Beauty on a Budget

Being a University student, I know the trails and tribulations of trying to keep your makeup collection in good nick whilst abiding by  a limiting budget. So here are a few of my favourite products, all under £10!

Bourjois Bronzing Powder (£7.99)

This is the best drugstore powder out there! It is second to my favourite, Hoola, and is great for daily-wear due to its matte finish.

Seventeen High Drama Liquid Eyeliner (£3.99)

I never go too pricey with liquid eyeliner, there's no need! This beats Rimmel as it lasts a full day, so there's no need to top up on the run!

Maybelline Great Lash Very Black Mascara (£4.99)

This is up there with the greats, Lancome, Clinique and Benefit. ItS one of the only drugstore mascaras that leaves my lashes lush and long, avoiding clumpy black bumps.

No7 Concealer Brush & Eye Colour Brush (Both £8.00)

I got these in a set for Christmas and they are absolutely brilliant. I tend to wash them on a regular basis (I've previously ruined a few brushes from forgetting to do this) and use them daily. They are as good as Mac or Sephora, and way under half the price.

The Groovy Food Company Coconut Oil (£5.99)

I've only started using this in my beauty routine fairly recently, I used to think you could only cook with it. So i've got into using it for my dry hands in the evenings, and to shave my legs, leaving them smooth and hydrated. 

I hope this helps anyone trying to keep to a tight budget!

K.

Bold, Bright & Blonde!

Due to the rapid change in weather (will we ever see Summer?!) , I've decided to do a post on brightening shampoos. My hair has been really dull and dark recently, and being a natural blonde i'm always looking forward to the Summer to get some rays through my hair. Unfortunately, British weather isn't looking too good recently and i've resorted to trying some colour enhancing shampoos, to give my hair the little lift it needs. I thought i'd share three of the shampoos that i've been using, and give them a quick review...

Bleach London : Silver Shampoo (£5.00)

After having been recommended this product from my housemate I had high hopes for this. I used it a few weeks ago when I was in desperate need of brightening my hair before my University Summer Ball. I used it 3 days straight, and left it in for 5 minutes before washing it out. It's great! I know it suggests using the product every other day, but I was on a tight schedule and decided to ignore the bottle (silly I know). Due to using it three days in a row my hair felt unhealthy and dry. Overall this is a super product, it's perfect for anyone looking to brighten their hair over a week-two week process.

Pro:Voke : Touch of Silver (£3.19)

Alike the previous product I had heard many people praise this shampoo, and decided to give it a go myself. I used this product over the Christmas period, and unfortunately didn't see any improvement in the colour or brightness of my hair. Although it's a great price, you're better off buying a good quality shampoo for a pound or two more. 

Charles Worthington : Violet Shampoo (£5.99)

I love this shampoo! Although it doesn't work as fast as Bleach London, it's perfect as a weekly shampoo. Unlike other brightening products it keeps your hair hydrated whilst also giving it that extra glow. 

WINNER: Charles Worthington! 

Hope this helps anyone looking to give their hair a sun-kissed glow.

K.

Blogging 101

So it's been two years since I started writing for all you beautiful people, and I've learnt a lot since I started back in 2014. For instance, there is often a big different between being an instagram star and being a blogger, although sometimes these can come hand-in-hand. Instagram stars can be the best people at faking a life which they wish they had, or as other people would like to call it, capturing beautiful pictures that enhance the presentation of their lifestyle experiences. Bloggers tend to be slightly more down to earth and know the struggle of writing for a specific audience and the attempts at keeping a audiences attention, whilst also writing about things that they are passionate about. So to celebrate my two years of writing I thought i'd share my blogger 'wisdom', although let's be honest, I haven't made it big and I am still no where near being an expert in the field, i'm still learning and hope to be learning for years to come. So here are some of my top tips for those of you who are maybe interested in writing a blog yourself, or are just curious about how we do it...

 1. Write because you enjoy it. 

2.Write things YOU are interested in, not just things you think an audience will like. 

 3. NEVER write, instagram or post just for the likes, if your hearts not in it, people will know. Many would disagree with me and suggest that you need to post a certain amount of pictures and blog posts, and that you should only ever do it at the prime liking and reading times. I mean this might help, but why function like a company when you're in fact a blog just writing to help readers and for your enjoyment.

4. Show your personality. I got this wrong for quite a long time, I chose to write and post anonymously. I was scared to post photos of myself, I didn't want people judging me from what I look like, and I definitely didn't want to seem vain. Someone once told me that for the reader to truly enjoy your work they need to identify with you and know your personality, and they weren't wrong! 

5. Have fun! If you're having fun this will project through your work, my best work is done when I am content, happy, excited and loving life! 

K.