WHEN SIMPLE WORKS BEST - OOTD 05/10/15

Recently I've become quite a fan of basic t-shirts and wearing the colour white. I find that simple clothing looks really good a lot of the time, and I am really in love with one of my latest buys; this simple white top is from New Look and has a cute pocket on the front, it's quite slouchy (which I love) so it isn't just a boring, plain white t-shirt. I like to wear it with the equally simple-but-effective blue jeans and I either wear it with black Dr Martens boots or white Converse low-tops. With simple clothing, I also like to layer quite basic and low-key necklaces.

Just to add, I wanted to write a quick paragraph here about my favourite jeans. Topshop Jamie jeans. I've been favouring this style of jeans for well over a year now, I have them in black and blue, and I think they're possibly the most perfect jeans I've ever found. I think it's quite important to invest in some nice-quality jeans, because jeans tend to last ages and ages, so I don't really find myself minding about the £40 price tag. I like my jeans to be skinny, and these definitely are, they hug my legs in a flattering way and they haven't become baggy and misshapen over time, which is perfect. They're the style known as 'ankle grazers' so they finish just on my ankle bone, but I think that's a pretty good look with folded over socks and low-cut shoes. All in all, I love these jeans. I think they're perfect. The perfect style, the perfect fit, they've lasted ages without having to buy a new pair, and they have a soft denim feel (for some reason, I like my denim items of clothing to actually feel like denim, that's important to me when buying jeans). I can't see myself changing my jeans style for a long time.

Top- New Look (£6.99)
Jeans- Topshop Jamie (£40)
Shoes- Dr Martens (£100)

(ANOTHER) CONCEALER COMPARRISON

In July I posted a 'Concealer Comparrison' post, comparing my long-term Collection 'Lasting Perfection' concealer, and a new Rimmel 'Wake Me Up' concealer. A couple of week after that, however, I released that the Rimmel 'Wake Me Up' concealer just wasn't right for me and so a new 'Concealer Comparrison' post is being born.

The reason I initially decided to stop using the Collection 'Lasting Perfection' concealer, after using it for about a year, was because I suspected that it was making my skin very dry. I have fairly dry skin anyway, but the areas where I was using the concealer were more dry than ever. Since changing concealers, my dry skin has become much, much better.

I opted for the Rimmel 'Wake Me Up' concealer as I'd heard nothing but good things about it and swatching it in the shop showed that it was basically an exact match for my skin. I really liked the Rimmel 'Wake Me Up', not only was it a very good match for my skin, but it also felt good on the skin. I liked the fact that it had a slightly more watery consistency and that it didn't look and feel thick, cakey and drying on the face. The only problem with it, that resulted in me having to buy a new concealer, was that it didn't have very good coverage at all. The thin consistency meant that it didn't cover up spots and blemishes very well and it just wasn't suited for my needs. The Rimmel 'Wake Me Up' concealer is suited more to brightening and hiding dark circles under the eyes, etc., but I am hoping to go back to using it when my skin is a bit better and I don't need such heavy duty coverage.

I had a long list of concealers from Boots and Superdrug to try out, but after swatching them all, I decided that the Maybelline 'Fit Me' Concealer was the best match for my skin with the right amount of coverage. Maybelline is a brand that I had never ever considered for concealer before, I've used their 'Colour Tattoo' eyeshadows and 'Baby Lips' lip balm, but I'd never thought of them for anything else. The most notable thing about the 'Fit Me' concealer is how similar the packaging looks to the immensely famous and popular Nars concealer.

I am enjoying using this concealer, it has a thicker consistency so it has good coverage on spots and blemishes. One thing I have found, for my personal skin tone, is that I have to apply it quite lightly and then build it up in light dabs, otherwise it can look quite orangey on my face. Unlike the Collection 'Lasting Perfection' concealer, the 'Fit Me' concealer doesn't look noticeably thick and cakey on my skin, and it hasn't caused any dryness in the areas of use at all.

I would highly recommend this concealer, it meets all my needs and it's a good product at a reasonable price (between £5-£10). I can't see myself being one to settle on just one concealer, but for now I am very happy with this one and it suits me well.

I wanted to do just a quick paragraph here to talk about concealer application. For applying concealer, I personally like to actually use a fluffy eyeshadow brush, though I do sometimes use a concealer brush. I tend to prefer the eyeshadow brushes as they are much larger and so I find it easier to blend the concealer into the surrounding area. I know it's wrong, but I do sometimes prefer to use a finger to just dab the concealer in, I find that it sometimes covers spots much better than blending in with a brush. Though I find that using a finger gives the best results, I try to use a brush so as not to risk my skin getting worse from the bacteria on fingers. If you look at the picture below of my current makeup brush set (the whole set, including the case, is from Cath Kidston), you can see that I normally use the brush three from the right for my concealer, which is actually an eyeshadow brush, though I do occasionally use the proper concealer brush to the left of it.

Rosie 

BACK TO COLLEGE ESSENTIALS

I go back to college next week on Tuesday 8th so I've been feeling that September motivation for the next academic year, which also happens to be my final year at college before university. One of the best bits of the year for me is the buying of new stationary, and boy do I love stationary. (A thing that must also be noted here is that W.H. Smith always has a back-to-school stationary sale near the end of the holidays and it's very exciting.) I've complied a list of some of the things (minius the pens, pencils, etc. stuff) that I think are essential for going back to school/college, all of which will be making their appearance in my bag come Tuesday.

Ringer Binders
Being at college rather than school, I work solely with paper and ring binders instead of out of work books. I love pretty folders and I buy all of mine from W.H. Smith. I use one of the regular two-ring ones on a daily basis, I only use one folder so that all of my work is in the same place and I only have to carry one around with me everyday. At home, however, I like to have the massive lever arch files, which I keep all the work I no longer need in, this way I'm only carrying what I need to college and my small folder doesn't get too full. I don't study a-levels, and my college course is split into nine different units throughout the year, so I only carry the work of the units we are currently studying around with me, and all the work from the completed units is kept in my lever arch files at home.

Folder Dividers and Plastic Wallets
I love folder dividers for separating each different unit in my folder, and they're a great way to keep organised. I have to hand in my college work as a physical copy, so plastic wallets are really useful for that. Each unit is handed in in its own plastic wallet so it's all kept together and there's no risk of anything being lost. I also find plastic wallets useful for booklets that cannot be hole punched but I want to keep in my folder.

Paper
This is pretty self explanatory, I write on paper that I then put into my folder. I normally use the W.H. Smith A4 sheets (as seen in the picture), though I am a notebook fiend so I do like to keep a few A5 notebooks around as well.

Planner
Organisation is a thing that I love, so obviously I can't not get myself a planner. As sad as I've been told it is, I get great excitement from writing in my planner and organising my life. I have a little tick sheet at the back in the notes section showing every piece of work in every unit, and I get to tick it in one colour if I've completed that piece of work, and tick it again in another colour if I've handed it in. Very satisfying. My beautiful planner is from W.H. Smith, they have an amazing selection of planners and I spent a good 30 minutes standing there trying to decide which one I wanted.

Pencil Case
Also self explanatory, everyone needs a pencil case. I sneakily like to only keep one pen at a time in mine so that I never have one to lend out to anyone and lose it. I absolutely love my pencil case, it's from Cath Kidston, I got it last Christmas and I think it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

Rucksack
I prefer using a rucksack for my school bag as two straps is so much easier and less painful than carrying a bag round on one shoulder. You may recognise the picture below of my rucksack from my ootd post at the end of August. This bag is from Accessorize, though I do have the back-up bigger rucksack if this one proves to be slightly too small for a folder, which it might well be.

BLOGMAS DAY 9- MY INSTAGRAM YEAR IN OUTFITS

Tuesday 9th December 2014

16 sleeps till Christmas

These are my selfies, I'm slightly scared to post them and I can confirm I chickened out of half of them at the last minute. Enjoy my vanity. 

Shirt- Topshop
Jumper- Next
Nails- Barry M 'Berry Cosmo'
Giant Mug- Holland (as in the country(

Look at the forehead on that spot- my makeup less state
Top- Topshop
Jeans- Topshop Jamie Jeans
Leather Jacket (in the background)- All Saints
(Yes this is the Topshop changing room)

Chanelling the inner '90s' look
Shirt- New Look
Jeans- Topshop Jamie Jeans
Lipstick- Topshop 'Infrared'

My best selfie of 2014
Dress- H&M
Choker- River Island
Nails- Topshop 'Cloak and Dagger'
Lipstick- Rimmel Kate Moss matte '107'

Awkward arm alert
Jumper- Next
Jeans- Topshop Jamie Jeans

Cropped Jumper- Boohoo
Jeans- Topshop Joni Jeans
Shoes- Dr Martens
Satchel- Accessorize

BLOGMAS DAY 8- MY INSTAGRAM YEAR

Monday 8th December 2014

17 sleeps till Christmas

I thought today I'd share my year of 2014, through the medium of my Instagram posts. Enjoy. 

April: I turned 17- this is my Game of Thrones themed cake, complete with severed heads on spikes.

 March/April/May/One of those: Easter

August: Casual view from the window of our Barcelona holiday appartment, no biggie, COMPLETE MASSIVE BIGGIE LOOK HOW INCREDIBLE THAT IS

August: Reading Festival- seeing three of my favourites bands near the front. Dead. 

October: I had an operation.

November: the poppies at the Tower of London were incredible, London is a beautiful place at night

November: Thanksgiving with the American friends. This may not look like much but it's the most incredible thing I have ever eaten and I crave corn bread daily. 

BLOGMAS DAY 2- EVERYDAY MAKEUP

Tuesday 2nd December 2014

23 sleeps till Christmas

I'm pretty sure I did an 'Everyday Makeup' post last December, but an update is always needed. 

Face:

Both of my everyday face products are new ones that I have discovered during the year and that I have banged on a lot about. The Collection Lasting Perfection concealer is a cult favourite, but it well deserves the hype. It's undobtedly the best concealer I've used (I have the Shade 1) and it lasts a very long time on the skin.
My other favourite face product is the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Translucent, I think it's the best product for everyday wear as it's not at all noticeable and it just adds that little something to your skin without looking over the top or shiny. It's one of those products where I feel good about my skin when I wear it. 

Eyes:

As per usual, I have my never-changing, never-ending Body Shop eyeliner. I've also featured a (disgustingly old) No7 mascara, but it's not something I wear everyday because I'm simply too lazy.

In terms of eyeshadow, I don't wear it everyday but when I do I like to go for the more natural pale pinks, as being blonde and fair I think pale pinks look really pretty and not too in-your-face for everyday wear (this is why I'm dying for Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette). My go-to pink eyeshadows are Body Shop's Colour Crush eyeshadow in 'Pink Crush', Maybelline 24 Hour Colour Tattoo in 'Pink Gold', and the shade 'Gateau' from the Sleek 'Oh So Special' palette.

Lips:
(I haven't included lipstick here as it's not something that I wear everyday.) I've said it multiple times before but I'll say it again, Body Shop are one of the best places out there for lip balms, I have never had a complaint or problem with one of their products, and I personally think that they're worth the slightly higher price tag for the highstreet.
Three lipbalms out of the four here are from Body Shop. I have the 'Ginger Sparkle' lip balm from last year's Christmas range as it's the perfect flavour for the winter, and the 'Glazed Apple' lip balm from this year's Christmas range (more to come on that). I also have a plum Born Lippy which smells incredible, and it just something nice and purpe-tinted and the perfect colour for the winter.
My last lip balm is the EOS raspberry and pomegranate one which smells so good and is just a really good balm.

SKIN MONTH | EVERYDAY ROUTINE

So this post isn't going to be very interesting but as it's Skin Month I thought it was only right that I addressed by daily skin routine...

(Apologises for the half-used products) 

1. Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Foaming Face Wash- tea tree is super good for your skin, I use this twice daily and then wash it off using Boots cotton wool pads.
2. Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Cleansing and Toning Lotion- it is always good to use toner on your skin, I use this once every morning and dab a couple of drops of it onto a cotton wool pad.
3. Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Exfoliating Face Scrub- (yes there is a trend going on) as I wrote here, I am not a great fan off exfoliating products for your face so I only use this about once a month but exfoliation is good and you should not run away from it just because it feels weird.
4. (A new one) Vitamin E Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes- I use these in the evening to take off my eye makeup and then give my face a quick wipe before I wash it properly, I love these wipes so much.
5. Neutrogena moisturiser- favourite moisturiser, not much else to say about that really.
6. Burt's Bees lip balm- I just have the normal, original, no extra stuff, whatever you want to call it one and I lovelovelovelove it sososososo much, I use it every night before I go to bed so I have super smoothy lips when I wake up. I also use it as a base if I'm going to be wearing lip gloss because I find that some lip glosses dry your lips out a bit and this just prevents it.

 The Boots tea tree and witch hazel range

Personal favourites

Available at Boots or Waitrose- I love these

 

 

Now moving onto make up, I don't wear all that much to school because I have no time if I actually want to sleep in the morning.

The bare minimum

1. Body Shop concealer- I have spoken about this before but it's really good and does not cause excess breakouts like some concealers do.
2. Body Shop black eyeliner pencil- Just on the lower lash line and water line, I have super sensitive eyes and this is a good quality eyeliner without being overpriced like many other sensitive eyes products (COUGH No7 COUGH).
3. Mascara- I don't often wear mascara but when I do I wear No7 sensitive eyes in black, the one thing I hate about mascara is you can never seen when you're nearly running out.
4. Maybelline Baby Lip in Peach Kiss- perfect everyday lip balm, tastes good and has a teeny tiny shimmer to it in certain lights.
5. Body Shop Born Lippy in Guava- I absolutely love these but I have so many and never manage to finish them (my friend gets through a whole pot in about three months which is quite impressive considering how much is in there and how little you need at a time). Guava has got to be by far the nicest Born Lippy (I have about three pots of the strawberry one, however- yummy) but I find that they dry my lips out so I just whack on a layer of Burt's Bees and it works like a dream team.

Looks amazing and smells amazing I absolutely love this product (guava flavoured)