Crazy like me? (Dealing with Depression and Anxiety)

(WARNING: May be a LONG read, so grab a cup of tea)

Now I know I'm not the most known Beauty Blogger. In reality I'm still a bit of a newbie. I started this blog last year as a way to practice my journalism skills and share my love of fashion and beauty. I never thought that I would fall in love with blogging as much I have over the last few months. I don't have a mountain of followers, but I appreciate every single person who takes time out of their days to read my blog and I'm so grateful for the followers who have joined me on this journey into the unknown.

So I decided, with much deliberation, to talk about something not so much beauty or fashion related, but a bit more personal. Since seeing videos by the likes of my favourite Youtubers, Zoella and Graveyardgirl, about this subject, as well as watching a recent documentary by Demi Lovato about her struggles, I decided that maybe it was time I spoke out about my own experiences. Now let's just get this straight, recently there have been a great deal of bloggers who have spoken about this subject. As I said before, I'm not a high profile blogger but I feel this is still something I want to share with you all, in the hopes of not only providing some readers with a sense that they are not alone, but also to help myself gain confidence in talking about this matter. So if you haven't already guessed, I'm on about those two wonderful life restricters, Anxiety and Depression. Now, Anxiety and Depression are two subject matters that have been raised a lot more in the blogging world recently then in previous years. I like to think that this is because people have a greater understanding and more confidence is speaking out about these issues, but some people may jump to the conclusion that it's all a bit of an attention seek.

 Let me just say,that anyone who has ever experienced Anxiety and Depression, either personally or through friends and families experiences, will know that they are not something you would EVER choose to bring on yourself. If someone walked up to me tomorrow and asked to buy mine from me, even take them for free, I'd happily oblige. My anxiety and depression are nothing new to me. In all fairness, I've probably been struggling with these issues from the age of 13 upwards. I can't really pinpoint their exact occurrence, neither do I want to blame any single life event for them rearing their ugly heads. I was bullied very badly in school and was also very ill when I was younger, so maybe they have some underlining link to the problems I have today. But honestly, I feel that a great deal of mental illness is pre-dispositioned. 

I've never really been great with talking about my experiences with mental health. I've always been a 'theres always someone worse' kind of person. However- this in turn has probably lead to the issues getting worse over the years. My first bad experience with my mental health came after my poor health in middle school. I suffered from what would have possibly been diagnosed as OCD for a year. During this time I created particular routines and partook in irrational actions. To name just a few, I couldn't allow my clothes to touch others (covering my clothes in the laundry with towels to 'protect them'), I would do certain actions a number of times to make sure they had been completed and would also do some SERIOUSLY strange things like hold my breath when someone with an illness appeared on television in fear I would catch it through the TV. After a year these feelings began to sufficiently subside, however, the worst of it was not over. The following year and throughout my time at high school I suffered bouts of depression. I go through particular phrases within a single year, previously going up to 5 months without depressive thoughts, but would often find myself suffering from low mood the majority of the year. After my school experiences I felt extremely low. I came to the irrational conclusion that I had no purpose in life. I began to see the world in a completely different light. The world is a big place filled with beautiful and new experiences but for some reason, I had decided that all of that meant nothing. I had suddenly become life's number one enemy. I hated everything about myself and believed that nothing had purpose. It was a horrible stage and the first of my dark periods. 

In my last years in high school, my depression was a lot less common. I started new friendships, found interest in new subjects and really started to come out of my shell. However, this was probably around the time my anxiety began to form. Throughout my last year of high school and my first year of sixth form I began to struggle with school. Maintaining friendships, keeping up with revision/work and getting into school all together became a task. I'd always been a bit of a worrier and throughout my time at school had experienced a few anxiety attacks, but they became more severe during my later years. Panic attacks were a lot more consistent and severe. The worst thing about Anxiety is it comes hand in hand with Depression. The exhaustion of chronic worry and panic can leave you feelings tried and run down. My anxiety/depression is at it's worst during stressful periods of my life (probably the reason why they got worse during exam years). I also find my self esteem can make my anxiety worse. I have very low self esteem and feel that if I do not look my best I can't leave my house. I'm very insecure about a number of my features which I think just makes it hard for me to feel confident going into stressful or intimidating situations, such as modelling at college. 

Anxiety makes it extremely hard to relax (making it hard to switch off during TV shows, reading books etc). I don't have social anxiety as such but often find my anxiety getting in the way of me doing a great deal of things. Last year, due to my anxiety attacks and depression, I had to give up drinking! Alcohol is in fact a heightener for anxiety so if you believe you have anxiety and feel that your drinking habits link to this, try and cut your intake down. Alcohol should NOT, I repeat, NOT be used for self-medicating. It might num your mind and prevent you from challenging your issues for an hour or so, but it can have a massive 'come down', leaving you lower then before hand. My anxiety manifests it's self in many ways. Larger worries, such as failure in life and death, are often the most frequent, especially recently after loosing my Great-Aunty Bet and moving to University in September. I can also have irrational worries , especially in the evenings. This build's up in an single evening and causes anxiety/panic attacks. 

These are just a few symptoms of my personal anxiety attacks which I hope can help you to recognise some of your own behaviours: 

-Irregular or racing heart beat (My first, massive anxiety/panic attack was during sixth form. I had chest pains for two days before a nurse told me to go straight to hospital, believing it to be a potential heart attack. Although the doctor did not directly diagnose it as an anxiety attack, the chest pains completely cofuzzled nurses/doctors so me and mum came to the assumption it was an anxiety attack)

-Trouble breathing (I will almost always have trouble breathing during a attack.)

-Agitation (During an attack, my brother will try to speak to me about something and I'll be VERY snappy with him. This is because I am trying to concentrate on bringing my anxiety down and ending my panic attack)

-Nausea (During an attack I'll feel extremely nauseous, which in turn will cause me to gag. I sometimes get this during morning attacks and evening attacks when they are at their worst)

-Sense of heightened fear or impending doom (During a panic attack after a family friend's party, I was extremely frightened about the idea of death after hearing a friend speak about a recent death)

-Cold/Hot Chills (I'll often get cold/hot chills during an attack. Goosebumps will appear on my skin and chills will run throughout my body)

-Panic/Distress 

-Trembling/Shaking (I will almost always have bouts of trembling and shaking during and after an attack. My legs and arms will shake uncontrollable like I've been standing out in the cold for hours)

-Sweating (Sometimes) 

-Vomiting 

-Pins and Needles 

-Blocked ears (Weird I know but recently I have been suffering from blocked ears. I will hear buzzing or muffled sounds during an attack)

If you have any of these symptoms or the ones listed on the Anxiety Centre website, you most likely suffer from anxiety:

 http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-attack-symptoms.shtml 

My anxiety attacks are heightened during the evenings and mid morning but can also strike during college hours (which is a pain in the balls as they are harder to hide in a more open, less comfortable space). I recently had an anxiety attack during a presentation day at college. It meant my performance was not at it's greatest potential and I felt emotionally exhausted for the rest of the day. My anxiety has never affected my everyday life until recently. The impending university move and coursework woes have probably heightened it. I have missed quite a few days of college due to the way I feel on certain days (A massive shame as I had 100 per cent attendance last year). 

I can wake up feeling really positive but 10 minutes before college can suddenly feel like stepping out of my house is the worst thing I could do. I feel like my house is safe. I like to be around my family and make sure we are all safe and sound. This has also prevented me from having the social life I would like. I often turn down outings with friends last minute and avoid nights out at all costs as I once had an anxiety attack during a night out! Sleep is also a thing of the past. Most nights I find it hard to get to sleep and often wake up feeling and looking exhausted.

I do feel like my anxiety has really started to have a big impact on my life. I have, however, began to get help for this issue in particular. I take a herbal medication called St. John's Wort for my anxiety which doctors have said is safer and better in the long term then stronger anti-depressants/tranquillisers for this specific issue. I have also started to take multi-vitamins. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is also something I hope to look into before September. 

If you have any suggestions for dealing with anxiety then please let me know! I'd also love to help any of you who want to know more about my own experiences and how I deal with it!

Breathing exercises are also a good way to prevent panic attacks short term. Inhale for four seconds, from the diaphragm, before exhaling for four. Remember to do this very slowly or you may panic yourself further. It is important to keep calm and realise this attack will not harm you. 

When it comes to depression, it can be a great deal harder to deal with. Because I felt I couldn't speak to people about the experiences I had I sometimes turned to the worst possible ways of dealing with my depression. I'm not proud of it but I have been through self-harm. I'm not going to go to much into this unless I feel you guys want to know more. Depression can be beaten by surrounding yourself with positive people, exciting ventures and a healthy lifestyle. 

Just remember, mental illness should not define you, it should shape you into getting better in the future and finding happiness.  

I honestly hope you have got something from this post and it hasn't bored you to death! If any of you are going through similar situations I hope you can find a way of coping or just relief in the fact you are not alone. If you fancy talking about this post, don't hesitate to share your own experiences through the comments or tweet me @thatgeorgiacoan. 

I hesitated so much on posting this, terrified people would read into this in the wrong way, but I feel this has helped me a great deal. Sharing my own experience and story means I don't have to feel like I'm hiding a monster under my bed. I don't want my mental health to be like a skeleton in the closet. Thank you once again for taking the time out of your day to read my blog. It's really helped me these past few months when things were quite dark and negative. 

Love to you all, 

Georgia 

All That Jazz Beauty: Blogger Beauty Swap

One of the first beauty blog posts I had ever read was about a beauty swap. Ever since that memorable day I've been obsessed with the idea of swapping beauty products with another bblogger! However, there was always a nagging doubt in my mind. Sometimes beauty swaps sound too good to be true and I can't even remember the countless amount of times I've stumbled upon a horror story in which some poor soul has spend 30 odd pound on makeup and in turn received a used lipstick alongside a pair of nail clippers. It's always a risk you take. 

But recently, I stumbled upon a beauty blogger who goes by the name of All That Jazz Beauty! (If you haven't read her brilliant blog or watched her YT videos, I'll put a link below). I was already familiar with Jazz after watching the two documentaries she made for the BBC back last year so was interested in finding out what she had to say about all things beauty. She's not only got a great blog where she posts some super interesting reviews but her Youtube channel (which goes by the same username may I add) just had the best content, including some amazing tutorials and addictive hauls. As Jazz was pretty new to this whole beauty blogger just like myself, I decided to contact her in the hopes of potentially doing some blog calibrations in the future or a beauty swap if she was interesting (which must have been pretty daunting as I wasn't a known blogger). But Jazz got in contact and said she'd love to give it a go!

So we decided that the following week we would send each other a box of goodies. We had a maximum 15 pound spend but did not specific beauty products as we wanted to try a range of new products. So below are the items that Jazz sent me a two weeks back (yes, I am VERY late on this post aha) and I LOVE THEM. A few of the products Jazz sent me were items that I had wanted to buy myself but had either been sold out or had not been available to me so I was SO excited to try out the products.

Boot's 17 Blusher in 'Nude'

I absolutely love this blush Jazz sent me. It's a rich, rose pink toned blush in the shade 'Nude'. I've always been a massive fan of 17 products from Boots and have heard great things about their blushes. When I tried this blush out I was amazed at the pigmentation. I have been using a basic blush by Rimmel for years and was never really in to trying new blushes. However, this blush has completely changed my mind about trying new products! A change is always good and I've been loving using this blush for that everyday glow.

MUA Fur-Effect Nails in 'Fluff & Cuddles'

This is literally the coolest stuff ever! Although not completely practical for everyday use, Fur Effect nails looks so cute and is super fun to apply. You literally just have to put a base coat on and dip your nails in this baby and you'll have fluffy nails!? Yes, I did say fluffy!! Like a teddy bear!? Who thought nails could be so cute. I will say that this stuff is REALLY messy if you don't apply it correctly but it's so worth it to see the novelty of furry nails. The one Jazz sent me is in the shade 'Fluff and Cuddles', a oh so cute bubblegum pink. 

MUA Lipstick in 'Juicy'

I have tried MUA lipsticks before but I must say this has to be my favourite shade. The one Jazz sent me is in 'Juicy', a light coral pink shade which is in for the spring. I really like this lipstick alongside a brown smokey eye. It's subtle yet adds a pop of colour to any simple makeup look. Previously I have found MUA lipsticks aren't always true to their shade but when applied the shade is truly justified. This will more then likely be my staple lipstick for the warmer months.

Rimmel Soft Kohl in 'Jet Black'

I wonder if Jazz can read minds. I had written out my beauty shopping list for the week previous stating I needed a black eyeliner and Rimmel is one of my favourite drugstore brands. Their eyeliners are super soft and pigmented. A black eyeliner is a staple piece and is great for most makeup looks including the smokey eye. I love the fact this eyeliner is so easy to blend and isn't harsh. I've been turning to pencil eyeliners more recently as I often don't have the time nor the patience for liquid/gel liner so this Soft Kohl will be great for those lazy mornings were my eyes need a bit of definition.   

Boots 17 Eyeshadow in 'Funfair'

I have honestly fallen head over hills in love with this eyeshadow. This 17 shadow in the shade 'Funfair' is just the most gorgeous shade I have ever seen. It's almost a rose gold with this gorgeous shimmer which changes shade in different lighting. I've been wearing this with my Maybelline 24 Hour Tattoo creme shadow in On & On Bronze. It look's like such a statement with it's metallic hues but is so simple and quick. I really love this shadows pigmentation and would love to try some more from 17.

I have had so much fun doing this beauty swap. Not only have I received some amazing products and had great fun picking out products for Jazz, I have also made a new Beauty Blogger friend who I hope to do swaps with again in the future. If you have not yet done a beauty swap, I'd defiantly recommend it. The excitement when you receive your parcel, wondering what new products you'll get to try is so much fun. I'd love to try this again in the future and once again a MASSIVE thanks to Jazz from All That Jazz Beauty for sending such wonderful products. 

Check her blog out here: http://www.allthatjazzbeautyblog.blogspot.co.uk/

If any of you beautiful followers are interested in doing a beauty swap, you can contact me on Twitter: @thatgeorgiacoan. Leave me your blog and I'll be sure to check it out!!

Georgia

oxo

Spring 2013 Trends: The Contrast

As showcased by Marc Jacobs, Alexandra Wang and Chanel among others at this year's London Fashion Week, 'The Contrast' is what everyone is talking about this spring. The black and white combination is classic and demure but can be dressed up with bright patterns and outrageous embellishments! It's an easy and understated trend that can be embraced by the bargain hunter and the 'more money then sense' splurger, so here are just a few outfit ideas and items which can help you jump on 'The Contrast' band wagon, no matter what budget you have! 

1. Catarina Lace and Leather Skater Dress- Missguided.co.uk

£29.99

I really love the sophisticated yet edgy elegance to this dress. The contrast is subtle with the of set white lace yet the leather skirt and collar makes the dress an automatic statement. To stay in the contrast theme  and not deter attention from the dress (the outfit does the talking) I'd team this with a pair of black or nude wedges or chelsea boots and wear minimal accessories. I think this dress is fabulous for the price as it looks a lot more expensive then it really is. 

2. H&M Black and White Print Top- hm.com 

£7.99

This top really is a statement piece. The vertical lines are really flattering for pear and apple shapes. The  triangles at the side of this top draw the eyes to the centre which gives an automatic slimming effect. The contrast on this top is really bold and will have you at the centre of attention! I'd pair this with a pair of black cropped cigarette trousers and a pair of chelsea boots or even platforms for an evening look. This top is great for dressing up or down and means you can add the contrast trend to your wardrobe without breaking the bank! Fabulous!!

3. Newlook White Contrast Lace Shoulder Peplum- newlook.com

£12.99 

The peplum is a trend that took off around winter 2012 and is still a massive trend for the spring. The peplum style is really flattering as it draws the eyes to the waist, enthusing your stunning assets. The contrast is not as apparent on this top but it is beautifully feminine with black lace sleeves. I'd team this top with a pair of black cigarette trousers or shiny disco pants for the evening and a pair of cute courts. 

1. Zara Shift Dress with White Stripe- zara.com

£45.99

Once again another understated yet sophisticated piece that allows you to dress up or dress down the contrast trend. I think this dress would be great for a night on the town or a dinner date. For a night out I'd team this dress with gold accessories, a pair of studded platforms and a leather jacket, transforming it with a blazer and a pair of black leather slippers. This dress is the perfect staple piece! 

2. Topshop Texture Stripe Shift Dress- topshop.com

£38.00

This dress has designer written all over it, except the price tag! Contrast stripes are the simplest and most effect way of staying on trend. Eye-catching yet simple, this shift dress could be teamed with a pair of black platforms and a blazer for a cultivating classic. This design has been seen on the cat walks so I'm pretty sure this dress won't be around for long! Grab that designer look for half the price. I think this dress is definitely worth the money as a piece like this will get so much wear. Stripes are almost always bang on trend. 

3. Missguided Veris Monochrome Tweed Sleeve Leather Jacket- missguided.co.uk

£37.99

A bloggers favourite, this jacket really is to die for! The contrast lies in it's leather body and white tweed sleeves, which give the jacket an air of suave will keeping it young and current with the leather body. This jacket would like great on most outfits, meaning you could be rocking the Contrast trend all day, everyday! It's a simple way to create the trend without worrying you have spent money on an item you may only wear once. This jacket is classic and a staple piece which can be worn all year round. A great investment and a great price. 

1. Stella McCartney Sleeveless Contrast Dress- selfridges.com

£445.00

The only thing that preventing me from buying this dress is the price tag! But if I had the money, this baby would be hanging up in my wardrobe. I love the simplicity of this piece. A body con dress is a pencil skirt is perfectly elegant yet has a sexy element to it. The contrast in this dress is very understated, with a strip of white running through the hem of the skirt, yet it just looks bang on trend. The high neck is also really sophisticated and allows their dress to be teamed with some REAL statement jewellery. As the dress is beautifully simple, I'd team this dress with a silver chain necklace or  a statement drape collar. I'd keep the shows neutral as not to overpower the dress, staying with the nudes and blacks. I just love the classiness and classic look of this dress! I just wish it were in my price range. 

2. Alexandra McQueen Contrast-Detail Shirt- selfridges.com 

£595.00

Contrasts shirts are always a great piece of buy into with the contrast trend. They can be worn day and night and are the most simple way of buying into this trend. I love the white collar and cuffs of this shirt. Although the shirt is rather masculine, the contrast gives it a feminine demure. The scoop hem is also beautifully feminine. I'd wear this shirt with black wet look leggings or cigarette trousers depending on the event. I'd wear a classic pair or black loafers to keep this outfit classic and not deter from the beauty and elegance of this shirt. Classic yet current, I just love this shirts ability to speak out from a crowded room. It's a stand alone piece which can define any wearer as an automatic fashonista.  

3. Marc Jacobs Scooter Stripe Dress- marcjacobs.com 

$398.00 

Looking at this dress you can automatically see where H&M and Topshop got their contrast inspiration from. This classic Marc Jacobs dress is sweet yet beautifully stylish, using horizontal and vertical stripes to draw the eyes to your figure. The boxy shape to this dress is classic and simplistic while the pattern keeps the piece on trend and gives it a breathtaking edge. I love the way this dress takes the contrast trend and real turns it on it's head,using patterns to keep the design unique and fresh. I think this dress is a stand alone piece. I wouldn't wear accessories with it and stay to understated footwear, as the dress tells us all we need to know. If only I had the cash, this baby would be mine! 

The Contrast Trend is a simple yet classic trend which is so easy to follow without having to buy a whole new wardrobe. From a plain white shirt and a pair of black trousers to a monochrome body con, this trend is bang on for the Spring and will carry you right through to the Summer. It's so easy to dress up or down and adds that touch of class to any outfit. Let your outfit do the talking this Spring and buy into the Contrast Trend! Then all you have to do is wait for the compliments to role on! 

Love G

x

Origin's Super Spot Remover Review

From bothersome blemishes to full apocalyptic break outs, I've had my fair share of spotty skin! It's a phase all teenagers have to put up with (think of it as an initiation test). But whether it's part and parcel of adolescence, it's still a pain in the royal derriere. I heard about Origin Products through various Youtube videos. I'd always seen their products displayed in my local Debenhams but I'd always thought their products too pricey and for a brand I had heard little about, I wasn't willing to invest a great sum for something I wasn't sure would work with my skin. However, a few months back, I heard a few beauty bloggers raving about how excellent Origin's Super Spot Remover was and I could not resist giving it a try myself. 

For £13.00, the product is not cheap, but I'd be willing to pay a lot more for this product for what it does. Not the product itself is actually extremely small, measuring around 4 1/2 cm and containing 10ml of gel. But as I found after  two weeks of using it, a little goes a long way. I've been using the product for around 4 weeks and still have over half of it left, which for someone who tends to use products very quickly, is really good. On the day the product arrived I got straight to using it on a few pesky blemishes that seemed to be stubborn as hell! You squeeze the tiniest bit of the gel onto your finger and dab it gently on the blemish.   

The gel's Salicylic Acid contents get to work at drying out the spot while it's Caffeine and Red Algae ingredients calm and soothe skin redness. Because the product is quite drying, you should only apply it to the spot itself rather then a larger skin surface. I made the mistake of applying a greater amount upon one spot the other night and it stings REAL bad. This shouldn't be a problem though if you aren't an idiot like moi and apply the product how it should be applied. 

After 4 weeks of using this product I can honestly say it works miracles on the occasional stubborn blemish and is really quick as well as being fuss free. I apply it usually before bed (sometimes in the mornings but it often works better over night) and the spot is a lot less red in the morning! It's one of those life saving products that can really fix that problem of waking up before a big event and finding you have a second head! 

I actually really loved this product and overall found it really works! I will defiantly be re-purchasing and it's also hope to try out some other Origin products in the future!

Have you tried this product? What did you think? What Origin product should I try next?

Much love,

Georgia 

oxoxoxox

benefit 'It's Potent!' Brightening Eye Cream

Now, I don't know if you guys have noticed this yet, but I'm literally the BIGGEST benefit fan girl ever! The first time I tried a benefit product was 2 years ago when I nabbed my Mum's first buy and I've been addicted ever since. It wasn't until I really got interested in makeup and different products that I really saw what it was that I loved about benefit. 

As you all know, benefit are not the cheapest of makeup producers but they are one of the best. Their products always seems to receive raving reviews and I honestly feel benefit is a product I can trust, hence my decision to put my skin care into their hands. Although I have tried a great deal of benefit's makeup range, I had yet to try their skin care collection. For the last year I had suffered from extremely tried eyes which has in turn gift wrapped me the present of dark under eye circles!! Stubborn little blighters aren't they? I've been trying to rid myself of these ageing features for the last few months with an array of products including under eye caffeine rollers and home made spells to rid me of them. But these sadly left me with nothing but disappointment. So, after reading up about benefit's skin care range, I decided to invest in their 'It's Potent' brighting cream in the hope that it may work a treat. 

I purchased my eye cream from Debenhams for £23.50 but can be purchased online through benefit's own website if you live internationally. 

I've been using 'It's Potent' for about three days now and I can already see a difference. Although my dark circles are still quite visible, my under eyes feel and look a lot smother and more hydrated. My eyes don't feel as tried which is an extra bonus. I use the cream in the mornings, after moisturising and in the evening after removing my makeup. I'm in love with everything this product has to offer. I love the smell of it as well as the way it's packaged. The smell is really fresh and unique and the vintage, faux cord lid really adds this alternative, shabby chic look, looking great in my vintage themed room! 

I personally believe this product is definitely worth the money but many may find the price tag to hefty for something they may not find works for them. Debenhams do sell a benefit six piece skin care set with samples from all of benefit's radiant skincare if you'd like to try their products without investing in one! And it's only 10 pound! 

Overall I really do love this product. It's light yet creamy consistency means it doesn't feel heavy on your delicate under eyes and I just feel like the quality of my skin has improved drastically within only a few days of usage! If your willing to get past the price tag, I'd say it's worth the investment. A good quality eye cream can last you for a good few months! So ban those dark circles and bar those under eye wrinkles with this miracle cream. I promise, you won't be disappointed! I want the moisturiser next! ;) 

Lot's of Love,

G 

oxoxox

Calling all Beauty Bloggers Everywhere!

Hello you beautiful people!

Are you a avid beauty blogger? Would you be interested in swapping reviews and products with other beauty junkies?

Follow my blog and get in touch with me via Twitter or Email if you'd like to get involved! 

@thatgeorgiacoan 

gezzieecoan@gmail.com

I'd love to network with you guys and possibly arrange some swaps of products with international beauty bloggers as well as just chatting to you guys to swap tips and tricks for beauty blogging and makeup/fashion!

Thanks

Georgia 

oxoxo

Mac: Pro-Longwear SPF 10 Foundation Review and Online Experience

For months and months I've been wanting a Mac Foundation. If you know anything about the beauty based world, you'll know that the Mac brand is the holy grail of the makeup industry. You'll also know that a Mac product comes with a hefty price tag, ranging from 14 to 40 pound for a single product. But believe me when I say, a great deal of them are worth every penny. 

I had read some great reviews about the Mac Pro-Longwear Foundation with SPF 10 and after a fair bit of research into which Mac Foundation would best suit my skin type, I finally decided to give the Pro-Longwear ago. At 24 pound it's not a product you could buy in bulk, but it's certainly worth the money in my eyes. I was looking for a foundation that stays all day, especially on my T-Zone as I feel that due to my slightly oily skin, many foundations begin to rub off or even melt off my face by late afternoon. The first day my Mac foundation arrived in the post, I was eager to give it a try and applied it during mid morning. By the time my family got back from work around 6 in the evening, they complimented me on the radiance and flawlessness of my skin! The foundation looked just as fresh and new as it had done the morning in which I had applied it!

I will say this foundation is very matte, which I love but many may not have the same feelings towards foundations of this kind. I find a matte foundation such as Pro-Longwear gives the appearance of flawless skin, which is particularly helpful when trying to cover breakout scars or particularly annoying breakout zones such as the forehead and chin area. I brought my Mac Foundation in the shade NC15 which is perfect for my skin tone as I have yellow undertones and often find it hard to match foundations to my skin. I didn't want the foundation to be too dark as this would make it obvious but pale foundations often gives me the complexion of an anaemic vampire. The shade is just perfect for me though and I feel like it blends effortlessly into my skin tone, creating a natural yet flawless finish. The application of the foundation is really lovely. It's texture is smooth and surprisingly light, which means it doesn't feel like it's being caked on or is blocking your pores. I must add though that my mum also tired this foundation but found it very drying on her skin, so I'd recommend that people with less oily skin or more mature skin (in the politest way possible) try one of Mac's other foundations such as StudioFix or Match master as these are not long wear foundations and will be lighter on dryer skin. 

Now, although I do have a Debenhams that supplies Mac products just an half hour drive away from me, I didn't have the time during the Christmas period to take a visit, yet was still desperate to get my hands on a Mac foundation. Much to my mother's warning that I should not, I decided to buy online, however, as I had not used Mac products beforehand, I did not have a shade to go by. I thought I might guess, but 24 pounds is a lot to pay for a product if it turns up and is WAY to dark or light a shade for your skin, so I decided to search around Mac's sight a little more. To my surprise, I found out that Mac have their own online makeup artists who can advise you on what shade will best suit your complexion. You can drop the artists an email if you are not in a rush, or even chat online (which I highly recommend as the reply is instant and you can talk to your artist for along as you please). My artist was Sarah and she gave me a great tip in order to find out what shade would best suit me. If you clench your fist and look at the veins on the back of your hand you will see they are either blue or green. If your veins are green, it means you are an NC shade, which is for people of a more yellow undertone. If they are blue, you are NW, for those with a pink undertone. This tip as well as the knuckle test (clench your knuckles and white knuckles mean NC, pink mean NW) can really help you when choosing a MAC product as MAC skin products are all built upon this system of undertones, allowing you to buy a foundation that really fits your complexion. However, I was still unsure of which  shade of NC to buy. Most people will be able to guess their shade based upon previous foundation colours and comparing them to the colour samples shown online. But as I said before, my skin can often be unpredictable and I didn't want to buy a foundation too light or even too dark. Sarah gave me an email address in which to send a picture of myself without foundation, so she could recommend a shade she believed would suit my tone. Within a few minutes I had sent a webcam picture through to the email address and had a reply from Sarah telling me that NC15 would be the shade to suit my complexion. 

Overall, I am ecstatic with the customer service I received from Mac. They are SO very helpful and I honestly felt like I was given all the information I needed in order to make the right choice. The shade matches my skin perfectly and the online service provided is fast and simple, allowing you to talk to knowledgable and friendly artists just a click away. The product is literally the best foundation I think I've ever brought. I've never had a foundation which matches my skin so perfectly and allows my skin to look flawless whilst still looking effortlessly natural. I will defiantly be purchasing more products from MAC in the near future and feel like my money has been spent well. I would recommend this foundation to anyone and everyone! 

Picture of me with Mac's Pro-Longwear Foundation.

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/158/10180/Products/Face/Foundation/Pro-Longwear-SPF-10-Foundation/index.tmpl

Batiste Dry Shampoo Review

I first tried Batiste Dry Shampoo back five months ago. I was looking for a solution to the second day flat fringe syndrome I seem to suffer with so when I heard there was such a thing as dry shampoo, it felt like all my dreams had come at once. Now, it's not like I was a complete stranger to the idea of dry shampoo as I'd known for many years that talc powder through the hair dried up unwanted grease, but if you've ever tried this method out, you'll know how horribly wrong it can go! 

So to see that I could get the same result with a product that was so much easier to apply and didn't leave me looking like a ghost was just fabulous! The first Batiste I tried out was Proud and True Brit which has a really strong and patriotic smell. For me, Bastiste has really become a lifesaver. As you may have also been told, it is said that washing your hair everyday is never a good thing. It can wash away natural oils and nutrients that your hair needs to stay strong. But on the second day, my hair always seems to lose that shine and volume it has after a wash. My fringe especially as I often touch my fringe during the day which leads to grease! UGH.

Thankfully though, I'm still quite lucky to get away grease-less regarding the rest of my hair. So on the second day, when my fringe has lost it's bounce and it tries to part ways with me, I give it a spray of Batiste just before brushing it through a few times, allowing all the product to really spread throughout the hair and dry up any grease. The product really gives my hair a refresh which is perfect for those days where you may not have time to shower or may have lost the volume of your hair. I find Batiste really brings my hair back to life. I also love the scents and how different they are! 

I'm always excited to purchase another bottle and when I got my hands on the new 'Fruity and Cheeky Cherry' I was not disappointed. As a lover of fruity scents I'm just in love with the smell of this dry shampoo. It's so fresh and juicy and honestly makes me wish I could get a perfume which smelt like it!!

Batiste is just perfect for those bad hair days and I won't lie to you when I say that I have become an absolute fan girl of these dry shampoos! Try them out, you won't be disappointed!

http://www.batistehair.co.uk/products/cherry

£2.99

Westfield, London + Hemel Haul

A few weeks ago I made a trip to London, Hammersmith for an Ed Sherran Concert and decided to stay over night. The next day, with little plans as to how to spend the morning before we ventured back, I realised that Westfield Shopping Centre (One of the UK's biggest shopping centres EVER) was just round the corner. With designer stores and high end shops galore, I knew I would end up spending a great deal of money in there. Thankfully though, I did not have enough cash on me to go venturing anywhere near the top designers, some of which included Jimmy Choo, Dior, Gucci and Prada. So I stuck to the shops I knew best. 

The Topshop in Westfeild is not the biggest in London, I believe that award goes to the Oxford Street one, but it is still a great size and offers a great deal of the new season and rare pieces that I often can't get my hands on in my local TS. There was also an end of season sale going on when I was there which for me is like dancing a Battenburg cake in front of my eyes, I can't resist it! I only three items in the sale, two included jewellery and the other a lovely plum coloured crochet collared top which is truly to die for. It cost me 15 pound which compared to it's original 34 pound price tag was a bargain! Although you can no longer purchase this item online (it may still be in the instore sale) you can purchase a similar crochet collar top which I think is equally as nice here: 

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=6346616&langId=-1&categoryId=&parent_category_rn=&searchTerm=crochet%20collar&resultCount=1

 I also always appear to be attracted to Topshop's knitwear every winter. I have almost always owned a Topshop knitwear piece during the winter season and although slightly pricey they are totally worth their money in warmth. This year I grabbed myself a knitted textured grunge jumper which is super snug. It comes in a bottle green which alongside aubergine and burgundy is one of my favourite autumn season colours. It cost me 36 pound which for many is a little too much to pay for a jumper but I personally believe Topshop clothing is worth the money! You can also purchase this jumper in aubergine, cobalt (a baby blue colour) and black. 

I also visited another one of my favourite shops at Westfield, River Island. I love River Island not only because their clothes are so unique and eye catching but also because the shop holds a special place in my heart for other reasons. My nan was the manageress of River Island back when it was Chelsea Girl in the 60's/70's. River Island even continue to sell a clothing range under the name Chelsea Girl so if you were wondering why that was then there is your answer. I'm extra in love with their knit wear and blouses. Their blouses are extra dainty and so 60's mod fashion, so I had to pick up this bow neck blouse when I saw it. It is sheer making that bit feminine but it also beautifully fitted and the white and black contrast is just so sophisticated/smart. I fell in love with it immediately. I wear it with a blazer and fitted denim jeans to give that casual yet smart feel to the outfit. It cost me 20 pound which is quite a good price for a fitted blouse. You can grab a navy one online here:

http://www.riverisland.com/women/blouses--shirts/shirts/Navy-sheer-bow-neck-blouse-630176

I'm not a MASSIVE Primark fan and am a tiny bit of a snob when it comes to my clothing. I usually shop in Topshop, River Island or Miss Guided as I have found from previous experience of Primark that there items do not last very long and are not of good quality. 

However, that may have just been my local Primark as when I visited Hemel's Primark this week I found their items to be a lot more appealing. For some reason the shop had a much better feel to it and the clothes appeared better looking and of a better quality. I think this may have just been the fact that the Hemel Primark sells better items then my local one and is a better overall shop. Maybe my local Primark is the last to receive Primark's new season items? Who knows! If you do know, comment me below! 

But for the first time in a LONG time, I purchased some items from Primark. The first being this really adorable white peplum from Primark's Atmosphere range. The Peplum has a really sweet mesh shoulder and back which I absolutely loved as I love mesh detail on clothing. It adds that femininity whilst keeping it tasteful and sophisticated (which I adore). I have two other peplum tops from Topshop in burgundy and grey latex fabric which means the fabric is really moveable and fits nicely around your chest area. This top is not the same fabric but still has that stretch that I like in a tight fitted top. The fabric part is embellished with golden specs which really makes the top stand out and would make it an extra glamourous evening piece. For the first time I actually feel as though this Primark item will last me a while. It feels great quality, especially the mesh detail, which I was really surprised about and for 8 pound, the top is a bargain as well as a great quality of product. 

I also purchased this long Guns and Roses tank top. I have been looking for a top like this for a while as I often see people teaming similar band tees with leggings or shorts and thought it would be a great item to add to my college clothes collection. I love the glittery embellishment on the top especially as it gives the item that girly touch that you do not often find with band tees. The product is also of great quality and like most cotton based tank tops, is lightweight and breathable. I love the detail within the logo as well as it really show cases the beauty of the Guns and Roses band logo. I will be teaming this top with black leggings or denim jeans in the winter months and hopefully shorts during the summer, making it a diverse piece for all year round. This tank top cost me 6 pound! What a bargain! 

That concludes my London and Hemel Haul but if you would like to ask me any questions about the items, please don't hesitate to comment! 

:) 

Thanks

G