Things I Cant Afford But Really Want...

One               Two               Three               Four

If you are on maternity leave or have ever been you will know what I mean when I say I am the poorest I have ever been. Once the bills are paid I am left with literally nothing. Liam is taking great care of me, making sure I get all the junk food I want and treating me to the odd bunch of flowers but makeup purchasing, understandably is not where the priority is at right now! 

That doesn't stop me lusting after it though!

One

Urban Decay Born To Run Eyeshadow Palette

I honestly wasn't all that impressed with this when it was first announced, I just kinda felt like the shades were a little overdone and that I had other shadows like them but social media has been going crazy for it and it has proven so popular that now I desperately want to know if all the fuss is founded! It the same price as the Naked palettes are but you get more shades, the Naked palettes all contain 12 shades and Born To Run has an insane 21 so I do feel like this palette is great value for money, if only I had some to spend! 

Two

Revolution X Soph Lipstick in Cake

Soph is a youtuber, I am a big fan of her channel but also all her collaborations with Revolution. She recently released an eyeshadow palette (which I reviewed recently) and three lipsticks in various nude shades. I have been really drawn to the shade Cake. 

They have a creamy consistency which is my favourite kind of lipstick as they are so much easier to wear and re apply, I feel like I would get a lot of wear out of this lipstick and being that its only £4, I might try and scrape together a few pennies and get it. 

Three

Revolution X Soph Fragrance Body Mist

Another more recent Revolution X Soph collaboration is this body spray, Vanilla and Creme Brûlée scented which sounds delicious to me. I really do like sweet scents so I think this one will be right up my street, you get 236ml in a bottle which is such a generous amount as well. 

Four

Revolution X Kisu Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette

Can you tell I really like Revolution at the moment? Kisu is a youtuber, I don't watch her and I've never heard of her but when I saw this palette announced I was super drawn to it! The shades are lovely and very me, lots of coppers, oranges and lovely yellow/mustard tones. The two highlighters included are also very me, useable shades. I just feel like I would get a lot of everyday use out of this palette and I know the quality will be fantastic just like all Revolution palettes are. I might have to find the money for this one...

I'll be honest, I'm lusting after so many beauty items right now. It always feels like just when you can't afford it, loads of things you want pop up! What have you all been wanting recently?

3 Weeks Of Being A First Time Mum

My little Rory has been in this world for three whole weeks today! It is insane how quickly that time has gone, how much he has changed, how much I have changed! I feel like there is so much stuff online about having a baby, pregnancy and looking after a baby but I want to talk about me and what it has been like to be a mum the past three weeks...

1. Obvious one but I am so tired! For the first two and a half weeks Rory slept so well and we felt so lucky! He typically went to sleep at 12pm and slept till 9am waking up every three hours for a feed and not being too hard to put back down. The last few days however, he hasn't slept a wink. Not much during the day and virtually nothing at night, we think he has a touch of colic or reflux maybe. But its been hell.

2. Breastfeeding is hard but not for the reasons you'd think. He feeds really well and is gaining weight perfectly but I'm finding the restrictions it imposes really hard. I feel like every time we go out it is a constant worry about him getting hungry and having to try and find somewhere suitable to feed him. The cluster feeding is killing me as well, I just feel like I have no time to do anything because I am constantly glued to the sofa feeding. I also find it so frustrating that its all down to me, unlike bottle feeding, I can't share the task. I know this all makes me sound selfish but its just how I'm feeling right now!

3. For the first time in my life, I want to do housework but can't! Every time I try and get anything done in the house, he needs feeding and I'm sofa bound again. How does so much mess get made when we never leave the sofa?!

4. I feel like my body is falling apart, I am still taking blood pressure medication for the foreseeable future, I was having to be injected at home for 8 days after birth and then about a week ago I had a mysterious allergic reaction! My whole body was covered in hives, I was itching like crazy and looked awful. I also developed an ear infection that was the most painful thing on earth. I am feeling a bit better now but it was a stressful time.

5. I'm not gonna lie, there has been a few times when I haven't changed my knickers for a few days because i've just completely forgotten, not cleaned my teeth and worn the same clothes for a week. I don't have the time!

6. Another breastfeeding woe has been the leaking! I can't stand it, I constantly smell like gone off milk, my bras are always soaked. I have recently found a solution in the form of Breast Shells which as like plastic cups that you put over your nipples to collect milk. I leak the most when feeding from the other breast so when I fed I put a shell on the other one to catch the leaks. It is insane how much comes out just during one feed!

7. I have loved having all the visitors coming to meet our little bundle of joy but it has meant that there wasn't much time to nap when the baby napped. I have felt like I'm running on nothing for ages!

8. My poor pup, Watson has been such a dream and taking to being a big brother so well but I miss him so much! I feel like our quality time together has been taken away, I desperately want a 4 hour nap just me and him so we can cuddle like old time. Fat chance of that though!

9. Everything is a constant worry, for some reason, I am super paranoid about his temperature. I feel like I'm always trying to figure out how many layers he needs and if he's warm enough at night. Constantly checking he's not too chilly. Probably due to the fact he needed to be under a heat lamp for a night in the hospital so subconsciously I feel like he's cold all the time.

10. Overall though, I know this probably all sounds like me complaining but I am loving being a mum. Rory is such an amazing little person already with such a big personality.

He really does make it all worth it!

40 Weeks Pregnancy Update!

I wrote this post a few weeks ago and had it saved ready to post. Fast forward to today and I am sat holding my beautiful baby boy! (more on that to come!) But in the meantime, this is my 40 week pregnancy update!

This baby is fully cooked and ready come out! But sadly that doesn't mean he will! 

I really had it in my head that he would come a few weeks early as he is so big already, he's been head down since 17weeks, his head has been engaged for a while already and we had some dates confusion at the beginning of the pregnancy. So because I have been thinking that this whole pregnancy, now I feel like I'm already sooooo overdue due even though I'm not!

Pregnancy has gotten really hard the past few weeks...

1. Maternity leave, without a baby, has gotten truly old. I am so bored! Everything is ready for baby boys arrival so I genuinely have nothing to do and its killing me!

2. I cannot get comfortable. My whole body aches, it doesn't matter what position I am in, sitting, standing, laying, doesn't matter. It hurts.

3. Ive been really trying to make use of the birthing ball and bounce as much as possible but it is easier said than done when your body is this big and painful.

4. Baby boys head is fully engaged and super low down so that is contributing heavily to the discomfort I'm feeling, the bottom of my stomach/pelvis area is just so heavy. I feel like I need to sit with my legs wide open like a man all the time. Too sexy.

5. Stretch marks have been minimal until now but now that baby has dropped I've suddenly gotten horrible red ones under my bump and on my hips. I never thought they would bother me but they really do, they aren't even that bad and I know its completely natural but I have to admit its getting me down a bit.

6. Another sexy symptom is this week is diarrhoea and it is not enjoyable, a lot more often than usual and my farts stink so bad that I keep thinking it's the dog but it's actually me. 

7. My nips have been quite sore this week, they have been leaking for a while but they haven't been sore. So this recent soreness has been crap but hopefully it just means labour is imminent. Wishful thinking.

8. Everything is swollen, my feet, my fingers and my knees are the worse. I can't stand it, I hate not being able to wear my engagement ring and flip flops were ok until our crazy rain this week so because I can't fit in any other shoes so i've been getting very wet feet. 

9. All anyone says to me is "No baby yet?" or every phone call we make is met with "Is it time?!" NO, HES NEVER COMING OUT!

10. We have tried everything we can think of to get this baby out, spicy food, raspberry leaf tea, long walks, birthing ball, massages, sex. The lot. Nothing is budging this boy!

As this will hopefully be my last pregnancy update, I'd just like to say that although these updates don't always make pregnancy out to be all that great. Actually, i've really loved being pregnant, despite all the gross bits, the uncomfortable bits and the stress, it really is the most magical experience. I don't think there is anything quite like growing a little life inside you and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat! 

36 Week Pregnancy Update

The past few weeks have been busy to say the least! We went on holiday to Devon for 5 days, had a baby shower and Liam graduated university for the last time!

It is so lovely to have the photos and memories of Baby Fish at these events but my god did he make himself known!

Things have really ramped up recently, let talk about it!

1. Officially nothing fits, nothing. I have been shoe horning myself into maxi dresses and hoping they don't burst at the seems. 

2. It's not only clothes that doesn't fit, now neither do my shoes or my jewellery! I noticed while on holiday that my ankles had really swollen up and I could barely get my shoes on, I wore a Thomas Sabo anklet on the first day of holiday and by the last, I couldn't get it on. I did have a ring snuggie on my engagement ring which I no longer need and I live in flip flops. 

3. A whole week of walking along beaches and non stop activity really took its toll, I have never felt more tired in my life but also never felt better in my own skin! It was so nice getting my bump out in a bikini and taking gorgeous beach bump pics! 

4. I had the best time at my baby shower and am so grateful to everyone that made the day special and got lovely presents for Baby Fish. 

5. Washing baby clothes is a bloody nightmare, the whole time a wash is on I find myself constantly worrying that everything will come out misshapen or the wrong colour. It hasn't happened yet but I'm a washing disaster so I'm waiting for it!

6. I think I have a stretch mark, it is faint and pink but I feel like its getting darker. I'm not too sad about it as I expected it to happen but with only 4 weeks left! How annoying!

7. I am still being sick, I think it is safe to assume now that it isn't going away. I'm fairly certain I will throw up during birth/labour. 

8. His movements are so strong now that they are quite often really unpleasant. His rolls make me feel physically sick but at the same time, if I don't feel like every 5mins I panic like crazy.  

9. I think I have carpel tunnel, my fingers are constantly tingling/numb. Midwife says it's nothing to worry about but it really is driving me mad! 

10. We have had our 36week scan which was a horror from start to finish, the lady who did my blood test and blood pressure I swear was trying to kill me. She did my blood pressure repeatedly until my whole arm went purple and I couldn't move it then she tried to take blood from that arm which obviously didn't have any as it was dead! So she proceeded to wiggle the needle around and stab at me for ages before moving to the other arm. Then the lady doing the scan was so rough that she bruised my stomach but the overall outcome was that baby is fine and not quite as large as they originally thought so thats good at least!

I honestly can't get my head around the fact that he is due to be here in 4 weeks! We are completely prepared though, everything is washed, folded, put away, built and stocked up! The only thing left to do is get a mirror and window shades for the car, so I'm just using my time to sleep and relax my aching body now! 

Please don't be late little boy! I can't wait any longer to meet you! 

26th Birthday Wishlist

One               Two               Three               Four

My 26th birthday is fast approaching so I thought it was time I compiled a wishlist of gifts I probably won't be receiving as our maternity leave belts are fully tightened but it's nice to dream! 

Twenty six suddenly feels so old! I don't know if it's the number itself or the fact that I become a mum this year but my grey hairs are growing with force and I've even started cooking dinner every night instead of living off junk food! 

I rarely get the occasion to wear makeup these days but that hasn't stopped me lusting after it! 

One - Urban Decay Beached Bronzer

I'm sure this came out a few years ago and I never bought it but it's now back as part of the Beached Collection for summer. I've only recently gotten into bronzer, I usually just go for a warm contour but  recently I've been using the bronzer out of the Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Blush palette a lot and loving it so I'd really like to try something new! The packaging is also gorgeous!

Two - Cath Kidston Card Holder

I currently have a Cath Kidston bag that I use everyday but it's relatively small and my huge purse takes up all the space inside. I don't feel that I need a big purse anymore as I never carry cash and most things are paid for using Apple Pay anyway so I've been on the lookout for a cute card holder and this one is prefect! It is currently reduced to £16 which is such a good price and the colour is to die for.

Three - Urban Decay Backtalk Palette

I've been dying to get my hands on this palette since it was teased on Instagram. It includes 8 eyeshadow shades and 4 blush/highlight shades. All in a beautiful rosy pink tones, I don't have anything else like it which makes it the perfect addition to my collection. Very wearable but also the kind of palette you can create a lot of looks with. 

Four -  Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlight

Becca is a brand I've been hearing about everywhere the past couple of years but it's never been accessible to me but now it is available in John Lewis! I've always wanted to try the famous Champagne Pop shade as it is so raved about but I'm kinda leaning towards Moonstone as it is a paler shade and I'm a little ghostly at the moment!

Five

This palette is actually not out yet but it is currently being teased on Instagram loads! It is the second collaboration with youtuber SophDoesNails and Revolution Makeup. I have the first palette and it is incredible so the second is an absolute must have! I've also been thinking I'd love to try a yellow eye look recently but don't actually own a yellow eyeshadow so the two yellow shades in this palette are very appealing to me! The lipsticks in the collection look gorgeous as well but I'm all about the palette!

  If I only get one thing for my birthday this year, I hope this is it! 

31 Week Pregnancy Update: The Home Stretch

We are on the home stretch! Just 9 weeks until my due date and finally on maternity leave. I've genuinely never been more excited!

I'm feeling very lucky that I still feel "relatively" healthy and can still reach my feet to put my shoes on, I don't want to jinx it but so far the 3rd Trimester is treating me well. There are my recent updates...

1. My bump now touches the steering wheel in my car which means time to sell it! We no longer need two cars and I'm too tubby to drive anyway!

2. I've only been on maternity leave for a week and I'm already bored and I'm constant stress mode about money. Maternity pay really is rubbish but the bills still need paying! 

3. Baby is due in 9 weeks and it still doesn't feel real. Will the realness hit me soon?! 

4. Maternity clothes don't even fit me anymore, everything feels too restricting and like its squeezing me so now I spend all my time in the nude or in enormous pyjamas.

5. Nesting is real and it has bit me like a ton of bricks! I've organised little boys clothes so many times and I can't stop hoovering! And having even one knife in the sink sends my anxiety into overdrive! 

6. I've always been a crazy dog mama but my pup has been so extra cute to me recently. I can't stop mothering him, the poor boy is sick of all the attention but I just want cuddles!

7. Little boy kicks so hard and rolls around to intensely that I feel like I'm going to throw up. Sometimes I actually do throw up. It just like a normal occurrence for me now. 

8. My belly button is still an innie and everyday I poke it and inspect the depth of it and hope that it stays in. PLEASE STAY IN! 

9. No stretch marks as of yet, have I just tempted fate by telling you that?

10. We have officially been informed that I am growing a very big baby. I have already had and passed a gestational diabetes test but I am being sent for another one just in case that is why but mostly likely I am just the mother of a baby whale. The hospital have said they will re assess the situation at the 36 week scan which could mean being induced a few weeks early or a number of other possibilities but tbh, I'm not fussed as it would be lovely to have him a few weeks early and of course, what ever is safest for me and baby is fine by me.

Overall. I'm feeling surprisingly calm so I am just casually waiting for the panic to set in and enjoying binge watching Desperate Housewives in the meantime. 

Maternity Occassion Wear

One             Two            Three             Four            Five

I have two big events coming up in June, Liam's graduation and my baby shower. I am going to be pretty damn pregnant for both and on a budget as I go on maternity leave on the 1st June so I've been scouring the internet for a dress I can wear for both occasions that is relatively cheap but also going to be comfortable and flattering on my blossoming bump! Especially as lots of photos will be taken on both occasions! 

Although I love my pregnancy body and feel extremely confident showing off my bump, pregnancy has also given me enormous boobs (if they weren't big enough before!) and I've gotten a little chubby  so I am dreading finding something that will be flattering in photos. 

My first thought was a wrap dress to show off these bangers as when they are under cover they just look even bigger but I'm concerned that a graduation is not the time to get the girls out! I'm thinking however that if I go for a more conservative looking dress with some length to it, I can pull off the booby look. Dresses two, four and five tick these boxes! I am really leaning towards the red one.

Dress one is really lovely and has a super flattering cape style top section, I've never worn anything like this so I'm not sure if it would suit me but I'm sure tempted to order it and try! The navy colour is especially appealing and I feel like the floaty material will drape nicely over the bump.

Dress three is similar to a dress I already own so I know the style suited my pre pregnancy body but I'm not sure how it will compliment my enormous boobs and big bump. It could look super flattering or I could end up looking like a black sack with legs. I really do like it though! 

Gahh! This is hard! What do you think? I'll probably order maybe two of these and hope that one of them looks good! Which two should I order? 

24 Week Update: Pregnancy Is Hard!

I am now 24 weeks pregnant coming up quickly on 25 weeks and it has been a rollercoaster! My bump is quickly expanding, the kicks are getting stronger and the nursery is all coming together but pregnancy is not all the sunshine and roses that many bloggers make it out to be! 

While I am loving being pregnant and feeling this little babe get bigger and stronger, counting down the days until Baby Fish is here, pregnancy really is hard and I've still got a way to go! 

I thought today was the day to talk about those things...

1. I am so tired all the damn time. I still get 10+ hours a night (broken sleep but still) then still need to nap during the day for at least two hours. 

2. I love my body more than ever but also can't stand the sight of it. Watching my bump grow is amazing but the cellulite that has now appeared on my legs, the lizard like skin on my face and my hideously veiny nipples make me want to cry. 

3. Walking or moving in general has become a difficult chore. I get so achy and tired after just a little walk around a shopping centre which means baby shopping has been halted recently as I just can't keep up!

4. I am constantly worried, I thought this had gone away after week 12 but now that I am feeling the baby kick and move regularly, its all I think about. Not enough movement, movements weaker than last week and at a different time, every slight change although perfectly normal panics the hell out of me.

5. I can't stop peeing! My work must think I'm such a lazy cow because I'm constantly disappearing to the loo, my had a growth scan the other day and were told that babies head is completely pushed into my bladder so that explains why!

6. Some days my nips leak and some days they don't, is that normal?!

7. I feel like the count down is on, 15 weeks left until his due date suddenly doesn't feel like a lot. I had felt pretty well prepared but now I just feel like I need everything to be done, assembled and washed. Nesting has well and truly kicked in!

8. I am hungry all the time! I need to eat every hour otherwise I start to feel really really sick so that means constantly hiding in a corner to eat at work and raiding the cupboards at home all through the day. 

9. The sickness hasn't left me yet! Although the daily puking is long gone, every so often sickness will just wash over me and I end up throwing up my guts all the over the street outside Poundland in front of loads of people. I'm not even embarrassed anymore, its my life now.

10. Most importantly, although I am in a constant state of worry and tiredness. I am so completely in love with this little person and can't wait to meet him! 

Drugstore Top 7 of 2017

I'm a makeup addict, I have a lot of makeup so I do try to use different things everyday so that things don't get ignored but these 7 items are the few items have have snuck into being used a whole lot more than the rest! My top 7 favourites of the year 2017! 

Makeup Revolution X Soph Eyeshadow Palette

I do like Makeup Revolution but when I have so many high end eyeshadow palettes to choose from I just never reached for them but this Soph X palette is something different! I feel like the packaging and the product quality is just so much better than Makeup Revolution usually is and I have been reaching for this over my high end palettes which is saying something! The pigmentation is great and the selection of shades is fantastic, there really is a shade for every look. Perfect for taking on holiday so you have loads of choices in one adorable palette!

Tanya Burr Cosmetics Illuminating Powder in Champagne Sorbet

This baby has been my absolute favourite highlighter by far! I have liked some of Tanya's products in the past but not like this. This highlighter is just incredible (third swatch down below) it can be applied lightly for a subtle glow or layered up for a BAM in your face highlight. I just feel like my whole face just looks so much more healthy and glowing when I wear this and my dull pregnancy skin really appreciates that! 

Left: Soph X palette shades Pug and Grow Old, Tanya Burr Illuminating Powder, Nip + Fab Matte Liquid Lipstick, Ted Baker Lip and Cheek Tint :Right

Boujois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation - Light Vanilla

Described on the bottle as providing 16hour radiance and boosting an even revived complexion, I would totally agree. My skin looks so much more even and glowing when I wear this foundation, it has less coverage than I would usually go for but I have been really enjoying the lighter, healthier look. My skin has been very dull and grey looking recently so this has been a life saver!

Boujois Volume Reveal Mascara - Radiant Black

When I bought the Healthy Mix foundation I also bought the matching concealer and when you spent over £12 you got a little gift set of other Boujoir products. This mascara was one of them. I didn't have high expectations as I had never heard anyone talk about it or seen at advertised at any point but I was so pleasantly surprised! It is super lengthening and thickening which I love and it only takes one coat to achieve lovely lashes which is great for lazy girls who are always running late for work like me. 

Nip + Fab Matte Liquid Lipstick - Pink Lemonade

This is still the only thing I have ever tried from Nip + Fab but I will definitely be testing the brand more this year as this little lovely is incredible! I grabbed this in Superdrug because it was next to the till and I have no will power, I do not regret it at all! I am really lazy with lip products because I hate having to reapply all the time or having it go crusty in the corners of my mouth after being on for too long but this liquid lipstick is just so easy to use and wear! It is prefect for lazy little me! It is a thin consistency, wears for a really long time and wears off evenly meaning that I don't have to reapply if I don't want too. The shade is also so on trend and makes me feel fancy and put together! 

Ted Baker Lip and Cheek Tint

I actually didn't buy this in 2017 and it wasn't released in 2017 but I've loved using it all year and into this year. I wasn't sure whether to include it because you actually can't even buy it anymore but I'm sure Ted Baker will bring out something similar next Christmas in the gift sets (I got this one in a gift set) The shade is reminiscent of Narz Orgasm but so much cheaper! It has a lovely true pink tone with fine gold glitters in it. It looks so natural and healthy on the skin and the consistency of the cream is so easy to blend out and apply little or a lot depending on what you are going for. 

I know it is now February and this post is crazy late but I hope you enjoyed it none the less! Have you guys loved any of these products this year? If not, what have your faves been?

I'M PREGNANT!!! First Trimester Update

If you don't follow me on Instagram (which you should btw!) you won't yet know that I am finally pregnant!!!

This journey is not something I have discussed at all as it all made me feel really down and pretty uncomfortable but Liam and I had been trying for a year and a half and were starting to lose hope. Well, I had lost hope after being told that I had PCOS and it was likely not going to happen for us without intervention. We had our first appointment at the infertility clinic in October 2017 and left feeling broken, we then had to jump straight in the car and head straight for Centre Parcs for a weekend away with my family (who knew nothing about any of this). Frankly, there was nothing I wanted to do less and I ended up in tears in front of loads of people in the Centre Parcs swimming pool. 

To make things worse, my period came later that day confirming yet another month of failure. I did manage to cheer up though and had a lovely holiday. Little did I know, that period would be my last one for a while! 

Thankfully we didn't need any help from the infertility clinic and managed to somehow make this little miracle all by ourselves and at the exact time I needed it the most! 

Lets talk through the first trimester!

1. Omg, morning sickness is real! And it's bad! I threw up constantly from week 7 to week 12, lost so much weight and was generally giving up on life when a miracle happened and it just stopped!

2. I had the glorious pregnancy glow for all of about 10 seconds before my usually clear skin became a volcano of spots and dull skin. 

3. I completely went off all foods for such a long time and genuinely couldn't eat anything, I pretty much lived on happy meals and pot noodles. Thankfully my appetite has finally come back and I am making the most of it! 

4. How big is your bump meant to be? I feel like I've been an elephant for weeks already?!?

5. Work is hard. I get so tired, everything aches and throwing up in works vile staff toilets was not fun at all. 

6. Our little miracle baby is a major fidget! Every scan lasts a life time because the baby just won't stay still! Literally doing backflips and a selection of yoga poses. Nothing like it's lazy mummy!

7. I could drink milk until I turn into a cow. I am addicted.

8. My hair is growing like crazy so I'm making the most of it and growing it back out lovely and long again! Thanks Baby!

9. I genuinely don't know what I'm doing and am considering buying loads of pregnancy books so I can read them all and be a pregnancy/baby expert by our due date on the 1st August. 

10. I am the happiest I've ever been and feel so blessed to finally be carrying our little fish! I am dying to find out the gender and go on a mental baby shopping spree! 

HighEnd Wishlist

One                    Two                    Three

I am a youtube/blog addict so I often lust after high end beauty, especially things that have been raved about or been all over social media! 

This wishlist is very cliche in my choices but I am dying to get my hands on all of them!

1. Urban Decay Naked Heat Vice Lipstick In Scorched 

Naked Heat is such a big thing right now, everyone wants it and most people already have it. I have the Heat palette and am in love so I am desperate to add to my Heat collection, look at the packaging on these lipsticks! It is the same style as the existing Vice collection but in a stunning burnt orange/copper colour and I bloody love it! There are three shades to choose from but I'm lusting after Scorched, it is a gorgeous metallic burnt orange shade, I'm not sure it will suit me but that doesn't stop me wanting it!

2. Cover Fx Custom Enhancer Drops in Celestial 

We have all heard of these! They are very expensive but I have heard to damn much about them but I have finally decided that I do in fact need one and it will be worth the money! They are very versatile, as a highlight, under a powder highlight, mixed into foundation... the possibilities are endless! Celestial is calling my name and it will be mine!

3. Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture Palette

This is a tricky one because there are so many diabolical reviews! Such a huge amount of people saying this a bad palette but on the flip side there are many saying that it is amazing! I personally think the shade selection is amazing, very me and I think it is worth trying it for myself! 

Lastly, Urban Decay have recently been teasing a new mascara on social media.

TROUBLEMAKER!

I am a massive fan of Perversion so if this is even half as good as that, I need it. The packaging is bloody incredible as well, I am a sucker for swanky packaging! 

I don't think this has a release date yet but I know, Ill be buying it the day it comes out! I am very excited!!!

What high end lovelies are you guys lusting after right now?

My Top Five Highlighters

One          Two          Three           Four          Five

HIGHTLIGHT! HIGHLIGHT! HIGHLIGHT!

Highlighting is literally my favourite thing to do maybe ever. I live to highlight. I left the house once and realised that I had forgotten highlight and no word of a lie, I went back home to put it on! I felt so weird, like my cheek bones were naked and my face was flat. 

This post probably won't be helpful if you are looking for lovely everyday highlighter because I really love a unique glow! An unusual colour is my favourite!

From Left: Jeffree Star Skin Frost in Mint Condition, Technic Get Gorgeous in Champagne, Makeup Obsession in Moon, Urban Decay Afterglow in Fireball, Primark Mermaid Glow

1. Jeffree Star Skin Frost - Mint Condition

Jeffree Star is known for his incredible highlights and Mint Condition is probably they most out there one of the bunch! It is a beautifully pigmented mint green colour and it is so incredible unique that I just had to have it! You can use a very light hand to create a subtle mint hue or you can go full alien and glow crazy! I love this for a statement highlight!

2. Technic Get Gorgeous in Champagne

This highlight is so affordable! I got mine of Amazon for about £2 and I am in love with it! I like this for lazy days when I want to look natural but still glow! It is a finely milled formula and is very long lasting.

3. Makeup Obsession in Moon

Moon is amazing! I'm sure you have seen it all over youtube via SophDoesNails or Sophie Louise, it is a blinding purple toned highlight and it literally so cheap that you just can't go wrong with it. Everyone should own this!

4. Urban Decay Afterglow in Fireball

This one has a special place in my heart as it is the first high end highlighter I have ever bought and it does not disappoint! It looks quite orange in the swatch but on the skin it is more of a duo chrome pink, I love how feminine it looks but it also packs a punch!

5. Primark Mermaid Glow

I had to buy this! It was just too beautiful to leave behind and I am so glad that I did. It is the most intense blinding white/silver highlight that can look really natural if you careful but with a loaded brush and a cream strobe underneath it literally makes your face looked mirrored! This is the true glazed doughnut glow!

UPDATE: Since writing this post I had fallen in love with so many more highlighters! So if you would like a part two to this post, do let me know!

Summer Nail Polishes

Ok, so what I really should name this post is "Nail Polishes That Look Cute With My Engagement Ring" but we will go with Summer Polishes! 

Usually my summer go to colours are oranges, pinks and blues but this summer I'm really loving the more understated shades as they look so much more sophisticated and I'm feeling a whole lot more grown up lately! 

From Left to Right

One: Kiko Milano - 303

This nail polish is by far my favourite, it's a really unique metallic pinky grey shade. It's hard to explain but it is lovely. The polish itself is quite a thin but opaque formula so it applies like a dream and only requires one to two coats. It is super long wearing which is just the dream really and when it does chip, you can barely see it. 

It also sparkles like crazy in the sunshine.

Two: Seventeen Colour Carnival - Nude 010

I have a love hate relationship with this one, it is the most classic pinky nude, very sophisticated and ladylike but the polish itself is quite hard to apply as it is very thick and almost gloopy. I tend to persevere though as it looks incredible!

Three: Craptree & Evelyn - Slate

This little lovely is a big commitment as it is quite dark so show up chips so badly but it is a beautiful slate grey shade which really makes my ring pop! It also adds a little edge to your look without being too over the top.

Four: Kiko Milano 330

It's summer so I've had to include something bright! The same incredible formula as the first polish I mentioned but it a gorgeous lilac shade. It is still quite understated compared to a lot of summer polishes but it adds a little pop of colour on a bright and sunny day!

Five & Six: Ted Baked

These little babies came in a Ted Baked gift set I got for Christmas, they don't have shade names and I'm not sure you can even buy them anymore but I HAD to mention them as they are by far my most worn recently. Both shades are very sheer and natural which is why I like them, they just add a healthy, put together look to your nails which is exactly what you want with a new rock on your left hand! They also last well over a week on me which is pretty much unheard of. 

What are you go to nail polishes? I need to try some new brands! 

Top Five Urban Decay Products in Collaboration with "Retrospect of a Mermaid"

I’m Coli & I love posting on my blog ‘Retrospect of a Mermaid’. Today I’m so happy to write a guest post on Amy’s lovely blog. 

So I’m sharing my Top 5 Urban Decay Products. If you’ve read my blog you’ll know I’m a bit obsessed with this incredible brand, they were the first makeup brand I truly feel in love with & ever since the obsession has just grown. I love the daring edge they add to the beauty industry! So I’ll admit it’s difficult to cut it down, but I’ve decided to share my 5 “Must Have” products. 

1. A Palette – 

Urban Decay is known for their palettes, mostly their ‘Naked’ palettes. It’s your choice of which one, my advice would be to get in store & try swatch one or two. Some people have preferences on what shades they wear or often like to base it off their own colouring. If you still can’t decide & I had to chose one to suggest it would have to be the ‘Ultimate Basics’ palette – matte & such pretty shades, there’s endless possibilities - you need it! 

2. A Lipstick – 

‘Lipstick is my Vice’ - well it definitely will be when there is 100 to decide from, with 6 finishes & a liner to match most shades. I highly recommend trying an Urban Decay Lipstick. From the packaging to the pigment I really love these lipsticks. Shades I recommend: Back Talk, Rush, Stark Naked & 1993. 

3. Setting Spray – 

A ‘Holy Grail’ product in my makeup bag (I’d say in most makeup loving peoples) has to be ‘All Nighter’ setting spray. It’s so refreshing & honestly makes my makeup last all day. It’s fantastic & I love the packaging revamp, plus it comes in a very handy travel size, perfect for your handbag. 

4. Foundation – 

I struggled to find a makeup that really worked with my skin type, until Urban Decay brought out their ‘All Nighter Foundation’ being full coverage & long wear is brilliant. Plus the huge range of shades, I’m so pale & so in-between shades yet shade 3.25 suits me perfectly. It’s so buildable & blendable. I honestly love this foundation & recommend it to everyone, at least try it out! 

5. Perversion – 

Maybe it’s cheating, okay it is mega cheating but you have to try at least one of the ‘Perversion’ products from Urban Decay. “All Black Everything” is probably my life motto! 

· ‘Perversion’ Mascara, it really lives up to the ‘Bigger, Blacker, Badder’ vibe. It’s a must have in my makeup bag. 

· Be very daring & pair the Perversion lipstick & matching liner. Not an everyday lipstick but something different to have in your collection. 

· 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil, the Razor Sharp Longwear Liquid Liner or Fine Point Eye Pencil are all Black eye liner options! I love using them for sharp black smoky eye looks, it’s worth having at least one in your collection! 

All available to buy from Urban Decay online or if you have a local Store/Counter. So there you have it, my 5 Urban Decay products you ‘must have’ in your makeup bag. As I said it was hard to decide, they have so many products that I love. So what’s your favourite Urban Decay product? Any you could recommend? I love hearing from you so comment & link me your posts! 

If you liked this post please drop over to my blog & have a read of some of my others posts! And again thanks so much to the lovely Amy for letting me be a guest writer on her blog! 

As always, Thanks for reading! And until next time! 

RoaM -X- 

Don't forget you can always contact & follow me on: Email Instagram Pinterest Tumblr Twitter

My Top Five Brow Products

Filling in my eyebrows is literally the most important part of my makeup routine. If I could only wear one makeup item and had to have the rest of my face bare, I would do my eyebrows. They frame the face and immediately make you look so much more awake and put together. 

I am a die hard powder fan so most of my faves are powders but I do like a pomade every now and then or a pencil when I'm feeling lazy.

One: Makeup Obsession Brow Powder in Dark Brown 

This is a little star, only £3 and so incredible good! These can be used as part of the Makeup Obsession customisable palette system or alone which is great because you could build your own brow kit full of different shades. Bur I'm not a makeup artist so just the one will do me just fine, the dark shade is perfect for me, buttery, pigmented and so easy to apply. But I like the lighter shade to fade into the front of my brows.

Two: Models Own Now Brow in Medium Brown

I am loving this little set at the moment, it includes little tools which I actually really good and the darkest shade is the most amazing brow powder ever. The only downside for me that the other two shade are completely unusable for me.

Three: Urban Decay Brow Box in Brown Sugar

This is my baby, the darkest powder is literally the most ideal shade for my brows and it applies like a dream. It also comes with great tools and a shade that I can't use but the one dark powder makes it worth it.

Four: Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil in 2

I have a love hate relationship with this one, I think the shade I have is too light and I find the pencil way to dry so it is hard to use but on the days when I don't want much on my brows, just a little shape, this is perfect. I simply use it in the tail to make it more defined and it looks super natural and lovely. 

Five: Makeup Revolution Brow Pomade in Dark Brown 

Another love hate product with this one. I find pomades really hard to use but sometime when I want a sharper looking brow I like to use this on top of a powder just to sharper the tail. It's also a little darker than my powders so it helps create a nice faded effect. 

What do you use on your brows? I'd love to try something new.