My New Favourite Brow Product: 'Brow Satin' by Maybelline

I had previously used just a dark brown eye shadow and an angled make-up brush to define and fill in sparse areas of my brows. It definitely did the job but it didn't give the effect I really desired. I saw this product advertised on the TV and saw how natural the end result was, so, I thought I would give it  a go...especially as it is only £5.99!

This is two products in one- a waxy pencil on one end and a powder on the other. 

I firstly apply the pencil to add definition, I use small, light, feathery strokes (like the lower demonstration) to create a more natural look. 

I then pop the powder on top to set the pencil and lightly fill in any sparse areas.

It lasts all day and can create multiple brow looks. I personally prefer my eyebrows to be quite dark (to match my hair for one) and it definitely allows for that but of course you could use the powder on its own for a softer look, so the product is very versatile and an absolute bargain. 

There is a very good colour range as well but they seem to be out of stock quite a lot as they are new, but if you can...Go out and buy iiiiit! 

Speak soon!

Isabel x

PRODUCT REVIEW: Revlon- 'Photoready': Perfecting Primer

Here is another product review for you! As you are probably well aware, it is approaching Christmas and the party season. This means that we will most likely be going out a lot more and need our make-up to last as long as possible. I love my current foundation, Rimmel: Lasting Finsih 25 hr (No.100, Ivory), it lasts for a very long time on my skin and doesn't dry it out. However, this post isn't focusing on foundation, but a primer.  Having a clean, smooth base before adding make-up will increase the longevity of the make-up and will also make your skin appear more 'airbrushed' as the products applied afterwards will glide across the skin and not sink as deeply into your pores and attach to dry patches of skin, so overall, allowing an easier, more flawless application. 

The primer I have been trying out recently is the Revlon- 'Photoready': Perfecting Primer. 

Packaging

The packaging is quite simplistic, which I feel makes it appear more chic, this is shown throughout the majority of Revlon products. The pump on top is easy to use and creates little-no mess. 

Price

I have been put off in the past, like quite a few of my friends at the price of this product, it retails at just under £12. I never thought it would be worth the money and always went for the cheaper ones, for example Maybelline: Baby Skin. However, this product completely freaked my skin out so I didn't use it again. I thought that this may be due to the quality of the product which quite often relates to the price. Anyway, enough about Baby Skin... the Perfecting Primer is more expensive so I thought it would probably work a bit better than cheaper ones I'd used yet still not breaking the bank/ indulging into high end brands. I must say, it is worth the money!

Longevity

Although you can use this product alone (it will reduce the visibility of pores), I personally have always worn it underneath foundation, or at least a bit of concealer. Ever since I started using it I have noticed a difference in the texture/look of my skin with make-up on. I have spot prone skin and dry patches and my make-up used to cling to those areas and made me feel quite self-conscious at times, this was also due to the fact that I was setting my make-up and concealed spots with powder which would emphasise the dry areas. I do still powder my face but paired with this primer, the dryness isn't as prominent. I also apply this primer onto my eye lids (I don't know if you're supposed to or not but... it worked for me!). I have had issues in the past with eyeshadow creasing and my eyeliner transferring into my crease slightly. I know you can buy eyeshadow primers but I don't really have the money to be perfectly honest, hence why I popped this primer all over my face! My eyeshadow no longer creases and my eyeliner no longer transfers! Even after a night out where I've been getting a bit hot after having a good 'ld dance.. my make-up has been in pretty good tact! 

Overall, I'm loving this product and I will definitely be repurchasing it once this pot is empty! If you're ever going to buy a primer I would say now is the time... you won't want your make-up slipping down your face at a Christmas/New Year party! 

Hope this has helped!

Speak soon

Isabel x

'Use your smile to change the world, don't let the world change your smile." - A post on personal wellbeing

Right then, this is something a little bit different for my blog... a post about personal wellbeing. I believe that this is a really important topic to cover and still kind of relates to my usual beauty posts, as personal wellbeing impacts on things like your skin.

DISCLAIMER: These are just my opinions and things that I have learned over time and work for me.

I'm going to start with a few things I wish I had been told or had learned in my early teens (and even a bit before) which relate to mental wellbeing and body image. 

1. Drink 8 glasses of water a day (it will help your skin and make you feel a lot better about yourself).

2. Everyone's body develops at different rates.

3. It is completely normal to have one boob that it slightly bigger than the other.

4. Don't let people walk all over you, but still be respectful to them (as much as you can).

5. Be grateful for everything that happens in your life, bad or good, because it makes you who you are and allows you to grow and learn. 

6. Don't do anything just because everyone else is. If you don't want to do something for whatever reason, whether that be for a medical or religious reason or that you just aren't ready... if your 'friends' are good enough 'friends' then they won't pressure you or make you feel insignificant for not doing something. If they do... ditch 'um!

7. Don't leave your work/school work to the last minute, you will only regret it! Work hard and do all you can. It may be stressful, so allow yourself some time out, but not too much that you get out of the swing of things! 

8. Spend as much time with those that care about you and respect you. 

9. If you want something doing... do it yourself. Sorry to say this but... most people will let you down!

10. If you have an issue with someone or something they have done.. sit them down and have a chat. 'Bitching' behind someones back does more harm than good.

11. Start your day off with positivity... even if you feel like the world is crumbling around you and everything keeps going wrong, there is always someone out there who loves you dearly, but most importantly you've got to love yourself before you can let anyone else love YOU. 

The final point brings me onto my next section...

POSITIVE THINKING

I have battled, like most people, with having a negative thought process. It has gotten me in to all sorts of sticky situations, for example, panic attacks, not being able to go out with friends because I feel like I look disgusting, crying a lot, not wanting to fully undress in front of anyone, taking out my negativity on other people... it's not a healthy way to live at all. Yes, I still have days where I feel rubbish, where I hate the world, think it would be easier if I just wasn't around, want to stay inside and not show my face but that would just eat me alive if I didn't change my mental outlook on life and myself. 

Here are a few things that I do or say to myself to help with my self-esteem!

1. Yes there are a lot of people who are worse off in the world and I am very lucky and I acknowledge that. However, if I have an issue that is sincerely bothering me, voice it. Let it out to somebody or even write it down...

2. Don't compare yourself to anyone else, everyone is individual and the world would be VERY dull if we were all the same. If someone can't accept you then that's their problem, not yours. 

3. In the morning tell yourself at least 5 things that you like about yourself. It can be physical, a talent you have or part of your personality. 

4. All of your 'flaws' aren't as apparent to other people as you think.

5. 'Use your smile to change the world, don't let the world change your smile.'

6. If something bad happens in your life, allow yourself to feel the emotions that come alongside that situation. For example, multiple things have happened in my life this year that have really tested my strength... I have allowed myself to feel sad, worried, scared... even angry at times. However, I made sure that I didn't let it consume me. Have a cut off point for those negative emotions and rise above them and the situation. Strive for happiness, do all you can to help others and yourself. 

7. Don't judge other people before you know them, you don't know what they have been through to make them the way they are. Most of the time.. the people who are the meanest, most 'dickish' are those who have been hurt badly in the past or are going through a tough time and don't know how to channel their negativity and feel like they have to put a front on to the world. They are actually those people who need asking how they are and need a big cuddle. 

8. Compliment at least two people a day... you never know, it could be the only nice thing someone says to them (which is really sad!). It doesn't even have to be a 'physical appearance' compliment.. just letting them know you are proud of them or you're thankful they are part of their life. (I don't even care how cheesy I am!!) 

I'm not perfect, I have done horrible things in the past to myself and others when I've been going through a tough time and I sincerely apologise to those people I've hurt. But I don't regret what I have done because I wouldn't have learned anything and grown as a person. I hope this has helped at least one of you. Keep smiling :) 

(Let me know if you like this post and if you want me to cover some things in more detail!)

Speak soon

Isabel x

DIY Weight Loss Drink!

If you've read my previous posts you will probably have gathered that I don't have much money to go splashing on any fancy miracle products, so once again, here is a cheap and cheerful drink to aid weight loss! I thought this was quite appropriate considering its getting closer to Christmas and the party season where the majority of us want to feel and look amazing. This is an easy way to get the ball rolling... I must warn you though... it is rather potent and of course it may not work with everyone, but it works for me so I thought I would share! 

Keep reading to see how I made it!

YOU WILL NEED

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp honey

1/2 lemon (juice)

100ml hot water

STEP ONE

I started with the dry ingredients (cinnamon and ginger) so if I mucked it up I could easily take it out of the mug... but it isn't difficult at all!

Add the cinnamon to the mug...

...then the ginger.

STEP TWO

Squeeze the lemon juice into the mug, making sure no seeds fly out!

STEP THREE

Warm the teaspoon and then scoop up the honey and add it to the mixture, the honey should slide right off!

STEP FOUR

Then pour the hot water into the mug, stir and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

FINISHED!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Drink this twice a day!

(Only drink this on an empty stomach, so in the morning before you have your breakfast and then a couple of hours before you go to bed.) 

You will probably feel quite hungry once you have drunk this in the evening, but don't eat anything...that won't make you lose weight, funnily enough! The reason for this is that it boosts your metabolism so your body can easily digest food and therefore flush your system through without holding as much 'bad stuff'. 

I hope this helps! If it does, I'm planning on doing some more weight loss posts, let me know if you would would be interested! 

Speak soon!

Isabel x

Tip Tuesday: Curling Eyelashes!

I'm starting a little segment on my blog called 'Tip Tuesday', where I will be posting a tip... each Tuesday (such an amazing play on words eh)! So here is your first one!

Unfortunately I have't been blessed with beautiful, long, curled lashes from birth like lots of my friends, so I've got to fake it! 
Volumising mascaras tended to weigh down my lashes so even if I had curled them with eyelash curlers before hand, the curl wouldn't last... which really annoyed me! As you can see, I have written  in past tense... I have found a solution! 

HEAT YOUR EYELASH CURLER WITH A HAIR DRIER! 

Like hair tools, the heat increases the longevity of the style you want to create. This is the same concept. With WARM eyelash curlers (you don't want to burn your eye lid- funnily enough!) curl your lashes as normal and leave to cool. I then usually follow this step with a lengthening mascara, I'm using one by Natural Collection at the moment and then a volumising one afterwards (which is usually by Maybelline). It has made such a difference and really makes a feature of my eyes and opens them up a lot more so I look more awake (which is always welcomed!)

Hope this has helped!

Speak soon!

Isabel x

Homemade Teeth Whitener!

Okay, so I'm in a situation where I do quite like my teeth (since having braces) but I have always wanted them to be a little bit whiter. Don't get me wrong, my teeth aren't overly discoloured... I just feel like they could do with a 'lift' as it were! However, a dilemma... I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY! I have done some research and have wanted to try out multiple teeth whiteners that are on the market, but I can't bring myself to spend the money to address an issue that isn't extensive. Instead, I decided to  research and try out some homemade, affordable remedies. This particular one has just two ingredients! 

( I quite like vinegar, but if you don't... don't do this because it is all you can taste and smell for quite a few hours afterwards! )

Ingredients

1 tbsp Cider vinegar

1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

So, in a bowl I just combined the two ingredients together and stirred. It fizzed to begin with, but settled down reasonably quickly. I then grabbed an old tooth brush and dipped it into the mixture and then simply brushed my teeth. I then left it for a few minutes and then rinsed my mouth out with water! 

My teeth aren't ridiculously white, but I can see a difference with only one use. 

ONLY DO THIS ONCE A WEEK! (The way it works is by lifting  stains from the surface of the teeth, so, too much use and the enamel will start wearing away too, which isn't good what so ever!) 

Hope this helps!

Speak soon!

Isabel x