Lazy Day Outfit and Everyday Makeup

 

Hey Everyone!

I'm having a bit of a post writing marathon this evening. Since I've now sat my first exam the major stress/ pressure is off because the rest are pretty spread out. So, of course, I treated myself to whole day off. My thoughts are that if I have a little stockpile of posts at the ready there won't be such long gaps between them. Before I get down to business, I'd like to apologise for the photo quality- sometimes its just so much easier to use my phone than set up my camera. 

The Easter holidays were just a few weeks ago and now I'm on exam leave so for the first time in a good while I've actually been wearing my normal clothes. When I'm around the house I like to be comfy so if I can drag myself out of my pjs I just like to pop on a pair of leggings (mine are from M&S- very good quality) and a big cosy jumper like this royal blue one from H&M. I also added my mint necklace from Primark to this outfit to make it a fraction less slob-like. In case your wondering, footwear comprised of slipper boots from Primark. 

I said the same thing in my last 'everyday makeup' post but what I've been using on a daily basis has been switching up quite a lot lately. I've changed to the Rimmel Match Perfection from the Lasting Finish because it has an SPF and I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype. My faith in Rimmel foundations has been reaffirmed. I don't notice a whole lot of difference between the two but maybe if I had both at once it would be different. I've also upped the concealer usage because my skin is still pretty bad. I've been using the Illuminating Touch under my eyes and the Lasting Perfections on my (many) imperfections. Collection is definitely a go-to brand for concealer. I finally did switch up my blush from the Bourjois because I thought the brightness and shimmer of it done nothing but highlight my troubled cheeks. I will probably go back to it when my skin clears up though. 

For eyes, I've finally been showing my Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze some love. Its a great option for everyday wear as it doesn't require much effort and sometimes it stays all day without creasing (its a bit temperemental). I will also sometimes blend a bit of a matte brown MUA eyeshadow into the outer corner and crease for a bit more depth. I'm still loving my S&G Archery for brows and No7 liquid liner. The mascara I'm using at the moment is Max Factor Masterpiece Max and it is absolutely amazing. Possibly the best drugstore mascara I've ever tried. It is really lengthening, volumizing and doesn't smudge (even on my oily eyelids). I have even been asked if I'm wearing false eyelashes! I'm so impressed I might have to buy the full size.

On the lips, I've been going between Baby Lips, Revlon Lip Butter in Berrie Smoothie and my new favourite: L'Oreal Collection Privée in Julianne (!) Also, I've finally given into the hype and got myself the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. It keeps oil at bay and has already become a staple of mine. 

What makeup/ clothing items are your essentials for a lazy day?

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Hey Everyone!
You have probably seen review after review of Garnier Micellar Water as its release has caused quite a storm in the blogsphere but I'm just going to add my tuppence worth and hope that the fact I'm now on my second bottle can provide you with more of an  insight than you have already. 

I originally bought this back in February as an affordable alternative to the amazing Bioderma. When I bought it in Superdrug it was on an introductory offer so was about £3.50. I've never delved into Garnier skincare before, in fact, until recently I hadn't really delved into any skincare besides my Simple Moisturiser. I finally realised that I needed to implement a skincare routine because my skin has went from bad to worse over the last few months, and an essential part to every skincare routine is makeup remover.
I use this with a small round cotton pad to remove my makeup at the end of the day. I usually use around four pads to make sure every spot of make up is gone. I've read on quite a few blogs that people find this a lot easier to pour than alternatives such as the L'Oreal Micellar Water. In my opinion, its actually pretty easy to pour too much onto the pad. I do really like the amount of product you get though- 400ml is pretty generous for the price. It claims that you will get 200 uses which, having now finished one bottle, I would agree with. Though remember, with four uses a day, you might have to repurchase more than you think.
I love that this cleansing water just grabs any make up it comes into contact with- even eye makeup, without much rubbing.  It does nip my eyes slightly but this is the case with every makeup remover I've tried so its not a big deal. I just need to remember to close my eyes tight. I really like the simple packaging and the fact that you can see how much you have left. It has a very clean scent which is pleasant but it doesn't seem overly natural to me- though the bottle does say 'No Perfume.' 
The one problem I had with this was when I had to take it travelling. I couldn't take the full 400ml bottle as I wasn't checking in baggage so I had to transfer it to a smaller bottle which proved to be quite the problem. The cap isn't designed to be removed, so in my attempts I broke a little bit off which made the bottle leak when it wasn't upright for the rest of the time I had it. The actual micellar water didn't fair too well in the travel bottle as it turned out- the liquid seemed to separate and form a white precipitate at the bottom. This gave me horribe flashbacks of the solubility problems I faced with my bio investigation. Not good. Moral of the story: don't attempt to transfer this to another bottle. I'm mighty relieved that now I have a fresh one. Perhaps Garnier should consider a travel size.
Other than that slight pickle I found myself in, I absolutely love this micellar water and I'm not even bothered about trying any other ones as I think this is the best dupe for Bioderma that I'll find. At the price of £4.99 a bottle, you definitely get your money's worth.
Have you tried it yet?

L'Oreal Collection Privée Julianne's Nude Review

Hey Everyone!

How many times have you justified a purchase by the fact that the product 'has your name written all over it?' If you're anything like me, it'll be quite a few. So, you can imagine my absolute delight when I discovered that L'Oreal had launched a new collection of nude shades named after their ambassadors with one named Julianne. It literally has my name written all over it (well its written twice; that's good enough). It is safe to say I was nearly floored with excitement. To add to that, when I done the test online to discover what shade suited my complexion, I was matched with: myself. Talk about meant to be. With a name like Julianne, all the named things like keychains and rulers and calculators that everyone had when they were younger just passed me by. This has more than made up for it.

From the off therefore, I was in love with this lipstick without even trying it. I didn't care if it was £8.19- it was already worth it.  The packaging is ultra luxurious- it reminds me of a Channel or some other high end brand. The black with gold is very sophisticated and I love that 'L'Oreal' is embossed (is that the right word?) on the bullet. Usually when you think of a 'nude' shade, you think of a kind of caramel beige. For rosy lips like mine- this is far from a 'nude'. I think its fab that L'Oreal has created a line which caters for (more or less) every skin tone. 'Julianne' is described as 'Barely peach' and is designed for very fair and rose complexions.

The formula feels creamy on the lips and doesn't dry them at all. Another plus: application is pretty much fool proof (unlike those oh so pigmented vampy lipsticks I was loving over winter). The only negative is that it doesn't have immense lasting power- you'd have to reapply quite a few times throughout the day. However, it doesn't bleed or disappear leaving that awful line around your lips.

This is my first ever L'Oreal lipstick and I have to say I'm in love. While I'll opt for something a little more bold for the likes of a night out, this is my go to for everyday purposes. And I was worried that as the seasons changed I wouldn't be able to part with my Topshop Depth. How wrong I was.

PS. Apologies for the quality of the pictures. I took these on my phone instead of my camera because I was lazy.

The Liebster Award

Hey Everyone!
It has been a long while since I done a tag post but I thought since my lovely friend Melanie nominated me last night and I'm taking the whole day off from studying, I would do this one. I'm sure you have all heard of the Liebster Award- I've been aware of it almost since I started blogging (over 2 years ago!) but its only just struck me that I had no clue what Liebster actually meant. With a little help from the old pal Google Translator (ah how I have missed it since the days I would copy over whole passages in French for homework), I discovered that its a German word and translates as 'favourite' or 'dearest'. The idea is that you answer the 11 questions you were tagged to, and then make up a set of 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer. 
Questions  1. What is your guilty pleasure song at the moment? This is a really difficult question- I have thought out about 3 different answers and then deleted them because most of the songs I love at the moment aren't 'guilty pleasures' so much as 'pleasures.' But, I have eventually thought of one that, although I don't love,it is very catchy and pretty funny. I'm slightly ashamed to say it is The Chainsmokers' #selfie.  2. What are you excited to wear this summer? My brightly printed 50's style Primark bikini. Its sooo cute and pretty- I just fear that if I don't start exercising soon- it'll be worn under a potato sack on the beach. 3. Would you rather give up eyeliner or eyeshadow?

I absolutely love both- but it would probably have to be eyeshadow because on an everyday basis I only wear eyeliner anyway.

4. What is your favourite snack?

Everything and anything. I have been especially liking Belvita Breakfast Biscuits since I tried them recently though. 

5. What is your go-to nail polish colour?

A few weeks ago I bought Topshop's Gilted Nail Polish in the sale for just £1 and I've been loving it. Its such an unusual colour and I don't own anything like it. Its beautiful with a tan and looks so pretty in the bottle too.

6. What is your favourite candle scent?

Fig and Herb by The Copenhagen Candle Company. I had a big 3 wick one from TKMaxx and it lasted almost a year and since it finished I've had their Strawberry and Madagascan Vanilla but they don't measure up to the scent of Fig and Herb. 

7. Diet soda or regular soda?

Regular all the way!! A lot of people may scream at me for my logic but I believe if you're going to have soda you may as well have full sugar because at least sugar is natural instead of all those artificial nasties in diet.

8. Are you a scarf person?

Oh yes! This winter I've been wearing my Primark tartan scarf with my parka almost everyday.

9. Combat boots or girly boots?

Probably combat boots because they're easier to style. Though in general I'm pretty girly, and not a boot person.

10. What is your favourite lip product?

I've loved Topshop Depth over the past few months- check out my review here to see why.

11. What was your favourite cartoon when you were a kid?

I wasn't that big on cartoons at all- I preferred the Tweenies and stuff. I would occasionally watch a cartoon on CBBC about a dog that spoke but only to his owner? Hmm does anyone know what that was called?

Nominees

As I always seem to do with TAGs, I'd like to nominate YOU if you're reading this- so anyone can do it :)

Questions for nominees 

1. What made you start up a blog?

2. What are your favourite posts to read and write?

3. Where do you find inspiration?

4. What is your favourite book?

5. What TV show/ movie makes you LOL every time?

6. Zara or Topshop and why? (ain't that a toughie?)

7. What are 3 your favourite songs?

8. What is your dream job?

9. What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?

10. What are your HG makeup items?

11. What's the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?

Please be sure to comment or tweet me if you decide to do this- I'd love to read your answers!