Tuesday, 31 December 2013

To 2014.

As the new year is tomorrow, I thought I'd share this. I found it on Tumblr a few weeks ago and I just love it. A new year is really just a new day, but what you choose to do with your year is your decision. I hope it's a good one!

1. When your friends ask you to hangout, and you don’t feel like it, don’t go. Don’t ever do things halfway or do something that makes you uncomfortable. With everything, give all of yourself, even the pieces you never knew existed. 

2. It is okay to not know. Everyone always despises the phrase, “I don’t know” but no one tells you that it is okay to not know. The becoming is more important than the being, anyways. 

3. If someone ever makes you feel less, in any way, you have every right to walk away. You have every right to cut out toxic people in your life. To close the door on people who make you feel bad about who you are or what you stand for. Friends don’t tear down, they build up.

 4. Loss is always going to happen. Just like paint will always chip and rain will always fall, loss will always be part of life. No matter how much I don’t like it, or avoid it, it is going to walk my way at several times in my life. Learn to embrace it and learn to get closure. 

5. Give yourself a chance. Stop saying, “I don’t think I can” or “But what if I am not able to?” and give yourself a chance. This may be cliche, but try to believe in yourself. When you get older, your knees won’t work the same and you won’t have the best memory, and you are going to wish you’d given yourself a chance years sooner.

 6. Fall in love. Don’t be guarded before you fall in love. You could fall in love three times and still not find the right one, but none of it is going to make “the one” matter less. Don’t fall into that idea that your first love has to be your best love. Fall in love as many times as it naturally happens. 

7. Firsts are going to be messy. First loves, first kisses, first dates, first failed tests, first college class, first time you drive a car, first time you ride a plane - first times were made to be imperfect. Just because it’s messy and all over the place, doesn’t mean it can’t be good or worthwhile. 

8. You want another scoop of ice-cream? Go get it. Get three more scoops of ice-cream if that is what you want. “Fat” is not the opposite of beautiful and it is not the opposite of happy. Don’t let anyone tell you that your body type isn’t beautiful. Beauty is a social construct, create your own, become your own.

 9. Let yourself be alone. Loneliness is not a bad thing. It is healthy and normal. Everyone needs to spend a good portion of their life alone. We learn who we are when we are alone; life is less crowded and more clear when we are alone. 

10. If you aren’t happy where you are, change it. Quit your job, move, become a vegetarian, get a new hobby, pick up an old hobby, whatever you do - make sure it benefits you. Life is too short to not be alive, to not be passionate, and overflowing. 

"Ten things I learned before I turned twenty." - Amanda Helm 

Sunday, 29 December 2013

Flat hair?!


I have always had exceptionally thin hair, and as it grows longer; it becomes thinner. I envy people with really thick hair, and so I have set out to try and achieve this.

I had been speaking to a hair stylist for Bumble & Bumble in work about my attempt to thicken my locks. I just recently purchased the John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Shampoo and although it had been working, my hair was becoming greasy after just one day. I had mentioned this to the hair stylist and she asked if I conditioned my hair. Honestly, I condition my hair when I can be bothered. I have so much hair that just washing it alone takes 10-15 minutes. I said that I would condition the ends of my hair from time to time and her face was a picture!!



John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Shampoo (£5.99 at Boots)

She explained that shampoo is an alkali that opens up the cuticles in your hair, while conditioner is an acid that closes the cuticles. If you don't condition the roots, you are leaving the cuticles open; leaving all of the natural oils to come pouring out. 

(But wait... I had always been told not to condition my roots because it would make my hair greasy?!)

She also asked if I blow-dry my hair. Majority of the time I do, but it really makes no difference if I leave it to dry naturally. She told me that without drying the hair, any access shampoo/conditioner will lay in the hair and cause it to become greasy. Even if you only have time to blow-dry the roots, she said it makes all the difference!

Anyway, hair lesson over; I'm going to stick at the John Frieda for now, but I'm going to try out the new L'Oreal Paris Studio Line #TXT Volume Supersizing Spray and see what difference that makes. Allegedly, it's a spray that instantly creates volume. For only £3.29 I'm certainly going to try it out!


If John Frieda fails, the girl had recommended Bumble & Bumble's thickening shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo at £18.50 and conditioner at £20, they are quite pricey; however I am willing to try them in the future! 




Saturday, 28 December 2013

What I got for Christmas

Hello lovelies! I can't believe Christmas is over again for another year!! 2013 seemed to fly by and it's actually quite scary that this time next week we will be in a new year.. Anyho, this year my Christmas presents were very beauty orientated. The photo below is a combination of what I bought myself, and what was bought as a gift for me. 




Brushes:
Real Techniques brush sets - core collection & eyes starter set.

Eyeshadows:
Urban Decay Dangerous palette.

Benefit Most Glamorous Nudes Ever eyeshadow kit.

MAC pigment in "Naked."

Rimmel London quad in "003 Smokey Purple."





Mascaras:
Soap & Glory; Thick & Fast.

Rimmel London Lash Accelerator. 

Benefit They're Real.

Lips:
Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Extreme Plump lipgloss in "Pink Out Loud."

Lush lip scrub in "Bubblegum."

Bourjous Rouge Edition lipstick in "02 Beige Trench."

Nail Polish:
Rimmel London Lasting Finish in "300 Pop your pink" and "405 Loafer love for you!"

Skincare:
Origins Merry Moisturisers kit:
•Make a difference plus + Rejuvenating moisturiser.
• Make a difference plus + Rejuvenating treatment lotion.
•Make a difference plus + Rejuvenating hand treatment.
•Drink Up intensive overnight mask.

Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing milk.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish with muslin cloth.



Brows: 
Benefit Brow Zings in "Dark."

Concealer:
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch in "02."

Primer:
Benefit Porefessional.

Powder:
Benefit Porefessional Agent Zero Shine, Shine-vanishing powder. (New)

Highlighter:
Benefit Watts Up!

Blusher:
Benefit Rockateur.

I'm really excited to try the new Porefessional powder from Benefit! As well as my new cleansing milk. 

I hope you had a lovely Christmas and I hope that 2014 will be a brilliant year for you :)

Hannah x

Wednesday, 4 September 2013

WIAW.

Just thought I'd do a What I ate Wednesday! :) I've been eating healthily for a while now & I'm really starting to love it. I feel so good after meals and I'm not even snacking anymore! I'm also not having to force myself to exercise; I actually want to!!

For breakfast I had golden syrup porridge with 1/2 banana and a handful of blueberries.


For lunch I had chargrilled chicken, peppers and tomato, with lettuce and mayo. (Sooooo filling!)


For dinner my Dad made "chicken and ham sausage rolls without the sausage", chips and peas & sweetcorn.


I had grapes, strawberries and blueberries before I went on my second walk of the day, and my night snack was a packet of Rolo - tut tut!! 

I'm weighing in tomorrow morning to see how I've got on this past week. I'm not on a diet, I'm changing my lifestyle. I'm not happy with how I am, and no diet is going to have a lasting effect on that. Eating well and exercising is all that will. And I'm actually happy eating all this good food. No chocolate (apart from Rolo), crisps, fast food or fizzy juice has been kinda refreshing! And I WILL stick at it this time :D 


Xo

Sunday, 25 August 2013

Autumn Wants!




Autumn Wants





As the A/W season is approaching, I thought I'd do a quick little Autumn fashion wants! :)



ASOS Crown Hat in red - £13
Vans shoes in Black - £45 - Schuh
Lightweight hooded jacket in Navy - £60 - Topshop
MICHAEL "Blake" watch in gold - £176 - by Michael Kors 
Green Oriental print kimono - £35 - River Island
Oversized Colourblock Tote - £35 - Accessorize

Can I add, the Michael Kors watch is most likely not going to be purchased, however maybe if my student loan is good to me; I can get it before Christmas?!


Adios x

Thursday, 1 August 2013

July favourites!

Hello! :-) So it appears, I am not a blogger. I am not fit for the blogging world! I haven't had time to blog or do anything lately! However, I thought I would still do a little post, and maybe in the coming months I will be able to improve, and hopefully blog some more!

Anyho, just quickly I'd like to do a July fav post :-)

1) Mumford & Sons - Babel.  I have had this album since March and I've loved it throughout the months, but this month especially I've been loving listening to the entire album on my phone and while I'm in the car.

2) Nivea Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes. I've been trying to stay away from taking my make-up off with a wipe as it's just lazy (and bad for your skin!) But these were on offer and I thought I'd just pick them up anyway. They're handy for when I can't be bothered cleansing and for nights out when I practically roll into bed!

3) Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Daily Scrub. I am not a daily scrubber! I have very sensitive skin and I don't always like to "scrub" as such, when my skin could break out. I've been using this morning and night maybe, 4 times a week, for the past few weeks, and my skin feels so alive and refreshed after use. The only downfall is that it has little peppermint bits through it. Yes, it smells lovely! But what I would say is that my eyes tend to get stingy, even though I don't place the scrub close to my eyes. I got this in Boots on offer for £2.99! 

4) Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder in 125 Nude Beige. I've been using this all month and I really love it! It keeps all of my makeup on my face, all day! It's so light meaning it doesn't feel like yet another product is on my face. I think this was only £6.99 from Boots!

5) L'Oréal Super Liner. I just bought this and as soon as I got home I tried it out. The nib is so thin which makes putting it close to the lashes, possible! I was going to get a Collection 2000 liner, but this was only £2 dearer at £6.49 from Superdrug.

6) Eyeshadow by H&M. I got this over a month ago, as I seen it at the till and thought I would buy it! It was only £3.99 (I think) and I've been using it everyday. I am the worst at eyeshadow and so I tend to stay away from it, so rather than let this duo go to waste; I've been filling in my brows with the dark brown colour. My ELF eyebrow kit was getting old so I opted for this "Cocoa Bay" duo. It looks natural when my brows are filled in and its quick and easy to do!

7) Daisy by Marc Jacobs. I adore this scent! My bestfriend bought me it for Christmas and I was so afraid to use it   because I didn't want it to run out! But now that Summer is here, I wanted a sweeter scent, and so I've been using this perfume all month! 

8) Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream. I really like Nivea and I've been using this moisturiser for months! Combining the Neutrogena and this together, made my skin feel and look great! This was another £3-4 buy and I think I got it from Tesco!

9) MUA Power Pout Colour Intense Lip Balm in Justify. Like all MUA lip products, this has a minty scent which is something I like! I had wanted the Bourjous lip balm as I had seen just about everyone rant and rave over it; however, I seen this one for only £3 and I thought I'd give it a try instead! I'm not sure I suit the colour, but it is very moisturising and more pigmented than I thought it would be for only £3! 

Hopefully I will be blogging more in August! I hope it's a great month for you!

Xo

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

July update!

Hello lovelies! I'm going to be very busy this week so I decided just to fill you in on everything! :-)

I got myself a job (finally) and I'm extremely happy that I can now afford to put fuel into my car AND I will be able to buy stuff in Topshop, instead of wishing I had it! 

This week is all about volunteer work! I've been volunteering for many years now, but this year I have a more active role as I am leading the summer scheme with my best chum Allison! We are "secret agents" and we have to dress up - ALL WEEK. As much as it sounds like torture, it's good fun, and the kids love it! 

          
              (Special agents X & Y)

Aside from doing that all day until Friday, I've been in contact with friends I haven't seen for a while and I've arranged lots of little dates with people! It's also just hit me that I can never return to school and the majority of people I will never see again - scary thoughts! 

Anyho, I've been meaning to ask a few things! 

1) Can anyone recommend a make-up remover face scrub that is suitable for sensitive skin?! I find myself reaching for my wipes far too often these days!

2) Has anyone read "Looking For Alaska" by John Green? I have started it but I cannot get into it! Is it worth carrying on?

And lastly - 3) Does anybody know of any good tattooists/body piercers in Co.Donegal? Going for a few days next week & I'm considering getting something!!

Hope you have a lovely week whatever you're doing! :)


Hannah x