A Musical Interlude

A rather different post from me today, I thought I would share some of the music I love and can't stop rattling round my head! I think it is also quite interesting to see what music people are enjoying at any particular time. It can definitely tell you a little more about them!

Michael Castro - Be With You

Taylor Swift - Breathe

Paper Kites - Bloom

Imagine Dragons - Radioactive

Luke Conard and Landon Austin - Superhero

ShadowBoxer cover of Chase and Status - Time

I have bought all of these and downloaded them to my phone and have literally had them on repeat since I bought them. In love <3 I'm most certainly not a music buff by the way, I just like what I like :) songs that make me happy.

Fleur xoxo

FOTD: Smoke It Up!

Every once in a while I actually go for a smokey eye look. Not particularly often but on occasion. The occasion this time was going to see 'The Great Gatsby', the film of a book I adore. I don't think it was a perfect adaptation but it was definitely better than I was expecting. Best of all though was the clothes, makeup and hair - absolutely gorgeous. I cannot wait to watch it again for that. I may even go and see it again so I can marvel at the beauty. For those of you who don't know, it is quite a melancholy and beautiful love story. Whilst it starts with the flash, glamour and partying it ends with quite a different tone. If you love makeup do go see it. 

Stepping away from the book/film review and back to the makeup. I had this makeup on all day and just added to it, as is my wont. I very rarely have the time or willing to re-do my entire face, mainly because cleansing is a bore. So I simply added a slick of liquid liner, smoked out the eye makeup with some black shadow in the crease and added some lipstick! Easy. 

Base

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in True Ivory

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Ivory

MAC Pinch 'o' Peach Blush

Sleek Highlighter from the Contouring Kit

MAC MSFN

Eyes

Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer

Sleek iDivine in Storm

Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner in Black

Daniel Sandler Warerproof Eyeliner in Velvet Black
MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

Lips

L'Oreal Rouge Caresse in Aphrodite Scarlet 

I genuinely enjoyed this look and thought it was faintly appropriate for the occasion! I hope you all had wonderful weekends and aren't dreading Monday too much. Having only had Sunday off and knowing that I have a hectic week ahead of me, I cannot say I am over the moon! 

Fleur xoxo

Quick Review Thursday: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

This 'corrective and unclogging anti-imperfection care' has been raved about pretty much universally by bloggers and YouTubers alike. There are obviously some for whom the ingredients are not suitable (particularly cyclohexasiloxane) and for some it will be unsuitable for their skin. I genuinely enjoying using this and have reaped a good few benefits from using it. The skin on my face is combination so I mainly use this on my T-zone.

It is supposed to 'purify skin and prevent breakouts', for me it definitely does this. My skin rarely has a single spot now, pretty much only when I've irritated it in some way. 

It is also 'unclogs pores by eliminating dead cells responsible for obstruction'. I can't say I have noticed this as much but as part of my blackhead banishing plan it is definitely helping little by little. I think I will notice the results of this more after many months of use rather than just a few. 

It is currently £13 for 30ml and in the 3 for 2 offer at Boots. However, you can also buy this from several high street stores as well as online retailers.

Pros:

1. Contains no mineral oil.
2. Paraben free. 
3. Contains salicylic acid (could be a con for your skin type).
4. Great makeup base.
5. Genuinely works exactly how it is supposed to on my skin.
6. Perfect under moisturiser for added hydration and protection, yet still works. This means even dry skins could use this.
7. Really refreshing and feels nice on the skin.
8. Keeps spots at bay and helps get rid of a spot should it appear.
9. Helps clear out blackheads.
10. Makes the skin look generally clearer and healthier.

Cons:

1. Fragranced.
2. Can be drying if used alone.
3. Can purge your skin, so initially will create more problems than it solves.
4. Contains cyclohexasiloxane.

La Roche-Posay Effalar Duo

Have you tried this? Did it work wonders for you too?

Fleur xoxo

FOTD: Feeling Naked

When summer (or the close approximation to summer that the UK experiences around this time of year) arrives I start whacking on the fake tan and wearing pretty minimal makeup. Being fake tanned makes me feel about a million times better about myself on a daily basis. As a superficial result, that is still pretty impressive and cheap!

I have also started using the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette on a daily basis and starting to enjoy using it. I'm still not sold but there are definitely shades I love, particularly Half Baked. I think even when I finish this palette I will be repurchasing that one. The other shades are growing slowly on me, now I have a 'tan' I think they are a little more impactful on me. 

11 Product Face? Yes, that is how I roll.

So brown.

Closed lids.

Hey, I'm smiling for you!

I love those earrings! 

A more natural, daytime version. Sorry for the dead stare.

Base

San Tropez Instant Glow Wash Off Body Lotion

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in 01 Ivory

Smashbox Photo OP Under Eye Brightener  

Boots Natural Collection SunTint Bronzing Powder in Sun Shine

Maybelline Dream Touch Blush in 06 Berry

MAC MSFN in Light

Eyes

Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer 

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette:

Bootycall - all over lid and inner corner

YDK - crease and lower lash line

Half Baked - centre of eye

Busted - outer corner to intensify YDK

MAC Teddy Eyeliner 

MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara

Soap and Glory Archery Shaping Pencil in Love is Blonde

Collection Clear Mascara as brow gel

Lips 

MAC Frost Lipstick in Costa Chic

I use the San Tropez 'body lotion' after my moisturiser, I don't find it particularly moisturising and think it is more similar to the Rimmel instant tan. The colour is just perfect though, it takes me really brown yet still looking somehow natural. As this is highly pigmented I don't use foundation with it, I find most of my flaws disappear or are not too noticeable. I can then just spot conceal anything that is glaringly obvious! 

I have been wearing pretty much just this makeup for the past few weeks, just changing up the lip colour. It is really quick and easy, perfect for having that extra 10 minutes in bed reading blogs before I get up! 

I hope you are enjoying the tradition from spring to summer :) I'm really hoping the weather starts improving here soon! 

Fleur xoxo

NOTD: My Spring Greens

I don't really have much in the way of green or blue nail varnish. Most of mine are in the pink/purple/red spectrum. However, I love wearing blue and green clothes - so shouldn't I also love nail varnish in those colours too?

When I spotted OPI's Sea Ya Later, Sailor! in a blog sale I knew I had to have it. The base colour is a light pastel green but it is packed full of shimmer, vibrant turquoise that has a hint of pink and purple. I love swirling the bottle round watching the colours swirl and merge. Oh and did I mention that it's insanely shiny looking? I can't stop looking at my nails either! 

It is a very sheer polish, even after three coats I applied you can see the nail underneath. However, I quite like that and I know it will look gorgeous layered over quite a few different shades. I can't wait to try it over Essie's Absolutely Shore. 

Whilst it was part of a collection rather than part of the standard line, it doesn't seem to have been so popular. So, you can still find a bottle quite easily and cheaply! I can see why it wasn't popular but the colour just mesmerises me. 

I hope you are all having lovely weekend :) 

Fleur xoxo

3 coats of OPI's Sea Ya Later, Sailor!

Please excuse my sad cuticles. I look after them so well but work destroys them :(

Quick Review Thursday: L'Occitane Cleansing and Softening Shower Oilwith Almond Oil

I really wanted a way to review products, potentially ones that have been reviewed a lot or have been out for a while, quickly and simply. More of a simple 'this is why I like it' or 'this is why I don't than my normal reviews. So I decided that on a Thursday I would do a quick review. A snapshot. When I research a product before buying it I love to find as many reviews as possible. Especially if it happens to be from a blogger I already read, even better if they have a similar skin type etc to myself. So, lets get on with this weeks!

The L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil was a birthday present from my mum. I had seen it on several blogs and been telling her how much I wanted it. So I was quite delighted to have it yet still sceptical about it. 

It smells like very fresh marzipan, so if that scent isn't for you - avoid. I however, really like it, even though I'm not usually into sweet scents. 

To use this I first wet my entire body and turn off the shower. I then squeeze a slick onto my palm and rub it between them. Starting from my hips I then work this all over my body. It forms a creamy looking 'lather' and that one squeeze is enough for my entire body. This doesn't feel immediately like you've washed as you are not covered in suds. However, when you then turn the shower back on it leaves the skin clean but not dry/oily; just right. It also doesn't leave any more than a regular shower gel in the way of residue in the shower tray. It also doesn't make the shower tray slippery (obviously should you drop the bottle and some pour out, it would...). 

I can use this without the need to put body lotion on top for several days before my skin starts to feel dry. With body lotion, my skin feels a fair bit softer. It is also perfect to shave with as it really does help the razor glide smoothly. 

It contains mainly naturally occurring oils though it does contain fragrance which I think is a shame. Otherwise the ingredients are pretty innocuous. 

Overall this gets a 5/5 from me. If you have dry body skin and like the scent of marzipan, you will probably like this. Anything that means occasionally I can have an extra 5 minutes in bed because I don't have to slather myself in body lotion is alright by me!

I hope you all have had a good week so far and are looking forward to the weekend!

Fleur xoxo

Bank Holiday Resolutions

Normally I (and a lot of the world) makes my resolutions on a different bank holiday, the 1st of January. However, January is such a bad time for making resolutions for so many reasons. The idea of a resolution is a good one though, so why not take a modern approach and make them whenever suits you. Right now suits me just fine.

I've chosen today to make my resolutions. I've recently gone through a few upsetting changes to my life, whilst this could easily have left me sat in bed with the curtains closed, I've chosen not to let it. I've chosen to take some time to improve myself and my life. So far, I'm actually doing quite well.

I want to become pescatarian. I don't agree with the wholesale slaughter of animals, I don't agree with the way they are kept, I feel the amount of effort and energy needed to rear animals is ridiculous in our world, the environment cannot sustain this. In fact because I think about this so much I no longer really enjoy meat and even feel sick when I eat it. So, why am I? I would also like to cut fish out as our oceans are so overfished. However, I do not want to do everything all at once and I adore eating fish still. To start with I am not going to be super strict, mainly because I have several meals I have made and frozen that contain meat. Plus I need to allow the people around me time to get used to the idea. Especially my mum as I cook for the both of us every day. However by September I want to be fully pescatarian. Until then, I want to aim for only one meal that contains meat per week. I do not need any reward for this, simply because this is something I already want to do and being able to will be reward enough.

So, more of this: 

and less (then none) of this:

I have recently started going to the gym more regularly and I want to keep this up, going three times a week. Once to a yoga class (which helps improve my flexibility and general state of mind), once or twice (where possible) to the gym and once for a swim. I was already going for a swim most weeks but I do have excess weight I would like to lose before the summer. Plus, I would like to be fitter and healthier. As a reward if I manage this I will be buying myself new gym clothes, in particular some new sports tops as mine aren't particularly good. If I get down to my target size and weight I will buy myself one of those 'watches' that calculate how many calories you have burnt etc as they fascinate me and I think it would also continue to motivate me. Less of the tummy, arms and thighs please!

My next resolution is to spend 10 minutes a week looking after my feet. So exfoliating them, pushing the cuticles back, painting and re-painting them, moisturising them. I tried it out today and it doesn't actually take that long to do all of that. Plus you can watch YouTube videos whilst doing all of it. So my usual Sunday morning routine can just have a little extra step in it. To get me fully started I have a voucher for a pedicure from my birthday, so I will book that! Then I will treat myself to a whole range of foot treats, to start with on a monthly basis, to keep me going and to add some different products into the routine! Just like below, don't my feet look a little small?

My resolutions in January were to give up fizzy drinks (which worked for a while then failed) and to cut down on the amount of sugar I'm eating. I still want to do that as both would be beneficial for my health, especially reducing my sugar consumption. I would suggest I am definitely on the path to develop type 2 diabetes and I don't want that to happen. I am going to keep this in the back of my mind and try but it is not something I am aiming to do straight away.

Do you have any mid year resolutions? Or are you still working on your January ones?

Fleur xoxo