A Closer Look | Essence Cosmetics

glamaxy flakie topcoat, volume stylist mascara, matte bronzer, clear brow gel, lash princess mascara, gel topcoat, superfine waterproof eyeliner. 

All at Wilko

Hands up who else had heard of essence but did't know it was available in the UK?
Well Wilko are here to help! I have no idea how long they've stocked the brand as there isn't a Wilko store in Brighton and its not somewhere I check online regularly/ever. But
after finding out I wanted to try some items out for myself. 

I received this order a few days ago, and a couple of the items are already no longer available on their site so maybe they were older launches or they just had limited stock.
I haven't tired out everything yet but of the the ones I have the eyeliner and brow gel are great. Very affordable and I can't fault the performance.
I'm still testing the mascaras but again nothing bad to say just not sure if there are a 'love' level or not.

My only real miss so far is the gel topcoat. I have high standards with nail polish and am comparing this to two of my all time favourites (Seche Vite and Essie Gel Couture) and it chips way way to quickly for my liking. I think this is one i'll just use on my toes, it gives a great shine but just not hard wearing enough for me.

There are more things i'd like to try and for the price, there isn't much stopping me placing a second order!

Is there anything you love and would recommend?

x

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Life | My style of blogging

To follow on from my post about not being a pro blogger I felt like getting some more of my thoughts out there.

I wanted to explain and share how I do things.

Of course, this is my area of the internet, nobody but me decides or governs what I do, say or talk about. And that is why we all started blogging isn't it? To share our own thoughts, reviews, and pictures.

I would like to say I blog from a place of honesty. I buy everything I talk about, myself. I've been out of the blogging world too long to have worked with any brands for a while but back when I did, I always disclosed that item as a gift.

In terms of outfits and hauls I share here and on youtube, I create all that content with things I have bought to wear. Not to blog about.
I want to share things I've added to my wardrobe that I do and will continue to wear. 
I buy more than some people and less than others, but I keep everything. Outfits I show here are ones I actually wear. Mostly those are day to day and occasionally something a little more fancy like a wedding or special occasion.

Everyone does things differently, and so many bigger bloggers get sent more items in PR than they could ever wear so it's completely reasonable that they can blog about a new outfit every day. And of course, there is nothing wrong with that. 

I just feel like saying that isn't how it works for most of us, and definitely not for me! I like to buy new things, don't we all?! But I try and keep things as realistic as possible here.

Very often you will see a breakdown of my outfit and I have offered alternatives to what I'm wearing as the actual item I have on is old and no longer available. Becuase I continue to wear things I've had for a months or years.

I'm not a pro and I treat my blog as a fun hobby. I have always and probably will always have a keen interest in fashion and all things new and developing the digital world. 
None of us probably ever imaged blogging would create such wildly successful careers, with endless opportunities for monetization and progression. 

This is a topic I could talk about ad nauseam but I will restrain myself!

In short, I share things I like and wear, I don't buy a new outfit just to take pictures of it. I share little bits of my life along with things I choose to wear. And I do it because I enjoy it. When that stops, I'll stop blogging!

x

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Life | I'm not a pro blogger

Well, it's all in the title, isn't it? I am not a professional blogger, or vlogger or 'influencer' or whatever.

You know when you have been thinking on a subject for a while and just need to get those thoughts down in writing? That's what this post is. I don't even have a picture to make it look nice, it's just a big old mess of words all about my place on the internet.

I am someone who started putting my thoughts out there on the internet in 2011. (I had to double check that because I couldn't quite believe it's been 6 years!)

I won't pretend seeing super slick and impossibly perfect blog posts, youtube videos and beautifully curated Instagram feeds don't make me question what I put out there, make me think its not good enough. That people won't want to have a look or a read of my blog because of it not looking a certain way. 
I, like most people, can be guilty of comparing myself to others, especially those that are very successful and good at what they do.

But I have to remind myself I don't have a team. This is something I do for fun, in my spare time around a full-time job.

I used the webcam on my old MacBook for Youtube for a few years, eventually upgrading to a better video camera a while later. A DSLR camera was a 21st birthday present and my blog started after that.
That's it, that is my equipment. No special backdrop, no photographer, no videographer to film and edit for me. And you know what?! I am just fine with that.

Everything I've learned I've taught myself. From editing to a bit of HTML, domains, analytics, youtube, affiliate programs, blogger, and working with brands. This has all been done through google, tutorials, asking other bloggers advice and reading a LOT of step by step guides. 

Don't get me wrong, I follow many bloggers who are all the things I'm not, of all different styles, sizes, and levels of popularity.
There will always more I could learn and improve on but I don't want that prevent me from getting my thoughts out there. 

I love the blogging community, I interact with so many amazingly talented women that I never would have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. We have connected over shared interests and passions and I never want to lose that. Not to mention YouTube taught me every single thing I know about makeup. At least 80% of the beauty products I buy are from recommendations from a blogger or vlogger. 

As long as I have a passion for producing content it doesn't matter if it's not perfect, everyone is different and this is my blog and that's what matters.

x

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Outfit | New Shoes

Sleeveless vest: Topshop (old) similar here

Top: American Apparel (RIP!)

Trousers: Zara (old) similar here

Shoes: Next

Bag: A.P.C  (post on this here)

Watch: Nixon

Glasses: Ray-Ban (post on them here)

Nothing makes an outfit you've been wearing for months (or years in my case) feel fresh, like a new pair of shoes.
I was getting subtle Prada sandal vibes when I saw these, I've seen similar styles around but not in black. So when I came across these I kind of had to grab them. I also showed them in a recent haul video on my youtube channel if you wanted a closer look.

I, rather stupidly, wore these for the first time for a day of traipsing around London and only came out with one blister and no other pain. They do have a bit of a wedge but are as comfy as flats but with a bit of added height. 
And because I wear all black 99.9% of the time, they go with everything I own!

x

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A Closer Look | Ray-Ban RB6355 Glasses

Glasses: Ray-Ban

Say hello to my new(ish) glasses. If you follow me on Instagram then these aren't really that new. I got them around this time last year but somehow they have only been in one or two posts on the blog. I'm blaming 2016 because me for me it was the year blogging forgot!

These frames official title is the Ray-Ban 'RB6355'. According to Ray-Ban's website they are available in 5 colours, mine are the gunmetal and black, and I'm pretty sure they come in more than one size. I haven't found them available online but I know someone who has the exact same frames but the lenses are smaller in diameter.

The lenses in mine have a fairly noticeable purple reflection. This is only down to me choosing to add an anti-reflective coating to the lenses, which reduces glare when using screens. I don't notice any change in colour when wearing them but it is more noticeable to others in photos and in person.

I had been on the lookout for new frames for about two years before getting these. Not seriously searching just keeping my eyes open for inspiration. I loved my old clubmasters but I'd had them for years and felt like a change.
I'd been and tried on a few pairs at my optician, and on the day I decided to take the plunge I was actually intending to go with a similar style from another brand. Instead, these were on the display next right to them and I made the snap decision that they were it. 

Maybe not the best way to evaluate making a big purchase but it worked out this time!

x

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Outfit | Asos minimal jumpsuit

Jumpsuit: Asos

Shoes: Urban Outfitters (old) similar here

Bag: Mon Purse

Necklace: Urban Outfitters (old) similar here

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Watch: Nixon

Lip colour: Revlon 'Sultry'

I feel like I'm somewhat getting back in the swing of things in terms of YouTube and blogging. I really have missed it, but can't escape the feeling of being a little rusty!

I love the simplicity of this jumpsuit, I have a real weakness for anything with a high neck and an open back, and the strap on this one means you can still wear a bra. And if you are more embracing of summer hues than I am, it is available in blue and white as well.

My only real nod to summer is throwing on a pair of sunglasses, I've been saying for at least three years that I'm going to get prescription lenses put in these Ray-Bans, because I barely wear contact lenses. I love these so much, this year might just be the year I do it!

x

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My microblading experience with Nez Hasan

 before and straight after 1st session

my healed brows 5 weeks on and before

I am the genius who forgot to take any pictures when I had my eyebrows microbladed. So thank you to Nez Hasan for sending me her copies and for doing such a wonderful job on my brows.

As you can see from the pictures there is quite a difference between straight after and when they have healed. They soften and look less severe and much more natural.

I am in love with the results and really couldn't be happier with how it turned out. If you have sparse or light brows or just want to feel more put together without makeup then I couldn't recommend microblading enough. Just do your research first and pick a great person to do it!

I have also made a video sharing my thoughts and experience with the whole process which is linked below.

x

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Life | Allow me to reintroduce myself...

How long has it been?!
Life has been doing the usual thing of getting in the way but I've had a full on even of going over this blog and you know what? I miss it! 
I started this blog way back in 2011 and I feel it deserves a little more love and attention.

A few updates...

1. I have now added a 'Shop' tab/page where I have and will continue to add all of my latest purchases and items I've got my eye on. I love these kinds of pages and check them a lot when looking for inspiration from bloggers or to find out which exact pair of jeans it is someone has been wearing in their latest Instagram picture. 

2. I got new glasses! Not a big deal to most but I did have the same pair for around 5 years. These are my new frames but expect a full post on them soon.

3. I'm on a hair 'journey' of sorts. I'm making a concentrated effort to take care of my naturally curly hair. I have changed every product in my routine and made some rather distinct changes to how I take care of it. I'm still very much experimenting and learning but it's part of the spark that got me back here. I have SO much I want to know about it and share what is and isn't working for me. Again expect future posts on this. 

4. This blog will always be centered around my love of fashion and clothes but if I fancy writing about another topic then you know what? I will! Be that food, travel or anything else. This is my own little corner of the internet and if something feels like it's worth sharing or talking about then I'm going to go with it.

I can't promise I'll be to keeping to any strict upload schedule but more frequently is definitely the goal.


Tania

xx

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