Top 10 August Beauty Favourites

I didn't make any new discoveries in August; however, I did rediscover a few of my favourites from the past. 

 This was one of my rediscoveries for August. It is the Someday perfume by Justin Bieber. I'm not normally a massive fan of perfumes; I prefer body sprays or mists. I feel like the scent is too 'heavy' for me and they make me sneeze no matter how little I put on. But, this perfume is incredible. It's one of those smells that I can't explain but it's really sweet and isn't too strong. I love the bottle because it looks so pretty on my shelf too. I've used this so much that I need to purchase a new bottle because it has almost gone. 

My second favourite is another perfume/smelly product. It is the Boots Natural Collection Vanilla Body Spray. I have been using this for quite a few months now but seeing as I have never made a favourites post, I thought I would include it in. It has definitely been one of my favourite products of 2013. It smells so so so good. It is this incredible sweet smell. 

I sprayed this product when I went to Southend-on-sea and then I had a wasp hovering around me for about fifteen minutes. So, my word of advice for this product would be to not use it outside on a really hot day. 

Sorry about the state of this product, I fished it out of my makeup bag. I love Simple because their products work so well for my skin. I wear this moisturizer underneath my foundation and it makes it glide on easily and prevents break-outs. (Until I get too stressed two days before I go back to school and have a break-out...) It moisturizes your skin and works well for blemishes. This is good for my skin because it tends to get quite dry. I put this on before my foundation and then wait for about five minutes for it to dry. 

I have been using this foundation for quite a long time now. I find the coverage is incredible and it doesn't make me break out. I use the colour Ivory (I think). I find that I do have to powder with this foundation because I don't like a dewy look. Also, the powder helps it to stay in place all day. 

I love the Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint by Barry M. The fact that you only need one coat to get the colour opaque and they don't take hours to dry makes them my favourite nail polish. My two favourite colours are Satsuma and Plum. Although, I am looking to get a few more colours soon. 

Some of you may know what this is, others may not. It is a topsy tail hair tool which I have recently rediscovered. My mother used to use this on me when I was little and it was always my favourite hairstyle. Then, it sat in a box for about 10 years before I pulled it out to use it again. This was one of the hairstyles I used it for this month, I plan on wearing this to my cousin's wedding. 

This is the MUA Bronzing Powder. I love this because it was super cheap (£1). I use this to contour my cheekbones, temples and jawline. I don't really have any cheekbones at all because my face is quite fat and using this makes it look thinner. This is my favourite bronzing powder as it does not make me look like I have orange stripes on my cheeks. It is very pigmented too. 

My eighth favourite of the month is the Essie Matte About You top coat. I prefer having matte nails to shiny because I think that it is more flattering. I have very short fingers and I find that shiny nails make them look shorter because my nails are short too. This is the best matte coat that I've tried because it dries very quickly and doesn't chip. 

The Rimmel Stay Matte powder in 'translucent' has been my favourite powder throughout August. It sets the foundation in place and doesn't look too 'cakey'. It's the perfect powder.

My final favourite beauty product the Sleek Blush in the colour Rose Gold. I would have taken a picture of the inside but I dropped it on laminated flooring and it has smashed to pieces! It is a beautiful pink colour with coral shimmer. I think that it is perfect; I wore it for my prom. And, I've been wearing it every day throughout the whole of August. 

A random non-beauty favourite

TV Show

The Vampire Diaries

I started watching The Vampire Diaries at the beginning of August and I have not stopped watching it since. I have finished all four seasons and I cannot wait for the 5th season. I love Caroline, she is my favourite! 

xx

How to: Vanilla Milkshake

This is such a delicious drink to have when it's hot, like it is in England for once. It's so easy to make and you don't need a lot

What you will need for 1 serving

1. 5 scoops of vanilla ice cream (this can be changed if you want it thicker or thinner)

2. Milk (add enough to get the right thickness you would like) 

3. 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

4. Chocolate sprinkles (optional)

5. Hundreds and thousands (optional)

Method:

1. Put the milk and ice cream in a blender and blend until there are no large lumps

2. Put in the vanilla extract and blend again

3. Pour into a glass and put the sprinkles on the top. 

OOTD: Prom!

So, on Wednesday 26th June, it was my Year 11 Prom. I know that I said in a previous post that I would post it on my nail art blog but I've changed my mind. I think that I should keep that blog purely for nail art tutorials and this one for other stuff.

Makeup

Face
Moisturiser

I used the Simple Spotless Skin Anti-Blemish Moisturiser which I bought for £3.32 from Superdrug. This moisturiser is normally £4.99 but it was on offer. I used it for a base for my foundation to help it glide onto the skin more easily. I bought an anti-blemish one because I have quite oily skin and I didn't want it to make me break out or move about my skin too much.

Foundation

For foundation, I used the No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation in the colour Calico which was £12.95 from the No7 counter in Boots. This foundation is great for a prom because you're going to be having photos taking all night and because it dries matte, you won't have a problem with unwanted shine. This foundation is best for normal/oily skin and has a medium-full coverage which was perfect for what I wanted for prom because my skin has a lot of imperfections. I bought this foundation because I asked the lady on the counter what would be best and she recommended this one. 

To apply this foundation, I used a Real Techniques by Samanatha Chapman Expert Face Brush. This was £8.99 from Superdrug.

Concealer

I used the Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer for underneath my eyes, around my nose and a bit on my chin. I used this in the colour 001 Ivory and applied it with my finger. It was £4.49 from Superdrug, again. I bought this because it says on the packaging 'Effectively conceals spots, blemishes and under-eye circles' which was what I wanted it to do. Moreover, it doesn't have glitter particles in it and doesn't look too shiny so I wouldn't get awful shiny under eyes in photos. 

Bronzer

 I used the MUA Bronzing Powder in the Shade 2 which was £1 from Superdrug. This is a great bronzer because it is very pigmented so you don't need a lot of product. To get the amount I wanted, I dabbed the brush in it twice before tapping and blowing off the excess and swirling it in the lid.

I applied it with a brush which I got in a Miss Sporty set 5 years ago. Please excuse the fact that it is broken and stuck together with sellotape, I haven't been able to get a new one yet.

Blush

I used a Sleek blush in the colour Rose Gold which I got from Superdrug for £4.49. It is so beautiful! My new favourite blush. It's really shimmery so it works as a blush/highlighter. It's the perfect pink colour but when the light hits it, it shines a gold-coral colour. This is also a very pigmented product, therefore, you do not need a lot on the brush. I applied this with the same blush I applied my bronzer with. 

Powder

 Rimmel Stay Matte powder in the colour 001 Transparent (I'm so pale). I must have been the only person not to have used a sunbed/had a fake tan. But, anyway, this was £3.99 from Superdrug and I bought this because I've heard great things about it. For example, it gets rid of any shine which was great because I have very oily skin. Furthermore, it helps your makeup to stay put which was a need for prom. My best friend uses this everyday and she wore it for her prom too, therefore, I trusted it. 

Eyes/Eyebrows

Eye Shadow

I used the MUA Eye Shadow palette which is called Undress Me Too. This was £4 from Superdrug. I used the colours Shy (top row, third from the left), Wink (bottom row, third from the right) and Obsessed (bottom row, second from the right). This is an amazing palette because of the mix of shimmer and matte neutral colours. The eyeshadows are highly pigmented and look beautiful. I used Shy over the whole lid with Wink on the outer third. Then, I used Obsessed through the crease and on the outer corner. Finally, I blended them together. 

Left to right: Shy, Wink, Obsessed

Eyeliner

The eyeliner which I used on my waterline was one from the Natural Collection in Boots. This was in the shade Soft Brown. I didn't want to use a black eyeliner on the waterline because I think that it is too harsh and it doesn't suit me at all. I much prefer a brown eyeliner so I thought that I would use this one as it is softer than a black. This was £1.99.

Eyelash Curlers

I used the basic Wilkinson's eyelash curlers which I paid £0.99 for a few years ago. 

Mascara

I used the No7 Extravagent Volume Waterproof Mascara in the colour Black. I paid £6.00 for this at the No7 Counter in Boots, however, it is normally £12.00. I got it for half price on a 'Buy One Get One Half Price' deal. I love the brush on this mascara as it is very big and has 'teeth' on tip, making it easier to reach corner lashes. 

Eyebrows

I filled in my eyebrows very softly with the lighter colour from the Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in the shade 401 Double Date. I didn't want a very strong eyebrow; I just wanted to fill in the gaps. But, I definitely didn't want to make my eyebrows any darker. I used an Avon brush with a small amount of the lighter colour through the back of the eyebrow and the front. I brushed it through with an eyebrow brush to take out most of the product. 

Lips

I did not want a strong lip as I felt that this would be too much. Therefore, I went with the Vaseline Rose and Almond Oil which gently tints your lips pink. This was £1.99 from Superdrug. 

Nails

For my nails, I painted a set of false nails. As prom was just after exams, I'd bitten my nails right down with stress. I used the Elegant Touch blank ones in the length short or medium, I can't remember. 

I used the smallest size (9) on my pinky finger. On my ring finger, I used size 8. On my index and middle finger, I used size 7 and on my thumb I used size 3. 

I used the Barry M Base Coat, Top Coat and Nail Hardener for a base coat. To follow this, I used the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Polish in the colour Plum. I used a silver glitter polish and applied a thin coat about two thirds of the way up the nail from the tip. Then, I applied a second thin coat and did it about half way up the nails to the tip. I used the same technique on the top third and the very tip. The result is this beautiful gradient effect. To finish, I applied the Essie Matte About You top coat over the whole nail and left them to dry. 

I stuck them on with the Elegant Touch Brush On glue. They lasted for the whole night and I love them!

Dress, Hair and Accessories

My dress was the same colour as the base colour for my nails. It was one shoulder with beading on the top of the shoulder and across the waist. (x - they don't have the purple one on the website anymore)

My bag was from Primark and the same champagne colour as my bag and shoes. 

I don't have a picture of my shoes so I'll have to describe them as best I can. They were 'peep-toe' with the same diamond things on a strap through the middle of the foot. They fastened around the ankle with a buckle and were a champagne colour.  

I had my hair curled and placed on my bare shoulder. My hairdresser curled it with GHD Hair Straighteners. We clipped it in place with hair grips from Accessorize with pearls on them. We also used matte blonde bobby pins when these ran out. I had a headband with little flowers on in my hair, but I'm not sure where this was from because I've had it since I was 9 years old. I think it's from Claires. I had my full fringe cut into a side fringe and facing the direction the rest of my hair was. 

My bracelet I got for Christmas from my great-aunt. However, you can't see it in this photo. 

Birthday Haul!

Hey, guys!

I thought that I would do a haul after my shopping spree a few weeks ago (I've had this post as a draft for a while). So, I'll show you the pictures of what I have bought and then I will tell you about them at the bottom.

Jumpsuit, Republic - £17.80
Navy Dolly Pumps - Primark - £4

Left to right: Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint Barry M (317 Satsuma) - £3.99
Essie Matte About You Top Coat - £8.99
Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint Barry M (311 Plum) - £3.99 

High-Waisted Jeans, Topshop - £36

Mint Striped Blouse, Primark - £8
'Raw Edge' Paris Top, Primark - £4

Back (Left to Right): MUA Pressed Powder, Superdrug - £1
MUA Bronzer, Superdrug - £1
Front: MUA Intense Colour Eyeliner (Jet Black), Superdrug - £1

Left to Right: Hair Accessories (Butterfly), Accessorize - £6
Pearl Hair Slides, Accessorize - £4

Sara Shepard: Killer, Amazon - £5.99

Firstly, I bought a jumpsuit from Republic. This was reduced from £22 to £17.80, I think. I can't find the receipt, oops. This is a very light jumpsuit which is great for summer because it's the type of material which doesn't make you feel like you're overheating. It has navy polka dots on and detailing around the top where there is a frill. There is an elasticated waist band so it shows off your waist. I like things like this because it makes the most of my waist and hips. I have another jumpsuit from Republic similar to this in Aztec print which I love so I bought another one. I bought this in a size 10. 

I bought the navy blue dolly pumps from Primark to wear with this outfit. These were £4 and I bought them in a size 6 even though I'm a 5.5 because Primark shoes always come up small on me. They have rubber soles and pretty little bows on the front. 

Then I bought the Essie Matte About You top coat from Superdrug for £8.99. If you would like me to do a full review on this product let me know. I've used it over the top of the Gelly Hi-Shine nail varnish in Satsuma and it looks amazing! I love matte things. (I know the point is that the colour is supposed to be Hi-Shine but I like that you don't need to apply multiple coats.)

The Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine nail varnishes are great! I paid £3.99 for both of them (buy one get one free woo). I bought the colour 'Plum' because it's the same colour as my prom dress so you'll see me wearing that with glitter on the ends of my nails and the Essie Matte About You top coat over the top at the end of June. I bought the Satsuma colour because I don't have an orange nail varnish which is surprising because I used to be obsessed with the colour orange. 

Next was the High-Wasted Jeans from Topshop. I paid £36 for these. I've wanted a pair of high-waisted jeans for so long but I can never find a pair that I like. I love these ones! I can rarely find a pair of jeans which are skinny the whole way down my legs and don't gather at the bottom from where they're too long, (short legs woo). They reach to just above my ankle and they're skinny the whole way down.  They're a light blue colour with a bit of white mixed in. I bought these in a size 12 with 30" leg. 

I bought a mint striped blouse from Primark for £8 and a baggy top with the Eiffel Tower on it, too, for £8. I bought the Paris top to wear with my high-waisted jeans in a size 10 whilst I bought the mint striped blouse in a size 12. I'm not really too sure what I'm going to wear the mint blouse with but I'm sure I'll find something. 

There was a 3 for 2 deal at Superdrug for MUA products. Therefore, I bought the bronzer, pressed powder and intense colour eyeliner in jet black. I didn't know that there was a 3 for 2 deal until I got to the till. I handed over my bronzer and eyeliner to buy and the cashier told me to pick up something else because it was 3 for 2. In my rush, I picked up pressed powder in the shade 04 (3 shades too dark) so I don't think I'll be wearing that anytime soon! The bronzer is very, very pigmented and, the first time I used it, it came out so strongly on my cheeks! I had to blend it back in with foundation and powder. I think it's great value for money as it's only £1. 

I love the eyeliner because it has the sharpener in the lid! It's so handy. I don't have much room in my everyday makeup bag to have an eyeliner and a sharpener. Besides, I'm always losing sharpeners. I haven't used this product yet but if you would like a full review, let me know. 

Next, I bought some hair accessories for prom from Accessorize even though I don't know how I'm having my hair for prom. I probably won't use both; I'll use one or the other. I'm not really too sure what you'd call the things with butterflies on, but I bought them. They were originally £6 but they scanned through the till at £1.80. I, also, bought the hair slides with pearls on for £4. 

Finally, I bought the 6th book in the Pretty Little Liars series called 'Killer' which I have just finished reading and it was amazing!

New Blog!

I have a second blog which is dedicated to nail art tutorials. So go check it out here. 

My latest tutorial was nails which you could wear for prom after I did my friends for her prom:

Here are some of the designs that I've done:

Captain America

Cat Face

Cupcakes

Dripping Paint

Frogs

Rubber Ducks

Tribal Aztec Print

My next post will come on Thursday and will be about prom! It will be sort of like my latest post on OOTD but I will be posting it on my nail art blog! I might post it here as well but I'm not sure yet.

xx