Happy New Year

So I probably should have written this post a lot soon than I am, however with a serious procrastination problem and being snowed under by coursework, here I am on the 16th of January wishing you all a Happy New Year.

2013 brought me a lot of highs, such as passing my driving test first time in March, attending Reading Festival in August, turning Eighteen in October, receiving all 5 of my conditional university offers and booking my first holiday with my best friends for this coming June. It did however bring a few lows also, my best friend lost her dad, failing one of my AS subjects and performing for the last time ever at the Central Theatre with some amazing people I've know for 15 years+.

I'm hoping 2014 will bring a lot more positivity not only for myself but for all of us. I know that I personally have a lot to look forward to including moving away to uni, meeting new people and leaving the country with my friends and no parents!

 

 Happy New Year, may 2014 bring you everything you want and more!

♥

 

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Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation

I've said before, on several occasions, that my favourite foundation is Rimmel's Match Perfection Foundation. However, that said last week, December 9th, I had a week off from sixth form, due to my A2 mock examinations and was therefore only in Wednesday and Thursday for 2 hours (result!). Meaning I had Friday completely free and conveniently so did my friends. So we decided to go down to Fremlin Walk in Maidstone for something to eat and a little shop. 

We soon discovered that House of Fraser had up to 50% of everything and benefit, specifically, had 10% off and so having wanted to see what all the fuss was about around the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation I decided that now was as good a time as any to purchase a bottle and see if it was really worth the hype.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation in 'Honey'

I've always been shade '103-True Ivory' in Rimmel's Match Perfection Foundation and so just assumed I would be 'Ivory' in this as well. However, after testing it on the back of my hand, I soon discovered that I was definitely not an 'Ivory' and so went seeking assistant from one of the Benefit Associates. She tested two other shades just behind my ear and decided that I was in fact 'Honey'.
I've had this foundation just under a week now and have already fallen in love. It's such a light foundation with a good coverage that blends so well with my skin. It's just a shame about the price. I know once I have finished this bottle I will instantly want to go out and buy a new one, however my wages from work probably won't stretch that far :( That said, I would highly recommend this foundation and with any luck it'll be discounted again come boxing day and I'll therefore have to take full advantage of this.
Have you tried this foundation? Is it on your list of products to try?
♥

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Everyday Make-Up

I didn't grow up 'around make-up' my mum has never worn it, and says that as if she deserves a medal, and I don't have any older sisters that may have used me as a practice doll. Because of this I didn't start wearing make-up properly until about 15, which is year 10 in England and was also when we were allowed to start wearing make-up to school. All my friends would wear and I felt as though I was missing out, so I started off using the classic 'Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse' and that would be it, however since then my make-up collection has grown significantly and with it, so has the amount of make-up I wear on a daily basis (which I know isn't great for my skin).

Rimmel London Match Perfection in 103 'True Ivory'

This is now my got to foundation, it took me forever to find a foundation that I really got on with and worked well on my face and with my skin and I believe this is the one. The coverage is great, not much needs to be decanted/pumped out to cover your entire face meaning this 30ml bottle goes a long way. I also believe it's easily blended to perfectly match your skin tone and although I prefer to use my hands to apply it to my face, there is next to no difference when using a brush. This foundation retails at £6.99 and is available at Boots.

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder in 'Light Plus' and Real Techniques Powder Brush

Only recently have I discovered my love for this powder, and since I've worn it near on everyday. I feel that it really sets my foundation and bends great with the natural colour of my skin, leaving me with no visible lines around/under my chin. It is quite pricey, however a little does go a long way and therefore I believe that it's well worth the money. I have also just done a full blog post on this powder here. This powder retails at £22.50 and is available from most big department stores and this brush retails at £12.99 and is available at Boots.

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Mascara in Black

I've been a massive fan of Maybelline The Falsies for a couple of years now, never straying for the product even to try another to see if I preferred it. However I received this from a friend for my birthday back in October and have fallen in love with it. It coats my lashes and elongates them amazingly, my eyes look a lot wider (this is a big deal to me, as my distant Chinese roots mean I've never been able to do the classic Puss in Boots wide-eyed face :-( ) It's even tempted me to re-purchase this tube when the need next arises instead of my beloved Maybelline tube. This mascara retails at £6.99 and is available at Boots.

Sleek Blush in Sweet Cheeks

Okay so this isn't part of my everyday make-up, however it is my go-to blush palette for parties and special occasions. None of the colours, once applied, are too 'in your face' and this is why I like it. I prefer to have a quite subtle blush look, as my face doesn't really suit a rosy cheek. The colours also blend really well to give a nice, natural looking cheek. This blush palette retails at £9.99 and is available at Superdrug.

What's your everyday make-up? Do any of these products feature on yours?

♥

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Review: Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Powder

It's only recently that I've started using Mac products. I always felt (and still do most of the time) think they are far too over priced for what they are, especially when you can buy a decent equivalent on the high street for a fraction of the money. However, not having used a few of the products I can tell that there is a significant difference in quality. 

The first time I ever used from Mac was their Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder. As one of my best friends raved about this powder and I felt I needed to know what all her fuss was about. I did originally buy this in 'Medium Plus' as this is the shade she wears and I couldn't see much of a difference in our skin tones and the stall in Selfridges on Oxford Street, London was so packed I wanted nothing more than to get in and get out. I have since discovered that there is in fact a massive difference in our skin tones and my shade is in fact 'Light Plus'. 

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder in 'Light Plus'

Since I first purchased this powder it has become my number one favourite and is part of my everyday make-up. I do still like to wear my transparent powder from Rimmel every now and then as I feel that gives my face a little more depth. But 9 times out of 10 I am wearing this.

I feel that this powder really sets my foundation and concealer and it's titled very correctly because once you have the correct shade it is a very natural looking powder on the face. I also feel that a little of this powder goes a long way on my face this is also enhanced by using the Real Techniques Powder Brush which I use to apply this powder as it has good coverage of my face, as the brush head is so large.

It does leave me with a little shine on my nose towards the end of the day if I don't re-apply, however I've began to accept that this is just my face as this happens what ever powder I wear and besides what better excuse to use that famous phrase 'I'm just going to powder my nose'.

This powder retails at £22.50 and is available from most big department stores.
Have you tried this powder? What were your thoughts?
♥

(I'm sorry, my photography skills aren't the best (I will get better I promise) which means the flash on my camera has washed out the colour of the powder)
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Victoria Secret Haul

Victoria Secret Eau De Toilette and Body Mist in 'Such A Flirt'

Personally I've never owned a Victoria Secret scent before, but many of my friends have. I've wanted to purchase Victoria Secret's Heartbreaker Mini Mist for so long, but live no where near a store and so by the time I actually came to buy it, the scent has been discontinued and no longer available in the UK. 

I then smelt nearly everything inside the Westfield Stratford City store, that by the end everything began to smell the same. I found this body mist and perfume in 'Such A Flirt' and instantly loved it. It's such a gorgeous smell, that's both sweet and fruity. There is currently a deal on 3 fragrances for £22, or 5 for £30 (I imagine this is nationwide). I was unaware of this offer before I got to the till, so decided just to go for a second of the Body Mists and give the second as a Christmas present to my younger sister, as I know she will love it as much as I do.

The Eau De Toilette is perfect size for the handbag and so therefore is extremely portable making re-sprays so much easier.

I thoroughly recommend you take a visit to a Victoria Secret store as the range of fragrances in there is enormous and with the exception of a few, they all smell delicious! For those of you in the Kent area, there is a Victoria Secret opening at Bluewater in Dartford, Spring 2014.

Do you own any Victoria Secret fragrances? If so, what's your favourite?

♥

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That Dress You've 'Never' Seen Before

Primark Tartan Dress

If you haven't seen this dress before, where have you been?

It's a Primark tartan dress that's available in a range of different colour combinations. I originally said I wouldn't buy it, purely for the fact every female on the planet owns it, however on a trip to Westfields Stratford City I just simply couldn't resist. 

As much as I love the dress and the way it fits, there are a number of problems I have with it. Firstly Primark sizing is mediocre. I had to purchase this dress 3 sizes 'too big' just for it to fit. Secondly the zip up the back, has made it pretty clear that it won't take much, meaning there isn't a chance in hell that the wearer will be able to zip themselves into the dress.

That said, once the dress is on the way it fits suites my figure just how I like it. It nips in at the waist and then floats down quite flat, hiding my stomach which is what I try to hide.

This dress retails at £15 and so despite it's flaws is a bargain, and although they're still in stock, I imagine they're selling fast because they are extremely popular.

Are you a fan of the tartan craze this autumn/winter?

♥

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The TMI Tag

You've probably already seen the TMI tag circling around the world of social media, and I've decided that today is my turn.
1: What are you wearing? A blue tartan style shirt from River Island and black high waisted skinny JONI jeans from Topshop. 2: Ever been in love? It's hard to say. I've felt love, but I don't think I've ever been 'in love'. 3: Ever had a terrible breakup? I wouldn't say so, no. 4: How tall are you? 5"7 5: How much do you weigh? I don't really feel comfortable disclosing this.  6: Any tattoos? No. I have an enormous fear of needles. 7: Any piercings? I only have the one hole in my ear. 8: OTP? Troye Sivan and Tyler Oakley 9: Favourite Show? Great British Bake Off or I'm A Celebrity. 10: Favorite bands? Bastille, Imagine Dragons and Half Moon Run 11: Something you miss? My Grandad's, Year 11 and GCSE's. We'll leave the A Level rant for another time. 12: Favourite song? Of The Night - Bastille 13: How old are you? 18!!! 14: Zodiac sign? Scorpio 15: Quality you look for in a partner? Someone who's funny, can tolerate my sarcasm and make me happy. 16: Favorite Quote? 'You could have got us killed. Or even worse expelled!' 17: Favorite actor? Adam Sandler has me in stitches every time. 18: Favourite colour? This changes daily, however at the moment it's a navy blue. 19: Loud music or soft?  I've sensitive ear drums when it comes to headphones, so it's generally quite soft. 20: Where do you go when you’re sad? Bed 21: How long does it take you to shower? Anywhere between 15-30 minutes 22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? I need about an hour, however never get up at my alarm and end up leaving myself 10 minutes. 23: Ever been in a physical fight? No, I do remember a 'scrap' me and a friend had in a GCSE lesson, but that was all a bit of fun.. 24: Turn on? Eyes and Hair 25: Turn off? Smokers 26: The reason I joined blogging? I have the odd moments of spare time, and so thought I should spend it wisely! 27: Fears? Needles, Spiders and Blood 28: Last thing that made you cry? Cancer 29: Last time you said you loved someone? - 30: Meaning behind your Blog Name? I'm a massive fan of Peter Pan, and my name is Emily (Em) 31: Last book you read? The Fault in Our Stars 32: The book you’re currently reading? I'm not.. 33: Last show you watched? Celebrity Juice 34: Last person you talked to? KT (she's actually Katie Thompson, but her initials are her name! :p) 35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted? One of my best friends.  36: Favourite food? Spaghetti Bolognese for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. 37: Place you want to visit? Australia and the United States West Coast. 38: Last place you were? Well I'm at home now but will be leaving for sixth form in 20 minutes!  39: Do you have a crush? Er 40: Last time you kissed someone? Er 41: Last time you were insulted? Probably today.. 42: Favourite flavour of sweet? Blackcurrant 43: What instruments do you play? Right now, nothing 44: Favourite piece of jewellery? I have a lot, it's hard to have a favourite 45: Last sport you played? Netball 46: Last song you sang? One Direction - Little Black Dress 47: Favourite chat up line? I don't have one haha 48: Have you ever used it? - 49: Last time you hung out with anyone? Tuesday 50: Who should answer these questions next? Everyone :-)
Probably did share a little too much information there, but enjoy and if you complete this tag be sure to link your blog in the comments below as I'd love to check them out! 

♥

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