The Lazy Girl Guide to Skincare

Being a girl who loves loves loves makeup, it is definitely a struggle to fight past my laziness every day. I find putting makeup one quite enjoyable and it can take me anything from like 10 minutes to 40 minutes depending on what mood I am in.

However, taking it off is no way near as fun. The first thing I always want to do when I get in is take my makeup off, because after a long day it just feels ewww. Once I walk in the door and hop onto my uni bed though, it is something that I just don't like finidng the energy to do.

However, I have NEVER ever gone to sleep in my makeup (apart from the occasional sleepover) and it is something that you shouldn't do. It is terrible for your skin and you need to let in breathe every once in a while. So however tired you are it is essential that you remove it all completely and let your skin have a well-deserved break.

Here is what I usually do... and as a uni student, I find this to be both economically and time efficient.

I usually start of by using my face wipes. I find that any brand of face wipes tends to work well and you just need to find the ones that work for you and don't irretate your skin. Garnier is always a winner! Lately, I have discovired a brand called St. Ives and I bought a 35 pack of wipes for £1 something... bargain! Especially considering usually packs only contain 25.

Of course, a wipe is never enough. When people tell me they only use a wipe, it really shocks me. If you do, I recommend you take a cleanser after you have wipes and see all the makeup that comes off that you thought you had removed!

I use the Garnier Miecclar Water. It is cheap and very cheerful. It removes all kinds of makeup and is perfect for all skin types.

Next, I have been using the Body Shop tea tree cleanser. I have very bad skin and I find that this helps it a little. Although, I am still on the search for something even better.

Last but by no means least, MOISTURISER! Arguably the most important step in skincare. Ever since I started wearing makeup at the age off 11, I have always use a face and eye cream. It will help keep the wrinkles at bay and keep you looking as fresh as a daisy. Plus, a smooth base helps makeup go on better. 

After this you may like you use a serum or night cream. My favourite night cream is Origins Drink Up Intensive, it is a serious Holy Grail product for me, and I don't say that about many things. In spite of my oily skin, this doesn't even make it worse. It makes my skin smooth and works like a dream.

What products do you use at night?

 x Katie x

Another FOTD

Good evening, blogging world! Yesterday, I took a trip into Manchester City Centre with a wonderful old friend to do some much-needed, post-exams retail therapy.

Here is what my makeup was like for my little shopping trip and I took this selfie in the H&M fitting rooms, which have the most amazing lighting, in my opinion - please ignore the teeny tiny blemish above my lip!

Anyway, to find out what I products I used to achieve this look, just scroll down a tad...

WHAT I USED ON MY:

Face:

• Body Shop Instablur Primer
• Revlon Colorstay Foundation
• Mac Prolongwear Concealer
• Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
• Body Shop Bronzer
• Sleek Contour Kit for contour and highlight - in the light shade
• Mac blush in 'Pink Sprinkles'
• Make Up For Ever HD Powder

Eye Area:

• Anastasia Brow Wiz
• Benefit High Glow
• Maybelline 'Master Sleek' brow gel

• Urban Decay Primer Potion - original
• Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette (base "truth", crease "alien", outer corner "alchemy" and "bondage", inner corner "bobby dazzle" and then I ran a few of them under my lower lashes) 
• Maybelline Master Precise Liner
• Origins Gin Zing mascara

Lips:

• Mac lip pencil in 'Soar' (as always, haha)
• Mac lipstick in 'Velvet Teddy'

I hope you found this interesting. If there is anything else you would like to know then please feel free to ask me anything and I will get back to you.

I intend on writing a post of my favourite concealers and on my skincare routing in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled!

Until next time...

Have a lovely week,

Love Katie xxx

FACE OF THE DAY

HEY!

I have been busy with exams lately so have found it difficult to find the time to post. I thought I would do a quick 'FOTD' to show you my makeup I did yesterday. It turned out quite nicely I think :)

What I used:

• Body Shop Instablur primer
• Mac Studio Fix Fluid
• Mac prolongwear concealer
• Sleek contour kit
• Mac Simpson's blusher
• Makeup For Ever Aqua Cream
• Mac Sour pencil
• Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in 101

I have just listed the more specific items I used, as I am away from my makeup so I can't check shades or anything. If there is anything you would like to know the name of, please ask!

See you soon!

Katie xxx

Outfit Of The Day

Hello once again!

This morning I decided to do an Outfit of the Day - 'OOTD' if you will. It was freezing outside, I don't know how bloggers do it. I suppose I will just have to get used to it.

I know my photos aren't the best quality but please bear with me!
I look at other people's blogs, like 'That Pommie Girl' and her outfit posts are amazing!!! How do you do it?! Anyway, here are the results of today. Hopefully next time will be an improvement.

Blouse - Rare @ Topshop

Skirt - American Apparel

Shoes - Topshop Sale

Bag - Topshop

Necklace - Topshop Sale

Any tips for me?

What are the best cameras and editing software to use?

Lots of love, Katie xxx

Simple Smokey

Welcome back!

This is a look I created last week quickly to go and visit some family.

I purchased this set in the Boxing Day sales at Boots. If I remember correctly, I got it for £10 reduced from £20. In the set, you get 'Thick and Fast' mascara and 'Supercat' liner, as well as a lovely highlight, a lip laquer and 3 eyeshadows - although, I bought it to try out the mascara and liner.

On my lips I used Mac's lip pencil in 'Soar' and (I think) the lipstick was in the shade 'Please Me' - also by Mac.

I used the supercat liner from the set - and I really love it! For my mascara, I used the Origins Ginzing Mascara. I got this mascara free as part of a promotion on their website. I've got to say, it is one of my all time faves now. 

 For eyeshadow, I used the dark shade from the set mentioned above and also a lovely Mac eyeshadow in the shade "Opalesse" which I bought from an outlet store so I am not sure if it still available.

Have you tried any of these products?

Did you buy anything from Boxing Day sales?

Lots of love

Katie xxx

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year, people!

As I am writing this, it is the 1st January 2015. Wow.

I didn't do anything on New Year's Eve, I just stayed in and relaxed with my mum - and also did a touch of revision haha.

I never normally make resolutions but this year I noticed a few things I would definitely like to work on. As I am at university, I wanted to buy a diary so I could organise my life and time better and make sure I get round to doing all of the things I would like to do. I am not going to call these resolutions, because I see resolutions as something that lasts a couple of weeks and then people normally give up, These are the lifestyle changes I WILL make.

Ok, here we go. My 2015 Aims:

1. Spend Less Time on Social Media/Interent - Now, I have no problem spending time on the internet shopping or blogging or doing something productive. But what is really getting to me is how much time I spend aimlessly scrolling through Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. They are ok in moderation but I really don't want to be one of those people who is dependent on social media and getting likes and retweets, It really isn't what is important in life. So, I will spend less time killing time on these sites. Obviously, I will still go on them, and yes, on a daily basis, but I won't need to be constantly checking and updating. I don't want to look back and think "wow, I spent so much time on my phone when I could have been doing something interesting, or learning, or blogging" 
2. Blog More - I am so passionate about fashion and beauty and writing a blog is something I have be continuously attempting to do for the past few years. Right now, I feel like I am ready to be a more dedicated blogger and I am going to put a lot more time into blogging - because I do really enjoy it. 
3. Saying YES to more invitations/ events - I feel like I am quite an anti social person and I love being by myself. But then again, whenever I get asked to go somewhere, I try to find a reason not to go or I will dread going the night before. I am not sure why because these things can be as simple as going out shopping with friends or going for a meal. I think I just need to be a little bit more laid-back and take advantage of all opportunities I am offered - big or small.
4. Exercise and a Balanced Diet - I eat really terribly!!! Chicken Dippers and chips are a regular at dinner times - and it doesn't help that I am a student often cooking for myself. BUT, I will replace chips with mash and replace chicken dippers with some frozen veg. Because, little things like changing your diet can affect your mood. I will also start to run more, Like blogging, running is something that I go in and out of phases doing, I enjoy it but I always put it off, whether for safety reasons or weather reasons. But getting that fresh air and exercise, like eating right, can change your life in such a lovely way.

Anyway, they are my lifestlye changes that I hope to make now we are in 2015.

What are yours?

Katie xxx

Vice Palette and Babyliss Curls

Good Afternoon!

Today, I decided to sport a quite pink-based makeup look and loose beachy waves. Scroll down a little bit further to find out how I did it.

For my birthday, in November, I received the Urban Decay Vice 3 palette and I couldn't love it any more than I do!

On my eyes, I used the Urban Decay Primer Potion in 'original' and then used the shade "Truth" as my base. I then simply used my Sephora Airbrush Shadow brush from my set. I then used the same brush and applied the shade "Alien" and "Alchemy" on the outer corners of my eyes. And, of course, I blended with a MAC 217 blending brush. I then added the Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner to wing out my eyes followed by my Tarte mascara - Lights, Camera, Lashes.

For my lips, I used a MAC lip pencil in the shade 'Spice' with Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in the shade 101.

Next, the hair. For Christmas I got the Babyliss Thermo Ceramic Rollers. I am still practising, but today I liked the look I got with them. I have read other blog posts on them and some people get some amazing looks.

TOP TIPS:

• The rollers will work so much better if you use them on slightly damp hair that has been moussed! And don't let out the rollers until the hair is 100% dry. This way, your curls will be a lot more durable.
• Leave the rollers in for quite a while. The longer they are in, the better the curls.

Thank you for reading and please feel free to leave any questions and I will answer!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Lots of love,

Katie x