Face of the evening: smokey eye and a nude lip

 

So the other night myself and my housemates put down our Uni books, closed our laptops and decided to hit the town for a booze-fuelled night. I went out of my comfort zone and opted for a new, slightly interesting hair-do, looking back, it probably wasn’t the brightest idea as my forehead looks the size of Russia, but you live and you learn, and in this case I definitely learnt. Anyway, below I have listed the products I used with their previous blog posts on my other blog, so you can get a more in depth review on them. As you can see I went for my signature Smokey eye using my trusty MUA eye palette, with a dewy base courtesy of healthy mix and a subtle nude lip. I find this to be a look I go for most often as its simple and effortless yet sultry with the deep Smokey eye, I usually go for a heavier eye but this night I decided to just do the lower lid and focus more on the highlight and base.

           products used( from left to right)

1. bourjois healthy mix- (to be reviewed)

2. Rimmel lipstick in ‘nude delight

3.Topshop ‘glow’

4. sleek contour kit

5.maybelline rocket mascara

6. eco tools brush

7.topshop blush and bronzer

8. MUA smokey palette

Face of the day: Natural eye with a pink lip

 

So last Thursday myself and my housemates went out for a very long over due nandos, as well as a few cocktails in the evening, so I took the opportunity to let you guys in on what I used on my face. So for foundation I used my new and probably all time favourite foundation, healthy mix… don’t really need to say much about this as its already been hyped about everywhere, however I believe I bought the newly formulated product, so what ever that has in it, is working a treat for my skin!  For highlight I used my beloved topshop glow cream highlight, this is great for that ultra dewy finish. For blusher I used my top shop cream blush in ‘head over heels’ which is a lovely peachy pink colour, and gives my cheeks a lovely healthy, flushed glow. I used my collection 2000 liquid eyeliner which is cheap and cheerful and does the job very well in deed- it’s also lasted me ages! For brows, I subtly used a light beige shade from my MUA brow palette again a great product for the cheap price tag. Mascara was my Clinique mascara, this was a tester from a complimentary pack, it is a good mascara, but compared to Maybelline’s rocket lash it just doesn’t cut the mustard, and last but most definitely not least, my lip tint from NYC, it leaves such great, bright pink colour all day long. So there you have it, my makeup for the evening!

 

More! is no more

Today, some devastating news broke out that weekly fashion and beauty magazine more! Has been suspended.  The bauer media announcement made its way on the website this morning, ‘The decision to suspend publication has regrettably been made with effect from this week’s issue, published on Tuesday, 23 April.’

For someone like myself, who has read more! for years, this news came as such a shock, throughout its 25 years, the magazine has touched, involved and given guidance to young woman, as well as brightening up our day. There has been a lot of grievance over the twittersphere, with many aspiring writers and readers sharing their views and memory’s of the magazine. Hollie-Anne Brooks, a writer and previous intern at the more! Office tweeted ‘Gutted to hear ‪@more magazine has come to an end. Thank you for every opportunity from the bottom of my heart.’

Along with the woeful news of the magazine releasing its final issue, the whole of the team, writers, editors, and graphic designers will lose their jobs, which is a tragedy. However, Former senior features writer, Abbie Pethullis tweeted ‘we are in the pub. Some things never change. Thanks xx’ which sheds a little hope and positivity for these talented writers.

‘The magazine has constantly evolved in order to remain relevant to its audience but continuing challenging economic conditions mean that the product is no longer viable’- bauer media. It’s a horrific time for print media and this suspension has just proven how precious the print industry is, and that in 3 years from now, everything could potentially be put online, which is a distressing thought for aspiring magazine Journalists.

FAQ- The Maine Hermit

Who is the Maine hermit?

The Maine hermit is a 47-year-old man, named Christopher knight who has been living in a wood in the northeastern state of Maine for the past 27 years. Christopher has not spoken to a single person since the 90’s and has lived his life in isolation for the most part of his life. He rarely left his camp, and when he did it was only ever to keep himself alive by stealing food.

How did he survive?

Christopher survived by stealing food and other supplies from local campsites and villages. He had created himself a cosy yet slightly desolate looking campsite, complete with a stove, bed and shelter. He was also thought to have stolen his clothes from locals. When the authorities asked him what he did to keep himself sane, he answered ‘reading, meditating and watching eagles.’

Who discovered him?

The local Authorities discovered his campsite on April the 9th; they described him as ‘clean shaven’ and wearing 80’s aviator style glasses. Christopher was later caught that day and has been arrested for stealing local frozen goods. Investigations are underway about his criminal history; he is thought to be responsible for over 1,000 burglaries, which a local game warden has discovered. The authorities apparently found it hard to locate his campsite as it was camouflaged so well amongst the trees and woodland growth.

What is his background?

Christopher vanished from his childhood home on pond road, for no apparent reason in 1984, when he was aged 19, and set up camp in the Maine woods. According to old school friends Christopher was an outcast at school, branded as the ‘quiet, bland, nerd’ he was never an active member of his high school years. His classmates never noticed his disappearance from school, and it was simply a case of ‘losing contact’.

Does he have a family?

Christopher’s relatives, including his mother Joyce, strangely still live on pond road, where he grew up, Its not yet been determined why his family did not question his disappearance. Since the story broke out, many old neighbours and peers of Christopher have been questioned, however none have said to know him or his background at all well.

What are the locals views on him?

For years the locals have been investigating a number of break in’s and stolen food, many have evidence of seeing Christopher at night walking through the woods and around the local area, but did not question it. After stealing food and various supplies from his fellow neighbours, his arrest has been one, which local wardens and victims will be celebrating. Some locals knew about the ‘north pond hermit’ but never questioned his motives, actions or whereabouts, they just simply knew he was there. Jodie Mosher-Towie, newsletter writer and board member of the North Pond association, has been talking with neighbours about the “north pond hermit” for the past 20 years, “It’s just weird how it’s always been that way — we’ve just always known about the hermit.”

What lies for him in the future?

Christopher knight has been arrested by the Maine state police for various thefts and bulgarie’s, it is unclear what will happen in the near future, obviously he will have to undergo a trial and it will be interesting to see if any more neighbours or old friends of Christopher come out with more information on him. Christopher will obviously find it difficult to get back into civilization and sparking up a conversation will become a true horror for him.

My top 4 affordable SPF moisturisers

Its no secret within the beauty world that using an SPF throughout summer, and sometimes all year round is paramount to keeping the skin looking and feeling its best. It’s the secret ingredient for keeping your skin out of harms way and looking youthful for longer, no one wants those pesky wrinkles in their 20’s. For me, using an SPF is such an important factor within my skincare routine, and one that I’ve abided by throughout most of my teens.

I tend not to use one over the winter months, I mainly just focus on using an SPF over spring and summer. I’ve rounded up my top 4 SPF moisturisers for you, for this spring/summer, all of which are under the price of £15.00 so are highly affordable. They are varied in SPF, from 15 to 30 depending on the weather, and skin type.

I’m going to go through the 4 in order of how good they are, so 1 being the ultimate favourite.

4. Rosaliac UV legere SPF15–  This moistursier has served me well over these cold winter months, it has a very thick consistency and keeps the skin feeling moistursied all day long. It claims it soothe and calm redness on the skin, however I find this to be a little untrue, as to be honest I cant see any change, however in terms of moisture and a base for makeup, this is a great buy.

 3. Super drug naturally radiant, SPF 15 moisturiser– this cheap and cheerful product is such a great SPF cream, it claims to leave a radiant and brightening glow, and boy does it prevail. My skin looks so dewy and fresh after using this, and it is such a great base for makeup, however it hasn’t made my top 2 because sometimes it can seem a little too oily, Maybe I just picked up the wrong type, but it can leave me with a bit of a shine later in the day.

2. Avene Hydrance SPF 20– this avene moisturiser is divine, with a rich and creamy consistency is slicks over the face and leaves my skin feeling fresh and soft to touch. A little goes a long way with this as its so thick, however the only downside is that the cream is a little white, being an SPF sometimes the ‘white face’ sun cream look can take effect, so this needs to be rubbed in the skin well to ensure no white patch’s on the skin, other than this, its a great moisturiser for spring/summer.

1. Body shop, vitamin C moisturiser SPF 30- This is a moisturiser I predominantly and prematurely bought for the summer months, however I have tried and tested it, and it already has become my favourite moisturiser of all time, with an SPF of 30, its perfect for protecting the skin and feeling amazing as well. The scent is so fresh and citrusy, the lotion smooth’s into the skin so nicely, and leaves a soft and dewy finish. This is priced at £12.00, which I consider a bit of a bargain for such a great product. Also if you go on voucher codes you can get a 25% off voucher for every purchase 🙂

Make your starbucks favourite at home

It’s definitely no secret that I am a huge coffee lover, however after drinking copious amounts of your average Latte, I wanted to try something different with a more exciting and enjoyable taste.

I first discovered the delights of coffee syrups in my first year of university, when venturing out to various coffee shops including the main favourites Starbucks and Costa. The smooth delicate taste of a Latte with a pump of syrup was delectable, and since that day I have never yet purchased an ordinary coffee.

With Starbucks offering the festive favourites including the famous ginger bread latte and the sweet and sumptuous toffee nut, as well as other types of syrup including caramel, hazelnut and almond, you are spoilt for choice and deciding on a flavour really is quite a challenge when at the counter.

After spending quite a lot of my time (and money) in Starbucks I decided to have a go at creating my own, and in the comfort of my own home. I was bought the festive ‘toffee nut’ syrup for christmas, at the very affordable price of £5.99 it has been greatly worth it, I can now enjoy the pleasures of a flavoured latte in my own living room and without paying the high price.

Topshop cream blush in ‘head over heels’

Topshops Cream Blush in ‘Head over Heels’

After trying, testing and feeling slightly let down by the pigmentation of Revlon’s cream blush, I decided to venture out a bit further and try a cream blush from top shops makeup collection. Now top shop is known for its highly pigmented makeup, and I know that many other beauty writers will have already raved about this product, however I feel that it needs maybe one more review to big it up.

I bought this blush in the colour ‘head over heels’ which is a very pink toned blush with a hint of coral, it comes across quite bright in the packaging however on the cheek it gives of more of a flushed healthy finish rather than a nasty streak of red. This product is very pigmented, which is a pro as you only need to dab a little on the apple and then sweep up the cheek bone, it will also last you a long time if you do this.

One downside I’ve noticed form cream blushes however, is they seem to go very dirty, as you may see from the picture above the cream collects a sort of ‘dust/dirt’ if you like. I find that cream blushes work best when you apply with just your fingers, however this seems to attract dirt into the product, so if anyone knows of another way to apply (I tried a brush but that just doesn’t work) please let me know. Overall a fab product, I will probably pick up another shade in the near future, as they also had a lovely peach colour, which would be fab for spring/summer.