Christmas makeup look

Well hello to you my reader chums! The week before Christmas has finally arrived; with the glitzy Christmas trees, wrapped up gifts and classic carols on repeat, I wanted to share my favourite festive makeup look. Like this week, there will be many family dos, work events and gal pal meetups, I hope this makeup look gives you a little inspiration.

Whether you're not sure about your Christmas makeup or looking for inspiration, here are the products I used for my Christmas makeup look.

Christmas makeup up look tutorial

Base makeup products

After my morning skincare routine, I applied L'oreal's 'infallible primer' to ensure my makeup lasted all day long. For foundation, I mixed two of Revlon's colour stay shades together (110 and 180) as I find that's the most suited colour for my skin. I used Rimmel's 'wake me up concealer' to brighten up under the eyes and the 'Naked' concealer by Urban Decay to cover any obvious blemishes. To set, Rimmel's trusty 'stay matte' powder does the trick.

Christmas makeup up look tutorial

Contour and highlight 

Even though Christmas time is more about rosy cheeks, I prefer to rock the bronzed look. My favourite and go-to for any occasion is Benefit's 'Hoola bronzer' as it's the perfect shade to achieve those desired chiselled cheekbones. The highlighting palette is Sleek's 'Cleopatra' where I used the two bottom shades to get that golden festive sparkle.

Eyebrows and shadows 

My brows are a medium colour brown that I find Sleek's eyebrow kit in 'light' is the perfect shade. Its wax holds the colour pigment to my brows all day long that I couldn't fault it. On the eyes, I used a cream eye shadow from Revlon and Tarte's 'tartelette in the bloom palette'. I applied 'flower child' as a base and run 'smart pants' through the crease of the eye. I then took 'funny girl' all over the lid and inner corner. To darken the eye, I used a blend of 'rebel' and 'leader' on the outer corners as well as taking it under the eye. These two shades have a gorgeous red undertone that gives the eyes that extra festive flair. I used Kat Von D's liquid liner and coated my lashes with Maybelline's 'Lash sensational'.

Christmas makeup up look inspiration

Lipstick

No Christmas look is complete without a red lip and my go-to has to be the classic Mac's 'Russian Red'. With its matte formulation, long-lasting power and medium red shade, it's the perfect colour for a Christmas celebration. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. What is your go-to Christmas makeup look?

Thank you for reading <3

November favourites

Well hello to you my reader chums! With November officially over and the festive season truly amongst us, it's time to share with you everything I've been loving over the past month.

Whether you're searching for the best full coverage concealer or a new bronzer, here are my November favourites. 

November favourites

Urban Decay's Naked concealer in 'light warm'

I've raved about the Naked concealer for a while now but wanted to feature it again this month. Out of all the concealers I've tried, it's my favourite in terms of coverage. If you've got a massive blemish or dark circles you'd like to cover, this is the concealer for you. The Naked concealer's coverage is faultless, the consistency is thick meaning you don't need a lot and it lasts forever. Its shade 'light warm' suits me perfectly and with the yellow undertone, it helps cover a variety of blemishes easily. View the full review here.

Maybelline's master sculpt bronzer

Bronzers have to be my favourite face product because since I have quite fair skin and a round face, they do just what I need. For an everyday use, I've been loving Maybelline's master sculpt bronzer. It's one of the best drugstore bronzers I've tried! The bronzer is completely matte, perfect for contouring the skin and an all over bronze, without giving that summer shimmer but still the warmth you'd like. It's got a slight orange undertone but nothing too prominent that you're still able to contour a lot without the bronzer looking too cakey on the skin. Also, it comes with a highlight, offering two products in one! It's not the most glittery highlight, however perfect for an everyday subtle glow.

November favourites

Mac's matte lipstick in 'Russian Red'

The red lipstick season is back and there's nothing more exciting than rocking a festive lip. My ultimate favourite at this time of year is Mac's Russian Red. With the perfect matte formulation, pigmentation and medium red shade, I've been reaching for it a lot. It can last all day long and doesn't leave the lips feeling dry, I couldn't recommend it enough. If you need some festive lip inspiration, here's my top 4.

Furry denim jacket

I have a lot of jackets; they're one of those clothing pieces which I feel you can always buy more of. As the seasons change, it's something you change up with all your outfits especially in autumn/winter time. If you follow me on Instagram, then you'd know I've been obsessed with this furry denim jacket from Primark. It was only £20 and has been one of my best investments this autumn! You can pair it with black jeans, skirts or over a dress, it's very versatile. And, even though it's a denim jacket, the fur makes it that extra bit warm for the chilly autumn weather.

I hope you enjoyed this favourites post. Which products have you been loving this month?

Thank you for reading <3

The best Christmas markets in Kent and London

Well hello to you my reader chums! The festive season has arrived with classic carols, Christmas décor at every turn and of course, the excitement the Christmas markets bring. One of my favourite things about Christmas time are their markets; I love the heart-warming atmosphere, quirky stalls and most importantly, the street food!

The weekend just gone, I visited Leeds Castle Christmas markets in Maidstone and the famous Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, London. Here's a look at what I got up to...

I have annual passes to Leeds Castle in Maidstone as it's one of the biggest landmarks near us and I'm able to visit it often. This comes in handy when events like this are on if we'd like a nice stroll or even a picnic in the summertime. From the last weekend of November to the weekend before Christmas, Leeds Castle put on their Christmas markets. As I'm a sucker for all things festive markets, I couldn't wait to see what was in store.

Leeds Castle Christmas Market, Maidstone Kent

Leeds castle christmas markets maidstone

I went to Cologne, Germany last year for their markets and Leeds Castle was like a mini version of that with all the festive cheer. With lit up stalls featuring trinkets to handbags, delicious street food, rides and blaring Christmas tunes, you couldn't help but feel festive. There was also an area to meet the reindeers and even a few owls - something I didn't expect.

Leeds Castle thought of everything; its Christmas tree glistened in the night sky with children's laughter and festive songs filling the air as you strolled by.

Leeds castle christmas markets maidstone

Leeds castle christmas markets maidstone

My favourite part was the stalls; when it comes to markets, you always find little unique items, that aren't usually sold in typical high street shops. From wooden tree decorations, personalised key rings to handmade accessories, it's a fab place to pick up some quirky stocking fillers. The Ferris wheel and spinning swing ride were also my highlights - we had such a laugh.

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland London

I ventured down to Winter Wonderland with a few of my best pals. We're all big London fans but I hadn't actually been to Winter Wonderland before that day and wasn't too sure what to expect. After a bit of lunch, we made our way down to Hyde Park for a lot of Christmas fun.

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland stalls  London

Winter Wonderland was huge and ever so magical! Packed with sparkling Christmas stalls, jaw-dropping rides, live music and food places, there was plenty to feast your eyes on.

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland London

We spent a while mooching about and soaking in the Christmas atmosphere. As it was a Monday, the place wasn't that crowded which was a bonus because we were able to explore without getting pushed around. 

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland pancakes

The food scene was my favourite part - I love walking past stalls and taking in the scents of all different street foods. The best option had to be Nutella Dutch pancakes, probably the most delicious yet sickly choice. If you head to Winter Wonderland - put these at the top of your list! 

Ice skating at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

The stalls were very similar to Leeds Castle with quirky Christmas ornaments, leather bags, candles and all small stocking style gifts but there were a lot more on offer. Hyde Park is massive and the stalls definitely filled up a good chunk of it. 

The decorations had to be a highlight - I just love anything super festive! With ropes of glitzy lights, flashing lights and Christmas trees, it makes for a candid Christmas card shot.

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

We had a fab time altogether, playing games, drinking hot chocolate and chatting as we mooched about the stalls; a day that got us all in the Christmas spirit!

Tips before heading to Winter Wonderland, London

  • Book activities like ice skating in advance to avoid disappointment on the day
  • Rides can be very expensive so I'd recommend picking a few of your favourites, otherwise, they can add up quickly
  • Most things will require cash so bring that with you, otherwise, you'll have to pay to use their cash machines on site
  • Go on a weekday if you can to avoid large crowds

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

I hope you enjoyed this festive post! Which Christmas markets have you visited this year?

Thank you for reading <3



5 ways to care for your mental health this winter

Well hello to you my reader chums! At the time of year with the dreary weather and Christmas shopping craze, life can get a bit hectic with not enough time to focus on us. With that in mind, it's a period where a little bit of self-care goes a long way and the time to look after your mental health is even more important.

Whether you suffer from a mental health condition or really struggle with the wintertime, here are my 5 best tips on how to care for your mental health.

caring for your mental health

Go for a walk 

Exercise is an activity that naturally relieves the mind, allowing your body to breathe in the fresh air and get all that blood pumping round. By stepping away from your home or the workplace for a short stroll, it can clear the mind and help you feel that little bit better. My favourite spots for a walk to calm down are country lanes or by the coast. There's nothing more soothing than the quiet sound of the countryside or the waves slowly drifting by. The beach is my happy place and I always find it can put my mind at ease.

Write a list 

When I have a million tasks to do in my mind, I  find that writing them down will instantly take some weight off my shoulders. Once all the tasks are on a list, I can organise and tick them off one by one, which in turn is not only satisfying but takes a few things off your mind bit, by bit.

Have a bath 

I'm a bit of Lush cosmetics addict, so I'll always find an excuse for a bath. When I'm feeling low or my anxiety kicks in, a bath can really do the trick in helping me feel that little bit better. Lying there in the peace and quiet with beautiful scents of your bubble bath lingering in the air is ever so soothing. I also love to watch YouTube or listen to music during my baths to unwind that little bit more.

Distract yourself with your favourite film

Everybody has that one film that really means something to them so if you're not feeling yourself, switch that on and enjoy. My favourite childhood film is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory that every time I hear the theme tune, I can't help but smile. It's one of those films I can recite easily. Other heart-warming films that make me laugh out loud include The Other Woman, Pitch Perfect and Bad Moms.

Do something you love 

When you're feeling under the weather or not just yourself, it's important to do things that you enjoy, to boost your spirit. Whether that's writing, reading, trying out a new recipe, drawing or a good old fashioned bit of retail therapy, you deserve that you time. A little shopping splurge or indulgent cake you've made will give you that little burst of self care you need.


I hope you enjoyed this post. What are your tips to care for your mental health?

Thank you for reading <3