Pocket Essentials

So now I am on placement again I find I can't live without a few essentials in my large pockets! 

Obviously there are the pens, pen torches and scissors etc but these are the extras I have in there to make my day a little better!

Carex Antibacterial Moisturising Hand Gel - 

Anyone who works in healthcare or has stepped in a healthcare setting knows how much alcohol gel is used theses days. It is essential in the community as hand washing facilities are not always available. I use this one as it is moisturising because from hand washing so much my hands can get really dry.

Altoids - 

Well to keep it simple, I don't want to have horrible breath when leaning over people for most of the day! These are good as you can eat them discreetly without having a big boiled sweat or chewing gum in your gob!

Love & Toast Honey Coconut Handcreme - 

I find if I apply this a few times during the working day it really helps to stop my skin becoming too dry and cracking. Most places do have their own hand lotion dispensers but I prefer to have my own. This smells lovely too!

Gale Hayman Lip Lift - 

This has to be the best lip product I have ever used. I have one of these in my handbag, by my bed, in my car and now in my pocket! I am not sure why but my lips tend to get dry a lot when I am on placement and a bit of this and the are soft, shiny, moisturised and dry skin free.

I hope you liked this post. It wasn't very exciting but hey ho!

Sweetie Pie!

On Thursday I went out with my uni ladies for our first night out in a year and a half. I was very excited and my friend convinced me to step back into the world of falseness!

False eyelashes obviously, I would have to be forced to have a fake tan or anything like that!

I had a good look round the high street but could only find massive drag queen style lashes or lashes which were stupidly expensive for what they were! 

I walked passed Claire's Accessories and thought I would nip in on the off chance they had any in. They actually had quite a large selection and their own brand ones were pretty cheap. I opted for these because they were the most natural looking of the bunch.

Katy Perry Lashes created by Eylure.

The packaging is super cute and I was drawn in by the branding and the name 'Sweetie Pie' as I am a sucker for the gimmicks! 

The glue comes with the lashes but I forgot to bring that home to photograph!

I was really tight for time when getting ready and thought I was going to be faffing about with these for ages to get them on but they were pretty easy and I got them on first time (yay me!).

Like I said I went for these because they were the most natural but they had all kinds of styles in the Katy Perry range and their own range.

These were £6.50 but I got them for £5.53 because they do student discount!

I will definitely be wearing these out again and would recommend them to people who are interested in trying some lashes but don't want to go overboard!

*Here* is Claire's Accessories website but they don't stock these lashes online.

They can be found online *here* though!

Swapsies with Smoking Peaches!

So I posted on twitter a while back that I wanted to do a swap with some. 

1. Because I love buying for others and 2. Because who doesn't like receiving things through the post right?!

The lovely Carlyn of the blog Smoking Peaches replied to my tweet and wanted to swap! We messaged each other with some likes and dislikes, set a limit of £10 -15 (I think?!) and away we went!

I have had mine packed and read to send for 2 weeks but because the postal service has been cut to nothing I haven't been able to post till today. I live in Sheffield when I am at uni and could I find a post office near me?! Even Doncaster has a central post office! 

Anyway...

I came home yesterday from university to my parents house to fine my parcel from Carlyn sat on my bed. 

I sat with my mum when I opened it and the first thing she said was 'Oh she must know you well because you would have picked those things for yourself', when I told her I'd never met Carlyn she said she must be psychic (my mother is rather special!). 

So this is what I got!

Yankee Candle Tart in Lemon Lavender - I love these tarts! I think they fill a room up better than the candles. I am going to save this till I move back home in July so I can get the full effect. I can't use candles in my flat and to be quite honest its probably a good thing or I would burn the place down!

Pen and Mini notebook - I love stationary so I am well chuffed with this. I will be using my pen when I am back in lectures and the notepad is perfect for having in my pocket when I am out on placement! 

Key Ring and Lip balm  - I love keyrings and I think this one will go nicely with my Hello Kitty ones on my car keys. I also have a lip balm holder on my keys too so I think this one will look better in it than my rubbish old chapstick!

Revlon Nail Enamel 211 Charming - Pretty lilac colour for spring! I love the formula of Revlon colors, I bought a yellow one last year and had it on my toes all spring and summer. Think this will replace that one this year!

Some cute Japanese (?) sweeties! I have no idea what these are but the are super tasty! I have munched them all already!

Thanks Carlyn! 

I hope you like yours when you eventually receive it!

All in all I have really enjoyed my swap experience! I don't think I could ever be disappointed by swaps because I am so easy to buy for. 

I don't have many dislikes.

I have one other swap on the go at the moment but if anyone else is interested, maybe from overseas, then just get in touch!

Sheer Blonde Post 2

So I posted HERE about using the John Frieda Sheer Blonde collection. I did like it and I do think it was lightening and improving my dull blonde hair. 

Unfortunately I have had to stop using it *sad times*! 

I mentioned in the previous post about how I had noticed a bumpy rash appear on the back of my neck after I started using this range. Well this minor rash got bigger, itchy and noticeable when my hair was up. 

Since I have stopped using it it has gone away completely.

I would still recommend it if you don't have particularly sensitive skin but if you do then I wouldn't bother. 

I may try this range again in a few months and see how it goes.

Meanwhile I would like to try other blonde ranges. 

I have been recommended Tigi Dumb Blonde and Schwarzkopf Touch of Silver ranges. 

Anymore recommendations?

UNII Rave!!!

So I have already posted about UNII palettes *here* so I will keep this short and sweet.

My mum gave me a make up case/box pre-filled with shadows, lippies and other bits and bobs. I was a bit wary because to be honest they looked naff..BUT! The eye shadows are really highly pigmented and I am very impressed.

I didn't want to keep them in the box so I had an excuse to buy a new UNII palette which went from this...

To this...

Pretty yes? I will get lots of use out of these for sure!

*UNII Palettes available here!*

Random Beauty Bits!

Today I thought it would be an amazing idea to wear leaky shoes and go into town on the bus in the rain at 3pm when the shops close at 4pm!

Why?

I have no idea but this is what I bought in that short space of time!

1. Figs and Rouge Wild Cherry lip, face, hand and body balm £4.99.

I have their smaller tine of Rambling Rose but I keep that at my uni flat so when I come home I am a bit lost! Strolling past these in boots and I spot that it is a flavor I have never seen before and a 17ml tin! Straight in the basket! 

2. Max Factor Max Effect Mini Nail Polish in Fantasy Fire - £3.99.

I actually bought 2 of these because I heard they were a sell out in most places. I am kinda not sure why else I would have bought them because when I got them home I realised I don't really like the colour because It doesn't match anything I own! So I will probably give them away. Silly waste of pennies!

3. NYC Jumbo Lipstick Pencil in Tenderness - £1.99.

I got this from a discount make up shop in my local shopping center. I keep buying expensive lipsticks from MAC and such like but I never really wear them so I have decided it is cheap lipsticks from now on for me unless I see a colour I just cannot live without! This is just a shimmery light pink colour.

4. Revlon ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powder in 010 Brighten £4.99.

This is the product I am most excited to try! 

As I have previously mentioned in posts I am always on the quest for the perfect highlight for my pail skin. 

I can't have it too glittery, gold or too dark. 

I like the look of Benefits High Beam but I never wear it because I really don't like cream products other than foundation or concealer. 

This looks the most promising highlight I have come across so far and I can't wait to try it out. 

If I like it I am totally going back and buying them all! This was from the discount beauty shop too. Bargain at £4.99 IF it works!

It is a mix of light pink, darker pink, white and gold shimmer. Looks pretty all swirled into one.

Hopefully my soggy feet will have been worth it if I get a perfect highlight out of it! What do you think?!

50 Followers Giveaway!

So I know this is a cliche but I really never thought anyone would be interested in my gabberings!

I only really started this to have a bit of a release from my everyday life.

So 50 of you are now following so I thought I would give a little bit back to you!

It isn't much as you probably know by now I am a poor student. Just a few things I have gathered together to give away.

I thought I would try and make it a bit summery because we are bored of the cold rubbish weather now right?!

Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks - Pink Cloud

Natural Collection Juicy Lips Lipgloss - Fondant

Natural Collection Nail Colour - Winter Moon

Your BEst Friend - Bronzing pressed powder

thisworks - Clean Skin Daily Was 30ml

Lavera  Basis Sensitiv - Handcreme 20ml

Sun Shots - SPF 25 Medium Sun Protection 20ml

Flower pocket mirror

Lily loves Lola - Pink Horse Shoe Bracelet

2 Yankee Candle Tea-lights - Cherry Blossom 

How to enter -

1. You need to follow my blog and leave a comment saying Hello, name, email or twitter name!

2. Follow me on twitter! My tweets are protected so you will have too add me and wait to be accepted.

3. Then just tweet me to let me know you are entering!

This will be running until 14th April 2012.

I will choose the winner at random.

That is all!

Thank you once again for following.


****This is now closed!!!!****

The winner is Alana! 


But seen as only 2 people wanted to enter I am going to send Kirsty something too for been nice and entering!


I will DM you both on twitter!

Wanna swap?!

So here is my package ready to be sent for my swap with Carlyn of Smoking Peaches blog.

We decided to set the limit at £10 and it is a bit of a random swap! We just mentioned a few likes and dislikes and away we went!

I am interested in doing more swaps as I have really enjoyed shopping around for other people. 

I don't mind local/national/international swaps but I am a bit of a novice and a student so nothing too adventurous!

Anyone fancy a swap?

Comment below or drop me an email!

Eleven Questions

I got tagged by the lovely Jess of Just Jesss (You should all go follow her!) and thought I would give it a go! 

I usually read these but never do them myself so this is a first!

1. What's your favourite item of clothing in your wardrobe/drawers and why?

Jeans! I love jeans! I have so many pairs of jeans but I think my favorite are a pair of navy skinny jeans from Dorothy Perkins. I haven't had them that long but they seem to keep their shape and wash well. They were also a bargain with my student discount.

2. When did you last skip taking your make-up off?

When Jess and I went to Corporation in Sheffield a week ago. I managed to make my self some toast, go on my computer, take my contact lenses out and get in my PJ's but taking off my make up was too much effort!

3. Name a film you've watched so often you can say every line before it happens.

Home Alone and Home Alone 2 (Now I want to watch them!).

4. Who inspires you and why?

My Mum and Dad. Dad was in a very serious accident leaving him disabled but due to his determination and hard work he is doing well. Mum for staying strong and being there for us all.

5. Did you make any resolutions for 2012? If so, what were they and how are they going?

No because I never keep them! I think I vaguely told myself to be a better person but I try to be everyday anyway!

6. Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/bands/etc.?

Got to love a bit of J-Lo and JLS!

7. What's one beauty product you couldn't live without?

Totally lost without Elemis Sensitive Cleansing Wash!

8. What's the most-played song on your iPod/iTunes/whatever?

Warbrain - Alkaline Trio

9. What's your favorite way to relax?

Cup of tea and a bit of Police Interceptors or sleep!

10. Do you have any bad habits? If so, what?

Too many to mention!

11. Where do you see yourself in ten years' time?

Hopefully happy and successful in my career. Living with Mr Shmoobiecakes and maybe a baby??!!! Eeeek!

So apparently I have to tag 11 people now but I think I may just list a few blogs I am liking right now and just tag everybody! 

If you do complete the following questions leave a comment so I can have a read.

1. What is your wish list beauty product at the moment?

2. If you had a million pounds, what would you do first?

3. When were you at your happiest?

4. What is your favorite make up or skincare brand and why?

5. Where was the last place you went on holiday?

6. What is your idea of a perfect date?

7. What is your favorite type of food?

8. What is your favorite accessory?

9. What is the best gig you have ever been to?

10. What is your favorite book?

11. Where do you see yourself in 3 years time?

Blogs I am loving!

http://www.thesundaygirl.com/

http://www.essiebutton.com/

http://smokingpeaches.blogspot.com/

http://wwwclairabelle.blogspot.com/

http://paperbacks-and-postcards.blogspot.com/

http://ocnpd.blogspot.com/

Style and Shine!

In a previous haul I included this hairdryer. Well I have had a good 2-3 weeks using this so I feel I can give some of my views on it now.

Mark Hill Professional Style & shine PRO-Power Dryer - 

The blurb -

"Super-Fast Drying 2000W Pro-Ionic AC long life motor for professional results with tourmaline, for faster, frizz-free drying.

With 3 heat and 2 speed settings, a cool shot button.

Straightening, volumising and styling nozzles." 

- Mark Hill

As I said in my haul, what drew me to this dryer was the design! For a hairdryer it is pretty cool right? 

I like to keep it out in my room because it looks so good.

The pattern however, is the only good bit of the design. All the rest of the design feel like it has never actually been tested out before they put it in to manufacturing!

The control buttons are right where my fingers need to be to have a good grip on the handle. 

So at lease 4 times during drying my hair I accidentally change either the heat setting or turn it off! 

This is extremely annoying especially when I am in a rush.

I do like the speed and heat setting though. It is a very powerful hair dryer so I tend to use it on the lowest speed setting on high heat for a rough dry and then turn it to the lowest heat when styling.

The dryer comes with 3 concerning nozzles but I do not use these, I have never used them on any of my hairdryers. I find them hard to work with and with my hair being so fine I think concentrating the heat into one place is not good for it! 

The end of this dryer isn't circular either so you cannot twist the nozzle to the angle you require if you do use them!

I also think I am bulking up my arm as this is the heaviest hairdryer I have ever used. I am used to it now but it was a bit of an effort when I first got it. At lease I will have at least one toned arm by summer though!

The finish it gives is good. My hair always feels dry but never dried out. It leaves it smooth and shiny so I guess the name of the dryer does live up to the results.

All in all this hair dryer is just okay. It does the job but annoys me in the process. I think now that I should have probably not gone with my 'oooooh pretty' impulse and spent a bit more time and money looking for a better design.

Hopefully I will learn to love it as much as I love the print!

Available here!