Outfit and Face of the Night | Summer Ball 2016

| Outfit |

Red Bardot Dress from Boohoo.com

~ Dress Link ~ 

Silver Glittery Shoes from Next 

~ SIMILAR Link (1) ~
~ SIMILAR Link (2)  ~ 

Jasmine Mirage Body Mist from Hollister 

~ Body Mist Link ~ 

I saw this beautiful, bardot dress in red, online and knew I had to have it for our University's Summer Ball, to stand out in a classic and elegant way. I sent the link to my boyfriend, Luke, and he surprised me by buying it for me for Valentine's Day! That, however, meant months to build up my excitement to wear it on the evening, but I couldn't have been happier with the look I waited to create. I teamed this gorgeous skater styler dress with sparkling shoes and accessories to create a bright and timeless look for any theme. 

| Make-up |

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair 

~ Concealer Link ~ 

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Peach Glow

~ Powder Link ~

Bare Minerals Eyeshadow in Chance from The Nick of Time, Ready 2.0 duo 

~ Eyeshadow Link ~ 

Sleek Contour Kit in Light (as contour, highlight and through crease)

~ Contour Link ~ 

Makeup Revolution Redemption Palette in Hot Smoked (4th shadow from the left)

~ Palette Link ~ 

Makeup Revolution Redemption Palette in Day to Night (2nd shadow from the left)

~ Palette Link ~  

Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen in Carbon Black  

~ Liner Link ~ 

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara in Very Black 

~ Mascara Link ~

Makeup Revolution Blush Palette from Ultra Blush and Highlight Gift Set (2nd from the right, top and bottom shades mixed) 

~ SIMILAR Link ~

Rimmel London Provocalips Lip Colour in Kiss Me You Fool 

~ Lipstick Link ~ 

To match my outfit, I chose a simple and classic look, channeling simple eyes, fluttery lashes and a bright, red lip to match the dress. I blended two different brown shades through the crease before applying a light dazzle of gold across the lid to add a touch of glamour. With sleek liner on the top lash line and lots of coats of lengthening mascara, the look was pretty and sweet, playing a great accompaniment to the shocking lips that pulled together the neutral colours across my skin. The lip colour lasted all night, through the sipping of cocktails, sweating in the colourful lights of the dance floor and kisses here and there - I would definitely recommend this product for all night wear!

| Hair |

Tresemme Moisture Rich Shampoo 

~ Shampoo Link ~ 

Tresemme Moisture Rich Conditioner 

~ Conditioner Link ~ 

Dove Quench Absolute Supreme Creme Serum 

~ Serum Link ~ 

Wella Shockwaves Ultra Strong Power Hold Hairspray 

~ Hairspray Link ~ 

For my hair, I left it nice and natural, embracing my waves. I styled it with a serum for a sleek and smooth finish to fit my look and a touch of hairspray to keep it in place all night long! 

I had the most amazing time, dancing and laughing with friends, as well as embracing a new, bold look (especially lipstick-wise). I can't wait until I can dress up again and style this beautiful dress in different styles for fun occasions to come! 

~ Becca ~

Fave Five: June & July 2015

I have had a rather busy last few months. What with work, going on holiday, my friends all coming home for the summer from University and other adventures. As well as me, myself, preparing to adventure off in September to start Uni. Amongst the chaos, I have found time to squeeze in a few shopping trips and have really loved some new products recently. So, let's get started!

My first favourite is the prettiest, summery coral shade of nail polish, that has brightened my nails over the law few months! I had a vision of a summery, peachy pink nail look to rock as the days got warmer and my outfits got brighter. I purchased this colour from the Barry M Speedy Quick Dry collection in the colour In a Heart Beat and I think I have worn it the most out of all the varnishes I have ever owned! It has the complete package for me, with both speed and quality. The Quick Dry formula makes it easy to pop on during a lazy summer evening or even in the morning before you hit the shops or the beach. I often find with this style of varnish that they can be quite thin or streaky but this, with two coats, is good quality and lasts well on the nails too! Barry M have such an affordable range of these polishes and I know that if I love the others as much as this one, I'll never have bare nails again!

Secondly, is a repurchase of a product I have had in my collection for several months now; I find that this time of the year, however, is where it can really shows off what it does best and have made it a staple in my shower routine. I will start off by saying that I am a huge fan of the I Love... collection anyway, if you have read this Fave Five, you will remember I raved about their body butter too! This Shower Smoothie is another product that I think really deserves a mention! This product is almost the combination of a shower gel and a body scrub, infused with the delicious scent of Mango and Papaya, which is fresh and fruity. Being this almost hybrid of both a cream and scrub means that the formula is really creamy yet still has beads to exfoliate your skin. This is perfect for sensitive skin or people like myself who don't like to use harsh products on their skin. I have particularly loved this product as we have crept into summer; I have had my legs and arms on show and this leaves them perfectly soft and with a light scent too. I think this is an amazing, lighter alternative to a sugar or salt scrub for the summer and know I will continue to use and love this product, even into the winter months I'm sure!

Next is a fragrance I have been reaching for most of these summery days. Ted Baker released a new range of body products not too long ago and I fell in love with the design and the scent. With separate pink and turquoise-green themed lines in the range, the packaging for all products is so sophisticated and gorgeous, looking a lot more high-end than the price! I purchased the Body Spray from the pink line which has been the perfect scent for my summer so far. It's quite a light fragrance with a strong sense of dusty floral undertones. As fragrances are probably the hardest things to actually explain, it is described on the bottle with this: "This fragranced body spray entwines the soft floral notes of jasmine and neroli, whilst the base of patchouli, sandalwood and musk completes the scent". I first fell in love with the sophisticated design, a pretty, light pink bottle with rose gold detailing, and now have loved wearing this not only during the day but on evenings out too. My only wish is that the fragrance hung longer on the skin than it does, but for the incredible price, I definitely can't complain!

My forth favourite is a item I stumbled upon almost by accident but has been such an amazing addition to my makeup collection. I picked up this Bronze Glow Mosaic in Sunkissed from Collection as it came free in a promotion at Boots. I thought this product was right up my street on a first glimpse, being a shimmer, golden powder to give a gorgeous glow. I was, however, worried that I might overkill the shimmer in adding this to my makeup routine - I sport shimmery eyeshadows with pretty much every look I do! This being said, I found this perfect for those hot days where you just want a little dust of makeup to enhance your skin. When applied with a big fluffy brush and a soft hand, this gives a lovely shimmery glow, without looking cakey or overly-bronzed - perfect for a pale complexion like mine. What's more, this product I have found perfect to double up as an eyeshadow too! Each of the shimmery colours that make up the mosaic are gorgeous, golden colours to wash over the lid for an easy and quick gold-eye look. They are surprisingly pigmented and last well on the lids too. It was definitely fate this product fell into my hands and it is an amazing multi-use product at an affordable price that would be perfect for adding to a beginners makeup kit!

Finally, is a set of earrings that are, again, a beautiful accompaniment to the summer season. I found these in Accessorize and knew they were a must-have. The cute deigns mean the daisy detail hangs from behind the ear rather than in front. I fell in love with how quirky but dainty these little earrings are and know they will really compliment any summer outfit. The shape and style also means they aren't big and chunky for a petite face like mine too, while still making a statement.

That's all my favourites to complete this Fave Five, each and every one holding a drop of summer sunshine! What are you summer must-haves so far?

- Becca x

Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Nail Varnish in In a Heart Beat - RRP £3.99
I Love... Mango and Papaya Shower Smoothie - RRP £2.99 (for 200ml)
Ted Baker Pink Body Spray - RRP £7.00 (for 150ml)
Collection Bronze Glow Mosaic Powder in Sunkissed - RRP £2.99
Gold Daisy Ear Jacket Earrings - RRP £5.00

♡

Little Black Playsuit | Holiday Outfit of the Night

Black Floral-Printed Playsuit | Boohoo.com

~ Playsuit Link ~

Black Strappy Vest (Worn Underneath) | M&S

~ Vest Link ~

Limit Floral Strap Watch | Limit at Argos

~ Watch Link ~ 

Brown, Double Buckle Sandals | BHS

~ No Longer Available ~

This is the second of two blog posts to show you my two favourite outfits that I wore while away on my incredible holiday to the beautiful island of Majorca. This outfit is a dressy yet relaxed appoach to an LBD, taking on an exotic and 'holiday' vibe to accompany the lush weather and beautiful scenery. 

I found this playsuit on Boohoo.com, a website I always look to for affordable fashion pieces! I instantly fell in love with the pattern, a bright array of gorgeous, exotic flowers. I think the design is very bright and summery, perfect to compliment any skin tone as well as bringing beautiful colour across the outfit. Set against a black background, this is the perfect combination for a summery night-out look. The material is slightly textured too, which adds further depth and makes it appear more dressy than just a simply, jersey material, again adding a more sophisticated feel. The top half is styled with a wrap-around front, something I wasn't feeling quite brave enough to sport. I simply slipped a plain, black vest on underneath to give myself a little more coverage, however, the style of the front is really flattering if you are more comfortable than I am with this style. The synched-in waist allows attention to flatter your figure and, while the shorts are a little on the the shorter side, they definitely don't reach the point of being inappropriate and, for someone petite like myself, really aid in giving the appearance of longer legs. I chose not to style this piece with a necklace as I wanted to keep the statement upon the playsuit and its bright and colourful pattern. Nonetheless, I do think a small pendant, worn with the original, lower neckline would really bring attention to the wrap-around front and definitely compliment the outfit! I know this would flatter so many shapes and the general idea of a playsuit seems a lot more fun than a dress, while still keeping the aspect of glamour. 

I chose to pair this with a pair of brown gladiator sandals. Sticking with a subtle colour, I chose to keep the emphasis on the playsuit itself, and with the beautiful weather we had while away, this simple pair of sandals aided the 'holiday' feel of the outfit and helped to keep it further towards the casual side for an evening meal.

I knew the second I pulled this playsuit from the packaging, when it arrived at my door, that this would be such an amazing outfit to support the beautiful sunshine, not only in Majorca but back home too, on the days where the same old LBD just wouldn't cut it! Have you thought about switching up your style and rocking a playsuit for a night out instead?

Thank you for reading, click here for Part 1!

- Becca x

♡

Poolside Chic | Holiday Outfit of the Day

Black Bow Straw Sun Hat | H&M

~ Hat Link ~

Brown, Half-Frame, Round Sunglasses | New Look

~ Sunglasses Link ~

Blue Printed Playsuit | Primark

~ Playsuit Link ~

Turquoise Printed Bikini (Worn Underneath) | Debenhams 

~ Bikini Top Link ~

~ Bikini Bottoms Link ~

Brown, Double Buckle Sandals | BHS

~ No Longer Available ~

I had the most wonderful time on my recent family holiday to the gorgeous island of Majorca. I wanted to share two of my favourite outfits that I sported away in the beautiful sunshine, the first being this poolside playsuit combo I am in love with! 

Whilst holiday shopping during the weeks that approached my holiday, I was in search for a stylish cover-up that could easily be slipped on and off by the pool or on trips to the beach. I picked up this playsuit from Primark for the amazing price of £5! However, the incredible price tag of this product isn't the only reason I fell completely and utterly in love with this summertime staple. The material is really lightweight and loose, perfectly suited to the hot weather we had while away. I doesn't cling to your figure, except for the elasticated waistline which is very flattering, and is easy to drape over a bikini or swimwear whilst out and about. I also find it the perfect length short-wise, not too long but covers you up! I may venture back to Primark to pick up a couple more of these playsuits! They had a lovely range of patterns and colours and the design is not only perfect to slip on and off on holiday but also just on a day out in town at home!

I styled this outfit with my poolside necessities of a straw hat and some sunglasses. I searched from shop to shop to find a simplistic straw hat that didn't swamp my little head. I found this round hat, styled with a black bow, in H&M that was the perfect size for me; big enough to keep me shaded but still a suitable size for my petite size! What's more, it came in sizes Small, Medium and Large, depending on the size of your head, making it suitable for all. Teamed with my large, round sunnies, I felt these accessories added a glamorous touch to a simple outfit.

I wore this outfit all throughout my holiday and know I will continue to sport these items back here in the UK too! I couldn't recommend each product enough for a hot, summer holiday on both style and practicality and definitely suggest popping your head into the shops listed to see if anything takes your fancy!

Thank you for reading and stay tuned for Part 2!

- Becca x

♡

My Holiday Makeup Bag 2015

*Products listed from left to right as shown above*

****

Real Techniques Powder Brush

Sleek MakeUp Face Contour Kit in Light

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake

Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara in Black

Real Techniques Duo-Fibre Face Brush

Sleek MakeUp Blush in Rose Gold

Revlon Colorburst Laquer Balm in Whimsical

No7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in Brown

Revlon Lash Potion by Grow Luscious Waterproof Mascara in Black

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Peach Glow

Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer in Ivory

Real Techniques Cheek Brush

****

As I am soon to be venturing off on a lush summer holiday and have been preparing myself over the last few weeks, I thought, to get myself even more excited, I would share what cosmetic products will be travelling with me for the evenings when I want to look a little more glamorous for dinner. 

First of all, I will be taking all my makeup in this adorable Beauty Bag from Zoella Beauty (mentioned in my last Fave Five!). This is the perfect size to fit not only my makeup products but my brushes too and the washable, plastic material makes it even better and more durable for travel. As you can probably see, I have been quite reserved with my choices for this holiday, my bag not carrying an abundance of the same products. Even here in the UK, where the weather isn't exactly off-the-scale scorching, I still find wearing a lot of face makeup quite uncomfortable out in the summer heat and find it just doesn't last on my skin. With this in mind, my facial makeup routine will most probably consist of a dusting of pressed powder and some blusher to add colour and shimmer to my complexion. For these I have chosen the Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder and the gorgeous Sleek MakeUp Blush in Rose Gold, the perfect shimmery, golden coral shade. The blusher I have included I have absolutely fallen in love with! It gives my cheeks a beautiful, healthy glow, adding shimmer to suit any occasion. If you visit Boots or Superdrug, have a little look at this shade, it's so pretty! I've also slotted in my Sleek MakeUp Contour Kit, mainly for the gorgeous highlighter to add a beautiful glow to my complexion, but also if I want to bronze myself up for a summer evening by the pool. I have also included the Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer, which I am not actually the biggest fan of, but purchased due to the fact my holy grail Collection Lasting Perfection concealer was out of stock every time I visited Boots or Superdrug! It is quite a light coverage concealer, alot better suited for summer weather, so it'll be coming with me just in case I want a little more coverage than just my powder. 

In terms of eyes, I have kept my selection very simple. You'll probably notice I haven't included any eyeshadows, which is very unlike me! I know that in the hot weather, any eyeshadow will just slide off my eyes and, as much as I love adding a splash of colour to my makeup with my eyeshadows, I don't want purple and pink powders half way down my face! I've stuck to just a brown eyeliner - I'm taking the No7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil. I most probably won't wear this everyday but I'll smudge it across the top lash line for a more dramatic look some days - a quick, easy way to give my eyes a bit more depth. In terms of mascara, I'm taking my favourite mascara at the moment, the Maybellline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara as it makes my lashes so long and fluttery, perfect to compliment a subtle and simple makeup look for my evenings. I know that this will primarily be my go-to mascara on the trip but I am also packing a waterproof mascara - the Revlon Lash Potion By Grow Luscious Mascara - just in case.

My makeup this holiday will be all about the lips! With such simplistic eye and face makeup, I want to add a more glamorous feel with bright and colourful lips to compliment any outfit. If you know me, you'll know I stick to nude lips on an everyday basis. Both the lipsticks I have chosen will push me to be more daring with my lip colour and dress up any look. First is the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake. What I love about this product is it keeps your lips hydrated but it's also really buildable, perfect for someone like myself who isn't used to seeing strong colours on the lips. This bright, 'Barbie' pink is the perfect holiday colour and will give a lovely sheen to the lips too. I have also chosen the Revlon Colorburst Laquer Balm in Whimsical, a shimmery fuchsia shade. This is a really glamorous shade and compliments my complexion really nicely too. I know it will add a pop of colour to my simple makeup and always makes me feel confident and pretty when it's on my lips!

Finally, the brushes I will be taking with me are all, to no surprise, by Real Techniques. The Real Techniques Powder Brush is just amazing at applying soft and even powder across your face, perfect for building, depending on how much coverage you want. I know this will be the best brush for applying my powder on holiday as well as blending out blusher and bronzer. My other brushes are the Real Techniques Duo-Fibre Face Brush and the Real Techniques Cheek Brush, both of which are from the Nic's Picks Collection (Read a full review here!). I will use both for either bronzer or blusher application; the Duo-Fibre Face Brush giving a lighter touch and the Cheek Brush for a more defined and dramatic look, all depending on how I'm feeling! 

All in all, my holiday makeup bag doesn't look like that of the average 'makeup fanatic', but I know I love each and every product I will be taking and I won't have to worry about spending so long on getting ready and enjoy soaking up the sun! 

Are you off on holiday this year?

- Becca x

*prices listed in order of products above*

- RRP £10.99

- RRP £6.49

- RRP £7.99

- RRP £7.99

- RRP £29.99 (for whole 5 brush set including 'Cheek Brush')

- RRP £4.49

- RRP £7.99

- RRP £7.50

- RRP £9.99

- RRP £3.99

- RRP £5.49

♡

Smock Dress and Sunnies | Outfit of the Day

Blue Floral Patterned Smock Dress | H&M 

~ Dress Link ~

White Ballerina Pumps | BHS

~ Shoes Link ~

Brown, Half-Frame, Round Sunglasses | New Look

~ Sunglasses Link ~

Limit Floral Strap Watch | Limit at Argos

~ Watch Link ~

NYC In A Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish in Rain Drop | Superdrug 

~ Nail Varnish Link ~

With clear, blue skies and sunshine to accompany an official welcome to June in style, my family and I held our first BBQ of the year with the company of my grandparents. I got all dressed up in my spring outfit for the day and thought I would share what fashion pieces I put together on such a gorgeous day.

I purchased this smock dress from H&M not too long ago, but the weather has been a little too windy to wear such a fluttery outfit. Printed with white little flowers all over and T-shirt-style sleeves, to emphasise a causal feel to the outfit, this fitted perfectly for a relaxed day with my family, yet giving more of a pretty feel to the outfit without going too over-the-top. If you have a petite figure like me, the idea of a smock dress might seem strange - I know I always thought they would appear too big for my shape. However, I find the design of the waist line, positioned slightly above that of my own, seeks to make your legs appear long and flatter your small figure without clinging to it like a skater dress might. I wish I had tried this style before!

Teamed with cute ballerina pumps, easy to slip on and off for a day in the garden, and a pair of big, round glasses, a glamorous, summery outfit was shaped perfectly to fit the more causal occasion. I fell in love with these sunglasses from New Look. I have quite a challenge finding glasses that don't swamp my small face. With the half-framed designed, there isn't a big chunky frame to cover my face and what's more, the way the corners appear to flick upwards really suits the shape of my face, emphasising my cheekbones and framing it perfectly. This vintage look was also incredibly affordable at only £4.99!

This outfit is definitely a salute to spring and summer and I know each element will become a staple for my wardrobe as the months roll on to summer. Thanks for reading!

- Becca x

♡

My Everyday Spring Makeup Look!

The days are warmer, the sun is brighter and the brown and grey shades that consume winter are now overthrown by bright, beautiful colours. Spring is now on our doorstep and as soon as a vivid blue canvas and glowing sunshine is all I can see from my window, the coats are traded for jackets, the boots for trainers and my winter smokey eyes for this, colourful and fresh makeup look! 

FACE

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Peach Glow

Sleek MakeUp Face Contour Kit in Light

No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush

EYES

No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow Trio in Organza (Middle Shade)

Soap & Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen Carbon Black Extreme

Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara in Black

LIPS

Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm

Nude Lip Gloss

I always like to keep my makeup simple but bright in the spring/summer months. For my skin, I love to dust a little extra highlighter just lightly all over my face to give it a glistening quality. Also, I use a lot more highlighter on my brow bone than in winter to really open my eyes up. I tend to opt for a lighter dusting of pressed powder over my face in spring to aid a 'dewy' complexion. Apart from these little extras, my facial makeup remains the same through the months, contouring, highlighting my cheek bones and applying blusher as normal! 

For my eyes, the gorgeous shimmery lilac shade from the No7 Organza Trio is my best friend. It is such a pretty pastel purple colour that just screams spring! It also suits my fair complexion and really compliments my hazel eyes too! This year, my trusty kohl eyeliner has swapped for a felt tip liner. I much prefer this liner look as it creates a much thinner, subtle line to not overpower the beautiful eyeshadow but add a delicate accent to my top lash line. A simple flick wings out the edge of the liner helping to emphasise the shape of my eye. A mascara to give long, fluttery lashes is all that's left to complete this simple eye look. 

Finally, the lips is the most simplistic element of the whole look. Of course, a bright, pretty lip colour is just as perfect a compliment for a spring day yet, on an everyday basis, you can't go wrong with a shimmery, pink-toned lip gloss. Lip glosses are definitely my go-to lip products, their shine helping promote the desired 'dewy' look and how easy they are to just touch-up out on a spring walk or picnic! Another must for the springtime is applying plenty  of lip balm to keep your lips hydrated under the drying sun. 

What I love most about this everyday look is the transition it takes from the everyday winter looks I have sported from the last few months. Autumn and winter are all about bold lips, dark eyes and subtle blushed cheeks. This March, and the summery months that follow, will be all about turning this upside down, with glistening glosses, pretty pastel shadows and an all over sun-kissed glow. The sun could not be more welcomed from me this year! 

What winter staples are you excited to swap as the temperatures begin to creep up the scale? 

- Becca x

*prices in order of products listed above*

FACE

- RRP £4.19

- RRP £3.99

- RRP £6.49

- RRP £8.00

EYES

- RRP £9.50

- RRP £6.00

- RRP £7.99

LIPS

- RRP £2.69

- Nude Lip Gloss bought as part of set!

♡

The Best Summer with The Best People

From picnics to parties, time with family and time with friends (captured in my little edit above!), my summer was packed full of good times and great memories. It's sad to think the majority of my friends are now packing their bags, ready to set off to University; a lot of them are already there too. It didn't quite kick in until our goodbye drinks last Thursday that the next year will be so very different to any before. I definitely welled up giving the final hugs 'goodbye' to friends I wouldn't see for at least a couple of months. I'll try my hardest to visit them all but with my new jobs and busy times approaching, it'll be difficult to squeeze it all in.

I'm feeling quite bitter-sweet. As happy as I am with my summer and as excited as I am for all my friends to start this new chapter in their lives, I feel like I'll miss them even more. Because my life is staying the same, I feel like I'll notice their absence even more. I couldn't possibly ask for a better group of friends though and have made some memories for life over this summer.  

Some of my favourite moments were my Camping Holiday with my best friend Hannah in the New Forest (I've written a blog post all about that here!). It was so nice to escape and have a little adventure with just the two of us, something I really hope to do again soon. I also had so much fun at a 'slip and slide' BBQ with everyone. We covered my friend's trampoline in washing up liquid and water (see the picture at the top left!) and spent an afternoon sliding around and into each other. I completely underestimated how difficult it would be to stand up! What I loved especially about that day was how carefree we were. No thinking about Uni. No thinking about the future. All we did was mess about and have fun, enjoying each others' company and laughing until our stomachs hurt. 

I want to wish all my friends the best of luck at Uni. It'll be crazy and it'll be stressful, but it's all part of life. I can't wait to hear all their stories and, maybe, I'll even have a few of my own to tell them when they get back. Until then, thanks for the best summer guys and here's to the next! 

- Becca x

♡

Fave Five: August 2014

I did quite a bit of shopping this month and bought some new things that I have absolutely loved. This is quite a beauty-heavy Fave Five as I've discovered/re-discovered some gems this month! So, let's get started!

I have had quite a few big changes in my life recently. I have begun not 1, but 2 part-time jobs to raise funds to support my university life and studies. This has meant my weeks have become far busier and are moving along much quicker than I thought. This has been quite overwhelming and stressful at times but also enjoyable at others and it's exciting to think I'm now starting a completely new chapter of my life.

Superdrug Face Masks

The first product to feature in this month's Fave Five is something I have not used for a while but I am so happy to have re-discovered over the current period where 'me time' isn't exactly abundant. Face masks are one of the best ways to pamper yourself and relax while also making your skin look and feel great. I picked up a selection of the Superdrug face mask packets like the two pictured above. These are cheap and easy to apply and have left my skin soothed, as well as given me a chance to take a break and relax. You can find different masks that seek to achieve different goals, such as de-stressing or even anti-ageing. Each are packed with vitamins and extracts to help you put your feet up for a bit and give your skin the pampering it deserves! If I ever need a little break, I will definitely reach for these again and, even better, check Superdrug for these are always on little offers!

Revlon Lash Potion Waterproof Mascara by Grow Luscious

My second favourite I have actually already reviewed in a blog post on it's own, and that is the Revlon Lash Potion Waterproof Mascara by Grow Luscious. It, of course, deserved a mention in this Fave Five for there has probably only been collectively 4 days in the entire month when I haven't actually used it! I used my previous mascara the other day as I was in a rush and the difference is so incredible, it made me love it even more. My lashes are not only long and fluttery but also look so much fuller than before. I think I probably spend the most time out of all my make-up on my lashes as they can add so much to an eye look. This mascara effortlessly lengthens and thickens my lashes - very noticeably as well as I've received many compliments! What's more, thanks to the waterproof formula that I picked up (it is also available as standard, non-waterproof mascara), it stays all day, not smudging below my eyes or losing it's amazing look. I would really recommend this to anyone who is searching for that perfect mascara to primarily lengthen their lashes but also add a touch of volume for a price not too over-budget for the great quality!

Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balms

Next is another product by Revlon and one that I didn't intend on buying but, am so glad I have now! My mum was on the search for some new lipsticks and we stumbled upon the Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm. Like a pen, these lip colours are easy to apply and have a wide variety of vivid and beautiful colours. The effect is much deeper and vibrant compared to the Colorburst Lip Butters which I also own and are perfect for a quick and easy bright lip look that lasts well. I first wore this on a night out with my friends and was surprised to see how well it stayed put the whole night. The two colours I picked up were Flirtatious, a bright and deep red, and Whimsical, a glittery purple. Both shades are glamorous and glittery, although I find the glitter a lot more prominent in the purple shade. I adore the richness of both the colours and, now that I am adventuring into different lip colours rather than staying in the comfort zone of my lip balms and nude lip glosses, I am so excited to continue wearing both these gorgeous lipsticks. Another bonus is the balm aspect makes sure my lips don't become dry over the course of the day!

Collection 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner

Some of you might be surprised to read that, although I am a self-confessed beauty and make-up fanatic, I have always stayed clear of liquid eye liner. On an everyday basis, I sport khol pencil liner and have been too scared to attempt liquid eye liner. Constant complaints of the difficulty is what essentially put me off liquid eye liner, as I didn't want to spend hours trying to get both 'wings' to match. When on holiday, however, I didn't take any make-up apart from mascara and pressed powder and so, borrowed the eye liner that Hannah had brought. She had been using the Collection Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner. I was surprised at how quickly I got the hang of applying this liner that is basically a felt tip pen, and the similarity to my familiar pencil liner. I purchased it myself when we got back and, even though I wasn't too adventurous on holiday, I have attempted a few different looks over this past month and have actually really enjoyed using it (something I never thought I would say about a liquid eye liner!). I haven't myself worn it for 24 hours to test that aspect of it, but it does stay put all day and looks really nice on the eye. I would definitely recommend this to rookies like myself and one of the best parts is the price at only £2.99!

Finally is a music feature and something I'm sure most of you are already aware of! I have been a fan of Ed Sheeran for absolutely ages and am in love with his voice and style of music. I was so excited to hear his new album X and must admit it has been constantly playing over the past month. I just love the feel good and happy vibes his music has given to my summer and how his wonderful songs have accompanied the good times I've spent with friends. My favourite songs are Don't, Thinking Out Loud and Bloodstream but, every single track is amazing and truly boasts the talent of Ed Sheeran. If you haven't given his album a listen, it's a definite must and you might end up obsessing like I have been the last month!

That's all this month! What have you loved through August? I hope you all had a wonderful and memorable summer!

- Becca x

Superdrug Face Masks - RRP 99p (For 15ml Packet)
Revlon Lash Potion Waterproof Mascara by Grow Luscious - RRP £9.99
Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm - RRP £7.99
Collection Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner - RRP £2.99 
X By Ed Sheeran - RRP £8.99/£10.99 (For Deluxe Edition) on iTunes or RRP £8.99/£12.99 (For Deluxe Edition) as Physical Copy

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ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

I'm sure you will have all heard of, maybe even participated in, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, something that has been floating around the world of social media for a while now and, it was finally time for me to take part after my friend Natalie nominated me!

If you're unaware of what the challenge is, you have 24 hours after being nominated by someone else to fill a bucket with water and ice and pour this over yourself, or have someone help do it to you! It's a fun challenge that many celebrities have taken part in too, but it's all to bring awareness to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS. This affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Due to the fact symptoms of ALS include feeling numb, the 'Ice Bucket Challenge' was created as a way to simulate this effect for the participants to bring awareness to the disease. Each participant must also donate money to the cause!

I think this idea is brilliant and not only fun, but a great way to raise money for such a worth while cause that affects so many people around the world. I was more than happy to do the challenge as well as donate. So, here's the video of my ALS Ice Bucket Challenge! (Thanks go to my Dad for throwing the water on me!)

Have you done the Ice Bucket Challenge yet?

- Becca x 

For more information visit: http://www.alsa.org/ 

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Review: Revlon Lash Potion Waterproof Mascara By Grow Luscious

I naturally have long lashes so generally, when it comes to buying mascara, I tend to opt for cheaper options as I never found that it matters. There are a few negatives with cheaper mascaras though such as it tends to be more clumpy and maybe not look or apply as nicely as a more expensive or better brand of mascara would. When I received a No.7 mascara as a gift, I was immediately aware of the difference from this to my normal cheap mascaras and was encouraged to branch out and try a few different brands including Revlon, one that has now become one of my favourites. 

As the days of summer began, I knew a necessity would be a waterproof mascara, as well as a decent mascara in general that I could use on an everyday as mine was drying up. I picked up the Revlon Lash Potion Waterproof Mascara in an offer and couldn't wait to try it out. 

The first time I used it, I was actually heading off to a BBQ and 'slip and slide' party with my friends - something that would involve water fights, sliding around on a soapy trampoline and just generally getting soaked! What better way to test the 'waterproof' label on this mascara, I thought. After a fun day, I checked to see if the mascara had stayed put and I was very happy. It had worked great considering all what we had been doing that day involving water and hadn't smudged or flaked off onto my face. 

What's more it does a great job of making lashes appear really fluttery and long. I wouldn't say it gives a great deal of volume to the lashes, something it does boast on the label, but for length it is great and I have since used it everyday! The brush itself is a real brush, not a plastic applicator, something I admit to using often through purchasing cheaper mascaras. I really like how easy it applies onto the lashes and the product isn't at all clumpy, in my opinion. 

Overall, I am really happy I picked up this mascara. It has definitely persuaded me that it's sometimes better to go for quality over price and hopefully, I'll branch out and treat myself and discover a few more makeup treasures. Even if you're not looking for a waterproof mascara, the normal Revlon Lash Potion Mascara can still be found for the same price! I would definitley recommend this for the wonders it does with length and for how it doesn't smudge or run, even on a day-to-day basis. (Look how pretty the packaging is too! Maybe not something you keep in mind when purchasing mascara but it had to be said!)

- Becca x 

Revlon Lash Potion Waterproof Mascara By Grow Luscious - RRP £9.99 

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Fave Five: July 2014

Nude Lips

The first of my favourites for this month isn't so much a product but more of a 'look' that I've loved wearing. If you've read my last Fave Five (click here if you haven't!), you'll know that I hav ealways been quite shy of wearing colour on my lips and am always trying reaching to just a boring lip balm over a lip stick. I must say I've made a lot of progress with this and have often sported my new Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter down the town or out with friends. Although I have been wearing colour on my lips a lot more often, it hasn't meant that every outfit or every occasion suits the limited lipsticks in my make-up collection. I recently retrieved a palette that I haven't really used at all yet which included this nude lip gloss above. I instantly feel in love as soon as a put it on. It also sent me back to my mid teens when all my friends and I were obsessed with lip gloss like this one because, of course, we weren't allowed to wear make-up. What I love the most about this is the subtle shine and shimmer it gives to your lips without adding a colour too intense. It's perfect for not only everyday but also much more dressy occasion when you have perhaps much more dark or dramatic eye make-up, something you don't want to lose behind a bright lipstick. Overall, I have been wearing this beautiful nude lip gloss so much over the last month, this specific one from a limited edition palette I received as a gift from Marks & Spencers so I do believe it isn't available any more! There are so many gorgeous nude lip glosses and lip sticks available for a range of prices from Boots or Superdrug however which I will definitely seek to discover once this has run out!

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

Having read both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire last year, I couldn't wait to read the final conclusion to the trilogy - Mockingjay. With the reading I have been doing for my school courses, I had been too busy to start this until now. I'm only about half way through the book so far but I am really enjoying the storyline. I love Suzanne Collins' writing and the depth of description she portrays in each novel. The character of Katniss is also an aspect which encourages me to pick up the book each day and it's so interesting reading how the events unfold from her perspective. I can't wait to read further and discover how the book, and the events built in the previous books, end! 

NYC Nail Varnish in Midtown

Painting my nails is something I have very much missed since becoming so occupied with my studies. I find it so relaxing and love spending time choosing colours and creating cute little designs. I've recently been redesigning my nail varnish storage and sorting through the many nail polishes I own that are way past their expiration date! While my nail polishes were away as I created their new home, I borrowed this shimmery pink from my Mum. I instantly fell in love with the colour and knew this would most definitely be one of my favourite things to wear on my nails over the summer. Clothes wise, I wear alot of monochrome but also a lot of pink, so this colour could compliment nearly any outfit. This nail polish, by New York Color, is a stunning bright pink with shimmer running through it to give it a glossy and glamorous edge. I'm known to go bold with my nail colours so this colour was right up my street and steered away from the plain, block colours I have opted for recently. This exact shade is Midtown and as it was purchased a while ago I'm not sure it is still available. I must say however, that I am rather impressed by the brand NYC, as the quality is rather decent for the really cheap price at which these polishes can be purchased. If this colour isn't still available, I would definitely recommend exploring the NYC collection for similar colours or just others that scream summer like this one does (and for half the price of most other brands)!  

Nivea Moisturising After Sun Lotion

My skin is fair, very fair in fact, so sun burn is always something I seem to struggle with as the summer months begin and the sun starts to make an appearance. Therefore, I often seem to strongly rely on an 'after sun' to apply after I have spent long periods of time outside. I had been using this one by Nivea prior to my holiday and to that point, it has soothed and calmed the little sunburn I had attracted. When it came to my camping trip in mid-July, I was fairly confident that either I wouldn't need 'after sun', what with all the sun cream I would be a applying, or that Hannah would bring it instead. I was soon to find out she didn't bring any either. Yet, on the second day of our holiday, having gone kayaking at midday, our legs exposed by our shorts and soaked from the sea, we soon came to realise how sunburnt we had become on our legs. I must say this was probably the worst sunburn I have ever experienced, it literally felt like our legs were physically burning. We were quick to run to the local store and buy some of this, Nivea's Moisturising After Sun Lotion, to apply. I was so pleased at how quickly it seemed to cool the burning sensation and although we were still experiencing pain, it was a lot more bearable and the next morning, we could already notice how much of a difference the lotion had made at soothing and fading the burn. After the week or so of using the product, the burn had completely faded into a lovely tan without any peeling. This is quite an odd product to feature in my Fave Five but I had to give it a place after having saved us while on holiday and benefited my skin greatly since!

Camping Holiday with Han

Finally, my favourite thing for the month of July was the holiday I spent with my best friend Hannah. We ventured to The New Forest for 4 days, to camp and explore the surroundings all by ourselves. It wasn't exactly the crazy clubbing experience most teenagers dream of when they finish their exams but I wouldn't have changed a single thing! It was the most fun I've had and we spent the whole trip being silly and laughing. I have written a whole blog post on my holiday: CLICK HERE to read it! Above is a collection of photos from the trip which I love! 

That's all for this month! I can't wait to see what things will be in my top 5 next month, so, until then!

- Becca x

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - RRP £7.99 

New York Color Nail Varnish in Midtown - RRP £1.79 (For the NYC Minute Nail Varnish Collection) 

Nivea Moisturising After Sun Lotion - RRP £10.00 (For 400ml)

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Camping Holiday in The New Forest

Between the 14th and 17th of July, my best friend Hannah and I travelled to the New Forest, a National Park located in southern England, where we were set to camp and explore. It was amazing experience to travel without our parents and families, doing everything on our own and escaping just us two. As I mentioned in my 'This Summer' blog post, we literally had nothing planned, the whole trip would be one big spontaneous idea each day, which I guess didn't really hit home until the night before as I tried to scrape together a bag full of necessities not sure what I might be lacking or not even need.  

DAY 1

We arrived at the campsite in the morning of the 14th. We'd chosen to stay next to the little village of Ashurst, where there were plenty of services in case we needed anything and was a mere 2 miles from Lyndhurst, deemed to be the 'capital' of the New Forest. The campsite was really nice, luckily we'd picked to visit out of peak season so it wasn't too crowded and the staff were very friendly and welcomed us onto the site. The New Forest is famous for its animals that roam freely through the National Park, especially the beautiful New Forest Ponies, many of which wandered happily through the campsite, as Hannah shows in the picture above. We pitched the tent before adventuring off for our first insight into the New Forest environment for a picnic. We came across a stunning woodland which featured not only the famous ponies but also deer and cattle, enjoying the summer weather just as much as we were. The afternoon was very relaxed as we continued on exploring further into the woods. We came across wonderful fields full of life, igniting our excitement to further explore the New Forest over the coming days. We headed back, enjoyed dinner at the local pub 'The Happy Cheese' before settling in for an early night in preparation for the following day.

DAY 2

The night before our second day, Hannah and I had picked up as many leaflets as we could carry to see what we could plan for the next day. After discovering a 'New Forest Tour Bus' with 3 different routes, we settled on seeing where that could take us and what we could do. We caught it early morning, travelling via the 'Green Route' stopping in Brockenhurst, Lymington and Beaulieu. When stopped off in Brockenhurst, we phoned through to a place where you could hire kayaks in Lymington to find out the prices. We then decided we should go for it, without having ever kayaked before or wearing any of the right clothing to do so. We arrived in Lymington and made our way to the quay, where we were set to kayak, or at least try to! After being suited up in our life jackets and mistaking 'dry bag' to be some sort of sophisticated jargon (but literally meaning a bag for our belongings) - the man who helped and served us was most probably awfully worried for us by this point -  we made our way to the water, filled with excitement and nerves. We were both surprised how easy kayaking was and after a little practice we became more and more confident and our two hour adventure began. I am so glad we chose to do kayaking. I must admit, I was nervous and knowing we had no knowledge or experience with kayaking, I was terrified we'd fall out or something, especially knowing our luck! It was so much fun though and I would really recommend it to anyone up for a laugh and adventure with their friends or family! After this, we were quite happy to relax by the river in Beaulieu Village. This was a nice conclusion to a packed day, along with a nice meal at 'The Forest Inn' after which we fell asleep, pretty worn out and sunburnt from all our activities!

*Disclaimer* The animals we petted and took pictures with in the New Forest, we approached with caution and as soon as we saw they were comfortable, went on to pet them. They did not react negatively or appear unhappy when we did so. We didn't do this for every animal we came across and are well aware that some of the animals in the New Forest aren't as comfortable with human interaction as others. Also, although it looks like it in the picture above, I assure you I was not feeding the donkey!

DAY 3

On our third day, we decided to hire bikes locally in Ashurst, something we were certain we wanted to do from first planning the holiday. We cycled the two mile trip to Lyndhurst, the unofficial 'capital' of the New Forest, and upon arrival, were eager to explore the town and environment around. We first greeted a few animals that relaxed by the gates, who gave us a warm welcome into the surrounding land, filled with nature and beauty as far as the eye could see. Shortly after, we made our way down the high street. Lyndhurst boasts lots of cute and quirky shops, as well as a large variety of cafés selling delicious 'New Forest Ice Cream', an absolute must when you visit of course! After enjoying a short exploration of the local shops, a peaceful lunch in the solitude of the open countryside and befriending a couple of adorable donkeys, we headed off for what would be the longest bike ride I've ever experienced. We'd bought a cycle map in the morning and chose a route near Lyndhurst, but also with lots of different options for where to go. We cycled along the path through the woods, our eyes constantly scanning the surroundings for any wildlife. It was so peaceful to cycle through this part of the New Forest, away from the roads and busy tourist spots to simply enjoy the area and beauty within it. We caught sight of buzzards and deer on our adventure while having fun cycling up and down hills - although we are guilty of walking up most of the hills, especially towards the end! - and along the paths under the summer sun. Four hours later, at about 9pm, we finally made it back to Ashurst to return our bikes and placed a rather large order at the local Fish and Chips shop, hungry and thoroughly worn out from our trip in and around Lyndhurst.

DAY 4

We woke bright and early on our final day to give us enough time to put the tent down, pack all our things away as well as get ready for the day we still had planned. Once we'd cleared everything, we said our final goodbyes to the campsite, that had treated us well for the past couple nights, and the ponies, that had kept us company - one even poked their head into our tent that morning! We planned to visit 'Longdown Activity Farm' for the day, where you have the chance to feed and hold lots of different farm animals. The farm was quite small but there was so much to do. We got to see so many cute animals that were roaming around in the lush weather. It was quite funny how we were seemingly the oldest people there that didn't have children! It was such a fun experience though; I love animals and it was so nice to just spend a day watching all the cute pigs, little ducklings and adorable donkeys happy and doing what they do best. We also saw the smallest and sweetest baby guinea pigs, something I've never seen before, running around in their little pen - trust me, it was far more exciting than it sounds. All in all, the day was much more relaxed and not as jam-packed as the rest, which was definitely for the best as we were quite worn out by this point. We still had a lot of fun at the farm, feeding the animals, bouncing on the trampolines and just acting like big kids for the day! We the made our final trip to the local pub for a refreshing cold drink to cool us down before making our way back home, having had one of the best times ever. 

This little holiday was one I won't forget. If I had to choose one word to sum it up, it would be hilarious! I had so much fun with my best friend and it was a great experience to not only have the chance to choose whatever we wanted to do but also decide it all spontaneously! I really hope I get the opportunity to do something like this again and would recommend each and every thing we did to anyone wanting to get away and explore the New Forest!  

- Becca x

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