Make-up Haul! :)

The heading of this post needed that smiley face because this is one exciting post. Christmas might be over but that doesn't mean the excitement has to stop, especially once the January Sales start hitting in. This year has been exceptionally great because I have found so many great deals, especially on make-up, which I would love to share with you. 

Stila - Written in the Stars Eye Shadow Palette: This beautiful eye shadow pallete is perfect all year round with some lovely warm pink and neutral shades. I've already tried a lot of the shades out and I'm quite impressed with all the neutral ones. The palette consists of both matte and shimmy shades which blend really well. This was a bargain at 50% off so how could I say no?

Cargo Cosmetics - Swimmables Water Resistant Blush in the shade Bali: This has been by far my favourite product out of all the ones I have purchased. The pigmentation is brilliant, the blush lasts all day and YES it is water proof. I love this blusher so much that I will be writing a different blog post all about this beauty, so stay tuned. 

Benefit - Hoola Bronzer: I've tried this bronzer on before with a gift set and I loved it so much that I had to buy the real thing. What I love about this bronzer is that you can easily go for the subtle look in contouring but you can easily build it up if you desire a more dramatic look; so you get the best of both worlds ♫ Anyway, what I particularly love about this product more now that I have finally added it to my collection is the brush it comes with. The brush makes it so easy to apply a sharp contour due to the thick bristle but thin width. This bronzer last all day which is a bonus and worth the money even without the discount.

Benefit - Hydra Smooth Lip Colour in the shade Juicy Details: This lipstick offer exactly what they say on the tin (or in this case, the cardboard packaging) in that it is totally hydrating and doesn't leave your lips dry at all. As with all Benefit products, the packaging is adorable and reminds me of Greece every time due to it columnar image. Again, I will be writing another blog post on this product because it is one of the best hydrating lip products I have ever tried. 

Pixi - Tinted Brilliance Balm in the shade Craving Coral: I've been wanting to try out Pixi's cosmetic range for quite a long time (I think it's the cute packaging) and I have not been disappointed. I've never worn a lip colour that has lasted this long, even AFTER eating. The pigmentation is quite bright so I would be wary of which shade you purchase but this adds to the brilliance of the product. This product was also available at an amazing price considering the impressive quality of the product.

Too Faced - Boudoir Eyes Eye Shadow Palette: I chose to buy this palette instead of the Naked 3 palette. I adore the shades which blend really well together and offer a vast amount of creation. The eyeshadow is very soft and glides on easily on the eyelid. The palette comes with a guide which includes instructions on three eyeshadow looks which look very glamorous. 

I hope I have encouraged you to look into some of these products. If you have these products please don't hesitate to comment your experience below. I would be happy to answer any further questions some of you may have concerning the products. Happy New Year! ^.^ 

Disneyland Paris 2014

This is an extremely late post on our visit to Disneyland Paris but you know what they say...better late than never ;) I've compiled a trip report of the best experience of my life and I hope you enjoy reading it.

My Mum and I stayed at the Explorers Hotel for 3 nights which was lovely. The hotel was extremely clean and the theme was fantastic. The hotel had a pool and I regret not bringing a swimming costume but it felt weird for October. The transfer from hotel to the park was easy and frequent.

We spent the first evening at the Disney Village so we could do our shopping without the hussle and bustle. The stores were so nice and I just loved the constant Disney music that was playing. We also watched a stage show with various talents such as hula-hooping. We ate at Earl of Sandwich which was a great price for tasty food. We were full by the end of our meal. 

The first day was magical. I loved every minute of it!! We went on many rides which include Alice's Curious Labyrinth, It's A Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, Orbitron, Mad Hatter's Tea Cups and Phantom Manor and Pirates of the Caribbean. We also were privileged to meet Marie and Ariel :) Ariel was very lovely and the 90 minutes wait was definitely worth it. The queues were quite long but what I found fantastic was that they were decorated so you get the feel of the ride/characters on the way. We reserved a meal at Cafe Mickey and we met Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Pluto and Tigger. Goofy made us laugh a lot. Even though we had no children with us it was lovely that they gave us a full character interaction as this was one of the reasons I wanted to visit DLP. Both the Halloween Parade and Magic on Parade were wonderful. The songs were catchy and I loved all the colours. The Dreams fireworks show was spectacular. I was very emotional because I dreamed of this moment for a very long time.

We got to visit loads of rides in the morning. We went on THREE in the space of an hour between 9-10AM which was brilliant. On this day we went on the Carousel, Snow White ride, Pinocchio ride, Ratatouille (this was our favourite ride as it was mind-blowing - we queued on the single riders line (only 45 minutes) but my Mum and I still managed to board the same cart), Casey Jr, Le Pays des Contes de Fées, Slinky Dog ride and the Studio Tram Tour. We nibbled through treats during the day and went to the Hakuna Matata restaurant in the evening which was yummy. We met so many characters on Halloween which was such a brilliant experience. Jack Skellington was one of my favourite characters I met because we has a nice little conversation, but I was also priviliged enough to meet the legendary Peter Pan!

Overall, we had a wonderful experience and I definitely want to visit again. It all seems a bit dull now that we're home. I'm so thankful to be given this experience :)

Pinterest

We cannot escape social media in our modern day life, surrounded by technology. Social media has made it easier for people to interact with each other, share ideas and realm in their passions. We all have our favourite social media platforms and our differing reasons for that. Mine happens to be the wonderful website that is known as Pinterest - it helps me explore my passions, gives me some great tips and it also inspires my imagination.

My Mum was the first to discover Pinterest. I was fed up with Tumblr for many reasons and really wanted to try something fresh, but something light and colourful. Something that would expand my imagination to the realms. Pinterest did just that for me because it helped me gather ideas to write a short story and helped me to continuously explore my passions.

One such passion is Studio Ghibli (a Japanese animation studio). Pinterest enabled me to explore its art and inspire my own at the same time. Studio Ghibli is what started my enthusiasm for anime and Japanese culture, so this pin board is a dedication to such amazing workers who bring to life the amazing animation and stories.

Pinterest always keeps me positive, even on the day I'm feeling run down. I also have a pin board dedicated to happy quotes which bring a smile upon my face. But it's the bright array of colour that makes me go back to Pinterest time and time again. Colour inspires us and we all need inspiration in our lives. Inspiration is a big thing for me it turns ideas into reality and helps others to try something new.

I cannot recommend Pinterest enough to you all and I encourage you all to try this wonderful platform of inspiration. ^.^

Disneyland Paris October 2014

I have got the best news! I am going to Disneyland for the first time ever for my EIGHTEENTH!!! It has been my dream to visit the happiest place on earth since I was a little girl and I'm so glad I'm going to go this year. I feel like Rapunzel as she went to see the floating lanterns for her 18th. 

Me and my Mum are going this October for two full days, and have also booked the Halloween party tickets. I think I might dress up as a zombie Alice, but still more planning needs to be done. There will definitely be set blog posts dedicated to my planning and time at Disneyland. 

First, here's a list of the characters I definitely would like to meet:

1. Peter Pan

2. Rapunzel

3. Jack (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

4. Mickey (of course!!) 

I'm super excited to interact with all the Disney villains. I've heard they're a real laugh! ^.^

photo from telegraph.co.uk

Summer!

We've waited so long for that wondrous word to become a reality, and now it's finally here! We don't want to take these months for granted. As I live in England, these summer days are extra precious. There's so many outdoor activities you can do, alongside indoor activities when the temperature gets too warm for comfort. I've decided to compile a list based on experiences, but also things I would love to try out.

OUTDOORS

1. Walks at the park, the beach, the countryside, anywhere. I personally love walking on a nice summer day, taking in the fresh air and gently exercising. Evening strolls are perfect as you catch the sunset. Don't forget to bring a camera!

2. Go to the beach because water is exciting and keeps you cool in the summer. Build a sandcastle, collect seashells, sun bathe, just have LOT'S OF FUN! I always feel at home near the sea because it reminds me of my childhood, where we went to the beach every weekend.

3. Have a BBQ in the evening, whilst it's just about to get dark. Smoky food is the perfect getaway after a hot summer's day.

4. Photography is great in the summer because days are longer and the light is everywhere. Flowers are in bloom and the ocean gently sends its waves, creating perfect photographs.

5. Visit a public garden as you learn some interesting facts about plants and smell the beautiful scents. I really wish to visit an oriental garden one day.

6. Go to the zoo and have fun with smaller relatives or just enjoy the crazy animals. Zoos are always great for photography purposes and make for a brilliant summer day out.

7. Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream. Need I expand on this subject?

8. Go for a gentle cycle ride, which makes for a great fitness activity but also a wonderful evening in the park.

9. Visit a cute, old town. I'm going to visit Cambridge this summer because it's picturesque and makes for a great day out with the family.

10. Take a picnic outdoors with you, as you sit by a lake or river. Don't forget to bring some extra bread for the ducks!

INDOORS

1. Go to the cinema to watch the latest movie blockbusters. I went to see 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' this week and it was such a brilliant and enjoyable movie.

2. Visit a museum or an exhibition you may find interesting. I love going to fashion exhibitions because I love experiencing the great detail behind elegant couture gowns.

3. Go bowling because this is extremely fun with friends and a great laugh.

4. Have a movie night with your friends or family. I love Disney movie marathons because they always make you feel great.

5. Find a great TV show to binge watch. I remember a few summers ago when I discovered 'The Vampire Diaries', which soon came to turned to all-nighters.

6. Read a book indoors when it gets too hot outside.Transport yourself to another world as you immerse yourself into the lives and worlds of others.

7. Go shopping and go treat yourself to some summer clothes because you deserve it!

8. Discover a new magazine. There's loads out there in the market, some which you have never heard of before. I recommend the fashion magazine 'Lula' for every girly-girl and those who love quirky articles.

9. Create your own artistic masterpiece or just start with some doodling. Art is great to help you unwind, and it doesn't need to be perfect because art takes time and practice. Draw your favourite fictional character or some pretty flowers. Whatever takes your fancy, really.

10. Gaming because we all need an adrenaline boost once in a while. Or if you prefer something that doesn't make you scream or your palms sweat so much, why don't you try Animal Crossing, which is the perfect relaxation game.

I hope you've enjoyed all these suggestions and try a few out. A lot of these don't require you to pay any money whatsoever. It's the free and little things that makes life extra special. Have a fabulous summer!! ^.^

Bringing Back to Life Your Dried Make-up Powders

Can you imagine the horror in my face when I discovered my favourite Guerlain blusher dried up after not being able to use it for a few months (I literally never left the house during exam period). Yep..it was one of shock and horror. But I discovered this top tip to bring your make-up powders back to life, whether they be bronzers, highlighters etc.

All you have to do is take a few slices of cucumber and place them on your powder. Seal the container so it's nearly or completely airtight. You can do this by simply using cling film. Leave in the fridge for a few hours and then leave out for a further few hours at room temperature. I usually leave mine in the fridge for 2 hours and leave it outside overnight. The cucumber will add moisture to your powder, bringing back the loose powder. For extra powder, gently scratch at the powder with paper or plastic before applying. 

This will not solve the problem forever and will need to be done a few times. But hey, better than throwing your well earned make-up away.

Cucumbers are also great for you skin, adding an extra benefit to your make-up. It is said they fade dark circles, reduce puffy eyes, improve complexion and tighten your pores. Why not try this simple and beneficial method? ^.^

Barry M Nail Polish

I am IN LOVE with Barry M Nail Polish since I discovered it last summer (yes..it took me that long to discover these great polishes). I have to admit, I'm not an avid nail painter because I almost never have the time to bother to look after my nails. Luckily, my nails are very healthy by themselves and don't need much maintenance. However, in the summer painting my nails is a must to match my bright fashion pieces. In winter, I only use nail polish for special occasions. As you can guess, my summer nail polish collection is much larger.

Anyway, I'm waffling! Let's get to the business of these amazing nail polishes. First of all, these are SUPER cheap at only £2.99 for the normal polish, to £3.99 for the gelly, matte, glitter etc. Because I don't paint my nails too much, I don't want to spend ridiculous amounts on nail paint. Besides, I'd rather save that money for clothes!! Being so cheap, I've also built up a nice nail collection which suits my needs. If you too are not overly crazy about nails but would like something to match your outfit, I'd definitely recommend these affordable nail paints. 

Although these nail polishes are cheap, they are not of very poor quality. They stay on my nails for at least 3 DAYS, which is remarkable seeing as I'm always fiddling, trying to find my favourite pen in my pencil case. When I'm not at school, the colour stays on a lot longer. Most of the nail paints need at least TWO coats, with the lighter colours needing THREE. However, and this is really impressive, the gelly nails only need ONE coats. I was amazed when I first tried it!

If I am to be constructive, the nail polished can take some time to dry, but this isn't a painful wait. I also don't think the 'gelly' collection offers a high shine any more than their normal range. However, you only need one coat so hey! Plus, you wouldn't want to miss out on the great colour range. 

Here is a list of my collection, displayed in the order seen in the picture:

Lemon

Strawberry

Mint Green

Elderberry 'Gelly'

Blueberry

Berry

Bright Pink

Cyan Blue

Coral

Amethyst 'Glitter'
-with elderberry 'gelly' undercoat

I overly recommend you buying some summer shades this season. Barry M have so many more shades than the ones I've listed. But be warned, you will get addicted and keep buying more. I definitely did not plan owning all these shades! Enjoy ^.^