Washing my Make Up Brushes!

Before I got my Real Technique brushes I never used the same brushes everyday to do my make up. But I am now more aware about keeping my brushes clean.

There are many reason why cleaning your brushes is important. One of which is the build up of bacteria in the brushes, especially if you are covering up blemish with you brushes, you don't want to be spreading that bacteria all over your face. Other reasons include being able to change colours for example yesterday you had a dark smokey eye but today you want to use lighter eye shadow but with the same brush.

Leaving my brushes to dry.

Spot Cleaning
I may spot clean my brushes between washes if for example I want to change colour. To spot clean I use a micellar water. I will apply the water to a cotton pad and move the brush in circular movements on the cotton pad to remove the small amount of pigment in the brush.
The product I use: Garnier Micellar Water- http://bit.ly/1mVxa0O

Deep Cleaning
I aim to deep clean my brushes once a week, and I use baby shampoo, but use can use any plain shampoo. So here is the process I go through to clean my brushes:
1. I will first clean put the brush under the running tap to ensure that is is fully wet.
2. Next I will put a small pea sized blob of shampoo in the palm of my hand (the size of the blob will vary depending on the size of the brush. I will run water over the shampoo.
3. I will then place brush in the the shampoo and clean it using circular motions.
4. I then rinse brush using running water squeezing the brushes to ensure all dirt and bubble to be removed. If dirt is still coming out repeat washing using more shampoo until the brushes run clear when being rinsed. When rinsing ensure the water runs down the brush, and not run into where the glue is holding the brush together, this includes getting water above the metal part of the brush, so it cant run into the brush to the glue. (This isn't a big problem with real technique brushes as the metal goes most the way us the brush but others only have the standard small amount of metal).
5. When all the brushed have been cleaned I leave them to dry on a folded towel with the brush par of the brush hanging over the edge.
The product I use: Johnson Baby Shampoo- http://bit.ly/1o4c4f2

Lathering up the brush.

My brushes: Real Techniques Core Collection - http://bit.ly/1c11k9w
                         Real Technique Starter Set - http://bit.ly/RNc9rW

I hope you have enjoyed reading this, and if you haven't clean your brushes recently it has inspired you to get them clean. If you enjoy reading my blog I would love it if you would like my Facebook page or follow me on Bloglovin.

Thanks for reading,

emily xx

Spring Summer Haul!

Over the past few weeks I have been buying/ been given some items for wear over Spring and Summer! I know that most of Spring is over now but I have had some of these items for a few weeks now.

The first item was a gift off my Mum. She knew I had been looking at this bag, from New Look as I have seen a lot more people wearing backpacks and I know when I go on holiday I will want a bag that I can fit a lot in but is easy to carry and will go with all outfits. This bag is perfect for this and is also super safe as it has the front flap and 2 more zips before you get to my purse, so everything is nice and safe! Check the bag out here.

The second thing, is my Daisy Flower Crown that I bought from Claire's. The fashion of wearing flower crowns in your hair has been around for a while and last summer I never got round to buying one. So when I saw this one I had to get it. I love it and know I will get a lot of wear out of it in the summer as it just adds a bit of 'girly-ness' and 'summery-ness' to plain simple outfit.

This item was also a gift off my Mum and she realised how worn all my jeans are getting. I had never had a pair of Topshop jeans until last Christmas, I had heard about all of the hype surrounding the different styles and when I put a pair on I instantly understood. So for Summer I chose the lighter acid wash jeans, in the Leigh style. I love this style as it suites my own personal style and shape perfectly as they just sit nicely on the hips and they are not too heavy so I will be able to keep cool if the sun comes out this year. Check them out here.

Finally and unsurprisingly I brought a nail vanish- Topshop's- Suffuse. This was a bargain as it was on sale from £6 down to £1 and then it was a 20% Student Discount event so i got this nail polish for just 80p! That my type of deal! I love this colour it is a subtle rose gold colour and I absolutely love it. It compliments/ brings out a tan beautifully and it glitters gently in the sunlight!

I hope you have enjoyed seeing what I have bought to make me feel more summery, and hope this has given you inspiration to freshen up your look for summer.

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoy reading my blog follow me on Bloglovin or like my page on Facebook. See you next week!

emily xx

My Power Revision Breakfast!

Recently I have been doing lots of revision, especially over the Easter holidays where I spent whole days revising. So I decided I needed a good breakfast to get me through the day.

I have all ways liked american pancakes, but I decided to add a banana to the mixture to add some fibre and sweetness and allowing me to reduce the sugar (even though I added maple syrup when I ate them). So here is the recipe I use to make my yummy Banana Pancakes:

135g- Plain Flour
1tsp - Baking Powder
1/2 tsp- Salt
1 tbsp- Caster Sugar
130ml- Milk
1 large- Beaten egg
1 tbsp-Oil (or alternative)
1- Mashed Banana

Mix all together until a smooth mixture is formed. Heat a non-stick pan, and add a spoonful of the mixture. Cook until the pancake puffs up and you see bubbles appearing. Flip over and cook the other side. If the pancakes stick use a low calorie oil spray to prevent them sticking.

As you can tell these pancakes are not super healthy, and as my Dad is on a health kick I decided to make some Healthier Banana Pancakes. Here is the recipe I used and as you can see they are a lot healthier than my indulgent pancakes:

2- Eggs
1- Mashed Banana

Cook in the same way using a low calorie cooking spray of your choice.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing new idea for a either indulgent or healthy breakfast, to get your through a day of revision or what ever else you are up too. If you have a go at making these post  your picture on my Facebook page.

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoy reading my blog follow me on Bloglovin or like my page on Facebook. See you next week!

emily xx

Frozen Movie Night!

Before I start yes, I know I am like 6 months late but up until this week I had not seen Frozen!

When it was released I was super busy and didn't get round to watching it in the cinema. Obviously I was aware of the songs in the movie as many others were singing them! The DVD has been released in for a few weeks now and I have resisted spending my money on it.

But for Easter my Mum brought me the DVD, so on Tuesday night my Grandma, Mum, Dad, Katie (check out her blog) and myself settled down with a bowl of popcorn for a movie night.

In my honest opinion it was amazing, I feel with the fact I knew all the songs meant I missed out on the initial amazement of the whole movie and music fitting together, but that is not to say that it was not fantastic. The story was a classic falling in love of the Princess and a boy, but there were many twist and turns along the way that you couldn't tell from the songs.

My favorite characters has to be Sven and Olaf (my Grandma love Olaf too!). They are the reindeer and snowman who just pull the movie together with comedy, even though Sven doesn't say anything. I also loved the trolls I just think they are so cute and I sort of want one to keep!

My favorite quote from the movie is when Olaf says 'Some people are worth melting for!'. It is such a cute scene and my heart melted a bit when he said it.

And with every Disney movie they lived happily ever after. The End!

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoy reading my blog follow me on Bloglovin or like my page on Facebook.

emily xx

Happy Anniversary and Meeting Carrie!

In May my Mum and Dad will be celebrating there Silver Wedding Anniversary (that's being married for 25 years!) , so Katie and I decided to treat them to something special. After a lot of planning and saving we took them on a special trip to London!

We woke up early(ish), and Dad drove us down to South Wimbledon to the hotel, we parked and then walked to the tube station to head into central London. The first aim on the agenda was to buy breakfast. We wanted to go 'The Breakfast Club' but it had a queue out of the door, so instead we went to Patisserie Valerie.

I couldn't resist the Macrons!

When we had finished we had no plan so we just went around London, seeing the sights and visiting Harrods.

Harrods Bear!

Love a bit of Science! Well of M&M's!

Make up department in Harrods!

For our dinner we took mum and dad to Zizzi's. We had never been before and the quality of the food did not disappoint. I did have dessert of Gelato but I was too eager to eat it and forgot to take a photo!

Margarita Pizza with added Spicy Chicken and Ham!

After dinner it was time to give Mum and Dad there biggest surprise! Katie and I had brought them tickets to see Les Miserables at the Queens Theater,! This is there favourite musical and have never seen it in the West End, but as a bonus for Katie and me it had Carrie Fletcher as Eponine. The show was amazing and I cried probably way more than a normal person should! Carrie's performance was absolutely flawless.
After the performance we went round to stage door to meet Carrie, she signed my program and was absolute lovely!

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing how Katie and I treated Mum and Dad for their anniversary.
Check out Carries YouTube channel here and for more pictures go check out Katie's blog!

My Outfit: 
Dress: Primark
Necklace: Primark
Coat: Topshop
Bag: New Look: http://bit.ly/1ePTbM4
Shoes: Clarks: http://bit.ly/1kOtLhS

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emily xx

Easter Biscuits!

So this time next week it will be Easter Sunday! Easter is a time where we celebrate new beginnings and one of the ways this is represented is in the form of eggs, normally of the chocolate variety. But as an alternative to giving friends and family chocolate eggs, I made some Egg shaped biscuits!

The Biscuit Recipe (sorry for the use of ounces):

Margarine- 4 1/2 oz

Icing Sugar -1 1/2 oz

Plain Flour- 6 oz

1. Cream margarine and sugar together with a wooden spoon  until light and fluffy.
2. Fold in flour, to form dough.
3. Place on floured surface, knead together until dough becomes firm.
4. Roll out and cut out biscuits shapes.
5. Bake at 190 C, for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

The Icing:

Large Egg Whites- 2-3

A few drops of lemon juice

Icing Sugar- 500-600g

Liquid Food Colourings

1. Beat together egg whites and lemon juice with wooden spoon until fully combined.
2. Gradually beat in the icing sugar till a smooth, pipe-able constancy is reached.
3. Separate in to different bowls and colour.

To decorate with the icing I used disposable piping bags (20 for £1- from Poundland). I filled the bags, cut the end with a pair of scissors. Piping at first may seem tricky but it really isn't with a bit of practice. The icing will natural dry matte, but if you want it to be shiny hold the dried iced biscuit over some steam and the icing will become shinny. Don't hold it for too long you don't want any soggy biscuits.

I hope you enjoy making these, and if you do, post the pictures on my Facebook or link your blog  in the comments.

Happy Easter

emily xx

Empties!

So over the past few weeks there have been some products that I have used up and I thought I would share my view on these products.

Imperial Leather- Foamburst
I was going through my product draw and I found this. I had this last year for a trip to Centre Parcs, so I put it in the shower. As soon as I used it I remembered why I brought it. It comes out like shaving foam, and bubbles up! It fills the room with the amazing scent of Jojoba and Passion Flower, which may not mean a lot in words but it smells really good. I love this products because it is different to the standard shower gel, it has a pump so easy to use and it doubles up as shaving foam for you legs as well as just shower gel. I don't know if they still sell this exact one but check out the range here.

L'oreal Paris- Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Solution
I deiced to try this as I heard it was a dupe for Bioderma (which I haven't managed to get my hands on yet). It works well removing base make up, and is great product for a quick removal of make up. However I have noticed that it can leave a sticky residue on the skin and does not remove eye make up well (especially waterproof make-up). But overall I would say this product is good and easy alternative to full cleansing every night. Check it out here. I have heard that the Gainer one is good as well so I will try that next time!

L'oreal Paris Elvive- Fibrology Thickening Shampoo
My mum picked this up when she was shopping as she knew I was dealing with fly away thin hair. I had seen this advertised in magazines and had wanted to try it. It says that is uses new Filloxane technology. It claims to have 'Thickness Creation', filloxane penetrates each hair and expands it and it has a cumulative effect.
I am so glad my mum brought this for me. It has made such a difference, I wish I had take before and after photos. But I can honestly say that this does what is says, it will thicken your hair! Check it out here.

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emily xx