Pay Day Picks #2

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara

I don’t think I could physically live without this mascara. Since discovering it, I’ve purchased it endless times. A bottle usually lasts me around 2 months and I’ve noticed my current bottle is on it’s last legs so it’s definitely time to repurchase!

Chunky Scarf

Now that the cold winter months are setting in, I feel that it’s time to purchase a big snuggly chunky scarf. I’ve spotted this one online from Asos. I thought that black would pretty much go with everything (including my coat) so I will definitely be grabbing one of these on Pay Day!

Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation

I’ve had soo many sample bottles of this foundation and I absolutely love it! But when I get round to buying the full size, I always find another sample bottle stowed away in my samples box. However, it’s finally come to the time when I have run out of samples and have to splurge on a full size. However, I found out a while ago that if you book a ‘Fake-Up’ at Benefit (where the MUA does your make up for you in the hope that you will purchase some) then, if you book a second Fake-Up after your first then you get a LOAD of free samples! Hence why I had so many samples of their foundation haha!

Urban Decay Make up Setter

I’ve heard a few bloggers raving about this so I’m really intrigued to give it a go! I’ve found that by the end of my day, my make-up doesn’t look as tippity top as it did when I left the house in the morning (although the Borjouis bronzing primer does help). It probably won’t be great for my bank account but hopefully will have a better effect on my face!

Asos Tube Trouser in High Waist Check Print

Now that I’ve lost a bit of weight, I’ve found that I feel a bit more comfortable wearing trousers, instead of covering my thighs up with dresses and skirts. I am really loving printed and patterned trousers at the moment and especially in monochrome. So, when I saw these beauties, I literally went weak at the knees! I think they’ll go with so much from an over sized wintery jumper to a cute white cami layered with a scarf and a chunky cardy. JUST SO NICE!



*images sourced from Google

Weight Watchers Update #1

If you have read my previous blog posts then you may know that last month, I started Weight Watchers. I was weighed last night and I am happy to tell you that I’ve lost just over half a stone (7 and a half lbs) in 4 weeks! It doesn’t sound like a lot but apparently the less you weigh to start with, the more time it takes for your body to lose the weight. During my first week I lost 4 lbs which I was MASSIVELY shocked at and after then, my weight has slowly but surely dropped off. I have found myself getting into a routine now and it’s weird to say it but I’m really not struggling with it at all! I can still eat well; I have just changed the amount that I eat. My points allowance has also dropped from 29 points a day to 27 which at first I was really worried about exceeding but it really is no trouble at all! If you’re like me and aren’t a massive fan of lots of salads or fruit & veg, then this is what a typical day for me, food-wise, would consist of;

Breakfast

1 Bowl of Honey Cheerios
(3 points)

1 serving (142ml) of semi skimmed milk

(2 points)

Glass of water

(0 points)

Lunch
½ bowl of cream of tomato soup
(2 points)
Slice of white bread
(2 points)
Packet of Quavers/Weight Watchers chocolate biscuit

(2 points each)

Any fresh fruit – any amount (I usually go for a banana or some blueberries)

(0 points)

Dinner

This is where it can be quiet varied. I tend to just have what my family are having but in a smaller portion. It’s so much easier than having something different from everyone else and doesn’t leave you drooling over what everyone else is having while you’re sat in the corner with your carrot sticks. For example; if my mum makes Spaghetti Bolognese then she will use the Weight Watchers Bolognese sauce (2 points for ½ a jar plus it doesn’t taste any different!). Then, instead of serving it on a plate, I will have mine in a bowl. It means that I’m having a much smaller portion but my bowl still looks full of food. From doing this, my body now isn’t used to digesting big plates of food anymore and I have found that I get fuller a lot quicker and a lot easier.

If you prefer to make your dinner yourself then the Weight Watchers ready meals are also a favourite in my freezer. If I need something quick then I will warm up a shephard’s pie or lasagne (which are worth around 7-8 points each) and add a FEW low-fat chips. I’ve found that because I’m still giving my body that fix of more naughtier foods but in much smaller portions, I am not craving them like you would be on a crash diet. So, a typical dinner would be worth around 10-12 points. Adding my points up, that’s still only 23 points at the most, which is great for when I fancy that little bit of chocolate or a packet of crisps! I just make sure that they are the low-points option.

So far, I have been really pleased with the whole programme and I am secretly really proud of myself at the weight that I have lost so far. Wish me luck for next month! J

Beauty Things I Suck At

The lovely Lucy from http://xlaxx.blogspot.co.uk/ has kindly tagged me to do the 'Beauty Things I Suck At' tag. I could literally sit here all day if I could but here's a few of my worst!

001- Top Eye-Liner

I envy anyone that can perfectly line the top of their lid with pencil or liquid liner! I always attempt to do it for nights out and end up with big black messy eyes which I usually end up converting into a smokey eye. And don't even get me started on winged liner. I've not attempted that since my college leavers prom when I poked myself in the eye and had to cover a bloodshot eye with my fringe! I feel like applying top eye-liner is one of those Marmite beauty tasks - you can either do it or you can't and unfortunately I was cursed with the can't-do-it gene. *sad face*

002- Applying Liquid Fake Tan

Liquid fake tan is the absolute bane of my life. It makes me feel sticky and sweaty and rubs off at the slight touch of anything leaving me with patches of tanless skin. I find that it's very messy to apply and rubs onto absolutely everything! My best advice is to not apply liquid tan and then put a white shirt on - worst mistake of my life! I much prefer mousse fake tan that comes out of a pump. It's so much easier to work with and I find that it rubs into the skin a lot quicker and has a lot more staying power.  I currently use the St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse and I am completely obsessed with it! If you're looking for a new fake tan then I'd definitely give it a try. 

003- Plucking my eyebrows

I just literally can't bring myself to pluck my eyebrows - ever! No matter how many times I've done it, I can still never get used to the pain. My eyebrows are quite thick to begin with so it's a lot of effort to keep them in shape. I always end up going to a salon to get them waxed because my mind just won't let me cause my body pain! I find that waxing is a lot quicker so the pain isn't prolonged :) 

004- Moisturising everyday

I find moisturising a bit of a chore as I hate just standing there waiting for it to sink into my skin. I've never liked doing it and I don't think I ever will. I've recently purchased the Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream as I LOVE the scent so I've found that this is encouraging me to moisturise a bit more. Although there are some days when I still 'forget'...

I tag

http://www.blogthiswithhannah.blogspot.co.uk

http://laurasrantsandreviews.blogspot.co.uk/

http://mariajoyceli.blogspot.co.uk/

http://lauralovesthat.blogspot.co.uk/

And anybody else who would like to do the tag! :)

Boots Beauty Haul

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation (Repurchase)

I’ve used this foundation for quite some time now after swapping and changing my foundations for a while. It’s definitely my favourite high street foundation as it blends really well on my skin and isn’t cakey at all.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (Repurchase)

Before I discovered this concealer, I only ever used stick concealers as I found them quick and easy. I then went on try the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer as I’d heard SO many people rave about it. I found it great for hiding blemishes but found it quite stiff when applying under my eye. It was then that I discovered the Maybelline Fit Me range and thought I’d give the concealer a go- I love it! It’s light and creamy and really does give my under eyes that boost that they need in the mornings!

Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream
If you’ve recently read my Weight Watchers blog post then you’ll know that I’m avoiding chocolate and all things sweet at all costs! So, I thought purchasing this lip butter in the flavour Caramel Cream was an absolute genius idea! It means I can still taste caramel but don’t have to ingest it and therefore no harm will be done to my thighs – savvy! I also love buying lip butters for the colder months too so it’s a win, win :)

Cosmetics Bag

I was looking for a new small make-up bag to put bits of makeup in to put in my bag for the day. I thought this was just the right size and had such a cute little design and for £6, you can’t really go wrong!

Models Own Nail Varnish Duo’s

I really fancied getting some new wintery nail polishes as all my current ones were brights and pastels for the summer. I discovered these two little beauties and instantly fell in love with them. I thought the glitter would look gorgeous painted over my ring fingers for a subtle but glam look.

Toni & Guy Texturising Sea Salt Spray (Repurchase) 
I firstly purchased this sea salt spray in a miniature form as I’d never used a sea salt spray and thought I’d play it safe. I absolutely love using it especially now that my hair is ombre as it makes my hair looks so much more voluminous and full. It give it about 3 or 4 sprays on each end of my hair and then scrunch with my hands. Avoid overspraying and spraying anywhere near your roots as it can cause your hair to go hard and look greasy.

Toni & Guy Volume Plumping Mousse
3 for 2 in Boots is my absolute weakness so buying two hair products I obviously HAD to get a third! I’ve never used this mousse before but I’m pretty much already sold to anything that has the world ‘Volume’ in it. My hair is very thick and heavy so it does tend to go quite flat throughout the day. I’m eager to try this out as all Toni & Guy products I’ve used, I’ve been really impressed with.

Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes Toning Shampoo (Repurchase)

This is my go-to shampoo for when I have my hair ombre. I love the way that it leaves my hair feeling and smelling and I always have to buy a new one before my old one runs out! I’ve already done a review on this product on my Ombre Hair Care Routine which you can find by clicking here :)

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Moisturiser

I’ve loved using the Sugar Crush Body Wash in the bath and shower as the scent is absolutely out of this world! I am not a massive fan of moisturising my body and find it quite a chore. So, I figured if I love the smell of my moisturiser then I might get a little bit more excited when it comes to that dreaded routine!         * gets tub and sniffs *