updated: skin care routine

It has definitely taken me a while to gather a set of products which work for my skin and really help to keep it clear and a good base to apply makeup. I really feel that it is silly buying expensive makeup if you do not have a good skin care routine and most importantly, don't take your makeup off properly" It's a no brainer really, why would you want to put makeup on skin that isn't a good base because it will not I've your makeup application the best results. I have combination/oily skin, particularly oily through my T-Zone so these products are good for similar skin types. Please note that these products may not work for you, this is just what works for me and I thought I would share it with you.

Garnier Miceller Cleansing Water (£4.99) / Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 cleanser (£8)

I won't go on about the Garnier Miceller water as it has been a recent release and one which has taken the beauty world by storm, a rival for the ever-famous Bioderma, everyone rushed into Boots to pick up this beauty, as did I and it did not disappoint. This is my second bottle and I can confirm that it melts away your makeup in seconds, even heavy duty foundation (I use Revlon Colour Stay or MAC Studio Fix Fluid) or mascara. I personally haven't tried the Bioderma so can't make a comparison but this miceller water is good enough for me, cheap and does the job well - what more could you ask for?! I use this in the evening to take off the bulk of my makeup before moisturising and all that jazz.

The Peaches and Clean Cleanser is also a repurchase. I received my first bottle of this with a huge Soap and Glory set for my 18th Birthday and this cleanser was one of my favourites from all the products so when I saw this in Boots with the lovely new packaging/re-brand and it being on sale, I couldn't resist popping it back into my basket and I have no idea why I didn't repurchase this as soon as it ran out. I'd forgotten just how much I love it! I can't explain how fresh and lovely this smells and I use this in the morning in the shower for just that reason, it leaves my skin soft, squeaky clean and smelling like peaches, a great all rounder!

No7 Beautiful Skin Day (£12.50) and Night Cream (£13.50) for Normal/Oily skin 

These moisturisers have changed my skin dramatically. Before I was using the Superfacialist Tea Flower moisturiser which is targeted at oily skin, I used this both in the day and at night and it is a good moisturiser but I fancied having two creams - one for day and one for night. The two creams work perfectly injunction with one another, as you would expect. The day cream is thicker in consistency but lighter on the skin and soaks in very quickly - great for when you are in a rush! The night cream takes a little longer to soak into the skin but I like that as I feel like it is really penetrating the deep layers of my skin. I wake up with beautifully soft skin and my skin is noticeably less oily since switching to these creams. And a quick note: how lovely is this packaging?! Although the pots aren't made of glass, they certainly look as if they are and they look lovely sat on my desk.

La-Roche Posay Effeclar Duo [+] (£15.50)

After reading so many excellent reviews of this little bad boy I finally caved (I say that as if it took persuasion, it didn't.) and picked it up while it was on offer in Boots. It is incredible, and worth the full price if you have spot prone skin. You don't need this all over your face, only a tiny amount to dot this onto any spots or scarring. I tend to do this in the evening, before my moisturiser as I feel it can then work into my skin without a layer of foundation over the top, I don't want anything to stop it from working. I woke up after the first night of using this with my breakout visibly reduced and it has become a skin saviour. I can't rave about it enough!

Do you use any of these products? What are your thoughts on them? Do you have any skin products that I just need to know about and try? 

acrylic 'muji style' lipstick storage

Yet another eBay bargain to feast your eyes on - I really am on a role with my eBay buying recently, it's becoming a problem. I've been lusting after some 'Muji' style storage for a while now due to it's sleek look and easy organisation for an ever-growing make up collection. I didn't want to go forking out for anything expensive, so naturally, as a student I ventured into the world of eBay to find a cheaper alternative. 

I only purchased this lipstick/nail polish holder for only £2.89 with free P&P which is an offer I simply couldn't refuse. It holds 12 items comfortably and sits very sturdily on any flat surface due to the thick clear acrylic. It looks very sleek, not cheap as the price tag suggests and the rounded corners give this a little extra something and stop any rough or sharp edges.

I am so so pleased with this purchase and when the acrylic draws come back into stock (and my next student loan payment is through) then I will definitely be the first to buy. 

Do you like the look of acrylic storage or do you prefer to just keep all your make up in a make up bag? Are you impressed by the price of this storage?

real techniques dupes from eBay

I bring you again some fantastic brushes courtesy of eBay. Recently, I've really been starting to get into buying from eBay whether it be brushes, acrylic storage (blog post coming soon), jewellery or other  random bits and bobs that catch my eye. 

I bought each individual brush for only £1.53 and free P&P which is too good of an offer to turn down in my opinion, especially for the quality of the brushes. They are extremely soft and the fibres are dense so they blend foundation or even powders such as blush or bronzer well into the skin leaving a flawless finish. 

The bristles are duo-fibre which look sleek but also mean that whilst cleaning the brushes you can see when they are completely clean, instead of guessing, a bonus in my opinion! The stem of the brushes are sturdy and plastic which means they are unlikely to wear or become tarnished by water when washing/drying. 

I just know I am going to get lots of use out of these brushes and they are a welcome addition to the Real Techniques brushes I already own. 

Have you ever thought to buy brushes from eBay? Would you consider buying trying them out because of the price or does the price put you off?

(On my nails is Models Own 'Grape Juice')

weekly roundup #5

hi, i'm katie and i like to make my breakfast look pretty / relaxing afternoon with john green / sometimes leicester is pretty / all readyy to go out / i spend way too long on my makeup / pretty sunset is pretty

Isn't the weather just getting nicer as each day goes by? It makes me so chipper, love it! All the blossom is flowering and everything just looks so much prettier in the sunshine.

I kept my promise of completing another essay this week, only 2 more to go and then first year is over, which is exciting and scary all at once! My university life is whizzing by and then I'll have to get a proper job and all that adult stuff, wahh!

My week ended with a big night out for my friend's 20th birthday on Friday and we first had a bit of a flat party and then went to the O2 academy in Leicester which just so happens to be our rival university's students' union, but it was such a good night. We ended up getting back at 5:30 and stayed awake until 7am before finally going to sleep (It felt like freshers week all over again!). Saturday was hangover and food filled, spent all day bumming around in the flat feeling sorry for ourselves with 3 hours sleep. I was so pleased with how my makeup turned out on Friday night though, I spent aaaages doing it and was pleased with the result. I might re-create the look and write a blog post on it, partly four you lovely lot and partly for me, so I can remember in a few months time how to re-create the look!

What a lovely week it has been, hope yours was equally good!

spring lipstick picks

Both MAC lipsticks = £15, Both Topshop lipsticks = £8, Both Bourjois Colour Boost lip crayons = £7.99

Whether looking for something creamy and smooth or something with a little shine when the sun his it, then the high street and low-high end has something for you! I love all these lip products for different occasions or looks and they are all affordable and well worth their money.

The two MAC lipsticks featured are of the 'Amplified' formula which means they are super creamy and easy to apply even without a lip liner. They can be applied and left for an intense colour or even blended out simply with your finger for a more subtle hue of colour. The colours are extremely vivid and pigmented and look lovely for all skin types and whether you have a tan or not. I have previously written a more in depth review of Vegas Volt here.

The two Topshop lipsticks are of a similar formula to the MAC amplified formula as they are also very creamy and easy to apply. The colours are a little less pigmented than the MAC alternative but are more in budget that MAC for some people, are are very good value for the money. I frequently find myself browsing the Topshop lipstick collection which is vast and has every colour you could think of! I have previously written a more in depth review of Ohh La La here.

The Bourjois Colour Boost lip crayons were extremely popular this time last year and every time I went into my local Boots store they were always sold out, especially in these two shades which epitomise summer and spring to me. The lip crayons are more like a cross between a lip balm and lip gloss as they have a 'sheeny' finish which does leave a slight tint to your lips even after the glossy effect has worn away. I wouldn't say they last the 10 hours that Bourjois claim, but they are lovely for something lighter for no makeup-makeup days when the sun is shining and your spending the day outside. They are a little more subtle than a lipstick and give a shine in the sun which I love when I don't want a creamy and very pigmented lip. 

All the options are pretty affordable and good for different occasions whether you're going out in the evening and want a heavier but still summery lip, or for in the day if you fancy a wash of colour and a gloss and all are handbag essentials for me during this time of year.

Which are your spring lipstick picks? Which of these lipsticks would you pick? Do you prefer the amplified creamy finish or glossy finish?

weekly roundup #4

cause i like to make my mid-morning/essay writing snack look pretty / perks of living in a 5th floor flat / mac #217 dupe / pub lunch in the sun

I've had a pretty good week this week and today topped it off wonderfully. Again, I've been doing lots of research and writing for my essays but it's going very well and seem to be motivating myself well so I treated myself to a night out on Saturday. It was a really good night overall, I spent a little too much money but I woke up without a hangover and it was a wonderfully sunny day. (17 degrees, holla!) You guys should be grateful you do not have me on snapchat, it was a sight to behold to say the least (dramatic rendition of Talk Dirty by Jason Derulo anyone? Um, didn't think so.)

I've spent much of the week on my own which has provided me with lots of time to do my essays, time to think lots of stuff over and to perk myself back up again (hopefully), it has been an emotional week in my flat and I for one, am not excluded from all the crying that went on! 

Hoping for a positive week with less tears and another essay done!

mac #217 dupe

I recently saw that Islay (Islaay) wrote a blog post about some MAC 217 brush dupes that she found on eBay and recommended, you can find the blog post here and the eBay link here. So of course, for the amazing price of just 99p each (!!) I couldn't refuse that sort of offer and even if the brushes were under par then I'd have only lost pence per brush. Although the brushes have been sent all the way from Hong Kong, they didn't take long to arrive and since I was in no dire need for them, I didn't mind waiting at all. 

I am very impressed with the quality of these brushes for the cheap price, they are so soft and seem like they will blend eyeshadow effortlessly and wash well (although I am yet to do either yet). Comparing to the original MAC 217 brush, the bristles are slightly longer, which I don't mind at all and the 'stem' of the brush (where you hold - I think it's called that, correct me if I'm wrong..) is slightly thicker, which again I don't mind at all. 

For the price, they are very very good dupes for someone just getting into makeup, if you love a good blending brush, or hate cleaning your brushes regularly (like me!). I bought two of these but I am tempted to order a few more because I'm so impressed and on a student budget I can't afford to stock up on real MAC 217's.

(On nails is Ciate 'Pepperminty')

spring makeup and outfit idea

*Warning: Photo Heavy Post*

BASE: Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer / Revlon Colour Stay for Combination/Oily skin / Collection Lasting Perfection / 17 Phwoarr Paint / Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

BROWS: MUA #19 / Natural Collection Clear Mascara

CHEEKS: Topshop 'Head Over Heels' Cream Blush / MAC 'Harmony' Blush

EYES: Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo 'On and On Bronze' / L'Oreal Paris Colour Infaillible 'Sahara Treasure' / MAC 'Harmony' Blush / Urban Decay 'Venus' (from Naked Basics)

LIPS: Rimmel 'Amethyst Shimmer' /OR/ MAC 'Impassioned'

No idea what this face is... Delusions I think

Just a quick outfit idea which is pretty but a bit edgy at the same time. A simple white cropped top, floral skirt and grey vans paired with a gold chain necklace which could be worn long or double up to be shorter.

I'll definitely be making more use of the L'Oreal Colour Infaillible shadow as I forgot just how gorgeous it is! Plus Bronze/Shimmery eyes are bang on trend for SS14 so I will definitely be sticking to this and updating my neutral eyes. I'm also in love with the Rimmel Amethyst Shimmer lipstick which I bought just the other day. 

sneaky shopping trip

What we planned to be a small trip into town to shop turned into over £100 worth of goods being lugged home... just for myself. oops. 

All the beauty in boots was 3 for 2, which is just too good to resist in my opinion so I picked up:

Revlon Colour Stay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin ('Buff'):

Repurchase of a well loved foundation. It's only flaw is that it doesn't have a pump which buggs me no end and I'm sure one bottle would last longer if so much wasn't wasted by pouring it on the back of my hand. 

Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealor:

Another repurchase and has been raved about by everyone and their mother!

Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo ('Rose Gold'):

I already have 'On and On Bronze' and 'Permanent Taupe' and love them so fancied a lighter shade for spring. Lovely alone or under powder eyeshadow to increase the lasting power.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick ('Amethyst Shimmer'):

A bit of a different choice for me as I've never owned a purple shade of lipstick, I'm very much a pink, coral or red kinda girl but I fancied something different. This swatches lovely and the shimmer isn't too much, can't wait to try it out. 

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss ('22'):

Hate that the Kate Moss collections don't have lipstick names only numbers, but aside from that this is a pink-red which is just another hue of red/pink to add to my ever-growing collection. It's beautifully pigmented and will look great in spring and summer to brighten up my neutral eyes!

Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer:

I currently own the Benefit Stay Flawless 15-hour Primer which is nice but I wouldn't necessarily repurchase it. I have fairly big pores and this primer doesn't deal with this, it's primary use is to pro-long makeup which it does a good job of. But I do need something with minimises the look of my pores but also pro-longs the wear of my makeup, so in fear of spending another ridiculous amount of money on a primer I picked up this Rimmel one! If you have any suggestions on a good primer for this, please let me know! 

Topshop 'Tile Print Tunic' found here for £34. Although this dress was a little more expensive (which caused me to umm and ahh...) the material is lovely and thick, the top is nicely fitted while the skirt hangs well. Can't wait to wear this with tights for the meantime and then with cute sandals when the weather warms up!

New Look jumper in the sale for £12. I can't get enough of jumpers... it's becoming a problem. I have a few pastel colours and grey, etc, but not a black so for £12 I thought why not!

New Look 9/15 Range Floral Skirt in the sale for £6. Absolute bargain! Yes, this is from the children's section at New Look, but admit it, they have some nice stuff! I'll wear this skirt with black tights and my Chelsea boots for the mean time but as soon as the weather hots up, my legs will be out! Good to be paired with a simple vest or crop top in the summer or a jumper for colder months.

H&M 'Fine Knit Jumper' found here for £12.99. Nice slouchy fit which is just thick enough to not have to wear a vest top underneath, but you could layer one underneath for extra warmth! So so comfy and I'll be wearing this with jeans and leggins, perhaps even a black skater skirt. 

H&M Gold Chain necklace found here for £3.99. A simple staple necklack which is long enough to double up (ie. go around your neck twice without being tight). 

In addition to all this, I bought lots and lots of underwear sets but I'll save you seeing photos of those! I bought a few from primark and a few from newlook. 

Would you like to see outfit posts on how I would style these items? How would you style them? Any makeup bits that you recommend? Do you know a pump that would fit the Revlon Colourstay Foundation?

weekly roundup #3

tesco meal deal is totally necessary / coffee and book tower / poorly night in on my lonesome / first wagamama's experience!

So this week I was feeling much better and positive that this would be the week I would finish my first essay! I set myself goals to go to the library at least twice to do work and to complete the essay ready to submit in a months time. I didn't fail! (yes, I'm surprised as you lot.) It took a lot of crying, patience, coffee, food and mental strength but I pushed through and completed this buggar of an essay. Remind me why I picked such a depressing title? It just made me not want to write. 

One day this week, everyone on my course was invited to attend a lecture on the modules available to us next year and to tell us about how to re-enrole and all that jazz which scared me, like a hell of a lot. It feels like only a month or so again that I had all my belongings packed into boxes and was moving into the big bad world. Sometimes I still feel like that anxious girl who had to force herself just to go into the living room to say hello to the people I'd be living with for at least the next year, but then I think of how I am now and I really have pushed my boundaries and am so grateful I did. But anyway, it feels far too early to be thinking about next year, but in reality, I have only 5 weeks of lectures left and then as of April 28th I'll have handed in my last assignment of first year and completed an entire year at university. Scary stuff. 

To treat ourselves for having such a productive week, my friends and I decided to go on a little (I use that term very warily) shopping trip yesterday which may turned into me spending over £100... sorry bank account. - I blame you topshop and boots. Post coming tomorrow on all my purchases. Then as an added couple of extra's we decided to stop at Wagamama's as none of us had ever been before and we  are forever seeing instagram photos of amazing food so we just had to check it out. I was not disappointed in the slightest, the food was so fresh and tasted incredible, will definitely be going back again. Then secondly, as we had so many heavy bags to carry back to the flat, we just had to stop at the pub for a drink, yknow, to give us strength to continue the walk home and stuff... do we really need an excuse? We are students afterall.

Last night (after feeling guilty about spending so much money), I decided to venture into selling a couple of items on ebay which I'd never worn and were just sitting in my wardrobe burning a hole in my purse. I listed two dresses: A Miss Selfridge Grey Cutout Bodycon Style Dress found here and a Miss Guided Black Shift Dress found here. Both size 8, both never worn, both true to size and are from a pet and smoke free home. 

March Goals

As we're now in March, where the heck has the time gone?!, I felt it appropriate and useful for my myself to write some goals I wish to achieve in March:

- Complete two more essays ready to be handed in on April 4th.

- End the day thinking of at least one positive thing that happened that day.

- Take better care of my hair - less heat, use a hair mask once a week, wash every other day as opposed to every day, etc.

- Utilise my time more effectively - be productive!

- Read more instead of constantly staring at a laptop/phone/ipad screen.

I shall update you next month on how I did with these! 

Have you had a nice week? Would you like to see outfit posts of what I bought and how I would style them?