Make Up Q&A

When I saw that Lacey had posted this I just had to do my own version! Love these sorts of posts. 


1. What’s your favourite eye shadow colour to wear? Not an eyeshadow as such but I pretty much wear the Collection 2000 Glam Liner in number 3 Funk everyday. An entire lid covering would be a MAC Paint Pot. 

2. What’s the one product you wouldn’t leave your house without? Lipbalm, I hate dry lips! 


3. What’s your favourite makeup look? Black cat flick eyes - they really open up your eyes. 

4. Which feature do you play up the most? Eyes, I really think eyes make the face. 


5. Which feature do you try to downplay/cover up? My pores, they're aren't bad but I wish I had doll like skin. 

6. Your favourite makeup brand, if you could pick only ONE to exist? MAC 

7. Which product have you re-purchased OVER and OVER again? I tend to buy different products to try so never really stick to the same. However Avon lipgloss, I've been using for about 8 years. Ticks all the boxes and I get through so many tubes. 

8. Which product would you NEVER repurchase again and why? Rimmel nail polish, chips after only a few hours. 

9. One beauty treatment you would always PAY to have done? Eyelash extensions or (maybe) fake tan. 

10. One beauty treatment you would NEVER pay to have done? Nails - so many good products on the market now to do your own. I've seen salon routines ruin too many girls nails and I think they look pretty vulgar in all honesty. Shop bought false nails are more realistic and you're more likely to know the products/chemicals going on your nails. 


11. One beauty trick you can share with everyone? Not sure I have one! Always be comfortable with the products you wear. 

12. Best advice you've ever been given regarding beauty and makeup? Always remove all make-up at night and cleanse, tone and moisturise.  


I also did the "My Life in Make-Up" tag post, which you can find here.  

Sunday Summary #23

Can't believe this is my 23rd Sunday Summary post, plus its my age! My boyfriend has been away this week on a lads holiday to Malaga. I have missed him so much! He's back tomorrow and I can't wait to squeeze him. I spent my day off work with my best friend and her baba. At almost two and a half she is amazing, the things she says are hilarious. Although she is definitely pushing the boundaries and being cheeky. She's always been fascinated by my nails ever since she was tiny, and she told me they were "sparkly" and kept touching them. I was amazed she even knew the word! After a busy day of park, rain, walks, two viewings of the Gruffalo and a trip to Asda me and my bestie had the evening to ourselves. Pizza, salad, wine gums and Rolos. Had such a good time and got to give her the birthday present I'd got her. She's older then me at 31 but we get on like a house on fire, and she put it perfectly when she said we are like sisters.
Spent the majority of my evenings tidying my room, reading and watching tv/films. Got the spring clean bug in me. Spent today rearranging my dvds, throwing out old magazines and sorting clothes for keep/return. Lots of other little parts of my room I want to clear out but got a week off work in mid July so might do it then if not before.
My phone contract upgrade date came up on Wednesday but I had been so split about whether to stay with BlackBerry or go with iPhone I left it. My boy said he'd help me when he got home, but I am swaying towards the iPhone. I really want Instagram as I love taking photos and the effects look amazing. I'm not keen on touchscreen phones but all the Android ones are touchscreen so I haven't much choice if I want a bigger selection of apps. However although I can do it online if I want to keep my number I'll have to go into store, so will take my boy with me. Hate the way some phone sales people are so pushy, I know that's their job but if a customer says no or has already told them that's not what they want they should listen.
Any advice, please comment below, on how to tackle such sales people or to vote BlackBerry or iPhone, feel free!

 Primark goodies from Mum: "Converse" and passport holder & luggage tag. Neon jumper anyone? Butterfly wing print dress. Dipped hem Tropical dress. Daisy earrings. New wall art. Harry Potter & The Philosophers Stone. Cashew nuts are my favourite. My weather. The boys weather. Sunday lunch :) Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets.

Couldn't believe I found a neon jumper in Primark! They are also doing ombred jumpers too, very fast on the following of other high street stores hmm. The butterfly wing print dress was so unusual I had to get it, looks huge on the photo but is a 12. I sized up as Primark are difficult with sizes but its a bit big for me so not sure what to do. Couldn't resist the dip hem dress, so pretty. Can't wait to wear it! Watching all the Harry Potter films from the start as I usually watch my favourites which are the later ones. I've started reading more and might blog about it. I will re-read the Harry Potters eventually, been saying for years I will! Really glad my boy isn't here, the England game is far too tense. Been flicking occasionally between the game and Radio One's Hackney weekend but as the game goes on I'm flicking more!
Hope you've all had good weeks. I've got a four day week at work this week so hopefully I can have more photos to share haha.

My Dressing Table/Beauty Storage

I find these type of posts fascinating. I love the way everyone has different ideas and ways of storing their make-up. My little system has been in place for a good few years now with little changes along the way and really works for me. Its allowed me to continue growing my collection while not having to keep buying bigger storage although I have just bought a bigger everyday make-up case.
 For years I've lusted after one of those expensive metal vanity cases, the ones that are like suitcases and open out with about eight trays. The type that a make-up artist would cart about. The reason I never got one was because I didn't really have the space on my floor to keep it and they aren't the prettiest. I have the girliest bedroom with powder blue and lilac walls with white and silver ascents. My carpet is purple and I have an abundance of duvet covers in pinks, lilacs, purples, floral and heart prints. A few years ago I found a small clear plastic vanity case in the New Look sale with make-up inside the trays. I hoofed it all out and donated it to charity and filled it with my everyday make-up essentials. I then purchased a storage system from WHSmith to store items such as lipstick, lipgloss, eyeshadows and new products. I was really struggling in recent months with my vanity case as I have too much everyday make-up it was just too small. On my week off from work recently I made a trip to the Range and found a craft storage box that was perfect for my needs.

Last weekend I finally got around to moving all my make-up around. I got rid of so much old and unused make-up and feel much happier with my system. Plus my darling boyfriend kindly bought me a lipstick holder :)

So this is my everyday make-up storage:

 This box lives on the opposite side of my room to be dressing table. I sit in front of the mirror (I have mirror wardrobes running the length of my back wall) closest to the window.

 The top part has my tweezers, face primers, lip butters, mac prep + prime lip, mac prep
+ prime eye and a few other random bits - lipgloss, high beam glamour freebie (last summer), body shop glitter roller and collection 2000 loose eyeshadow pot.

 The middle tray holds my "long" items as it has five sections that are the perfect length. The first section I have two Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoos and Mac Bare Study Paint Pot. The second section has a nude lip liner, Barry M lip crayon and Avon lipglosses. The third section has my favourite Collection 2000 Glam Crystals liners and an Avon and H&M versions. The fourth section has eye pencils, new Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer and clear mascara for brow taming. The last section has Glamour freebie Eye Bright and Bad Gal pencils and L'Oreal Lash Renewal serum.

The bottom compartment is my face products. I have loads of foundation samples in the corner, several powders, blushes, highlighers, foundations, Garnier BB cream, brushes, in use mascaras and eyelash curlers.

Just inside the wardrobe door where I sit to do my face, I keep my most used moisturisers and face cleaning products.

I also have a couple of MAC Paint Pots in here from the Glitter and Ice collection with my Maybelline Gel liner. I use Simple eye make up remover and baby lotion for my eyes. I love the Garnier milk cleanser but don't stick to a regular toner. My skin seems better when I change regularly and although I don't have teenage skin I still use Clean + Clear regularly. It makes my skin feel squeaky clean and could be why its clear now. My two other regular toners I use are Garnier (variety of choice for skin types) and the Neutrogena Blackhead eliminating one.

This is my dressing table:

Along with my bird cage and trinket boxes for jewellery, candle holders, candles I have my big WHSmith storage drawers, a small metal 3 drawer system and a basket of toiletries. 

 The top metal drawer has some new, unopened mascaras. I always buy them on offer and its handy to have some on hand as I'd always forget to buy a new one and just continue using my old dry one.

 The middle drawer holds some Collection 2000 loose eyeshadows and some Glam Liners in colours I don't wear often. The bottom drawer is my Barry M Dazzle Dusts, which again I don't really use. I should as I have some really pretty colours.

 The basket holds my deodorant and some body sprays and perfume. Also have a Lynx body spray for my boy. On top of the storage drawers I have a mirror jewellery box, Paperchase pen pot holding make-up brushes (in their packaging because I hate dust) and my lipstick holder <3 

This is my lipstick holder. I love it so much! I've put my favourite lipsticks in, as you can see most are MAC haha.
The drawers inside my storage contain the following:

 Mostly eye products, such as new gel liners, no7 liners, the gold collection 2000 liner I always wear and some eye crayons.

 All lip care products with several body shop lip butters and nivea sticks as they are my favourites and what I get through really quickly.

 A drawer entirely of lipgloss. Working for Avon means I end up with so many products from them so most of the lipglosses in here are Avon. Having said that I get on really well with Avon lipglosses. They are the perfect consistency and don't taste horrible like some I've had. Plus Avon's lipglosses always have excellent glitter/shimmer which is what I want from them.

 This middle drawer holds eyeshadows, but I rarely wear eyeshadow. I have a few MUA palettes, Bourjois Paris LE pots, 17 pots and I have quite a few of the 17 trio pots.

 This is my lipstick drawer which is pretty much full which is why I was so chuffed about the lipstick holder. The grey box is actually from the Opticians my Mum works for. She's got me several of these boxes and they are so handy for storing make up and hair bits in.

 This one has a few new lipglosses and lipsticks.

The bottom drawer holds more bulky items, mirrors and new powder, face products and my blushes.

So that is everything! Such a long post but so much to show if I was to do it properly. I love the way I've set it up and although I dream of having endless drawers I can't keep track of everything I have now and it would just let me buy even more to fill the drawers!

Mint Dream

The weather is all over the place at the moment. Monday was overcast and grey. Tuesday was bright and sunny with blue skies. Wednesday was very hot, too hot for work and made me absolutely desperate to wear a maxi dress or a summer dress or a bikini or shorts or just anything summery haha. Today was grey, dark and pouring with rain. Got soaked on my way into work regardless of my huge union jack cage umbrella. In my haste to get to work (the rain always affects the traffic and puts me on the drag) stood a bit too close to a crossing and a car splashed up a puddle onto my shoes. Had to change them when I got into work and put the soggy ones on the radiator. The middle of the day brightened and then when I left work, back to downpour. Its now blowing a gale outside and very black. Honestly for June this is ridiculous!

Anyway regardless I opted for some sparkley nails to brighten my days, My boyfriend is currently enjoying 32 degree weather in Malaga and I would love to be there with him, on the beach, soaking up the rays.

 please excuse the scrape on my finger, no idea how i got it! 

barry m 304 mint green and models own juicy jules 

Such a cute combo. Juicy Jules is absolutely amazing for sparkling in the light, and I love wearing it. If you are only going to own one Models Own polish: make it Juicy Jules!

Hayfever: My Story

I've wanted to do this post for a while now. I know a lot of people suffer with hayfever and it has taken me years to finally get to a stage where I feel like I'm not defenseless and I don't have to put up with the hell of living with hayfever. I went through years of suffering, unable to find any medication that worked. I've now found what works for me, and it may work for other people, or a different combination, or just one product could be the magic one for you.

During my GCSE years the medicine I was taking made me so drowsy, I would be very close to falling asleep during lessons and always, always, always fell asleep when I got home from school. In the summer of my GCSE exams I really suffered. The exams were usually held in the largest gym, which was on the fields surrounding my school. It got very hot inside and often the fire exits and doors were open. I'd sit and try not to sneeze for fear of making noise. But it would make my nose run constantly, but I'd be terrified to sniff. The pollen really affects my throat and so it would be dry and make me cough. Again I'd be petrified of making a sound. By trying to contain the coughing, it would make me really hot and sweaty and not in a state at all to take an exam! It was hell but I didn't have a way of making myself more comfortable during them so I struggled on. I finally went to the doctors after I'd left high school and was in sixth form. They always start you off on the weakest drug and if it doesn't work you have to keep going back (an NHS cost effective system I found out). I went through the entire stock of medicine available and nothing worked. The next summer I then tried high street medicines again. I was starting to see a surge in the media on remedies and products. The market was growing with cures and I needed to find something that worked. For a few summers I used tablets, although I can't remember which ones now but most likely everything on the market.

My hayfever usually runs from February to August, so I am a long term sufferer as most people only get it for three month periods during the height of the pollen season, July being the worst month for most.
Two years ago I got the most sore throat in the world around March time. Nothing soothed it and it was agony. I tried everything from hot tea, to cold drinks, to ice lollies, drinking endless amounts of water and anything else I could think of. It hurt to swallow and made me feel dreadful. It varied day to day and I could never work out a reason why some days were much worse than others. I felt tired constantly and would fight off falling asleep pretty much all day. I eventually went to the doctors who was so baffled put me in for tests on all sorts of things, but he suspected it could be that I was anaemic. Frustratingly all my tests came back clear and so I was back at square one. One day my Mum brought me Piriton syrup home as my hayfever was bad and my tablets weren't working. They advise you to change your medication year to year with hayfever and I needed a change. Amazingly the syrup cleared my sore throat! I'm now pretty much 100% certain it was pollen aggravating my throat. I never found out why I felt so tired but it is a symptom of hayfever and I guess I was suffering badly that year.

Last summer came around and although my medication was working, it was still wasn't to a level where my hayfever no longer affected my day to day living. My symptoms include: endless sneezing, running nose (which if I blow my nose, the tissue fibres aggravate my nose and I sneeze again, vicious circle), cough, headaches, tiredness, itchy eyes, irritable eyes, dry eyes, dry throat, thick mucus in my nose and chest in the morning when I wake, wheezy chest and blocked nose. I'd also been walking to and from work since February but had to stop in May time as I was getting terrible chest pains. The doctor advised me to stop walking as I was breathing the pollen deeply into my chest and it was causing the pains.
I saw in a newspaper a little gadget designed for hayfever sufferers claiming it was all you needed to beat those pollen demons. It retailed at £39.99 but the raving reviews meant I had to get one.

 Lloyds Pharmacy Allergy Reliever LINK Lower price now

This did not work overnight. I managed to use this three times a day (you must leave six hours between uses) and as if by magic one day I noticed my hayfever wasn't as bad. The way this little miracle works is when you place the prongs into your nostrils (very attractive) and press the start button a red light comes on. There is a timer so once complete the light will go out and the gadget releases a series of beeps to indicate the end of the cycle. It uses dual wavelength photo-therapy with the first wavelength improving blood flow and circulation and the second wavelength suppressing the cells that release histamine. This will reduce the inflammation and irritable symptoms of hayfever. Seriously I cannot rave about this product enough, just reading the reviews for this backs up my approval as it seems it has worked for so many other people.

This summer came around and I started use of my allergy reliever about February time, but when the poor weather hit and continued I got lazy and stopped using it. The past week I have paid for this mistake. My hayfever has been unbearable to the extreme. As soon as I step out of my house my eyes want to close and feel irritated and itchy. My nose runs, I can't stop sneezing and I feel awful. In desperation in town last week I bought a new brand of medication which is helping but until I get my use of my reliever up I won't feel myself for a few weeks.

These are the products that are now working for me, in combination use:

 l-r: Piriton syrup, Galpharm tablets, Hay Max nasal balm, Optrex Itchy eyes drops, nasal spray (prescription)

I can't take the syrup and tablets on the same day but will change depending on my throat. The eye drops are a life saver and have been an essential in my life for years now. They really help when my eyes are itching or when I get pollen in them. Pollen makes my eye swell up and form a bubble on the surface, this is the only thing that will get rid of it. I haven't been able to find a cure for the irriation that occurs when I remove my eye make-up. Without fail it makes my eyes bloodshot and unbearably itchy. Although the eye drops calm it down I wish I didn't have it every night. Some people may suggest I don't wear make-up during the summer. Firstly I would rub my eyes during the day if I didn't have make-up on and they'd get in a terrible state. And secondly make-up is quite important to my appearance particularly at work and as I work five days a week, its not really do-able. I use nasal spray on and off, mainly because when I do use it, it makes me nose run because it smells like pollen and then I have to blow it so surely blowing the spray back out. The Hay Max balm is another one I wouldn't be without nowadays. When it was first released it was very elusive. A year or two later Superdrug and Boots finally stocked it and I went slightly overboard and bought about five. They're all used up now and this is  my new one. The price has come down to about £5 now which is good.

 As you can see its a little like Vaseline. Its a clear balm that you put on the inside of your nose to stop pollen going up. My only bugbear with this, is when I blow my nose, this needs to be re-applied.

A considerably long post but if I could help somebody else find their cure or at least some products to ease their hayfever this will be worth it. Its definitely a case of trial and error to find what works for you, and I've learnt different things work for different bodies. I would say though that the allergy reliever has to be the very best invention ever. I think I have quite a bad case of hayfever as I can't even wear floral perfumes and if anyone is near me wearing one I have to move away. I'm glad I've reached a point now where I know what works for me and I can pass it on.
A tail end for this post is two products worth mentioning as it is the summer after all and I have been suffering terribly with bites. Calamine lotion is a god send for itchy bites but as I began wearing less clothes in the heat I couldn't walk around with the white splodges this leaves on your skin. So I found the bite and sting cream and although sometimes this makes your itches itch more, it does work. I keep my cream in its box as the tube is one of those metal type ones that if you squeeze just slightly when you take the lid off loads of cream starts coming out, so the box protects it when its being lugged about in my handbag and crushed by all manor of items.

If you've read this far, thank you. I hope this post has helped in someway.

Inside Your Love

My boy asked me the other day why I hadn't done any nail posts recently. It was so sweet he'd noticed. Anyway the reason is I've been pretty boring with my nails, either all the same colour and nothing else or it's a colour I've blogged about before. And I don't want to graze over old ground. So I decided it was time to get creative again and do something interesting on my nails.

Models Own: Lilac Dream, Soda Pop Pink and Smash-Up Black
I painted my ring finger and thumb nails pink and the other three lilac. I then used Smash-Up to create the crackle effect followed my a clear top coat. I love the Models Own crackle, I'd only used Barry M ones before and they aren't a patch on Models Own. I was lusting after a lilac shade while shopping in town on Friday but didn't buy one. Just as well as I have Models Own Lilac Dream. On a very happy update my local Topshop is finally stocking a little of the make up brand. If you've followed my blog for a while you'll have noted my frustration at only being able to get the make up range out of town or online. I prefer shopping in person for such items. They only have nail polishes at the moment but I am hopeful they will stock more. They had a lilac shade in Topshop and I so very nearly bought it!
I bet once the sunshine comes out I'll be more creative as I love wearing glitter during the summer because it catches the light so well. Here's hoping...
My blog post title is inspired by the Delilah track. Her voice is insane, almost slightly Adele at the start of this song. Plus it reminds me of my boy <3.