MAC // 'DIVA' LIPSTICK

I have always had the opinion that a bold, red lip did not suit me, so for a long time I have put it off and always chosen to wear the darker purples if I was going to an occasion or somewhere more special. 

Spending the majority of my time around the MAC counter in Selfridges, I came to the conclusion that it was about time to ditch the dark purples for a while, and invest in a dark red lip colour. I was quite fussy however when I had to choose. This is because I didn't want to settle for a bright red lipstick, but instead a darker 'vintage vamp' type of colour. This is because I wear a lot of dark gold colours on my eyelids and I thought it may look better.

I picked up 'Diva', when I accidentally found myself standing at the MAC counter one afternoon. My flat mate wanted to start her own palette, so I saw this as the perfect opportunity to question the beauty guru's and see what colour would suit me best.

'Diva' is a very dark red colour, and comes off the bullet as a matte finish. I prefer matte finish lipsticks as they seem to last longer on the lip, and even when they begin to fade they always leave a stain which I also believe to look quite flattering.

Trust me when I say you do not need a lot of this product at once. I made the mistake of applying a little too much the first time that I wore it, and it just got everywhere. I advise to use a lip brush at first for precision purposes, and then go in with the bullet itself to deepen the colour if you wish. The colour ended up staying on all night, no matter how many drinks I had or what I had to eat. I wore this colour with a gold eye look, and even though some may say that it's either 'lips or eye' I thought the look went really well! Definitely one of my statement lipsticks in my collection I would say.

The online link to 'Diva' can be found HERE, and the lipstick retails for a price of £15.50 which is definitely worth it!

What bold lip colours are you loving at the moment?

MAC // 'DERVISH' LIPLINER

Since Kylie Jenner made an appearance with her fabulous lips, everyone wants one of those 'nude' lipliners to copy her looks.

I made my way to Selfridges in search of a lipliner that I could wear everyday, underneath different lipsticks just to enhance my natural lip line. I myself have been blessed with quite full lips (thanks momma!) so I never had the intention of making them look overly big, I just wanted a more prominent lip line underneath my lipstick.

When I got to the MAC counter, there wasn't a nude lipliner that caught my eye. Dervish was the closest to a natural nude that I could find, with a slight pink undertone to it. I wear it underneath any lip colour because of the basic colour that it is. 

Dervish is extremely loved as you can tell! I honestly wear this near enough every single day- unless I'm having a makeup free day that is. The lipliner itself is a soft nude with undertones of pink and a tiny bit of brown. It has quite a velvet finish, with a little shimmer being added to it. Originally I wanted a matte lipliner, as I thought that it may stay on better. However, this lipliner doesn't seem to want to budge underneath the lip colour that you may be wearing. 

It also doesn't change the colour of your lipstick either which is a benefit, as I thought that because I wear it with so many different lip colours that it would have an impact on them but it doesn't.

The lipliner retails at a price of £12.50 and you can obviously buy it online or from a counter. The online link is HERE.

What lipliner/lipliners are you liking at the moment?

BEING AT UNIVERSITY WITH DEPRESSION & ANXIETY

Photograph can be found HERE

When I submitted my university application last year, I knew exactly what I was going to be letting myself in for... And it was not within my comfort zone. 

Being a sufferer of depression and anxiety, the thought of branching out and going to university absolutely terrified me. I did not like the thought of moving away from my family, friends and small town into a city which I didn't know my way around, to be thrown into living with people that I did not know. Thinking of this led me to suffer more frequent panic attacks, and shutting myself away from everyone and everything. 

However, I was not giving up. University was what I wanted to do in order to achieve my dream.

Now that I have been at university for 9 months and being so, so close to finishing my first year, I would not have changed it for anything. I have made the most amazing friends whilst being here, created some of the most incredible memories, and if anything eased of those dark thoughts of depression. I have also had less frequent anxiety attacks and learnt to become a little bit more independent.

If you are going to university this September, and you too suffer from depression or anxiety, my advice is that you should not worry. Everything will fall into place, and find a way to make your university adventure absolutely amazing and special. Also, remember that each university offers support and guidance if you ever need it, so you will never be alone. And remember, make the most of everything. 

MY MINI HAPPIES // APRIL

After my quite low post yesterday, I thought that I would do a post reflecting on my mini happy's that I have experienced so far this month. 

I came home for the easter break

My intentions were to stay in Manchester at uni over the easter break, so that I could begin my revision for my May exams and complete any essays that needed doing. However, being in halls by myself eventually drove me to the point of insanity and I decided to come home for a week. I have loved being home; catching up with family and old friends, and having that little break that I think I definitely needed.

We experienced some warm weather

I am a sucker for warm weather, and I didn't expect for it to come so early in the year. For a couple of days whilst being at home, the weather was incredibly beautiful. I didn't pack the most appropriate clothing though for the weather as I didn't expect it at all, but I managed and I made the most out of the weather.

First little driving lesson

It has been nearly 2 years that I have been able to learn how to drive, and I have never gained the motivation to do so. My friend Tom took me to a car park and took me through the driving process. I proper enjoyed it, and it gave me the motivation to begin driving. I loved it. 

Easter eggs

Legally being an adult, I really didn't expect to get any easter eggs this year and I sure didn't mind that. But, coming home to easter eggs made me feel super happy as it showed that my family didn't forget about me when they were buying for my brother and sister. 

Tyler the rabbit

He may only be a rabbit, but I look forward to seeing him so much when I come back from university. Every time I see him his little character changes, and he becomes so much more mischievous. 

Going to see Skepta + special guests

On the 16th of this month, I am going to see Skepta and some of the cast from Boy Better Know. I cannot wait. I have been looking forward to this for a few months now, and I am sure it will be a night I won't be forgetting in a while!

So there are some of my mini happy's from this month so far. What have your mini happy's been?

EARLY SPRING FEELS

Everything pretty ends up coming out in springtime. Daffodils appear at roadside, lambs are being born, the sun (sometimes) shines down on the world making everything glow. However, I can't help but be very sceptical about spring as a whole. 

Whenever spring comes around I have this weird feeling inside of me. It isn't necessarily 'happiness' either, but a constant gloom building up inside. Over the past few years, this feeling has become more intense and I have never found out the reason behind it. Maybe because it is the first season of the year, or the fact everything is beginning to change again- which I hate. I loathe change but sometimes it cannot be helped.

Don't get me wrong, I adore photographing what spring has to offer- like the daffodils springing up in the garden, or just little trinket bits that I find in the garden. Being back from uni for the spring break hasn't really helped my mood either I don't think. I love being home to see my family and friends, but ever since I moved to Manchester I feel like my heart and soul belong there.

Coming from a very country place, I never thought being in the city would be my cup of tea but I was entirely wrong on this perspective. I crave the city when I am back at home, and the atmosphere it has to offer. I used to be such a home bird, and before I moved to Manchester for uni I never thought I would last being in the big wide world all on my own, but I love it. I love having that piece of independence inside of me and waking up to the noises of the city everyday. I adore the people I live with, and I thank the high heavens that I was placed with them in my halls, because they really are great and amazing people. I love them with all of my heart.

I do love my friends from back at home too though. They have been with the through school and sixth form, and I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of people to help me grow into myself, and find who I really am. They have shaped me to become the person I am today. This may be good and bad in some senses, but I do thank them a lot. Seeing them over the easter break has made my heart swell that little bit more, and made me realise how much I miss them when I am in the city. 

This time of year makes me reflect on life. I decide which the good aspects of life are at the moment, and I also dwell on the bad aspects. It cannot be helped, but I try and keep myself busy so that I do not dwell on the bad too much. Venting over my blog helps me to realise how much I have going for me, and how much room I have for improvements in my life.

I associate spring with the word 'new'. This could be because it is a new season, a fresh season and to some a happy season and a chance to look at the upcoming year and, and wait and see what it has to offer. I just do not pay much attention to this season and I cannot wait until summer arrives. This could be because of the opportunities I have planned out, but also because this brewing gloom inside of me will eventually disappear. 

I am sorry for such a low blog post today, but venting clears that little piece of my brain associated with darkness for a while, and helps me focus on the happy parts that I have to look forward to. 

On a happier note, meet Tyler my brothers new rabbit. Our old rabbit, Stardust, died from old age. He was 12 (in human years!) so he lasted quite a long time. Tyler is a baby which brings along his mischievous side. He is a very funny rabbit though and the whole family love him to pieces. Bringing Tyler into the family also brought happiness and something for the family to focus on. My brother also adores him and thinks the world of him, which is the most important thing. 

Again, I am sorry for such a sad post today but now that is out of the way I can focus on more uplifting posts for you all!

How has your easter break been so far?

Handmade Burger Co. & A Trip To Manchester Art Gallery

Living in Manchester for 6 months now, I haven't really experienced what the city has to offer. I have either been attending lectures, laying in bed, watching too much Netflix or just messing about with the people I live with. I haven't actually given myself the chance to explore my surroundings.

Yesterday was a really sunny day, and quite warm considering the temperatures haven't really been in our favour recently. Me and my two friends Megan and Isabel decided that we would spend our Saturday being productive and decided to take a trip to the Art Gallery near the city centre. None of us knew what to expect really, but had heard good things so thought we would try it out. 

We firstly went in search of a place to sit down and grab something to eat. Our friend Amber came and met us from work as she had an hours break, and mentioned that she fancied trying out Handmade Burger Co. 

I decided to get a standard chicken burger but in the smaller size but this was still huge. Me and Megan decided to share a portion of chips and homemade coleslaw alongside this, but even this was too much and we were all defeated. Amber got some amazing sweet potato fries, but she had to eat pretty quickly as she had to get back to work. After this we thought it was best to try and find the art gallery. Leaving Isabel in charge of directions wasn't the best idea we have ever had- she managed to take us the wrong way until she realised the directions on her phone told us otherwise.

The art gallery was really cute- huge rooms full of different types of art. In the gift shop area, there was a jewellery area which sold rings, bracelets and necklaces. I was going to buy a ring with a tree imprint, but because my fingers are too fat they didn't have my size! 

Overall the day was really nice, and I feel better about getting out and about and doing something productive with my Saturday, rather than staying in bed for the whole day.

What did you do on your Saturday?

MAC // STUDIO FIX FLUID

We all like a good foundation that will give us sufficient coverage when and where we need it, and that will last quite a long time without having to use so much at once.

Using drug store foundations, I had never really tried a high end foundation apart from Estee Lauder so when I contemplated buying the MAC Studio Fix Fluid I thought I may as well give it a go.

I had heard a lot of mixed reviews about this foundation. Some said to me that it was the best foundation they have ever tried because it gives a solid coverage and doesn't budge, but others stated that it it broke them out with awful blemishes and made their skin feel to clogged up.

For me, this foundation gives the right amount of coverage I look for when I am purchasing a foundation. I always look for a foundation which gives me enough coverage so that I don't need to apply a lot of concealer on any blemishes that I have, and just stick to concealer for highlighting purposes. 

I use the shade NC15 which I guessed is for paler people as this is pretty light! It doesn't provide flashback when taking photo's, and not a lot of powder is needed when setting the foundation. I personally do not think it looks cakey whatsoever. If I am using this foundation throughout the day, then I will not use too much and work it into the skin so it looks a lot more natural. If I want to use this foundation for a night out or an event, then I will use a little bit more than I would throughout the day, but still work it into the skin so it blends in. 

This foundation cost me £21.50 and you can buy it HERE.

If you are not too sure which colour you may be, I recommend visiting a store which sells MAC e.g. Selfridges, and have your skin colour matched up to a foundation. 

What do you think of MAC foundations?