December/January Favourites 16/17

I wanted to call this post 'December and January Favourites' purely because I didn't upload a 'December Favourites' because it's the time of the year, where I post a yearly favourites. I didn't want to miss the month completely, because  in December I did find some amazing products, and I still wanted to share them with you. I do actually have more favourites for December, because I feel like December a lot happened, a lot came out and I just got caught up in all the Christmas spirit. January for me, is a stationary month, quite boring and I just have to sort my life out and clean.

The Body Shop Spiced Apple Shower Gel

I was obsessed with this scent in December, I used it everyday, EVERYDAY in December, Obsessed. It's just Christmas in a bottle. I still have a little bit left, but I don't want to use it because I know its limited edition (I THINK?!) for Christmas.

The Body Shop Spiced Apple Hand Cream

From the same range as the previous shower gel. So as well as the scent being amazing, the actual hand cream is insane. It doesn't take ages to dry, it just soaks in lovely, leaves that amazing scent and really helps to nourish my hands. I did actually go back and buy more of the hand creams in other scents. Highly recommend those.

Clinique Sonic Brush (MORE INDEPTH REVIEW COMING SOON)

I did give myself quite a big Christmas present, a few weeks before Christmas. Which I haven't really spoken or mentioned until now. But I'm not going to say too much, other than I love it, it has changed my daily routine and I'm not sure how I ever cleansed my skin without this brush. My family and friends laugh at me, because I literally don't go anywhere without this brush. My boyfriend hates it. BUT I used it on him yesterday, and now I think he' s converted. But a full review will be up in a few weeks, once I've had it a bit longer.

Urban Decay NAKED Ultimate Basics Eyeshadow Palette

I received this as a Christmas present from my parents, if I'm honest it was on my list. They would be 'parent goals' if they knew I actually wanted this. But I am so happy and grateful that I received this. I have the original palette from Urban Decay and love it, so I knew I would love this palette. Its all matte, apart from the shade blow, which has a slight shimmer in with my eye sight. The shades I have been using the most are nude, commando and tempted. I've been running those in the crease of my eye as my transition colour.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation

For the whole of the winter period this has been my go to foundation. I would say 99.9% off the time, this foundation is the one thats been on my face. I absolutely love it, its a full coverage foundation, with a matte finish. I'm sure you would of read about my raving about this before. Its just a brilliant foundation. I am the shade NC15 for your reference.

Clinique Contouring Stick

With Christmas and New Year, I have been going out more, going for more drinks and meals and just generally dressing up a little bit more than I do on my average Saturday night. Therefore, I have been wearing a bit more makeup, so I have been using my Clinique contour stick, in the standard shade. Its such a lovely formula, its very creamy and blendable, I either use my Louise Young LY30 brush or  a Real Techniques Complexion sponge to blend it in. It creates a natural contour, or you can really build it up for something a bit more intense.

Gingerbread Latte Instant coffee drinks

Winter time is that time of the year where you just want a nice hot drink. I have been using the Nescafe Gingerbread latte instant drinks. These are just perfect for me, I really stocked up on them in December because I knew they would be a limited edition for the Christmas time. All I do is put the powder in a cup, add hot water and stir, then you leave it for around 30/45 seconds and stir again and it goes all creamy and tasty. SIDE NOTE - Costa Honeycomb lattes were just my addiction when I was Christmas shopping. 

 Bondi Sands Gradual Tan

In January, I don't know if you are the same as me, but I just feel a bit down and gloomy. Christmas is over, we've got the Christmas blues and you just want to get out of the cold weather and feel a bit more glowy, but you don't want to make too much effort. So this is where I have been using Bondi, their gradual tan, this is just fab. I apply it all over the top part of my body and let it sink in over night and then I wake up in the morning and I'm a lot more tanned. But it's not like fake tan, its just a gradual healthy glow. Its got the most insane coconut smell as well, its gorgeous.

Barbour jacket

My main present for Christmas was a Barbour jacket off my parents and boyfriend. I literally haven't taken it off this month. I wear it every time I leave the house. It keeps me super warm, its very stylish and I don't think it will go out of fashion. It's a very timeless piece. I got the classic olive green Beadnell wax Barbour jacket. It's got two studded vents at the back, two normal front pockets and then above those front pockets are slanted pockets which are just the most useful pockets ever! Love, love, love! 

Cowshed shampoo and conditioner

I have been using a new shampoo and conditioner from Cowshed in January, I picked it up in T.K.Maxx which if you didn't know if fab for getting great finds in the beauty section. They do loads of different brands, like Cowshed, Bed head and bumble and bumble. This is a smoothing shampoo and conditioner. Its got lavender in, so its great to use at night so it relaxes you before you sleep. The conditioner can be used as a normal conditioner, or it can be used as a treatment if you leave it on longer. Personally I wash my hair, apply the conditioner, leave it on whilst I cleanse my face and body then rinse.

I feel like this is the most favourites I have ever wrote about before in a post, but it was two months in one. So what do you expect? Hope you had a fabulous first month to 2017, and we've only got 11 more, until 2018... haha, sorry, it had to be done. 

♥

8 Things To Get Rid Of This Year

I don't know about you, but when the new year comes round, I just want to sort my life out. So I am going to tell you the 8 things to throw out and for you to never see again. I do like to think of myself as quite an organised person, and theres something about being organised which I love. It helps me become more of a calm person. So come and clear your life out with me...

Old Makeup products which have passed their expiry date 

Makeup products do actually have an expiry date on them, if you look on the side of the product there should be a little makeup compact with a month by it, thats how many months its got once its been opened. For me, foundations are my main problem, I say 'just incase I need a lighter colour, or a shade for when I'm tanned, or a light coverage or I need a matte finish' like, what Helen? Just have one foundation. ONE.

Travel size mini products

If you are like me, in a hotel we do a 'ROSS' (friends) and empty the whole hotel and put it in our suitcase. So when we get home we have about 50 mini shampoos and 23 mini soaps we are never going to use. GET RID.

Products that don't work for you 

For me, I do a lot of research into products before I buy them, I read blogs, watch videos and read online product reviews. However, theres always going to be some products which either react to your skin, don't sit right or just are generally crappy products. It's unlikely that your skin and opinion is going to change, so throw them away or give them to a friend you think will benefit.

Out of date receipts and cards you no longer need

Receipts are my downfall, my purse is full of receipts for tiny little things I paid a pound for. I really don't need these, I just need to shed them and say goodbye. Cards like an Tesco's club card, which I probably use once a year, collect one point on... are just taking up space I could use for something else.

Clothes that are ripped and damaged

Throw away that top which you wear every night for bed, which has a hole in the armpit and a piece of cotton hanging from the bottom. Use your nice new pjs, you probably got for Christmas.

Clothes you no longer wear anymore

My tip for you... is every season clear out your wardrobe. Face ALL the hangers one way. When you wear a item of clothing, put it back in the wardrobe (once its been washed, thank you) and face it the opposite way. This way when it comes to the next season, you can see clearly what you have worn and what you haven't. Therefore, you know what to throw away.

Old uniforms, school uniforms, prom dresses, old work clothes

I still have my primary school uniform in my wardrobe, that cat halloween outfit and a massive prom dress in my wardrobe... WHY?

Clear out your emails, unsubscribe from anything you aren't interested in anymore

Currently have 2,958 unread emails? Exactly.

I really enjoyed making this post, it has most defiantly opened my eyes! 

Happy cleaning guys...

♥

Top 10 Beauty Products of 2016

HAPPY MONDAY 

2016 has honestly flown past, I know everyone says that, but really it has. I did this post last year, and it honestly feels like yesterday I wrote it, but its in fact been a year... a whole year. Anyway, I loved writing it last year, and I really like looking back on the year, looking at products that I've discovered and then putting them into one whole post of products I love. I will leave a link here for my post last year. I re-read last years post, and there has been quite a few new things which I have been loving this year and that I have discovered.

#1 Lancome Sourcils Brow Gel - Taupe 03
I just had to include this, because it really is all I have used on my brows for all of 2016. I just love this. I use a little angle brush from Zoeva and I just dip it into the pomade. Start at the tail of my brow and then just fill in the front with whatever is left on the brush.

#2 Benefit Hoola Bronzer
2016 was actually the year I purchased this bronzer. It's always been a product that I have heard of and wanted to try. However, 2016 was the year I took the plunge. Its just a great matte bronzer. I don't contour on a day to day basis. But I use this as my bronzer pretty much all over my face.. ooops.

#3 Zoeva Cocoa Blends Eyeshadow Palette
Are you bored of hearing about this yet? I got this for Christmas in 2015. I literally love it, the eyeshadows are so creamy, blendable and just fabulous colours! I have used every shade in this palette. Recently I have been reaching for more of the bronzy tones and that beautiful gold shade.

#4 Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector
I'm more of a lipstick girl, if I'm completely honest. However, when I'm wearing more of a natural makeup, or I've got quite heavy eye makeup and more recently... if my lips are much dryer, then I will go for more of a gloss. The Clarins Lip Profector, is just incredible, smells like candy and gives a gorgeous nautral colour.

#5 Sleek Highlighting Palette
I have been reaching for this highlighter the most this year, defiantly for the last 6 months. Otherwise it would be the classic Mac Soft & Gentle. However, Sleek is such an affordable brand. You get 4 shades in this palette, 3 are powders and 1 is cream. I'm more of a powder girl, but I have used the cream colour too. But my most worn shades are the bottom two, 'Subsolar and Equinox'.

#6 L'Oreal Volume Million Feline Lashes Mascara
Mascara for me is something I'm not particularly bothered about, every mascara seems to do the same for me. I do have a preference but I will just get through any mascara. BUT, I have found a mascara in the last few months of the year which I love. It makes my lashes long, curly and very black. Its from L'Oreal, which is great because its an affordable mascara. (All  L'Oreal mascaras, I love and would recommend). But the volume million feline lashes has been a favourite of mine!

#7 Chanel Vitalumia Aqua Foundation B10
I have discovered this beauty this year. It was more of a foundation that I use in the summer months, because it's a lot lighter in coverage, however you do not need much product! I love the shade, its very yellow toned, which is what I love. What I love the most about this is (well defiantly not the price) the finish, its such a skin-like natural finish.

#8 Urban Decay Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer - light/neutral
I feel like everyone went crazy for this in 2016. I use this underneath my eyes, I use the shade light/neutral however, I do think it's slightly too dark for me when I don't use fake tan. It's a light consistency, but has amazing coverage and really brightens underneath my eyes.

#9 MAC Minzeralise Skinfinish Powder
Oh my... How did I ever do my makeup without this product? I would say this is the best powder that I have ever used. I do tend to prefer loose powders for setting my eyes. But I love this pressed powder for the rest of my face. I love that it has some coverage in it too  because I feel like it makes my skin look flawless and is a great last step.

#10 NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
It was very hard for me to pick one type of lip product (apart from the Clarins) and it was the toughest choice. So I raved about these in the earlier part of the year, they are matte but in no way drying. The colour range is amazing, the application is fab, the wearing of them is amazing, I just love these. There is only one down fall for me, and that is that there doesn't seem to be much product in the tube, it doesn't last that long until I need to get a new one. But they are very affordable!

Have an amazing New Year! I'm wishing you a lovely healthy, successful and just all around incredible year, roll on 2017! 

♥

My 2017 Goals

HAPPY NEW YEAR, IT'S NEW YEARS DAY! WELCOME 2017

I thought I would basically share all my 'new years resolutions' with you. However, I don't want to call them that because it scares me... so we are gunna roll with 'goals'. I am a bit on the fence with all the New years goals, because I really don't think many of us stick to them. But this year, I do really think that I need some guidance and I'm going to properly try my hardest to stick to them. Also, I don't have millions because for me personally if I have 20 things to try and do, it really will not happen.

#1 Say yes 

I am quite a granny when it comes to a Saturday night out. I just love being cosy, getting my pjs off, hair up and then no makeup. But I just felt like I never go out, I literally went out on 4 nights out last year, which is sad for a 20 year old to say, I think. But I just generally want to do more things, not just drinking and getting wasted, but just saying yes to things and getting out of the house. Guys, I am currently hungover too... I deffo had too many vodka lemon and limes last night!

#2 Be a generally more healthy person

This goal really is quite  a big one. Last year my goal was 'drink more water' and I really do think I've done that, I never drink fizzy drinks apart from when I'm out for a meal or I go on a night out. This is because my favourite drink is either ' lemonade and lime' or 'vodka lemon and lime'. But this year, I just want to get out of the house more, go on runs, try to eat more fruit and veg. Just really generally be a healthier person, it's going to be hard but I just think I need to look after myself more. 

#3 Travel more

I want to travel more this year, not just abroad, but I want to go to other places in England as well. I have already planned a trip to Sheffield in February. But I really just want to travel and see more of the beautiful world. 

What are your 2017 goals? 

♥