Beauty products I'm loving

 Even though I'm on a bit of a budget while I'm hunting for a job I've purchased a few items as I needed them for events and general usage. I love all of these products but I will give you my full honest opinion about them all as I always do. 

 These two products are my go-to items for my daily eye makeup. I needed a new mascara and the recently launched Maybelline Colossal Volume- Smoky eyes looked interesting so I tried it and it's my new favourite mascara as it adds volume without clumping. Maybelline's Colour Tattoo creamy eye shadow in the shade On-and-on bronze is perfect for day or evening wear and brings out my blue/green eye colour; it doesn't last for 24hours but it has good staying power and does not stay in the creases of your eyelid. 

 Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in the shade Lovesick is the perfect colour to brighten your look, I wore it to my boyfriend's graduation ceremony with a black and cream outfit. You can wear it sheer or darker for a really bold splash of colour but as it's a stain you do have to keep reapplying it. It smells like menthol too but only when you first apply it which was a little surprise. 

 I also purchased this moisturiser from ASOS called Steam Cream which smells like lavender but as a natural cream it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin, and it comes in a variety of collectible tins, I just love this Big Ben tin! 

 I'm tempted to get some more Revlon Lip Butters too as they're my favourite lipstick to wear and I might need certain shades for a halloween look soon. What lipstick do you recommend or advise against?

XOXO

Flame Eye Makeup Tutorial

 Recently I went to a Harry Potter themed party and I went dressed as my interpretation of Fawkes the Phoenix in a winged orange dress with flame eye makeup. I couldn't find many ways to create a flame or fire eye makeup look so I just did my own thing!

Products used for eyes: BeautyUK eye shadow collection number 2, Urban Decay glide-on eye pencil in Eldorado, Barry M glitter liquid eyeliner number 7, Barry M Shocking Pink lengthening mascara, Bourjois Liner Feutre felt-tip liner, Bourjois Volume Glamour Max mascara.

Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti.

Step 1: Use a gold glitter liquid eyeliner to draw flame outlines on the outer corner of your eyes.

Step 2: Line the inner corner of your eyes with a gold eye pencil.

Step 3: Use a yellow eye shadow and apply it to the inner half of your eyelid, top and bottom.

Step 4: Use an orange eye shadow and apply to the outer half of your eyelid, top and bottom.

Step 5: Use your orange eye shadow to fill in the flame shape you created earlier and a pink eye shadow to fill in the tips of the flames. 

Step 6: Use a pink mascara on your bottom row of eyelashes. 

Step 7: Apply black liquid liner to your upper eyelid.

Step 8: Curl your eyelashes and apply your favourite black mascara.

Step 9: Wear your orange lipstick and PARTY!

XOXO

Minimal Style

Minimal Style by lauren290591 featuring victorian boots

 I've been drawn to a more minimal style of fashion recently, maybe because I'm moving on with my life and I feel that everything should be fresh and new. Who knows? In an attempt to become more sophisticated I'm thinking about a wardrobe update in a minimal direction. I love the idea of having so many combinations of things to wear and the way that this style always seems to look cool and edgy. 

What do you think about minimal style? If you have any ideas about how to achieve this kind of look then let please let me know!

Lauren Loves ♥: Sophistication and elegance.

XOXO

What I got for my 21st birthday & haul

 As promised here are a few of the main presents I received for my 21st birthday, there are also things I got with my birthday money and some items I bought in general.

 So I don't have a photo of my birthday cake to share with you (which had candles with multi-coloured flames!) but here is a random item I bought recently. I love the sweet vanilla scent of this Yankee candle and it's just so relaxing and instantly makes me happy.

 My collection of rings were spilling everywhere so I bought myself this ultra cool zodiac/ palmistry hand ring holder and I also got an owl print trinket dish to hold my most worn earrings- both were from Urban Outfitters US online store. For my birthday I also had a Pandora bracelet which you can see closer here:

 From left to right: 1) My stack of books charm with the owl on the cover was a gift for graduating university. 2) The heart-shaped lock with dangling key was a present from my boyfriend for our 4 year anniversary. 3) The butterfly charm was a 21st birthday present. 4) The Gemini cameo was a 21st birthday present (yes I'm a Gemini). 5) I adore all things related to owls and this was a 21st birthday present. 6) I bought a Canon 600d camera with my birthday money and this camera charm so it would remind me of my 21st.

I'd wanted a studded bag for a while so I got this one with mixed studs from the US Urban Outfitters online store and the matching purse from Topshop.

 I got an Iphone 4 for my birthday and after a bit of searching for the perfect case I found this cute little sketched owl case on etsy.com!

 These are my most recent beauty purchases. I wear the Garnier BB Cream over moisturiser for extra hydration and blend with my fingers, it smells lovely and acts as a good primer. I then use my new foundation brush (the black one) and then the (orange) Barry M one which I got in Superdrug to apply foundation as the BB Cream doesn't give you very good coverage. 

 Soap and Glory's Extreme Plump lip gloss sure does work! The first time I used it my lips stayed plumper for hours afterwards but now it has a less noticeable effect after it initially tingles. I'd still use this on it's own or over another lip product for fuller lips as it works really well.

 I got this Umberto Giannini gloss mist to obviously add gloss to my hair which it doesn't really do but it does smell really nice and it makes my hair softer so it's still lovely to use. 

I got the Benefit Porefessional and Badgal Lash Mascara with Glamour magazine and while I'm still not too sure how to use the pore minimiser to its full effect the mascara is great for a quick application.

 The Beauty UK eye shadow palette was needed for costume makeup as I was going to some themed parties and I wanted bright colours. Although you have to apply the shadow heavily it really isn't bad for the price which I think was just under £4:

I also caved in to the pressure and finally bought an orange lipstick and a Revlon Lip Butter in one go! It isn't too harsh once you apply it and although it is hydrating I still wear the lip butter over lip balm:

 For my birthday I wore this triangular owl print blouse from ASOS:

 I also got a black crop top from ASOS and a soft t-shirt from Topshop:

 Hopefully you've enjoyed a look at what I've been buying and maybe have some ideas about what to get someone for their birthday if you need any! 

XOXO

GlossyBox May 2012 '1st Birthday' Edition

 During May I wasn't the only one celebrating their birthday- GlossyBox celebrated their first anniversary too! I was very happy when I opened my box and saw more goodies than usual.

 The body products I received were Noble Isle's Summer Rising Bath & Shower Gel and Neal's Yard Remedies' Rehydrating Rose Daily Moisture. Both do their jobs but I'm not fond of rose scented products and I much prefer my Body Shop products that are strawberry scented.

 I also got two perfume samples from Lolita Lempicka (Eau de Parfum & L'Eau en Blanc). Now, I haven't been overjoyed with most of the perfume samples I've had so far in my boxes but the sweetness of these perfumes is just me. I've loved Lolita Lempicka ever since I purchased the Eau de Parfum in the Paris Sephora and it also comes in a beautiful apple shaped bottle:

 The beauty products I received were Collection's Lasting Colour Gel Eyeliner in gold, which did not apply well with the brush that came in the box and is now being used as a cream eye shadow; and some fabulous False Eyelashes from Eldora which I can't wait to wear on a night out soon.

 As a bonus there was also a birthday balloon and a handy little mirror with the GlossyBox logo on it.

 I like having a box of surprise products every month but for £10 plus P&P when I am but a newly graduated student in need of a job and therefore money, I don't know how much longer I can live with this luxury. As I have a huge box full of products (made larger by the monthly GlossyBox contents) I've decided to stop subscribing as soon as I get enough points for my free box. Who knows, perhaps when I have my amazingly high-paid job that I'll completely love and will be given any day now (ha ha!) I will have used all my products up and will be able to afford the subscription again.

 What do you think I should do with my £10 each month instead of the GlossyBox subscription?

Lauren Loves ♥: Memories of Paris when I wear Lolita Lempicka perfume.

XOXO

What I've been up to in May

 May has come and gone so quickly! The reason I haven't been blogging is that I was working on my final essays for university, and all the stress was worth it now that I've got my degree.

 I also celebrated my 21st birthday in May, my cake even had candles with multicoloured flames! I'll do a big haul post soon to show you what I've been buying over May, including birthday presents in case you'd like ideas on what to get for somebody (or yourself).

 Until then, here's the outfit I wore on my birthday:

My 21st birthday outfit by lauren290591 featuring a models own nail polish

 Here's a sneak peek into my life during May, procrastinating, sunshine, Pimms & lemonade, and playing in the garden with my puppy Darcy and the hose!

Lauren Loves ♥: Sunny days.

XOXO

What I've Been Up To

 Just in case you're interested in my daily life then here's a little update. I've been taking my puppy Darcy to training classes and it's been loads of fun watching her play with the other puppies, usually she gets as much sleep as she can. She's a Bearded Collie and almost 5 months old, here she is sleeping on the sofa (naughty!) and on my slipper:

 I've also been swamped with uni work, making a Commonplace Book for Shakespeare studies and writing a 3000 word essay about Hardy. When I was writing my essay I found a little scribble in the back of a library book that I couldn't help agreeing with in the midst of essay stress:

 I spent a lovely weekend with my boyfriend when he came home from uni for a visit and we played the Angry Birds board game (which turned me into an angry bird), Scrabble and I ended up buying american candy like Twizzlers from an old fashioned sweet shop: 

 I've also been buying a few things so I'll do a little shopping haul post soon if you're interested in seeing what I've purchased. I read The Hunger Games Trilogy not too long ago and I can't wait to see it come to life when the film comes out soon, let me know if you're looking forward to the film like me!

Lauren Loves ♥: Candy and work-free weekends!

XOXO

The Versatile Blogger Award

 It always shocks me when I find out people have actually read my blog, so getting an award was a lovely surprise! First of all I’d like to thank Becca for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award and you can check out her blog at http://lifeandtimesof-becca.blogspot.com/

There are 3 rules:

1. Thank the person that nominated you, and give them a shout out on your blog with a link to theirs.

2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.

3. Send on the award to 15 other bloggers whose blog you love and appreciate and then let them know they won the award.

Here are the 7 random facts about me:

1. I used to be a ballerina, when I was younger I was a sugar plum fairy in a production of Sleeping Beauty.

2. I named the family puppy Darcy after Mr Darcy because I love Austen novels.

3. I am so rock. I have Grade 2 piano and Grade 3 violin skills.

4. I was named after Lauren Bacall.

5. My boyfriend Ryan asked me out on Friday the 13^th. We’ve been going out for 3 years, 7 months and 3 days.

6. I love English but I have practically no idea what to do with the rest of my life once I finish university. All suggestions welcome!

7. I paid for two driving tests but I passed first time. The DSA majorly screwed me over. Sigh.

I’ll be sending this award on to the other bloggers too so they know they’ve won. If you’re still reading this thanks and do let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to include on my blog!

XOXO

Christmas Tag!

 Santa Claus is coming to town! Sorry that this is the most Christmassy Photo I seem to have right now, it's actually from last Christmas and random info for you: I named it the Death Chair. Because who doesn't want to sit on a wonky chair in the middle of a frozen canal? 

 Grab yourself a mulled wine or your preferred beverage and give my answers to the Christmas Tag a read:

1. Favourite christmas song:

Santa Baby. Most Christmas tunes put me in a festive mood though

 

2. Favourite christmas colour:

Glitter! Wait... is glitter a colour?

 

3. Favourite reindeer:

Rudolph the red nose reindeer, had a very shiny nose, I tried to remember, but he's the only one I know...s

 

4. Favourite christmas drink:

Snowball for alcoholic, and for non-alcoholic it has to be Hot Chocolate with marshmallows

5. Favourite christmas food:

The chocolates I will inevitably eat for breakfast. All Christmas food is awesome!

6. Favourite christmas films:

I would say The Snowman but it's too damn sad so: The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Grinch, Edward Scissorhands, A Christmas Carol and many others

7. Christmas eve or christmas day?

Christmas day

8. Favourite thing to do at christmas:

Watch all the festive TV shows/ films

9. Favourite christmas memory:

Ahh childhood memories of waking up at 4am and being told to wait until at least 6am for present opening and lying in bed for 2 hours waiting

10. Favourite christmas tradition:

Drinking Snowballs, eating chocolate oranges and setting the Christmas pudding on fire.

 Leave me a comment if you read this/ if you're going to do the Christmas Tag too!

Lauren Loves ♥: Not growing up and still getting excited for Christmas

XOXO

Birds of a Feather

 This weekend my boyfriend was at home and I had a lovely few days with him before he went back to university. We went to see Breaking Dawn, if anyone has seen it, how gross is the birth scene and how comical was it when Jacob first saw Renesmee's CGI face? We also went shopping, the items I purchased will follow shortly, and when I got home I found the ring I won in a competition and a letter from Charlie whose blog is http://www.new--romantic.blogspot.com/ and should shortly be changing to www.charlestownvintage.com, so thank you for my prize I really do love the bird's nest ring!

 I went to Bank and found this cozy boyfriend cardigan from Blonde + Blonde which is perfect as the weather has just turned chilly:

 As you may already know I have an obsession with owls and on my shopping travels I found a cute owl-shaped ring from Primark, which goes nicely with my wing ring and my new bird's nest ring!

 The nail polish I'm wearing is Nails Inc: Basil Street, and Model's Own: Garnet.

 I used to love Vanilla Coca Cola before they stopped selling it in the UK and I was stupidly happy to find this lip balm for £1 when I went shopping:

 So that was my weekend, what have you been up to? Feel free to leave me a link to your blog if you have one!


Lauren Loves ♥: Being cozy when the weather is cold.



XOXO