Friday Five: Lipsticks

Happy Friday!

The bitter weather means no sign of us unwrapping our scarves, and by no means are we able to go fresh faced yet either. January and the New Year always makes me want to have a kind of glowiness to my makeup; recently I've been opting for a flawless base accompanied by barely-there brows and eyes. However, a colour on the lips always helps me finish off my makeup and feel that bit more fabulous. Here are my top five favourite lip colours at the minute:

1. MAC Amplified Lipstick in Girl About Town
This was bought for me as a gift for Christmas 2013 and I have loved it ever since. I feel this pink is a suitable colour all year round and has been my go-to lipstick if I fancy a bit of colour as it just goes with everything! Despite the brightness of it, it is totally wearable day through night and I love it so much. It stays on all day and only requires a tiny bit of topping up after I've eaten. MAC I love you. 

2. Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Colour in 1 Red Carpet
This lipstick is the definition of "does what it says on the tin": it so creamy and so matte and such a beautiful red. It is the first Bobbi Brown product I've owned and it's made me want to go back for more. I love reds in the winter and for an evening/going-out makeup. Get me on that red carpet!

3. MAC Amplified Lipstick in Up The Amp
This is another colour I think is appropriate all year round but I think it's my all time favourite colour lipstick I've owned. It doesn't get as much wear as I'd like as the purply-tone isn't always something that will fit with the rest of my makeup or outfit. I just think it's beaut!

4. MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Hang Up
My first ever MAC product all those years ago and it has been a winter staple since. It is the perfect deep red/plum shade for the season and stays on so well. For some reason I feel like this one smells the nicest, although all MAC lippys have that vanilla-ish scent to them. The texture of cremesheen lipsticks are perfect for me as I get dry skin during these months; they stay on all day and I always get compliments when I wear this one.

5. Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate in 03
Last but most definitely not last is a must-have during winter: nude lippy! Again I struggle to find nude/light shades that sit well on my lips but this is the best one I've found. Kate Moss' collection are extremely affordable and the colours are lovely. This is an easy, wearable nude shade that stays on quite well and looks great with a dark smoky eye!

So there are mine, thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post. What are your favourite winter beauty colours?

Emma x

Liebster Award

Hello!

So I have been nominated by the lovely Liz @ Literally Liz to take part in the Liebster Award! I have previously seen a few of these but never realised how accessible my brand-spanking new blog is or that someone would link to it! So firstly, thank you Liz for acknowledging me. I think it's such a cool way to find and connect to other blogs so here goes mine.

Continuing on from Liz's post, the rules are:

1. Link to the person who nominated you (see above).

2. Answer the questions given to you by the nominator.

3. Nominate 11 other bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

4. Create 11 questions for your nominees to answer.

5. Notify all nominees via their social-media/blogs.

The questions given to me by Liz are:

1. What made you start blogging?

If anyone has read my first post you will know I have been advised by university to begin one to help develop my personal writing style (I am studying journalism) - I will also have to hand in posts to be assessed so actual users' feedback would be very kind! I have been reading blogs for a couple of years; I haven't consistently stuck or followed any particular one person or page but always find them useful if I'm in need of new beauty items, craft ideas, a recipe or some good procrastination material!! Besides tutors suggesting it, I've wanted to create one myself as a sort of diary / expression page, and it's enjoyable to write about things you're passionate about!

2. What is a skill you don't have, but really wish you did?

I would love to able to be more flexible than I am (can this be classed as a skill?). I have been a dancer my entire life but due to starting out in very mediocre standard schools - mainly for fun! - I was never pushed to practice stretching. It wasn't until a bit later on, when my muscles would struggle moreso than if I were younger, that I began to realise how important it was to do so and how much better I would look as a bendy wendy dancer. I am proud of how well I've managed to train myself but I'd love to be able to push myself further!

3. What is your favourite quality about yourself (either looks-wise or personality-wise)?

I honestly really love that I can take a joke. I'm hoping this doesn't sound pretentious or pig-headed. I don't take a lot of things seriously; sometimes for ease but sometimes just because I can. Humour is the best medicine. 

4. What is your favourite makeup brand?

At the minute I'm loving Illamasqua. Their products stay in place all day and the colours of everything are always fab. Gold stars.

5. What song are you embarrassed to have on your playlist?

I've got a couple Robbie Williams numbers on there *hides face*.

6. Have you stuck with your New Years' Resolutions thus far?

For purposes of publishing on the internet I will paraphrase my resolution into 'be better than I was in 2014'. 16 days in and I can safely say I'm doing well! It sounds easy but I'm slowly trying to improve a number of things about myself: the usual boring eat better / exercise more (which are actually happening eeee!), but also small things like give my friends more compliments, post less of my life on social-media, try not to let silly things get to me and complain less about them etc etc. I'm looking at it as an umbrella term in which there are simple changes that should be very achievable. Having a more positive outlook means I'm enjoying everything a lot more at the minute and so far I've had a very wonderful start to 2015. I hope to accomplish lots more!

7. Do you have any pets? If so, what are they and how long have you had them?

I currently rent my house so me and my uni pals have no pets here *cries*. At my family home up north we have two cats; one named Fidget  who we've had for about 18 months and Oreo who we've had for about six. They are my babies and I miss them as much as my family!

8. What is your favourite show to binge-watch on Netflix?

At the minute I'm loving the US Kitchen Nightmares. It basically repeats the same thing every ep but with a different owner/location, but I just can't get enough!

9. What is one thing people who know you would be surprised to find out about you?
Perhaps that I have this blog - so far I haven't shared it on any social-media, I want to get a few more posts going and a theme I am happy with established before I let judging eyes pry!

10. Macbook or PC?

I have a PC but currently trying to save up for a Macbook!

11. What is your favourite place you've ever been on vacation?

Tenerife with my family two years ago was fabulous. I could be anywhere; give me a pool, sun and a cocktail and I am a happy bunny.

The 11 bloggers I am nominating are:

1. Jasmine @ http://jasminehardingmakeup.blogspot.co.uk/

2. Shannen @ http://shannenheartzs.com/

3. Rachill @ https://sweetsomethingsnz.wordpress.com/

4. Issy @ http://missisgoode.blogspot.co.uk/

5. Catriona @ http://catrionalauder.blogspot.co.uk/

6. Phee @ http://www.pheesmakeuptips.com/

7. Vivi @ http://vvln.blogspot.com.au/

8. Victoria-Jane @ http://victoriajanefashion.blogspot.co.uk/

9. Ellie @ http://whatthael.blogspot.co.uk/

10. Anon @ http://whenshewrites-theblog.blogspot.co.uk/

11. Chelsea @ http://chedsneh.blogspot.co.uk/

And their questions are:

1. Why did you start blogging?

2. What is your favourite memory?

3. Who inspires you?

4. Where would be your ideal first date?

5. What is your favourite book?

6. What is your favourite high street shop?

7. Do you have a favourite blog post you have written or are most proud of?

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

9. What is something that really gets on your nerves?
10. Do you have a favourite blog/blogger?

11. What is something you are proud of?

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this post. I can't wait to read everyone's answers!

Emma x

High Street vs. High End | Fragrance

"My name's Emma and I'm a shopping addict."

When it comes to spending money on clothes, shoes and beauty products, I am the first to acknowledge I have no discipline. Factors usually considered in a purchasing process - e.g the price, how much I need the item, or even whether I've already got one in a different colour/style - become irrelevant. Do I like it? Answer yes... item sold. "It will come in handy one day. "

However, nothing delights me more than a bargain buy!

During a birthday present hunt today, my friend and I wandered into The Body Shop; a huge favourite of mine for gifts and bathroom products. A lot of the time with fragrance, I stick to what I know and repeatedly buy the same body mists for every day use, however I decided to have a sniff around and came across a new scent: White Musk Smoky Rose.

Initially I loved the smell of this and the longer it lingered the more I realised the familiarity of it. As I am already a proud owner of the very luxurious recent fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent, Black Opium (shop here), I was both a bit miffed but mostly excited to have found a cheaper alternative!

To clarify my impressions, both fragrances claim to have similar properties and are described to be "mysterious" scents that include floral and musky tones.  The Body Shop affirms the inclusion of black smoky rose and tobacco flower whilst YSL's has underlying hints of black coffee and vanilla. Smoky Rose is possibly a sweeter scent whilst Black Opium seems heavier, but both are divine and I would feel equally delicious after spraying myself with either.

At just £11 per (30ml) bottle in comparison with YSL's £44, I think it's obvious which my student budget will be buying more of. Naturally, I think the more expensive option will have better lasting powers, both in terms of staying all day on your body and how long the bottle of perfume will last before having to repurchase. Nevertheless, I can have the same daily experience for just a quarter of the price and save my super-expensive designer scent for special occasions or a treat and allow it to last a lot longer. This is a perfect money-saving dupe for anybody looking.

In terms of appearance and packaging I found even more similarities! Without the logo or brand name I don't think it is obvious how much of a price difference between the two there is. Each has a purple-pink tone to compliment the feminine and rosy, floral theme, and whilst Black Opium is encased in a black, glitter-flecked bottle, both appear to be musky and mysterious looking and would appeal to women who know they like this type of scent. I am a lover of both brands and each of their products, but I highly recommend the cheaper option I have found.

The Body Shop produce a range of items in line with this scent including body lotions and washes; shop the White Musk Smoky Rose collection here.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this post! What are your favourite scents or dupes?

Emma x

2015, Creating a Blog and Inspiration

Beginning 2015 with a positive mind has worked well so far and things (including uni workload ha!) seem to be looking good. In attempts to keep this blog running well and consistently I thought I would compile and post a list of blogging ideas I've seen, liked or thought up and that I can return to for future inspiration!

1. Top five favourite beauty products, i.e. lipsticks, nail varnishes.

2. Reviews of books/films.

3. Bucket list.

4. Sale items/dupes/cheap products.

5. Recipes (healthy snacks?!).

6. List of favourite books.

7. Opinions on news articles/current events.

8. Goals for the week/year.

9. Nostalgic story

10. University assignments (?!)

11. Wish list.

12. Beauty routine.

13. Regrets/embarrassing story.

I am sure I will be changing and updating this list along the way, thank you for reading!

Emma x

A Lush Christmas

Since Christmas has just become very recent history, I thought I would share some of the wonderful gifts I received this year.

Being a fan of all things beautiful and fragrant, it seemed I got onto Santa's nice list and was lucky enough to be given a huuuuuge gift set of Christmas Bathtime Favourites which contains a number of bath bombs by the well established Lush Cosmetics.

Not only do their products look and smell divine, Lush sell "fresh handmade cosmetics" - they claim to fight animal testing and use organic ingredients to produce products that are good on the inside and out. 

I am no expert on what's actually good for you and what's not, but from my own personal experience (and a bit of common sense) it seems a valid point to make that the use of natural ingredients in bathroom products would be much more beneficial to our bodies than some artificial products! Bonus.

The set I was given contains 10 bath bombs including a variety of different colours, shapes and sizes; all of which fizz when dropped into a steaming hot bath before allowing their unique aromas to fill the room and work their magic on your skin and mindset.

My favourites I've used so far include:

Golden Wonder: This was a large, golden, sparkly, present shaped bomb and caught my eye immediately. It says it contains lime oil and gives off an uplifting scent of a sparkling cocktail. My skin was soft and I felt so refreshed after sitting with my book in this golden, glittery bath.

Father Christmas: As I had received this gift set as an early Christmas present, I was able to use this bomb on Christmas Eve in preparation for the big day. When dropped into the bath this one let out bright red and green swirls in the water and a very festive scent, delicious!

Avobath bath bomb: This was a slightly smaller bath bomb and again bright green, however the ingredients in this one included lemongrass and bergamot to make you "feel uplifted" and avocado and olive oil to "nourish the skin". I felt so clean and lovely after using this in a bath and definitely want to purchase again if I'm ever in need of a pick-me-up pampering session.

Others included in the set are So White, Cinders bath bomb, Shoot For The Stars, Think Pink, Butterbear, Luxury Lush Pud and Dragon's Egg bath bomb. All of which can be bought individually from Lush stores.

As you can see there is a Christmas theme running through the particular bombs I've tried and tested, and I think this makes a fun and thoughtful gift for any loved one who loves a bit of pamper time! "The perfect gift with a festive twist for the bath bomb fanatic".

I am thrilled with the products and having only bought from Lush Cosmetics a few times before I am definitely keen to try more of their range and would recommend anyone do so. Everybody deserves to treat themselves and you definitely get your money's worth with this brand!

Shop the products here.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this post!

Emma x

First post

Hello, I thought I would begin with a little bit about me to introduce my first post!

My name is Emma and I am a 20 year old Journalism and English Language student from Manchester, currently in my second year at De Montfort University in Leicester. 

I have been a reader of blogs for a while but it has taken me some time (and being advised by uni) to actually create my own, so here it is! I aim to write beauty and fashion related pieces - as these are the ones I personally go to read most often - however I'm sure random thoughts and events will escape along the way. I feel it's going to take some time and energy to taper a theme and put my own stamp on the internet! Being the indecisive person I am, I guarantee my ideas will change.

Alongside having my own digital space for expression, I hope this platform enables me to practice and improve my own writing skills and style when writing for an audience - essentially I feel it is a small stepping stone onto my desired career path.

Thank you for reading!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin'.

Emma x