Positivity Wednesday #1

Hey,

I thought I would do a little series of positivity quotes. We all need a little boost once in a while and as I'm getting so close to the end of my course the stress and negativity is starting to show. 

(source)

Such a simple quote that can have so much meaning!  

Sarah x

D is for Dissertation!!

Hey,

As a 3rd year this is a scary word and is rarely said! Even writing this is making me feel stressed just thinking about it but I thought it would be the best time to do it as you will get a true insight into what it takes to do one! 

I have to do a 8000 word literature review. 

I had thought of my topic before coming into 3rd year as I knew I wanted to do something neonate based but this got changed due to not being able to narrow it down enough. I now have my topic and I'm crossing everything that I don't have to change it again. The one thing to remember when you do it is that every supervisor wants something slightly different so it's very difficult to talk about it with friends because their supervisor may want something done in a different way and it gets extremely confusing and you start doubting yourself.

It's all about pleasing your supervisor.

The longest part of this whole thing is getting all the information to write it and in my eyes is the most stressful but mine is finally starting to come together and with the first section of 500 words done its a massive weight lifted! 

The main thing with this is organisation; get yourself organised from the beginning!! 

This is something that takes up a lot of your life for 6 months so priorities your time well and before you know it will be done....I'm hoping!

Sarah x 

Makeup Bag Treasures!!

Hey, 

Over the past few months I have been experimenting with products; finding out what I like and what I don't and making my everyday makeup bag full of products I would be happy to see when I'm in a rush. When I say rush I mean when I have slept to much and I'm going to have to sacrifice something to get out the door on time!

Base - I have tried so many primers it's ridiculous, but I think I have found one which I will be repurchasing time and time again. The No7 Beautifully Matte Base works a treat at keeping my oily skin at bay!

Foundation - I have picked Revlon ColorStay as my foundation for many reasons! The main one being I can miss out on powder. For someone with VERY oily skin but very sensitive this is my favourite. I never have time to do a full skincare routine in the morning so use cleansing wipes. I have been using hypoallergenic ones but still I'm red faced and this is just the right coverage to hide it in a hurry! 

Concealer - Collection Lasting Perfection every time! For no other reason than the coverage. 

Blush - Rimmel Lasting Finish Mono Blush. I love this blush as you can't really go wrong with it. I don't have time to be correcting clown cheeks when I have 2 minutes to get out the door. 

Brows - Now this isn't always used; it really depends on the time I have but if I was to open my bag in a hurry and I had time I want to see Makeup Revolutions Brow Kit. This is a great product and has everything I want in one place including a mirror to get up close so I can see what I'm doing. 

Eyeshadow - I wear eye shadow on a daily basis so to save hassle on choosing what to shade; I like them all in one place. This Makeup Revolution Salvation What You Waiting For palette is perfect with 18 shades to pick from and the stay power cant be faulted!

Mascara - My mascara has to be waterproof but I'm not a very loyal when it comes to mascara; I don't think I have ever actually repurchased a mascara straight after it has ran out! I'm currently using Maybelline Great Lash which is very good value for money! 

Powder and lip sticks are applied on the go

Sarah x

My Skincare Routine!

Now I'm one for trying new products when I have finished one so its not very often I will repurchase a product in the skincare department. Currently I think I may have found some real dems that will stay in my routine until I  need a switch up so I thought I will share with you what I'm currently using.

Both my morning and evening routines are pretty much the same other than how I cleanse my face. At night I really cleanse my face well with the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel for Oily Sensitive Skin (see what I thought of it in this post). I tend to cleanse once to remove my makeup and then a second time to make sure my face is squeaky clean. In the mornings I just use the Yes to Grapefruit Correct & Repair Brightening Facial Wipes (also spoke about here). 

I then use the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ which for my skin has worked its magic. My skin was quite spotty on the jaw line which I could never get rid of; now I have. This will stay in my routine until they take it off the shelf because I did go without it a few weeks back and I was getting the odd spot come back. I'm also one of them people who get spots when they are stressed and that has not been happening either so I have a very fond love for this skincare staple.

I then have two moisturisers. Good Things Manuka Honey Daily Moisturiser in the morning and Olay Double Action Night Cream for the evening. For me a moisturiser is a moisturiser and I'm sure I will wont to try something these before I think about buy these again but I do really like them; I just haven't seen them do anything that other ones I have tried have done.

Finally its the lips. For me one of the most important part of this routine is the lips because I wear lipstick on a daily basis but have very dry flaky lips (ew..). I'm currently using Blistex Intensive Moisturiser which is quite thick so is good at bedtime and the Elemis Loving Lips Quenching Lip Balm which I find works great in the morning just before I apply my lipstick.  

My eye makeup remover of choice is the Garnier Simply Essentials Soothing 2 in 1 Make-up Remover. I first tried this about a year ago and have since tried others but I just keep coming back to this one. I do only use it on the eyes as I don't like putting the oil all over my face but it works amazing on waterproof mascara as it brings it off in seconds.

Sarah x

My Thoughts on 3rd Year

Hey

I still get a funny feeling in my belly every time i think I'm in 3rd year. Everything about it is very surreal. I knew it wasn't going to be a walk in the park but golly me, I didn't realise it was going to be as challenging as it is. Or should I say sounds, as I have I'm only 3 weeks in!

Stressed?!
We had to go into university for a couple of hours before starting back full time, for what was like a introduction type lecture and golly me, I came out wanting to pull my hair out and that was before starting any proper seminars. All assignments are no less than 1500 words which doesn't seem much but I also need to do as much as my dissertation before starting placement as I possibly can, with an 2 exams thrown in there to make it that little bit more interesting.

Workload 
8000 word literature review (dissertation)
1500 assignment (reflection)
1500 assignment (reflect on learning plan)
Maths exam
Partially seen exam (2.5 hours)
2 placements (12 weeks each)

I can now start to see the end of what has been a stressful but enjoyable 3 years. I don't feel ready to qualify so the feeling is quite scary.

Sarah x

This Month I've Been Loving - September '14

I haven't done one of these for what feels like forever but these are just what I have been loving this month in the beauty department.

Makeup Revolution Eye Shadow Palettes (first link here) (second link here) - I have purchased both of these this month and love them dearly. The first one I picked up was their Salvation palette in What You Waiting For?. This is made up of 18 neural shades; 12 shimmer and 6 matte. The second is their Redemption palette in Iconic 3 which is meant to be the dupe for Urban Decays Naked 3 palette. These shadows just apply to the eye with easy, blend well and stay put all day. Winner for me.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifing Foaming Gel (link here) - This is a magic potion in a bottle for me. I have very sensitive skin but it is also quite oily. Most of the products I have come across in the past that target oily skin cause my skin to become angry looking and very sore. I came across this product when I wanted to try something a little higher in the drugstore price range and I'm so glad I paid what I did. I use this mainly at night and whenever I'm in the shower. As it is free of all the nasties it helps my oily skin while making my skin soft without upsetting it. Love, love, love!  

Yes to Grapefruit Correct & Repair Brightening Facial Wipes (link here)- I cant remember whose YouTube video I was watching but these were lovely wipes were mentioned and I remember thinking to myself 'I must pick some of these up' and are now currently playing a big part in my morning skincare routine. They make my skin so soft and ready for the day that I now think these may be a permanent staple in skincare cupboard.

Hair Bun Accessory - Now I cant find this on their website but its from H&M for £2.99 if anyone wants to grab one. I have used this every day since I have had it because I'm quite lazy when it comes to my hair and the quicker its done the better. I came across this when I was in the queue to buy something else and thought 'what the hell is this' . It came with picture instructions which showed that it was for a bun so put it in my basket. I have really long hair which means when I used a normal bun ring I have a load of hair I have to wrap around which I hate; this stops that. You basically put your hair up in a normal pony then thread it through the gap in the middle, spread it and roll it up then bend it into a bun shape like i have done in the picture. Takes 2 mins and uses like 2-3 bobby pins! What a dream!

Sarah x