With just over a week to go until I go travelling, I've decided to create a blog all about my trip. It will be completely separate to this blog, and will feature pictures (hopefully) and a post everyday (hopefully), as I trek around Europe with my two friends for 5 weeks. If that's something you'd be interested in reading, I'll leave the link on this blog before I go so you can check it out!
B x
Sunday 23 June 2013
Friday 24 May 2013
The Hairdressers |
I just wanted to put it out there - does anyone else hate having their hair cut?
I get genuinely nervous hours before going, and sit there in absolute stress and anxiety the whole time I'm there. Which, trust me, is a long time due to the length of my hair and the speed it grows at. And its not like I have an awful hairdresser who makes the experience unpleasant, I've just always hated going. I hate the thought of someone else being in complete control over something that will effect me! And yes hair will grow back, but that doesn't stop me being terrified.
I sit there, waiting with butterflies in my stomach. They then ask if I would like a drink, which I always reply yes to, but never actually drink it. They then wash my hair - am I the only one who thinks it strange that someone is stood washing your hair? This leads on to an uncomfortable decision about the temperature of the water, and the pressure of the head massage. And then the snipping starts. This is the worst bit, I get so anxious and anticipate every snip of those tiny evil scissors. Afterwards they blast my head off with a fancy hair dryer where I watch in content on how they are drying my hair so quickly and why it always takes me ages.
I then pay, book an appointment that I will probably change because I only get my hair cut twice a year, and leave with hair that I find to be - okay.
Please say I'm not the only one who feels like this?!
If I am, it'll be just another hole in the belt of weird things in my life.
Bea x
I get genuinely nervous hours before going, and sit there in absolute stress and anxiety the whole time I'm there. Which, trust me, is a long time due to the length of my hair and the speed it grows at. And its not like I have an awful hairdresser who makes the experience unpleasant, I've just always hated going. I hate the thought of someone else being in complete control over something that will effect me! And yes hair will grow back, but that doesn't stop me being terrified.
I sit there, waiting with butterflies in my stomach. They then ask if I would like a drink, which I always reply yes to, but never actually drink it. They then wash my hair - am I the only one who thinks it strange that someone is stood washing your hair? This leads on to an uncomfortable decision about the temperature of the water, and the pressure of the head massage. And then the snipping starts. This is the worst bit, I get so anxious and anticipate every snip of those tiny evil scissors. Afterwards they blast my head off with a fancy hair dryer where I watch in content on how they are drying my hair so quickly and why it always takes me ages.
I then pay, book an appointment that I will probably change because I only get my hair cut twice a year, and leave with hair that I find to be - okay.
Please say I'm not the only one who feels like this?!
If I am, it'll be just another hole in the belt of weird things in my life.
Bea x
Thursday 23 May 2013
Exam Prep |
With exams on the horizon, I've been attempting to make the best out of the situation that will shortly become a reality. The exams that I will be sitting in the next few weeks will be some of the most important tests that I will ever have to sit, and the thought of this makes me extremely nervous.
However, ever the optimist, I'm trying to make the next week few weeks that slightly more torallable by carrying out a few simple things.
1. The first is food. Being healthy makes me feel good about myself and also has its health benefits. I have been stocking up the fridge with strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas and fat free vanilla yoghurt too. All of these are perfect to snack on whilst revising, and are also yummy in a bowl of yoghurt as a quick snack in study breaks.
2. Tidy room = tidy mind. That's what I believe anyway. Having a clean and tidy bedroom always keeps me in a calm mood, which once added with a heavily candle and clean sheets benefits me greatly when I'm stressed.
3. Keeping on top of everything is also vital around this time, especially sleep. Around this period, I aim to go to sleep between 10-10.30pm, in order to give myself around 8 hours sleep which is the recommended amount. I also aim to keep on top of small things like my washing, just so there is no added stress and I have a clean pair of jeans on the morning of my exam.
4. I know it's tempting but going on nights out isn't great when you need to study. I sound like mum, but nothing good will come of it! Of course you need time to relax and chill out, but going on a boozy night ruins the next day of revision cramming and ruins your sleep pattern. There will be plenty of other opportunities to go out once the exams are over...or so I keep telling myself!
5. Finding time to chill out and not revise is also important. To do this, I like go go for walks or go for lunch with friends, or just something to take my mind off Wuthering Heights and Othello.
These are just some of the things I do around exam time, hopefully you'll find some of these tips helpful! Do you have any?
Bea x
However, ever the optimist, I'm trying to make the next week few weeks that slightly more torallable by carrying out a few simple things.
1. The first is food. Being healthy makes me feel good about myself and also has its health benefits. I have been stocking up the fridge with strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas and fat free vanilla yoghurt too. All of these are perfect to snack on whilst revising, and are also yummy in a bowl of yoghurt as a quick snack in study breaks.
2. Tidy room = tidy mind. That's what I believe anyway. Having a clean and tidy bedroom always keeps me in a calm mood, which once added with a heavily candle and clean sheets benefits me greatly when I'm stressed.
3. Keeping on top of everything is also vital around this time, especially sleep. Around this period, I aim to go to sleep between 10-10.30pm, in order to give myself around 8 hours sleep which is the recommended amount. I also aim to keep on top of small things like my washing, just so there is no added stress and I have a clean pair of jeans on the morning of my exam.
4. I know it's tempting but going on nights out isn't great when you need to study. I sound like mum, but nothing good will come of it! Of course you need time to relax and chill out, but going on a boozy night ruins the next day of revision cramming and ruins your sleep pattern. There will be plenty of other opportunities to go out once the exams are over...or so I keep telling myself!
5. Finding time to chill out and not revise is also important. To do this, I like go go for walks or go for lunch with friends, or just something to take my mind off Wuthering Heights and Othello.
These are just some of the things I do around exam time, hopefully you'll find some of these tips helpful! Do you have any?
Bea x
Tuesday 26 March 2013
University Interview |
This was probably the most nerve-racking experience I have ever had to face, and in my typical style I decided to do it alone. The dreaded university interview; the one that lasts 1 hour, but you spend weeks and weeks planning. Because the worst thing that could happen is to be asking something about yourself that you don't actually know.
So, in order to show how independent I was, I travelled 5 hours on the train to get to university. Due to my over organised ways, I arrived a whole hour early. Yes, that's right, a whole hour in a university that I had never been to before, inside of a town that I did not know my way around. I had planned my day right down to the point and it still seemed to have flaws! I arrived at the train station, paid 30 pence to use the toilet (don't even get me started on that) and to get dressed. I then managed to struggle down a cheese and ham toastie and a mug of coffee to steady my nerves; however because of my nervous behaviour, I downed the coffee and got a burnt tongue, and scoffed the toastie so fast I had indigestion. Brill. I then caught several trains and arrived faster than my schedule told me I would, and found myself milling around with nothing better to do than call my parents and annoy them whilst they were at work.
I managed to last 50 minutes until I sprinted up to the reception and in my nervous disposition, gave my whole name, whilst forgetting that in my application I was asked to be called Bea in my interview. The poor little lady then spent the next 10 minutes trying to find Beatrice, until I remembered the error of ways and put her right. She wasn't best pleased to say the least...It killed time though.
I could feel the eyes of the other applicants all over me like a rash. Everyone was sussing each other out. Checking each others outfits, looking to see if they showed any nervous body language - you know the drill, complete and utterly judging someone on their looks to see if they are as good as you. Healthy.
Later I found myself in a lecture room, being told the structure of the course. Ah no biggie, it's not like I spent the last 3 weeks going through the 3 year course with a fine tooth comb just in case I was asked a question on it. No biggie that you just told all the other interviewees, even those who were stupid enough to come without reading the prospectus. Dang it!
The group interview was then next. I found myself sat in a circle (cute) with 2 other girls and 2 other boys, as well as the Mr.Interviewer who was firing questions at us. Scary at first, but quite invigorating when you answered a question which was received with a nod, and "good", and the scribble of a pen on paper.
Once this was all over, we had a tour of the building. It was strange looking at the other students thinking "this could be me in a years time", because I really knew deep down that this is where I wanted to study and live for the next 3 years of my life. Now that's a big commitment. But with universities they always say 'you get that feeling and you know' - very cliché but very true. It's an odd feeling that comes from inside, and its like someone flips the switch in your mind.
1 week later I found out the university has given me an offer - thank god! After my interview and "that feeling" I got, I had my heart set on it. And now it's given me the final push and umpf of motivation to go out and kick some ass in my final exams.
So, in order to show how independent I was, I travelled 5 hours on the train to get to university. Due to my over organised ways, I arrived a whole hour early. Yes, that's right, a whole hour in a university that I had never been to before, inside of a town that I did not know my way around. I had planned my day right down to the point and it still seemed to have flaws! I arrived at the train station, paid 30 pence to use the toilet (don't even get me started on that) and to get dressed. I then managed to struggle down a cheese and ham toastie and a mug of coffee to steady my nerves; however because of my nervous behaviour, I downed the coffee and got a burnt tongue, and scoffed the toastie so fast I had indigestion. Brill. I then caught several trains and arrived faster than my schedule told me I would, and found myself milling around with nothing better to do than call my parents and annoy them whilst they were at work.
I managed to last 50 minutes until I sprinted up to the reception and in my nervous disposition, gave my whole name, whilst forgetting that in my application I was asked to be called Bea in my interview. The poor little lady then spent the next 10 minutes trying to find Beatrice, until I remembered the error of ways and put her right. She wasn't best pleased to say the least...It killed time though.
I could feel the eyes of the other applicants all over me like a rash. Everyone was sussing each other out. Checking each others outfits, looking to see if they showed any nervous body language - you know the drill, complete and utterly judging someone on their looks to see if they are as good as you. Healthy.
Later I found myself in a lecture room, being told the structure of the course. Ah no biggie, it's not like I spent the last 3 weeks going through the 3 year course with a fine tooth comb just in case I was asked a question on it. No biggie that you just told all the other interviewees, even those who were stupid enough to come without reading the prospectus. Dang it!
The group interview was then next. I found myself sat in a circle (cute) with 2 other girls and 2 other boys, as well as the Mr.Interviewer who was firing questions at us. Scary at first, but quite invigorating when you answered a question which was received with a nod, and "good", and the scribble of a pen on paper.
Once this was all over, we had a tour of the building. It was strange looking at the other students thinking "this could be me in a years time", because I really knew deep down that this is where I wanted to study and live for the next 3 years of my life. Now that's a big commitment. But with universities they always say 'you get that feeling and you know' - very cliché but very true. It's an odd feeling that comes from inside, and its like someone flips the switch in your mind.
1 week later I found out the university has given me an offer - thank god! After my interview and "that feeling" I got, I had my heart set on it. And now it's given me the final push and umpf of motivation to go out and kick some ass in my final exams.
Monday 18 March 2013
Everyday Make -Up Routine |
My everyday make up routine is one in which I like to keep as simple as possible. I find that the more I put on, the worse my skin gets. If I'm honest, for everyday I prefer a basic look - it also means that when you do go out and put more effort in, people are more likely to notice! I'm currently really happy with the products I'm using, although I do like switching things up and testing things now and then, these products are currently what is working for me.
My skin is dry to combination, and I hate wearing heavy foundation. To be honest I only began using foundation when I was 17, before that it was all about the tinted moisturiser. Meaning that when I was testing foundations, I went for a light weight and light - medium coverage. And I've found a product that fits this criteria for me. Rimmel Match Perfectiom sweeps over the skin, almost creating a second layer on top of your skin. But don't get me wrong, it's so light that you can't feel it, it just feels like a mosuriser. The coverage is what it says on the bottle, it evens out my skin and reduces any redness I have but doesn't feel cakey or look orange. The shade is also great, once applied to the skin it sinks in and matches the colour of your skin creating no streaks or lines on your jaw line. I think you can tell that I'm in love with this foundation! The packaging is smart too, I like the glass bottle but I can see for people who carry their foundation in their bags that this could be an issue. The pump is also great as one pump is all I need for a full face; I'm head over heels in love with this foundation!
My next everyday obsession is Rimmel Stay Matte powder, a holy grail product for most beauty lovers. If you're in need of a powder that gives a gorgeous finish and doesn't look too heavy on the skin, this is perfect. A dust of this on your T-zone is absolute magic, it transforms my skin and also helps my make up last all day.
Brows. It's all about the brows in my book. I think having neat and tidy brows always finishes off a look and helps frame your bone structure too. My favourite product for this is Rimmel (I promise you this is not sponsored! I just love their products!) Brow Pencil. The reason I love this so much is because unlike a brow ink or brow gel, it leaves a really soft and natural finish. The kohl pencil helps fill in your brows, and the little brush on the end helps comb them through - also fantastic for travelling as you don't need to carry lots of products.
When it comes to concealer I'm alway a little bit hesitant. I get the worse under eye bags and the occasional spot on my fore head so it's a product I can't really leave the house without. After breaking the bank for the Bobbi Brown corrector, I didn't think it was all it was cracked up to be. And then I came across the Natural Collection concealer which is in a liquid format, and at the price of £2 I couldn't say no to trying it. And I'm glad I didn't. Because this covers everything I need it to but doesn't look cakey or heavy, it also moisturisers the skin and because its natural it doesn't make spots worse. Love. It.
Now the next product is one I could live without, but its something I enjoy wearing. Benefits Moon Beam has been a staple make up item in my make up bag for years now, I can't get enough of it. It's something I always repurchase, just because of the sun kissed dewy look it gives my cheekbones. It has purple undertones which I can see could annoy some people, but I like this finish as its subtle but adds a little something to your look.
My last face product is more of a high end product. Everything about this blush appeals to me- the packaging, the shade, the pigmentation...I could go on! This leaves a cute pop of pink on the cheeks, but doesn't make you look like a clown. It's perfect with every look and all year round and is worth every penny. The mirror inside also makes it easy to travel with, 10/10 from me.
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Finally on to the eyes. I only use 2 products on my eyes, the first being a liquid liner. After a long quest of trying to find the perfect liner, I have sort of drawn to the end. I say sort of because I don't think I will ever stop searching, but I'm happy with this. It's the Soap & Glory Supercat in black. Its fine almost marker like pen makes application easy and quick, and I'm rubbish at doing my liner! It gives a really strong black line and is great for adding details such as a wing effect.
The second eye product I use is Maybelline The Falsies Flared mascara in black. This product has been repurchased several times; it lengthens my lashes, covers with a decent amount to create a thick black lashing, and the flared brush helps to separate and curl my lashes - basically every thing a girl could want from a mascara!
The last addition in my make up bag is Burts Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. This helps keep my lips nourished, moisturised and prepped for any lip stick I later apply. It has a peppermint flavour and tingles the lips - I don't know if that means its working, but it keeps me satisfied thinking about saying goodbye to my chapped lips. This is my all time favourite lip balm and is never leaving my everyday make up routine, I am hooked.
While I'm here, I thought I'd mention the brushes I use to apply my everyday make up too- seeing as these are key in my routine. Real Techniques Brushes are great for applying all types of make up; they're super easy to use and make SUCH a difference to how your make up looks on your face. I use the buffing brush to apply my foundation, the contour brush for my blusher and the foundation brush for my concealer. A little bit mix and match but that's what works for me!
My skin is dry to combination, and I hate wearing heavy foundation. To be honest I only began using foundation when I was 17, before that it was all about the tinted moisturiser. Meaning that when I was testing foundations, I went for a light weight and light - medium coverage. And I've found a product that fits this criteria for me. Rimmel Match Perfectiom sweeps over the skin, almost creating a second layer on top of your skin. But don't get me wrong, it's so light that you can't feel it, it just feels like a mosuriser. The coverage is what it says on the bottle, it evens out my skin and reduces any redness I have but doesn't feel cakey or look orange. The shade is also great, once applied to the skin it sinks in and matches the colour of your skin creating no streaks or lines on your jaw line. I think you can tell that I'm in love with this foundation! The packaging is smart too, I like the glass bottle but I can see for people who carry their foundation in their bags that this could be an issue. The pump is also great as one pump is all I need for a full face; I'm head over heels in love with this foundation!
.JPG) |
| Rimmel Match Perfection SPF 18 in 103 True Ivory |
My next everyday obsession is Rimmel Stay Matte powder, a holy grail product for most beauty lovers. If you're in need of a powder that gives a gorgeous finish and doesn't look too heavy on the skin, this is perfect. A dust of this on your T-zone is absolute magic, it transforms my skin and also helps my make up last all day.
.png) |
| Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 004 Sandstorm |
Brows. It's all about the brows in my book. I think having neat and tidy brows always finishes off a look and helps frame your bone structure too. My favourite product for this is Rimmel (I promise you this is not sponsored! I just love their products!) Brow Pencil. The reason I love this so much is because unlike a brow ink or brow gel, it leaves a really soft and natural finish. The kohl pencil helps fill in your brows, and the little brush on the end helps comb them through - also fantastic for travelling as you don't need to carry lots of products.
.png) |
| Rimmel Professional Eye Brow Pencil in Dark Brown |
When it comes to concealer I'm alway a little bit hesitant. I get the worse under eye bags and the occasional spot on my fore head so it's a product I can't really leave the house without. After breaking the bank for the Bobbi Brown corrector, I didn't think it was all it was cracked up to be. And then I came across the Natural Collection concealer which is in a liquid format, and at the price of £2 I couldn't say no to trying it. And I'm glad I didn't. Because this covers everything I need it to but doesn't look cakey or heavy, it also moisturisers the skin and because its natural it doesn't make spots worse. Love. It.
.png) |
| Natural Collection CoverUp Cream in Fair |
Now the next product is one I could live without, but its something I enjoy wearing. Benefits Moon Beam has been a staple make up item in my make up bag for years now, I can't get enough of it. It's something I always repurchase, just because of the sun kissed dewy look it gives my cheekbones. It has purple undertones which I can see could annoy some people, but I like this finish as its subtle but adds a little something to your look.
.png) |
| Benefit Moon Beam |
My last face product is more of a high end product. Everything about this blush appeals to me- the packaging, the shade, the pigmentation...I could go on! This leaves a cute pop of pink on the cheeks, but doesn't make you look like a clown. It's perfect with every look and all year round and is worth every penny. The mirror inside also makes it easy to travel with, 10/10 from me.
.png)
.png) |
| Lancome Blush Subtil in Rose Sable |
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| Soap & Glory Supercat in Jet Black |
The second eye product I use is Maybelline The Falsies Flared mascara in black. This product has been repurchased several times; it lengthens my lashes, covers with a decent amount to create a thick black lashing, and the flared brush helps to separate and curl my lashes - basically every thing a girl could want from a mascara!
.png) |
| Maybelline The Falsies Flared in Black |
The last addition in my make up bag is Burts Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. This helps keep my lips nourished, moisturised and prepped for any lip stick I later apply. It has a peppermint flavour and tingles the lips - I don't know if that means its working, but it keeps me satisfied thinking about saying goodbye to my chapped lips. This is my all time favourite lip balm and is never leaving my everyday make up routine, I am hooked.
.png) |
| Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Original |
While I'm here, I thought I'd mention the brushes I use to apply my everyday make up too- seeing as these are key in my routine. Real Techniques Brushes are great for applying all types of make up; they're super easy to use and make SUCH a difference to how your make up looks on your face. I use the buffing brush to apply my foundation, the contour brush for my blusher and the foundation brush for my concealer. A little bit mix and match but that's what works for me!
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| Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes |
That's everything I apply to my face everyday, as I said before I'm really happy with all these products as they suit all my needs make up wise!
Bea x
Bea x
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