2018 Makeup & Skincare Finds

Found some definite beauty staples this year, (or last year?) both makeup and skincare which I thought I'd share with you! Starting with some skincare favs, I have been using the Clinique Dramatically Different Gel Moisturiser for quite some time now. This product is perfect for those of you with oily skin due to its light, breathable feel and gel formula-all of which absorb into the skin in seconds. To go along with this product, I use the Seaweed Night Lotion from The Body Shop. I like to use both-one day and one night. The Body Shop's seaweed range is great for oily skin as it has oil controlling properties within, keeping the skin shine free. Possibly the product I'm most exciting about is a Glycosidic Toner from Superdrug's own brand: 'Naturally Radiant'. At only £5.99 a bottle (this product, along with the whole range, is always buy one get one free-I always buy it in bulk) its a staple for me. Having had really bad acne prone skin, its great for making my skin look smooth by refining my pores and making my complexion brighter. The range is also 100% vegan and I'd recommend the overnight peel and the foam wash from the range also.

As well as skincare, I've also come across some holy grails within the makeup world starting with the Bobbi Brown Long Wear, Even Finish Foundation. This product is oil free and has an SPF of 15. I find that it lasts all day and keeps my skin matte but not looking cakey. I apply it with a buffing brush, also from Bobbi Brown, as it find it allows me to achieve a fuller coverage, hence the name 'Full Coverage Face Brush'. A product which has already been raved about for years is Benefit's Hoola bronzer which I've been using for years, and everybody has heard of already for its perfect bronze shade (which doesn't leave you looking like you've dipped your face in dirt)! Lastly, the Ultimate Naked Basics Palette from Urban Decay. This palette includes 12 matte shades which makes it great for everyday use due to the neutral tones-all of which are new and exclusive to the palette. The shadows blend seamlessly due to their creamy finish without compromising the pigmentation-a great palette which includes all the staples. I hope these products can make a difference to your makeup bag or skincare routine-share your own favourites below.

lush skincare, the good and the bad

Being a regular customer at lush, as you may be able to tell from the photos, I think I have been given the capability to tell people what to spend their money on and what not too. And no I'm not just being an activist for the fake vegan community-even though that is a major plus to these products- they're all about bunnies not money! My overall fave is herbalism and I've mentioned this product like 100 times already since 2014, but its so so good, as well as being so so messy, but I wonder whether that's just my incapability of keeping water in the sink. When I wash my face it's literally one of those neutrogena adverts. The product itself is a solid green formula which you need to mix with water to use to be able to cleanse and exfoliate the skin. Its great for people with oily skin and with redness, as it strips blood vessels, or maybe it doesn't because that sounds inaccurate and scary, but its good for redness nevertheless. However, this may just be because green neutralises red and this whole product is an illusion, I guess you could buy it and find out.

 Angels on bare skin is similar to herbalism and I would recommend it for people with drier skin, as it was more gentle and less drying. However, if you have sensitive skin you can always add more water to make the product less harsh. Speaking of more gentle products aqua marina is soft on the skin, and has a more creamy consistency, but it does come with this random piece of seaweed on top, which I think kinda repels people from using it. Personally I didn't dislike this product but I didn't love it either, it doesn't really stand out for me and I honestly don't have much to say about it.

Another product I didn't really like was the grease lightening spot treatment, honestly this does nothing at all! However, if you are struggling with breakouts try visiting your doctor and getting the Duac topical cream-this honestly saved my skin, and although you have to be patient, it works (for my skin anyways). The eua roma water, although totally unnecessary, I really liked, as it smells really good and feels so refreshing and hydrating on the skin. I found after cleansing my face it reduced the tightness of my skin and stopped it from drying out. I then followed this product by the celestial moisturiser, which I really like because its really gentle and smooth and makes your skin feel really good. It leaves you with a dewy finish and soft, supple skin.

Things I Like atm

I guess I could call this my February favourites, but I don't usually like to limit myself to the months as I'm not a very consistent person.  However, after admitting to myself that my velvet teddy lipstick is gone I decided to purchase Whirl by MAC, and have come to the conclusion that this will be my last MAC purchase, because it should be bunnies before money. Despite this all products sold in the EU (we still technically are in the EU) don't test any products on animals. Only China tests its products on animals to meet its ridiculous regulations. Anyways for those who are curious I LOVE the colour of this lipstick, its a brown toned matte formula similar to velvet teddy-just darker. The only complaint I have is that it can be very drying, but to combat this issue I make sure to moisturise my lips beforehand. This usually gives me a satin finish, but I actually quite like this about it.

My next product is a primer that I picked up whilst in New York, and that's the Laura Mercia blemish-less primer. The reasons I like this product is that it controls oil and has a texture like a moisturiser. It slightly reduces the size of pores but I wouldn't say that this is that noticeable. But my favourite thing about this is how it feels on my skin, it increases the durability of my makeup also. It isn't on the cheap side of things but you get a good amount of product (50ml). Another advantage is that it contains a small amount of benzoyl peroxide which combats acne and is perfect for acne prone skin.

Next is the much raved about Champagne Pop becca x Jacyln Hill collaboration highlighter which is too die for!!! It has a pink undertone which I love and prefer to gold highlighters and is super pigmented. This highlighter is practically glitter in a pan so if your not into super bold glowy skin this isn't a product for you. Saying this if I want a more natural look, after applying this I go over it with my damp beauty blender to blend it into my skin to make my skin look dewy and fresh.

This is the best facemask I've ever used and its the Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask. It clears out your pores so well and although is a little pricey-a little goes a long way. With continued use I have noticed that breakouts are prevented and as soon as I've used this product my skin instantly looks better, brighter and is refreshed. I apply this to my whole face and leave it on for around 15 minutes and then wash off with warm water. Its very important to moisturise afterwards because otherwise this can dry out your skin.

So other random favourites I have gathered is bullet journaling where I display random doodles and magazine cut-outs. I find this a way to stay off my phone when revising and turning to this to distress instead of Netflix(pictured as backgrounds). However, speaking of Netflix my favourite series at the moment is Beyond-a story about a boy who wakes up from a 12 year coma to be hunted for his control over the elements, a power which he's woken up with. I think its very similar to stranger things and would defiantly recommend it. My favourite book of this month has been Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon. Its a story of a girl who falls in love with the dreamy Dante Berlin after she finds her parents dead and is sent to the morbid Gottrfried Academy under her grandfather's guidance. This is the place she discovers a shocking new meaning to life, death, love and the soul. And finally, my favourite album at the moment is the new Kelhani album-my favourites are undercover, too much and in my feelings.

Thanks for reading!

Cliché Resolutions I Won't Keep

So as it's a new year, I'm going to try and be healthy. But, being the vegetarian I am-I practically live on tomato pasta, bread rolls and melon and grapes (thanks school canteen),  and l'm currently eating quartered pears out of a can, so my goal is to eat a more varied diet. I want to start making more adventurous meals and try out more vegan dishes (had to advocate the vegan message somewhere). Secondly I'll drink more water. I've actually done pretty well at this in 2016, and as a result my body is releasing less ADH, (reference:Mr Hudson's biology lessons) but I want to carry on with this habit. I also want to read more, and not just the same book over and over again, and the book of the movie I like, I actually want to read as an alternative to staying on my phone all night, watching teen wolf. This leads me nicely onto my next typical resolution: getting more sleep. I'm hoping this will result in less mental breakdowns about art and more grades similar to Bo-yan's! I've even started a journal of pictures and drawings which I love doing, because it's a good break from revision and it reminds me that I do actually enjoy some form of art, whatever that may be. Next, I want to proof read these posts, because the complaints from Emma and Jamie are becoming too regular and I can't let Alison find out... And lastly I want to create more amazing memories with my friends, as in 2016 I think I found the best group of people ever and I love them all to bits, it's like I'm finally understood-but I'll never understand how I know Andrew and Daniel.

Breakfast Attire @ GAIL'S

Last week my mum, brother, sister and I went brunching as per usual and I managed to get a few snaps of my outfit courtesy of my mother. I went with a comfy outfit for sure, consisting of my sisters t-shirt dress from Brandy Melville. Although I despise of their one size fits all label-they have some really cute and affordable pieces, mostly basics, but of a high quality. I then wore my classic denim jacket which I stole off my dad a few years ago from Levi's. I also had on a home made black chocker made from the scraps of an old t-shirt, and paired everything with black boots, mine are from Bershka-not that it matters as I didn't get a shot of them. And as for the breakfast, the thing everyone's waiting for-it was delicious. I ordered the French toast with a berry compote and maple syrup from Gail's in Dulwich Village. It's obviously a locals favourite as it's always busy, but I can see why. It has a range of fresh breads, pastries, cakes and lunches (even vegan options!!!) and the best hot chocolate going.

OOTD

Whilst shopping, as much as I tried not to spend money, I couldn't help myself as I spotted this elegant, slinky slip dress. It has beautiful lace detailing around the top and on the slit on the leg, which isn't as scandalous as it sounds. I got it for £20 at urban outfitters, which I thought was quite reasonable as I've been eyeing these dresses up for ages! However, I have noticed the price has increased by £5 in the last week, so if you're interested I'd get it now. The dress feels way more expensive than it is, as its so soft, it's also available as a patterned version and in a variety of colours, which I also love. I paired mine with a simple grey t-shirt from American Apparel, which I only bought because it was reduced to £1.25 in the men's section-I came away with about 10 in the online sale, but it was definitely worth it as I'm putting them to good use. I kept the outfit quite minimalistic and put on my white Adidas Stan Smiths to keep it simple. I'm in love with this outfit and have seen so many people wearing the slip dress trend, and can't wait to add to my collection as they can be dressed both up and down-perfect for any occasion. 

Photo creds to: @imogenbourke and @xniamhcoyne

Vegan Pancakes

These simple pancakes are absolutely delicious, 100% cruelty free and healthy. The pancakes themselves only require 3 ingredients and will take only 10 minutes to make-you can top them with whatever you want and you have an instant breakfast, snack or dessert!

Ingredients (1 serving):

Oats (1 cup)

Almond Milk (1/2 cup) 

1 Small Banana 

Sauce (optional):

Strawberries 

Water

Toppings:

Banana 

Strawberry 

I used a nutri-bullet to make the batter-and started by blending the oats to create a fine flour like texture. I then added the almond milk (this can be swapped for any plant based alternative e.g soya or coconut milk) and then added the banana. I then spooned the mixture onto a hot pan and cooked them on each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown in colour. 

To top the pancakes I made a strawberry sauce by simply blending strawberries and a dash of water, and then added chopped strawberries and banana to the top. However, you can top them with whatever you'd like-one shot chocolate is a great vegan chocolate sauce for topping pancakes or cut up any fruit of your choice.

Happy cooking!!!