MARCH FAVOURITES!

With the end of March comes better weather. I feel like I haven't seen the sun properly since September! Anyway, I had a cold for some of this month, and I had a little breakout afterwards so I wasn't wearing a whole lot of make-up or trying anything different.

My first favourite of the month is the Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation. Really, I've loved this through the whole of winter (as if you couldn't tell). It's a light-medium coverage foundation that has a lovely, light consistency and is lovely for both good and bad skin days. It leaves your skin look quite glowy, making it perfect for when your skin is looking a bit dull. It doesn't cling to dry patches or settle into pores either - winning.

Next, I've been loving the Maybelline Superstay Better Skin concealer. This is perfect for covering up any redness, which is one of my biggest skin concerns. It blends really nicely and isn't too thick plus, it makes a good eye primer if you're into that. Unfortunately, I can't tell you if this is good for concealing the under eye area because I don't use anything there but it does what I need it to do, so it gets a thumbs up from me

I fell in love with this mascara last year, so this is certainly not a new favourite. I had been wearing my Benefit They're Real! mascara since around Christmas time, and the Maybelline Great Lash mascara had been shoved aside, but I rediscovered it in my make-up drawer when I was rushed for time one morning and was glad to see that the love had survived. It's not so good at holding a curl in my lashes, but nothing is. This might be small in packaging, but it really packs a voluminizing punch into my straight, short eyelashes.

I bought this after hearing rave reviews about it all over Youtube. It's the L'oreal Le Blush in the shade Rosewood (Pretty Little Liars, anyone?). I find a light hand is needed for this one, it ain't lacking in the pigmentation department but it is very blendable. The colour is just gorgeous, I don't have anything like it in my collection. It's a natural looking, warm rose shade with a slight brown undertone. It has great staying power on my oily skin too.

Last but certainly not least, is the Blissful Mistful body mist by Zoella. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to miss the heavier winter fragrances but I simply can't wait for Summer now. I've been spraying this throughout the month just as a reminder that the weather is about to get a little warmer. This has a gorgeous floral scent that's refreshing, and isn't overpowering in the slightest making it perfect for everyday wear. This will probably be my staple fragrance for the whole of Spring.

What were you loving through March? Leave me a comment and let me know! -x

What's In My College Bag?

College has been so stressful lately so, in an attempt to de-stress, I've been trying to be more organised. What better place to start than my bag, right?

So here it is, the bag! It was a birthday present so I'm not sure of how much it was or where it's actually from. It's big enough to fit all of my essentials but it's still small enough to carry around everyday. It has a little pouch on the inside for a phone or keys, along with a zip pocket where I tend to keep my make-up. I tend to wear it on the crook of my arm, but there is a longer strap. I love the colours on the bag, it tends to go with everything I wear!

As you can see, I don't take manual notes. I use this little wonder. It's a white acer chromebook that's so lightweight and compact, making it perfect for taking to college. I use google documents, so everything is automatically saved online and I can never lose anything! It's never slow, and it has the fastest boot-up time too. This was a really good price as well, a winner all round.

Now, onto make-up (kind of?). I always have a lip balm on me, thanks to my always dry lips. My current one is the Blistex MedPlus lip balm, it has been able to un-chap my lips when nothing else works. It leaves a tingly feeling on the lips, and this makes me feel like it's working (is that psychological or what?). Next, I have my blotting papers. I need to have these on me at all times thanks to my oil-prone skin, and these always do the trick to stop shine in its tracks (and these were just 99p, so a bargain too!). However, sometimes these aren't enough on the days that my skin just doesn't want to co-operate so I'll usually have a powder with me too. I use the Bourjois Healthy Balance powder, which works a treat and doesn't leave my skin feeling all caked up. Last but not least, I'll have the lip colour that I'm wearing that day. It just so happened that I had been wearing  the Maybelline SuperStay 10hr Tint Gloss in Endless Ruby. I love the colour of this but I don't actually think it's as long lasting as the title suggests.




Now, we have some miscellaneous hygiene-type products. My hand tend to feel a bit dry when I'm typing away all day so I always have the Soap & Glory Hand Food on me. It's lightweight, non-greasy and really hydrating. Not to mention it smells sweet too! I think it's important to have a handle on cleanliness when you're in a public space, cause if you don't, you'll end up with a nasty cold which is why I always have a hand santizer. I use this after I've touched door handles, banisters.. just general things that other people can get their hands on too. Another object I must have on me at all times is perfume, I never feel fresh when I don't. A girl's gotta smell good, right? Right now, I'm using the Zoella Blistful Mistful body mist. Name aside, this smells fresh. I think it has a perfect balance of both floral and fruit, making it perfect for Spring.

Now, for the boring stuff. I don't wear glasses all the time but when I get a little tired, my eyes do too. So I tend to use these in lectures when I find myself less aware than I'd like! I usually have my purse with me (this one's from New Look, if you're wondering). I do live within walking distance of my college so I don't always need this but when I didn't have time because I slept in forget to make lunch, I need a little money on me!

So, that's what's in my college bag! What are your essentials? - x

A Day Out + Review

As you can see, I've got a bit of a different post for you today! There's a market that makes it's way up to Aberdeen every few months for a weekend, so I decided to visit and make a day of it. I couldn't possibly visit the market without having a bite to eat, so my boyfriend and I made our way to the handmade burger co. It was my first visit, but I had heard a lot of good things so I was excited to experience it for myself.

The first thing I noticed about the restaurant was how relaxed it is, the waitresses seemed relaxed and happy to help. The decor had a lovely, rustic feel to it but still remained modern, probably down to the writing on the wall (as you can see in the first image) and the framed photos. It has a really lovely atmosphere to just relax and have a laugh with your friends.

Atmosphere - 5/5

Decor - 4/5

 (simply because I didn't feel like the wallpaper suited the restaurant)

Cajun chips

American cheese beef burger

Italian chicken burger

The food was just delicious, and the portion sizes are large.. maybe a bit too large. We chose the american cheese beef burger, and the Italian chicken burger, splitting them both between us so we could both try them. I wasn't as impressed by the chicken burger as I was by the beef burger. However, the beef burger was bloody massive so I did struggle to bite into it. We also chose the cajun seasoned chips, which were so tasty. I do have one word of advice for these though: share! The portion is huge, and one of these between the two of us was more than enough.

The menu is really extensive, so you're bound to find something you like, even if you're a vegetarian. You've got plenty of time to decide on what you'd like to order too, as the waiting style is similar to that of Nando's, where you order yourself instead of waiting on someone coming to you. I was really tempted by their range of sundaes, but I managed to resist (for once!). 

You'll be pleased to hear that the price of handmade burger co is very reasonable. The most expensive burger is just under £13, so you do get a heck of a lot for your money.

Food - 3/5

Price - 5/5

I would definitely recommend visiting, it's really tasty. Just remember to bring your appetite! 

I would probably go again but I would have to try something different.

Now, onto the market! There were loads of lovely stalls, from fresh fruit and veg to your typical handmade jewellery stalls. We ended up buying from a brownie/muffin stand and a French delicatessen stand. I wish I could have gotten more but y'know being a student you need to value your money etc etc

An amaretti biscuit (I didn't get to try it but it was supposedly lovely), a triple layer cake, which was really light. I also got a nutella cannoli, which was the first one I've ever tried and I have to say, it was seriously yummy. 

I then ended up with a triple chocolate brownie, a nutella brownie (I really don't like nutella do I?), and the boyfriend ended up with a black forest brownie. My favourite was definitely the nutella one, they're so moreish!

I bet you haven't guessed I have a bit of a sweet tooth, no? What about you? Have you visited any nice places to eat recently? - x

Skincare Routine!

I first realised it was important to adopt a decent skincare routine when I was about fifteen. Before then, the only way I thought to help my skin out was to simply remove my make-up before going to bed and that was it. Of course, I ended up with angry spots and large, clogged pores. I've found a skincare routine that caters to all of my skincare needs. So let's get to it!

The first step I take to clean my skin is a cleanser. Currently I've been using the B. Clean Melting Gel Cleanser. I use  this both morning and night, and it's exceptional when it comes to  removing make-up. It's really gentle, so it doesn't irritate the eyes. As someone with oily skin, I can safely say that despite this product being aimed at normal to dry skin, it's not stripping in the slightest but it cleanses the skin really effectively. I picked this up because my skin has been quite dehydrated, so my usual cleanser had become too harsh, and it's  exactly what I was looking for. 

Superdrug - Currently on offer for £3.48

Sadly, I've been going through a breakout down to hormones and the joys of college work (ha). I find this face mask really efficient in tackling angry looking spots and red patches. It's the Superdrug De-Stressing Aloe Vera Mud Mask, and I use it once a week. It leaves my skin feeling so soft and refreshed. It's not really something to scream and shout about but it does the job nicely when I need it. 

Superdrug - £2.59

In order to reduce the chance of clogged pores, it's important to use a good exfoliant. I use the Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose in It Facial Scrub. It's a physical exfoliant, but I don't find it to be too harsh on my skin. I do think that you should use a light hand with it though. I simply scrub it into my skin, leaving it on for two minutes and then washing it off. My skin is left feeling clear and smooth, plus it has a fresh scent too!

 Boots - £9

I hadn't really felt the need to invest in a good eye cream until recently. I woke up to puffy eyes, and dark circles, and I swear this is has been my saviour! this is the Origins GinZing Refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff. I bought a travel size because, as a student, £23 is pricey for an eye cream. I'm going to invest in a full size as soon as this one's finished, I think it's becoming a holy grail. It does everything I need it to and it leaves my under eye skin feeling instantly bright and awake.

Boots - £23

The final step to my skincare  routine is moisturiser. The one I'm currently using is the Good Things Miracle Mattifier Moisturiser. I am always conscious of moisturisers as I didn't want to push my already oily skin over the edge. This however, instantly mattifies the skin but still leaves it hydrated and smooth. The moisturiser smells so good due to the blackcurrant, and the texture isn't too thick, making it melt into the skin quickly. I think the mattifying properties will make the product more beneficial come warmer months.

Boots - £7.99

Hopefully you found this post helpful! Do you think there are any products I should look into? Let me know! - x