November Favourites 2014

Who can believe it is December tomorrow. Where has this year gone? I am sorry for the lack of posts over the past few weeks: I have had trouble with my laptop and life has just been really really busy. I hope that normal posts will resume soon. Anyway I am excited to share my November favourites - there aren't many beauty favourites however I have found some little gems this month!

 

MUA HEAVEN AND EARTH PALETTE// I have always had a soft spot for MUA palettes and this one is my favourite of the bunch. When I first got it I was obsessed and wore it to death but for some reason I just forgot about it. However this month I have rediscovered it and have worn in pretty much everyday. The pigmentation is unbelievable and what is better is that it is only £4. Next time you pop into Superdrug this is definitely worth popping into your basket!

 

CARMEX LIP BALM// When it comes to lip balms I am a Vaseline girl, but over the past few weeks my lips have been extra dry therefore Vaseline just hasn't been making the cut. Instead I have been reaching for my Carmex and it is honestly amazing. The smell is very strong and has a herbal aroma. I find the consistency of Carmex is really thick which is great for adding moisture to my lips but is sinks in well rather than sliding off like I found my Vaseline was doing.

 

BIG CLIPS// Big clips are literally life savers. I grab a section of my hair from the front and then put it up with the clip so it is out of my face. It is so easy and I have a selection of three which is use on rotation.

 

BARRY M GLITTER AND NAILS INC SOUTH STREET COMBO// This nail polish combination makes me feels so festive because it is glittery goodness! I like to apply two coats of the polish and then one coat of the glitter ontop is it is festive perfection. What is more is that this nails combo lasts for 4 days on my nails which is amazing for me. What glitter polishes are you loving?

 

DIVERGENT TRILOGY// At the beginning on November I watched the Divergent film for the first time and then ended up watching it twice in the same day because I loved it that much. I had to know what happened next so I bought the whole trilogy on my kindle. Throughout November I have read Divergent, Insurgent and have started Allegiant. It is has been ages since I have been this excited about a series of books and I cannot wait to cuddle up later with my blanket and Allegiant!

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

WOMN #10 Sally Hanson Plum Luck

 I haven't blogged in about a week because I have had some issues with my laptop, but it feels really strange sitting down and my laptop and writing! Recently I have been loving dark vampy nails and in particular this one from Sally Hanson in the shade Plum Luck. 

I have to admit the formula isn't great, however the colour makes up for that massively. It is like a really deep plum shade that looks purple in some light and then black in others. Also it has a gel finish; which is my favourite finish in a nail polish. I found two coats was enough, although the first coat looked very patchy. Personally I think this is a staple shade that should be in everyone's makeup collection and over the past few weeks I have worn it so much - and will continue to do so. 

What vampy nail polishes are you loving this Autumn Winter?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Truths About Blogging

I love blogging; there is absolutely no doubt about that. But I wanted to share with you some truths about blogging that maybe you didn't realise happened or if you are thinking of starting a blog you can bear these in mind! 

Blogging is not easy and it never will be. I am always finding things that I struggle with and have problems with HTML coding or what title to call a certain post. Yes, things do get easier as you and your blog improve but it will never be easy.

You need to have real drive and determination. The only way you can get better is to learn new things. Most bloggers to teach yourself how to blog and create a good blog design. In order to do this you need to be prepared to spend hours and hours frustrated and on the verge of screaming at your computer screen. When I started blogging I knew nothing. However Google and YouTube soon become your best friends and you will find there are so many tutorials out there; that you can teach yourself anything. If I have a question I Google it, simple. It takes drive and determination because teaching yourself something new is quite challenging.

Patience is key. I can guarantee that you won't become popular overnight but persevere with you blog and be patient. Eventually people will find your blog and will read it. 

Good content is essential, if you don't have interesting and unique content then there is nothing keeping readers on you blog. Even if you have the most amazing, sleek design and beautifully edited photos; it is pointless without good content for your readers to enjoy.

Planning and coming up with content is hard and frustrating at times. All bloggers experience a time when they will run out of ideas - it's called bloggers block. It happens; it's natural. But don't let it get you down. I have a long list of post ideas to turn to when I am running out of ideas. I would say that planning in advance is really helpful and means you always have something to write about.

Blogging takes up more time than you can image. I am forever thinking of post ideas, who I need to tweet... I think it is great to be dedicated to your blog but sometimes it's good to step back and spend some time away from my blog. If I added up all the time I spend on my blog in the week it would be way too much! 

Be open to criticism. Your blog is not going to be perfect when your first post goes live, so accept that over time you will receive criticism and most of the time it will help you to improve your blog. Put it this way I have changed my blog design countless times because I wasn't happy with it and even now I am still in 100% okay with it. I am always making little improvements and changes.

I hope this has helped you and given you an insight into some of the truths about blogging! 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Winter Skincare Essentials

As Winter is fast approaching my skin is definitely suffering and is in need of some new additions to my skincare routine. 

Elemis Exfoliating Face Wash is a nice refreshing scrub for the morning. Also in the dark mornings I find this face wash really helps to wake me up in the morning. Sometimes my skin gets quite dry when it is cold outside so using a scrub gets rid of all the dry and dead bits of skin on your face (gross I know!). 

In the colder months my skin lacks serious hydration and moisture so I have decided to hydrate my skin as much as possible. Face oils are the ultimate winter skincare product, I find them too heavy any other time of the year - but around this time they are perfect.  With 100% pure plant extracts - say hello to the Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil. This is a really light oil, it doesn't feel heavy or unbearable on the skin and absorbs in quickly. I use this after cleansing and toning, I only use one or two drops in the evening. If you don't have much time for pampering this is good as it is very relaxing to apply and feels like a quick pamper. 

I moisturising everyday because I think it is really important step in my skincare routine that I never miss. Recently I was finding that my normal moisturiser just wasn't hydrating enough and I felt like my skin was still quite dry. Instead I have been using the Janjira Facial Deep Moisturiser*.  This smells very strongly of Pomegranate and Acai  but is so lovely and really rich formula. Like the other Janjira products this has mushroom extract which actually, really cleverly, reduces the appearance of your pores . This is great for applying in the morning before your primer as it minimises pores. 

These are all my essential winter skincare products, I would love to know what yours are!

MissBeccaBeauty xo

*Gifted PR Samples

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick - Nudist

Lip crayons are so handy, they are so easy to apply which is why I usually have two or three lip crayons knocking around in the bottom of my handbag. Soap and Glory have absolutely nailed it with their Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Sticks because they have great pigmentation, moisturising and look glossy. My favourite of the bunch is Nudist.

The scent is your typical Soap and Glory sugary sweet fragrance and the packaging is classic Soap and Glory with girly fonts and cute names. One swipe of this and your lips look amazing. It is a gorgeous, brown-toned, nude shade, with golden shimmer and I have heard people comparing the colour MAC's Patisserie. I don't own Patisserie so can't do a full comparison. The colour is subtle and is (sorry to use this blogger phrase again...) 'your lips but better'.

What do you think of the Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Sticks? Which is your favourite shade?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Three Things : Pinterest Loves

Pinterest is one of the my most used apps on my iPhone. It gets a lot of love and I can literally be sat there for hours and hours scrolling through my feed and looking at my favourite boards. Pinterest is one of my main sources for inspiration and whenever I am lacking motivation I turn to Pinterest!

INTERIOR INSPIRATION// When I was planning how to redecorate my bedroom, I found so many amazing pins on Pinterest that gave me a lot of inspiration. I have a whole board dedicated to how I want the interior in my dream house to be: very white, with accent colours and cool ways to display and store things. You can find the pin I have used above, here. 

QUOTES AND TYPOGRAPHY// I love reading endless quotes and sayings; there is something about them that make me feel motivated. My Quotes board literally has hundreds of quotes and sayings waiting for when I need a little reminder or a 'pick-me-up'! The quote 'When the answer is no, there's a better yes down the road', reminds me that everything happens for a reason and it helps me to accept no. You can find this pin here.

FASHION INSPIRATION// I am not the most fashionable person but fashion pins on Pinterest make me want to have a better fashion sense and wear cooler clothes. At the moment I am loving monochrome clothing and find lots of inspiration from celebrities; especially the Kardashians - but I am planning to do a whole post dedicated to them soon! This photo is a very classic representation of my wardrobe and an outfit I can see myself wearing. This pin here if you want to have a look. 

I would love it if you would leave your Pinterest accounts down below in the comments for me to have a look at. Also you can follow me here (http://www.pinterest.com/missbeccabeauty/) if you want to have a look at my boards and pins similar to the ones in the photo above!

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Weekend Pamper Routine

As the nights are getting darker it is nice to have spend time at the weekend giving yourself a good old pamper. Especially because around November and December it is a stressful and hectic time with mock exams, deadlines and present buying! Here is what I like to do when I am in need of a pamper to relax.

FACE AND BODY//

Face masks are a great way to feel like to you having a good de-tox and at the moment I am really liking the Superdrug Aloe Vera De-Stressing Face Mask. At £2.59 it is a bargain, but definitely a good one to try. 

Next I like to have a soak in a good bath; I like to have lots of bubbles in my baths and sometimes I like bath bombs or bath milks which smell amazing. In the bath body scrubs are great because ... at the moment I am trying out the Janjira Thai Lime and Ginger Shower Scrub. I am really enjoying this because it is a very buttery scrub that is actually quite soft and very easy to apply. It still has the sugar grains which ex-foliates but the scrub is creamy and gentle. Also the smell is really refreshing and zesty. Often I will use the Soap and Glory Sugar Crush shower wash after this because the two complements each other with their zesty and delicous scents. 

Finally, when I get out of the bath I will remove my face mask and then use some body butter. Usually I opt for the Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter. 

CANDLES AND FAIRY LIGHTS//

Gentle lights like candles and fairy lights are really calming and relaxing, they make any room seem peaceful and there is just something about candles that remind me of Autumn and Winter. I especially love scented candles in the evening. Also I will sometimes put candles around my bath and the dim lighting really makes me unwind. 

BOOKS AND NAILS//

When I was younger I used to read so much ( before I discovered the likes of twitter and blogging!), I would literally go through at least one book a week. However over the past year or so I haven't made time for reading and I know I should. As a result I am making the effort to read my kindle most nights before I go to bed, a couple of chapters or so. This really helps me to unwind and sleep better. I tend to paint my nails in the evenings anyway but especially when I want to pamper myself; I will always paint my nails. 

OTHER PAMPER ESSENTIALS//
A hot beverage is essential every evening for me and at the moment I am loving a hot chocolate, in particular a white hot chocolate. Although I do love hot milk and of course a good cup of tea. There is nothing better than getting into a cosy pair of pyjamas after having a nice bath ready for bed! Primark do great cosy pyjamas; especially around Winter and Christmas. 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

When it comes to cupcakes the Humming Bird Bakery always nail it. Whether it's their Chocolate cupcakes, red velvet cupcakes or my latest discovery... their Salted Caramel Cupcakes.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE CAKE:

70g unsalted butter, softened

170g plain flour

250g caster sugar

50g cocoa powder, sifted

1 tbsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

210ml (71/2fl oz) whole milk

2 large eggs

INGREDIENTS FOR THE FROSTING:

670g icing sugar, sifted

210g unsalted butter, softened

70ml whole milk

30g tinned caramel or dulce de leche

Pinch of good-quality sea salt (such as maldon)

1. Start by pre-heating the oven to 170°C/gas mark 3 and line the muffin tins with cupcake cases of your choice, I went for orange and black because I baked these on Halloween. That's why the decorations are Halloween themed, but you can bake these any time of year for any occasion. 

2. In a freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment or using a hand-held electric whisk, mix the butter, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt together until they form a crumb-like consistency. In a jug, mix together the milk and eggs by hand.

3.  With the mixer or whisk on a slow speed, gradually pour half of the liquid into the crumb mixture and mix thoroughly until combined. Raise the speed to medium and beat until the batter is smooth and thick, with no lumps. Scrape down the sides of the bowl now and then. Once all lumps are gone, turn the speed back down and gradually pour in the remaining liquid, continuing to mix until the batter is smooth and combined.

4. Spoon the batter into the prepared paper cases, filling them two-thirds full. If you struggle spooning in mixture; use an ice cream scoop and it will give you the perfect amount batter in each case. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the sponge bounces back when lightly touched. Leave to cool slightly before removing from the tin and placing on a wire rack to cool completely. 

5. Once the cupcakes are cool, use a sharp knife to make a hollow in the centre of each cupcake, approximately two centimetres in diameter and about three centimetres deep. Retain the cut-out piece of sponge. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the dulce de leche into the hollow. I didn't tell anyone that their was caramel in the middle of the cakes, so when they had one they were so surprised!

6. Replace the cut-out piece of sponge, trimming to fit and pressing down gently to ensure that the top is level with the rest of the cake. I actually forgot to put the sponge back on and ate them before I read this -whoops! I don't think it really matters if you put the cut out sponge back on. 

7. Spoon generous amounts of the frosting onto each cupcake, then gently smooth over with a palette knife, making a swirl at the top if you wish. To finish, spoon about 1 teaspoon of dulce de leche on the top of each frosted cupcake, swirling it slightly into the frosting, and add a light sprinkling of sea salt.

8. Spoon generous amounts of the frosting onto each cupcake, then gently smooth over with a palette knife, making a swirl at the top if you wish. To finish, spoon about 1 teaspoon of dulce de leche on the top of each frosted cupcake, swirling it slightly into the frosting, and add a light sprinkling of sea salt. 

These cupcakes are so delicious and a really good recipe to make for a special occasion or to impress! Let me know if you have a go at making these cupcakes, I would love to see some pictures. You can tweet me them @missbeccabeauty , or tag me in them on Instagram (missbeccabeauty_xo) 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Three Things : New Skincare Products

For a while now I have been really happy with my skincare routine and haven't really swapped and changed any products out. However recently I have got my hands on a few new skincare products and wanted to show you what I think of them. 

SUPERDRUG ALOE VERA DE-STRESSING MUD MASK// At £2.59 this is an absolute bargain and the price doesn't justify how good this product is. I was intrigued by the "de-stressing" title as I tend to get stressed a lot so I like products that help to de-stress and was sold by the fact it is for normal to combination skin. The packaging is nothing fancy but it doesn't look cheap either. The mask is very thick in texture and like the packaging, it is a bright green colour - which makes the mask more fun to wear because you look like a green monster! Application wise it is really easy and I like to use my fingers, however you have to apply the product quite quickly otherwise it begins to set. I leave the mask on for 10 minuets and I can feel a little bit of tingling which I don't mind because it just feels like the product is working. To remove the mask I use a hot cloth and it does need a little bit of scrubbing to get it all off but nothing that would irritate your skin too much. Sometimes my skin is left looking a little red but usually I use a soothing toner and thick moisturiser and all is good! This purse friendly product is available at Superdrug, in store and online. 

LIZ EARLE EYEBRIGHT SOOTHING EYE LOTION// I got this in the QVC's todays special value which was a huge set of 7 or 8 full size Liz Earle products. The other products are all products I have used before but this was one that I hadn't tried. I suffer from hayfever and allergies as a result I often get irritated, red and itchy eyes. Liz Earle’s Eyebright is a gorgeously soothing eye lotion that is amazing to use on your eyes when they are irritated. It is amazing to use in the morning as it refreshes your eyes, makes them look more awake and removes any traces of eye makeup left from the night before. I can see this becoming a staple in my skincare routine because my eyes are in need of more care and attention!

JANJIRA NEW RANGE THERAPY TONER*// I do enjoy using my Liz Earle toner, so I have high expectations when it comes to toners as I already have one that works well for me. Having said that I am really impressed by this toner. It actually has a really nostalgic scent to it which somewhat reminds me of the Nurofen in a bottle! A toner is designed to remove dead cells and dirt; which is definitely effectively does. There is also mushroom extract in the toner, I didn't know mushroom could be used in skincare, and the mushroom actually reduces the appearance of pores. I have definitely notices the difference in my pores and this is good to use in the morning before applying foundation because it does reduce the appearance of pores.

Have you tried any of these products? Have you discoverer any new skincare products recently?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

October Favourites 2014

October has been a great month for me, beauty wise, as I have discovered lots of new products. Also in October I can whip out the Autumnal beauty products. Let me know what beauty products you have been loving in October!

BENEFIT BIGGER THAN BB BIG EASY// In Autumn I like to use lighter foundation shades and I really like matte base on my skin. This BB cream by Benefit was talked about a lot when it was first released because of it's unusual consistency. When you apply it the consistency is a liquid however, on the skin it turns to a powder finish. I think this is so cool and because it is a powder finish it lasts really well through out the day!

MUA LIPSTICK IN SHADE 2// MUA isn't a brand that I own a lot of makeup from, I have a few lipsticks and one of their eyeshadow palettes. However this gorgeous berry purple lipstick is amazing and what's even better is it's tiny price tag - only £1! I think dark berry lips look amazing on other people, but on me it never looks right and I always end up taking it off before I leave the house. Having said that, this lipstick is really easy and comfortable to wear. It is my way of wearing the berry look that is always on trend in the Autumn. 

HELEN E COSMETICS LOVE BLUSH// There is a funny story behind this blush. I was shopping for a dress in Debenhams with my mum when a lady came over to us and dared one of us to have a make over. My mum backed out instantly and I have trouble saying no. So to cut a long story short she dragged us over to her counter and started to remove my makeup. Once she had finished my makeup she then tried to sell the products she had used to me. I didn't feel I could walk away without buying anything so I ended up purchasing this blush. Although my make over experience wasn't great, I actually really like this blush. It is perfect for Autumn as it is a reddy brown blush that I like to use on my cheeks, which contours my face because it is such a dark blush. I have also been using this as an eyeshadow because I don't have any red/brown shadows and I find this looks great in the crease of my lids with a matte colour as a base underneath. 

MAYBELLINE STRONG SUPER STAY 7 DAY IN PURPLE REFLECTS// This nail polish is amazing! It is a dark purple shade that is metallic which fits in nicely with this seasons trends,however it is still very wearable. The brush is a really nice wide brush which makes application a lot quicker and easier. This nail polish lasts for like 4 to 5 days which is insane that a nail polish lasted this long on me because usually they chip after two or three days. 

MAYBELLINE COLOR SHOW IN BROCADES// When I saw this nail polish I had to buy it. I have been after a rose gold glitter for ages but I never found 'the one'. This glitter polish is really nice because it is a shimmery gold with rose gold glitter chunks. On application I use two coat and it looks really opaque. Also I was really surprised by the lasting power, it stayed on for 4 days which is very impressive considering it is a glitter. Most of my other glitters chip after a day or two.  I think around the Christmas and party season I will get so much wear out of this as it will just go with every outfit.

I recently got Tumblr and Instagram. I'd love it if you would have a look and maybe give me a follow. Also leave your Tumblr and Instagram links for me to have a look at! 

MissBeccaBeauty xo