Review: Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation

This is the first foundation that I ever used when I started to wear a bit of make-up all those years ago haha. I didn't know much about what I needed to look for so I basically just picked up the first affordable foundation that I saw! 

I then moved onto a couple of others when I started seeing my friends or bloggers using them. I have now switched back to this one for a bit and so I thought I would do a review to let you know my thoughts and opinions about the product now that I know a bit more about it haha. 

Claims

"Blends flawlessly, seamlessly, instantly and easily into the skin"

This claim I completely agree with! The foundation is so easily applied and does blend like a dream. I use a flat foundation brush to apply this and it leaves my skin looking even, without any streaks or lumps etc. It gives my skin a nice tone and covers up my redness which is something that I definitely wanted. 

It does blend instantly with a brush or sponge as I used to use a sponge when I last used this product and it just looks good in my opinion; kind of like a China Doll haha. 

"Sweat, heat, humidity and transfer proof for up to 25 hours"

This claim I kind of have some issues with. I work in a place that can get quite hot with steam in the air. By the end of my 8 hour shifts, most of the foundation on my nose and other little areas like my forehead has come off completely. So I wouldn't agree that it is sweat or heat proof to be honest; especially not for 25 hours! Also, when I put clothes on or take them off, I find a little rim around the collars or anywhere that touches my face as the foundation has actually transferred onto them. So, to say that it is transfer proof isn't something that I would agree with either. 

Other Points

One thing that I have found with this foundation is that when you apply it, it leaves your face looking very shiny so I normally put a little more powder than usual on so that my skin looks less dewy haha. It's alright to be honest, I just prefer more matte foundations. 

This foundation has SPF 20 which I think is so good for the amount that it costs! This means that you are protected from UVA and UVB rays; perfect for Summer months! :) I never used to understand what SPF meant, but now that I do, I'm so glad that I used to wear this all the time haha. 

I am not sure who would wear foundation for so long, but maybe on a long journey or like a big night out where you will have your make-up on the whole time, this foundation would be very useful. I would say that it does last all day without smearing or looking bad; as long as it isn't too hot! So, if you are going out somewhere and need your foundation to stay intact without having to top it up, I would recommend this one.

Another little thing that I have noticed since switching back to this one is that I have started to get break-outs. I don't normally get spots so when this started to happen I freaked out a little haha. I'm not sure if it is because my skin got so used to my other foundation or what, but I didn't like that this started to happen. I think it may be because this is a full coverage foundation. It has stopped now after a couple of weeks, but yeahh, something to look out for! 

I also have to say that because this foundation is full coverage, whilst it is amazing at blending and covers up anything and everything, it does feel quite paste-y when you apply it; kind of like what Dulux paint would feel like if you put it on your face. You can also feel it when it is on, as in it is quite heavy. I guess those are the small prices you have to pay for a decent and affordable foundation! 

Overall, I would give this foundation a 3.5/5. 

It is a great price for a good foundation that does last all day in normal heat, looks natural and gives your skin an even tone, blends amazingly and protects against harmful rays! :) I have to say that I will use this one for any little days out or like overnight stays etc, but I will be switching back to my No7 foundation as I do think that you get what you pay for, and I definitely have missed that one! 

I would highly recommend this product for anyone new to wearing make-up or who doesn't really know much about foundations as it is a good one, I have just found one that I get on with a bit more haha. 

What do you think about the Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation?? 

xx

Oh So Simple

Hi guys :) The other day I went into Superdrug for no reason and came out with a load of Simple products haha. I wanted to get a proper routine going for my skin, using products from the same brand or mainly the same brand as I find that the way I currently do things doesn't really work as I'll use one product from one brand, another from a different brand etc and they just don't really go together. I love Simple. I have sensitive skin and I feel as though these products have always worked wonders whenever I have bought them in the past, so now I have decided to base my skin care routine on Simple products. 

Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash

This facial wash leaves my skin feeling hydrated and soft; I absolutely love it. This is something that I normally do in the morning, but I also do it before I go to bed at times because it is just amazing haha.

Basically, I wet my face before applying a decent amount of the facial wash. I gently rub it into my skin and then wash it off with water. It just cleanses my face after a long nights sleep so that I am feeling more awake, and also cleanses it after a long day of wearing make-up. 

Kind To Skin Micellar Cleansing Water

I basically use this product to remove my make-up as it also helps to cleanse your face and unclog pores. This product is so good as it leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed after a long day of being covered by loads of make-up. 

I never actually understood why brands started to bring out these micellar products, so I researched it and found out that micelles are little molecules that are attracted to dirt and oil, so they are perfect for cleansers as they help to remove them from your pores. I just think that was a really clever idea haha. 

Kind To Skin Protecting Light Moisturiser with SPF 15

I needed to find a moisturiser with SPF, especially as it is summer now! For the best protection, you need one which protects you against both UVA and UVB rays, which this one does :) When I saw this product I just had to pick it up! It leaves my skin soft and moisturised for hours and it is now a vital part of my skin care routine. 

Basically, i apply this mainly to my face and neck as they suggest, but also to places like my arms and legs which need moisturising and protection haha. I apply this gently because you shouldn't rub your skin or be harsh with it. 

Kind To Skin Micellar Cleansing Wipes

These are also my go-to make-up removal products as they have the micelles in them to help clean out my pores and they are just so gentle and I don't need to scrub my skin for it to actually remove my make-up as I have had to with previous wipes that I have tried from other brands! 

These wipes are perfect for removing all types of make-up. I normally just have to wipe across my eyes once and it is all off, which is pretty great I think! 

So, that is my recent skin care haul haha. Simple is perfect for sensitive skin. Some products that I have used have given me rashes or red patches over my face and I have just had really bad experiences; but never with this brand. I don't know why I never thought to do this before but oh well, better late than never ay?

Just to say, I haven't been sponsored or anything like that, I just wanted to share with you my thoughts and what I picked up so that maybe you could go and give them a try for yourself as they have products for all skin types :)

Which reminds me, Simple have this questionnaire thing online which you can complete called the Simple Sense report. Basically they ask you questions on your skin care routine, health and lifestyle to help them come up with a routine that would be perfect for your individual needs. 

I took it and it said that I need to focus on the areas of 'Deep Cleanse', 'Protect' and 'Nourish' so that my skin can be kept healthy and soft even with my lifestyle. It recommends products for you to use, some of which I shall be purchasing soon to get started with my routine and to build on these products that I have mentioned. 

What are your favourite skin care products?

xx

New Summer Outfits

I am going on holiday at the end of July so I have been buying outfits here and there just so that I have new things to wear whilst I am there! :) I thought that I would do a post showing you what I have bought over the past few weeks, to show you what kind of things that I would bring on holiday with me, and also to maybe give you some inspiration of outfits that you can buy for your holidays if you are going on any. 

The clothes that I will be showing you are all from BooHoo, but I don't know if they will still have them in stock as they seem to change their collections really frequently. But, if you see something that you like, then I'm sure they will have stocked something similar if they haven't still got the exact one :) 

The shoes above are ones that I picked up from New Look for £27.99. I wanted black strappy heals that are nice for evenings out and quite cute for the daytime too. I also wanted a chunky heel that wasn't too high, so these were perfect! 

Mixture of short and long dresses for the daytime and nighttime. I also decided to buy the two-piece coin set because I thought it looked nice and although I don't normally like shorts, I decided to try it out. I do like it; it's light and a nice design, I just think it's a bit short, so I don't really know what I'll do about that haha, we'll see :')

I'm liking the new trend with the cut-out shoulders or the sleeves with slits in them. I feel like they will be perfect for the hot weather as you aren't fully enclosed in fabric; and the materials are nice and light too. 

As I said before, I got all of these outfits from BooHoo, so go and look on their website because they have some really nice stuff for the summer :) 

xx

How Much Is My Face Worth?

I have seen this post dotted around the internet and I absolutely love reading them! I think they are so amusing; seeing how much people spend on one make-up look, so I thought it would be fun to see how much I spend :)

I haven't actually worked out the total yet, so I will be searching around online for these products (which will mostly be from Superdrug haha), and then I will list them below and work out the total at the end! 

I am basing this off of my normal every-day make-up look as I do tend to switch the products that I use for different types of occasion, so I thought I would stick to the one that I do the most. 

So, let's see how much my face is worth shall we...

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation - £7.99

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil - £2.99

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer - £5.49

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara - £7.99

Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner - £5.29

Rimmel Exaggerate Undercover Eyeshadow Primer - £4.99

No7 Precision Lips Pencil - £6.75

No7 Beautifully Matte Make-Up Base - £10.50

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - £3.99

Rimmel Natural Bronzing Powder - £5.99

Revolution Highlighter - £3.00

Rimmel Kate Lipstick - £5.49

Rimmel Mono Blush - £3.99

Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette - £38.50

Eye Lash Curler - £1.59

Total - £114.54

To be honest, looking at the amount of products that I actually use, I thought my total would have been more than that haha; I think I have done quite well! 
I tend to stay with drug store brands as they are cheaper, and then go for more high end brands as a little treat or if I get products as presents. I am starting to buy more expensive products now that I am earning a bit more money haha, so I may have to do an updated version of this post before long :') But for now, this is the amount that I spend on my every-day make-up look! 

Thank goodness that these products last quite a while - right?! :')

I hope that you guys enjoyed learning about the silly amounts of money I spend, just on make-up! Have a lovely weekend :)

xx

Must-See Movies!

As it is summer time, longer days and plenty of time to cuddle up and watch movies, I thought I would put together a post that highlights some of my favourite movies which I think you guys should watch if they are something that you may enjoy. 

I watch a wide range of movies, from Sci-Fi to Horror, from Romance to Action. As long as it isn't boring, then I will watch it! :) 

So, grab some popcorn and enjoy some of my movie recommendations :') 

Horror

• The Conjuring
• The Ring
• Insidious
• Ouija
• Dream House
• Silent Hill
• Mirrors

Comedy

• Bruce Almighty
• The Heat
• Kingsman
• Napoleon Dynamite
• White Chicks
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding
• Liar Liar

Sad or Sweet

• Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Annie
• Mamma Mia
• The Notebook
• Lassie
• It's A Wonderful Life
• My Sister's Keeper
• Bridge to Terabithia
• Waterhorse
• Flicka
• Saving Mr Banks
• Philomena
• Goodnight Mr Tom
• The Book Thief
• Silver Linings Playbook
• Ballet Shoes
• The Theory of Everything

Teen

• It's Kind of a Funny Story
• Mean Girls
• Wild Child
• Bend It Like Beckham
• The Devil Wears Prada
• Easy A

Action

• Fast & Furious
• The Matrix
• Mission Impossible
• Gladiator
• V for Vendetta
• Jumper
• Maze Runner

Sci-Fi

• Sixth Sense
• Back to the Future
• Avatar
• City of Ember
• Knowing
• In Time
• Beautiful Creatures
• Jurassic Park

Comic

• Iron Man
• Man of Steel
• The Avengers
• Ghost Rider
• Elektra

Drama

• The Imitation Game
• Daddy's Girl
• The Silence of the Lambs
• Gone Girl
• Panic Room
• Taming of the Shrew
• Indian in the Cupboard

Family

• Toy Story
• National Treasure
• Maleficent
• Herbie
• Bambi
• Pocahontas
• Mary Poppins
• Jumanji
• Gremlins
• Casper
• Cool Running
• Brother Bear

So, those are probably my favourites from each genre. Some of them most people have probably seen at some point but if not and you like the genre that they are listed under, then maybe give them a go and see what you think :) 

I love making lists and I have a massive one for movies that I have watched and enjoyed. There is nothing worse than remembering a movie and being like "oh no, what was that movie called again?" 

Do you have any that you would add to the list?

xx

Confidence Boosters

There are many days where I am lacking confidence because maybe I didn't have time to do my hair properly or my make-up didn't go well, or maybe it is just one of those days. However, there are things that we can all do to boost our confidence and make us feel a lot happier and less anxious about what we look like or what other people are thinking. 

Hygiene

I feel like this is the most important point as if you are not being hygienic then you most likely don't smell very nice and you probably don't look very clean. Even after a long day at work I start to feel less confident as I have been running around all day and I just feel like I need to shower before I can start to feel better. The photo above are the main hygiene products that I could think of that can help you feel clean and fresh, and therefore more confident. 
Toothpaste - If you have clean teeth and fresh breath then you will feel 100 times better as your teeth are one of the first things people will notice, and when you speak, you don't really want to be having bad breath! 
Deodorant - This product is literally a lifesaver for any time of day. It keeps you smelling fresh and therefore you aren't worrying about if there are any dodgy scents coming from under your arms etc haha. I feel that this is an essential confidence booster!
Shower Gel - When you are in the shower, the water is definitely not enough to clean your body. You need a shower gel which is specifically designed to get rid of any bacteria or dirt and make you completely clean again. Shower gel also helps to prevent odours as you are properly cleaning your body. 
Perfume - This isn't really linked to hygiene I know, but I feel like adding a nice scent can really boost your confidence as you know you smell nice. I always wear perfume because without it I really start to freak out more haha.

Lingerie 

I feel like this is another important way to become more confident. If you feel sexy on the inside, then you will feel sexy and therefore more confident on the outside. I know that on the days that I wear underwear sets that don't match, I feel a lot less confident than on the days where I wear a nice set like the one above. 

Hair

Oh my gosh, my hair is literally something that I go crazy over! If I don't have enough time to do it properly so I have to do a rushed job or leave it un-straightened, then I moan or go on about it all day; check every mirror and generally drive everyone crazy haha. My hair is one of my favourite parts of myself, so when it doesn't look good, that is a massive knock to my confidence. So, taking time with your hair to make it look healthy, clean and not frizzy could definitely help with your confidence. These are some of the products that I use on my hair to make it sit right and look shiny and healthy :)

Skin Care

Taking care of your skin is very important as you want it to be healthy and not dry. Two of my favourite skin care products are the Simple moisturiser and the Body Shop body butters. I feel like they work miracles on my skin and if my skin looks healthy and nourished, then I feel a great deal more confident! 

Make-Up

I always wear make-up. I don't wear it to impress anyone or anything like that; I wear it purely to make myself feel more confident and to allow myself to get on with my day without having to worry if my cheeks are red or if I have really bad circles under my eyes. If I do on the very rare occasion go out without make-up on, then I do keep my head down and freak out in my head, worrying if I will see anyone that I know. So, I feel that foundation, eye liner, mascara and lipstick are my favourite make-up items that I could definitely not live comfortably without. I don't know, this is just something that makes me feel a lot less insecure. 

Also, nail varnish is another product that definitely boosts my confidence. When I get the time off work where I have the opportunity to get my nails done, I feel a lot more girly and glamorous, and therefore more confident!

So yeahh, those are my main areas that help with my self-confidence. Do you have any others that make you feel better or that make you feel less anxious? 

xx

Cheesecake Jars

As it is Summer, I wanted to start making easy treats that could be used at a BBQ or picnic :) I was searching around online and I found this really cute idea on the BBC good food website! They are so easy to make and it doesn't involve any cooking; the perfect recipe for a dessert that can fit around a busy schedule. It does say on the site that it should take 20 minutes though......haha that was not the case with me. Maybe about 40 minutes if I was lucky. I don't know, maybe I was just really slow :') 

You Will Need:

• 200g buttery biscuit
• 200g cream cheese
• 200ml double cream
• 6 tbsp icing sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 500g strawberries, halved or quartered       
• 8 jars with lids

Method:

Blitz the biscuits to crumbs in a food processor or in a bowl with the end of a rolling pin.

Divide the biscuit crumbs between the jars.

In a large bowl, whisk the cream cheese, cream, 5 tbsp icing sugar and the vanilla extract until softly whipped. 

Tip half the strawberries and the remaining tbsp of icing sugar into another bowl and crush with a fork to a puree. 

Ripple the puree through the cream and divide between the jars. 

Top the cheesecake jars with the remaining strawberries and then place them in the fridge to chill until ready to eat.

These actually came out pretty good if I do say so myself haha. I think this is a really cute idea; the jars being a really unique and nice touch. This is also the perfect serving and the jars that I bought are quite small. 
The only think I would say is with making the puree, my strawberries were do fresh that they were really hard to squash with a fork :') The puree also didn't come out very thick so I couldn't really ripple it through the cream, but oh well, I still think they look tasty! 

If you want to see the recipe on the BBC website, or you just want to have a look around on there for any other recipes, follow this link :) BBC Good Food. 

xx

Fit For Friday | Desk To Drinks Outfit

Have you ever had one of those Friday nights where you have to go out to the pub with friends or to a party etc, straight after work? I have, so many times! I have had to go to places wearing formal attire and then had to run and get changed into another outfit in the toilets which meant having to carry around a massive bag all day. After a while I figured out how to wear the same outfits but alter them slightly so that they suited both occasions, which has honestly helped me so much haha. 

Today I am going to create a "Fit for Friday" look for both men and women; finding the perfect outfit ideas that you can wear both to work and then to the pub afterwards, without the crazy and awkward change in the toilets haha :) 

Men - Desk Outfit

So basically, for men I thought that traditionally you would wear a suit for an office job or formal occasion. So that meant a suit, shirt, tie, cufflinks, shoes, belt and a nice watch. I have found some good examples on TM Lewin's site as they have a really nice range of suits and other formal wear, if you guys want to check them out! :) 

Aldgate Navy Italian Wool Slim Fit Suit - TM Lewin

Imperial Oxford Button Cuff Shirt - TM Lewin

Navy Panama Silk Tie - TM Lewin

Jeff Banks Leather Shoes - Debenhams

Black Textured Belt - New Look

Gunmetal Circle Cufflinks - TM Lewin

Lorus Silver Watch - Debenhams

Men - Drinks Outfit

For going to the pub after a long week, you want to feel relaxed and be less formal. So, I would lose the suit jacket and the tie, unbutton the first couple of buttons and roll the sleeves up. Already this is a lot more casual, and you can show off the watch a bit more haha :') Also, if it isn't summer and you need a jacket, I would go for something like this leather biker one above as it is cool, casual and goes well with the rest of the outfit! 

Men’s Black Leather Jacket - New Look

This is kind of what I was getting at with my idea for men. As you can see, the formal outfit is a proper suit with a tie, then the casual look shows that he has lost the jacket and tie, rolled up the sleeves and unbuttoned the first couple of buttons. Just by making these few changes, the whole look has been transformed, without the need to take a massive bag of clothes to work! :) 

Women - Desk Outfit

For women I have chosen to be quite minimal with the accessories and lipstick colour. You need to be professional and that means not wearing massive hoop earrings and bright red or purple lipsticks. I feel like short heels are elegant, classy and perfect for a desk job, and stud earrings are subtle but also quite pretty; not too much. I feel like a medium sized black bag is most appropriate for formal occasions and atmospheres, with a nice suit jacket to finish off the look. Again, I have found some examples online if you need any inspiration! :)

Mansfield Black Textured Dress - TM Lewin

Ladies Black Bowler Bag - New Look

The Collection Black Court Shoes - Debenhams

Albany Black Tri-Acetate Jacket - TM Lewin

Silver Premium Tear Drop Studs - New Look

Whirl Lipstick - Mac

Women - Drinks Outfit

I feel like for women it is a little harder to alter a look, especially if you wear a dress, as there isn't really anything to remove like with men who have a tie etc. But, just by changing your make-up look and switching some accessories, you have the perfect pub outfit, straight from the office. So, as you can see, I changed the lipstick colour to a much more vibrant red; a colour perfect for partying and getting noticed. I also swapped the blazer for a casual and relaxed leather jacket. I also swapped the big work bag for a dainty and night-life orientated clutch bag. Also, if you wanted to go all-out and glam up a bit more, you could put on some false lashes to complete the pub look :)

Black Textured Metal Bar Trim Clutch - New Look

Lashes - Superdrug

Black Beaded Hoops - New Look

Washed Leather Biker Jacket - Topshop

Dare You Lipstick - Mac

These two looks also have completely different looks, even though I have only changed the tiniest details. For the more formal one, I have added a nice and elegant blazer which makes it look formal and professional. For the pub look, I have just changed this jacket for a black shrug which I think I bought from BooHoo. These are perfect for summer months, when you don't want to be wearing a denim or leather jacket. But, as you can see, changing the formal jacket to a more casual one alters the way the whole outfit looks! I also removed the little belt that comes with that dress, as I feel belts make an outfit look more formal, and I feel like letting the dress flow made it a lot more suited for the pub or bar scene :) 

I hope that my tips have been helpful and that you guys can rummage through your wardrobes to find outfits that you can style in different ways, for different occasions. I mean, who wants to be running home to get changed when they could be out already on their second drink haha? 

Enjoy your weekend! :)

xx