My Bedtime Routine

What a surprise, I've ended up having a massive break from blogging again. I don't really have any real reasons for this, I still love blogging and reading other blogs but I guess uni and life in general got in the way of my blog! Anyway, I'm back now.

I struggle with sleeping, no two ways about it.  So I really do try everything to get a decent nights sleep and I think a big part of this is to have a routine in place.  I've mentioned a bit about my routine in this post but this will include other aspects that I haven't mentioned before!

(I adore this bedding but wow it is hard to make it look good in pictures!)

I know how bad this is, but I really struggle with a set bed time.  I normally end up getting ready for bed around 11 and then don't end up in bed until 12 as I just get distracted! Anyway, first things first is skincare.

I'm sure you all know by now how much I love my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish.  Honestly my holy grail product! I will always try and use this to remove my makeup and cleanse my face well but sometimes I am a bit lazy and will just use a makeup wipe.  My favourite are the Simple ones.




















I also have this Botanics cleanser that I use if I have used a makeup wipe as I find that gets off anything else left from the makeup wipe.  From the same brand I have the serum as well. I've never really used a serum before so I can't compare it to any others but it does the job for me and I'm really enjoying using it.




















Finally, moisturiser.  I use the Liz Earle one which I absolutely love.  I also use it in the mornings as well before I put on my makeup.  Although it is a bit pricier, I definitely recommend it if you're currently looking for a new moisturiser.

So once all my skincare is done, I get into my PJs and straight into my bed. No surprises, but I end up sitting on my phone for ages before I end up gong to sleep.  

As well as a routine before bed I believe that a good mattress is very important to help you get a good nights sleep. That is where Leesa comes in. I am currently lucky enough that I do have a good mattress at the moment as my room was re done just over a year ago and I got a new mattress.  However, Leesa do some of the best mattresses I have seen and at reasonable prices, win win.  I am actually a bit sad I didn't know about them when I was looking last year! Anyway, they know how important a mattress is for a good nights sleep.  This mattress is one I really love the sound of.  It has 3 different layers, one being a memory foam which I'm sure is very nice! The reviews on the website too speak for themselves! 

I would definitely recommend this company if you are wanting a new mattress and there is also £100 off with a code that is advertised on the website.  What more could you want! 

I hope you all enjoyed this first post back from me! 

What is your current bedtime beauty routine? What do you think of these mattresses? 

March BIRCHBOX | Review

I've never thought about getting a BIRCHBOX before, but I kept seeing adverts for their March one and that the new Benefit Real Lips lipstick and liner in one and I really wanted to try it, but I don't wear enough lipstick to pay the full price! I have always wanted to get a BIRCHBOX so I decided the March would be best!

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion | Review

I've recently discovered a new product from my housemate, Rebecca-Marie (A Belle to Remember) which I have well and truly fallen in love!
The Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, you can get this from Beauty Bay for £14, here.

Zoella Beauty | Sweet Inspirations Range

About a couple of weeks ago now a new range from Zoella Beauty was released called 'Sweet Inspirations'.  I'm pretty sure most of you will know of Zoella Beauty but just incase you haven't and you haven't worked it out from the name, Zoella Beauty is a range of beauty products from 'Zoella'.

Current Favourites (Part One!)

I haven't really done any favourites post recently and this was meant to be a 'May Favourites' but I haven't had the chance to write it until now.  It is the 10th June so I feel like its too late to title it as that haha.  Anyway, here is what I've been loving recently. There's quite a few so hope you're ready for a long post!

(as you can see, my photography skills haven't improved during my break!)

The cacti in the pictures aren't really part of my favourites, but they looked cute in the picture so I kept them there!

Nails Inc Paint Can | Review

I always love buying new nail varnish, I definitely own too many! So when I saw the Nails Inc Pain Can (here) I decided I had to get it.  I'd heard about it ages ago and as I'm so impatient when painting my nails I thought this would be perfect for me. 

There are 6 shades to pick from and I went with Porchester Square.  I decided not to get the base and top coat as I have one from Barry M which I love! I was so excited to try this so when I got home I applied my base coat, waited for it to dry and then went ahead and put the nail polish on. 

I hated it, haha.  I have no idea if its just me but it looked awful.  It was uneven and just did not look nice.  When I bought it the lady said it should give me a sort of airbrush effect, but that is definitely not what I got! I waited for the first coat to dry and then put another on in the hope that would fix it.  It didn't. Anyway, I put the top coat on and waited for it all to dry so I could wash off the excess around the nails.  

I thought this would be really easy and the nail varnish would just wash away.  Nope.  I was basically scrubbing my hands for half an hour and there was still some nail varnish left on my skin.

Eventually it all came off but then within about a day, my nails were already chipping so I just decided to take it all off because, well, my nails just looked horrendous really. 

I've never been so disappointed in a product! It is definitely more hassle than its worth.  I'm not sure if its just me that this has happened to, but either way, I won't be purchasing this again.  Its just so messy and takes so much longer than normal nail varnish.

Let me know if any of you have tried the Nails Inc Paint Can and how you found it! 

Review | Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation

Its no secret, if you read my blog, that Estee Lauder Double Wear is my all time favourite foundation.   However, I am almost running out and I can't actually afford to keep buying it so I have been on the hunt for a new drug store foundation with a full coverage.  I am pretty sure nothing will give me as much coverage as double wear, but being a student without a job leaves me with little money haha.

I've heard lots of good things about the Rimmel Lasting Finish foundation (link) and since I loved the Wake Me Up foundation, I thought that trying a new Rimmel foundation could only be a good thing.

I'm very pale so I have it in the lightest shade, Ivory, and it matches so well.  The foundation blends so lovely and the coverage is amazing.  It covers up my spots and blemishes really well and that makes me very happy! What I love about it as well is that it doesn't feel heavy on my skin.  Sometimes I find that the Estee Lauder does, but this never has.

Surprisingly enough I haven't actually kept it on for 25 hours (who would?! haha) but it has lasted me so well for a days wear.  I find it gives me quite a dewy finish which I really love as my skin is quite dry.  I just use the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder so I'm not really shiny but I'm still left with a finish I love.

I know this a bit of a short review, but I think I've covered all points.  If you are looking for a new full coverage foundation, I definitely recommend this!

Have you entered my giveaway yet? Enter here! 

2015 Favourites | Blogmas Day 25

Firstly, MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you all have a lovely day filled with fun and food and spending quality time with family!

As it is the last day of Blogmas I have decided to share with you my favourites from 2015. Not just beauty though! As I tend to do monthly favourites some of these things have already been mentioned on my blog but I hope you enjoy reading this anyway.

Of course Roller Lash was going to be featured in this post! You all know how much I love Roller Lash.  I recently mentioned the Benefit They're Real tinted primer which I am loving more everyday. From my Benefit calendar I've found lots of Benefit products that I definitely want to get my hands on.  One of those being the Watts Up Soft focus highlighter.  I loove it.

I've been uncertain of the Lash Sensational, but I kept trying with it and it is now definitely a firm favourite of mine.  If I apply it right, it makes my eyelashes look so thick and long. 

You will of heard me mention the company Prairie Charms here and I just had to put them in my 2015 favourites as they are the loveliest company.  Their customer service is so so good and well, the products are wonderful.  I'm very glad I've had the chance to purchase products from them and be part of their blogging team and designing the Christmas box. 

If you didn't know, I love musicals.  Like, a lot.  The 'Now That's we Call Musicals' CD is literally perfect for me and I find myself listening to it most days haha.  My all time favourite musical is Billy Elliot.  I love it so much. I spend a lot of my time watching the DVD of it live.  I have seen it 4 times and I would happily go 44 more times, haha.  

I've also beeng loving my L'oreal bronzer which I have mentioned maaany times before on this blog! If you haven't picked it up and are looking for a new bronzer I definitely recommend it,

I know I've only had this estee Lauder eye shadow palette which is from the Makeup Artist Collection set (mentioned in my birthday haul) but it is too lovely for me to not mention. Same with the modern Muse perfume, I've only been using it a month but it is fast becoming my favourite scent. 

Vicktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb perfume is my favourite perfume, closely followed by Calvin Klein Euphoria and Modern Muse! I wear Flowerbomb most days and like the name suggests, its a very sweet and flowery scent.  

I wear Estee Lauder Double wear mostly everyday.  I think I have fiiinally found a foundation that works for me! I have also been loving the Urban Decay Naked Skin Finish concealer.  The coverage is so good and it doesn't go cakey, woo! 

I've also been LOVING Justin Bieber, who would ever have thought that?!

That's all my favourites from 2015 and this will be my last post of 2015! I have finally got to the end of Blogmas (YEEEES) I am sorry I didn't manage to post every single day, but you know, life gets in the way sometimes but lets not turn this into a negative post!
I really hope you have enjoyed what I did manage to post and thank you to everyone who left comments and read my posts.

Lastly, have an amazing day today.  Whatever you end up doing, just make sure you eat lots and everything will be fine!!

See you in 2016 

Jessica 

xx

Current Beauty Favourites | Blogmas day 4

Hey again!  Today I thought I would share with you all my current beauty favorites.  I've mentioned a few of these products before, but some are new and I am loving!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Makeup
I heard a lot of good things about this foundation so once I had saved a bit of money I went and got it and I have to say, it definitely lives up to what others say about it!  The coverage is amazing and a little goes a long way.  I have had this for a few months now and I still have a lot of product left.

Benefit POREfessional Face Primer Balm
Another product you hear a lot about! This is honestly just the best primer. I definitely notice a difference in my makeup from when I wear it to days when I don't.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara 
I've mentioned this a lot on my blog before and with good reason, I think. I love it so much I just think it wouldn't be right to not include it in my current favourites!

Benefit They're Real Tinted Primer (sample) 
I got this free with Elle Magazine and I am in love with it.  Its SO good.  Using it just by itself gives your eyelashes a really lovely fluttery and natural look.  When I want a bit more, I put a coat of Rollerlash over and my eyelashes have so much volume.

L'Oreal Paris Super Liner Perfect Slim Intense 
This is something new I've tried.  I'm terrible with eyeliner, like, I just can't do it haha.  I tried the Beneft Push Up Liner, and, well lets just say it didn't go to plan so I went and got this.  I've really been enjoying using this.  I'm finding it much easier to apply eyeliner and I think I may finally be getting the hang of it (WOOO)

L'Oreal Pais Glam Bronze Terra Bronzer
As I've mentioned before on my blog, (here) I am not one for bronzer as I always seem to look like I've just spread mud round my face as I can never find a shade to suit me. However, this bronzer just really seems to work for me and it also has a bit of shimmer in as well so even better!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer
I always struggle with finding a good concealer.  Everyone always talks about the Collection Lasting Perfection, but I really dislike it. It definitely doesn't work well for me unlike it does others so I decided to try this one!  This is too light for me so I tend to just use it by itself instead of with another foundation.  I really love it, it gives me really good coverage and it doesn't look cakey. I think its quite expensive for the size you get, but a little goes a long way.

What products have you been loving at the moment?

See you tomorrow 

Jessica

xx

Tanya Burr Cosmetics | Perfect Brows

I've never really been one for filling in my eyebrows.  I'm not sure why, its just something I never really think about and not very good at.  Plus they're always looking pretty 'full' anyway.  

However, as a watcher of Tanya Burr's videos and seeing she had bought out a beauty range I decided to pick up the eyebrow palette as it looked pretty simple to use for a beginner like me.

Firstly, the packaging is so cute.  I am in love with it! There's a mirror in the top as well which I've cropped out because you could see me taking the picture haha. I think the four colours in this are so lovely, I use a mixture of the bottom two - Chestnut and Hot Cocoa.  They work really well for me. 

In the palette you also get a small brush and tweezers which are just the cutest.  I do use the brush as I don't own any brushes like it (oops) and I have occasionally used the tweezers which work fine, but I have  a pair that I just always use and love. 

Overall, I really love this from Tanya and I think I might look into buying some more from her range as it so affordable and looks good.

Let me know if you have anything from the range! 

Jessica 

xx 

P.S Once again, sorry for the rubbish pictures.  I did take them during the day, but you'd never be able to tell haha.  If anyone has any recommendations for a reasonably priced camera then I'd love to know! :)

Beauty Haul | Benefit, L'oreal and more!

Hey everyone, so recently I've picked up quite a few items of makeup (my purse is not very happy with me right now haha)

Benefit The Porefessional

I'm forever hearing people talk about this so I thought it was about time I finally went a got it.

Benefit push up liner

Another item I hear people talk about all the time.  As someone that is awful at doing eyeliner, I'm very excited to try this as it is meant to help (here's hoping haha)

Benefit Roller Lash

I bought this when it first came out and I fell in love with it! I then ran out and instead of rushing out to get a new one, I went and got the Maybelline Lash Sensational, buuuut, Ive gone back to my roller lash and its just the best mascara I've used

Colour Riche La palette Eye Shadow Riche Beige

I went on holiday over the summer and I got this on the plane. This is my new all time favourite eye shadow palette.  I use it every single day, the second colour in is my favourite for base eyeshadow and the 8th one in is perfect in the crease! (There is a a mirror but I've cropped it out as you can see me haha)

L'oreal Glam Bronze tera bronzer

I'm not normally one for bronzers as they always just make me look like I've thrown mud all over my face which is not a good look haha.  However, this just looked really nice and when I swatched it on my hand it looked good.

YSL Touche Eclait 

I see this on TV all the time so on the plane I saw it in the duty free book and thought I may as well get it. I've only used this once, but I really liked it.  

And that's all I bought! Some of these things were from duty free so I did save a tiny bit of money luckily haha.  

Thank you so much for reading and let me know if you want a review of any of these products!

Jessica

xx

Beauty and Fashion Wishlist

I've done a wish list before (which you can read here) and I really enjoyed making one so I thought I would share with you my latest one!

Beauty and Fashion Wishlist by jessicasmith-988 featuring Eos

As you can see, its a bit of a mixture of things really! There's a couple of things that I really want from a company I've never heard of but their products look so pretty.

I always here people taking about MAC pigment and whenever I see someone wearing it, I fall in love haha. It just looks so pretty.  A long with the 2 Topshop lipsticks which look equally as pretty. I'm yet to try a lipstick from Topshop but I am so desperate to try these two!

And of course, the Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation is on my wish list. If you follow me on Twitter (@bird_butterfly1) you'll know that I have made a deal with my Mum and myself that if I buy no make up for a month I can justify buying it (unless I run out of any thing hehe)

Let me know about any of items on your wish list! I'd love to know.

Jessica 

xxx

March Favourites | 2015

Hi! I can't quite believe we are now at the end of March, like what, where is this year going?! Anyway... This month I have had quite a few favourites so I thought I'd put them all in one post :)

Liz Earle - Deep Cleansing Mask- Link

I've made a review before about a few Liz Earle products which you can read here and if you follow me on Twitter you will know how much I love them, but this month my favourite has been the Deep Cleansing Mask. It makes my skin feel SO soft and clears up any spots I have.  I love it.

Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter- Link 

I've never really used many Soap and Glory products, but at Christmas I got a set of lots of body products and I've been using them and oh my goodness, my skin has never felt so soft after I use this butter. It also smells amazing and it sinks into the skin really well, and moisturises really well.

Maybelline Falsies Mascara Very Black- Link

This always use to be my go to mascara, but I started to get bored of using the same product every day so I tried a few others.  These were ok, but I never really loved them. So I've eventually came back to this one and I have fallen back in love with it! It makes my eyelashes look really nice and it is a good one to use while I save up for Roller Lash haha.

MUA Hall of Fame Eyeshadow Palette - Link

I've only recently purchased this, but I am in love.  I don't own that many eyeshadow palettes and I wasn't really expecting to love this as much as I do. I love neutral eye shadow colours so this looked perfect to me, and it is.  I wear it most days and I love it.

MUA Lipgloss in Smooch - Link

 I find it hard to find a nice lipgloss, but this one I've purchased from MUA is lovely.  It is so cheap but the quality is really good. It is not sticky and it just gives the lips a really nice shine and this is another product I normally wear everyday.

Rimmel Lipstick in Divine Wine (I don't know a link for it anywhere, sorry!)

I discovered this lipstick at the bottom of my makeup bag a few weeks ago and decided to try it.  As you may know, Im not really one for lipsticks but I really like this one.  The colour is really niI ce and stays on all day.  It's a really creamy, moisturising lipstick. 

Real Techniques eyeliner brush from the Nic's Picks set - Link 

I've never been good at eyeliner no matter what type I use (liquid, gel etc) so I never thought about even attempting an eyeliner brush, but since it came with the set I thought I should! I use this with a gel liner and it makes it SO easy.  My eyeliner has never looked so good haha. Definitely recommend using a eyeliner brush.

So there's all my March favourites! I hope you enjoyed reading this post and let me know what some of your favourites have been in the comments! 

Jessica

xxx

Beauty Wishlist

Beauty Wishlist by jessicasmith-988 featuring benefit skincare

First ever Wishlist for you all today! 

As I am very poor, most of these items on here I won't be able to afford for quite a while! But I am desperate for them, there's things I've never tried and things I have tried and loved (Roller Lash and Porefessional)

I've read so many good reviews on all of the products above so I'm desperate to get my hands on them and if or when I do, I will be a very happy girl!

Let me know what beauty products you want at the moment or if you liked this post and would like to see more wish lists, trust me there's lots I could make haha. 

Jessica

xxx

Fashion and Beauty Haul

Hello again, back to more fashion/beauty related topic today!

I always like reading beauty or fashion hauls so I thought it would be fun to do one.  Over the past couple of months I have bought a few too many fashion and beauty items, and basically spent all the Christmas and birthday money I had, so I thought I will put them all in one post and show you all.

Fashion

The first thing was these shoes from Topshop. I got them in the sale for £15!! (If you know Topshop, that is actually very cheap for them haha)  I really like these shoes, and they are so comfy!

The next things were more shoes from H&M. In higndsight, these may not be worth the £29 I paid for them as I don't wear heels often enough really.  But they just looked so nice on the website I had to get them!

Still from H&M I got this skater skirt. I really love this colour and I think for £12.99 this is really nice. I like the subtle pattern on it and it is such a soft material!

(Sorry for the bad lighting in this picture, it's a plum colour and I also have it in black)

The final fashion item I purchased was this blouse from Primark for £8.  It is a Duck Egg blue, which looks really nice, but I'm not sure if it's going to suit me but I'm going to try it anyway! 

Onto Beauty!

The first thing I purchased was The Real Techniques- Nic's Picks.  This set includes a Duo-fiber face brush, Cheek Brush (exclusive to the set), Angled Shadow Brush (exclusive to the set), Base Shadow Brush and an Eyeliner Brush (exclusive to the set).  I am well and truly in love with this set and, in my opinion, it is definitely worth the money! 

(Once again, sorry for the quality of the pictures!) 

I'm not really one for lipsticks, but when I went into Boots the other day I thought it was time to invest in one! So i picked up this Rimmel one in the: 480 Classic Wine.  To me, this lipstick seems really nice consistency and it lasts all day! 

Finally, I picked up a mascara. I have quite a few mascaras, but I thought I would try one from Rimmel this time.  So I bought this one, which has Argon Oil in. I really like it, it separates my eyelashes well and gives me lots of volume.  The only problem I have with it, is that it doesn't seem to stay on my eyes too well! By the end of the day, sometimes, half of it is down my face which is not what I want! Haha.

So that's all for my post today! As I've said throughout, sorry for the quality of the pictures, my iPhone isn't great at pictures with all the cracks around the camera, oops haha. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this, and let me know any items you want to buy and if you like this sort of post!

Jessica

xxx