035 : Confessions of a Beauty Blogger

 

I was recently tagged by the lovely Jules over at Lippy Likes in the 'Confessions of a Beauty Blogger' tag, this is my first tag, so be gentle! I really love reading tags and getting to know bloggers a little better :) 

Here are my confessions!

1. How many hours a week do you spend writing / editing posts? 

At the moment, way less than I should! I do a lot of note jotting, I have tons of notebooks full of blog plans and ideas, updating Blush & Belle takes around 10 hours a week, including photography & design.

2. Are you a spender or saver?

Oh gosh. I have zero self control when it comes to money! I'm a definite spender. I just can't resist. Shopaholics anonymous is calling my name!

3. When is it easier for you to blog? 

My mind is most active in the evening & I have two young boys, so definitely a night owl! I find its when I'm most relaxed too :) any excuse to sit in bed with a hot chocolate!

4. What makes writing behind a computer comfortable for you? 

Bed. Hot chocolate. Pillows. Done! Comfort is definitely key for me, I'm not one for sitting at a desk all day!

5. What is your worst make up / hair habit? 

Uh oh. I'm quite impatient when it comes to doing my make-up and I'm really lazy slow in the mornings too, so it always takes me forever, when it comes to hair, I straighten the bits I can see and whack a bit of Batiste on it! I barely ever brush my hair & it always looks a bit disheveled!  

6. What is one quote you wish the world lived by? 

"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." - Nelson Mandela

7. How long do you spend getting ready every day? 

It takes me around 45 minutes to an hour, which includes skincare, make-up, hair, getting dressed & having some breakfast! I never quite feel satisfied with how I look though, I always look in the mirror before I leave the house and I think I could have made a little more effort!

8. Who's your favourite blogger? 

I read so many blogs so its so hard to choose! I adore Zoella just because she's so cute & her personality is addictive, I really love Liv Purvis - her outfits are just divine, and don't get me started on the beehive! Too much love! aaaand Molly from What Molly Loves - she's come so far since starting her blog, I really admire her, and she's so down to earth too!

9. Who is a blogger that you think deserves more subscribers than they have?

Heidi from Blush & Belle?!

10. What is one thing you are excited about in the upcoming year?

Definitely blogging more, so much can change so quickly when you blog, its crazy. I'm determined to put way more time into Blush & Belle.

11. What is your most awkward blogging moment?

At a blogging event in London which I won't name, the event was amazing in itself but there was some guys there eyeing up all of the models and bloggers and going 'WOW' when they walked by, its alright when its subtle but its a little cringe when they're so completely obvious! They were literally burning holes in their arses with their eyes!

12. How long does it take you to prepare a post?

It depends on the post, I'd say an hour to plan, an hour or so to photograph and re-touch images and around an hour or two to write until I'm happy with it!

13. Are you wearing trousers right now or jogging pants / PJ bottoms?

 I've just got out of the bath so I'm in Ted Baker pj shorts & a black H&M t-shirt. comfort at its finest!

14. What are you most proud of in life?

It's got to be giving birth to my beautiful little boys, Alfie & Oliver :) aww!

Can't wait to read everyones confessions! Thanks for tagging me Jules! I tag...

- Molly / What Molly Loves

- Megs / Wonderful You

- Chelsea / Through Chelseas Eyes

- Sarah / Time To See The Stars

- Millie / Hidden Beauty Blog

Lots of love

xxxx

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034 Review : Origins Clear Improvement Mask

Hey Belles, hope you all had a lovely weekend, I can't believe we're already into November. Where has this year gone?! As you all know, I love face masks, I'm not sure why, I just do. I love feeling pampered and giving my skin a lovely little weekly treat, especially as the winter draws in and my skin begins to feel the effects of the cold.

Origins is a brand I've never really known massive amounts about, but having spent the last year working in a store that has an Origins counter, I've become more familiar with the brand and their products, I'm definitely one for natural skincare, making their products with renewable resources and using recycled materials wherever they can, Origins is a great brand to opt for. You know you're not gonna be putting lots of harsh chemicals onto your skin & there's an option for every skin type. 

 Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask / £22 / 100ml

I know this is a product that's been getting rave reviews around the bloggersphere for a really long time now, I've been busting to try it for ages & ages but really couldn't justify the price tag. I picked it up when Origins were having a 20% off day where I work, and with my staff discount on top, how could I say no? 

I've been using the Clear Improvements mask once to twice a week for over a month now and I think I may have fallen in love. It's just beautiful, I open my pores as instructed with a hot flannel on my face and then apply the mask all over, I usually leave it on whilst I'm in the bath, so a good half hour or so, until the mask is set, I then use a clean face cloth soaked in warm water to soak the mask up off my skin. After the first use I noticed that my skin looked a lot fresher and cleaner and felt generally pampered, after another few uses I noticed that it looked glowing, its the perfect product for clogged up pores & generally unhappy skin. My pores definitely appeared a lot smaller and tighter. I don't have a problem with oily skin as mine is more combination, but I have heard from the Origins girls that this is really perfect for oily skin types. 

The Clear Improvements mask does contain White China Clay, this absorbs toxins & lifts impurities out of the skin, so a blemish or two after the first few uses definitely isn't uncommon, I noticed a couple of little spots on my chin the next day after using this, but I see it as a sign that all the rubbish has come out! Overall, I really couldn't recommend this enough.

 

I'm definitely a coveted Origins fan now, next question... What to put on my Christmas list?! What does everyone think of Origins? Fans?

Lots of love

xxx

 

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033 : & It Was All Yellow

Hey Belles! Hope everyone had a super weekend, I'm so excited to share with you my very first outfit of the day post! I know most of my posts focus on beauty & reviews, but I figured its time to brave the weather and show you guys what I've been wearing lately. Plus, I never post photos of myself on here, time for a change!

Jacket, £58: Topshop

T-Shirt, £6.99: H&M

Trousers, £35: River Island

Shoes, £19.99: New Look

I'm a massive fan of florals, give me florals anyday. When I saw these utterly beautiful trousers I knew I needed them in my life, unfortunately they were sold out in my size online and in all of my local stores, but luckily, Mama Belle came to the rescue and managed to pick some up in her local River Island, much to my delight! Thanks Mum! I wasn't sure what to team with the trousers as they are quite in your face, I decided on a yellow t-shirt which I picked up super cheap in H&M, I got a black long sleeve too for more formal affairs, and my trusty Topshop leather jacket. I really love wearing heels but as the weather as begun to get a little damper and a little brisk, I've put the stilettos away & opted for a classier midi heel. These are super comfy to walk in, theres just something about New Look shoes!

 Watch: c/o The Watch Hut

I have to admit, I'm not usually one to wear a watch, mainly because I don't think I've ever owned a really trusty, pretty watch.. and because I'm ridiculously forgetful. I'm really time aware though and a bit of a clock watcher. You can always guarantee I'll be ten minutes early! When the lovely people at The Watch Hut sent me this Casio beauty, I couldn't wait to get it on, I was feeling it was about time to get a new watch and I absolutely adore the gorgeous berry colour, so perfect for autumn/winter. It's lovely and delicate, my teeny wrists can't pull off a massive Michael Kors (which by the way... The Watch Hut stock at amazing prices!) - as much as I would love one! I love a bit of wrist candy!

 

Here's an OOTD outtake for your viewing pleasure! Belts holding up your boobs is definitely gonna catch on! Hope everyone has a really lovely week, let me know your thoughts on my first OOTD! 

Lots of love 

xxx 

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032 Review : L'oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Solution

Hey Belles, hope you all had a fabulous weekend! I know I'm slightly late jumping on the Micellar bandwagon, but boy am I glad I did! I picked up the L'oreal version in my local Superdrug, I've been really impressed with L'oreal products over the last year or so, from their face wipes to their cleansers and toners. They definitely haven't disappointed. Micellar waters aren't a product I knew massive amounts about before investing in, I know tonnes of you guys swear by Bioderma, but I'm yet to try it so this isn't going to be a comparison post.. just yet! I have to admit, I wasn't exactly convinced by Micellar waters, I figured that it would just be another type of make-up remover, without any additional benefits.

 L' Oreal Paris Skin Perfection-3-in-1 Purifying Micellar Solution - £4.99 / 200ml

The L'Oreal Micellar claims to do three things;
- Dissolve make-up
- Unclog pores and remove impurities
- Tone and soothe skin

As you can see, I've used a fair bit of mine now and I have to say, I'm really impressed! I popped a little onto a cotton pad and as instructed, held it onto my eye for a few seconds before wiping away, I absolutely loved that when you wipe away your make-up, it doesn't smear all over your face. Y'know when you're using a face wipe and it looks and feels as though your just kind of moving your make-up around your chops? Yep, we've all been there. Well, this definitely doesn't do that. It's super gentle on your eyes too, it feels like water and doesn't really have a scent so it tends not to irritate. I'm not sure if it unclogged my pores as my pores aren't massively visible anyway, it was soothing on my skin and really lovely to use.

The only qualm I have with this product was that the hole was a tiny bit too big & I always ended up using a little too much, I think theres a bit of a knack to it but I found there was more wastage than I would have liked.

I've incorporated this into my nightly skincare routine by following up with Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish, I think it's absolutely perfect for a two-step cleansing routine, but not a product I would use alone. A definite repurchase though!

Has anyone else tried this? What did you all think?

Lots of love
xx
 

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031 Wednesday Wishlist : Tartan

Hey Belles! I love this time of year, now that summer has tucked itself up in bed for another year, autumn has peeped its little head out of the covers. The best thing about Autumn for me, is being able to wrap up all nice and cosy in the mornings and get all warm & snuggled in the evenings. I love being able to wake up in the morning, not stuck to my duvet covers.. and being able to wear cute little lace socks. Autumn has arrived & I am in love with it. 

I was shopping with Mama Belle a couple of weeks ago, and I remember saying to her.. "I really want a Tartan scarf." We searched high and low for one with no luck whatsoever, then low and behold, tartan has appeared everywhere. I really enjoy the summer/autumn wardrobe transition, being able to swap pretty florals for checks and tartans. Its always so refreshing to introduce new prints and styles to accompany the time of year.

1. New Look Tartan Pinafore Playsuit - £22.99
2. ASOS Johnny Loves Rosie Tartan Bow - £16
3. ASOS Portland Platform - £45
4. Primark Chiffon Dress with Collar - £13
5. Miss Selfridge Check Crop Top - £32
6. Miss Selfridge Tartan Bodycon - £37
7. Topshop Tartan Cigarette Trousers - £50
8. Forever 21 Chain Bracelet - £5.65
9. Boohoo Tallulah Skinny Jeans with Tartan Turn-Ups - £25

I am absolutely in love with the Boohoo Tartan turn-ups. So perfect if you're not quite feeling brave enough to wear the full on Tartan cigarette trousers! As you can see, I can't wait to sport a bit of tartan this season! 

What prints are you all loving at the moment?

Lots of love 
xxx

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