Thursday 13 December 2012

Holly Jolly TAG 2!

Well, as there is only 12 (yes, 12!) days until Christmas, I thought I would get a little festive. (As you may be able to tell, I have become slightly obsessed with TAG posts.)

1. Do you start your Christmas shopping on Black Friday or wait until last minute?
As we don't have Black Friday in the UK, I'll take it to mean towards the end of November-ish.
I always tend to start my shopping at the end of November. Mainly because I can't be doing with the crowds you get in the last week before Christmas!

2. If you could be in any Christmas movie, what would it be?
Ooohh, I think that's got to be The Santa Clause. When I was younger, I loved their take on the North Pole and Santa's Workshop. I would imagine that I could go, and that it actually existed.


3. Which do you like better? Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Christmas Eve. The anticipation of something magical happening hangs in the air (okay, that sounded very cheesy, but it's the truth), and everyone seems so happy and joyful. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas Day, but whenever we have eaten our turkey dinner, and are sitting around watching TV, I always seem to get the feeling that it's over, after all the build up.

4. When does your family put up your Christmas tree and who decorates it?
This seems to change every year, but it's usually between the first and second weekend in December. When I was younger, my mum always used to decorate it, but nowadays, I decorate it.

5. White lights or coloured lights?
White lights!!

6. Are you guilty of peeking at your presents or do you like the surprise?
I've never really been one for peeking. I would go around trying to find where they were hid, but never really peeked at them, as I do love the surprise, especially if I haven't asked for anything in particular.

7. Would you rather live in a gingerbread house or in Santa's Workshop?
I have always been slightly obsessed with gingerbread houses, and so I think it would a gingerbread house. I think Santa's Workshop would get too busy for me!

8. Tell us your Christmas Eve traditions!
We don't do anything too big on Christmas Eve, really. We usually go around delivering presents to family and friends that we wont see on Christmas Day, and if it's our turn to host Christmas Day Dinner, we will probably get the veg ready, and decorate the table. Then at night, we will all sit around watching some of the specials that are on television. I may be 20, and my brother may be 14, but we still leave a plate out for Santa, made up of a glass of milk and a mince pie for Santa, some chocolates and sweets for the elves, and a carrot for Rudolph! I take my stocking up, and then go to sleep.

9. If you could be under the mistletoe with anyone, who would it be?
Um, I don't really know. Maybe James Lafferty (Nathan from One Tree Hill), but I don't really know.

10. What tops your tree?
An angel! It's always been an angel. And my dad always puts it on top of the tree.

11. Can you name the 12 Days of Christmas?
No, I could used to, but I get them all mixed up now!

12. Have you ever gone Christmas Carolling?
No, that's one thing I've never done.

13. Do you countdown to Christmas? If so, how many days are left?
Yes! I have two chalkboard countdowns hanging up; a gingerbread man one and a Santa one. There are 12 days left!!

14. What are some foods and treats you can count on having every holiday season?
Turkey obviously! Candy canes, and the tins of chocolates that they do. Also, my great-nan's homemade fudge! That's so good!

15. How has Christmas kept its magic for you as you've grown older?
I think it will always be a magical time for me, as it brings back so many memories of when I was younger. Also, I like to think that I put a lot of thought into my presents, as I want to really show my parents how much they mean to me, so I get so excited to give them to them, and see their faces. Do you remember the John Lewis advert from last year (the boy who was so excited to give his mum her present?) well that was me last year.

Wednesday 5 December 2012

November Favourites/40 Beauty Questions Tag!

This last month I have been on a strict budget, due to Christmas coming up, so I haven't really been trying or buying any new things, so I don't have anything new to post for my November Favourites. I have just been loving my usual things, i.e. Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream, Collection Lasting Perfection concealer, and Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks in Dusky Pink.

So instead of doing a November Favourites post, I thought I would do the 40 Beauty Questions tag, as this will help you to get to know me better, and includes my all-time favourite products. So, let's get into it:

SKINCARE:

How many times do you wash your face daily?
I try to be good, and wash it twice a day (morning and night), but lately, I haven't been so good. I usually just wash it in the morning, and then remove my makeup in the evening with a cream cleanser.

What skin type do you have? (dry, oily, combo?) 
My skin is very weird. I suppose it is combination, but it's not your typical combination skin (i.e. oily t-zone, and dry cheeks). My t-zone is the main part of my face that gets oily, but my whole face can also get dry. The main parts that are prone to dryness are my forehead, nose, and chin, and occasionally my cheeks, however, I find if I use a good moisturiser, day and night, this isn't too much of an issue.

What is your current facial wash?
The Clinique 3-Step System Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Bar. I haven't got much to say about it. Not my favourite thing. But I've recently brought Coalface cleanser from Lush, so I can't wait to try that out.

Do you exfoliate? 
YES! It's one of the things that I have to do to help with my dry skin, as it removes all the dead flakes, that your foundation clings to (I know, horrible!). 

What brand do you use?
I love to use my Clarisonic Plus. I also like the Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Scrub.

What moisturizer do you use?
The Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser. I really love this, as it is light, so doesn't make my face oily, but it is still very hydrating, so it kinds my skin moisturised.

Do you have freckles? 
No, I don't.

Do you use eye cream? 
No, not really. I recently brought the Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream for £2.99 on offer, so I'm going to start using that.

Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Oh, yes!! I have always suffered from this, but I'm the first to admit that I don't have it as bad as a lot of other people out there.

Did you ever have to use Pro-activ? 
No, I haven't. I've been curious, but never actually tried it out, yet.

MAKE-UP:


What foundation do you use? 
Foundation wise, I use the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, but the one I wear everyday, is the Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream. I swear by this!

Do you know your undertone colour?
No. This is something that I really need to learn, but I've never really understood it. (I can feel a Beauty Beginner Series post coming up!)

What do you think of fake eyelashes?
They're not really something I've ever used. I don't quite trust myself with the glue just yet. I think when they are used to enhance your natural eyelashes, they can really make your eyes stand out, but I really don't like it when they are used over the top.
Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months? 
Yes, I did know that. I've currently got one that I've had for longer than that, and it needs throwing out.

What brand of mascara do you use?
I really like the MaxFactor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara, and the Maybelline mascaras.

Sephora or MAC? 
I've never shopped at either. But if I was to choose one, it would be Sephora (even though I live in the UK).

Do you have a MAC Pro-card? 
As previously said, I've never shopped here, so no, I don't.

What makeup tools do you use in make up application? 
Mainly my fingers, but also brushes and eyelash curlers.

Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes? 
I don't tend to wear eyeshadow everyday, so it's not really a must-have for me. But when I do wear eyeshadow, I try to remember to put some primer on.

For the face? 
It depends on what my skin is like, if I'm quite dry, then yes, as it helps the foundation not cling to the dry patches/flakes.

What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
The neutral shades.

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? 
I have quite sensitive eyes, so I have to be careful with eyeliner. I tend to just not wear it really. But if I had to choose it would be pencil, as I am useless at applying liquid eyeliner.

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? 
I don't really poke my eyes, but I have been known to get it all over the place!

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? 
I like them, it's just a shame they're so messy!

Do you use mineral makeup? 
No, it's never been something I've wanted to try, as I have heard some bad things about the Bare Escentuals line, making people break out.

What is your favorite lipstick?
Just any type of tinted lip balm.

How about lipgloss? 
Not really something I use, as I always find them too sticky.

What is your favorite blush to use? 
Boots Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks in Dusky Pink.

Do you buy your makeup on eBay? 
Well, I once brought a Naked2 Palette off eBay, but once it arrived, it was a fake, so since this, no, I don't buy any makeup on eBay.

Do you like drugstore makeup? 
Yes! I love it! I don't think you can beat some of the products that they have to offer!

Do you go to CCO's? (Cosmetic Company Outlets) 
No, I've never been to one. There's not really one close to me, so I think that's why. I would love to go to one though, especially with a full purse!

Did you ever consider taking make-up classes? 
Yes, I still do now and again. I haven't brought up the confidence to actually act on it yet.

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
I can be, yes. If I'm in a rush especially. I'm terrible at applying eyeliner, so I tend to just leave that wither until I really want to put some on, or when I have the patience to actually sit down and take my time. I think that this will come in time though, with practice.

Name a makeup crime that you hate? 
Visible lip-liner, and foundation too dark for your skin.
Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones? 
Neutral all the way!!

Which celebrity always has great make up?
I love the way Taylor Swift does her make-up. It looks very glamorous, but not over-the-top. She always looks so put-together and polished.

If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item, what would you use?
Concealer! I have a lot of acne scaring, and blemishes, so I would have to use some concealer to just cover them up.

Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Yes, I could, and I do sometimes. When I really can't be bothered putting makeup on, or just running a few errands, I'll just go out without makeup.

Do you think you look good even without any makeup on? 
No, I think my skin looks a lot better with a primer, foundation and concealer on. I also feel better with these on. I'm really jealous of those people who are really happy in their own skin, but me, personally, I don't think I look good without any makeup on.

In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
As I am new to the whole beauty world, I haven't really tried any of the high-end brands, so I can't really say high-end wise. But high-street/drugstore wise, I really like Maybelline as an overall brand, I love Revlon's lip products, and Bourjois's foundations.

What do you think of Makeup?? 

I think it's a great thing. Some people may think it's shallow and what not, but I think it's a great thing to boost a person's self-esteem, especially if you have any skin-problems. I think it's also a great thing for individuality. You can express yourself with your makeup, just like you can with clothing.


I hope you enjoyed this, and has helped you get to know me a bit more.