NYE 2014 MAKE UP: GLITTER GLITTER & MORE GLITTER

Another year has flown by so fast; I can't believe that it's almost 2015! Y'all know that I don't post  this late at night, but I was suddenly inspired to make this post and I'm trying to get it up as quickly as possible so anyone who is interested in these bargain items can run out and grab them in time for their New Year's Eve celebrations! 

QUICK LIFE UPDATE: I'VE BEEN ILL

Did ya miss me? I bet you didn't.

So I was doing a crappy job of blogmas, let's be honest, but I completely intended to post a few more times before Christmas. Then a week before Christmas I woke up with a terrible headche, achy limbs, stuffy nose, swollen sinuses; the whole nine yards. It's been awful. I'm still pretty ill; less of the achy limbs and more of everything else; but I'm trying to power through it as this is ridiculous! I've been neglecting my blog and basically everything in my life. I've left my house twice in nearly two weeks and I'm starting to get cabin fever so I need to do something about that. Whenever I get even a slight sniffle I swaddle myself up in bed with copious amounts of Lemsip, but nothing has worked this time round and as I said earlier it's been nearly two weeks of feeling like I've been hit by a bus. 

I'm not sure how frequently I'll be posting until I'm 100% better though I do have a few things planned such as announcing the winner of my giveaway and what I got for Christmas, etc.

Thanks to everyone who's still here with me, and I hope you had an amazing Christmas!

Lots of love

xo.

PREVIOUS: Favourite Christmassy Scented Candles

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FAVOURITE CHRISTMASSY SCENTED CANDLES

I love burning candles, especially at this festive time of year, so here's my handful of favourite scents. They're all from Yankee Candle, surprise!

(heavy sarcasm, in case ya didn't know).

BLOGMAS | DAY 16: TODAY'S MAC EXPERIENCE

I find there's a stigma that Mac girls are all rude and obnoxious, and whilst some of them are, I had quite a pleasant experience today. I went in looking for concealer and the lovely lady, whose name I'm drawing complete blanks at, asked me what foundation I was wearing. I told her: Studio Sculpt. She asked me all sorts of questions about how I apply my make up and how I like my foundation to look, etc. I let her know that I don't even like concealer, not really, and we had a jolly good chat. She popped me in the chair, and discussed different foundations with me and then suggested I that try something with a little more coverage, or change the way I apply my make up. She did a few little demonstrations on me; always asking if what she was about to was okay. She was friendly, approachable yet still professional and I was really pleasantly surprised. Needless to say, I didn't even sample any concealer, but I did leave with 3 samples of different foundations, and much better understanding of Mac products.

So if you want to head into a Mac store but you'll need advice when you get there and you're a little intimidated by the staff, they might not be as scary as you think. A tiny word of warning though, don't let anyone convince you to buy something before you've tried it. Always, always ask for a sample first. But I'd say that about any make up product or brand.

Have you had an interesting experience in a make up store lately?

Thanks for reading, xo.

PREVIOUS: Blogmas | Day 15: Motivation

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BLOGMAS | DAY 15: MOTIVATION

It's difficult for a lot of us to even get out of bed some days, and it can sometimes take a lot to feel motivated to do anything. Christmas is 10 days away and I haven't even been able to find the time to be excited because this year the holiday season has been so stressful for me and my family. So if anyone else is feeling the pressure, from whatever source, and you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed; you're not alone. If you're suffering badly from anxiety or depression or anything that makes you feel isolated or lonely; you're not alone. I felt like utter shit today, but after a scroll on Tumblr and listening to a surprisingly uplifting and motivating song I feel a bit better. Here's the song:

There's something that's just so empowering about this song that really brightened me up, so I figured I'd share it. I hope it helps. If it doesn't, I hope you find something that does. Keep fighting, keep working on your masterpiece.

Thanks for reading, xo.

PREVIOUS: First Impressions - The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: THE BODY SHOP VITAMIN E INTENSE MOISTURE CREAM

I've said before that The Body Shop does phenomenal deals, and if ya didn't believe me then let me tell ya something; I got this face cream for free. And it's worth £13. It's the bargain of all bargains, the bargain to rule them all. Obviously my first thought was; "oh they're fobbing this off on us because it's a load of shit", but so far I've been completely wrong. I started using it because even though I have notoriously oily skin, my skin has been so damn dry for the past maybe 10 days. It's insane; the skin on one of the oiliest parts of my face, the sides of my nose, has been peeling. I've not used this loads because my skin is all over the place at the moment and I'm trying to figure out exactly how to combat the oil and the dryness all at once, but so far I'm really enjoying using this, especially at night. It's non-greasy, non-sticky and sinks into the skin really quickly, which ticks a lot of boxes for me. I'm not entirely sure how well it works just yet, but upon first glance it's pretty decent. I'll have a full review up in a few more weeks, probably, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Thanks for reading, xo.

PREVIOUS: Blogmas | Day 12: How do people daily blog/vlog?

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BLOGMAS | DAY 12: HOW DO PEOPLE DAILY BLOG/VLOG?!

So I didn't blog yesterday, mostly because I didn't feel like it. Daily blogging is exhausting. I have so much new-found respect for people who write and publish a blog post every single day, and for those who film, edit and publish a video every single day. It's different if you schedule your posts or videos so you can spend a whole day, for example, taking photos and writing up 7 blog posts, and then schedule them to be published over the month. But for those who publish daily content, every single day, you are marvellous. My thumbnail today is highlighting that I'm not keeping up with my advent calendar, either. I haven't opened the windows from the 10th or 11th either. Oops.

This is verging on not even being a blog post. I hate it when bloggers who "blog daily" publish a post that's like "it snowed today, here's a picture, thanks for reading!". That's not a blog post, that's an Instagram post on the wrong platform. So I'll try and add something interesting for the sake of my own pet peeves.

Erm..

Oh I know!

I spend a lot of time, probably too much time, watching Youtube videos and wishing I wasn't such a lazy coward and could make Youtube videos myself. I watch so many different people, who showcase everything from Minecraft videos to Makeup tutorials. So, here's a few of my favourite Youtubers, in no particular order.

1. SHEP689

The sweetest and funniest gay couple ever who daily vlog. I've been subscribed to them for over 2 years and they're great. They have the cutest dog called Dobby and aery8wofiuwuadhgfgh relationship goals.

2. JACLYN HILL

If ya don't know who Jaclyn Hill is, get out from whatever rock you've been living under. She's an incredible and hilarious MUA from Florida. I wished she uploaded more because her content is amazing. Did I mention she's stunning? There's literally no need.

3. JARMAINE/JLOVESMAC1

Jarmaine is a beauty guru and I wasn't going to include her because I don't watch her videos that often, but I just watched her latest video and she's bloody hilarious. 

4. FUNGBROSCOMEDY

David and Andrew Fung are Chinese-American brothers who make videos about what it means to be Asian including the most delicious food you have ever seen in your life. I subscribed for the food; I want it all.

5. PATRICIA BRIGHT

Patricia is a beautiful and hilarious beauty blogger from London. She's so pretty and her videos are so informative and she's based in Britain so she often talks about and uses products that are available in the UK. Yay for that!!!!!

Okay before this list gets suuuper long, I'm going to stop. In fact, I may publish a series of blog posts detailing all of my favourite Youtubers, and organise them buy category. Maybe.

Anyway I'm out, PEACE.

Thanks for reading, xo.

PREVIOUS: Natural Curly/Kinky Hair Care Routine

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NATURAL CURLY/KINKY HAIR CARE ROUTINE

I've had my fair share of experimentation with chemicals and bleach and I literally destroyed my hair in the process. So in March of this year I shaved it all off. Well, the vast majority of it anyway. I've been trying to take good care of my hair since then, and trust me when I say natural hair is not at all what I expected it to be. But I'm enjoying learning my textures and curl patterns and these are the products that I use pretty much every wash day. 

BLOGMAS | DAY 9: CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

This afternoon I went to see my the Christmas play at the school that my little brother goes to. He's only 7 and in year 2 so it was sweet and heart-warming more than anything. Children from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 all took part in reading their lines, singing songs and doing little dance routines, and I actually enjoyed myself. As I went to the same Primary school that my brother goes to I felt a little nostalgic about the Christmas plays I did at that school, and I really wish I had a nice embarrassing picture of me dressed up as an Angel to slap on my blog. However, as I don't even think I have any photos of a 7 year old me sparkling on stage, I have nothing but memories to share. The play that my brother took part in was nothing like the traditional nativity plays that we did when I was his age, and it's really highlighted how much has changed over the past decade (and a half, crikey). I've used a photo from an old blog post, back when my blog was even more of a baby than it is now. A fetus, maybe. And I thought I'd share a couple of the carols that I used to sing when I was barely out of nappies, braving the icy winds with the rest of the Brownies to sing at the Old People's Homes, or when I was singing in the school choir at assembly, or of course in the Christmas play. I was a good little brown-noser!

Little Donkey

It Was on A Starry Night


Away in a Manger


I only picked three because I'm trying to keep things short and sweet around here, because you know me I could ramble for weeks. I hoped you enjoyed my selection of Christmas carols and if you're old enough, I hope they brought a little nostalgia to you, too.
It's probably still too early, but Merry Christmas!

Thanks for reading, xo.

PREVIOUS: Blogmas | Day 8: Life Behind the Screen
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BLOGMAS | DAY 8: LIFE BEHIND THE SCREEN

So it's crystal clear that I've missed a couple of days. Oops. Life behind the screen really does throw curve balls sometimes and I just have to roll with it. The past weekend has really highlighted how lots of bloggers have such varied content on their blogs. I see spontaneous lunches and detailed analysis of makeup stands and sweet little anecdotes and I'm always like how the hell? But the answer is simple really; bloggers take their cameras everywhere. I was invited over to a family friend's house for dinner yesterday (well my mum was and I tagged along because if there's food I'm there) and I was sat at a dinner table; completely decorated with napkins and silver wear and champagne flutes, and the most exquisite looking food I'd ever seen outside of a magazine; thinking, damn I should have brought my camera. I tried taking some on my phone, but it wouldn't have done the evening justice at all. It's a shame but I've learned. Thou shalt carry a camera. At all times. 

The hunt for the most delicious mince pies is still on, and the ones pictured above are from Tesco and they aren't too bad. Last year, Tesco had some absolutely vile mince pies; the pastry was tough and dry and the filling was bitter and mushy and absolutely horrific. These bog standard ones are a lot better than last year's. All they need, as far as I'm concerned, is a little tipple of brandy. But as they stand, they're a solid 6/10.  Maybe a 6.5/10 considering they're only £1.

Lastly, and this just sprung up on me, I had no intention of including this but alas, I like to ramble about my day-to-day, boring-ass life. So I hopped off the plane at LAX - wait. No, that's not right. I hopped onto Youtube, there we go, and one of my favourite Kpop groups has uploaded a new video. I know, the Kpop thing again, but I can't help it. It's addictive. But anyway, Taeyang & G Dragon have a new song out called Good Boy and they uploaded the Dance Practice Video literally within the hour. It's good to see the boys (lol, men, they're 5 years older than me) in good shape; they both look healthy which is a huge deal in the kpop industry. But this video just feels so awkward and so cringe. YG are pretty much flying the flag on individuality and quality over quantity, so as Dance Practice videos are something of a trend in kpop, I feel as though they should have left this one alone. Even though YG have shared videos like this before, years back, it's just not the same. 

GD x Taeyang Good Boy Dance Practice Video 

 I can't even casually listen to this song, I really don't like it. I'm a HUGE fan of Big Bang, I think they're the best thing since sliced bread, seriously. I'm just not a huge fan of whatever musical direction they're apparently going in. But my personal opinion matters not because this song will make waves in the music industry, across the globe. Trust me on that one. It's not exactly genius, but it'll spread like wildfire. 

Okay I'm done.

Thanks for reading, xo.

PREVIOUS: Blogmas | Day 5| Short & Sweet

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BLOGMAS | DAY 5: SHORT & SWEET

It's a little early for Christmas decorations in the entire house, but I can't not have fairy lights on my bed around this festive time of year. I got mine from Asda for £3.50, I could probably have got the ones with the white wire but whatever, these do the job fine. I'm burning one of my favourite Christmas scents from Yankee Candle, Christmas Memories, and for any of you who loved the Warm Spice scent and have found that it's disappeared, Christmas Memories is ridiculously similar; just slightly sweeter and not as overpowering. It smells completely different to Warm Spice in the jar, but when it's burning it's easy to trick your brain into thinking that they've just reformulated Warm Spice so it's not as strong. The point is, Christmas Memories is warm and spicy and sweet, and if you mix it with Christmas Cookies, like I sometimes do, your house will smell like freshly baked gingerbread cookies with not even half the effort of baking.

So my room smells festive and feels warm and cosy with the heating turned up and my fairy lights on, so naturally I have some Christmas music playing as well. Yesterday's kpop post did a lot better than I thought it would so I'll leave you with a cheesy yet kind of sexy video of 12 Korean and Chinese men performing one of their Christmas singles. I've been listening to it all day as it's festive but not obnoxiously Christmas-y. Let me know how ya feel about it.

EXO - Christmas Day

Asda Fairy Lights - £3.50

Yankee Candle Christmas Memories - from £1.49

Thanks for reading, xo.

PREVIOUS: Blogmas | Day 4: MAMA 2014 Performances

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BLOGMAS | DAY 4 - MAMA 2014 Performances

This is a different post for me an it won't be everyone's cup of tea, I love Korean music so it's about time I featured some on my blog really.

Photo Credit: KpopStarz.com

THOUGHTS & FEELS: NYX LIQUID ILLUMINATOR IN GLEAM

I didn't even think to take that price sticker off but hey, now you know how much it costs.

BLOGMAS | DAY 2: A LATE POST ABOUT BEING EARLY

Low lighting and gold and black packaging are a match made in heaven, let me tell you. If there was ever a picture to describe the decadence, luxury and self-satisfaction of early Christmas shopping, that would be it. One of my dear loved ones will be opening this posh-as-hell box of choccies, not a tacky box of overpriced Thornton's. Woah, that got really opinionated really fast, but I promise you I'm right. About the early Xmas shopping and about Thornton's; not sorry. So me and my mum took a trip into town for some spontaneous Christmas shopping and I could not believe my eyes. The variety is overwhelming and the deals are in-sane. Insane.

Every year I've left my Christmas shopping until around mid-December and I can't believe what I've been missing out on. Boots (link) has a 3 for 2 deal across their entire Christmas section, The Body Shop (link) has a million and one deals on; buy one get one free on selected items, 30% off when you by 2 items, 40% off when you buy 3 items, up to £20 off some of their skincare ranges, as well as free delivery if you spend over £5; and in-store they have some buy one get one free offers and bundle offers on selected items. If you're looking for alcoholic gift sets then take a trip to Tesco (link) because they have an overwhelming selection, most of which are £5-£8, featuring brands such as; Bailey's, Smirnoff, Blossom Hill, Absolut Vodka, Famous Grouse, Kopparberg, Canti, Malibu, which are literally the ones I can remember off the top of my head. There were loads.

If you're looking for a gift with a little more bling, head to Warren James (link) as they're going bust or something but their price slashes are mouth-watering. Try not to buy everything. 

Edible gifts? Marks and Spencer (link) is a good place to go, surprisingly. Take a perusal down the chocolate isle for as much as 50% off. Or your could take a peek at their Christmas range, it's on 3 for 2 after all.. And if you can't make it to any of these stores, online shopping and free, or at least cheap, delivery will be your best friend. I've even included links for you, aren't I swell.

The point is, there's no need to spend a fortune this Christmas, or end up buying your loved ones a naff pair of socks, because you left all of your shopping to the last minute. There's loads more great deals and offers than this, and because of fall-out from Black Friday/Cyber Monday there's sales on in clothing stores such as BHS (link) where they literally sell everything. You can get hankies for your Granddad, Slippers for your nan, pyjamas for your Mum, a watch for your Dad, DVDs for your younger siblings/nieces/nephews/cousins, a hand-wash set as a present for the older cousin/sibling who has just moved into a new house. You could get a fancy box of shortbread for your neighbour, a fancy wine set for your boss. I could sit here all night and go on and on. 

It's the 2nd of December, I'm cutting it pretty close as it's nearly midnight, and I've nearly finished my Christmas shopping. Which is so bizarre considering I only started on Thursday. 

If you want my advice, well you may as well have a little bit more; write your list - keep it short though, your boss' cat won't hate you if they get left out - and get shopping.

Trust me. When you're enjoying a glass of mulled wine and scrolling through Netflix while everyone else is freaking out because it's the 20th already and they haven't even started and the shops are full of junk, and everything's so expensive, you'll be a very happy camper.

Wheyy, finished before midnight, get in!

I'll be back tomorrow with a regular beauty post, so stay tuned for that.

Thanks for reading, xo.

PREVIOUS: Blogmas | Day 1

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All offers mentioned are correct as of 2/12/2014

BLOGMAS | DAY 1

I forgot to mention in my November Favourites that my favourite thing about November ending is DECEMBER! YOU GUYS IT'S DECEMBER THAT MEANS IT'S NEARLY CHRISTMAS AND I AM SO EXCITED!!!! I jumped out of bed at the very respectable time of 11:30am, lol, in sheer excitement to eat my very first mince pie of the year. Well, actually, I may have been eating mince pies at the beginning of January, but that's not even the point. The point is that I love mince pies. In fact I was waay more excited about my mince pie than I was about my advent calendar. The only thing better than chocolate for breakfast, is a mince pie for breakfast. Seriously, they're one of my favourite things about Christmas. The one in the photo is from the posh, luxury "Extra Special" range at Asda, and oh my god they're so good. I'll probably sample mince pies from a bunch of shops and ranges so I'll let you know which are the good and which are the bad. These ones from Asda are bordering excellent. 

So this year I'm jumping on this whole Blogmas vibe. Though I'm not even sure of the requirements of it? I feel as though I should be doing festive and joyous Christmas posts, about gift guides and gingerbread recipes or my favourite Christmas candles and what not. These posts may well sweep through at some point during the month but I think I'd rather write chatty posts like this, instead. Is that even allowed? Am I allowed to break away from the strictly beauty style that I've been honing for the past year or two? I think this is a nifty opportunity to showcase the other sides of me; I'm a massive foodie, my taste in music might surprise you and so might my hobbies. 

Beauty blogging isn't all I do so I thought it would be nice to throw in all my other life preferences. Janelle, what the hell is a life preference? Anyway, I post beauty-related content on Wednesdays & Saturdays and all the days in between will be miscellaneous "Blogmas" vibes. So keep your eyes peeled if you're interested!

All my links and doodahs are at the bottom of this post, as always.

Thanks for reading and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Is it too early? It's probably too early...

xo

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