Appealing Decisions

SO, after stressing out about Student Finance not letting me have a Tuition Fee Loan for my first year, and thinking I was going to have to pull £9250 out of my back pocket to pay for university (money I honestly do not have and have no idea how to even start to get that type of money) We decided to put a formal appeal into Student Finance England (they will be known as SFE so I don't have to keep writing this out #sorrynotsorry)  and explain to them how ridiculous they had been in their decision. Miraculously they agreed straight away and overturned their original decision. 

I've decided to update you on this as I had no idea how to even start to appeal the decision as they didn't help in the slightest. They told me to speak to my University to see what they could do to help, so I emailed the University and they told me to speak to SFE. So I then emailed my employer to see if they could help at all, but with no luck everybody had started to just stare at me blankly and shrug their shoulders. Eventually, I had to go to my university in to have an Occupational health meeting and my mother decided to seek out the finance office and ask in person. They told us that SFE have an official appeals process that we should look into, instead of writing multiple letters that SFE didn't seem to read or understand what I was saying. We put in the formal appeal (which is just a form where you explain why you are appealing) and within 5 days they sent me a letter giving me the finance. 

I guess I was super shocked that they just handed over the money when I felt like I was going to have to gear up for a massive fight as they had made it so impossible to know who to ask and who to go to. 

Is this the right time to say 'Never give up folks' 

xxx

Getting Nervous...

This week is my last official week at work and then I'll be setting off into my journey of becoming a student. I literally don't think I've ever had to deal with this level of nervousness and excitement all in one go. I'm so excited to be starting a new journey and adventure but also the worry that comes along with that. This will be the first time I have moved away from home, the first time where I will have had to solely rely on my own finances and also will have to be a fully fledged adult and do all sorts of adulty things.

Not only do I have to worry about keeping myself alive, but you also have the worries of 'will I enjoy this when I get there' 'what if the people I live with don't get on with me' 'what if I'm a giant wimp and start to freak out as soon as I arrive'. Just some mad thoughts of a rambling worrier. 

One way in which my anxiety likes to come out is to disrupt my sleep. I'll sometimes be waking up every hour on the hour. The only way I have managed to shut my brain off is to get a glass of water and then count sheep until I drift off again, and then repeat in another hour when my body decides to have another dream about leaving for University.

I have no tips for this type of worry. So far all I have managed to do is talk about it to those around me and remind myself that although this is a massive and scary adventure, EVERYBODY who I know that has been to university has come out with some of the best memories they have ever made and that is what is keeping me going. 

Also, whats the worst that could happen, I don't like it, I come home and I try something new.

It's late and this probably made very little sense but sometimes you just have to keep typing or talking. 

xxx

Frustrating Finance

So, the worst part about trying to get to university; STUDENT FINANCE. 

I remember hearing all my friends talk about trying to fill out the student finance forms and in my head I was just like ‘I’m sure it can’t be that difficult, it’s just one form’. But let me tell you, this is a whole new level of annoying. You have to fill in a request for student finance and then you have to get your parents to fill in there support information. And once you’ve sat there for a good hour and a half trying to find all of the correct information, you have to then send them evidence of the stuff they had asked for. This will take all of like 3 months and then you find out that they can’t offer you the full loan because of some rules that they haven’t previously made clear. Maybe it’s just a current frustration because the system doesn’t seem to be working for me right now but ughhh if I could pay for university outright then I would and that’s just to avoid speaking to student finance. 

This is Changing...

I literally have not been on here for a good year and a half to 2 years. I'm sorry.

I still love make up- but I found it so hard to find things that I wanted to blog about. I don't really change up my make up routine anymore because I just don't have the time to change anything. I even stopped wearing make up to work because I became ok with myself and my face! That sounds very dramatic. 

Maybe I should introduce myself again.

My name is Grace, I'm 22 years old (cue Taylor Swift) and I am just about to change up my whole life (again very dramatic). In September I will be going to University, which I never thought I would ever do because I'm such a home bird and love where I live. 

I'm just about to start a 3 year course studying Speech and Language therapy. I'm so excited to start something new, but every now and again I get a wave of anxiety and I just want to curl up and pretend this isn't happening. This is mostly because the thought of having to start a new life in a whole new city surrounded by people I don't know, who I could hate or could hate me, is terrifying to me. So far I have a plan to come home every month because there are so many people here I'm going to miss that I know I'm going to get home sick immediately. 

I thought that one thing that might just help me get through this is to use this space as a journal. So I hope you don't mind. You never know I might still post about make up if I have the time. 

Thank you for listening to my ramblings. 

Grace xx

Origins GinZing Energy-boosting moisturizer

This is like the greatest smelling moisturiser I've ever smelt. I think I love the orange and citrus scents and thats probably why I love this one so much.

Not only does this smell amazing but it has cured my dry skin. I was always one of those people that loves doing make up but was SUPER lazy when it comes to skin care. This is probably partially the reason why my skin was so dry, because I am a confessed user of makeup wipes (I know, they're bad for you). I probably use makeup wipes more than my Emma Hardie cleanser just because it takes a lot of effort. This moisturiser sinks into the skin really quickly, is really hydrating and you can feel it from the moment it touches the skin.

The smell is just a bonus if you ask me.

This moisturiser is on the more expensive side at £24 per 50ml, but it totally worth it.

Click here to get it CLICK

Let me know what your favourite moisturiser is below

:)

Ghost perfume

This is currently my favourite day scent. I used to use Giorgio Armani, Si, which I love more than Ghost but it's more of an occasional and special scent for me. Ghost on the other hand is a lighter scent that I like to use to spritz myself up after a day at work. It's not a floral scent and I think it's a little musky but not overwhelming.

Also, look how cool the bottle is.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

When I found these lipsticks on feelunique, I thought I'd hit the jackpot. I'd been looking for nude colours with a matte texture for a long time.

Although the texture and longevity of these lipsticks are AMAZING, I don't really like the taste or smell. I don't know what you would compare it to but it's not nice. However, this does not stop me from using it. The smell and taste goes once it dries.

Even though this lipstick is matte, it isn't drying on the lips. Don't get me wrong, it's not moisturising either, but it doesn't destroy your lips.

My favourite colour is (insert brown colour here). But I've also tried the bright colours which, in my option is just as good as the nude colours.

One of the most appealing things about this is that it's really cheap at just £5.50 per lipstick on feelunique.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (Left to Right: Copenhagen, Prague, Monte Carlo, London)

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (Left to Right: Copenhagen, Prague, Monte Carlo, London)

WRAPPING PAPER GALORE!

This is something that isn't really beauty related it's just something i really enjoy shopping for.

Everyone i know calls me weird because the most exciting thing i find about christmas is finding, deciding and buying the wrapping paper theme. For the past couple of years i've planned to a T the wrapping paper i've used over christmas. I've had a tartan theme, and last year i had brown paper with white christmas patterns on decorated with ribbon and string to decorate.

A few of my friends have had birthdays recently and so i've been on a wrapping paper haul, if you will. I put a picture below of some of my favourited that i've picked out.

Birthday Makeup

Today is my birthday and I am 20 years old!

But something that I feel I have spent a lot of time thinking about is the type of make up I wanted to wear. I'm not normally one to put a bunch of planning into my make up. I usually have a group of eyeshadows which I like to wear, and i just throw on whatever i'm feeling like wearing on that day.

I thought I would just add a couple of pictures in here and write what I've got on.

Nars sheer glow mant blanc

Nars creamy concealer chantilly

Rimmel stay matte powder transparent

Mac charcoal eyeshadow on my brows

Nars basic 2 pallette 1st shade as a base, 3rd shade through the crease layered with 4th and 6th shades and then the 4th shade underneath the eyes

L'oreal paris super liner in black

Lancome hypnose mascara

Charlotte tilbury sculpt and perfect contour (no highlight)

Rosy flush tanya burr blush

Mac lipliner spice

Charlotte tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick in bitch perfect

I started with benefits porefessional to help with the longevity of this look

*I actually wrote this on my birthday a week ago 12th April*

Waxing VS Threading

I used to have caterpillars for eyebrows. I had an immense monobrow and two fat straight lines just above my eyes. I didn't really pluck them until I was about 14 (I know I was late to the party), but when I started plucking them they still didn't look much better. I just found I was very lazy, and I would leave them wayyyy too long. I started getting them waxed because thats what my mum would do, and then when I started getting into beauty, I started getting them threaded.

Waxing is definitely quicker when you get them done, and I would say less painful. But I found that because it was tearing at my skin when the little strip of material was ripped off, my skin went absolutely haywire. I would break out all around my brows, and although they looked thinner, they were still very bushy.

Threading, in my opinion, is a lot nicer than waxing. This is because, although it takes a little longer, it makes my brows more defined, manageable and longer lasting. Threading also reacts less to my skin and, although I still break out, it's nowhere near as much as waxing.

Overall, I have been converted into the life of threading because of the way my brows look for the 6-8 week period afterwards.

Does anyone else hate the small talk that the beautician tries to have with you whilst she is like 3 inches away from your face? I find it incredibly awkward.

:)

THE BEST SCENT I HAVE EVER SMELT

So, at christmas I was wandering around Milton Keynes shopping centre, gathering presents for everyone and slowly ticking names off of my list. I don't normally shop in BHS, but it's surprising the little gems that you can find when you're least expecting it. I am a sucker for a candle, and this candle looked absolutely amazing, it was just beautiful. It's scent is described as Mandarin and Clove, which is a scent i've never really put together.

There is one downside to this candle. I believe it has been discontinued. I have looked online everywhere for this candle and i can't find it anywhere. If you know where to find this candle please let me know.

:)

Lipstick to last a lifetime

I know, I know, I know. I have failed miserably at this blog. However in the time I have been away from here, I have realised that this is something that I love. It's one of the ways I can relax and have a creative outlet without the pressure of believing a lot of people will see this. Most of my friends aren't into make up and blogging like I am. My sister had a vegan blog when she did the 30 day vegan challenge, but other than her influence to start my blog, I haven't had any other encouragement other than my own will. Hopefully this is the last hiatus I will take from this little corner of the internet. I might not have all the greatest equipment but I have got a hobby.

When I say 'to last a lifetime' I don't mean the colours that will stay on for hours all day, I mean the type of lip colours which will be a staple in my everyday routine and will stay there for a lonnnggg time. I have about 3 lip sticks which I have been using for about a year now, and I have been using consistently.

First up is the Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick in Bitch Perfect, not only is the name like super cool, but the colour is a lush subtle corally nude colour. I've never found a colour to match this (if you know of one please let me know). It isn't the most long lasting lipstick ever, it comes off when you cook, but with a lipstick which is so moisturising I don't mind putting it on every few hours (haha).

Next lipstick that I adore is the Ciate Olivia Palermo lipstick in cashmere. I wear this once I've put on some fake tan on and feel a little more summery, but it's a really lovely brown nude colour. It just adds something different to your look.

Finally is mac's lipstick in twig. I got this because my cousin bought one for her and then returned to the mac store the same day because she knew I would love it. I love this colour because it's bolder than your average nude but it's really easy to put on. It's a very kylie-esq colour, and that is exactly what my cousin asked for when she went into the store. 

Giving it another go!

Ok blog. I'm back, or at least I'm going to give this thing a go (AGAIN!). I think it's probably been about a year, but I've had a couple of things which made me demotivated to keep going with this. But I'm going to start this again and keep going (I hope)!

I think a lot of the time people find little ways to stop doing something they enjoy so much because things become overwhelming and I think the best way to overcome this and decide whether this is a phase or whether this is a thing that genuinely makes you happy. I think sometimes you have to set across time each week to relax, or give yourself some time and cut off from everything else to make sure that you are content with what you are achieving in your life. This advice goes for when you're at school or at work. Your life can get very focused on one thing whether it be grades, an opportunity at work or the pressures that everyone else around is setting upon yourself. One major thing you need to do is remind yourself that this is your life no one elses and let yourself breathe from all the stress around you.

Just never forget that your life isn't going to be worth it if you aren't enjoying it. Yes try hard, and yes do the best you can do, but never forget about your happiness. 

A lazy day

If there is one thing that is needed every once in a while, it's a lazy day. I especially love lazy sundays. It gives a refreshing look at the week before going to work the next day. 

I love to stay in my pyjama's, catch up on the tv that i've missed during the week, and have a few too many cups of tea or hot chocolate through out the day. I think sundays are the best days to do this becuase when you get a food baby from sunday lunch it's great to be able to take a nap afterwards and not have to think about all the things you should be doing.

I also like to take these lazy days as a time to just chill out with my sister, with us both working full time jobs we don't see each other all week and so sundays are the perfect time to just sit around all day in each others company. No make up, pyjamas and beauty treatments all day long, who could ask for more.

I feel as though you should take one day out a week so you can destress, breathe and remind yourself that life is not so bad when you can take a deep breathe. 

Whats your favourite things to do on your lazy day? 

Halloween makeup from your bag

I wanted to do this because I'm in no way good at halloween make up or a professional or have practiced doing halloween make up. My parents were never ones who liked the idea of taking me out at night, when I should be going to bed, to ask for sweets from strangers, and I was ok with this because I'd never liked knocking on the doors of strangers and having to talk to them. But I thought I'd do these 3 looks to show you that you don't need the fanciest makeup to look good on halloween, even though they don't look professional.

The Halloween costume that everyone uses as a back up if they haven't got any idea as what to go as. The Cat. I used a very pale foundation to create a smooth and pale base (Nars sheer glow in Siberia). I also kept the eyes plain from eyeshadow and just used eyeliner and eyelashes to focus on a sleek cat eye. I used a blue eyeliner- Revlon Colorstay in 205 Sapphire to bring something special to this look. It's subtle and you only really notice it at various occasions and views. I then did a cat eye with a liquid liner. I didn't use any bronzer or blush because, when do you see a cat with blush or bronzer on? I then used the Cheryl Cole Eylure lashes in No 114 to bring some intensity to the eyes (eyelashes are extremely difficult to put on, I would suggest putting on mascara first as then the eyelashes have something to stick to). I did my normal brow routine of just some dark brown eyeshadow brushed through the brow. To finally pull this all together I used a Gel liner to create the whiskers, a little black nose and the top lip. I found that to get a little cheeky smile I also put little flicks at the corners of my mouth which I thinks adds to the cute of this make up look and a neutral pink brown on the bottom lip to make it pop. Then I just shoved my hair up into two buns on the top of my head to act as ears.

My sister let me use her for the next look because who wouldn't want to attack your sisters face with make up. This one was a little rushed because she was going out to a cartoon themed party afterwards, and not as a skeleton, but as minnie mouse. Again for this look I used the lightest foundation I own which is Nars sheer glow in Siberia, and then the rest I used a black eyeshadow and gel eyeliner to do the darkest bits. I did this look because I'd never done anything like this before and I wanted to show you that even though it's not the neatest and best looking skeleton look ever, but It looks pretty good. I would suggest that whatever you do with this look, as long as it doesn't look neat you'll be well on your way to scaring all of your friends. I also let her do her own mascara because I didn't want to be responsible for making her blind. she also pulled the mascara through her brows.

The final look is a doll style that with the right outfit could look super creepy. This uses the same base and eyebrows as the Cat look however I used my naked 3 pallette to make a pink smokey eye. I used buzz and burnout on the centre of the eye and also mugshot in the outer corner of the eye and just blended like crazy. I used a pink eye because I feel that dolls always look super girly and pretty 'dolled' up. I didn't use any bronzer but I used a bit more blush than I usually would use. I then used some volumizing lashes because I wanted them to be pretty packed, I do wish I'd used thicker lashes but this was the thickest that superdrug had. I the used a bright red lip I believe it was the Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in 111. I struggled with making my hair look exactly what I imagined and I think that bunches are ideal because it reminds me of the hair I used to have when I was younger.

What is your go to fancy dress outfit when you can't think of anything to wear?

The Samples

I know i'm late to the party for most of these, but I'm always reluctant to buy things when they are being hyped up because it's more difficult to realise whether I genuinely like the product, or like it because everyone is telling me it's great.

Lets start with Benefits Porefessional. I use this on the areas where my pores are at their worst. It makes a smoother base without letting my make up slip away. I also love the packaging, it's cute. I never really used to wear a primer, when I first really got into makeup I used a cheaper one from Rimmel I think which would make the base look great for about 2 hours and then disappear, I think this kind of started a reluctance to use any other types. This has also lasted me so long even though it's a really small pot, I mean like weeks. Not only have I fallen in love with this, the area I live don't really have anywhere close by to buy higher branded makeup, but our boots has finally started to stock it, so my bank is going to start hating me.

The second Benefit product is the they're real mascara, I really like this for coverage on the lashes and it adds a lot of volume, but I do not love the heaviness. I have really long lashes so keeping them up and curled is quite difficult, and this just seems to weigh them down. I wanted to like this but it just doesn't work well with me.

Finally is the Lights Camera Lashes mascara from Tarte. This was another one that I always wanted to try but always forgot to buy. To be completely honest, I do prefer the Benefit mascara because this one was too much for me, I found it quite difficult to get my eyelashes to look how I wanted them too, I'm not sure why but I just did not get along with this. If you have shorter and thinner eyelashes I think this would work perfectly, giving length and volume, however it is quite thick.

Bronzing for the paler

I've said numerous times on here; I am white. I'm like casper the friendly ghost, you can't get much paler. However i find that if i don't use some type of countouring bronzey thing, then i look dead. Most bronzers are just too orange toned and look unnatural. I like this bronzer because it's a subtle colour and brings just a little oomph to the cheekbones. I use shade 01light matte and so 100% suggest this bronzer, also the name is just delicious, honey bronze bronzing powder (what is it with the foody bronzers i mean this and bourjois chocolate bronzer mmmm).

It's also a really beautiful shell casing which makes it great for travel because it's super smooth and little and there's no extra bulkyness. I also love the idea of the bee hive shapes in the middle with tbe 'honey idea'

Definitely a favourite in my opinion. 

REVIEW: Soap and Glory Brow Archery

I have been searching for a simpler way to do my eyebrows, something more travel-friendly. I usually just use some chocolate eyeshadow and that does the trick, however it's a pain to have to keep washing my brushes. I had heard mixed opinions on this, some saying it was fairly difficult to work with, and others singing it's praises. I can say that I have loved it for everyday use, it's not as dark as the eyeshadow that I would usually use for a stronger brow, but this makes the look softer. The felt tip type end is meant to be used as a tint, however this is the bit that looks like it's doing nothing when it's actually just filling out some of the more sparse areas. The other end is more like a crayon and works to strengthen the arch itself. I find that it stays all day and is difficult to go wrong with this. It's a lot more convenient. For £10 it's not too bad, but I would say for a budget this probably isn't the best there is. For special occasions I tend to stick with the eyeshadow just because it's stronger and makes my brows more defined.

Buy it HERE 

What do you use to fill in your brows?

Zoeva Rose Gold Brushes

Sorry they're not clean, I was too lazy to wash them this time around

I never realised how much of a difference I would feel when I used makeup brushes instead of my fingers. It's smoother, softer, and probably a lot healthier for the skin (imagine the bacteria on your hands, ew). I'm sure you've read/seen many people rave about these brushes and I'm jumping on that train. Not only do they look beautiful but they apply your makeup so smoothly and like silk. I don't use all of them for their intended purposes but who cares...

My favourite out of the lot by far is the powder brush which I actually use as a bronzer brush but it does the job amazingly, making me look bronzed and spreads it evenly so I don't look orange and strange. It probably does just as good a job with powder but I prefer to use it with bronzer because until recently I didn't really use powder that much.

Whats your favourite makeup application method?

Find them HERE

Kick back the dandruff

when the climate changes my hair hates me and so does mother nature. I get a very dry scalp. I know this is a weird topic, but I had no idea what to do, I tried most things and only found 2 things that have any sort of impact. One more expensive than the other but brilliant nonetheless. This T/Gel Shampoo has completely soothed my scalp. I use it maybe once of twice a week and then I don't get any flakes throughout the whole week. This bottle has also lasted me like 6 weeks so for a price near £7 it is quite expensive. 

I remember in previous years using the body shop Ginger anti-dandruff shampoo and have loved this previously but haven't tried it recently. Maybe I'll try that next due to the price difference.