The Max Factor Blush That Everyone Loves

Okay guys, I'm a little late to the party with this one so feel free to roll your eyes at yet another Max Factor Creme Puff Blush review.  I've had these sitting in my stash for a few weeks, after picking them up in Helsinki, so I felt it was about time I shared my thoughts on them with you. 

They have been raved about by every blusher brush wielding, make up fiend - but are they really worth the hype?

Fleek?

This is going to be a grumbly, old-person type rant so if you're young and don't immediately say, 'god, the music is so loud in here' any time you walk into a shop, you're not welcome. 
Okay, you're still welcome but please bear in mind that after reaching 25, and the subsequent years after that, you're entitled to an age-related bitch now and again. See it as kind of a payback for grey hairs and a 'tiredness' that makes stumbling out of a club at 4am a very long and distant memory. Although, I have been known to stay out late on occasion, but this had always been under the agreement that a pepperoni pizza and cheesy chip feast awaits my poor, drunken, almost-thirty soul. 

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Strobing | What Is It And How Can You Achieve The Look?

Every now and again a new beauty fad comes on the scene and us beauty lovers pick it apart with a shiny pair of tweezers. We've had 90's nudes and ombre lips, metallic tattoos which I may or may not have recently purchased, aherm, and it's the era of the browfie. But what of this new concept, Strobing?

So what is it?

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I Went Shopping

Yesterday, I went shopping. I'm slowly trying to add to my Summer wardrobe, even though we've only really had one day that I'd class as 'hot' so far in Finland but I live in hope. 
Shopping can be challenging at the best of times in Kotka, (Where I'm living) but surprisingly I managed to pick up some lovely bits and pieces, as well as a few beauty bargains that I'll no doubt be waffling on about in the near future. 
Fancy a gander?

Top & Trews - Seppala

Bloggers I'd Like To Get Drunk With

I thought I'd dish out some love on the blog today, but not in your usual, 'these people inspire me' kinda way, but in a, 'hold my bag whilst I eyeball Paul this shot of vodka!' kinda way. And whilst yes, I do think this bunch are perfectly wonderful and inspiring, I couldn't think of anything I'd rather do more than get s***faced drunk with them!

Almost Athens

Over the weekend, Scott and I should have been going to Athens. Well, we spent two days planning where we would go, which flights we would take, where we would stay and getting the green light for time off work before deciding that we should use the money to book a really good wedding videographer instead. 
Being a grown up sucks!
So, instead of sunning it up in Greece, we spent the long weekend in Finland. It was the Midsummer weekend and with most of the shops and bars shut, we were left to entertain ourselves. 
Warning, this will be a very picture-heavy post. (We had a lot of time on our hands!)

10 Unbelievable Things I've Never Done!

Does anybody else write their blog posts in word and then do a copy and paste job over to blogger? I’m trying it for the first time today so if this all goes tits up then I may need to follow up with a public announcement. 
The other day, my life took an interesting turn. Almost the entire day was spent in inside out, crotchless pyjama pants. Yep. And whilst that striking visual is surely enough to make you gasp into your trembling palm, I must point out that I feel neither shame nor fear of how society may shun me. I have officially reached that point in my life where I give no fucks. (If you’re wondering how to fashion yourself a pair of crotchless pyjama pants, just buy a pair of H&M slouchy bottoms three years ago, wash them three quarters of a billion times and enjoy. See, I also give great DIY advice too.)
I also got to thinking about all the shizz that I have yet to accomplish in my 27 years. The term, accomplish used loosely, however it dawned on me that there's a lot of stuff that, (unbelievably) I've never done, like ever. 
Such as:
1. Watched an episode of Pretty Little Liars or Gossip Girl. I know, I've probably lost several blogger points. Also, I don't have a clue what Blair Waldorf would do. 

Insta-spiration

Wow, that title is a bit of a tongue twister. If you're sitting there thinking. 'what the hell is this girl going on about?' what I'm really trying to say is that I'll be talking Instagram Inspiration today. 
I Love Instagram with a capital L, and as an almost entirely visual person, I love nothing more than wasting a good hour, cyber-stalking hundreds of gorgeous accounts. In the spirit of sharing the love, I decided to create a picture-fest of some of the fabulous Instagrammers that I like to double tap - oo-er. You may know some of these already and hopefully you'll discover some inspiring new accounts to follow. 

Charly Clements Illustration

Currently Loving

I'm such a repeat product whore. Yes, I posted about most of these quite recently but here we are again. Let's face it, when you find something new that you love, you tend to go a little OTT.
Just me?
Okay, let's have a look at what I currently can't get enough of... 

Catch Up

It's been a while since we had a good natter on here so I thought I'd fill you in on life lately. I'm currently recovering from a two-day hangover which isn't the best start to my week. Today kicked off in the most unpleasant way. My doorbell chiming out at 8:30am with a parcel from the post lady, who insists on speaking to me in Finnish every time I see her. Sidenote: I'm also partially dressed and just out of bed every time I see her so she probably thinks I'm an idiot. Rude awakening aside, the delivery was an exciting one. Ladies and gentlemen, we finally have bridesmaid dresses for my wedding. Hoo-rah! I won't get into the details again about why five dresses almost ruined my life, but it's safe to say that I'm pleased with what we've finally got. 

BBQ location

On Saturday, Scott and I had a BBQ at the beach with friends. I was optimistic about the sunny weather and decided to throw on a dress. I'm just going to say that at one point I did end up wearing two jumpers and feigned slight interest in 'cooking' to steal some of the BBQ warmth. I also managed to find some white trainers on Saturday! Yes, it really was that difficult as everywhere seems to be inundated with bright, fluro styles but I'm pleased with these Nike beauties that I picked up. They matched perfectly with my denim shirt dress and I'm positive these are going to become a staple in my Summer wardrobe. Plus, they're soooo comfy! 

Discounted Dior

So, the other day I went into my local Sokos Department Store which is sort of a Debenhams equivalent, just smaller and with less interesting clothes, but anyhoo. They always have really great high-end beauty sales going on. Mostly from the likes of Chanel, Estee Lauder, Dior, Lancome etc. Which is properly exciting as this kind of stuff is never marked down in the UK. Or if it is, I'm shopping in all the wrong places. 
I was conservative and only picked up a lipstick, which is impressive considering that some items were knocked down by 50%! (Although I may go back, but shush)
The lipstick in question is from the Dior Addict range and is shade 561 - Rose BB/Baby Rose, depending which neck of the woods you're reading this from, and it's beautiful. All kinds of pale, shimmery pink beautiful. 

The Happiest I've Ever Been?

I had to post this photograph for the following, (super relevant) reasons:
1. It's probably the happiest I've ever been. I've got a glass of clear spirit in hand, (vodka, but I'll take anything) I'm tanned and I'm getting my groove on to what I can only assume is the finest boat party beats.
2. I'm wearing stolen glasses... I don't wear glasses. 
3. I'm being pointed at by a man wearing a very shiny bracelet. I imagine he's saying something along the lines of, 'this girl is my new idol' because I can tell he's clearly in awe of my bodypoppin' skills. Either that or 'bitch stole my glasses' but whatever. 
Also, I'm 100% sporting a pose that cries out for Photoshopping in a new best friend. I have all kinds of weird and wonderful scenarios swirling around my head but seeing as I can't work Photoshop - Read: can't be arsed with downloading Photoshop, this is the best that I could come up with. 

She's blonde because apparently blondes have more fun and she needs to be an easy-going person to hang out with me. Also, someone once told me that every brunette girl needs a blonde best friend... 
Or someone that can fill in the gap until I teach myself how to Photoshop in a tap dancing chipmunk with a penchant for necking shots. Or something less weird. 
Best captions for either photograph will receive my utmost admiration, (and I'll probably share them on Twitter for shits and giggs.) 
Over to you...

A Bargain Bright

It's been a while since my plastic plant and I did a blog photography session together so I do hope you enjoy her reappearance on these pages. My love for indestructible shrubbery is still going strong. 
We're talking lipstick today and the lipstick in question is an achingly beautiful coral from L'Oreal's Color Riche Matte Lipstick range in shade 228 VIP. Feast your eyes.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue - Worth The Hype?

I've put off writing this review post for a week or so because I just wasn't sure of my feelings towards the Complexion Rescue. Even now, I feel like this won't be a definitive review. 
I added the tinted gel cream to my May Beauty Wish List after reading literally hundreds of positive reviews about it. Full of promise, I scooped it up on a recent trip to Helsinki, (I went for the shade Natural) and couldn't wait to get home and slather it all over my face. 

The first time I used it, I expected to feel something. You know, that happy feeling you get when you try a new product that you love? Only the tingles weren't there. The product blended really well into my skin and although Natural is probably a smidge darker than my natural skin tone, I think it will match perfectly as my face develops a Summer glow. 
So what's wrong with it then?

7 Days, 7 Dinners

This post should come with the following warning: Not to be read on an empty stomach. With the formalities out of the way, let's crack on shall we? I'm the first to admit that I do love a good foodie post. There's something about photographs of a nice meal that gets my pulse a racing, and it's likely to do with the fact that I love to eat. 
With an impending wedding and Summer lurking in the not too distant future, Scott and I have made a conscious effort to up our exercise regime and introduce a little more variety into our evening meal routine. Granted, not all of these are the healthiest meals, but they were all damn delicious and made by non other than yours truly. I'll link up any external recipes that I have used but if there are any recipes that you would really like me to feature, just give me a shout in the comment box below. Here we go...

Day 1. Honey and soy glazed chicken salad with sesame seeds. 

Clarins Lip Balm - Is it love?

Remember this post, where I reviewed the Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector and claimed that I probably wouldn't repurchase? Well, I sort of lied. 
Okay, hear me out. Technically, I was being honest. I wouldn't repurchase the squeezy tube gloss, but the Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector , now that's a whole different story!

Seriously Creepy Card Trick

You know I'm clutching at straws when you read the title of this post. Although you clicked on it so really that says more about you than it does me. Or maybe you dropped by expecting to see 'xxx ladies peeking in bathtubs'. It's okay, you're not the first. Either way, I'm happy you came. Shall we make a start?
After exhausting all of the opportunities provided to us in our local area, (walking, buying strawberries, going to the supermarket, walking, eating cheese...) Scott and I hit the web in an attempt to 'spice up' a particularly dreary Sunday afternoon. 
Not in that way, keep it clean guys.
Google is so dependable in times of need. It turns out that typing, 'bored' into the search engine is a good way to kill half an hour, especially as Bored Button features pretty high up the list of results. Whoever came up with this is a genius. I salute you. Bored Button is basically all the weird shit from the internet, crammed into one place, accessible at the click of a big, red button. Who doesn't love to push a button, right?
The first page it sent me to was this, and it seriously blew my mind! (The description didn't disappoint.)

Here's an image for artistic purposes. To get the real deal, you'll need to clickety-click the link above. 

My 40 Pan Inglot Eye Shadow Palette

I bit the bullet and ended up with a 40 pan Inglot Freedom System Eye Shadow Palette the other weekend. 40. How any human being can possibly warrant owning that amount of eye shadow is beyond me, but here we are. 
Truthfully, I wanted the 20 pan palette but the shop I visited in Helsinki didn't have any in stock. Being unable to walk away empty-handed, I justified such a ridiculous sized palette by explaining to Scott that I would, 'grow into it' whatever that means, and that my mini, three pans would be the solution to the whole host of travel implications that a 40 pan palette throws out there. If truth be told, I'm secretly pleased I sized up as I've got so many shades that I want to add to my collection so I'd have filled the 20 pan in a jiffy. 
Here's what I have so far:

The Wasp

I wanted to introduce this post with something witty and clever but then my friends decided to send me an obscene amount of BGT related Whatsapp messages and I ended up getting completely sidetracked.
FYI - I can't decide what I'm more embarrassed about. The fact that I know what BGT stands for or the fact that it's the only things my friends want to talk to me about. A television programme that I don't even watch. I'm barely even British anymore, ffs! 
Sidenote: How long would I have to live in Finland before I could officially declare myself Finnish? Never? Okay, let's move on. 
Today, I have a funny, yet deeply tragic story to tell. I've been building myself up to it all weekend. I don't know about the rest of the world, but right now in Finland, it's wasp season. Quite possibly my least favourite of all the bug-related seasons. Except spiders. 
The weather has made an effort at being pleasant this last week and with the greenhouse disguised as a balcony, stuffed on the end of my living room, things have been getting a tad sweaty in my apartment. Being on the sixth floor of our building, which is higher than it sounds, Scott swore blind that we were out of the insect zone. Most importantly, out of the reach of flies and other flying bastards that include, but aren't limited to; mosquitoes, wasps, bees and moths/butterflies. Yes, I'm probably the only person in the world that doesn't like butterflies. *Shudders*