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?