My Skincare Routine

Todays post is going to be on my skincare routine. I am a huge advocate for cleansing your skin everyday! I personally feel like I'm sooo dirty if I don't cleanse my skin, especially if I have a full face on.

I start off with the Simple Cleansing Wipes to remove my makeup as I tend to wear fairly heavy foundations during the day so I use this to take the base of my makeup off.

If I'm wearing heavy eye makeup, I use the Simple Eye Makeup Removing Cream. However, I don't do this too often because for everyday I never usually do heavy eye makeup.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish is the next step and this gets off the rest of my makeup. This stage also shocks me because you'd think the face wipe would take off all the base makeup but then there is still so much makeup on the muslin cloth!!

I go in for a second cleanse using Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm. This is becoming one of my favourites!!

Incase you're wondering about exfoliator, I exfoliate every other day or I find it too harsh on my skin. I will use the Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator.

I will tone my skin with the Simple Soothing toner. To be 100% honest, I don't know what a toner does!! 

Moisturising is one of my favourite steps, I don't know why but it just makes my skin feel sooo good! I use the Liz Earle Daily Moisturiser

Finally, I use Duac Once Daily Cream which is an acne cream that I've been prescribed by my doctor. This has changed my skin for the better, I very rarely get active breakouts anymore but I still suffer with scarring. If you have acne, you've gotta ask your doctor about this!!

Thank you for reading! If you use any of these products let me know down below!!
Love, Hannah x

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 Wipes

https://www.boots.com/en/Simple-Kind-To-Skin-Facial-Cleansing-Wipes-25-pack_784/

Eye Makeup Remover

https://www.boots.com/en/Simple-Kind-To-Eyes-Nourishing-Eye-Make-Up-Remover-Cream-100ml_954474/

Liz Earle

http://www.boots.com/en/Liz-Earle-Cleanse-Polish-Hot-Cloth-Cleanser-100ml_1546298/

Emma Hardie Balm

http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/brands/e/emma-hardie/moringa-cleansing-balm-super-size-MUK200013979.html

Liz Earle Exfoliator
http://uk.lizearle.com/gentle-face-exfoliator.html

Toner

http://www.boots.com/en/Simple-Kind-To-Skin-Soothing-Facial-Toner-200ml_1523/

Moisturiser

https://www.boots.com/en/Liz-Earle-Skin-Repair-Moisturiser-Light-50ml_1547830/

Why do I wear makeup?

The word 'makeup' has a lot of negative connotations 'You're only wearing makeup to impress the boys' If you wear a lot of makeup then 'OMG YOU MUST BE A SLUT!' If you don't wear makeup then 'OMG DO YOU THINK YOU'RE PERFECT?!' If you wear makeup you MUST be 'asking for it' and of course it's GOT to be your fault that that boy forced himself on you! That nude lip and that smokey eye was really your fault that boy couldn't keep his manhood in his pants!

Okay, this post isn't going to be full of sarcasm I promise. Jokes aside, I'm getting really fed up of these sort of views being put onto girls and boys who decide to put makeup on.

I enjoy makeup. End of story, I use makeup because I enjoy the artistic freedom you can have without limits and if it goes wrong, so what? wipe it off and start again. Makeup is an art, despite what some people may say I 100% will argue that makeup is an art. Makeup is more than just a a smudge of lipstick and a swipe of an eyeliner. Makeup requires skill and talents, just as it would to paint a picture. Makeup allows both boys and girls to express themselves however they want with no boundaries.

This photo highlights one of my biggest pet peeves! I DO NOT WEAR MY MAKEUP TO IMPRESS BOYS. I wear makeup because I enjoy it. Should I have to explain that to someone? Do you think I wake up an hour earlier than I need to and buy a £34 foundation just so I might just one day impress a boy that I probably couldn't care less about!!

I use makeup to boost my self confidence, I'm a strong believer that if you wake up every morning and there is something on your body that lowers how you feel about yourself and negatively impacts your self esteem, something that really gets you down. If you have the means to fix that or change that. Why not? Why not do something that makes you feel better about yourself? When I wake up and look in the mirror and see acne scarring all over my face and redness, why shouldn't I be allowed to cover that up if that will boost my self confidence?

Don't get me wrong, some people may use makeup to impress boys and some may use makeup to give off a certain impression about themselves but I for one, do not. Also, please don't read this and think I have a problem with people who don't wear makeup. Honestly, do whatever you want! You beat that face girl and if that isn't for you, you don't need too!!

So, to sum this post up. If someone was to ask me 'Why do you wear makeup?' my answer would be 'BECAUSE I F*CKING WANT TOO!!' Yes, I do want glittery eyelids and purple lips and I do want my highlight to blind you because I enjoy that.

I wanted to include this photo on the end just to say don't worry what others are doing, worry about yourself! You don't like the look of that blue sparkly lid, then don't do it!!

Top 3 Eyeshadow Palettes

In today's post I thought I would do a post on my top 3 eyeshadow palettes, I might make this into a series? I'm not sure yet though... Let me know down below if you do/don't want me to do this!

Tartelette in Bloom

 I purchased this back in August 2016 in Florida because I saw Eve Bennett mention it on her twitter and thought it looked absolutely gorgeous and this quickly became my absolute favourite everyday eyeshadow palette! I don't think I can even explain how gorgeous this palette is! It comes with mattes and shimmers and I think it's true love?!! 

I can't recommend this palette enough, the pigmentation is actually insane and they're so creamy and just gorgeous! Also, the packaging is stunning and it comes with a huge good quality mirror!  

Zoeva Cocoa Blends

This is a new palette in my collection, if you read my 'What I got for Christmas' you will know I got this this year and it's beautiful and it's such a good price! £18 for 12 absolutely stunning shades, the pigmentation is like nothing else! The shades are amazing and you can create day looks or more heavy looks, and they blend like a dream!

The only downside if I had to pick one, which doesn't really bother me but if I had to pick anything it would be the cardboard packaging, I'm personally not a huge fan of cardboard packaging because I find it can be damaged really easily.

Makeup Geek

I guess you could say I could be cheating with this one but it would be a crime not to include it!! I'm building up a Z palette of makeup geek shades and I just couldn't not mention it. I'm obsessed!!! They're such amazing quality for the price, the foiled shades are phenomenal because the pigmentation is something else! There is such a wide range of shades to pick from and I reach for this so frequently, especially for transition shades. I've gotta say the shimmers/foileds are the best!!

Thank you for reading, let me know if you've used any of these palettes or have any favourites you can recommend me!!
Love, Hannah x

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Tartelette in Bloom

http://www.sephora.com/tartelette-in-bloom-clay-eyeshadow-palette-P403812?keyword=tartelette%20in%20bloom&skuId=1775006&_requestid=1160405

Zoeva Cocoa Blends
http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/zoeva/cocoablendpalette/

Makeup Geek
http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/makeupgeek/eyeshadowpan/

http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/makeupgeek/foiledeyeshadowpan/

http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/makeupgeek/duochromeeyeshadowpan/

Graze Box Review

https://www.graze.com/uk/

I've recently started healthy eating and increasing my exercise after realising I've gained over a stone in the past year. I put my weight gain down to my snacking all the time, not healthy snacks at that!!

I decided to sign up to the Graze box as they do healthy boxes. These boxes cost £3.99 for four snacks and you can decide if they come every week, every two weeks or every four weeks. As a 16 year old with no job and trying to save for driving lessons, a car, insurance and petrol money I opted for the month one!

I got sent some discount codes etc which I will insert photos of here incase anyone is interested in getting some free boxes! You have to sign up using a card but you can redeem your free boxes and then cancel your membership if you would like!

RY6MPLKXP-  I also have this discount code which gives you the 1st, 5th and 10th box free and gives me £1.00 off so I'd highly appreciate it if you're going to sign up so please use this code if you want!

I ordered two boxes just to see what sort of things come in the boxes. I ordered a 'Light Box' and a 'Sugar Count Box', I love these two boxes sooo much I just ordered the 'Protein Box' as well.

The light box

The sugar count box

You can order one off boxes or reoccuring subscription boxes, I ordered the light one as reoccuring and the others as one off.

So far, I am seriously impressed!! I think the price for four big boxes is amazing and there are so many deals where you can get boxes for free and discounted etc so I don't see why you'd throw away the opportunity!

I loveeee the fact you can put in preferences when signing up and then you are given a huge list of all different snacks and you can decide if you'd want to try, like, love or bin!

I'm so happy that I've signed up, I think the price is amazing and well worth it, also shipping is free so that's also a bonus and it tastes AMAZING!!

Let me know if you've tried a graze box or if you're going too!
Love, Hannah x

Skincare Haul

One of my 2017 New Years resolution was to try out new skincare to change up my skincare routine for the new year. For the past 2 years I've been an avid Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish user. Liz Earle works amazing on my skin but I just wanted to change it up a bit. As an acne sufferer, I'm really keen on trying new products to see what works and what doesn't. So, I did some damage and can hear my debit card crying as I hit up Space NK and FeelUnique. 

I'm a true believer that spending more money on skincare can be *more* justified because it's sooo important to look after your skin.

Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm
I was lowkey hoping I'd hate this because it's so expensive!... but I'm loving it!

http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/brands/e/emma-hardie/moringa-cleansing-balm-super-size-MUK200013979.html

Ren Hot Cloth Cleanser

 http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/brands/r/ren/rose-centifolia-hot-cloth-cleanser-MUK200011937.html

La Roche-Posay Ultrafine Scrub

 http://www.feelunique.com/p/La-Roche-Posay-Physiological-Ultra-Fine-Scrub-50ml

I had to have a bit of Liz Earle in here!
Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser

 http://uk.lizearle.com/skin-repair-light-moisturiser-combination-oily.html

Ren Active 7 Eye Gel

http://www.lookfantastic.com/ren-complete-regime-kit-for-all-skin-types/11316716.html 

Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

http://www.lookfantastic.com/ren-complete-regime-kit-for-all-skin-types/11316716.html

Ren Daily Supplement Moisturising Cream

http://www.lookfantastic.com/ren-complete-regime-kit-for-all-skin-types/11316716.html

Ren Express Makeup Remover 

http://www.lookfantastic.com/ren-complete-regime-kit-for-all-skin-types/11316716.html

Caudalie Grape Water

http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/brands/c/caudalie/grape-water-MUS300023178.html

Ren was very popular in this skincare haul apparently, I really want to try the Sunday Riley Martian toner next, but very expensive!!

Hope you liked my first haul for my blog! Let me know if you have any of these products and whether you like them or not, I'm also up for doing a review if you want one!

Love, Hannah x

Top 5 Revision Tips

As I'm writing this, my mocks start in 2 days... is this procrastination at it's finest?

As I've grinned and beared my way through 23, yes, 23 GCSE exams and came out the other end with 1/2 decent grades (1A*, 6As, 6Bs) I feel as if I'm in a position to *attempt* to give some tips which I used when revising.

1) The obvious, don't revise the day before your exam.. 
You can't revise at 2am hunched over your desk surviving on redbull the day of the exam. As much as you may hope you can, you can't I'm afraid. Get as much revision done as early as possible.

2) Past papers are your best friend.
Okay, so if you're anything like me you HATE doing past papers but I can honestly say I think they made a huge difference in my exams and I'm so glad I did them. It gave me serious exam technique practise and came out the end of it with 2/3 of my chemistry exams with full marks. Also, do them in exam conditions- you won't help yourself copying the mark scheme!

3) Create a revision timetable
and stick to it!!! Try getrevising. I use it for all my timetables and it helps me manage my time so much better.

4) Work out your best learning style
What I mean by this is are you visual, aural (music), auditory, kinesthetic (physical). You can find this out by doing this quiz http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml. I find that I'm both visual and verbal- I love youtube videos and posters to revise from!
(Tactile is another name for physical)

5) Be organised
Organise your notes, your revision, folders etc. It'll be so much easier to find where everything is if you know where everything is, if you come to revise and your notes are all jumbled up and you're missing 1/2 of them it'll be a lot harder to do efficient revision.

Thanks for reading and good luck with the exams!
Love, Hannah x

My Christmas Eye Look

Hi guys,

I posted a picture of my makeup that I wore for Christmas on Twitter @blogbyhan (sorry, I had too!!) and posted a poll underneath asking if anyone was interested in the look. After the poll closed, the majority of people answered yes... so here goes!

All products I mentioned will be linked at the end of the post if you're interested.

The look I went for was a very red warm glittery eye, the glitter isn't showing up as much as I'd like in the pictures though.

1) Prime the lid with Urban Decay Primer Potion and set this with the Anastasia Banana Powder using the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush

2) Using Peaches and Cream first followed by Latte and Frappe by Makeup Geek with the RT Base Shadow Brush, I began to blend these through the crease as a transition colour.

Left - Right Peaches and Cream, Frappe, Latte

3) I reached into my Zoeva Cocoa Blends Palette and packed warm notes onto my lid using the Urban Decay brush that comes with the naked palette that has been sprayed with Fix+ by Mac just to intensify the pigment.

4) To me, it didn't look quite right so I got my Avon blending brush and used Substitute for Love and Freshly toasted to blend Warm Notes into the transition shades.

5) Once all the blending looked right, I began with the glitter, the most exciting part!! I used the Lit Cosmetics Glitter Base all over my lid and over where I placed Warm Notes and gently packed the Mac Reflects Rust Glitter over the top.

6) For the inner corner, I used Becca Champagne pop with the RT Accent brush.

Excuse the top part of the pan, it shattered so I tried to push it back together!

7) For Liner I used the ELF Cream Liner with the RT Fine Liner Brush to line the upper lashline and create a wing. In the waterline, I used the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil in Zero. For mascara, I used the NYX Lash Primer with Too Faced Better than Sex. 

That's all for todays post. Hope you like this post and like seeing how I did my eye makeup on Christmas! 

Don't forget to comment and I'll reply when I can :)

Love, Hannah x

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Products used:

Primer : http://www.urbandecay.co.uk/en_GB/eyes/eyeshadow-primer/eyeshadow-primer-potion/UD515.html

Anastasia Banana Powder: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/anastasia-contour-refills.html

Makeup Geek: http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/makeupgeek/eyeshadowpan/

Zoeva Cocoa Blends: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/zoeva-cocoa-blend-eyeshadow-palette.html

Mac Fix+: http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13825/32212/products/skincare/primers/
prep-prime-fix

Mac Glitter: http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13840/505/products/makeup/eyes/
shadow/glitter#/shade/Reflects_Rust

Lit Cosmetics Glitter Base: https://lit-cosmetics.myshopify.com/collections/clearly-liquid-glitter-base/products/clearly-liquid-glitter-base-4ml

Champagne Pop: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/becca-jaclyn-hill-shimmering-skin-perfector-poured-champagne-pop.html

ELF Liner: http://www.eyeslipsface.co.uk/studio/eyes/eyeliner/cream_eyeliner

UD Liner: http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_1
23932962099_-1

NYX Primer: http://www.boots.com/en/NYX-Professional-Makeup-Big-Loud-Lash-Primer_1783093/

Too Faced Better Than Sex: http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/pro
d_10701_10001_154614000099_-1

RT Brushes: http://www.superdrug.com/Real-Techniques/Real-Techniques-Eye-Makeup-Brush-Starter-Set/p/939658

Avon Brush (not the exact one, but similar): https://www.avon.uk.com/product/1516/