Summer Make-Up

For summer, I think it's important to have make-up which is simple and light enough to combat the heat. It's not a great feeling be suffocated by make-up or having it melt! I also like to make sure I have something that can last the day with minimal touch-ups. As I spend all my time at work, and can't really get away with spending my day in the toilets perfecting my make-up!

So I have come up with a simple routine. This is what works for me. I've tried to keep it as simple as possible but with still looking great.

To prime my face I like to use Benefit's Porefessional (£24.50, Feel Unique), as it gives helps give a smooth base to the skin and helps keep my face looking matte. This has pretty much become a everyday staple. As a foundation, I use Garnier BB cream (£9.99, Boots). It's such a light base, that it's perfect for summer. I find it gives a nice radiance to my skin too. It's always good to have a healthy looking glow in summer.

To conceal dark circles I use my secret weapon: Bobbi Brown Creamy Corrector in light peach (£19.00, HOF). I love this so much as it just drastically changes my look and brightens up my entire face. I have recently hit pan on it which I'm quite sad about. On top of that, I sometimes use the Bobbi Brown concealer but I have found myself going back to the ever popular Collection Long Lasting Perfection concealers (£4.19, Boots). I stopped using them for a while when they changed the shades but I've started with them again, working them slightly differently which I love the results of. I use Cool Medium (2) under my eyes as it is lighter than my natural shade and brightens the area perfectly. I also use it down the bridge of my nose and to cover the red around my nose which brightens my entire face. I then go in with the warm medium (3) shade to tackle any spots and blemishes. It's a darker shade so it works to not highlight the spots. I then set all my face with Soap & Glory's One Heck of a Blot (£12, Boots), taking particular attention around my eyes.

I like to keep my make-up very simple daily, so I only use the Benefit Gimme Brow (£17.50, Feel Unique) on my eyebrows to really define them. I then curl my eyelashes and use the Soap & Glory Thick and Fast Mascara (£10.00, Boots) to really make my lashes stand out. I pair this with the Maybelline Great Lash (£4.99, Boots) for the bottom lashes. This combo really makes my lashes go BAM!

On my cheeks I use the Clinique Cheek Pop (£16.50, HOF) in the shade peach pop. The blush really is long lasting and makes my cheeks look bright and summery. I finally dab Benefit's Watt's Up (£24.50, Feel Unique) on my cheek bones, my cupid bow and the arch on my eyebrow to really highlight these areas when they catch the light.

To set it all in place I use Urban Decay's De-Slick (£20, HOF) setting spray which keeps me going most of the day.

What is the staple of your summer make-up?

July Birch Box

It's time for another Birch Box! The theme for July is Sun, Sea & Sand, and the Birch Box team are helping for a summer away by suggesting products for taking away on holiday.

This is most is not the best box I've received, and it's quite hit and miss if I'm honest. It was always going to be hard to keep up the level of the last one. I am however, looking forward to using a couple of products in this box.

So here is what I received:

Benefit Porefessional - I was disappointed that this appeared in my box to be honest. Now I love the Porefessional, it is one of my favourite products and I use it daily; and that is the exact reason I was disappointed. For me Birch Box is about finding new products to love. I'm sure for anyone who has never used the Porefessional then it will be a great surprise as the product is great. I guess it means it will keep me going a little longer.

Whish Body Butter - This is in a lovely subtle lavender scent. I've used it once but it doesn't seemed to have lasted very long. I love the scent and it sinks into the skin beautifully. However, it did seem to leave my skin slightly sticky. Not one I am bothered about purchasing in the future.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream - Now this is one I am looking forward to using as it sounds so good and couldn't turn up at a better time. I have been looking for a good eye cream now that I have finished my Bobbi Brown sample.It's light on the skin and doesn't make my skin sting which is always a bonus. It says it brightens the eye area and keeps wrinkles at bay, so I have high hopes for this.

Laqa & Co Lip Lube pencil - So after I'd stopped giggling at the name, I could assess this one. I got mine in the colour Menatour which is a very purple shade. I'm not sure I'd ever wear this out in public for that reason... I know it's a trend for this season, and purple is my favourite colour, but it's just not so keen with it on my lips. I'm very much a neutral gal so it' not really my shade. It does feel really nice on the lips though, so we'll see. I could change my mind! It won't be the first time.

Models Own Nail Polish - This one came in the shade Magenta Divine which is a pink glitter shade, and if there is one thing I don't like it's glitter. I think I just have memories of it getting everywhere and having glitter all over my face. Glitter polish itself reminds me of being 14 and getting this type of polish free with magazines. I don't think I'll wear this one at all as it's really not me. I'm more likely to give it away to my niece.

Finally, the lifestyle extra is the Filosofille 4-sided nail buffer, which looks so cute!It doesn't seem very sturdy but does look like it'll get the job done. It's a nice little extra thins month. These things always come in handy.

Which product do you like the look of?

A little Haul

Unfortunately, the few days after payday often means a shopping trip. It's great for me, but terrible for my bank balance. But it gives me chance to pick up things that I've had my eye on for a while.

This month I got busy with my credit card and bought some nice things. First off is Aussie Dual Personality Curl Definition and Soft Feel Serum (products need shorter names). I bought this on a recommendation, as I am constantly looking for something light to keep my curls defined and soft.Especially as after I nights sleep I wake with them all flattened. Hopefully this will rejuvenate my curls in a morning.

Next up is the Urban Decay De-Slick Make-up Setting Spray. I purchased the travel size to give it a go. For a travel size I think it's a good amount. I have used it a couple of times and so far I'm not sure about it. Working 8 hours a day means at the end of my shift my make-up is slipping off. I wanted to find something that would keep my make-up in place all day. I think I need to use it a bit longer to see for sure.

Next is the Ecotools Six Piece Essential Eye Set. I generally don't do eye make-up. Some mascara is good enough for me., but I recently purchased a Make-up Revolution Eye Palette (Girls On Film) and so I wanted to try out more. Obviously to do that I need the right tools.

And this brings me onto my next pick which is Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion, which, again, I used so I could try out some eye colour and thought this would be perfect to help it last. It seems like one that a lot of people use, so I thought it'd be the best one to give a go.

I wanted to find a summery blush so I decided to pick up the Clinique Cheek Pop blush in Peach Pop. I have heard really good things about this blush so I wanted to give it a try myself. I absolutely love the bright colour. Pop is definitely the right name for it!

Finally I bought two things to help me touch up my make-up on the go. I bought a Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush as well as a The Vintage Cosmetic Company Make-up bag. The make-up bag was too cute to pass up. I do find myself just throwing all my make-up in the bottom of my bag, so having something to keep them organised it great. I absolutely love the brush. I think it's such a neat idea as you can make the brush any size you want. I bought it to use as a powder brush for when I need to powder my nose, but I love that it's so versatile.

Mid-year goals

At the beginning of every year I like to set a series of goals to accomplish through the year. It's not really resolutions as they're something to work on, and they're not necessarily as measurable as resolutions can be., but it's always good to have a focus for the year ahead.

Seven months on and I'm a different person to the one who started the year. Only slightly, as my role at work changed unexpectedly and I have new interests. Because of this I wanted to take a look at my goals and see where I want to be at the end of the year.

So these are the handful of goals to get me through to 2015 and hopefully beyond:

1. Say 'yes'-  I'm one of these people who often puts things off, or who ends up avoiding something because I get anxious about a situation or don't know what to expect. I suspect I've missed loads of brilliant opportunities because of this, so it's time for me to keep experiencing more and say yes a lot more often.
2. Keep healthy - This is a very important goal as I really want to get healthier by eating well and keeping active. I am currently doing C25K running program, as well trying to go on regular bike rides. Eating well is the hardest, as I do like my food, but I'm trying integrate eat more fruit and veg into my everyday diet. By the end of the year I'd like to have a good healthy routine and diet in place.
3. Work towards my career - I heard or read recently that once you know what you want to do with your life, every decision you make should be towards that. I've only recently decided what it is I want to go into. I've spent many years just doing what I enjoy, or just things that'll get me by. Now I have an idea I can start working towards it and I want to be well under the way by the end of the year.

So that is my focus for the rest of the year and hopefully when we begin 2015 I'll be able to say that they're well under way.

What are your mid-year goals?

Beach wishlist

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The sad thing about living in the right in middle of the UK is that there are no beaches near me to frequent. The nearest one is about two hours away, and isn't the greatest beach to visit. But it doesn't stop a gal from dreaming.

When I think of the beach I think bright colours and airy clothes, so I've reflected that in my picks. I absolutely love the contrast swimsuit. It is incredibly cute and will look great on the beach. I also love the bright bold colours of the maxi dress and the cover-up. 

Lastly, I've added in some sunglasses and a hat because you can't go in the sun without them!

What is on your beach wishlist?