Friday 29 July 2016

HAPPY NATIONAL LIPSTICK DAY!




Yes you read that right, national lipstick day is upon us so I've decided to share my favourite lipstick right now!

The lipstick I keep reaching for is Mac's 'Chatterbox' and I'm absolutely in love with it. This lipstick is not the typical matte formula I usually go for but this time is an 'amplified creme' and I think that's what is making this lipstick stand out from all others recently as it is a completely different texture and so comfortable to wear.

I think in the summer I try where possible to avoid matte as (although obviously it's staying power is better) it tends to dry out my lips which is what I'm trying to avoid in the summer sun. I've actually had this lipstick for quite a while and tested it out a few times but only recently have I been consistently using it without even a second thought to any others.

Pink is quite a daring colour for me and I usually stick to nudes and in winter dabble slightly with a red or dark purple but this is the first time I've honestly ever used a pink, ALL ON ITS OWN!

Although I don't cake it on, the colour is very pigmented and stands out a mile. It took me a long time to completely get used to and feel comfortable with the colour, but now I think it's nice to experiment more with brighter and more unusual colours and it's actually becoming some what of a trend! With Colour Pop and Kylie Cosmetics among many others bringing out green, blue and black lipsticks it seems the lipstick colour spectrum is endless!

What's the most daring lipstick colour you've worn? What's your favourite lipstick to wear in the summer? Do you have a dream colour you wish you could pull off?

Happy National Lipstick Day!!

Until next time, Toni. xo



Wednesday 27 July 2016

Summer Secret? Setting Spray!


In the UK at the moment we seem to be having the best summer I may have ever witnessed but let's not jinx it! I would like to keep the temperature between 20°- 30° for as long as possible to actually go out and enjoy my days off work and make the most of my summer wardrobe! HOWEVER the biggest problem that this beautiful but very hot weather poses is that my make up literally runs off my face, now obviously I don't wear a full face of make up every day in these high temperatures but when I do I want it to actually stay on...

Well I think I've found the answer, the secret to keeping your make up on so your face doesn't look like a melting panda: Urban Decay's Setting Spray!

Although the setting spray has been available for quite a while now and sat in the back of my make up collection waiting to be used I've only recently picked it up and fell in love with it thanks to this hot weather and my goodness am I glad! The spray I have been using is the 'All Nighter' long lasting formula however there is also a 'De-slick' oil control and 'Chill' cooling and hydrating formula.


The 'All Nighter' spray prevents make up melting, moving into lines or creases and fading promising to last up to 16 hours. When spraying it over your make up to get best results you should spray in and 'X' and 'T' formation, the formula is very light weight but requires a few minutes to dry properly to set you off for your day/night.

I think although the formula alone is very effective for best results I've noticed my make up lasting longer with primer and plenty of setting powder also. This is simply an addition at the very end of my normal make up routine to hold everything in place and fight against the humidity in the hot summer months or nights out.




What are your best tips for keeping your make up in place during summer? Let me know!

Until next time, Toni. xo

Monday 25 July 2016

Boats, Bridges & Blue Sky

 Recently myself and a few of my family members jumped on a boat in Stafford (Norbury Wharf) and slowly made our way down a river for around 8 hours, mowing up when we came across a nice pub, park or picnic space.

I really enjoyed a day away from fast paced and everyday life to just sit back and appreciate my surroundings and reflect on what is actually happening around me. I've always been a live in the moment kind of person where I enjoy what is happening right now and try not to worry what tomorrow will bring or what happened yesterday; but whilst I sat on the boat in the sunshine, with no phone signal and very little modern technology, I enjoyed thinking about what I have coming up and what I have been up to these past few months.

I've finished all of my college exams
Left college for good
Completed a level 2 IAG qualification
Bagged myself a new job
Nearly finished learning to drive
Been on holiday
Experienced a range of new things
Met so many new and amazing people
& had so much fun in the process!!

My day on the boat turned into one of the most relaxing and reflective days off I think I've ever taken, I think I'm slowly changing my 'living for the now' mindset and want to try and slow down every now and then to appreciate the whirl wind I can find myself in occasionally. I think its important to find the healthy balance in not obsessing over the past and future but also not ignoring them until they hit you in the moment.

Do you live for the now or think about tomorrow too much?

I'll leave you with some of my favourite pictures I took from the day.

Until next time, Toni. xo








Saturday 9 July 2016

My Top 3 Mascaras


I think its fair to say that without these mascaras I would be lost when it comes to my lashes as these are what I like to call my holy grail products.

On my top lashes I always love to go OTT on the mascara, using several coats to thicken and lengthen every lash. The bottom I keep simple but effective with evenly coated and separated lashes. I never curl my lashes as I'm lucky to have naturally curly hair and lashes but do coat the back and front evenly which I find helps to lengthen and thicken.

On the top: I always go in first with the Soap and Glory Thick and Fast HD Mascara all over the lashes; front and back, several times to build up length and initial volume. I find this mascara an absolute dream to use with a perfectly shaped brush, long wand and smooth consistency. I think this mascara is great on its own and does exactly what it says on the packet but for personal preference I bulk it up with more.
On top of the first few coats of Thick and Fast, while still slightly wet, I go in with the Benefit They're Real! mascara. This is where the volume starts to build! After a few coats on the back and front with this, my lashes are looking long, thick and evenly coated. However, I do find the benefit mascara to be slightly clumpy on the tips of my eye lashes so go back with the thinner brush from the Soap and Glory mascara to separate the lashes to finish. The benefit mascara is very fast drying which I love so I don't smudge or run any of the product.

On the bottom: My bottom lashes are much more simple than the top in that I use one product only and coat the top side. I don't use too much product as my lashes are fairy long and I try to avoid the spider leg-look! For this I use the Nars Audacious Mascara. This mascara comes with the most perfect sized brush for my bottom lashes with small, thin bristles and a short wand which allows me more control. With 2/3 even coats of this mascara on my bottom lashes I'm finally finished and left with long, thick and separated lashes on both top and bottom!

Until next time, Toni. xo