My Beauty Winners of 2013

**Little disclaimer, I am not 100% sure that all of these actually hit the market within the year of 2013 BUT I jumped on their bandwagon. So all of these were purchased or repurchased last year (some of them are "old faithful" products that I have used for a long time). I have tried to stick to drugstore products  for most things however there are a few higher brands thrown in there too. Sit down with and cuppa and - Enjoy :)**

Primer: Rimmel Fix and Protect Pro 
This primer has been my old faithful for quite a while. It is not expensive and has a 5 in 1 results claim - smooths, resurfaces, brightens, mattifies and protects. I have to say I have worn this underneath my make up to many a dance class and my make up has not budged. It also goes onto the skin really creamy and soft. 

However I do need to shout out to Benefit's Porefessional. This is an incredibly good primer which actually, true to it's claim, reduces pores and gives a lovely base for make-up. A little pricey, but the tube does last for a long time.

Eye-shadow Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion
Oh my god, this stuff is amazing. I jumped on the band wagon really late when I saw a small bottle of this going for £8, but I am so glad I picked it up. My eye-shadow just does not budge. I find it really hard to find a primer as I have incredibly sensitive eyes, so some eye primers can have me looking like I've received some very bad news.. but this primer is not irritating at all. I know it can be a little pricey when not on offer, but the tube actually lasts for a really long time, and how long lasting it makes your eye make-up, it is definitely worth it. You want people to see all those hard efforts you've put into blending those shadows...

Concealer: Collection Lasting Perfection 16h Wear   
This has been raved about by many a beauty guru on YouTube and I have to agree with them that this is a great concealer. It has a very good consistency, is not cakey to the skin, and lasts all day. Whether you put it on top of your foundation or underneath it blends really well, and unlike Rimmel's Wake Me Up shimmery concealer, you can use this both on your under eyes and blemishes. It is a complete bargain as well. If you don't have this, go out and purchase it. Now. It will be a credit to your make-up bag.

Foundation: Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation.
This foundation was also a rave of 2013. Given you matched to your skin tone it gives off a very natural, shimmery glow to your skin. I loved this foundation in summer. It really brightens, and makes your skin look really healthy. It goes on very easy to blend, and has a good consistency. It is not duey or shiny so would work on oily skin. If you haven't tried it yet, I would definitely say give this foundation a go in 2014.

Also a little shout out to Loreal True Match my current foundation. Love, love, love.

Powder: Rimmel's Stay Matte Translucent Powder
After being under stage lights, going to the gym, the half walk/half runs to uni when I'm late, it has definitely proven this powder to matte the skin. And it makes even the most duey of foundations matte. I feel after foundation I don't want to add any more coverage to my skin which is why I opt for translucent but there are tinted versions to choose from. It really does stop any shininess and it keeps your foundation where it is for most of the day. I don't think I'll change from this powder for a very long time.

Eye-shadow: Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette 
This palette is fricking amazing! I just cannot express how much I love this palette. I used it for pretty much every special occasion this year from the day I purchased it. Both times I went out for Halloween, meals out, nights out, and with the mix of colours it was perfect for most days out too. With a few mattes, the palette is mostly shimmer dominated, but who doesn't love shimmer? Like most shadows, it does have quite a bit of fall out, but a tap of the brush before applying normally sorts that right out. This palette is just simply gorgeous and definitely worth the money.

Liquid Eye-liner: Collection Waterproof Fast Stroke Eye-liner 
I have used this eye liner for an incredibly long time. To be honest I think it was my first ever eye liner, which I was given in year 8, and I've repurchased it ever since. Having had so much practice with the applicator I can now get a straight line wing in a very short amount of time. It is true when they say - if you stick with the same eye-liner you can become very skilled, and I wouldn't be able to do half the make up looks I can now without this eye-liner. It stays on all day, and is very pigmented.
The only bad point is it is not waterproof. My eyes water like a bitch in cold windy weather, and I always look like I've forgotten to put half my eye-liner on.. yeah, not a good look.

Pencil Eye-liner: Rimmel's Scandal Eyes 
My award just had to go to Rimmel for these eye pencils. They have a great range of colours and are all so pigmented. They go on really nice and easy, and stay on all day. They are not expensive and due to being a pencil they last a long time. My favourites have to be 014 bright blue (a recent purchase) and the first one I ever bought 012 bronze which I wore all through the summer. It is a great substitute when you don't want the heavy black eye-liner.

Mascara: L'oreal False Lash Telescopic
This has also been an old faithful to me. I love this mascara, it just works wonders for my lashes. Without even using eye lash curlers it curls my lashes to a maximum. It is both thickening and lengthening with "infinite length effect fibres". I repurchased this all through the year 2013 and it is still my everyday mascara. I get compliments on my lashes all the time, and its easy to use on both top and bottom lashes.  I would go as far as saying this product is my winner of all winners (followed closely by Naked 2).

Honourable mention to Benefit's They're Real Mascara. I purchased this on the only day it was on offer in January sales and wow, it really does lengthen your lashes. It is amazing. I will say though that it doesn't thicken at all, so it can leave lashes looking a little spidery, so I would personally use it in conjunction with another mascara.

Eyebrows: Benefits Brow Pallette in Medium
My one and only brow filler, from the day I started using it I just have not felt any need to change. The colour is pigmented but not enough to look like you've inked your eyebrows - that would  not be a good look. It has 0 fallout, and the brush means you can get a perfect fill with no hash lines.

Bronzer: Rimmel's Bronzing Powder in Sun Light
I just found this bronzer to give the best natural glow. It is not too orange or too dark, it just gives you a healthy sun kissed look. It lasts all day and applies really nice and evenly. I've repurchased it all year round and won't be changing any time soon.

Blush: Boujois Paris, Cendre De Rose Brune
Another old faithful. I just love the colour and even coverage of this blush. It makes your cheeks really rosy, but not in a stand out, too much way like some blushes. I've used it all year round and the pot literally last for ages. I also found that the brush it comes with works really well for me too.

And now for a lot of Lip Products...I'll try to keep them brief...

Lip Care Products: Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub and Blistex Intensive Moisturiser
I found these were the best combination for my lips in winter. The scrub just tastes so good I could literally eat the whole tub, and if you don't believe me go into you nearest Lush store and try it. And if I have the slightest bit of dryness to my lips, one bout of Blistex and it has vanished. I would recommend both of these to anyone.

Lip Liner: Rimmel's Lasting Finish, 1000 Kisses
This had to go to 1000 kisses, as you can literally put these on all over your lips, put a clear lip gloss over the top and you are good to go. They double as a base for lipstick and a lip colour in themselves. They last all night long, as I've discovered on many a night out, are really pigmented and are really easy to apply.

Lip Tint: Benefit's Posy Tint
This tints and plumps, and is just a really gorgeous rosy pink colour. It goes well under most of my lip glosses especially soap and glory;s extreme plump and benefits ultra shine back to the fuchsia. You could also wear it by itself for a natural pink lip colour.

Lip Gloss: Rimmel's Apocalips
Again another raved about product, so these won't need much of an introduction due to it. These are so pigmented, and so glossy they are a must to any make up bag. "Big Bang" is perfect for any night out, being the brightest red you could find in a lip gloss.

Lipstick: All of my lipsticks purchased from Mac
I only have a few so far, but absolutely no brand can beat Mac for lipsticks. The colour range is spectacular, they are long wearing and highly pigmented. Yes they are incredibly high end and pricey, but when it comes to lipsticks high end is the way to go. I plan to build up my collection a lot more in 2014. My favourite at the moment is Rebel - a gorgeous dark purply pink colour.

Brushes: Real Techniques
I have not found any brushes that are quite as good as these. I have about 10 of these now, and I can't understand why it took so long to introduce them to my make up bag.Yes they are pricey, but I can't express enough how much they are worth it. They make any product easy to apply and give a flawless finish. These are the kind of brushes you wash and take care of -  you will never want to throw these away once having used them.

Nail Varnish Brand: Barry M
Essie was very close in the running for this but I had to give Barry M the egde. They just bought out so many amazing colours and effects last year, it was insane. The jelly's, the magnetics, the metallics, the glitters, the mattes.. I pretty much loved them all. My nail varnish collection probably holds over 25 of their nail varnishes. They are not as hard wearing as I'd like but at how cheap they are and how pretty the colours are, I'd say I can over look that.

Perfume: Jimmy Choo
This has been my signature scent all year round, and I am still getting compliments on it into the year of 2014. Its long-wearing, and is a strong enough scent to notice but is not over powering. I will say though - when you first spray it, it is a completely different smell to when it dries on your skin so if you do go to purchase it, spray it and walk around the shop first. Then decide. I absolutely love it, and I think even if I do change to other perfumes, I will always have a bottle of this on my side.

Overall Brand:
As you can tell by my previous awards, my ultimate winner brand has to be Rimmel London. They had one hell of a 2013 when it came to beauty products.

And the upcoming brands for me this year that I shall be purchasing ALOT from is Soap and Glory, Lush and Urban Decay. I may even be going to purchase the Naked 3 palette and the Urban Decay setting spray as you read this... You can probably hear my bank account screaming...

xxx

What is Beauty? Honestly?

2014 is here and with the new year, comes resolutions. Now, I will not put anyone down for making new years resolutions - I even have a few of my own. Drink more water, make the most out of my gym membership and for once stay on top of my work. Yes it may be a rare occasion when someone actually sees it all the way through to the next year, but if someone has an aspiration to better themselves, who am I or anyone to judge them? And so far, in all honesty, I am doing pretty well.
However, with the popular aspiration of becoming thinner, it made me ask myself the question, what really is beauty? Surely its something you see on the inside, right? I mean that is what everyone says nowadays. But then where does this insane want and need to be thin come from?
I signed a petition just yesterday against one of the most well known fashion stores  - Urban Outfitters, urging them to stop their production of their "eat less" and "depression" t-shirts. Mental illness is not a joke, and having suffered with it myself, I can honestly tell you it slowly starts to control your life. Gaining control of it was my second hardest struggle up to date - my first being loosing my father at age 11. It's something I feel very strongly about changing as the message sent out to younger children and teenagers is not right. Eating less and depression is not something people should be fashioning down the street. Urban Outfitters needs to remember real people are effected by this, and its not just about how much profits they bring in at the end of the day. If you would like to sign this petition too, or get more information, please go to this website: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/urban-outfitters-we-are-urging-you-to-halt-all-production-of-their-eat-less-and-depression-t-shirts-both-of-which-are-glamorizing-mental-illnesses-and-could-have-potentially-devastating-effects-on-your-young-target-audience?share_id=XuglNhjOfW&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
I also saw a story about a girl on Facebook, who had posted a picture of herself in her underwear with a message to everyone in the past who had told her to diet, eat less, go to the gym.. it was basically an up yours to anyone who didn't think she was perfect just the way she was. It was very powerful and received over a million likes. I have so much respect for this girl, and I would love it if more people would have the confidence to do this. To stand up to people who tell them they are not beautiful the way there are.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am not saying anything bad about being thin. I've heard thin people say they want to be curvier, this works both ways believe me. I would sign the exact same petition if urban outfitters have come out with a top saying "eat more". We should all love the way we are built. Who says that someone with a tiny waist, is prettier than a curvy waist? Size E is better than size B? A big bum is better than a smaller one? Or visa versa. I think there is too much pressure on people nowadays to change the way they look, when in my opinion they look fine just the way they are. This goes for all the guys reading this too - wanting to be more built, more muscular, skinnier. I have friends who say they want to be prettier, skinnier, curvier, more toned.. and I look a them and think: but you're perfect the way you are.

Jessica Lawrence is one of the best role models to have become a celebrity, as she promotes loving the way you are. 

Yes I do go to the gym, but that is not to become thinner, it is to become more physically fit. I am an actress and love physical theatre. To be able to perform at my best, I need to be physically fit. However, my figure is something I'm not aspiring to change. If it changes, it's nature and not my will. I'm curvy and will always be. It's the way I was made. Yes, it has taken me a while to accept that after years of bullying about my "big arse", but if this blog post helps one more person feel comfortable with the way they are, then I will be happy.
No matter what you look like if you are a kind and true person with a beautiful personality, you will be stunning to me readers.
And if you want to change the way you look, do it for yourself. If it will make you happier. I will not judge someone who is doing something that makes them happy. But do not do it because society tells you that, the way you are at the moment, is not "perfect" in their eyes. 
Thankyou for reading this and if you signed the petition, I owe you my gratitude.
Lisa-Nicole
xxx

"You're much happier when you stop caring what people think". Love the way you are, and stop comparing yourself to others. You may think they are prettier than you, but they may be thinking exactly the same about you. Me last Halloween, sporting my curvy figure with finally, not a care in the world.

Why I Love Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone! 

Hope you are all having an amazing day. I thought this was the perfect time to do a blog on all the things I love about this time of year. 

1. The lights. Possibly my most favourite thing. Everywhere looks so much prettier with a few fairy lights :)!
2. The fact it is socially acceptable to wear as much glitter as you can. I've been sporting glitter nail varnish, glitter eye liner, glitter mascara (a Christmas pressie from my sister) and any glittery clothing I can find.
3. Tradition. I love traditions, it creates memories. My favourite family tradition is giving our Christmas cards to each other on Christmas Eve before we go to sleep.
4. YOU CAN EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT :D!! Just like at Halloween you can be a slut and no one can say anything..at Christmas you can be a fat pig. And since I am addicted to chocolate and stuffing, it's the perfect time of year for me.
5. Wrapping up warm in the cold crisp air, and seeing your breath in front of you.
6. The hats you get out of crackers because I love looking like a twat.
7. Christmas TV! The specials and films.. best time of year to slob out on the sofa. I am watching the strictly  come dancing special as I write this.
8. Buying pressies. I love buying presents for people. Don't ask why.. I just do :P.
9. Wrapping! I absolutely love wrapping presents. Watching some Christmas YouTube videos or listening to my favourite Christmas songs.. and getting covered in sellotape. I get to openly be a perfectionist aswell. Love it.
10. Getting to dress up and go full out on the make up. I'm sporting a smokey eye and red lip. Perfect for Christmas. (Instagram: @lisanicolest)
11. The joy. Everyone is merrier when its getting near to Christmas.
12. The hussle and bussle of the high-street when you are doing late minute shopping, and melting in every store you go into. *heating+wintercoat= baking.* 
13. Christmas Carols, I love singing my heart out to the oldies :)
14. The Magic of this time of year <3 
AND
15. Family Time. Treasured moments I shall never forget. We also get to remember the past Christmases with family who are not here any more. Beautiful memories that are always in my heart. Everyone has their own idea of what Christmas is about for them but for me, it's about spending time with loved ones.

Hope you all have an amazing Christmas and are blessed with all you wish you for.
Love Lisa-Nicole xxxx

Dancing

"I can't really explain it,
I haven't got the words
It's a feeling that you can't control
I suppose it's like forgetting, losing who you are
And at the same time something makes you whole
It's like that there's a music playing in your ear
And I'm listening, and I'm listening and then I disappear

And then I feel a change
Like a fire deep inside
Something bursting me wide open impossible to hide
And suddenly I'm flying, flying like a bird
Like electricity, electricity
Sparks inside of me
And I'm free I'm free"

Electricity, Billy Elliott The Musical

Billy Elliott described it absolutely perfect, the feeling that I get when I dance. I mean really dance. Loosing your body and soul into a piece of artwork performed to music. The emotions that connect, the complete feeling of euphoria that sweeps over you. The only thing that comes close to it, is the feeling I get when I'm acting on stage.
Doing theatre for a degree will always be one of the best decisions I have ever made, however I can't help but feel the need to go further in my dance. To train again, to choreograph, to feel the ache of muscles and know you've done a dance well. I cannot describe to you how much I miss it. Since starting dance from the age of 6, continuing dance and becoming an Olympic level 5 cheerleader, these past months are the longest I've gone without being in a competition or training, and the withdrawal systems have set in.
Its time to become the person I used to be. Due to a few personal issues in my life - my diet, flexibility and fitness have all become worse than they used to be, and its time to grab the bull by the horns and do something about it. It is the New Year after all.
So stay tuned for my personal journey in taking my dance further. I am also looking into starting my own contemporary society at my university, nothing is certain, lets just see how it goes. Fingers crossed.

I'm really looking forward to getting back to the old me <3

"Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

"Go the extra mile, it is never crowded."  

Once Flown...Can You Call It Home?

It has been over a year since I flown the nest, and having taken a couple of months to get over the home sickness, I embraced my independence. There is a complete freedom in living by yourself, which is what I love about it.  You can come and go whenever you want it, have it as tidy or a messy as you like, have your friends round whenever... However there are a few things I completely miss about home. Seeing my mum everyday, central heating (gas and electric bills are an absolute bitch), home cooked food (as no matter how many times you cook chilli con carne it will never be as good as your mum's), my bunny rabbit Pebbles, my school/college friends, and that security of always feeling safe.
I have a beautiful house where I go to Uni, however the area can be a little rough sometimes. It has made me a lot more street wise though, now nothing really phases me. The tramp that lives at the end of my road who always asks me to "Come cook him dinner tonight" is just another man I pass everyday on the way home. I guess at least one time in your life you have to live somewhere rough to really appreciate where you feel secure.
I also have a beautiful house in my home town, even though my bedroom has been needed to be decorated for years, there is a sense of empathy there. You know those awful choices you make as a teenager that when you're a little older you just think "what the fuck teenage self"... yeah that's my room now. But I still love it, as that's where I became who I am today.
But do I call either of them my actual home? The truth is I love both of these places. Both have people I have come to know and love over my lifetime, and when I'm in one place there will always be a part of me that misses the other. So really I am writing this blog to let everyone know, who makes my life so amazing in both "homes" that I am truly thankful, and appreciative to have them in my life. I know it's a big slab of cheese, but hey, its Christmas :).

"You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place."
xxx

November/December Favourites

Due to it being a little too late for November favourites and a little too early for December Favourites I've decided to pack them all together in a BIG TWO MONTH FAVOURITES :). **everyone cheers**
I have been using all these products for quite a while, they have all worked wonders and I would recommend each of them to anyone.

^^^Everything included in my monthly favourites this month can be seen above^^^

1) My Number One Favourite is: 

Models Own Glitter Nail Varnish in the shade Southern Lights. This makes your nails look so beautiful as it shimmers and glitters so much. I find myself just looking down at my nails watching them sparkle. Its also incredibly Christmassy. I always think you can't go wrong with some glitter nail varnish at Christmas. And its very hard wearing. Being a student and chucking myself about everywhere means I know how hard wearing a nail varnish is, and this does not chip easy!  Beautiful and Brilliant :). 

2) Champneys, Spa Indulgence, Distant Shores Body Butter

Everyone loves when Boots has a 3 for 2 day or double points, and I always take complete advantage of them - meaning I'm meant to be buying Christmas presents but really I buy loads of treats for myself I don't really need. It was one of these bank account busting days that I found myself in the luxury pamper isle and came across this this body butter. And, oh my god, it smells amazing. Think I may have stood in the shop for at least ten minutes just smelling it, before I decided I couldn't walk out without having purchased it...and the foaming shower gel too. Whoops. They are a little more pricey than the products I usually buy, but they are so worth it. If you want your skin to be smooth and smell gorgeous, buy this product. (And if you're like me the bubble bath and shower gel too.)

3) Elnett Satin, 3 Days Straight, Heat Protect Styling Spray

Many people will know that I have been faithful to Aussie products for years, and use bottle after bottle of their heat protector. However, when both Boots and Superdrug were out of stock of Aussie, I picked up Elnett's. It is fairly new on the market and I was a little bit worried about using it...but now I am forever changed. This heat protector is incredible. It leaves your hair feeling so soft, silky and healthy. It deals with all frizz and fly aways, and smells really really good. 

4) Santa's Lip Scrub by Lush 

Winter is really harsh on the lips and there is not one thing I can't stand more than dry lips. First sign of chapped lips and I am out buying lip products. This year was no different, and since it was time for lush to bring out all their Christmas stock I headed straight there and found this. Now not only does it leave your lips really smooth.. I could actually just sit there and eat it, that's how good it tastes! Its like drinking a bottle of Cherry Cola. It is a little bit pricey at £5.50 (if I remember rightly) but I would say this product is definitely worth it. It's limited edition, as it is a Christmas product but it has me tempted to buy a second just so I don't run out. 

5) Boots Essentials Moisturising Lotion 

I use this every day and night on my face and it has literally left my skin incredibly soft. It smells of cucumber and gives you a really fresh faced feeling after taking off your make up at night, or after your shower in the morning. Its for all skin types and it has UV protection which is incredibly handy for summer. Its also incredibly affordable at £1.99 - a real student product. 

6) Simple, Kind to Eyes, Revitalising Roll On 

The life of a theatre can be an incredibly tiring one at times, with rehearsals for my last show running 9am to 11pm. Early mornings and late nights are horrible on the under eyes. This stuff can turn even my most tired eyes into bright awake sparkly ones :). Its really refreshing, also smells of cucumber, and states its even for the most sensitive of skin. 

7) Kerastase, Cristalliste (For dry lengths or ends)

I bought this product quite a long time ago from my hairdressers, since I straighten my hair a lot I'm always looking at products to improve and maintain the health of my hair. I used this for a few months and was disappointed not to see any improvement, but continued to use it as I prefer not to waste money on expensive hair products. Now, however, the improvements are amazing. One of those products that takes a long time to work but when it does it has the wow factor. My hair is left amazingly silky smooth after using this product, and it helps to keep my hair straight. It smells good too. Love it. 

And there you have it, all my favourites for the months of November and December :).

Thankyou for reading! 

xxx

Aspiration

Wow, it has been so long since I blogged, and I really began to miss it. The past couple have months have gone by in a flash, and I thought it was definitely time for a little catch up...

So I have now started my second year of university and it is coming to the end of a pretty amazing term. I am so excited for Christmas as I haven't been home at all this term, and it will be amazing to spend some time with my friends and family back home. It will also be good news to everyone to learn I finally got over a broken heart which had been with me since the middle of my first year. I learnt a lot of hard lessons and they will stay with me for all future relationships and I finally learnt how to be single. I learnt a lot about myself and am now looking forward to a future which I am very confident I will absolutely love.

Theatre is still my absolute number one love, and the reason why over the past couple of months I seemed to dropped off the face of the earth. The show my beloved second years and I just put on was a massive success and our lecturer/director is very proud. I am still continuing to learn so much in my chosen craft, and am so grateful for knowing I'm exactly where I want to be in life.

I have also decided in my future to become a journalist. The theatre industry is one I will always hold close to my heart and I will still pursue my dreams of becoming a successful actor.. however theatre jobs and opportunities are becoming scarce and it will be very hard to get by and survive in low points of my career (Low points should be expected by any realistic aspiring actor. I do have complete faith in myself but faith and realism need to come hand in hand). So I have turned to a second love which really began to show itself in my first year at university - writing. This is an aspiration that I'm not sure how to begin or where it will go, but I am going to love finding out.

This brings me to the point of my blog. The topics I will now be including in this blog are ones that interest me and I hope to bring a new level of professionalism to it. I'm not sure what I will talk about yet, it may be a case of sitting in front of the computer and writing whatever comes to me, but that'll still work for me. I will still be posting beauty blogs and experiences :) just with a few new topics and debates appearing.

Hope you'll still enjoy it, and I am so glad to be back after a long absence. Hopefully this all goes to plan...

Wish me luck ;)

xxx