Review: MUA Nail Constellation

I’ve had my eye on MUA’s Nail Constellations for a while and I’ve seen this look in a few magazines and was keen to give it a try. Firstly I painted my nails in Barry M’s Nail Paint in Indigo, then whilst still wet you tip the little balls out the nozzle. Make sure you have a tissue underneath your hand, they do tend to go everywhere! You then need to pat them into place and let them dry.

 

I only did one nail on each hand but found the application process quite stressful. All the balls got stuck in the dispenser nozzle and when I did manage to get them out, they went everywhere! The overall look was fab and it was a great contrast with my blue nails.

However and it’s a big however.... they didn’t last long at all! I did them early one evening and by the time I woke up the next morning they had all fallen off!

 

Seriously disappointed with this product and won’t be purchasing it again, which is a shame as I had high hopes for it.

Motivational Monday #16

Madonna is the ultimate modern day feminist. She is fierce, fearless and driven to achieve. I love this quote and my aim this week is to channel it. I want to be more assertive, start focusing on myself more and most importantly stop apologizing for it!

We often spend a lot of time worrying about other people, in terms of if they are ok, what they are thinking and what they think of you. I know I do! So as great as it is to care for others, if you don't start fighting for, and looking after yourself, who else will?

Happy Monday! x

A 90's Child...

Lately I’ve been feeling hugely nostalgic, reminiscing about my childhood. I think this all stemmed from a few weeks ago, I went and watched the Big Reunion live with the likes of Five, Blue and B*Witched performing. It took me back to my ore-teens and as a result led to numerous ‘OMG, do you remember…’ conversations! So if you’re a 90’s kid too you may remember a few of these. I thought it would be fun to share what me and my pals came up with. Would love to hear if you can remember anymore, so please leave comments!

1.      Shag Bands – those really tacky plastic bracelets that you would wedge 100s of up your arm. If one snapped….. Oooh the implications!

2.      Blow up bags, chairs etc. Massive craze for this at one point!

3.      You either collected ‘Goosebumps’ or ‘True Romance’ books. I was a ‘True Romance’ girl, I couldn’t even watch the Goosebumps TV show as it used to scare me too much!

4.      Pogs and Tazos.

5.      Saturday afternoons/evenings sat in front of the TV consisted of Baywatch, Gladiators, Generation Game and Noels House Party. I used to love Noels House Party, Bring it back!!!

6.      Penny sweets were actually a penny!

7.      Hooch, Bacardi Breezers etc.

8.      The Spice Girls were running the world! Girl Power!

9.      Everyone knew the dance to the Macarena and Saturday night, even if they won’t admit it!

 

 

10.  Trolls! I used to have loads of these. I came across one of these the other day and are actually pretty freaky looking. How did we all think they were cute!

11.  Saved by the Bell on a Saturday morning. Screech was a legend!

12.  Blue Mascara and awful coffee named lipsticks – Just me?!

13.  Byker Grove used to be on just as you got home from school.

14.  Sing it with me… 0181 811 8181… you couldn’t help yourself could you? The live and kicking phone number! The only way to start your weekend!

15.  Jelly Shoes!

They just don’t make childhoods like this anymore!!

FOTD: Au Natural

I don’t know how everyone else feels, but when the weather starts to perk up and the sun is shining like it has been lately, I want my look to be a bit more natural and embrace my looks. But and there is a big but, when I don’t wear any make up, rather than being told how beautiful and fresh I look, I get asked if I’m unwell and get told how pale, tired and rough I look! The joys of being a woman!

So the ‘Au Natural’ look for me is pulling off a barely any make up look whilst wearing enough to cover blemishes and bags, and adding a touch of colour. This can be a delicate balance to create, but I think I manage to pull it off?!

FACE: MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC15, Benefit Fake Up in 01 Light

EYES: Chanel Paris Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Black, Benefit They’re Real Mascara

LIPS:  Bourjois Paris Effet 3D Volume and Shine Elixer Gloss in 53

 

Feeling Blue...

I am obsessing over Essie polishes at the moment, and I have to admit my lust for them is increasing now they are being sold in my local Superdrug. They don’t seem to chip easily, they dry so quickly and they come in a wide range of colours. What’s not to love?!

 

My nails are currently sporting ‘Lapiz of luxury’, a gorgeous cornflower blue almost verging on indigo. It’s a really fun colour, but isn’t too in your face. Perfect for work! I’ve had nothing but compliments about this polish and think it’s going to be a firm favourite.

Monday Motivation #15

It’s the small things that make me smile! It really is. I came across this quote the other day and it really touched me. I love it when someone remembers my name, or something I may have mentioned a while back and they care to ask about it. I try hard to do this to do this when it comes to others, I think its touching, caring and makes people feel valued.

Book Club: Q & A with Lindsey Kelk

I am ridiculously excited to bring you this post today. Lindsey Kelk is one of my favourite authors and she kindly agreed to do a Q & A for the blog, talking about her books and beauty, my fave subjects! I have read all Lindsey books and she manages to create a fab balance of romance and comedy. If you've not read her ‘I Heart...’ series, I seriously recommend you check it out. Lindsey also lives in New York and is a big fan of WWE. I defy you not to like this woman!

 

 

 

You live in New York, What made you move there?

I loved the city and from the first time I visited for work, I knew I wanted to move but couldn’t see a way how. Happily, a job came up within my company and I got the opportunity to move. Now I write fulltime and am applying for a green card. I can’t imagine living anywhere else, the city makes me myself.

Where is your favourite place in NYC?

I live in Brooklyn and I love, love, love just being in my apartment. I’m close enough to Prospect Park to see some trees from time to time but near enough to the subway that I can be anywhere I need to be in half an hour. Other than that, my go to spots are mostly downtown, brunch in the West Village, drinks in the East Village, dancing in Williamsburg. If I’m in a bit of a mood, I search out a view. I love the waterfront in Williamsburg and often pop down to Battery Park to stare at the Statue of Liberty. Sorts me right out.

What’s your favourite US beauty buy that you just can’t get in the UK?

I’m not sure there actually is one – I’m far more likely to buy up Bourjois and Boots 17 these days! That said, I love NYC for manicures, they’re so cheap and so available. I’ve turned into a bit of a madam about them.

What’s the one thing you most miss about the UK?

My friends and the prices in Topshop. Everything is double here!

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

There are so many amazing things about being able to do what I love and tell stories for a living but if I step away and look at the bigger picture, it’s got to be that what I do makes people happy. Can’t argue with that.

What inspires you and where do you get your writing ideas from?

Everything and everywhere. I’m a big fan of women and I think we’re living in such an interesting time right now, so much is changing and we’re dealing with a lot of new stuff that previous generations haven’t had to think about. The burden of choice. I find a lot of inspiration in friendships – even though a lot of the focus on my books ends up being about the romance, the friendships and personal growth of the characters is what concerns me the most when I’m writing.

Of all your books, which one is your favourite?

It changes all the time. I love I Heart New York because it was the first, I really like Paris because I think it’s a good story. Vegas is fun because it reminds me of my trips to Vegas and now I’ve got some distance from it, I love About A Girl. It was hard to write but I think it’s good. I never think my books are good. Hopefully that’s a positive sign!

Which one of your characters, from all the books you’ve written, are you most like?

I’m like all of them. The girls, the boys, the bitches and the doormats. There’s definitely part of me in every character or part of every character in me. Upsettingly, it’s often the flaws I identify with the most but that’s probably why I write a way out of them for the characters! I’m easily as terrible at communicating as Angela, I can be as domineering and psych 101 as Jenny and I’m as useless at getting what I want from a relationship as Tess. Rachel was pretty together although I’ve floundered in dying relationships too. They’re all in there.

Your new book which is out in July, About a Girl, is about Tess, who to escapes her life pretends to be someone else. Have you ever done that?

No! I wouldn’t have the balls. When I moved to New York, I thought I was super cool and was going to live in Hipsterville and run with all these cool kids in bands but after a couple of months, I just wanted to go home, have a cup of tea and put on a Buffy boxset. I’m set as who I am and I’m pretty happy with it.

If you could pretend to be someone else, and get away with it, who would you be?

Beyonce. Which would be interesting.

About a Girl is set in Hawaii, where is your favourite sunshine destination?

Hawaii. It was amazing. I’ve never been a beach person and writing about a sunshine destination was a big test for me. Before I got to Oahu, I was really struggling with the book, I just couldn’t make it come alive but as soon as I landed, I fell in love. Everything fell into place after that. I’m constantly scheming to go back but I have no time!

Is it true, this book is part of a new series?

It is. The second book will be out next summer.

What are your favourite things to do when you’re not writing?

Sleep, sleep and sleep. And once I’m awake, it’s definitely hang out with my friends. I can actually feel myself recharging every second that I’m with them, it really doesn’t matter where. I love to travel and I’ve managed to pick up some pretty awesome people everywhere I’ve been so I try to get around and see everyone. I also love music so I go to as many gigs as I can, not that many these days, I love to dance and I love to practise yoga. I’m getting better but I still can’t stand on my head!

What’s your top 3 can’t live without beauty products?

Benefit They’re Real mascara, Maybelline Dark Circle Eraser concealer and Dior Lip Glow balm.

What’s the most expensive product you’ve ever purchased?

My Mulberry Alexa bag. I got it in duty free when I was delayed and convinced myself it was a bargain then nearly threw up on the plane. I use it all the time though!

What’s your top beauty trick or tip you can share with our readers?

I don’t really have any secret tips but I cannot pass up an opportunity to tell people to use sunscreen. I’m always getting compliments on my skin and it’s ALL SUNSCREEN. I wear it every day. Do it, people!

Can you tell us a secret about ‘I heart Christmas’?

Someone has a baby…

 

Lindsey’s latest offering ‘About a Girl’ will be available from the 4^th July. I’ve pre-ordered my copy, have you?