My 'To Read' Stash

Wow- I haven't written a book post in a while. Note to self: write more book posts! I have a confession- I have not read a book for fun in over a month! I have just not had any time, and my 'to read' pile has really been stacking up! These are the books that I have been meaning to read:

1. The Hobbit

I know, I have fallen for the craze. I just wanted to read this and see what all the hype was about. However, it is a very hard read considering it is meant for children(I have already read the first chapter!)

2. The Kill Order

I finished reading the Maze Runner series about six months ago now, and when I found out that the prequel, the Kill Order was being released, I got so excited. This is a Must-Read!

3. The Knife Of Never Letting Go

This books sounds very interesting(google it!), especially as I love dystopian novels! I am really excited to read this!

4. Atonement

I found this book on my sister's bookshelf, and immediately filed it away as a 'to read' book. I have wanted to watch the film for a while, too.

5. Finnikin Of The Rock

I bought this book ages ago after reading some really good reviews on it, and I still haven't read it(oops). I am looking forward to it, I need to read more fantasy novels.

5. Long After Midnight At The Nino Bien

I bought this book on a whim, and am yet to read it, but it looks interesting. I think that this is a romance book? I haven't read one of them in a while!

6. Is It Just Me?

What more can I say than Miranda Hart?

7. Occupied City

I only just found out that this book is actually part of a trilogy(Toyko Trilogy, and it is book number 2! I will be reading this as soon as I look up the synopsis of book one! It is all about the world ending in Tokyo, which Sounds interesting.

What books are you going to be reading soon?

Jenny xx

Spring Scented Beauty Finds

I don't know about you, but I am always sucked into a beauty product by it's smell. If I don't like the smell, I generally refuse to wear the product(Elizabeth Arden 8hr Cream, anyone?). However, if I love the smell of a beauty product, it always makes the 'experience' of putting on and wearing the product so much more enjoyable, doesn't it?

These four products are my favourite spring smelling products, and if you've ever smelt any of them, you'd know why. They all smell so fresh! (Also, sorry for the bad lighting in the picture.)

Garnier PureActive Daily Energising Gel Scrub
I actually picked up this face scrub on a whim, and because my Clean and Clear one had just run out(and because it was half price!), and I love it. It lathers up a lot, and it smells like 'grapefruit and pomegranate . I love the smell- it is really bright(I know, a retarded way of describing scents, but you know what I mean).

The Body Shop Born Lippy Lipbalm in Pink Guava
This lipbalm smells amazing! Literally, whenever I put it on, anyone in the close area asks what the smell is, and then begs to smell my lipbalm(not kidding, this does happen!). Not only does it smell like spring(so fresh and fruity), but it is also very moisturising, and it leaves you lips with a ice shine without being sticky.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush
While I am still deciding whether I like this product or not, I cannot deny that it smell like Spring. It smells like a mixture of your Gran's floral perfume and smelling a bunch of garden flowers, but in a good way! Love the smell of this, and it does last in your hair all day, which is a bonus!

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash
Everything that has 'grapefruit' in the title automatically pulls me in, and I need to smell it. This face wash smeels AH-Mazing, and I love the feeling that it gives my skin; a really fresh and clean face. Love this product for Spring!

What are your favourite smelling products for this Spring?
Jennifer xx

Spring Wishlist!

I am always thinking about shopping. Not only is this bad for my wallet, and all of my other work(as it is just too tempting to search whats for sale), but it is so sad because I know that I can't buy everything that I want(why couldn't I have been an heiress?)! I decided, in a spur of organization, to get all thoughts of shopping from my head, and write them in this post. Here is my spring wishlist!

Zara Bag

New Look Skater Skirt

Celine Trapeze Inspired Bag

Fluro Zatchels Saddle Bag

Topshop Speckle Roll Skater Dresses; I love both colours, the blue and the pink!

Zara Mini Shopper

Topshop Neon Dip-Dye Scarf

I know, I am a self confessed handbag addict. 

What are you lusting over for spring?

Jennifer xx

L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in Rebel Red

I know, I know- I am so behind the times with this one. The L'Oreal Rouge Caresse lipstick have been going strong for around 10 months now, but I wanted to feature them in a post because I am really loving sheer lipsticks for this Spring(trend forecast alert!).

I got the colour Rebel Red, and I love the packaging! It looks(as with all L'Oreal products) very sleek, and much more expensive than it actually is. The lid snaps on shut, and pretty tightly too, so it will not fall off if you chuck it into your bag for a day out.

In all Superdrug stores, there is a section that sells discounted goods because they are damaged. I am not ashamed to say that I picked this little lippy up in the discounted section. As you can see from the picture, the lipstick looks pristine  except from a dent in the product. However, this will easily be rubbed off, on application. I paid £3, but the regular retail price is around £7.99(depending on where you buy).

 Top; without flash, bottom; with flash.

As you can see from the 'with flash' pictures, the lipstick is super shiny and moisturising. It is sort of a lip salve but more pigmented.

The top swatch shows the lipstick lightly swatched, and the bottom one shows it heavily swatched.

Here it is on the lips.

What do you think? Also, how are you liking my attempt at better swatches?

Jennifer xx

How To: Contour and Highlight

Everyone wants a thin face. Not necessarily a gaunt, anorexic looking one, but a thin, chiseled face with those supermodel cheekbones. Contouring, highlighting and blushing are your new best friends from now on. Here's how to use them:

Below is an image of the face, marked with where your highlights and contouring should be. Obviously, the white is a highlight, and the brown is contours. In the space on the cheeks between the contouring and the highlight, you should apply the blush. 

This image is very advanced. I don't have a lot of time in the mornings, and I only contour and highlight maybe 1/3 of what this picture is showing. I like to run a bronzer under my cheekbones and chin, and onto my temples. I use a contour brush for the application of the product, but then I use a fluffy brush to blend it out. I could blend with the contour brush, but it takes longer, and as I said, I don't have time.

In terms of highlight, I find that if i applied as much highlight as in the picture, then I would look like a disco-ball. I like to apply my highlight sparingly, and only onto the tops of my cheekbones and up to my temples(only a bit). I find that this gives my face a subtle glow without looking tacky or shiny.

I apply my blush onto the tops of my cheeks. I think that I may have mentioned this before, but you should never apply blush onto the apples of your cheeks when you are smiling. When you are not smiling(i.e the rest of the day with a normal face), your blush drags down your face. However, if you apply blush onto the tops of your cheeks and outwards, your makeup will look youthful.

while this routine does sound like a lot of effort, it is worth it, and I can tell a difference in my face when I don't bother with this routine.

 Bronzer(Countouring)

The only cheap high street contour powder that I have found is MUA's Bronzed Perfection bronzer. This is a matte bronzer, which is why it is goof for contouring, however I would like something a bit more grey toned(to create a more realistic shadow). I apply this product with a Real Techniques Contour brush,and blend it with a big fluffy brush(this one is from Primark).

Highlight

I use the Sleek Glo highlight powder (the whitest shade), and a small fluffy brush from Claire's(I know, weird).

Blush

This blush is a gorgeous bright coral shimmery blush from Me Me Me, and the small brush is from Forever  21, but is similar to the Claire's one.

Cream Blush

My favourite cream blush is my limited edition Louise Grey for Topshop one. It's called Up In The Air. I use a Real Techniques buffing brush to apply this, but only because I haven't had time to get the Real Techniques stippling brush(which is apparently a lifesaver when applying cream blush.)

I hope this has helped you to achieve total face perfection, I would love to know what product you have found for contouring, and blush; leave me a comment!

Jennifer xx

L'Occitane Mango Hand Cream

I got this hand cream from a magazine(I think it was Marie Claire) about a month ago, and I have been loving it. Believe it or not, this is only the second L'Occitane product that I own, the first being a lipbalm, and I can't fault the quality of their products. Both the hand cream and the lipbalm are very moisturising. The hand cream is made with 20% shea butter, which contributes to the moisturising effect. Also, the smell? It lasts for ages.

My one vice with this product is that I feel like I have to put a lot on, in order to make my hands feel truly moisturised. However, this hand cream has lasted for longer than I was expecting, especially since the tube is quite small.

Overall: this cream is the perfect handbag essential- it's small, smells ahmazing, and looks cute, too!

Have you been loving any new hand creams recently?
Jennifer xx

Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

As I mentioned in my DIY Brush Holder post, I am going to show you how I clean my makeup brushes. I only clean them every two to three week, as I am not one to smother my face in makeup(as you can see from my relatively clean dirty brushes). However, I suggest cleaning your brushes, especially a foundation brush, once a week. Here is how I clean them;

I use the Johnson's Baby shampoo in Chamomile, as I like the smell and it leaves my brushes feeling very soft. However, if you feel like you need to really deep clean your brushes, Lisa Eldridge sugessts using the cheapest supermarket-own-branded clarifying shampoo, as it will really strip the brushes of any makeup.

Some people use a brush cleaner, but I really do not feel like spending my money on something when I can do it for next to nothing already. How do you clean your makeup brushes?

Jennifer xx

February Favourites

It's favourites time again people, and I know that February is the shortest month, but seriously. Did it even last five minutes? At least the end of another month means another favourites post! This month all of the items are beauty related. This is simple because I haven't had time for much else. I have been enjoying the TV show How I Met Your Mother(the new season), but apart from that, I haven't even read one book!I need to get a grip! 

Without further ado, lets commence into the world of Feb favourites.

First up is the Soap and Glory Hand Food hand cream. After borrowing(ahem, stealing) this hand cream from my sister, I quickly became addicted to it. I told myself that I wouldn't, but sadly I did. This product really doesn't need bigging up anymore than it already has been, but this hand cream moisturises my hands without leaving them feeling greasy and sticky.

Next up and keeping with the skin care theme, is Sudocrem. I know that you're probably wondering why a nappy rash cream is included in a favourites post of someone who most definitely doesn't wear nappies, or have any children whatsoever. I have been trialling  it as a spot treatment, and I have to say that I have noticed some improvement in the redness of my skin around blemishes and such. It actually does say on the packaging(albeit in small letters) that Sudocrem is effective at treating acne, and a thin layer over any spots before bed has been working a treat this month. 

Moving swiftly on, next we have makeup. I have included two lip product favourites this month, the first being the Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial. These pigmented and luxurious glosses were released at the back end of January, and I have been wearing them a lot during February, the first month of them being on my beauty shelf(well, duh). I did a full review a couple of weeks ago, and I mentioned that they seemed to transfer a lot, which I wasn't a fan of. However, I have found that applying a layer and blotting it with some tissue, then applying a second, thinner layer and patting it onto my lips has kept the gloss in place quite nicely. The colour of Celestial is gorgeous, too.

The second lip product is not one that I have ever heard anyone talk about in the blogosphere, which surprises me considering the quality of the product. The Topshop makeup range has received a great response in the blogging world, however this gloss was part of a set of three that I had never seen on the internet before(and I read A LOT of blogs). My favourite colour is this gorgeous sheer gloss with lots of gold specks and sparkle running thought it. Childish, and kids-sticky-gross-makeup-set as this colour may sound, it looks unbelievably sophisticated on the lips, but with just a hint of youthful sparkle. And the best part? It's not sticky at all(oh the burden of a sticky gloss).

Onto the face, and this month I have been in love with contouring/bronzing. I lightly contour my face everyday, and it does make such a difference. I use the MUA Bronzing Powder, as I like the matte quality, and this Real Techniques contour Brush. This contouring brush is very good at what it does- it applie the perfect amount of product on the face, but it small enough that you don't get it seared all over your cheeks. I like to use this brush to apply the product, and then blend/buff it out with a bigger, fluffy brush. This is simply because I don't have time to buff it with the smaller brush, and in this case, bigger works better.

No blush other than the Louise Gray for Topshop cream blush duo in Up In The Air. Although this was released months ago, I have recently started re-loving it. It provides two options for cheek colour, however, I like to swirl my blush brush in both colours for a natural look. The formula is very creamy, and nice to use as well. This blush stays put for a couple of hours, which is ok, but the colours are truly gorgeous on the skin, and I have really been enjoying using this duo. 

Nivea Extreme Resist Mascara in Brown has been my favourite mascara for the month of February. The mascara itself has practically run out, and it is getting a little dry and clumpy now, but in its prime, his mascara was fantastic. It lengthened like no other, and it was a softer, more natural alternative to the sometimes harsh black mascara(my favourite mascara of all time is Benefit's BADGal Plum, so maybe I've got a thing for coloured eyelashes?). The wand is also angles upwards, which makes the application a lot easier. I have loved using this with curled eyelashes, as it makes the look even longer, and more dainty.

My last favourite of February is a nail polish. But not just any nail polish, a UV polish that is so bright I'm pretty sure that it glows. My sister actually bought this nail polish in Camden before going to see Coldplay's liv tour last Summer(so that the UV in their set would make her nails glow), and I hadn't tried it out until this month. It looks lovely and bright on the nails, shocking almost. But with Winter dragging on, and the cold weather refusing to shift, wearing this colour on my nails really brightened my mood. It is a neon yellow(it looks a bit weird in the photos), and unfortunately I have no idea where you can buy this from! However, Models Own has just released a new range of neons, and American Apparel's neon polishes are rumoured to be great, so try them as a dupe.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my Febuary Favourites. Do you have any favourite of this past month?

Jennifer xx

Weekend Manicure; Moody Mink Look & Review

So the other day I picked up a new nail varnish- kind of a spur of the moment thing, because I really don't need to be buying anymore nail varnish, but oh well. And to justify my unnecessary spending, I thought that I would write a post for you guys about it.

Please excuse the state of my nails in these photographs- they have recently started breaking really badly, and I just can't seem to leave them alone- any tips?

The nail varnish that I 'splurged' on was, in fact, carrying a mere £1 price tag. It is by MUA, a Superdrug own brand make up line that sells dirt cheap and remarkably good products. I bought the shade Moody Mink. It is a beautiful colour, but so hard to describe. I would say that it was a neutral taupe-y mauve, but that sounds disgusting! It looks really nice on the nails; it stands out, but at the same time, is neutral. I would class this as the perfect colour if you we're going to work or school, and bright colours are looked down upon. However, you could probably dress up this colour with a little glitter topcoat- I think a gold glitter would work really nicely.

For my manicure I simply painted two coats of Moody Mink, and had my ring finger as an accent nail. Having an accent nail is a really easy way to jazz up a plain manicure, and can look great with similar colours or contrasting ones! For the accent nail I used a Claire's Accessories nail polish.

This look is so budget, but still manages to look sophisticated and glamourous!

What do you think?

 MUA Moody Mink, Claire's Accessories Polish

Have a nice weekend!

Jenny xx

Rimmel Apocalips

Rimmel Apocalips, Top:Stellar, Bottom:Celestial

The plenty raved about Rimmel Apocalips landed in my Boots basket a few weeks ago(who put them there?) and I have been loving trying them out. The colours are very bright, but I think that's a good thing-so many high street beauty brands are crap at pigmenting their products. The range contains numerous colours for all skin tones and preferences, and the packaging is pretty cool. The lid looks a bit like a black ice-berg! although, they did steal Illamasqua's  Apocalips teal lipstick with the name, and I can't say I like that very much.

The shades I picked up were: 501 Stellar, and 101 Celestial. Stellar is a bright, brighter than a fire engine red, but oddly enough it looked quite pink in the tube. On the lips it is a true red, and really stands out on the face. Celestial is a dusky rose colour, perfect for many skin tones, and all seasons. This colour is my favourite of the collection(I also liked Nova, but I really didn't need another bright barbie pink).

The packaging includes a little suction near the top(where you pull the wand from). This means that there is barely any product on the wand, as it is all concentrated on the doe-foot. This is great as the top of the lip gloss doesn't get all gross and dirty.

The doe-foot applicator allows for full coverage on the lips with minimal effort. I have really been loving this applicator, and the actual plastic wand bit is quite bendy, so it is even easier to work the product into the lips.

 L-R: Stellar, Celestial

 Swatches in daylight/sunset.

 Swatches from after I removed the lip lacquer with a makeup remover that removes waterproof mascara.

Apocalips in Celestial

Overall, I really like these lipsticks. My only vice being that they transfer like crazy. I was expecting more of a glossy stain, but true to the branding, this product really is a lipgloss, and a tranfer-prone lipgloss in such bright colours will surely not end well. Apart from that, I would definitely like to purchase more from this collection, and I think that these products were of a great quality.

Have you tried the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers?

Jennifer xx

Also, what do think of my swatches, as promised in my Blog Resolution?