Super Afforable Brush Set For Beginners

Being the makeup junkie that I am I'm always buying more makeup, experimenting with more makeup and seeing new makeup. As I have learnt since I first delved into the world of makeup, brushes are amazing tools that can help you transform meagre makeup into flawless makeup. And who doesn't want flawless makeup?! Being me, I am super lazy when it comes to cleaning my brushes. I mean I do it when I have to and I get around to it but I put it off for as long as possible. As well as this certain makeup looks, especially when it comes to the eyes, require multiple brushes that do the same thing, therefore it is always good to have spares. So the point of this rambling intro is that I bought new brushes cause obviously I don't have enough as it is!

I had seen a post about this set from eBay a while ago and it was such a great review. Firstly they were only around the £5 mark, which is incredible considering you get 12 brushes (one of which has gone walkies already), the bristles are so soft and don't scratch the skin at all when using them like some brushes I have. I mainly bought this set for the eye brushes as I don't have as many of these as I do face brushes. They came with a handy draw string bag which can carry them all if necessary, this is great for taking them away with you to keep them all clean and together.

As you can see from the pictures you get 6 face brushes and 5 eye brushes. These come in such a great range of sizes that can be used for all sorts of jobs not just those they are designed for. The bristles are lovely and fluffy, great for blending and don't shed to much (or even at all)  as far as I can tell. The bamboo handles are comfortable to hold, however the only thing I would say that reflects the price of this set is that the smallest brush came without a ferrule, which means I'm going to have to be extra careful when washing it.

I'm so chuffed with this set and I would totally recommend it to anyone looking to start their brush collection or just to add to one they've already got!

Love, Beth xo

My Top Affordable Lip Liners

Lip liners are having a moment, it is undeniable and I am totally on board! 

I was never really into lip liners until they exploded back onto the scene lately and always thought of them as something from the world of professional makeup artists or the 90s (not a look that many people would pull off nowadays). However I am a total convert and wear them with lipstick to help keep it neat and long lasting as well as wearing it alone for super longevity.

I must admit the first lipliner I actually bought was a clear one, just to keep bold lipsticks actually on my lips without that pesky colour bleeding. But saying that it is so handy having a one-fits-all lip liner which saves the hassle of matching the right colour to your lipstick every time. This one from Rimmel is great and the fact that it's a twist up pencil saves the hassle of sharpening it too!

Much like many others I was drawn in by the lips of the one and only Kylie Jenner, let's face it who wasn't?! and for the whole time she was telling us it was all makeup everyone wanted a piece of that, including me. To bad it turns out it was quite like that, but that didn't stop everyone and their mother posting tutorials to youtube showing you how it's done.

Cue me buying the closest pink/mauve/brown matte lipliners I could afford. Bringing Rimmel's Exaggerate Lip Liner in Eastend Snob into the game. Can I just say that I love the name! This is a great product, so good in fact that when woke up after a night out to find that I had lost it, I was genuinely said and on a mission to buy a replacement ASAP. It's comfortable and such a flattering colour, which lasts forever and again no need to sharpen it. 

I went onto pick up another Rimmel liner, brownie points to them for bringing it in terms of great quality and affordable prices, this time from the Lasting Finish range in Spice. This colour is beautiful. That's all. Only down side is that when it's not fully sharpened the pencil can be uncomfortable on the lips, not make or break though.

On to the one I've used the least out of the bunch but that is still lovely, Maxfactor's Colour Elixir in Mauve Moment. This is definitely more of a purple than I thought it would be but it is still lovely for those days you want a darker lip rather than a nude. This has a great consistency and goes on so smoothly.

Finally (I forgot this one when taking photos sorry! but it is the bottom swatch) Makeup Forever's Aqua Lip in 1C. This isn't quite as affordable as the others but I wanted to sneak it in anyway as I bought this on an impulse to try out some new brands whilst I had a discount code and some money off on a website, so technically it was affordable for me! This is an orange toned nude which looks lovely with a bit more of a tan. It is the most matte out of the four coloured liners and therefore is a tad more drying but nothing too intolerable. This product has great pigmentation and stays put!

Overall these are some really great, affordable lip liners that are wearable and long lasting. These brands have a selection of colours and formulas that mean you don't necessarily have to spend to get a great product.

Beth xo

Products mentioned:

Rimmel Moisture Renew Universal

Rimmel Exaggerate Eastend Snob

Rimmel Lasting Finish Spice

Maxfactor Colour Elixir Mauve Moment

Makeup Forever Aqua Lip 1C

Handbag Sized Perfume | Zara Oreintal

This was a guilty last-minute-till-stand purchase. 

I had picked up the bottle of this in the store whilst browsing but put it down as I don't really need another perfume. However when I saw it in the rollerball I just couldn't help myself, 'how handy' I justified as I added to my pile. 

This is a gorgeous mixture of musky vanilla and sweeter tones; it contains "Caramel, Strawberry, Vanilla and Musk". It's such a beautiful smell that is classic and not too over powering. The only thing I would say about this product is that it doesn't last a long time, which is kind of a given with cheaper perfumes, so it's nothing I didn't expect. However the convenience of the rollerball almost makes up for this as you can easily carry it in your bag and top it up as and when.

I will definitley repurchase this when it's runs out and at around the £3 mark it's a steal!

Beth xo

Top Tips For When Your Gap Year Goes Wrong

In case you didn't know I am on a gap year and also the plans I have ended up with are not those I had when I decided I was going to take a gap year, neither are they the same as they were at the start of my gap year or even a couple of months ago. But that is not to say I am not incredibly excited to be on a gap year or that I regret taking one.

All I am trying to say is that your plans may not go as intended and even though that can be scary, it's ok!

 Taking a gap year has always been on the cards for me, and when it came to my second year of A Levels and applying for UCAS I knew in my mind that it was something I had to do. I am someone who really, and I mean really stresses about exams and grades. So after going through GCSE's and A Levels my stress rate was at an all time high, I had a melt down the night before one of my final exams and my brain was kaput at the end of it all. So I was incredibly pleased and relieved when summer finally came and I knew I had a whole year to not worry about education or learning or revising or exams. In fact, this is kind of what got me through it all.

I will admit that I was a bit naïve about my plans and didn't really put them into effect as quickly as I should have. I didn't do much research, I had next to no money saved up yet but I settled on the idea of a couple months of interrailing with a friend. I thought that I could just work solidly for a few months and then head off. Safe to say, this never happened. Down to a couple of reasons really. So, ultimatley I was left with no plans and no backup.

Whilst worrying I had wasted a year and was sat at home jealous of my friends on freshers, I discovered Camp America when talking to a friend. After researching it some more it looked like something I would be really interested in and even though entries had been open for a couple of months I applied anyway.

Now six months later I am preparing to fly to the US for 3 months and I couldn't be more excited! It was quite a lengthy process and there's a lot to sort out but I really think it will all be worth it. I'm already planning on going again next year and I haven't even got there yet.

Now I'm not saying Camp America will be for everyone and it's not something that will take up your entire year off either. All I'm saying is that even if your original plans go wrong, or you have no idea what to do with a whole year off, there are so many options that you might not even have heard of.

If I were to do this year all over again here are some tips I would give myself to ensure that it went a bit more smoothly:

• Have a plan in advance. Don't leave it until you've finished college to make your plans. Think about what you'd like to do and what's available to you.
• Have a backup. As they say, 'don't put all your eggs in one basket'. Don't depend on just one friend, or if you do make sure you're both as invested as each other. Have several ideas and see which is the most viable.
• Do your research. Check out how much things will cost, what your plans will entail, how likely they are to actually come through. Definitely look at all your options eg. volunteering, interrailing, summer camps, trekking.
• Budget. Luckily, this is something I have done quite well with. Make sure you can afford your trip. Get a savings account and put a proportion of what you earn aside every time you get paid. Possibly set up a standing order to transfer the money, this means you won't forget or spend it. Getting into a routine of saving money really helps towards your end goal. Don't think about the clothes you could have now, think about the amazing time you could be having later!

I hope this was helpful for anyone looking in to taking a gap year or anyone who is worried about planning one! My biggest tip is not to worry if your plans go wrong. There are so many options nowadays and even more people out there to help! 

I would most definitely recommend a gap year, it's a great time to relax and enjoy yourself. It gives you valuable lessons in time and money management and lets you travel whilst you still have minimal ties and responsibilities. Saying that, I'm so excited to start uni in September and haven't lost my urge to go back into education at all.

Beth xo

Lunch at the Blue Bar

I think it's safe to say that spring is finally here! 

Even though there is still some clouds and a few showers the warmth is lingering and the evenings are wonderful. 

Even though it's been a bit overcast I took a trip to the beach with my friend for a catch up and some food. 

The Blue Bar in Porthtowan is a lovely little spot just at the edge of the beach, with picturesque views and a delicious menu. It's a favourite spot of ours for a bit of fresh air and a coffee and for making the most of being able to sit outside without getting drenched or shivering to death!

For lunch I got the dirty chips (pulled pork, jalepeños and cheese on top of rustic chips) which actually turned out to be a sharing plate, oops! So I'm betting the waiter thought I had a rather large appetite eating it all on my own, but obviously I couldn't finish it. Daisy got the halloumi fajitas, which are AMAZING and definitely look the part too, yum! 

After our food and a lengthy catch up we took a walk down the beach to the sea which turned out to be very windy and a lot colder than expected, so it wasn't long before we headed back. 

I don't think I appreciate living so close to the coast enough, being a 15 minute drive from the beach really is a privilege, even when the sun isn't shining.

Beth xo

My Top Picks : America Beauty Shopping List

As you know I will be jetting of to America in just under a month and I couldn't be any more excited and nervous all at the same time! One thing I am especially excited for is shopping! Any blogger from the UK will know there are several cult brands and products that just aren't available over here (or if they are they're either a bugger to get hold of or mega expensive). So I am going to be making the most of my time over there and scouting out some things that have only just caught my eye and some things I've been lusting after for so long (of course)!

Milani Brow Fix

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Concealer

Fresh Beauty Sugar Lip Balm

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush

Sephora Liquid Lipsticks

Sephora Sheet Masks

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Eyeshadow Palette

Colour Pop Liquid Lipsticks

Lorac Pro Palette

Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation

Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadows

Dr Jart+ Water Replenishment Sheet Mask

Covergirl Mascara

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

Milani Baked Blushes

You may have noticed a lot of Tarte products in my list, but it's a brand that I've wanted to try so badly for so long that I just need to get my hands on at least one of these products. Just look at that palette! On the topic of palette's, the Lorac Pro is one I have had my eye on for so long but is notoriously difficult to get your hands on over here. 

I'm aware some of these things you can get in the UK but I where I live unfortunately I don't have many decent beauty counters or shops.

Fingers crossed I can find as many of these as possible and that I don't run out of money!

Beth xo

Soap&Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Matte-Lip

I picked this up a while ago when in line for the till at Boots and I was so excited about it, but wanted to give it a good test before writing my thoughts. I picked it quite hastily therefore I didn't have time to swatch it first, so I went for the one I thought was most 'me'. I picked this one called 'Choccoberry' thinking it would be brown toned, which it is, just not as much as I hoped it would to be. 

It fits the name pretty well, it is a brown toned berry shade, however it comes out a lot bolder on the lips than I expected, showing more of the pink side than the brown. So if you're looking for a muted matte this isn't it.

All that aside it is a lovely colour that suits me well and one that I will wear. 

So onto the actual product, I picked this up as it was matte and I don't own many in my lipstick collection. I was excited by the bullet shaped product being in the popular crayon effect packaging; what I wasn't excited about was the amount of product you get! This whole product is a mini, I am ok with that, however when the packaging is longer than your finger and the amount of product you get is just a bit longer than your fingernail (1.4g) I am a bit miffed to say the least! But that's what you get for succumbing to the lures of till aisle sales.

The formula is nice and creamy, goes on smoothly and doesn't really highlight any imperfections on the lips. It doesn't go matte immediately and is easy to fix if you get it a bit out of line (as long as you don't leave it too long). I wouldn't say it's the most uncomfortable to wear however it is drying after a few hours, a quick bit of lip balm on before can stave this off for a while longer though.

This product doesn't fare well against eating however is a bit better with drinking. It's not hard to reapply though so just be aware of this and keep a compact mirror handy for reapplication.

Overall it's a nice product in a lovely shade that suits my skin tone. It doesn't have the staying power of most matte lipsticks however does have great colour payoff. I would recommend if you want a nice matte colour to throw in your bag for on the go makeup.

Beth xo

P.s Shop this product below!

A Gallery Wall | Interiors & Design

For a long time now it has been a trend to cover yours walls/a statement wall with pictures, photos, drawings or doodles. I remember when it first started, my sister pritt sticking magazine pages all over one wall of her bedroom and getting her friends to sign and draw on another and being so jealous of how cool it looked and wanting mine the same. Typical sibling rivalry. However when I tried it managed to just look like some silly drawings in permanent marker, which in the end took quite a few cots of paint to cover up! 

Ever since, I have liked the idea of having a designated wall to be covered in colour and mismatched pictures. Pinterest is your best friend for inspiration in this department but my advice would just be to use things you like, as you can't go far wrong with that right? When I started this I sat down one afternoon and just scoured the net for pretty prints. Things that were bright and cute and had a similar theme but were not too restricted to that. After I had a folder full I sat at the printer for a good 20 mins and then cut them to look neat. 

I wanted things that would cheer me up when I looked at them or things that would brighten up my room and inspire me. I already had the bunting up so just worked around it and put things where they fit, spreading the colour throughout the plainer pieces. I absolutley love the Agate water colour painting, the pineapple and the twiggy eyes.

I found all of these prints online free for personal use, you wouldn't believe how much material is out there! And I found so many lovely blogs that create and share free designs. I will credit all of these prints to the sources that I found them from.

I love walking into my room now and seeing this pop of colour and inspiration, I think it's such a great feature for any room. Obviously with the space around this I can continue to add more as well as take things away to keep it fresh and interesting. Using pins makes this really easy; as well as this you can change up the pins to alter the look of the gallery. I used ones we had in the house but I love the look of these. You can really get creative with this and have fun!

Love, Beth x

Sources: Smitten on Paper

Little Gold Pixel (pineapple) (diamond)

The Graphics Fairy

CoCorrina

Persia Lou

Oh So Lovely

A Beautiful Mess

The 36th Avenue

Kristen Duke

Tater Tots and Jello

A Fabulous Fete

Pinterest