Glossybox | December Box

This months Glossybox was quite a special one as you were allowed the choice between two boxes. The whole box would help you create a certain look focused around a lipstick, either a bold red or golden nude shade. As I have mentioned, I'm not the biggest fan of lipsticks but if I was going to wear one, a nude lip would suit me better than red so I went for this one. The first thing that I noticed about this box was everything was full size, this makes it incredible value for money and also quite exciting. I also really liked the packaging this month, it was different to their normal pink and seemed quite fresh. 

Stocking Filler Ideas

Selfie Stick 
Gillette Mach 3 Gift Set
Mr Burns Small Make-up Bag
Dog Mug 

Hopefully by now you would have got mainly all your stocking fillers however just in case you haven't, I thought that this post would be good for inspiration for those leaving it all a bit late this year! Stocking fillers are meant to be small, cute, useful or stupid gifts and I have put together some items which I wouldn't mind finding in my stocking, which you can see above. I always try to get gifts with the person in mind and not just put any old thing in there which makes them fun to do but quite hard sometimes. I also try to make sure that everyone gets something different. Chocolate is obviously a staple.

Doggy Christmas (Gifts)

Squeaky Pudding Toy 
Dog Treats Woofmas Gift Card 
Gingerbread Man
Dog Toy Reindeer with Scarf
Dog Stocking 

Obviously you don't want to forget your little (or big) loved one at this time of year! I love including our dogs in the festivities, they're part of the family so it's only right that they get some gifts!
Above is just a little round up of some small things which you could get them, everything that is still available is also linked.

Mince Pies With a Twist | Recipe

What would christmas be like without mince pies! Every year I make some, they're so easy to do and even if no one eats them (nearly everyone in my family hates them) I still enjoy it. I've said that these have a twist because they're not made with the traditional shortcrust, but with filo and puff pastry instead. I haven't really got much experience with filo, you have to be quite delicate and also get it quite wet which I didn't which is possibly why mine are slightly more golden then I'd like them to be, however overall I am happy with how they turned out. 

Our Family Christmas Traditions

Because Christmas is all about family, I thought that I would share a few of the different Christmas traditions that we have. This is something which I am always interested in learning about when it comes to different people/families and is also something which we are always adding to. The photos that I have aren't really that Christmassy but are from when me and my siblings were younger. I don't have too many photos of us now and none that I would share without their permission however these are some of my favourite photos from when we were kids (and have been scanned in, hence why the quality is low) as they really show what our childhood was like, we were constantly travelling around and going for trips out. If you need help figuring out which one I am, I'm the small blonde one.

Christmas Gifts - Friends

Another gift guide post! This time I wanted the focus to be on friends. These are small, thoughtful presents that are perfect for your loved ones, however this could also be inspiration for girlfriends, sisters etc. 

Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

Brown Wrapping Paper
Santa Gift Tags
Gold Ribbon
Small Gold Bauble Decorations

I wanted to share the way that I am wrapping my gifts this year as this is an important part of Christmas in my eyes. I'm always one to appreciate how someone has decorated the gifts as well as the actual gift itself. For me, this is something to put effort into. It means that you have been careful and thoughtful and gone the extra mile. I like to have presents wrapped quite early so they can go under the tree, this way you can appreciate the decoration for longer instead of rushing and putting out on christmas eve (or the day itself). 

Christmas Nails

Image Credit: Pinterest 

Above is some christmassy nail inspiration, this is mainly as I have acrylics and around holidays is a chance for me to play around and get something fun. If you didn't know that I had acrylics, you can see a post I did about them here. 

Christmas Gifts - Boys

World Lager Selection 
L'oral Gift Set 
Cards Against Humanity 

I've left this gift guide fairly open as I think anyone would really like these gifts, be it your dad, friend, brother or boyfriend. I've found that that guys don't really care as much about gifts as girls do so this means that you can pretty much get them anything you want. Thats also why i've made this gift guide quite small and simple, you could get them one of these things or all three.

Ruby Professional Make-Up Brushes

Make up brushes are something which I use every day and know the importance of, however I just never seem to buy. I would much prefer to spend money on make up however the tools which we apply make-up with are just as important and can really make a difference. 

When I got Novembers Glossybox through, Ruby Professional were one of the brands included. They sent a fluffy eyeshadow brush and I liked the look of this straight away. I liked the simple appearance of the brush, it looked very professional, hence the name. I also liked the way it made my eye make-up look. If you're one of those people that isn't very good at applying eyeshadow, get a fluffy brush because it makes ALL the difference. 

After some more research I went ahead and bought a complete set from their website, they don't offer much on their site and it needs some serious adjustment and spellcheck done to it, but the recommendation came from Glossybox who I trust so I didn't let this stop me from ordering. Because it's christmas I thought that I would treat myself so these are a little present from me to me.

Winter Beauty | Taking Care of Your Skin

Now that we've definitely got into the colder weather, I thought I'd share a few tips about taking care of your skin. These three main things can really help the appearance of your skin and can help with your overall health as well.

Christmas Craft | Handmade Gift Tags

Because Christmas is a time when a lot of us get a bit crafty, I thought I'd share a really simple and easy way to create homemade gift tags. These are so simple to make but add a really nice touch to a gift. This year I decided to wrap all my presents in brown paper and I think these gift tags go so well with the simple gift wrap. I do intend to do a post on wrapping presents, more of an inspiration post as wrapping gifts is such a big part of christmas its nice to put some effort in, so look out for this coming up. 

Making these couldn't be more simple. All you mainly need is plain gift tags, any kind of green card, foam or fabric and something to act as berries. I used these glittery dome stickers but you could use anything really, I think buttons would work well. 

Christmas Jumpers

Red Novelty Rudolph Christmas Jumper
Oh What Fun Slogan Christmas Jumper 
Asos Christmas Jumper with Xmas Puddings
Asos Chrismas Jumper with Ho Ho Ho Pattern
Long Black Sleeve Knitted Christmas Jumper 
Reindeer Zip Through Fleece 

This post could possibly be going out slightly late in the month however I think there are some really good christmas jumpers this year so I thought I'd share a few of my favs. Having festive clothing just adds that extra bit of magic to christmas and who doesn't like to dress up?! However once they're gone, they're gone as the shops don't still want to be selling these come boxing day so be quick so you don't miss out!

Christmas Gift Guide - Sister

Nicky Clarke DesiRED Salon Professional Straightener 
Burgundy Faux Fur Hat
Asos Black Bag (Similar)

Kicking off the first gift guide that I'm uploading to this blog and also quite a tricky person to buy for - the sister.
I wanted to include some items that work generally for any people and some that my actual sister would like. These presents could also work for friends or girlfriends etc.

Vlogmas | Three Favourites to Watch

It's that time of year again when all the best youtubers dust off their cameras and begin to vlog themselves every day! For some reason watching other people do festive things just puts me in such a good, festive mood so I thought I'd do a little post about my three favourite youtubers to watch during this month.

If you don't know what Vlogmas is (where have you been?) It's basically where people vlog themselves for 24 days in the lead up to christmas.

Personal Christmas Wishlist

Urban Outfitters Cushions
Crosley Vinyl Record Player 
Slim Marble Phone Charger
Rose Gold Bee Case
Heart and Dagger Ring 
Mermaid Ring
Better Than Sex Mascara
Herb Garden Calendar 
Card Sleeve
Instax Mini Camera

I thought that I would share my personal christmas wishlist incase anyone was wondering what I am hoping Santa will bring me (might link some family members to this post as well, just incase). My taste in possessions has definitely changed in the past few years, at the moment I'm hoping to update my room slightly with cushions, this is quite a low-cost way of adding life to a room and these urban outfitters ones are just what I want. Simple but cute.

The Most Magical Time Of The Year

Reindeer Antlers
Santa Sleigh and Reindeer Bunting
Gingerbread Man Bunting

It's that time of year again! Time to go up in the loft to get your decorations out, spend way too much on gifts and eat enough food for about a hundred people. A lot of people pretend to moan about this time of year but I feel it's needed when everyones a bit depressed and it's freezing outside and all you want to do is hibernate until Summer.

Glossybox | November

Rock N Rose

VERA Sterling Silver January Birthstone Ring
BELLATRIX Capricorn Sterling Silver Zodiac Ring

Because I did a post all about my other jewellery, which you can see here. I thought that I would do a little review/chat of what I got from Rock N Rock. I didn't know much about this brand before however I think that they are now of the best places to buy unique and personal jewellery from online.

Ways to get out of a bad mood

Bad moods are something that just seem to quite like me, I generally always slip into one through no fault of my own but trust me, EVERYONE will know about it. This is something which I have no reason or explanation for but is definitely something which I would like to change as I would like to become a much happier, more positive person. Below are just some tips that will help get you out of a mood pretty quickly.

Talk it out
Sometimes the best way to feel happier is to simply just talk it out. As they say, "a problem shared is a problem halved" and if there is definitely something which is getting to you then discussing it with someone you can trust can help SO much. If you keep something bottled up, then it won't ever get resolved. Sometimes sharing your problem and telling someone can help you figure out how you feel/what to do and is bound to make you feel a lot happier. Talking is generally the last thing that I want to do when I'm grumpy but even just a few nice words exchanged with a stranger can really brighten your day.

Laughter
Laughter is truly the best thing and will cheer even the grumpiest of people up. This can be found in a variety of ways but watching pranks on youtube or putting a funny film on will do. It doesn't have to be so funny that you cry with laughter but anything to distract and rise even a hint of a chuckle will do.

Music
Now for me this is mainly musicals. I love Spotify and I use it every day without fail. I used to listen to music on the train, but now I put something on when I'm getting up and ready, when I'm reading, cleaning, when in the car etc. It makes so many situations a lot brighter and more fun. Music is something which should be enjoyed and is the easiest way to boost your mood.

Cry it out
Now for me this is the easiest thing in the world as I seem to find anything to cry about. But somethings there is no turning back and often, just having a good old cry can help a lot. However it should be succumbed to as a last resort and shouldn't last long, after the self-indulunct of feeling shit, this should be the low point that you get to to then think, "this is dumb", to stop cry and pick yourself up and carry on.

Distraction
Another thing that I find very easy, there are certain things that you just can't be in a bad mood when doing. Online shopping, cleaning and cooking seem to be things that you just CAN'T be moody when doing and believe me, I've tried.

Getting to the route of the problem is one of the only ways to get rid of bad moods for good. Everyone should try to be the best, most positive person that they can be, which I know is often easier said then done. These tips will at least help a small amount.

Home Wishlist + Inspiration

This is a bit of a home wishlist/inspirational post as there is still a few corners of my room which I would like to sort out/change. I am limited with what I can do in my room as I live in a sort of attic so think quite big, but with limited options because of sloped walls. I have a few straight ones, with my desk, bed and mirror but this means that I don't have much room to change the layout etc

Storage
As mentioned in the above image, I would like to sort out some of my furniture and how I store things. I'm quite a minimum person when it comes to possessions however I do have a few bits and bobs which I used to keep in a square cube type cabinet however I want to update this and get something slightly better and also something prettier. The unit which you can see in the above image is actually from ikea and is technically for TVs however I like the look of it, it will fit under my walls and I think could introduce a different look to my room because of the metal. It is still white (of course) so will match everything else in my room and I also like the high legs which will make it easy for moving/cleaning.

Desk Update
This is quite a hard one for me as I don't actually know what I want to do with this area. I have a really nice desk now, which I got from ikea and painted the top white and I also have one of those wire mesh grids seem in the image. However it's just all the stuff on top of the actual desk which I want to organise better. I like a tidy space and a clean desk and I want something that I can keep organised.

Lighting
This is something which I would like to invest in, I have a big overhead light and also a bedside table lamp however I would like to add an additional light around my desk area. I don't want a desk lamp as I would like this to be kept off the desk and the only thing that I like the look of is the light in the above image. It's basically just a bulb which would plug into the wall and that I could attach to my wall grid however finding any (and any that I like) is proving to be quite difficult.

Make-up
I've put make-up but basically what I mean is how I store my make-up/my dressing area. As I have mentioned, because of the walls in my room this gives me limited options so I have made up a little area in my room with a big mirror, rug, cushion and my make-up and hair things however most of the time I think this looks quite untidy and isn't very inspiring. I'm not really sure what to do to this area or how to change it up so I think continuing to browse Pinterest at the moment is the only thing I can do.

My Acrylics

I started getting acrylics as I hated my natural nails, I could never grow them and would often bite them and the skin around my nails (gross I know) but it was something that I would do often when I was nervous. My friend started getting her nails done and after a few months I started to go with her. Now I won't actually say where I get mine done, however it is important to go to a professional nail salon as my friend went to one before our current salon and was told that they had nearly filed her nails down to the point of no return and you could actually notice this as she had these ridges along her nails. They have since regrown however if she had kept going to that place they would have ruined her nails.

The people that we go to now, not only listen and can do some fabulous nail art, but because we have been going there so long, they know what we like and dislike.

The first time that I got my nails done, I got them super long, sort of rounded and a deep shade of red, which I loved and over the various months I have really experimented with my nails as there is just countless options. I have gone through various colours, nail art and having them different shapes and lengths. This has helped me figure out what I like and dislike, for instance I like having them quite short now however I used to get them really long. Having them shorter, means that I can type easier and that I don't pull (rip) them off as much however they still look nice. I also like having them either square or coffin shaped depending on how long they are. I find that this suits my hands a lot more and they also tend to keep this shape better, as when I have got them curved or pointy in the past, they seem to grow out and lose this shape quite quickly. The good thing about acrylics is that they last three weeks, which is a long time and also short. So if the length is too long or I chose a colour that I liked but then started to hate, it's never long before I can get them changed. There is something so satisfying about getting my nails redone after I've chipped the polish or they look really noticeably grown out. Acrylics aren't obviously for everyone, I go through weeks when I literally destroy them and then I have weeks when they still look perfect. My sister has no interest in things like this and she actually has really lovely long nails anyway, similar to my mum.

I am always on pinterest trying to find nail art however often I will just get ALL THE GLITTER. For instance the glitter tip that she created for me (above) has four different types of glitter. On the rare occasions when I haven't had my acrylics done or I've had them removed, I've not noticed too much of a difference to my natural nails. I think that this would depend on person to person but I seem to have quite strong nails (which I'd extremely happy about).

I do have these moments when I think it's so stupid that I pay someone to add bits of plastic and acrylic to my nails to make my hands look nicer? However then I often think that it's not just that, it's a chance for me to treat and take care of myself and more often then not it's a chance for me and my friend to catch up and gossip, we've had some pretty interesting conversations in that nail salon. It gives us a chance to sit side by side and just talk about anything and everything.

I probably won't get keep getting my nails done forever and who knows, maybe in the future I'll just get shellac instead but for now I'm enjoying experimenting with my nails. It's the only thing that I actually get "done", some people have their eyebrows done and bits waxed however I'm very low maintenance about that kind of stuff and apart from getting my haircut, it's the only time that I actually spend money on myself.

What are some beauty treatments that you can't live without?

New make-up Purchases

Eco Tools 
Max Factor Masterpiece Nude Palette 

After getting some boots vouchers through the post, I thought that now would be the perfect time to treat myself to some new make-up and most importantly, brushes. I have always been a fan of the Eco Tools range, they were the first proper make-up brushes that I was given for one of my birthdays when I was younger and I still have those brushes now AND use them regularly. I have always been a believer in needing good quality make-up tools to apply make-up with as they can change everything. So when I got a voucher offering 10% off, I picked three which I thought would add to my collection nicely.

I selected the stippling brush as I thought this would be a good brush to apply my base with, I am always changing the way that I do this as I don't like to look like I am caked in make-up. After using this brush for a while now, I've found that it allows me to create the perfect coverage. I've found that is is also good for using after a concealer to make sure everything is blended. The smaller brush which you can see in the above image is a concealer brush and although I have been experimenting with using this for my concealer, I tend to prefer a bigger, more fluffy brush for this. However I have found that this brush is really good for blending eyeshadows and tidying up the eye area.
And finally, I got a big, fluffy brush for powder, blush and bronzer. I have mainly used it to apply bronzer all over my skin as now we are in Autumn and going into Winter, I find my skin needs more help with colour. This brush gives me a nice glowy look without being caked in bronzer and although it is a big brush, still allows you to be quite precise with where you apply.

The best thing about Eco Tools is that they are 100% cruelty free and are made from natural and recycled materials. Their packaging is also really nice, looks fresh and really grabs your attention. However they do use these like, reusable pouches to sell their brushes in and while that might be good for some (and perhaps travelling) I just take mine out and put them with my other brushes.

Now, while I was in Boots and heading for the checkout, I found this Max Factor Palette which I just couldn't leave without. I tend to have a bit of a love/hate relationship with eyeshadows as I'll either wear them all the time or not at all, it depends on how long I have to do my make-up and whether I'm feeling lazy or not. I first noticed this palette when Kate did a blog post on it and I remember thinking how could such a beautiful palette be so cheap.
They had a range of options however I went for the Cappuccino Nudes Palette as I thought that I would get the most wear out of this and boy was I right. So many of the shades are so wearable and you can either just sweep a shimmery shade across your eyes for a bit of glam or you can do a full on smokey eye which makes this palette so useful and gives you so many options. The shades themselves are quite creamy in consistency and last well. I have also noticed that you don't get that much fall out when using this palette which is something that you get with "cheaper" eyeshadows. I like how there is a good range of colours in the palette, not too many and also that there is a mix of matt and shimmery as often in palettes from a drugstore you don't get this.

What make-up items have you added to your collection recently?

Rings | Regal Rose, Rock N Rose and The Great Frog London

FALLEN SAINT. Delicate Feather Wrap Ring
WILLOW. Delicate Crystal Leaf Wrap Ring
DEATHLY ROSE. Detailed Antique Silver Ring

I've never been much of a jewellery person, mainly because I either forget to put any on or I find it too fussy, like braclets with their tiny clasps that you need help to get on and off.. Piercing jewellery is about the only thing that I tend to wear and even then I can go months without wearing anything in my lobes. The other issue that I have with jewellery is that unless you buy REALLY expensive stuff, it just turns your hands/fingers/ears green and you end up with either an infection or throwing it away.

However I decided to change this as I just felt so bare (and boring) and now that I know a bit more about my style and I can afford slightly more pricey jewellery, I felt like a few ring additions wouldn't be so bad.

The above jewellery all comes from Regal Rose, a shop which I have known about since forever and I'm not sure who actually introduced me to however they do such beautiful jewellery. I have actually been lusting over the rose ring for a good while (YEARS) and finally decided to treat myself. I wasn't too sure of my ring size so ordered a large with the intention of exchanging/returning it if need be but it fits on my index finger really well and has given me a good idea of what other sizes I would need for my other fingers.

Another shop which I have placed an order with is Rock N Rose, I was introduced to them by Helen as I was watching her youtube channel (vlogs) and she received a package that they sent. After having a look, I fell in love with a few of their pieces. The good thing is that they actually offer 15% off for new customers which came in handy however I haven't actually received that package yet but I should be getting it this week as what I bought was on pre-order. Once that comes I will probably be writing up another post, but just for now I have ordered this one and this one.

Finally, one last ring which I CANNOT stop thinking about is this one by the Great Frog London. Their jewellery is worn by some youtubers that I watch, I first saw Sammi wearing them and then Jess and I think this influence could be why I am so obsessed as I see their jewellery so much. Now this ring is quite a bit more expensive than the others that I have mentioned in this post however for the quality and brand I think it would be worth it. I have a fairly big birthday coming up so I think I'll start dropping hints now...

What are your favourite places to buy jewellery from?

Glossybox | October Box

Again, I feel as if I'm typing this while the November box is on it's way to me however I just can't seem to rush this posts. The October Glossybox was a special one as it had the lovely Estée Lalonde guest editing it, she is so nice and comes across very down to earth so I think this collaboration was quite a successful one. As well as the collaboration, there was also a bonus product in this box which was a recommendation from Estée. It is a shampoo which is "apparently" new however the brand as been around for ages and I think they were just trying to re-invent themselves. There was a wait before the big reveal of the brand, and it turned out to be Head and Shoulders. Now this did actually surprise me a little however I was also hoping that it wasn't Head and Shoulders and was actually Dove or another brand as I was once told something about the brand a while ago which has sort of put me off for life, so although I'll be finishing the free sample, I doubt I'll be purchasing their shampoo in the future.

Truffle Cosmetics - Butterly Lip Cream
This was a lip product which was VERY well packaged up and was quite difficult to get into with me trying not to damage the cardboard packaging of the actual product. I think the packaging is one thing that I really like about this product, so bright and unusual but I dread to think what'll happen when it gets wet as it sort of feels like cardboard. As I have mentioned in other posts, I'm not really a lipstick kind of girl as although they are pretty to look at, I find them too fussy and none seem to suit me. However this is a nice nude shade, I think it would be slightly too nude on me and would just look weird next to my pale skin.

P.S Pro Longwear Lipliner
I have to admit that it was slightly annoying to me that we got TWO lip products in one box (even though they were different colours) I'm just not that interested in lip products however I'm sure lots of people probably LOVED this. Primark beauty isn't something that I would normally purchase from however having tried this on the back of my hand, the colour pay off was really good. It seems very pigmented and didn't come off that much, just faded slightly when I washed my hands but was definitely still there. This brand could be a great option for people who like to experiment with their lip products and colours but don't want to spend loads of money.

Secret Flush - Blusher and Lip Stain Duo
When I was unwrapping this, I was very interested as I seem to have a love/hate relationship with blush as I'll wear it constantly for a month then not touch any for weeks (there is no in-between). The packaging of this product is really nice, simple but clean and I like how little it is, perfect for fitting in a make-up bag. I have experimented with applying this both with a brush and my fingers and it works well either way, I have not tried this on my lips yet however I would imagine that it would be very natural looking, a "your lips but better" colour. This product is very build able which is a good thing as you can be as heavy handed as you like. I have enjoyed experimenting with this and I would like to see similar products to this in future boxes.

Bee Good Facial Exfoliator
These last two products are perhaps my favourites out of this box. This facial exfoliator doesn't look like much when you first get it. It has good packaging, a nice smell and even though it is advertised as "exfoliating", it doesn't look like it has any beads in. However once you actually use it for the first time and continue with your routine when you wash this off, thats when you notice what a big difference it has made to your skin. It's gentle however makes your skin so soft and it feels like it has benefited your skin. Exfoliating is something that I am generally quite careful with as I know you're not meant to do it too often as it can dry out the skin, however this product is very gentle and I imagine could be used quite often. I think that this has been a good edition to my skincare routine.

Rituals - The Ritual of Sakura body Cream
This is another one of my favourites from this box, I tend to not like getting small samples of body moisturisers however I find that they are good for on the go (in handbag) or for using as a "treat" every once in a while. This is exactly what this body cream will be for me as I want to make it last as long as possible because it just smells SO good. It is a really lovely, thick cream which you don't have to use too much of as it goes a long way. The smell also lingers nicely and you can still actually smell it on your skin ages after which is something that none of my other body creams do. Now I am terrible at describing scents so I googled Rituals and found out so much more info about this cream which I thought I'd share:
"A rich, velvety, whipped body cream that deeply nourishes your skin, with its unique blend of Vitamin E and antioxidants. Not only that but the Centella Asiatica in it will help strengthen your skin. Combined this with the wonderful, sweet fragrance of Cherry Blossom and Rice Milk and your skin will feel revitalised and silky soft.

So not only does it smell good it actually does so much for your body as well. This body cream really does feel like a luxury and I think would make a lovely gift for someone as well. 

I was actually really pleased with this months Glossybox as although there was two lip products, there was quite a lot of variety in this box and everything seemed so carefully selected. I get a beauty box each month because I like the surprise, the experiment of trying different products and the fact that it's out of my hands and I have to use something that someone else has selected for me. I feel like this keeps beauty fun for me and allows me to experiment and not get stuck or too complacent with my make-up. I think more of the same for next months box would be good and perhaps it would be nice to see some sure of base product, such as a primer or foundation to try out. 

Hair Hero - John Frieda Fine to Full Blow-out Spray

John Frieda Fine to Full Blow-out Spray 

I first discovered this hero of a product when my mum decided that it just was't working for her and gave it to me to use up. I thought I'd try it out and if I didn't like it then I could always give it away to my sister! On first impressions, I didn't think that this actually did anything to my hair however I don't think I used it properly to start with as I tried using a brush with it to "properly" blow-dry my hair which isn't how I would normally do my hair.

I like to rough dry my hair as I don't like faffing about with brushes, I don't think that they really help to dry my hair and it doesn't add any volume. What does seem to work for me is blowdrying my hair with my head upside down as this does add ALL the volume. This is where I have really noticed a difference by using this product. I spray a generous amount into the roots of my hair, either really wet or towel dry and then dry and it does make such a difference, it makes my hair so fluffy and bouncy. My mum doesn't really like to blow-dry her hair and likes to let it dry naturally which is why this wasn't the right product for her needs (even though it was recommended to her) as it needs the heat to activate it in a way?

My hair is naturally very straight (which I hate) so I'm always searching for ways to add volume and give it texture and I think that I have found something that really works. I tend to wash and dry my hair at night because I need texture in my hair, I can't do anything with it when it is freshly washed (and who can be bothered). I have also used this with a sea-salt spray and the two together were a really nice pairing. This product isn't even that expensive which makes it a haircare staple.

What's a hair care product that you can't live without?

University: deciding to leave

I am writing this post while this decision is still very fresh. I wanted to create a slightly different post and share this, perhaps only just for me as it is a big decision and something that I might want to look back on in the future (but probably not). It is also quite long and I don't really know where I was going with some of it so be aware that this post is mainly just me putting my thoughts to paper (well, laptop). I also keep going over this post and writing and re-writing parts so to press publish at all is quite the achievement.

I think to understand me and this decision better, a bit of background history is relevant. I think it's important to note however that this isn't something which I particularly like to share about myself or my life and something which I could fill a whole other post with so i'll keep it simple.

I was home educated from birth until I was sixteen years old and went to college. This means that I have never been to pre-school, primary school or even a nursery. The decision to go to college was something that I wanted to do and I chose my subjects my self based on my interests without any input from parents or peers etc. I chose to do a Btec at college instead of three or four different subjects (a levels) as I wanted this to be really in-depth and also because I didn't want to study any other subjects, maths, english and all that don't interest me. I have always been more creative then academic and I chose subjects which I would enjoy. Alongside the Btec in photography I also decided to study one A level in textiles, this was slightly unusual as it was meant to be a lot of work but I wanted to do it anyway. As far as I was concerned, this was my time to study whatever I wanted to, subjects that I would enjoy. At this time in life, most people have an idea of what they want to do in the future so chose subjects to help them achieve that. However I didn't. So I decided to pick subjects that I thought could assist me in the future, whatever I decided to do.

After the completion of these (and achieving very good results) I decided that instead of going to university like most 18 year olds are pushed into, that I would instead complete a HND at my local college which was a two year course and would allow me to complete my degree at a university for a year (if I wanted). This is something which my college made sound like a fantastic opportunity and was clearly the better decision in their eyes.
I completed this course and again, got a good result which I was happy with. At times I hated it as I felt like a baby, still at the same college with sixteen years old around, but at other times I liked it as well as I have made some really good friends from this course that I'll probably have all my life. Just the routine of knowing what I was doing and where I was going was something which I enjoyed. I liked creating the work, I liked knowing what I was doing.

I don't know where my decision to go to university came from, like many people it was probably something that was always in the back of my mind, something that I was influenced towards by peers or that I just liked the idea of. It was talked about constantly for a little while in my life, teachers, parents and peers all wanted to hear about what I was going to do in the future. Some people were surprised that I had an interest in going and others seemed quite proud. I was the first in my family to follow the path that most people take. When I decided to go to uni, I was thinking about going with a very different course at a very different uni, something that would have been wrong for me and I am so glad that I realised that early on as I wouldn't have lasted the week. I made a change very late in the academic year and went to one which I felt would be right, however instead of having a course which was catered for me, I would be joining the third year of the BA course.

This was something which I was unsure about from the start however the university is one of the top in the country. I was unsure as joining somewhere where everyone knows everyone, everyone knows what they're doing and how things work is scary. This could be scary for anyone but it was a big step for me.

From the moment I started the course, something wasn't quite right. I always seem to know how i'm feeling about something as I'll get nervous. I have always assumed this was because I was excited and anticipating what's to come. However I did't get any of these feelings when I started, I just stopped all my overtime at my part time job and instead went to uni. No feelings of nervousness at all, nor of excitement. Throughout the few weeks I did realise that I would dread going in and put off doing research or work. The last week before I made the decision to leave was bad as I could barely leave my bed let alone my room. It wasn't right at all, I should have been motivated and happy, excited for everything to come however instead I was hiding away and trying not to think to much.

Certain feelings are easy to forget about or push away until you have to address them and this is sometimes the hardest part. I didn't want to tell anyone how I was feeling as I thought it was perhaps just me, that I was just going through a bad time in general however when I finally got enough courage to admit to my friend that I wasn't happy, it seemed that from that moment there was just a lighter feeling within me. This was one of the hardest things that i've ever had to address and admit to myself as this is just not like me. I'm just good, I do what i'm meant to do. Of all the years that I went to college, I think I had only a few days where I was sick and couldn't go in and that made me feel guilty enough. If i make a decision I stick to it. However this was just a decision I just couldn't stick to.

I think that a big part of when I came to realise that it wasn't for me was when I was thinking about the future, I couldn't imagine graduating and also I didn't want to. I was so unmotivated for anything and so unhappy all I wanted to do was be in bed and watch netflix.

The scariest part of the whole decision was that if I wasn't in uni, what was I going to do? this would be the first time that I would be out of education since I "started" at sixteen and for so many years it was all I had known and gotten used to and to a certain extent, enjoyed. I stupidly tried to research this decision, I read articles and watched youtube of people talking about their experiences, something which helped but also didn't and made me slightly mad as a lot of articles think that you have a plan B or its as simple as changing courses.

I have NO idea what I want to do in life, thats the scariest part, I have no plan B.

I think that university could really help me, if I knew what I wanted to do. If I wanted to be a photography teacher for example, I could work towards that goal and university, teachers etc could help with that. However I have no clue what I want to do. Never have done in all the years that I've been in education and it leaves me so stuck when people ask me. I also have no idea how anyone just decides what to do in life.The only thing I feel good at sometimes is working in retail. I think life experienced are so important however I am only 20 years old, there is so much left for me to experience. There is also no set track. I can do whatever I want and if I decide to return to uni in a year then so be it. I think for the moment I need to figure out what I want. I have no idea how to do that but thats what I need to do.

I decided that I wanted to leave (for now) as I cannot just make myself unhappy with the wrong choice and put up with it for a year. I'm not saying that uni might not ever be the right decision for me, I just don't think I should stay and make myself complete the course and get a bad degree. The best thing to do sometimes is take a step back. sometimes this means regrouping, making decisions and changing course. Some people will probably point out the money aspect, however to me, that doesn't matter. I would much rather have to pay that money back then be unhappy.

Something that terrified me was telling people, mainly my parents. I confided in my sister very early on as she was someone that was outside of it, she could give me advice and help rather then judge. I doubt my parents would have judged me, they are the most understanding people in the world. I didn't want anyone to feel disappointed in me or for people to not understand the situation and my decision, giving unwanted opinions or trying to push me to making the wrong decision.

I have decided to take this year for me, I know I need to figure out what I want but I also need to take some time for myself and take a break from everything to regroup. This is the first time in my life that I am completely free but also quite lost and I have no idea what I'm going to do but I'm going to see what happens and hope that I figure it out along the way.

Clarins: some samples

One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with Orange Extract

HydraQuench Cream Normal to Dry Skin

These were some samples that I received from my sister which I think she was given for free. She's not very into skincare however I know that these are quite expensive and Clarins are obviously a very well known brand so when she offered them to me I jumped at the change of trying them out.
I have to admit that these samples are tiny however you can still get a good two or three uses from them. I know a lot of people use samples of products to travel with and these would be good for a short trip but otherwise you'd need a few of these to see you through!

On the Clarins website it describes the cleanser as
"a spa-fresh exfoliating facial cleanser that polishes-away make-up, embedded impurities and spent surface cells in one time-saving step to reveal the glowing skin beneath."

It claims to both cleanse and exfoliate, gently removing everything that makes the skin look dull, leaving the skin smooth and soft and it has orange extract which works to soften, refresh and revive the skin. I used this in the morning and one of the first things that I noticed about it was the lovely orangey scent that it has which was quite refreshing. The second thing that I noticed was that it was very light and was gentle on the skin as it claims to be while still allowing me to really cleanse my skin, it wasn't too gentle. If you were to use this at night, I would definitely suggest using another cleanser first to get rid of any make-up and then this to really work deep down. My skin felt very clean and soft after using this. It also felt like a treat for my skin but this could possibly be because I think the brand is quite high end (to me anyway).

After the cleanser, I used the HydraQuench cream as this seemed like a good combo. This is described as "Light and silky, smooth to apply and feather-light on the skin. Rapidly absorbed, this cream refreshes and hydrates." and thats literally how I would describe it. Although it is £36, I don't think that there is anything that special about it at all. It's definitely good, it's light and definitely moisturises your skin but for the price I just expected a little more from it. I wanted to be blown away by how good this was however I doubt I'll be willing to spend that much money in the future for something which didn't wow me. 

What beauty products have you been using lately?

Tv shows worth watching

I am someone who loves to curl up in bed (preferably with a cup of tea) and get lost in a tv series. This is definitely something which is going to be happening lots more now as it's October, which means colder and darker evenings. There's just something about series which I prefer over a film as (depending on the series) the episodes can be quite short, allowing for breaks and you tend to become part of that world a little bit more.. which often makes me a tiny bit emotional when it's over. You might notice that most of these (pretty much all) can be found on netflix and thats because this is where I go for all my viewing needs. I seem to prefer this over normal tv as I have more control and can pick and choose what I watch instead of waiting for it to come on.

Gilmore girls
This is something which I have always been around and generally know the plot as it's something which my mum would watch. When the revival was announced I was never that fussed however I decided to start watching it completely from the start when all the series were put on netflix and I have to tell you, I am now OBSESSED. So much so that I'm now on series four in two weeks and I don't know what I will do with myself when I finish the series and the revival.. possibly watch them all again. There is nothing out there which is quite like Gilmore Girls, it's funny, fast paced but also has it's emotional moments. As well as the obvious favourites (Lorelei, Rory and Luke) I was always a fan of Jess and also Richard (sadly Edward Herrmann passed away, which will feature in the revival as a sort of memorial).

Brooklyn nine nine
This is another show which I first noticed on E4 (like Gilmore girls) and is now on Netflix. I've always liked the show and watched bits of series one however I have now watched all the way up to season two now. The third season has just aired however it hasn't been released on netflix yet but I am patiently waiting. I have always been a big fan of Andy Samberg and his comedy so I never doubted that I would find this funny. As well as the obvious comedy, I find the stories behind all the characters really interesting and it's one of those shows which you have to keep watching to find out what happens.

How I met your mother
I really like programmes that I can put on and not really watch or pay attention to and this (like friends) is one of them. There's something quite comforting about it and it's something that I can just put on if I don't know what to watch. This is something which I will always find myself going back to as it has it all and is slightly more "quirky" then certain comedic series. I have to admit that I am not a fan of the ending (they ruined it) but up to that, this is a wonderful series and makes for easy watching.

Amanda Knox - Netflix original documentary
Netflix know how to make good documentaries, this became apparent when "Making A Murderer" was all anyone could talk about a few months ago (even though my sister still hasn't seen it *rolls eyes*) and again now with the Amanda Knox documentary. I'm someone who likes to get involved and find out all the information and because I didn't know too much about this case, it made for a very interesting watch (and google). The only thing that I would say about this is that it only goes on for about an hour so it's not as in-depth as making a murderer however still a good watch.

How to get away with murder
I found myself hooked on this series from the start and it soon became one of those series where I just had to keep watching to see what happened. There is so many twists and turns that you really don't know what's coming. I have only seen season one as thats all that was on Netflix however I believe there is a series two and another one currently in production. I don't like starting series if I can't binge watch them but with this I am safe in the knowledge that there is more to come (just unavailable to me at the moment). I heard a lot about this series before I started watching it and Viola Davis does a stunning performance of her character, she was made for this role. It's a very clever series and seems like something my mum would be interesting in.

What are you watching at the moment?

Glossybox - September box

I am aware that it is already the 7th of October as I write this however I still wanted to get this post up, it has however just taken me slightly longer to try out all the bits and bobs included in this months box. So although I'm pretty sure my next box is on the way to me already, I thought that now would be as good as time as any to review what I got in my September box. 

This month it was a collaboration between Red magazine and Glossybox which meant that of course, the box also had to be red. These are something that I keep as I find them handy for storing things in as they keep everything together, are nice and strong and also pleasing to look at so i'm quite happy with this. Again everything came really well wrapped up, nothing broken or damaged and it also arrived really quick after I got the confirmation email. 

Hydro Face Mask 

Unless you have been living under a rock then you would have see that sheet masks are becoming a big thing lately, everyone from bloggers to magazines have been raving about them however they have been around for a while, and have always been quite popular in places like Korea especially. I was really excited to get the opportunity to try one out. This mask is aimed at people with dry skin as it offers 120 hours of hydration and although I don't particularly have dry skin, I couldn't turn this down! The mask is quite simple to use, you peel off the protective film and apply the mask to your face, this mask comes in two parts, making it easier to put on (and stay on). Although the mask didn't fall off at all, I did find that it would slip down over my top lip which was annoying and also strangely itchy but nothing too major. After you've left the mask on for 15 minutes or so, you're good to remove and then rub any of the leftover product into your skin. I applied this mask after a bath and cleanse. I think that it did make quite a different when I first took it off, my skin was really noticeably soft however I don't think I would be able to say whether I felt this lasted for 120 hours or not. I think that this was a very weird but good experience however with masks I tend to go for are purifying or brightening ones rather then moisturising.

Rodial Smokey Eye Pen

I am a big fan of having heavy eye make-up on, I love a wing for everyday and it is just me now because it is my go to look. However I have always chosen to use liquid products as I find them easier to use and work with. My first impressions of this pencil was that it felt very expensive and also like a mix between pencil and liquid as it is very soft, this would make it perfect for smokey looks (hence the name). Because I can't use this for doing a wing eyeliner look, I have found that recently I have been enjoying using a bit of both, pencil and liquid liner. So for instance I'll either apply this first and get it close to my natural eye-line, almost tight line with it before smoothing it out with liquid and adding a wing or I'll put my eyeliner on first, and they apply this over the top, again almost tight-lining. I have found that it really works well either way and gives me a perfect black line, more so then if I just use liquid.

I really cannot fault this at all, I find it gives a perfect finish whatever look you're going for (neat or smudged) and stays put all day. What more could you want.

GOSH Long lasting lip marker 

Lipstick is something that I cannot get to suit me and this is something which I have had to come to terms with. If its a light pink (natural looking) or nude, this tends to work but anything too dark (red for example) I hate, doesn't suit me and (to me anyway) tends to make my face look fat. Although I would love to be someone with a massive lipstick collection and could wear a different colour every day of the week, this is never going to happen so I tend to spend my money on eye make-up, foundations or bases rather than lip products. 

When I received this, I did give it a good try however lip stains are something which I have experimented with in the past, I hate having dry lips and I think this is something which is unavoidable if you wear a lip marker. Although it seemed to go on well and was a nice colour (just not on me), lipsticks, markers and stains are just something that I doubt I'll ever be able to get on with. 

However they are something which my sister really likes so this will not go to waste, but will go to her instead. 

Too Faced Better than sex Mascara

This mascara is AMAZING and by far one of my favourite things from this box. And I have to say, I am someone who doesn't like even spending £10 on mascara let alone £19 however I will definitely be repurchasing this in the future as I love it so much. It does everything, its black, lengthens, lifts and also holds in place, I don't find that it runs or rubs off easily either. When I wash it off, it makes quite a mess however this is something that I will be able to live with. I think the only thing that I would possibly change about this mascara is the name as it makes it quite embarrassing having to explain when someone asks.. 

Revlon Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat 

I have mentioned in another post that I get my nails done so I don't paint them myself or own that many nail polishes, however I do paint my toenails every so often so this will be something that I can use on them. I tend to find that nail polish on my toes seems to last quite a long time anyway as toes are always hidden by socks etc. However long lasting polish is never a bad thing. I don't have too much of an impression of this yet but it seems to be a good, shiny top coat and after more use I think I would be able to have more of an opinion. 

As well as the five products above, I was also given a free sample of one of the new Bodyshop face masks. I've seen these a lot over Instagram and they seem to have a lot to offer, there is five new masks I believe and two or three of them are also vegan, this one included. This is basically (to me) a mud mask, it smelt nice, there was a good amount in the sample and I also liked that there was bits in the mask, which make it easy to exfoliate with when washing it off. The only thing that I will say is that it was SO messy so I suggest having this on in the bath. It seemed to leave my skin a lot brighter after having it on and is basically everything that I look for in a mask while being natural and also vegan (did i mention that?) which is very important when it comes to cosmetics. 

I really enjoyed this box, I felt that there was a good selection, a nice range of products (full size and everything) and things which I could try and perhaps give away. Thats what I like about this box and Glossybox in general. I liked the collaboration as well, this could be a good way for them to go in the future. 

In the October box I'm hoping for more of the same, a good selection of products with a theme, preferably halloween and hopefully some haircare products as it has been mainly focused on make-up.