Simple tips

I love my job, it's in the career I want and it's fun. But not being allowed to have my nails painted is such a pain. But a few loopholes, what you can't see doesn't count, and viola! I thought I used to have a white polish for French Manicure tips, but not being able to find it led to using the pale pink, Fiji dupe, Easy Going shade by Sinful Colours. And I actually much prefer this. Although it's a bit messy, not bad for 11pm while on the phone may I add, it'll do for work. Naked nails are just ugly.

song of the post - Bombay Bicycle Club - Luna

When feminism meets fashion

Fourth wave feminism is well and truly in swing. Social media and How to Be a Woman brought the f word to the masses, which can only be a good thing, but it has to have its limitations.When it comes to the fashion industry, fashion magazines in particular, feminism just doesn't fit. Vogue teaches us impossible consumerism aspirations, Glamour teaches us impossible beauty standards, Reveal teaches us to weight shame other women, teaching us the main purpose of a women is her looks and her possessions. So, how does feminism fit into the fashion industry? It doesn't, and Stylist proves it. Issue 207, the self proclaimed ‘feminism’ issue, appears false and contradictory. This isn't just a criticism, the issue makes a few good points, accessible to those who may otherwise not be interested, but for every step forward there's two steps back. For every mention of Germaine Greer, there's two pictures of photoshopped models scantily clad, pouting. For every criticism of the pay gap, there's an advert saying you need this lipstick to be attractive.Lucy Fosters article is elegant, to the point, and pretty much accurate, yet is this the right place to publish it? Girls will never rule the world when feminism is put next to a sexualized perfume advertisement. That's not what feminism is, what it never will be, and what it should never be.

song of the post - Beyonce - Run The World

Adventure Time

As I mentioned in my 'I'm ready for you, 2014' post, I'm going interrailing in June and I couldn't be more excited if I tried. I've never really understood the point of the 'buy a holiday wardrobe' thing, surely you can just wear what you have already and spend your money actually on the holiday? But I guess interrailing is a completely different thing, so I'll need some essentials. As much as I'd love to take every outfit I own with me, I turn into the crankiest person alive when I carry too much. Achy shoulders are not my friend. Luckily, I'm borrowing my aunties travel backpack, so I should be able to carry quite a lot without the weight, but I still want to take the bare minimum I can get away with. To do this, I'm on the hunt for the perfect pair of denim shorts, that I can wear constantly and that will go with anything. A day of Northern Quarter Levis hunting is on the cards. In terms of products, I'm planning on, again, taking as little as I can. Muji decanter pots will be my savior, only taking as much as I need, rather than huge tubs of shampoo will save valuable space and weight. I'm only really planning on taking loads of SPF, toner to keep oil at bay, and maybe an eyeliner for nights out. With that said, not wearing much make up poses the massively first world problems of not looking great on the photos. Cue sunglasses. I'm definitely getting some Clubmasters, not real ones of course (although I'd love some for my 21st, we'll see!) and I think i'll get a few other pairs. I lose everything! The one down side to travelling, is the actual travelling part. My kindle, maybe a few real books, bought as I go along, and a little Moleskine travel journal/book to doodle in might keep me sane on the 7 hour train journeys. I can't wait for more spring/summer collections to come in so I can start doing some real outfit planning/bikini hunting!

song of the post - The Drums - Let's Go Surfing

It's the colours you have

As I said in my last blog post, I have a lot of nail varnishes, an amount most would call extreme, an amount most bloggers would call average. To prove my point, I have 9 different shades of blue and green (one being purple makes me a bit sad.) So, here's a photo. Boring post. Sorry not sorry.

song of the post - Grouplove - Colours

This accent, you just put it on

University gets so hectic in third year. If I could go back to my 18 year old self, I'd say enjoy first and second year while it lasts, it gets very busy very quickly. I remember when I used to spend so much time painting polka dots, flowers and paisley on my nails, but I've got so lazy now deadlines take priority. For lazy nails, there's one thing I love, accents. It's such an easy way to make your nails look done, without actually having to do that much! The past few birthdays and Christmas', I've asked for nail polishes. As much as I love 'out there' shades like this Models Own silver, they can be a bit much on all ten fingers and thumbs, but I don't want to leave them unloved on the shelf. Since I've started using accent nails more, I've been able to give my unloved shades a wear, toning them down with my usual colours. With that said, maybe I should put down the Fiji every day and start using the bright greens more? Can anyone tell my nail varnishes are my babies? They should be, most my first and second year loans went to buying them. Oops!

song of the post - The Yipes - Accents 

Just a band

My 'new years resolution' (but not really, just a promise I happened to make in January) was to live more and be scared less, and this is the first time I really tried it out. One of my favourite places to be is in the crowd of a gig, something about seeing a song you listen to all the time actually being sung in front of you is pretty special. Maybe I'm just a fully fledged fangirl. There's been so many gigs I've been dying to go to, but not found anyone to go with and just been to scared to go alone. Bat for Lashes at Manchester Cathedral and Haim at Deaf Institute to name but a few. But, why was I too scared to go alone? I'm really happy in my own company, I work in coffee shops and go shopping alone and don't mind, so what's the difference? This gig confirmed, there is no difference at all. There was the odd awkward squirm where I obsessed over the thought what if the people here think I'm a loser on my own, but the real 'loser' thing to do would to be too afraid to do what I want to do, based on what others think. It was definitely worth getting over my fear for, the gig was amazing. As well as the sense of achievement, I also had a good night, danced, and met Scroobious Pip. I hate to quote a cliche saying, but do something each day that scares you, well and truly paid off. I'm now racking my brain to think of what else scares me, just so I can go and do it. Am I an adrenaline junkie now?

song of the post - Dan Le Sac VS Scroobius Pip - Thou Shalt Always Kill

Gallery of Costume

My two great loves: museums and fashion. If there were puppies there, it'd be my heaven. I visited the Gallery of Costume in Manchester to see the temporary Dior exhibition. It felt a big wrong to be wearing an outfit mostly comprised of charity shop buys, borrowed clothes and ebay finds in the presence of such brands. Vivienne, I love you, one day you will be mine! Seeing the sketches was so fascinating, I sometimes forget that clothes were once just an idea in a sketchbook. I really want to get back into photographing where I go again, it's so east just to put a photo on instagram without really thinking about it, but actually taking my camera out and using it made a nice change. I did get a D in AS photography after all, might as well use my (lack of) knowledge! I also really need to get back into visiting different places again. I'm going to go to the new Hiker Meat exhibition at the Cornerhouse soon, again, my two loves of museums and scary films, ideal.

song of the post - Beyonce - Flawless

Pamper or party?

A perfect pamper indulgence can be necessary sometimes. And this was *cough* my New Year's Eve night *cough*
To others, a twenty year old, spending the last night of the year in the hottest, bubbliest bath and considering it a choice well made may be a tad, pathetic? But I'm glad I did, I unleashed my inner Miranda Hart, embraced my lonewolf status and thought of nothing but myself, all night.
Waking up for the first day of 2014 refreshed, with glowing skin and a new hair colour seemed a far better alternative to a regretted hangover and upset bank account.
I'm planning reviews on the Origins Mask and La Roche Posay Effeclar Duo after a few more uses, I can't yet make up my mind. But as a review of Alexa Chungs book: buy it, right now. (Same applies for the Toblerone) 

song of the post - Bromhead's Jacket - What If Maybe's

Why eyeliner is like life

Tricky to get right
Impossible to get perfect
It works out best when you don’t try to be perfect
You’ll make mistakes, but they can be fixed
The mistakes you make, you tend to learn from, just keep make up remover handy.
Other people always seem to do it better
Too much crying will ruin it
As long as you’re having fun, it doesn’t really matter what it looks like
Also, this: 

song of the post - Beyonce - XO

Why don’t I like Lorde?

I’ve tried. I really have. But I just can’t like Lorde, and I have no idea why. It’s the same as a person who loves chocolate having an odd aversion to Dairy Milk. If you looked at the ‘related artists’, those similar to her, I’d love them all. Lana, Boy, Florence, Marina, Bat For Lashes, Foxes, Dillon, MS MR, London Grammar, Eliza, Haim; you name it, I like it. So why do I dislike Lorde?

Maybe it’s because she’s nothing new, maybe it’s because there’s no room in the inn for another Topshop-princess-a-rock star-too, or maybe I’m just jealous of her Merida hair and insane talent for liquid eyeliner. Whatever it is, maybe times are changing on the genre of my iTunes, and maybe that’s not a bad thing. 

song of the post - Lorde - Royals

I'm ready for you, 2014

It’s the morning after Boxing Day, it’s 12:32am, I have to be up in 7 hours, I can’t sleep and shit’s about to get deep. If you prefer reviews of lipsticks over angsty moaning, avert your eyes elsewhere.

This blog post has been on my mind for a while now, and I was going to save it for a hungover New Years day task; but sometimes there are just those nights you stop up reflecting. There’s something about typing out all your thoughts to store them away on a screen rather than in your mind.  

I couldn’t be more excited for this year to be over, which sounds so pessimistic, but it’s been a strange mixture of the very worst year of my life with a few truly amazing bits thrown in for good measure. So many pity parties led me to forget to be proud that I have a job in my dream career before I’ve even hit 21 years old, which is the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. Only my best friends will know what I mean, in the way that it’s meant to be, I’d never dream of posting it online, which leads on to my next point.

Recently, I’ve been thinking about the honesty of social media. On Christmas morning I was scrolling through Instagram and Bloglovin’ (while sipping wine at the same time as eating Pringles, of course.) While scrolling, I became so envious of the perfect family photos, expensive present ‘hauls’ and spoiling boyfriends. It took me an entire day of sulking that my family isn’t perfect, I didn’t get a Macbook and my relationship ended this year, to realise that Instagram is just the world through rose tinted filters.

 In the generation of selfies, blogs, tweets and status’ we become more concerned with how we appear to others, rather than the real enjoyment. Surely thanking your family and friends with real words from your actual mouth is more enjoyable than posting a Facebook photo with the cringe worthy caption of “Santa’s been, must have been good this year.” You’re 21, grow up.

I never normally make New Years resolutions, they are normally just a half hearted promise to exercise more, but this year I’m making one that I’m keeping. I’m officially promising to actually live, rather than just tweeting about living. I wish I could make a resolution to not compare myself to others, but I think that that’s so ingrained in myself, and society, that just a change from 2013 to 2014 isn’t going to change that. I’m working on it. More than anything, my New Years resolution is to be happy and honest with myself, which will be so easy once I try as I have so much to be happy for.

2014 is going to bring living with the two best friends in the entire world,  working in an career I love, being truly happy to be alone, moving to the city centre, seeing Beyonce and Professor Green live, writing a dissertation on something that inspires and fascinates me, travelling, graduating and who knows what else yet. It is most definitely time to stop comparing my life to the #instalife of others and remember how fucking amazing that is.

p.s, I’ve found, and love, a playlist on Spotify called “Indie/Hipster Playlist” and can’t fully cope with how hilarious that fact is. 

song of the post - INDIE/HIPSTER Playlist

Everyday Make up

I'm back! I needed a much needed break from blogging, I can't say I missed it, but I do really enjoy it so I'm going to start again. 

The title of this post is a bit of a lie. I rarely wear everything everyday, it depends on what I'm doing or how done up I want to look. This is what I wear if I want to have a proper face on! In this post is three of my favourite favourite products, although I love them all. As a base, I stick to Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer (like everyone else ever) set with Rimmell Stay Matte powder. I've never wore foundation, I just vary the amount of Lasting Perfection I use depending on how bad my skin is. I'm thinking about investing in some Real Techniques brushes, but for now I blend concealer with my fingers and brush on powder with a cheap Kabuki brush from H&M. For my eyes, I use a bit of the brow cream on my brows (obviously) from the Benefit set, and a brush of a nude shade from the MUA palette. I've tried a fair few liquid eyeliners, but the Natural Collections one is without a doubt the best I've ever used, I couldn't recommend it enough. I don't want to make this post too wordy, so I'll leave it as that. If you'd like to know anything else just leave a comment below! 

song of the post - Bears Den - Sahara pt 2

I'm a hazard to myself

Blog, meet Hazard. I was very naughty on the 20% off student day and went a bit wild, when I was only meant to be "buying my winter coat and browsing." I'll blog about my other purchases at some point but I am most excited by my gorgeous Topshop lipstick. I've wanted one for a while, I'm a sucker for packaging, but when a Topshop make up artist helped me find the shade I wanted I just couldn't say no. Any make up artist who can know what I mean when I asked for "dirty red" is clearly quite talented! Clearly I know nothing about describing make up so shouldn't really blog at all, but apparently "dirty red" was description enough. My go-to red has been the Bourjouis Colour Boost in Red Sunrise as it's so moisturising and easy to apply but as Hazard is a much deeper red I think it's less of a statement and suits my hair more! Unlike Red Sunrise, it's super pigmented so you have to be really careful when applying to not go overboard, but it sets surprisingly matte which I love. The one thing I can't stand about make up is being able to feel it on your skin, or lips, but when you only apply a little amount it is really light, so pretty much the perfect formula for me! I'm that in love with it I've dented a whole in it looking at myself while pushing the lid onto it (idiot) but hopefully I'll use it so much it'll smooth out soon. I'm now on the hunt for another Topshop shade, what have I started?! P.S, if anyone's missed me, which I doubt, I've been crazy busy starting back at uni but I'm going to get back into a blogging routine soon.

song of the post - Pink - Don't Let Me Get Me

Pearls, leather and lipstick

It's my firm belief that some days you just need to be fabulous. Today is one of those days. I spent most of the day waiting for the decorator doing dissertation work, yawn, so when I left the house I wanted to get as dressed up as I could get away with. I unleashed my inner Carrie and threw on my old pearls (how cool does she look in the film when she wore a fur coat, PJs and pearls, swoons.) Even though I only popped to the library, Lush and Boots, it certainly perked up an otherwise dull rainy Friday. I also put on my Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in shade 19 and completely forgot how much I love it, perfect day colour! 

song of the post - Swim Deep - Colour your ways

They're soo 2011 ~

 Continuing from my post about shopping the stash, (which now is my favourite thing ever, may I add) I bring you these unloved poor boots. As weird as it may seem to remember exactly when I bought them, it was August 2011, and they've still not been worn until today. I adored them when I bought them, then my cousin told me they looked like big man boots, which put me off. But, hey, if I like big man boots, I'll wear big man boots. And here they are! This is the first time in a long time I've worn an outfit that is entirely Primark, but I like it. Also, I only took two photos of this outfit, and didn't realise I had a stupid facial expression until after I'd changed out of it. Ain't nobody got time for that.

song of the post - Catfish & the Bottlemen - Rango

I'd call it Bronze Strength

I really wanted this product to work, but it didn't. I adored the 60 second shot and was hoping for a similar result on a cheaper cost-per-use size*. I didn't hate it, it wasn't awful, but it just wasn't enough. At best, I'd call it a average conditioner, no where near the quality of a mask. With that said, if it was only promising to be a decent conditioner I wouldn't mind. Yet, when a product make such huge claims as to reverse 2 years of damage, you come to expect a lot. Maybe my 2 years of damage is more than others, it's been a busy 2 years of hair damaging clearly!

song of the post - Igloo - Karen O and the Kids

*In fairness, I didn't pay for this product, it was reduced in Asda so was cheekily chucked in my nans trolly. (Does this count as my first disclosure? Ooh I'm such a blogger now...)

Shopping the stash

After discovering I had two big Ikea bags full of clothes I don't want, yes two, I was left with a lot of guilt. Guilt especially when I realised I'd had a skirt I'd bought from Berlin last August and still not got around to tailoring to fit me. It was from a sweet little second hand shop type place and although I knew it'd be far too big for me I loved the print and length so couldn't leave it. After a quick sew, seriously it took me about 10 minutes and I've been putting it off for over a year, I now love my 'new' skirt. Because it's quite a statement peice for me, I put it with a black tshirt and tan brogues so it wasn't 'too much.' With that said, I think it's always best to wear clothes that aren't your usual style when you're in a comfortable position. What you might feel great in to go for a cup of tea with a friend, might feel awful on a first date. On a completely different topic, I bowed down to peer pressure and bought The Fault in Our Stars. I can't decide if I like it yet, it's very teen angst, but I guess it's well written teen angst.

song of the post - Bastile - We Can't Stop

Old favourite

When I first got into reading blogs almost two years ago now, (where has that time gone?) I first started reading Lily's from LLYMLRS. I much prefer reading fashion blogs than beauty, as I'd much rather spend my money on clothes than make up. I realised today that that means I've loved Lily's signature polish duo of Models Own Utopia and Models Own Ibiza Mix for two years. I think Utopia was the first Models Own polish I bought, and I now have about 30. The first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem! In a way, I probably regret starting reading blogs because that is a lot of dollar! I went off wearing glitter polish for quite a while, just because of how much of a nightmare it is to get off, but I still love Ibiza Mix and as stupid as it sounds, I feel myself when I wear it.

song of the post - Kings Of Leon - Supersoaker

Pink Grapefruit

If you were to ever sniff me, (I don't know why you would, please don't) I would smell like the Body Shop Pink Grapefruit scent. I don't really believe in buying expensive perfumes just because some "celebrity" has stuck their face on it, so I usually purchase perfumes from Next. At the end of the day, you're spending £40+ on smelly water that you could instead spend on more important things, like clothes. Anyway, ramble over. I love Pink Grapefruit as a fruit so much, and Body Shop have managed to pin down the scent perfectly without any alcohol or general chemicaly undertones. I don't need to write how amazing the body butters are, everyone already knows that, but this one most definitely is.

song of the post - Placebo - Too Many Friends