Holla!

I have gathered some inspiration from a close friend who is constantly looking flawless with a dewy glow. It doesn't mean you have to wear any less make up than you already do, the key is knowing how to apply it to give a natural finish.

I use a mixture of high street and drug store brands. I find that some products are a lot better quality with high street (for example foundations) where as products such as eyeshadows I find can easily have a duplicate.

First place you always begin is prepping your skin, so ensure it's well moisturised. It's good to use a serum every now and then, one of my go to's is the Sunday Riley Good Genes, of course this comes at an expense hence why I only wear it every now and then. For a similar and cheaper range The Body Shop are good for skin care, especially the Vitamin E Range.

1. The Base  

As you can see even here I use a combination, the 'wake me up' which comprises a dewy finish for that dream glow, however even the lightest of shades is too dark so I've had to combine with my ghost like Porcelain shade Bobbi Brown foundation which is a light foundation so mixing the two works well and you still get the golden undertones without looking too bronzed or orange!! Oh the problems of a redhead! Sometimes this foundation may make skin look oily so to stay safe I apply a little very light MAC compact powder to the base. Before powdering (as this is usually a final step) concealing is very important for those all time troubled areas such as redness or dark circles around the eyes. I use Collection 2000 concealer in shade 1, fair. As an illuminator I like to use MAC's select cover up in NW15 which is very light, this is especially good for around the eyes after eye shadow has been applied to give the dewy and ultimate glow. This works very well with an impaled highlighter (MAC's Soft and Gentle is a wonder product!!

2. Brows

Brows are one of the most important and definitive features of a human face. Arching the brows and filling them in so they still look natural yet apparent is a skill! I use and have done for ages, a brow kit, here you will find a gel and a powder. This comes with it's own little brush with a lash brush and an angled brow brush. These are the perfect shade for my brows. They have taken me ages to get a good shape to them and I must say I'm happy with the current result. After I have shaped and filled my brows I like to set them using a brow gel, usually the applicator is the same as a lash brush so it's easy enough to brush through the brow remaining the same shape as set. The final step for the perfect brows is to highlight the brow bone so the brows and the arch becomes prominent, for this I use Bobbi Brown's shimmer brick in beige and the lightest of the 5 shades. This works a treat. Again, a mixture of high street and drug store brands. 

3. Eyes

The eyes are the most basic yet appealing stage. For the eyes I only use one shade, (On the palette its the 3rd from the left bottom) a light shimmer to make the eyes look slightly wider and more awake. Which is sometimes what we need on a Saturday morning before work or in the early stages of the day before sixth form. A fine layer of mascara is applied also, which adds to the natural effect, yet it's still noticeable. 

4. Cheeks - Contouring and Highlight

To naturally apply and construct contour, a light matte bronze powder should be used just below the cheek bones to define this particular area of your face. Contouring adds a whole lot of definition. When highlighter is used on the cheekbone, this creates a lovely glow but be careful not to over highlight as your face will just become glitter and you may turn into a fairy. I believe highlighting and contouring your face is one of the most important stages of a make up look as it really does complete and even express the characteristics of a particular person. You can tell a lot from the type of make up look someone goes for! 

6. The final steps! - LIPS

To finish off this look, of course I'll go for a natural lipstick. I find the Kate Moss collection very moisturising and pigmented also. This shade is a lovely neutral for a golden glow and just adds a little pink to a sun kissed finish. 

Thank you for reading this post and I hope it helps with your daily make up routine or new natural make up you may be struggling with or even if you just like to broaden your knowledge of make up and have a shout out to what's the best brands and products to purchase for yourself! Keep updated and lets re create! :) All drug store make up available in boots and high street available online or Debenhams and House of Fraser in store! 

P.S Apologies for some Mickey Mouse appearances as I was still in my PJ's when creating this look! Cosy

Love always, 

How to track those all important moments

Holla,

So what a better way to savour a memory than a photograph? I decided to construct a photo book from my 18th party which was an absolute diamond of a night (one which deteriorated in time as did we...!)!! Definitely one to remember and thank God I could!! 1920's was an era we learn about yet couldn't experience until now! The party was so stressful to organise and I don't know why I was so worried, It turned out to be one of the best and was definitely the best birthday I've ever celebrated none would have been possible without my pals, and what a cracking bunch they are!

So starting to accumulate my favourite photos with my favourite people won't stop here, there's many more to add from the last couple years and I know many more to come too!! Only a few months left until we say our goodbyes, how crazy the time has flown!! 

Realising how short and precious life is I decided to channel my energy whether that's positive or negative, maybe a mixture of the two and start a Journal. I thought this would be a good idea with the stress and upset I've got recently to write what I may not be able to project in words. With this Journal comes positive vibes, I'm going to try and write something positive or something I've learnt in that day, a slow but meaningful process. What a better time to start something so amazing then just before a new adventure!! Oh what the future beholds..

Another Journal is the Q&A a day, this is very easy and basic way of tracking just a effortless thought by answering one question that may be easy to answer or alternatively could get you thinking.. simply brilliant. 

Love always, 

New year resolutions?

Holla!

So I haven't posted in well over a month, I think it's safe to say I've been a busy bee!!
Hope you all had a good christmas and celebrated well indulging in the mince pies and Yorkshire puds like a true Brit!

I've never really been one for setting any "resolutions" and I don't think I will be changing that anytime soon, however there are somethings this year which I want to improve. Over the last couple months my fitness regime has become regular, even over Christmas I was going to the gym and running!! Crazy
I believe fitness is one of the most important things in life and one of the best stress reliefs, even if it's just a daily walk, as long as you're getting out and about that's the main thing. Walking out into the brisk (mainly chilled air in Norfolk!) open landscapes is a feeling you wouldn't be able to experience out of the country side.

So what are the things I want to improve?

1. Keep a fitness schedule and stick to it (making sure at least 1 Rest day is included - very important!) & log gym workouts - push yourself to the max!
2. Have a kickstart to the day - Breakfast which is one of the most important meals of the day! (even if it's a banana - grab the energy!)
3. Complete 3 mile run in 25 - 30 minutes by the end of the year, (currently at 35 minutes)
4. Blog at least twice a month
5. Just spend a couple days every few weeks to write, writing is also a great destress and lets emotions and words be released which may only be able to appear on paper
6. complete a photo album for the last few months at sixth form
7. Do what makes you happy, visit places, experiment different teas, write, dance.. doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it! MEMORABLE 18TH - tick!! 
8. Write lists ; schedules, happiness lists (what's been going on thats gone well), planning lists, to do lists. improvement lists.. anything 
9. Start a Journal - exciting things to come this year
10. Cherish what and who's there because you never know when it might be gone
11. Get coursework/essays/revision completed with time to spare
12. Get a good sleeping pattern
13. Visit somewhere unusual (even if its still somewhere in Britain!)
14. Have 'chill time' 
15. Try not to be late
16. Take plenty of photographs!
17. Don't worry so much.. take things as they come and live life by YOU - take deep breaths and close your eyes, picture yourself in an idyllic place and you'll be free again
18. Have a detox now and then
19. Have a disney afternoon every month
20. Don't scare too many people at rugby (or break any other limbs!)

So here's a snippet of my list of improvements not 'resolutions', very diverse yet satisfying. Doesn't have to be complicated, keep things simple and whenever you feel as if things are too much take a glance at the list and breathe. Also a few pics of things that make me happy or give me a relief (as you can see being healthy is important to me and staying fit! Healthy body = healthy mind!) 

I hope this has helped some of you, just remember back to basics and you can't go wrong.

All my love, 

Struggles of a student!

Holla,

So alongside A-levels and trying to keep a balanced healthy life style including social activities driving is a major importance when living in the great country side of Norfolk! Stressy times!

Staying healthy and going to the gym 

Nothing would make A-levels easy, but to help with your own anxiety and self confidence attending the gym is a great way to release some endorphins, yet be warned this may cause aching!! (so much aches :( ) I love going to gym (especially as I can't play rugby for a few weeks!). Being a student personally I find keeping healthy and fit is a key aspect to a students life, (especially before uni when we'll be on pot noodles!!). It's a brilliant stress release and helps to clear your mind, preferably I would run but it's awfully chilly this time of year so they gym is a perfect way to get the same remorse. This builds self confidence in your body too.

It's not all down to the gym though, a balanced diet and choosing the right foods to eat is one of the most important things ever! I've eaten so much fruit over the last few weeks, this is a great time to stock up on fruit too, just before christmas (live for christmas dinners!!) when you know indulging is a must do! Eating and drinking plenty of water is so important when working for hours, even if you cut up an apple and some tangerine, put it in the bowl and pick at it, it's so much better for you and will make you feel fresh rather than if you ate a packet of crisps with plenty of fat and calories. HEALTHY BODY = HEALTHY MIND!! so important when exam season greets us.

Learning to drive and buying my first car!

Amongst all other things a 17year old teenager has to contend with (body image/anxiety issues, driving, a levels, social events, working etc.) Driving is a very important one and one which must be pursued with great patience and perseverance. For me I most definitely didn't pick up driving instantly it took me many months however when I finally passed there was no greater feeling and I couldn't quite believe it after all the hard work it was just such a peace of mind and excitement to hear! Driving lessons and my test has most definitely taught me to never give up and if you want something so badly you won't let it come to grasp just to drop it, this lesson can be applied to all life situations and I'm grateful from my self for not quitting!!

As you're obviously aware with a new driving license does come a CAR! It also took us ages to find one that wasn't falling to pieces basically, I'm aware that if I buy a second hand car I won't be getting a immaculate purchase yet you expect it to be reliable for now and get me from A to B. After some little trips around we visited a local garage and found a lovely little black KA, year of 2006 which was decent! You can barely hear the engine and most excitingly it has a CD player! So ready for my musical mondays!! Just stocking up on the CD's now, charity shop visits are for sure, I'm excited and nervous to be on the roads, freedom is calling.

Balancing A-Levels with friends

Obviously keeping in touch with your friends is a very important aspect to a youth's life. A way to balance these it to firstly make a plan of your A-levels which ones you're going to study in the evening and when, this will give you an insight and a slight guidance to the work you'll be getting done or missing when you go to a gathering. Obviously I'm not saying we should be going out every night but at least once a month or once every couple of weeks even if its for a couple of hours to give yourself a break.

Chop

With stress comes along ratty and knotty hair as you can't be bothered to do anything with it, it starts to become dead and just so unhealthy. I finally decided to give it some TLC and get about 4 inches cut and style this differently, it's rather strange for me and feels amazing. Whenever I touch my hair now it's like touching silk sheets, newly prepared. Best decision ever!! Anyway it would always grow back if I didn't like it!! (apparently I now look like Florence and the Machine!)

 

(before!)

Combining all these aspects it's important to take them all into consideration and take regular breaks when revising otherwise nothing will be programmed and you'll just worry yourself more. Eat healthily and exercise regularly (or when you can!), do things you enjoy and take some 'you time' for a while.

Love always,