With the Winter months right around the corner, I thought it was about time to share my favourite reds. Now those who know me well or have read my blog for a while will already understand my love/hate relationship with a red lipstick. I usually go for risk-free nudes or pinky shades but over the past year there are a couple that I have fell in love with.
The first long term favourite of mine is the Lush Lipstick in the shadePower. The warm toned, moisturising formula is not only perfect for this time of year but is a lovely all year round shade. It is a nice subtle red which I think got me into the red lip to begin with. Personally, this is classed as a bold lip for me but I think it is perfect for all occasions. The applicator makes it easy to apply and it lasts most of the day on the lips which means you don’t need to spend half the day topping it up.
Another red lipstick that I have fell head over heels for and one which is rather similar to Power, is the B. Lipstick in the shade Alexa. This was a lucky find when I was in Superdrug just before they discontinued the B. Makeup Range. If I remember rightly, I managed to find it for under £2 which in my eyes is a bargain! Unlike the golden, warm tone in Power, Alexa is a lot more matte whereas Power has a slight liquid lipstick feel to it.
From top to bottom: Cherry Bomb, Alexa, Vega and Power
My next favourite is the Beautiful Movements Cosmetics Lipgloss in Cherry Bomb. This a lovely subtle red which just adds a little colour onto the lips rather than being a statement lip. The formula is extremely lightweight which means it’s a perfect one to wear comfortably day-to-day. The only negative is that it can go everywhere including the top of your hot chocolate lid or your boyfriend’s cheek when you kiss him goodbye in the mornings.
Finally, I have Barry M’s Gelly Hi-Shine Lips in Vega. Unlike the others, I feel as though Vega is a cool toned lipstick thus making your teeth looking sparkling white which is always nice. The formula is so pigmented and has such a nice sheen on the lips. I haven’t really worn this lipstick during the day but it is lovely for evening occasions. I have found that this is the one that I need to re-apply the most but that doesn’t bother me as I love the colour so much. I love wearing this with minimal eye makeup as it is such a statement colour.
What are your favourite red lipsticks for the winter season?
♥
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Yesterday was my birthday however this post is more important than that. Today I am going to be talking all about my day at the magical Harry Potter Studio Tour! I was going to talk about my whole weekend but I just wanted to share as much of the wizarding world as possible with you. I’ve been dreaming about the visiting the studios for such a long time and last week I managed to live the dream and walk inside the doors of the Great Hall and experience all the magic. Honestly, it was brilliant and I would highly recommend it to everyone!
Firstly, if you don’t want the tour spoiled for you. I would switch you tab over to another one of my posts.
Let me walk you through the tour…
The first part of the tour is, obviously, the Great Hall of Hogwarts. It’s like a replica of the films. You are shown where they are actually filmed, costumes, props and the oak tables that they aged with axes and chains to make them look more realistic. It was so impressive. I was lucky enough to open the doors to the Great Hall as I was celebrating my birthday. As you leave the hall, you enter a massive area with the rest of the sets. This is where you really get shown behind the scenes of the films.
Without revealing to much, this is where you see the most iconic sets such as Dumblerdore’s Study, the Potions Classroom, the Gryffindor Common Room, the Forbidden Forest, the Ministry of Magic, Dolores Umbridge Office – there is just so much to take in with secrets about how the filmed different parts of the film. There’s guides who are so informative and enthusiastic that they are willing to answer any questions that you want the answers too. You can’t touch the sets however you can still get up close and personal with all of them.
This is probably the main part of the tour so if I was you take your time and enjoy every second of what you see because there really is so much to learn. You can also discover the magic behind Quidditch, ride on a broomstick for yourself using the green screen with plenty of photo opportunities and even have a lesson using a wand.
Next up is Platform 9 and 3/4 where you get a chance to go on the train itself to see all the props, take photos with luggage trolleys as if your going onto the platform and go on a train journey yourself. There’s also a shop which I highly recommend you looking and treating yourself to something because there’s some exclusive items which you can’t get in the usual gift shop.
You then enter the outside area where you can stop for a drink, a snack, wander around the sets and props as well as have a taste of Butterbear – it tasted so good! If you have a sweet tooth like me then you will probably love it just as much as I did. You can step onto the Hogwarts Bridge, take a look inside Privett Drive, jump into Hagrid’s motorbike and sidecar or the Weasley’s car and take photos on the Knight Bus. I loved going into the house the most as it’s where Harry Potter essentially started from.
The next part of the tour is all about the creatures. You can learn the secrets of Dobby and all the details of the many creatures in all of the films. The detail is extraordinary. I was so amazed that I didn’t take many photos. You then reach Diagon Alley which I never knew was filmed indoors… Gringotts Bank is at the end whilst the Weasley’s Joke Shop is at the other.
You turn the corner to see a glass cabinet full of models of the different buildings and sets in Harry Potter and stunning pieces of artwork. Then you turn the corner to see this…
The actual 1:24 ratio model of Hogwarts!! It was used in the movies for various different shots but I am telling you it’s phenomenal. I cried because it was so emotional. I just loved walking around and seeing all the detail. You can take photos at various different angles and see how detailed it really is. It really was something that was out of my dreams.
Finally, you walk into a room full of wand boxes that have all the names of everyone who has ever worked on the films with the actors and characters in the films.
Overall, I think going to the Harry Potter Studio Tour was definitely worth waiting for and I can’t wait to head back for the Christmas season. I found the whole experience breathtaking and full on amazing. If you haven’t been then I highly recommend booking a visit as soon as you can and for those of you who have then let me know when your free so I can come with you.
Have you ever been to the Harry Potter Studio Tour? What’s your thoughts?
♥
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Whether your in a relationship or not, Valentine’s was a good excuse for makeup lovers to get creative with their looks and that’s exactly what I have done. I grabbed my Full Spectrum Palette that I am still madly in love with and created a makeup look that would be good for any kind of date you have prepared.
Starting with the base, I went for my go-to duo which is of course the GOSH X-Ceptional Wear Foundation and the Makeup Revolution Focus & Fix Concealer. I used the Beautiful Movements Bronzer in Summer Warmth and the Beautiful Movements Blush in Velvet Dawn as I know both of these products are long wearing and just give a slight shimmer to the cheeks. I didn’t want to go to heavy on my base makeup as the eyes and the lipstick is what I really wanted to concentrate on to make the look really pop.
For my eyes I used: Gossip and Delirious in my outer crease, Seize on my lid, Paranoia in my inner corner and blended it out a little with Bump. I think the shades went really well together. One thing I do love about the Full Spectrum Palette is that all the shades work really well together and blend beautifully. The eye look isn’t too heavy but still looks beautiful. I finished my eyes of with the Soap & Glory Supercat Eyeliner and Barry M’s That’s How I Roll Mascara.
Finally, to finish the look off, I applied a bit of Lippy Girl’s Goddess Lipstick. If you have read my blog for a while, you will more than likely know that I am so nervous when it comes to wearing dark lipstick shades but I have fell head over heels in love with this one. It’s so beautiful and powerful on the lips although if you were wanting to re-create this look for a day date, you could always apply GOSH’s Velvet Touch Matte Lipstick in Smoothie which is a lovely pink shade.
Did you do anything special to celebrate Valentine’s this year? Perhaps you are planning a girls’ night out later this week? Let me know what your go-to products are for Valentine’s.
♥
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Self care is something that I believe is super important. There are a number of ways you can go about looking after yourself and really it is down to your own personal preference. Sometimes you just have to dig deep and understand the things that help you rejuvenate after a pretty difficult time. I thought I would mention a couple of my favourites especially because I have been going through a difficult time recently and these have certainly helped in cheering me up.
Keep yourself busy
Yesterday, I spent time with my cousin. I saw his new house and spent time sorting his internet out. He helped me by keeping my mind off how I was feeling. For those few hours, I just forgot what was making me so down and upset. When I came home, I changed my bedding and sorted my room out. I took down some old photos and lit a couple of tea light candles to make my room feel more homely. Although I didn’t get to sleep until 3.45am, I managed to fall asleep. I didn’t need to worry about blowing the tea lights out because I knew they wouldn’t be burning for ages anyway. Other options could include: organising paperwork, painting your nails, read blogs, watch YouTube videos, do anything to take your mind off things. Anyone who knows me will understand that I am not a fast reader but I managed to get through Charlotte Crosby’s Me Me Me and Catherine Bennetto’s How Not To Fall In Love Actually which I highly recommend for anyone going through a breakup or is on a relationship break.
Take some time to pamper yourself
I don’t know about you but that moment that you turn off the light, burn some candles and soak in a hot bubble bath with relaxing music on makes me feel ten times happier! I crumbled up some Unicorn Horn, thrown in my all-time favourite Lover Lamp Bath Bomb and added a couple drops of Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Restoring Senses Bath Oil* and dipped myself in the bath. The Moroccan Rose Oil is such a calming, stress-reliving aroma. It left my skin feeling moisturised and nourished. It has argan oil which is rich in vitamins to help protect the skin whilst the jojoba oil enhances the skin’s natural suppleness and elasticity. My family must have thought I nearly drowned in that bath cause I was probably in there for a good two hours or more…
Once I jumped out the bath, before throwing on my snuggly pyjamas, I applied the Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose & Shea Butter Body Repairing Cream*. This stuff is amazing! The shea butter is rich in vitamins leaving your skin feeling super soft and hydrated whilst the apricot kennel oil is amazing for dry and sensitive skin. I have quite bad eczema so I am wary about trying new skincare products incase it flares up but half a week later and my skin has never felt so nourished and soft. The cream feels really luxurious too so it feels like a proper treat after you get out the bath.
Watch all the movies and TV series you want
Not only will they be a great distraction but they might actually provide some kind of laughter or advice that you could use. This week I treated myself to How To Be Single and Bridget Jones’s Baby. I have watched them so many times that I probably know the words to both of them backwards by now. I have also spent the evenings when I have struggled to sleep watching Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars. It’s made me feel so much better!
Eat anything!
Are you wanting to finish that packet of Texas BBQ Pringles? Do it! Fancy a tub of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream? Treat yo’self! Allow yourself to eat whatever you want without caring. We are allowed to binge eat when our emotions are uncontrollable. If it makes you feel any better I started the week of without eating anything after three days and a rush into hospital cause I was dehydrated allowed me to feel like I should pig out a little. I ate a McDonald’s, three share bag Cadbury Twirl Bites, two tubes of Pringles, a bag of popcorn and a large pizza from Domino’s. Oh and a tub of Ben & Jerry’s or twoor three. This is over the course of one week for anyone who is worried, but it certainly gave me the happy endorphins that I have needed.
Have you got any tips or advice for when you are dealing with a difficult time? Let me know in the comments.
♥
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When the lovely team at Alchemy Oils* wanted to send me one of their Hair Remedy Oils, I jumped at the chance. Who wouldn’t?! With all the hair styling and heat that has been thrown on my hair in full force over the past couple of months, it’s left my hair feeling quite dry and it is about time I gave it some tlc. All of the oils that they sell are packed full of nutrients that help to achieve various things depending on the oil that you choose.
I decided to opt for the Amla Hair Remedy as the blend of coconut, avocado and argan oils which help to promote growth, strengthen and condition hair sold it to me straight away. It also contains a splash of lemon oil to shine and naturally cleanse. It all sounds wonderful and I couldn’t wait to give it a go! Amla is a powerful hair tonic from the Indian Gooseberry. It is known to stimulate the hair follicles to encourage growth. It nourishes the hair by adding strength and sheen, cleansers the scalp to prevent dandruff and provides the perfect environment for long and healthy hair. The vitamin C can help to treat dry, itchy scalps because it is rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants also carry anti-ageing mechanisms that prevent grey hairs.
There are different options on how you can use the oil. Firstly, you can use the remedy as a light serum which is what I tried first. I washed my hair as usual and instead of using the Paul Mitchell’s Serum that I have been using for months. I put the tiniest amount of oil on my hand, rubbed it between my palms and smoothed through the ends of my hair. The first thing I noticed was how good is smells! If any of you are familiar with the citrus scented bath bombs from Lush then you will love the scent of this because it’s so uplifting and the scent lasts all day because it is quite strong. After drying my hair and styling it for the day – it looked a lot shinier and smoother. I have been trying to delay washing my hair so that it can grow. I’ve heard that this technique works best. Using the oil as a serum, delayed my usual wash by an extra day because my hair still looked smooth and healthy.
Next up, I tried it as a hair mask. I applied a generous amount of oil all over my hair, working from the roots to the tips, and massaged it into the scalp. I left it on over night and then washed it out with my usual shampoo and conditioner. Even whilst I was in the shower, my hair felt a lot more smooth and nourished. When my hair was fully dried, it looked beautiful! The shine was gorgeous and healthy. It felt super light and really clean however using it as a hair mask wasn’t as beneficial as using it as a serum.
Overall, I definitely think that the oil worked best as a serum rather than an overnight mask but either way it made my hair look so healthy. The packaging feels extremely luxurious and since writing my review, they have included a pump to help you get the desired amount. The oil retails at £38.00 and can be purchased from their website.
Have you ever tried one of the Alchemy Oils? What’s your thoughts?
♥
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*Alchemy Oils kindly sent the hair remedy to me for review purposes however this does not affect my thoughts and opinions about the product or the brand.
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