Beauty Tuesday: My Skincare Routine!

My skincare routine has changed over the years, but still certain products remain the same as they are my go-to favourite products. My skin type is oily and I'm very prone to spots and breakouts, it has been an on going battle throughout my teen years. At the age of 19, my skin still experiences the odd breakout but it's not as bad as it use to be.

The first step to my skincare routine day and night is to wash my face. In the morning I use the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Deep Cleansing Milk. I have only recently got back into using this product, I use to love it when I was younger and always used it. But for some reason I forgot about it and recently I tried it again and I am back in love with it. I think it's mainly the smell I love; a minty peach. Sometimes I even use this product as almost a face mask and leave it on my skin to treat spots. I can feel it working when I do this, it almost tingles.

In the evening,  I use the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser with a muslin cloth as most likely I have makeup on and this cleanser removes it really well. This has been my cleanser of choice for years now and I don't use anything else to take my makeup off with.

For my moisturiser I usually use the Liz Earle Light Skin Repair Moisturiser, however being on a student budget I wanted to use something cheaper. When I was younger I always used the Simple Light Moisturiser and I never had a problem with it, so I've gone back to using it.

If my skin has a few breakouts I will use a spot treatment to treat them. I really like the Lush Grease Lighting, which has lots of natural ingredients in and doesn't dry my skin out and isn't to expensive.

This time of year my lips get so dry and sore. I have tried so many lip balms but I struggle to find a really effective one. This isn't a lip balm but I love the Liz Earle Eight Hour Cream to use on my lips. It creates a protective barrier and repairs the dry skin on my lips. And as it's such a massive tube it has lasted me ages. If you have particularly dry skin on your face, body or lips this product will work a treat!

xoxo

Connie 

Peaches and Cream Cupcakes

 Peaches are one of my favourite fruits, and peaches and cream are an ultimate treat. These cupcakes are really refreshing and fruity. They're not to sweet as there is cream instead of icing. 

For the cupakes you will need...

400g of canned peach slices in fruit juice

115g of softened butter 

115g or caster sugar

2 eggs

115g of self raising flour

150ml of double cream

Preheat oven to 180oc and line a 12-hole cupcake tin with 12 cupcake cases. Drain the peaches and reserve the juice. Keep 12 peach slices and leave to one side as you need these for decoration. Finely chop the remaining slices. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and cream together with an electric whisk until light and fluffy, then gradually add the eggs one at a time and beat after. Sift in the flour and fold into the mixture. Then fold in the chopped peaches and 1 tablespoon of the remaining juice. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases and bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. When the cupcakes are done, leave them to cool on a wire rack. Then when they are ready to decorate, place the cream into a bowl and whisk with an electric wisk until very thick, you have to over wisk the cream. Then spread the cream on top of the cupcakes using a knife and then place a peach slice on each cupcake. 

And that's it. I hope you liked this recipe.

xoxo 

Connie 

First Impressions of the Naked Heat Palette

I'm probably one of the last people to write a blog post about this, but for Christmas from my lovely boyfriend I was very lucky to receive the newest member of the Urban Decay Naked palette family; the Heat palette. It's been a long wait, as for months I have been dying to get my hands on this beautiful, glistening eye shadow palette containing a mix of amber-hued neutrals, warm browns and burnt oranges. I'm kind of sad Autumn has been and gone, as this palette would have been perfect for that season. I can sense it will become my Autumn staple later this year.

When it comes to eye shadows, since first discovering Urban Decay I have become an Urban Decay eye shadow snob, and they are pretty much the only eyeshadows I wear now.  I can guarantee they will go on my eyelids evenly and last all day. Personally I think that they are the most pigmented eye shadows I have tried.

What I love about this palette and actually all of the other Naked palettes too,  is that you can create day and night looks. Even just using two different eye shadows you can easily create a look, and I always think it looks like you've put more effort in that you actually have. Especially, as I never have that much time to get my face ready in the morning. It's also a great palette to turn a day look into a night look, to do this I use one of the darker shades; 'En Fuego' or 'Ashes', and blend it into the corner of my eye.

My go-to day look is either using 'Sauced' or 'Chaser' or both all over my eyelid, and then working 'Low Blow' into the crease, whilst adding 'Ounce' on my brow bone and in the corner of my eye to add a bit of brightness. Or instead of applying 'Low Blow' I will use 'Lumbre'  if I fancy a bit of shimmer.

In the night, whether it's a night out with the girls or date night I have been reaching for either the shades 'Scorched' or 'Dirty Talk' onto my lids. Then I will use 'En Fuego' and 'Ashes' in the crease and corner of my eyes. One of my favourite combinations is using 'Scorched' all over my lid, then in the outer corner I will apply 'Ember', then using 'Ashes' in the crease and to further darken the look, whilst adding a almost subtle hint of purple; my favourite colour.

Let me know what you think of this palette and what your go-to combination is? 

xoxo

Connie 

Style Saturday: Room Tour!

I recently have had my bedroom redecorated and I did promise that I would do a room tour when it was finished. It was finished almost a month ago but I was AWOL, so I never did a blog post on it then. But finally I am and here it is...

I didn't really have any sort of theme in mind when I was decorating it. I knew that I wanted it to be painted cream, and then I was going to go for baby pink accessories. However it ended up sort of floral as I chose a patchwork quilt and then I chose some floral bunting. Overtime I started to collected more and more things that were the colours I wanted and I have also ended up with cupcake theme stuff too. So I guess I could say that my bedroom theme is just really girly... haha, which I think just sums up me!

Back wall- other side of the bed!

View from window! 

Opposite the back wall, next to the window- dressing table area/ where I get ready in the morning!

Back wall- further along!

View from ensuite bathroom door!

View from bedroom door!

Window opposite the back wall! 

Overview of my bedroom! 

Other window opposite my bed!

I hope you liked my room tour! If you have any questions about where I got anything from, then leave them down below and I will get back to you! 

xoxo 

Connie 

Surprise Sunday: Birthday MAC Makeover

On Friday it was my 16th birthday and as a birthday treat, my best friend and I went to MAC for a makeover. We travelled to Plymouth with no-makeup on, which is quite a big deal for us. When it was my appointment I was asked so many questions about what look I wanted, what colours, what skin type I had etc. I chose to have a purple smokey eye as purple is my favourite and my friend also chose a smokey eye but wanted berry colours. We were taught about what products we should use and how to use them and we learnt a lot from our makeover. When it was done we had £30 to spend on products but I ended up going over by £26... oops. But there was so much choice. 

Here are the products that I chose...

Mineralize Blush in Gentle

Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle

Hidden Motive Eyeshadow

xoxo

Connie

Beauty Tuesday: Summer Skin Care Favourites!

As the weather has been so hot lately and felt like it really is the Summer (wonder how long this weather will last) I thought that I would share with you my Summer Skin Care Favourites! 

My moisturiser of choice for the Summer is always the Garnier Intensive 7 Days, this stuff smells like Summer and is really moisturising, especially when skin feels tight after being in the sun! I have the Cocoa Butter version which is for dry, rough skin and this is by far the richest moisturiser I have found! 

In the Summer I also like to use a gradual tanner and my favourites are the Palmers Cocoa Butter and the Dove one as these give a very subtle hint of colour after one application and doesn't look fake. 

After my shower I like to use a body spary to spritz over my body as this is really refreshing! My favourite is the Soap and Glory Mist You Madly body spray. It has the original Soap and Glory pink scent and is really revitalizing in the morning time.

That's it, see you all soon!

xoxo 

Connie 

Style Saturday: Summer Cupcakes #2

I'm back with another Summer cupcake recipe again this Style Saturday as promised. This weeks recipe is the '99' Cupcakes as I think that '99' icecream just sums up the Summer and this sounded like a perfect recipe. These cupcakes are pretty much just plain vanilla sponge with vanilla frosting with a few added extras, so they really quick and simply to make but look really impressive. These cupcakes will be perfect for Summer parties, BBQ's and picnic's. 

There are several ways in which you can decorate these cupcakes as it's up to you and you can base it on how you like your '99' icecream... plain, with a flake, stawberry sauce or sprinkles.  I made a few with a flake and a few with strawberry sauce so there is a little selection.

These cupcakes have a delicious bake there golden brown and crunchy on the outside and the inside is light, fluffy and very moist too. There is a lot of buttercream icing on these cupcakes so there very sweet, and if your not the biggest fan of icing then there probably not for you.

For the cupcakes you will need...

175g of unsalted butter

175g of caster sugar

1tsp of vanilla extract

3 eggs

55g of ground almonds

150g of self raising flour

For the icing you will need...

150g of softend butter

1tbsp of milk

150g of icing sugar

To decorated the cupcakes you will need...

(These are all optional) 

8 mini chocolate flakes

sugar sprinkles 

raspberry or strawberry jam 

To make these cupcakes...

Firstly you need to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy with an electric whisk in a large bowl, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Then add the flour and whisk for a couple of minutes, then add in the vanilla. After gently fold in the almonds. Line a cupcake baking tray with the cases- this recipe bakes 8-10 cupcakes. Then spoon in the mixture until the cases are about 2/3 full. Bake in the oven until golden brown and are springy to touch, then allow to cool on a wire rack. 

To make the butter cream icing...

Place the butter, milk and icing sugar into a medium sized bowl and whisk until smooth with and electric whisk. 

To decorate the cupcakes...

Spoon the icing into a piping bag with a large star nozzle and pipe the icing over the cakes to a peak like an ice-cream cone. Press a flake into each cake and then if you like you can scatter a few sprinkles on top. If you want to add strawberry sauce you need to warm the jam and then drizzle a little over the cakes. 

I hope you like this recipe -If you bake these cupcakes be sure to send me your pictures on Instagram with the hashtag #connielovesbeauty

xoxo

Connie

What I Ate Wednesday (17.6.14)

Breakfast

I had porridge with semi-skimmed milk as usual for breakfast and I added extra milk and blueberries on top. I had a cup of tea with 1 sugar and milk and a glass of orange juice too.

Lunch

I actually made lunch from scratch today, I made chicken and corn chowder. It was made with onions, potatoes, double cream, chicken stock, sweetcorn, butter and obviously chicken too. It was actually surprisingly easy to make but it took along time, but it was worth is as it was really delicious- if I do say so myself. On the side I had a white bread roll heated up so it was warm and crispy with butter and I also had a glass of water too. 

Dinner 

For dinner I had pasta bake, which was made by my mum. It has leftover chicken from lunch, baby corn, green beans, broccoli, tomatoes and some other vegetables - I'm sure, as my mum likes to cook with a lot of veg. Which I actually don't mind as I have alway enjoyed her homemade meals with fresh vegetables since I was little. I was a weird child, I know.

I also had more glasses of water and cups of tea throughout the day and I may of had a couple of rich tea biscuits too.. That's it, see you all tomorrow. 

xoxo 

Connie 

Beauty Tuesday: My Hygiene Routine!

Hey guys, today I thought I would share with you my hygiene routine as these videos seem pretty popular on youtube and are actually kind of interesting. When you think about it is actually pretty bizarre... I mean why do we want to hear about other women's hygiene routines?  I don't why I find them interesting, its probably because I'm incredibly nosy and quite curious about what everyone else uses to keep themselves clean, sounds weird I know, but I can't be the only one as they are popular videos and your reading this post about my hygiene routine.

In The Shower

Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo (every other day)

Aussie Reconstructor Deep Conditioner (every other day)

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash (everyday)

St Ives Apricot Scrub (twice a week)

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Miracle Cleansing Oil (every night- to take my makeup off/ cleanse my face)

Venus Razor (every other day)

After Showering  

Garnier Intensive 7 Days Lotion (every other day)

Colgate Total Advanced Whitening (twice a day)

Oral B Sensitive Mouthwash (after I brush my teeth)

Dove Nourishing Oil Spray (After I wash my hair, when it is still damp)

Macadamia Oil (everyday)

In The Morning

Tangle Teezer (everyday to brush my hair)

Dove Pure Deodorant (everyday)

Perfume (everyday)

Extra Skincare

Clearasil Daily Clear Refreshing Wash (every morning) 

Garnier Moisture Match (morning and night after I wash my face)

Argan Oil Night Repair Serum (once a day at night time after cleansing face, before moisturizer)

Peaches and Clean deep purifying cleanser (I use this as a face mask once a week)

That's it.

xoxo 

Connie 

Makeup Monday: Updated Everyday Makeup

Not much has changed since I last did an everyday makeup post but I have swapped a few things around from my collection to my makeup bag. The items that are the same are normally my favourite products that I couldn't live with out and are always in my makeup bag. 

The foundation that is in my makeup bag at the moment is the MaX Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless, I really like this foundation as it has really good coverage. The concealers are the same as always the Collection Lasting Perfection in Fair and the Garnier Tinted Eye Roll On. I have gone back to using the Seventeen Miracle Matte Pressed Powder and I forgot how amazing it is, it really does keep me matte all day and the combination of this powder and the Face Finity foundation is amazing. As an oily skin girl I always struggle to find a foundation and powder that last all day and keep me from looking shiny but these too are amazing and really affordable too. I have gone back to using the Sleek Face Form palette. I really do love the combination of the blush, highlight and contour powder together as they are just beautiful. It's the same ol' same ol' for my eyebrows the Rimmel eyebrow pencil in hazel. I use nothing else as this is just perfect for me, it has everything I want in a eyebrow pencil and it's so cheap too. For my eyes I use the eyeshadow base as always, 001 by Dainty Doll. I have gone back to using the Naked Basics palette, as I just love it. I've been using Venus as a highlight under my brow bone and in the corner of my eye and then I have been using Naked 2 on my lid. Then in my crease I have been using the MaX Factor Earth Spirits single eyeshadow on 105 Terra Firma. Lastly on my eyes I have been using my regular and favourite mascara and eyeliner which are the L'Oreal Volume million lashes and the Soap and Glory smoulder and kohl. That's pretty much it, apart from my lipsticks which change everyday as it just depends what kind of day it is.

xoxo

Connie 

Surprise Sunday: Lush Brightside Bubble Bar Review

A few weeks ago I picked up a couple of products from Lush that I have been dying to try for ages. One of the products was the Brightside Bubble Bar. I've always loved the bubble bars from Lush and I would choose them over the bath bombs. I picked up this one purely because of the smell, it smells amazing. It smells really strong of oranges and reminds me of orange starbursts and fanta. 

It contains tangerine oil, bergamot oil and garenia extract and altogether it creates a beautiful summer time scent. After my bath the whole bathroom smelt amazing and I could still smell it on my skin and my skin felt really silky soft and smooth and I didn't feel like I need to moisturize after.

I put off buying this bubble bar for ages because of the price as it was quite expensive for what it is. However I figured that I could section it off and get a few baths out of it, so therefor it works out to be quite good value. It says that you can get 2 baths out of it but I think I could maybe get 3 or 4.

I crumbled it under the running taps and almost instantly the water was changing colour. The water turned a amazing bright orange colour. 

Like all Lush bath products it left the water feeling really silky and soft which is what I love about Lush products and I didn't want to get out of the bath after. 

There was lots of bubbles in my bath which I was really impressed about and considering I only used a small amount of the bubble bar too, that's pretty good. 

Overall I really liked this bubble bar and it may be one of my favourites and the best thing is I still have more than half of the bubble bar left so I can enjoy plenty more bubble baths.

xoxo 

Connie 

Beauty Tuesday: May Favourites

Hey guys, this weeks Beauty Tuesday is going to be my May favourites. I know I say this every time but... where is this year going, it is June already. This month I have a fair few products to share with you guys and they are..

Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo and Conditioner

Garnier Intensive 7 Days- Cocoa Butter

Garnier Moisture Match For Oily and Combination Skin

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash

Barry M Top and Base Coat

Revlon Matte Balms

Pink Macaroon Body Butter by H&M

I have been using the Aussie Miracle Moist shampoo and conditioner this month. Last year I was obsessed with this stuff and I only recently have started using it again. I forgot how amazing it really is. If you have dry or damaged hair I really recommended them as they are the only shampoo and conditioner that I have tried that makes my hair feel soft and look shiny. 

Next up is a body moisturizer and it is the Garnier Intensive 7 Days. I have mentioned the shea butter one in my favourites last year, but this month I have been using the cocoa butter one and I have found this one to be a lot more moisturizing and richer than the shea butter.  

I tried a new face moisturizer this month and it is the Garnier Moisture Match Mattifying Cream, it is designed for combination and oily skin- which is my skin type. I have really enjoyed using this as its not greasy or too rich. It makes my skin stay matte longer under my makeup and still gives the right amount of moisture that my skin needs. I have also been using it at night and I wake up with really nice soft skin that isn't greasy and oily.

I have also been loving the Barry M base and top coat. I use this every time I paint my nails as it makes my nail polish last and doesn't chip so easily. 

My go-to lip products this month have been the Revlon Matte balms. I only have two of them, but I will be buying more as I love them. They last ages on my lips and for a matte balm they are surprisingly moisturizing and still creamy. They dry on my lips but don't dry out my lips which is good. They also have an amazing minty smell.

 I have been loving the Pink Macaroon Body Butter by H&M. It smells so fruity and summery and its a really nice rich moisturizer. I have been using it on my feet quite a lot this month and my feet have been silky soft. Also I love the packaging as I think it looks really nice and quite expensive on my dressing table. 

Lastly I wanted to mention a shower gel. I know I only hauled this last week but I have actually had it for along time and used it though out the month of May. I love Soap and Glory products and the Sugar Crush Body Wash is no exception. It smells so fresh and fruity and it reminds me of lemonade as it smells almost fizzy. 

That's it for my May beauty favourites.

What did you love last month? 

xoxo

Connie