Thursday 22 March 2012

Red Lippy Lips!

Hey ladies! Hope you are all well! Today I bring you my lips of the day! Daring red! I have always been a fan of the red lip but have only recently been brave enough to sport it myself! I always feel sophisticated and grown up and as if I've made an effort when I wear this lip! The images below take you through the 3 stages I do to achieve this look.

Step 1: Lipliner. I first lined the outside of the lips and then filled them in. I used Topshop's lipliner in Blaze. It's gorgeous and creamy and really easy to work with! You could stop after this step if you wanted a really matte finish.

Step 2: Lipstick. I used Barry M's lip paint in 121 Pillar Box Red. Again, a really nice product - creamy, doesn't have a horrible scent and stays on the lips for a reasonable amount of time.

Step 3: Gloss. I then just applied a clear gloss over the top for a more glossy finish! Any clear gloss will do but make sure you use a lip brush rather than the wand supplied to apply it or the gloss will turn red once you put the wand back! This step is obviously optional but I love the finish it leaves!





























What are your fave lip looks and products? Thank you for reading lovelies! xxx

Wednesday 21 March 2012

10 Healthy Eating Tips!

Hello girlies! I have always had an interest in healthy eating and go through phases of eating crazy healthy and eating crazy unhealthy haha! But the majority of the time I like to watch what I eat and I do notice a positive change in the way I look and feel when I do so. I don't let it take over my life but do like to make conscious decisions when I am food shopping and deciding what to eat. Here are some of my top tips for enjoying a healthy lifestyle!

































  1. 5 portions of fruit/veg a day. Yes I know we've all heard it a million times before but here is how I plan it to ensure I am actually getting all 5. 1 portion with breakfast (could be a chopped up banana over your cereal), 1 portion with lunch (maybe a large salad), 2 portions with dinner (veg such as carrots, broccoli, peas etc as part of your main meal), 2 portions as snacks throughout the day. Remember, 5 portions does not necessarily equal 5 pieces, for example a small satsuma is not classed as a portion so be careful!
  2. Swap white pasta, bread and rice for wholewheat! In my opinion it's yummier and makes sooo much difference to the bloat! If you want food babies to be a thing of the past bin the white carbs! Wholewheat has none of the crap the white stuff does and massively helps with your digestive system!
  3. Cut down on dairy. Or ensure your milk is skimmed and swap butter for low fat spread. Personally I've noticed a difference by cutting out dairy all together - I now use non dairy spread (the Vitalite brand) and soya milk. If you choose to do this however, be sure to get the soya milk with added calcium and eat lots of green veg to compensate for the calcium you were getting from dairy before!
  4. Allow yourself a cheat day (or two)! I find it sooo much easier to stay on track if I know I can eat that packet of crisps or doughnut in a few days time! I have the weekend as my cheat days where I allow myself to more or less eat whatever I like (within reason!!)
  5. Diet Tracker Apps! My Fitness Pal is a good app available on the iPhone which helps you track what you're eating throughout the day. I don't recommend calorie counting but this is a good way of keeping track of what you have eaten and helps you not over-eat! There are loads of apps like this and the majority are free! If these aren't available to you, starting a food diary is another good idea.
  6. Plan your meals in advance. If you work long hours or have a busy schedule it can be tempting to stick a ready meal in the microwave or order takeaway when you come home from work, knackered and pissed off! Buuut, this is when the pounds can pile on! If you plan what you're eating in advance (maybe decide Monday-Friday's meals at the weekend) and make sure all the ingredients are available to you it'll reduce the temptation to do this!
  7. Get your friends on board! If you have some friends who are also trying to be more healthy and you are able to encourage and motivate each other it will make it so much easier and maybe even a bit fun! You can have nights in experimenting with new healthy foods or juicing different fruits and choosing your favourite combinations! 
  8. Cut down on the booze! (Or choose it more wisely!) Alcohol is the DEMON when it comes to losing weight or just trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Not only does it land you with one hefty beer gut a sore head and an increased appetite the next day! If cutting down isn't an option for you, try to be more careful when picking your beverages. For example, a single vodka and red bull (or similar energy drink) contains a whopping 240 calories!! Mars bar anyone?! Whereas a single malibu and diet coke contains only about 52! You choose!   
  9. Cut out the condiments! Ketchup, mayonnaise, brown sauce, mustard etc all add extra empty calories! They also contain a load of salt and preservatives with aren't very kind to your tummy!
  10. Don't let it rule your life! If you really can't stop thinking about that Kit-Kat then eat it! Life is too short to stress yourself over the little things. Enjoy your life and don't let silly things like diet and food absorb you! It's all about finding the right balance and enjoying the things you eat! The longer you eat healthily the less you will crave the crappy foods so stick at it but don't let it piss you off!
I hope some of these tips were helpful! Please let me know any tips you have in the comments below! Thank you so much for reading! xxx

Image from http://www.weheartit.com

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Beauty DIY: Hair Mask

Morning girlies! I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that damaged, dry, frizzy, frazzled, dull, split hair is a daily battle that sometimes feels like will never be won! I have tried HEAPS of hair oils, serums, creams, sprays, none of which I could honestly say have made a considerable difference to the condition of my hair. However, I discovered this little nugget about a year ago on the internet and would definitely say it has helped to improve aspects of my damaged hair's condition. It also leaves it feeling the softest it has ever felt! So today I'm bringing you one of my favourite methods for making the dream of shiny, soft, and strong hair a reality and guess what?! Both ingredients for this dream can be found in your kitchen cupboard! 


What you will need for hair like this: (well no promises, but we can dream right?!)
1/2 cup mayonnaise (better if it's organic but doesn't matter too much)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (again organic is best)

All you need to do now is mix your ingredients together in a bowl and apply to the hair (dry)! I usually do it over a sink and with an old towel around my shoulders as it can be messy! After I've covered my complete head of hair I put a plastic shower cap on and leave for as long as desired. I find it works best if you apply the mask in the morning and leave it on for most of the day (only if you're not leaving the house haha). 

Now beware, the only downside to this mask is I absolutely cannot stand the smell. It isn't a really strong scent but I just hate the smell of mayonnaise - you may not mind it though! 

I hope this is useful to some of you! Please share your DIY hair care tips in the comments! xxx

Image from http://www.weheartit.com 

Monday 19 March 2012

What's In My Bag?!

Hey Lovelies! So I know the What's In My Bag blogpost/YouTube video is far from original and it seems every beauty girl on YT and every beauty blogger has done one but it is suuuch a popular one so I decided to jump on the bandwagon! Hope you don't mind!

Here is my bag. I purchased it from H&M last summer and I think it was around the £14.99 mark. Bargain and I love it! It's a gorge soft pinky/beigey leather (probably faux) with gold hardware. It has a popper closure and drawstrings which the second image demonstrates. However, I usually leave these open. It is just the right size for my ridiculous amount of crap and can also hold an A4 pad of paper for when I'm at uni!



What's in it then?!

  • Sat Nav
  • Fingerless gloves (H&M)
  • Hand sanitiser spray
  • Mini Soap and Glory body lotion that I use as hand cream on the go!
  • Mini Ghost perfume (I think it's Ghost Midnight or something?!)
  • 3 tins of Vaseline - (completely necessary?? haha) - Cocoa Butter, Rose & Original 
  • Biro
  • Mobile Phone - iPhone 3 (heap of crap, really want the iPhone 4s!!)
  • Travel toothbrush
  • 4 lipglosses and a lipstick 
  • 2 packs of half eaten chewing gum
  • Keys
  • Wallet and coin purse
  • Earphones
  • Black umbrella with pink hearts
So do you guys carry as much rubbish around with you as me?! Someone please tell me they also have 8 lip products in their bag as well so I don't feel like a complete freak haha.

Hope you enjoyed. Lots of love xxx

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Friday 16 March 2012

TAG: 11 Questions!

Thank you to the gorgeous Dyno of Dyno Pretty Pup Beauty Diary for tagging me!



The Rules
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus eleven questions for the people you have tagged to answer
3. Choose eleven people and link them in your tag
4. Go to their page and tell them
5. No tag backs
6. You legitimately have to tag

11 Things About Me
1. I study International Development Studies at uni.
2. I have 3 tattoos.
3. I dream of being married and having 3 beautiful babies one day :)
4. I am spending 2 and a half months in the summer volunteering in South Africa.
5. I LOVE Ibiza!
6. Desperate Housewives and Criminal Minds are my absolute fave TV programs!
7. My birthday is on Halloween.
8. I love baking cupcakes.
9. I wish I was more creative.
10. My dream man is someone who can make me laugh! (and if he looks like Ben Affleck that'd be an added bonus ;-)
11. My hair refuses to grow past a certain point and it's the bane of my life!

11 Questions To Me:
 1. If you have to choose only one makeup product to use what would it be?
Mascara! My eyelashes are very blonde so I look a bit weird without it!

2. What's your favourite makeup brand?
High end - MAC. Drugstore - Revlon. 

3. What's your cheapest yet most effective beauty tip?
Using olive oil and mayonnaise for a hair mask! Leaves your hair feeling amaaazing!

4. What's the make up trend you never understood?
Dark lip liner, nude lip gloss!

5. What's your favourite perfume at the moment?
Viktor & Rolf - Flowerbomb

6. If you could have any occupation in the world, what would it be and why?
CEO of an international development organisation - what I am studying to be! I literally have no desire to do anything else but work to reduce poverty in the 3rd world.

7. What is your guilty pleasure?
Crisps and TOWIE!

8. If money wasn’t an object, where would you go for a dream holiday/vacation?
Well I love Ibiza as previously stated and go there every year! But I'd love to go to a little exclusive Island in the Caribbean or somewhere!

9. Handbags or shoes?
Shoes shoes shoes!!

10. Lipstick or lipgloss?
Love them both but lipgloss.

11. What do you like about my blog and why? Let others know!
The reviews are really in-depth and helpful!

11 Questions from me!
1. What's your number 1 hair care tip?
2. How old were you when you started wearing make up?
3. What's your favourite thing about the place you live?
4. What famous person would you most like to look like and why?
5. What beauty item would you love to own but cannot justify the price?
6. What made you want to start blogging?
7. What's your favourite clothing store?
8. What's your least favourite food?
9. What's your biggest fear?
10. What is your best feature?
11. What are your favourite blog posts to read? (eg. ootd's, notd's, hauls etc)

The Tag-ees!

Thank you for reading! xoxo

Image from http://www.weheartit.com 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!


I just wanted to say a huuuuge thank you to all my beautiful followers!!! Today I reached 100 followers which I know to some is not a massive amount but to me it's amazing that there are 100 people out there who don't know me personally but enjoy reading my ramblings! It genuinely means soo much to me that you take the time to read my blog and comment, sharing tips or offering support. I get so excited every time I get a new follower or comment!

Thank you so much for everything you beauties! If I could come to each of your houses and bring you cupcakes I would! Please leave any requests in the comments below! I hope you all have beautiful weekends :-D xxxxx

Monday 12 March 2012

NOTD: Pastels and Gems

Hello lovelies! As you may be able to tell from the vast amount of nail of the day posts I have been writing recently I am loving painting my nails at the moment! I was feeling a bit experimental last night so decided to go for something a little different this time!

I used Essie's Lilacism to paint 8 of my nails which is a beautiful pastel lavender colour. I then painted my ring finger on my left hand with Barry M's Peach Melba and my pointer finger on my right hand with Barry M's gorgeous Mint Green. Then, not satisfied that my nails were quirky enough I did a kind of french tip design on the two accent fingers, but instead of using the conventional white polish I used nail gems instead! (Purchased from Superdrug for about £2 for 150.

What do you think? I know it won't be to everyone's taste but I think it's quite a nice change - very Spring/Summery!





Thank you for reading! Hope you are all having lovely days!
xxx

Friday 9 March 2012

£1 Lipstick!!

I have to admit, I am an absolute lipstick junkie! I blame this mostly on the copious amounts of YouTube videos and blogposts I watch and read everyday on the subject! When I worked full time nothing filled me with such joy as a new MAC lipstick in my collection (my favourites being Patisserie and Syrup). However, now I'm a full time student there is no way I can justify spending £13.50 on a lipstick :(. So you can imagine my joy when I discovered something that, in my opinion, rivals MAC lipsticks for a fraction of the price. £1 to be exact!! No that wasn't a typo. £1 £1 £1!!!!

MUA products are stocked in Superdrug stores and are available here and here. I have owned the famous Heaven and Earth eyeshadow palette for sometime now and use it everyday without fail. The colours and quality of the shadows are outstanding and I'd say definitely as good as MAC.

Anyway, on to the lippies. I bought two - shade 2 and shade 10. Shade 2 is a deep fuschia and shade 10 is an orange-toned red. Both look beautiful on the lips, both easy to apply, both long lasting and both feel moisturising. A big fat thumbs up from me! Sorry the picture quality isn't great and the two pictures of the product applied on my lips definitely do not do it justice!

Shade 2

Shade 10

Top: Shade 10 Bottom: Shade 2
Which are your fave MUA products?
Thank you so much for reading! xxx

NOTD: Peach Melba

Morning lovelies! Sorry it's the second NOTD post in a row but I am in LOVE with this polish! It's by Barry M and it's the gloriously beautiful Peach Melba. This is my absolute favourite spring/summer colour and is bang on trend with the latest pastel takeover!

Barry M does the most amazing array of polishes, from neons to glitters to crackles. You name it, Barry M will do it and all for a delightfully small price of £2.99 (RRP). They are stocked in Superdrug, Boots and on the Barry M website (link) if you are from the UK. If not however, don't fret! Asos stock a selection of products from the range too, which although is a UK website, does ship internationally! Hooray! Link here!

Like all the other Barry M nail paints I have tried (quite a huge amount!) this one applies evenly and easily and only takes two coats for a completely opaque finish. I completed the look with a bit of sparkle on my ring finger courtesy of NYC's 101A White Lights Glitter which I purchased last year in LA for about $2. Not bad at all! I then, as always, painted a layer of Sally Hansen's Mega Shine for a topcoat which I have to say was kind of expensive (around the £7 mark) and is just ok, nothing special at all!


I can't wait until I'm a bit more tanned as this looks amazing against a tan!
Thank you for reading beauties! xxx

Monday 5 March 2012

NOTD: Blue My Mind

Afternoon Petals! How is everyone? Today's NOTD post features one of my absolute favourite nail polishes in my collection - not just for colour but for consistency and versatility as well! I present to you Blue My Mind by H&M. The colour is a brilliant royal blue which I think can be worn all year long from Winter to Summer because it's a great fun colour but isn't too bright or crazy to wear in the colder months. Would you agree?

I bought the polish last summer from a H&M store for a measly £2.99! Not bad at all considering the quality! It goes on almost opaque in the first coat but I always do a second one just to be sure. It's also so easy to work with and has the right mix between being thick enough that it stays in place but not in any way gloopy.

I found what I'm sure is the same polish on the H&M website but the name has been changed to Something Blue. Here is the link. 


 What do you think? Do you enjoy it as much as me? What are you wearing on your nails at the mo?
Thank you for reading! Abi xx

Sunday 4 March 2012

Topshop Make-up: Sisters of the New Moon Collection

I have to confess I have only actually tried two products from the Topshop make-up range - I know, as a fashion and beauty blogger that's a disgrace! I've always been intrigued by it but thought for a make up range made my a company best known for its clothing it seemed a bit overpriced! Having said this, the nail polish (Treasure - a beautiful metallic bronze) and the lip liner (Blaze - a bright, daring red) that I do own are both really great quality and gorgeous colours.

Anyway, whilst trolling the internet tonight lusting over all the make up and fashion beauties that I want want want (!) but cannot afford :( I came across the new Topshop make up collection: Sisters of the New Moon. I must say the colours of the actual products don't immediately have me that fixated but I'll be sure to check it out next time I'm in store if not for anything else except that beautiful, eye-catching packaging! Exquisite! All products are available from here and prices range from £6.50 to £10 - not as bad as I initially thought!



Have any of you tried any of these new products? What did you think? Which are your faves?!
xxx  

My Picks: Pastel Blazers

Hello beauties. So as promised here are my picks of the pastel blazers the high street has to offer at the moment! I think the thing I love most about this style is the combination of classic, chic ladylike-ness and an 'of the moment' trend. I also love the versatility - these blazers would look lovely at a spring/summer wedding, BBQ, lunch date etc but I think you could also get away with them at the office too! Which is your favourite? I want them all!
1.2.3.4.5.6.

PS. What do you guys think of these kind of posts? As I haven't got a massive amount of spare dosh at the moment to spend on lovely new things to show you and review, I think these posts are a good way for me to still be able to show you what's out there and some of my faves. What do you think?
Thanks for reading! Hope you all had lovely weekends! xxx

Saturday 3 March 2012

TREND ALERT: Pastels

Afternoon lads and ladies! Happy Saturday! I don't know about anyone else but I am personally SO bored with winter now! I cannot wait until it's warm enough to justify maxi dresses and sandals! Another thing that has got me all excited for Spring are the gorgeous pastel colours I'm seeing on celebs and in all the new collections on the high street at the mo! I am especially loving the pastel blazer that seems to be popping up all over the place (post on that tomorrow)! Here are some of my top pretty pastel accessories!


1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.

Thank you for reading! xxx

Friday 2 March 2012

Spring 2012 Wishlist!

Hello everyone, long time no speak! So sorry for the lack of posts, can't believe it's almost been a year! My only excuse is a complete lack of inspiration but today I'm back with a look into some of my favourites from the high street for S/S2012! Enjoy!
1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.
What are your fashion faves of the moment?! xxx