bareMinerals Matte foundation

Hi everyone. Hope you all had a good Valentine's Day?! Personally I've never been one to do anything special for it...it's just another day in my opinion...but this year I went speed dating with a few friends. 

Yep, over 40 dates in one night...I reckon that might be me done for the year?! Haha. Anyway it was a good laugh, but no...I definitely didn't meet the love of my life, nowhere even close! :)

Sticking with the sickly theme...I thought I'd add a little love to my photo and include a couple of roses! They are mine, but no, I didn't get them for Valentine's...they were weirdly just kicking around! 

I've been a bareMinerals fan for a couple of years now, with my first foundation purchase in 2011. Being an oily skinned gal, I opted for the Matte version...which came on the scene that year I believe? So at the time I remember quite a bit of hype around it.

I was ever so excited when I got it for Christmas that year and couldn't wait to try it. Sadly, on first use of the product I was really disappointed. Back then, I wasn't as beauty obsessed and didn't have a good skincare regime going on. I had never moisturized! I know, crazy!

So on first using the bareMinerals foundation I found that by buffing the product onto my skin, using the Sigma F82 (love love love this brush), all it did was cling to the drier areas on my face, like nobody's business!

Anyway, after using a facial scrub and picking up a moisturizer, I found the product to apply much easier and it gave a nice complexion.

Then, for some reason I went off this foundation...possibly when summer hit. I don't particularly think this is the best option for those hot, sweaty days. Whilst using the Matte version, it does an OK job at keeping oils at bay for a few hours but generally I've found liquid foundations are a lot better at this.

I like the light-feel to this foundation and I get why it might seem like a good idea for summer days, but for me it doesn't have the staying power. I mean after all, it's basically powder.

However, I've recently got back into using this foundation on days where I don't want to apply my fuller coverage Chanel Perfection Lumiere. BareMineral's gives a nice light build-able coverage and generally can get your skin looking pretty flawless....

...But note that I said CAN. At the moment my skin troubles; spots, acne, seem to be clearing thanks to some prescribed medication...so I'm enjoying using the foundation. However, when my spots and acne was at its worst...I personally wouldn't have even considered using bareMinerals- simply because it wouldn't provide enough coverage and it doesn't have overly great staying power.

In my opinion bareMinerals is a great foundation for those that have pretty flawless skin to begin with. It'll do a fab job of evening out skin tone, covering a little redness and maybe even dark circles...but if you have much more to cover, then this wouldn't be advisable.

Like I say, I'm loving this product at the moment, but we do have a love-hate relationship. I love it and it loves me when my skin is behaving, but throw outbreaks into the mix and it remains firmly in my makeup storage!

Let me know it you have tried this/use bareMinerals? What do you think?

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@ellie1989 

Broken record

Hi guys.

As I mentioned in my last post, it's half term in my area which means I'm home from uni. This also means I'm able to be reunited with my local gym and much loved exercise classes! :)

Starting as I mean to go on this week, after getting home last night, I hit the gym hard today. Just about  a 2 hour worth sess to be precise! On a side note, I have to admit I was coaxed into staying for that long by my sister who is also a religious gym go-er, but either way I did it.

In fact after my recent appauling-ness at anything fitness related I've been doing well over the last couple of days- even fitting in the gym before I was collected from Uni yesterday! Go me!

Any-how...today was a GOOD day...gym wise at least. Ask me about the revision that I'm supposed to be doing and that would be another story!

Maybe my productiveness came from realising I have in fact gained a lb...

And whilst I know it won't provoke the above reaction, it's still a gain. Fair enough a lb is neither here nor there but that's how it starts. That lb multiplies and before you know it you're back to square one and all your weight loss achievements have been undone! Been there, got the bigger t-shirt!

So...let's just say I'm being more careful!

Anyway, this was me on the treadmill today....

...Ok so, I jest. I was definitely miles behind Mo's speed, and fitness, and...whatever...but I felt like I maintained a faster speed than I usually would. It was quite odd because I started as I usually would, pretty much disliking running and giving myself a usual 10 minutes goal.

But then 10:00 came and went and I was still running. I felt better than ever so I thought...I'll run for 15 minutes.

...15:30...Wow can't believe how fit I'm feeling...

19:50...I might stop at 20?...20:01...Nah I reckon I can carry on...

24:00 God I can't believe I'm still running!! Hmmm think I can feel my inner arch blisters coming on though....

27:30...Bloody trainers!...I don't want to stop but yes definate blisters now...may aswell push to 30 though!

31:00 minus the 1:00 I walked for before running....STOP!...

Wooo personal RECORD! 30 minutes of running straight!...Might not be all that impressive to some people but let me tell you, for me, being someone who started out unable to run for the length of an average song,...it's a BIG achievement!

So, after a few weights and the cross-trainer again, I left feeling quite happy with my record. Shame that my trainer's tend to rub after constant running, otherwise I reckon I could have gone on for a lot longer!

Just thought I'd share my happy time with you haha! Let me know about any goals you've achieved or any aspirations, like running for a certain time etc?! 

Drop me a cheeky comment below or Tweet me @ellie1989 

Excuses

Hello.

Sorry I haven't written in a while...things have been a little hectic! I feel that I've become a bit too complacent of late and have definitely been over-indulging. I mean, I'm a big believer in treating yourself but then there's pure greed isn't there! And, I've well and truly slipped off the wagon...almost derailed the damn thing!

Oops!

I've learnt that when I'm not strict with myself I'm pretty darn good at making up quite plausible excuses to eat crap or skip the gym. 

I chose beer because I'm so classy and only usually drink this along with cider on a night out...so ladylike, but cheap! 

Alcohol certainly plays a part. For me, I'm one of those people (I assume there are others out there that can relate but?) who once intoxicated become so hungry that I could eat a horse...figure of speech of course...but who knows with the latest beef scandal! OOPS!

Anyway, I can only describe the sheer intensity of the hunger like perhaps the desire a vampire would have in regards to blood, after being locked away for an eternity! Bit dramatic, I know, but at this point food is a NEED not a want lol. 

So of course I go in search of Mcdonalds, KFC or simply one of those dirty kebab places for a cheeseburger and chips. I don't care to be honest. My only fussiness is in terms of chicken. I once got the most horrendous food poisoning from a chicken burger after a night out, so I never buy chicken. Unless, of course, its from Maccy Ds or KFC because I trust them :)

After a night of drinking, dancing and munching on crap, it's bedtime. Sadly the food doesn't stop there. I usually wake up a little hungover but mostly tired and thirsty. Dry mouth is a bitch! After I sort that out I then start to crave food. And not just any food...

...oh no, the food has to be greasy! Nice. So generally anything from chips to pizza to chicken nuggets, you name it. Chinese is a popular one for me.

 

And 'because I'm hungover, I've got to eat rubbish...I can't help it'. A valid excuse. Then I eat crap and 'I may aswell eat more crap cause today's a write-off anyway'. You can see the pattern!

Hangover's generally write-off gym sessions too, unless I'm really motivated on that day and decide to work it off. It has to be said that exercise is great for getting rid of hangovers, I've never regretted going. But of course it's the getting up and going that is half the battle. And 'I'm hungover' is sadly another valid excuse. However it's not the only one where the gym's concerned...

9/10 times the main reason for me not going to the gym whilst at uni is the getting there. It's a 15 minutes walk or a slightly longer bus ride and generally that puts me off. It seems like added effort. Sad, but true. At home I get a lift down...it's much more motivational!

My next biggest deterrent is the weather. The problem is...'the house is so warm and comfy, why would you want to leave?!' Then you look outside and it's pee-ing it down with rain (I live in the UK so more often than not it is!) 'Ohhh I don't want to get cold and wet...I could just watch the soaps on TV instead?!' 

Today...the heavens opened and cold white stuff came down and decided to settle on the ground. 'I'll probably fall over ...It's too cold and dangerous, better stay in'. Bloody hate SNOW!!! Arggghh.

And then, among all of the reasons not to go to the gym is the plain CBA syndrome. 'Can I actually be bothered to go? I'm not sure I'm feeling it today...probably won't be productive if I go anyway....'

*SIGH*

So, you see, I'm full of them! I struggle a lot at uni...more drinking, more takeaway opportunities, no mother to cook for me resulting in more junk, nobody to give me a lift to the gym etc etc. Life is hard haha!

But I popped back home Monday and whilst there I decided to make the most of it and went along to two of the classes that I love at my local gym, Core Blimey and Body Pump. If you're not sure what these classes involve then I've linked them to my previous posts where I describe what they are. Really going for it, I up-ed my weights...

I'm hoping that this motto is correct because SORE can certainly define me right now. To think I did the classes 2 nights ago and the pain this morning was worse than ever! My arms and legs seem to be attached to my vocal chords because every time I move, the words 'Ow', 'Ooo' or 'Ouch' slip out! It's that painful that it's actually funny...must have had a mega workout!

Good news is...it's half term next week which means I get a full weeks worth of classes at home. I'll be doing something everyday, like I did in Summer, so here's hoping I actually survive it! :P

Let me know you're favourite excuses?! Comment below, or drop me a Tweet. 

  

Outfit Combos: Peace leggings

Hello.

So I had a request a while back, over on YouTube, to show how I wear my 'peace' leggings from Boohoo.com. The leggings in my photos have since sold out, however the outfits would work with similar metallic styled leggings or trousers. 

I saw a window of time to do this for you today...so here goes! Hope it gives you a few tips on how to wear patterned leggings. Enjoy.

First up, and perhaps my favourite look with these leggings, is what I shall call 'warm but classy'. The knitwear jumper can be found here at Boohoo for a bargain price of £8!

I've teamed the look with my New Look boots that I feel 'dress' the outfit up a little. I can't locate these exact boots but you'll find a similar pair here for approx. £20-£30.

And for a touch of bling I've added one of my old favourite necklaces. Any long-chained necklace would work ...I like this one.

With Valentine's Day around the corner...why not go for 'cute & casual'.

I just love this jumper from New Look...It's super soft, perfect for the horrible cold weather in the UK atm, and it's at a relatively good price at £24.99.

As for the footwear...I've gone casual with my Apple Bottom high topped trainers/sneakers. These may be tracked down on the likes of eBay but otherwise a nice pair of converse shoes or something similar would work equally well!

Next up, 'a touch of denim'?!

So, denim has been very popular of late and when I saw this lovely shirt in Primark for just £13 I had to get it! I sometimes wear it fastened right up to the collar or open like this, depending on what look I want to create. Worn like pictured, the shirt gives a nice casual look yet I added those New Look boots again to dress it up a bit! Depends on the occasion I guess!

To accessorize, I added this gold coloured bird necklace. I possibly purchased it from Primark but I can't remember?! But any short chained, large 'pendant-ed' necklace would work :)

This outfit has the 'military factor' about it haha! I love this look with the black extenuating the splashes of gold found on the peace leggings, military-styled jacket and leafy waist belt.

The tight black tunic-styled top was originally from Peacocks but it's an old item of clothing so you can't buy this exact one. However if you're struggling to find one, here's an example. Again, I have a feeling the belt was from Peacocks but this one would work well.

As for the military-esque or 'biker' boots they were purchased from a local shop called Put Your Foot In It, I know cute name! But these type of boots are quite popular so you can pick up a pair in most fashion retailers, like River Island, New Look etc.

The jacket I got from my sister with its label reading 'Cotton Club'. No idea what shop this implies?! Let me know if you do...but, type in military jacket into the search bar of most fashion stores and they'll appear...I'm sure!

And last up, 'comfy and casual'.

Again, although featuring my Apple Bottom shoes, converse styled footwear would do the trick!

On top I've gone for a fairly baggy top, sticking with the gold theme, with the gold cross design and studded shoulder pads. The world seems to have gone stud-crazy recently, and I have to say I like it! Love a bit of studdage :) The top's from New Look (I do love their clothing) and from looking online they seem to have updated it, here. Only £15 now!

So there we go...these are some of the ways I wear my metallic leggings! Thanks for reading.

Ellie x

A bag of goodies :)

Hi :)

So I went to visit a friend over the weekend and the visit was that overdue that she had birthday presents for me (from December)! It was lovely to catch-up with her and a pleasant surprise when she pulled out a gift bag.

It was like lucky dip reaching into the bag among all of the bright fuchsia tissue paper... 

Anyway I found 4 very nice presents inside and because 3 of which were beauty orientated, I thought I'd share them with you.  

Cute!

I first pulled out this little guy. How adorable! Owl's seem to be thee animal at the moment. I think this purse, it is a purse if you hadn't guessed btw, will be great for times when I don't want to be carrying my bulky Radley around with me..Ideal for when I hit the gym and only take my cards with me...or for when I carry few things on a night out! :) I love the heart detail.

Very excited by this. My first Model's Own nail polish! I forget the shade of this varnish, and I don't have it to hand because I'm writing this post from my home-home, rather than my uni-home where the bottle is...but it's a gorgeous multi-coloured glitter one. I don't have a polish like this so it will be a welcome member to my collection!

Another first for me...I've had the Bobbi Brown brand on my list for some time now so I was really excited when I saw this. The blush is in shade 'Slopes'. A rather odd name but a pretty colour. It suits my fairly pale skin and the pigmentation seems to be really good. All in all my first impressions are good!

And last but not least...The bareMinerals Flawless Definition mascara in black. I'm a big fan of their mineral foundation, however I've never tried any of their other products. I am yet to try this but I liked the look of the brush and I've heard good things about it so...watch this space :)

Very pleased with my gifts! Thanks Lucy x

NOTN: Revlon & Studio London

Nail Of The Night

Hello.
I'm hitting the town tonight and wearing my navy disco pants, so I wanted my nails to compliment my outfit!

I used one of the nail polishes out of my Superdrug Studio London polish set, in the shade Cloudburst. It came out really dark navy, almost black.

To add a bit of sparkle, ready for my disco dancing ;), I applied Revlon's 441 Radiant.

Really happy with how they turned out...Next up, make-up!