Saturday 25 July 2015

My Bikini Collection.

Welcome back to my blog! Possibly one of my favourite videos to watch on youtube are peoples bikini collections, so I thought today I would do my holiday bikini collection! This might seem a lot of bikinis for a holiday but I love buying bikinis and some of these are from last year! So lets get started. 


Gilly Hicks.


I purchased this bikini last year in the Gilly Hicks closing down sale. It's a lovely blue and purple butterfly print with slight hints of white and pink. Behind the print is also little Gilly Hicks logos. The bottoms are small to medium coverage but they are quite high when they are on. The have a slight ruffle all the way around that sits around the hips. The top has thin spaghetti cross over straps at the back and also has a ruffle the whole way around. Under the ruffle of the top is a lovely blue material that's the same colour as the lining of the bikini you can see in the picture.

Brakini- Winnie Miami mint.

My first bikini is this Brakini bikini in the style Winnie Miami mint! This is a neoprene bikini similar to the popular Triangl bikini but they are sold slightly cheaper. I've done a full review on this bikini that you can see here!.


Primark. 


The next bikini is this gorgeous blue and coral paisley print bikini from Primark. I love the detailing on this bikini, the bottoms have braided sides that stretches out to make little holes. The bottoms are medium coverage and are quite low rise. The back of the top has the same braided detailing that creates a cross back. 


NewLook.

This bikini is from New Look and photo really doesn't do the colours of this bikini justice! The print is a bright multicoloured aztec print with black detailing. The bottoms are tie sides and are quite full coverage. The top is a triangle style and at the top of the triangles there are two cut out triangles. This bikini doesn't have any clasps, it just ties so it's perfect if you can't fit a bikini that fits on both the cups and the band. 


Topshop.

I actually got this bikini as a bargain last year in the Topshop sale. It's a bright cobalt blue colour and the material is really textured. Because the bikini is a plain colour I like that the bottoms have a little ruffle along the front and the back. They also tie and the side and have medium coverage. The top is moulded so it fits perfectly and again it ties around the back and around the next. The top has a twisted detailing in the middle of both cups to add a little bit more detailing. 


Topshop. 

Another Topshop bargain from last year is this bright coral bikini. The bottoms are basic brief style with a diamond shape on each hip, the have slightly less coverage at the back and are slightly lower than the tie side bikini bottoms that I have. The top is a bandeau style that ties in the back, and it has a V at the front which makes it look really flattering on if you have small boobs. It also has a removable strap around the neck.


H&M and Matalan.

Every year I like to take a black bikini, just to wear around the pool if I don't go to the beach one day because the chlorine can sometimes strip the colour from my coloured and patterned bikinis. I picked these two up from H&M and Matalan. I features the triangle style black bikini here if you want too see more information about it! 


Triangl. 

My last two bikinis are these amazing Triangl bikinis. Again these are made from neoprene. The first on is in the style Farrah - Golden Fields and the second is the Poppy - Paradise Palms. I will have a full review on both these bikinis up at the beginning of next week so keep an eye out if you're interested in that! 

Thank you for reading, please leave me a comment below of your favourite holiday item to buy!
Michelle xo. 

Links. 

Thursday 9 July 2015

La Roche-Posay Review!


Welcome back to my blog, today I thought I would do a review on some skincare products that I've been loving for a while: and that it the La Roche-Posay range. Having suffered with acne for years, I'm always looking for new products to try! I've been using all these products for about 6 months and I've definitely noticed a huge difference in my skin. They aren't miracle workers that's going to make your skin perfect straight away but over time they have stopped my spots looking really red and sore.

La Roche-Posay range.

I didn't do any research before purchasing these products so I didn't really know what to expect from them. But they were on an offer so I thought I'd get three products from the Effaclar range and then a micellar solution. They are slightly more expensive than other acne and skincare products but they do last a long time! I've only just repurchased a new micellar solution after using it at least twice a day for 4 months so the prices that you have to pay is definitely worth it! 

Micellar Solution. 


I thought it would be easier to review these products in the order I use them, so the first product I use is the Physiological Micellar Solution. La Roche-Posay have several different ranges all targeted at different skin types and problems, because I didn't do any research before I bought these products I didn't know that so this product is actually meant for sensitive skin and not blemish prone skin! I tip a medium amount of this on a cotton pad every time I use it so it does last quite a long time. Generally I use this twice a day before I actually wash my face, in the morning to remove any excess oil and in the evening to remove all my make up! It's soap, alcohol, colourant and paraben free so it's gentle enough to use on your face, eyes and lips which I like before I can just use one product for everything. It's really fast at removing waterproof eye makeup and it doesn't sting at all. It doesn't really smell of anything either which I like because sometimes face products can have a really strong smell. For a micellar solution this is slightly more on the expensive side at around £11.00 for 200ml, but boots usually have an offer on their skincare so I make sure I repurchase them just to even out the cost a little bit! Overall I really like this product, it doesn't break me out, I can use it all over my face and it removes all makeup really easily. 


Foaming Gel Cleanser.


The next product I use is the Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel. This gel cleanser is actually from the Effaclar range which is designed to treat blemish prone skin unlike the micellar solution. Again it retails at £11.00 but it does last a lot longer at around 5/6 months. The product itself is a clear gel that lathers really well when you massage it on your hands with a bit of water before applying it all over your face. This is slightly scented and smells really clean so it isn't an unpleasant scent at all. I really like how it feels on my skin, it doesn't irritate and I haven't had any issue from using this product over the last six months. I use this twice a day and I wouldn't say this is a product that stops excess oil on your face but it does seem to dry out my stops and they now only last about 2/3 days. Also in conjunction with the Effaclar Duo cream it has removed/faded some of the acne scarring I had on my face which is a bonus. 


Astringent Lotion. 


I loved the idea and concept of this product when I saw it in boots. It's a lotion that cleanses and exfoliates the skin to help unblock and reduce the appearance of pores. Personally after trying it for a couple of months this is still my least favourite product out of the four! I apply this to my face using a cotton pad and I gently wipe it over my face avoiding my eyes and lips. As soon as I started using this I noticed that my forehead started breaking out more than usual and it also really stings my face if i use it near my eyes or lips. It has a really strong scent which might be what was causing the irritation to my eyes. At £11.50 its quite expensive to only be able to use it on half my face, but where I do use it, it has seemed to clear my pores a bit. 


Effaclar Duo. 

I've recently seen a lot of love for this product everywhere on social media. I use the Effaclar Duo all over my face in both the morning and evening as my moisturiser. (If my skin is really dry I do use a bit of the simple moisturiser as well.) I love this product, the consistency is brilliant, not to think not too think, it sinks straight into my skin so I don't have to wait ages before I can apply my make up and it really does minimise my spots and old acne scarring! It doesn't have an unpleasant scent either so you really don't notice any different when you've applied your make up! I also really like this because a small amount goes a long way, so it lasts a long time! I'm still on my first tube after 6 months and there still feels like there is plenty in there! At £15.50 I wouldn't say its that expensive for a moisturiser and a spot cream in one because you only really need this product so i do feel it is a reasonable price. 


La Roche-Posay.
Overall I would definitely recommend all these products! If you like the products you're currently using and just want to swap one thing, then I'd definitely try the Effaclar Duo cream first, because you could use it along with the products you're currently using, to see if you notice any difference! I've also recently noticed in boots they do a set which has three products from the Effaclar range, so if you was interested in trying more than one product that might be a cheaper way to try them first in case you don't like them or they don't agree with your skin. 

If you have any suggestions on other skincare products you think I might like then leave them down below in the comments! Thank you for reading.
Michelle xo. 

Links.


Sunday 5 July 2015

My 5 tips to stay motivated!




Motivation happens due to internal and external factors that stimulate the energy and desire to work and commit to certain things within your life, whether than be work, school or just life in general! (Yes, I did just Google this!) There are numerous things that play a role in this motivation, some that we make happen ourselves and some that just happen. It's definitely hard growing up in this day and age being motivated all the time since there are so many things that can get in the way. One way that I stay motivated is quotes! They're easy to find, they're literally all over the Internet and you'll be surprised how much some of them actually make you stop and realise that most things aren't as bad as you think!




This quote by Nelson Mandela is definitely one that got me through my textiles A level. At the time everything seemed impossible, I'd start one job and by doing that, I'd end up with another three jobs to do and it felt like everything was against me! No matter how motivated I tried to be there was just challenge after challenge. But I knew it was something I wanted and I had to work as hard I could to do that! The more time I spent stressing over how much I had to do, the more time and energy it actually involved. If I'd just got on with it and tried my hardest without pressuring myself to be perfect then it probably wouldn't have seem so impossible at the time!


Believing in yourself is a key contributor to motivation! If you don't believe in yourself then who will? A 3000 word university essay wont do itself! If you believe in yourself you're far more likely to be motivated to do things. And after all why shouldn't you believe in yourself, you don't know the outcome of anything until you actually give it a go and try. 




Possibly the hardest time to stay motivated is when you feel like you've tried so much harder than your friends on a piece of work or even a blogpost, and then they start after you and  still somehow manage to do better! You don't know everything about your friends just because they said they've started something after you doesn't mean they have! Some people find practical work easy others find mathematical work easier. Everyone is different. They could have been planning and studying for weeks. Generally people aren't going to worry about how you're doing! Stop letting other people rule you, you are your own person! 




Of course striving to be successful is important but whats the point doing something that you class as successful if it just makes you unhappy! You need to make the most of your life and be a positive person. Motivation will come, when you want something so bad that you can't go a day without thinking about it, then you know it's important! Worrying is just another sign that you actually care, so turn the negative emotions into positive motivation and prove yourself wrong! You can do anything you put your mind to! Take every opportunity even if you can't be bothered! Your future self might even thank you for doing the things you have no motivation to do.


My top 5 tips to staying motivated!
1. Believe in yourself and mean it.
2. No motivation doesn't mean failure!
3. Nothing is impossible, even if it feels like everything is against you.
4. Stop caring what other people think, everyone has their own goals in life and you just have to focus on your own.
5. Take even opportunity like it's your last.


Thank you so much for reading, I hope some of these quotes made you think knowing that other people feel exactly the same! 
Michelle xo.

Friday 3 July 2015

Primark Beauty Make Up Brush Review!


If you're new to make up in general or if you just want to try make up brushes for the first time, then Primark has the perfect range of brushes for you! 'P.S Love... This' is the name of their current beauty lines and all the brushes retail between £1 and £3 so they're all very reasonably priced, easy to get hold of in any local Primark store and are reasonably good quality.


Primark P.S Love.. This. 


I now have five brushes from this range and a beauty blender and I'm shocked at how good they actually are! I wasn't really expecting amazing things from these brushes purely because they are so cheap compared to more high end branded make up brushes, but I was pleasantly surprised! 


Foundation & Concealer Brush.


The first brush I purchased was the 'foundation and concealer brush'. It's a double ended brush one end for concealer application and one for foundation application. The concealer end is really easy to use, the brush itself is really small so it makes applying and blending concealer really easily. The foundation brush is a lot bigger because it's being used for a larger area of skin! It's a flat brush so which is perfect for applying foundation around your eyes and nose but also to fix any lines after you've done your eyes or lips! This goes for the concealer and foundation brush, the brushes are so soft! They glide across the skin really easily, the foundation brush doesn't move the concealer if you apply it first and they're just really easy to use! I purchased this brush just after Christmas so I don't actually remember how much it was so don't quote me on this but I think it was about £2.00!


Stippling Brush.


After my success with the 'foundation and concealer brush' it really made me want to try more of the brushes from the range so I went ahead and purchased the stippling brush that retails for £1.50. As soon as I took it out of the packaging I was amazed at how soft this brush is, it's definitely softer than the 'foundation and concealer brush'. I do love using this brush to apply my foundation, but it's also a really good blending brush to use after you've applied highlighter and contoured! Again it's quite small so you can be really precise when you use this for blending. Sadly the handle has fallen off mine so I'll have to purchase a new one or glue the handle back into the brush base but for £1.50 I can deal with that!


Liquid Foundation Brush.


The next brush is a liquid foundation brush, which also retails for £1.50. Although this is for liquid foundation and exactly the same as the foundation brush end of the 'foundation and concealer brush' I actually purchased this for contouring! Because it's a flat brush it's perfect for applying a matte bronzer in the hollows of your checks, on your temples and by your jaw line! I then use the stippling brush to blend this out slightly so I don't just have random darker lines all over my face!


Blusher Brush.


Since I was using these brushes to apply the rest of my make up I thought I'd pick up the blusher brush which is again £1.50. It's not quite as big as a powder foundation brush but it's the perfect size to apply blusher and even bronzer to your checks! Like the other brushes it's really soft and doesn't smudge the rest of my make up. The handle on this brush is half to size of the others so it's makes applying blusher really light!


Kabuki Brush.


The last brush I purchased was the Kabuki brush! This is by far the softest out of all five brushes! It's really big compared to all the other brushes and perfect for applying powder all over your face to set your make up! It's slightly more expensive than all the other brushes at £2.50, but I've got no issues spending that small amount on these brushes even if they do only last me another couple of months! 


Egg Make Up Sponge.


The last item I purchased from the Primark beauty range was a beauty blender dupe. It's called an egg make up sponge and retails for £1.50. At first I was quite disappointed with this product it wasn't applying my foundation evenly and I was just using so much product that it wasn't really worth it! Then I tried making the sponge a little bit damp and this really improved the application of my foundation! It does slightly sheer out the foundation, so you might have to build the foundation in areas that you want more coverage but other than that it's really good! I also really like this sponge for applying concealer under my eyes and anywhere where I have a couple of blemishes quite close to each other! I just rub the concealer directly onto the sponge and then blend it onto my face! Out of the six products this is definitely the one I could live without, purely because it does the same job as all the other brushes but does require slightly more effort, but if you're going travelling or to keep in your handbag for touch ups then this is perfect because it's light, it doesn't take up much space and it's really small. 

I loved the packaging but sadly I threw my all the packaging away before I could take a picture! But the packaging is pink with small black dots on which really matches the brushes themselves which are black with pink tips. I really like the design, it's appealing, pretty, straight to the point stating the name and use of each brush and it has the price labelled on the front and back. 

Overall I would give these products a strong 7 out of 10, for between £1 and £3 they obviously aren't going to be the best make up brushes on the market, but they do the job and they do it well! The brushes are really soft on the skin, the make up looks a lot better than if I applied it with my fingers and it is a lot easier to blend and apply the make up! They wash really well! (I will have a post about how I clean my brushes, so keep an eye out for that one.) I'd would definitely recommend these brushes if you're just starting out wearing make up or if you want to try make up brushes for the first time because they are really well priced and they just do want a make up brush should do!

Thank you all for reading, I hope you all enjoyed this post!
Michelle xo.

Links.
Primark Beauty.

Wednesday 1 July 2015

July already: Getting organised!



Can you believe we're in July already, and it's actually sunny outside here in the UK?! I've actually planned my blog posts in advance for July, August and September instead of just jumping into everything! Some are actually already done! I'm going on holiday towards the end of the month so I'm going to be writing two weeks worth in advance and basically relying on robots to do the rest! Fingers crossed it actually works. When I get back it will be the beginning of August (In the UK this is the most popular time to go on holiday) so I've planned some post for when I get back that's holiday related including what's in my beach bag and hopefully some look books (so please stay tuned for them).


When I started this blog I didn't really realise how addictive it would actually become, and how unrealistic the goals I was setting was! My goals originally was to post daily on beauty, fashion and lifestyle and after just over two weeks I quickly realised doing this with a full time job on the side isn't really realistic and I'm not making this blog the best I can make it! After some thought I've decided to re set my goals and start uploading to a different schedule, this time a more realistic one. 


Instead of posting everyday I'm going to post every other day at the same time so I have more of a schedule, and I'll also have more time to actually spend on writing my blog posts and actually designing my blog in general. This will give me the flexibility to set up other social media accounts and overall have a better blog! It also means if I want to upload additional blogs on random day to day things I can. I also want to thank the people who have already taken time to read some of my blog posts and for the 350+ views in just over two weeks! This might not seem a huge amount of views to some people, but to me I never imagined that this many people would actually be interested in my blog! This has definitely encouraged me to continue blogging and start taking it more seriously because I never thought I'd like it as much as I do! I also haven't been this happy in ages, so even if lots of people aren't looking at my blog to me I still feel like I've accomplished something! So thank you guys for the support on here and on Instagram.


Thank you for the support so far! Michelle xo.