Tinted Moisturisers

To me, when it comes to beauty and fashion, nothing is more important than the phrase: "less is more". In the past year, I have given up wearing foundation. I don't know why, but it always made my skin break out anyway! I had the problem of finding it impossible to achieve a natural look. Every single foundation I've ever worn has always looked slightly orange on my skin - quite disastrous, really! As soon as I stopped using them, I noticed that my the condition of my skin improved dramatically. My face obviously wasn't all too keen all of the extra things that it didn't need, and it just needed to breathe. I used to exfoliate my skin every day, too, and now I don't suffer from dryness around the t-zone area anymore. So yes, less is more!

Witch Hazel Tinted Moisturiser - £5.99 (lasts four months with everyday usage).

Tinted moisturisers are a wonderful alternative to heavy foundations. French women swear by moisturising constantly, as it keeps the skin supple! At the moment my daily routine is a bit mixed. I always use a witch hazel primer to prevent spots, and tinted moisturiser with witch hazel in it so it doesn't cause them. I'll dab a little powder to reduce shine, and if I'm going out I will apply some BeneFit dandelion powder to my cheeks (which is amazing for pale skin, for us Twilight extras!). I'll use a tiny amount of brown eye shadow, a few lashings of mascara and finally apply a little raspberry lip balm on my lips.

I have always come back to the Witch Hazel moisturiser when tempted by a 'healthy' foundation. I have bought two foundations since starting university in 2010 (sad, huh?) and I remember them being Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse and Bourjois' Healthy Mix one. The Borjois foundation smelt absolutely beautiful, but it was too greasy for my skin despite the thin consistency. The Maybelline one is renowned for its gentleness to skin, but I found it clogged up my pores instead. Whenever I am tempted by a foundation, I just remember the consequences of being enticed by capitalism!

I've been reading about a brand named Dermalogica, and their 3-in-1 product sounds particularly good! It's a moisturiser, lightly tinted for coverage and it has SPF15 so you can protect your skin from the sun, too. The only downside is its price, and I think it costs just under £30.00 so it's a little steep for students. Natural Collection by Boots have their own tinted moisturiser, which is the only other one I've seen on the high street. Despite its lovely £1.99 price tag, too many reviews have said it's a terrible, cheap product, and it's ruined my desire to try it. (Natural Collection do a lot of other good products, though!)

Superdrug De-Stressing Mud Mask

Hey everyone! Here's another mini beauty review. I'm sat here with a cup of tea, and looking very silly wearing mud on my face. So, naturally, I thought I'd write about it.

I'm not sure about you, but I love face packs! I got four packs for free at Superdrug because they had a three for four offer, and I had three pounds on my loyalty card! Make sure to get a Beauty Card if you shop there regularly for your toiletries. They're free, too, so no nasty business.

Tonight I thought I would use one of them. I tried the strawberry one a few days ago, which smelt delicious! I had to stop myself from eating it. It actually smelt like a cupcake. It was lovely for sensitive skin like mine. Apologies for the digression ...

I can see my boyfriend in the corner of the room, and he looks a bit terrified.

Anyway. The mask is very nice. To delve a bit deeper, the experience isn't exactly spa-like. The texture is smooth. It's quite a heavy consistency, and it's a bit like putting concrete on your face. If you've got a girly friend over for a sleepover at all any time soon, you'll probably find that one pack is enough.

I do actually feel a bit less stressed out. Maybe it's the fragrance. On the packet it states that the mask is a concoction of avocado oil, green tea and aloe vera. For the past three hours I've been working on my dissertation, and I've got a job interview followed by a lengthy seminar tomorrow. I'm not exactly the happiest of sunflowers right now, but for 99p (or free) I can guarantee that you'll feel at least a little bit perkier.

Shabby Chic Decor

When it comes to interior design, I'm not the most knowledgeable person. Despite this, I find the whole 'shabby chic' trend that has stolen everyone's hearts so adorable. I'm trying to make my little studio flat a little bit more 'shabby chic', except I have the problem of stealing my boyfriend's masculinity! So here's some pictures of things I'd like or have in my flat, that make the home 'relatively' gender netural! I suppose what I was trying to do with it was make it more pretty without making it resemble a Cath Kidston branch (even though I would love that too).

I came across this on the day David and I moved in together, and because these gorgeous owl cushions were half price (and I had wanted one for ages) we managed to purchase one for £7.00 in the mid-season offer sale. They're now at their original price again, but they're so cute and I'd definitely recommend them for making your home a bit more quirky.

The decorative bird cage is not only practical but tres chic. You can place your tea lights inside, and it will keep them safe and looking beautiful.

Floral or pastel coloured letters are essential to the shabby chic home. Whether they're placed on a bookshelf or nailed onto the wall, these can make anyone's home that bit more 'homely'.

 A distressed cream mirror is another staple on the list. The cream colour also means that the accessories in the room aren't too girly.

This duvet set is so cute. It's only £10.00 from Tesco and it can brighten up your room easily. Imagine waking up every morning, being surrounded by flowers! It'd be perfect to schnuggle up on weekends, drinking lots of herbal tea and reading lots of lovely books.

A chalk easel is a cute addition to the home. You can leave your partner messages on it, or use it to remind yourself of necessities for when you need to go shopping.

Bunting is a necessity, however, it is one that I haven't quite mastered yet! It's difficult to pull this one off if you have a boyfriend to think of. Mine mentioned that it would look too 'hippy-ish' when I suggested it, while I was thinking it might look more like a summer fete (which is always fun!). I don't think I will be subjecting my boyfriend to this amount of girliness, otherwise it would be a little unfair!

Egg cabinets are not an entirely unecessary addition to the home. As a vegetarian, I'm always eating eggs! It's cheaper to buy lots of eggs than a fewer amount, for example, six eggs cost £2.50 in Sainsburys whereas in Waitrose nine free range eggs are £1.95 (not sure why this is) so yes, storage is needed! Plus, they're less likely to break, which happens to me a lot. If you didn't know, 'oeufs' means 'eggs' in French. So if you're a Francophile, like me, then this would be perfect!

Material fridge magnets are lovely way of making your home more personalised. Stick some memorable polaroids on your fridge, so that it not only looks cute when you go to it - but it's a way of making you smile every day too.

Imaginary Wishlist

While some people always feel rubbish when they see things they can't afford, I always look at them and contemplate monosyllabic words such as: "YUM!" or "OOH!". If I were to have an imaginary wishlist, then I would put these items on it. Yum.

Hobbs, £239.00

I always thought that Hobbs was a brand targeted towards older women, but the older I get (ha), I can see why it's popular. This is a stunning black princess coat. As I have quite wide hips and a small waist, these type of coats tend to flatter my figure the most because they 'nip' in at the waist. The length of the coat is also flattering, as it's just above the knee, which means it would be suitable for dresses or trousers. The colour is versatile, and it can make any outfit look sophisticated and yet not too over-the-top.

Miss Dior eau de parfum, £88.50 per 100ml

This perfume is gorgeous. I tried it on at a department store (surely I am not the only one who takes advantage of free samples?) and there's a reason it smelt so beautiful! The smallest bottle is just under £50.00, I believe! I think I might be sticking to Boots body sprays until I have a graduate job!

Russel and Bromley - Chester Tassel Loafer £155.00

I never ever thought that I would be a fan of loafers. I always associated them with old ladies, but the granny look is what seems to be 'in' right now. When I see these, I think of Alexa Chung!

Mulberry Bayswater Bag - £795

Mulberry bags are for the kind of people, like myself, who like organisation in their bags - and big bags at that. I don't understand how ladies can have such small bags! I take everything with me when I go out, as you can see in one of my previous posts. The classic Mulberry Bayswater bags are practical and yet effortlessly stylish, which is why I'd choose this over any other designer bag available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rose Duet  Candle - Diptyque £42.00

In Parisian Chic, Ines de la Fressange says that Diptyque candles are the top choice for true Parisians. I imagine these to smell amazing, and I love this new one they've just released for the Spring season! Mm!

MUA: Frozen Yoghurt nail varnish

MUA are a fantastic make up company. Their products are worth their value, and they are highly appealing, just as the bigger high street brands are. Believe it or not, but this nail varnish cost just £1.00 - yes! It's difficult to believe because the colour is so vibrant and pretty. It's gorgeous to wear, and it hasn't chipped much during the two days that I've been wearing it.

The colour that I have been wearing is called 'Frozen Yoghurt'. This nail varnish is my favourite at the moment. I've been put off wearing nail varnish for a while, since I was working as a Christmas Temp, as they weren't keen on experimental colours. I've never bought MUA cosmetics before, except for one of the eyeshadow pallettes a few months back, which was also very good value for what it was worth. The violet colour is spot on trend for the Spring season, and I can't wait to get out my floral dresses from under my bed (after the snow disappears) and wear this cute colour with them.

MUA cosmetics are available from Superdrug.

Librocubicularist

 

One of the greatest pleasures in life is reading. Suffering from dyslexia has meant that I do not choose to avoid reading, but find the pleasure in it by approaching it in a different way. It bugs me having to read books with a purple overlay on top of the words, but when I do, everything makes sense. There is nothing more fun than waking up, having a good breakfast, walking for a few hours, to return to a warm cosy flat. I jump on my bed, and just like the illustrated lady above - I keep my scarf on, tie my hair up, wrap up warm, sit on my bed right next to the window (because fresh air is always good), and read my books.

The two books that I mentioned in my 'Christmassy Victorian Reads' post have already had their pages turned. I thoroughly enjoyed them, and I couldn't recommend them enough if you're a big fan of the literature of the period.

What I wanted to discuss with you all today, however, were books that are not read for academic purposes. Everyone has read at least one classic, whether it be Dickens, Austen or Wilde. What I was wondering, though, what is it like to be a reader outside of an academic institution? If there's no reading list, what books do you insist upon reading? Does anyone really pick up Milton's 'Paradise Lost' just for fun? (If so, you must be very strange!).

Here's a list of books I've always been intrigued about. I'm happy because this year I will be graduating, and this means that I will be released into the world of normality and work. I will be able to download titles onto my Kindle, without the worry of needing a specific edition that requires page numbers! I will be able to afford lovely books from Waterstones ... idyllic.

Here's a list of books that I've read, and ones that I intend to read post-graduation!

Book I've already read:

1. Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger.

Catcher in the Rye is one of those books that you either 'get' or you don't. I'm not sure why, but some people tend to perceive the teenage protagonist as a bit whiney, whereas other readers see it as a novel that was ahead of its time. I thought it was a very intriguing book, and I read a vast majority of it on the bus from Hyde Park two summers ago. Salinger identifies and captures what it is to be a teenager in this book perfectly.

2. Breakfast At Tiffany's by Truman Capote.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. If I could, I would have read this before the film. You find out why Holly Golightly is characterised the way she is in the film, and there is much more substance to the characters in this version of the story. 

3. The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins

If you buy the hardcover edition of this book, you will see that it is one of the most beautiful ways to learn about the foundations of science. As I have never attempted to learn the syllabus for a Science GCSE, this book made everything fun and interesting to me. The illustrations are stunning, and it's one of those books you can dip into whenever you like. It has made me look forward to taking the subject after University finishes. When people say that literature is more poetic than science, it's books like these that make me question this.

4. Gods Behaving Badly - Marie Phillips

I admit, this isn't a very good book in terms of its writing. I think the main purpose of this novel, however, is its ability to make fun of classical mythology and to just have a laugh! The idea of the Olympian gods residing in London as it is now made me giggle a bit too much. My A-Level Classics teacher recommened me this book as some 'light reading' that should not be counted as studying. If you love anything related to classical antiquity, I think you will enjoy this very much.

5. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

 I've got many of Plath's books, including her poetry anthologies. This is her only novel, but The Bell Jar is certainly one of those stories that will stay with you forever. As the novel is semi-autobiographical, you definitely feel close to the narrator by the end. The crafting of Plath's words make this book enjoyable, despite its dismal tone. I will be giving it a second-reading later this year.

Books I'd love to read:

1. Information is Beautiful

I keep stumbling upon this every time I walk into a bookshop. The title says it all. It concerns information about everything, and it is all presented beautifully.

2. The Woman in Black - Susan Hill

I love a good gothic story. Apparently this one is very scary! A friend recommended it to me, so I will be reading this in November, as that's the perfect time to indulge in some gloomy reads!

3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I read the first few chapters of this novel on my Kindle, as they were offering it for free. I loved Chobsky's writing style, and I'll definitely be purchasing this as soon as I can find the time to read it without feeling guilty over Uni work.

4. Tired of London, Tired of Life - Tom Jones

I'm sure that the Tom Jones who wrote this book isn't the Welsh singer I'm thinking of, but nevertheless this looks like a wonderful book to own. It's the perfect coffee table book, and suggests ways in which Londoners can explore the hidden secrets (or more simple pleasures) of London at affordable prices. I'd love to have this book, as I should be moving to Norwich in a few months time, so it'd be lovely to spend my last few months home and really enjoy it by doing things I haven't tried before.

5. The Fault In Our Stars - John Green

I remember in second year, an exchange student recommended this book when we had to do presentations based on books in the bestseller lists. The only thing that I knew about John Green was that he wrote a book named 'Looking For Alaska' and apparently he was on YouTube? The book intrigues me, though, and I keep seeing quotations from the novel all over the internet.

Chilly Times

As you know, it's been snowing a lot in London. Even if it it has temporarily stopped, I'm making the most of it. Hot chocolates, staying in bed all day reading and writing, yoghurt smoothie face packs (I've got one on right now), excess sleep, taking baths with leftover Lush bath bombs given to me for Christmas, cooking food that takes slightly longer to prepare than usual, listening to whole albums, getting some errands done for uni and finishing off work in bed. It even gives me the opportunity to cuddle up to Ernest, my penguin hot water bottle.

I love watching films during snowy weather. Especially girly films! Sometimes a cheeky episode of SATC just isn't enough to satisfy a girly day spent inside, hiding from the snow. So if you have a couple of hours to spare inside this weekend, put on a jumper and some jogging bottoms, and climb under the duvet with a hot chocolate and some marshmallows. Here are some recommendations:

1. Legally Blonde (2001)

This is one of my favourite films just because A. It's hilarious, B. It shows that being ditsy and liking the colour pink does not mean you can't be intelligent (I know that mens rea is Latin for 'guilty mind' now that I've seen this), and C. It shows a woman who is at first submissive, letting a man 'walk all over' her and making her feel beneath him, and she ends up 'walking all over' him by the end! Plus she meets a really lovely person while she's there! It's brilliant.

2. 13 Going on 30 (2004)

 13 Going on 30 is the perfect rom-com for anyone who is a fan of the 80s. A young girl who turns thirteen during the 80s wishes that she was thirty on her birthday. Guess what happens next? She's thirty. The film explores her future as an adult, and the person that she becomes. It's really funny at certain points, particularly when she's dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller at the magazine event!

3. An Affair To Remember (1957)

If you like old romantic films, this will be the one to choose from the list. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr star in this classic. It follows two taken people who meet on a boat, and fall in love with each other, promising to meet once again six months later at the top of the Empire State Building. You'll never guess what happens!

4. The Parent Trap (1999)

The Parent Trap is one of those films that is full of fun and laughter. There's also some sentimental moments stuck in there, and it makes you really appreciate the relationships that you have with your parents. I always get a bit teary-eyed when each twin goes to see their mother or father for the first time in years. It's so sweet.

5. A Walk To Remember (2000)

If you like films that make you cry, then you should enjoy this one! You'll probably go through a whole box of tissues if you don't know the storyline. It's very cheesy in some bits (the 'Only Hope' performance, for example), but every girl needs a bit of cheese in her life sometimes.

6. An Education (2009)

This film makes me respond in two different ways. It's a bit like Lost in Translation, in the sense that I can understand why people think it's incredibly boring, but on the other hand I appreciate it for its subtleness. Jenny is a sixteen-year-old girl living in South West London during the sixties, she meets an older man and he whisks her off to Paris (the best bit of the film) and then afterwards she discovers something about him that she doesn't quite like!

7. Amelie (2001)

If you love France, you must see this film. Amelie is a quirky romantic comedy that follows a young girl wandering around the city of Paris.

8. Marie Antoinette (2006)

This film is visually stunning. It follows the life of the French Queen, Marie Antoinette, and it gives a more sympathetic perspective to the end of her life. I think Kirsten Dunst did a really good job in portraying her character, and as a young woman myself it definitely made me feel sorry for her. She was too young to be in such a high position, and it was unfair that she was made to marry someone she didn't like. It's all doom and gloom from the beginning when her puppy is taken away! However, it makes history fun! I've been reading up lots on Marie Antoinette since the film was made, and it's made me fall in love with French history. It's fascinating. The soundtrack is also very good, and features my favourite band (need I say?) The Strokes.

9. Breakfast At Tiffany's (1964)

This film has everything a girl needs. Fashion, romance and Audrey Hepburn.

10. Matilda (1996)

Like the majority of protagonists in Roald Dahl's stories for children, Matilda is a victim of neglect. In this story, a young girl named Matilda resorts to books as a source of friendship. She eventually goes to school, discovers her own magical powers and then all sorts of crazy things happen! The film adaptation is as equally wonderful, quoting snippets from Dahl's book. Miss Honey is also an adorable character in the film.