Contour purchase!

So I decided to buy my first contour 'kit'. I normally contour using my regular Estée Lauder foundation, a highlighting pen and some Estée Lauder bronzing powder.

I did my research and found this powder contour kit. 

I really liked the packaging and it even comes with a little diagram for those of you who are unsure of how or where to contour. The kit is £5.99 and can be purchased from Boots (link below!)

https://m.boots.com/h5/cat_hub?path=%2Fen%2FSEVENTEEN-Define-Conquer-Contour-Kit_1538986%2F&unCountry=uk

Before 

I applied my foundation as normal and then added the contour powder afterwards. I was more impressed with the dark powder as it showed up pretty well but I didn't feel like the highlighting powder made any difference to my face. 

Overall, the product is a good cheap way of basic contouring but I didn't feel like it created the desired look. I think I could probably recreate this look using my usual makeup routine so I personally wouldn't buy this again. 

Perhaps a cream contour kit would be better for a more dramatic look. 

Here's my finished look. 

Thanks for reading. 

D xxx

New nails

Summer already feels like such a distant memory! 😭

I'm now feeling less colourful and more nude during this 'inbetween' season feeling! 

Chosen a simple nude colour with silver glitter (again!) 

Hope you like 

Doll X

New nails

Here's a nail update! Loving the different shades of mint green with white nail art and obviously a glitter nail! 

Hope you like, I'm still enjoying the coffin shape! 

Doll X

Sorry I've been quiet!

So I kinda dropped off the face of the earth recently. I've been super busy working and settling into my new home!!! I'm working on new posts which will be up ASAP!

Keep checking
Doll x

Summer holidays

This summer is my first one single for as long as I can remember. What's a single girl to do? Book a last minute holiday with a friend (girls holidays are the best!) Impulsively myself and my friend booked a holiday to Sunny Beach, Bulgaria. 7 days later off we went! It was a great holiday, sun, sea, cocktails, parties and lots of fun! Here's some pictures of us enjoying our spontaneous holiday!
D x

New nails!

Probably my most favourite design to date! I've had the shape of my nails altered slightly to what is known as the 'coffin' style. I think these are amazing! Had them done for my summer holiday and will definitely be revisiting this design again but with different colours! Could look really nice with deep reds and purples for a winter look! 

D x

Lipstick

Last weekend I was invited to a Goth fancy dress party, first thing I thought 'how do I do goth makeup?' First thing I had to do was lay off the fake tan...

I went looking for a dark lipstick, something deep and rich and something I would NEVER normally wear! I found the Rimmel purchased from Boots from?? I was a little unsure of the colour but when u put it together with my Goth look, it was perfect and I loved it! It looks fab on and feels great. Here's a picture of me before the Goth fancy dress party.

Guess what? I'm now obsessed and can't STOP wearing it! Here's some other occasions I've worn it!

I definitely think it's made me more experimental with my lip colour as I was never a bright, bold lip colour person but I am now.

When I wore the lipstick to the goth party I did use black pencil eyeliner underneath it just to make it darker!

Thanks for reading
Dx

My house!

Today is the day... I am picking up the keys to my brand new house! I've waited what seems like forever for this day (6 months) but it looks amazing! I'm going to have so much fun accessorising!

D x

I've seen the light part 2!

Back in July I posted about an amazing light I had seen in Next for my lounge. I'd had my eye on it for months... Well it's now taking pride of place in my lounge! Here is what it looks like :) It is a little pricey at £180 but I think it's definitely worth it! 

Here's the link! 

http://www.next.co.uk/x6d1144s4#877012x56

D x

Snazzy mugs

I love my new kitchen mugs! They're from Next costing £14 they are so bright and fun. Look great on my white surfaces... In love!

Here's the link!
http://www.next.co.uk/x6d5338s2#904314x56

D x

Eyebrows

One of the most important things on your face that are often left untamed... eyebrows! Admittedly I only started grooming my eyebrows in my late teens (suppose it's not too late!) anyway I thought I'd show you some before and after pictures of how I shape and colour my eyebrows. I use the Rimmel eyebrow pencil in the colour brown. This has become part of my makeup regime and I do 'draw' on my brows every morning. Don't worry though, practice makes perfect. It takes me a few minutes and now I never feel fully ready without them groomed.

It's really handy as it has a small brush to smooth over the colour and keep your brows in line!

Here's some snaps of me.

Before eyebrow grooming 

After eyebrow grooming

It really makes a difference and frames your face. Don't forget your brows girls! 

Here's a link to get your Rimmel eyebrow stick psstttt its only £2.99 bargain!

http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Professional-Eye-Brow-Pencil_6946/

Thanks for reading 

D x

Estée Lauder Foundation

My favourite must have beauty product is the Estée Lauder double wear  foundation. I've been using this foundation for around 8 years now! (ohh I suddenly feel a bit old!) It all started when I was a teenager, I was very ill informed about what makeup best suited my skin tone and type and just bought whatever was in 'fashion' or cheap enough to buy with my pocket money! One weekend I went shopping with my dad, he looked horrified at me and said something along the lines of "What the h**l is wrong with your face?" Yeah I was slightly orange (tangoed used to be the word) but I thought I looked good! Well... apparently not, so he dragged me to the nearest House of Fraser, told me to choose a counter to sit at and politely asked the woman to "sort my daughters face out."

So there was literally no reason I chose Estée Lauder, let's say Estée Lauder chose me? At the time maximum coverage was what I wanted, I wasn't particularly into the 'natural' look so double wear was suggested. I immediately loved the coverage it gave, guaranteed to last 24 hours too.

Some people don't like the consistency of the double wear, it is thick, but you've got to learn how to make it work for you. I use my trusty mac foundation brush to apply and I don't seem to have a problem. Sometimes it can be abit difficult to spread around your face so a little moisturiser is sometimes a good shout before your foundation application.

mac 190 £27.00 http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/flash/brush_finder/index.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT1751

I will do a post on my favourite makeup brushes!

Nivea moisturiser (this is really cheap! Like a couple of pounds)

There are hundreds of colours to choose from, definitely go to a counter and have some tested on your skin. The colour I currently wear is desert beige however almost every two times I visit the colour I walk away with is different so I really recommend getting a colour test everything you go! Speaking of which, the price of double wear has recently increased (again) to £30.00 some may feel this is too much but I buy in average 3 bottles a year... well worth it I think!

Here's my skin
Before double wear

After double wear

Admittedly I don't really suffer from skin problems, I'm a little uneven and have freckles but I just think the double wear really evens out your skin tone. This is just a natural application, I do tend to apply around 3 'layers' for a night out!

Benefits of double wear
* SPF 10
*Good coverage
*Long lasting wear

Cons
*Price is currently £30.00 (correct as of July 2015)
*Can be too heavy for some skin types

I'll post links to places of purchase

House of Fraser
http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Est%C3%A9e+Lauder+Double+Wear+Stay-in-Place+Makeup+SPF+10/162886780,default,pd.html

Debenhams
http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123008974799_-1

Boots (collect your points!)
http://www.boots.com/en/Estee-Lauder-Double-Wear-Stay-in-Place-Makeup-SPF-10-30ml_1702894/

Any other questions please get in touch!
Thanks for reading
D x

New nail design

Okay so now I'm feeling like summer! 

The pink is in your face neon, the nail art, free hand flowers using acrylic paint! 

My nail tech is a genius.

These are the ultimate summer nails. 

Hope you all like! 

D x

New nails!

New nail design! 

I love these!!! I'm not normally a pink person and these are very 'barbie pink'! The gold glitter detail I also love. I've had my nails shaped more rounded this time so they look more natural. These are gel overlays too. I'm not an acrylic lover! 

I'm already thinking of what I can do next time! 

D x

I've seen the light!

Ok so I am obsessed with this light! It's from Next (currently in store as of July 2015) for £180

I think it's an amazing lounge light or even for a hallway/landing with open view. It's so sparkly and classy! 

I'm adding this to my 'to buy' list and will definitely be having this as a lounge light! 

The retractable cables mean it can suit varying ceiling heights. Ceiling heights on new build properties aren't very high but this will still be fine due to the alterations that can be made to the drop!

D x

Film review

I've just finished watching Inside Out... yes the children's film! 

I actually enjoyed it, a quirky but lovely idea that we have all these little creatures (emotions) running our mind like clockwork! Definitely one to watch with the children and quite an easy watch for adults too :) 

D x

Green finger

I just had to share this with you! A work colleague bought me a chocolate cosmos plant a couple of months ago. I've never been much of a gardener but I've really enjoyed looking after this! It's a small step in the gardening world but I'll be taking this to my new home. It looks lovely! 

D x

Goathland walk

So, I like to get out and about in the countryside (when I have the time.) Summer holidays is the perfect time for me. I ventured up to Goathland for the first time. Famous for filming Heartbeat, it's very much like going back in time! 

After a walk around the few small gift shops we embarked on our 'wall' towards Mallyan Spout. I've attached a picture of the map of the walk along with picture I took whilst walking. 

I actually wouldn't class this as a 'walk' more of a climb or hike. It's lots of fun but definitely not for children, unfit or elderly people. There are lots of rocks and it's very muddy, slippery and wet. Definitely got the heart racing! 

Walking shoes are a must (not your Nike running trainers like mine!) 

D x

Property purchase

I've embarked on a new adventure this year. Buying my very first home! On Feburary 14th 2015 I reserved my plot. 

I'm going to be documenting the progress of the build and the exciting challenge of interior design! 

Move date is August 2015! 

Super excited. 

D x

New nail design

I'm loving my new nail design this week! Blue has always been a fave colour of mine and I love this colour!

D x

Healthy living

So back in March I posted about trying to  be more healthier. We are now at the end of July and it's safe to say I didn't stick to my plan! I've got a crazy 3 weeks left before moving into my house. I'm planning on blogging about my healthy meals so watch out!

D x

New nails

Here's a copy of my new nail design!
I'm in love with nudes right now but always need a bit of sparkle in my life! I got my inspiration for this design from Pinterest (my fave place to look for inspo!)

Hope you like :)
Doll x

Bitter sweet

Why why why are ex partners so bitter and sad?

Why when it was you who ruined everything?

Why when it was you who made my life miserable?

Ya'll need to move on with your life!

I feel very sorry for people who don't have the strength to pull themselves through the difficult times in their lives.

Nuf said!

Fifty shades of Grey

A bunch of giggling girls eating pop corn and been told off in the cinema for being too loud... yes, this was me and my two friends last night at the cinema. We weren't there to watch a girlie chick flick, we were there to finally see Mr Grey. Long awaited as I read the books in 2012 but it was the ultimate girlie/sexy/erotic movie we wanted it to be.

I must say Mr Grey isn't my type, but being a single twenty something, he wasn't bad to look at! A bit on the cheesy side sometimes with the lines but we all know in a real womans world, that shizz ain't going to happen! I hold down a full time job, I do not have the time to commit myself to that much fun (if that's what you'd call it!) However exciting, as I rolled out the cinema at 12.30am, the last thing on my mind would have been to go home and start dabbling in some BDSM (not that I have anyone at home waiting for me.) My friends who both have partners also said this (ha.)

The intimate scenes were acceptable (personally wasn't a fan of Dakota Johnsons amount of pubic hair but hey ho what ever floats your boat!) It does still puzzle me what Christian Grey liked about Anastasia Steele. Even in the film, I just don't get it. There's not much about her at all! If she can pull a super hot millionaire like that then maybe we all can?! I'll just keep waiting...

I'll definitely be going to see the next film! It ends quite cheesy although I'd say it has the desired affect of you instantly wanting to see more. Overall it was worth the money, I had my Mr Grey fix and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Here's some fifty shades of Grey inspired nails I've had done!
D x

Heart break

How can someone betray you so much? Lie to you, disrespect you and cheat on you? I will never understand. 6 months ago I shared a home with 'the one'. The one who I was marrying and spending the rest of my life with. Although the relationship was miserable for the entire time we lived together (15 months) I wouldn't ever have given up. The hold someone can take over you is scary. What was I staying for? I can't answer that question. For six months he lied and cheated (then lied some more when I confronted him.) But I still stayed, continued to pretend everything was ok, continued to plan our dream wedding (stupid.)

I finally broke. Four weeks of not speaking to each other, him disappearing, me sleeping on the sofa crying and making myself sick with worry I finally broke. I lost everything, no, he took everything from me. My house, my belongings, my relationship, the wedding we were planning. All gone. I now start at very rock bottom, starting to rebuild my life bit by bit. Trying to figure out what my next steps are, how I begin a new life on my own and leave the old one behind.

I've had a long time to think about this and to make my decision. If you're miserable at such an early part in your life and relationship, there is no way you can spend the rest of your life committed to someone but also being miserable. My guard is up and I don't intend to let it down. I will never let anyone get close enough to me to hurt me the way he did.

Onwards and upwards.
D x

Intro

I'm a professional in my early twenties. Had my life turned upside down and I'm now looking towards a happier future. This blog will consist of a variety of entries which relate to a 'Real woman's world'. Light hearted and fun with probably a lot of things you can relate to. Hope you enjoy, D x