Acrylic Nails / The Low Down

Today I got my acrylics taken off after having them since the end of May. They were great for my birthday and leavers ball and other events I had going on (see my catch up post) but after a couple of them snapping and having them for nearly 2 months they began to annoy me and become inconvenient so I decided to get them taken off before my holiday. I thought I'd tell you how I got on with them and what I think of them as well as my plans to get my nails back on track now that they're a little thin and brittle.

Getting them on and the process // My boyfriend's sister did all of my acrylics for me including the full set, infills and removal and after seeing the care that she did it with I would not go to a nail bar to get them done or let them use a drill on my nails because she managed to keep my nails in the best condition possible (although acrylics will make your nails brittle). The filing on your actual nail does make me cringe a little bit but it's something that just makes the acrylics look as good as possible and why I would not get them re-done every few months. The couple of my nails that snapped off (three snapped in total) are now much thinner and tender than any of my other nails and will definitely take longer to return to their 'normal' state.

snapped acrylics hurt 

when I first got them on

Getting them off and aftercare // As I said, I got my nails done as a treat to myself for things I had going on and they did feel really special and great for a while but after I started working more now that it's summer it became a bit of a hassle and I was catching them on things which was quite painful so I just decided to get them off so that in the sunshine they would grow and breathe. I am actually now using O.P.I's Nail Envy which I applied after getting them off so I will report back in a couple of weeks to let you know how I have got on with it and whether I think it's worth the huge price tag! My nails could be in an awful condition but actually aren't too bad and they have grown to the length that my acrylics were and I'm hoping I can keep them like that!

freshly off and coated with nail envy

freshly off and painting with nail envy

Thoughts // I would not be one to have acrylics all the time or for no reason but I think I would consider them getting them again for a special occasion in the future. I would be even more up for it if this O.P.I Nail Envy works wonders on my nails so I'll let you know!

the day before I got them off

my new best friend

Have you gotten acrylics before? What did you think and would you get them again, or do you have them all the time? And have you ever used Nail Envy and how did it work for you?

Turning Eighteen & Leaving School | June Catch Up

I've been light on the posts recently due to exams but on Wednesday I finished and am now a free woman for the next 18 months before I go to university in 2016. I'm taking a gap year which I have losely planned but will be looking into much more very soon! I wanted to do a catch up post to update you as I've had lots on recently while I've been away.


It began with the last ever day of school and the beginning of study leave. This was celebrated appropriately with drinks and 90's songs after a primary-school-esque sports day took place followed by a BBQ and getting our year books and leavers hoodies. In our leavers assembly we were shown a great video which had been in the making for months (youtube here) which featured everyone and this was followed by a light hearted game of Take Me Out.

On the Saturday was speech day, at which I did not win a prize but it was the final taste of school assemblies and every one got all dressed up. When I got home I was met by suspiciously early birthday decorations and a shout of surprise from my nana, aunt and uncle along with 3 of my closest friends, brother and mum. I got a beautiful Russian wedding ring which will be featuring in many posts, I'm sure as well as travelling bits and a big photo frame titled '18 Shades of Hannah' by my friends.

The next day was my 18th birthday which I spent at Tunbridge Wells Bar & Grill (their cocktails are amazing) which was so delicious and I had loads of my family there and my friends. I then visited the pub in the evening where I was ID'ed for the first time and saw some other friends. I was lucky enough to get a trip to New York with my dad and a trip to Budapest for me and my boyfriend from my mum as well as a trip up the Shard in London and money towards my travels. I felt so lucky and spoiled that day and I wish that it didn't have to end! The day afterwards I had to go straight back into revision for my A2s.

I then got to drop revision for another day for a wedding. I haven't been to a wedding since I was about 9 so I really enjoyed myself. It was such a beautiful day and I had been excited about it for so long so Congratulations to Sam & Grace!

The end of exams was then kindly upon me. Me and my friends went to the local pub for ice cream sundaes to celebrate (something we had been planning for a long time) and spent the evening drinking fizz with a rather drunken game of articulate and not so great renditions of Mamma Mia songs. Beginning of freedom!

There is a big forest by my house which takes part in the forest tour and this year Tom Odell was playing. I saw him last year at Benicassim although I was sat on the grass. My mum loves him so we and my boyfriend all went to see him and he is great on stage. He was supported by Rae Morris as well who I really like at the moment and both of them were excellent. I wouldn't see Tom on his own again but if he was playing at a festival I would go see him.

Finally, my last ever school event. My leavers ball was held in a marquee in the head boys garden which was brilliant because they were able to do everything the way we wanted to. It was a fantastic night (although I took my shoes off when there was lots of glass around and hid lots of jelly shots in my bag although it just filled my bag with jelly...) and something which I'll really treasure because the people in my year are great.

So that brings my life up to date and today I have spent the whole day watching OITNB as I promised I wouldn't start season 3 until I had finished my exams. Its so great to be home with nothing to do (except go to work a couple of times a week) and I'm so glad that exams are over. I have a couple of exciting things planned for summer like going to Liverpool to visit my cousin for a week and going to France to meet my boyfriend who went to Russia today for 6 weeks. I can't wait to enjoy this freedom!

I Need It! | Repurchases

A few weeks ago I entered Boots for a reason. That reason was a couple of items which had recently been discarded into the bin and there has been a void in my bathroom waiting to be filled with their replacements. Because the void was so big I felt that I could only replace the items with themselves. 

I love trying out new things but with skin care I am a little careful with how often I switch it up because my skin, although fairly low maintenance, knows what it likes. These are often the things I repurchase, but it is for a very good reason - it's simple.

I was using the dregs of my Garnier Miscellar water, which I don't use every day but it's great for a lazy removal. I have tried others but I really do think this is the best value for money because of the size and it's pretty good. It is a little drying on my eyes sometimes but once I've finished my skincare 'routine' (I use that word pretty lightly) it's no longer a problem. It's pretty quick and easy - something I really appreciate in a skincare product!

My friend has been really loving Barry M's Hi-Shine in Lychee and I really love this formula. I had this colour a while back but it's mysteriously disappeared. I really wanted it for a wedding I have coming up. It's a beautiful creamy-nude which isn't too manakin-like on me, nor too pastel. A winner that I could no longer live without.

Moisturizer is something I find quite tricky. I like to have one with SPF and one without and my one without had come to an end. It was included in my gift bag at the release of La Roche Posay's Serozinc back in December and although I did find it a little greasy at first, I quickly fell head over heals for it. It is quite thick but my skin loves the moisture it gives and it is really soothing. I can  imagine this to be great on sunburn but I haven't yet tested this out. It quenches dry patches and doesn't break me out. It will definitely have a place in my skincare collection for a while to come and now it's easily available in the UK.

Finally is the Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Daily Scrub from Neutrogena. I do love my cleanser from Kiehl's and Liz Earle and using my Micellar water but sometimes I need something to gently buff off the layer of dirt which sometimes a cleanser doesn't quite do. It may be residue from products, but I find this leaves my skin so smooth and gently removes anything that's on the surface, whether that be dry skin or dirt. It isn't harsh, lasts for ages because you only need a tiny bit and it smells so good in the mornings!

Is there anything that you have to repurchase as soon as you run out?

Chisel Cheeks

My make up drawer is lacking in coutour kits. I really love the contoured look and wanted something a little more browny rather than golden to help me create faux cheekbones. I spotted this in Boots and for £6.49 I couldn't leave it on the shelf. 

This pallette has 3 shades, all of which are powders. There is a light powder, a warm, light brown and a darker brown which is a little more ashy and brown. The inside of the palette suggests how to use each shade, showing where to apply with a diagram. The palette is made of a waxy cardboard but shuts firmly with it's magnetised lid. I probably would rather have something a little more sturdy like the Sleek packaging, but for the price I really can't complain. All three powders are really fine and blend amazingly so there are no harsh lines anywhere.

The first time I used this I applied it only to one side of the face to see what difference it made. I started with the darker end of the palette, taking the darkest shade in the hollows of my cheeks, by my temples and around my hairline. Already my face had more depth and shape after blending it in. With the middle shade I took it where the sun would hit; my cheeks, my forehead and my chin, as well as a light dusting on my nose. I used the lightest shade last, taking it under my eyes to set my concealer, along my cheekbones, down my nose and just above my eyebrows. This was the only shade I really had a problem with since it isn't really light enough for my skin. I would rather apply a separate highlighter but it was good for setting my concealer as it is a light powder.

I think this is excellent value for a contour palette and all of the shades have their uses. The browns definitely forfil the job they're meant to do, my favourite being the darkest brown. The lightest is great for setting but doesn't highlight or brighten a great deal. I think this is partly because it's matte and I do prefer a slightly shimmery highlight. It may be better when I'm a little more tanned but for now it isn't quite doing what I wanted from it. I still think the palette is worth it just for the darker shades as they give me depth and shape in my face. I don't mind using a separate highlighter at the price of the palette. If it had been more expensive I would probably feel differently but for now I can't wait to continue using this.

Do you have any highlighter recommendations?

Love at First Swipe | Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet

I often put off buying things and this has been one of them. The Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets have had nothing but praise (except their perhaps dogily formulated 'Gran Cru' shade) and I have been dying to try them for ages. The shade I hear about the most is 'Hot Pepper' so when browsing in Boots the other day - a dangerous sport - I couldn't help but pick it up. I have heard the nude shades aren't as great, but what do you guys think?

I applied this at 12:30pm the day after I got it. It was something I found a little strange at first because I struggle with the texture and finish of lipglosses but after applying it (does anyone else struggle with applying bold lips...) I left it to dry and just hoped for the best. I couldn't really work out when it had completely set, but it took about 5 minutes for it to set, and after 10 minutes it was definitely there to stay. I'm now writing this at 9pm having had lunch, drinking, and having dinner it is basically perfect with no touch ups. It is a little worn in the middle and more towards my mouth but it definitely doesn't look like I applied this nearly 9 hours ago. 

The colour of this is a fantastic vibrant red and especially great for a night out since it doesn't budge after a drink or four. The doe-foot applicator definitely makes the application easier and I love the finish of this - a velvety looking matte, as the name would suggest. I will definitely be picking more of these up in the future and I can't wait to sport it in the coming months. Why didn't I pick this up sooner?!

Do you recommend any shades from this range?

Time for Change | Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express

You know when you need a little change of scenery? I was having this with my Maybelline 'The Rocket' mascara. I've been repurchasing it for about 2 years (with the exception of a 'They're Real!' month which I wasn't satisfied with) and must be on my 5th tube of it by now. The only problem I have with this mascara is that it is such a pain to get off and I often wake up with it under my eyes even though I took it off the night before. I decided maybe I'd give something else a try but I really do love Maybelline's mascara's so I stuck with them and grabbed 'The Falsies Volum' Express'. 

I must say I hate the lace printed onto the lid, but I am loving this and have only used it a couple of times. It has a curved wand which has bristles rather than plastic, which I actually really like and I had forgotten how great non-plastic brushes are. It also bends a little more as there is a point in the brush which bends. I think this is a better way to really get into all the lashes without losing too much size from the wand. The want is slightly thinner than I'm used to, but I think it really reaches all the lashes as 'The Rocket' is a little fat at the ends making it tricky when getting right into the corners. At the moment it's a little wet to use on my bottom lashes as I prefer using dries mascaras for the bottom but I can see this being great.

Left - The Falsies / Right - The Rocket

I do still love 'The Rocket' and it gives me great volume on my long but thin lashes. However, the fact that I could never ever get it off was really beginning to become a problem for me. I also found it was drying my eyes out a little. Switching it up is sometimes good, even if you're comfortable with what you're using. The Falsies gives length and volume and I think it holds the curl that it already in my lashes better than The Rocket does. Perhaps it's got a heavier formula. Best of all, The Rocket it much easier to remove and really comes off without leaving residue under my eyes. I don't even really wear mascara on my bottom lashes so I'm not sure why this was happening but for now, I think I'll stick to The Falsies.

Do you have any mascaras that you just can't stop repurchasing or that you really trust?

French Pharmacie Picks

Hello! In a few weeks I'm off to France and I always like to pick up some things from the pharmacie that we might be able to get here but is a little cheaper. Here are my picks for the pharmacie!

Back in December  I visited the La Roche Posay Launch for Serozinc and while it's not on the top of my list to pick up, I really loved the Toleriane range. The Toleriane Ultra Moisturizer I loved and will definitely be picking up, but I've been looking at the other things in the collection and the Dermo-Cleanser caught my eye. It's a make up remover and my micellar water is running low so I thought this would be something good to try if I spot it. 

Something else is just a small bottle of Bioderma, something that I actually haven't tried because I like the Garnier one a lot which is a lot cheaper and easier to get hold of. Again, something I'll pick up if I spot it as obviously it's a hugely popular product that everyone loves and I'd love to see how it compares!

Nuxe is actually available in some M&S stores which I love and last time I went in my mum and I were spritzing this Dry Oil that has a slightly golden shimmer to it. This would be so lovely for occasions in the summer and even in the spring to give yourself a golden look without having to fake tan. It would also look great after you've been on holiday or if you catch the sun at home to compliment your tan!

Eucerin is a brand that I've never tried, but after reading about it it is really all about repairing dry skin and adding hydration back into skin that feels tight or uncomfortable. For my face, I find that Toleriane Ultra really gets the job done and soothes my face but I find my scalp really problematic. This promises to soothe a dry scalp and I would love it if this sorted it out!

Finally, a face mask. Yes, Toleriane Ultra soothes my dry skin but I do find I need a boost sometimes. I've never tried a hydrating mask but I think my skin would really benefit from having this boost once in a while. Something else I have my eye on for soothing skin everywhere is Boiron Homeoplasmine Cream. This is a real cult product with make up artists and models as it hydrates the skin and dries to a matte finish. The balm soothes itchy and sore areas, cuts and repairs cracked skin. This is apparently a miracle for the lips, hands, feet and elbows - perhaps great for an avid self tanner or just for someone who needs that hydration quickly and effectively. This is top of my list to pick up!

Spring Glow

Hello! I've noticed the popularity of Topshop products, and this one in particular, increase over the past couple of years. I go through phases - sometimes I love it and can't be without it but sometimes I'll give it a miss. This Glow in Polished is great for the tops of the cheek bones or down the nose and it gives that super natural sheen.

I apply this product with my fingers and pat it into my skin before foundation. If I need a little more then I'll put it over the top of my foundation, but I find applying this over the top can sometimes make it sit on top of my foundation. This way I find it blends naturally and you can build it up. I tend to buff it in with my foundation with a Real Techniques buffing brush. I find this is the most natural way to highlight and if I want it more intense it's very easy to build up. This could be set after foundation with something really subtle like MAC Soft & Gentle to give a little more sheen. This also goes great on the cupids bow, down the nose and on the forehead and I do this all under my foundation and then again if I want to build it up more. I think if you're one who likes something really subtle and super easy then this is great because it's like a cream eye shadow for your face - super easy to blend, best applied with fingers and a great base for everything else!

Have you used this? Or do you have another cream highlighter that you love?

eBay Brushes: Worth the Save?

Hello! I always think that if you're spending more money, the general idea is that you're gaining more for it. Sometimes this isn't true, but sometimes I find that spending a little more money gets you exactly what you asked for, even if it did only cost you £1.49. Yes, these brushes cost me £1.49. I just searched brushes on eBay and found these ones and thought that it's so cheap I can't really complain if they aren't up to the same standard as some of my other, more expensive brushes. Of course, I can't complain, but I can let you know my thoughts.

The biggest thing about these brushes is.. literally how big they are. For eye brushes, I'd say they're bigger than I'm used to and would be much better for blending in concealer. There are two that I do like, but the others are just a little too big and quite frankly all very similar. The brushes haven't shed at all (yet) when I've used them, which is obviously a good thing. They're good for the price, but I don't image that they will last too long and the feel of the brushes themselves feels a little brittle and cheap. For now they will do the job and it was not a waste of money as they're good enough at what they do but I wouldn't continue buying them as I feel that these are just a good step in for better brushes for now. On the whole, I'd normally not buy cheaper brushes as brands like RT and Bobbi Brown are always quality that lasts for a really long time. 

This brush is super dense and tapered. Because of this, I assume that it is for the crease, but I really like this to apply highlight under my brow bone as it's precise. This is a little stiff, probably due to the density but it kind of feels hard. It does the job I want it to do though and if I could only keep one I'd keep this one.

This is my second favourite brush of them all and smaller than the other fluffier ones. It's great for blending out the edges of cream shadow and just giving your shadow that finished look. I think my Real Techniques Duo Fibre Brush does a better job, but I always like to have two blending brushes when I'm doing my make up.

Worth the save - perhaps. But continuing to buy these brushes again and again adds up. Personally, I'd prefer to splash out a little more on Real Techniques that last longer and I don't have to replace or Zoeva or Sigma, which are also low prices for good quality. I'll check back in when I've used these brushes to the very end of their life, but I won't be purchasing anymore.

Have you ever bought brushes from eBay? What did you think?

5 Things: I Love

Hello! Recently there have been 5 things that I cannot leave the house without. 6 if you count a brush, but here I'm all about the product. I am guilty of obsessively outfit-repeating, a bronzey glow, hydrated skin and smelling of peony and musk. Oops.

I found these Mom Jeans on the Topshop website on Christmas Eve and they kept going out of stock when I purchased them. I wear these all the time and I find that the less stretchy jean material is looking like it's going to last a lot longer than a pair of Jamie jeans. I'm not a big fan of Jamie's as I find that the elasticity goes after a while from the wash. These fit me so well, something I was worried about with Mom jeans since I'm quite slim but these don't hang off me and leave me shapeless as I expected.

My Nike Air Force 1's are my favourite shoes to throw on with these jeans, although boots look good too. As I've said before these go with so many things, but since I basically live in these jeans I haven't had much chance to wear much else. They're so comfy and I quite like them now they aren't completely white and a little bit worn. 

On my face I've been keeping it super simple. I have been applying my Toleraine Ultra moisturizer by La Roche Posay - a brand that I am a huge fan of and a moisturizer that I love. It's super hydrating and especially when it's windy it's a great way to protect my skin. I am pretty sure that this doesn't have an SPF but I have been putting a little of another one with SPF in most days. 

Over the top I've been using Soap & Glory's Solar Powder that fast became my favourite bronzer after I bought it a month or two ago. I tend to use the dark side and just buff it over my face with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush as I find the lighter side has a slight shimmer to it, although I do use this more on the apples of my cheeks sometimes for a really glowy and healthy look. Something to just life my face rather than looking pale and.. well, English.

Finally, the sweet smell of peonies and musk. I'm sure many of you have heard about the Elizabeth and James Nirvana Perfumes and the white one is my favourite. It smells a little like Jo Malone's Peony & Suede Blush scent, so a little muskier and grown up than other floral scents. I find this makes me feel really sophisticated and grown up. It lasts all day on my skin and is great for evenings out as it's a little bit of a darker and sexier scent.

What are 5 things that you're finding really essential at the moment? Especially as spring is just around the corner...

The Winter-Spring Transition

The funniest thing is the transition between Winter and Spring or Summer and Autumn. The one I find the most irritating is the one from Winter to Spring - ie. right now. Why buy jumpers when it's about to get warm? How many layers do you really need when you leave the house? Do you need your big coat or just a normal one? Two pairs of tights? The list goes on. So, these are my top things for this weird transition. Funnily enough most of it is grey/black. How spring-like.

Stripes, flat boots, cape cardigans that go perfect over long sleeved tops for layers, mom jeans (a nice change from skinny jeans) and a tartan scarf that adds a bit of colour. Nude lip, or a bold - I'm partial to a little bit of both, a rich body butter because the change in weather seems to just make my whole body super dry and finally a little lift for your roots. Simple and easy to layer up or dress down.

I find this time of year a little tricky. The sun never stays long enough to make a difference or warm you up, it rains a lot, there's sometimes a little snow storm and while it's getting lighter in the evenings, it's just miserable that it's pitch black at 5/5;30pm when really it's been kind-of-dark all day. I think the light and the sunshine has a strong influence on my work ethic as well. At this time of year my motivation seems to take a nose dive - not preferable when mocks are next week and exams are not actually that far away. 

Do you suffer from this too? A struggle with clothes and motivation. Girls, eh?

#DrySkinProblems | Body & Skincare

Hello! I'm a real sufferer of dry skin, especially in the transition between months. However, this winter has been a cold one and I think going between warm and cold - and simply just the cold weather - has really been harsh on my skin. Not only is my face suffering, but my scalp and around my hairline as well as all over my body, especially my legs. There's a couple of products which have been easing the itching and discomfort of my dry skin and as this is a reoccurring problem for me, probably meaning my skin has actually just become dry, I thought I would share my words of wisdom. And my products.

It all starts in the shower for me. T-Gel by Neutrogena is an absolute life saver and works from the very first application. It reminds me of my childhood because my mum used to sometimes use it on me and on herself. The smell is on the verge of medicated but if you're applying other products afterwards it is pretty easily masked and not a problem. I actually kind of like it. It suggests you use it for 6 weeks and I use it 2 times a week - so every other wash. I also use E45's Shower Cream which is kind of like Nivea's in shower moisturizer or Lush's body conditioner. Both of these are products which I haven't tried but will probably try out when I run out of this. It's just extra moisture! In the shower I also use Neutrogena's Grapefruit Face Scrub. I find that when I'm not using a scrub that my face gets really irritated as though I need to be buffing away the top layer to keep my skin fresh and new. However, I do find a lot of face scrubs harsh and am guilty of over exfoliating sometimes. With this I just gently buff it around my face, especially on my forehead and around my hairline. It makes the dryness less visible and ensures I don't have flakey looking skin. Apologies about the use of the word flakey.

After the shower I focus on my face straight away. I have started using my toner only around my nose and on my chin as these are the only places where I feel needs it and can handle it. My dryer skin doesn't cope with toner very well. I then apply La Roche Posay's Toleraine Ultra which is super rich and moisturizing. It sinks in so fast and is great under make up to make sure it doesn't start to look dry of cakey throughout the day (- despite what I said in my review!) Sometimes if I have let it all sink in and some areas are still feeling dry I'll add a little extra or mix it in with my foundation. I do actually find that with my dryer skin, using tinted moisturizers like the Garnier Miracle Cream is great, especially when it's cold and windy outside! On my lips I always use Nuxe Reve de Miel!

Finally to take off my make up I use La Roche Posay's Physiological Cleansing Gel followed by a little of Neutrogena's Cream Grapefruit Face Wash. I find this just ensures that my face is clean - esentially double cleansing - but without stripping my skin as I have incorporated in a creamier face wash. I do have my eye on the Body Shop's Cleansing Balm as I feel my skin would really benefit from a balm to keep it moisturized. I'll use the same moisturizer at night and sometimes I'll put on some of The Body Shop's Vitamin E Serum in Oil. When my skin first went really dry this is what I turned to and it really worked but my skin has just got increasingly more dry, expecially in this freezing cold weather!!!

Let me know what you do for your skin in winter for a little extra TLC!

Feline Flick

Hello! I have always been a fan of the felt tip liners which allow you to draw on a flick without the pully-ness of a pencil eyeliner or the faff of liquid or gel. For me, it's just easier in the morning and it looks just as good as all the others in half the time (once you get the hang of it!)

In the past I've used the Eyeko liner that Alexa Chung always raves about but I found over eye shadow it really dried it out and made it unusable. I've also used ones from various brands in the past such as MUA but found they just weren't as pigmented as they could be so I've used Rimmel's Exaggerate liquid liner a lot in the past although I find it just a little bit watery and harder to control. 

Soap & Glory's Supercat liner has the really easy-to-use felt tip which I love that isn't dried out by using it over eye shadow or powders. It's really black and the nib is hard enough that you can get a really thin and defined line which I really love at the very ends of mine, even if I thicken them up in the middle. It is wet enough to get through that and if you wanted you could smudge it out a little on application if you're quick. After that it does set and stays in place all day but it is by no means a waterproof formula and when I tried this on the back of my hand it smudged right off when I washed them the first time. Unless you have really watery eyes or wipe your eyes a lot you'll be okay though and it does stay in place all day. 

If you are searching for a new liner or just getting into it then this is a really brilliant one to try. If you're starting out with it then this one gives you the most control and is more like a pencil but it flows more easily across the lid - I wouldn't jump in with gel or liquid when you're practicing!

Let me know what your favourite eyeliner is to do a feline flick with!