What's in my make-up bag? (Hint: A Lot!)

I've been wanting to write this post for quite some time now, but have changed my mind so often about which items to show you, as there are far too many to show them all! But I've *finally* narrowed it down as much as possible, leaving a list of the products I use the very most, which explains why most of them are beginning to run out!

My favourite foundation at the moment, Maybelline's 'Super Stay 24hr' liquid in 'Light Beige'.

I always have 2 of these on the go, because I find it so hard to tell when they're running low and it avoids an awkward last minute dash to a drugstore!

http://www.boots.com/en/Maybelline-Superstay-24hour-Foundation_1042352/

Also from Maybelline is the 'Matte Maker' pressed powder in the shade 'Classic Ivory'. I love this product because I feel it comes away easily onto a brush, yet avoids the nightmare of spilling a loose powder everywhere (we've all been there, it's a nightmare).

http://www.boots.com/en/Maybelline-Matte-Maker-Mattifying-Powder_1427504/

I use a combination of two concealers, once being Benefit's 'Boi-ing' in shade 01, and the other yet another Maybelline product - the super stay 24hr in Shade 2, 'Light/Beige Clair'. 

Benefit Boi-ing: https://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/product/view/boi-ing

Maybelline Super Stay: http://www.maybelline.com/products/face-makeup/concealer/superstay-24hr-concealer.aspx

My favourite blush of all time is the Benefit 'Sugarbomb', which I use to give my cheeks an orange-y glow and on the outsides of my nose to add definition and to sculpt. Works well for both an everyday look and an evening out.

https://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/product/view/sugarbomb

I'm a big, big fan of the Real Techniques brushes, and these are just two I use often, with the smaller detailer brush being used more recently to fill my eyebrows, and the contour brush, true to form, for contouring.

https://realtechniques.com/

Along with at least half of the girls I've met, I am a big fan of the NARS Laguna bronzer, which I must say has lasted a long time, considering that I use it near daily. If I'm going for a lighter, everyday look, I tend to use this as a substitute for contouring powder, as the colour catches the sun beautifully in a very natural way.

http://narscosmetics.co.uk/UK/casino-bronzing-powder/0607845051022.html

I use Benefit's 'BrowZings' Light Brow shaping kit to fill my brows, and tend to use the powder on the right most often (can you tell?!), leaving a more natural eyebrow look that isn't too harsh. Despite the brushes that come with this handy kit, I like the control that comes with the Real Techniques detailer brush and its longer handle.

https://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/product/view/brow-zings

I picked up this 'd.j.v. beautenizer Volume Lash' from a site called 'Cult Beauty', and was reluctant at first as it was reasonably pricey, but am overjoyed with the results! As well as Volume, this mascara gives length I didn't even know I was capable of having! I would definitely recommend this product.

http://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/d-j-v-beautenizer-volume-lash.html

Max Factor 'Masterpiece' High Precision Liquid Eyeliner in 'Velvet Black'

http://maxfactor-international.com/make-up-products/eyes/eyeliner/max-factor-masterpiece-high-precision-liquid-eyeliner

My two most commonly used lipsticks this Summer:

'L'Oreal Color Riche' in 116 Charme Dore 

http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Color-Riche-Made-For-Me_1189533/

'Max Factor LipFinity in 35  Just Deluxe, a stunning orange-toned red perfect for everyday wear:

http://maxfactor-international.com/make-up-products/lips/lipstick/max-factor-lipfinity-long-lasting-lipstick

My Go-To Nail Varnishes

I have always been a firm believer that every girl should have an extensive collection of nail varnishes yet, despite this (and despite my own perhaps a little too large array), I have found myself repeatedly breaking out the same three colours throughout the end of the summer period, and thought I'd share with you my 'Go-To' colours and tell you a little more about why I like them so much!

 'Go Wild er ness',  £2.99, 60 Second Super Shine by Rita Ora for Rimmel

I picked this up in Boots quickly when I needed a pastel shade purple for a party I was going to, and so didn't expect much from this product in all honesty, and was beyond ecstatic when it layered on to look sleek and smooth, with the impression of gel nails! On top of this, I usually change my nail varnish as it starts to chip, Rita Ora's beautiful budget product wasn't going anywhere, however, and for once I could change my varnish on my own terms (such a luxury, right?). One thing I will say, however, is that the 60 second drying statement hasn't proved true for me, but who really cares when it's this beautiful?!

'Sweet Pea', approx. £10, Ciate London

I am already a BIG Ciate London fan, and would estimate that around 80% of my nail varnishes are from this stunning company, and so was absolutely over the moon when I saw this gorgeous mint green, cutely named 'Sweet Pea', which is actually my favourite colour! I've never been a big fan of matte effect varnishes, but the chalky finish on this means it dries super quickly, and isn't so heavy an effect that it sets your teeth on edge like other matte products (or is that just me?). I'd suggest using a few coats, though, or I've found the chalky consistency to chip fairly early in the shower or bath. Although this shade can't be found on the Ciate Website any more, the whole 'Doll's House' collection is still available on such sites as www.lookfantastic.com  and if you order now you can actually get 10% off your order by using the code LFNEW when you check out!

'Billy No Mates', £12, Butter London

Those who have read my previous posts (if you have, that's amazing, thank you for coming back so often! It really does mean a lot to me!) will have seen this dazzling dove grey before, during my Summer-Autumn transitions post, and will remember my deep love for it! Well, what can I say? That hasn't changed! Although this shade does have a rather expensive price tag and is definitely not a budget buy, it is an investment, and I've been getting goodness knows how many compliments over the last couple of weeks! This is another that holds firm, and would probably stay immaculate even if you were to undertake a good few hours gardening without gloves! I'm so pleased with this purchase, and will definitely be checking out more from Butter London!

Glossfinity topcoat, £5.99, Boots

An absolute essential for every nail varnish collection is a strong, solid topcoat that protects your nails' colour as well as strengthening them. For this reason, I decided to include the Max Factor Glossfinity in this post, as I've had it for quite a while now and am still overwhelmed with the preservation it lends my poor, constantly painted nails! There are more expensive topcoats out there, of course, but I absolutely believe this simple drugstore product to be the best I've found as of yet, and at just £5.99, it won't break the bank either!

ADDITIONAL TIP: Every month, I like to make a point of truly caring for my nails, using a nail and cuticle oil (such as this handy drugstore purchase) and filing them down to shape. To create that true, spa-effect feel, shove on some relaxing music whilst waiting for your nails to dry, and you might just maintain the fun of applying nail varnish!

ASOS AW15 Lookbook has dropped and I LOVE IT

So the ASOS AW15 lookbook dropped recently and, I have to say, despite my usual dissatisfaction with the 70s shade of mustard that's revived itself recently, it's done nothing but grow on me whilst watching this feature! I'm particularly excited about that party wear, too, in particular that low V, long sleeved green dress! Watch it here and now, and get listing!

http://www.asos.com/women/fashion-news/2015_08_24-mon/aw15-new-season-lookbook/?CTARef=discover|Popular%20News%20Article

Screenshot taken from ASOS AW15 Lookbook

A Rainy Walk In London

Crop top, £5, Topshop Sale

Ripped Jeans,  £35, River Island

Shoes, £30 down from approx. £160, Ralph Lauren at TK Maxx

Earrings, £5 for 3 pairs, Accessorize

Ikea Uni Homeware Haul

I finally got my uni accommodation confirmed! And so, between celebratory dances (it's been a long and complicated process that I might explain in a later post), I took a little trip to Ikea and, in my excitement, purchased quite a vast array of homeware objects I've never had reason to buy before! So I thought I would share a little bit of my excitement with you lovely lot and show you a few of my favourite items from today:

MURKLA glasses, 50p each

JÄMKA tupperware containers, £1.95 for three boxes

KASTRULL saucepans, £12 each

Mixture of FÄRGRIK bowls, side plates and dinner plates in green and white, 80p per item

And I couldn't resist throwing in this little guy at just £7 to sit on my bed!... 

Yes, he is a stem of broccoli.

'Good Things' Acai Berry Micellar Water

I picked up this product in a hurry whilst in TK Maxx when my usual Garnier micellar water had run out and I was away for the weekend. Enticed by a combination of the 'Good Things' title, the acai, mango and blueberry superfruit ingredients and the £3.99 price where it usually retails at £4.99, I decided to give this a whirl for a bit of a change, and I can confidently say that this was one of the best 'whims' of my life (which probably says more about me than it ought to!) The scent of this product is beautifully refreshing, and just what I need when I reluctantly remove my make-up at the end of a tiring day when I'd really rather be sleeping, and the 'Free From' nature of this company means it is gentle and soothing on the skin. I would recommend, however, that you don't use this product on your eye make up, as I found this to sting a little. Very, very pleased with this product, and the benefits of using superfruits on your skin are just as valuable as eating them! Already there is a noticeable difference in the surface of my skin, as it appears both clearer and even healthier in complexion after just two weeks! I will definitely be looking into purchasing other products in this superfruit range, which can be found on the Good Things website:

http://www.goodthingsbeauty.com/

Loco for Lush

H'Suan Wen Hua Hair Mask, £9.75/225g

Rich in protein, this mask contains eggs for strengthening weak and damaged hair, bay leaf infusions to give your scalp some gentle TLC and both bananas and avocados, which all combine to create a miraculous moisturising regular treatment to keep your hair strong and (bonus) shiny, too! For mid-length hair, one 225g pot holds approximately 4 masks, so it's really great value for your money, too!

Mint Julips Lip Scrub, £5.50/25g

At £5.50 for just a 25g pot, this product initially caused me a lot of painful decision-making, as I ummed-and-ahhed in the incredibly busy Oxford Street store, finally chucking it in my basket on account of its rich minty chocolate scent. Surprisingly, however, it seems that this teeny weeny little pot is everlasting, as I've used it a lot and it still looks unopened! The only downside here is the temptation to lick it off before it does any good...

Rub Rub Rub,  Shower Scrub, £8.75/330g

Don't let this bright blue substance scare you! The blossom scent is far closer to the gentle, massaging texture of the finely gritted shower scrub, and the silky effect left after showering with this remains for hours, unlike a more fierce, harsh scrub that feels as though it lifts away your skin as you slap it on, which, believe me, I have had...

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Pre-Uni Stationery Haul

Given that I was getting a little (understatement) excited about the concept of starting university this September, I decided to feed my inner stationery addict and purchase a few *ahem* essentials...

These gorgeous ring binder folders in my favourite colour, duck-egg blue and a crisp white were just £2.20 each from an adorable shop called Hema in Colonnade Walk, Victoria, London. Similarly, this folio file in a matching blue was £3 from the same shop, which I thought might be useful for slotting odd sheets and handouts into during lectures. 

Something I (probably) could have gone without was this adorable ball of bulldog clips, which, in my defence, I use a lot to hold essays together, and given that I'm studying English, it seems to do nothing but make sense, really... 

Anyway, £1, Hema

Pack of 12 fineliners to make colourful notes with (also from Hema), £2.50

Small bookmark-style post-its, £1, Hema

This was a gift, but I'd recommend it to anyone going on to study English Language like myself, as it really does cover all bases and I can tell already that it will be my saving grace over the next three years! David Crystal's 'Encyclopedia of the English Language', which I'm sure can be picked up on Amazon.