What's on my bed side cabinet?

My Diary

I like writing things in my diary, it makes me feel responsible and organised and like an adult. Although, I tend to use it meticulously for a month then forget about it for the next...

Nivea Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream

I’ve decided that 22 is an appropriate age to start using anti-wrinkle cream if I want to avoid looking all haggard. While I wanted an eye cream that can prevent wrinkles, what I really wanted was one that can minimise dark circles too. I recently googled ‘why do we get dark circles?’ (praise the Lord for Google eh?) and it’s because blood passes through large vessels beneath your under-eye skin which is thin. When you’re tired, your body produces more cortisol to keep you awake, which means more blood passes through these veins.

SO ANYWAY I guess the ingredients that prevent your skins loss of elasticity must in turn minimise the appearance of these veins.

That was long, but important, I think?

Nivea Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream

I bought this after seeing good results from the Q10 eye cream. It always seems like a good idea to combine products from the same range. Is that just marketing spiel that they tell you on adverts though? Am I just a dupe of the market?

American Psycho – Bret Easton Ellis

I love reading the classics, and ‘reading more’ seems to be the only New Years resolution that I’ve held down. Basically (and I mean very basically, as there is SO much to analyse here) American Psycho is about a banker on Wall Street who that is also a serial killer, and the book highlights how the American Dream has been distorted through materialistic consumerism and the main character's obsession with his appearance. I did not anticipate how gory this book would be. It’s also slightly awkward reading this on the commute because of the violent murdering and the graphic sex! I feel like I have to rush those chapters in case the guy next to me on the train thinks I’m a freak, or just reading Fifty Shades of Grey.

It – Alexa Chung

You don’t have to read this book in any order, so it’s interesting to pick it up now and again. Plus you can do what they do in Urban Outfitters where they decoratively place it around the store to make it look edgy LOL. It looks cool okay.

The Dating Game – Lucy Watson

Yes that’s right I bought this and she knows what she is talking about. To be entirely honest though, I was given most of this advice from my friend Eva when I was 16 (how was she so wise?) but I didn’t put any of it into practice until now. I would like to say I know what I’m doing now in this arena, but I probably really don’t!

Lamp

Always nice to be able to see when it’s dark.

Coaster

For coffee obviously!

Bare Minerals 30 Day Complexion Starter Kit

This 30-Day Complexion Starter Kit is a great way to try a few of the Bare Minerals products to get the full experience. Bare Minerals is the one brand that I always push on all of my friends to use, and let me tell you why…

1) YOU CAN SLEEP IN THIS STUFF. I’ve already told you guys that I am pretty lazy and sometimes sleep in my makeup after a night out (even reaching for a makeup wipe is a struggle). So as you can imagine, when discovering this, Bare Minerals foundation quickly became a staple in my makeup bag.

2) This is a god send when you’re having a spotty day. (No one tells you that you still get spots as an adult!) My skin is always looking healthier when I use Bare Minerals over a heavy/liquid foundation.

3) Your foundation won’t feel like it’s sliding off your face on a hot sunny day. Let’s be honest, we’ve all suffered from a melting face in the summer and it’s not pretty! I honestly don’t have this problem with Bare Minerals though.

Unless you have a QVC obsessed Auntie (like me) that can explain to you, Bare Minerals can be a bit confusing to use so let me run through the products!

The Prime Time Primer should be applied first after you have moisturised. I honestly never saw the point of primer prior to using this, but I’ve never looked back!

The Original SPF 15 Foundation is where the true magic happens. You pour the powder into the lid, swirl with the Flawless Face Brush and buff it into your skin and voila. I use medium beige which does sound dark, but I would usually opt for ivory in any other foundation, so bear that in mind.

The Mineral Veil is a pearl coloured powder that seals everything in and is applied using a similar buffing method.

The only negative I have about Bare Minerals is that their brushes have a tendency to malt. This has resulted in me leaving the house like a mad, hairy, bearded woman if I ever do my makeup in the dark. I would love to know if anyone has ditched this for a different brush!?

The kit also includes their SPF 20 Concealer powder and the Mini Concealer Brush. If I’m honest I have AWFUL dark circles, and as a result go a bit Kim K with my concealer, using a liquid one to hide everything. I have however applied the powder over my liquid concealer – This has stopped my mascara rubbing off on my under eyes and sticking - never a good look!

My favourites from this set are definitely the Prime Time primer and the foundation which I buy again and again. Bare Minerals can be a bit pricey so if you’re watching the pennies, the foundation on its own is great, and can be used in combination with your other favourite products.

April Favourites

Benefit - The Porefessional Pro Balm Primer

I was given a sample of The Porefessional after a massive splurge on Benefits products one afternoon, and I definitely will be buying the regular size when pay day arrives! Do you ever catch a glance of your face in the toilet mirror at work at around 4pm, and start to doubt whether you even applied makeup that day? Where does it go?! This happened to me constantly BUT I honestly can say this stuff prevents any 4pm mirror meltdowns, and ensures that your foundation stays put. Not only this, but it conceals any visible pores – perfect for when you’ve sat there squeezing spots in the mirror prior to applying your foundation!

L'Occitane - Verveine Gel Crème

I was sceptical of this hand cream when buying it because it sells for £8, but I’d heard wonderful things about L’Occitane so I treated myself. Although you don’t get a huge amount for your money you are paying for quality. My hands get so dry to the extent that they crack and even bleed - mmm nice! This hand cream has been an absolute dream and worked miracles. Plus it smells amazing.

Boots Slanted Tweezers

I have lost about 5 pairs of tweezers in the last year and I’m so intrigued to know if this happens to anyone else?! I just do not understand where they go, so I refuse to buy the Tweezerman ones which are £20. I’ve been using these Boots own brand slanted tweezers which are amazing and only £1.80!

Benefit - Hoola

This bronzer doesn’t even need an introduction, and now that summer is upon us everyone needs to invest in Benefit Hoola bronzer. A lot of people throw the brush away in favour of using a professional brush. I personally love the shape of the brush and usually brush a line under my cheek bones to define my face. Then I’ll apply it lightly to the upper part of my cheekbones and blend. If you have a round face like me, this bronzer is also amazing for defining the rest of your face. My friends actually say that I look like the moon emoji in photos because my face is round – it’s funny but also very true - so I tend to apply Hoola lightly to my jawline, the top of my forehead, and on the sides of my nose to look more defined (and less moon-like).

Bare Minerals - Lash Domination

Anyone that knows me knows I am BIG on mascara and apply a generous amount. Despite this habit, this mascara has lasted me a good few months without drying out. My lashes definitely did dominate.

Rimmel - BB Cream 9-in-1

To tell the truth this has been sitting in my draw for a LONG time and initially I saw BB creams as pretty pointless. However looking back, when I first used this, I applied way too much. You definitely don’t need as much as normal foundation and as a result it didn’t blend very well! I gave it another shot last week and have to say I’m impressed. I’ve had massive breakouts in the last few weeks, so I love that this isn’t too heavy on your skin. Also it says 9-in-1 so you know, that’s got to count for something?

First Post: Let's Introduce Ourselves