I'm part of the short hair clan! - My new short tousled style

I haven't braved hair this short since the age of thirteen - to say it was a tragedy then is an understatement - but I decided a couple of weeks ago to take the plunge and at my own risk, cut it short... thirteen-year-old-Laura short. 

My longer hair had really run its course. Long, split ends sprouting everywhere, ratty and damaged, this was more than just a 'trim' job, it had to be chopped off. I'd made the decision to cut my hair, knowing I had to wait a week to get an appointment, so I detested it; no matter how much I faffed around with the style, it was U.G.L.Y. Chucking it in a top knot was the only solution. 

Now i've finally had it cut, I just love it. It's so much easier to maintain and when I wake up, that's it. I don't have to bother styling it or playing around with it because finally, the short and messy unkept do is IN. 

Alexa Chung's perfectly tousled hair and Fearne Cotton's volumised locks are the inspiration for my new style; who knew how chic the just-rolled-out-of-bed look could be? 

However, in 2007, it wasn't so chic; growing up being really picky and conscious about my image didn't help with my confidence at all. Throw in a short haircut that I didn't know how to look after, and there you go... a mid-life crisis at the age of thirteen. Back then it was all about having perfectly straight hair - which I don't have but desperately craved - and I was obsessed with straightening it every morning, every night because I hated having wavy hair that stuck out all over the place. Now, I feel like the natural wave and messiness of my hair really makes this look, waking up and not having to put much of an effort in is a real relief... in fact, I might go a little shorter! 

It's been a journey, but I finally feel like me and my hair can have a healthy relationship, however it decides to be in the mornings!

Oh, and i've also cut out fake tan after my unhealthy obsession over the summer, so you could say it's the first big step towards being a more natural me!

Let me know if you have any short hair styling tips that you're loving this season!

FOTD: Get festive with Kiko - a warm eye look

Seen in photograph: 

- Foundation: Bourjois healthy mix (Vanilla)
- Concealer: Collection 2000 Lasting perfection concealer ( 01 Fair)
- Benefit Hoola Bronzer
- Lipstick: MAC Kinda Sexy
- Eyes (my staple product!): Kiko long lasting eyeshadow stick (37 Burgundy)


Not seen in photograph (because packaging is too grubby):

-Powder: Max Factor creme puff pressed powder (41 medium beige)
-Mascara: Bourjois volume 1 second mascara (ultra black)
-Brows: Hi impact brows palette

I LOVE this look. The warm burgundy eye is perfect for winter and the up-coming festive season! Team with a nude lip for a casual day look or with a dark berry lip for a mysterious, sexy evening do. Heavy contouring will always be in - from Cheryl to Kim Kardashian, effortlessly get the look with Benefits famous bronzer, Hoola! I never leave the house without my ol'faithful Hoola... even though it's getting a little bit grubby. It also has no shimmer and appears completely matte which doesn't make it too overpowering for everyday use - holy grail right there!

Kiko's burgundy eyeshadow stick also makes blue eyes really stand out and is soooo flattering, so blue eyed beauties... get to Kiko! I also love how easy it is to apply as eyeshadow can be a little daunting. It's a quick fix product that can completely transform a look in seconds; simply sweep and blend for a flawless finish!

I really hope you enjoyed this post because I haven't done a FOTD or MOTD in a loooooooong time. Be sure to let me know what products you're loving for the upcoming festive season and any eye products that make blue eyes pop!

My biggest beauty blunders - I was young okay!

We were all young once, and at some point - stupid. When it comes to beauty, I cannot help but cringe at some of the things I used to do... more worryingly, some of the things that I thought looked good;  I made some of the biggest beauty mistakes in history, but I'm sure many of you were guilty too!

1) Powder brows: And I'm not talking powder made for the brows - I'm talking full on, bushy; un-plucked, untouched brows. With nothing to accompany them but the insane amount of foundation powder, clinging onto every hair, they looked more like two ginger slugs sitting above my eyes. I know going au naturel is the biggest gift of childhood, but wearing just an innocent amount powder can really destroy a look!

2) Liner brows: No. 2 of the brow-destroying chronicles has to be the worst. After discovering that filling in your brows is the way forward, I decided to try this myself…. with thick black eyeliner. I don't even have to add anymore to this because I think you know how treacherous this is.

3) Almost-no-brows: No. 3 of the brow-destroying chronicles is also quite disastrous - just when you think I couldn't mess up my eyebrows any more. Pluck, Pluck, Pluck, Pluck, I'd pluck all day, just not in the right way. Instead of plucking beneath the brow to create the perfect arch, I'd pluck on top to create more of an emoji-style finish. More like straight lines. *cringing right now*.

4) Foundation flaws: My first ever foundation is a blast from the past. It was from the little Maybelline booth in my local chemist and I was so excited to try it that I just picked up the first one I saw  - with no awareness of colour matching- and slapped it on. As well as putting something on my face that was 5 shades darker than my own, it also had glitter in the formula so the finish was horrific and couldn't of drawn enough attention to the orange line beneath my chin.

5) Recyclable makeup wipes: No. Makeup wipes should not be used more than once!!! But, yet again, along with the long list of beauty blunders that i'm guilty of, of course I done it. I had no awareness of skincare and up until then, no awareness of what caused breakouts. I probably had the worst skin ever from the age of thirteen to sixteen because of this beauty blunder, and yet I seeked to destroy it even more by re-using my cotton makeup pads too.

6) Gradual tan, looks the same as suncream, right?: Yet again, I don't have to go into much detail because you can imagine the sight. The orange. It didn't take a miracle to realise that 5 minutes of sunbathing wasn't causing my sudden tango glow… did anyone warn me? nope.

7) £5 extensions: The price tag should've been a warning not to go there. So was the stall outside Primark, selling a combination of hair extensions, Nokia phone cases, and dog baskets... but there you go. My extensions were a crime. Plastic, horse hair looking rat tails that sat on my waist whilst my natural hair, just under my chin, stuck out like a sore thumb. If I wasn't known in secondary school as 'the girl with dodgy hair extensions' then i'll eat my own arm.

8) Foundation lips: It was a trend that swept through the nation and the majority of girls in Essex were guilty. The trend consisted of smearing your lips with foundation and if that's not bad enough, slapping lipgloss on top to really make them stand out. I could say that was me compromising by creating a budget nude lippy, but there are standards… laws. Just NOOOOOOOOOO.

9) I daresay hairspray: I may have been a little hairspray crazy throughout the end of primary school/beginning of secondary school. I was a perfectionist and couldn't have a hair loose. I sprayed my hair so much that it was rock solid stuck to my head - a constant wind tunnel/ face lift look if you ask me. Who said that Kim Kardashian bought the slicked back top knot into fashion ayy?

10) Spots on forehead?… get a fringe: At the time, I thought it was a genius decision… until I cut my fringe myself. It was a hopeless/stupid attempt at camouflaging the corkers on my forehead. Not only did I cut my fringe with paper scissors causing split ends to grow on my already split ends, but I decided to only apply my makeup on the lower part of my face - after all, you can't see my forehead when I have a full fringe? Not until the wind blows and my disproportionate skin tone is on show to the whole playground. It could be seen as me saving my makeup, or it's a beauty blunder that cannot be ignored.

11) reapplying makeup on top of yesterdays makeup: C'mon girls we've all done it. It's soooo bad for our skin it should be illegal, but just once won't hurt, right? tehe.

So it's been fun, but i'm all beauty blundered out for the day and I feel ashamed that I thought any of these were acceptable… ironically i'm a beauty blogger now so something must have gone right!!!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lipsticks

Last week I went to the fabulous Bourjois 24hr Party Ready event and had a sneak preview of some of the gorgeous A/W range - including a new Rouge Edition Velvet lipstick in shade 09 Happy Nude Year! (how cute).

Sprinkled with bouquets of roses, cocktails all round, ghd stylists and nail artists at the ready, I felt pampered like a princess. I had a glass of wine in one hand, delicious mini hamburger in the other, whilst getting my hair done at the same time; my excitement (especially after a few wines) made it perfectly clear that this isn't a daily occurrence… hehe.

When I got home - head slightly hurting - I couldn't wait to try my new goodies! I've heard such great things about Bourjois' ultra long-lasting matte lippys, and they really lived up to their reputation. At first I thought: oh great, another standard lip gloss that tastes weird, with a sticky consistency and goes gloopy after a couple of weeks.. but no! I was super surprised to find that it had a smooth matte finish with a consistent pop of colour, easy to apply and just gorgeous. 

Happy Nude Year is a very pretty pink, but it's natural and subtle enough to wear everyday. The pop of colour gives any complexion a really healthy glow and it can easily be taken from day to night with a bold eye look - party ready for the festive season ahead! 

Even my mummy swooped at the sight of these, lathering it on whilst pouting in the mirror, mmm-ing with approval and insisting on stealing it for her evening out! They're so lovely and I'm really impressed by how long they last. I wore it on a date night with Sam and had a whopping great burger (only to test if my lipstick will last, of course) and surprisingly it had clung onto my lips like a trooper! So, it's really great for someone like me who intends to apply my makeup once a day, and once only. Oh, I also love the applicator wand which makes the product easier to apply than the standard-style lipstick… in the words of Bourjois, Rouge Edition Velvet is the "new era of lipsticks"- so much easier and convenient in my eyes! LOVE.

The red shade 03 Hot Pepper is also as hot as it looks. Like the little black dress that every woman needs, the same applies to the red lip. Bourjois' Rouge Edition red is, yet again, another beautiful matte shade that's super bold and long-lasting, keeping up with you towards the party season. 

I'm so impressed by the Rouge Edition Velvet range and they have to be the most long-lasting lip products I've ever used - bold statement, yes. I can't wait to try some more gorgeous shades because I have a feeling these are going to stay glued in my makeup bag for a long loooooong time. It's also inspired me to buy more of their products because I haven't really tried many up till now, so look out for more Bourjois inspired posts in the near future!

I'M BACK - October favourites!

Do-it-yourself brow tinting kit: MY FIRST TIME!

The road to achieving the perfect brows can be a treacherous one. You know what they say… never trust anybody with dodgy brows, and I have to admit, I may have fallen into that category at many points in my teenage life.

From - what seemed like - over-plucked pencil lines sitting above my eyes, to foundation covered, ginger beasts sprouting everywhere; it's been tough. BUT, I think I've hit the jackpot. Whilst they're not yet the perfect Delevingne brow, I'm one step closer to socially acceptable brows that not only match my hair colour, but require little everyday maintenance.

The answer? Tinting. I've always gone back to dying my hair Kardashian dark but my eyebrows never seem to be able to keep up. Tinting allows me to achieve a natural finish, tricking those into believing I'm basically a long lost Kardashian sister. I can't believe I haven't taken the time to go through with it! (or it's because I'm a wuss).. who can blame me when I Google it and there are tales of going BLIND if you get the dye NEAR your eye?! I have risked losing my sight to do this for you girls.

Old Wives Tail- Argan & Rosemary Organ Oil Treatment

Oh, isn't the never ending battle to achieve luscious, healthy, shiny locks tiresome girls? Not all of us have a personal hair stylist, maintaining and taming our manes every day- well, unless you're Kim Kardashian, with enviable shiny locks and not a split end in sight). But for us… natural girls on a budget, finding a pocket friendly solution can be quite the challenge!…

Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation

Hello girls! This is just a quick post to share with you my holy grail foundation which is just flawless! Since coming back from holiday my skin has been a little oily, spot prone and all round temperamental; finding a foundation that fits my skin type can be quite the challenge. My Mum has always sworn by 

Estée Lauder's best seller Double Wear foundation.

It's suitable for any skin type, because although it's oil-free for those with oily skin, I find it quite moisturising, not drying my skin but maintaining and balancing the essential oils.  

A new me. A pathway to awakening your mind with Buddhism.

Hello everyone! So I'm back from a week of bliss in the Spanish sunshine and since being back, things haven't quite been the same. The typical beach holiday I thought I would have, spending my time soaking up the sun and trying to get the best tan possible, turned into something I didn't expect- a time for reflection and self discovery. Two prominent aims that have inspired me to write this post. 

A quick little first impressions post

Hello my sweets, because I've had a little splurge recently on bits and bobs for my holiday, it's just been an excuse to buy some beauty products that have had people talking- some negative feedback, some positive; curious little me had to try them for myself! 

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Serum

 Finally it's time to get our glycolic on with Nip + Fab! So it may not be as strong as celeb treatments but at a bargain budget, I ain't complaining! 

Nip and Fab's Glycolic Fix Serum has the famous red carpet facial ingredient; glycolic acid, the most common alpha hydroxy acid and has the reputation of being one of the safest forms of alpha hydroxy acid. The glycolic face peel is known for its deep exfoliation, safely removing dead skin cells to reveal fresh, clear skin underneath… sounds too good to be true, right? But of course, the powerful ingredient on its own cannot be handed out lightly for home use, so beauty brands like Nip + Fab simply add a little drop (in this case 4%) so we can incorporate the benefits into our everyday skin routine. 

Fight break outs with bareMinerals Blemish Remedy!

I'm always on the look out for blemish busting remedies to give me clear summer skin; bareMinerals blemish remedy caught my eye instantly- a concealing powder and break out preventer? Sounds like the perfect combination!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! I've probably said this a gazillion times today but I just can't help it; it's the one day of the year that being a complete diva is acceptable! 

But I've been an incredibly lucky girl this year and I feel truly blessed for all the lovely and thoughtful birthday messages and presents, I have the best family, boyfriend and friends ever. 

This post is dedicated to my pretty presents and purchases that I couldn't help but treat myself too… after all, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! 

Clinique chubby stick: 11 two ton tomato

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Elixir

Hello girlies! I've been excited about this one for a long time; I have finally got round to trying the apparently 'indestructible' tan which promises to last 2 WEEKS, with no streaks and no smell. Sounds too good to be true, right? But whilst the advertising provides promises that no other can make, the end product fell a little short. 

The new elixir tan has just as many positives as negatives.There is definitely a fake tan smell as soon as it's applied, although it's not as prominent as when you wake up in the morning smelling like biscuits… being a bit of a tan-a-holic myself, the fake tan smell is definitely something I try to avoid- looks like my mission to find a odourless tan isn't over yet!

However, I love the colour after a few applications (when applied for three consecutive days, the tan is supposed to last 2 weeks). I've been a little bit of a wimp and haven't tried all three applications because I fear I will be too orange to be seen and not judged in public; two days gives me enough of a noticeable glow.
BUT- whilst the colour is oh so pretty on the day of application, the product only went and migrated to under my arm pits, knees and elbows- it left me looking so streaky my boyfriend started calling me bacon. The elixir in the tan absorbs into the skin really quickly, so it's hard to find any missed spots (WARNING: PUT YOUR TANNING MITTS AWAY, USE HANDS FOR SPEEDINESS).

Without a lot of time spent exfoliating and moisturising the day before, L'oreal's Elixir tan falls incredibly short. After learning to moisturise my elbows and knees, the patchiness isn't as bad *sigh of relief as money isn't wasted*. Depending on how carefully you apply the product, will depend on the evenness and quality of the final product; do not go into this process half heartedly- be prepared!!.

On the plus side, it leaves skin feeling so soft and moisturised and it does last a very long time. However, it's incredibly annoying if a few pesky patches appear; it takes a long time to scrub off!

The colour, after two applications, lasted over a week which I was really impressed with. I swim a couple of times a week, and any budding swimmers would know that chlorine obliterates any effort you put into tanning or moisturising your body.. BUT parts of the product did remain in place! So in that respect, I am impressed. 

FINALLY: L'oreal does state that the product can be used on the face as well but I'm too scared to try! I guess a patchy face would match my patchy body but I have to step down from my role as a hardcore beauty blogger, I cannot risk it!

Okay, so there may have been a few more negatives than suggested at first, but I would probably repurchase again if I came across this unpredictable little tan on the shelves… and if it was on sale- what's life without a little risk ay!

The Body Shop Seaweed Skincare

Hello my lovelies! Hope you are all enjoying the sun- sorry if it's not sunny where you are, it's rare for the sun to be shining over Essex! But I just wanted to do a quick post on my new The Body Shop purchases which I love love love at the moment.

The natural properties of the bladderwrack seaweed extracts balances excess oils and is an excellent treatment for oily to combination skin. My temperamental skin can be a pain sometimes, especially when I wake up with lots of shine and oil around my t-zone. Since using the Seaweed Clarifying Night Treatment it has balanced my oily skin fabulously whilst keeping it hydrated and moisturised.

When used after applying Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion- also from The Body Shop, it creates a thick serum which I love using because the mixture of seaweed and tea tree acts as the perfect acne treatment.; not too strong that it dries the skin but strong enough to feel the products soaking deep into the skin and clearing imperfections! I'll do a separate post soon on the Tea Tree Clearing Lotion; I wanted to focus on the seaweed range this time round!

Secondly, the best thing I have done for my skincare routine is swap my Simple toner for the Seaweed Clarifying Toner! If you have acne prone skin like I do, I would recommend finding a range of skincare products that target your skin type/problem i.e. The Body Shops seaweed or tea tree range. I love the clarifying toner; it refreshes, refines pores and removes impurities and yet again is another product that you can FEEL working into the skin. It slightly stings once applied after thoroughly cleansing, but that is just because the product is working into the skin and getting deep into the pores to remove impurities.

However, naturally, the seaweed extracts dries the skin and tackles oil so apply a reliable moisturiser or serum straight after to maintain skin hydration.

I'm loving The Body Shop at the moment and I had no idea they now do student discounts; get down to your nearest store and get your discount card and many other bonuses!

If you've tried these products or try them after reading this then let me know what cha think my lovelies! 

Get summer body ready!

So it's summer and even though British weather can be unreliable, us girls always have to be prepared.
For my skin I have always relied on the Garnier Body range- pocket friendly and does the job brilliantly! Being a bit of a tan-a-holic I have spent so much time and money finding the right gradual tan for me and the Garnier Summer Body moisturising lotion is the only one that has fit my criteria- and my budget.
Yes, you will still wake up smelling like biscuits but I guess every tan on the shelves at the moment will leave you smelling like a tasty snack (although I'm planning on trying the new L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Elixir which promises to have no self-tan smell and last two weeks!- if anybody has tried it please let me know what you think!) However, I love the natural glow it gives me rather than the typical blast of tangerine and when applying, it smells all summery and apricoty.. (if that's even a word). Streakiness can be avoided by applying with a tanning mitt and the glow can last up to a week if looked after properly! If you want a natural looking tan without splashing the cash, this is definitely the one for you!

To look after my tan and avoid streaks, I love using Garnier Intensive 7 Days Ultra-Replenishing Lotion with Shea Butter. Not only does it smell fresh, but it really does fulfil its 7 day promise- although I have recently been using it more than once a week, so my skin has been feeling amazing! It's  important to moisturise skin before applying any form of tan because streaks are usually caused by the product clinging to dry skin; it's best to moisturise 24hrs before otherwise your tan will not develop!
I've only been using this product for about two weeks but I'm loving the results! My skin feels nourished and has a glow that lasts for days!

Exfoliators are also crucial for glowing summer skin and can keep a tan looking even and natural. I recently found this Clarins Soothing Body Scrub For a New Skin in my draw (along with plenty of other beauty products I never knew I had) and I thought I'd give it a try.
I'm pretty lazy when it comes to looking after my body so I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about. After the first use, my skin felt instantly smoother and when teamed with the Garnier Ultra- Replenshing Lotion, I literally wanted to show off my summer skin to the world- very rare considering an over sized baseball top is my best friend. It's also very rich and luxurious so I wouldn't use it regularly, I'm thinking I need to search for a Soap & Glory scrub for a summery treat and for more regular use!

Another reliable Clarins beauty product that I always carry in my purse is Beauty Flash Balm. It's a must have for any time of the year, but particularly when on holiday for a fresh faced, natural look. It can be used as an intensive moisturiser when skin needs a splash of hydration and it's a perfect base before applying makeup. A must have for tightening and brightening, buy and try for yourself!

Before completely my uni exams last week, I felt really nervous and apprehensive so my lovely mum went into town and purchased these beauties for me to cheer me up! I was soooo excited to use them because Benefit is my favourite beauty brand and even better- it's for tan-a-holics like me!

This really cute 'totally tantalising' kit came with Benefits oh so famous Hoola bronzer and Bene Tint, my new favourites as they add a tropical holiday vibe to any look.
They say to sweep Hoola bronzer across chin, cheeks and forehead for a natural looking tan, but I just go crazy… I mean crazy. I also sweep it across my neck, chest or maybe even to highlight non-existent abs (don't judge me) for when my bikini makes an appearance.
It's a new and permanent addition to my makeup bag and I can't wait to take it on holiday! Even though I won't be wearing much makeup, I can still achieve a glowing summer look.

The Bene Tint is lush- a very much needed change after overusing my Sleek powder blush for so long. The girly posy pink compliments Hoola perfectly and they are quite the pair; particularly for a fresh faced look with minimal makeup; the liquid tint adds a pop of colour.
However, for those girls who like to spend a long time on their makeup, you'd be surprised by how speedy you need to be to apply this product. If it isn't blended seconds after it's applied, then you may have to sport two clown-like circles of unblendable blush- not a good look and a lesson I have sadly learnt.
However, I love the results and this kit is definitely a must have for this summer; a brilliant way to try both products in one go!

If you have any summer favourites or newly discovered must haves then let me know! 

A cleanser for every occasion

As the seasons change, so does the condition of our skin; its important to kit ourselves out with the right skincare, ready to tackle any occasion. From scrubs to oils, the list can be endless and it can be hard finding a cleanser that is suitable for you. So here are a few that have benefited my skin and made my morning and night routines a little bit more bearable.

1) L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection Nourishing Cleansing wipes:

We've all done it. After a night out or hard day; when the last thing you could ever want to do is take off your war paint- the thought of going to sleep seems so much more appealing. ENTER THE CLEANSING WIPE- the easiest way to perfectly cleanse your skin without all the hassle.
My favourite cleansing wipe at the moment is from L'Oreal's skin perfection range. I absolutely love the range and when I teamed it with the Skin Perfection serum, my skin felt amazing! Quick, easy and leaves skin feeling silky smooth… fabulous quick fix cleanser!

2) Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (hot cloth cleanser): 

After hearing my good pal and fellow blogger The Beauty Type speak so highly of Liz Earle, I thought I'd give it a whirl (excuse the cheesy rhyme). The Cleanse & Polish hot cloth cleanser promises to gently exfoliate, leaving smoother, clearer skin- a promise very much fulfilled. The mixture of natural ingredients (Rosemary, chamomile, cocoa butter, eucalyptus and essential oils) leaves a fresh, beautiful flowery smell and skin instantly feels smooth when generously massaged.
However, I'm a learner when it comes to hot cloth cleansers and it turns out I need to keep my L plates on.  I tend to be quite speedy when removing cleansers so at times I missed a few spots and indeed they turned into a spot or two- some so horrid they had their own shadow. But since learning from this little mishap I have learnt the beauty of a hot cloth cleanser. When skin feels dull and needs a quick fix, a quick hot cloth can leave skin feeling fresh and squeaky clean! Now I know what I'm doing, Liz Earle is a good friend of mine!

3) L'Oreal Skin Perfection Miracle Cleansing Oil: 

This product came as quite a surprise to me (yet again another Skin Perfection product that holds a place in my heart). At first I was a little apprehensive because I have oily to combination skin. However, clever ol' me thought that maybe if I fight oil with oil, then it would balance out and in a ideal world, I wouldn't have oily skin… maybe..yes? no? YES! As other harsh cleansers can strip the skin of natural oils that it NEEDS, the miracle oil re-balances the natural oil production, leaving skin feeling perfectly hydrated.
Since I use numerous spot gels and creams, my skin tends to feel tight and dehydrated, so this cleanser is perfect for when my skin needs a splash of hydration. After all, I reeeeeeeeeeeally wanted to get along with this product because it looks so luxurious and summery... eek!

4) Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser: 

This is another gooden. It does the job and everything you'd expect from a loyal exfoliator and cleanser! The scrub isn't too harsh on the skin so can be passed off for a cleanser as well, although I wouldn't use it every day. Like me, if you have spot prone skin, using exfoliators more than once or twice a week can in fact irritate the skin further; only use when your skin really needs it!
It buffs the skin and removes any dead skin perfectly without being too harsh on the skin, and the Orange extracts makes it smell summery, fresh and suitable for all skin types!

*QUICK TIP*

When using scrubs, masks or hot cloth cleansers it's important to remove the product with CLEAN and reliable towels or flannels. Towels can hoard tons of bacteria and if you don't wash them a couple of times a week then soak up the residue of product with a dry paper towel. They're reliable and will not spread bacteria and cause pesky breakouts! Just a few little changes can make the world of difference to your skin!

Evening dress design inspired by magnificent mesh!

Whilst watching the Eurovision, I decided to get my sketch on and it developed into this! I love mesh; it's my favourite trend at the moment. It's sleek, sexy and so sophisticated when worn it the right way!

This design was inspired by glamorous Gothic chic; a tight knee length body with black mesh sleeves. Lilac screams summer and with many pastel shades hitting the high streets, I wanted to add a sexy twist by adding the colour black- rock chick ready!

Recently, I have been drawn to backless dresses. They're the most subtle way of showing off lots of skin without making the wrong impression (however finding the right bra would be a challenge).

Wear with a simple Kardashian up-do to highlight the beautiful backless aspect of the dress, dark lip and black strappy platforms and stand out in any room!

This is the first time I've incorporated my passion for art into my blog and I can't wait to get creative and show you all of my ideas! 

Photograph of the week: Family

Last week I had my lovely family visit from Italy and Wales- excited was an understatement! I hadn't  seen them in such a long time and the rush of emotions and euphoria cannot be written in words. So why not use this weeks inspirational photograph to sum up the week?!

From seeing my uncles face as he walked into his surprise 50th birthday party to simply relaxing and feasting on typically British food; the week can be personified by two people I see most days, but are incredibly important to me.

Insisting I take a photograph on my iPhone, my nanny and sister, Charlotte snuggled in a woolly patchwork throw. In a quirky little garden, filled with flowers, fairy lights and vintage ornaments; my nanny giggled as she took off her glasses (insisting it would make her look better) without realising she was still waving a cigarette around, caught up in the excitement of the moment.

Two people in a beautiful cottage garden, content with the warmth that a cup of coffee or blanket brings. A moment of complete content and euphoria as my family is reunited. The best week ever!

A blogger entering the world of fitness: GYM PROBLEMS!

Photograph from www.picturecorrect.com 

A glamorous world of boobs, bums, tums, perfect faces and tiny waists or hard graft grunting, sweating and aching? The gym is either loved or loathed. As a curious beauty blogger, I have entered the world of fitness, hoping to get abs like slabs and biceps bigger than my boyfriends. Getting into the routine of going three times a week has been tough, but whilst on my mission, there have been a few things I've noticed. 

1) Couples workouts: Cute or Cringe? 

There always seems to be a couple, perfect in many ways, who are just there to make you feel inferior. Cute? Sometimes. Yes, they must have worked for years chiseling those abs and sculpting that form, but going to the gym topless (the guy) and sports bra and shorts that could be mistaken for knickers (the girl).. really? 

Me and Sam go to the gym together and there are just as many positives as downfalls. Firstly, you have to look hot. Whether it's what you wear to a quick scruffy but sexy up do- that you obviously spent ages doing; you will always try to impress. 

Sam is much more active and fitter than me… unfortunately… and I have to admit that I do from time to time boost the effort level to the same or higher than his to make it look like I can handle the heat. After flying across the gym and landing on my bum after falling off the treadmill, I think I learnt my lesson!

2) Uh oh! Bumping into someone you know: 

It will always happen- at the times you least want to be seen. When rocking out in a messy bun, baggy tee and no make-up, the dreaded call of your name by a familiar being is SO annoying. 

It could be a girlfriend you love seeing, but there is nothing worse than gossiping whilst panting heavily on the cross trainer or treadmill- unless they want to be covered in spit and die at the sight of my painful workout face! 

If it's someone you haven't seen in a long time, it's perfectly acceptable to say "yeah I'm here all the time" to try and impress. Who doesn't want that "she's looooookin goooood since seeing her at college" compliment?

3) Style:

Being a beauty and fashion blogger, of course the first thing on my mind is looking good. Who said you can't look fabulous at the gym? Whether you're curvy or straight up and down, it's important to find the right gym wear for you… as I've learnt. 

My best bud is the cross trainer, but like most of the cardio equipment, it involves a lot of going up and down… bad news if you're a girl with boobs. After looking down and seeing they have a life of their own, I decided to get a decent sports bra. But there's no harm in wearing a bra underneath for extra support! 

A girls best friend is also a good pair of comfy gym leggings. However, I have seen plenty of catastrophes with see-through malfunctions, revealing knicker lines here there and everywhere! Check the lines gurrrrlllsssss. 

4) Competition? 

Girls compare. But at the gym that is just escalated. It's fine to have a sneaky peak at the talent; how can you not with boobs and bums flying everywhere! 

I think many girls have a mental image of what they want to look like when their body is at their best but there's no harm in having a mental notepad… "I  want abs like hers and maybe if I got my arse in gear I could get legs like hers".

Whilst others see it as competition, I use it as motivation. There's nothing more empowering than seeing women grow with confidence and work to be the best they can be.    

5) Which Category do you fall in? 

The gym is a mini society in its own right and there are cliques; if you thought you'd be leaving them in school, you are wrong! I have seen:

- The guys who go just to socialise 

- The guys who like to look at themselves in the mirror 

-The guys who go to actually work hard 

-The guys who like to grunt really loud to show everyone how hard they are working… yes yes well     done. 

- The girls who wear hardly anything and know they look good… god forbid they ruin their makeup! 

- The girls who get down to the nitty gritty and don't care what they look like

- The girls who know what they're doing.. move away lads, it's time for the ladies to hit the weights!

But most importantly… which one are you?

Summer Style- Prep for Barcelona!

Yank out ya faithful bikini and shorts you know are too small for you- a bit of cheek would never hurt anyone; Laura is going on holiday!!. After my first year of university and dipping my toes into the harsh realities that adult life brings, (i.e.spending my money on noodles and beans instead of clothes) a holiday with Sam in Barcelona is like music to my ears! 

My first thought was 'finally I can have a natural tan!', but of course every girl needs a Summer wardrobe to compliment the new bronzed complexion.

You know it's true. A holiday is every excuse to go shopping, and I made it my mission to get myself a few bargains. 

My first purchase was this cute floral, high-wasted skirt from River Island, and a sale item at just £12! 

I absolutely love the bold print. Orange and clashing patterns scream the style of Summer! With a plain tee or body, this skirt is the perfect key piece for a bold but girly ensemble. 

Okay, this denim beauty wasn't in the sale but I couldn't resist. Originally I thought a light wash would be a bit risky because I don't have airbrushed pins like Miley Cyrus but hey ho, they'd look great with a tan!

I also love the high-waisted aspect of these shorts. Look cute on the beach in a bikini top or wear them tactfully to hide a midriff harbouring a food baby (me all the time). 

What a way to make shorts look more badass than to add a gold lion to a black chunky belt… BADASS! 

(Excuse the orangeness but Lady Gaga had more of a tan than me at the time)
I teamed my new fave shorts with a bright peach tee (also from River Island). I can't wait to wear them on holiday with some glads or flip-flops but why not go all Miley Cyrus on the world and team with some Docs?

I desperately needed some sunnies for my holiday because unfortunately my last ones cracked… from the heat of the sun… oh the irony. But I loved this tortoise shell pair from New Look- at just under a fiver, why not! *grabs a few more pairs*.