The Procrastinating Beauty Blogger Tag

Hello again fabulous followers :)

Yesterday, the lovely Katie from Oh To Feel Pretty (Which she is! P.S. her latest Rainbow Eyes post is bloody amazing!

 

The Rules:

1. Thank the tagger and link them in the post. 

2. State that this tag was created by The Beau Bow (www.thebeaubow.blogspot.com).

3. Copy and paste the rules.

4. Tag some more beauty bloggers and link them to the post.

5. Title this The Procrastinating Beauty Blogger Post so bloggers know what the post is about.

6. Have fun! :)

1. Name a beauty regime that you rarely do.

Self tanning. I live in Scotland with red hair; if I get fake-tanning wrong then I risk looking like an Oompa Loompa. Eh... NAW!

2. Is washing your makeup brushes something you do regularly?

Usually once a week, unless I'm travelling a lot. Then less frequently (I know, yuck.)

3. How long will you last with chipped nail polish?

Hours. I can't stand it, I have to chip it off.

4. How long do you put off buying/replacing a beauty or nail polish product even if you need it (i.e. purchasing a new top coat, foundation etc)?

I can't wait long to replace anything at all. Usually if a product's about to run out then I start to look for a back-up or buy a replacement. I'm a bit OCD about making sure I'm well-stocked, lest the world should end and I don't have enough moisturiser, y'know?

5. What is your worst beauty habit?

Drinking alcohol probably. But I like my nice wines/gins/ciders way too much unfortunately...

6. Name something non-beauty related that you put off doing all the time?

House-work. I hate house-work. Sometimes it's all I do at work, so you can't really blame me for steering clear of it at home.

7. When going out somewhere, do you leave getting ready until the last minute or not?

Not really, I tend to get ready at a very leisurely pace. Shower, sit with a cuppa, make-up, sit with a cuppa, hair, sit with a cuppa, etc etc.

8. Can you commit to spending bans? 

I think so, I just need a little more discipline sometimes.

9. How organised is your makeup and nail collection?

Pfft it's haphazardly thrown either into a tower of drawers or into the vanity case I got for Christmas. Maybe when I move I will organise things a little more...

10. What is the longest amount of time you have gone without writing a blog post?

A week, maybe more? Sometimes I am genuinely too busy with work and trying to catch up with people.

As you will be aware if you are an avid reader of my blog, I am bone idle and never tag folk in these kind of posts. So if you want to do this tag, I tag you! Yaaay!

Christina xo

A Triple Threat Liebster Award!

An awesome thing happened this week - I got nominated for a Liebster award... THREE TIMES! I was very honoured to receive these nominations from the lovely ladies Katie (of Oh To Feel Pretty fame), Bellissima Beauty and Catriona Louise from Sitting Under the Apple Tree, so in the spirit of doubles - I'm going to do a double whammy: I will give 33 random facts about myself, answer the questions from each blogger and then set my own 11. Aren't you lucky people! :P

The rules are:

• Each person must post 11 (33) things about themselves

• Answer the questions that the nominator set for you, plus create 11 questions for the people that you've nominated to answer

• Nominate 11 other people and link them to your post.

• Go to their page and tell them.

• No tag backs! 

And so, to my 33 facts!

1. I used to be an Irish Dancer - I wasn't a world champ or anything but I was pretty good. I hated the fake tans and the wigs though...

2. I can play the flute.

3.Apparently I don't sound Glaswegian, even though I'm from Glasgow. If someone could tell me what I'm meant to sound like that would be much appreciated...

4. I'm a bit of an Xbox fiend; my favourite games are the Mass Effect series ("I'm Commander Shepard and this is my favourite blog on the internet." :P)

5. I have never camped. And I never will. 

6. I once went speed-dating and it was a brilliant night. I had so much fun and got a date! Turned out to be an arse, but still...

7. My musical guilty (sorry, not sorry!) pleasure has to be Ke$ha...

8. I have two degrees: an undergraduate Masters in English Language (i.e. Linguistics) and Literature and a PGDE in Secondary Teaching (English). I haz a smarts :P

9. My undergraduate dissertation was on Zadie Smith, Monica Ali and how their novels symbolised a move from postcolonial literature into "Multicultural Literature", whilst still retaining some of the key themes and symbolisms that were used in postcolonial literature. Actually enjoyed writing it...

10. My favourite poets are Edwin Morgan and Dylan Thomas.

11. My alcoholic drink of choice would be gin. Except Gordon's. That shite tastes nasty.

12. My favourite bands are Runrig, Idlewild, Less than Jake, Queen and Thin Lizzy.

13. My favourite solo artists are Joshua Radin, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, and Ludovico Einaudi.

14. I get on terrifyingly well with my parents. Most people seem to have had years of arguing and tantrums in their teens but I never had that. Meh.

15. I have slight fear of ladders - it's the fear of falling off them. 

16. My pet hate when reading a blog is poor grammar. Take note.

17. I hate saying the word 'moist'. *shudders*

18. My favourite city to visit is Barcelona. It is such a visually stunning city!

19. I'm a city kid, and the thought of living in the country does not appeal in the slightest. I feel like I'm trapped in rural hell in Kirkcaldy and it's a huge town with 50,000 people for goodness sake!

20. I can't drive and have no intention of learning. I have no need of a car, I definitely won't need one once I move back to Glasgow (there is never anywhere to park so what's the point?) and I've witnessed too many car accidents to ever want to learn.

21. I might be Scottish, but I hate ceilidhs. If I wanted to watch lots of English people tripping over their own feet, I would go and watch an England footy match.

22. One of my ambitions in life is to throw a steak at Morrissey during one of his "Meat is Murder" rants, just because I'd like to see how he'd react.

23. I hate Starbucks and Amazon, for the simple fact they don't pay taxes. Pay up tight-wads!

24. I hate wearing jeans and I feel much more comfortable wearing dresses.

25. My all-time favourite TV show would have to be "The O.C." - "You're talking to a boat, Seth." "Yeah, I talk to a plastic horse, too. But that never worries anyone."

26. I am crap at doing house-work. 

27. I do not understand the trend for Geek t-shirts that's lurking around the high street. I have yet to see someone who is actually a geek in the true sense of the word actually wearing those shirts.

28. My favourite foods are calamare, steak and bacon. If I could have all of these in a meal that would be amazing.

29. My favourite thing to bake is blueberry muffins. 

30. I love tea, all different kinds. At the moment, my favourite is Twinings Cranberry Green Tea. 

31. I'm getting into my anime; at the moment I'm enjoying Ghost in the Shell. 

32. I love watching Adventure Time - the cutest cartoon ever!

33. I love owls. I had a falconry lesson for my 21st birthday and I would love to do it again!

Me with a European Eagle Owl... I think...

And now to the questions!

Bellissima Beauty

 1)Why did you start blogging?

I started because I needed somewhere to talk about some of the horribleness I felt after deciding to leave teaching. After a while, it evolved into a beauty blog and the rest is history.

2)What's your all time favorite movie?

Up. I cry solidly during the opening montage but I love it. I am banned from watching it too often because of how much I cry through it :P

3) What was the first beauty product you ever bought?

I think it was a purple Glitter Babes nail polish from Boots. Do they still exist?

 4)What is your job/what are you studying in school or college?

I'm a support worker for adults with autism, working for a charity called Scottish Autism. Check out our website and the work we do :) www.scottishautism.org

5)What's your favorite song at the minute?

Warrior by Ke$ha - total guilty (not really) pleasure but love the lyrics "We were born to break the doors down and fight until the end, it's something that's inside of us, it's how we've always been."

6)Who is your favorite blogger?

My favourite blogger is my friend Claire. Eyelining Obsessions is full of her honest reviews and her witty take on life!

7)Are you a summer or winter person?

Summer, at the moment winter is annoying me. 

8)What perks you up when you're in a bad mood?

  Brace yourself for the twee overload... A cuddle from my boyfriend. (bleurgh)

9)Do you sing to yourself in the car/shower?

Not in the shower, but in the bath yes.

10)What TV show do you love?

At the moment I'm loving Ripper Street :)

11)What's your favorite thing about yourself?

Again, brace yourself for a mushy moment: My capacity for caring. I worry about people, I help anywhere I can and I care deeply about my family, friends, boyfriend, colleagues and the adults I care for too.  

Katie's Questions: 

1. What's your biggest beauty sin?
   Forgetting to take my make-up off when I'm drunk. I am terrible for that!

1. If you had to eat at one restaurant/eatery once a week for the next year which would you pick?
   Velvet Elvis/Criterion in Glasgow's West End - Technically it's two gastro-pubs that are owned by the same people and share a kitchen. But hey, it means plenty of choice :P

1. Favourite movie you saw in 2012? 
   Probably Batman: A Dark Knight Rises. I don't really enjoy the cinema much to be honest. 

1. If you could look like any celebrity who would you pick?
   Christina Hendricks - she is genuinely the most beautiful woman ever!

1. Which beauty products are top five on your wish list?
   Lancome Genefique, Dior BB Cream, Omorovicza's Deep Cleansing Mask, Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua and MAC lipstick in Chatterbox.

1. What's your favourite place in the world?
   Glasgow on a sunny afternoon, sitting outside Bar West, in the Templeton Carpet Factory with an ice-cold stein of St Mungo's lager. Yum!

1. If you could go on holiday to anywhere in the world where would you most like to go?
   Necker Island - the island owned by Richard Branson. Apparently you can hire it out, but I don't imagine it'll be cheap...

1. Favourite name for a boy?
   Ruaridh - have to love a good, strong Gaelic name. 

1. Favourite name for a girl?
   I might sound vain, but I kinda like my own name, Christina!

1. Do you own any complete boxsets of TV shows or movie series? Which ones?
   I own all season of "The O.C." - I think that's about it...

1. Zombies, Werewolves, Vampires or Witches?

          None of the above to be honest...

Catriona's Questions: 

1. What was the first blog you ever read?

It was my friend Claire's blog, Eyelining Obsessions. 
 
2. Your favourite ice cream flavour? 

Mint chocolate chip :)

3. Favourite shop on the high street?

Probably New Look :) always finding pretty dresses there, much to the dismay of my bank balance!
 
4. Do you own anything designer?

I own plenty of designer make-up, mainly from Chanel but I don't own any clothes or handbags that are designer.
 
5. Do you have a pet? (Adorable pictures earn brownie points, hehe)

I wish! Closest I have to a pet is Kris' dad's little Jack Russell, Tanya. She's lovely :) 

 
6. What's your dream home like?

I have an exact address in mind: Lancefield Quay in Glasgow. There's a block of flats right next to the river and the penthouse is incredible. Over two floors, and its living area has 3 of 4 walls made of glass. Stunning - here's one of the other flats to give you an idea.
 
7. Which of the main cities in the world is your favourite? (Paris, London, New York, Rome etc.)

I've only ever been to London, but I would love to visit Paris and New York. 
 
8. Do you have any siblings?

I have a little brother, Andrew. I say little, he's been taller than me since he was 13. He'll be 20 in May (fuck that makes me feel old...)

 That's me and Andrew just before Christmas :P
 
9. Favourite colour?

Purple. 
 
10. What was your first blog post about?

It was about how I felt after leaving teaching, and how much anxiety I had to deal with. It's not a nice read, otherwise I would link it. 
 
11. And finally, have you ever met anybody famous?

Quite a few. I met Baron Attenborough at a hotel in Glasgow (I was 2 and he told my dad he thought I was beautiful, aww!), I've met various bands and musicians. Quite a few folk actually, but I don't want to name-drop and sound like a douche!

Phew! All done. I know at this point I am meant to tag more people to complete this award, but instead I'm just going to tag everyone who reads this! So enjoy, and if you feel like taking part, please do!

So here are my 11 questions:

1. What was the highlight of 2012 for you?
2. What is the one item of clothing you could not live without?
3. Who would play you in a movie of your life?
4. What's the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
5. How old were you when you started wearing make-up?
6. If you had to eat one type of cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
7. What's your favourite thing about your hometown?
8. What is your first memory?
9. What is your dream job?
10. Best holiday you've ever been on?
11. Who is your hero, and why?

Lots of love!

Christina xo

Tag! I'm it! (Again!)

I've been tagged once more, this time by the awesome Helen over at Beautifully Superfluous. The rules are:

THE RULES: 1. Answer the 11 Questions set for you. 2. Make up 11 Questions for the 11 people you tag. 3. Mention the blogger that tagged you.    So here I go, answering Helen's questions!
  1. What is your main blogging goal?    For this year, I would say to reach 100 followers on GFC, but in general, just for people to enjoy reading it. I've recently had some lovely feedback on my blog, and it's spurred me on to keep writing in my own style.   2. Do you have any pets and what are they called?    Sadly no. Kris is allergic to most long-hair animals, and we don't have the space and time to look after anything exotic. Would love to have a little Jack Russell though; Kris' dad has one called Tanya and we'd love a little tyke like her!

    Ain't she sweet!
3. Whats your favourite sweet thing to eat?    Chocolate muffins. Yum yum yum!   4. What's your favourite book called?    This has to be the worst question you could ask an English graduate. I'm going to have to pick 3 (make that 5): 1. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte 2. Lanark - Alasdair Gray 3. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (yes it's a play, but I read it first) - Tennessee Williams 4. Killing Yourself to Live - Chuck Klosterman. 5. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer.   5. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?   Glasgow. I'm a simple creature, I miss my home city.   6. What is your favourite beauty product and why?    Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara.I have yet to find another mascara that works as well for me :)   7. If you could only wear eye makeup or lip products for the rest of your life which one would you   choose?     Eyes - I couldn't exist without mascara. Literally, I look like a ghostie without eye make-up on!   Ooooooooo!    8. Whats your favourite piece of clothing and why?   At the moment, the navy cardigan I bought from Primark - you can see it in my haul post here! I wear it constantly -it's cosy and glam at the same time!   9. What's your favourite accessory and why?   The owl ring Kris gave me for Christmas. It's so pretty!

    10. Which do you prefer - McDonalds or KFC?     Neither - I'd rather go for some pub grub ta!   11. What is the one TV programme you just have to watch when it's on?
At the moment, Ripper Street. If you live outwith the UK and haven't heard of it, it's a period drama, set in 1889 around six months after the Jack the Ripper murders. It's about a team of police in Whitechapel trying to bring order to the streets after the the chaos of Jack the Ripper's reign of terror. I think it's really good, and it's just been given a 2nd series by the BBC, huzzah!!



And here are my 11 questions:

1. If you could only watch 1 film for the rest of your life, what would it be?
2. How would you celebrate your next birthday if money was no object?
3. What do you enjoy most about blogging?
4. What is your favourite shop and why?
5. What is your favourite restaurant and what's your favourite dish of theirs?
6. If you could live in any period in history, what would it be?
7. Do you have a sweet tooth, or do you prefer savoury snacks?
8. If you could use only 1 make-up item for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
9. What is your favourite animal?
10. What is your favourite photo?
11. What is your favourite blog?

I'm crap at thinking of folk to tag... so I tag everyone who reads this! Enjoy, and post the link to your answers in the comments if you do this!

Lots of love!

Christina xo

I've been tagged... Again...

The lovely Chloe over at "It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn" has tagged me, so I thought I'd answer the tag!

Rules:

Answer the 11 set questions, made by me :D 

Set 11 questions for the 11 people you tag to answer

Mention the blog who tagged you

1. What was the best moment of your life so far?

 

 Probably graduating first time around (I have 2 degrees!) Here's me on my graduation day, and in full Harry Potter style robes...

 

2. Which do you prefer, books or films? Why?

 

 Books. I'm an English graduate, remember? There's nothing better than reading a good (real) book. I like my Kindle but it just isn't the same.

 

3. Describe your perfect wardrobe.

 

 One with a Mulberry Bayswater, Hermes Birkin and a Chanel 2.55 in it :P Oh and lots of Louboutin shoes too...

 

4. Animation or real people?

 

 Animation, or anything by Pixar. So, so good!

 

5. What's your favourite high street store?

 

 Probably New Look, always has gorgeous dresses that I want and shouldn't really buy!

 

6. Who is your favourite super hero? Why?

 

Batman! I cannot get enough of Batman. He's just so bad-ass...

 

7. Which do you prefer, sandwiches or wraps?

 

 Sandwiches. Nothing beats a good bacon and fried egg butty :P

 

8. Describe your perfect world.

 

 One where bacon doesn't make you fat, all make-up costs £1 by law and Ben and Jerry's ice-cream is ridiculously expensive...

 

9. Do you have any pets?

 

 Nope, I used to have a guinea pig though. Would love a pet hedghog actually...

 

10. What are you looking to achieve this year? 

 

 Hopefully, a move back to Glasgow, for my blog to become better and to try to be healthier. This last part is failing miserably though, since I just went out for pancakes and a fry-up with my mum. Nom!

 

11. What would your last meal be on Earth should something awful happen?

 

Mushroom bruschetta, followed by Surf 'n' Turf Steak with chips from the Two Figs in Glasgow (their chips are so damn tasty y'see...) rounded off with a hot choc fudge brownie with Mackie's Raspberry ripple (Do they do a raspberry ripple? I hope so, their ice-cream is amazing!)

Right: now for my 11 questions:

1. What's your favourite thing about where you live?
2. What is your favourite TV show and why?

3.Where is your favourite place in the world?

4. If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be, why and what would you call it?

5. If you could make one law for the world, what would it be?

6. What is your favourite drink? Alcoholic or otherwise...

7.What's the one item of clothing or make-up that you just cannot live without?

8. If you won big on the Lottery, what would be the first thing you'd do?

9. What is your favourite memory of 2012?

10. Who would play you in a film about your life?
11. What's your favourite restaurant and your favourite dish from said restaurant?

I tag... everyone! I'm not big on picking people so I reckon everyone should have a go! :) Let me know if you do it and I'll come and have a read...

Christina xo

40 Questions - Beauty Tag

I do love a good tag! I saw this on Stacey's blog over at Journey of a Thousand Miles and thought I'd give it a go :)


SKINCARE

-How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice, because I'm a good little b-blogger!

-What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo) 
It's a combination of normal/oily but with a few cheeky dry patches here and there.

-What is your current facial wash?
Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser and I also use Clarins Water Purify One-Step Cleanser for removing make-up.

-Do you exfoliate?
Yes, I exfoliate every other day.

-What brand do you use?
For...exfoliating? Body Shop, quite a lot of my skincare comes from the Body Shop.

-What moisturiser do you use?
I use No.7 Moisturiser for Oily Skin. Can't mind the full title :P

-Do you have freckles?

I do indeed! Lucky me, my mum always mistakes them for smudges and tries to get them off... til she realises it's my skin.

-Do you use eye cream?
Yes, I use Body Shop's Elderflower Gel. So light and refreshing on the eyes :)

-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?


Not really, I had a few spots but I never had full-blown acne.

-Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
Nope... what's that?

 
MAKE-UP

-What foundation do you use?
I use a few, GOSH BB Cream, 17 Miracle Matte, Benefit's Hello Flawless, Dior Forever Flawless.

-How about concealer?
Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer.
 
-Do you know your undertone colour?
I think it's pink.
 
-What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I've only worn them once or twice. I don't mind them but I wouldn't use them often.
 
-Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes, but I never do, I'm a lazy blogger :P
 
-What brand of mascara do you use?
I use Max Factor and Benefit mainly, but I use quite a few different ones.
 
-Sephora or MAC?
MAC, I've never tried any Sephora. Would be nice though... *hint hint*
 
-Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
... Is it bad I have no idea what that is?

-What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
I use Real Techniques and ELF brushes.

-Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
I use either an MUA primer or I've just started using an Urban Decay one too.
 
-For the face?
I use either L'Oreal Studio Secrets, or Benefit's Porefessional.

-What is your favourite eyeshadow (colour or shade)?
I love a good green shade :)

-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Both!
 
-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Not at all actually, though now I've said that I probably will lol!
 
-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
If I had a more deft hand I'd be fine, but I find them a bit messy.
 
-Do you use mineral makeup?
No, I've been told I should though, but I hate mineral powder foundations.
 
-What is your favourite lipstick?
I love my Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet. It is my absolute favourite!

-How about lipgloss?
I'm loving my Stila Lip Glazes at the moment :)

-What is your favourite blush to use?
Benefit's Hervana.

-Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Never, I wouldn't mind though, but it's hard to check the quality and the validity of the product so that makes me wary...
 
-Do you like drugstore makeup?
Absolutely!

-Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
Nope, we don't have one of them in Fife.

-Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
Nope.
 
-Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Yes, particularly with eyeliner!
 
-Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Wearing the wrong foundation shade, going too dark. The Wotsit look is not a good one ladies...
 
-Do you like colourful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I love it! Would wear bright colours more often if I could.
 
-Which celebrity always has great make up?
Blake Lively. My god she is so beautiful!
 
-If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Primer. On the days I can't be bothered it's all I'll put on.

-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Yes, I do it all the time :)

-Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
You'd be better asking my boyfriend that :P

-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
For drug-store, MUA, for high-end I'd go for either Chanel or Benefit.

-What do you think of Makeup??
  I can't get enough of it! Love it love it love it!

If you want to do this tag, go forth and do it!

Christina xo

Christmas Tag

I've seen this Christmas tag floating around on a few blogs, so I thought I'd give it a try and get myself in the Christmas spirit (Always takes me a while... bah humbug :P)

This is my Christmas tree! (pic from last year, mine's isn't up yet)

1. What is your favorite part of the season?

  Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, because I can just relax with Kris' and my family (wherever we may be) and have a laugh, have a drink (or 12) and just recharge.

2. Which is your favorite Christmas song?

"Christmas, Baby Please Come Home." - covered by Anberlin, find it here :) Or "What's This?" from the Nightmare Before Christmas. Yeah I'm not a traditionalist, sorry!

3. When do you put your decorations up?

Around the 2nd week in December. I've always thought anything prior to that is too soon, especially now tha I work with autistic adults. Christmas is a big enough change of routine for someone with autism, so to build that up for weeks on end just strikes me as cruel.

4. Giving or receiving presents?

It's nice to receive, but I much prefer giving. Mainly because if I do say so myself, I'm usually pretty good at finding awesome gifts for people!

5. Favorite Christmas movie?

The Nightmare Before Christmas. Or possible Die Hard. Not the biggest fans of the regular twee-ness.

6. Snow or frosty mornings?

I love snow on days that I'm not working, because if I get snowed in at work, I'm screwed. It snowed while I was on night-shift last night and was literally terrified I'd be stuck there :P In general, snow.

7. Mince pies - love or hate?

I like mince pies, but I can only eat one or two, because I find them quite rich and sickly. 

8. If you could wish for one thing this Christmas, what would it be? 

That everyone has a good day really. That's about it :)

9. Farther Christmas or Santa clause?

Father Christmas. Sounds like someone who would look after you and keep you safe :) Whereas Santa Claus sounds like Sandy Claws and I think of Oogie Boogie. Not cool!

10. Going out with friends or staying in?

Both, I like being able to do a mixture of both in the run-up to Christmas. Though it usually entails me forking out to go home to Glasgow because no-one comes up to visit us in Fife (le boo!)

So there you go, feel free to try it yourself! Have a fab Christmas when it comes!

Christina xo

The Beauty Blogger's Tag

I am not much of a beauty blogger, but I like blogging about make-up and beauty and things, does that make sense?

With that in mind, I saw that Sophia of Tattooed Tealady fame created her own tag, so I thought I'd give it a go...

Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging for?

I started this blog last October, as a way to help me cope with the stress and anxiety I was feeling at the time. I used to teach, but I then realised it wasn't for me, and for a while I couldn't sleep, cried all the time and felt like I couldn't cope, so the blog helped me to vent a little bit. Over time it's morphed into a beauty blog, since I needed a place to talk about make-up, boys don't like talking about fluffy stuff like that...

Whose blog did you fall in love with first?

The first blog I fell in love with was my friend Claire's blog, Eyelining Obsessions. She is open, honest, and her recent posts on her cosmetic surgery have been brilliant, especially since quite a few bloggers I've read have been a bit sniffy on the subject of surgery (judgy-wudgies:P) 

What was the first blogosphere hyped about product you bought and was it worth the hype?

My first Sleek order was probably the first time I caved to the hype. I bought Original, Storm and PPQ palettes, and a Lip Paint (the much-hyped dupe for OCC Lip-Tars). And they were well worth the 3 weeks I had to wait until they arrived. My most recent caving was prbably buying a MAC lippie, again, worth it!

What are your favourite five things about blogging and being a beauty blogger?

1. I love the honesty of bloggers. It's the best way to get an honest opinion on a product. For the most part at least...

2. I love the fact that I've been introduced to so many different brands through writing and reading blogs, I'm becoming more aware of indie brands too.

3. I love the fact that most bloggers have twitter, and that they're all lovely to chat to and will often give you great advice if you ask politely :)

4. I've become more aware of offers and companies giving away samples or products via Facebook and Twitter. For example I was very lucky to win the chance to test 3 full-size products from Dainty Doll because I follow the Debenhams Beauty Club on Facebook. 

5. Most of all, I just like having my own space to be a bit girlie. Living with my boyfriend 60 miles away from the majority of my friends and family means I don't get the chance to be girly with my gal-pals too often, so the blog helps me vent that a little :)

What have you learnt from being a beauty blogger?

I've learned that just because something costs more doesn't necessarily mean it's better or will work for you, and that equally some of the cheapest make-up can be utterly amazing!

Have you changed anything since being a beauty blogger?

Yes, I'm now more aware of skincare and trying to take care of my skin. I also use brushes more in my make-up routine, and I now see the importance of keeping them clean too!

What advice would you give to a beauty blogger just starting out?

I am kinda just starting out myself ahaha! I think my advice would be to be honest, talk about what you like, what you think and don't feel like you should have to apologise for it. Also, get talking to other bloggers, they're lovely!

Name your top five brands!

For high-street make-up, it's MUA hands down, you just can't beat the prices and the quality. For designer make-up, my favourite is Chanel. I always feel that little bit classier when I have some Chanel make-up on!
For bath and body-care, I absolutely love Lush. The smells, the quality and the value, all are amazing.
I haven't found 1 skincare brand that I particularly love over all others yet, but for hair-care my 2 favourite brands are Aussie (great value, leave my hair in a great condition and smell great) and Bumble and Bumble (more pricey, but still great value and I want everything from their website!)

Recommend your top five favourite beauty products!

1. Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub.

2. Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Matte Lip Colour.

3. MUA Immaculate Collection.

4. Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara.

5. L'Oreal Studio Secrets Resurfacing Primer.

Tag other beauty bloggers to do this tag!

Anyone who wants to do this tag to be honest. Give it a go, go on go on go on!

Why Do You Wear Make-Up - Tag

I've seen this tag going round lots of blogs at the moment, so I thought I would try it, seeing as I love my tags at the moment!

Why do you wear make-up?

1. When did you begin loving make-up.

I'm not sure I started really loving it until very recently. My first experience with make-up was playing with Glitter Babes (Remember them? Do they even still exist?) nail polishes when I was about 8/9, but that was all my mum would let me buy. That and glittery body gel (Why Mum, why?). When I was 11/12, for our last primary school disco however, my mum agreed to let me wear a little eyeshadow, liner and mascara, but she applied it. Good thing too, would probably have looked like Coco the Clown if I'd tried it myself. I didn't really start wearing make-up regularly until I was about 14/15, but it's only really been in the last year or two that I've really begun getting excited about make-up and trying new things :) So I'd say I was about 22 when I first started to really love make-up. I know, late bloomer and all that...

2. How do you feel without make-up?

I honestly feel fine without make-up. I don't wear it a lot when I'm working, because working in a care job doesn't always lend itself well to maintaining yourself, as more often than not, I'm more preoccupied with what my service-user is doing rather than remembering to blot, powder and reapply lipstick! Mostly for work, all I do is: Skincare, blot, primer (seals in skincare and protects against the elements) and lip-balm, and maybe some tea-tree oil if I have a spot. My skin's pretty good despite its oiliness so I don't mind baring all when I head out!

3. What do you love about make-up?

I love its versatility mostly. You can use it to just enhance your natural beauty - like you, but better - or you can use it to dramatically alter how you look. You can be anyone you want to be!

I also love the fact that, like with many things, cheap doesn't necessarily equate to bad quality products, and expensive make-up isn't always that great. Sometimes it's more about what works for you personally.

The final thing I love about make-up is that it's a great leveller. You can have all the designer make-up in the world, but if you don't know how to apply it, then it's pointless. I've seen some budget beauty challenges that created amazing looks, and I've seen some designer make-up tutorials that looks awful. It doesn't matter what make-up you wear, just make it work for you :)

4. What are your 3 Holy Grail items?

1. L'Oreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer - £14.29 from here.

I've yet to try a better primer than this (P.S. this is a pretty good dupe for the Clarins Instant Touch Primer, and it's cheaper, score!). It mattifies, it minimses my huge pores, it makes my base last the whole day (bar touch ups on oily bits). I love it!

2. Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara - £10.99 from here.

This is my go-to mascara. I don't need much length, but I need volume and definition, which this gives in spades. I always have beautiful doll-like, voluminous lashes with this; it just works for me better than any other mascara I've tried. I like it better than Benefit's They're Real.

3. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in L'Exuberante - £25 (I paid £20.50 in Duty Free) from here.

I originally wanted a different shade, but when I swatched this as I passed through duty free, I fell in love. If you want to make one designer purchase in your life, make it a Chanel lipstick. It makes you feel like a goddess! If I feel a bit crap, I get glammed up, put this on, and I instantly feel better, like I can take on the world! I shall try to review it soon for you, and let you experience it in its full gorgeous glory!

Why do you wear make-up?

Christina xo

How Much is Your Face Worth? Part 1.

I've seen this tag swimming around on blogs for a while now. It's intriguing, because I've seen people who use as much as £300+ worth of make-up... for an everyday look (I know, WTF??). For me that seems a bit OTT, but that's just my opinion. I also read Sophia, a.k.a Tattooed Tea-Lady's version, where she did two looks - one where she used the cheapest but best quality products, and then another where she didn't care about the cost, and the difference in price was amazing! (You can read part 1 of that series here and part 2 here). Sophia's posts inspired me to do a similar version, so today I'm going to do my "work" face. Part 2 will be a "going out" look, and we'll see if there's a big difference... That should be up tomorrow, if not, tweet me and give me a kick up the arse to get it done :P

So... moving on to my face (why does that sound wrong??)

Sorry about the ghost-face, the best light I can find at the moment is the natural light from my living room window! So let's break down what I've used and how much:

FACE: 

L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer - £14.29
Stila One-Step Correct Serum - £24 * (Although I got this in the Selfridges box, still counting it, as the question is how much it is worth, NOT how much you paid.)
GOSH BB Cream - £9.99
Vichy Dermablend Concealer - Free Sample
Benefit Hervana Blusher - £23.50
ELF Studio Complexion Perfection - £3.75

EYES:

MUA Eye Primer - £2.50
MUA Dusk til Dawn Palette - £4.00
MUA Eye Pencil in Brown - £1.00
MUA EveryLash Mascara in Brown - £3.00
Eyeko Eyeliner in Pink - £9.50*
Benefit They're Real Mascara - £18.50
ELF Eyebrow Treat and Tame in Light - £3.75

LIPS:

Estelle and Thild Lip Balm - £14.00. * I normally would wear some sort of neutral lippie here too but my lips are still playing up a bit and I didn't want to inflict the horror on you lovely people!

Total worth: £131.78

Good Lord! I had no idea my face was worth so much. Out of fairness I've starred the products that came in beauty boxes and have mentioned where samples were used, but that still seems like so much! Kinda dreading doing a going-out face now, it'll seem crazily expensive compared to this now!! This is my usual work make-up look, very un-fussy, and very much about make-up being able to stay put on my face, as well as not clogging up the pores too much.

What are your thoughts? Do you think your daily make-up would add up to more, less or about the same? Let me know what you think!

Christina xo

What's a Liebster Award?

I was pootling about on my emails yesterday, and saw one telling me I'd received a comment from the lovely Chloe Leonard (http://chloeleonardmakeupartist.blogspot.co.uk/) telling me she'd nominated me for a Liebster Award. I have to admit my first reaction was WTF is a Liebster award? So I went and had a look at Chloe's (rather lovely) blog, and found out that the Liebster Award is a nomination for bloggers who are new to blogging and have less than 200 followers. The word "Liebster" means 'beloved' or 'dearest in German and it's a term of endearment. Thank you very much Chloe, glad you like my blog! Hopefully you all do, but it's nice for someone to say so!

In order to be able to accept the award and to be able to display the badge on your blog, you have to do the following:

1)  Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.

2)  They must answer the 11 questions the tagger has set for them.
3)  They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they tagged.
4)  They must then choose 11 bloggers to tag with less than 200 followers.
5)  These lucky bloggers must be told.
6)   There are no tag backs.

So here goes nothing...

11 Things about me :)

1) I'm a support worker for adults with autism spectrum disorders. Challenging job, but one I love! (I love it so much I'm abseiling down the Forth Rail Bridge to raise funds for the charity. Sponsor me here: http://www.justgiving.com/Christina-May)

2) I have 2 degrees from the University of Glasgow: A Master of Arts in English Languages and Literature and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching. I was only a teacher for 3 months before deciding I didn't like it!

3) My favourite writers are: Edwin Morgan, Alasdair Gray, Tennessee Williams and Oscar Wilde.

4) I used to be an Irish Dancer. Never wore the wigs though, or the fake-tan, which is why I never fitted in with the other dancers :P

5) I love Brewdog beers. I always pay a visit to the Glasgow branch when I'm home. Check them out http://www.brewdog.com/   Also if you're in the UK, watch Food Unwrapped on C4 and you'll see the Brewdog co-founders James and Martin, being themselves and generally taking the piss :P

6) My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 and a half years. And he's still as awesome and lovely as the first day we met (baaaaarf)

7) I'm a bit of a closet geek. I quite like Doctor Who, Torchwood, CSI, Ultimate Spiderman, Batman, Firefly/Serenity, Red Dwarf, House, and anything Batman.

8) I have a birth-mark on my back which looks a bit like a UFO.

9) I hate Ed Sheeran. He is awful. Compared to some of the extremely talented unsigned singer-songwriters I have seen over the years (and I've seen a lot), he is a little toad. 

10) My favourite singers at the moment are Joshua Radin and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. (aka Sam Duckworth). Both fabulous lads and brilliant musicians. Go check them out :) 

11) I love playing Xbox sometimes :)


11 Questions from Chloe Leonard:

1) What do you love most about the summer..?

Being able to sit outside with a cool drink (preferably a nice G&T). And that's about it, I'm not that big on the summer-time...

2) What's your favourite t.v show/movie..?

My favourite TV show has to be Gossip Girl, and my favourite movie would be Some Like it Hot. At least for now, I'm fickle and will probably change my mind in half an hour...

3) Who's your favourite you tube guru/ blogger and why..?

My favourite You-tube guru probably has to be Kandee Johnson, just because she's so full of energy and is always so happy. It's contagious :P my favourite blogger would have to be my friend Claire (http://eyeliningobsessions.blogspot.com) because she inspired me to start writing my own blog, she's honest, and she's just all-round lovely.

4) Who is your Celebrity crush..?

It used to be Johnny Depp (until my ex was mistaken for him in a pub by 2 well-known local actors, and caused a world-wide shit-storm with people thinking Johnny Depp was secretly partying in Scotland... Yes really. Apparently being too lazy to shave or get a hair-cut makes you look like Johnny Depp, who knew?) I think now my ultimate celebrity crush would have to be Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Mainly because he seems more intelligent than the majority of the Hollywood crowd...

5) What is you favourite meal..?

Steak. I love me a big slab of red meat still slightly bleeding in the middle, served in a mushroom and red-wine sauce, with chunky chips and loads of veg. Mwah!

6) What do you do to stay fit and healthy..?

Not an awful lot. I walk everywhere, but that's about it. Should get back into swimming when I have the time, but because I work crazy shifts I don't often get the chance.

7) Whats your favourite item of clothing..?

My Aldo court shoes. I have 2 pairs, in pink and blue, and I love them! They are my party shoes. High heels, platforms, comfy and classic. Love them!

8) What's your favourite perfume..?

A the moment, it has to be Valentina. I bought it on holiday and it's just gorgeous! Also loving Paco Rabanne's Lady Million and Black XS, and anything from Marc Jacobs :)

9) What's your favourite makeup brand and why..?

My favourite designer brand is Chanel. It's worth paying the money for the beautiful products and outstanding quality. Plus I always feel utterly classy when I'm wearing Chanel! For their value and the quality of their make-up, my budget favourite has to be Make-Up Academy (MUA).

10) What's your go to makeup look, if your in a hurry and cant be bothered..?

Hehe if I can't be bothered then I don't wear make-up! (I know, gasp!) But if I have to put some on, I go for neutral smokey eyes with a little pencil liner, and just some lip-balm on my lips.

11)And last but not least: have you any regrets since starting your blog..?

Not really, though I feel I should try to post more often...

And that's it. No offence to anyone, but I can't really be bothered with the whole tagging another 11 folk thing. If you want to do the quiz, please feel free, you can let me know and I'll generate 11 questions for you to answer. I enjoy doing these things but it doesn't necessarily mean everyone else does. Plus I follow so many blogs that it would be impossible and unfair to choose just 11 to nominate. So have a go if you like :)


And with that, I bid you adieu!


Christina xo