Getting ready for summer

As I am sitting in my garden, on a very humid day in June, sipping on apple juice, I have an idea for a blog post. I haven't really seen very many summer essentials blogs or watched very many summer essentials videos so I thought I'd just go for it.

So, first up are a pair of wedges. Everyone needs at least one pair of wedges in their summer wardrobe. They can transform an entire outfit in seconds and make you feel 10 times more confident. I've been having a look around recently and I personally think that New Look have a great range of wedges out at the moment, and they're very reasonably priced.

Moisturiser is a must have for summer. The sun damages your skin even when you wear sun cream so it's really important to keep your skin hydrated. For summer I like to buy oil free ones to avoid shiny patches, especially around the nose, chin and forehead. The Neutrogena pink grapefruit facial moisturiser is probably the best one I've tried.

I would also invest in a shine control facial scrub, just to keep the oil production under control. When your skin gets dried out, it produces more oil, so it's important to cleanse thoroughly as well as keep oil at bay. Clean and Clear is a good brand to have a go with.

One of my definite must haves is a perfectly summery perfume. I have a really lovely DKNY one, but I don't know the name of it. It smells floral and fruity without being too sweet or strong. Subtle scents, for me, are 100% essential this summer.

Everyone needs a decent heat defence spray. The sun really dries out your hair and can leave you with really bad split ends, but I find that the Toni & Guy heat defence spray does the job perfectly. I use this before blow drying, straightening, curling and going out in the sun. It keeps my hair in great condition, and it's super affordable.

Instead of using sun cream on my face, I like to use an SPF foundation or moisturiser. One of my favourites at the moment is the Maybelline BB Cream. It's the 8 in 1, but I'll let you find those out for yourself, if you're interested. I'd definitely reccomend some form of SPF make up just because you don't necessarily have to worry about sun cream.

Like I said before, the sun really dries your skin out, so having a good moisturiser is key. Everybody wants that beautiful, glowing skin and moisturising will definitely do the trick. Also, getting one with a lovely scent will give you an incentive to want to apply it every day. Because, as we all know, applying moisturiser is... Boring!

I am totally in love with Revlon Lip Butters. They're so good for your lips but also give you amazing colour. They're great to put on in the morning, when you're running late, and they leave your lips feeling and looking great. They also really nourish your lips in the sun and heat. The one above is in Tutti Frutti.

Possibly one of the most important products for summer is waterproof mascara. Especially for days spent by the pool or at the beach. I especially like wearing brown mascaras in summer, just because it looks more natural, and personally I think natural is best.

I use hand cream most of the time, but I think it's especially important in summer when your hands are dry and irritable. It may be a good idea to buy a hand cream with bactericide in it, just for any picnics and such like.

A non-beauty product that is totally essential is a big, chunky necklace. My favourite is a three-coloured, different sized bead nexklace. It's so gorgeous, and completely transforms any outfit. Most necklaces like this are super affordable, depending on where you buy yours.

Eyebrow pencils are part of my make up all year round. However, when you don't want to wear loads of make up, if you have well groomed eyebrows, your face will look instantly more made up and perfect.

Finally, crosses are so in at the moment. I have these huge cross earrings from Topshop, but there are varying sizes and types on the high street. They're so gorgeous and make any outfit look instantly chic.

So, thank you for reading, I hope you've enjoyed! If you have any requests, please let me know and I'll happily oblige.

Speak to you soon!



I don't know what to call this one...

Bonjourno!
I've been thinking. Dangerous, I know, but I have to be honest. The result of my thinking was the realisation that I only really haul. I know most hauls are normally filmed but, like I've said in previous posts, I don't have time to film.
Anyway, I've decided that I might actually tell you a little bit about myself;

• My name is Hannah
• I am British (English)
• I'm not going to say how old I am, but I'm not over 20
• I have the most amazing boyfriend in the world, Scott 
• I have a Beagle called Stanley
• My mum and dad are married and run their own business
• I have 1 younger brother
• I do my nails obsessively
• I have three great friends: Rachel, Kira and Izzy
• I constantly put the world to rights
• I want to be a doctor, specialising in oncology

So, that's kind of a brief overview of me, but I think I'll go into a bit more detail;

• I am a complete girly girl. However, I love Bruce Springsteen, Guns n Roses and Slash in general
• Dirty Dancing is my most favourite musical ever
• I am a terrible traveller; I am sick everywhere I go. I'm not sick because of the actual journey, I'm just sick because... I'm sick
• One of my worst fears is being lost, which possibly explains the sickness mentioned above
• I work in a supposedly haunted stately home, and it scares the hell out of me
• I believe, like most people, that everyone should have the same opportunities, regardless of their race, religion, IQ or disability
• I am an Atheist. I'm not intolerant of religion but it really grates on me when people thrust God in your face
• I did/I am doing GCSE P.E, which surprises most people because of how girly I am
• I, pretty much, have my life planned out
• I'm not afraid to say that I firmly believe that Scott and I will be together until the bitter end, and that I love him with all of my heart

I think that's all I can think of. Most of what I've said you probably don't even want to know, but I thought I should probably write a post to introduce myself, so there you go!
Comment if you want more non-hauling posts like this, I really enjoyed writing this so...

If there are any products that you want reviewed or whatever, please let me know!

Thank-you!

Rather large haul

Bonjourno! Sorry I've not posted anything for a while, I've been really busy.

So, I didn't really know what to write about. I've decided to do a haul, albeit a rather large one.

Me, Kira and Izzy went shopping during half term, and I think it's safe to say we all went slightly mad.

I'll start with the least exciting thing first.
I needed make up wipes and Boots had their own-brand make up wipes on 3 for 2. They're from the essential cucumber range and I think they were £3 all together, but they were on 3 for 2. There's not very much to say about them, but they take my make up off really well. If you have sensitive skin, they'd probably be a bit rough for you.

Next, I bought the Benefit "Porefessional" pore minimiser and I really like it. I can't remember how much it cost, but for the amount you get, I remember being really impressed. The product leaves my skin feeling amazingly soft and sets my make up really well. I literally just apply it to my whole entire face, in an even coat.

Also, whilst in House of Fraser, I bought the Urban Decay "Naked" palette. It was £36 and, had I bought the shadows, brush and primer separately, it would have come to over £130. It's quite a neutral coloured palette, with some matte shadows (Virgin, Naked and Buck) but several more with sprinkles of glitter (Sin, Sidecar, Half Baked, Smog, Darkhorse, Toasted, Hustle, Creep and Gunmetal). The brush that comes in the palette is just the ordinary Urban Decay Shadow brush, and I, personally, find it quite difficult to use; it's much larger and more rigid than what I'm used to, but I suppose it's just a matter of getting used to it. The primer comes in a beigey colour, but, when applied, makes no difference colour-wise to your skin. The shadows are all really pigmented and last ages, especially when applied over the primer. However, you need to have a super steady hand because if you apply in the wrong place, it will not come off easily.

We then made our way to H&M, against my will, admittedly. I wanted to go straight to Boots but...
I bought two t-shirts. They're both sleeveless and they're both band tees. The first is a Bruce Springsteen one. It has the cover of the Born In The USA album on it. It was £10
Secondly, I bought a Motley Crue one, purely for my boyfriend's benefit. He loves Nikki Sixx, and I couldn't resist. It's slightly cropped, and it looks so good with jeans and my chunky, woollen cardigan. It was £10 and Scott loves it.

Finally, we headed to Boots, my favourite shop, aside from Topshop, of course. First, I bought a new powder, because mine had run out. I always buy the Natural Collection Pressed Powder, in "Warm". It's oil free, and I have a real problem with excess oil, so it's perfect. It doesn't last as long as I'd like but if it's applied when foundation is still a little bit damp, it lasts for quite a while and gives a perfectly matte finish to your skin.

Next, I bought the Maybelline "Dream Fresh BB Cream", in Medium. It's 8 in 1; creates a natural glow, compliments skin tone, SPF30 and UV protection, hydrates all day, blurs imperfections, oil free and non-greasy, looks visibly smooth and feels fresh. I agree completely with everything it claims to do. I think I probably should have bought it in "Light", but that's my fault. At first, when I used it, it seemed like an ordinary foundation, but, when compared to others, it really is a step above the rest. I think it was around the £10 mark.

Lastly, I bought a Revlon Lip Butter, in Tutti Frutti, which is a really nice orangey-coral colour. It's much subtler than a lipstick, and not as shiny as a lip gloss. I'm really in love with it. It take no real effort to apply and wear, so it's perfect for if you're running late and don't have time to do your full face of make up, you can just grab it, swipe it and it draws attention right to your lips. It was about £6, I think.

I hope you've enjoyed reading, and I've maybe confirmed a possible purchase in your mind.

Thank you!