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