Cleaning My Make-up Brushes - IPA

Cleaning my personal make-up brushes is something that i very rarely do - i know it's naughty but i just always forget to do it. I probably wash them once a year if that (i feel so grubby admitting that aha). I used to particularly loathe doing it because i used to use water and it would take them so long to dry. I'd have to leave them a good 24 hours, and even then sometimes the larger ones would still feel damp.

At Uni however, we have to clean our kit brushes every week because we're using them on each other and on clients at placements so it's really important to keep them clean and sterilized.

When i first started in September they introduced us to something called IPA (Isopropanol Alcohol). It's what make-up artists to use to to clean their brushes. It lifts any make-up out of the bristles really easily which means it's much quicker and more effective than using water with any brush cleaner. Also, being 100% alcohol means it will sterilize the brush and it will dry super fast - within 20 minutes. 

However, you have to be really carful with IPA, it is a toxic and dangerous product. It has to be kept safely and used responsibly. Brushes that have been washed in it should not be used for at least 4 hours  after washing as any residue can irritate the skin and can be potentially blinding if it goes near the eyes.

I got my bottle off Amazon for around £5 i think. I now use it for both my personal and kit brushes since it's so quick and easy. I pour a tiny amount into my sink and just swish the brushes around in it - you can see the colour coming out into the alcohol as you do this. Then i dab them off on a tissue, doing this will show you if any colour still remains if the bristles; if it does i repeat the swishing process - very technical i know. Once i'm satisfied that the brush is completely clean, i'll leave it lying on a flat surface to dry. It's never a good idea to use heat to quicken the drying process as this can melt the glue that holds the bristles in place. 

Hope you guys found this interesting :) let me know how you clean your brushes! 

OOTD - Topshop LA Tee

LA T-shirt - Topshop
Black Body-con Skirt - Primark
Wooly Tights - Primark
Black Trainer Wedges - Primark

Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Shampoo & Conditioner Review

I picked these up about a couple of months ago from Sainsbury's. I was looking for a repairing shampoo since my hair is pretty damaged and i suffer from awful split ends. This sounded like it was just what my hair needed and it was on offer - 2 for £6 i think, which i thought was pretty good for such huge bottles! (900ml in total)
I've got to say that i love the formula. It's really thick and creamy and opaque (even the shampoo) which i feel like is more intensive than normal clear formulas. It also smells lovely and can still be smelt even after washing out and drying the hair (not a good thing for everyone i know). It leaves my hair feeling super soft and well conditioned and it looks a lot healthier than it is.
My only (rather large) problem with this is that it makes my hair go greasy a lot quicker than my previous shampoo (Aussie Mega). I have naturally quite a greasy scalp and this shampoo makes it so much worse. Sometimes, i'll wash my hair in the morning, and by the afternoon it's already starting to look greasy! I don't mind it just for going to uni and such, but on days where I want my hair to look properly clean and stay looking that way for the whole day and the day after, i'll switch back to using my trusty Aussie Mega shampoo.
I think this would be a great shampoo for people with a normal to dry scalp, just stay clear if you have a tendency to get greasy quickly. Other than that problem, it really does seem to do what it claims. You can buy it from Boots - the shampoo (500ml) here & the conditioner (400ml) here.

Topshop, Primark & Asos Haul

So, even though I'm meant to be saving money, over the last 2 weeks my bank balance has taken some pretty bad clothing-induced injuries. 

The Asos sale was the first to ensnare me. I managed to pick up a this lovely pair of high waisted 'Denim Knicker Shorts in Indigo' for £5. Now, by the word 'knicker' i knew they were gonna be skimpy, but i didn't realise just quite how skimpy until i tried them on - my poor bottom was hardly covered :( wayy to much bum for public viewing in my opinion. So those will be going back.

Next up i made the mistake of going into Topshop and Primark while having one of those "i'm gonna treat myself to things i can't really afford" type days.

I picked up two T-shirts from Topshop, and a top, skirt and pair of shoes (oh dear) from Primark.

Primark Maxi Skirt - £12  // Topshop LA Tee - £18 // Topshop Geek Tee - £16 // Primark Shoulder Spikes Tee - £5

The maxi skirt is one of those that is sheer material with a mini skirt sewn in underneath. It feels really soft and i think the length is pretty good (i'm 5'6"). The only thing I would say is that the sizing is off - I'd recommend getting a size bigger than you usually would. The white top is true to size, reaches to just below bum level and is also really soft. However I will be keeping an eye on the spikes during washing and drying, etc. as they don't feel particularly secure. 

I love my Topshop LA and Geek Tees. The material on both of them feels really good quality and they both have thick, rolled sleeves. The LA one also comes down to just below bum level.

Last but not least are my gorgeous Primark wedges. I was actually scouring the shoe section for some practical flat boots, but these caught my eye and once i'd tried them on i had to have them! They're the perfect height and the shape is really flattering, plus they're surprisingly comfy.

Primark Curve Wedges - £16

I decided to include a little video for you to show you how all the things look on. To get an idea of sizing, the tops and shorts are a size 8 while the skirt is a size 10.
Apologies in advance for my messy room, dirty mirror and rather awkward poses.

Denim Shorts (with Primark & LA tees) - Dad's old Levi's that I cut off.

Shoes (up until maxi skirt) - Primark Black Trainer Wedges.

Burgundy Bralet - Boohoo

Song - Gloss by SBTRKT

OOTD - Leather & Denim

Ear Cuff - Topshop (2 years ago)
Grey Tee - Topshop
Denim Jacket - Dad's
Leather Jacket - Unbranded from the Clothes Show (2008)
Skirt - Primark
Over the Knee Socks - eBay
Studded Flats - Topshop

Lashes of London Wishlist

Heard about this competition from the lovely Lauren at  http://bitsandbeautybobs.blogspot.co.uk.

The prize is a £200 voucher to spend at Lashes of London. 

To enter, all you have to do is compile you own wish-list of clothes from their website and email the link to bloggers@e-tailwebstores.com by the 17th Feb.

Read more about the competition here.

These are the lovely pieces that I picked out from their website. There's a sale on at the moment too - bonus! 

Ramona Embellished Dress // Brindley Jacquard Capri Trousers // Esparadiso Bandeau Skater Dress

If you enter I'd love to see your wishlists so link them in the comments below if you like :) 

xx

P.S. Got some pretty exciting things to show you that I picked up from Topshop, Asos and Primark this week (even though i'm meant to be saving money aha) so keep an eye out! 

OOTD - Leather & Burgundy

Went out for a Chinese with the family to celebrate my brother's birthday the other night, this is what I wore...

Leather Jacket - Clothes Show 2008 (unbranded)
Grey Hoody - Topman
Oversized Burgundy Tee - Topshop
Black Skinny Jeans - Asos (couldn't find the exact ones)

The Liebster Award

(WARNING: VLP * AHEAD!)

Thank you so so much to the lovely Terri at 1stepclosereveryday.blogspot.co.uk for nominating me! :)

The Liebster award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word meaning sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

Rules

1. List 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you. 
3. Write 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate.
4. Choose 9 bloggers with less than 200 followers to nominate and go to their blog to tell them.
5. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

Facts About Me

1. I'm extremely shy in person. People unfortunately often mistake it for rudeness.
2. Very few people know me well, even once comfortable with someone i tend to keep a lot of myself to myself.
3. I'm in my first year at university studying for a BA in 'Specialist Hair and Media Make-up'.
4. I don't really like clubbing and am far from the 'typical' uni student.
5. I absolutely love the Lord of the Rings films, and The Hobbit.
6. I'm always listening to music. At the moment i'm working my way through the majesticcasual channel on youtube.
7. I love the sound of rain on the roof top when i'm all tucked up in bed.
8. I really want go traveling a lot over the next few years. Especially around Europe.
9. I don't like tea or coffee. Instead I like to drink fruit teas and hot chocolate.  
10. I've completed a 3x3 and a 4x4 Rubik's cube.
11. I constantly sing and talk to myself while driving - i' get so many strange looks from other drivers.

Questions from Terri

1. Favourite colour? Purpley/Burgandy/Wine colour
2. A song you love but won't admit? Hmmm, i'd probably have to say Birthday Cake by Rhianna and Chris brown. I hate myself for liking it but it's just so catchy! aha 
3. Favourite Food? I am a food lover so i can't just pick one particular thing! But if i had to choose one style of food to eat for the rest of my life it would be Italian/Mediterranean
4. Favourite Product? My favourite product at the moment is definitely Beguiled lipstick by Topshop - i just cannot stop wearing it!
5. A song you know all the words to? Good Morning Baltimore from the Hairspray soundtrack. In fact, most of the songs from the Hairspray soundtrack. And Colours of the Wind from Pocahontas - love that one.
6. An embarrassing moment? When i met Stefan from The Midnight Beast at Reading in 2010 and practically lost all capacity to speak.
7. Something you regret doing? I regret changing from orange to 3 - can't get any signal at home unless i stand in the middle of the garden!
8. Something you regret not doing? I regret not going on a camping holiday with my friends a couple of summers ago. 
9. Boots or Superdrug? I'd have to say Boots.
10. Worst fashion mistake you've made? Probably the 'goth' phase i went through when i was about 12 :')
11. Be honest, do you know all the moves to the macarena? Of course!

My Questions for Bloggers

1. Gold or Silver?
2. Most recently read book?
3. Favourite high street clothing brand?
4. What's your one holy grail make-up product?
5. Shoes or Handbags?
6. What's your biggest pet peeve?
7. Best childhood memory?
8. Do you have any pets?
9. Favourite film?
10. What was your first every blog post about?
11. What are you most looking forward to in 2013?

I Nominate:

1. Daisy - http://everythingandthegirlxo.blogspot.co.uk/
2. Amy - http://dusterknuckles.blogspot.co.uk/
3. Lily - http://lilipalooza.blogspot.co.uk/
4. Megan - http://out-of-liner.blogspot.co.uk/
5. Codie - http://wearingwanderlust.blogspot.co.uk/
   (just doing 5, i think 9 is a little excessive)

Hope you all enjoyed reading my facts and answers and hope my nominees enjoy answering their questions. Please go and check out all of their blogs if you don't follow them already as they are all great bloggers who deserve more recognition than they currently have. 

*VLP = very long post!

February Wishlist

So i've decided i'm better off doing monthly wish lists. Here's my first one, for February.

*Boohoo Black Polo Neck Dress*
I really want a simple black dress, with long(ish) sleeves for layering and i love the polo neck on this one.

*Topshop LA Tee*
Think this would be a great basic tee that could be thrown on top of almost any bottoms.

*Love, Hearts & Crosses Triangle Collar Necklace*
I've wanted this every since i saw Zoella wearing it in her festive room tour video but it is forever out of stock! I'm hoping this'll be the month that they'll buy in some more.

*River Island Denim Dungarees*
I have had a strange urge to buy denim dungarees every since i saw them in Beautycrush's winter look-book video. I think they're a really cute piece with a 90s feel to them that could be worn throughout the year (not constantly, mind)

*Heeled Chelsea Boots*
These are one of those things where i really want them but honestly don't know if they'd ever get worn. I think they're probably last place on my wishlist.

*Topshop Geek Crop*
I love this top. Again, i don't how much i'd wear it, but i do think it'd be super cute in summer.

*Velvet Leggings*
The velvet just adds a subtle difference stopping these leggings from being boring, but being black they would still be easily wearable.

*Topshop Black Glitter Trim & Cream Lace Trim Socks*
Just think these would look cute worn under heels. Again, less of a want than some of the other ones on here.

*Mini (15ml) Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish*
Decided i'm gonna get myself i super mini one! Then i get to try it out without committing to the rather large price tag that the 100ml carries.

Hope you enjoyed my February wishlist. Let me know if any of the items take your fancy too :)