it, I had to stop and take two seconds to just realise that this was a lip liner?! If that makes any sense. 

As I've got more into makeup MAC Lipsticks aren't as expensive compared to the other products mentioned in this post. But they deserve every mention possible, if in doubt with what to wear on my lips I always go back to these. They have a range of different formula's available from matte to satin and a huge selection of shades as well, you are bound to find something that you like.

Sometimes you just have to treat yourself and splurge on the luxury products. I will always be a budget buyer at heart but as I'm growing up the luxury brands are definitely speaking to me more. Luxury skincare is next on my list to try! 

What are your favourite luxury products? 

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Lashes For Glasses

Since the age of eight, glasses have been permanently stuck on my face. My eyesight is terrible, I'm talking - can't see anything without them on. A few years ago I dabbed in and out of the whole contact lense thing, but my eyes have worsened and they aren't quite an option at the moment (that's how bad they are) so I have to embrace the glasses. I have no shame wearing specs, as some people do, they make me who I am and are the greatest fashion accessory. Someone once told me that because of wearing glasses, wearing false lashes wasn't really an option. Well, guess who proved them wrong? This girl. I love lashes, they aren't something I wear all the time, but when in the mood a bit of a lash lift can't do anyone any harm. 

Holiday Dreaming

I always find that around this time of year people start to book their holidays if they haven't done already. Whether it be jetting off to a desert island or somewhere local and cheap, having somewhere to go and look forward to helps get through the long days and nights at work/university. As a person, I consider myself a holiday freak. One of those that has to start planning, preparing and packing (or the three p's) months before I am due to go.