University Ramblings Pt. 2

Meeeeeeeeeeeep. 

I swear every post starts with me apologising about how I haven't written in ages but things have been busy!! Since I last wrote, I quit my job and moved to London for University, BIG TIMES!!

Its been almost a month now and I've wanted to write for a while but didn't want to add any pressure to myself or summarise anything as Freshers is an extremely important time to settle in and literally start a whole new life. It's weird.. I can pretty honestly say that I feel very settled in my life up here now but am absolutely sure that this is just the tip of the iceberg. 

I know a few people who have already gone home a few times (from home and from London) but I almost felt kinda guilty that I have absolutely no desire to do so. I mean, it does sound kinda harsh but my mentality for myself at least is that if you go home before you fully settle yourself in the place you're now living, you'll only end up unsettling yourself and leave feeling even more homesick. I dunno. I always got extremely homesick as a child and I can't pretend that I don't miss my Mum, Dad, friends and my especially my Cat(!!) but there has to be a time where you move on and there has to be a definite end. I'm not saying an end as in I'm never going home, but an end of the old and the beginning of your new life.

Its almost 2am and I have suddenly become very nocturnal, even though I have a lecture in under 8 hours :(((( but I did realise I felt ever so slightly homesick. Granted it literally was the teeniest tiniest bit but I remembered a memory stick I have. For Christmas two years ago my brother made me & my mum a half an hour film of our last Christmas as a family all together before everyone buggered off to different parts of the world and I just sat in my kitchen and watched it. It honestly made me so happy and I think I realised why I'm so okay with this whole move.

Sometimes you subconsciously say goodbye to something before you physically say it, like I now believe that I'm not so homesick, because home for me is with all my absolutely mad as hatters family and when we are all together.. no matter where that be.. it feels like home. So to not be with them is just the start of your own very exciting and amazing story with them as your constant support and happy place.

Either way, life stays still for no one and it would be an extremely boring thing if it did, so onwards and upwards! I'm trying to do one thing every day that scares me, getting a tube at rush hour is a bloody good place to start *insert panic attack!* but what I guess I'm really trying to say is now is the time to start living (alright lydia, sounding like an absolute gandhi wannabe) and making the most of every opportunity given to you.

Well, its lucky I warned everyone how much I ramble in the title. But if you've just started uni or even if you're just starting to live outside of your comfort zone, let me know! 

ELLE X

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July Update, France & University Ramblings.

I haven't written a post in such a long time but trust me.. There's method to my madness!

In the time I haven't been on blogger I have been super duper busy with a brand spankin new job.. And Being the perfectionist that I am a half arsed rushed or tired post would just not do! Oh and when I say new.. It's been around 5 months but nevertheless, I am now a receptionist for a local (and a bit bloody lovely) little hotel I live near called The Berry Head Hotel. Working full time has been so mad coming from full time education, like adulthood has slapped me in the face to say hello! Luckily, I am a massive fan of the job so I don't mind the occasional slap.. (I'm not sure if my analogies are getting better or worse..) 

In this time I have been massively umm'ing and ahhh'ing on the whole University situation as I have become extremely comfortable earning money regularly and being able to get myself in a nice little routine. I love who I work with, love talking to the residents and even have to wear a suit to work but recently I've decided, you should absolutely never get comfortable! Not at 19 anyway. This is the kind of job I could see myself doing for a long time as I love it, but what do I do in 10 years time? I've had this comfortable life and maybe now I get bored.. And I'm 29 with two kids and haven't even had my bloody uni freshers!! So last week I did something that was extremely UNcomfortable and made the decision I would 100% be going to university and moving to London this September. This would mean leaving my lovely job and I'm gonna be honest, living with something like anxiety makes it extremely hard to make these kind of decisions off the cuff and doing things out of your comfort zone.. University is always a big decision anyway for most people but the prospect of completely changing my life in just a couple of months really put me on edge but some things you have to do in order to progress. And at the moment, in myself and in my situation I really felt like I wasn't progressing in anything other than my job and that's kinda scary at my age.

I was also given a week off work on a Friday due to start on the Monday so I decided to book myself a little holiday to France to see my family. YAY SPONTANEITY. I had the most amazing week just chilling with my family and really getting to know everyone and spending quality time which was lovely as it's not very often I get to see my aunty, uncle and cousins. It felt like a bit of a celebration for me aswell because unfortunately, my uncle was diagnosed with Cancer last year but has been given the all clear some months back so to see everyone happy and healthy was an absolute blessing in itself. This trip was actually another push to go to university as my cousin, Liam got his BAC results back from his studies and he's a bit like me.. Not very academic but is a much more practical based learner and to be honest we weren't sure he was going to get it as he missed a YEAR and had like 30 points to catch up on (don't ask me about the French education system!) but he bloody got it! And my other cousin Amy, the maths whizz of the family also got in so they will be studying in Toulouse in September.

 

Unfortunately though, spontaneity doesn't alllllllways work for anxiety sufferers as I did end up having a very public panic attack at my departure gates to come home thanks to the very unhelpful and unsympathetic French man checking my passport who completely did not seem to grasp the illness which is something I'm not really a fan talking about and a negative I don't want to go into in this post. Saying that, I would really like to thank the lady who helped me so much and defended me during this when I though I wasn't going to be able to board as I probably wouldn't have got on without you! I never got her name but if somehow this post gets to her PLEASE let me thank you, you were such an amazing help!!

I think that's about everything for the moment, I feel like it's been forever since I've done a style/beauty post but now I'm back in the swing of things they are coming very soon! There is also some exciting news on it's way so keep your eyes peeled! 

Lydia 

x

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Spring Products Review.

Spring is here! 

So, apologies in advance for the quality of the pictures used in today's post.. Apparently losing your camera charger is just as annoying as losing your actual camera (but a bit less expensive of course.)

And, with my stubbornness making it impossible for me to go out and buy a new one as I know I have it somewhere.. All my of today's pictures are taken using my IPhone 5s.

Recently, I've found myself running out of the basics so not too long ago I had a bit of a mini Superdrug cosmetics haul so I thought I'd show you my findings! 

LIPSTICK: 

L'oreal Colour Riche // Blake Red £6.99 

This lipstick. Wow. I've said it before and I'll say it again, a good matte lipstick is all a girl needs in life! I am literally always on the hunt for more and more matte and when I first saw this collection come out, I was instantly drawn to it because of the pigmentation of it and, well, Eva Longoria on the adverts. 

It applies super easily and is extremely moisturising which is always a godsend for fellow matte lipstick wearers.

LIP BALM:

EOS Lip Balm // £13.99

Although this technically from Superdrug.. Following on nicely from my last item, lipbalm is something that has become increasingly necessary in my life after alllll the matte lipstick I wear sucks up all of the hydration in my poor lips! My mum actually brought this little lovely back from her trip to LA as a gift from my lovely brother (thanks Adam!) This actually came in a pack of 3 which I've linked the nearest I could find. 

I absolutely love this EOS lipbalm saw they smell, literally incredible, look awesome and do the job nicely! Bit of an all rounder really! 

CONCEALER: 

Miss Sporty Liquid Concealer // Dark Shade 3 £2.99 

So I will admit, I'm a bit of a concealer virgin.. I don't usually use it but you, will, NOT believe how long it took me to find a concealer that was my skin tone. I was honestly in Superdrug for about half an hour looking for something - I even had the also tanned lady behind the till helping me search up and down. I don't know if this was just because it was a small branch but surely it can't be that much of a task?! Either way, I eventually had to settle with.. Yep. Miss Sporty! 

I haven't used this brand since I first started wearing make up I don't think but, fair play to them! They had a good little concealer in a colour other than ivory with some damn good coverage! I bloody applaud you guys, thank you! Does any other tanned beauties have this issue? Or is it just my poor location? Do let me know!

NAILS:

Barry M Gelly // Coconut £3.99

This is a pretty simple one really, I needed me some white nails so my go to nail varnish is always 

Barry M. I know you see all of these bloggers with their collections of about a million Barry M's but they're just so damn cheap and amazing quality. I tend to stick with the Gelly Nail Paint as I find it's durability and finish is one of the best! (Please note: I can't paint nails for S%!t, sorry!) 

SKIN: 

Simple Micellar Water // £2.99 (sale)

Lastly, it's my Simple cleansing water. This caught my eye as it was on offer for £1.99 so I thought I'd try it out. I remember using their make up wipes a couple of years ago and loving them, but I'm not the greatest fan of wipes now so thought I'd give this a go and wasn't disappointed. It's odd because I feel make up removers/ clensears are really hard to get right but this seems like a very ordinary and affordable purchase. It removed all my make up, making my skin feel clean.. But it's nothing I'd rave about. It's just a nice little cheap cleanser.. "Simple" does what it says on the tin. I liked it, but it's nothing I'd swap my Estée Lauder remover for! 

So that's pretty much it on my mini Superdrug haul.. I have been extremely naughy recently clothes wise.. So keep your eyes peeled for a Primark haul soon! 

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My Weekend In London.

**WARNING: Do not read if you're hungry, this post contains extreme food porn.**

Recently, I have been getting stupidly excited at the prospect of Uni in September. Up until, maybe, February I was extremely nervous to pack up and go to London.. Which was a little scary as for so long it's been something I've wanted to do. BUT something must have clicked in me and suddenly I cannot wait to get out there! 

Living in such a small town like I do, the thought of going to a big city can be so so overwhelming. I knew my mum had a meeting up here so I decided to go to London with her this weekend, stay with my sister and look at possible accommodation. Here are some pictures of my time and to give a glimpse on why I am so in love with London. 

Firstly, ever since my trip to LA I have been craving tacos and apparently Paddigton station has a taco place called Barburrito. I died of excitement and bought 3. 

(Attempting to eat the Tacos didn't go to well in all the excitement.) 

The next day I saw one of my old friends, Harry and we went for a walk around London and he showed me Greenwich and where he goes to uni. We then went to Pizza Express and had a wine fuelled lunch. (Could really get used to London living!)

Later on in the evening, my sister, mum and I went to Frankie and Benny's on Greenwich waterfront which was beaut and ate yet again MORE food. Below is the picture of the literally, nicest apple pie I have ever consumed. (Obviously after I pick out all the apple cause I don't like fruit, weeeeeird I know. Don't ask) 

The next day, we went to look at my future uni accommodation, and I might have taken pictures.. But I guess you'll all have to just wait until I've moved I'm for that! 

Hope you all enjoyed a bit of a different post today as I'm getting back into the swing of the things on here. 

Can you suggest anywhere in London? Taco places?! Questions? Thoughts? Let me know! 

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50 Shades of Nearly Black.

Now, I'm sure you're all aware of the term "fashion goes round in circles" and within the past year or two, there is absolutely no escaping the 90's!  Whether it be these horrendously tacky shell suits making an escape from your dads, trunk in your attic.. Or the little stretchy chokers that almost every girl in Britain has stolen from my first school disco outfit. It is absolutely everywhere. But, it's not all bad!

Firstly, I have recently found myself obsessing over the colour grey. Whether it be the realease of '50 Shades' on Feb 14th or the fact I've been a little hermit liiiiiiving in Black for the past 4 years and grey is the next transition shade to begin wearing colour, I don't know, but I bloody love it! 

I found this oversized, ribbed crew neck, jumper and completely fell in love. I am a massive fan of baggy jumpers but find that if they're oversized they're usually a really awkward length and shape over the hip/bum area so this, for me was a winner as it cuts off just before that annoying point and instead offers a cute, lace, hem. I am desperately trying not to overwear this jumper as it makes the simplest outfit pretty but chic.

    Jumper: Primark £12. I am wearing a size 10.

Next on my list of all things grey is one of the cutest little bags I've seen in a while! The first thing that attracted me to this would, shockingly be the colour. As stated before Grey is extremely chic and easy to wear.. And in leather looks gorgeous! It's pale enough to take you from Winter straight through to Summer and is especially ideal for this time of year. This bag is so cute because it reminds me of the kind of purses you'd see in the old 50's movies with the qualities of a mini 80's/90's briefcase. Love it! 

   Bag: Primark £8. Bigger size and colours also available. 

Lastly, I thought I'd show you my absolute dedication to the colour grey as juuuust before I made these lovely purchases, I only went and painted my feature wall.. You got it grey. 

Here's what it looks like!

Are you a fan of all this grey this season? Or is it all a little bland for you? 

Let me know! 

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Budget Last Minute Halloween Tutorial.

Okaaaaaaaaay, SO this would officially be my first ever tutorial, ever. Long time coming, I know but we have a lot to cover so I'm gonna dive right into it.

This post is for all those slightly unprepared people who either, haven't yet got their Halloween Costume/Make Up sorted, or have an idea of what they want to look like but are completely clueless on how to achieve it. The tutorial today is for a kind of dead/zombie look which is quite a universal look and can be used with pretty much any fancy dress outfit. You can then pass yourself of as a dead (insert stereotypically generic costume idea here) and you will get credit for not just being a nurse.. or cat..

SO

WHAT I USED:

MUA Lipstick - Red: £1 MUA Lipstick - Nude: £1   Blood: £2.99   Elf  Pallet: $2 so around £1.25   MUA Eye Palett: £4.00
Natural Collection Powder: £1.99    Grimas Face Paint: £5.99

(I used extremely cheap products as you don't want to ruin your favourites!)

I started off with a pale base. I used Grimas White face paint, applying all over with a sponge. I then added some translucent/really really pale powder to give me a bit of a human tone,, while still being extremely pale.

I then used a cheap ass Lipstick, MUA and circled underneath my eyelids, above my cheekbones, each side of my nose and a little on one side of my forehead. You then rub over the lines you've made with your fingers blending it in. Don't use too much as a little goes a loooooong way.

By this point your Make up should be very messy, and you're probably wondering where I'm going with this, but keep at it. After you have done as much blending as you can, it's time to add some purple! I put a medium purple directly under my eyes to give off the whole bruising, dead, rotting kind of  impression blending that with a slightly darker purple. I used the Elf mini pallet for this.

Now you've got the colourful groundwork, it's time to add a lotttt of black. I used a black eye shadow from my MUA pallet and applied with my Real Techniques contoring brush, just because it was a good shape and amazing at blending, but you can use any brush you deem fit for purpose. So I now go over all of the red parts with black, not too thick to start but keep layering it till the blood looks old and really manky. I also go in the inner circles of my eyes quite stongly with the black. (It didn't picture well but I have a lot more in the inner circle but blended it out) Only you can be the judge of how much you need so keep applying until your happy. BLENDING IS KEY.

The look is now starting to take place, but you could still definitely look deader. I next use a pale pale paaaale lipstick on my lips to give them a bit of a realistic look, rather than smearing white facepaint on them. After that on the inner part of both lips, I added a little bit of black eye shadow using a thin brush to make them look quite creepy and dead.

Finally, I thought a bit of  blood was in order, so I dabbed the wound on my head with some blood, and dabbed anywhere else with red showing with a bit of blood. Remember to blend this until your happy. I also added a little on the side of my mouth, as it wouldn't be halloween without the suspicious one sided blood mouth - thing. BUT the one perfect line of blood coming from one side, annoys me every year, so don't be cliche, make it look a liiiiittle messy! :)

So thats pretty much it! This look can be as subtle, or as dead and horrible as you like, it's all about the quantities used, so have fun with it! I hope this helped all of you last minute Halloweeners!

Will you be using this look this year? Do you want to see more tutorials? What are you doing for Halloween? LET ME KNOW.

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My Favourite Autumn/Winter Lipstick.

Anyone who knows me will know, I am a complete sucker for a good matte lipstick. I find that with the shape of my lips and my skin tone that it looks almost a million times better than lipstick with a shine. One of the other reasons being is that they are long wearing and you can eat, drink, carry on with your day without having to constantly re apply. 

I am always on the look out for a new lipstick and my friend, Liv came into work with this gorgeous red lipstick on and didn't have to apply any more for the rest of the evening, that's when I knew I wanted it. When she told me it was Bourjois I was completely shocked, because although I have seen the brand for years I have never tried it, or even heard any reviews. 

I have been a bit of a lipstick snob over the past year or so, doting over my favourite YSL matte lipstick but nevertheless, I gave it a go and absolutely love it. I am constantly wearing this shade as it is absolutely perfect for the Autumn/Winter Seasons. The colour is very strong and pretty. I have heard some people have trouble applying using the little fluffy brush provided (I've forgotten the name, sorry) and I find it works better on some days than others. what I tend to do is line the lips first, then apply using the lip brush provided then use one of my lip brushes to finish it. But, however, it is the sort of lipstick you can just put on and go.

I am so happy with this and all of the other 8 shades are equally beautiful, so these will definitely be my new obsession. I cannot stress how well they stay on (and stain). AND Superdrug are currently doing an offer that brings them to only £5 so go get some, get every one! 

                               Boujior Velvet Rouge Edition - Superdrug £8.99

                                                      Shade 08 Grand Cru

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Cosy Night In

Tonight, I should blog but it's my first weekend off on aaaaaages. So I've lit candles, lit insence and turned my fairy lights on, having a lovely night in with Ted (my cat) and watching all the Friday night TV I've missed. Tonight is a good night. 

Happy Friday everyone!   

X

      

      

      

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Real Techniques Review

                  

                    Real Techniques Core Collection - Superdrug £20.99

    Buffing brush, Contour brush,  Pointed foundation brush & Detailer brush.

For. So. LONG, I have been wanting to try the Real Techniques brushes, literally, so long. And  it's always been a case of wanting them, but forgetting about it and buying a different set, and them never having the brushes I need. The other day I took myself out after college and was hunting down a new lipstick but just my luck they didn't have it! As I was just about to leave the shop, my eye was caught on this set.. Real Technique (including a buffing brush AND contour brush - 2 basic brushes I have been longing for forever!) and I thought I had to buy them all! They came in a set of 4, with a cute little carry case and I honestly love them. They are so soft, produce suuuch a natural, flawless look and I love the fact they weren't stingy on the actual brush heads.. they feel and look lush!

I am always on the look out for new brushes to try.. Would you recommend any in particular?

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Summer Round Up.

Hello! So if you follow my blog you'd know that I haven't written anything in more or less a month.. And you might also know that my last post was a bit of a homage to my trip to LA. I know there's absolutely no excuse for the severe lack of posts this month but there has honestly been so. Much. Happening. Atleast I think..

UNIVERSITY.

One thing that stands out was that I had an unconditional uni offer from my first choice uni(!!!!!) 

It's at London Metropolitan studying Fashion Marketing and Journalism. Thing is with this, I only got the offer like, mid September because the uni hadn't received my grades (annoying) so I just assumed I hadn't made the cut. So to hear that news on an idle Tuesday whilst awaking from a nap was awesome.. But then I was left with the predicament of.. Can I pack my life up and get everything sorted in something silly like 4 days.. The answer was no. 

I know there's a few people who's probably reading this and air punching the screen, as uni has been something that I've always full heatedly wanted to do. But not receiving any offers made me decide to take a year out, do a part time college course and try again next year.. So that's what I've set my mind on this year.

THE COURSE.

So the course I'm taking now has, I'm pretty sure, the worlds longest title. Its so long that I legitimately don't remember it, but it's something like: Theatrical Hair and Media and Special Effects Make-up Artistry. Essentially meaning, I will be a trained MUA who can also do sick wounds and face paints and stuff I guessssss. As you probably know I've always loved make up and this course offers me the whole package, I mean, it's my last year of free education, so why not do something that is not only interesting but is an extra skill? (I will also be able to document all of the interesting stuff I get up to right here)

BESTIVAL.

Whilst I was in LA I really wanted to see if I could get myself to atleast one festival this year when I get home as a little pick me up and somehow I managed to blag myself 2 Hospitality tickets to Bestival in the Isle of Wight. They intitled me to a fair few perks and VIP access to the VIP bar, oooo interesting. 

The music and atmosphere is just my favourite thing ever and I got to meet some incredibly interesting people! Including *cough* Caspar Lee *cough* Joe Sugg and *coughcough* Professor Green (who I managed by the way to do a spectacular trip in front of before I realised that, we were in face neighbours and I would never get to live that down. Horrah. I'm probably going to end up doing a post about Bestival giving you a few more deets and pictures.*

NEW FOUND RECOGNISION FOR HOME.

Being away was absolutely amazing, I mean, obviously. But I feel it kinda made me realise how lovely it is being at home and having all your little home comforts and people (and amazing views I get here in Devon), so this was another factor in me deferring uni for a year.. Just so I can make the most of every nice little mundanity. Don't be in a rush to grow up and leave home, it's a pretty special time! 

THOUGHTS ON U2 HACKING INTO EVERYONES PHONE AND ADDING THEIR MUSIC INTO YOUR ON ITUNES.

I actually kinda like it. Welcome back Bono.

That's basically all that's new in my life, so hopefully you're all up to date so when I do my next post, we an just pick up from where we left off!

What about you guys, is any of you going to uni this year? Deferring a year? Let me know! 

*

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Update: Goodbye LA

SIGH.
Okay, so the time has come where I have to say goodbye to my brothers and all my friends out here in LA. To say the least, I'm gutted. But for sure this is the perfect opportunity to put all the amazing and positive things that I have learned and experiences I have had, and put them to use. I can't begin to list everything I have seen done and gained from being out here, but it really has been one of, if not the most rewarding experiences of my life. I'm going to keep this short and sweet as I might decide to do a real review from the airport. So thank you to everybody who has been apart of this incredible time.
LA I love you.

"If you don't leave, you can't come back."

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Hava Sole!

Okay so this post isn't going to be your usual look book, haul or review post (not that I've done any of those yet.) This is a shoe post, but with a liiiitle bit of a twist.

About a week ago I was talking to my good friend Nisalda, and she was telling me all about her new project. This one, being slightly different to the usual acting, modelling, singing things she has going on, it's called hava sole! The general idea of this is that people can donate shoes to a PO box address and these get given to (homeless) people in need. It was started by her good friend Rikki, realising he has way too many kicks that he doesn't wear and that surely there was a better use for these. He then called Nisalda and they took to the streets of LA finding, people who could do with a little bit of help.

What I love most about this small charity, is that they actually listen the people they meet. So often homeless people are disregarded from society, when sometimes all they need is someone to listen to them and human contact. I absolutely jumped at the chance to help in any way I could and was lucky enough to be able to go out with the pair and I was astonished on the conditions people had been subjected to. You can't put into words the feeling of seeing people with so very little, so just to help them have, atleast a comfy pair of shoes and maybe a bottle of water to help them through their days, is an amazing feeling. 

What Rikki and Nisalda do is amazing, and really taught me a lot. This is a non profit charity, but they take time out of their day to help those in need but there will always be extra costs to do so, 

so if you're interested in helping them out go to:

www.gofundme.com/bww6bw or check out the Instagram 

@hava_sole where you can get hold of them for more details! 

    Photography: @RikksPikks

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Summer Favourites

Summer is a really awkward time make up wise, because I'm not usually too fussed with wearing things like foundation, as I'd usually have a tan, so would go all natural - mostly so it's easier to tan. But for the evenings or where I want make a little bit more of an effort and have some coverage, I'd definitely say Chanel Perfection Lumiére. I am extremely lucky with my skin as I rarely get spots and have a reasonably good PH balance, making it not too greasy or too dry. This foundation is one you can just brush on and go. It has reasonable coverage, but isn't one of its best factors. I realise it is quite a pricey foundation but personally, would recommend it to the people with average/good skin as it gives you an airbrushed look and is very hydrating. I will always set it with a bit if powder, but don't find it lasts any more than 8 hours without having to give it a little touch up. 

I use MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder to set my make up, I don't like heavy powders but I like to use a little to stop shine and keep everything in place. I absolutely love this powder as it's light but also let's your skin breathe, it gives it a healthy glow and does everything you'd want it to do and is extremely soft. 

Benefit They're Real! - £19.50Chanel Perfection Luminére - £36.00  YSL Rouge Coture (shade 33) - £25  MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - £22.00   BarryM Gelly Nail Effects (Satsuma) - £3.99

I'm a massive fan of coral this summer as I find myself wearing a whole lot of black and white, it's always really effective to have a statement colour. I have a massive obsession with YSL's lipsticks so just before I went away I chose one of their coral ones from the Rouge Pur Coture range and needless to say, I absolutely love it. It's very bright and very bold which is ideal for the summer and also lasts for ages. The packaging is also gorgeous with YSL - I sometimes use the side of the lid as a mirror.

Also, in coral, I bought a Barry M Gelly Nail Paint which is so fun. It's such a summery colour and is so easy to apply. I prefer their Gelly range as I find it looks glossier and even when painting. It also provides bold colour which is a must have for this shade. 

My last product is my lifesaver! Benefit They're Real! mascara. This, I cannot live without. It is such a lovely mascara. I heard a lot of hype about this at work for a long time, so I thought I'd try it, and I honestly wouldn't go back! I am a complete mascara fiend as I feel I could go without any product other than mascara. I love big, long, thick, dark, statement eyes and this will certainly help you achieve this. I am a little bit of a cheat as I had eyelash extensions put on before I went away to actually not let me rely so much on mascara, but when I want a nice evening eye, I'll always use this to top them up!

These are my absolute summer favourites, what are yours? 

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E.l.f Review

So being a blogger and reading/watching a load of blogs I have seen a ridiculous amount of 'Elf' thinking to myself it looks like a pretty decent brand. Although, living in a small town in the South West of England.. I don't get the biggest choice of make up without travelling atleast 30 mins, so being in LA and having everything you could possibly ever need here, is so refreshing! I was walking through a massive department store, Target, and saw this little beauty for something ridiculous like $8, I had to give it a go! 

It was between this and a pallet of 100, but I picked this as I felt I would use the colours more. 

I was shocked for so long about the price of the few products I saw (I couldn't stay too long as I knew I was no here for another month and cannot afford to completely fulfill my beauty desires) so took to the good old internet to see if this was a crazy sale, or just a crazy brand. After a bit of research I found that it was just an amazingly priced brand - I guess kind of equivalent to the UK's MUA make up brand. 

After trying the product itself, I was honestly astounded. The colours on the pallet are gorgeous but it can always differ a little once actually applying, but I was amazed to see that they were just as pretty on than off. The make up itself is very pigmented and strong, with obviously the rule of the more you apply or blend the different looks you can create. 

Overall I'm so happy with this product and will definitely stock up on some more before I go home, it was an absolute steal! I'd highly recommend and am excited to see what else they have in store.

What do you think of Elf? Worth the dolla? 

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