Life lately #15

Tomorrow is a pretty scary day, because it's (fingers crossed, touch wood and all that jazz. Let's not jinx this) the day that I'm handing in my dissertation. It's taken 8 months, a lot of reading novels, an alarming amount of feminism research, and a small fortune in caffeine. Hindsight tells me I should have tried to get Starbucks to sponsor me, at least. But after tomorrow, that's me done. It's scary how fast this year,and writing this dissertation, has gone, but it's even scarier how fast my entire degree has gone. I still remember walking into my first lecture and wondering how the hell I had managed to get into university in the first place. For the first time, I don't have a 'next step' of education that I'm moving on to. I don't know where I'll be in six months, let alone anything beyond that.

But, surprisingly, I'm okay. Terrified. But okay.

I hope you're all having a lovely Sunday ♥

n xx

Nailing it

You might have noticed in a few of my recent nail posts that my nails are looking a bit odd because I'm currently in the process of growing out acrylic nails that I had put on a few months ago. Because my nails are in pretty good condition, but take an age to grow, my acrylics don't pull off easily (I know some people's just chip off after a while), but that doesn't bother me. The only thing I really do is make sure I keep the new nail growing in happy- so here's my current manicure favourites!

Step one: remove & shape

I'm a fan of acetone free nail varnsih removers because my nails split and dry out so easily, and currently I'm loving this one from Boots. Currently trimming acrylics is a bit of a chore (I really don't recommend it unless you're patient), but otherwise I just file them down to keep them tidy.

Step two: nourish

When it comes to keeping my nails happy and moisturised, I love Avon products. The two I'm currently (and pretty much always) using are the Vitamin C cuticle gel and the Hydrate and Grow potion. My nails definitely grow faster when I use these more regularly, plus my nails don't get so dry and brittle.

Step three: base
I always, always moisturise my hands about a million times a day to stop them getting scaly (thank you eczema), but after a manicure I like to get out a thicker hand cream. Currently my favourite is either of the Soap and Glory hand creams, and Hand Dream is their newer formula. I'm not really sure which of the two I prefer, but it'll be in a blog post soon! At the moment I'm always applying a base coat, and my go to choice is the Sally Hansen Maximum Growth.

What's your current manicure must have?!

n xx

Review | No7 make up brush cleanser

I've never been part of the I-hate-washing-make-up-brushes crowd (I actually quite enjoy it), but recent changes in my make up bag means that I made the decision to invest in this No7 brush cleaner for £8 in Boots. I've not seen many reviews for it but I decided to take the plunge because really, who couldn't use a good make up brush cleanser?

At first I was worried that it might leave the brushes feeling greasy or not quite clean, but that's definitely not the case. You can see from the before and after photos just how well this cleans them super quickly. Plus, they're ready to use only a few minutes later. It's the easiest thing to do, just applying a pump to a cotton wool pad or piece of kitchen roll, a few sweeps and hey presto you're all done. 

I'm so glad I've finally bought a quick brush cleaner and found such a good one first try! Deep cleaning brushes will still have a special place in my heart, though.

Do you have a favourite brush cleaner?

n xx

Holiday clothes wishlist

New Look red abstract print dip hem dress £14.99

ASOS 50's halter top & high waisted bikini £20 &£16
ASOS oasis gold flower sandals £22

ASOS tassle playsuit £35

Zara crochet dress £25.99

H&M sunglasses £5.99
New Look cream crochet espadrilles £9.99

Zara combined shopper bag £39.99

Topshop paisley and stripe babydoll top £26

Topshop floral embroidered skirt £38

This time last year I was on a count down for my holiday to Italy (let's not even talk about how it was a whole year ago), and this year I'm lusting over some serious beach time. I don't have much of a summer wardrobe, so if I end up booking something I'll be going on a serious shopping spree.

Are you going anywhere this summer?

n xx

Review | Herbal Essences clearly naked

Herbal Essences clearly naked 0% moisturising shampoo & conditioner 

both £2.35

Ever since my hair turned into straw, I've been really careful about what I've been using. For a while I've been addicted to Lush Rehab shampoo and Retread conditioner, but now I've decided to venture into something a bit different. I decided to opt for these Herbal Essences clearly naked 0% shampoo and conditioner. I've read a few good reviews for them, and I went for the moisture option. 

They do smell quite minty as you're using them, but I wouldn't say that the smell lasts for long. I don't find that the shampoo lathers an awful lot but that doesn't bother me, especially because it leaves my hair feeling squeaky clean. The conditioner smells even less minty, but the after effects on my hair leaves it super soft and silky, with minimal frizz (my hair frizzes at anything, so minimal is quite an achievement). My hair also hasn't been as greasy, and lasts about 3-4 days.

I'd really recommend these if you're looking for something for dry hair, or just a general switch up! If they keep on leaving my hair this soft I'll 100% be repurchasing.

What's your current hai rcare favourite?

n xx

Boots haul

As usual, when I get left alone in Boots, things get a little expensive. Plus there's a 3 for 2 on both hair care and make up at the moment, and it was student loan day... I tripped and fell, honestly.

I picked up some new shampoo, conditioner and deep treatment mask; I've been eyeing up some new ways to get some moisture into my hair, and I've been wanting to try out the Herbal Essences clearly naked 0% range for a while. The make up bits that I picked up are all restocks and new tries. I've used both the Collection concealer and Essie ballet slippers before, but the Soap & Glory supercat liner is a new try that I'm quite excited about!

I spotted the new Garnier micellar water is for combination and sensitive skin, and since I loved it so much before I treated myself to another one. The bottle lasts for so long! I'm trying out this simple eye cream too, since I've been getting really dry under-eye skin. I also spotted the No7 make up brush cleaner, and as I've never tried a quick cleaner on my brushes I'm giving it a try.

Undoubtedly there will be a mass of reviews coming soon!

Are any of these your staple favourites?

n xx

Spring nails | Essie ballet slippers

Essie is right up there as one of my favourite nail varnish brands, I just love their colour range and always have an endless need to buy more. I posted about my collection a while back here (though it's grown a lot since). Ballet slippers was the first ever shade I bought from Essie, so it was also the first one to run out.

I posted a full review back here, and ballet slippers is still my all time favourite pinky nude. I recently repurchased my second one (my first lasted surprisingly long without drying out). It looks like it won't become opaque on the first coat, but it becomes a very natural looking sheer pink after two to three. It gives my nails just that perfect little something without being too out there.

What's your perfect pinky nude?

 Essie ballet slippers

or shop similar

Essie mademoiselle

Barry M rose hip

Nails inc pall mall

n xx

S/S wedding guest outfit inspiration

ASOS bandeau floral mini dress £60

Miss Selfridge lace choker £8.50

Topshop chunky platforms £55

Ted Baker rose clutch bag £99
New look pink court shoes £19.99
ASOS embroidered shift dress £95

I'm starting to reach an age where a. people I know my age are getting married and b. I actually care what I look like in their wedding photos. This summer I'm gracing my third wedding, and I'm already planning. What the heck am I supposed to wear?! I've been perusing the 'sophisticated and graceful' themes, though if it's anything like my cousins wedding last year, I won't be wearing heels. Heels + slightly wet grass = a definite backwards tilt in photos as I try to remain vertical. Graceful indeed.

What're your wedding attire go to's?!

n xx

Current everyday face

 the last updated make up bag post

Currently on a daily basis this is my go-to collection for putting all over my face...

Rimmel match perfection foundation • MaxFactor CC under eye corrector review • Natural Collection green corrector stick • Benefit porefessional • Urban Decay eyeshadow primer potion • MAC pro longwear concealer review 

Rimmel stay matte powder • MAC quad (brows: omega/ espresso, lids: brule/ naked lunch) review • The Body Shop honey bronzer review

 Revlon just bitten kissable • Benefit roller lash review • Rimmel scandaleyes jumbo liquid liner review 

What're your current daily favourites?!

n xx

Review | Revlon just bitten kissable balm stain

Revlon just bitten kissable balm stain 

I've always been on the hunt for that perfect not-quite-nude shade, and it turns out that it was in the depths of my make up stash all along. I've had this for a while (I'm pretty sure that my friend Ania bought it for me several birthdays ago), but I rummaged it out a few weeks ago and fell totally in love.

It's got that trademark minty scent, but I'm a mint lover so that doesn't really bother me, and is super easy to apply. I'm often rebellious enough to even apply without a mirror. It looks quite purple in the bullet, but isn't dauntingly so once applied. It really is just a my lips but better shade, and it has pretty good lasting power. After about 4-5 top ups it does start to stain your lips a little, but not massively. More of a 'are you wearing anything..?' look the next day.

If you've not tried out this range yet, I'd totally recommend it- I'm thinking of picking up some more if anyone has any shade favourites!

n xx

Spring nails | Topshop parma violet

Every time I go into Topshop, I fall a little bit in love with their make up display. It's just so pretty. The nail varnishes in particular call out to me, and I always have to stop myself from buying them all. I posted about my Topshop nails collection here if you'd like to see more!

I posted a proper review for parma violet back here, and I'm still in love with it. It's one of my go-to spring colours, it's a perfect purple pastel. It takes a little longer than I'd like in the drying department (but I'm super impatient- anything longer than a minute and I start getting twitchy), but other than that I'm in love.

What's your perfect lilac for spring?

Shop similar:

Topshop foresaken or reality bites

Barry M prickly pear

Essie lilacism

n xx

March favourites

It's been a while since I posted a monthly favourites so I thought I'd get back into it. To be honest I stopped because I'm in a 'use up everything you own before you buy more' phase because living between two houses causes an unbelievable amount of backlog. 

The last few months I've been having a bit of a spot breakout (thank you high stress levels) so I've been using the Clinique 3-step anti-blemish solutions to calm things down. I've found than as long as I keep my skin well moisturised, it's been working pretty well at getting rid of my spots faster.

The Sally Hansen grow faster base coat is a re-discovery. I've had acrylic nails on for a few months, but now I'm growing them out so I want a lot of TLC for the new nail growing in. I've also been loving having Soap and Glory hand food floating around in my bag. The lid doesn't randomly open when it's in the depths of my bag, it smells nice and leaves my hands feeling super soft. Finally I've been really loving this Rimmel match perfection foundation. It's super light coverage that's slightly buildable, but I love that it gives me coverage while still leaving my skin looking relatively natural. The lighter shades are also a really good match for pale skin!

What have your march favourites been?

n xx