Christmas Day

Blogmas Day 25

Merry Christmas!!! 

Here's my turkey from earlier

We did it!!

Until next time, 

Christmas Eve

Blogmas Day 24

Well here we are on Christmas Eve how exciting is that?? This past month has just flown by, I can remember starting Blogmas and thinking it was a hard hill for me to climb, yet here we are on the 24th with 24 posts up, one every single day in December! I honestly didn't know myself if I would be able to do it but I have! There has been some nights where I've got back late from work and the last thing I wanted to do was write and take photos for a post, but I was determined to see it through. 

I've gained so many more views and followers by doing this and I've been interacting with you lot a lot more which I've truly loved!

I can't say how often I will be posting in the new year, but it has shown me that there's no excuses for not posting something, even if it's just a little something there is always something you can think of if you put your mind to it! 

I'm wishing you all a very merry Christmas! I hope Santa brings you all you've asked for and your day is filled with love. 

Until next time, 

Christmas Nails

Blogmas Day 23

Today I just thought I'd share my fab xmassy nails i've just done. They're gold sparkly and have snowflakes on how fab!!!

Until next time,

Sharing The Love | Ariana Grande

So I've recently developed a new girl crush on the stunning and amazingly talented Ariana Grande. So to show my appreciation I thought I would share with you some of my fave pictures of her. Ohh and on another note today it's the eve of the eve of Christmas Eve wooo!!!

Until next time,

Winter Braids | Hair Tutorial

Blogmas Day 21

How exciting is it that in 4 days it will be Christmas and the end of Blogmas! I honestly can't believe I've almost done it! 

I was deciding how to put my hair up for some appointments I had today so I searched Pinterest and came up with my own combination which I was very pleased with the result of. 

I suppose some people would call this a take on the classic 'milkmaid' braids but it looks lot more sophisticated than that, and was really simple to do too! Here's how to achieve this look. 

1. Brush through your hair and take a section from the crown and back comb this to your desired effect. 

2. Back comb the roots on both sides of your head and smooth over. 

3. Separate the hair into two section at the back of your head as if to create pigtails. This does not want to be a harsh line just grab bits with your fingers. 

4. Plait each section in just a normal 3 strand plait, and secure at the bottom with a clear elastic. Do not pull the plait too tight when braiding, keep it nice and loose. 

5. Once you have 2 plaits cross them over towards the opposite ears and bobby pin in place. 

6. Carry on crossing the plaits over the top of your head, about half way towards the back of your head. Pin in place as you go along so that it feels secure. 

7. Finally tuck the ends underneath the plaits and grip in place then spritz over with hairspray!

And vuala! Easy as that!

I'm really impressed with how this turned out and wil definitely be rocking it for a good few days at work. 

Until next time, 

Beauty Bite | What I Picked Up Today

Blogmas Day 20

Oopsies! While I was out today I picked up a couple of beauty bits for Xmas day, and I also got a couple of products through which I'd ordered online. 

While in tescos I stumbled upon Ardel Lashes. 

These are the Demi Wispies which I've been wanting to try out for ages now so I had to have them to try out for Xmas day. I love going all out for my makeup on Xmas day so these will look perfect! 

I've also been pondering what to do about my nails for Christmas Day since I want them to look fresh but I'm not going to have the time on Xmas eve so hey presto I can shellac these into the design I want on Sunday then just glue them on, on Wednesday night! These elegant touch nails always seem to last so well on me too and people always comment on how nice they look. 

From Amazon I ordered two Milani products I'd been wanting to try but didn't think I could get my hands on them being in the UK. But to my surprise I found these in Amazon. 

I got the Baked Blush in Luminoso

And also this lipstick in Vegas Volt

The blush is a lovely shimmering peach and the lippie a bright purple which I'm super excited about wearing! 

Just a few things I picked up, as you can see I just can't help myself!

Until next time, 

 

I Had Acne? | How I Cleared My Skin Up

Blogmas Day 19

This is going to be a little bit different today! I thought I would share with you my experience with acne and how I dealt with it, in the hope it may help others going through it or just for those of you who, like me, are just nosey! Let's start when I was 13. 

This is when I first started becoming aware I had spots on my face. At this age a young girls body using through so much is no wonder you get a few pimples. It was first pointed out to me by a boy in my class who asked me why I had spots. I had never really noticed too much before but after that I started to realise I did have quite a few on my face. My mum had noticed too and during the summer holidays booked me an appointment to see the doctor. When that day cam round though I really didn't want to go, I think purely from embarrassment so we went to boots and she got me a Clinique concealer instead so I could at least cover the red spots. Almost a year later and the concealer just wasn't doing enough so I upgraded to a Clinique foundation which I reapplied every hour or so lol! During this time I had also started to try out over the counter acne products like face wash and creams. I even went onto Pro active and had it shipped from America at an extortianat price to my mum, but nothing seemed to work. This went on for a few years, then by the time I was 16 I finally plucked up the dotage to go see the doctor. 

They started me off on the usual topical creams and then onto a few different tablets but nothing really worked, so I was referred onto a Dermatologist at the hospital. The thight of walking into his office with no makeup on terrified me but he needed to see my bare skin. My doctor was so good and made me feel reassured that we would be able to cure my acne. My kind of acne was not the large cyst acne most commonly associated with the term, but rather little pustules all under my skin which were really angry and inflamed and gave my skin an awful texture! He told me that skin conditions such as these are hereditary me since both my mum and dad had suffered as teens it was pretty inevitable I was suffering too. He first put me onto the pill along with a string of different tablets. I actually had an allergic reaction to one of the pills, tetracycline, and I got a red rash all over my body. 

After almost a year of seeing the dermatologist with no major improvements he said he was now time to move onto the stronger stuff. I was put on isotretinoin which is a stronger version of the common retinol tablets. Now I was told this ws serious stuff, I had to have blood tests to check my kidney and liver functions beforehand, have pregnancy tests every month since it can cause severe birth defects, and be monitored for depression. Not to mention you had to lather Vaseline EVERYWHERE even up your nose as it completely dries out all of your skin. And this stuff actually works! Within a couple of months my skin was looking so clear and smooth and he gave me a retinol cream as well to help with my scaring. In total I was on these meds for 6 months since you do 6 months then have a break, then if your acne returns you have a second dose. Luckily for me my acne stayed away! 

And it still has to this day! I now only get the odd spot around that time of the month but they are never anything major and only one at a time. My lips suffered from chronic dryness when I was on the medication and are still very dry to this day, but I've found a miracle product in car ex to deal with that! And as for my skin care routine! Well that's a different post! 

All I can say for those suffering with acne at the moment is it will get better. I was told I would grow out of my bad skin and ten years on from first getting spots I have finally grown out of them ha! If you're not happy keep on at your doctor and get refered as the dermatologists really do want to help you. 

I'm up for chats if anyone has any other questions or need advice, just drop me an email!

Hope you have enjoyed this post

Until next time, 

Party Season Lust List | Missguided

Blogmas Day 18 

I've been perusing the Missguided site quite a lot in the past few weeks and keep putting numerous things into my basket and then taking them back out ha! I've managed to narrow it down to a few items so here they are...

Fur trim strappy mini dress black £19.99

Perfect for those Xmas parties where you wanna go more winter glam yet still look sophisticated! And at a bargainous price too, who knew you could buy a dress for under twenty pounds. 

Darcy fur trim cleated sole boots £34.99

Again with the fur! I love me some black heeled boots in the winter, especially when you want to keep warm yet still make your outfit a bit more dressy. These look as if they'd keep my toes toasty and stylish at the same time. 

Delphina chain pendant choker purple £7.99

I recently saw AlisonlovesJb on YouTube wear a necklace like this and instantly fell in love so when I stumbled across this I knew it had to go straight in my basket. It's very 90's and I'm sure I probably had one similar when I was about 9!

Sara sequin bardot multi coloured mini dress £29.99

Finally, is this ultimate New Years Eve party dress. Sequins galore and this mermaid green colour I seem to be loving at the mo! It's shiny, off the shoulder and mini! Whatever your plans for New Years I'm sure you could pull off this number!

Sooo many more things I could've added but like I said I've managed to shortlist it so I don't ramble on for ages haha! 

Until next time,

My Moving Out Experience | Part 3 Living The Dream

Blogmas Day 17

So here we are the final chapter of my moving out series. I have now been living in my house for 6 months now and I truly have to say I couldn't be happier! I love coming home from work and being able to just crash out on the sofa watching whatever I want on to. And some days if you don't fancy doing the washing up you don't have to lol! Having your own house is by no means an easy feat though, there is Leah's something you 'should' be doing like putting more washing in or cleaning the bathroom, it sometimes seems like a never ending cycle. Luckily for me I'm a right housewife and love doing all these sorts of things and I'm very house proud.

We still have our spare bedroom with a few boxes in at the moment but we've taken a break from doing things at the moment and are just enjoying being in it over the Xmas time. Then come the new year we will get the last little bits sorted out. As for home decor I really cannot get enough of it! Everywhere we go I'm always picking up little ornaments and trinkets! We relly need too et some wall art up now as well!

There was something else I wanted to share with you in the post but I cannot remember for the life in me what that was hahaha! So I will leave you all with this, owning your own home is hard work, but most definitely worth it. 

Until next time,

Makeup Dash | Boots Drugstore Makeup Haul

Blogmas Day 16

I've had a lovely little outing today with my mum and brother as we all had the day off work, so we thought we would take advantage of this fact and headed to the cinemas and then around a few of the local shops. I needed to go into Boots for a few bits and left with more (as you always do!) here is what I picked up today. 

This is Clarins Gentle Daycream for Sensitive Skins £37

When I pumped out my moisturiser this morning I could tell it was coming to the end so thought I would pick this up then I won't be stuck without when it no doubt runs out over Xmas. I'm a big Clarins fan and find there moisturisers work great on me, they don't break me out and give me the hydration I need without making my face look like a big oily mess. It is on the pricey side however when it comes to what I put onto my face I'm willing to pay that bit extra to make sure I get it right. 

Estée Lauder Doublewear foundation in Shade 2N1 Desert Beige £29.50

As I've said in my previous posts this is my all time fave, holy grail foundation! I cannot be without this and I've totally run out of this earlier on in the week and need it for the party season! I apply mine with a damp beauty sponge and it really does last all day with the same finish as when you first applied it, no touch ups needed!

Impulse buy number one is this Rimmel Scandaleyes Retroglam Mascara in Extreme Black £6.99

Now this is one I'd never really heard anything about before but I wanted to try out some cheaper mascaras as I'm forever on the hunt for the ultimate mascara! This one fit the price range I was looking at, and the brush is one I like with natural bristles. The wand head isn't too big so you will get mascara all over your Lisa but it's big enough to inject lots of volume into the base and really lift them.  I will let you know how I get on with this. 

Maybelline Instant Anti Age Perfect and Cover Concealer in Light £7.99

I had this a while back, probably this time last year after recommendations from so many people, and I really enjoyed using it so fancied picking another one up. I completely used my old one up. This concealer really is great for under eye circles as it covers yet is light reflecting so doesn't like you've caked your dark circles lol!

Barry M Dazzledust in No.27 Gold Iridescent £4.59

When I was a young teen I was all about these dazzledusts but since the turn of the decade they've been pretty much off the radar, they definitely don't have as big of a selection as they used to have. But I've been searching for a gold shimmery pigment to create some holiday eye looks with and didn't really want to pay the extortionate prices which some brands charge when I wasn't 100% sure how it would turn out, and that's when I remembered these little lovelies. This colour is a champagne gold with lots of sparkle, I'm hoping it will impress me and I will be able to share some eye looks with you!

I love reading and posting hauls and I can't wait to play with my new bits!

Until next time, 

My Mac Palette | Warm neutrals

Blogmas Day 15

In the summer I was looking at upping my collection of Mac eyeshadows. There were a few I had my eye on, and then I saw this baby! I'm a sucker for neutral eye shades and to see a palette already made up was just a bonus, as well as saving a bit of money rather than buying them all individually. The only decision I had to make was whether I wanted the cool palette or the warm palette. I decided on the warm palette as thought I would get the most use out of the shades which were in there. I know my palette is looking very loved now but lets face it I use it almost everyday so its bound to look a little worn.

As you can see there is a great range of pale highlighting shades, right down to deep smokey colours. Theres champagnes, Pinks, plums, browns, golds all sorts! The amount of looks you can create using this palette is limitless. Here are the colours from L-R.

This palette costs around £64 and I believe both variations are still available. My most loved colours are Honeylust- the very middle colour which you can see as a big dip in it. I love to sweep this all over my lid. A combo of Hey and Vanilla Extract for my inner corner highlight. And dark brew through the crease is my quick go to look!!

I hope you have all enjoyed this post and has inspired you to try out some new mac colours!

Until next time,

The X Factor Final

Blogmas Day 14

So a bit of a random post tonight! I've been caught up watching X factor this year and tonight was the final! The past few years I've not really been bothered about i, but when I found out my fave Cheryl was returning I knew I would be glued to my screen. This year theres been some great contestants and I am so pleased that the winner is Ben Haenow!! I picked him out from the start as one of my faves and have been supporting him all the way so massive congrats to him!
Now I'm going to share with you some of my favourite looks of Cheryl's this series.

Until next time,

Primer Love

Blogmas Day 13

I'm a bit behind on the whole primer malarky as you can see from my tiny collection! But these 3 I absolutely adore.

First up is l'oreal's Lumi Magique primer. I purchased this after seeing numerous YouTubers using this and raving about how comparable it was to Mac's strobe cream. I was a bit apprehensive about trying it out as I didn't want my face to look like an oil slick (who does lol!?) But I had no need to worry this primer just gives an incredible dewy glow to your skin. I can't really comment on if it makes your foundation stay on any longer as I've never used it without a longwear foundation, but it is great for adding radiance.

And on that note of adding radiance, this next one does just that. This is Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm. I pinched this from my mum a while back as I was staying over for the night and forgot my moisturiser. This primer does both jobs, it moisturisers and primes the face ready for makeup. You do have to work with it quickly so apply to your face section by section as you're applying your foundation. It makes your skin feel lovely and hydrated and again makes your skin look brighter. I also love this one as you can apply a thicker layer and leave it on for 15 mins as a boosting mask which I sometimes like to do in the bath!

And finally we have the ever famous The Porefessional from Benefit. This really is one of the best out there for those suffering from oilyness and large open pores. Its silicone based so it glides over your skin and fills in any imperfections. Now this one really does help your makeup stay put for a good few hours longer than without it.

I would love to hear your recommendations for other primers you love!

Until next time,

Liquid Foundation Collection

Blogmas Day 12

Can you believe we are now half way through blogmas woo!! How exciting its nearly xmas!!
Today I'm sharing my liquid foundation collection I have with you. I am very picky about foundations so these are the few the have made the cut over the past year.

Here is an over vue I will show each one, list the approx price and where I buy it from and my thoughts on the foundation.

Mac Face and Body in shade N1
£21 from Debenhams
This is a great sheer foundation for good skin days especially in the summer months!

Estee Lauder All Over BB Glow in Intensity 3.0
£29 from Boots
Another sheer baby as its a BB Cream however it has great pigmentation so will cover minor imperfections.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B10
£32 from Debenhams
A light to medium buildable coverage foundation. Set with a powder for oily skined girls.

Mac Matchmaster in shade 1.5
£28 from Debenhams
You can tell where i buy most my foundations!
Great for oily/combo skin and great medium buildable coverage. I find the colours run quite dark though.

Mac Studio Fix Fluid in NW20
£not sure I bought a while ago from Mac
A great staple full cover foundation which lasts all day!

Estee Lauder Doublewear foundation in shades 2n1 and 3n1
£29 from boots
I have two shades for when I am tanned and not. The ultimate full coverage foundation which stays put on my face all day and night!! My current fave!!!

Hope this gives you some new products to lust after.

Until next time,