York Haul

Since I moved to York for uni, I've bought a few things, mainly clothes, so thought I would share them with you!

Floral Print Dress from Zara - £29.99

Skater T-Shirt from Zara - £12.99 - I couldn't find this top on their website but THIS ONE is a similar style

Date Me Please T-Shirt from Zara - £19.99 - This also wasn't on the website but is just a basic long sleeved top

Striped Shirt from Urban Outtfitters - £30

Pyjama Set from Cath Kidston - £32

Ciate Very Colourfoil Manicure from TK Maxx - £9.99

Olive Oil Moisturising Hair Lotion

A while ago I was searching for some new hair products to try, as my hair gets really frizzy after I've washed it and becomes unmanageable if it isn't tamed with hundreds of serums and conditioners. I came across something that said how good olive oil is for hair and to manage frizz, but didn't take too much notice and continued looking.

However, a week or so ago I was out shopping and came across a random hair and nail shop. I decided I'd have a look in, mostly on the hunt for cheap nail art decorations, but while in there I spotted some olive oil hair products. They had shampoo and conditioner, but I was more interested in the lotion, as I find it's usually only the products I use after I've washed and dried my hair that make a difference to the frizz, not the products I use while washing it. It was only around £3.50, so I though I'd try it.

I'm so impressed with this product! I applied a small amount of it to my hair when it was still half wet after washing it, and then continued to dry my hair with a hairdryer. I styled my hair in my usual routine but my hair felt so much softer and sleeker than usual. It made it so much more manageable and a little bit more shiny too! I will continue to use this product and would repurchase it if I saw it again, would definitely suggest you try this if you have problems with frizz!

Purple Ombré Nail Art

Using Models Own 'Lilac Dream', 'Purple Imperial' and Black Nail Art Pen.

Nail Art Water Transfers

A while ago while trawling the internet for anything nail art related, I came across water transfers. I initially thought that they would be a lot like foil wraps, which I have tried before and found hard to use and wasn't overwhelmed with the finished look of them. This put me off slightly, but after reading through the instructions of how to use them they sounded simple enough and they were reasonably priced so I thought I would try them out.

They arrived in a sheet like this, which you then cut up into separate images. Once they are ready to go on your nails, the white around the images becomes transparent so you don't have to worry about cutting them exactly, and you can put them onto any colour nail polish you want.

Using tweezers, put the transfer into some water making sure that the whole image is submerged and hold in for 30 - 60 seconds.

When you take them out of the water, the image will separate from the white backing paper. Pick up the transfer with the tweezers and place on your nail. Dab the transfer down onto the nail to make it flat and to get rid of any excess water.

Repeat this for all nails, or just leave as one accent nail. You then need to apply a clear top coat over the transfer to seal them onto your nails.

They're super easy to use and leave a professional looking finish. Also, they come in almost any design you can think of so will suit whatever look you're going for!

Bun Styling Tool

Over the past couple of months I've taken to wearing my hair up more often, as having long hair in the summer heat drives me crazy! A bun is one of my favourite styles as its so versatile; it can be formal or casual, neat or messy, big or small. However, I sometimes struggle to create a bun as my hair is so long and has to be wrapped around itself too many times to look good, or if I do manage it my hair is so heavy that it falls out within a few hours.

Recently I came across these:

Sold as 'Magic Foam Sponge Hair Styling Donut Bun Maker' - catchy - they cost me £1.30 for all four from ebay (I can't find the exact seller) so I couldn't resist giving them a try!

They're so easy to use! All you do is put your hair in a pony tail and pull it through the hole in the middle. Each one has wire in it so you can place the bun shaper about 3/4 of the way down your ponytail, and squeeze it tight to hold your hair in place. Then you wrap the 1/4 of hair left at the bottom of your pony tail around the bun shaper, and then roll it up the rest of your hair to your head. Bend the shaper into a circular bun shape and spread you hair around it to make the bun. Squeeze the bun to make the wire tight so that the bun will stay in and you're finished!

This was really hard to explain so if you haven't got a clue what I'm talking about, I watched THIS VIDEO when trying to figure out how to use mine!

When using these, it's so quick and easy to create a bun that stays in all day. The bun can be made neat by keeping you hair tight all the way through or can also be messy by holding you hair more loosely or by pulling pieces of hair out of the bun at the end. You can also choose if you want a small bun by using one of the shorter tools or a bigger bun with one of the longer tools.

For me these are such an easy way to create a bun and I think everyone should definitely give them a try!

The Beauty Blogger Tag (Second Edition)

Emily from ahemitsemme tagged me to do the Second Edition Beauty Blogger Tag, thank you!

Rules
1. Tag the creator of the tag, Sparkle with Laughter
2. Tag other beauty bloggers that you want to do the tag.
3. Title your post "The Beauty Blogger Tag"
4. Answer the questions.


1. Name the beauty routine you barely do!
I sometimes skip using a heat protection before I dry my hair with a hair dryer, probably really bad for my hair :(

2. Is washing your make up brushes something you regularly do?
Not really, I'm so lazy, just when they reeeeaaally need it

3. How long will you last with chipped nail varnish?
This is one thing I hate! If I haven't got time to repaint my nails, I'd rather take it off and have bare nails than have chipped nail varnish

4. How long do you put off buying/replacing a beauty or nail polish product even if you need it (ie. top coat, foundation, etc.)?
I'll pretty much buy it as soon as I need it or even before it runs out :)

5. What is your worst beauty habit? 
Sometimes I just forget and go to bed without taking my make up off, really bad for my skin

6. Name something non-beauty related you put off doing all the time?
Like Emily and probably everyone else, any kind of school work

7. When going out somewhere do you leave getting ready to the last minute or not?
Not really, I like to make sure I'm ready by at least 10 minutes before I have to leave, I hate feeling rushed!

8. Can you commit to spending bans?
If I go shopping I seem to can't help finding something I like so end up spending even if I planned not to, so no :(

9. How organised is your makeup and nail polish collection?
I think they're very organised, especially my nail polish collection which is good because I have such a lot, but they all have their place so I can find them easily

10. What is the longest time you have gone without writing a blog post?
Probably only about 3 - 4 days but I haven't been doing it for long!

I Tag:
Keyti from brushesandpens
Kira from kirabassett
Alice from alzgalz
Meghan from peachpips

Weekly Wish List #2

01 - Floral Print T-Shirt from Zara - £9.99
I think the floral print is so pretty on this t-shirt, and would look good with both summer and autumn outfits, so perfect for this time of the year. Also, it's only £9.99, a bargain!

02 - Nail Candy Book from Urban Outfitters - £12.99
I'm obsessed with nail art and am always looking for inspiration for my next design so I think this book would come in handy. I linked it from Urban Outfitters as that is where I originally saw it, although I'm certain I could find it cheaper somewhere else so will probably shop around a bit before buying it.

03 - No7 Stay Perfect Foundation from Boots - £14
This is just a boring essential as this is the foundation I already use but I'm worried it will run out soon. I'm going to repurchase it because it stays on all day, is a good match for my skin tone (which is hard to find as I'm very pale) and is reasonably priced.

04 - Dr Martens Isabel Shoe - £125.00
I've been watching these for ages on the website as they were reduced to £65 but never restocked my size :( They've now put the price back up to £125 which is annoying, so I'll probably just look for different ones or wait for them to be reduced again.

05 - Fireworks Collection from Models Own - £5 each
I collect Models Own nail polishes so I definitely need this new set they've brought out! They released two sets, this one and the Velvet Goth collection but I prefer the Fireworks collection as they're brighter and can be put over loads of different colours to create different effects, so I will probably buy this collection first.

Palmer's Natural Bronze Body Lotion and Body Scrub

Natural Bronze Body Lotion - £5.35
Body Scrub - £4.99

I've tried loads of fake tanning products over the past two years but Palmer's is my favourite. It's so easy to create an even, natural looking tan in just a few hours. I've got fair skin so not all fake tans suit me, but I've been using it all summer and I love it.

I usually apply it before I go to bed and it develops over night to create a subtle tan in the morning. I then apply it again and it develops into a perfect, natural looking tan. I also love their body scrub, which I always use before applying the body lotion, to stop the tan from going patchy after a few days.

Both products smell nice and are reasonably priced too, I highly recommend them!

DIY Phone Case

All you need is a phone case with a clear back (for iPhone 4/4s like mine, the cheapest ones I have found are HERE), a craft knife and a photo / printed picture / a picture from a magazine.

You can use a template to make sure that your picture will be the right size, like this one for iPhone 4 / 4s. If your phone is a different model you should be able to find a template on Google. Then trace the hole for the camera on to your picture and cut out using a craft knife.

For iPhone 4 / 4s

Just place your picture behind your phone into the case and you will have a unique phone case that you can change as often as you like without having to buy a new one!

Leeds Shopping Haul

01 - Ruche Back Dress from Bank - £48
02 - Phone Clutch from Urban Outfitters - £16
03 - Off The Shoulder Jumper from Hollister - Reduced to £19.99
04 - Cat Dress from H&M - £14.99
05 - Black Heels from Primark - Reduced to £6
06 - Homies Sweatshirt from Urban Outfitters - £45
07 - Black Tights from Primark - £2.50
08 - Room Diffuser from Primark - £3

Ombré Leopard Print Nail Art

Using Models Own 'Sophie's Pink', 'Fuzzy Peach' and Black Nail Art Pen.

Weekly Wish List

01 - Cat Dress from H&M - £14.99 

02 - Pastel Nail Art Pen Box Set from Models Own - £20

03 - Crescent Bay Mist from Hollister - £12

04 - Hello Kitty iPhone 4 Case from eBay - £3.58

05 - Black Mono Converse from Office - £47.99

Liebster Award!

Thank you Astrid Lam for nominating me, check out her blog HERE, and also Peach Pips, HERE

What's the Liebster Award?

It’s a way to get new bloggers with less than 200 followers more recognition! If you get nominated then you must answer the 11 questions set by the person who nominated you, and in turn nominate another 11 bloggers and set your own 11 questions for them to answer.

The official rules are:
1. You must link back to the person that nominated you.
2. You must answer the 11 Liebster questions given to you by the nominee before you.

3. You must pick 11 bloggers to be nominated for the award with under 200 followers.

4. You must come up with 11 questions for your nominees to answer.

5. You must go to their blogs and notify your nominees.

Lets Start! Since I got two nominations I've combined their questions :)

1.  Q.   Favourite Youtuber?

     A.   I can't decide between Sprinkle of Glitter and Dolly Bow Bow

2.  Q.   Favourite Disney film?
     A.   The Little Mermaid

3.  Q.   Favourite Book?
     A.   The Great Gatsby

4.  Q.   Favourite high street shop?

     A.   Topshop

5.  Q.   Favourite animal?

     A.   Either a cat or a deer

6.  Q.   If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

     A.   Probably to be more confident and outgoing

7.  Q.   What is one of your major goals in life?

     A.   Just to be happy

8.  Q.   Favourite piece of clothing/accessories?

     A.   My Dr Martens shoes

9.  Q.   If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

     A.   Anything from McDonald's

10. Q.   What is the first thing you'd buy if you won the lottery?

      A.   I'd buy my parents new cars

11. Q.   Who is your favourite model?

      A.   I'm not sure, maybe Miranda Kerr

I Nominate:

1.     http://notcentralfashion.wordpress.com/  

2.     http://thejollyfashionista.blogspot.com

3.     http://carlysbeautyworld.blogspot.co.uk/

4.     http://laurac1987.blogspot.co.uk/

5.     http://vintagebuttondesign.blogspot.co.uk/

6.     http://beautyandthegin.blogspot.co.uk/

7.     http://peachpips.blogspot.co.uk/

8.     http://voraciousreviewsforyou.blogspot.co.uk/

9.     http://amaryllisdawn.com/

10.   http://petit-dora.blogspot.co.uk/

11.   http://hollssmarie.blogspot.co.uk/

And My Questions Are:

1.   Favourite make-up brand?

2.   Favourite food?

3.   If you could live in another country, which would it be?

4.   Favourite member of the royal family?

5.   How would your friends describe you?

6.   What is your dream job?

7.   Favourite film?

8.   Have any siblings?

9.   What was the best holiday you've been on?

10. Favourite colour?

11. If you could have any accent, what would it be?

Uni Items So Far

Essential Items:

01   'Indigo' Small Suitcase from TK Maxx, £19.99
02   'Rosalin' Double Duvet Cover from Ikea, £20
       Pink Single Fitted Sheet from Dunelm Mill, reduced to £3.49
03   'Blossom' Oven Glove from Home Sense, £2

Decorative Items:

04   A5 Notebooks from Paperchase, £3.50 - £10
05   Ribbon, around £1 each
06   'Vintage Floral Round Pins Tin' from Sainsburys, £2 - £3
07   Photos from Photobox, free + £1.99 P+P

Cath Kidston Inspired Nail Art

Using Models Own 'Snow White', 'In The Navy', 'Pastel Pink', 'Blooboo', 'Jade Stone' and 'Coral Reef'.