My Night Time Beauty Essentials

Sometimes I feel like skincare doesn't get enough recognition. It might be because the packaging isn't as beautiful as a YSL compact, and maybe products just become so integrated into our routines that we use them by habit and forget how fab they are.

When I actually took a min to look into it, I use quite a few products before going to sleep, most of which I keep in my bedside table draw and apply whilst sitting in bed. Although, one of them needs a more accurate application but it's a life saver so while we're on the topic, my acne lifesaver products comes in the form of a tiny bottle which is the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. For anyone who is suffering from any form of break out, or simply one little pesky spot, this little magic product has you covered. It really does what it says, completely dries the spot out. You need to apply it with a cotton bud, and it's a pink sediment that then dries once applied. It's honestly phenomenal and I couldn't recommend it enough! 

Before applying any spot treatments I always moisturise. My favourite and go-to product at the moment is the Clinique Moisture Surge. It's a gel formula and sinks into the skin really nicely. I also use this in the morning before applying my makeup and it's just a really lovely product that leaves my skin feeling hydrated which is 100% needed. 

Speaking of hydration, the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is a miracle life saver. I cannot explain how nice this is as a glorified lip balm. For anyone who has dry chapped lips, ditch the cheap lip balms, this will literally save you. I put this on before I go to sleep and my lips always feel soft in the morning without a doubt. I feel like it also sorts out the corners of my lips as they can get really sore in warm/cold weather, so it's just an essential at this point. (I'd also like to point out that I've had this one tube for a year now and it's still going strong!). 

Now onto the lavender scents. I always find that lavender is a really soothing scent and helps aid sleep and helps me to unwind. The Lush Sleepy Body Lotion isn't strictly a simple lavender scent but it's you can smell it amongst some other ingredients but it does smell lovely. I seem to be applying this a lot recently, especially because it's been so hot and I am very very pale so I like to fake tan, gotta keep everything nice and silky smooth! If you're in need of another moisturiser, the Lush Sympathy For The Skin which smells like vanilla banana custard, is incredible. 

Finally, I like to spray the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray or the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray Plus (which is just a strong scent) for when I'm feeling super stressed and need to chill out. I feel like the scent is very soothing and makes me feel like I'm at a spa so it definitely helps me to relax and zonk out. 

I don't know if these products just have a placebo effect or whether it's just the lavender scent in them working but they're all my night time essentials and I hope you've enjoyed reading this post! 

Til next time xxx

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Dreamy Valentine Makeup Picks

If there's one thing I love about Valentine's Day it's all the beautiful pink tones that come with it (if you've seen my Instagram you know that I live for pink tones). So whether you're going out for a saucy date night, or hanging out with the girls, who doesn't love to get a bit glammed up for the occasion? So without further delay, here are my favourite dreamy Valentine's makeup picks that I think are absolutely stunning.

The Base

My ultimate go-to base is obviously the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation. This baby will stay on your face whilst giving a really good coverage of any blemishes etc. Mixed with a little bit of the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer to brighten up those under eye (designer) bags and you're onto a winner. To set the face I would highly recommend the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish face powder as it is perfect for setting your base makeup without looking cakey, hallelujah!

Lit From Within

So obviously you want to look lit, and by lit we mean all the highlighter. A new addition to my makeup stash that I'm loving right now is the dreamy Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Highlighting Wand. Honestly, it's the most beautiful liquid highlighter that makes your skin look dewy and blinding at the same time. It's just such a beautiful product. It has a sponge applicator so you can just dab it onto the high points of your face and blend with your fingers, beauty blender or brush. The other thing I adore is that you can leave it as is, or add a powder highlighter over the top to really blind and add confidence for whatever the occasion.

Bronzed Goddess 

You know what, I love being bronzed. I think it really just ties everything together and makes me look less tired than I actually am. My favourite for doing that at the moment is the Benefit Hoola Lite bronzer. I know this is targeted for lighter pale skin tones, but I really think this is a lovely shade to add colour without being too orange. It's like a pale biscuity shade and it's so gorgeous for giving your face some warmth without those harsh orange tones other bronzers can sometimes make you (it also makes for a great transitional shade for the eyes).

Lashes

For those of us who struggle in the lash department, a.k.a. me (thanks mum and dad), I love adding lashes to add volume. My favs at the moment at the KoKo Lashes in Amore* and Queen B*, which is exactly what we all are, queens. They're both so beautiful and a little bit spidery but they just that extra volume that my own lashes lack (and how cute is the packaging omg). You can pick them up from FalseEyelashes.co.uk, and they also stock loads of other lashes if you don't fancy these. 

The Pink Tones

A new addition to my makeup collection is the NARS Wanted Palette which completely encompasses what I think about when someone says pink tones. Like hellO. It has such a gorgeous selection of warm pink and red toned eyeshadows which are perfect for creating any look. My favs are the neutral champagne pinks which look gorgeous for that simple effortless glam eye, which you can also enhance with a darker matte brown or red. Perf. It's so versatile so if these softer pink shades aren't for you, you can go in for those beautiful darker reds and browns to really add the glam. 

Keeping in line with those gorgeous pink tones, a nice warm flush of pink on the cheeks can never go amiss. I'm loving the NARS Blush in Super Orgasm at the moment. It's got a little bit of shimmer and it just collectively ties in your bronzer and highlight for a healthy blush flush.

Of course, would it be valentines day if you weren't wearing 'Valentine' by Charlotte Tilbury? (Well yes it would be, lols). But this shade is so so perfect and ties in really nicely with the champagne pink tones from the Wanted Palette. I like to wear this with the Pillow Talk lip cheat, honestly it's such a vibe. (Real talk here though, how beautiful is the new Tilbs shade 'The Duchess'? I need it asap). One of my favourite drugstore finds is the NYX Butter Gloss in Fortune Cookie. It's a beautiful light peachy pink which just adds the perfect wash of colour over the top of Valentine. 

So that's it for my dreamy Valentine makeup picks. I hope you all have a lovely day regardless of what you're doing (I have an essay due in this evening so woo yay.. Date night with my essay), but Happy Valentine's Day angels! 

Til next time xxx  

*PR Sample, all views are 100% my own

Goals for 2018

Hola angels! Happy (late) New Year and welcome to my first post of 2018 which should come as no surprise, is all about my goals for twenty eighteen. I may have taken a little break with my blogging over December as I have been overrun with university deadlines so obviously you have to prioritise these things. It's actually really annoying because it means that I have to watch my lil blog take a little hiatus/a victim of neglect (sorry lil blog). So anyway on with my five goals for 2018! 

Number One - Get a first class honours in my university degree

So I put this one at the beginning of my list because I see this as the most important for me right now. I've worked really hard this semester and it's reflected in my grades (which included doing group projects by myself). I'd also love to be the first member of my family to get a first so fingers crossed for me and my brain. 

Number Two - Have a healthier outlook on life 

This is something I've really struggled with recently because my way of coping with stress is by binging and the amount of sugar I've been consuming just isn't healthy. So one of my goals for 2018 is actively trying to change this and have a healthier outlook on life where food isn't the be all and end all everyday. 

Number Three - Post more content on my blog 

Obviously, this stems into what was mentioned before about having to prioritise university work, but I'd love to be posting more frequently because I love the creative process that blogging entails. 

Number Four - Stop comparing myself to other people

I know this is really difficult because part of being human is that naturally we consciously and subconsciously compare ourselves and our achievements to other people. Obviously, this isn't any way to achieve happiness and that's something I'd like to work on this year even though I know this going to be one of the hardest goals from this list as I do it without even noticing. 

Number Five - Think more positively 

I think this one goes with the positive vibes only moral I want to adopt for this year and here on in. I can be quite dramatic about the smallest situation which, in a bigger perspective is actually nothing to be sad or worry about. So, 2017 you took all the negative vibes and drama with you because 2018 is the year of being positive. 

I think sometimes when you overcomplicate your goals it becomes too much, so for me I feel like these are quite doable by keeping them simple. I hope 2018 is amazing for everyone and you achieve all your goals! 

Til next time xxx