A Weekend Look

Happy Saturday!

I thought I would share with you what I wore on my face today.

Base

To begin I primed my face using Benefit's The POREfessional Primer, one of my favourite primers. I then used my holy grail Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation and I blended Maybelline's Eraser Eye Concealer under my eyes and over any pesky lumps and bumps! I also added some of my Nars Creamy Concealer for extra luck! I then used The Body Shop's Lightening Touch Concealer down the middle of my nose, under my eyes and in the middle of my forehead. Lastly, no look would be complete for me with my MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation, I swept this over my face for maximum coverage. 

Eyes

This was quite quick and simple compared to my usual eye routine. I started by sweeping MAC's Pro Long Eyeshadow in Carefree all over the lid and up towards my eyebrow. I then built this up from the inner corners of my eyes to the middle of the lid. I then used MAC's Lustre Eyeshadow in Tempting (a favourite of mine), I built this up on the ends of my eyes and in the crease, I also put a faint line underneath my bottom lashes. I then lined my eyes using Maybelline's Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner and primed and coated my lashes with Estee Lauder Lash Primer Plus and Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara. For the brows I used Smashbox Brow Tech in Dark Brown. 

Cheeky cheeky 

I didn't really contour today as I didn't want a really heavy look (and I haven't got the correct products with me!). Instead I simply used my Body Shop Bronzer on my cheeks and on the corners of my forehead. I then added a little of Clinique's Blushing Blush Power in Aglow (01).

Lips 

As you can see in the pictures I did both a matte look and a glossy look. Basically you can add gloss as desired! I lined my lips in Rimmel's Exaggerate Liner in East End Snob ( I did over draw my lips a little). I then topped this with MAC's Matte Lipstick in Love Honey. This look alone looks really nice, but admittedly it can be a bit drying. I usually use a light lipgloss but I only have pinky shades with me today so I used Estee Lauder's Pure Colour Gloss in Brazen Berry (04). 

So there we have it - the completed look. 

I hope you enjoyed this! Any questions please ask! 

You can find me on Instagram @aprilhannahblogs x 

Get to know me

1. Name, age and where are you from?

I’m April, I am 22. I am originally from a place about 20 / 30 minutes outside of Manchester (UK) – up in the countryside. I moved to York almost 2 years ago. 

2. Education.

I went to University to study law, I then went on to further do an LPC (solicitors exams basically)! 

3. What are your skin concerns?

My skin has become so oily! That is really my major concern, it’s starting to affect my makeup lasting power and I have become prone to breaking out around my cheek areas – it’s as though my skin is going through its teenage years! 

4. What are your most wanted makeup products?

I am always wanting to try new foundations, I would love to find one which could match my love for Double Wear. I would like to try some Charlotte Tilbury products and I would love to find the perfect lip liner and lipstick for a Kylie Jenner lip!

5. Hair type. 

Pretty much super straight – I don’t even need to dry it or straighten it in the mornings. 

6. Clothing style. 

Super casual and comfy and very, very plain (though I am trying to change that!) 

7. How long does it take for you to put on makeup?

Before work in the mornings, I can get it done in 15 mins. On the weekend, if I am really taking my time, I can sit in front of the mirror for a good 45 minutes. 

8.  Face or eyes first?

Face! For some reason I find it really difficult to do my eyes and eyebrows without powder on them first. I hate putting eye shadow on to the foundation or concealer on my eyes. 

9. Do you wear makeup when you're home alone or with family?

Yes. Up until about 1 year ago I would never step foot out of the house without makeup on, nor would I let people see me without makeup on – I was very self-conscious about the natural face! I am not too bad now, but (and this may sound crazy) I don’t feel clean until I have my makeup on! 

10. High end or drugstore?

For certain items – foundation and power – I am predominantly high end, but I have started to experiment with more drugstore purchases. However, it’s always nice to treat yourself! 

11. How often do you change your handbag?

Not a lot. I have a large black bag for work which will also take me through the weekend unless I want a smaller one to carry around.

12. What time do you wake up and go to sleep?

On a weekday I wake up at 6:30 am for work and go to sleep around 11 pm. On the weekend I tend to wake around 8 am and go to sleep around 11 pm (or earlier). 

13. How do you de-stress?

I like to make sure my room is clean and tidy, that instantly makes me feel better - just being in a clean room. Then I will usually shower and watch some TV. I sometimes suffer from anxiety too, I haven’t quite got the hang of how to control this yet – but a cup of tea helps me!

14. What's your favorite color?

Blue! 

15. Currently watching?

Suits and Call the Midwife

16. Favourite YouTubers?

Essie Button, Amelia Liana, Lauren Curtis and Fleur De Force.

I'm hungry.

Find me on Instagram! @aprilhannahblogs x 

Health & Fitness

I have decided that I need to try and look after myself, from a health and fitness perspective, a little better. 

I have struggled with energy levels ever since I can remember, and with me being a vegetarian for around three / four years now, I really am getting fed up with my utter lack of energy. I am hoping a bit of exercise, some extra vitamins and a more controlled diet will lift my spirits! 

Just a quick bit of background: I have never ever been 'fit', 'sporty' or even particularly healthy. I have always eaten what I wanted and carried a little weight around with me. If I lose weight with this then what a bonus that would be, but for me it's more about feeling good from within myself. 

So where have I started?

I bought some new trainers, and some new gym leggings. New gear is always a good gym motivation for me. I have really flat feet and it can get quite painful for my feet when I run so I am trying out the Nike Lunarglide+ 5 which I found in the outlet near to me - fingers crossed!

I have also started taking my Vitamin B tablets, and have bought some good old healthy food. This week I invested in some Quinoa, Kale, Sunflower seeds and other goodness to make a Warm Quinoa Salad (I added a few extras), (Recipe - http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1841634/warm-quinoa-salad-with-grilled-halloumi) 

So I think that is where I am up to at the moment. I am not going crazy. I am aiming to go to the gym twice a week. I did meet a friend for a (vege) burger and wine last night and that was lovely - I am trying to change my lifestyle one step at a time. I know that if I go in all at once, that I will fast get fed up and find myself in the freezer aisle grabbing my Ben & Jerrys! 

If you have any words of advice, please by all means pass them on! :-) 

You can find me on instagram  http://instagram.com/aprilhannahblogs/

Not my best choices...

So this post is going to be based around products I have tried and tested, but which unfortunately are just not working for me. I am sure many people have tried and loved these products (I mean Hourglass Brow Arch...Can you believe it?!) but sadly, they have gone in to my least favourites pile! 

The Body Shop - Seaweed Clarifying Toner and Purifying Facial Cleanser

I have found over the last five or so months, my skin has really started to become noticeably oilier. I have never had particularly greasy skin, nor has it ever been dry, I have just been happily in the middle...until now. 

Although I have found some excellent products in the Seaweed range that have seriously helped my skin, these two just seem to do literally nothing for me. The cleanser feels as though I am sweeping a watered down moisturiser across my face and has a really strong smell of chemicals or alcohol, it can also sting my face. The toner again is like a watered down product. Now I know the toner is obviously a liquid, but, I don't know there just seems as though these products are simply watered down - if that makes sense! The toner says it is alcohol free - but I think this smells even stronger than the cleanser. Now I know I haven't used a lot of these but any skincare product which smells strongly of alcohol... it immediately puts me off. I just feel uncomfortable putting these on my face. 

As I said earlier, I have found some fantastic products in this range. Unfortunately these were not two of them.

The Body Shop - Rainforest Balance Shampoo and Conditioner

Okay I promise this is not a Body Shop bashing blog! I love The Body Shop! 

I have always suffered with greasy hair. I have always had to wash it everyday, it's something I have just accepted. If I don't wash it in the morning, by 10 am its oily and just making me feel unclean. However, I have been trying to change my ways, I know washing your hair everyday does nothing for this problem. I was so excited when I came across this duo, I took no convincing and snapped them up immediately! 

Now, when I do use these I find the non - greasy state definitely lasts longer then usual - yey! But, oh my daiz (!), the tangled mess my hair is when I come out of the shower is utterly hideous! Not to mention the conditioner is near impossible to get out of the container - I really don't need to be working hard to get access to my products at 6 am people! But its the tangling of the hair, the drying of the hair. It feels horrible, horrible, horrible. I have simply stopped using this because I am scared that I am going to lose my hair! So sorry Body Shop, I can't hold back with this one - very very disappointed *sad face*

Lets get the shockers out of the way! 

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

What can I say, I love Real Techniques, their face brushes are incredible. This sponge however, is something I wish I had never spent my pennies on. I've used it dry, I've used it damp, I've used it with foundation, with concealer etc. This just seems to soak up all of my product. I am easily using two or three times the amount of foundation I would need if I were applying it with a brush. I know the world went up in a storm about these blenders and maybe it's just me and I can't get the hang of it, but nope - I will stick to my brushes please! 

MAC Smolder Eye Kohl

I don't have too much to say about this actually, it's just one of those items that was quite pricey and which I never use. It is very black and applies easily enough - but it prints all over my eye lid throughout the day :( I find by lunch time I have two half moons of black in the creases of my eye lid - not a good look I tell you! I do tend to use this if I am going on a night-out on my top waterline, but again it has the tendency to print to the bottom lash area. I am sure I have used pencils in the past which haven't printed and it just wasn't what I was expecting from MAC. 

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil 

So sad.

So sad.

I was after this for ages. I wanted it sooo bad, I knew I would love this and that my life would be complete... Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration but I am sure anyone reading this knows the hype.

This is.. too dark, too thick and my foundation sticks to the pencil like nobodies business which means I have to press harder and end up with a darker finish. I think you really have to work with this, it doesn't glide on easily. I am still using this pencil because I am that stubborn, I am determined to change my own mind about it! I use this when I have the time. As I am usually up early and out for work I don't really have the time to be perfecting the brows but, when I do, I combine this with a powder and my much thinner MAC brow pencil. 

That being said, the little brow brush that comes with this is ace! 

So there we have it - a few things that just haven't worked for me, my skin or my hair. Have you had similar experiences with any products? I am particulaly interested in products for oily skin and hair - any insight is welcome! 

As always, please leave me a comment / subscribe so that I can check out your blogs too! 

You can follow me on instagram at http://instagram.com/aprilhannahblogs/

A x 

Five Things

So I thought I would dedicate my very first post to the five items I feel that I am reaching for on a daily / weekly basis. Some of these products are new to me, others I have used religiously for years. (I realise there are more than five items here - but I have grouped some together!) 

So welcome! Lets get started!

The Holy Grail

 Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation 

So I have pretty much used this foundation exclusively for around six years. I still to this day haven't found anything else which rivals this base. Its just the one product I feel like I can really, really rely on. I don't have to worry about it slipping off my face, streaking or drying up. I can put this on at 7 in the morning before work and I wouldn't even need to think twice about staying out til late - it truly is just that good!

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

This is another product I use as a base pretty much everyday, and again I have used this for years. It gives incredible coverage along with a fantastic matte finish.

This + Double Wear Foundation = Porcelain skin

I apply this using the sponge which comes with this product for a full coverage effect or, instead, I lightly dust this over my face using a brush for a lighter coverage. This, however, can become a little cakey if you reapply multiple times throughout the day, I find it best to have a lighter blotting powder with me to target the dreaded grease! 

Rimmel Exaggerate Lipliner East End Snob

I love this lipliner, a recent discovery of mine (after I heard it was a dupe of the much more pricier Charlotte Tilbury Liner!). So what can I say..It glides on effortlessly, no dragging of the skin, it has seriously good staying power and it really plumps up the lips. This looks great on its own but it really does come to life when layered with a lipstick and lipgloss. However, with the windy days here in the UK I find myself wearing this alone to avoid the constant hair sticking to my lips (nightmare!).

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat 

I feel this gives the look of salon professional nails but for a fraction of the price. People have asked me on numerous occasions whether I have had gels done - but no I have not! In order to get a really thick, gel-like effect I will use my base coat, one or two layers of my colour, a coating of the Seche Vite, another colour layer and a final coat of the Seche Vite. Beauuuutiful. I paid £10.00 for this, and I was reluctant to pay this for a top coat, but I honestly think it is worth every penny. 

Clarins Eau Ressourcante 

So sometimes on a Saturday or Sunday night I just love to have a good shower and settle down in a fresh pair of pyjamas feeling totally cosy and clean -so this is what I turn to. I find there is something about all the Clarins products that makes me feel so homely and snuggley. I love to use these all together every now and then as an indulgent treat. I feel relaxed just thinking about using them! :-) 

A Quick About Me. 

I am 22, vegetarian and living in the UK. I have a degree in Law and an LPC Qualification. I love animals - I have a particular fondness for all things cats, so I may well introduce a particular good feline friend of mine on here one day! 

I have set up this blog as a bit of a hobby, something to do after work which I enjoy and, hopefully, to pass on some good recommendations to others. As you can see my pictures are not of a professional quality whatsoever. Unfortunately, I do not own a professional camera so I use my iphone - in advance I apologise for the lack of quality but I will always make photos as clear as possible. 

I hope you have enjoyed this first post, let me know if you have used any of the products and what you think! Also, leave me a link to your blog if you have one, I'd love to check them out!

You can follow me on instagram at aprilhannahblogs

A x