May Favourites 2015

Hello everybody! It feels good to be back. This month I've been busy studying for and sitting my Higher exams, so blogging has not been a priority, but I have definitely missed it. I thought that it would be a good way to get stuck back into my blog by writing about some of my favourite things in May. Some of them are a bit random, but there's logic to it, and when you have spent the last month revising and not getting out of the house much, you start to appreciate the little things. Anyway, here are my favourite things in May.

Schwarzkopf got2b beach matt texturizing salt spray - I have naturally curly hair, but sometimes it can be so crazy that it looks like I've just rolled out of bed. This is an absolute godsend for the days when I get out the shower and let my hair dry naturally. I apply it quite generously to damp, brush hair, then run my fingers through it to even out the spray and separate my hair. Then I let it dry and I have relatively "beachy" waves. I really like this stuff.

Vaseline trio - Okay, this is a bit of a weird one, but lip balm is pretty much an essential for everyone. I've tried loads of different lip balms, but always prefer Vaseline. I really like the different flavours they do, especially the cocoa butter one, it's so nice. Anyway, that was a bit of a random one, but also one I can't do without.

Rimmel Kate Lipstick Shade 22 - This colour is my favourite. It is a very bright red, and it makes my teeth look really white when I wear it, which I'm embracing because I've not long had my braces taken off!! This lipstick is quite long lasting, and I've had lots of nice comments about the colour. It also smells really nice haha, which isn't something you usually specifically look for in a lipstick, but it's an added bonus I guess. Overall, one of my favourite lipsticks that I've used.

Boots Botanics cooling lavender gel - Yet another weird one, however there is a reason. As I mentioned at the start of this post, I've been doing exams. As an anxiety sufferer, these times can be especially stressful, and as I am not medicated (optionally), I am quite interested in natural remedies. This is a gentle, lavender scented gel that you apply to your pulse points before going to sleep at night, and I really believe that using this, as well as meditation through the Headspace app (another one of my favourites that I have not included in this post, but would recommend to anyone, even those who do not get stressed easily), and grudgingly drinking a cup of chamomile tea (ewww)  before bed totally helped me sleep well and calmed my nerves the night before an exam.

Stabilo Fineliner pens - My last weird one, I promise. Well, those with common sense will know that with exams comes studying. Essay plans, mind maps, lists, you name it, I probably did it. In an attempt to make myself feel more motivated and enthusiastic about revision, I bought lots of new paper and stationery. These little pens brightened up my revision, and I just thought the colours were really pretty. I've also just realised that I have a really sad life, so that's good too. 

Soap & Glory Mist You Madly body spray - I got a few bottles of this stuff for Christmas, and it smells amazing. I was so sad when I thought I'd finished all of it. However, a few weeks ago, I found another unopened bottle of it, and I was so excited. It's definitely my favourite Soap & Glory product. 

Nivea Daily Essentials oil free moisturising day cream - I bought this moisturiser only because the shop didn't have the one I usually buy (Simple Oil Balancing moisturiser). I'm so glad I did get it though. I prefer it as it is more hydrating, and doesn't leave my skin feeling gross and sticky afterwards. It is also really cool and refreshing, and I like the packaging too. The only issue I do have is that they don't sell it in bigger bottles!

Photo album - I've decided that I want to start printing out photos and filing them into photo albums. Quite often you lose photos if you break your phone, or you have to wipe your computer, and I really like the idea of being able to pull out a photo album in years to come, and show my kids photos of me and my family and friends as youngsters, just like my parents do with me. So, I went on to eBay and bought myself this cute little photo album for a few quid. The design is really cute, and it has space for 200 photos. I'm excited to start filling this up with photos. 

The Waiting Home (Tanner Patrick) - Lastly, my favourite album of the month. I found Tanner Patrick's covers a few months ago and totally fell in love. Then when I found out that his album was on Spotify, I was so excited. He's got such a beautiful voice, and his album is full of amazing songs. My personal favourites are Satellites and Heartbreak Therapy.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post, and I'm hoping to get back into posting on a weekly basis. Please remember to follow my social media (Twitter: @dxni_lee // Instagram: @dxni.lee), and also to follow my blog on Bloglovin'. Thank you, and have a fabulous week!

Sunday Funday

Sundays are for sleeping late, kicking back with family and friends, and eating incredible Sunday dinner food. I find Sundays stressful, but today was totally lovely. I had a lazy morning and spent lots of time looking at old family photos. Then I had a shower, got dressed and spent some time applying my makeup (Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation - Ivory // Max Factor Miracle Touch blush // Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - Peach Glow // Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil - Hazel // Mac Eye Kohl - Smolder // Barry M Show Girl Mascara // Mac Lipstick - Living Legend). Today I opted to wear a red and white polka dot cropped blouse and blue acid wash high waisted jeans, both from New Look. I spent some time relaxing with a cup of tea and watched Friends before going on a short walk with my little brother. It was really cold, but felt so good to get some fresh air. Then I came home and my lovely mum had finished making an amazing Sunday roast for the family, but by the time I had remembered to take a photo, I'd cleared my plate (oops!). Yesterday it was my sister's 17th birthday, but we didn't see her until this evening, so we decided it was only fitting to celebrate with some chocolate birthday cake. Now, after writing this blog, I'm more than comfortable in my pyjamas about to watch the latest CTFxC vlog. 

It's a good life.

Let me know what you enjoy doing on a Sunday! See you soon with another post, and have a fabulous week. 

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42 Beauty Questions Tag

I'm no beauty expert, but in the past year I've really come to enjoy buying, trying and applying makeup. So I decided it would be fun to do this tag. I'm not quite sure where this originally came from but here it is anywayyy! 

SKINCARE

1. How many times do you wash your face daily? Twice. Morning and night..

2. What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo) Oily, it's a nightmare:-(

3. What is your current facial wash? Beauty Formulas Oil Control Facial Cleanser. It contains grapefruit extract, so is really refreshing (especially in the morning) and it smells amazing!

4. Do you exfoliate? Nope, the little grainy bits freak me out a bit haha.

5. What brand do you use? Umm..none.

6. What moisturizer do you use? Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser.

7. Do you have freckles? Not really, I have a few that come out in the summer, but other than that, I don't.

8. Do you use eye cream? Nah.

9. Do you or did you have acne prone skin? YES. My acne used to be really bad, but in recent months it's been slightly better. I'm on prescribed steroid cream for it, and used to have courses of antibiotics to take to treat acne. 

10. Did you ever have to use Pro-activ? Nope, I've never tried it.

MAKE-UP

11. What foundation do you use? At the moment I'm using Rimmel Stay Matte foundation, in the shade Ivory. I've wrote a bit about it in my January favourites, but overall it's a good foundation. 

12. How about concealer? Currently, I'm not using a concealer and I have never really found one that I like, so if you know any good ones then let me know.

13. Do you know your undertone color? I think I've got a blueish undertone colour, but idk. 

14. What do you think of fake eyelashes? I've only worn them once and I hated them. I have naturally long eyelashes anyway, so I don't really have a reason to wear them.  

15. Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months? No, I didn't. But I usually finish a bottle before then anyways. 

16. What brand of mascara do you use? I really like Max Factor MasterpieceMax, but just now I've been wearing Barry M Show Girl Extra Volume Black Mascara because when I read the reviews it said it was was good if you only wear light mascara, which is what I prefer for regular day to day wear since I have really long eyelashes. 

17. Sephora or MAC? Well, we don't have Sephora here in the UK, so I'm gonna have to say Mac.

18. Do you have a MAC Pro-card? Nooooope.

19. What makeup tools do you use in make up application? Umm, well I use E.L.F brushes. They're so soft and lovely. 

20. Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes? Nah, I'm under a strict time schedule in the morning haha. 

21. For the face? Again, no. But I probably should 

22. What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)? Clinique colour surge duo in Blackberry Frost. One of the shades is a shimmery lilac with a hint of silver, and the other is a purple toned, dark, shimmery grey. They go amazingly together, or individually, and are perfect for special occasions.

23. Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? Just now I'm using Mac Kohl eye pencil in Smolder.

24. How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? Far too often, I always do it with the mascara brush too haha. 

25. What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? I'm not really a fan, I prefer subtle eyeshadow compared to a really pigmented shade.

26. Do you use mineral makeup? Nah.

27. What is your favorite lipstick? My favourite is my Mac lipstick in the shade Living Legend, but I also recently purchased a lip stain from E.L.F. The colour is Crimson Crush, it's really bright, but it is so pretty and makes my teeth look whiter. It's also a bonus that it's really long lasting. 

28. How about lipgloss? I hate lipgloss. It's so sticky and I'm not really about getting my hair stuck to my face.  

29. What is your favorite blush to use? Max Factor Miracle Touch creamy blush (14 soft pink)

30. Do you buy your makeup on ebay? Not usually. 

31. Do you like drugstore makeup? Yeah, I'm broke 84% of the time and usually spend my money on food instead of makeup. 

32. Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets) Ummm..nope.

33. Did you ever consider taking make-up classes? Nah, I'm not patient enough for that.

34. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup? It takes me about 5 minutes to slap my makeup on in the morning on weekdays. But usually I'm quite good at making sure it looks somewhat decent before leaving my house. 

35. Name a makeup crime that you hate? There's two makeup crimes I hate the most. The first one is the classic foundation line that occurs when it isn't blended into their neck, it stresses me out. The second crime is when people overdo the filling in of eyebrows so they look like slugs slowly slipping off the person's face. But whatever floats their boat.

36. Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones? I like colorful shades on the lips, but neutral on the eyes. 

37. Which celebrity always has great make up? Emma Watson, hands down. 

38. If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use? Foundation, my skin is always quite gross, and going out without it makes me feel a lot less confident. 

39. Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on? I do sometimes, but not very often. 

40. Do you think you look good even without any makeup on? I'd like to say yes, but that's not the case haha. 

41. In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line? My favourite drugstore brand has got to be Max Factor, it's really good quality, and is always my safest bet. I've not really tried many high-end makeup brands, but I'd have to say Mac. 

42. What do you think of Makeup? I think makeup is a really good thing that can do a lot for a person's confidence. It's fun to experiment with, and can really complete a look. However, I think it shouldn't be something that a kid rushes into using, sometimes it's more stress than it's worth. 

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post, and let me know you're favourite make up items/brands! See ya soon with another post! X

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