Haul | H&M

Hello, 

So I don't usually do a lot of shopping in H&M; perhaps a couple of pieces each Summer, usually for a holiday. However this year I have found myself in there several times, and have LOVED what's in store. 

I have made a haul video, which is in no way showing off, but an opportunity for you to see some of the pieces that I picked up, and a chance to see what's in stores at the moment.

H&M is really great value; I'd say sometimes the prices are similar to Primark (you just have to look carefully to find some bargains). My go to store for Summer is always Topshop, but this year I am working with a tight student budget and I think I have managed to buy at least twice the amount in H&M. 

Here is a link to my Haul Video. 

Please  like and subscribe if you like it; I am still quite new to Youtube!

 http://youtu.be/hziKvxNFby8

Beauty | Mac Maleficent Collection

Hello, 

I am so so excited about the Mac Maleficent Collection. 

It combines 3 of my great loves: Angelina Jolie, Disney and Mac. 

Mac has brought this iconic villain to life, ready for the release of this Summer's epic new film. 

The new disney film has inspired a limited-edition colour collection, in specially designed packaging, which for me, really makes the collection. 

I intend to buy the whole collection, but to start me off I have bought the nail varnish in 'Uninvited', the lipstick in 'True Love's Kiss', and the lipgloss in 'Anthurium'. 

The packaging is so amazing! Each item has 'Maleficent' printed on it in a fantastic font and the iconic wings. I think I'll also keep the boxes as they too have the design printed on them. 

I've just applied the nail varnish and it looks lovely. It's a great neutral tone with a subtle sparkle. 

The lipstick and lipgloss also have a subtle sparkle to them. They are both highly pigmented and such a delicious red! I will do a make-up look with them soon, so check back!

<3

My current collection. 

Beauty | Neutral & Mature Make-Up

Hello, 

So I went to see 'Miss Saigon' in the West End, which was absolutely fantastic by the way, and I wanted to go for a more neutral and mature look (not sure why, just fancied it!)

I blow-dried my hair roughly and loosely so it looked as natural as possible. I always think it looks better this way, though sometimes I find this look difficult to achieve - it either ends up too casual and messy or overly straight. I'm happy with how it turned out on this particular occasion. 

I wore a very simply pale eyeshadow (No7), but still emphasised my brows. I used my Bobbi Brown brow pencil in 'Blonde', as it creates a softer, more natural look. 

I did my base as usual (Mac foundation, Mac Mineralise Powder, Mac Bronzer and Mac Blusher), but used extra highlighter (Benefit) to create a light and airy feel. 

I then used Mac lipstick in 'Faux'. I bought this colour for my graduation, as it is quite similar to my own lip colour and I didn't want anything which would stand out too much. It's perfect for when I want to create a simple, clean look. 

In the photos I am wearing- 

Necklace: Primark

Top: Gap

<3

Product Review | Garnier Fresh Essentials Eye Make-up remover

Hello, 

So this is my first Product Review. 

I have used so many removers, cleansers and wipes but seem to have gotten into a bit of a rut at the moment. I wanted to try something new. 

I wandered into Boots and looked at what they had to offer. 

After a little browse and some testing I picked up this Garnier Eye Make-up remover. 

It looked Summery and bright, smelt fresh, and, most importantly, it promised to remove 'even waterproof make-up'.

Now, according to Garnier, 'this formula perfectly dissolves make-up leaving the delicate skin around the eye feeling refreshed and soothed, with no greasy or sticky feeling.' I certainly agree with the latter point. My skin was left feeling refreshed and soothed and there was no greasy residue left on my skin. However I'd challenge the claim that it 'perfectly dissolves make-up'. Although it did indeed remove the vast majority of my make-up, there were quite a lot of stubborn black flakes left on my lashes, which led to little panda eyes in the morning. 

I think the product could be useful when used in conjunction with another product, for example facial wipes or a nice cleanser. It didn't sting or irritate my skin, in fact it left my skin feeling lovely and soft. However, it just didn't cut it as a successful stand alone eye make-up remover for me. In addition I found it difficult to get the desired amount out of the bottle. It either dotted out a minuscule amount or shot out great jets; either my methods were flawed or the bottle is badly designed. 

Beauty | Spring Beauty Look II

Hello everyone, 

This is my second 'Spring Beauty' blog post. I thought I'd post another as my look today was rather different. I went for quite neutral eye-makeup, but bold eyebrows and big red lips. I also left my hair to dry naturally and then added some Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray to add some texture. I will do a review of this spray soon. I used it for the first time today and think it is simply super. 

Today the products I used were:

Bodyshop Vitamin E BB Cream

I had to use quite a lot to get a good coverage, but it has lasted all the day. 

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium Plus

This is the powder I wear everyday. I should probably experiment with new powders, but this just really works for me!

Mac Sheertone Blush in Sincere

As I have said in a previous blog, this colour is so great. It is like a midway colour between blush and bronzer and just great for Spring if you don't want anything too heavy. 

Mac Sheertone Blush in Fleur Power

A really nice bright girly colour. 

No7 Eyeshadow in Starry Lights

I didn't even know I had this colour. It is a light shimmery gold and worked really well today by itself for a more natural look.
Maybeline 'The Collossal Volume Express' Mascara
I got this mascara in a drugstore in America. I assume they sell it in the UK too. It's super. It makes eyelashes bold and thick. 

Chanel Sculpting Brow Pencil in Brun

This pencil is great. It is quite soft so blending is quite easy. It has lasted all day on my brows. 

Mac Lipliner

It's always good to use a liner before applying lipstick, especially, I think, with a bright colour.

Mac Lipstick in Russian Red

This is my favourite Mac lipstick. It goes on quite matte and certainly sticks. I find that I don't have to reapply a lot throughout the day (just after meals and snacks!)

I am going to do a more detailed blog about The Bodyshop BB Cream, but I hope this look has inspired some of you to be bold with your lipstick. It's a great way to complete a look. 

Lifestyle | My Blog

Hello, 

I already have a mental health awareness blog over on www.rosiebrownfightingstigma.wordpress.com.
 This blog is specifically focused on erasing stigma associated with mental illness. Although this is my primary passion I also wanted to create a more girly blog which dealt with all the other areas of my life. 

Yes I live with depression, but yes I have lots of other passions and interests!

I have recently graduated from Cambridge University and am currently training to be an actor at Mountview Academy in London. 

My fancy Actor Headshot (Photography by Darren Bell)

Sometimes life gets a little intense at drama school so it's nice to have a little personal space on the internet to explore and express my other interests. I am obsessed with reading and I love collecting vintage classic literature. I am definitely going to post some book reviews and recommendations. Obviously I love the theatre and anything performance related; I also love films and going to the cinema.

I like make-up, skincare and clothes. In that respect I am a girly girl. I am also a feminist. The two aren't mutually exclusive. Let's fight that stereotypical image of feminists as hairy, bra-burning women!

I have just bought myself a Canon 600D and want to learn how to take photographs properly. I will be posting blogs with a nice lot of photos in them; either of products or clothes I have bought or more general photographs documenting my days (kind of photo blogging!)

Beauty | Spring Beauty Look

Hello everyone, 

 I am posting a selfie to celebrate the second day of my blog! This is my make-up look from today. Today I nipped into central London to pick up a Make-up organiser from Muji (I  will be blogging about this later) and I also picked up a great piece in H&M. I then spent the afternoon picnicking up at Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally). The views across London were incredible. I will do another blog about my afternoon and include more photos.

What I used:

Erborian BB Creme

I got a little tube of this as a tester and I love how it blends on my skin. It also has pretty good coverage for a BB cream.

'Fake Up' by Benefit

This is a new concealer for me. It is a great colour (I wear the lightest one), and it is really moisturising. 

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium Plus

This is a staple for me. I always have one in my make-up bag. It has really good coverage, and can be worn by itself (without any foundation underneath).

Mac Sheertone Blush in 'Sincere'

This is a great colour as it is somewhere in between a blush and a bronzer, so I find that when I use this I don't need bronzer as well.

 Mac Pearlmatte Face Powder in 'Flatter Me
'This was limited edition, and it is mid-way between a blush and a highlighter powder. It has a great sheen to it which makes it perfect for cheeks in Summer. 
'High Beam' by Benefit
This is another staple, especially for Summer where you want that fresh glow. I used it on my cheek bones and on my brow bone. 
HD Brows palette in 'Foxy'
I got this palate for Christmas and it is super. It comes with 3 different shades of brown and a nude, which means you can alternate depending on how defined you want your brows, or how dark they are (mine go very light in the sun, so I'd use the lightest brown in the Summer for a more natural look).
Mac Penultimate Eye Liner in 'Rapid Black'
I could probably do with getting another one of these as mine has dried up  a bit. But they are great. I am onto my 3rd one! It's super easy to use - it's just like a felt tip pen. 
Maybeline 'The colossal volume Express' Mascara
I got this mascara in a drugstore in America. I assume they sell it in the UK too. It is great! And really good and making your eyelashes bold and thick. 

Mac Brushes: 150&183 and a Limited Collection powder Brush.

Thanks so much for reading, and look out for my blog about this afternoon's picnic.
Rosie x

Haul | Primark May 2014

Hello!

I have just spent a wonderful sunny afternoon wandering around town, enjoying an ice pop, and shopping. I'm still a student so living on a tight budget but a little splurge in Primark doesn't feel too bad! I bought a few boring essentials like cotton buds, and cotton pads, but also some great lacy tops, a lovely pillow, some candles and a super cute necklace. 

Thought I'd start off with the necklace. It is so nice. I'm often wary about getting jewellery from Primark as I have quite sensitive skin. But I have been wearing this all day and haven't had any itching, so fingers crossed this will be a Summer staple. 

I picked up these little 'No Snag Elastic' hair ties. They are so useful for when you want to secure little plaits, which I love doing in the Summer. And they were only £1 - what a bargin!

I didn't initially have this in my basket, but I saw it when I was in the queue and I just had to pick it up. Firstly I just love decorative cushions, but also it has a lovely vintage bike on it. I went to University in Cambridge and I am really missing my bike and cycling everywhere. I am based in London at the moment, and am finding very little opportunity to cycle. So this was a nostalgic cushion! (And only £5)

I got some cotton buds and cotton pads because I am trying to make an effort with my skincare routine; taking my make-up off properly every evening etc. 

I love these pumps so much! They were only £6, and I know I will wear them all the time. They are a pale pinky nude colour with a cute little bow at the front. 

I only got these 3 tops, and they are all rather similar! They are over-sized lacy tops which I know will be super useful for Summer. You can wear them over a bra or bikini, or if you want to be a bit more conservative you can wear a little string top underneath (this is what I will be doing!)

Here are the tops close up - each lace design is slightly different. The pink top has more of a large flower, the white is almost a crochet pattern and the lilac is a small swirly floral lace. 

Finally I got some new candles for Summer. I love candles and have at least one burning all the time. These Primark tealights are great value. They are only £1.50 and you get loads. I chose these colourful Mango scented ones for Summer. 

I hope you have enjoyed this little haul - I find Primark hauls really interesting as they don't have a website. Sometimes it takes ages to sift through all the stock in the stores.  It's nice to be able to see and read about some of the stuff they have in at the moment. So I hope this was useful for you.

Thanks for reading x