Things I've Learnt After 5 Years At High School

I have a bit of a different post for you today because a few weeks ago I started my fifth year at High School and it got me thinking about my time at high school and everything I've learnt. I am a completely different person to the one that started in year 7 and I actually think that this is a really good thing.

Being yourself is okay. I used to feel like I had to act a certain way for people to like me and want to be my friend. But I soon realised that these were people I didn't to hang out with. So I decided to be me and I ended up with an amazing group of friends. In High School there can be this unwritten law of what is cool and what is not. But if there is something that you want to do then you should go for it, don't miss out on doing things just because someone might not approve. There's no point pretending to be somebody that you aren't, I know from my experiences that I am the happiest when I am just being myself.

It's better to have a small group of true friends who have your back than to have a massive circle of 'acquaintances'. I have found a small group of friends who I love spending time with and we have so much fun together but we didn't become friends until the end of year 9. And for the first two years I kind of floated between loads of people, not really feeling like I fitted in but now I am so happy with my friends (especially my best friend, Hi if you're reading this!). I often wonder what it would be like to be super popular with loads of "friends" but then I look at my friends and am so much happier. 

Being organised throughout all the years will save you so much hassle. This is a really big one... especially for exams. Since year 9 I have been making really good revision notes and filing them as I go. This means that now I am in year 11 I already have a lot of notes made which I can refer to and I am not panicking like some of my friends who haven't saved sheets or made notes on stuff they learnt a few years ago. Also just keeping organised day to day with homework and deadlines really helps me to stay calmer with everything and it offers me a little bit of reassurance when I know I am up to date with everything. 

Hard work pays off. To be honest this goes without saying but its so true. You might look like a nerd, or a teachers pet but at the end of the day working hard all year round, every year at high school gives you the best advantage. Things like not leaving homework till the deadline, asking for help when you don't understand a topic and revising for every test helps you learn so much more. 

Peer pressure is the worst. There have been times when I've felt like I have to do something just because everyone else is but deep down I really don't want to do it. I think it's moments like this where you have to be strong-willed and just say no. I think it links in with the first one really because if what someone is pressuring you to do isn't what you want to do then you have to be true to yourself and stick by what you believe in. 

Everyone is in the same boat. Whether they admit it or not, everyone feels the same about starting high school; being annoyed at getting loads of homework and especially when it comes to doing to exams everyone cares just as much as you do. But usually people won't admit it so just remember that you are not alone in what you are thinking. I used to think I was the only one who would revise for exams or get stressed out by the work load but I soon realised others were thinking the same they just didn't let it show. 

A little bit of stress can be good. I am one for over stressing and worrying about the slightest of things but I've found that a little bit of stress keeps me on my feet and gives me an extra bit of motivation. 

It's over in a blink of an eye. I honestly cannot believe that I am in my last year of high school; it still feels like I literally started yesterday. Make the most of high school because even if you hate school, it teaches you so much about yourself and offers you unlimited help and guidance not only with your academic studies but with home life and personal issues. 

I hope you enjoyed this more casual post, I am really interested to know what year are you in at high school or if you have left high school what was the biggest lesson you learnt?

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

Random Beauty Haul

I walk into a shop not planning on buying anything and then walk out with a whole bag of beauty bits... oopps! I This time I bought a new foundation which has been on my radar for awhile now; two new beauty tools and obviously I couldn't not pick up some new polishes. 

As I mentioned I was on the hunt for a new foundation as non of my others were really cutting it. I was struggling as non of them were the right colour for me at the moment and I was catching myself during the day and thinking 'wow tango alert'. So I decided that I needed a lighter one and one that was fuller coverage. When the Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Foundation came out I was really intrigued by it as it claims to last for 25 hours which is amazing because my other foundations were struggling to last on my face for six hours. So far I am really impressed with foundations, I have been using it for a few days and am really liking how it is working, In a few weeks I will do a full in-depth review to let you know everything that I think.  

I also spotted two nail polishes which I HAD to have. Revlon's Nail Enamel in Facets of Fuchsia caught my eye and I thought to myself 'I can't leave this in the shop'. Its one of those polishes that you won't wear everyday but when you it will look fab and make a great statement. L'Oreal's nail polish in 856 Peach Neglige is the complete polar opposite as it is a really delicate pale pink shade that is barely noticeable on the nails. I love these sort of shades because you can guarantee they will go with any outfit. 

Finally I picked up two beauty tools. I have had my eye on the whole beauty blender for ages but I personally thought it was a lot of money to spend on something I wasn't convinced that I was going to like. So I found this copy that was like £2 so I thought I would give it a try and see what I thought. I haven't used it yet but watch this space because I will keep you posted. And I also picked up this flat blending brush from Crown Brushes which I really want to use to pack on shadow glitters over the top of my lids as I only have fluffy brushes and needed a really flat dense one to do the job. 

What random beauty bits have you picked up recently?

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

A Weekend In St Andrews

A few weeks ago I went up to St Andrews for a family wedding, and despite all the travelling (it took us eight hours to get home!), it was a wonderful weekend in a beautiful place. Throughout the weekend I took loads of photos and wanted to share some of my favourites with you.

Apparently I have a thing for black and white photos! These were taken on the day of the wedding and my Uncle and Auntie got married in the University Chapel of St Andrews. It was a magnificent chapel and was really strange because the pews were facing in on each other, but it did mean you got an amazing view as the bride walked down the aisle. We then went to the Old Course Hotel for the reception which overlooked the golf course, the beach and the sea. In the evening there were several Polaroid cameras going round so people could take Polaroids throughout the night. My sister and I took Polaroids all night which was so much fun! 

On Sunday we spent the day wondering around St Andrews walking around all the streets and I took photos at literally everything.In the afternoon we went for a walk along the beach by the golf cause, and although it was quite cold I had a great time. The ice-cream shop featured above is the best in St Andrews and at the reception there was an ice-cream cart from Jeanette's, an ice-cream after dancing for ages is honestly the best thing ever! I have decided that I absolutely love St Andrews and I really want to go back in the summer, I am even thinking of considering it as a place to go for University. 

Have you ever been to St Andrews? 

Would you like to see a post on what beauty products I took away with me?

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

August Favourites 2015

So I haven't done a monthly favourites post since March and I can't believe its been that long. This month while I have been off for the summer my beauty routine has been different so I have found some new loves.

To start with I bought a new handbag a few weeks ago and I am completely in love with it. It is from Next and is called the Compartment Bag and I have it in the shade pink. Don't be put off by the fact that it is in the shade pink because it is a gorgeous neutral pink toned shade that surprisingly goes with loads of different outfits. Inside their are loads of compartments, like the name suggests, and it really pleases the inner OCD inside of me... I love it! I actually have my eye on the same bag but in black because I find it is just perfect for what I need. I think I'll do a Bag review or an updated what's in my bag post with more of an in-depth review of my bag. 

Last weekend I was at a family wedding in St.Andrews and during the course of all the celebrations I had to whip out my nicer shoes which were all mainly high heels. I had a little panic a few days before as I realised my feet weren't in the best condition so I lathered them in Soap & Glory's Heel Genius a few times and it made all the difference. I love the smell of Heel Genius and what's more is the colour is like a fab blue/green colour. While I've been away I've found using a micellar water in the morning to be so much easier and quicker. I still did my full hot cloth cleanser on a night but in the morning I found the Garnier Micellar Cleansing water was really refreshing on my skin and removed any remaining bits of makeup left on my skin. I used to use Biodermas Micellar water and I have to say I think this is just as good and will be buying the bigger bottle when I finish my travel size. 

Finally onto makeup, the foundation I have been wearing most recently is the Borjois Healthy Mix Serum. I find this is a really dewy finish and I love how awake and youthful it makes me look. It isn't the most long lasting foundation but for casual days I think its perfect. I mentioned that I went to a wedding last weekend and for this I whipped out an old favourite. I hadn't used my trust Maybelline colour tattoo in on and on bronze for ages but I brought it away with me as I find it is the best eye shadow primer and makes my eye makeup stick like glue to my lids. My favourite summer lipstick has been my MAC lipstick in Sunny Suelo. In the bullet it looks like a bright neon coral pink but applied on the lips it is an amazing shade that really emphasises any real (or in my case fake) bronzy glow that you might have. 

What were your August favourites?

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

Speedy School Makeup

I hate this time of year when everyone's blog and channels are featuring 'back to school' content. Last year I did a few back to school posts and even though I'm not the biggest fan of them, I wanted to show you the type of makeup that I typically wear to school. For me this look takes 10 minuets tops and I usually get ready in a morning watching a YouTube video so I've learnt to speed up so that I finish with most videos (sad, I know!). 

At school I want my foundation to last but I don't want it to look cakey or to oxidise during the day. I've found that Rimmel Match Perfection works best for me at school as it ticks all the boxes and its really affordable to I don't get hung up about using it every single day. My go to concealer for years has been the Benefit Boi-ing concealer as it is really high coverage and hangs around for most of the day. I only started wearing bronzer to school just before I broke up in the summer but I will be wearing it more in September as it really helps to define my face. And like in practically all of my looks I wear the Sleek Blush in Rose Gold as it is the most flattering shade that I own. For eyes I haven't got time in the morning to be blending loads of shadows for ages so instead I like to use my index finger to apply the golden shade from the Maybelline Silk Glam Quad in Coral Drama all over my lid then I take the darkest shade just lightly through my crease. To finish I always wear liquid liner to school because I can guarantee it will last all day and at the moment I am using the Rimmel Exagerate Liquid Liner and I finish it off with a coat of Benefits Roller Lash. 

What products do you use in the mornings when you are in a hurry? What makeup products do you use for school/work?

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

If Money Wasn't A Problem : Beauty Edition

Every girl has a wishlist as long as her arm of products that she would love to own but in reality to buy them all would cost an small fortune. At the moment I am lusting after loads of beauty products and I saw another blogger did a post about her beauty wishlist which prompted me to do this post which I have been meaning to do for ages.

Lets start off with the makeup, I saw Lily Pebbles talking about the Tom Form Illuminating Primer and I was really intrigued to try it because I don't have any illuminating base products and the bottle looks so classy. Another extortionate product is the Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser which I don't think I will ever purchase because it is that expensive but a girl can dream! I keep hearing amazing things about this cheek product: the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush. Now for eyes I am torn between both of these eye palettes, I don't need either of them but they are both really unique from what I have in my collection. The Viseart Eyeshadow Palette in Neutral Matte has all matte shades and they are really unusual shades that you don't find in most palettes out there. On the other hand the Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita Palette is a classic neutral palette but what makes me want it is that fabulous gold shimmer shade in the bottom left, it looks absolutely stunning. There are two lip products that I have my eye on. The first is the Dior Addict Lip Glow which I have wanted since I saw Gabby from Velvetghost as I think it helps to maximise and plump your lips and then the other is a Chanel Lipstick, probably in a nude shade. 

Finally I have two skincare products that are on my wishlist and will probably always stay on the list because they so expensive. The first is the Emma Hardy Cleansing Balm which you use to remove your makeup and I've also heard that you can use it like a mask. The other skincare product is the Sunday Riley Luna Night Sleeping Oil. 

What products are on you beauty wishlist?

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

Current Nail Polish Shortlist #1

I've not been wearing nail polish that much recently but when I have I've been reaching for really understated nudes that just make my nails look put together. At the moment I can't be bothered to plan outfits around what colour my nails are so I've been sticking to simple nudes but going a bit brighter on my toes. 

#1 BARRY M GELLY HI-SHINE IN ALMOND// This polish has been a favourite of mine for a long time and has been one that I reach for quite regularly. I love wearing polishes that give off a really high glossy look and like all the polishes from the range, it looks so pretty when you catch your nails under the light. I would say this shade is a warm taupe/grey colour that has an ever so slight purple undertone which gives it that warmth. The only downside is that it does chip quite quickly, more than the other polishes in this post. 

#2 CIATE MINI AMAZING GRACIE// The colour of this is a real 'French manicure' shade as it is a really cool-toned pale pink shade. It is the shade that wins me over as the formula is quite sheer so you end up doing three coats and then sometimes it drags and becomes streaky, especially near the nail bed. Having said that I love how classy this polish is and the way it looks on my nails plus I find it wears a lot longer on my nails than the Barry M polish. 

#3 RIMMEL 60 SECOND I LILAC YOU// At the moment I have this shade on my toes and I think it looks really pretty. I'm not a huge fan of dark polishes on my toes so in the summer I love wearing pastel shades as I find they work best with the flip flops and sandals that I own. Plus my feet are so pale that dark shades make me look like I have Vampire feet (and that's not a good look!). I Lilac You is a typical pastel lilac shade that looks really feminine but isn't too pale that it looks dead. Because I wear this mainly on my toes it lasts quite a long time, with minimal chipping! 

There you go, the nail polishes I have been reaching for most at the moment. What polishes have made your shortlist? Let me know if you would like this to become a mini series every few weeks as I am always changing up my nail polishes and falling in love with new colours. 

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

Which mascara is best?

I'm going to be honest and tell you upfront that my natural lashes are non existent. When I take off my eye makeup at night I honestly look like I have no lashes and those that I do have are really faint and point down. I am so jealous of those people that have amazingly long lashes that hold a curl naturally, like my younger sister! At the moment I am using three mascaras, all them give me amazing lashes but in different ways. 

#1 BENEFIT ROLLER LASH// I began using this when it first came out and I managed to grab several of the little minis that Elle were giving away with one of their magazines back at the beginning of the year. Since then I have been hooked on how long and curled it makes my lashes look. I was kindly given the full size version for my birthday since I couldn't be without this. The brush very thin and resembles the shape of a hair roller which really helps me to comb through my lashes to get that curl. Out of the three mascaras I would this I use this the most because it gives me the best everyday lashes that still do make a big impact by adding so much length and curl that I don't naturally have.

#2 MAYBELLINE THE FALSIES// It took me years to get around to actually buying this product, I don't know why it was on my wishlist for so long. This mascara gives me lots and lots of volume and I find the best way to apply this is to do one coat, wait around 30 seconds then apply another coat on top which helps add a bit more length as this mascara doesn't give me as much length as the roller lash but it definitely makes up for it in the amount of umph it gives my lashes. Like the roller lash this brush has the same sort of curve to the wand but the fibres are much thicker and clumpier. 

#3 TARTE LIGHTS CAMERA LASHES// Tarte is a brand that I have wanted to try for a long time and QVC is the only place where you can get it here in the UK. A few months ago QVC had a Todays Special Value featuring this mascara so my mum and I both got one. Since the first time I used this mascara I was really impressed by it. The brush is a straight plastic one that is medium thickness and for me this mascara gives me the most dramatic lashes out of the three. When I wear this mascara I think I look like I am wearing false lashes as they are so defined but also really voluminous and fluttery. My lashes almost look doll like which I love!

Each mascara has is different and I love all three so I don't think I can pick a favourite! Which are your best mascaras for different occasions.

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

A Little Chat...

I've really missed blogging recently. I don't know why but I have just not felt motivated to write posts and when I have uploaded in the past few months I wasn't writing the way I wanted to because my heart wasn't in it. But slowly I am getting my mojo back and am much more excited to blog away. Since I am back I wanted to fill you in on a few things.

1. At the moment I am redecorating my room. Well actually I am swapping rooms with my sister, for years I've always had the biggest room and since I will be moving out in a few years I thought it was only fair she got the enjoy having a bigger bedroom. So anyway I am redecorating what will become my new bedroom. My new room is going to be much smaller so I am keeping everything really light and airy with white furniture, neutral walls and I am getting laminate floor (because my allergies are getting too bad to have carpet in my room). So far I have picked out most of my furniture except my wardrobe and my floor but I am still making my mind up about the walls. I want to go for a neutral taupe shade with a slight purple undertone but I don't want anything that is too dark. We've already gone to Ikea once but I know for a fact we will be going twice more: once to buy the big furniture and then another time to pick out all the furnishings and accessories. I was thinking of doing a room tour post when I've finished, would you like to see that?

2. So in September I am going to be starting Year 11 which is both daunting and exciting. One of the reasons why I am so excited is because before the Summer holidays I was elected as Head Girl of my school which is one of my greatest achievements. I'm not telling you this to show off, I am telling you this because as much as I want to keep blogging regularly I don't think any more than one post a week is going to be realistic. With the role of Head Girl plus the academic demands from being a Year 11 I think it's best if I say I will post once a week on a Sunday and anything more will be a bonus. I am really looking forward to what's to come after Year 11 and preparing for the future is really making me motivated for the year ahead. If anyone has any tips for surviving Year 11 then they would be much appreciated! 

I thats all the updates for the moment and my new schedule won't start until September. I'm thinking of doing a giveaway when I hit 400 followers so let me know if you would like that. Also as a side note did anyone watch the final episode of Glee last night? I'm so upset that it has finished and I am so happy with how it ended, even though I cried three times! 

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

Summer Evening Makeup Look

Summer is nearly coming to an end in the UK but we still have a few weeks left and recently I have been getting dressed up more in the evenings to go out. When its hot I don't want to bother too much with layers and layers of makeup but I have found a look that is quite simple but with a summery red lip to liven it up. 

For the base I like to use the Bourjois healthy mix serum which because it looks really dewy on the skin and in the summer I think this is much more flattering that a matte finish. Then for concealer I use my favourite Benefit's Boi-ing concealer which is really high coverage and really perfects any discolouration I have on my face and obviously my purple under eye bags. I didn't want to powder for this look because I wanted to let the radiance from the foundation come through. If you read my last post then you will know I am really enjoying the Soap and Glory Solar Powder bronzer as it is great a bronzer and contour for pale girls. The eyes have been kept super minimal with just a dusting of the L'Oreal Infalliable eye-shadow in Coconut Shake which is a beautiful matte off white shade which is like to apply with my finger to erase any colour on my lids. I use another L'oreal product, their Superliner, to define my eyes and usually I will take it out into a small winged look. Finally I completed this look using the Clinique Colour Pop Lipstick in Poppy Pop. I've seen this lipstick everywhere this summer and I know why because it is an amazing vibrant red colour that has a slight orange undertone so it looks really summery and I think it is much easier to wear than a pillow box red. 

What look do you like to go for on a summer evening out?

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

Soap & Glory Solar Powder Bronzer | Review

Soap and Glory is one of my favourite brands from the drugstore. I love everything I have tried from their shower gels to their eyeliners The Soap and Glory Solar Poweder Bronzer is something I have lusted after for a while but have always been put off my by bad experience in the past with looking like a tangerine every time I wore bronzer.However I was kindly given this as a present for my birthday and am so glad that I was. The Solar Powder bronzer is £11 and recently the packaging has been changed from rubbish cardboard to a much sturdier plastic. I really like it when brands actually listen to feedback because I read a lot of reviews saying the product was amazing but that the packaging fell apart. 

The product itself is divided into two sections: one half is a darker matte shade of bronzer and the other half is much lighter and has a slight shimmer to it (but you can hardly see it on the face). The idea is that you can use the shades separately if you want but I find it works best for me if I swirl my brush in both colours and then apply in the three shape around my hair line, contour line and a little bit down onto my jaw and neck. I usually use the Real Techniques Blush Brush as I find it applies the product the best and I Real Techniques brushes are my favourite. Despite being so pale, this bronzer doesn't look orange on me and I find that it gives me a really nice bronze colour that still looks natural enough. Both shades are really buttery and smooth and the pigmentation is really good. I have even used these as eyeshadows because they are so warm toned and I love blending the darker shade into my crease especially. 

For me this is the perfect bronzer for all year round but especially in the summer. I will be buying it again as I think the plastic packaging will be much better. Have you tried this bronzer? What is your favourite bronzer?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

P.S. Sorry for being MIA lately, posts will resume but probably only once a week! 

Review: T-Zone Products

I've you are a regular reader of my blog then you will know that I talk quite a lot about skincare on my blog. It is something that really interests me and I am always looking for new skincare products to try and test out. Most of my holy grail skincare products are high end so I have been searching for some cheaper alternatives that are still kind to my skin and that are kinder to my bank account! Recently I was contacted by the lovely people at T-Zone and they asked me if I was interested in trying some of their products. Of course I said yes because T-Zone is an affordable brand.

 

Both of these products are infused with tea tree and salicylic acid which are great ingredients for your skin. The only thing that I am not so keen on is the smell of these products as they smell quite strong of chemicals but I think that is just the heavy scent of tea tree that I can smell. In terms of combating spots, I started using this duo just before my time of the month. I was due to get some spots and before using these I noticed the start of a little breakout. However after a few days the spot heads had disappeared without me using any spot cream targeted on these areas, I noticed that no spots had fully developed so I think it is down to these two products working together.

 

SENSITIVE CLEANSING CREAM WASH// I personally like to use this face wash in the morning because it leaves my skin feeling really clean but not has though it has stripped all the natural oils out of my face. What I like about this product is that it comes out as a liquid cream but when you rub it into your face in circular motions it starts to turn into a foamy cream. It require minimal effort to apply, which is good as I like fuss free products in the morning, then I just use a hot cloth to remove the product. I find this cleanser cleans my face really well without leaving it feeling tight or dry. The product is 150ml and is in a plastic bottle with a flip top plastic tube that your then squeeze to release the product.

 

REFRESHING HYDRATING GEL-CREAM//  I use this after cleansing my face in the morning. It also has tea tree in it so I find the combination of both of them really helps my skin. The formula is really lightweight and even thought it is a gel it doesn't feel greasy on my skin. I will point out that it squeezes out of the tube really fast so only squeeze gently!

 

Have you tried any T-Zone products before? You can look at their website here if you fancy! What are your favourite drugstore skincare products?

 

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

Things I've Learnt Since Having My Own Business

In January of this year I decided to set up a business with my best friend called L&B Bakes. If you have read my blog since the beginning then you will know that I love baking and have done some recipe posts over the years. In my local area there is a programme called Alternative Markets which gives young people the opportunity to work on market stalls (for free!) selling and promoting their products. We have done 4 markets now and also catered for an Afternoon Tea party and I have learnt loads about the world of work and having a business.

1. Working is HARD. There are days when I am on my feet baking from 9am to 9pm.

2. Team work is essential. I couldn't do any markets without my partner because we need to reply on each other in order to get everything done.

3. You need to be prepared to compromise. I've learnt that you can't always have everything the way you want it and when you are working in a partnership you need to listen to the other person and take on board their opinion.

4. Although it can be awkward, it is important to put yourself out there and make conversation with strangers. If people are approaching your stall you need to say hello and talk to them otherwise they could walk away.

5. Money doesn't grow on trees. I have had to work my but off to earn a substantial amount of money selling our homemade goods at markets which has made me value the worth of money and appreciate it more.

If you are on Facebook I would really appreciate you going and having a look at our page as maybe giving it a like (click here)!  

- MissBeccaBeauty xo

Current Favourites and Update!

Hi everyone! So I know I haven't blogged in about 2 months but school has been so hectic with revision and exams. I think I have missed some monthly favourites so I am getting back into blogging with a post showing you what I am loving at the moment. Also I just wanted to let you know that I will be changing my blog schedule and only posting once a week either on a Saturday or a Sunday. I hope this is okay and if I get some spare time and I get the urge to write then there may be more posts. But for now it will be once a week!

 

I recently discovered Batiste dry shampoo and it has literally changed my life. Sometimes I can be quite lazy when it comes to washing my hair as I have so much of it and it takes ages to wash and dry. So this gem has been letting me get away with another day without washing, I don't know what I did without it! Primer is an important step in my makeup routine and one that I rarely forget to use. I have been using the Laura Geller Spackle Supercharged makeup primer for a while and it just helps to prepare my skin for makeup and as a result my foundation sits really nicely on top. I never used to be a fan of shadows that weren't in the neutral colour group but I have discovered that purple really suits my eyes and makes them look greener. In my Laura Geller Baked Eyeshadow Duo in Fine Wines I have been using the two shades but in particular the matte dark purple in my crease blended out with my normal everyday shadows. To go with purple eyeshaodw I find that a brown eyeliner actually works a lot better as it is softer on the eyes. My favourite has been the Bare Minerals Smoke and Define Eyeliner which is a brown liner that has a wax pencil on one end and a brown liquid liner on the other. At the start of the year I was hooked on my Roller Lash mascara but I have found another mascara that I like to rotate in as well which is the Maybelline The Falsies Mascara. This is one of those mascaras that everyone in the beauty world talks about but for some reason I never bought. I love that it gives me really thick, voluminous lashes that almost look like they are false!

 

I have been having a bit of a pink moment lately on my lips and nails. For my lips I am loving the Clinique Chubby Stick in Whopping Watermelon and it leaves a gorgeous pale pink tint on my lips that is great for everyday. Also I have gotten back into my OPI nail polishes which this

gorgeous fuchsia pink. I think this colour is perfect for this time of year and pink nails go with most of my outfits.

 

What are you currently loving at the moment?

 

-MissBeccaBeauty xo 

My favourite things to do on a Sunday

Sundays are one of my favourite days of the week because it is the only morning I get to have a lie in and I love spending time with family and friends. But they are also bitter sweet because it means the weekend is nearly over and its back to school the next day. I have a list of things that I like to do on a Sunday

Watch films- I especially love watching musicals or classics that I can watch with my family.

Bake- I love baking cakes but don't always have time during the week, so on a Sunday I like to make time in the afternoon to bake.

Writing blog posts- during the week I am usually bombed down with lots of school work and music practise so don't always find lots of time during the week to write posts. Sunday mornings are my favourite time to sit down and write.

Browsing online stores- I can get lost in the depths of online stores like New Look or Asos and can have a basket full of 20 things that I don't buy but just enjoy lusting after.

Binge watch my current TV show- After finishing PLL I felt a bit sad so started a new series on Netflix called Silk. It is a British TV show about lawyers and barristers and, as well as being quite an eye opener to the world of law, the plot and story line is really interesting.

Catching up on blogs- there are some blogs that I read daily (ViviannaDoesMakeup, LilyPebbles and FromRoses) but often my bloglovin feed won't get a look at until Sunday evening. Also after the #bbloggers chat on Sunday night, I usually have a nice list of blogs to read!

Taking my time in the morning- most mornings I have to rush doing my hair and makeup and will throw on either my school uniform or whatever I can grab quickly. But on a Sunday morning I like to take advantage of being able to take my time doing my makeup and putting an outfit together without having to watch the clock.

Spending quality family time- this is probably the most important thing about Sundays and I look forward to having a family lunch together and doing things with my family.

 

What are your favourite things to do on a Sunday?

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Everyday Makeup Routine

I can't remember if I have ever done an everyday makeup routine post before but I realised I have been wearing the same products every single day and just reaching for them without thinking. I decided to show you in a post as I have been lacking blog inspiration recently (hence the lack of posts... sorry!).

 

I have been wearing the same base every single day which is the L'Oreal True Match Foundation as it is a perfect match for my skin and I just find the formula lasts all day on my face. If you read my March Favourites you will know that I recently ran out of my beloved Collection Lasting perfection concealer so I started using the Benefit Fake Up concealer. I really like this concealer as it has an outer layer of moisturiser around the concealer stick which means that my under eyes never look dry or cakey. For blush I always use the Sleek Rose Gold blush as it works so well with my complexion and makes me look nice and healthy. When it comes to eyes most days I have been keeping it simple with a sweep of Maybellines Colour Tattoo in On and On bronze and a thin black line of my L'Oreal Superliner. To complete my eyes I have been wearing Benefits Roller Lash which is my current go to mascara as I find it adds so much length and separation to my lashes and makes them look amazing. Finally to finish my makeup look I apply the Rosy Lips Vaseline as I usually can't be bothered with the maintenance of keeping up with a lipstick colour and recently my lips have been so dry so a moisturising product has been in need.

 

What are your current go to products for your everyday makeup routine?

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

March Favourites 2015

This month has been quite a busy month and last week I was really well so haven't really worn a lot of makeup due to being ill. When I have worn makeup I have been just been reaching for things that I can trust and apply without even thinking about. Also I have a book favourite this month as well which is exciting as I don't really talk about books much on my blog!

BENEFIT FAKE UP CONCEALER// Recently I finished up my beloved collection lasting perfection concealer and without a back up in my stash I started using the Benefit Fake Up concealer. The concealer it's self matches my foundation colour but I prefer my concealers to be lighter than my foundation and therefore more brightening. But it is the formula of this concealer that I am head over heals for: there is a stick of concealer but around the concealer there is an outer tube of moisturiser. As a result this product is really hydrating under the eyes and means they look more away!

BENEFIT ROLLER LASH MASCARA// Without a doubt this is the only mascara I have used for about two months and that is why it has been featured on my blog several times. Usually I prefer volumising mascaras but this has converted me to lengthening formulas. One coat of mascara gives me really long and separated lashes; even thought it gives me incredibly long lashes they are still really wearable during the day. As I write this it is 8:30pm and my lashes have not dropped or smudged since the beginning of the day. It is definitely my favourite mascara at the moment !

 

MAYEBLLINE COLOUR TATTOO IN ON AND ON BRONZE// Yet again this is in another one of my monthly favourites because it is just the best cream eye shadow. This month I have reached for it so much because most mornings when I am in a rush I haven't got time to be thinking about eyeshadow combinations. My favourite way to wear this is blended out with my finger on my lids and then either a thin line of liquid liner or a thin line of brown pencil,

 

ESSIE NAIL POLISH IN SAND TROPEZ// Like with my on and on bronze colour tattoo and my roller lash mascara, I have been wearing Essie's Sand Tropez nail polish all month because I don't have to think about it when I am wearing it. Sand Tropez is a creamy light taupe colour that looks very sophisticated on the nails and my I love how put together my nails look when I wear this. If you want to read more about this polish I did a review here.

 

IF I STAY BY GAYLE FORMAN// When this film came out I went to watch it and loved it so much. As a result I decided to read the book ( normally I read the books first but didn't this time!) and so far I am enjoying it. Obviously I know what happeneds in the end but it is written in a really clever way and would recommend it if you want a girly chick flick to read. Let me know if you would like to read a most on my top book recommendations.

 

What are your favourites this month?

 

-MissBeccaBeauty xo

Minimalist Nails

For the past few weeks all I have been wearing on my nails is this shade from Essie: Sand Tropez. I have been loving the minimalist look that this polish gives and I find that because it is so understated that it goes with absolutely any outfit.

 

Sand Tropez is a creamy light taupe colour that looks very sophisticated on the nails. Whenever I wear this I can tell I am wearing a polish but it isn't anything too drastic. It just makes my hands looks put together. The formula of this is completely streak free and even though it is a natural colour, it only takes two coats for it to be completely opaque. I find this application super easy and the brush is the perfect width to make applying the colour nice and quick. For me this polish lasts a good 3 days before I have to re-apply and when this polish has started to chip I have taken it off and just re-applied it again because I love it so much. In fact I have used a quarter of this bottle already which is impressive for me because I never make a dent in any nail polish!

 

This is the only Essie polish I own but I can see myself branching out and trying lots more because of my love for this one. I would love you hear you recommendations for any good Essie polishes or for the colour you go to when you want a minimalist, fuss free nail polish.



-MissBeccaBeauty xo

 

 

Purse Friendly Skincare Products

 

I am a lover of high end skincare products and often think you get what you pay for when it comes to skincare. But there are some gems hidden at the drugstore that are really good and the best part is you don't feel as guilty about buying new products.

 

For cleansers there are two that I think are great. The first is the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean cleanser which is a really creamy cleanser that literally smells of peach yoghurt; it's amazing. I like to use this most in the morning as it is really refreshing and gentle, but I will say it is not one to use on your eyes. At £8 this is a bargain and as you can see I have nearly finished this bottle so will be buying a new one soon. The other cleaner that has really impressed me is the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser which I think is a good dupe for Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish (post coming soon!). The formula is really creamy and feels comforting on the face. My favourite way to use it is in the evening and it works really well to remove eye makeup as well. Again this is £9.95 which is amazing value for money and boots always have a 3 for 2 on.

For a few months now I have been using the Aloe Vera De-Stressing Mud Mask and I find it is a really good detoxing mud mask. I usually use this when my skin is looking spotty or when I can see a big breakout about to happen. This mask only cost around £4/5 which is such a good price for a cheaper mask that does work. Finally I have another product that works really well whenever I get a breakout of spots and that is the Freedom Fast Track spot cream. It claims to treat spots in under three hours; now I'm not sure about that but when I apply it in the evening my spots usually clear up well by the morning. I would recommend this brand for spot treatments and this again was only a few pounds!

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo
 

The Playlist: March

This month I have been enjoying a wide range of music from pop to cheesy Glee classics. If you didn't already know, I am a huge fan of Glee and like most things I will go through faces of listening to their music a lot.

 

I started listening to L.A.LOVE BY FERGIE because it was the soundtrack to Kourtney and Khloe Take The Hamptons and I always get sucked in by soundtracks. By the end of the season I knew all the words to the song and couldn't not add it to my playlist this month. YOU JUST WANT MY MONEY BY JASON FRENCH is a really upbeat song that has a great beat and I think this will be one of those songs I listen to on repeat in the summer. I honestly can't resit HOZIER'S voice and in his song ANGEL OF SMALL DEATH & THECODEINE SCENE he just sounds amazing! The other week I had a serious flashback when I heard the song MISS INDEPENDANT BY NE-YO on the radio. It was great because I remembered all the words and it made me smile because I hadn't heard this song in years. IMAGINE DRAGONS always deliver with their songs and I BET MY LIFE is such a great track that has the same vibe as their other songs which I love. AVICI is another band that I really like and, although I am not really too bothered about chart music, I always find myself singing along to their songs. THE NIGHTS is a 'sing-along in the shower' kind of song and one that will go round on a loop in your head for days! I love a good ballad and JAMES BAY has nailed it with his new track HOLD BACK THE RIVER ; you know I think he is going to be as big as Sam Smith in a few months because he has such a unique and interesting voice. Finally I wanted to give a shout out to one of my favourite genres of music (yes, I am calling Glee a genre because it is so amazing!)... GLEE! Their most famous songs will always be DONT STOP BELIEVING because it is the foundation that the whole TV show is build on.

 

What songs are on you playlist this month? You can listen to my playlist by clicking here!

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Whats In My Mums Makeup Bag

Today is a very special day: Mothers Day. In light of this I wanted to create a special post today about my mum and what better way to introduce my mum on my blog by showing you what's in her makeup bag. I get my love for beauty products from my mum and in recent months I have loved sharing lots of beauty tips with her that I've learnt and also telling her about products that I love and think would suit her.

 

For a base my mum is a huge fan of Clinique and at the moment she is wearing the Clinique Supermoisture Makeup Teint Hydration Maximum. She prefers dewier, hydrating bases as she has normal to dry skin. In addition my mum owns her fair share of Benefit products and for concealer she like the Benefit Fake Up which again is a hydrating under eye concealer with amazing coverage. Sticking with Benefit she uses the Benefit Brow Zing in light to fill in her brows. When it comes to blush my mum and I like very similar products: light pink shimmery blush with a golden shimmer undertone. She uses the CID I-glow Compact Shimmer Powder with mirror. My mum likes wearing eyeshadow and as a result she has quite a few palettes. Her most worn ones are the Bobbie Brown Nude on Nude Eye palette which is a very neutral palette with all matte shades and the Bare Minerals rose gold packaged palette in The Affair To Remember which is the opposite of the Bobbie Brown palette as all the shades are shimmer and there is quite a lot of colour in this palette including purple, pink and khaki green. She uses another Clinique product for mascara which is the High Impact Waterproof Mascara in Black/Brown. Finally for lip products she has two ones she wears regularly: first is the Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in 08 which is the perfect nude shades for her and she also loves the Bare Minerals Marvellous Moxie lip glosses and the one pictured above is in dazzler.

 

I hope you all have an amazing day with your mums! What beauty products does your mum like to use?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Home Interior Wishlist #1

I love online shopping. I will often get lost in the depths of ASOS or New Look browsing through pages and pages of clothes. But recently I have been switching the clothes to home interior and have found so many amazing things that I want to add to my room. In September we are extending our house which will mean a lot of re-decorating so you can expect to see lots of interior design posts coming on MissBeccaBeauty. At the weekend we went to a Dunelm Mills nearby and this is what kind of kicked started my little wishlist!

 

Grey metal flower mirror BHS £25// Wooden cube storage shelves Argos £26.99// Vintage finds embossed jug BHS £20// Devon cream bedside table Dumelm Mills £79.99// Copper cake stand H&M £6.99// Retro bonjour framed print BHS £24// Acrylic box 2 wide drawers Muji £10.95// Newspaper rack Ikea £15// Melody photo holder Urban Outfitters £20// Speech bubble wall light BHS £35.

 

I was completely blown away by the home accessories in BHS. Previously I had always presumed it was an old ladies shop but they have some amazing things in their home section and also quite reasonably priced. I particularly love the Hello speech bubble light and the Retro bonjour print! Also Urban Outfitters have a great choice of really cool and unique pieces like the Melody photo holder!

 

Where do you like to shop for home interior?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Spring Ready Nails

I have had enough of winter and am really looking forward to Spring and all the wonderful things it brings. As a result my nails have been getting ready for the new season and I have been reaching for all my old favourite pastel colours from last year. One of my favourite shades for Spring is pastel blue/turquoise green.

I have several nails polishes all very similar to this one. I am actually thinking of doing a post or several posts showing my nail polish collection and the different colour groups. The polish I am currently wearing is Nails Inc ..... and in some lights it looks like pale pastel blue and other times I think it looks really turquoise, almost like Essie's Mint Candy Apple. I think bright pastels like this liven up a outfit and instantly change my mood. I don't know about you but the thing that changes up first each season for me is my nail polish. Generally my make up is similar all year but I go through phases of colours on my nails ready for spring.

 

What nail polishes are getting your wardrobe ready for Spring?

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

February Favourites 2015

February is the shortest month so naturally it feels like it has gone super fast. Anyway I am looking forward to the arrival of spring: brighter days and pretty blooming flowers.

 

If you read my review on Tuesday you will know that I have been loving Benefits Big Easy BB Cream ( review here) as it gives me a really natural looking base that has quite light coverage but sets to a powder finish which is perfect for ensuring it lasts all day. For me I like to wear this on the weekends as I like to give my skin a break from my usually full coverage face of foundation and I also love the more natural look n my days off. To go with my lighter base, I have been reaching for my Sleek Rose Gold blush which is one of my all time favourites. As the name suggests it is a pink blush that has rose gold shimmer running through and whenever I wear this I find I look really healthy and awake; perfect for early morning starts! The sleek blushes have the best pigmentation I have tried form the drugstore and I want to pick up some new shades for spring - let me know if you have any recommendations. You are all probably sick of seeing bloggers talking about Benefits new mascara launch but it really is as good as the it's hype. Benefits Roller Lash adds so much length to my lashes as well as curling them and I find the curl lasts all day as well. At the moment I only have the sample size that was in the Elle magazine but I pre-order the full size so hopefully it should arrive soon. I did do a first impressions review a few weeks ago, so you can click here to read more.

 

I don't often talk about hair products on my blog, but in the boxing day sale I picked up a couple of Toni & Guy gift sets and the stand out product for me has to be the Sea Salt Texturizing Spray. A lot of bloggers raved about this in the summer and now I can see why. I use it on dry and damp hair and love the 'I-just-got-home-from-the-beach' look that it gives. It adds lots of texture to my hair by giving it a messy natural wavy look. I am just obsessed with this - I use it when my hair is down after washing, after I have curled my hair to make it look more messy and when my hair is in a pony-tail in the ends. Finally my monthly favourites wouldn't be complete without a nail polish, well really this month it is a nail polish formula. I have been loving the Sally Hanson Complete Salon Manicure range as the formula lasts for 4 days on me with minimal chipping which is great! My favourite colour is Plum Luck which is a really deep plum toned purple that looks gorgeous on the nails.

 

What have been you favourite products this month?

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Benefit Big Easy BB Cream Review

'When it comes to bases, foundations are my comfort zone as I know they will give me enough coverage and last all day. I have always been weary of tinted moisturisers and BB creams as I never thought they would cover my redness and blemishes. Big Easy claims to be bigger and better than any other formula, as it balances moisture while controlling oil- something that a lot of brands get wrong.

It evens out skin tone with a sheer layer of colour while brightening my complexion and easing dullness. The formula is actually really thick and creamy which is strange for a product that has such a sheer and natural finish. It really helps to even out skintone, cover minor imperfections and inject a healthy glow into the skin. I do find I need to wear a heavy duty concealer for under my eyes as this barely covers my bags. Due to the finish being quite powdery on the skin, I prefer to apply this with my fingers and blend it out using my fingers as it is quite a hard formula to work with a brush. Added SPF 30 helps to protect the skin from the sun which is good as we are entering into the Spring and Summer months.

It has a very natural finish so I like to wear this at the weekends or on good skin days.

MissBeccaBeauty xo
  

Six TV Shows To Watch On Netflix

For about two years now I have had Netflix and I am completely hooked. I love that it is only £6 per month and you get access to lots of movies and TV shows, I might even go as far as to say I could probably go without out Sky box subscription because of Netflix. Due to the vast amount of shows just a click away on Netflix, I have watched a lot of TV shows so I thought I would give you a run down of my favourites that I would recommended.

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS// Recently I have been completely binge watching PLL and it has become one of my favourite T shows. The show is about a girl who goes missing and the friends she’s left behind. It’s a mystery/thriller that is easy watching with some light suspense thrown in. Sometimes the plot is unrealistic at times but I love the characters, especially Spencer and Hannah, and the relationships between people. At the moment I am about to watch the season finale of season 4, which is getting pretty tense at the moment, and I just can't wait to see who the 'real' A is.

EDUCATING ESSEX AND YORKSHIRE//I don't know why but I love these documentaries. I find them so fascinating and interesting to see what other high schools are like. Some episodes are quite shocking but also some things don't surprise me. Because I am from Yorkshire, I find the Educating Yorkshire hilarious and so funny at the way people act. It's a good one to watch and also very eye-opening.

GOSSIP GIRL// Last year I was hooked on Gossip Girl. Netflix has all 6 seasons on and I have watched all the seasons twice. Once they revealed who GG was, which was the worst revealing ever, it was then so obvious and I was kicking myself for not realising it sooner. They basically give it away in the first 2 minuets of the very first episode. I love Blair and Chucks relationship throughout all the seasons and part of me wishes I had a Chuck Bass in my life!

THE GOOD WIFE// The Good Wife is an American legal and political drama about a women who works as a lawyer in a huge law firm. Each episode focuses on a different court case and I even went through a phase of wanting to be a lawyer because of this show! The 5th and 6th season and the best in my opinion as the plot takes a huge twist and the 5th season ends on such a big cliff-hanger!

 

VAMPIRE DIARIES// There are 5 seasons of Vampire Diaries on Netflix and the 6th season is on TV at the moment. It is quite a teen girl choice but the general gist is about 2 vampire brothers who both fall in love with a human girl in high school. There are also some witches, werewolves, hybrids and original vampires thrown into the mix with some surprising plot twists. I do think the earlier seasons are more exciting and interesting than season 5 and 6 but nether the less it is a great show.

 

THE ORIGINALS// The Originals is a spin off from the Vampire Diaries and is based on the lives of the original vampires. In some ways I think The Originals is better than Vampire Diaries as the characters are more engaging (especially Klaus!) and the plot is so clever. You probably need to watch Vampire Diaries first though to be able to understand what is happening.

 
What are your favourite shows to watch on Netflix and what are currently binge watching?

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Ciate Play Date Review

I don't normally post on a Friday but I thought why not... today's post is all about a new nail polish I have been loving which is the Ciate Play Date.

 

Play Date is a great bright red nail polish with coral undertones. I find orange or coral toned red polishes easier to wear because my hands are so pale and pillow box reds make me look like a vampire. If you have tried Ciate polishes before you’ll agree that application is super smooth and dries to a high shine finish! In just two coats this has given me a really opaque colour and in all honesty the polish lasted 3-4 days before I had to remove it. I am bored of winter now and am so ready for spring and summer, so my nails have been getting S/S ready and I think this polish would look amazing with a tan when the weather gets a bit warmer.

 

Have you tried this nail polish? What are your favourite Ciate polishes?

 

MissBeccaBeauty xo

Cohorted Beauty Box February : Un-Boxing

Cohorted is a company that strives to make cult products available to everyone. If you are not familiar with the concept of their website, they basically sell cult high-end beauty products at a more budget friendly price. Every Monday Cohorted release a new selection of beauty products and their price drops as more people join the cohort. Last week Cohorted launched their brand new beauty box. Beauty boxes have been around for a while but I never found one that I liked and wanted to buy, mainly because most beauty boxes have a long term subscription whereas Cohort allows you to buy the box each month without any commitment to a subscription.

I was so excited to buy the box last week and when it launched at 6pm I was ready and waiting at my laptop. I will just say that I was a little disappointed as the website crashed and lots of people were a bit annoyed that the box said it was sold out when it wasn't. After half an hour I eventually managed to get the box in my bag and purchase it, but I will say that it was quite stressful. Having said that it was definitely worth the wait as this box is an amazing bargain for £19.99. When I opened up the box it was so beautifully packaged and has such a luxurious, expensive feel to it. Unfortunately I didn't find the Hourglass palette in my box, but even still this box is worth an astonishing £67.50 and the Dolce & Gabbana product pretty much pays for the box it's self.

I haven't had chance to properly test all the products to review them, as I wanted to get this post up as quickly as possible, but I will tell you about the products and my first impressions. The star of the show for me is the Dolce & Gabbana Clarifying Lotion 150ml (RRP: £20) which is essentially a water based lotion that effectively removes makeup and dead skin. I think it is like the micealer water idea but looks a lot fancier. The smell of this is subtle and a bit floral and leaves my skin feeling so gentle and smooth. Another skincare item is the Korres Milk Proteins Foaming Cleanser 50ml (RRP: £15) and although it is not a full size it is a very generous travel size that I am going to save for when I go on holiday in the summer. This is a soap free cleanser, that is also free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates, and works like any other cleanser by massaging into wet skin and removing with a hot cloth. Korres has been a brand that I have wanted to try for a while and I was thrilled that this box contained two Korres products, the second is the Korres Quercetin and Oak Eye Primer 4ml (RRP: 10). At the moment in my makeup routine I don't use an eye primer but I will be interested to see what difference using a primer makes and this one looks promising as it has a doe foot applicator and the product it's self has a slight pigmentation to help minimise darkness and discolouration on the lid. Onto makeup products, Benefits Bella Bamba Ultra Plush Lipgloss 15ml (£14.50) is included in the box and to be honest I have heard mixed things about these lip glosses. I have tried this and personally I like the formula as it is not sticky or uncomfortable on the lips but there isn't much pigmentation to the gloss. In the tube it is quite a bright red but on the lips it only looks glossy and there isn't any colour pay off. Finally, the product I am most excited to try, is the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara 3ml (£8.00) which like the name suggests claims to be a really volumising smokey mascara. I am a sucker for mascara and I think mascaras in a beauty box is really good because people are always willing to try new mascaras. I haven't tried much from Bobbie Brown before but am excited to as it seems to be a high quality brand.

 

Cohorted has really impressed me with this beauty box and there is nothing in this box that I wish wasn't there. As far as I know the March Edition pre-order is sold out but I would recommend getting this box next month and hopefully Cohorted will have sorted out the website so it is easier to purchase. If you have this beauty box I would love to know what you think of it!

MissBeccaBeauty xo