Celebrate | Happy Halloween!

Hey Everyone!

Is it me, or do you feel like Halloween this year seems like a much bigger deal than last year? Same with autumn. In fact, this year I've felt like each occasion usually taken for granted has been specially marked. I personally think its due to the blogging and Youtube world. Themed posts are cropping up in all directions, amazing DIY costumes are popping up in your sub box and you seem to instagram a heck of a lot more pictures of leaves (just me?) 

Although I'm not doing anything major for Halloween, I feel a great atmosphere surrounding it and felt like a little post was due to mark it. 

How will you be celebrating Halloween? I will be staying away from the scary movies (still scarred from Paranormal Activity 4!). What are you dressing up as? I will post a picture of my costume if I remember to take one- I won't say what I'm going as but here's a clue- if you follow me you might find a pot of gold!

Instagram | The Last Fortnight In Pictures #10

Hey Everyone!

Apologies for the lack of posts of late, the last week has been manic! I've got a few posts planned- just need to find the time to write them and likewise videos. Looking at these instagrams, I've had quite an autumnal themed fortnight; I never used to be that interested in seasons changing but I think the blogging and YouTube world gets you so excited and appreciative of it :)

From left to right and down:

Making up Halloween bags | my burgundy nails- love this colour right now | I love these at this time of year | pretty leaves | orange nails and brown bag and shoes- how seasonal am I? | hey there :) | perfume envy- can you spot dot? | I went to see Cheryl argh she was amazing- post to come | pretty roses |  this is the stuff that gathers in my pockets within a day | I have watched this about 6 times in the past 2 weeks | how cute is this cupcake my mum made me?

I love this type of post as its like a kind of picture diary. I'm currently watching Xtra Factor on +1 and I need to wrap this up as I have school tomorrow eek! I will be pretty busy this week too as I'm doing a show which I love but it means I have about 5 minutes for homework each night! Hopefully the week after things will calm down though and I can get bloggy blog blogging :) 

Oh and as a quick extra- I went to see Paranormal Activity 4 last night. I've not seen the other ones and I was so scared- it was so jumpy! I did think some parts were quite funny though as they were so unrealistic. Though I woke up at 5.25am this morning heart racing and sweating after the most horrible nightmare and I kept thinking the scary woman was going to jump out of my floor and kill me. I don't think I'll be watching any scary films for a while! Have you seen it? What do you think?

How has your fortnight been?

Review | ELF Studio Mist & Set

Hey Everyone!

For a while, I was finding it really difficult to make my makeup stay in place all day. I found it impossible to keep it on the duration of school; with mascara ending up on my cheeks and my foundation all separated. I decided to try out some products that promised to keep makeup in place all day. One of these was ELF Studio Mist & Set Spray.

I've been eager to try a setting spray for a while, but every one seems to be way out of my budget. I discovered this one on eyeslipsface.co.uk for only £3.50. 

I spray it about 30cm from my face a few minutes after I have done my makeup. It is really refreshing and cool and absorbs into your skin within a few seconds. It has really classic packaging- a plastic spray bottle which is simple and convenient. The product doesn't have a particularly striking smell and is really just like spritzing water onto your face. It really enhances radiance yet it doesn't look wet or sweaty (ew). As for keeping makeup in place- it really does! My makeup now stays fresh looking and in place all day (except my eyeshadow still creases- with primer!). The only thing that slightly bothers me about this spray is that through the day I feel like its slightly sticky on my skin, though it not a big issue as it actually makes me think its just acting like hairspray except holding makeup in place instead of hair. Overall, I'm super happy with this product as it is such great value for money and does pretty much what it says. 

Have you tried this? What do you think of it?

How To | Contour

Hey Everyone!

I think that if you're even slightly interested in makeup, you will be familiar with the concept of contour. Just in case you have stumbled across this post via the realms of the interweb and have no clue what I'm talking about, contour is the art of shading and highlighting your face to make it appear slimmer/ more defined. Think Kim Kardashian's seemingly natural sculpted cheekbones and radiance. 

In regards to my makeup, I like to focus on one technique to master at a time. First it was buffing foundation for a flawless finish. Then it was steady-handed liquid eyeliner. Recently  it has been contour and let me tell you- its been the most difficult to master.

I think its easiest to break it down into 4 parts:

Theory

The essential principle of contour is to darken certain parts of your face to take them back and highlight others to bring them forward. You want to exaggerate the natural shadows your face by applying a dark matte powder and draw attention to parts of your face which are not oily and that could do with an extra glow.

What not to use

I tried tiredlessly for months to make contour work with numerous shimmery bronzers and powder brushes. It doesn't work. I'm not usually one to believe in the 'tools over technique' concept but for this I think tools are essential.

What to use

The essentials are a matte bronzer and a small or angled contour brush. Although I have seen a lot of people contouring with NARS Laguna and a higher end brush, some of us simply cannot afford that- so my essentials for contouring are ELF Blushing Bronzing and Blending Brush and Rimmel Bronzing Compact Powder in Medium Matte. Highlighter doesn't pose as much of a problem so pretty much choose whatever one takes your fancy. I use MUA eyeshadow trio in Pink Sorbet- which technically isn't even a highlight- but it works for me.

Technique

Apply bronzing powder in light sweeping motions into the hollows of your cheekbones and up into your temples and hairline then down into your jaw. Then (using the same brush if you wish) apply your highlighter into a triangle shape on your temples.

I think contour gives a very dramatic look and isn't one which I wear everyday, but I think its beautiful for every now and again.

I hope this helped in some way- give it a go and let me know how you get on! As for me, I think my next makeup conquest will be perfecting how to do brows. 

Do you contour? What are your essential products?

Sephora Base Sublimatrice Primer Review

I've always had a 'take it or leave it' kind of mindset when it comes to primer. While I was in Lisbon this summer I found a Sephora counter in a department store and was more than a little excited; using pretty much any excuse to buy things. 'This Nails Inc set is on sale so I need it even though I have 34723642 nail polishes already. I also need this primer because although I've never bothered with primer it is supposed to keep your makeup on longer and yea- c'mon- why deny the addition of another base step.' And so the Sephora Base Sublimatrice Primer made its way into my makeup bag.

In all honesty, I wasn't expecting a great deal from this product. I was really pleasantly surprised though! It has a light consistency and despite how it looks initially, doesn't sit on the skin noticeably or  like a disco-ball. For comparisons sake, I found this to be radiance-boosting but not as much as the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation (which, for me, was a little much). What really stood out for me was how nicely my usual makeup went on top of this. It looked smoother, more enhanced and lasted longer. The only thing that disappointed me with this product was that it has almost run out after only about 15 uses. It is only 15g, but I still expected it to last a little longer. That's one of the drawbacks of buying stuff abroad: its not easy to get hold of another if you like it. 

Be sure to let me know if you've tried this and what you thought of it. Also, please leave primer recommendations in the comments- I need another asap!

A/W 12 Trend | Black Leather

Hey Everyone!

I have a new post series; Autumn/ Winter 2012 trend. I mostly do beauty related posts but I really interested in fashion too and I thought I would do a few posts on what sort of thing I'm really liking this season. There are two parts to these posts- I'll post some examples of the trend on the catwalk then how I would wear it. 

Leather is a material that, in my opinion, will come into style multiple times in the future which makes it a sensible and justifiable investment now. Its the definition of edgy and is constantly being reinvented on the runway.

As always with catwalks, they exemplify the extreme of trends. I personally prefer to wear them more subtly with one statement piece. I love the Topshop leather jackets- particularly the studded one below.

If, like me, you find yourself on a budget and cannot pay £65 for a leather jacket, incorporate leather into your autumn/ winter wardrobe through bits and bobs you can find in the sale like this sheer black blouse from New Look.

Do you like the black leather trend? How will you be wearing it this season?

Instagram | The Last Fortnight in Pictures #9

Hey Everyone!

How are you all? Surprisingly, I'm not in my usual Sunday night freak out at how busy I am state. I've actually had quite a relaxing night- watching X Factor (shock horror scandal at the drama!) and TOWIE (don't judge me, its only my second week watching it and I just enjoy it being on in the background). This week has been pretty good actually, though its went so quick! 

Good news is though that last night I wrote up a few posts so there won't be those long periods of nothingness. Also, I have been considering a bit of a blog revamp lately- I want to somehow create a kind of pretty sparkly aura as soon as you click on to my blog. So I might start messing about with some designs this week, though html does my head in as it takes forever! 

From left to right and down:

Boots Christmas gifts catalogue woo! anyone know if they will do a similar S&G deal to last year? | yummy fruit flakes | how pretty is this sky?! it started off bright blue haha- edited to the max | the cutest keyring |  I want to have this hair colour at some point in the next few years | my mum made me this cushion with Cath Kidston fabric- ain't she cute? | foamy strawberrys are amazing | got shelves put up | Cheryl Cole inspired makeup and hair- video to come | DAIRY MILK OREO IS AMAZING TRY IT IMMEDIATELY | autumn polka dot nails | curled my hair tonight

Well I'm going to go to bed shortly- maybe start this week not being shattered? How was your week?

Video | Mini New Look Haul

Hey Everyone!

Just a quick post to accompany my new video. I thought I would take some pictures so you can see what I bought easier. 

New Look is a shop that I don't often find myself shopping in, then once in a while I'll go in and there's a major sale and I'm like whoaaa I need to come in here more often. My local store hasn't got that great a selection so I tend to go to the one in Glasgow which is huge and its recently been all changed and I really like the new design though I do find myself a bit confused with the layout. The changing rooms are beautiful though- kind of shabby chic themed (which of course, I love) and there were little signs in each as a means of organising your stuff which I thought was pretty cool.

Have you been to New Look recently? Picked up any bargains?

Let's Talk

Hey Everyone!

So it occurred to me that I don't really have a great deal of interaction with all you lovely followers. Of course sometimes you'll leave comments and tweet me but I don't really know anything about you. So, I'd like you to comment 5 random things about yourself along with a link to a picture that inspires you. 

This is mine:

•  I, living up to the name of this blog, become extremely over-obsessed with things and go on and on and on to anyone who will listen. These things range from a worry to a new make up product.
• My worst habit is biting my nails and picking off my nail polish. I don't blame you if you are revolted- I am too- I just can't stop!
•  My hair is really boring- it is poker straight and flat and does nothing.
•  I absolutely love anything pretty- vintage, shabby chic, dusty pink, sparkles- that shiz just thrills me!
• I am a serial sleeper- I will literally fall asleep anywhere- especially my chemistry class.

This is a pretty random post, and I realise I will look pretty silly if no one comments so, if your reading this, don't leave me hanging talking to cyber nothingness haha!

Please note- normal posts like reviews and stuff will return soon- I'm just super busy!

Update | I Won A Giveaway Hip Hip Hooray

Hey Everyone!

Well I must confess that its been over a week since my last post- eek! I think that's the longest I've went since I started without posting! Undoubtedly, the highlight of the week was Tuesday when I got in from school and there was a brown parcel sitting on my bed. Now I'm not one to receive mail a lot, let alone a parcel full of goodies so as you can imagine I almost hit the roof with excitement.  You see I won a giveaway for the first time yayyy! 

It was held on MsMeatballhead124's  amazing Youtube channel (check it out people, she has a blog too and both are great- she's so lovely and easy to watch!). I got an email a couple of weeks ago to say I had won and I was doing treble back flips and all sorts of shiz :D After my skilful box opening (in case you haven't, take a look at my complete fail opening my ELF order) this is what I found.

Each item was individually wrapped in orange tissue paper and I cannot explain the delight I had in unwrapping each.

So here is what I received:

Wooo I am so happy! How amazing is all this stuff? I love that because its from Canada, its brands you don't get here. The first item is a red lipgloss from Yves Rocher which I am glad to report is beautiful!! Then the eyeshadow is also Yves Rocher but I haven't tried it yet. I tried Yves Rocher a few years ago when I was in Germany and its kind of like The Body Shop. Then the nail polishes are by Finger Paints, a brand that I've not actually heard of but oh my goodness! I tried the pink immediately (what polish ban?) and it is definitely my favourite pink nail polish! It stays on for ages (yep, it stays on me, the constant nail biter!) and it the most bold colour. I haven't tried the coral yet but I think it'll be just as great. Then finally this lovely blue and gold bangle from Joe Fresh. I think this is so cute and is a lovely statement piece :)

I am so very thankful to MsMeatballhead (or Mel) and once again I would recommend you all to hop on over to her blog here and channel here. 

Aww all unwrapped :)