Am going to state the obvious - I look like a twat. One of the biggest reasons I could never model (besides the obvious fact i'm 5'3) would be that I am so awkward in front of the camera. I hate feeling posey. But alas, yesterday I took to the fields in hope that a couple out of the 100's of photos taken would turn out alright. I wish I could show you a couple of my very awkward looking shots but i'm far too embarrassed/ashamed to show them.

Lately I have been drawn to a more natural make-up look. A little bit has to do with not being bothered doing the whole hog for university, but mostly because i've been preferring it. I'm quite fortunate when it comes to my skin: I don't have massive breakouts, I don't have any scarring..so there really is no reason for me to do a full coverage foundation on just casual days. Sometimes I can get way too acquainted with a whole face of make-up that I start to feel more negative on my make-up free face. To counteract that I find having a more natural look makes me feel more confident in the long run. Also forgive me for my frizzy hair - I tried numerous products to make it slightly less de-frizzed and all failed.


The make-up I used was: Lancome 'Teint Visionnaire' foundation with a bit of Dermalogica's 'skin hydrating masque' mixed in to thin it out a bit. Collection lasting perfection concealer under the eyes. From the Too Faced 'natural face palette' I used the 'bronze veil' bronzer and the cream blush. For eyebrows I used my ole' faithful Yuva 'brow dust' which is great for achieving that natural brow look so they don't look like a cartoon characters. I used my shu uemura eyelash curler and then applied YSL 'babydoll eyes'. For the lips I used a M.A.C 'snob' lipstick and kind of patted it on so it didn't look so thick. I know it sounds like a lot of products but I only used a little of each so I didn't go overboard.

Hope you're all having a wonderful relaxed weekend. Yesterday I had a picnic with one of my best friends (which included the essentials: cheese and wine) and today I had a facial..so you could say it's been pretty relaxed!

Would love to know of any products that are great for creating a natural look!

Holly x

Trying to choose my favourite five m.a.c products was kind of hard! So..as you can see..I kind of cheated. Lipsticks is it's own category right? M.A.C is definitely my favourite make-up brand as it pumps out such high quality products time after time.

1. Mineralize Skinfinish (Perfect Topping) - This isn't just pretty to look at but it makes the most awesome highlight. I use this on a regular basis now so this one is very deserving of being on the list. If you don't have one of these go buy one - it's nice to look at and is very diverse in being a highlighter or even an eyeshadow.

2. Mineralize Foundation (NW20) - This bad boy is a recent edition to the m.a.c foundation family but it has bumped it's way up to being the favourite. I like this one because it's very buildable so it can be worn both day and night. It's just got a very natural finish yet still has long staying power..so four for you mac mineralize, you go mac mineralize! (Hope everyone got that mean girls reference haha)

3. Studio Finish Concealer (NW20) - Even though majority of the time I use my collection lasting perfection concealer this concealer is amazing for covering up bags. I reach for this on days when my dark circles make an appearance cause I know it'll cover it up. Very thick and long lasting! As you can see in the photo it has gotten it's use. Woo, you rock concealer!

4. Mineralize Skinfish Natural - I'm not a massive fan of powdering my face as it goes from a dewy finish to cake face in a quick brush of the powder. BUT this powder makes me less cake faced than any other. This powder has a very natural finish and is great at setting my foundation in summer when my face starts to get a bit sweaty (ew). I've been using this for years now and I will continue to use this forever and ever.

5. Lipsticks - Okay..I totally cheated on this one..but I mean..lipsticks are it's own product right? I couldn't choose between a lipstick to feature so I thought I would cheat the system and be ambiguous. M.A.C lipsticks are always my go-to ones. They are always high-quality and are just a step above most other brands. The ones I featured are: Vegas Volt, Russian Red and Brave. If m.a.c excels in one particular type of make-up it is definitely it's lipsticks.

Let me know what your favourite m.a.c product is! Is there a product i'm missing out on?? Please do tell because I always listen to recommendations.

Holly xx

When it comes to my lips I can be incredibly fussy. I hate the feeling of buying a new lip product and ending up unsatisfied. I also hate when I wear a new lipstick out for the first time and come home to the wreckage that is my lips. Okay, i'm being a little dramatic, but it does bug me when the outside out of my lips hold the colour while the inside fades..I end up looking like I only had enough time to apply lip liner. Definitely not tres chic. Anyway these five are my favourite lip products that I used over and over, thought i'd share!

Left to right: Clinique - Woppin Watermelon chubby stick, Nyx - Matte lip cream in 'Istanbul', Mac - Brave, Mac - Russian Red, Mac - Cherry lip liner

1. Clinique Chubby Stick - Woppin Watermelon
If you need a quick lip colour on the go that is no effort then look no further - you need this in your life. I can't count the times i've been in my car before work or uni quickly applying this. It's quite sheer and leaves a subtle colour. It's also very moisturizing which is why I love it when I have cracked lips. I just love it because it's so easy to use and is a nice subtle colour. Most of the time my hand bag will always have one of these cause I grab it on the go.

2. NYX Lip Matte Cream - Instanbul
This is quite a new edition but already makes it into my top 5 due to its incredible staying power. If I want a long lasting lip colour I reach for this. Even when it fades a little (after eating a burger, drinking back coffees etc) it still leaves behind a pink stain which is great. It's odd because it goes on creamy and then within 10 minutes dries to a matte texture. To be honest I forget i'm wearing it sometimes because it feels like i'm wearing nothing at all. Definite staple. Will go back to NYX asap to stock up on more.

3. MAC - Brave
This is no surprise. I've mentioned this quite a bit. I love this lipstick because it's such a "my lips but better" shade (I hate that phrase haha). I use my MAC whirl liner with this bad boy, and it's really great for making my thin lips look a little plumper. This will be a lipstick i'll constantly repurchase because I just love it. Got to admit the staying power isn't amazing but it's no fuss to re-apply it as it's more of a neutral colour.

4. MAC - Russian Red
This may or may not be the first MAC lipstick i've ever owned. Sure, i'd stolen my mums in the past but this was the first one that was my own. I went to MAC one day and asked the make-up artist to find me a classic red lipstick that would suit me. She grabbed this shade! And I forever have been in love. The colour is a great classic red and every time I wear it I feel so confident. I just feel badass in this lipstick. So, yeah, if you need a shade where you feel like a badass then this is the shade for you.

5. MAC - Cherry Lipliner
I couldn't mention my Russian Red lipstick without mentioning my Cherry lipliner. These two go hand in hand. I struggle with red lipstick, I can never manage to make both sides of my lips look even and it ends up looking like a mess. And red lips is something you can't afford to mess up because it's so damn noticable if it isn't perfect. Does everyone feel everyones eyes are instantly drawn to your lips when you wear red lipstick? Well, if you know that, then there is that pressure to make sure they look damn fine in case someone notices any imperfections. That's why lipliner has been my life saver. My technique is simple. I lightly line around the shape of my lips. If i'm satisfied with how it looks i'll re-draw it harder so it's darker. Once i've done that i've created the perfect shape to fill in with my lipstick. And voila! Red lips made easy! Honestly it sounds like a colouring in drawing my technique but it's foolproof (or so I think). Also what I do most of the time is i'll do the lipline, and then i'll fill in with my lips with the lipliner and then i'll add lipstick. I find doing this makes it last SO much longer because even if the lipstick fades a little..it still has the red under.

So they are my top five lip products! And of course i'm going to recommend all of these because I believe they will become staples in your make-up bag too. Sorry for majority being mac, but mac is my favourite when it comes to lipsticks.

What are your favourite lipsticks? Any ones I should give a try?

Holly xx

Whenever people talk about the Kardashians they go on and on about how trashy it is, how the sex tape is the only reason Kim is famous and blah blah blah. I used to be quiet and never reveal that I actually liked the show because I would get odd looks and the "how could you like it?!" questions. Now I couldn't care less. I like the Kardashians. After a hectic day doing assignments there is nothing more I like to do than sit down with a hot drink and watch the Kardashians. It's the kind of show you can watch and you don't have to think. Plus it's hilarious.

There has been one family member that has come into her own in the last year and that is none other than Kylie Jenner. Her make-up has been on point lately and has inspired me to attempt some new looks.






I've just been liking the way she has been accentuating her lips and doing big lashes. Of course I would never do these as an 'everyday' look but they are fun to try for a night out. I know her make-up tutorials have been doing the rounds lately and many people are sick of them..but I still like seeing em. Her lips have suddenly become quite voluptuous lately and despite her saying she simply overdraws them..you can't deny the before and after photos. Make-up can do wonders but there is only so much it can do.

Who are your current make-up inspirations?

Holly Xx