December Favourites 2014

 

Sorry things have been a little quite recently around these parts, life has been super busy and I wanted to make the most of Christmas with my family. I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and Santa brought you some lovely presents. December has been a crazy month, like it is for most people, and new beauty products have taken a back seat as I have been using trusty and well loved products I can rely on.

 

JEMMA KIDD MINERAL SKIN NOURISHING TINT// Recently my Rimmel Match Perfection foundation has been looking a bit orange and cakey on my skin so I have been using this light tinted moisturiser instead. It gives the perfect amount of light coverage and blurs out the redness in my skin. I do use concealer on places where I need a bit more coverage. This tinted moisturiser lasts really well, especially if you set it with powder, and overall I find it does a great job.

 

MAYBELLINE COLOUR TATOO IN ON AND ON BRONZE// I have talked about this cream eye shadow so much on my blog and I will probably continue to talk about it in the future. This month I have had lots of concerts and long nights so I needed a long wearing eye shadow that I know wouldn't rub off my eyes during the day. The colour is an amazing bronze that works for any occasion and I always find myself going back to it!

CIATE NAIL POLISHES// This advent I was lucky enough to get one of the Ciate mini mani months and I really enjoyed opening up a little beautiful nail polish every morning. There were some real gems behind some of the door including boudoir and snow globe which are some of my favourites.

CHRISTMAS SPICE SCENTED CANDLES// Because it is the festive period, I have been loving lighting candles- especially scented ones! I love to light them on evening when I am blogging, reading or having a bath.

What products have you loved this December?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Christmas Nail Polishes 2014

As I write this I am listening to Michael Buble's Christmas album and I am feeling super festive so it seemed appropriate to talk about my favourite Christmas polishes.

LEIGHTON DENNY PROVOCATIVE Everyone needs a classic pillow box red polish for the festive season and one of my favourites is Leighton Denny's xxx. Leighton Denny is such a luxurious nail polish and why not spoil yourself around Christmas! I have about 5 classic red polishes but this is just one of my favourites.

NAILS INC SOUTH STREET If you saw my last post ( you can see it here!) then you will know I am loving silver nail polish. I think it is really festive without being your traditional Christmas polish like red or gold. I think I am going to wear this for new years eve probably!

MAYBELLINE COLOR SHOW BROCADES This is my favourite gold nail polish for Christmas. If you love gold glitter then you need to try this. You only need two coats for full opaqueness and it lasts for a good 3-4 days. I am definitely going to be wearing this on Christmas Day!

NAILS INC HORNTON STREET This has been sitting in my collection for a while now and never really thought much of it until I tried it the other day. I can't believe I haven't used this before now. When you put it on any polish It turns into a glittery metallic goodness that is really hard to describe. I am sure I will be posting a What's On My Nails really soon with it on so you can see what I am on about.

CIATE SEQUIN MISS MISTLETOE I haven't used this yet, but it is basically glitter pieces in the bottle that you pour onto your nails. There is a mix of gold, dark pink and red glitters that I think would look amazing as an accent nail with the Leighton Denny red.

\MissBeccaBeauty xo

WOMN #11 Ciate Fit For A Queen

I am loving my Ciate advent calendar and the other day I found this little festive gem behind one of the doors.

 

Ciate Mini Nail Polish in Fit For A Queen is a pretty classic metallic silver ,that after two coats, is fully opaque. I find that in different lights, this polish can look really silver or like a glitter white which reminds me of snow! Fit for a queen is a fin metallic polish that makes an outfit really festive but in a quirky way. The colour is so beautiful to apply and I love glancing down at my nails and seeing them looking shiny. On me this polish lasted around three days before major chipping started, I did receive a Ciate top coat yesterday in my advent calendar so I would be interested to see if the Ciate topcoat makes the Ciate polishes last longer.

What is your favourite metallic nail polish at the moment?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

A Christmas Red For Non-Red Lovers

I love Christmas and everything about it but I find red lipstick really hard to wear. I always feel like I have too much makeup on when I wear a red lip and I can feel quite self conscious. Matte lips are hard for me to wear because they are so drying. But I have found a new way to wear a winter red that is so much easier to wear : Soap and Glory's Sexy Mother Pucker in Plum Jam.

 

This is a creamy, glossy, slightly pigmented lip gloss that you can move up and down the tube by using a turning motion at the bottom. I specifically like the colour plum jam because you can either wear it as a natural wash of colour or you can build it up to a deeper shade of red that is more pigmented. It sits so comfortably on the lips and is really wearable for all day. Especially for eating around Christmas, it is great as you don't have to worry about lipstick on your teeth or smudged.

 

If you are not a big red lipstick fan then I would highly recommend you try this chubby stick as this formula is one of my favourites.

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

 

 

 

 

 

The Winter Edit

The past few weeks have gotten incredibly cold in the UK and we are in full Winter mode. As a result my make and nails have changed drastically and now resemble some of my favourite Winter trends and styles.

 

GOLDEN GLITTERY EYESHADOWS// The MUA Heaven and Earth palette is amazing for this time of year as all the shadows are really glittery and for only £4 the pigmentation is great. I especially love this gold shadow all over my lid on the top left and I like to blend one of the darker shades into my crease.

 

FULL COVERAGE, LONG LASTING FOUNDATION// With the part season fast approaching and one of the busiest times of the year just around the corner, we need a good foundation we can rely on and know it will last all day without touch ups. My go-to foundation that ticks all the boxes is the Liz Earle Signature Foundation.

 

DARK RED LIPS// Dark lips look incredible around this festive season but I do struggle to pull them off sometimes. For a matte option that will stay around for ages is the Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 107. The colour of this lipstick is gorgeous with slight berry undertones running through. However this lipstick is hard to wear so a more comfortable dark red option is the Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker in Plum Jam. It is glossy and balm-like and great for chucking on in a hurry when you are running out the door.

 

GLITTER NAIL POLISH// If you can't wear glitter nail polish around Christmas, when can you? I love glitter on my nails, all year round, but especially around this time of year. One of my favourites is the Maybelline gold polish in the picture above (not sure what the name is!).

 

What is in your winter edit this year?

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo  

 

The Christmas Tag

I'm feeling festive and so I thought why not do a Christmas tag? I read this tag on the wonderful MikeBubbleTea blog who has the most gorgeous Christmas photos on her post! Feel free to leave a link to your blog below if you have a go at this tag, I would love to see your answers.

 

1. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE/S? Christmas movies always get me in the festive mood and I love to watch them cuddled up in the evenings with candles burning and Christmas PJs. I have many Christmas movie favourites but I love to watch ELF, Nativity and The Polar Express. Although around Christmas I also like to watch Harry Potter, The Sound of Music and other classics!

 

2. DO YOU OPEN YOUR PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS MORNING? Always on Christmas Morning... I never open any presents before Christmas morning. I usually open them whilst scoffing the chocolates from my stocking. Sometimes we open presents on boxing day with the rest of my family.  

 

3. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MEMORY? I don't have a specific favourite memory but I always remember waking up when I was a little girl; rushing into mum and dads room. We would have to wait until everyone was awake and then dad would lead us downstairs and into the living room. I just remember it being so magical walking into the living room and seeing all the presents delivered by Santa.

4. FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS FOOD? Now this is a hard question to answer because I love eating food around Christmas: Turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, cheese boards, Maltesers and just chocolate in general!

 

5. FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS GIFT? I have spent ages trying to think of my favourite Christmas Gift and I have narrowed it down to two. The first was an iPad and I was totally surprised by this as I had no idea I was going to get it. My dad has kept some presents hidden and when we had opened our sacks he surprised us with these mystery presents. Last Christmas my sister and I received tickets to go to Harry Potter Studios in London. I am a huge HP fan and have wanted to go to the studios for ages so I was over the moon to revive this gift!

 

6. FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SCENT? I have two Christmas scents that I love: the smell of a Christmas dinner (obviously!) and also Christmas Spice! Currently my room is filled with Christmas spice candles and I love burning them in the evenings to relax.

 

7. DO YOU HAVE ANY CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONS? Yes! When we were younger we would go on a website called TrackSanta and throughout the day we could see whereabouts in the world Santa was and how close he was to the UK. Christmas eve is usually spent cooking and preparing food for the following day. In the evening we go out to church for Christmas Eve mass and spend time with our friends in the pub. Every year before we go to bed we get out stockings ready for Santa and then go to bed in our new Christmas PJs that we wait to wear on Christmas Eve.

 

8. WHAT TOPS YOUR TREE? Usually an angel or a star but this year we haven't put anything on top of the tree as we have gone for a gold decorations on our tree this year and we don't have a topper to match.

 

9. AS A KID WHAT WAS THE ONE ( CRAZY, WILD, EXTRAVOGANT) GIFT YOU ALWAYS ASKED FOR BUT NEVER RECIEVED? When I was little I would always ask for a baby brother but I would tell Santa that I wanted him to stay a baby forever. Obviously this never happened but looking back I think its funny!

 

10. WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT CHRISTMAS FOR YOU? I love seeing family because we all live so spread out around the country; so Christmas is one of the main times of year when we get to spend lots of quality time together!

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo 

Winter Nail Polishes 2014

It definitely feels like winter has arrived this morning. The mornings are bright, frosty and very very chilly - just the way I love them! Today I am sharing with you my top winter nail polishes and in a week or so I will share my favourite Christmas polishes, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

 

MAYBELLINE SUPER STAY GEN NAIL COLOUR IN PURPLE REFLECTS// I have talked about this nail polish a lot on my blog because it is simply amazing! Metallics are all in this winter and for me this is a perfect winter metallic. As well as having amazing staying power, the colour is a dark purple shade with specks of glitter running through. To see a more in depth review have a look at this post.

LEIGHTON DENNY NAIL POLISH IN ZERO GRAVITY// Light greys, like this one, are very classy and go with anything in your wardrobe - especially monochrome freaks like myself! All Leighton Denny polishes are very luxurious and I only wear them to treat my self every so often.

NAILS INC POLISH IN CHESHAM STREET// What a little beauty. This nail polish is so gorgeous and is on trend and the moment with the metallic vibe. In my collection this is the only metallic midnight blue I own and it is really unique.

CIATE MINI POLISH IN FERRIS WHEEL// Pastel colours are usually worn in the spring but I like to wear pastel blues like this in the winter because they resemble winter wonderlands and ice. Ferris Wheel is also really pretty with a silver or white glitter over the top as it looks like glistening snow!

LEIGHTON DENNY NAIL POLISH IN SATURN SEDUCTION// This shade resembles the colour of mulled wine and is a very pretty maroon. I feel incredibly wintry when I wear this nail polish and find it goes well with a winter wardrobe.

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Christmas Pinterest Inspiration

So this is my first Christmas post! Are you feeling festive yet? I certainly am, especially now I have turned my Christmas playlist back on and it amazes me that after a year on not singing Christmas songs, I can still remember all the words. As you have probably guessed I'm not doing Blogmas this year, I did it last year and even though I did enjoy it, it was a lot of hard work and quite stressful at times.  I wanted to share with you some pins from Pinterest that have caught my eye and made me feel really festive. I hope these give you a bit of inspiration and it is great doing festive posts again.

 

At this time of year hot drinks like hot chocolate and cups of tea are essential. They warm me up when I am cold and also make me feel really festive because I only really drink hot chocolates in the winter. These mug cosies and really cute and I would love to get some for this winter! When I have my own house I want my Christmas tree and living room to look exactly like this. We always have red decoration on our tree but I love gold and silver baubles as it think it looks so classy. Can you see how pretty the tartan blanket on the sofa? I really want a scarf like this one! We are putting our tree and decorations up this weekend so I will blog or instagram when its all finished so keep your eyes peeled for that. Finally I love how pretty the Noel decoration is, it reminds me of a shabby chic kind of look!

 

This post has been really chatty and a bit of a chat up, I hope you don't mind. I am really looking forward to Christmas and I am feeling really festive!

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

 

IMAGE ONE// IMAGE TWO// IMAGE THREE//

 

My Advent Calendar : For A Nail-polish-aholic!

It's December!

Usually I have a classic chocolate advent calendar but this year my mum treated me to a beauty calendar: the Ciate Mini Mani Month. Now I have a feeling this is last years calendar but I honestly don't mind. A few weeks ago I went into a discount beauty shop and found a stand with Ciate Advent calendars reduced from £50 to £30. This was a good deal but I walked away because I thought I didn't need it. Obviously I regretted not buying it and when I went back I was gutted when I saw there were no calendar on the stand anymore. I went over to a member of staff and they said they only had one left and it was the display calendar.  Because some of the doors had been opened (but not ripped off, so they still closed) so the nail polishes were visible, I got this reduced from £50 to £15. An absolute bargain!

I am so excited to receive a mini nail polish everyday this month and so far I have already received the cutest little bottles of Christmas joy! I will be posting photos of the nail polishes I open over on my Instagram - so if you would like to see what's inside head on over to MissBeccaBeauty_xo

What advent calendar do you have this year?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

 

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

You Know You Are A Beauty Blogger When...

I have been blogging now for a year and a half and in that time I have found myself doing things because I am a beauty blogger. A lot of the time I will use my blog as an excuse to buy makeup but there are other things I am guilty of doing as a result of being a beauty blogger. As a little disclaimer, I am just having a bit of fun in this post. If you don't do any of the things below, it doesn't make you any less of a beauty blogger. 

:: No matter how excited you are about a beauty product, you cannot even think about using it until you have photographed it.

:: You could happily spend hours in Boots or Superdrug swatching products and getting excited about all the new beauty launches.

:: You cringe when people say they only use face wipes to cleanse their face. You wouldn't ever take your makeup off with a face wipe because you know how bad it is for your skin.

:: Bloggers made you buy it. Come on, we are all guilty of going out and buying a beauty product just becuase your favourite blogger raved about it.

:: You spend most of your money on makeup. Forget clothes and shoes, I am always drawn to makeup counters and cannot help myself - especially when it is in pretty packaging. Every beauty bloggers weakness!

:: You makeup takes up most of the storage space in your room. Most girls are happy with a makeup bag or maybe a makeup case; but not beauty bloggers. We like to beautifully display our makeup and I take pride in my makeup collection and storage.

:: You are guilty of spending hours on eBay or online discount shops searching for the best beauty bargains. Also you scroll through page after page of beauty sale items.

:: Cleaning your makeup brushes becomes a pain but you have to do it if you want to wear makeup the next day. Alternatively you buy more brushes to avoid having to clean all the time.

:: You rarely finish a product and when you do, you feel like you should get a medal or something. Other girls will purchase something when they need it, however beauty bloggers hardly ever hit pan because there is always something else to try and review.

:: You find yourself coming up with reasons to justify buying another neutral eye shadow palette. Lets face it, there is something about neutral eye shadow palettes that keep beauty bloggers coming back for more. I think it is because they are so wearable and perfect for everyday.

Let me know if you are a beauty blogger and find yourself doing the same things as me!

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

The Overnight Beauty Edit

When it comes to packing I am honestly the worst because I always over pack and then don't end up using everything I bring with me. Also I am that person that will pack the night before and then start throwing in extra unnecessary items at the last minuet in a panic because I think I haven't brought enough with the me. Usually these last minuets items don't get used anyway. Last weekend I went away with my family to visit friends in London and Birmingham. I decided that I was going to set myself a challenge and only bring one beauty bag with me. I was actually really surprised at how little I needed to bring and I actually use everything I brought with me (apart from the eyeliner because I just wasn't feeling eyeliner on Sunday morning!). 

To take my makeup off in the evening I brought a travel size of the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and then used the Liz Earle Instant Boost Toner, again in a miniature size. For moisturiser I had a travel size of the Nivea Refreshing Soft Moisturising Cream, which is one of my favourite moisturisers. In the morning I used the same products for my morning skincare and then had a shower using the Soap and Glory Clean On Me shower gel. 

My makeup was very simple and I brought the minimal products with me, Foundation was essential and I opted for the Rimmel Match Perfection because I have been using it practically everyday. It offers a good coverage but looks really natural and light on the skin. I don't go anywhere without my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer as it is just amazing at covering anything. To set my base I used the Jemma Kidd Bio-Mineral Perfecting Powder, I love this for travelling because the packaging is so sturdy and I don't have to worry about the powder smashing in my makeup bag. Everyday I wear blush because it makes me looks more radiant and awake; Sleek's Rose Gold blush is one of my all time favourites and because it is so slim and compact it always comes with me in my makeup bag. I didn't bother bringing any eye shadows but I did opt for the Maybelline Master Precise Liner. However I just wasn't feeling the liquid liner look when I was doing my makeup on Sunday morning so I just stuck to my trusty Bare Minerals Lash Domination Mascara. I wanted to bring a lip product that go with my outfit for both Saturday and Sunday. Topshop Lipstick in Jewel is a pH lipstick and the colour adapts according the pH of you lips. As a result the colour on my lips is a really natural and muted bright pink. 

I also bought with me a few other beauty related bits including my Sure Lasting Protection Antiperspirant which is an essential. Along with one of my Next Love Limited Edition Perfume, I love this because the bottle is small so great for in a makeup bag and also the fragrance is very floral and perfect for any occasion. 

What are your overnight beauty essentials? 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

WOMN#9 Maybelline Strong Super Stay 7 Day In Purple Reflects

Wow this is a really long name for a nail polish! I had heard quite a few people on YouTube and on blogs talking about this range of nail polishes and I was intrigued to try the range but I never got around to buying this. If you read my beauty haul the other day you will know that I picked this up for only £1.99 instead of its retail price of £4.49. 

When it comes to the colour it is absolutely perfect for Autumn and I will wear this right through Winter as well. 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. I painted my nails with this on Thursday and took it off Tuesday night because it had begun to seriously chip. For me this is insane that a nail polish lasted this long on me because usually they chip after two or three days.  

I am already eyeing up several other shades from this range and would love it if you would let me know what shades you think I should pick up next. Also I have just updated my Tumblr and you can follow me here if you fancy a look. You can also leave your Tumblr links below as I am looking to follow some really cool accounts!

Another Beauty Haul

Who doesn't love a good beauty haul? In my local outlet a new beauty outlet shop has just opened up which for a beauty fanatic like me is both exciting and really dangerous. There were a lot of cheap brands that I haven't really heard off, but there were discounted products from brands like Rimmel, Essie and Maybelline. Also there was a whole wall full of nail polishes and I am not even joking, it felt like heaven! I have only just realised that  Anyway here is what I bought:

ESSIE PROFESSIONAL ROUTINE MINI NAIL KIT// When it comes to Essie I am a bit of a 'newb'. I haven't tried anything from Essie before because I couldn't justify paying £8.99 for a 'drugstore' nail polish. Anyway this little trio was £7.50 (cheaper than one polish) and I was able to try a mini nail polish and their base and top coat. My main reason for buying this was because I needed a new base coat and this one was the only one that they had. I will be doing a review when I have tried this out and I will let you know what I think!  

RIMMEL SCANDALEYES// I have wanted one of the Rimmel Scandaleyes for ages but I just never got around to buying it. Anyway this was reduced from £4.49 to £2.49 which I thought was a good price. These shadow sticks are super creamy, glide on smoothly and do not budge throughout the day! I did review this yesterday as I couldn't wait to talk about it so you can read that here.

MAYBELLINE DREAM NUDE AIRFOAM// I used to wear the Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation and I really liked it. When I saw this was only £3.99 I had to try it. I will warn you know that if you swatch this be really careful because as the name suggests it is a foam consistency and as you press the lid down it squirts out really fast. The shade is a little dark for me but because it is a light coverage I think I can get away with it. 

MAYBELLINE SUPER STAY NAIL POLISH IN PURPLE REFLECTS// It would be a complete beauty hail without a nail polish (or three!). This was the nail polish I was most excited about because I had heard a few people mention that this nail polish was really good and that it lasted for quite a few days. I tried it as soon as I got home and I have to say I really really like it. Next week I will do a review on it for you. The colour of this is a dark metallic purple that is great for Autumn but I think I will wear this all year round! 

MAYBELLINE COLOUR SHOW NAIL POLISH IN BROCADES// I have been looking for a rose gold glitter polish for ages but just couldn't find the right one. In the bottle this looks perfect and I can't wait to try it out and see if it looks as good on the nails!

What beauty products have you purchased recently?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Owing Your Bed Head

I was recently contacted by a mattress company called Casper and was asked to share my tips on bed head and how to prevent it. They are running a project called 'Own Your Bed Head' and are seeking advise from beauty bloggers on how to manage bed head because lets face it; even the most comfortable and advanced memory foam mattress cannot prevent the dreaded bed head each morning. For my fellow thick haired girls out there, you will know that when you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror you are greeted by the sight of out of control bed head. Over the years I have tried and tested many ways to reduce and manage bed head - some have worked and some haven't. So as well as helping out Casper, I thought it would be a great to share with you my tips! 

WASH AND DRY THE NIGHT BEFORE// I like washing my hair on an evening, not just to help my bed head because also I would rather have 20 minuets longer sleep in the morning. Then the most important thing is the make sure your hair is fully dry before you go to sleep. If you go to bed with damp hair, when you wake up it will have dried as bed head and will be really hard to brush through and tame. 

USE THE WET BRUSH// The Wet Brush is designed to get rid of any tangles, knots or kinks in your hair and you use it when you hair is wet, like the name suggests. You can also use it again in the morning as an ordinary brush and it de-tangles hair quickly and painlessly. 

TURN THE HEAT UP// When my bed head is really bad I like to use heat on my hair. Usually I will curl my hair because even if my hair is a complete mess, the heat will control my hair and keep it like that all day. I like curling my hair because you can't tell what's bed head and what has been curled! If I haven't got time to curl all my hair (because lets face it, in a morning I haven't got time to be curling my hair for 20 minuets!) I will put my hair up in a messy high pony tail and then curl stand of hair in the pony tail to give it an effortlessly chic 'curly, yet messy look', well at least that's what I aim for- although sometimes it can look a bit like a birds nest. In which case it all gets pulled up into a bun!  

HAIRSPRAY & BOBBIE PINS// Always use hairspray to prevent the bed head returning during the day, especially if you have curled or straightened your hair as this will help the head to control the bed head for longer. Also bobbie pins will be come your best friend they help to hold and keep any stray or wild bits down.

If you want to see more on how I stay my hair on a day to do basis, along with photos of the hairs styles I described you can view my Three Lazy Hairstyles here! 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Sweep & Go Eye Products

Products that you can just sweep on quickly and then be good to go can save so much time in the morning. When I am getting ready I would much rather use one quick product on my eyes than the spend ages blending 3 or 4 different shadows together. Here are my top picks to sweep on your lids and go!

RIMMEL SCANDALEYES IN BOOTLEG BROWN// This is a really recently purchase but because I loved it so much I had to retake the photos for this post so I could include it. The Rimmel Scandaleyes pencils have been on my wish list for so long because they just seemed like a great products that you could quickly sweep on in the morning and then be good to go. And I was absolutely right when I tried it out. Not only does it apply really smoothly and quickly but it also stays in place all day. I am interested to try some more shades so if you have any recommendation then let me know. 

L'OREAL COLOUR INFALIABLE MATTE COCONUT SHAKE// The L'Oreal Colour Infaliables have been raved about for a long time and I actually found these for £1 in my local pound-land and picked up three different shades. For those of you who don't know, pound shops sometimes have great beauty products from brands like Rimmel and L'Oreal so it is always worth a look when you pass one. This one is actually a matte finish and I love to either wear this as a base for eye-shadow or on it's own just to even out the colour on my lids.

L'OREAL CHROME SHINE SHADOW IN BROWN LAME// As you can tell I like L'Oreal eye shadows. This one often comes away with me in my travel makeup bag because it is a small single shadow and the colour is a shimmery golden brown with gold flecks running through. It looks really pretty on the eyes because you can wear it as a natural wash of colour or you can build up the intensity. 

MAYBELLINE COLOUR TATTOO IN ON AND ON BRONZE// I think this is every bloggers cult sweep and go product as you literally just sweep it on with you fingers and it will last all day without having to worry about touching up throughout the day or it creasing on you. If you haven't tried this I would recommend this above anything else as it is just amazing, I thinking of trying the Pomegranate shade- but let me know which is you favourite colour tattoo shade! 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Three Things: Autumn Loves

We are well and truly in the middle of Autumn and this year I have fully embraced the season. I have bought my Winter Coat, got the seasonal candles at the ready and I am enjoying wearing all my warm and cosy clothes on really cold days. 

AUTUMN LEAVES// When the leaves begin to fall I think that streets look so pretty. On the street where I live there are a couple of big trees and from the end of August the leaves start to turn colours. I love all the colours in Autumn; especially the colours of the leaves: reds, oranges and dark yellows. Also who doesn't love feeling like a 5 year old walking through the leaves and jumping on big piles just to hear the crunching sound coming from your feet!

SCARFS AND BOOTS// Because I live in the UK I find I can get away with wearing scarfs all year round. In summer I wear thinner ones that are brightly coloured - but they still add a bit of warmth for when it's cooler. However in Autumn I get to bring out my big knitted and tartan scarfs. As my wardrobe is fairly plain I like patterned or colourful scarfs which is also a really good way of making your staple wardrobe look autumnal. From around October I literally live in Boots (the shoes, not the shop. Although I wouldn't mind living in the beauty ales on Boots!) . I have a brown pair and two black pairs that will see me through nicely this year! 

COMFY CLOTHES AND BLANKETS// Finally, in Autumn I become obsessed with blankets and comfy clothes. Literally as soon as I get home from school the uniform comes off and the comfy clothes go on. By comfy clothes I mean cosy leggings, big knit jumpers or if I'm feeling particularity cold the Christmas pyjama bottoms come on. Also on an evening there is nothing better than snuggling up in front of the TV with the fire on and all wrapped up in a warm blanket. 

What are your Autumn loves?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

WOMN #9 Barry M Almond

In my post about my Autumn nail polishes I included this nail polish from Barry M. I saw this in Anna's post where she duped this for Nails Inc Porchester Square. This nail polish is a really classic polish that I think every girl needs as a staple in her nail polish collection. As much as I love my dark purples, greens and burgundys in Autumn this nail polish is a nice change and something a lot more natural for the colder months.

Like all Barry M Gelly polishes this has high gloss the formula is really thick. The colour of this a grey toned nude and on me I find that it has a slight purple undertone which is very flattering. The longevity is average and by day 3 I need to be painting my nails again!

What are your favourite Barry M Gelly nail polishes?

MissBeccaBeauty xo