31.1.14

JANUARY ROUNDOFF

January is never anyones favourite month with the lack in money, weight gain over christmas, cold rainy weather and going back to work. For me, January has been not the greatest starts to the year but because that is only due to a lot of exams and deadlines I've had over the last couple of week, I can't really complain. It's just been a lot of hard work and dedication. I am looking forward to doing absolutely nothing for the weekend and not having to worry about anything... apart from how to cure my hangover. A celebratory night out has been a long time coming! One plus side to this month is that I "started" this blog. I didn't actually, but this month is when I've really got back into blogging and deciding what route to take with it. I have been enjoying reading new blogs and creating new products and designing my own space again. I am definitely going to keep it up throughout the year. Another plus about this month is that we have finally found our house for our second year at uni! That was another thing that added to my stress this month but now it's sorted, it is something to tick of the list. In February, I am looking forward to living the "student" life a bit more again and enjoy not having many deadlines at uni. I am also going back home next weekend which I can't wait for. I am also looking forward to trying out new products and continuing to write this blog. Hope everyone has had a lovely January and a good start to the year!

29.1.14

TWO DOWN, ONE TO GO...

January has been the worst month for me with two presentations, two deadlines and three exams but I can now finally see the finish line. Friday is my last exam and couldn't be more happy about it. My brain feels like it is going to explode! Here is the outfit I wore today. I had an exam today so and I wanted to wear something comfy and nothing too tight or uncomfortable. I bought this blouse from Primark a while ago and had forgotten about it until I went home and found it tucked away in my draws. I really love the print on it, it's perfect for the winter. 


I also really like how the sleeves are quite big and it then goes in at the wrists. This blouse is really versatile as you can dress it down or dress it up for a smarter occasion. The blouse is quite sheer so I just wore my black bandeau underneath. I just paired this outfit with my black disco pants from Missguided. I have mentioned them before and I have linked a similar pair above. They are so comfy and slimming. I didn't really accessorise with this outfit as I think the blouse on it's own is quite a statement. I just wore my everyday Tiffany ring and bracelet.

28.1.14

COLLECTION LASTING PERFECTION FOUNDATION

Recently I have been wanting to try out more drugstore foundations. Like I said in my Everyday Makeup post I don't usually wear foundation in the day, I prefer to use a CC cream. However on a night out or on a long day out I want something with a bit more coverage. I have always been a big fan of the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer but I was a bit sceptical about what the foundation would be like. It's been out for a while but I just haven't ever tried it. However, I thought I would try it as you never know what something is like unless you try it.
This foundation only costs £5.99 which is very good price. You can view it online HERE. However when it comes to foundation I always think 'the cheaper it is, the worse it will be' which is really bad of me. Having said that, this foundation has proved me wrong. I really like the coverage and the way it applies to my skin. I have it in the shade (3) Biscuit. It is one of the lighter shades as you can see from the swatch below. It is oil free which is really good for people with oily skin. However, I do touch up my powder a couple of times as my face looks shiny. 
Although I wouldn't agree with the '16 hour wear' claim, it does last a long time. It stays put throughout a night or a busy day. I also really like the fact that it has SPF 20 which is good for people who want to protect their skin further. It blends really well and works well the concealer if you want a lot of coverage. I really like the glass packaging as well. I would recommend this product if you are wanting something which you can build coverage with or wanting a starter foundation to try. However I think there are better high street foundations that can help with those who have oily skin like the Bourjois 123 foundation although that is slightly more expensive.

27.1.14

NIGHT OUT

Bit of a different outfit post today as it is a night time outfit rather than a day time one. I have been good and not been going out as I am in the middle of my exams. However, I have failed my drinking-ban as my friend is coming to Bournemouth so I can't really say no to a night out! It's probably not the best idea when I have an exam three days after but I am treating myself early! This is the outfit which I will wear with some black wedges.
Crop Top - Primark (Similar one here)
Clutch bag  - Newlook

I got this red skater skirt for christmas and I absolutely love it. It is from Missguided and it is actually on sale at the moment online so take a look. I love the way it fits and how it synchs you in at the waist. I have been wanting a brightly coloured skater skirt for ages and this one is perfect. I wasn't sure what to pair it with but I went for this simple black crop top from Primark. As it is still winter I wanted to wear something that I wouldn't freeze to death in, so that's why I opted for a long sleeve top. Also, I am getting my legs and a bit of tummy out so I need to cover everything else up! I paired this outfit with my gold and black clutch bag from New Look. I love the shape of this bag and it is quite sturdy which I really like. I also love the lacey gold detailing which adds a statement to the full outfit

26.1.14

HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

Today I thought I would talk to you through some of my hair care products that I use on a day to day basis. Compared to skin care, I am terrible at protecting my hair and keeping it in the best condition which is shameful to say. However, since I have been growing my hair out I've been a lot better and have started to use products to help protect my hair like 'heat protecting stray' and hair oils. Below are the products I use & links to view them.


Like I said, I have been trying to protect my hair better and I now always use a heat protecting spray before blowdrying and straightening my hair. I have come to realise how important it since seeing the difference from doing it. I use the Aussie leave in spray and this bottle has lasted me a life time. I really like it and it does the job. I spray this through my hair (especially on the ends) after brushing it with my tangle teezer. I then use the Babyliss Keratin Shine hairdryer on a medium heat. My hair is quite fine and flat so I need as much volume as I can get. That's why I am regularly picking up the Pantene Volume & Body shampoo. On the days I don't wash my hair I will use the Batise Dry shampoo in the roots of my hair. I have always loved this brand and after spotting the XXL Volume dry shampoo I had to try it. However, I really don't like this one as much as the original ones. I find it is really sticky in my hair and doesn't rub in as well. I won't be purchasing this one again and I will just go back to the original bottles. The Finishing touch polish is something I use to style my hair after straightening it which I use along side the Toni&Guy Sea salt spray which I talked about in this post. I think keep my hair in place with the silvikrin classic hairspray. I love it as it keeps your hair in place all day but doesn't leave it sticky or hard at all. I buy Firm Hold 4. 

24.1.14

MINT GREEN

I never really wear skirts, especially not in the winter. I know a lot of people who like to wear nice flowy skits and dresses with tights in the winter but I personally prefer and feel more comfortable in trousers or leggings. However on the occasions that I do decide to wear a skirt I usually opt for my bodycon black skirt. I've had this skirt for so long and it is so easy to pair with anything whether that is for the daytime or for a nightout. 

Jumper - Primark
Necklace - Newlook

This jumper I absolutely love. I got it from Primark quite a while ago and I wear it all the time. I love the mint green colour and the material of it. It is quite sheer so I usually wear a bandeau underneath it. I know there are a lot of mint green jumpers about especially in places such as Topshop so I am glad I got it from where I did and for the price I did. They have a lot of pastel colour jumpers in at the moment so I might pick up another one. I like to wear this jumper both untucked and tucked in. I paired this outfit with another statement necklace which I got in the sale at Newlook. I also talked about it a bit in this outfit post. I love the snake print pattern and the colours of it. It really finishes of any outfit. 



23.1.14

LASTING FINISH BY KATE MOSS

Recently I purchased a Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss. I had been searching for a lipstick that matched similarly to my natural lip colour so that I could wear it on an everyday basis. I have tried this range of lipstick before and I really liked it so I decided to pick up another colour when I was in Boots the other day. This natural pink shade is in the colour 08 and you can view it HERE. It's only £5.49 which is good price.
There are a lot of things I like about this lipstick. First of all it is so creamy on the lips and you don't need very much. It isn't glossy but it moisturising and doesn't try your lips out. I also like the fact that it isn't completely matte and is slightly shimmery which you can see in the swatch below. However, even with this shimmer I still think it looks very natural. It doesn't last a huge amount of time but long enough that your not touching up every minute of the  day. It is reasonable though for a high street lipstick that costs under £10.00. 
Weirdly, I also really like the smell of it. Some lipstick scents can be really off putting and smell almost 'cheap' but this one is really nice. I would definitely recommend this collection if you haven't tried it already or if you are looking for the perfect starter lipstick. I am going to continue building up my collection as there are loads of shades I still want to try such as 110/111. I also want to try the Acocalips Lip Lacquers which I've heard lots of good things about. Has anyone else tried them? Also, on another note it's the 1st birthday of my blog today. However, I don't really celebrate it as a achievement as I abandoned it for over 6 months, I only really got into blogging this year so it hasn't really gone anywhere but never the less happy birthday to Caramella.
Photograph - tumblr (source)

21.1.14

HEAD CASE DESIGNS

I am awful with mobile phones and I have lost or damaged 3 iPhones, so it's safe to say I can't really be trusted. Recently I just got the iPhone 5C and I wanted to find a case to keep it protected as possible. I bought this one from Ebay from Head Case Designs. HERE is the link to the site if you want to view it online. I really like this mint green colour with the simple floral white pattern on it. I chose to get the white iPhone and it compliments it well. 
They have a lot of cute girly designs and I found it hard to chose which one I wanted to get. I also liked the Pink polka-dot pattern and the vertical stripes design. I also really like it as the sides are clear so it keeps it protected but you can still see the white underneath. The case cost me £4.95 including post and packaging which is really reasonable and it arrived within 2 days which is so good! I have only just got it so i'm not sure how it will last my so far I am impressed. I have also bought some screen protectors from Ebay as well to keep it as protected as I can. I also downloaded Find my iPhone app to be safe as I can. I can't afford to damage another any time soon! 

19.1.14

TONI & GUY SEA SALT SPRAY

Today I am reviewing the Toni&Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray. I'd been looking for a spray for a while that would give my hair a bit of texture and body after washing it. I had read a lot of good reviews about this product and wanted to give it a try. I originally bought the small 75ml travel bottle which was around £3 and absolutely loved it. After completely finishing that bottle and then re-purchased the bigger 200ml bottle for £7.19.
What I really like about this product is that it gives my hair body and texture for a long period of time just like proper salt water would do a the beach. A lot of other sea salt products I have used don't last long or don't give my hair any body at all, whereas this product does. To apply it I simply stray it directly on the middle and ends of my hair and then use my hands to scrunch it up a bit. This picture below shows the result it gives in my hair. 
Another thing I like about this product is that it doesn't look sticky or "wet" in your hair. It helps my hair look thicker and producing volume without the use of backcombing. I am a sucker for backcombing but I have tried to stay away from doing it so much as it isn't very good for it. This product is a really good alternative and I would definitely recommend it. It also smells really good which is always a plus. The overall result is that is gives your hair volume and body and helps with making newly washed hair look a little backcombed and more textured.

17.1.14

RED BLACK

I can't stands not having my nails painted and it's hard coming to uni and not being able to bring my nail polish collection. I had to just bring some of my favourite colours. At the moment I have been wearing Barry M Nail Paint in the colour Red Black. I used to wear this colour all the time and I have only recently re-discovered it. Over the top I always wear the Sally Hensens Acrylic No Chip Top Coat which helps stop my nails from chipping.
What I really like about this shade is that you can build it up from being a cherry red shade with one coat to a dark deep red with a couple of coats. I love wearing deep reds in the winter and this is one of my favourite shades to wear at this time of year. I have always been a big fan of the colours in the Barry M collection but I haven't bought new one in absolutely ages. I really want to try out the new Classic Matte Nail collection such as the shade Nude Vanilla and Burgundy Crush. This shade above is the original formula but the only problem with it is that is takes forever to dry. I personally prefer the Barry M Gelly Shine Collection's formula as it applies better and dry quicker. I think it will be interesting so see what the Matte Collection is like. Has anyone tried that matte collection? How is it?

14.1.14

TARTAN BLOUSE

This tartan blouse is another purchase I made with my birthday money I had. It is from Primark and it was £10. I'm not sure whether it is just me but the prices of Tops and blouses have gone up a lot in Primark lately. However, I liked it so much that I could justify spending that for it. It is very sheer so you do have to wear either wear a strappy top or bandeau underneath like I did. The one I am wearing comes in a set of two from H&M.

Blouse -
 Primark

I haven't worn these jeans from Miss Selfridge in a while, as I have bought some new ones recently so these were shoved to the back of my wardrobe. I usually prefer to wear really light coloured jeans in the summer and darker ones in winter. However, I have rekindled my love for them after pairing them with this blouse. Unfortunately the are too big for me now so I may have to buy a new pair soon. They sell a really similar pair in Miss Selfridge which is linked above. I know a lot of girls love Topshop jeans, but I have always preferred miss Selfridge's range. I then paired this outfit with (another) statement necklace from Topshop and I wore my Miss Guided jacket over the top. 


13.1.14

FIGHTING BREAKOUTS: ORIGINS SPOT REMOVER

Today, I am doing another 'Fighting Breakouts' post and I am reviewing the Origins Super Spot remover. First off, it is quite expensive for what it is. It is £14 for only a 10ml bottle. However you only need a tiny bit so it does last a very long time. I use this product before I go to bed if I have a pesky spot. I used to use my finger to apply it but I have now started to use a cotton bud so that it spreads less germs. I simply squeeze the bottle so a little bit comes out and then using the cotton bud I gently apply it on my spot. I found out that you don't need to smother it with gel, you only need a tiny bit. This product contains salicylic acid which helps dry out and get rid of the spot.
After using this products for over a couple of months I would say that this product does significantly help the appearance of blemishes over night. However I found it doesn't always completed get rid of them. Like I have said before, I am really bad at tampering with spots and I can't resist the urge to pop one if I can. This product treats the spot in a hygienic and clinical way, leaving minimal scarring. I will definitely continue to use this product as it is the best one I have found so far. Cheaper spot gels I have tried in the past have not always worked and on occasions made it worse. I think the key to fighting breakouts is looking to see if the product contains Salicylic acid as this is the key ingredient to getting rid of blemishes / spots, scarring and gently relieving stressed skin. 

12.1.14

BOURNEMOUTH BEACH

It is so nice living close to the sea now that I am at uni as I have just come down and experience the view and surroundings whenever I want too. A few of us had to take some photos as part as a uni project so we all headed down to the beach. The weather is so nice, it was the perfect day to get up early and enjoy the day. The sun was shining and there was clear sky. I hadn't taken many photos outside since being at uni so it was nice to get my camera out again, and what better place to do it then the beautiful beach. I love the colours in this one below.
  
  
Coat - Zara
Scarf - Zara
Disco pants - Missguided 

I really love this quilted coat I got from Zara coat I got last year. It was was quite an expensive buy at the time but I have got a lot of use out of it. It has brown detailing on the shoulders and it is medium length. It is very warm although with the weather we had, I didn't really need a wear it. I paired it with my new scarf which I also got from Zara - I wore it in this outfit too. I also wore my black sued boots which I talked about in this post. The are so comfy although as I soon discovered they are not the most suitable to wear to the beach as it is pretty damp and sandy! 

11.1.14

EVERYDAY MAKEUP

First of all, excuse the over-exposed photo. The lighting today made it hard to take a good photo. I decided to show the products in my everyday makeup routine. Some products I have already talked about in other posts such as the Estée Lauder blush which you can find HERE. For a while now I have been trying to stay away from foundation to help my skin and instead I have been using a CC cream. It is not as thick as a normal foundation and it is less coverage. However this one is specifically an 'anti-redness' serum so with this and a little bit of the Collection concealer it gives enough coverage for my skin. I then set my base with the MAC mineralize skin finish which I have loved for a very long time and has always been a must have in my makeup bag. I've repurchased it a lot. 

On occasions where I need my makeup on stay for longer (usually nights out) I also apply the Smash Box photo-finish primer. The one I have got has been discontinued but this one is very similar. I really love the formula and it does help my makeup stay on for longer. On an everyday basis, I don't wear much makeup on my eyes. I always want something quick and easy as I am on the go a lot. That's why I use the Maybelline 24hr color tattoo. This product was raved about a lot before and I still really like it. I like the gold tones and it lasts all day. I just apply that with my finger and then apply my mascara. For eye brows I use the Smash Box brow tech. I love this product as it comes with two shades and a setting wax. I use the lighter colour to fill in and the darker shade to define the shape. I use the angled side of the Revon's eye brush to apply it. I have almost used all the wax up already which is annoying as I really like how it works and I don't think it is sold separately. I use the other end of the brush to apply this.

10.1.14

AZTEC SCARF

As such as I love spring and summer, I do love a good cold winters day. The weather were I am has been getting better and I don't think it is as cold and rainy lately. I bought this Miss Guided Jacket a couple of months ago and I really love it. I love the khaki green colour and the leather sleeves. I managed to get it half price and it is still on sale still HERE. You can also unzip the bottom part and were it as a cropped jacket but I much prefer it longer. 


Although it is only a jacket, it is actually surprisingly warm. I was originally looking for a winter coat but bought this jacket instead. It works just as well. I paired this outfit with some burgundy high waisted leggings I got from River Island. You can't really see them that well in this picture and they don't sell them online anymore but there are very similar ones available. They are so comfy and thick which is perfect for the winter evening. I also paired that with a simple, floaty white cami from Topshop and this statement scarf from Primark. I love this scarf so much, I have been wearing it alot lately. I really like the size and the simple black and white pattern. A favourite piece of mine. 

9.1.14

FELLOW BLOGGER #2


Today I thought I would do another Fellow Blogger post. One of my favourite blogs at the moment is Belle's Boutique. I used to read her blog a while ago but I have only just started to regularly read blogs again so it is nice to rediscover hers all over again. I love her range of makeup and beauty related posts and reading about what she thinks about products. Another exciting thing is that she has just announced that she is pregnant! I am looking forward to seeing her journey over the next 9 months and all the baby related posts! She posts nearly everyday so go and check her blog out if you haven't already. I have also written a list of my 'frequently read blogs' HERE so you can see a list of my favourite blogs, take a look there! Links to her blog above (or click on picture).




Photograph - Blogger.com (Source)

8.1.14

FIGHTING BREAKOUTS: DERMALOGICA CLEAR START

Another product I have been using to help fight breakouts is the Dermalogica Clear Start range. I have been using the Foaming wash and the Overnight treatment for the last couple of weeks. Although I have only been using it for a short period of time, I have already noticed a considerable difference. My skin has been pretty much clear the whole time and the redness which was there previously has reduced too. I use the foaming wash everyday in the shower and the overnight treatment, every night after my moisturiser. I then apply the Monu Recovery balm which I talk about in this previous post just to further help relieve any irritation or/and stressed skin that I might have.
These products have 'Salicylic acid' in them which is key to fighting breakouts. It helps relieve and protect the skins natural barrier. I used to use the Clinique liquid skin formula for oily skin which I also talked about in this post. Although this product did help me at the time, I think it was a little harsh on my skin and these products are much better for me as they are specifically for fighting breakouts. They are a little pricey at £13 each, however they are definitely worth it as they have worked wonders on my skin. I have also found that it is sometimes good to spend a little bit more money on these products, as some spot clearing high street products (such as Clearasil and Clean & Clear) don't help at all or even sometimes make the problem worse. What are your thoughts on this? 

7.1.14

ANIMAL PRINT

I have been obsessed with buying new jumpers at the moment. I was in need of some and may have gone a bit overboard. I wanted to get something a little different from the normal monotone colours. I found this animal print one from River Island and I love it. It is a bat wing design which I really like and it has leather arms which is slightly different. I usually wear it tucked in to jeans or leggings (shown below) but it also looks nice untucked.

Jumper - River Island
Jeans - Primark
Necklace - Topshop
Nails - Max Factor Max Effect (Deep Coral)

I have also been loving wearing jeans a lot more recently. I have always been a leggings girl as I find them so much more comfy and they bit me better. However, these jeans from Primark are not only comfy but fit really nicely down the leg. I also wore them in this outfit. I usually buy lighter jeans as well so it's nice to have a little change. I am wearing Max Factor's Max effect in the colour deep coral. It it is a lovely shimmery red/orange colour and it goes with every outfit. I have been wearing it a lot of the christmas period as I think it is quite a festive colour. I then paired this outfit with a gold necklace and my Tiffany's 'color by the yard' ring and bracelet that I wear everyday. 


6.1.14

FIGHTING BREAKOUTS: DECLEOR AROMA SOLUTIONS

I wanted to start making posts specifically about fighting breakouts. I had trouble with spots for years with my chin and forehead being my most affected areas. Now my skin isn't too bad, however I am left with a lot of light scarring on my chin and around my nose. Luckily my forehead is ok. This scars were probably due to the fact that I am so bad with just leaving my spots alone. I always had to pick at them or squeeze them to try and make they go away. This does not help and not only will you be transferring more oil and dirt to the affected area but you will also be left with visible scarring in the long run which is not nice. It also makes me not want to go anywhere without a coverup. 
My Mum bought me the Decléor Aroma Solutions Energising gel to try and reduce the appearance of my scars. It is quite pricey at around £30 but you get a lot for the price. Its formula is meant to help revitalise the support of the skin and help diminish unsightly marks. I use this every morning after cleansing and applying my moisturiser. It is a gel and not a cream so it isn't very moisturising. I simply apply a thin layer to my affected areas (chin and around the nose) and leave my skin for a while before applying makeup. i have been using it for a couple of months now and it's really helped my scars. It's considerably reduced the redness although it's not completely got rid of them. 
   
I do really like this product, however I can understand why people wouldn't want to spend £30 on it as it doesn't completely get rid of the scars/redness. I am going to keep using it daily and see if there is any more progress. This product isn't really for reducing breakouts, it's more helping to reducing scars from acne prone skin. I would definitely recommend this product as it has helped my skin look a lot clearer. Has anyone else used this product?

BACK TO UNI

I am now back to University for my second semester, first year. It is really nice to be back now after the three week christmas break. However, January is the month of exams so I have to buckle down and study / work hard over the next couple of weeks. I thought I brought a lot of clothes back home with me when I left in December but I am bringing a whole lot more back to Uni with me! This is after being completely spoilt over my birthday & Christmas.  

Top - Next
Disco Pants - Miss Guided
Purple pumps - Primark
Scarf - Zara

This scarf from Zara was a birthday present and I am absolutely in love with it. Unfortunately it is not on the website anymore. The scarfs in Zara go in and out of stock really quickly. I had been looking for a big tartan scarf for ages and this is my favourite. I paired it with a lacy top that I had forgotten about from Next. It was in the back of my wardrobe and I have only just rediscovered it. I have also been wearing these dolly shoes from Primark a lot too. I really love the dark purple colour and they are so cheap at around £4. I also bought this disco pants from Miss Guided a while ago and I love them as they are high waisted. Although you can't see it in these photographs. 

5.1.14

ESTEE LAUDER EXOTIC PINK

One of my favourite products of 2013 is this Pure Colour Blush from Estée Lauder. I bought it at the beginning on the year and even with using it nearly everyday as part of daily makeup routine it still looks like it hasn't be touched. It is quite pricey (at around £25) however considering how long I have used it for it is definitely worth the price. You can find it on the website HERE. I bought it in the colour 'Exotic Pink' which is a very bright pink. You only need a very tiny amount to get a good result. It is very easy to look very "rosy cheeked" with this if you put too much product on as it very highly pigmented - and you'll end up looking like someone from TOWIE.
apply this product with the Real Techniques Blush Brush by Samantha Chapman. It comes with a mini Estée Lauder brush but I don't use it to apply it. I put a tiny amount on the tip of the brush and then blend it into my cheeks. I love this blush as it lasts all day and you rarely have to touch up throughout the day. It also looks very natural considering it is a very bright colour. I was a bit sceptical when buying it whether it would be too bright against my skin but it works really well. I also love the packaging of this and it fits really well in my makeup bag.
 
I will definitely be continuing to use this product into 2014 as it is the perfect everyday blush. However I am also determined to find an alternative blush for the summer which is a lot lighter and peach toned as I want to try something slightly different. Overall, I would say that this blush is perfect for anyone who doesn't mind spending a little bit more money knowing that this product will last a decent amount of time. I haven't used that many Estée Lauder products in the past but now I am more inclined to buying more products as I know it will be worth it.