Dear, December | Day 2.

Dear, December

Today was cold. The wind was icy and I forgot to wrap up warm with a scarf and gloves.

I'm pretty sure the obligatory December sniffles started today as my eyes were sore and I sneezed a lot.

Coming home meant three cups of hot peppermint tea and working in my new pair of docs (dr martens) which are matte black and fluffy on the inside, perfect for winter. 

As I gradually warmed up, I got a sudden burst of excitement over the up and coming festivities! Soon, I will have finished my first term of my second year at university and after that the panto season starts at the Little Theatre! I'm seeing Jack and The Beanstalk on the 21st with my parents. A new tradition perhaps as I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed the theatre.

Remembering forgotten things is exciting, December! I used to love the theatre and performing, although I think I did it so much in college that it began to be a chore and not something I did out of passion. However maybe that will change when you are done and the new year embraces us all.

You're a month for reminiscing, December.

I've had a lovely day. Have you?

Kate x

Dear, December | the beginning.

Dear December,

With you comes magic and love. Children, even adults, pretending to be steam trains by blowing into the cold air and Christmas lights lighting up the way to warm shops decorated with colourful wrapping paper.

The cold brings snuffles and red noses, watery eyes and fluffy gloves, warm hugs and leaving the heating on for when you get home.

Christmas songs and parades, Christmas films and advent calenders. 

Warm jumpers, hot tea, hot chocolate and endless mornings where you can't quite bare to get out of the hot shower.

All things merry and bright, these make your cold weather worth it, December. It makes me smile at everyone who walks by, even if their brows are crunched over someone shoving them in the Christmas shopping rush. The embrace of the heating at home makes the half an hour wait for the bus not seem so bad.

But, December, the best part of you is walking down my street and seeing every home lit up by the Christmas tree in the window. Some real, some fake, some even white! But all are lit up with glittering lights, colourful and white. Baubles hung carefully or sporadically by excited children whose parents stand back with a watchful eye, smiling at their children's giggling. 

It's knowing that the carpets or floors are going to be matted with glitter by the end of the evening and one or two decorations will end up on the floor already. It's knowing there's going to be a gap at the back of the tree because little arms can't quite reach that far.

December, you can sometimes be full of bustling people and the mad race to the counters to pay for the last stocking before anyone else but everyone has the same idea in their minds.

December is the lead up to Christmas and even if the people are frustrated over the cold or stuffy shops, we are all as excited as each other.

December, I can't wait for you to begin.

Kate x

Skin Insecurities|

I feel like I owe some sort of explanation as to why I haven't blogged in so long but honestly it's changed from day to day! Either I've not felt inspired or I've not had time after going back to university and feeling like I've been thrown in the deep end without any sort of floaty thing. They weren't kidding when they said that second year is harder!

Anyway, recently, probably more like the last few months rather than weeks, I've had some real difficulty with my skin misbehaving when I needed to look decent. 

At first I was really self conscious and sad about it, I really hated going out and even when I tried to put make-up on it just looked worse. I had big spots on my chin and even worse, on my cheeks. 

To be perfectly honest, it probably was just hormones and the weather changing mixed with my already super sensitive skin. I've been trying loads of different things over the summer to get rid of my imperfections and they genuinely have been working. I will do a follow up blog post about the skin care I've been using, baring in mind that it will all be suited more for oily/spot prone skin because that's what I have.

I think I went through a good solid 2 weeks of feeling horrible and sad and quite frankly, ashamed of my skin. I mean, no-one likes spots. I'm not saying I have acne because I don't, I have oily skin which I sometimes find really difficult to control and I get bunches of spots.

Over the last 3, 4 weeks I've stopped caring and it's made my life so much easier! I don't care if you can see some spots through my make-up or if you can see my spot scars when I take my make-up off. I feel like people now have such a horrible attitude towards spots when they are perfectly normal and lets be honest, loves, we all get them. Whether you're young or older, you'll get a spot every now and again. 

Don't compare your skin to others because that'll make you feel even worse. It's such a big weight lifted off your shoulders once you don't care. Spots can be hormonal, due to stress, maybe not taking all of your make-up off before you go to bed, they can even be caused by weather changes if you've got sensitive skin like mine. Weather changes make my skin break out like nobody's business and also make my lips super dry and chapped, it's not a pretty sight.

Please don't think you're unattractive or be ashamed of spots, loves, they're completely normal and everyone gets them, don't let anyone fool you. No-one notices them unless you point them out! Leave 'em be and enjoy your beautiful life, a spot isn't worth missing out on a beautiful Autumnal day. 

I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday :)

Kate x

The Leibster Award!

So I didn't even notice I'd been nominated for this until I checked my email but I figured I'd give it a go!

I was nominated by my beautifully talented friend Erin from Erin Charlotte to answer her questions so here we go!

If you don't know what the Liebster Award is, the point is to discover new/small blogs and the rules are as follows:

- Answer the 11 questions given to you
- Think of 11 new questions
- Nominate 11 bloggers with under 200 followers to answer the questions.

- You cannot nominate the person who nominated you.

- You must let the people know that you've nominated them and link them to your post.

1) What's your favourite thing about blogging?

It's a sort of therapy for me to be honest. I study English at university which can be really structured, difficult and a strain so I like being able to write however I want and whatever I want.

2) What's the biggest fashion disaster you've ever made?

When I was a kid, I used to always want to have my hair crimped because I thought it made me look really fashionable and it would... Except I had a bob so when I crimped my hair, it made my hair go into a sort of triangle shape. It wasn't a cute look!

3) Which subject was your favourite at school?

English, hands down. I wasn't really good at anything else apart from Drama. I was and still am appallingly bad at maths and geography and things like that so combine that with the fact that I've always had super good English and spelling skills, English was the only real thing I could call my 'talent'!

4) If you had to live off one beauty brand for the rest of your life, which would it be?

If I didn't want to be broke for the rest of my life, I'd say probably Revlon because their foundations are up there with MAC and MU4E and they've got some great eye products but if I had unlimited money, probably MAC. MAC is always my go to for bases and stuff like that.

5) Best book you've ever read?

I read I, Coriander in school and I absolutely loved it. So much in fact that I bought my own copy and finished it before the rest of my class did but more recently I read the Divergent series and I'm just completely obsessed with them! 

6) If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?

Normal people, probably my friend Sophie who lives in Wales. She's my chummy! Famous people wise, I'd love to meet Chris Pratt because he seems like he has the same kind of dry humor like I do!

7) Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I'll be about to turn 25 so hopefully in a good job, preferably a magazine, erm, maybe living in Brighton or somewhere around that area with Jack, possibly engaged *gasp*, with my Honors and a Masters degree!

8) Which clothing store is your favourite?

I rarely shop in actual stores but my favourite online store is BooHoo.com at the minute, it tends to switch between BooHoo and ASOS constantly, it depends on what stock is in!

9) Do you have a favourite perfume?

Curious from Britney Spears. I got it for Christmas from my nan like 6 years ago and since then it's people say it's 'my' scent. I wear it religiously!

10) Name one place on Earth that you want to visit the most.

America, specifically California. I think I've nagged Jack enough for him to take me in the future! Y'all know me. All about the food and make-up so what better place is there for me to visit!

11) Which song(s) are you loving right now?

Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass

Sam Smith - I'm Not The Only One

Jason Lancaster - You N Me and his cover of Hey, Jude.

So that's all of the questions! I don't read many blogs that are small, only because I mainly use blogger to write my own blog but I do want my chummy Sophie to get the attention she deserves so do check her out! I love her lots and she looks like the love child of Ariana Grande and Jade from Little Mix :)

My 11 Questions!

1) Dog or Cat person?

2) If you could only wear leggings or jeans for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

3) Favourite band/ singer?

4) What's a weird/ unusual thing you eat?

5) Annoying habits?

6) Favourite snack food?

7) You're at a theme park, are you the bag holder or the thrill seeker?!

8) Nail varnish vs. no nail varnish?

9) Do you collect any weird things?

10) Guilty pleasure TV show?

11) Are you a book worm or do you prefer the film versions?

Kate x

Make-up brush collection | Mac, Zoeva, Real Techniques & Louise Young!

When you're a bit of a make-up enthusiast like myself, you tend to find that you have way more make-up brushes than you actually need. I mean, my face isn't big enough to use all 18 make-up brushes in my possession but nevertheless, I can't quite bare to part with any of them so here is my make-up brush collection!

My real techniques brush set that I have are actually my most favourite brushes. I use them every single day, alternating between using the Buffing Brush and the Expert Face Brush for my foundation. They're just so soft and I desperately want the new duo-fiber brush set. I doubt I'll ever stray from this collection and the best part is, is that you can find them easily in Superdrug or Boots for low prices!

I got my ZOEVA brush collection a while ago, maybe near around Christmas time and I love them. Obviously, I went for their Rose Gold collection but I really want to try some more of their eye brushes because I'm head over heels with their 227 Luxe Soft Definer. I use it for all over the lid to apply colour and it's a dream for blending.

I don't use any of the MAC face brushes but I use their 217 blending brushes every day for any kind of eye make-up look. I love them so much that I own 3 of them. My other favourite is the 214 which is particularly perfect for packing on any kind of shimmery or glittery eye-shadow. I don't think there's any better brand for eye brushes if I'm honest and yes, they're a little more expensive than ones that you can buy from Superdrug but it's worth it. I think I've had my first two of them for around 2 years now and they still wash as well as they did when I first got them. A definite investment.

I only own one Louise Young brush and it's so small and perfect and my absolute favourite brush that I own. I use it every day to put a highlight on my brow bone and in my inner corners because it fits so perfectly in the tiny space! It's also perfect to apply and blend out eye shadow under your lower lash line. I got this one from Louise Young's online store.

And lastly is my little double ended brush that I got in my Vice 2 palette from Urban Decay which I love with all of my heart. One end is larger and fluffier which I use for blending out harsh lines and the other end is much more dense which i use for creating an outline of my outer V to blend out.

I'm sorry if my brushes are too dirty but I use them every day so I didn't see much point in cleaning them! At least you can see how much love they all get.

What's your favourite brush in your collection?

x

MAC and Lush treats

Hi loves,

I went to York for a day out with my mum recently and I had a cheeky nip into Fenwick to the MAC counter and into LUSH so I thought I'd show you some of the things I picked up!

MAC lipstick in MORANGE:

I think I own around 4 or 5 MAC lipsticks purely because they are so expensive but when I saw this vibrant shade, I just had to pick it up. It's really creamy and despite it being such a bright and vibrant colour, it doesn't bleed throughout the day so I don't see much point in buying the lip liner that pairs with it. I was quite nervous to wear it at first because I am so pale and most of the time I can't get away with anything other than a nude-y pink on my lips but this sits perfectly on my skin tone so I imagine it sits well on everyone's! I love it and I fully blame Zoe (Zoella on youtube and ZoZeeBo on twitter) for making me want to get it.

MAC Studio Fix powder in NW13:

I've used MAC's studio fix powder before and I only just finished using it. I'm pretty sure I bought it maybe two years ago but I used it until the mirror was broken and there was so little powder in the pot that I couldn't even blot my nose! I didn't re-purchase it purely because I used to only be able to go into a MAC store when I went to London to visit my uncle (and because it's a little on the pricey side as far as powders go) however because I know I can get it from York which is a train journey away, I can buy this again when I'm finished and that I will! I love it, it's light but mattefiys your t-zone perfectly without looking super cakey in the summer.

MAC 217:

I already own 2 of the 217 brushes but I picked up another while I was in store because mine are a little beat up and to be perfectly honest, I'm too lazy to wash both of them regularly. Everyone knows the 217 brush, it's the perfect blending brush, it applies eyeshadow evenly and blends softly without taking any of the colour away plus it's super soft and fluffy!

Lush GREASED LIGHTENING:

Now despite the name of this product, it's FINE to use on oily skin. It's specifically for skin that enjoys a temper tantrum every now and again and helps get rid of them before they even show up. I was immediately sold on this because I do get some crazy bad break-outs occasionally just like everyone else does and it knocks my confidence a lot so anything to help my skin out, I'm not gonna say no to!

Lush TEA TREE WATER:

This was the first thing I picked up when I went into Lush. I'm pretty sure I was drawn in by the display which was all of these products put into a giant ice tray! Lovely to stick your hands in on a hot day such as today. The other reason I picked it up was because, like the Greased Lightening, it's specifically for problem skin AND it contains Tea Tree oil which everyone and their aunty's dog knows is like the calpol for spots. It's also a cooling spray AND it helps control oil. If this doesn't work I am honestly losing faith in humanity because it seems like a godsend. I will update you!

If anyone wants a run down on what I use to help my skin calm down, then I will.

What helps your skin when it's being difficult?!

x

Three Summer Must-Haves!

Hi everyone!

So today I thought I'd show you three things I picked up within the last month or so that have quickly become my three summer must-haves!

To start off with my foundation, I recently went on a lovely weekend trip to Paris with Jack and on our little walk around I discovered a Sephora right around the corner from our hotel! As a make-up enthusiast, I'm sure you can imagine my excitement as I yanked my hand from Jack and was practically magnetically pulled towards the shops doors. 

Initially I had no idea what I really wanted and since I had only brought out a little of my euros, I was on a budget however I was instantly drawn towards the Make-Up Forever stand.

The first thing I bought is the Make-Up Forever HD Foundation and I think my shade is N115 (I'm pretty sure it's the lightest one with a pink undertone) and I absolutely LOVE it. I had heard about Make-Up Forever everywhere and I've always tried to get my hands on a product of theirs but they don't have the line in England. In fact, I thought it was only available in America. I'm pretty sure I paid around the 35euro mark for it which is great value for money because you need the tiiiiiniest amount to cover your whole face.

Make-Up Forever is super, super high coverage, more so than the Kat Von D foundation, I think, so maybe some people might not like to wear it every day, especially not in the summer however I don't mind as I do tend to do a full face of make-up every day.

It matches my skin tone super well, hides everything from spots to dark circles and it blends like a dream. All I do is apply a primer first, pump two pumps of the foundation onto the back of my hand and then blend out onto my face (starting from the middle and blending outwards) with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and voila! It lasts all day and it's sweat-proof AND rain-proof!

Moving on to my new favourite and go-to eye-shadow palette, I was wandering through Boots the other week and I found the Too-Faced stand. I've never actually tried anything from Too-Faced and I am looking to try their Shadow Insurance eve-shadow primer but I couldn't find it and I'd already picked my purchase! I went for the 'Boudoir Eyes' palette and I am already obsessed and have been using it every day.

It's not for everyone because it is super shimmery but I love a bit of glitz!

For starters, look at the packaging! I fell in love with it instantly. the lid is magnetic too so it's not a faff on trying to open if you have longer nails. Packaging is a very soft pink colour with gold detailing and the pattern looks like a cushion! 

Opening it up, there's a mirror on the lid which is always handy for travelling and it came with a little booklet which shows you all of the different looks you can achieve from the palette.

The best thing about this palette for me is that all of the colours are already matched for you, at the left side it says Day, Classic and Fashion and then the colours to create the look are lined up to the right.

I've been playing around with the palette for about a week now and so far my favourite combination for every day has been 'In The Buff' all over my lid and up to my brow bone and 'Sugar Walls' all over my lid and into my crease, it's SUPER pretty and glittery. All of the colours are perfect for summer, they're a gem at blending and they all go really well together, even if you don't want to use the guide they give you!

 

Next we have my favourite nail polish collection of the summer. It's from ESSIE and it's called the 'Glow Get 'Em!' set and it's NEON!

I love a good neon colour but sometimes they look a bit weird with my skin tone because I am so pale and neons tend to look better with a tan but not these! These will literally go with any skin tone.

Left to right we have: 'BLANC', 'SITTIN' PRETTY', 'VICES VERSA' and 'SERIAL SHOPPER'.

I have tried all of them and so far 'Serial Shopper' and 'Sittin' Pretty' are my absolute fave.

I love ESSIE polishes because they last long and, even better, they dry super quickly. I did find with these colours that you might need two or three coats depending on which colour you use but because they dry super quickly, I didn't see a problem with that. The box they come in is a sleek, white box with the traditional silver ESSIE imprinting and on the back you get a description of which colour is which. Also, on the back ESSIE gives you a tip on how to make the colours even MORE neon which is to apply one coat of the white underneath any of the more vibrant colours and you won't need loads of coats!

Overall I've definitely found my three summer must-haves and who better to share them with than you!

Sharing is caring, after all.

Thanks for reading guys! New blog post coming next Monday!

Laters,

Kate x