Current Favourites

 It's the end of Summer (how depressing, right??!!) and over the past few months I've discovered so many great products which I can't wait to share with you.
So if you're interested in finding out what I've been using to give myself a golden goddess glow, and the products I've been using to completely restore my damaged hair ..  keep on reading!!!

Nars Laguna Bronzer
After years of hearing everyone rave about the NARS Laguna bronzer, I finally decided to give into the hype and treat myself to this cult beauty product. I have always found it difficult to find a good bronzer which works with my pale skin but this one is perfect for me.
The NARS Laguna is a lovely sheer bronzer with a gorgeous golden glow. It is a matte shade with warm undertones and blends beautifully on the skin.
I love to apply this with a big brush and apply it to the high points of my face, where the sun would naturally hit to give me a sun kissed look.


MAC Soft & Gentle
An oldie but a goodie, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle has always been a favourite in my makeup collection and recently I have fallen back in love with it all over again. This is always my go to highlighting powder to use on every skin tone; it is a gorgeous pink iridescent shimmer with tiny flecks of glitter which looks beautiful on the tops of cheekbones or used to highlight points of the eye.

Zoeva Nude Spectrum Eyeshadow Pallet
I've had a very busy summer glamming up some beautiful bridal parties and my go to eyeshadow pallet to use this bridal season has been the Zoeva Nude Spectrum eye pallet. This pallet is a dream to use and the eyeshadows are stunning.
Inside the sleek black packadging you will find 15 eyeshadows; a great mixture of matte and shimmer shades including a matte nude and jet black which always make a great eyeshadow pallet.
Along with the great essentials, you get some beautiful shimmer and warm brown shades which are extremely pigmented and blend like a dream.

Wella Oil Reflections Shampoo & Conditions
I have never been one to buy expensive salon brand shampoo and conditioners however after a recent trip to the hairdressers and realising how dry and damanged my hair was, I have now changed my routine and I have seen massive improvements.
My hairdresser recommended me the Wella Oil Reflections Shampoo & Conditioner to help restore my dry and damaged hair which is extremely fragile and thin after I suffered from Glandular fever at the beginning of the year (a horrible side effect which I encountered was hair loss/thinning.)
Since using this duo, my hair has felt extremely soft and it feels much thicker and healthier than before. Along with having a good hair cut to get rid of any dead ends and avoiding using heated equipment, I have seen a massive improvment in my hair and it feels extremely well nourished and healthy.

Moroccan Oil
Another new product in my haircare routine is Moroccan Oil. This cult beauty product has been recommended to me by a handful of people and I've been desperate to try it out since my hair has suffered after being ill. Mococcan oil is a styling, finishing, and conditioning product for all hair types. Moroccan Oil claim that their oil has the ability to restore over-processed hair damaged by environmental factors and chemical procedures, it revives, hydrates, and detangles hair.

Since my hair is fine in texture, I decided to buy the Moroccan Oil light which is an ultra-light formula that absorbs into the hair instantly. I apply 1-3 pumps of the oil onto the mid lengths and ends of my hair and after doing this for around a month now, I have seen a massive improvement. My hair feels extremely smooth and silky without any oily residue. It feels and looks 100 times healthier.
Although this product may seem expensive, a little product goes a very long way and it has instantly given my hair a new lease of life.

Topshop Lexi Leather Cross Body Bag
If you know me then you will know that my style is very classic and I always like to invest in timeless clothing and accessories. This real leather cross body bag from Topshop is simple but stylish with two large zip compartments and whipstitch detail.
I don't like to carry big bags although I do like to stash my bag with whatever I can fit inside (do you see my problem?!) ... So the main reason I was attracted to this bag was that it is essentially Mary Poppin's magic bag. It has two large zip compartments which fits more than enough inside; I can carry all of my makeup, purse, keys, phone and any other rubbish I find. And although it fits everything inside, it still looks small and compact without being too bulky.
This Topshop Lexi Leather cross body bag is my perfect handbag and I can see myself wearing it for as long as it lasts me.

French Pharmacy Haul

No trip to France would be complete without the mandatory pharmacy visit to stock up on my favourite french beauty products. Last week I was in Paris celebrating my brother's birthday and whilst in the city I stopped by Paris's largest pharmacy, City Pharma. 

If you didn't know already, the French love their pharmacies; walk down any high street and you're bound to spot one or two bright flashing lights pointing you in the right direction. Offering the best skincare brands such with exclusive products and low prices from Bioderma, La Roche Rosay, Avene and Caudalie .... it's a beauty addicts dream! 

City Pharma is Paris's largest pharmacy with the biggest range of products and best deals. However, be prepared to be squashed in the small, over crowded shop and wait in the long queue but is definitely the place with most choice and the cheapest prices (I saw the same product in a different pharmacy for €10 more!) 

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water 

Take a peek inside any makeup artists kit and you’re bound to spot a bottle of Micellar Water. Bioderma is a backstage favourite with makeup artists and models; it gently removes makeup on even the most sensitive skin. Although you can buy Bioderma in the UK now, it's still loads cheaper in France so I made sure to stock up on this classic product. 

La Roche Posay Toleraine Dermo Cleanser 

What makes French skincare so great is that it is so simple, providing the best results for everyone. La Roche Posay Dermo Cleanser is a simple, unscented (perfect for sensitive skin!), no fuss lotion that simply does the job. This is great to use after Bioderma to thoroughly cleanse the skin- a basic but essential part of my skincare routine.

Embroyolisse Lait Creme Concentre 

Embroyloisse cream is a must have in my makeup kit and I love to use it on almost all of my makeup clients. This is a thick hydrating cream which once thoroughly massaged into the skin, provides a smooth glowing complexion and relieves any dry patches.  

I find it provides a fantastic base for makeup which means I can often skip primer since foundation blends flawlessly ontop.

I usually buy my Embroyolisse online at Feel Unique although shopping in City Pharma I managed to pick it up for around €10 cheaper which gave me the opportunity to stock up without breaking the bank.

Klorane Oat Milk Dry Shampoo 

Klorane Oat Milk dry shampoo is a classic cult product which is designed to help decrease the frequency of washing hair, this dry shampoo cleanses your hair gently by effectively absorbing dirt and product build up - perfect for those lazy days or when you haven't got time to wash your hair. 

I love this no fuss classic dry shampoo for not only refreshing my hair but to also add volume and texture which makes it a great styling spray. Klorane was one of the first brands to launch a dry shampoo and over the past few years everyone has gone crazy for it! 

Have you tried any skincare from the French pharmacy? What are your favourites? Let me know in the comments!

Manchester Guide / My Favourite City

Manchester is not only my hometown, it is one of my favourite places in the world. I love how unique and interesting the city is and even though I am biased growing up so close, it is definitely one of the most amazing cities that I have ever known. 

I love nothing more than championing my city and in this post I have decided to share with you the best hidden gems and my favourite things to do in the city which will hopefully become your faves too next time you visit! 

The Northern Quarter is definitely my favourite area of Manchester. It has got to be one of the coolest places in the UK - kind of like Manchester's version of London's Camden but better! Street after street of independent shops, cool cafes, quirky bars and the best street art it's an area not to be missed whilst visiting Manchester.

Afflecks Palace 

There are so many cool and unique places in the Northern Quarter but you cannot make a trip to the streets without visiting Afflecks Palace. Afflecks is a massive indoor 'market' home to dozens of independant stalls, small shops, and boutiques. It is a fantastic place to shop for anything from fancy dress, alternative clothing, jewellery, records and so much more. You can even get a tattoo, hair cut and eat some cereal whilst visiting!

One particular store in Afflecks that I love is a jewellery boutique on the second floor called 'Abacus'    

Here you will find gorgeous silver jewellery, body piercing jewellery and so much more. I love to wear dainty rings and this is the best place to buy real silver gems for a great price. 

Fred Aldous Art Supplies 

Fred Aldous Art Supplies is a fantastic art, craft and gift shop located in Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter. This is any creatives dream and I love to wander around the massive store. 

On the ground floor you are sure to find a unique gift or pull some silly poses in the photo booth. Take the steps downstairs and spot aisles filled with hundreds of craft supplies providing the materials and inspiration to help you get creative. 

Stevenson Square 
The Northern Quarter is well known for it's sensational street art and Stevenson Square is the heart of it all. The well known square is made up of great cafes and bars whilst the main attraction is always the latest art piece in the centre of the square.

Over time there have been some amazing pieces of art in the centre of the square including a portrait of the legendary David Bowie and currently there is a touching memorial of the 22 lives lost in the tragic Manchester bombing a few months ago.

(Photo by @idocreativestuff .. Instagram)

Castlefield 
Once a hub of industrial activity, Castlefield is now one of the city's most tranquil spots. Whilst being only a short minute walk from the hustle of the city, Castlefield is a relaxing area of Manchester located along the canal and being home to several bars and resturants which are particulary popular during the summer months when people flock the area to enjoy the large outdoor drinking areas and regular live music events.

With patches of grass and large pub beer gardens, it's like being in an unsually bustling countryside within the city. As you can imagine, Castlefield really comes alive in the summer months when the beer gardens open and music and food festivals pop up almost every weekend.

Bars

Manchester is well known for it's electric night life and there are some fantastic bars across the city offering great music, drink and atmosphere. I particularly love the smaller bars in the Northern Quarter and I have noted down a few of my favourites which I particullary love and think you will too.

Cord bar
Cord Bar is a small cocktail bar hidden in a small corner of Manchester's Northern Quarter just off Tib Street. Cord bar serves up the best cocktails in town. The cocktails are unique, strong and you'd be silly to leave without trying the 'Jungle Boojie' - it's my favourite.
The bar can get very busy on a Saturday night but I love the atmosphere and great music.

The Blue Pig 
If you're in town on a Friday night then you must call in the Blue Pig for a drink or two. Happy Hour runs all day Friday 12noon- close and most cocktails are priced at just £5 which is simply too good to resist! Evenings and weekends are hosted by some of Manchester's finest DJ's so the music is always great.

The food is not to be sniffed at either, The Blue Pig's Sunday Roasts are the best in Manchester and are the perfect way to end a weekend in the city.

Jimmys 
Jimmys was opened in January earlier this year by One Night Only bandmates and brothers George and Jimmy Craig. Manchester is and always has been known for it's great music and I think that the two brothers have done a great job of opening this hub for people to get together over 'good beer, good music, good times' .. as promised by the retro cinema style lightbox hanging over the door.

Downstairs from the main bar is a dark and dingy den, lit up with limited edition band posters, old pub tables, red comfy sofas, a pool table and pinball machine to play on. Down here you will often find to be the venue to be home to an electric programme of live music, comedy and spoken word.

Back upstairs, from the bar you can order a wide range of keg beers, great no-nonsence cocktails (all £7.50) and good wines.

Marble on 57 Thomas Street
If you're looking for a chilled environment to catch up with friends then Marble on 64 Thomas Street is the place to be. Downstairs is a beer lovers dream with the best of the best collection of draught and bottled beers whilst upstairs you can grab a unique well shaken cocktail.

If you're lucky to grab one of the seats outside on a hot day then you've got the best seat in the house for sure!

Coffee & Food
If you know me then you'll know that I'm a big coffee fan and I love nothing more than catching up with friends over a good cappuccino. I also find that a coffee shop is the perfect place to sit down with my laptop and write blog posts over a warm drink. In the Northern Quarter you will find lots of small independent coffee shops and I have picked out a few of my favourites to share with you.

Fig & Sparrow

The Fig & Sparrow is an independent lifestyle store and coffee house in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter selling unique gifts and handmade cards as well as serving up the best coffee in town. I love the chilled atmosphere and cool set up inside the store which makes an ideal environment for catching up with friends or settling down over a book or some work.
Along with serving a great flat white, the fig + sparrow also have a great breakfast and lunch menu. My favourite is the mozzarella, pesto and sundried tomato salad with wholemeal sourdough on the side ... lush!

They also have seats outside which makes the perfect hot spot when the sun makes a rare apperance in the city.

Ezra & Gil
If you've got a few hours to kill in town and are looking for a place to wind down over a good coffee then you've got to call in on Ezra and Gil.
Ezra- meaning 'Helper' & Gil- meaning 'Happiness, Ezra & Gil's ethos is all about creating a great experience with a relaxed mood and great coffee. This is my go to place in the city when I want to unwind and it is the most welcoming place to sit down in the corner with your laptop and get some work done.

Ezra & Gil have a large food menu along with plenty of tempting sweet treats on the counter. The smashed avocado with poached egg is a must try and the raspberry and coconut slice is delicious.

(photo credit to https://www.bestofengland.com/ezra-gil-manchester/ )

Federal
Looking for brunch? There's no other choice than Federal! It's THE best place in town to get breakfast/ brunch. Federal is an independent and locally owned coffee shop serving Ozone coffee and a fresh, locally sourced brunch menu in a cosy and friendly atmosphere.
The coffee is always great and the food is even better; you must try the mushrooms, I have no idea how they cook them but they are delcicious! (haha!)

Federal are also a fully licensed bar enabling you to enjoy a cheeky gin and tonic with your brunch or a Federal cocktail after work- the bloody mary's look amazing!
If you're not already tempted to visit, Federal offer 2 cocktails for £10 after 4pm every day!! 

Whether you're a fellow Mancunian or not, I hope that i've helped tempt you to try out some of my favourite places in the city and if you have any different reccomendations then I'd love to hear them! Let me know in the comments :)

REVIEW: Sleek i-Divine All Night Long Eyeshadow Pallet

Sleek Cosmetics is one of the fastest growing brands on the high-street, they provide great high quality makeup at affordable prices. Sleek have a large range of products with strong pigmentation and high quality. I like that Sleek cater for everybody and they aren't afraid of a statement pop of colour.

Sleek are most well known for their amazing eyeshadow pallets and they have a large collection to choose from. I have recently fallen in love with their i-Divine All Night Long eyeshadow pallet and I have been extremely impressed with the quality and I have been using it non stop.



The All Night Long pallet is a fantastic pallet with rich smoky nude shades allowing you to create endless georgeous eye looks. I think that the eyeshadow shades are great but I am most impressed with the quality; these eyeshadows are just as good and if not better than many of my more expensive eyeshadows. All of the eyeshadows in the pallet are very pigmented, especially the shimmer shades which I love.

I love the packaging of this pallet, it is extremely small and compact meaning it is ideal to travel with and it also comes with a handy mirror in the compact. The 'Sleek' matte black packaging also looks very high end and classy.


My only wish with this pallet is that I would like more warm transitional shades; for example a warm light brown to start the eye makeup with would be a great addition. I have found myself reaching for different eyeshadows to start off my makeup and then using the shimmer shades from this pallet to make the statement.
On the other hand, it is a great tip to use your warm matte bronzer that you use on your face as a transitional shade and then go into this pallet to finish the look.

I recently posted a review of the Stila Eyes Are The Window eyeshadow pallet (read by clicking here!) which I love however if you are looking for a cheaper alternative then the Sleek All Night Long pallet would be a great choice.  

My current go to eye makeup is a warm rounded smoky eye with a pop of shimmer in the centre. To achieve this I reach for a warm matte bronzer like the MAC Mineralise Skinfinish powders in Medium Dark and Dark Tan and then I open up my Sleek All Night Long pallet and use a mixture of the deeper brown shades in the eye crease and complete the look with the solid gold shade in the centre and a touch of pearl in the inner eye corner to highlight.   

The Sleek eyeshadows are very pigmented and are great worn on their own, however to intensify the colour even further, simply use a damp brush (using a spray of Mac Fix + or water) and press the colour onto the eye lid to create an eye catching statement. 

Have you tired any of the Sleek Cosmetics eyeshadow pallets? Were you as impressed as me? Let me know in the comments!!! 

Get Yourself Motivated & Be Productive : My Tips

Achieving your dreams can be hard and it can be tough to keep yourself motivated along the journey.
I am not one to talk about how easy the ride can be and I myself have experienced myself a serious lack of motivation in my life; both personally and in my career. I understand how hard it can be to get out of a slump when you're down and in this post I have decided to share with you my tips for beating that feeling and making the most of your life.

Set Yourself  Daily/ Weekly/ Monthly Goals 
I am guilty of letting my work get on top of me and I often find myself with a list the length of my arm with jobs that need doing in a short period of time. Yikes!

I am a freelance makeup artist and part time waitress in a coffee shop so juggling two jobs can be tricky whilst also keeping time free to spend with friends and family.
Having a long list of jobs to do can be overwhelming and I find that setting myself daily, weekly or monthly goals can really help. I like to plan out my weeks and dedicate each day to complete a certain task; for example a typical week for me can include writing blog posts, catching up on emails, working in the coffee shop, working on makeup jobs and catching up with friends.

Keep a diary/ Weekly Planner 
Keeping a diary can really help yourself keep on track of what events and work you have coming up. It can be easy to double book yourself especially when you have various commitments.

I recently bought a weekly planner chalk board which I hang on a wall in my room and write on my plans for the week. I like to visually see how my week will plan out and this helps to keep me on track.

Find a Suitable Work Environment 
I don't know about you but I find that it is almost impossible to work from home because I find myself getting easily distracted. Unlike many people I am unable to leave my house and go to 'work' everyday because of the nature of my job; I work from home with my blog and I am always working in different locations on makeup jobs.

I find that taking my laptop into a cafe, buying a large coffee and snack, then setting myself up in a quiet corner to get some work done is when I am my most productive.





Motivational Quotes
I love Pinterest to search for inpiration in my style and makeup and it is also a great place to find great motivational quotes.

Whenever I am feeling down I find that it really helps to read positive and motivational quotes which always helps me to see the positive side in every situation.
Here are a few of my favourite quotes ....

Take Time Out
Even when I am going through a busy period, I will always try and make time to spend time with my friends and family. This is extremely important and taking time always helps me to feel refreshed and ready to return to work.

I love to meet up with friends and catch up over food and drinks. I always have a great time and leave feeling very moitvated to continue working hard because my friends always cheer me up and are all very supportive.

What do you enjoy doing in your time off? I am going to be posting all about my favourite bars and restaurants in my home town, Manchester very soon!





Don't Compare Yourself with Others
Comparing yourself with others is the worst thing that you can ever do. Everyone is on their own journey and we all have our own aims and dreams that are unique to us.

My career path has been very different to many of the people that I grew up with and I often compare my situation to theirs and feel like I have under achieved. Although in fact I have too achieved so much that I am extremely proud of; the situations are just different.


.. Only Compare Yourself with YOU ... 
No matter your age, job or situation. You should only ever compare yourself with yourself.

Use Yourself As Motivation 
I often like to look back at where I was a month, year or even 4 years ago to see how I have changed and progressed. 4 years ago I would never have imagined that I would regullary be getting jobs doing hair and makeup for photoshoots yet here I am.
Looking back and seeing what I have achieved really motivates me to keep going to reach my next goal.

Do you have any tips for getting yourself motivated? Let me know in the comments below!!!

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