“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” - Robert Frost

I'm sorry I haven't posted in almost a week, I've been ill and had the flu-type bug that's been going around. I have barely been out of bed since Saturday evening, but finally I feel as if I'm getting better!

I have some blog posts lined up which I'll hopefully get round to doing this week, I just need to take the photos and edit them and upload and write about the post!

As you've probably guessed, I'll post a photo of my cat at any opportunity I get! I hope you're all okay and enjoying Autumn.

"I am jealous of those who think more deeply, who write better, who draw better, who look better, who live better, who love better than I" - Sylvia Plath

I was having a 'I can't be bothered' day today, but I had to leave the house (annoying) so I tried to make some effort in what I was wearing, but it didn't really work. Either way I took some photos (which had poor lighting, so I apologize) and thought I'd do my first OOTD post.

Everything in this outfit is from Primark which makes me feel weird, mainly because when my whole outfit is from one brand I feel as if I should change something, but I didn't bother today.
The jumper was about £5, the jeans were £11 and the shoes were £8-10. It's just a quick and casual outfit (I was only wearing this for about an hour before getting back into my warm pajamas and fluffy socks).

Garnier BB Cream

For ages now I've been contemplating over buying the Garnier BB Cream. I'd never tried a BB Cream before, mainly because I'm really self conscious about my skin. I'm a teenager, I don't have perfect skin and I also have freckles which I hate. However, my skin has improved slightly recently so I thought I'd try a BB Cream.

The main reason I picked the Garnier BB Cream is because I'd read so many good reviews on it, and I could get my hands on it easily. It's £9.99 from boots, which isn't cheap if I hated this product, but luckily I quite like it.

(Ignore the other pink swatch from a lipstain on my hand, I didn't have time to take photos on a different day)

The only thing I dislike about this, is how it can look orange if I don't blend it completely, which sounds silly considering you're meant to blend properly anyway but if I'm in a rush on the way to school I want something I can apply effortlessly. It doesn't cover all my freckles and blemishes obviously since it's not meant to, but it just makes me look a bit more alive in the mornings. I usually apply a primer first, and then apply this over the top using my ELF Stippling Brush.

If I'm going out and want more of a full coverage, I'll sometimes apply this as a base and then apply foundation over the top and it's so light that it doesn't make my make up look cakey and thick. 

Are there any BB Creams you'd recommend?

Max Factor - Cloudy Blue Nail Polish

I'd never tried Max Factor nail polishes, until my friend got me some for my birthday. I am absolutely in love with this one which is Cloudy Blue. It's one of the mini polishes, but I'll definitely re-purchase it. It's available in Boots for £3.99. 

It's easy to apply (even though I'm rubbish at painting my nails) and it dries fairly quickly too which is a bonus since I hate waiting around for my nails to dry. If you apply two coats and a top coat, it lasts for about a week (well it did on me anyway, I know nail polish lasts differently on everyone).

Has anyone else tried Max Factor nail polishes?

Soap and Glory - The Breakfast Scrub

I've had this for a while now, and I absolutely love it! First of all, it smells good enough to eat and so leaves your body smelling amazing after using it, and it is a great exfoliator too.

The Breakfast Scrub is available from Boots for £9.50 which is quite expensive for a drugstore exfoliator, but it is definitely worth it. It's the best exfoliator I have used, I usually use it 2-3 times a week and it's taken me forever to use up this product - which is obviously a good thing! You only need a small amount and it works wonders. If you want to exfoliate even more, you could use an Exfoliating Glove which you can also buy from Soap and Glory for £4.

After I've exfoliated I use my Righteous Butter which is once again by Soap and Glory as it's so moisturizing and you can't exfoliate without moisturizing after!

I love all of the Soap and Glory products that I have tried (and I have quite a few!), so if you've not tried them, I'd highly recommend picking something up!

Topshop Cream Blush - Pinch | Review

About a year ago, I went into Topshop hoping to buy the Neon Rose Cream Blush, but they didn't have it in stock so instead I bought the shade Pinch. I'm not sure if they'll be bringing it out for sale again, but either way I have mixed feelings about this product.

(Sorry for the marks from my hairbands!)

As you can see from the photos, I've not used this blush much, mainly because it's so bright. Although in the last photo, the top swatch is only applying a little bit of product and the bottom swatch is from quite a lot of product, so it can be wearable if applied lightly and blended. I love how easy this is to apply and that it has a cream to powder finish. It's only £6 as well.

I'm definitely going to try more Topshop Make Up as there are so many products that look amazing! I would still recommend the Topshop Cream Blushes, just maybe I should pick a more wearable shade for me next time!

Cute Sunday Surprise

This morning at about 10 am, we welcomed a new edition to our family. I've been so excited about this for a while now, and I'm not sure if I've mentioned it but it's finally happened!

This is Smokey, she's 12 weeks old and just adorable! She snuggled me a bit earlier and fell asleep on my lap (aw!) and now she's moved and she's asleep on the chair.

I apologize for lack of beauty posts recently, but I will get back on track! Although I do love Autumn and Winter I hate how by the time I get home from Sixth form or work there's no natural light left!

November Wishlist

You're probably getting sick of me mentioning my October spending ban, but recently I've been seeing so many products that I want to buy, so I thought making a wishlist would be a good way to show you.

Admittedly I'm not a huge fan of Lush, I think it's because I've not really been into having baths, I usually prefer to shower and then go to bed. I do have some bath bombs from Lush which I have been given as presents and I do love them still. However recently I've been finding having a bath much more appealing as it's so relaxing, so I thought since everyone raves about their products, Id see what's for sale currently. I get excited about Christmas (probably far too early) and so most of these products are from the Christmas range. 

(Starting from top left*)

Creamy Candle Bubble Bar (£2.50) / The Comforter Bubble Bar (£4.25) / Gingerbread House Bubble Bar (£3.95) / 

Magic Wand Bubble Bar (£4.95) / Santa's Sack Bubble Bar (£4.15) / Father Christmas Bath Bomb (£3.25) /

 Cinders Bath Bomb (£2.25) / Party Popper Bath Bomb (2.95) / Snow Fairy Shower Gel 250g (£6.50)

What's your favourite lush product?

*all photos are from the Lush website and I do not own them. 

Argan Hair Oil

Whilst I was in Primark at the till about to pay I saw a bottle of Argan Hair Oil for £2.50. I've never tried any hair oils, despite the hype they've had in the blogging world. I just didn't want to spend roughly £20 on a product that might not work for me. So instead I'm giving this a try.

You do only get 18ml but it's perfect for travelling or just putting your handbag. From day 1 my hair was feeling a lot softer. It claims to make your hair shinier as well, but I'm not sure that aspect has worked for me. Either way, I'm very impressed with how this has improved the softness of my hair. I haven't seen anyone else blog about this, so I'm not sure if it is in every Primark but the one I went to in Portsmouth had this on sale. I would definitely re-purchase this if I ever see it again in another store. 

It can be applied to either wet or dry hair, just avoiding the roots. I prefer to apply it to wet hair as otherwise I'd probably forget to do it when my hair's dry. It has quite a strong smell of orange when the lid of removed, however I can't notice the scent on my hair.

Has anyone else tried this?

Quitting Smoking Update | Patches

As I mentioned in this post, I didn't get on with the Niquitin Mini Lozengers so I went back to see the stop smoking nurse and she gave me some Nicorette Invisi (Step 2) 16 Hour Patches and I've been trying these. They're the 15mg patches, and so they're step 2, e.g. the middle step.

I apologize for the last photo not being the best, but it's surprisingly difficult to photograph my left arm whilst holding my camera in my right, without using a mirror!

Anyway, I first applied one of these on Monday (8th October) and at first, I hated them. I had my morning shower, got dressed, did my make up and went to apply one. Before I had even put it on my arm, I hated the smell, but this does go once you put it on your skin. They made my arm itch like mad, and I wanted to take it off. After half an hour or so, the itching went and I stopped noticing I was wearing it. It's not completely invisible, obviously, as then it'd be impossible to take it off again at the end of the day. I think these have genuinely helped me with quitting, I still had cravings, but they were fewer and far between than normal.

I got these free from the pharmacy since I'm under 18 and in full time education, otherwise they can end up quit expensive (£15.58 RRP). I would still recommend these if you are trying to quit smoking, however you cannot smoke whilst the patch is on, nor can you take the patch off and smoke and then put it back on. This is both good and bad, it stops you smoking, but it can be irritating when you do want to smoke.

Sorry for all of the smoking related posts rather than my blog being completely beauty posts.

I hope you're all well.

Primark Angelica Nail Varnish - Sugar Daddy

The other day I saw a nail varnish stand in Primark that I hadn't ever seen before, there were so many gorgeous shades, but I only picked up this one. It was only £2.50 as well.

After applying 2 coats, it's still not completely opaque, however I do really like this. I would definitely try more shades next time I go into primark, especially if the rest of the shades are like this.

Has anyone else ever tried these Angelica nail varnishes from Primark?

A Day In Portsmouth

On Saturday I went to Portsmouth for the day. I didn't get many photos, but here's a few.

It was such a beautiful sunset, and I spent a lot of money in the shops (oops).

Has anyone else ever been to Portsmouth?

xx