Getting ready....

It's that time of year again where the nights are getting darker, the days are getting colder and the make up is getting fabulous!
As some of you are probably back at school all ready and enduring the daily battle against the alarm, your parents and of course what to wear whether that's make up or clothes, it's all more difficult before school! 
For me however it's moving out of home and go back to university more permanently this year. I am now going in to my second year so I am getting a house with friends so OFFICIALLY moving out!
This is incredibly scary time and I've had a tough time dealing with it, as I said in a previous post I've had low self esteem issues as well as paranoia and anxiety in new situations which even though I know the girls I'm moving in with it still causes me anxiety because I'm leaving my home and going a whole new way with my life, becoming more independent and the like! 

However, with all this change I have managed to organise and sort through all my clothes, make up and my life in general. I did this in my typical way of making lists and trying to be organised but ending up throwing things into bags and boxes and hoping I don't forget anything! There are some things, make-up wise, however that I refuse to forget!

The first on my list is:

- My Clinique chubby sticks! I absolutely adore these, I don't think I could live without them! I'm not much of a lipstick person and I generally don't wear anything but lipbalm on my lips but these are so easy to apply and last for hours! I wear these everyday as they are so versatile and the colours are pigmented and there is such a variety! My most recent investment is a Chubby stick intense which I love wearing on nights out as it's so nourishing and pigmented just like my other less pigmented 'day' chubby sticks! 
The chubby sticks I own are:
- Mega Melon
-Woppin' Watermelon
- Super Strawberry
- Graped up
- Hefty Hibiscus (Clinique chubby stick intense)
and I love them all!

- Next is my Real Techniques make-up brushes! These have revolutionised my make-up routine and given my old make-up a new lease of life! I decided to change my ways with my make-up routine as I now feel more grown up (what with being a second year and all!) and actually make an effort to make my face look presentable on a day to day basis! They are absolutely fantastic and I've become inspired and now own practically every brush in the collection! My absolute favourite brushes are the buffing brush and the expert face brush which I use for my foundation and it makes it absolutely gorgeous and flawless! I have become so much more confident in wearing my make up with pride now! The website is http://realtechniques.com and it has links of where to purchase your own as well as make up tutorials/ style tips for using the brushes! 

- Some people under estimate the power of a good mascara but it is one of my make up bag essentials! Even if I don't wear any other make up I will always put mascara on! My new obsession is Rimmel 'Glam eyes' mascara, which you can get from most high street and drug stores, it really makes my eyes stand out and defined so is perfect for daytime but is also amazing when layered for an evening look.

I must confess I started writing this blog post back in September (nearly a month ago) when I was actually getting ready to leave for University and then everything just happened so quickly that I haven't managed to sit down and dedicate time to writing in what feels like forever! However, this evening I shared my blog with my closest friend who encouraged me to write again and I'm going to make more of an effort now as it is something I'm passionate about and there may be somebody out there reading this!

Thank you so much.

xox

What's in my bag?

I've seen lots of beauty bloggers do this tag of what they keep in there bag and what they have on a day-to-day basis.

I like to have enough in my bag to survive a day out no matter what I'm doing, I always have to attempt to be prepared for different weather, situations and people so my bag reflects that.

My bag is quite big for a day bag but is functional and bright but goes with the majority of outfits, this current one is from a couple of seasons a go in New Look but although it's battered and bruised now I love it just the same.

The next handbag staple I have is my purse (sometimes I forget it but hey!) it's a cheap and cheerful one from Primark that probably needs updating but it does the job and goes with everything, it also fits all of my debit cards, loyalty cards, money (if I have any!) etc. 

A new addition is my 'Fifty shades' printed notebook, I used to always have little scraps of paper with lists and notes on them so the other week my mum gave me this little notebook so that I would be saved from those scraps of paper flying at me whenever I open my bag! Honestly I should have thought of it earlier! I also carry a pen to write in this obviously!

Something I don't think I could live without being in my handbag are my headphones! I get so annoyed when I forget them on long journeys or going for a walk. They're just the basic ones that come with an iPhone as I haven't felt the need to upgrade as they suit my needs!

Something that obviously comes with my headphones is my phone (it's not in the picture) I have an iPhone 4 which comes with me everywhere as I have a slight texting addiction but in this day and age I like being connected to the people in my life wherever I go.

Now because of the stupid british weather I always carry some sunglasses (just in case) the ones I am currently loving are some leopard print ones from Primark that are in the Ray ban 'Wayfarer' style (but a lot cheaper!). The other essential to combat the crazy british weather is my beautiful Radley umbrella that I got as a gift last year and I use it so often it's probably the best present I've ever received! It's cream with pastel spots on it so it goes with so many things and means I can use it every day.

My family has a long, long history of bad eyesight so another handbag staple of mine is my glasses. I don't need them all the time, it's mainly for reading and looking at screens (including writing this) so they always stay in my bag just in case.

The smallest but mightiest thing in my handbag is my tiny bottle of antibacterial gel for those moments when my hands feel all gross when I'm out and about. I got this little bottle from a pharmacy in Paris so I'm not sure on the price or where I got it from but it smells incredible which is what I look for in a hand sanitizer! 

As I enjoy being that little bit over organised, I also have an obsession with shoes, this involves new shoes so I always carry plasters so in those moments where my shoes rub or I just fall over from being accident prone, I have some plasters on hand to help.

A few weeks ago my friend introduced me to the concept of carrying my perfume with me in my handbag so that throughout the day I can top up my fragrance throughout the day, as well as I always remember to put on my perfume!

My pocket mirror is a simple black cased mirror from boots that has a regular mirror and a magnifying mirror which is very handy for when I'm out and about.

One of my new discoveries is a make up remover pen which I got in my most recent Glossybox and it has been incredible! It makes it easy to touch up my make up as it removes any smudges of mascara or issues with lipstick etc which is a lifesaver!

My favourite item in my hand bag is my Clinique chubby stick which is a nourishing balm that is so pigmented and moisturising that it works for everyday wear and looks brilliant! The shade I currently have in my bag is number 07 'Super Strawberry' which is a darker pinky shade that is great for autumnal looks!

Bag - New Look - £19

Purse - Primark - £5

Notebook - Peter Pauper press - price unknown

Headphones - Apple

iPhone - Apple

Sunglasses - Primark - £2

Umbrella - Radley

Glasses - Calvin Klein 

Perfume - Clinique Happy - £48 

Pocket mirror - Boots - £5

Make up remover pen - Ocenane - not available in the UK

Chubby stick - Clinique - £12.50

I hope you all enjoyed this and at least a few of you are reading it!

xox

A bit more about me....

Hi all (whoever you may be),

lets call this a 'getting to know you post' about my background for beauty related things...
I'm 19 years old, at University in England.
I have been interested in make-up and beauty products from a very young age but it has been in the last year or so that my interest has really become an obsession!
I used to not bother with make-up on a day to day basis but then I discovered that it didn't have to be so much of an issue and it could actually be fun and make me feel better about myself on a day to day basis!
I've struggled with low self esteem for the majority of my life but since I've discovered make-up and beauty its like a whole other world of possibilities has opened up of expressing myself. I know that all sounds a bit shallow but that's exactly why I wanted to start the blog, to channel my love of beauty products in to something productive, it's a new chapter for me and I'm very excited about it so hope you all enjoy it too!

xox

The first post......

Aaaah! 

The first blog post is extremely scary! 

Everyone says the first blog post should ‘set up your site’ or ‘say what you’re about’ but I haven’t worked that out properly yet but I want to try and further my obsession with beauty and make up by blogging about what I use and how I find it! 

Please be patient! I've wanted to start a beauty blog ever since watching Zoella's youtube videos and reading her blogs so here it goes! 

Hope whoever finds this enjoys it! 

xox