MAKE UP PRODUCTS I USE EVERYDAY

I thought a post on my current make up routine was much needed as it's been a fair while to say the least, and I have been introduced to some great products during this time. 

MAC Studio Fix Fluid mixed with Revlon Photoready Skinlights face illuminator in Pink Rose
Adding the Skinlights to my foundation gives a lovely fresh glow, particularly helpful when you're running around on very little sleep - which I have somehow had a fair share of practice at over the past year.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light
Everybody's holy grail concealer. This stuff has been made by angels and sent from heaven to cover dark circles to spots of all sizes. Absolute star!

Revlon Nearly Naked Powder
I always used to steer clear of powder - the thought now makes me shudder - as I have such dry skin, using powder would only dry it out even more and would make it visible, the last thing I wanted. I don't use this everyday, as if my skin is quite dry as it is I'll skip this step however it's great to use to set my base make up.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer
I actually use this a contour rather than a bronzer, and it's just the most perfect matte brown that would suit every skin tone.

MAC Pro Longwear Blusher in Blush All Day
A beautiful matte blush in a natural rose tone that is perfect for everyday where. Since buying this in New York I haven't used another blush since!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish highligher
I find this gives such a lovely natural highlight which can also be built up for a more intense look.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Taupe
This is amazing - my brows are quite full naturally and I only ever fill in the front to make them even and this does the job perfectly!

Benefit Roller Lash mascara
Roller Lash is definitely giving They're Real a run for it's money with the added bonus that it isn't such a mission to remove!

Benefit They're Real mascara
My beloved mascara, I'm now on my third bottle (is it a bottle?) of this, nothing quite gives my lashes the same effect!

This is my everyday make-up with the exception of eyeshadow - I'll either sweep a natural nude shade all over my lid or will use the gorgeous matte shades from my Naked 1 palette.

LONDON CALLING

Living so close to London is definitely something I took for granted before I moved to Nottingham. It was always so close and easily accessible living in the South East (takes 40 minutes by train) whereas on the coach it takes a few hours.

I absolutely love the buzz of living in a city, there's always something to do and going on and London is no exception. As a course we stayed in a hostel just round the corner from St. Pancras/King's Cross so we were on the doorstep to the tube and everything we may need.

We started off our trip in The Breakfast Club with the best breakfast I think I've ever had. After waddling out we then explored Oxford Street and Regent Street, viewing the Digital Disturbances exhibition at the Fashion Space Gallery and wondering round (and drooling over) the Burberry flagship store.

Ben Eine's "Your Not My Type" exhibition at the StolenSpace Gallery on Brick Lane (it pain's me it's "Your" and not "You're") was incredibly inspiring as was Liberty in Fashion at the Fashion and Textile Museum.

It was a brilliant few days in the capital with lots of laughs, window shopping and a lot of walking!

RESPONSE TO MARCELO MONREAL

After discovering Marcelo Monreal's work I couldn't wait to try and reproduce my image in his 3D cut out style. I took a black and white photograph of the beautiful Emma Watson from her ELLE Spain shoot and experimented with a range of floral prints I had previously pinned on my Pinterest board, oh so print. Whereas Monreal cut out the flowers for his collages, I left the print as a whole which I feel still gives a really interesting composition. I'll definitely keep this technique of photo manipulation in mind for future projects.

You can see my post on Marcelo Moreal's work, here.

MARCELO MONREAL FACES[UN]BONDED

Brazilian artist Marcelo Monreal creates stunning collages by splitting a model's face and imposing an array of blossoming flowers in the empty spaces. Called Faces[UN]bonded, Monreal reveals a part to someone who is hidden. I think his work is absolutely stunning, and it really connotes a message of beauty is within. He truly captures, by exaggerating the exotic colour range of flowers, that no matter what your exterior presents, inside everyone is beautiful. (Although if I looked like Cara Delevingne I'd say I was pretty beautiful on the outside too).

Image source and Image sources

Although I wouldn't get anywhere near the results of this, I'm definitely going to give this technique a try! You can see more of his work on Facebook and Instagram.

Britain's Spending Secrets

It's amazing what you can find out about someone when they start talking about money. Many are happy to share what they have bought with their money, for example showing their new car, phone or even lipstick, but less so when the nitty gritty of what exactly we spend our money on in terms of finances etc.

Having recently watched the two part series on BBC One, Britain's Spending Secrets presented by Anne Robinson, it was incredible what the topic of money can bring out in people.

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