e.l.f Review

   I think I have enough e.l.f products now to do a little review on them all. I'll work my way through face, eyes and lips and just give you a little honest review on them all and a rating out of five. 

Face

First of all I have my Kabuki face brush. I love this little brush, it was my first kabuki I brought. It doesn't shed it's hair, which I find some e.l.f brushes do. It blends blusher and bronzer out really nicely and is great for powder too. 4/5

My mineral face cleanser is next. I love this. I have sensitive skin and the fragrance doesn't affect it at all. A lot of people have said it's a vile smell but I actually don't mind it. I even use it instead of moisturizer sometimes because it leaves my face so soft. 4/5 

The blush with a brush.. what a waste of money. It's really pigmented but it's glittery, it doesn't last and it has a powdery look. Well...it was cheap. It's a very soft blue-based pink, but with glitter. Not shimmer. You will find specks of it on your face even when blended out. It also doesn't last long as I hardly saw any color after just a few hours. 1/5

Eyes

My studio line single eye shadow in raspberry truffle.. what another disappointment. The colour is quite pigmented, but way too much fallout. I like to use this over black eyeliner to smudge it out and it looks nice. The packaging is ok. I don't think I could recommend this to anyone, and I highly doubt I will ever run out. 3/5

The essential eyelid primer is so affordable! The only issues I had is that there was a lot left over in the tube that you can't get out. Also the product is a little greasy by nature. Not too bad though. 4/5

The eye enhancing shadow for blue eyes, (no, I don't have blue eyes, mine are tri-coloured so everything looks good on them) Just say no. This shadow is way too chalky, and has no pigment. The packaging is great, but that's not what I'm paying for....or maybe it was. 1/5

My eyebrow stencil kit is great. I have some stencils in another brand but I never liked the shapes - I wanted more of an arch to my brows. I put my favorite shape up to my brow and combed my brows up through the stencil. When I removed it, I could see where I needed to tweeze, but I penciled in my brows just to be sure of where I was going. My brows without powder/pencil are a bit sparse now, but with my brow products they look great. In the words of a dear friend, never underestimate the power of a strong brow! 5/5

Lips

Lip primer and plumper. Like every women, I like a full pout and while my lips aren't thin, I occasionally like a little extra volume.The plumper has a mild cinnamon scent when I initially applied it, I thought "What a con" it's not doing anything but the plumping sneaks up on you. within about 2 mins my lips were lightly swollen. Not so much bee stung more like excess making out with your stubbled honey (along with some slight redness). Nothing uncomfortable or painful and the look was exactly what I was going for.. I then tried to apply the primer which down right sucks. It's too creamy boarding on oily and just moves around your lips. You actually wipe off more in application then you apply. And what little stayed on my lips only made them look dry. If you're in the market for a cheap plumper and you don't have dry/sensitve lips then I totally recommend this otherwise save your money. 2/5

Jewels and Accessories

This post is a little more on the fashion side of my blog, and it is all about my favourite jewels and accessories. This was originally a tag on YouTube but I thought I'd make it into a blog post and add a twist, I'll also show you which items I'd like to pick up soon.. so let's get started.

Necklaces:

My favourite: A hand-me-down cross pendant that used to belong to my dad. 

Wish List: ASOS necklace. It's a golden chain with a tiny inverted triangle. It's just a little different and so dainty.  

Rings:

My favourite: A big crystal flower ring from Accessorize. It's definitely a statement ring. It's silver with individual crystals as petals.

Wish List:I want a yellow gold statement ring like this one from mycullinan with the amethyst in the middle. I like it because it's costume jewelry style. 

Earrings:

My favourite: A pair of flat gold hoops from Topshop. They're just simple, and if worn right, don't look like they should be paired with a tracksuit!

Wish List: Some simple rose gold square champagne stone studs. Just to finish an all black outfit.

Scarf:

My favourite: A bright pink snood from River Island. It has patches of 'gauze' (I think it is) and it's just really cute and warm when you bring it up to your nose. 

Wish List: This River Island over sized silk tiger scarf.

Hat:

My favourite: Just a plain blue beanie from Topshop. It finishes a more casual outfit, and I wear it a lot playing sports or walking the dog.

Wish List: This counts as a hat.. right? It's a cat mask, Christmas is coming, and Christmas brings Christmas parties.. dress up time.. this is H&M by the way.

xx

October Favourites | Monthly Favourties

I'm starting to get into the swing of doing these every month now.. let's jump right into it. 

1. Goody Start Style Finsh Ceramic Round Brush

This hair brush was recommend to me by my hairdresser as she uses it when I have my hair blow dried and I am so glad I purchased it. I got the 33mm barrel. It leaves my hair sleek and shiny and it wasn't too pricey either.

2. Freederm Cleanser

I have loads of cleansers because I'm always on the look out for something new and that works miracles. So far I'm really enjoying this one. It helps fight blackheads which I suffer from quite a lot and completely clears my pores too. 

3. No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator

Like my cleanser obsession, I also collect exfoliators. No7 is really good for cheaper skin care so on a trip to boots I popped over to the skincare aisle and pick this little bad boy up for eight pounds! Works pretty well too. 

4. Eucerin DermatoCLEAN Clarifying Toner

Whilst I'm banging on about skincare routines, I might as well tell you folks about my favourite toner I have been using. I'd never heard of the brand Euercin before.. and I still don't know much about it. What I do know though is that I love their toner!

5. bareMinerals Best in Sass Lip Trio

Love, love, looooove this lip trio. You get two lipglosses - 'Spark Plug' & 'Rule Breaker' (both nude shades) and a 'Make Your Move' lipstick which is also a lovely nude colour. 

6. Nailene 200 Full Cover Nails

I get too lazy to always go to my manicurist so I brought this MASSIVE pack of 200 false nails, just so I can stick them on when I fancied a change. These are all clear so I can paint them any colour I like! They last about 4 days each so that's not too bad. The glue's really good too.

7. OPI on Collins Ave.

This coral colour is bright, it's punchy and it's very very christmas-y.

8. Collection Bronze Me Instant Tan

This bronzer is fantastic for pale skin! It's extremely buildable, has only a very subtle sheen, and washes right off without staining the skin. It doesn't feel oily or clog my pores, so if you have oily skin or acne, this is a good one. I actually use this for contouring and to give a subtle tan in a fraction of the time. It doesn't have an orange tint at all, and when properly blended, doesn't look at all streaky, so if you're someone who wants to save time on tanning, such as if you're attending a party last minute,or if you're a tanning virgin, this will be a fantastic starting point for you if tanning is out of your comfort zone.

9. Sleek Be Beautiful Blemish Balm

This BB cream has great coverage, and it feels quite light on the skin. 

10. YSL Candy Volupte Lipstick - No7

I am an addict to lipsticks/balms and have tried high end and high street brands in search for the perfect blend of colour and moisture. This lipstick is gorgeous it has enough colour and leaves your lips soft with a nice sheen! i use this everyday and am keen to try the different shades! Plus the packaging looks really luxurious!

Detoxing And Cleansing | Fitness & Food

Occasionally I do a low-key detox. Sometimes I'll just cut out processed sugar, simple carbs, caffeine and alcohol for a couple week, and other times I'll do a three to five day cleanse, consuming only juices and vegan, raw food. Doing a cleanse is a great way to give your digestive system a break and recharge your mind. If you're going to do a detox, be responsible about it. Make sure you get the calories and nutrients you need. Make sure you're prepared. It's important to eat healthily before doing a cleanse, and the same applies after you finish one.

Eating Right | Fitness & Food

I used to eat way too much. I used to eat terrible things. I really didn't know enough about food, so I relied on things that were processed and often frozen. I never had any energy, I didn't feel good, I didn't look good either. So I started to read books about proper diet, learned more about nutrition, asked pointed questions of my doctors, eventually I got myself back on track. When we're young, we usually have the metabolism to support some pretty bad habits, I've definitely noticed that as I've gotten older I need to pay closer attention to what I eat. Dessert every night? Not anymore. 

   Eating healthfully consistently takes preparation and forethought and can be really difficult, unless you live in the center of a farm market, foodie town or happen to have a extensive vegetable garden to hand. As one of the few things in life that's within our control, deciding what to eat can quickly become an obsession. Whilst I absolutely think that mindful consumption is the way to go, you're only setting yourself up for failure if you try and be healthy all the time. I aim for 75% super healthy, 20% decent and 5% naughty and figure that those sorts of odds still put me ahead.

   I try to resit fad diets. I don't believe in them. If it's important, for health reasons, that you lose weight, chose an approach that's actually a lifestyle - one the feels fully and happily maintainable. You need to find the patience to slowly whittle your waistline down. Don't rush to shed the weight in record time.

   In the last few years I have taken an interest in types of foods I put into my body and the effect they have in my body. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what foods are essential and whether things such as gluten are going to kill you in your sleep - it's often so excessive that you can read an article or see a documentary and think 'is there anything safe to eat?'. While I definitely focus on a narrower range of foods, I try not to drive myself insane with food paranoia. 

   There is no universally perfect diet - we all react to different foods, different ways, so the best way to find out what works is to try new things. Try eating a salad with dinner more often or cut out processed sugar, or make an effort to drink water instead of fizzy drinks. Changes like this can have a big impact on you overall health. Now that I've trained my body to crave good foods, I don't want the bad as much anymore. I honestly crave vegetables. I don't drink coffee with milk and sugar anymore.

Beauty Power Foods and Vitamins 

Those rumors that B vitamins strengthen and lengthen your hair, that vitamin E improves the health of your nails, and vitamin A makes my skin look healthier and younger? In my experience, this is all true. There are a host of power foods that provide all sorts of antiaging, skin-energizing results. These foods are the most expedient and natural way to introduce vitamins into your system - you can take supplements, certain vitamins are toxic if you take too many, so it's best to let your body draw what it needs out of foods you eat. See below a table of where to find such vitamins. 

NUTRIENT	WHAT IT’S GOOD FOR	WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT
VITAMIN A	Gives you dewy, even-toned skin and a healthy scalp. It also helps you maintain your eyesight.	Cantaloupe, grapefruit, apricots, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, kales, spinach, pumpkin, eggs.
VITAMIN B	Prevents your skin from becoming too oily and decreases breakouts. B Vitamins also boost your metabolism and can help improve the quality of skin, hair and muscle tone.	Bananas, poultry, tuna, shellfish, avocado, beans, nuts, eggs, milk, whole grains.
VITAMIN C	Diminishes the appearance of scars, cuts and bruises; boosts collagen production, which is good for your skin and fuels your immune system.	Citrus fruits, berries, apples, melon, pineapples, tomatoes, spinach, cabbage, red and green peppers, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower.
VITAMIN D	Helps combat dry skin and is important for development of healthy teeth and bones.	You can get the ‘sunshine’ vitamin by spending 10-15 minutes, three times a week in sunshine – without suncream! It can also be found in fortified milk, and other dairy products, tuna and salmon.
VITAMIN E	Gives you healthy skin and minimize scars, burns, inflammations and irritations. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant, so it helps with dry, flaky skin and protects the skin from damage.	Fruit juices, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, nuts, nut oils.
VITAMIN K	Helps combat dark under-eye circles.	Kale, spinach, turnip greens, collard greens, swiss chard, mustard greens, parsley, romaine, green leaf lettuce, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage.
ANTIOXIDANTS	Repairs/prevents skin damage.	All foods containing vitamins A, C, E.
FLAVONOIDS	Improve the quality of your skin and give it a glowing appearance. These are antioxidants.	Apples, all citrus fruits, berries, tea (white and green), dark chocolate, celery, onions, kale, parsley, soy beans, tomatoes, aubergine.
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS	Contributes to shiny, conditioned hair.	Soybeans, flaxseeds, walnuts, brussel sprouts, kale, spinach, salad greens, salmon, tuna.

Fitness | Fitness & Food

Growing up I was always very active and involved in sports. I've been horse riding for five years now and used to be in athletics club in middle school. I've also been in a tennis club, and still play every now and again when I can. It's funny how back then I used to get annoyed when my riding instructor used to make us go for another round of show jumps. These days I'm begging for an extra round, or another five minutes on Zumba. Sometimes it's hard to find an hour in the day to exercise. Being a waitress though, it really helps.. seven hours running around a hotel. Definitely worth it. Your health effects everything from your body to your brain and your skin. Incorporating exercise into your regular routine will pay off - try to do at least thirty minutes of exercise four days a week. Schedule the time, like you would with any other activity in life. It's not just your body the responds positively to moderate exercise; your mind will benefit too. Try a kickboxing class at a end of a long day and tell me you don't feel better. 

   Finding an exercise plan that works with your schedule can be hard. Here are some tips that help me move.

• If you're not a fan of intense exercise, (e.g. running or spinning) consider investing in a pedometer in order to track your steps everyday. Set a reasonable goal and then make yourself walk until you meet it.

• I'm a fan of group exercise. I always have my best success sticking to an exercise plan when I'm either meeting a friends at the gym or at a class that's scheduled to my calendar.

• Music can be a huge motivator, particularly if you're struggling through a long run. If I'm excited to hear a playlist, it can be everything in getting me through until the end. Sometimes, if I feel like quitting or slowing down, I make myself run until the end of the song. Music with a strong, steady beat will keep you moving.

• Get outside. A three-hour hike with a good friend is a great way to catch up - and break a sweat. Same with a day on the slopes or a bike ride along the beach. These sorts of activities are generally so enjoyable that you'll barely notice how hard you are working. The other great upside of exercising outside is that you're challenging your body to react to obstacles in it's path, which is more effective then running on a treadmill. 

• Build up an exercise DVD library. As funny as it might feel to work out in your living room, I love an old school workout video for those days I'm not motivated to leave my home. I generally look for videos that focus on stretching and toning rather than jumping around.

•  Take the stairs. My mum always does this, and I thought it was so funny, but it works. Look for any other reasonable opportunity to move just a little bit more, even if it's taking the long way to the bathroom, or parking far away from the front door. All those little walks add up. If you live within a couple miles of your school or work, leave a little earlier and walk there instead of driving. 

 

Introduction | Fitness & Food

Going skiing is my favourite way to exercise. Shame it's so far away.

In the past couple years my weight hasn't changed drastically, but my attitude toward my body has. I used to think that if I looked thin that was all that mattered. I didn't think about how what I put into my body and what I put my body through was affecting me overall. Now I know that fitness and food aren't just about losing weight - they're part of a strong foundation for overall beauty. If you're good to your body it will reward you with healthy skin, hair, body and overall a positive attitude. 

   My weight changes from day to day, but I've pretty much been able to maintain a healthy goal weight without ever going to extremes. This isn't without some effort though: my metabolism caught up with me a few years ago and I had to rethink what I should be eating everyday and what qualifies as 'exercise'. These are my three rules I stick too:

1. I understand what I should be eating and what I should be eating only on occasion. 

2. I've figured out a way to incorporate exercise into my everyday life. 

3. I've learned that when I embrace moderation, my body is at it's healthiest.  

As you probably know, from reading any diet article in any magazine, extreme dieting can mess with your metabolism. So, while you might cut back on carbs and schedule a few extra workouts, never starve yourself. 
   
   This is not to say that it's easy to keep your head about your body shape, but just as you can't will yourself to grow three inches, you can't will yourself to have a slimmer waist or curvier hips. I'd be lying if I said there wasn't things on my body that bug me, even though I can acknowledge that my concerns can be a bit delusional and body-dysmorphic. That's life as a women though, where there's constant pressure to be thin. I try and be extra conscious of this and keep my eye on what is realistic, healthy and unchangeable about my body. I'm never going to have a thigh gap, I've accepted this. My legs are too bulked out with muscle from horse riding to ever achieve it. I've learned that it's essential to respect my body and what it needs. It needs to eat clean, healthy food; it needs water; it needs to move. Once I decided on good habits, my body came to expect and even enjoy them. I still indulge though - I eat things that aren't great for me, I skip workouts when I have other things to do or to get more sleep. Nobody's perfect, and you shouldn't have to feel like you have to be. The best life is a balanced life. So enjoy the good-for-you and the bad-for-you, in moderation.