NEW BLOG

Hi guys! Firstly just wanted to apologise for being gone for so long! I have been very busy with university and working so haven't had a lot of time on my hands. I did however finish my second year with a 2:1 and managed to secure my 3rd placement in industry so I'm so happy! As well as that, I have also been working on my own little project and created a new website for my blog. I am the type of person that always likes change and is constantly changing up my blog layout. However this time, I have moved it to a completely new platform.  

I have never been completely happy with using blogger and I wanted to create something that was slightly more than just a "blog". I wanted my own personal space and here it is! Jessica | Lifestyle and Beauty. I am so happy with it and I would love it if you guys would check it out! I changed the name but have kept some of the same posts I used on here just to set it off. However I am planning to post more lifestyle related posts from now on.

It's currently under the url http://jessica243.wix.com/jessica, however I am hoping to change this soon so this is just temporary. I have also changed all my social networks to the username @myblogjessica. I know this is a massive pain but changing to a new platform always is. I am still on Bloglovin' so I am still easy to find, I just won't be posting on this blog anymore. I hope that you will all continue to follow me over at Jessica and like my new site as much as I do!

SOAP AND GLORY ONE HECK OF A BLOT

I love trying out new powder and I haven't found one I really love since the MAC Mineralise skin finish. I want to find a drugstore powder that I love and can therefore re purchase when needed. I went into Boots and decided to try the Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Pressed Powder. I have tried their Kick Ass Concealer before and absolutely loved it so I thought I would give their powder a go and see what I thought of it. Although Soap and Glory are a drug store

brand, the product is still quite experience for £12 as a lot of other drug store powders you can get for under £10. I use this product as part of my everyday makeup routine to set my foundation and concealer. I was quite disappointed that I am already running out after only having it a short while. I would have hoped it would of lasted longer considering the price and I don't use a lot of it each time. This powder is translucent and is quite light in the

packaging but isn't when applied. It claims to offer "class shine control and oil-absorption". I do agree to this to some extent - it is very mattifying which I love and it does help my makeup stay on all day. However, it doesn't really impress my more than any other drug store powders and so I'm not sure whether I would re purchase it again for £12. I don't notice anything dramatic when it comes to shine control. It is a nice powder although I think you can get a cheaper alternative that does the job just as well. Have you tried it? What do you think?

HIGH BEAM VS. HIGHLIGHTS

I am always on the hunt for a good dupe product, especially being a student and constantly having no money! Finding products that are just as good as high end products and at the fraction of the price is just what I need. When it comes to highlighters, I only ever wear it on nights out or when I need a full heavy face of makeup. I have always loved the Benefit High Beam highlighter and I know I am definitely not the only one as it's all over the blogging community! 

As you can tell from my picture, my bottle of High Beam has been very well loved and is pretty much empty now and I'm in need for another! For a full 13ml bottle it's costs a crazy £19.50, which is extortionate for highlighter if you are on a low budget like me. I read about the Technic highlights highlighter online and it's meant to be the dupe of High Beam not only when it comes to the formula but the packaging is identical too (not sure how I feel about that). At only £1.99, it is a fraction on the price and it is easily available online or in local Bodycare shops. I wasn't really sure what to think of it at first but I actually really like it. High beam has a slightly thicker formula and is a little more pink toned but because Highlights is slightly thinner it is really easy to apply with just a few daps of the finger. When it's applied I think it looks really natural and light hits it really well. Highbeam does blend in slightly better but that doesn't fuss me too much as it doesn't look unnatural at all. In comparison, I do prefer Highbeam but for the price you pay for the Technic's version I am definitely happy with it and will definitely continue to use it in the future!

THE BODY SHOP

Since the new year has come, the weather has got so miserable and cold and my skin has really been affected from it. It has made it so dry and dehydrated lately and that's why I have been really loving The Body Shop products again. The Body Shop products are those that you can use all year around but I have been really getting back into them again this month. I have been especially loving the Strawberry Body Butter and the Strawberry Hand Cream. 

I rarely ever get dry hands so never really use hand cream on a regular basis, but I never realised how refreshing and moisturising it is to use a hand cream a few times a day. I love this hand cream as it makes such a difference to your hands straight away and it doesn't leave them feeling greasy at all. I also love the smell which isn't too strong once it is applied. I know some people don't like fragranced hand creams but I don't mind this one. It's only £3.50 for 30ml which I think is a great price and it's perfect size to slip into your bag. I also really love the packaging! I go through a stage of loving the strawberry scented body butter and then going off it for a while. At the moment I really like it and there is nothing better than having a warm relaxing bath, applying this body butter after getting out and then getting into some warm pyjamas. It is always one I go back too as it leaves my skins so smooth and smelling lovely! 

MICELLAR WATER REVIEW: B. PURE

As part of my Micellar Water Review, I am going to talk about the B. Pure Micellar Water as my final review. It is the second most expensive solution at £4.99 for 100ml. I really love the packaging of this solution however unfortunately it my least favourite out of the three (B. Pure, Garnier and L'oreal). I haven't ever tried any of the B. Pure products but I have always been interested to see what they were like, so I intrigued to try this when I received this product. 

The first thing I have noticed is that it really stung my eyes when I used it to take off my mascara and eye makeup. It also makes my eyes water which is slightly annoying. This is a big issue for me as I want a solution that is gentle on the eyes and takes makeup off smoothly. As well as this, my skin doesn't feel very clean and soft when I use it on it's own. With the Garnier solution I feel I could just use that on it's own (if I was being lazy) and feel satisfied, however with this one it still feels like my skin is still quite dirty. I also don't like the scent as much as the other solutions. Although this review has seemed negative overall, the B. Pure Micellar Water does do the job, however compared to the other ones I have tried it is my least favourite. Using a cleanser or toner after this product works well - I just don't like how it stings my eyes when I use it. Have you tried this product? What do you think?

TWENTY FIFTEEN

Happy new year my fellow bloggers! Hope you all had a lovely evening and haven't woken up feeling too hungover. I am so excited for a new year however absolutely dreading January with exams and deadlines galore! Please bare with me over January with my blog content as assignments are going to be taking priority over blogging unfortunately. I will be back and raring to go in February though! I thought I would share with you some of my favourite blogs of 2014 to get this year going - so here are my Top 10 beauty/fashion blogs: A Little Boat Sailing, From Roses, The Lovecats Inc, Thumbelina Lillie, My Pale Skin, The Little Plum, TINY TWISST, Sophie's Makeup blog, Anna's Blush & Bounjour Luce. Of course not forgetting everyone else in my Blog Roll! Feel free to leave links to your blogs on Twitter or in the comments below as I would love to find some new reads for 2015! Hope everyone has a wonderful year and I looking forward to see what it brings! Read my 2014 post HERE.