Tanya Burr Penguin Chic - NOTD #13

Hello everyone! Today I'm back with another NOTD, which is personally one of my favourite posts to write. I'm especially excited about this one as it is a nail polish from Tayna Burr, who if you don't know (and if you don't, where have you been?!), she has her own blog and YouTube channel and has brought out her own line of nail polishes and lip glosses! I think she brought out her collection in January, however I only got my hands on a lipgloss and nail polish recently as they were stocked in a Superdrug near me. I decided to go for grey purely because I didn't have a grey in my collection (well, I thought I didn't, turns out I already had!) I should probably say, it's called Penguin Chic, which is the cutest name known to man!

It's a lovely medium grey colour, the word that's coming to me is a deep grey, if that makes sense? I never thought I'd like wearing grey nail polish but I honestly really do love it, it's very classy and recently I've been all about monochrome so my nails and outfit have been matching! I applied 2-3 coats until it was fully opaque, it dried pretty fast, it wasn't a minute or anything but it also wasn't 10 minutes which just infuriates me - I have zero patience! It's also super glossy, which is always a bonus for me. 

It's staying power was.. I don't actually know how to describe it! For me, it lasted 3-4 days before chipping a little on most nails, which I suppose is average and to be honest I don't mind going over the chips or anything, it wasn't anything major. However, I do have nail polishes from the likes of Topshop, which is the same price of £5, and also Essie and OPI that last longer. Saying that, £5 is a good price for this nail polish! It's affordable for everyone and isn't overly expensive.

Also, I should mention she has 10 nail polishes in her range, going from mint green to black with pink sparkles! All of them are £5 and she also has 12 lip glosses at £7, so again, very affordable.

Overall, I do like this nail polish and wearing this has really converted me to trying more classic, nude colours. It looks lovely and glossy on the nails and lasts for a reasonable time with no major chips - what more could you ask for?

These are available on Feel Unique and Superdrug! Have you tried any of these nail polishes yet, and if so, what do you think?

Have a lovely day, and don't stop smiling. :)

Hannah, xx

OPI Sprung - #NOTD 12

Hello everyone! Today I'm back with a well overdue NOTD post! I honestly haven't painted my nails in so long as I was letting them recover a bit from having gelish on them for a long period - totally dried them out (boo!) but nail strengthener is my best friend so it's fine. Anyway, onto the review.. (and the photo spam)

This is honestly one of the most beautiful nail polishes I have ever seen - it's OPI Sprung! This was part of the Mariah Carey 2013 Spring Collection and my oh my, it is a beauty. It's also one of the most complex nail polishes I've ever seen, it has so many colours throughout it it's hard to say what colour it really is. For me, it is at it's base a copper shade, however it does have red, rose gold, gold and yellow shimmer throughout it.

When I first applied it, it was pretty much opaque with one coat which is amazing, however just to be sure, I put on two. It's super glossy on the nails and I just can't get over the colour. I just can't you guys, it's so beautiful!! (so beautiful I used two exclamation marks.. That's right.) The staying power is also amazing, it lasted 5 days with minimal chipping - not perfect but there were hardly any chips, it was more just wear at the very tip of my nails just from, you know, using my hands.

I don't actually know if this polish is available online or in store anymore.. which makes me so so sad! I can't seem to find any links for it anywhere :( I bought this in Florida this summer in the July sales in a little beauty shop and I can't remember how much it was.. Sorry I suck :( 

Overall I'm just so in love with this nail polish. I'm not going to go on, but it ticked the box on everything I want in a nail polish, from the colour, the opacity (is that even a word? You know what I mean..) and the staying power. Also, this just screams Autumn to me and it reminds me of the Autumn leaves (so cliché I know) but yes. In conclusion, I LOVE IT.

Please let me know a nail polish you are obsessed with so I don't feel so alone!

Have a lovely day, and don't stop smiling. :)

Hannah, xx

FOTD & OOTD #13 - Casual University Interview Outfit - 16/09/14

Hello everyone! Today I'm back with a little FOTD & OOTD. I was trying to think of a catchy title for this post but then I realised this was when I went to an interview at Uni so maybe if you have an interview coming up (this was a more casual than formal interview) then this might help you for an outfit! I know myself when I've had interviews in the past, your outfit and appearance is really important for first impressions and it puts forward an impression of you as a person overall; obviously your personality and skills etc are major and extremely important, but you gotta dress to impress d00d.

Make-up:

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 001 Transparent

Mac Paint Pot in Painterly

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hr in 35 On and on Bronze

Topshop Kohl Eyeliner in Sable

Lancôme Définicils Mascara

Mac Lipstick in Peach Blossom

I forgot how much I loved my duo of Painterly and On and on Bronze, it's so easy to apply and lasts all day for me! I've also rediscovered my love for my Topshop eyeliner in Sable, it was my first brown eyeliner and my love for them has grown tremendously since then.

I'm actually writing a blog post about how I did my hair in these photos so all I'm going to say is that it was extremely dirty (TMI) and I used a lot of dry shampoo to get it looking reasonable! My hair was put in a plait over night when it was dry, the night before when it was wet so it had that natural curl/messy look. For my fringe/hair at the front, I just simply put them both in a plait and used curby grips to secure those bits at the back of my head!

Outfit:

Necklace - Forever 21

Dress - Boohoo

Jacket - All Saints

Shoes - Converse

I personally really love this dress, it's so comfy to wear as it's a smock dress so it isn't tight/super short and is quite flowy which is nice. The long sleeves are a personal favourite of mine, as I think I've said before but I'm quite self-conscious about my arms so I always feel better when they are covered. In general, I love the colour shade grey, it's my comfort colour and when the seasons change, darker colours are in and I'm gonna love it! Grey, black, burgundy, greens, navy.. I'm all over that! Also, dat necklace - it adds a bit of girlyness to it all but is still black and therefore can go with most things.

The interview by the way was about a research experiment that I'm going to be taking part in, which is extremely exciting! I'm getting trained next week on how to use an eye tracker and how to conduct an experiment by myself so it's great that I'm getting this experience now to help for next year and it'll look good on my CV also.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this post! What is your go to interview outfit?

Have a lovely day, and don't stop smiling. :)

Hannah, xx

Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 Wash Off Deep Purifying Cleanser Review!

Hello everyone and welcome to a review of the longest named product in existence; the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 Wash Off Deep Purifying Cleanser! I've been using this product on and off for the past 8 months so I decided it's about time I introduce you guys to it. Cue the long-winded review, as always!

First off, as always, the price. This 200ml bottle comes in at £8 and it's their second most expensive cleanser, which for me.. I'd say it's a little overpriced, however some of you might think this is a bargain. You have to remember I'm on a student budget so I'm looking for cheap products or deals.. I usually get this in Boots and Boots ALWAYS have 3 for 2 or some sort of deal on, so I usually can get this down to £5 or free with something else. 

Second, the packaging. Like I said before with other Soap & Glory reviews, the packaging for Soap & Glory is kinda standard and universal. I really love that it's a clear bottle as you can see how much product you have left, and especially that it has a pump - hygiene at it's finest! However, there is a major downside - when it gets to the bottom, usually I'm left with some product that I can't get out with the pump.. I've tried to cut the bottle open but it will not budge so my trick is to leave the bottle on it's side so all the product moves over and then scoop it out with the pump's tube. It doesn't get it all out which is annoying but it's better than just leaving it as it is!

Now onto the actual product itself - about time! This is meant to be a 3-in-1 Deep Purifying Cleanser that you apply to your face when it's dry, massage it in and then wash it off (at least that's what I do!) The Soap and Glory website says: 'Want to remove male-up and impurities in one clean sweep? Reach for Soap & Glory's indispensable daily, Peaches and Clean™. It's gentle, effective, melts away make-up (even waterproof mascara), and re-energises your complexion in two minutes." 

It also claims to have "OXYGINSENG™ TECHNOLOGY - an amazingly effective, organic complex that helps increase circulation and cell respiration (which then turns up blood supply and toxin removal), and also speeds oxygen and nutrient delivery to fight aging and re-energise skin, PEACH & GOJUICE™ (peach and goji berry extracts) - rich in antioxidants and vitamins A & C and QUILLAJA BARK - a Chilean soap bark tree-derived natural cleansing agent."

• Ultimately it's meant to be a 3-in-1 cleansing, smoothing and revitalising milk, which deeply purifies and declogs the T-zone, it's meant to boosts circulation and re-energises skin, melt away make-up and blackhead-causing build-up and it is balanced for all skin types.

For me, all this stuff above in bulletpoints is just mumbo jumbo - I mean, honestly, how am I meant to tell if I have increased circulation and cell respiration?! It's honestly a little overwhelming reading all of it and it makes me anxious just thinking about it all, it's too much, for me I just can't believe it does all that!

When you pump a little out onto your hand, it comes out as a white cream consistency. As you begin to massage it in, it turns into a milky creamy texture and then you wash it off. For me, it cleanses my skin nicely and leaves it looking soft, plump and with a slight glow. It hasn't broke me out or caused any rashes or reactions on my skin, as you know I have eczema/sensitive skin bla bla bla.. But really, I do have extremely sensitive skin, especially on my face so it's good that this hasn't made me break out, as it does contain perfume that usually doesn't agree with my skin. 

For me, washing the cleanser off really is a huge plus. It wakes me up in the morning when I absolutely need it, and at night I find it really relaxing knowing I'm washing all the dirt off my face. I also just find the whole process of massaging it into my face really relaxing, it's a lovely feeling cleanser and it smells yummy too! It obviously has a peach scent to it, however it's not overly artificial or strong which I like, it's just a subtle scent and it again really helps wake me up in the morning/relaxes me in the evening.

The only big downside to me is that it's a bit tricky to get my make-up off. Honestly, it's a struggle - even if I'm just wearing mascara, non-waterproof kohl eyeliner and lipstick, the lipstick, mascara and eyeliner on the top lid comes off fine but the eyeliner on the waterline is a pain to get off. I've tried using a cotton pad as well to get it off and it works better, however it is still a pain! Don't even get me started if you are wearing a full face of make-up, cause you need a whole load of cotton pads and patience to get it off, and sometimes that's not even good enough.

Overall, I would recommend this cleanser for using in the morning however if you are using it to take a full face of make-up off in the evening, you need to use cotton pads instead of massaging it in with your fingers as otherwise it won't remove your make-up fully, and you need to do it several times to make sure it's all off! Saying that, it's a really nice milky, creamy consistency that has a lovely peachy scent and it leaves my skin feeling plump, soft and brighter than before.

That's about it for this post, hope you enjoyed reading. Have you tried this cleanser, or anything else from Soap & Glory, what were your thoughts?

Have a lovely day, and don't stop smiling. :)

Hannah, xx

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Butter Review!

Hello everyone! Today I'm back to tell you about the first body butter I ever tried, and one I have loved ever since: The Righteous Butter by Soap & Glory. I first started hearing about this when I started reading blogs and watching YouTube and to this day everyone talks about all the Soap & Glory Body Butters and how good they are - *SPOILERS* and I have to agree!

First of all, the packaging is just classic Soap & Glory - a pink plastic tub with cute girly detailing and a quirky, humorous style of writing, love love love. This comes in to be £10.50, however, I always get mine from Boots and Boots ALWAYS have 3 for 2 offers on or just some type of offer which will get the price down/get something else free out of it so really it's not too bad. Plus, it lasts for months so I don't find it to be overly expensive in the sense that I need to buy it every month, it's more like every 2-3 months I run out of a tub!

The consistency of this body butter is quite thick and creamy which is nice as it means it's really going to sink into your skin when you apply it. I use this on my legs so I apply it when my legs are still damp and as you rub it in it does go from white to transparent (depends how much you put on - I always pile it on so I do look like I have weird white streaky legs haha!) and leaves them with a nice healthy glow and they feel so soft and smooth. Plus, they smell incredible! *cue paragraph about the scent of it..*

OBIVIOUSLY one of the most important things about it is it's scent. Soap & Glory actually have multiple 'lines' of scents if you will, so this body butter is part of the Original Pink Fragrance line, which is it's original fresh, summery fragrance, with orange leaf, lemon, peach, sweet strawberries, summer rose, gardenia blooms and jasmine. As per usual, I can't smell all of that, but what I can smell is a semi-heavy fresh fruity scent that just smells delicious to be honest!

This isn't something I would recommend if you want a moisturiser that sinks in quickly as this for me, takes a loooong time to sink in! For me I only use this when I'm having a shower at night as if I used this if I had a shower in the morning and went to get changed like 5 minutes after applying it, it would not be a pretty situation. For that I'd recommend the Vaseline Spray & Go, it dries in in less than a minute - this, not so much..

Saying that though, because I only use it when I'm having a shower at night, it's almost like I'm pampering myself by using it. Plus, it smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling amazing in general so it is like a little treat. I love using it at night as when I wake up in the morning, my whole room honestly just smells of it and it's so lovely to wake up too!

Anyway, I should probably wrap this up before I ramble on anymore.. Overall, I love this body butter. I'd highly recommend it apart from if you want a fast drying moisturiser, as it is not that! I just love it. LOVE IT. I hope you enjoyed reading this post! Have you tried this or any other products from Soap & Glory? Let me know!

Have a lovely day, and don't stop smiling. :)

Hannah, xx

Night Out Look #7 - Printin' Paisley - 14/09/14

Hello everyone! Happy October, hope September was good to you :) Today I'm back with another Night Out Look for you all. Today's look was more about the outfit than it was the face - on the 13th September (the day before this) I was out in Edinburgh with my friends and then my friend and I had to get two long trains home, to then go out again for a 21st. So by this time, I was practically throwing on the make-up without a care and smothering my hair with dry shampoo. Turned out okay though, don't you think?

Make-up:

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 001 Transparent

Mac Blush in Buff

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes Palette & Urban Decay Naked Palette in Toasted and HustleL'Oréal Paris Super Liner Black Lacquer

Topshop Kohl Eyeliner in Sable

Lancôme Définicils Mascara

Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss Lipstick in 107 

Again, my trusty 107 lipstick came into play. I've been wearing it so much recently, it just gives me a huge boost of confidence whenever I wear it and it draws so much attention to the lips that I hope people don't see the mess that is everything else. True fact. I also rediscovered liquid eyeliner, I haven't worn any in months so it is a bit dodgy looking, but it's definitely something I want to continue wearing into the winter.. I just want to wear it a bit better than that.

Playsuit - Boohoo

Shoes - Converse

I apologise yet again for the weirdly angled/slightly blurry pictures, these photos were taken in a rush before I ran out the door and I didn't take a second look at them.. So now I'm awkwardly cringing sitting in my kitchen writing this. The pictures honestly don't do this playsuit justice, it is SO PRETTY and the pattern/detailing is beautiful, I adore the Paisley print and this just screams Autumn to me. I even got a compliment off my Dad, that's when you know something is good! 

I love also that it has 3/4 sleeves, I don't always like having my arms out as I'm quite self-conscious about them so having them covered for me is always a bonus. This playsuit fits like a glove and is super comfy to wear, I'm definitely going to be wearing this into the winter with thick wooly tights, boots and a jumper over it! I also paired this playsuit with black tights, my trusty black hi-top converse and a Topshop black leather jacket which I haven't taken a photo of.

That's about it for this post, hope you enjoyed reading it! What are you going to be wearing this Autumn? Please let me know!

Have a lovely day, and don't stop smiling. :)

Hannah, xx

September Favourites and Round Up!

Hello everyone! Today we are back with a brand new series of mine which many bloggers do, monthly favourites/round up of the month! I decided to combine them as they are both related, with the end of the month and all, so I thought it would be best to just have them in the same post.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask: Recently I've had a few pesky spots pop up on my face, so I've used this mask I think 3 times this month. It's really helped to speed up the process of my spots going down/away, however it's not a miracle product in any means - it doesn't eradicate all spots on my face over night. Saying that, using this has helped speed up the process of getting rid of spots. It also smells really good, it has a nice sensation when it is applied for the 15 minutes I have it on, it cools my face down and leaves my face super soft after using it. One thing I should say though is that if you use too much of this mask on your face, it will burn and feel very uncomfortable so I only use a little now. Lesson learnt!

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil: Along with the mask I've been using this oil and this has worked wonders to get rid of spots. Honestly, out of the two, this definitely worked better to help get rid of my spots. I would just take a couple of drops from the little bottle and apply it onto the spot every morning and night and within a couple of days my spots were completely gone. Perfecto!

Topshop Kohl Eyeliner in Saddle: Reviewed here. This was the first brown eyeliner I ever bought and it was collecting dust in my drawer for a little while. I rediscovered it this month and am just in love with it, at first I didn't really like it but over time I have grown to adore it, it's a creamy deep brown that glides on the lids and stays put all day. The only downside is it does crease if I apply it the eyeliner as a thick line, so I only apply it thinly and it works a treat that way.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick in 107: Reviewed here. Do I even need to go on about this? It's a classic burgundy/deep red lipstick and even though it's absolutely gorgeous on all year round, I wear it very regularly in the Autumn and Winter. It's also my "when I'm having a crap face day and I need some confidence" lipstick - it just instantly boosts my confidence and makes me feel more put together and better overall.

OPI Nail Polish in Sprung: OPI Sprung is part of the Mariah Carey Collection that was launched in Spring 2013. It's a beautiful shimmery glittery copper/rose gold shade with undertones of red, gold, copper and more. Honestly, the nail polish is so complex with layers of shimmer and colour that I can't even describe it. Words don't do it justice, and neither does this picture. I have a blog post coming up soon about it, so I'll go into more detail then but honestly, it is just stunning! Perfect for the season too, reminds me of Autumn leaves.

Tanya Burr Nail Polish in Penguin Chic: I've been really loving monochrome so when I finally found Tanya Burr's nail and lip products in a Superdrug in Glasgow, I knew I had to grab something. I decided to go for Penguin Chic (first off, the name is cute) as I don't have a grey (turns out I did but oh well) and I've really loved wearing it, it's classy and subtle but I just love it on my nails. Again, there's a blog post coming soon about it!

Music: I'm putting music as it's own category because guys, I love music. I have to listen to music every day, music really relaxes me and I honestly listen to music for at least 1 hour a day. That's a lot. Anyway, I've decided to share my favourite 3 songs of each month as I love when people recommend music as I get to discover more and more artists!

Bang Bang - Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj - Honestly, I love Jessie J so much and all her albums so far have been so good. This song though, is so god damn catchy, and I love me a bit of the Minaj so, thumbs up from me!

Shake It Off - Taylor Swift - do I even need to explain? No, no I do not.

Dilemma - Nelly - If you don't know this, google it, google it now. It's a classic. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN TO MEeeEeEeeeeE..

TV: Again, I love TV, so I'll be sharing with you my 3 favourite TV shows of the month, or maybe less if I only have a couple!

Unforgettable - This is an American crime/mystery show that revolves mainly around a detective called Carrie Wells who has hyperthymesia (she remembers every detail/thing she has ever seen or done in her life - APART FROM HER SISTERS MURDER DUNDUNDUN!) Her unlimited memory brings a nice unique twist to the typical crime drama, as it helps with every case. The main thing I love about the show is the characters, they are all equally likeable and the on/off romance between the two main characters is gripping! Ultimately, episode after episode, the show never gets boring!

Motive - This is a Canadian crime drama and this again has a nice unique twist to the typical crime drama. Basically, at the start of every episode it shows you who the victim is and who the killer is and it's all about the motive of the kill - so you yourself can work it out at home along with the detectives on screen. Can I just say, I have worked it out several times before the end? Yep, thank you very much. Anyway, it is really good and it leaves you gripped from the start to the end.

Most Haunted - It's back guys. Yvette is back. Gotta love it. Just a cheeky bit of casual ghost hunting with about 90% of the audio being screams and knocks from the beyond. Seriously, if you've never heard of it, google it and watch it. It's such a laugh!

Random Favourites: McVitie's Gold Bar biscuits (so delicious I can't take it), M&S Feta Cheese Slow Roasted Tomatoes Pasta Salad (literally heaven in a pot), my Aunt's homemade tablet (which is low fat so I don't feel so bad eating it), F1 (Jenson Button is my one true love) and organising my life through lists (Uni starts soon and I just can't). That is all.

Round-up of September:

TKMaxx Mini Haul | Empties #1 | FOTD & OOTD #9 | Memebox x CutiePieMarzia Collaboration Box Review | FOTD & OOTD #10/Night Out Look #6 | FOTD & OOTD #11 | Snapshots Of My Life #1 | Nivea Lip Butter Review | My American Football Outfit | Soap & Glory The Scrub Of Your Life Review

I hope you guys enjoyed this monthly favourites and all the posts that I have published this month. What would you like to see for next month? Maybe some more reviews, make-up tutorials, more personal/lifestyle posts? Let me know! What has been your favourite product/thing in general this month? Again, let me know!

Have a lovely day, and don't stop smiling. :)

Hannah, xx