End of the week thoughts #1

Time to be thankful!

Hey guys!

This is a new post that I will post every Friday/Saturday depending on when I have time and it's just going to be a list of things that make me thankful/grateful and happy. I'm also going to throw in a few favourites. I saw this post on Monadot.net and thought it was so cute and really uplifting so I've put my own spin on it! Here we go!

This week I'm loving/grateful for:

1. Little Get aways - My friend have organised a little get away to a little place called Shell Island a few miles away from me and I'm super excited for it and it's just nice to be able to get away once in a while!
2. University - I've just moved my stuff home from uni and it was super sad. I can't wait to get back there in September and see everyone. So grateful that I actually have the choice and opportunity to go!
3. Dairy Milk - I bet you're like, what? I thought this was a soppy heartfelt post? Naaaaah, I'm so glad Cadbury's brought out Dairy Milk. Cuppa PG, Dairy Milk, The Simpsons and my bed. Oh my god, life. It's too much.
4. My family+boyf - This week i've realised how much we actually all chip in for each other and never ever let anyone go without. Such a cute little crew.
5. Miley Cyrus's New Song - This is a FIRM favourite right now, I can't explain how in love I am with this song, my oh my. If you don't know what I'm on about search it on YouTube (We can't stop) it's that "Miley Twerk" video.  (now you know what i'm on about ;])
6. Baby Shampoo - Make up brush washing has never been so easy!

And there we have it! What did you think of this post? Let me know!

Alicia x
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NOTD: MUA in Pistachio Ice Cream

Hey guys!

So as you've probably seen from my previous post, this is a new purchase as I've already used and NOTD'd ALL of my favourite Summer staple nail varnishes. ATM I'm not really feeling some of my dark and shimmery colours so I haven't NOTD'd all my polishes but if I'm not feeling wearing a colour, I wont wear it just to get an extra post up on the blog, haha.

Anyway this colour is a lovely mint green/turquoise colour and I think it's lovely for summer. It was only £1 which is an ABSOLUTE bargain! It's from the MUA range available at most Superdrug!

I adore this colour but I haven't tested out the staying power so I'll be sure to review the polishes when I've used more of them and for a longer period than a few hours haha!

Thanks for reading! Have you tried these colours from this range? Do you like them? Let me know!

Alicia x
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HAUL POST: Small Superdrug/Home Bargains Beauty Haul: MUA, Maybelline, Barry M and Collection

Collection Colour Lash Clear Mascara £1.99, Maybelline Eyebrow Definer in Dark Blonde £2.99, Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr by Eyestudio in Pink Gold, Barry M Eyeliner Brush £2.99 - All Superdrug

L-R MUA Nail Polishes in Pistachio Ice Cream, Bold Blue, Strawberry Crush £1 each - Superdrug.

Quick Fix Peel Off Face Mask - 99p, Home Bargains

Hey guys!

So recently I've really been wanting to expand my make up collection A LOT. I really want to get into experimenting more with make up and different looks especially eye make up and such so I've been gradually buying bits and bobs to slowly build up my collection. Here I have a few bits which I bought today, I also bought a tanning mitt and some pore strips today but didn't picture them as they're pretty boring and standard! Also, sorry for always posting at like 2:30am haha! I'm a night owl for sure.

I've tried to swatch the Color Tattoo and the MUA Shades for you and they've come out pretty true to colour so I'm quite pleased with that! 

The MUA lipsticks I've been meaning to try for a while but never got round to it and I don't really know why, because they're only £1! I've heard really good things about them and tried them on briefly when I was on the way home - I'm so impatient, I just can't wait haha. Also, the MUA nail polishes are obviously meant to be dupes of Essie, they've even copied the packaging basically down to a T! I'm expection good things from these and I actually have the Pistachio Ice Cream one on right now, NOTD post coming up straight after this!

I've been looking everywhere, internet, junk shops, make up shops, EVERYWHERE, for a spoolie/spool, whatever, type eyebrow brush because they are just SO SO SO much better at shaping eyebrows than any other brushes I've come across and I finally came across the Maybelline Eyebrow Definer brush+pencil and I hit the roof literally I wanted to cry with happiness and run around hugging everyone in Superdrug, obviously I instantly picked it up. At first I couldn't find my eyebrow colour (dark blonde) and considering buying black just for the brush part haha. I also picked up the Collection Colour Lash Clear Mascara to use as an eyebrow setting gel, just because they basically do the same things (eyebrow gels and mascaras that is) and it was like £1.99. BARGAIN.

My sister was walking around Home Bargains and she picked this face mask, by Quick Fix, up and I'd been looking for a face mask that wasn't like a one time use type of job so I thought, it's 99p and it probably wont be too brilliant but it's worth a go! I've tried it once and it made my face super soft and reduced redness in my blemishes, to my surprise, so I'm hoping a few more uses will even out my skin tone a tad (as the mask is supposed to do.) My hopes aren't high but I was pleasantly surprised by it so here's hoping!

I've fallen deeply in love with Color Tattoo by Maybelline/Eyestudio and I've bought 3 in the last 2 weeks. I have Eternal Gold, On and On Bronze and now Pink Gold. They're so good as a base for eyeshadows or on their own. They don't crease and they last HOURS even on my oily skin and in clubs so they just do it all right, love them!

I'll do proper reviews on everything when I've tested them, all in due time so look out for them and I hope you enjoyed this haul!

Alicia x
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light

Hey guys!

This is just a first impressions post as I haven't been posting as frequently these past few days, mainly because I'm poor so I can't really buy new things to test and show! Not to worry though, I have a few products in the pipeline and a few post ideas to plan up!

I've been very late to the BB cream craze and everyone seems to be raving the Dior BB cream and amongst the high street creams this seems to be raved about amongst the blogger community! I bought this and the Nivea BB cream but even in the shade "Light/Fair" the Nivea cream was way too dark for me and turned me orange, I haven't finished testing that one out as of yet though so I'll keep you posted!

This cream is in the shade "Light" and it suits my skin tone perfectly and it is, obviously, very sheer coverage. I bought it as my foundation range is missing a BB cream which suits my skin tone and being oily in skin conditions foundation doesn't last well during the hotter months, if they ever come around in Britain.

This foundation on first impressions is great on my skin, it doesn't make me break out, it lasts around 4/5 hours which isn't amazing but again, I am oily. It does say apply straight onto the skin with or without moisturiser but I use a primer as well just to get as long as I can in terms of wear. If i wear it with moisturiser and primer it lasts about 5/6 hours which for me is fine as I have to touch up usually with foundation anyway due to my skin so to have 5/6 hours without touching up if brilliant for me, dry skinned people would probably get more wear out of it.

So these are my first impressions and I will do a follow up post when I've tested it further! I've also recently bought the "Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Make-Up Setting Spray" so here's hoping this will make my make up last even longer!!

Have you tried this BB Cream? What do you think of it? Let me know!

Alicia x
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NOTD: Calvin Klein in Midnight

Hey guys!

So recently i've been loving bright, pastel, summery colours and because of this I thought I'd go for a change! This is a Calvin Klein polish in the colour Midnight and I got it from a UK discount store call The Factory Shop and it was something ridiculous like £2!! Anyway I love it and yeah, my nails aren't actually as messy as it's showing in that picture...bad angle, I swear!

Alicia x
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TAG: This or That? Beauty Blogger Edit!

Source: Here

Hey guys!

So this is my "This or That?" tag and I got it from the lovely Kirstie over at ayellowbrickblog.blogspot.co.uk. Hope you enjoy it!

Make up

1. Blush or Bronzer? This is a tough one cause I wear both! If you would have asked me a few months ago it would be hand down BLUSH every whereeeee but now i'm thinking more bronzer! I love my contours.

2. Lipgloss or Lipstick? Lipstick, no contest, some lipsticks are creamy enough to be passed off as glosses, plus I hate when my hair gets stuck to gloss, ewwwwy.

3. Eyeliner or Mascara? Mascara! I find my eyes look completely bare without mascara, nothing completes and eye look off as well as mascara does!

4. Foundation or Concealer? Foundation. I may not because to conceal it but at least I can cover it. Im a full coverage girl definitely so just having concealer wouldn't work for me!

5. Neutral or coloured eyeshadow? Neutral colours, they're so much easier to work with and never fails too look so sophisticated!

6. Pressed or loose eyeshadows? Definitely pressed, I;m the worlds clumsiest person...

7. Brushes or sponges? Brushes! I love my brushes to the end of the world and back, so sad but they're amazing.

Nails

8. OPI or Nails Inc? I don't own either in colour form...I own the Nails Inc Caviar top+base coat but I dont think they show the actual staying power etc of an actual polish so I can't really comment! So moving on...

9. Long or Short? Long! they just look nicer.

10. Acrylic or natural? Natural. I had acrylics and I loveeeeed them, but the price and the after affects ruined my nails :( My nails grow pretty fast and strong so =I can deal without acrylics!

11. Darks or Brights? Brights! Barry M do an amazing range! Summer is definitely time for bright nails!

12. Flower or no flower? I'd love a flower on my nails! I don't usually put one on though...

Fashion

13. Jeans or sweatpants? Jeanss, I could never go out in sweats. Dont' know why I just couldnt.

14. Long sleeve or short? short sleeved. Don't get me wrong I love long sleeved things but it's sometimes too stuffy to wear that sort of clothing.

15. Dresses or skirts? Skirts I love mixing and matching different tops and skirts, means I don't have to buy as many clothes as well as there's endless opportuinities

16. Stripes or plain? Plain, stripes do me no justice!

17. Flip flops or sandals? Sandles, cna't be doing with all the flipping and flopping.

18. Scarves or hats? Hats, I've never been a scarf wearer really but I own a few beanies and a bowler hat!

19. Studs or dangly earrings? Dangley, love me some hoops! #chav

20. Denim or Leather? Leather! I don't know why I just prefer it.

21. Heels or flats? Flats, i love heels don't get me wrong, I'm 5 ft 2 I need a bit of height. But only on occasion! So flats it is. 

22. Cowboy or riding boots? I don't own either! Nor would I want to!

23. Jacket or hoodie? Jacket, I love having a choice of zip up or down!

24. Topshop or River Island?  At the moment, River island because of the Rihanna collection but it would usually be Topshop!

Hair

25. Curly or Straight? I'm an inbetweener on this I like it wavy but over all i'd say straight as it's just easier to manage. 

26. Bun or ponytail?  Bun, love me a top knot! 

27. Bobby pins or Butterfly Clips? Bobby pins, they're just so easy to use! And equally easy to lose...

28. Hair spray or Gel? Spray, gel is too heavy for me! Plus you can brush most hair sprays out easily...gel i'm not so sure! 

21. Long or Short? My hair has been short for about 4 years now and as much as I've grown (pun not intended hehe) to love it. I'll forever miss my long hair. So, long. 

30. Light or dark? Light, light, light!!! I LOVE having blonde hair literally the best thing ever.

31. Side sweep bangs or full bangs (bangs = fringe)? Side fringe/sweep bangs. Just because they're easier to manage!

32. Up or down? Down, love my hair down, I feel bald with it up! 

Random

33. Rain or Shine? Sine, although a bit of rain once in a while is fab!

34. Summer or Winter? Summer, if it ever happens in Britain!

35. Fall Or Spring? Autumn (fall), it's just the right temperature and it's pretty!

36. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla! YUM

37. Shower or Bath? Bath bath bath bath bath. So relaxing. Even though at the end of my baths I usually turn the shower on to rinse myself but oh well...

38. Comedy or Horror? Comedy! Funny stuff.

39. Lotion or body butter? Body butter, lotion is like water, too drippy!

40. Body wash or soap? Body wash, soap is too fiddly!

So that was my "this or that: beauty blogger edit" tag! How did you find it? Have you done this tag? Let me know! 

Alicia x
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REVIEW: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 001 Transparent

Hey guys!

So it's no secret that this is probably my favourite setting powder, no matter how many different ones I try I always end up going back to this one, or having this in my stash in case the ones I'm trying don't work for me.

This is a high street product which can be found in Boots, Superdrug, Tesco and Asda for around the £3-4 mark. It's used to set your foundation after applying, to give it a flawless finish, stop the dreaded "shiny face" and to make make up last longer. I'm sure we all know that right? But just in case...

This powder in particular always claims to minimize pores and last up to 5 hours. Now I have oily/combination skin meaning that sometimes I can be very oily, some days i get dry patches and then sometimes my skin is fine. Weird..I know! Usually my skin sticks to oily though for days and days at a time so this is why I say oily/combination. This powder lasts around 3/4 hours on my skins but I take it with me if I'm going to be out for longer than that so I can re-apply it and it works very well. The colour I bought it in is "transparent" so it basically just blends with the colour of you foundation/skin not leaving any colour whatsoever. 

It is a "matte" finish powder so for those of you who like that dewy finish this may not be for you but I prefer not to be dewy as my skin can get oily so it just makes me look like i slathered oil on my face. I also prefer full coverage so this is why this powder is perfect for me. I tend to apply this when my skin is starting to wear my foundation down and it getting oily throughout the day, when its very hot this powder manages perfectly keeping my make up set and stopping it from sliding off my skin. 

I really love this product and it is the only powder I've found with doesn't turn me orange or that actually works for me. I will continue to repurchase this for as long as it is made available in stores near me!

What do you think of this setting powder? Let me know!

Alicia x
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REVIEW: L'oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution

Hey guys!

Recently I've been searching for a new make up remover that wasn't specifically for eyes and lips as all mine seem to be! I don't know why I just don;t read labels when it comes to make up remover I just think "Great! Lets buy it!" Then get home and think, oh crap...

Moving on I;d read a lot of reviews comparing this/naming this product as a dupe for the BioDerma Make up remover. Now where as I can't say whether or not this is true (as I've never tried BioDerma) what I can tell you is that it's pretty amazing.

I layer on my eye make up and make up in general and it takes all of one maybe 2 on really make up heavy days, to remove my make up with this stuff and usually I use about 3/4. It takes waterproof mascara and eyeliner off without smudging it all across your face and you can even then go and wipe the foundation off the rest of your face without having streaky black marks everywhere. 

Where it used to take me 10 minutes to remove my make up it now takes me 2 and then I proceed with my Garnier face wash and moisturiser of my choosing. This really is a bargain at £3.99 currently in Boots you can't go wrong! I think it's usually £4.99 but its on offer at the moment.

It's very gentle and you can use it on any skin types, even sensitive as it says on the back of the bottle. It is also a toner so it tones your skin whilst it is removing your make up. When removing my make up I used to use baby wipes and then my Garnier face wash and I'd see te foundation running from the brush applicator of my face wash and it was just pretty horrible to see that I wasn't really washing my skin properly but with this, that doesn't happen anymore. 

So yeah overall I am really really pleased with this purchase and I'm glad I listened to all the reviews and took the dive because it really paid off.

Have you tried this? Let me know your thoughts! 

Alicia x
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My Summer Lip Colour Picks (with swatches)

 L-R: MAC Pink Pearl Pop, Seventeen BeeHive, Rimmel Pink Blush, Rimmel Coral In Gold.

L-R: Revlon Lip Butter - Strawberry Shortcake, Topshop Ohh LaLa, Rimmel Apocalips Celestial.

Hey guys!

I've seen a few of these posts going around and thought I throw in my own two cents! These are my favourite colours that I've been wearing day to day recently!

They're mainly creamy lipsticks, in fact I don't think I've included any matte ones! I like subtle lipsticks in the summer months, I enjoy lipsticks that don't feel heavy on my lips and that you can build up from sheer - full cover. All these lipsticks are extremely pigmented and I've actually done reviews on some of them, I'll leave the links to those at the bottom of this post.

• MAC Creme Sheen Lipstick in Pink Pearl Pop - This lipstick is a bright baby pink and is really creamy and long lasting, it was my first MAC purchase!
• Seventeen Lipstick in BeeHive - I saw Barbara from The Persian Babe review this and say it was a dupe for MAC Hue so I bought it and its a perfect nude colour and it's really creamy and so inexpensive.
• Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Pink Blush - I bought this AGEEESSS ago and have always loved it, love the smell even more but when I recently saw Nicole Guerriero from YouTube raving about it, it just made me feel so much better for having it and I don't know why! Haha. It smells lovely and I got mine from tesco for £3.49 but I think its like £1 more expensive now. How times have changed!
• Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Coral In Gold - I was after a Coral colour and saw this in Tesco so just bought it, at the time I bought it a few years ago it really didn't suit me so I just shoved it back in my drawer but wearing it now, I love it! It's such a nice shade and again really inexpensive. This whole range smells lovely so thats a definite bonus!
• Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake - Every blogger owns a lip butter right? They're like the most hyped up lip sticks since everrrr! This is my only one however but I still love the finish and how creamy it is, the consistency is just right and the colour pay off is sheer but buildable. Such a good summer shade as well.
• Topshop Lipstick in Ohh LaLa - Again this is another orangey colour which there seems to be a hype around this summer in the blogger world, I might do an all orange look for summer and blog it!
• Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Celestial - Oh My GOOOOOOD Apocalips are just heaven then are my ultimate faves, I was obsessed when they first came out. This is my second tube of Celestial because I got drunk on night and lost my first tube, I also lost my iPhone 5 that night and my student card, it wasn't ideal AT ALL but I've replaced them all now so my life is complete! Moving on...This is so pigmented and super super long wearing as after the gloss has disappeared it turns into a stain! Neaaaaat!

So there we have it!! What do you think of these lip sticks?? Let me know!!

Alicia x
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Links:
Rimmel Apocalips Review - http://aliciajadex.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/review-rimmel-apocolips-celestial.html
MAC Pink Pearl Pop Review - http://aliciajadex.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/review-mac-cream-sheen-lipstick-in-pink.html
Topshop Ohh LaLa Review - http://aliciajadex.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/revew-topshop-lippies-ohh-la-la-and-all.html

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REVIEW: Drugstore Mascara - Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless

Hey guys!

So i'm going to talk/tell you about my current favourite drug store mascara, it runs a close second to Benefit's They're Real and just about beats Rimmel's Day2Night mascara in my books.

As you probably wont know, because you don't stalk me, I use a mixture of mascara's when doing my make up, mainly the three I've just named above, as I think it gives me more definition and volume. Now I know I'm not the only one that does this! 

This mascara claims to have a "Grow Lash Complex" and says that it is a "Fibre Mascara" which is fab as this means that it'll make your lashes grow faster but in the mean time the fibres in the mascara will help your lashes look long as the firbres will build a "fake" lash on top of your natural lash. Pretty great right?

I definitely think this mascara works as well as it claims as I have noticed a difference in my lashes since I have been using it. Obviously not a large difference but they are longer. It will take some time to notice this difference, I have been using my for about 2 months now. It's really really black and pigmented and makes your lashes really pop and stand out when you wear it. I have noticed the fibres but only slightly. I don't really have a bad word to say about it!

For £7.99 this mascara is definitely worth it as you can never have too many right? Drugstore mascaras always seem to impress me, have you tried this mascara? Let me know!

Alicia x
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NOTD: Barry M in Coral.

Hey guys!

Gooooood morning! Since coral seems to be a big hit this summer in the beauty world I thought I'd dust off my old Barry M Nail Paint in Coral and paint the old talons! I love this colour and I'm so glad it's come into trend again! It's such a bright and summery colour and it just makes my nails look fab. 

Also, if you ever wonder why I don't do pictures of my hand laid flat so you can see the full extent of the colour pay off and nails, it's because I have a wonkey finger and it looks very alien...so now you know, haha! Strange I know but yeah, it's a weird sight to see.

Ok so I hope you loveeeee this colour as much as I do! Let me know :)

You can buy Barry M Nail Paints in Boots and Superdrug for £2.99.

Alicia x 

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TAG: Confessions of a Blogger

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I got this tag from http://www.ashllyd.com/ and just thought i'd give it a go! Hope you enjoy :)

 

When did you start your blog?

2011 but I never really posted on it as I didn't know what to post and just wasn't feeling the whole blogging thing. I think this was mainly because my blog didn't have a purpose and I didn't have a hobby really. When I started to discover YouTubers and beauty bloggers I started getting more and more into make up and then I started posting properly/frequently in September 2012.

Have you had any other online presences?

Yes, I've been on Piczo, MySpace, Bebo, Foursquare, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook. You name it I probably have a profile! I've always been quite social where networking online is concerned!

Why did you start a blog?

To share my thoughts and hobbies online with like-minded people.

When did you become serious about starting a blog?

September 2012, I really go into make up and loved that people would post online giving reviews to help other people, with the same love of beauty. It's a very welcoming and lovely community that I'm glad to be a part of.

What was your first post?

It was a post about me having a good day haha, a sort of fashion, but not really type post. You can find it, here.

What has been your biggest challenge about blogging?

Keeping going when I had 0 followers! I had 0 for about a month! I was thinking, No one is reading, why am I bothering this is kind of pathetic. I carried on anyway and no I have almost 60 followers and 10,000 Page views! Plus I love the other bloggers and reading their blogs so that keeps me motivated.

Where do you see your blog in one year?

I hope my blog can become more established and serious in the future. I hope the content continues to improve and I hope I can gain some more lovely readers! Basically I just want things to keep going up from here!

What is the most discouraging thing that has happened to you?

Nothing discouraging has happened to me as of yet but what does discourage me is how some bloggers attack other bloggers and their blogs. I don't think there is any need for it, it's just cruel! We should all support on another and love what we do.

What's your lasting inspiration/motivation?

Buying new products that I love, looking and reading other people's reviews and finding them really interesting. This especially motivates me when the review is so good and so well put together that I actually consider buying the product like someone I don't even know has just persuaded me to buy a product I 10 minutes ago knew nothing about, just by taking some decent photo's and writing a few well constructed paragraphs. That's insane right? I love when I see my views going up and knowing my opinion matters. When people comment on my posts giving me positive feedback I makes me feel really warm inside knowing that my little corner of the internet has made an impact on someones decision!

I tag YOU if you're reading this!! Write you response and leave it in the comments!

So that was my confessions of a blogger tag! Did you enjoy it? have you done this tag? Let me know!

Alicia x
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