October Favorites 2013

It's that time of the month again!

No, not that time of the month.

It's favorites time!

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:

Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix - http://bit.ly/1dqE1se

B. Vitalised Eye Cream - http://bit.ly/HsOhp9

Collection 2000 Concealer Lasting Perfection - http://bit.ly/16VtXbe

Sigma E40 Tapered Blending Brush - http://bit.ly/17YcwS3

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Celestial - http://bit.ly/1cEjJgW

Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in Shade 5 - http://bit.ly/1atGGyn

Barry M Nail Polish in Raspberry - http://bit.ly/15tMNTV

ON ME:

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying Oil-Free in Natural - http://bit.ly/1adIu0t

MUFE Full Cover Concealer in 6 - http://bit.ly/17HokIe

Collection 2000 Concealer Lasting Perfection - http://bit.ly/16VtXbe

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown - http://bit.ly/18I8LUn

Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen - http://bit.ly/1adJUYX

UD Naked Palette (Gunmetal on the inner lid, Creep on the outer lid) - http://bit.ly/HfzhtX

L'Oreal Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner - http://bit.ly/1icj985

Benefit They're Real! Mascara - http://bit.ly/15Rsznu

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny

MAC Mineralize Blush (Warm Soul) - http://bit.ly/1eXesBY

Lorac Perfectly Lit Highlighter in Spotlight - http://bit.ly/Hgr7Bf

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Celestial - http://bit.ly/1cEjJgW

Sigma Brushes:

Click here http://bit.ly/1h6swsn and use code FALL2013 to get 10% OFF your order through October!

♥
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Review: Clean & Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion

I'm certain I've said this a million times already on both my blog and my channel but I'll say it again, my skin is seriously freaking out. I have bumps along my forehead and have been breaking out in my T-zone. I'm not sure what caused my skin to go haywire but I've slowly been trying to fix it and get it back to being smooth and blemish-free.
I started off by using Lush's Ultrabland Facial Cleanser to reset my skin and now here I am with a brand new skincare routine that will hopefully solve all my problems. This Clean & Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion (£2.99) was the first new product I incorporated into my routine. I had done some research and found that I should incorporate Salicylic Acid into my routine. One of the first active ingredients listed on the back of this bottle was Salicylic Acid so I thought why not give it a try?
I like to use this product after I've removed my makeup and washed my face. I pour a little bit onto a cotton pad and gently wipe it across my face and neck. It works to remove any remaining traces of makeup and I can feel my pores tightening. However, I can't seem to get over the strong chemical smell of the product. I know that most toners do have an intense alcohol scent but this one was just overwhelming.
I've almost used up the entire bottle by now in a little under a month and I can say with certainty that while I didn't notice any more bumps or breakouts, it didn't do much in fixing the problem areas I already had. I will not be repurchasing this in the future because in my opinion I could probably find a better product for around the same price. I'm thinking of trying the Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Toner (£3.59) or the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control 3-in-1 Daily Cleansing Lotion (£3.99). If any of you have used these products before, I'd love to know what you'd think of them or if you have any other products to recommend!
♥
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Review: Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial

I searched for these bad boys everywhere back in the States but no matter where I went they could not be found. That's why the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers ($10.68) were at the top of my shopping list for when I came to London. I bought mine in the shade Celestial, which is a mauvey pink, but I'm certain I'll be adding more to my collection the next time I visit Superdrug.

To start off, the packaging is very drugstore. It doesn't try to pose as a higher end product and if you are very judgmental on packaging as I am, it looks flat out cheap. The product comes in a standard tube, like that you'd find lip gloss in, with the only unique property being that it has an irregularly shaped top. I'm assuming it's meant to represent a constellation of some sort since all the names of the shades have to do with outer space.

Once you open up the product you can see that it comes with a hollowed-out doe-foot applicator, which I've never seen before. I'm not sure if the design serves a particular purpose but I'm very impressed by the application. The product glides on smooth and is highly pigmented. I only need two coats for full opacity and to cover any areas I may have missed in my first coat.

On me, the lip stain lasted for approximately 6 hours with eating and drinking before it began to fade. I wanted to test its limits so I didn't reapply it and while the color was quite subtle, the product was still on my lips come the end of my 12 hour day. Never once did my lips feel dry and the color faded evenly across my lips, unlike the L'Oreal Lip Lacquers, which tends to fade in patches. Quite impressive if you ask me since I've never found a drugstore lip stain to last that long.

I'm incredibly impressed by the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers and there's no doubt in my mind that I'll be purchasing more shades. I'd highly recommend this product if you're looking for an affordable, long-lasting lip stain. I currently have my eye on Stellar, Nova, Galaxy and Apocaliptic. It's possible that by the end of my time here I'm going to have accumulated all the shades!
♥
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TAG: I Heart Fall 2013

I ♥ Fall Tag!

QUESTIONS:

1. Favorite Fall Lip Product?

2. Favorite Fall Nail Polish?

3. Favorite Starbucks Fall Drink?

4. Favorite Fall Candle?

5. Favorite Fall Scarf or Accessory?

6. Haunted House, Haunted Hay Ride, or Haunted Corn Maze?

7. Favorite Halloween Movie?

8. Favorite Candy to eat on Halloween?

9. What are you Dressing Up as for Halloween?!

10. What is your Favorite thing about Fall?

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Sassy Mauve - http://bit.ly/H0LFxL

Essie Nail Polish in Bahama Mama - http://bit.ly/H0LN0h

Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candle in Leaves - http://bit.ly/Hgq5oS

Primark Infinity Scarf

ON ME:

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying Oil-Free in Natural - http://bit.ly/1adIu0t

MUFE Full Cover Concealer in 6 - http://bit.ly/17HokIe

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in Light - http://bit.ly/1fTTqoa

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown - http://bit.ly/18I8LUn

Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen - http://bit.ly/1adJUYX

UD Naked 2 Palette (Snakebite on the outer lid, Suspect on the inner lid) - http://bit.ly/179qF2j

L'Oreal Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner - http://bit.ly/1icj985

Benefit They're Real! Mascara - http://bit.ly/15Rsznu

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny

Sleek Blush by 3 Palette in Lace (Guipure) - http://bit.ly/165pEEh

Lorac Perfectly Lit Highlighter in Spotlight - http://bit.ly/Hgr7Bf

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Sassy Mauve - http://bit.ly/H0LFxL

Sigma Brushes:

Click here http://bit.ly/1h6swsn and use code FALL2013 to get 10% OFF your order through October!

DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links.

♥
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Review: Boots Essentials Cleansing Wipes

I first mentioned this product in my Boots & Superdrug Haul not too long ago and if you watched it then you'll know what I'm going to say next. This Boots Essentials Cleansing Wipes (£1.50) is absolute rubbish. I only bough them because I was jet lagged wandering around Boots trying to pick up whatever I desperately needed in as little time as possible and it happened to be on a 3 for £3 sale.
While I got the product for only £1, in essence you are paying £1.50 for 25 wipes. I believe this is the standard amount of wipes you would typically get in one of these packets but I feel like I use them up so quickly because sometimes I'll need two to effectively rid my face of all my makeup. This is because the wipes are so dry. When you take them out of the packet you feel almost no moisture and even when I got down to the bottom of my last pack the sheets were still not damp.
I feel like I'm rubbing my face with a paper towel when I'm using this product. I'm the type of person who likes wipes that are heavily saturated so clearly this product gets a big thumbs down from me. I believe the only up side to these wipes are that they are not heavily scented and I haven't had any problems with irritation from the formula.
I ended up buying two of these Boots Essentials Cleansing Wipes and one Boots Essentials Eye Make-Up Remover Gel for a total of £3. While it certainly was a bargain, I would have much rather paid more money for products that actually work. If you read my review on the Boots Essentials Eye Make-Up Remover Gel then you'll know that it sounded exactly like this one. After my experience with these two products from the Boots Essentials line, I can decidedly say that I am never buying a product from this line again.
♥
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What's Your Skintone? | House of Fraser

Today I bring to you yet another exciting post! I have been working with House of Fraser, a department store with locations in both the UK & Ireland, to put together a post on how to find your skintone. This is the first time I've ever been featured as a guest blogger and it would mean the world to me if you ladies (and gentlemen) could check out the post on the House of Fraser blog.
In it you can learn about the different skintones, how to find out which one is yours, and what makeup will suit you the best. I have a warm skintone so if you're interested you can head on over to the House of Fraser blog and read what I had to say about working with a warm skintone. Along with my own advice, you can read what several other beauty bloggers have to say about their own skintones and the great tips they have to share.
What's your skintone? And what advice would you have to give when it comes to choosing makeup for your skintone?
♥
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I'd like to extend a warm thank-you to House of Fraser for allowing me the opportunity to work with them on this post. It's been a pleasure!

PacSun Coupons (45% Off!)

This Summer Clothing Haul has been my most viewed video to date since I've started my YouTube channel. It's also thanks to this video that PacSun's Golden State of Mind blog team contacted me to let me know about an awesome new site that features PacSun coupons. I know a lot of my viewers and followers out there are big PacSun fans so I thought it'd be cool to share this with all of you in case you're interested!

Their current offer is up to 45% off your order of $100+. There's also a contest on the webpage to win a $500 gift card on PacSun.com, enter soon as there's only 19 days left! If you're interested, hop on over here to TeenScreen.

♥
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Disclaimer: I am not being paid or compensated in any way to share this offer.

Travel Tuesday: Camden Town

Two weeks ago I shared with you all my trip to Milan in my Travel Tuesdays: Milan, Italy post. This week I'm going to be sharing with you photos from an afternoon trip I made to a neighborhood in London with my friends.

It's been a rather dreary week here in London. I swear I haven't seen sunlight in days. But that didn't deter me and my friends from exploring Camden Town in West London on a rainy Friday afternoon. Camden is widely known for its street markets: Camden Lock Market, Stables Market, Camden Lock Village and more.

To be honest, Camden Town isn't really my type of place as I'm not a huge fan of markets. Most of the time what they're selling is a total rip off; imitation goods or jewelry made in China sold for a huge markup. But Camden was really quite a sight to see; it was as if Canal Street and Williamsburg fused together. There were multiple markets filled with stalls selling clothes, jewelry and food and a neighborhood vibe that reminded me of hipsters.

The Regents Canal was beautiful, even on this cloudy rainy day. I imagine it must be quite nice to live right by the water and within walking distance of so many of Camden's delicious food stands.

From bookstores to markets inside tunnels, Camden Town was really an eclectic mix of people and shops. I was so tempted to stop and try all the food but the rain made it impossible to find a nice place to sit and eat. Bummer, since I hadn't had good Chinese food in a really long time.

Overall, my afternoon trip to Camden Town was really quite satisfying. Minus the fact that I couldn't eat all the food! It really was a sight I had never seen before, nothing in NYC comes close to this neighborhood.
Well that's it for my Travel Tuesday post this week. Be sure to follow my blog and other social platforms (listed below) to keep up with me while I travel around Europe!
♥
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Review: Models Own Velvet Goth (Sardonyx)

Models Own is a UK based beauty brand that has yet to make its way to the States, as far as I know. I first mentioned this product in my Boots & Superdrug Haul on YouTube, so if you haven't watched it already be sure to check it out to see my initial impression of the polish. It turns out that this polish isn't all too different from what I imagined it would be when I first picked it up and bought it.

This Models Own Nail Polish in the shade Sardonyx (£5.00) is part of their limited edition Velvet Goth collection. Velvet Goth features 5 different polish shades: Obsidian (black), Valerian (midnight blue), Amethyst (dark purple), Sardonyx (ruby red) and Absinthe (bluish green). Of the 5 shades, I picked up Sardonyx because it looked to be the most wearable for my skin tone and style.

All the Velvet Goth polishes have a matte base with chunks of micro glitter. Sardonyx happens to have a matte dark red base with ruby red and black micro glitter. In the photo the polish doesn't look like anything special but in real life I guarantee you it looks much better.
It also turns out that the polish is scented. I can't quite place a finger on it but it's definitely a berry scent, possibly strawberry. I thought it'd be cool to have a scented polish but now I'm getting kind of annoyed at smelling artificial berries every time I pass my hand by my face. I really hope the smell goes away in a day or two.
Overall, this polish is pretty much what I had expected it to be, the only twist is that it's scented. I must have missed the note about it being scented somewhere on the display. I'm pretty happy with this polish as it's really quite unlike anything I have in my collection but I'm certain that I won't be buying another shade from this collection. I think one of these polishes is enough for me as I can tell that I probably won't be wearing this too often.

♥

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Boots & Superdrug Haul!

I really apologize for this video being two days late. I had filmed this haul on Monday but when I went in to edit it I was really unhappy with the lighting and the quality. So I decided to re-film and re-edit the entire video. I'm still working out the kinks in my filming situation here at my dorm so bear with me while I try to get everything perfect.

☺LETS BE FRIENDS!☺
Blog: http://bit.ly/1dtpXi7
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1843L8z
Instagram: http://bit.ly/14jRzTF

★PRODUCTS MENTIONED★

BOOTS:
Soap & Glory Clean, Girls Body Wash
http://bit.ly/19EPyPE

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Lotion
http://bit.ly/1855RsC

Boots Essentials Cucumber Eye Make-Up Remover Gel
http://bit.ly/1bM91pc
Review: http://bit.ly/GPwiZh

Boots Essentials Cucumber Cleansing Wipes
http://bit.ly/16BwVPV

Clean and Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion
http://bit.ly/16VsSQS

Boots Conditioning Nail Polish Remover
http://bit.ly/165oada

Boots 6 Way File and Bufffer
http://bit.ly/19pX4zO

Models Own Iced Neon Nail Polish in Bubblegum
http://bit.ly/19EQsvt

Models Own Velvet Goth in Sardonyx
http://bit.ly/19EQEL8

SUPERDRUG:
Head & Shoulders Shampoo in Menthol
http://bit.ly/165oVD7

Head & Shoulders Conditioner Smooth & Silky
http://bit.ly/1edYNeB

Barry M. Nail Polish Raspberry
http://bit.ly/15tMNTV

Barry M. Gelly Hi-Shine Dragon Fruit
http://bit.ly/1bjkg48

Collection 2000 Concealer Lasting Perfection Light
http://bit.ly/16VtXbe

Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick Shade 5
http://bit.ly/1atGGyn

Rimmel Apoaclips Lip Lacquer Celestial
http://bit.ly/1cEjJgW

Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara Black
http://bit.ly/GJEpq4

Sleek Blush By 3 Lace
http://bit.ly/165pEEh

♥WHAT I'M WEARING♥
Madewell V-Neck Pocket Tee White
http://bit.ly/15tNCfp

Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick Shade 5
http://bit.ly/1atGGyn

DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links.


♥
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Review: Lush Celestial Facial Moisturizer

I've always been a sucker for Lush. There's something about the simplistic packaging and company values that draw me in to their products. If you saw my Lush, Sephora & Barneys Beauty Haul, you'll know that I stopped off at Lush before I came to London to stock up. Which in hindsight was pretty silly since Lush was founded here in England, so the prices on some of their items is actually lower.

One of the products that I picked up during my visit was this Lush Celestial Facial Moisturizer ($24.95). If you read my Lush Ultrabland Facial Cleanser review that I posted up two weeks ago on my blog, you'll know that I was looking for a skincare routine to help treat my acne-prone and oily skin. The wonderful sales associate at Lush in Soho recommended I use the Lush Ultrabland Facial Cleanser with this Lush Celestial Facial Moisturizer in order to "reset" my skin.

I had been using Lush's Imperialis Facial Moisturizer ($24.95) before this and noticed that it wasn't hydrating my skin enough, so I asked for something more moisturizing this time around. The sales associate at Lush recommended I try the Lush Celestial Facial Moisturizer because it's formulated for dry and sensitive skin so it's moisturizing while at the same time it's not too thick that it'll irritate or clog my pores. It sounded like good enough logic to me so I picked it up and have been using it for a little over a month now.

The product is made of almond milk and cocoa butter so it pretty much smells like a milkshake for your face. Beware though for it is heavily scented, so if you don't think you can stand the smell of almond milk then I'd suggest you opt for a different moisturizer. If you can get past the scent, or actually enjoy it like I do, you'll notice that the product has a very light and milky consistency. It's not a thick cream but it's not watery like some light facial moisturizers are. It's in that in between state so it feels decadent when applying it and your skin drinks it up quickly since it's still quite light.
Since I've started using the Lush Celestial Facial Moisturizer I've noticed that my skin hasn't been as dry. When I was using the Lush Imperialis Facial Moisturizer, the area of my forehead in between my brows would always be dry and flaky no matter how much moisturizer I applied. Now the flakiness is gone and the rest of my skin isn't too overly hydrated. I've been really enjoying this product since I've bought it and if it weren't for my need to try every possible facial moisturizer I can that piques my interest, I'd definitely buy this again. ♥
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Review: Boots Essentials Eye Make-Up Remover Gel

One of the first things I did when I moved into my dorm a little over 2 weeks ago was take a trip to Westfield Stratford Center to pick up toiletries that I either couldn't, or had forgotten, to bring with me from home. My first stop was Boots, which I suppose could be compared to an Ulta back home in the States. Suffering from jet lag and a lack of sleep, I didn't want to think too much about what I was buying so I grabbed things on a whim.
One of those things was this Boots Essentials Cucumber Eye Make-Up Remover Gel (£1.50). I'd heard decent things about Boots' brand of skincare and couldn't be bothered to scour the aisles for a different one so I dropped it in my basket and headed for the checkout line. In hindsight, I probably should've looked a little harder for a better makeup remover because I really wish I didn't buy this one.
Straight off the bat, the product looks like complete rubbish. The packaging is cheap and totally generic. It comes in a cheap plastic bottle with nothing but the name of the product printed on the front. I really should've been more judgmental of this product, because if I had I never would've picked it up.
The product itself is as much crap as the packaging is. It's a thick gooey gel formula that you pretty much smoosh onto your eyes with a cotton round to attempt to take your makeup off. With the first swipe you end up with panda eyes and with every swipe after that you slowly start to remove your makeup. I find that I have to use a lot of product and sometimes go in a second time with another cotton pad or makeup removing towelette in order to really get off all my makeup.
Needless to say, this is a terrible product that hopefully I can return. If any of my readers knows the Boots in-store return policy, please let me know what it is because I feel like I just wasted £1.50.
♥
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September Favorites 2013

It's that time of the month again ladies (and gents), time for my monthly favorites. Watch my video after the jump to see what products I've been loving during the month of September. Also, keep in mind that this is the first video I've ever filmed in my dorm room here in London, so the lighting is a bit dodgy and I look incredibly tired due to jet lag and lack of sleep.

Travel Tuesdays: Milan, Italy

To kick off my Travel Tuesdays series I have my weekend trip to Milan, Italy. I went to visit my aunt who was there for work and I got the chance to do some sightseeing. We decided to do a self-guided walking tour called 'Milan Highlights Tour,' courtesy of the TripAdvisor Offline City Guides App on my iPhone. It took us from the Duomo di Milano to the Castello Sforzesco with stops at landmarks along the way.