February Favourites

Hi everyone, today's post is my February favourites. I love reading what peoples favourite products have been, so I thought I'd share mine with you. I'll be honest, this month I haven't actually tried that many new things, but since I haven't posted a monthly favourites in a while I thought I'd write it anyway!

1. Sí by Giorgio Armani

I love this fragrance so much, it's the eau de toilette which is slightly lighter than the original and perfect for just an everyday scent. It's quite sweet but nothing too sickly, and the bottle is just beautiful!

2. Thick and Fast HD Mascara High Definition Collagen Coat by Soap and Glory

I constantly re-purchase this mascara as it's probably my all time favourite. It gives your lashes loads of volume, so I use a steady hand and that way it gives a really fluttery look and makes your lashes look fuller. Personally, I prefer to use a mascara with a super small wand for my bottom lashes, so I only use this for my top lashes.

3. Superstay 24H foundation by Maybelline

I have this foundation in the shade 05 light beige which is perfect on me. Don't be fooled by the shade name, when I compared this shade to 010 Ivory, it was much lighter. This foundation is pretty full coverage which I love, and I find a little goes a long way, so I use a maximum of a pump and a half.

4. Crushed Jewel cream eyeshadow by Barry M

I bought this eye shadow on a bit of a whim as I'd never seen to before or heard about it. This one is in the shade '3 Cloud Nine' and the best way I can explain the colour is mainly a metallic bronze but almost copper. I normally will put on a tiny bit and then blend it out, as it's super pigmented, so for an everyday look it's better sheered out. Barry M have loads of different shades so will have to pick some more up!

5. Ultra HD Gel Lip Colour by Revlon

I originally bought this shade, '710 Dessert' to wear to my mums wedding back in October, but after the wedding I lost it and only just found it at the end of January. This shade is a 'your lips but better' shade. It feels really moisturising and comfortable with a bit of a sheen, but nothing too glossy. This is my perfect everyday lipstick and is a regular in my handbag.

6. Highlighting Palette in '032 Solstice' by Sleek Makeup

I am a lover of The Balm Mary Lou Manizer, but when I don't want a golden highlight then I'll use this palette. For such an affordable palette it is so pigmented and looks beautiful! Unlike some highlights, it blends nicely into the skin and doesn't like like just a strip of shimmer on your face. I don't use the brush it comes with, but it is nice to have it as apart of the palette.

7. Naked Heat palette by Urban Decay

I've saved the best for last...After lusting over the palette since the day it was released, I got bought this amazing palette from my Auntie for Christmas. My favourite colours to use on my eyes are reds, oranges and golds, so this palette is perfect. There are so many looks that can be created with it, my personal favourite is when I take a pink eyeshadow as a crease colour and then use the palette for my lid, lower lash line, inner corner and transition shade. If you are a lover of warm eye shadows and haven't already got this, then treat yourself to it, you won't be disappointed!

Thank you for reading, please let me know your favourite products this month!

Jasmine x

     

My 'Go-To' Fragrances

Hi everyone, today's post is my go-to fragrances. When I was younger for some reason I tried to rebel against most girly things my mum liked, which is pretty odd when compared to what I'm like now. I would refuse to wear any makeup and would never let my mum paint my nails, but one thing I would always love is perfume. My mum used to work in the offices of a department store and would always bring home perfume for me to try, and so when I was 15 I got a job on the makeup and fragrance department of the store, and so I got to try a lot of new perfumes!

I like quite sweet and floral fragrances, but more mature ones rather than the sickly sweet ones. I do sometimes like fresh fragrances for everyday too.

These are just some of my favourite fragrances that I will grab for most often!

One of my most loved fragrances is the Georgio Armani Sí perfume. I used to wear this everyday when I worked on the fragrance counter at the department store. It's quite a 'grown up' screen, if you know what I mean, but it quite sweet as well. 

The Lady Million fragrance by Paco Rabanne is also a favourite. It quite fresh and sweet and a slightly more 'grown up' scent. 

The Daisy perfume by Marc Jacobs is gorgeous. I have both the Eau de Perfume and Eau de Toilette and love them both, but this Eau de Toilette is a lovely light floral scent which is perfect for everyday. 

The CK One Gold by Calvin Klein is quite different to most of my fragrances. It is quite inexpensive which makes it perfect for an everyday scent, and is by far the most fresh scented perfume I own, which makes a nice change to my sweet scents. 

One fragrance that you may not have heard of it the JLo Miami Glow Perfume. This fragrance is actually discontinued but you can still by it on Amazon and websites such a Fragrance Direct. Back when this perfume wasn't discontinued, before I was even a teenager, my mum and her best friend would wear this perfume and it just reminds me of them when I was younger! It's pretty sweet but not too sickly.

Hope you've liked this post! Let me know what other posts you'd like to read!

Jasmine x

Current River Island Wishlist #2

Hi everyone! My most seen blog post is actually my previous 'Current River Island Wishlist', and so I thought that I would write another one, and I love online shopping, or window shopping, and so I love writing it too! Hope you like it, and hopefully they'll be lots more blog posts too!

Items from left to right;

1. Black Mixed Stripe Print Boyfriend T-shirt

2. Pink Biker Jacket

3. Black Ripped Hem Sleeveless Denim Dress

4. Dark Grey Badged Mini Skirt

5. White Floral Embroidered Tulle Trim Bralet

6. Blue Denim Patchwork Mini Skirt

7. Black Mess Corset Bralet Top

8. Grey Washed 'MTV' Open Back T-Shirt

Hope you like this post, let me know if you love any of these pieces too!

Jasmine Fancy x

Current Skincare Routine

Hi everyone, todays post is my skincare routine. Recently my skin has been getting really clear and looking so much better, but ironically I've woken up today with a new spot after about 2 weeks of not getting any. I put this down to hormones and all those things but I think my actual skincare routine has helped my skin.

Products in the order that I use them;

1. Granire Micellar Cleansing Water - Since this has come out it has definitely become a cult product. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've gotten through at least 10 bottles of this. It takes my makeup off like nothing else and is perfect for my sensitive skin.

2. The Body Shop Tea Tree 3-in-1 wash-scrub-mask - I don't tend to use this product as a mask but I do use it as a face wash. Tea Tree has so many great properties for your skin, and I find that this wash leaves my skin feeling so clean and fresh.

3. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic - Controversially, I found that the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser broke me out in spots, but the tonic leaves my skin feeling so clean and doesn't break me out.

4. The Body Shop Tea Tree Daily Solution - As I said earlier, tea tree is so good for the skin, and I think it's this has has really helped to clear my skin the most.

5. Clinique All About Eyes Rich - For someone my age, this really isn't essential, but I felt like my skincare routine needed an eye cream and I think Clinique do some of the most hydrating products.

6. Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief - This is my favourite skin care product and I really don't think I could ever live without it. It is so easy to apply, a little goes a long way and nothing moisturises my face like this.

7. Origins Clear Improvement Face Mask - Charcoal masks have really gained in popularity recently. I only use this about once or twice a week, but it leaves my skin feeling really smooth.

Hope you've enjoyed this post. If you have any skincare recommendations then please let me know!

Jasmine x

Healthy(ish) Flapjack Recipe

Hi everyone, todays post is a healthy(ish) flapjack recipe. I took a basic flapjack recipe and just altered it to be a tad healthier and it has turned out great. If you're not too fussed on the health aspect of this recipe, you could add chocolate chips too!

Ingredients;

3 cups of oats (I just used basic porridge oats)

1 cup of milk (I used soya milk)

1/2 cup of honey 

1/2 cup of walnuts

1/2 cup of cashews

1/2 cup of pecans

1/4 cup of brown sugar

Little bit of desiccated coconut to go on top

Can I also just point out how adorable these cat measurement cups are!

1. First I preheated the oven to gas mark 5. 

2. I chopped up all the nuts and mixed all the ingredients together. I then put the mixture into a baking tray lined with baking paper and flattened the mixture out. I then sprinkled the desiccated coconut on the top.

3. I then put the tray in the oven for 20 minutes, but make sure you check them every now and then, because I did cook this in the oven at university and the oven is a bit dodgy compared to other ovens.

4. I then waited for it to cool and then cut it into 10 bars.

Hope you liked this recipe, and if you make them then please let me know or send me a picture of them on Instagram!

Jasmine x

Current ASOS Wish List

Hi everyone, I haven't written a blog post in quite a while mainly due to my exams and now I'm working full time. I do really want to get back into blogging, especially as I'll be (hopefully) going to university in September and would love to write some university posts. If anyone would like to do any collaborations or would like to give me any blog post ideas, please let me know in the comments! Enough of me blabbering on, here is my current ASOS wish list;

From left to right;

1. ASOS T-Shirt With Sequin Sleeve - £20.00 

2. ASOS Denim Shirt in Washed Black - £20.00

3. ASOS Crinkle Oversize Blouse - £25.00 

4. ASOS Jumper With Pug Elbow Patch - £22.00 

5. ASOS Jumper in Mesh Stripe - £32.00

6. ASOS Wrap Front Pleat Peplum Top - £30.00 

Hoped you've liked this little post. If there are any other shops you'd like me to do a wish list for, then please let me know!

Jasmine x

Top 5 Favourite Candles

Hi everyone, todays post is most top 5 favourite candles. It's just a little post because I am pretty hopeless at describing scents, but all 5 are very sweet, so if you prefer musky scents, these may not be for you. Give them a smell when you're next shopping, especially Yankee Candle's 'Pink Sands' because it's my all time favourite! They'd also make great presents for any candle lover.

Yankee Candle - 'Sweet Apple'
Lily Flame - 'Party Time'
Yankee Candle - 'Pink Sands'
Yankee Candle - 'Margarita Time'
Yankee Candle - 'Wild Passion Fruit'

'Wild Passion Fruit' was the first ever Yankee Candle I bought, and when I had it in the small jar, it was such a lovely strong scent that fills a room amazingly!

Thanks for reading
Jasmine x

Best Bold Brow Products - Brow Routine

With the hype around bold brows just not fading, I've tried to find the perfect brow products. Although I love bold brows, I love them to look natural too, so I try to make them look naturally full and shaped. This can be difficult with my brows as my hair may be naturally brown, but my brows are naturally blonde. These are the products that I love to get my perfect brows;

After brushing through my eyebrows with a spoolie, I use the Benefit 'gimme brow' in the shade 'medium/deep', to add colour to my brows and set the shape.

Next I fill in my eyebrows with the Natural Collection (Boots) eyeshadow in 'Crushed Walnut'. I only do this lightly just to add more colour, and fill in anywhere looking a little sparse.

I then use the Soap&Glory 'Archery Brow Tint & Precision Shaping Pencil' in the shade 'Brownie Points' to add shape to my brows. This is my favourite brow product as it means I can shape my brows perfectly, and is so much better to any brow pencils that I've tried before! I use the crayon end to make a faint outline on the top of my brows, and use the felt tip end to draw hair like lines wherever I need them.

Next I use the L.A. Girl 'PRO.conceal' concealer in the colour 'porcelain' to go around my brows in-order to clean up the edges, which make my brows stand out more. I blend this in with a small flat eyeshadow brush. I then use my Benefit 'High Beam' highlighter underneath my brow bone, so it looks like my eyebrows have more of an arch.

Finally, I use my Maybelline 'Brow Drama' in 'medium brown', to set my eyebrows, and I find this product makes my brows look more natural. 

If you have any favourite brow products please write them in the comments below, I love trying out new ones!

Jasmine x

Favourite Lush Products

Hi everyone! It's no surprise to the people that know me that I love Lush products, but I'm more of a Lush hoarder. I buy so many Lush products that I can't get through them quick enough. Christmas is my favourite time to buy Lush things because my two favourite scents are 'Snow Fairy' and 'Twilight', so I have to stock up on them and hope they don't get discontinued next year! I haven't included any bath bombs in this post, but I think I might do a separate post on them!

'American Dream' hair conditioner - I'm awful at explaining scents, but this says that it's strawberry vanilla milkshake scented, which I would probably agree with. It smells gorgeous, and leaves your hair feeling super soft!

'Sweetie Pie' shower jelly - the feeling of these is the weirdest thing because it does feel like actual jelly. The smell is amazing, again can't really describe the scent, but it says on the packaging that it's cherry and coconut. It's kind of weird to use because it's so unconventional, but it's amazing so give it a try.

'Snow Fairy' shower gel - my absolute favourite shower gel, smells gorgeous and has glitter in it! This doesn't say what the scent is, but it smells identical to their bubblegum lip scrub, so I presuming it's bubblegum. If you don't like really sweet scents, then you probably wouldn't like this but I love it. It's just a shame it's limited edition for Christmas time!

'Twilight' shower gel - My second favourite shower gel, again with glitter! You can definitely smell the lavender in it, but it's not like the strong lavender you'd relate to grandparent scents, it's more subtle and calming. Their twilight bath bomb would go amazing with this!

'Bubblegum' lip scrub - I love this so much, yes it's an amazing lip scrub and makes my lips really soft, but it also tastes amazing! I do have to stop myself from eating it, but it's amazing, so if you haven't tried it already, definitely pick it up!

'9 to 5' cleansing lotion - This is my top lazy day product. You just smooth it all over your face, and either use a warm flannel or cotton pad to remove. I personally use a cotton pad because then I can just do it in bed really quick. It does have a subtle scent, but nothing too over-powering.

Thanks for reading
Jasmine x

The Perfect Drugstore Red Lip

Hi everyone, planning this post was quite difficult for me as I wanted to keep to 5 lipsticks, I ended up with about 10 I had to narrow down. Most of the 10 I wanted to included were all from Revlon as I love all of they're different lipstick ranges, but I tried to make it more diverse covering different prices, so here are some of my favourite affordable reds!

The first one is one Maybelline and it's their Colorsensational in 530 Fatal Red. I would call this a very true red, really bright and vibrant. This also has a bit of a stain to it, so be careful when applying it, but I really like this part of it. It's really creamy and feels quite moisturising which is great. It's also really pigmented, so I sometimes just dab it one and blend it out for more of a tint.

If you haven't really ventured into the world of red lipsticks before and just want to try one out, the Natural Collection (Boots) lipsticks in Cherry Red because it's only £1.99 but it quite a nice true red, not as pigmented, but still really moisturising feeling. Natural Collection also do really inexpensive lip liners to go with it, as I'm not completely a fan on the shape of the lipstick bullet, but it's still a really great product.

This is where my love for Revlon lip products is made obvious, as the next three are all from them. Their Colorstay Ultimate Suede in 095 Finale is amazing. I have some other lipsticks from this range and they're all so creamy and just glide on your lips. This is quite a true vibrant red as well, which I love, and because it's so creamy, it's so easy to blend out for a sheer colour, but otherwise it is very pigmented.

One of the first ranges of lipsticks I ever loved was the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters, and 035 Candy Apple remains a favourite of mine! It's perfect for a glossier looking red. As it is glossier and creamier, it's lasting properties aren't as good but it feels so moisturising so you don't mind topping it up.

My final option, for the matte lovers like myself, is the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 240 Striking. You'd think being matte that they would be quite drying, but they actually feel quite moisturise and soft on the lips. They have a menthol sent which I quite like, and the whole matte range is amazing, especially some of their pinks and nudes. They definitely stain the lips, but the shape of the lipstick makes it easier to apply. This colour is slightly deeper than a true red, and is so highly pigmented. 

Thanks for reading, please leave your suggestions below!

Jasmine x 

Affordable Autumn and Winter Nail Polishes

Hi everyone,  with Autumn and Winter being my favourite time of the year, finding the perfect inexpensive nail polish colours is essential. These are some of my favourite nail polishes for this time of the year that are affordable and look great with a glitter accent nail or top coat!

The first one is the Barry M Gelly High Shine in the colour Chai. I love all these kind of grey toned nail polishes as they look great with any outfit or jewellery. Barry M nail polishes are also really well pigmented and tend not to chip that quickly. 

Keeping with the good formulation of Barry M nail polishes, the Barry M Gelly High Shine in the colour Lychee is one I've heard a lot of hype about. I completely see why people love it as the shade, like Chai, goes with everything. It's slightly more of a yellow toned beige but I really like that. You need a couple more coats of this than you do for Chai, but it doesn't chip too easily.

Leighton Denny have really well formulated nail polishes, but I thought Gem Stone Buzz was the essential deep red for Autumn. Autumn nails always make me think of this kind of colour, and looks great with a clear topcoat for extra shine. This one also lasts really well on your nails.

Some of my favourite affordable nail polishes come from Rimmel as they're a bargain, and often, in Boots or Superdrug, have some sort of offer on them. As an alternative to the quite nude or quite dark, this Rimmel London 60 Seconds Super Shine in Caramel Cupcake is the perfect pinky neutral. It's perfect if you don't want anything to outgoing or noticeable. These nail polishes also dry really quickly and have a great shine to them. They ship a little easier than the others, but putting a top coat on over this really helps!

Thanks for reading, if you have any other autumn nail polishes, please comment them because I would love to try some new ones! 

Jasmine x

Bargain Brushes

Hi everyone, I love buying new makeup brushes and always on the look out for different one, rather than my comfort zone of Real Techniques. I've seen these brushes before, all at around £10, but I never bought them because I figured there must be something wrong with them to be so affordable. I then saw the same set at £4.90, free postage and packaging, and thought I might as well try them out.

I'm a huge lover of real techniques so was hoping for the same softness and denseness, and they are amazing! They have synthetic bristles, which make them really soft, and there is a really great variety of brushes. 

From Left to Right - 

Precision Face Brush

Face Powder Brush

Blush Brush

Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush

Powder Blush Brush

Eye Shadow Brush

Blooming Brush Detail Powder Brush

Flat Top Shadow Brush

Angle Flat Top Shadow Brush

Blooming Brush

Here is the link to these brushes if you want to pick up this bargain!

Thanks for reading, hope this might've helped you find some new brushes, comment your favourite brush brands as I would love to try some more!

Jasmine x

Blog Renovation and Update?!

Hi everyone, I know long time since I posted, so if you've stuck with me all this time, I owe you because I've been a blogging catastrophe! But I make a promise to you right now that I'm getting back into blogging, and I mean a proper blog schedule, a theme, and hopefully just better in general. 

In the next week, I'm changing the design of my blog to make it more suited to me and what I like. I've ordered a couple things to make my photos look better so will be taking lots of pictures soon. If you have any comments on what my blog needs to look better, or have suggestions on some posts, please comment them so I know what you all want to see. 

I hope you like the new look of my blog, I really like it! I'm not great with templates or HTML so it won't be as professional as others but for a first real go of designing, I'm pretty happy with it!

You may notice that some of my old posts will begin to disappear but I'm planning plenty more posts with better pictures and content instead!

If anyone wants to do a blog collaboration, please feel free to email me, I love reading new blogs as well! 

Thanks for reading, 

Jasmine x