Advice To New Bloggers, From A New Blogger

Being new in the world of blogging can be very nerve wracking and intimidating. Seeing other bloggers who've been at it for much longer than you who all seem to just know each other and know what they're doing can make starting your own blog seem quite daunting. But remember, we all have to start somewhere. Even the bloggers who have thousands of followers and hundreds of comments all had to start out in the exact same way as you and me. I've only been blogging for just over a month, yet the beauty and lifestyle blogging communities have welcomed me with open arms, and I've spoke to some really lovely and kind people so far. If I had to give any new bloggers some advice that I wish I had been given when I first started out, this would be it. I'm still learning myself, and honestly need every bit of help I can get.

Don't compare yourself

I know it's easy enough to say it, but one thing you shouldn't do as a new blogger is compare yourself to people who have been blogging for much longer than you have. It takes time to build your blog, so don't compare your beginning to someone elses middle. I know I did this when I first started out, and saw really high quality blog posts, thinking "God, I wish my posts were like that!" You need to give yourself time, and one day you could have really high quality blog posts yourself - I know my posts have really improved since I started.

Give yourself achievable aims
When you start out blogging, you always hope your blog will do well and reach a large audience. Over the course of your blogging career, with enough time and effort, this can be a very realistic aim. But when you first start out, you have to give yourself small and achieveable goals. You can't expect 100,000 blog views in your first week of blogging - although I'm sure someone somewhere has crazily done this. Even just one person viewing your blog in your first week is one person you've been able to reach. Keeping your goals realistic can help you feel positive about blogging, as I'm sure giving yourself massive goals that you don't reach can leave you doubting yourself and your blog. But always dream big - believe your blog has the ability to grow and take you where you want to go.

Use social media
One of the biggest assets bloggers have right now is the ability to share their blog on social media. When you first start out, meeting people in the blogging community and getting yourself known is a massive help. Not only can you meet amazing people with great blogs themselves who can give you some advice of their own on starting out, but you can allow your own blog to reach a much wider audience. Social media has been my biggest help since starting out, with many blogs retweeting your tweets to a large audience and the ability to join in Twitter chats with other bloggers, which I'd highly recommend. I honestly don't feel I'd get even half the views I do without the help of Twitter.

Know what you want to blog about
A really important thing about starting a blog is knowing what you want it to be based on. I found myself in my first few days of blogging, considering and writing various posts but finding myself just not feeling them. I've scrapped a few posts and ideas that I just didn't enjoy writing or feel that would benefit or be appropriate on my blog, which is something I'm very happy I did. Don't just write things you think people will like but you don't enjoy writing - there's no point spending your blogging career talking about things you're not passionate about just for views. Find your niche, and when you do, you can run with it.

Give it time
It may seem really difficult and daunting when you first begin, but blogging has been such a great experience for me so far. If your first post doesn't do as well as you may have expected it to, give yourself some time. No great blog was created in a day, so I would really encourage anyone who feels discouraged or disheartened to just stick it out - it'll definitely be worth it in the end.

I hope, if you're a new blogger yourself, these bits of advice can help you on your blogging journey. It may be difficult at first, but it's honestly so worth it. Let me know if you have any advice for new bloggers or if you've taken any of the advice yourself. Thank you so much for reading my post and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

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June Favourites

How is it the end of June already? God, this year has actually flown by so far. Over the course of the month, I've bought and used quite a lot of new products that I've been really excited about and have really been enjoying. My birthday was at the end of May so I have to admit, a lot of my birthday money went on new beauty products. This post includes all of the the things that I've been loving over the course of June, both makeup, skincare and random favourites.

Makeup

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (Mont Blanc) - I used the Nars Sheer Glow foundation quite a lot last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I then decided to try out other foundations, before repurchasing it again at the end of May. When I bought this, I honestly don't know why I ever changed. I'm the shade Mont Blanc which is the closest and most accurate shade of foundation that I've ever bought. I love the heavier coverage that it gives me and it feels very weightless. It really does what the name suggests and gives your face a very subtle glow, and I find it lasts me for ages. This is hands down one of my favourite foundations I've ever tried and is worth every penny it costs. The only downside is that it doesn't come with a pump, but I can let that slide considering how amazing it is.

MAC Satin Lipstick in Captive - This is the newest addition to my MAC lipstick collection and I absolutely love it. A friend bought me it for my birthday and God does she know me well, because I''ve been wearing this constantly since I got it.  It's a dark pinkish-purple shade that applies a lot darker than it looks. I normally opt for their Matte shades, but this is one of the Satin lipsticks that I've actually really been enjoying as it's a shade that's very easy to wear. The texture and consistency of this lipstick is very creamy and not at all drying, and I find it to be very long lasting. This is fast becoming one of my favourite MAC lipstick shades I own.

MAC Studio Fix Powder (NC30) - I have to say that I absolutely adore this powder. I've been using this for quite a while now, but feel I used it and loved it a lot more over the course of June. I sometimes wear it alone when I'm feeling a more natural look, or on top of foundation which is what I mostly do. I love the colour it gives to my face, as well as being really long lasting and durable. It gives you that air brushed finish we all dream of and covers any lumps and bumps I have so well. I really enjoy using this powder a lot, and would encourage you to give it a go if you haven't tried it yet.

Anastasia Bevery Hills Cream Contour Kit (Fair) - I'm relatively new to the world of contouring, and have normally used highlighter and bronzer to contour my face. I decided to purchase this cream contour kit as I thought using creams would be much easier for me to use than powders. I bought it in the shade Fair, as I'm quite pale and wanted to keep the colours quite light and natural. I've really been loving this product as it's been very easy to use and blend, and the colours have complimented my skin tone perfectly. I love how light the consistency of the creams are and how much they really do enhance my features. It's also very obvious how good quality it is compared to other contour kits. I've really been loving this and it has definitely helped me become at least average at contouring.

Skincare

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser - I'd never used a pore minimiser before but decided to pick this up on a trip into my local Body Shop. This product smells absolutely amazing and I love how it leaves my skin feeling. It definitely does work, as I have noticed my pores looking smaller and my skin feeling much healthier. It can also be used as a makeup base which is a massive bonus, and is very mattifying if you use it in this way.

Random Favourites

Love Island - If you're from the UK, you'll know about the reality TV show Love Island that's been on ITV2 at the moment. This has been my absolute guilty pleasure over the course of the month and I haven't missed a single episode, even though it's on every night. It's about a bunch of single guys and girls staying at a villa in Spain looking to find love, and I've been absolutely obsessed. I'd give it a watch on catch up if you haven't caught it yet, but beware - it's addictive.

Scream - Another TV show I've been addicted to this month has been Scream, which I've been watching on Netflix. The second season is currently being released weekly on the site and I have to say, I've been loving it. Without giving too much away, it's about a serial killer who strikes a town and is based on the movies of the same name. It's very creepy and full of suspense - it's definitely something you should watch if you're a fan of horrors. The full first season is currently on Netflix for anyone who is wanting to give it a try.

These have been all the things I've really been loving over the course of June. Let me know what you've been loving, and if you've enjoyed any of the things I've mentioned. Thank you so much for reading my post and I hope you all have a great day!

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High Street vs High End: Highlighters

Rimmel London Good To Glow Highlighter - £4.99 

Benefit High Beam Highlighter - £19.50

Who doesn't love a good highlighter? I'm certainly a massive fan of a good glow, but finding one that works well for you can be tricky. I'm the kind of person that thinks the more shimmery the better, while I know other people prefer a more subtle highlight. Today's post is another high street vs high end post which this time is on - you guessed it - highlighters. I'll be comparing Benefits High Beam highlighter to Rimmel Londons Good To Glow, and will come to a decision on what one is my favourite.

High Street - I decided to pick up Rimmel London's Good To Glow highlighter during a trip to my local Boots, as I had been on the lookout for a more affordable highlighter and thought I'd give this a try. I bought mine in the lightest shade - Notting Hill Glow. I found this shade to be a lot lighter than I  originally thought, so I wouldn't recommend this for anyone with medium to dark skin. This is really lightweight and has a great texture, and is easy to apply, although not as easily as High Beam. It blends relatively easily but not as easily as I would've liked. It does give a really nice glow, and I don't apply a lot of this to get the effect I like. I find it to be very shimmery - almost glittery - so wouldn't recommend this for anyone looking for something that's subtle, although I enjoy it. This highlighter is very good value for money at only £4.99, which I think is an absolute bargain. I really like this highlighter considering how much it costs, but wouldn't consider this to be my favourite highlighter or one that I'd use daily.

High End - Benefit's High Beam was actually the first highlighter I ever tried, after I recieved it in a gift set for Christmas. It's been my daily highlighter for quite a while now and I've been absolutely loving it. The first thing I love about it is the applicator. It already comes with it's own brush which makes it so easy to apply. It's also so easy to blend and leaves your face absolutely glowing, and feels very lightweight. When I use this, I apply quite a lot but yet don't find that it looks too much. I've found that, as much as I love using powder highlighters, I find liquid and cream ones so much easier to use - I'm a bit of a makeup novice. High Beam is very easy to use and is the perfect highlighter for not only makeup novices like myself, but makeup professionals. I really enjoy using this and love the glow it gives me, as, if only a small amount is applied, it can look very natural. I use this almost every day and really enjoy it, but am on the lookout for a good powder highlighter.

I do really like both of these highlighters but out of the two, High Beam is definitely my favourite. I feel like it's much better quality and gives me a glow I absolutely love. It may cost a bit more but it's money well spent in my opinion, and it's a product I constantly repurchase. The Good To Glow highlighter is definitely more afforable and definitely a steal if you're on the look out for a cheaper highlighter though.

Let me know if you've tried either of these highlighters and what your opinions on them are. Thank you so much for reading my post and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

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Free Product: Elemis Hydra-Nourish Night Cream

If you've read my blog before, you'll know that I love buying magazines that have free products in them. Not only do you get a product for a much cheaper price than buying it alone, but you get things you may never have tried if it wasn't a freebie with the magazine. During a recent browse in the magazine aisle of my local supermarket, I noticed the July issue of Marie Claire magazine had a free Elemis cream in it. Some contained day creams while others had night creams, and I decided to go for a night cream as I don't actually have many of them.

The Hydra-Nourish Night Cream currently costs £43 for a 50ml tube on the Elemis website. With the magazine, you recieve a 15ml sample which would technically be worth £12.90. Considering the magazine only costs £3.99, you'd be saving just under £9 which is a massive saving. I'd highly recommend buying the magazine just for this amazing saving, even if you don't want to read it.

Elemis is a brand that's been around for so long and is very well known and respected. I've never actually used any of their products before so was really excited to try this out. Since I've had this, I've been applying it every night after I've cleansed and before I go to bed. I love the texture of this cream and it smells absolutely amazing. When you apply it, it feels a lot thicker than most of the other creams I've used before which I was a bit apprehensive about at first. It does smooth easily though and doesn't feel thick on your face. Since I have really dry skin, I was excited to see how this worked for me as it's stated as being hydra-nourishing.

After using this for a few weeks and almost finishing the tube, I can say that I really do like this product. I love the way it leaves my face feeling and looking after I apply it, and it's one of those creams that makes you feel really good about yourself after you use it. It's been so hydrating and mousturising for my skin which is the main reason I had wanted to try it, and I can honestly say it's left my face feeling so smooth and soft. This paired with my Kiehl's facial cream has left my face feeling the smoothest it has ever been. I've been thouroughly enjoying using this and am really considering buying the full bottle as I'm almost finished with my tube - or buying another magazine for another free sample.

I would really encourage you, if you're able to, to buy the July edition of Marie Claire solely to try this night cream, or the day cream if you'd prefer. I've been really enjoying it and it's worked out as such a saving.

Let me know if you've tried the Elemis Hydra-Nourish Night Cream, or even the day cream, and let me know your opinion on it. Thank you so much for reading my post and I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your day!

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25 Beauty Blog Post Ideas

Every blogger, at some point or another, may find themselves with a bit of a writers block. Struggling to find a topic to blog about is so frustrating, so today's post is a list of some blog post ideas I've had that I thought I would share with everyone. As I'm a beauty blogger, most of the ideas I've had are more suited for a beauty blog, but there are a few lifestyles posts in there too. I've already used some of these ideas myself and am planning on using more of them soon.

1. Product empties

2. High street vs High end

3. How much is my face worth?
4. Products I've disliked
5. Products I'll always repurchase
6. Monthly favourites
7. My favourite scents
8. My top 5… (e.g red lipsticks, foundations)
9. 10 under £10
10. Product dupes
11. High street top picks
12. What's in my makeup bag?
13. My daily skincare routine
14. Skincare favourites
15. Products I'd put in my beauty box
16. Are products worth the hype?
17. Beauty haul
18. Magazine freebie reviews
19. Bloggers made me buy this
20. Affordable makeup look
21. The first makeup I ever bought
22. Tips for new bloggers
23. My wishlist
24. Monthly goals
 25. Why I started blogging

Let me know if you guys use any of these ideas and make sure you link me them if you do - I'd love to read them. Hopefully this will give you some inspiration if you're suffering from a bit of a writers block. Thank you for reading my post and I hope you all have a lovely day!

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Brush Egg Makeup Brush Cleaners

One thing I absolutely hate doing is washing my makeup brushes. I normally wash mines every week, even when I may have only used them once or twice that week. The thought of the build up of bacteria on them really freaks me out, so I wash them as often as I can. It's a task we all have to face, but don't really enjoy. I had always washed mines against the back of my hand until I found Brush Eggs. They are small silicone eggs that you can place over your fingers so you can wash your brushes against them instead of your hand. I was really excited to try them out and see if they really worked.

I bought two from Amazon and they were actually really affordable. I've seen other people buying other products to use for washing their brushes that cost a bit more, so I thought I'd try out the Brush Eggs first before moving on to more expensive products. I do have to say how cute these things look, and I love the idea of them. They fit well over my fingers, but I have relatively small hands so I'm not sure how well they would fit on someone with larger hands.

To try them out, I'm using my deluxe contour brush set from Morphe. I've used these brushes quite a lot in the past week, so they're pretty dirty right now.

To wash my brushes, I normally just use hand soap. To wash these, I ran the hot water, added a pump of soap and then lathered it up on the Brush Egg. I normally start with my larger brushes first as they take longer and usually need to be washed a few times before they're clean. I've especially found the larger Morphe brushes to be quite hard to clean, so always start with them.

I found that the Brush Egg had quite a small surface area to wash the larger brushes, while it was large enough for the smaller ones. This meant it took me quite a while to get some of the bigger brushes completely cleaned. It was quite annoying, but something I could probably put up with. Another issue I had was that it kept sliding off of my fingers. The water and soap mixture caused my hand to get wet, and I ended up having to hold the egg on my fingers with the rest of my hand. This is something I did find quite annoying, but it could be down to the fact I do have such small hands, I'm not sure. I also found the eggs themselves stained quite easily with the makeup from the brushes. I had to scrub them clean after I used them which was quite inconvenient - I'm lazy and had already used up all my energy cleaning the brushes.

I do have to say that they did serve their purpose though - they cleaned my brushes well and it was much easier to use them than the back of my hand. The surface of the eggs worked well to remove the makeup, and it was much quicker and easier than before. I overall thought that the Brush Eggs were alright to use - not anything special but not terrible. For the price of them, I'm happy with how they worked. I think I will consider purchasing a more expensive and higher quality product to use to clean my brushes that has a larger surface area in the future though. 

Let me know if you've tried the Brush Eggs before, or if you have a better product you use that I might like. Thank you so much for reading my post and I hope you all have a great day!

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St Tropez: Self Tan Express

I'm a massive fake tan wearer, especially when I'm going out or have something important on. I'm naturally very pale and really love the look fake tan gives me - it's definitely a confidence booster for me. I know a lot of people don't wear fake tan, while others wear it every day, and I'm somewhere in between. St. Tropez has been the brand who I've used the most since I started wearing fake tan and find their products very trustworthy and great quality. For todays post, I thought I would do a review of my current fake tan - the St. Tropez Self Tan Express. I bought this in January and have been loving it ever since. 

I first of all have to say that this product isn't the cheapest, so I wouldn't recommend this if you're on a budget or aren't too fussed about what fake tan you wear. I picked it up after finishing my previous St. Tropez bottle and noticed the Self Tan Express which I hadn't seen before. I really liked how it was a gradual tan rather than instant, which is what I had wore up until that point. I do have to say I prefer it as I can apply my tan the night before, but it isn't the best when you make impromptu plans - I would use my Hoola Zero Tanlines instead (review).

There are so many things that I really enjoy about this tan. Previously, I would have to buy my tan in my chosen shade - light, medium or dark. I would normally go for medium, but would sometimes want a slight glow that was lighter or a darker shade for a night out. This was difficult since my tan was medium and wasn't very buildable. That's why I love Self Tan Express, because you can get a light, medium and dark shade using the one bottle. How it works is that you apply your tan and leave it on for 1 hour for a light shade, 2 hours for a medium shade and 3 hours for a dark shade. I find this so smart and also perfect for me - I alternate my shade depending on what I'm doing and why I'm applying the tan. It's also great that if you want a light shade, you only need to leave it on for an hour and can wash it off which makes it quick and easy.

I also love the fact that it is wash off. My previous tan wasn't and I always found it would come off so easily in the rain or if I got wet in any way. This tan is so much better and I found it hasn't ran or been streaky at all. I absolutely love the colour it gives and the overall tan looks very even. After you've washed it off, you're left with a slight glow and the full tan takes around 8 hours to develop - I've found it to actually be a bit quicker than this. The shades are also very accuarate, which is something I was a but wary of but had no reason to be.

It also lasts for so long - I find myself having to really scrub it off in the shower. Washing daily still leaves the tan looking just as good as it did on the first day which I really love since my prevoius tan barely lasted the night. I also love that it's a mousse, which nowadays the only type of tan I would try. I've found I'm not a fan of sprays as they normally leave me patchy, which I've found mousses don't as much.

Overall, I'm really loving this tan right now. I love how it's gradual, you can choose from 3 different shades, it's quick and easy to use and also looks great after you've applied it. Apart from the slightly high price, I find this tan to be perfect for me. I would highly reccommend this to anyone who's looking for a new tan to try and isn't put off by the price.

Thank you so much for reading my post. Let me know if you've tried this tan and what your opinions on it are. Also, let me know if you're a 'fake tan person' or if you choose not to wear any. I hope you've enjoyed the read and have a lovely lovely day!

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Soap & Glory Favourites

Soap & Glory is one of my favourite bath and body brands. I find myself recieving their products constantly for Christmas and my birthday, and I always end up picking up stuff when I'm in Boots. There are so many things I love about this brand and find many of their bath and skincare products work so well for me, as well as being very affordable. They do have makeup products but I find myself shying away from these to be honest, and always stick to their body products. For todays post, I thought I would go through the Soap & Glory products that are my absolute favourites right now as I know a lot of people really enjoy this brand. All the products I have chosen are bath and body related (sorry for all their makeup fans).

I do have to say that I love their Sugar Crush range as those products smell absolutely amazing - it's definitely my favourite Soap & Glory scent. They have a freshly-squeezed lime fragrance which I absolutely love. That's why two of the products from this range have ended up in my favourites. The first is the Sugar Crush Fresh & Foamy Body Wash. I do love a good body wash and this is definitely one of them. I absolutely love this product and find a small bit goes a long way. It smells amazing and feels so lovely on your skin - it always leaves me feeling so smooth and soft. I also find myself smelling great after I get out of the shower - I do pair it with the body cream, but the body wash alone leaves me smelling lovely, which to be fair it should (lol). 

The other product I'm loving from this range is the Sugar Crush Body Buttercream. Also with the sweet lime fragrance, this is one of my favourite smelling body creams I own. It's also one of my favourite body creams I own in general. When I apply this, I feel like it dissolves so quickly and easily, and leaves my skin feeling so smooth and soft it's unreal. It's also very hydrating and I use this quite a lot during summer when I feel my skin is more likely to need that extra bit of moisturising. The fragrance is also very summery so is perfect for this time of year. A small bit goes a long way with this body cream but I always apply more than I need - I just love it that much. 

The next product that I'm featuring in my favourites is the Clean On Me Shower Gel that has a built-in body lotion. I absolutely love this shower gel right now and have been using it constantly in the shower recently. I find it so easy to use as it lathers very quickly and it smells amazing - it's my second favourite Soap & Glory scent. It's definitely very moisturising which is something I look for in a good shower gel, and it always leaves my skin feeling silky smooth. It also lasts for ages - I feel like I've been using it for such a long time and still have half of the bottle left, which is a massive thumbs up for me.

Another one of my Soap & Glory favourites right now is The Scrub Of Your Life which is a body buffer. This was the first time I'd ever used a product like this and was very excited to try it. You apply it while in the shower after you've washed and then rinse it off. It contains scrubbing beads which help to smooth out any rough patches on your skin and help moisturise any dry areas. I love the way this feels on my skin and how silky it leaves it looking, as well as it smelling great - I feel like Soap & Glory haven't went wrong with a single one of their scents yet. 

Another product I've really been loving lately is the Heel Genius foot cream. I suffer quite badly from dry feet and have found this product has worked wonders for me. I apply it every night and then put socks on over it to let it soak in while I sleep, which is what's recommended on the bottle. I really like the smell of this and find it to be so moisturising, leaving my feet feeling as smooth as a babys bottom. It's definitely worth a buy if you're looking for an affordable foot cream.

One of my other favourites from Soap & Glory is of course their Hand Food hand cream which I have just ran out of. I would have definitely included this as part of my favourites in this post, but instead, I am posting a review of it as part of my product empties post which will be up in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes pealed for that.

I love Soap & Glory as a brand and will always buy their products - I feel like it's a natural reflex. Let me know what your favourite products are and if you're loving any of the ones I've mentioned. Thank you for reading my post and I hope you all have a great rest of your day!

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My Top 3

Considering I've had this blog for a few weeks now, I feel like I've not really spoke much about myself, so that's why todays post is going to be a bit about me. This will hopefully let you guys get to know me a bit better and know what things I really like. I've seen a few posts similar to this before, so I thought I would do a 'My Top 3' post, where I let you know my top 3 things in various categories. 

My top 3... beauty products
This is really difficult for me only being able to pick 3, but I guess I'll have to try. The first in my top 3 has got to be NARS sheer glow foundation, which I recently rediscovered. For anyone who likes beauty or blogs themselves, you'll know how amazing this foundation is. I used this a lot quite a while back but switched to MAC foundations for a bit. When I bought this again, I found it hard to remember why I ever stopped using it as I just love it. The next beauty product in my top 3 is something I only recently bought but I'm in love with it already - it's the ABH cream contour kit. Omg is this thing beautiful. I'm not the best at contouring but this thing has made it so easy. I'll post a full review on it very soon so keep your eyes pealed. My third and final top 3 beauty product has got to be Benefits Hoola bronzer. It may be a well known bronzer, but it's my absolute favourite. I think it gives such a beautful glow but it isn't too dark or orange looking, and I also use this to contour. This is definitely my go-to bronzer right now.

My top 3... beauty brands
The first of my top 3 beauty brands has to be Urban Decay. I'm such a big fan of all their products, and have found that everything I've bought from them has been amazing - I've not been disappointed by anything yet. I also use so much of their stuff on a daily basis as I love them so much. The second of my top 3 beauty brands has got to be MAC, as obvious as that is. They are my go-to brand if I'm looking for anything new and they're another brand I use so much on a daily basis. Even based on their lipsticks alone they would be in my top 3. My third favourite beauty brand in my top 3 has to be Benefit. They're a brand I never used much until the past year or so, but when I did start using their products, I fell in love. Everything I've purchased from them I've thoroughly enjoyed using and seem to keep repurchasing.

My top 3... TV shows
I'm such a TV fan and watch so many TV shows at once. The first in my top 3 right now is Gossip Girl. I started watching this show way back when it started, and I think I've rewatched it about 5 times now - I just love it. I love the drama and romance as well as all the amazing outfits they wear and I'm so intrigued by the idea of their upper east side lifes. This is one show I know I'll never get bored of. Another one of my favourites I rewatch constantly is Friends. This is one of the best comedies of all time - don't even fight me on this one - and it's the show that can always cheer me up when I'm down. I feel like I've seen each episode at least 20 times but I never get bored of it. I own all the DVD's so find myself watching them on repeat when I need a pick me up. The final TV show in my top 3 is Criminal Minds. This show follows the BAU of the FBI as they try and solve murders across America, and I absolutely love this show. I love thrillers and murder shows - call me morbid - and the show has me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I love the suspense and drama this show creates and it's a definite must-watch for any crime show lovers. 

My top 3… books

I'm such a big book reader and I especially love series' I can really get my teeth into. The first book in my top 3 has to be Angel & Demons by Dan Brown which is one of my all time favourite books. I love the idea of conspiracies and secrets and this book is full of them. This book is part of the Da Vinci Code series but I prefer this one as I found the plot to be so gripping and intriguing. It's a thriller which is definitely my favourite genre of books, and I genuinely could not put it down - I read it in two days. The next book in my top 3 has to be the Harry Potter series (I know it's technically 7 books but I don't care). I grew up reading and watching Harry Potter and these books just make me so comfy and homely, if that even makes sense. I just go into a whole different world when I read them - I find them such an escape. My favourite book has to be Goblet of Fire though, as I absolutely love how much of a turning point this book is in the series. My final book in my top 3 is a soppy one, but it's The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I picked up this book to take on holiday with me a few years ago but never really thought I'd enjoy it - oh I was wrong. I thought it was a love story at first, but when I read it, it turned out to be a story of family bonds and music. Not giving anything away, but this book had me crying for a day or so after reading it. 

My top 3… movies
I'm also such a big movie buff and love going to the cinema. The first in my top 3 movies is 10 Things I Hate About You which is my favoutite movie of all time. It's the kind of movie I watch if I find myself having a down day and it always cheers me up. I love the plot of the movie as well as the cast - Heath Ledger was and always will be one of my favourite actors. It also has such a great soundtrack behind it, full of 90's classics. The second movie in my top 3 is Deadpool, which is a relatively new movie, but it's fast become one of my favourites. Ryan Reynolds, starring as Deadpool himself, is absolutely hilarious in the role, and the whole movie had me laughing from start to finish. It was just written so cleverly and was one of the only films I've watched that I genuinely didn't want to end. I'm not usually a fan of superhero films, but this one is definitely an exception. My third and final movie is the classic that is Se7en. This is one of the films that I found myself gripped to from start to finish. Based on the seven deadly sins, this movie has all the qualities I love in a film - it's a thriller with murder and intrigue and has a great plot twist at the very end. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are amazing in this film and it's definitely one movie everyone needs to see before they die.

My top 3... skincare products 
I absolutely love skincare and I find myself buying more and more when I really don't need it. My first in my top 3 skincare products right now would have to be the Kiehls ultra facial cream, which I featured in my Current Favourites post. This has really helped to hydrate my extremely dry skin, and leaves my face glowing after I use it. I use it every day and have seen such a big difference in my skin since I've used this - I think I'll definitely be repurchasing it for a long time. The next skincare product in my top 3 would have to be the Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser. Liz Earle is a brand I've been loving for quite a while now - I'll be doing a review on some of the products very soon - and the cleanser is one of my favourites. It makes my skin feel very soft and smooth, and removes all the dirt and grime from my face perfectly. It just works a treat on my skin. The final skincare product in my top 3 is The Body Shops Tea Tree pore minimiser, which I'll also be doing a full review on soon. This thing smells absolutely amazing and really does reduce my pores. It leaves my skin feeling and looking amazing, and it's definitely one of my favourite products right now.  

My top 3... cities I want to visit
The first in my top 3 cities to visit is Paris. I already visited here when I was younger, but I don't feel I appreciated it as much as I would now. I'd love to go back and see all the classic tourist spots as well as spending a day at Disneyland. I'm actually planning on going back next year, so I really hope my plans all work out. The second city I want to visit is NYC. This has been a dream of mine since I was younger, and there are so many places I want to visit and things I want to see. I feel like it's one of those cities everyone wants to visit before they die. I'm hopefully going for my 21st birthday in 2 years so fingers crossed. The third city I want to visit is Amsterdam. It's a city I feel I really want to visit as an adult, as there's so many things I would love to do here. My cousin actually lived here for a year and absolutely loved it, so hearing all her amazing stories has made me really want to go.

My top 3... favourite foods
Now I'm one of those people who's whole life revolves around food. My first in my top 3 has got to be Chinese food - my absolute achilles heel. I love a good Chinese meal and have one at least once a week - a bit too often but I don't care. I love so many different dishes, which I alternate between when I order. I genuinely don't think I could live without Chinese food in my life. The next in my top 3 has got to pesto. Pesto is a thick basil sauce that I love to eat with different things - pasta, chicken, cheese, everything basically. It's also a healthier addition to my diet, and I love using it to add flavour to various dishes. My third and final favourite food has got to be pizza. I absolutely love Pizza, whether it be from Dominos or Zizzis or just one you make in your oven. My absolute favourite is a good BBQ chicken pizza but I also love spicy chicken or a classic Margarita. Hmm, I'm hungry now. 

My top 3... music acts
I am such a big music fan and my taste is really varied. One of my favourite music acts right now is Ariana Grande, who I mentioned as one of my favourites in my Current Favourites post last month. I love all her music but her new album Dangerous Woman is definitely one of my favourite albums right now - I constantly have it on repeat in my car. Another one of my top 3 music acts is Maroon 5. They've been one of my favourite groups ever since I was a little girl - and they still are. I feel like they can do no wrong, and most of my all time favourite songs are theirs. And my third and final music act is Selena Gomez. I absolutely love her most recent album Revival and I'm so excited as I'm finally meeting her at her concert in November. I feel like she's always releasing hit after hit.

I hope you guys all enjoyed reading my post and learning a bit more about me. Let me know if any of you have done a post similar to this and link me it if you have - I'd love to read it. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you all have a fabulous day!

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Hoola Zero Tanlines: First Impressions and Review

When Benefit released Hoola Zero Tanlines, I just knew I had to buy it. I love the idea of it and I'm already a massive fan of their Hoola bronzer, so the thought of it all over my body just sounded amazing. The idea of this product is that it's a non-sticky body bronzer that gives you an overall believable bronze without the hassle of having to apply fake tan. It states that it lasts for 12 hours, as well as being transfer-resistant and streak-free. Todays post is not only a review of the product, but my first impressions of it when I purchased it. This is a product I'd been wanting to try for weeks, and I 'm still so happy I finally got round to buying it! My first impressions when I bought this product was the packaging - just look at how damn beautiful it is. I absolutely love the Hawaiian design and the little hoola skirt on the bottle is just the cutest thing ever. Benefit have definitely upped their packaging game with this one. I also love how it's hands free - there's a sponge applicator inside the hoola skirt that detaches from the bottle. I originally wanted this product because I'm so pale and I though that this would be my life saver in the warmer months when I wanted a bit of a bronze. I always seem to have a dilemma during summer - I want to be tan yet don't want to be constantly applying fake tan, which I find to feel quite sticky when it's sunny anyway. This is why I was so excited to purchase this product - it seemed made for me and was the perfect in-between.I was also intrigued by the fact it's stated as being buildable, so you're able to alter how dark you want your bronze to be. Lighter skintones are suggested to apply one layer, with added layers giving you a deeper shade. Darker skintones are suggested to apply more than one layer. Another thing I noticed was the smell - it reminded me of being at the beach and I absolutely love it. It's such a soft and summery smell but isn't too strong, so I was excited to see what it smelt like after it was applied.

Overall, my first impressions of this product were very positive. I'd heard very good reviews about it, and after seeing it for myself, I understood why. The packaging was beautiful, it looked very easy to  apply and it just smells wonderful. But what is it actually like to use?

Honestly I have to say, I do really like this product. I've used it a few times when I've been going out and wanted a bit of a glow, and haven't actually used it when I've been out in the sun which has surprised me. It is so easy to apply and blends so easily which I love, and you don't need a lot to cover you. The sponge is so smooth on your skin and just feels quite luxurious compared to applying fake tan with a mit.

I started by applying one layer, as that's what they've recommended for lighter skin tones, but I found it to be too light. I therefore applied another layer which I found gave me the subtle glow I was looking for. I found it really easy to apply the second layer over the first which was really good, as I sometimes find layering fake tan really streaky and annoying. The colour it gave was so lovely and glowy, and also looked very natural. Everyone I spoke to had thought I'd just caught some sun and didn't even notice I had any bronzer on which is a huge thumbs up.The smell of the bronzer, which I love, isn't as strong when you actually apply it. I feel like you can smell it for a while after it's applied it but it disappears quite quickly. I find this to be a good thing though, as it doesn't clash with any perfumes or body sprays you may be wearing. I absolutely love this product and finding negative things to say about it is proving hard. The only thing would be that it wasn't as long lasting as I would've liked. Saying this though, I was out with my friends when I was wearing it so it may have wore off quicker than if I used it on a normal day.

I would definitely reccomend this to anyone looking for a new body bronzer or anyone who's already a fan of the hoola bronzer. I've really enjoyed using it so far and am planning on using it a lot more in the future. Let me know if you've tried it yourself and what your opinions on it are. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

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My Summer Essentials

Summer is just around the corner, and with the warmer weather comes a change in the products we use daily. I find myself wearing less face make up and needing to moisturise my body and face a lot more. For todays post, I thought I would go over the 5 things I find essential in my summer routine, both make up and skin care. These are the products I use mostly every day during summer, weather dependant of course, and I thought I should share them with all of you. I'm so excited for summer as it's my favourite time of the year and I love giving my skin a bit of a break. As I write this though, it couldn't be any further from summer with the dreary weather outside.

The first thing I find essential every summer is aloe vera body cream. I'm currently using the Aloe Body Butter from The Body Shop which has been working really well. I always use Aloe butter as it really helps moisturise your skin as well as being an absolute god send with any sunburn I have. I have also been suffering from really bad pealing skin just now and find this also thoroughly helps with that. Aloe butter is naturally hydrating, so works well when you apply it at night after a long day in the sun. I always feel that a lot of sun exposure can dry out my skin, even when I'm wearing my sun cream, so find this body butter really helpful. 

Something that is essential for everybody during summer is sun cream. I have the Nivea sun spray lotions in SPF 20, 30 and 50 which I alternate between depening on how strong the sun is. Making sure you're wearing sun cream when you're out in the sun is so important, no matter your age or skin type. I know that at some point in our life, we've though that wearing sun protection would stop us from getting a tan so you wouldn't want to wear it, but never really knew how dangerous this was. But nowadays, I think it's more known how important protectiong our skin from the sun is, so sun cream is definitely a summer essential for us all. 

Now I know I said I really enjoying not wearing any face makeup during summer, but sometimes you do find you want to wear a bit of foundation if you're going somewhere nice. That's why I find the Mac Studio Sculpt foundation essential during summer, as it has SPF 15 which gives your face some extra protection from the sun. I also find that this foundation has vey thin coverage and is very light on your face, so doesn't feel cakey - which I find the worst when it's warm. This is going to be the only foundation I'll be wearing when the weather gets better, so if you're looking for one that won't feel thick in the sun, definitely give this one a try. 

Now I love a good facial mist during the summer, and I'm currently using the Vitamin E hydrating mist from The Body Shop. I love using this when I've been out in the sun for a while and need something refreshing to cool me down. This one contains rosewater to boost hydration, which will also help if you're skins feeling a bit dry. I like to put these in the fridge on very hot days, so when you spray them, they're that extra bit cooler and refreshing on your face. I also sometimes spray this on my arms if I'm feeling very warm and sticky. This spray is for all skin types, so are also good to use if you have oily or combination skin. I love facial mists when the sun's out, and this Body Shop one is definitely my favourite right now.

As well as my skin getting quite dry and dehydrated in the sun, my lips can get the same. That's why something I find essential during summer is lip balm. My current one I'm using is the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula balm which I'm loving. Palmer's is a brand that have been out for so long and I love their products. This lip balm is so hydrating on my lips as well as feeling great and smelling so lovely. I always make sure I have this in my handbag or nearby when I'm out in the sun as I find myself constanly needing it, as my lips get very dry very easily. 

These are the 5 main things that I definitely won't be without this summer. Let me know if you have any essential items you can't be without when the sun's out or if you're using any of the items I've mentioned. I hope you've enjoyed reading my post and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

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Free Product: Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

Honestly, I'm not normally much of a magazine buyer. I feel that most of the fashion and makeup feautures in magazines are on the internet nowadays, and I'd rather read them online for free than paying for a magazine. I used to always buy them, but ended up buying more than I could read so gave up on that idea. But now, when I see a good magazine with a good free product, I find myself grabbing it before I can even think. When I was browsing throught the magazine aisle in my local supermarket recently, I noticed the July issue of InStyle had a free Eyeko skinny liquid eyeliner with it. Other copies had mascaras or brow boosters, but I love trying new liquid eyeliners so chose that one. Todays post will be my review on the liner as well as letting you know how you can get yourself 20% off of eyeko online. 

The magazine with the eyeliner only cost me £2.50, whereas buying the skinny liquid eyeliner alone costs you £12. This is such a massive saving, so if you're in the market for this liner I'd encourage you to buy the magazine, even if you aren't planning on reading it. 

I was really excited to try it out, as I love liquid eyeliners and had never tried Eyeko as a brand before. The packaging isn't very sturdy though, as mine was a bit ripped by the time I got it out of the magazine. The liner itself has a very skinny tip, as described, and comes in a pitch black colour. I really liked both these features as I find a skinny tip means you can be more precise and accurate, and I really like my eyeliners to be as dark as they can be. I found this liner so easy to apply and got my wings perfect each time without doing that annoying thing we all do - when ones different from the other so you have to even them out but they just end up looking weird and you have to start again. This was a massive thumbs up for me. The liner also isn't as runny or thick when you apply it as some of they other liquid liners I've used.

There are a few things I disliked about this liner though. It's stated as being long-lasting and smudge proof, but I didn't find this to be true. I found my wings smudged so easily and I ended up with black lines on my top eyelid. It didn't last very long either, and I found most of it had came off within a few hours of being applied. It does come out quite thinly, which I thought was a good thing to start with, but it ended up being the opposite - you could see my eyelid through the liner.

It's a moderate eyeliner all in all, and is definitely good value for money due to the fact it only costs you £2.50 to buy with the magazine. After using it for a week or so now, I think I've concluded that I won't be wearing it much in the future as it's just not for me and I much prefer the other liquid liners I own. I'm quite disappointed I don't enjoy it as much as I wanted to, but I would really like to try the other products Eyeko do.

Along with the eyeliner, the magazine comes with a code you can use for 20% off when buying eyeko products from eyeko.com. You can use the code EYEKO20 online to redeem this until the 30th of June, so get using this if you're planning on buying anything over there.

Let me know if you bought the July InStyle issue and what product you got with yours, or what your own opinion of this eyeliner is. Thank you so much for reading my post and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

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Zoella Beauty: Double Creme vs Candy Cream

Zoe Sugg, more known as Youtuber and blogger Zoella, has had her own beauty range out for quite a while now. I had never really had the urge to buy much, except her Wonder Hand hand cream which I do love, but when she released her new range, I decided it was time to give it a go. I am such a fan of body creams so decided to purchase the Double Creme one from her new Sweet Inspirations range. I also decided to buy her Candy Cream body lotion from her previous Tutti Frutti range, as some of the products from that range are being discontinued and I had to give them a try before they're gone. For this post, I thought I would do a review on both the body creams as well as comparing the two and deciding a favourite.

Her Candy Cream body lotion was released as part of her Tutti Frutti range last year, but I hadn't tried it until just recently. The packaging and colours used are just beautiful and I love the shape of both of the bottles. Most of the body creams I currently use are packaged in round tubs, so it was a bit different using one in a bottle. The cream itself smells absolutely amazing - one of my favourite smells right now, and definitely my favourite smelling body cream. It isn't too strong smelling after being applied, yet you can still catch moments of it throughout the day/night. The cream contains bursting beads which I was a bit wary about, as I was unsure if they would dissolve after being applied. I had no need to be worried of course, as they dissolve really easily and quickly and leave my skin feeling so smooth and soft. I absolutely love this body cream right now and the smell of it just reminds me of summer, so it's perfect for this time of year. 

The Double Creme body cream is brand new, as it was released as part of her Sweet Inspirations range last month. The packaging on this one looks so beautiful too, and the pink with the gold makes it look very classy. This cream is macaron scented which smells amazing too, but I do prefer the smell of the Candy Cream more. The smell is very rich and fragrant, and I find myself smelling it all day long. This one leaves my skin feeling very smooth and soft and I find it very hydrating. I really like this one, but I don't feel as if I grab it as much as other body creams I have which is a shame.

Both these body creams are really nice to use and smell great. My only critique of them would be that I find they take quite a bit of rubbing before they dissolve, unlike my other creams and lotions. I'm really surprised at how much I do like them though, and would like to buy other things from the Zoella Beauty range.

Overall, I definitely prefer the Candy Cream one over the Double Creme one, although both are really nice and good value for money. If you're looking for a new body cream that's affordable, you should definitely give these a try. Let me know if any of you have either of these body creams or anything else in the Zoella Beauty ranges. Thank you so much for reading my post and I hope you all have a fabulous day!

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High Street vs High End: Primers

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Mattifying Primer - £7.99

Urban Decay Brightening & Tightening Complexion Primer Potion - £19.50

I love finding a good bargain or good value products that don't break the bank. I have to admit that I'm a big fan of high end products, but when I hear about a high street product that works just as well or better, I always have to try it. I thought I'd start a little series of posts on high street vs high end products, as I've seen quite a few people do this and I always love to read them. The first product I thought I would do is primers, as I seem to be really enjoying a good base right now. I've used both these products for quite a while now, and have really been enjoying using them both. 

High Street - I decided to purchase the L'Oreal Paris Infallible Mattifying Primer in Boots one day as I'd heard really good things about their Infallible products. I had never tried a primer from them before, so was very excited to give it a go. The product is a clear gel that's very easy to apply and only requires a small amount for each section - I use about the size of a pea. I really like the way it feels on my face; it's definitely like I'm not wearing anything at all. It makes my skin feel very smooth and reduces any shiny spots I have on my face. It definitely keeps my makeup on all day, and I've found that my results look better - which I have to be honest, I was happily surprised about. The only downside is that I found the product to leave my hands feeling quite greasy, though it didn't on my face. This was the only thing I disliked about the product and I genuinely really like wearing it. I was very happily surprised by how well I got on with it, as I had never though of buying a primer from L'Oreal in the past but now I'm very glad I did. This is affordable and works really well, so it's a big thumbs up from me.

High End - I am a massive fan of Urban Decay and their products, so picked the primer potion up one day as I love using their eye primers and thought, why not use one for my face? I choose their brightening and tightening one over their pore perfecting one as I really liked the idea of it lifting and tightening any tired areas of my skin. This one is a milky white gel that is also really easy to apply and requires so little to cover my face. The packaging is absolutely beautiful - I love the idea of it being my little potion. I love how smooth it makes my skin feel and I've definitely felt it tightening my face - I have quite loose eyelids and have found them to be much tighter when I've used this on my eyes. This one is much more enjoyable to apply as it doesn't feel greasy on your hands, and makes your skin feel silky smooth as you go. After applying, you feel as if you're not wearing anything at all which I love, and it keeps your makeup on all day. Even though this might be a bit more expensive for some people, I absolutely love this primer and find myself wearing it most days. 

I have really enjoyed using both of these products and have very little negative comments about either. As musch as I love finding a good product for less, the Urban Decay Primer potion is my current favourite, and I feel like I will be repurchasing it soon. Saying this though, the L'Oreal Paris primer is definitely a great product that is so affordable, so if you're looking for good value for money, that's your winner.

Let me know if you have used either of these primers and what your opinions on them are. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

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OPI 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' Collection

L-R: Oh My Majesty, I'm Gown For Anything, The I's Have It, Mad For Madness Sake, Fearlessly Alice, Having A Big Head Day, What's The Hatter With You?

If you've read my blog before, you'll know I'm such a big fan of OPI nail polishes. My last post on OPI has actually been my most read blog post so far (link). I recently went out and purchased 7 of the new polishes from their 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' collection, as they looked absolutely beautiful and I really wanted to try them. I've heard a lot of people have been really loving these lately, and I have to say, I understand why. This post will be a quick run through of the shades and what my opinions on them are. I first of all have the say though, that I absolutely love the names of all the shades with their Alice theme. OPI never fail with their names.

Oh My Majesty - This shade is absolutely beautiful. It's a white colour with a shimmer to it which looks slighly pink in the light. It layers quite thin, so I needed a few coats of this before I stopped, but you could use just one coat for a more transparent look. I'm not normally a fan of shimmery nail polishes, but I really like this one.

I'm Gown For Anything - Now this shade is my absolute favourite out of the whole collection. It's a light lilac colour that looks absolutely gorgeous and will also be a great shade for summer. If you apply a thick enough first coat, that would be all you'd need as it applies quick thick and is very opaque. Definitely a shade I'll be loving in the next few months.

The I's Have It - This shade is a beautiful light/baby blue colour which I'm really liking. I already have a few pale blue shades of OPI polishes, but this one is a more powder-blue colour when applied. I needed to use two coats of this, but three on some other nails, as it applies quite thinly. I really like this shade, but have heard quite a few people disliking it, so I think this one comes down to personal opinion.

Mad For Madness Sake - Now I have to say, this is the first shade I tried from the collection when I purchased it. I loved the look of it, but was nervous as I'm not the biggest fan of bright pink/fuchsia colours. After trying it, I was definitely converted. I only required one layer of this which I loved and the colour is just stunning. This is a definite must have polish for any OPI fans.

Fearlessly Alice - Another beautiful blue colour from the collection, but slighly darker than the first. This shade looks beautiful and only required two coats for maximum opacity. As much as I love the colour, it's not a shade I can see myself wearing very often and I can't see myself grabbing it over the other shades in the collection. Saying this though, it's still a beautiful colour to add to my existing collection.

Having A Big Head Day - Now if you've read my last OPI polish blog post, you'll know I'm a massive fan of reds. This shade is a beautiful red colour that only required me to apply two coats. Unfortunately though, I found nothing really special about it compared to my other red OPI polishes - if anything, I find it to be a very similar shade to Big Apple Red. It also slightly stained my nails which I'm not too pleased about. Not my favourite in the collection.

What's The Hatter With You? - This dark purple colour is one of my favourites from this collection. It only required two coats for full opacity and applies so easily and evenly which I absolutely loved. I am such a fan of darker shades of OPI polishes and can tell I'll be wearing this colour all year round.

Overall, I think the collection is really beautiful. It's quite a mix of shades, so there will be something in it for everybody. My favourites are definitely I'm Gown For Anything, Mad For Madness Sake and What's The Hatter With You? Let me know if you've purchased any shades from the collection and what your opinions on it are. Thank you so much for reading my post, and have a lovely day!

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5 Things You Should Do Every Day

Sometimes life can get you down or you find yourself stuck in a bit of a rut. You end up caught in the same routine day after day - I know I'm guilty of that. Sometimes you just need to change it up and make a new daily plan. Looking after yourself and living a postive life is so important, no matter what's going on around you. That's why todays post is a list of 5 things I think you should do every day, just to make your daily life that bit more enjoyable. Some of these you might already do every day, while others are things you rarely do, but trying to do all 5 can hopefully boost your mood and improve your happiness. They also won't just help to improve your mentality, but your physical health as well.

1. Drink a glass of water

Now I know you're supposed to drink 8 glasses of water a day, but I find that really hard. Many of you will probably love water and drinking those 8 glasses a day is easy for you, but I have to be honest, I don't like the taste of water. I need to add fruit or a few drops of cordial to add some flavour before I can drink it, so a glass a day, as easy as it sounds, is actually quite difficult for me. I also find that if I start by drinking 1 glass a day, it's easier to then move on to 2 glasses, then 3 and so on, rather than trying to start with 8 glasses straight away. Water is not only sugar and calorie free, but also helps to improve your skin which is especially good if you suffer from break outs.

2. Try something new

I think we should all try something new every day. I know that it might seem difficult to try and find something new to try every day, but it can be as simple and easy as you want it to be.  It might be picking up new food you've never tried before when you do your weekly shop. It might be reading a new genre of blogs you've never read before. It might be going a walk in area you've never been. It might be taking up a new activity you've never done before - I know I've been wanting to try Yoga for a while now. It might even just be watching a TV show you've never watched before.  Trying something new every day can keep every day a bit more exciting.

3. Take time for yourself

This is something I think a lot of us are guilty of forgetting every day. Taking even an hour out of your day to meditate, destress, write down a list of goals or remind yourself just how amazing you are can really change your day. Finding one thing about yourself you love/are proud of every single day can not only boost your mood but improve your confidence. It's also a really important thing to do if you suffer from anxiety. Taking yourself away from a particularly stressful day for some peace and quiet can really help to reduce your anxiety levels.

4. Exercise 

Now I know that for some people exercising every day can seem like such a chore, but I've found that changing your mode of exercise can make it more enjoyable. Going to the gym every day can be good for some people, but it's definitely not for me. I like to make exercise fun, so would rather do some zumba, dancing, or just some cardio in my living room. I also prefer easier ways of exercising, like going out a jog or taking my dog a walk, or even going on to Youtube and finding 10 minute exercise routines, which I find super fun and easy. They're also quick to do, which is perfect if you have a busy schedule and don't have a lot of free time to exercise. Exercise can be really enjoyable if you just tailor it to suit you.

5. Laugh

They do say that laughter is the best medicine. I think that a bit of fun and laughter can make your day seem so much better without you even realising it. Whether you're laughing with your friends and family or watching a particularly funny TV show, laughing has been proven to subconsciously perk up your mood. I always find that I turn to comedies when I'm feeling a bit down, and that laughing does make my day feel so much better. This may not work for everyone but I know that it definitely works for me.

I challenge you to try do these 5 things every day, even for a week, and see how it helps you. Some of you may already do all of these daily and find it suits you, while for others it may not help at all, but they're all very easy and achievable to do. I find that they really help my mood and give me something to focus on every day. You can even class this as being the new thing you're trying today, so number 2's already ticked off.

Let me know if you try to do all 5 of these every day, or if you already do, and how it works for you. I hope you've all enjoyed reading these, and I hope the rest of your day is as beautiful as you are!

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My Makeup Removers

I know that for most people, including myself, removing your makeup isn't exactly the highlight of your day. I know we're all guilty of falling asleep still wearing a face full of makeup; I can sometimes forget if I've been out, and it can be a very mundane task to do. Taking off your makeup every night, even if you're barely wearing any, is very a important task. Sleeping in your makeup can cause wrinkles, clog your pores, and can also result in skin breakouts. That's why it's vital you find makeup removers that work for you and your skin type, as using the wrong kind can also end up damaging your skin. I have very dry skin so need to find products that help to hydrate my face. I've tried various brands and products, but have now finally found an eye makeup remover and cleansing water that I enjoy using and that have really helped my skin. This post is a quick overview of the makeup removers I use and my opinions on them.

I'm currently using the Fresh Eye Makeup Remover from Garnier to remove all my eye makeup. I've only recently started using it but absolutely love it already. It's enriched with apple extract which helps to dissolve the makeup while also keeping the area around your eye refreshed and soothed. What I really like about this product is that it doesn't leave a greasy feeling around your eye, which my No7 eye makeup remover did. I also suffer from sensitive skin in the area around my eyes, but this product has really helped that and doesn't cause me any redness or itchiness like other products I've tried. It also gets rid of my makeup so quickly, and I find it only takes a few swipes and I'm done. This is great, as I know most of us hate having to stand scrubbing our eyes for ages just waiting for it all to come off. Due to the fact it's enriched with apple extract, it also has a lovely smell to it which is a bonus for me. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who's in the market for a new eye makeup remover right now - it's also really affordable. 

I also use the No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water to remove the rest of my makeup. I picked this up as part of the 3-for-2 deal on No7 skincare quite a while back, but didn't expect much of it. That resulted in me being very pleasantly surprised with how much I loved it. I love the way it feels on my face as it's quite refreshing, and is also hypo-allergenic so is good for my sensitive skin. Not only does it remove your makeup and impurities, but tightens your pores and keeps your skin in an overall healthy condition. It's also quick to work, as I find all my makeups gone with one quick wipe. There's been a lot of people really enjoying other cleansing waters at the moment, especially Garniers Micellar Water, but I really love this No7 one. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a new makeup remover or cleansing water.

Makeup removers are products I often chop and change a lot, and never really seem to buy the same one twice, but now I feel like I've found ones I really enjoy. I'm always on the look out for ones that help with dry or sensitive skin, so if any of you have any recommendations then please let me know. Also, let me know what products you use to remove your makeup and how they work for you. Thank you so much for reading my post, and I hope you all have a lovely rest of your day!

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