LauraHadley.co.uk

Makeup Revolution 'The Matte Blush' Collection

Makeup Revolution has just released 6 new blushers to their ever-expanding makeup range and of course, I was intrigued to see how well they fared compared to their blushers in the blush palettes. For £3 you can't complain regardless but with a matte blusher they are suited to more customers and of course, are named the Matte Blush collection for a simple reason.

Blush colours in Dare, Divine, Beloved, Fusion, Nude and New Rules

As you can see from the last photo, the colours are pigmented but aren't too strong, meaning they can blend into the skin easily. As much as I love a high pigmented blusher there is honestly nothing worse than putting too much onto the skin and not being able to blend it in, wasting the makeup you already have on. I tend to prefer powder blushers for this reason and it is so much easier, especially for newcomers, to build the product up on the cheeks instead of trying to rub it in as it's too harsh. This goes without saying really but with six colours there are enough shades to suit most people. There are some brown-toned pinks that could double up as a bronzer if required. I usually vary between using a matte blush and a shimmery blush depending on the mood but for a more subtle look these are definitely worth investing in. You can't really go wrong with £3 anyway but Makeup Revolution is a trusted brand to me (see my brand directory!) so I can usually rely on them producing affordable but quality makeup products. Have you tried anything from Makeup Revolution?

Remescar for Stretch Marks Review

Since a teen I've battled with stretch marks and it hasn't been the most pleasant journey in all honesty. People say they are your tiger stripes and you should be proud of them, but since I only have mine due to natural growth going into an adult but also from weight gain. Up until recently they never really bothered me but the new stretch marks are a deep purple-red and that's not attractive to me, on me. Luckily I have Remescar Stretch Marks* (£24.99) to hand.

Stretch marks are caused by a tear in the dermal layer of the skin and some turn white over time. To help reduce the dark colours and ease the scar into turning white to be less noticeable. Remescar is a silicone based cream which treats stretch marks by releasing a long lasting protective film and in turn, stimulate the healing process. The scream will moisturise the skin and claims to visually improve the skin's surface.

After using this for a little while I have noticed that my skin is smoother in the areas I applied it and the stretch marks are slowly turning less purple and closer to my skin's natural tone. Whilst a product for stretch marks such as Remescar will not product results overnight, I aim to use it further for another month to see how much the colour improves and will do a follow up post. I think the quality is reflected in the price and is definitely more preferable for me than using an oil since I'm not a huge fan of oil based products in general.
Remescar is available to buy in Boots now.

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How To Relax After A Busy Day - Hannah Morgan | Guest Post

It's been a busy day, hasn't it? You want nothing more than to spend your evening tucked up in bed, reading a magazine or catching up with Pretty Little Liars on Netflix, but, you just can't settle! I used to get like this quite often, but now I have a routine which completely makes me ready for bed. All in just a few easy steps!

First of all, clean your clutter away! Yes this requires effort, but once it's done you won't have a little voice in the back of your head screaming for you to put those books away or bin those empty bottles! Once your room is tidy, I usually feel more relaxed automatically. Sometimes I even like to put fresh bed sheets on and spray my pillows with a lavender spray. Lavender calms your body and makes you ready for a good night's sleep!

Before jumping into bed, I always light some scented candles and have a soak in the bath. At the moment, I'm obsessed with coconut and/or floral candles and any bath bomb from Lush. That place is a mini haven, am I right?!

After my bath, I slip some of my favourite pyjamas on and make a hot chocolate. Hot chocolate screams Winter evenings to me, but they always make me sleepy... Even in the middle of August!

By this time I'm usually quite tired, so I jump into bed and quickly think about my day. The best way I switch my brain off is to write something down. I like to write three things that made me smile that day. It may sound cheesy, but it really works.

Lastly, I lean over to my bedside table and switch my lamp off. These are the ingredients to the best night's sleep, you're welcome!

Hannah x

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Esqido Unforgettable Lashes & Companion Review

False eyelashes aren't for everyone but for me, I adore them. I have fairly long eyelashes anyway but as a blonde with the constant fear that my eyelashes (and brows) will not be noticeable, false eyelashes are great. I have hooded eyes and anyone who does too will know the pain of doing your eyeshadow and lashes perfectly for them then to be hidden under those dreaded hoods. Here's where the Esqido Unforgettable Lashes* and Lash Companion* come into play.

Named the 'Unforgettable' lashes ($32), they are absolutely stunning. They aren't too thick like spiders legs (which really irritates me) nor too clumpy at the end. The amount of false eyelashes I wore at 16 that made my lashes look like I'd stuck a black blob onto my eyes was unreal. These are so fluttery and pretty! The individual lashes cross over to make your lashes look fuller and the cotton band that holds them together makes it look like you have a tiny bit of eyeliner on. According to Esqido, you can wear these lashes up to 25 times! This has shocked me but for the price they are obviously long lasting. Again, as a blonde I also have to wear mascara to bind them together so I doubt I will be getting 25 full wears but to get multiple uses is enough to please me.
The Companion ($10) is a latex-free glue to apply your lashes with. As you can see from the applicator it has a big enough grip so there is no chance of glue going everywhere! The amount of times I've had to apply eyelashes with the tiniest pot of glue that comes with it and I drop it or smudge the glue onto the lashes is ridiculous. Being latex free it also means that most people should be able to use it as latex is a common allergy these days.
The packaging is simple but beautiful too. The white and rose gold detail reflects the quality of the lashes and I adore the combination of matte and reflective packaging on the lash glue. They will both take a proud place in my makeup storage and use them until they're finished. The lashes may not be the most affordable but they are beautiful so get your hands on them if possible! post signature

Sample Sunday

Samples can really save the day. I don't mean for amount of product but for free or to pay a small amount they are a great size to determine whether or not they are worth the money. Let me give you an example - the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate is £36 full price for a facial oil that should 'fix' your skin. It has been raved about in the blogging community and as a recent graduate with no employment as of yet, I really cannot afford to spend £36 on a facial oil when I didn't even know I would 'need' it. Besides the point that I didn't love it to be honest and much prefer a serum. That is then £36 not wasted because the sample was free. Here's another example. Benefit released Puff Off £22.50 and they sent me a little sample to see how I liked it. I was so glad I could try it as there is also no way that I could afford that to see if the product reduced my puffy eyes in the morning for that price when there is a big chance in fact that it might not have made a difference. Luckily enough I did enjoy the product but as I already own It's Potent £25.50 by Benefit there was not much point me spending extra money when I was happy with the two large pots of them. This goes for Mac's Prep + Prime £21 and I received this sample a while ago. I actually quite like the product but still have a lot of Benefit's Porefessional £24.50 full size left. Once I have ran out of that then Prep + Prime will be on my 'to buy' list but I'm glad I tried a sample out first. This can relate to a lot of products to be honest especially with high end products where you don't want your money wasted. As much as I wish I had the money to buy a product as soon as I could see it, it really can be a waste of money. With skincare and foundations you do need to try them before you buy them. The money not spent on them can go towards a product you know you'll love e.g. an eyeshadow palette by a brand you trust to make quality products. If you can get your hands on a sample you're eager to try then take the opportunity. post signature

Urban Decay Electric Palette Review

I was lucky enough to win this palette last summer in a competition and when I saw it I really didn't realise how bright the palette was. Urban Decay is known for making good quality eyeshadows and I don't think I'd buy a palette from anyone other than them unless I really fell in love with it. I am a huge lover of the Naked 3 palette and the Naked Basics 2 (which I managed to crack two full shades and now treat it like a baby). The Electric Palette is full of beautiful, bright shades that did scare me at first.
The colours are as follows: Revolt: a super shimmery silver with silver glitter, Gonzo: bright turquoise matte with a hint of pearl, Slowburn: an intentsne red-orange matte with a hint of shimmer, Savage: bright hot pink matte, Fringe: beautiful bright teal, Chaos: super blue matte that is just gorgeous, Jilted: bright metallic blue-toned fuchsia, Urban: intense metallic purple, Freak: bright green with a hint of gold and finally, Thrash: lime green matte with a hint of gold pearl.
Jilted, Chaos and Revolt are my favourites as I'm not a huge lover of greens and reds. I've used Chaos mainly as a blue eyeliner as it adds just a little bit of colour to your lids without dedicating yourself to looking like you're spending a weekend at V Fest. As much as I love wearing the bright shades blended in, they aren't suitable for everyday wear despite them not being designed for that purpose anyway. I'm currently on holiday (do I get extra points for scheduling?) so will be making full use of it whilst I am here! Overall, the palette is stunning but I don't think Slowburn or Freak are going to get much love from me anytime soon.

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Beauty Blender Review - Heather Nixon | Guest Post

There are certain products that within the blogging world have developed a cult status, from Charlotte Tilbury Lipsticks to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette, and one of them from across the pond is the Beauty Blender. I've wanted the original Beauty Blender for a couple of years when I received it as a free re-subscription gift with a Birchbox subscription last year - very lucky, I know!

The Original Beauty Blender (£16) is basically an overpriced egg shaped foundation sponge but since celebrities and makeup artists were seen using it, it has become a must have for an airbrushed foundation finish. Before receiving the genuine Beauty Blender, I used the Cosmopolitan version and also the Real Techniques foundation sponge, the latter I'm not a fan of. To use the Beauty Blender, I just soak it in warm water and squeeze out the excess with a towel; I've used it with most of my foundations (and I have quite a few) and it is pretty good sadly as it's also pretty pricey. I particularly love this foundation sponge as I do have eczema which shows up on me as intense dryness and flakiness which if you have it, you will know how difficult it is to apply foundation over - it can end up looking SO cakey, patchy and flaky. I haven't used the sponge with cream foundations but I've used it with a range of liquid and mousse foundations such as the Essence Soft Touch Mousse Makeup, The Body Shop Moisture Foundation, Revlon ColorStay, Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation and many others and it works so well in terms of application and blending. Overall, although the original Beauty Blender is very pricey in my opinion for what it is, I think it is worth it especially if you have dry or very dry skin. It works with pretty much all of my foundations. It does need more cleaning but the soap that came with mine is great; I don't think I will have to replace mine just yet but I'm not looking forward to the day when I do! If it's out of your price range or you simply don't want to pay that from for a foundation sponge, then the Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge is fantastic - if you can find it as it may have been discontinued. - Heather

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Floral Scents For Your Home | Party Lite Candles

As a candle lover and girly girl I love making my room pretty. This not only through clean, fresh colours but through scents too. In all honesty I couldn't cope without having some candles to light as they help me relax and make my room smell gorgeous. Party Lite sent me two of their upcoming candles for September in Peach Honey Citronella and Cherry Blossom to review.

Party Lite offers a range of different fragrances and candles to brighten people's homes and they are a party plan business. This means that people can attend or even host their own parties to share the candle range with friends and family. You can view products online and order products from their website too with an online consultant.

The candles are very true to scent, both before lighting and after. I've always been curious as to which scents come across as the strongest since I started buying candles. Obviously the cheaper you go there won't be as strong a scent, time burning or quality of wax as something more expensive. From using a lot of Yankee Candles I discovered that there are only a few scents that really make your whole house smell which is disappointing, especially as the strongest in my opinion is a Christmas candle of theirs. I was pleasantly surprised that these candles make your whole room smell and lit together their smell very floral and fruity, yet not overpowering. I know that some people don't react well to scented candles and someone in my family ended up with a headache but that goes for every type of scented candle.

I was surprised at how well the name of the candle matched the scent and of course I requested a fruity/floral scent instead of something spiced as I can't stand those types of smells. There are plenty more scents coming up in September so if you're interested in Party Lite candles then head over to their website to look through the online magazine. They really do smell beautiful.

Advice For Future Students & Graduates | ad

After graduating from uni last month I've been looking into continuing my uni series to help others, and as they say, a little bit of help can go a long way. There are a few things I wish I had been told about how to prepare for uni and how to prepare for my future, so here are my tips.

Visit your guidance tutor/mentor You usually get assigned a guidance tutor in your first week of uni and they're supposed to help you through university. I asked to meet my tutor over email and on both of our parts it just didn't happen. On the occasion where I emailed to ask for help he gave me an email address for someone else. This happened a lot during uni as you're expected to find answers out for yourself. If you're struggling with writing (not learning) then seeing your guidance tutor is probably the best thing to do.
Understanding things This links to the first point - going over things by yourself and with others can help a lot. Having a study group or a revision session with people can clear up questions you have in your head that may not be answered by your tutors. Your guidance tutor may point you in the right direction but the best advice would be to ask a friend, and if they don't know then you can work out the answer together.
Ask for help Aside from tutors and friends there are people on campus to help. There are older students who work with younger students who can give advice, there should be a counselling office where you can get help and a disability office too. If you need advice with money, extenuating circumstances with exams/coursework or you just need a bit of friendly advice - they are the best people to turn to. Once daytime ends and the offices close, if you find yourself in need then a lot of universities have a phone service where volunteers can answer your questions, however serious they may be. The 'real' world may not take things like mental health seriously but there is a high chance your uni will, so don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Fix your CV I can't stress how important it is to have your CV up to date with your education, skills and hobbies, especially when it comes to your final year. The graduate schemes go online for application from September onwards and you may only have a few weeks to apply. This an be tricky when you're balancing assignments and Winter exams. If you keep it up to date every few months then you're less likely to miss those job application deadlines, in turn keeping you a little more relaxed. There should be a careers adviser on campus so see them if you're struggling.
Look for a job early Again, this goes with the above point. I've graduated with no career to go into and now have to wait until Autumn to apply for graduate jobs for the following year, whilst trying to find work to tide me over until then. Don't wait until you find your results out to apply for jobs. The earlier you apply, the stress is off your back for a while and it makes a good impression to future employers if you get your application in quick. I know a lot of graduates that struggle to find jobs because there are simply not enough, but if you get stuck in my situation then don't give up hope. You'll find your feet.
Here's an example of how you can get help in uni:

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Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette Review

As a blonde with pale skin, it's often hard to achieve the perfect contour. With a lot of these looks stemming from Kim Kardashian with tanned skin and brown hair it is clear that we cannot use the same products, making it more difficult to achieve the same look. Makeup Revolution have the solution to the problem with the Ultra Contour Palette* which has 8 shades so that everyone can contour.

There are three bronzers in this palette and I think the middle shade is best for pale gals. I would definitely use the darker shades for a night out or when I have a tan! They are so smooth to apply and are true to colour when on the skin which is always a good thing when using a new product. The two baked blushers not only look stunning but add a slight touch of colour with a bit of shimmer which can be used to illuminate the skin too. In addition, there are three light powders which can be used to set your makeup. The yellow shade would be perfect for setting under eye makeup to brighten the area up whilst the other two shades can be used on other areas of the face. It reminds me a lot of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro Contour Kit (£39.00) so for a fraction of the price at only £8 you could spend money on another dupe or two from Makeup Revolution with a lot of change left. To be able to create multiple looks from one palette is perfect and it saves from having tons of boxed products and potentially forgetting to take them with you when travelling. Palettes are worming their way into my daily makeup very quickly, not that Makeup Revolution have helped at all from their affordable palettes but partially because I'm a little lazy. I open a face palette and have three products in there I can use for one makeup look. I own about three blush palettes, a concealer palette, tons of individual products and far too many eyeshadow palettes all by Makeup Revolution because I trust them to do a good job! They've never let me down, and the Ultra Contour Palette has kept me sculpted and smiling all weekend. Will you be trying out the Ultra Contour Palette?