2013 saw me change my blog around quite a lot. From moving from a small blog to my new 'Jessie Obsessed' blog to growing a wider audience. However, 2013 was also an incredibly busy year (especially towards the end). From prom to GCSE's and starting college, I didn't blog at all at the end of the year.
People keep on asking me what my New Year's resolution is/will be, and truth be told, I haven't really got any. However, as I have been watching and reading so many bloggers 'favourites' videos and posts recently, it has really inspired me to start blogging again.
My New Year's resolution was made - to start blogging again...and regularly! I'm going to start off posting every week and see if I can begin to post more as I settle back into a routine.
Everyone on YouTube and on their blogs are currently talking about their 2013 Favourites, and I thought what better way to start off the New Year with my favourites from 2013? It will get me back into blogging and is a highly requested topic.
Keep posted for my 2013 Favourites post coming soon!
Monday, 6 January 2014
Thursday, 12 September 2013
Handpicked Media*
So recently I applied to be featured on the Handpicked Media website. I received an email back detailing how the company want to work with me and they have signed me on to their 'Handpicked Community', allowing me access to events and samples etc.
If your interested in joining Handpicked Media, then go to;
If your interested in joining Handpicked Media, then go to;
Monday, 9 September 2013
Starting College
On Friday, I had my induction day at college. This was when all of the first year students went in to get their timetables, meet their teacher and PLD groups and have some of their lessons.
It was really nerve wracking going to a big college where there are thousands of people having come from a small, all girls school with only a couple of hundred people.
Luckily, one of my close friends from school is in the same PLD group as me which meant that I saw a friendly face early on during the day!
PLD stands for Personal Learning Development and is basically like a tutor group, however at college, you only meet once a week on a Thursday. These are like PSHE lessons at school, but you also have one-to-ones with your tutor to update on your progress etc.
College is so different from school. Notable changes are wearing your own clothes, calling your teacher by their first names, being more independent in your studies, having free periods, being able to come and go as you wish and also being able to go home if you have no more lessons as well as getting early buses home or late buses in to college.
This is going to be my first full week at college and I am really looking forward to it! My timetable is nicely busy at the moment, I have a good amount of lessons mixed with a good amount of free periods. Because the work load at the moment is light because the term is just starting, its difficult to know what to do in free periods because there isn't any work for me to be doing or catching up on. I'm sure as term progresses (and because I'm taking an art subject) I will be thankful for the free's so I can do work.
Most people are worried about making friends at college. I knew a small group of people who were going to college which meant that on the first day I knew people to talk to. In my classes there is a good balance of boys and girls although my textiles group is all girls! I have made a few new friends and they have been introducing me to people to they know, so I am slowly meeting new people! Everyone seems really nice and were all in the same boat - starting a new college, some new classes and it all being a huge change.
Loads of my family and friends that haven't gone to the same college as me have being asking about how I have been planning my outfit ready for college... Well to be honest, because I have to get up early to catch the bus, I have been planning outfits in my head the night before to save time in the morning.
September is a bit of an annoying month - the weather can be cold and rainy or it can be sunny or breezy. This means that it has been hard choosing what to wear because I have been trying to plan for the weather. So far I have worn black jeans with jumpers, cardigans and t-shirts.
I didn't want this post to be too long (although it now is!) but I hope to do an updated college post once I have got settled in, the work load has increased and everything is back in to a routine!
It was really nerve wracking going to a big college where there are thousands of people having come from a small, all girls school with only a couple of hundred people.
Luckily, one of my close friends from school is in the same PLD group as me which meant that I saw a friendly face early on during the day!
PLD stands for Personal Learning Development and is basically like a tutor group, however at college, you only meet once a week on a Thursday. These are like PSHE lessons at school, but you also have one-to-ones with your tutor to update on your progress etc.
College is so different from school. Notable changes are wearing your own clothes, calling your teacher by their first names, being more independent in your studies, having free periods, being able to come and go as you wish and also being able to go home if you have no more lessons as well as getting early buses home or late buses in to college.
This is going to be my first full week at college and I am really looking forward to it! My timetable is nicely busy at the moment, I have a good amount of lessons mixed with a good amount of free periods. Because the work load at the moment is light because the term is just starting, its difficult to know what to do in free periods because there isn't any work for me to be doing or catching up on. I'm sure as term progresses (and because I'm taking an art subject) I will be thankful for the free's so I can do work.
Most people are worried about making friends at college. I knew a small group of people who were going to college which meant that on the first day I knew people to talk to. In my classes there is a good balance of boys and girls although my textiles group is all girls! I have made a few new friends and they have been introducing me to people to they know, so I am slowly meeting new people! Everyone seems really nice and were all in the same boat - starting a new college, some new classes and it all being a huge change.
Loads of my family and friends that haven't gone to the same college as me have being asking about how I have been planning my outfit ready for college... Well to be honest, because I have to get up early to catch the bus, I have been planning outfits in my head the night before to save time in the morning.
September is a bit of an annoying month - the weather can be cold and rainy or it can be sunny or breezy. This means that it has been hard choosing what to wear because I have been trying to plan for the weather. So far I have worn black jeans with jumpers, cardigans and t-shirts.
I didn't want this post to be too long (although it now is!) but I hope to do an updated college post once I have got settled in, the work load has increased and everything is back in to a routine!
Sunday, 4 August 2013
Changes...
Finally I'm back blogging again - (for a few weeks at least)! Over the past few months I have been really busy with GCSE's, work experience and a holiday to America. With about a month left of summer, I thought it was time to get my blog back up and running.
In just over a weeks time I am going on holiday again to Spain with my friend, and so I won't be blogging then, however I am going to be making a few changes to my blog...
Over the next few weeks and months, I will be writing more lifestyle posts on my blog as I am starting a number of new things. I have got my first job and what with my recent and upcoming holiday, I thought it would be fun to share some holiday pictures.
The next couple of posts will be about getting my blog running again and making a conscious effort to blog every week. At the moment, I plan to have a new post up every Wednesday, however, this might change due to my work load from college which I obviously don't know yet because I don't have my timetable.
In the coming weeks, I hope to share with you some of my holiday photos both from America and Spain and do an American shopping haul too.
Although my love for beauty and fashion still continues to grow, I have been enjoying reading more and more lifestyle blogs and feel that if I also write more lifestyle posts, I can blog more. The few health and lifestyle posts that I have done such as 'Sleep 101' and the 'Prom Series' got a good response and people seemed to enjoy them!
In just over a weeks time I am going on holiday again to Spain with my friend, and so I won't be blogging then, however I am going to be making a few changes to my blog...
Over the next few weeks and months, I will be writing more lifestyle posts on my blog as I am starting a number of new things. I have got my first job and what with my recent and upcoming holiday, I thought it would be fun to share some holiday pictures.
The next couple of posts will be about getting my blog running again and making a conscious effort to blog every week. At the moment, I plan to have a new post up every Wednesday, however, this might change due to my work load from college which I obviously don't know yet because I don't have my timetable.
In the coming weeks, I hope to share with you some of my holiday photos both from America and Spain and do an American shopping haul too.
Although my love for beauty and fashion still continues to grow, I have been enjoying reading more and more lifestyle blogs and feel that if I also write more lifestyle posts, I can blog more. The few health and lifestyle posts that I have done such as 'Sleep 101' and the 'Prom Series' got a good response and people seemed to enjoy them!
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Sleep 101
So in recent weeks I have been struggling to get to sleep and once I am asleep, to stay sleeping through the night! I have had issues with sleep before and have in the past, been prescribed medication to help me sleep. At the moment I am not taking any medication and so I thought I would write a post about how I try and get my self to sleep.
A new remedy that I have been using is the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray which smells of lavender and is enriched with essential oils. I love the smell, but I would say its not to everyones taste, so maybe spray it somewhere other than your pillow to try it first! The idea behind this product is that you inhale it whilst your sleeping and your head is against the pillow and its supposed to help you relax and unwind.
If you talk to any sleep experts, they always say to not be around your phone, laptop, TV etc before your about to sleep. I do agree with this to an extent. However, I am one of the words biggest worriers and so I usually check my emails just as I am about to turn out my light just incase there are any emails that I need to reply to quickly. Also I keep my phone near to my bed so I can write any last minute thoughts that run through my head.
I like my room to be as dark as possible, so this for me means turning my radio around so the light doesn't shine in my face, turning my phone over so I can't see the red light flashing, making sure there is something covering the charging light of my laptop etc. This might all sound crazy but for me its something that helps me to get to sleep.
Another bed time ritual is listening to my iPod whilst I'm in bed drifting off to sleep. Surprisingly I don't listen to calming, slow music but more up beat music. I have made playlists so that I don't have to keep flicking through random tracks and effectively 'wake up'.
Before I go to bed, I like to have a bath or shower. Usually a bath helps to send me off to sleep, being in warm, bubbly water is really relaxing. Its also the perfect time to read a book or magazine.
Reading before you go to bed gives your mind something to do. Often I find that reading a couple of pages of a good books makes me realise how tired I am.
Lastly, if there is anything that I am worrying about I find that it doesn't help me go to sleep because it keeps me up, so I try to push it to the back of my mind or talk to someone about it.
Everyone has different methods of helping them to sleep and its all about finding the ways that work for you!
A new remedy that I have been using is the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray which smells of lavender and is enriched with essential oils. I love the smell, but I would say its not to everyones taste, so maybe spray it somewhere other than your pillow to try it first! The idea behind this product is that you inhale it whilst your sleeping and your head is against the pillow and its supposed to help you relax and unwind.
If you talk to any sleep experts, they always say to not be around your phone, laptop, TV etc before your about to sleep. I do agree with this to an extent. However, I am one of the words biggest worriers and so I usually check my emails just as I am about to turn out my light just incase there are any emails that I need to reply to quickly. Also I keep my phone near to my bed so I can write any last minute thoughts that run through my head.
I like my room to be as dark as possible, so this for me means turning my radio around so the light doesn't shine in my face, turning my phone over so I can't see the red light flashing, making sure there is something covering the charging light of my laptop etc. This might all sound crazy but for me its something that helps me to get to sleep.
Another bed time ritual is listening to my iPod whilst I'm in bed drifting off to sleep. Surprisingly I don't listen to calming, slow music but more up beat music. I have made playlists so that I don't have to keep flicking through random tracks and effectively 'wake up'.
Before I go to bed, I like to have a bath or shower. Usually a bath helps to send me off to sleep, being in warm, bubbly water is really relaxing. Its also the perfect time to read a book or magazine.
Reading before you go to bed gives your mind something to do. Often I find that reading a couple of pages of a good books makes me realise how tired I am.
Lastly, if there is anything that I am worrying about I find that it doesn't help me go to sleep because it keeps me up, so I try to push it to the back of my mind or talk to someone about it.
Everyone has different methods of helping them to sleep and its all about finding the ways that work for you!
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Prom Series: Final Stages
I feel incredibly bad for not having blogged in weeks! I have been so busy (having had five GCSE's this week) and so I haven't had a great opportunity to blog. Add to the fact that I have had technical issues with internet being down, photos not being edited etc, blogging something worthwhile and good hasn't been an option.
Anyway, with prom looming (I'm counting down the days) I thought I would share some final tips. Throughout this prom series, I have hoped that you can apply the majority of what I have said to other big events, weddings etc. Today's post is all about time management and organisation preparation!
I have been making mental lists of all the things that I need to do before my prom and it got the stage when I have thought so many things I needed to write them all down. After doing this, I realised that not everything had to be done at the same time/on the same day and some things would be last minute/finishing touches. With all of this to think about I have now written a timetable for myself...
So the basic timetable shows the days before my prom (I don't want to say exactly when it is but its about a week away). So the days I listed and then by each day I have a list of everything that should be done or before that day.
Things in my 'Prom To Do List' include exfoliating properly before my spray tan, washing my hair, waxing/shaving, re-dying hair and washing it and so on. From the initial list, I have worked out what needs to be done when and was able to place the 'things to do' under the correct day heading.
On the day of prom itself, I will be quite busy what with having my hair done at my salon, doing my own makeup, getting dressed etc. Because I am a bit of a control freak and constantly make lists, I decided to make a more in depth timetable of the prom date itself.
This in depth timetable suggest what time I should go to sleep the night before to make sure I'm not tired, what time I should wake up so I have enough time and extra (this probably sounds crazy to some people but it makes sense to me!) Then its more general whilst still being in depth. It details what time I am having my hair done, how long it should take, how long it takes to get to the salon and back (allowing for traffic too), what I need to take with me to the salon etc. It goes on to list what time I should start my makeup to allow it enough time to 'set', what time I should get dressed and what time I need to leave to go to the prom.
All of this probably sounds crazy and a bit 'bridezilla' however, it gives me an idea of what I should be doing and the time it takes to do everything. After prom, I will let you know how I got on with this timetable...it probably will go out the window!
Anyway, with prom looming (I'm counting down the days) I thought I would share some final tips. Throughout this prom series, I have hoped that you can apply the majority of what I have said to other big events, weddings etc. Today's post is all about time management and organisation preparation!
I have been making mental lists of all the things that I need to do before my prom and it got the stage when I have thought so many things I needed to write them all down. After doing this, I realised that not everything had to be done at the same time/on the same day and some things would be last minute/finishing touches. With all of this to think about I have now written a timetable for myself...
So the basic timetable shows the days before my prom (I don't want to say exactly when it is but its about a week away). So the days I listed and then by each day I have a list of everything that should be done or before that day.
Things in my 'Prom To Do List' include exfoliating properly before my spray tan, washing my hair, waxing/shaving, re-dying hair and washing it and so on. From the initial list, I have worked out what needs to be done when and was able to place the 'things to do' under the correct day heading.
On the day of prom itself, I will be quite busy what with having my hair done at my salon, doing my own makeup, getting dressed etc. Because I am a bit of a control freak and constantly make lists, I decided to make a more in depth timetable of the prom date itself.
This in depth timetable suggest what time I should go to sleep the night before to make sure I'm not tired, what time I should wake up so I have enough time and extra (this probably sounds crazy to some people but it makes sense to me!) Then its more general whilst still being in depth. It details what time I am having my hair done, how long it should take, how long it takes to get to the salon and back (allowing for traffic too), what I need to take with me to the salon etc. It goes on to list what time I should start my makeup to allow it enough time to 'set', what time I should get dressed and what time I need to leave to go to the prom.
All of this probably sounds crazy and a bit 'bridezilla' however, it gives me an idea of what I should be doing and the time it takes to do everything. After prom, I will let you know how I got on with this timetable...it probably will go out the window!
Thursday, 6 June 2013
Pamper Evening Essentials
Every now and then I like to take moment to have a nice long bath and then spend some time polishing and preening myself.
Taking a long hot bath is perfect if your feeling stressed or tired and also a great way for preparing for an event or holiday. Although this post is not part of my Prom Series, it is certainly a routine that I will follow before my prom!
My first tip is make sure that you have enough time to have a long bath, allowing time for face masks, eye masks, nail polish to dry, lotions to soak in etc.
To begin with I like to run a reasonably hot bath and run some Sanctuary luxury bath float under the water to add bubbles and a heavenly scent. Now its time to prepare...
Whist the bath is running I will light some candles around my bath. Depending on what bath products I am using depends what candles I light as sometimes the scents can clash. I keep a candle with no scent in my bathroom so it adds the ambience but no scent. Current favourites are White Company Seychelles, Urban Outfitters Vanilla and Ginger and Party Time which is available at John Lewis.
Once the bath is run, I can happily spend hours soaking whist reading books, magazines, checking Twitter, Instagram, Facebook etc... When I am ready, I will use a body scrub to cleanse my skin. A favourite is the Sanctuary body scrub.
After my bath, I will get out and dry off. At this point, I will apply a body moisturiser or oil such as the Sanctuary moisture spray. Next I will wash my face using a cleanser or face wash, usually the Benefit foaming cleanser.
Once done, I will apply a face mask. Currently I have been using the Superdrug own brand of self heating face masks which come in amazing scents! Whilst this is setting, I will take time to apply nail polish and let it dry. Usually I do a full manicure and pedicure, tidying up my nails and applying treatments such as nail hardener etc.
Once I have washed/peeled off the face mask, I can than pluck my eyebrows if they need doing. Usually by this point, my body lotion/oil has sunk in enough for my to apply some fake tan. Its always St Tropez mousse or lotion with a mitt!
To allow time for my tan to sink in, I will read in bed or watch a movie with some chocolate. Once I am ready for bed, I will pop on a cool gel eye mask that has been chilled in the fridge.
There is one pamper evening essentials guide, thats perfect for the day before an event or during the day before a night out!
Taking a long hot bath is perfect if your feeling stressed or tired and also a great way for preparing for an event or holiday. Although this post is not part of my Prom Series, it is certainly a routine that I will follow before my prom!
My first tip is make sure that you have enough time to have a long bath, allowing time for face masks, eye masks, nail polish to dry, lotions to soak in etc.
To begin with I like to run a reasonably hot bath and run some Sanctuary luxury bath float under the water to add bubbles and a heavenly scent. Now its time to prepare...
Whist the bath is running I will light some candles around my bath. Depending on what bath products I am using depends what candles I light as sometimes the scents can clash. I keep a candle with no scent in my bathroom so it adds the ambience but no scent. Current favourites are White Company Seychelles, Urban Outfitters Vanilla and Ginger and Party Time which is available at John Lewis.
Once the bath is run, I can happily spend hours soaking whist reading books, magazines, checking Twitter, Instagram, Facebook etc... When I am ready, I will use a body scrub to cleanse my skin. A favourite is the Sanctuary body scrub.
After my bath, I will get out and dry off. At this point, I will apply a body moisturiser or oil such as the Sanctuary moisture spray. Next I will wash my face using a cleanser or face wash, usually the Benefit foaming cleanser.
Once done, I will apply a face mask. Currently I have been using the Superdrug own brand of self heating face masks which come in amazing scents! Whilst this is setting, I will take time to apply nail polish and let it dry. Usually I do a full manicure and pedicure, tidying up my nails and applying treatments such as nail hardener etc.
Once I have washed/peeled off the face mask, I can than pluck my eyebrows if they need doing. Usually by this point, my body lotion/oil has sunk in enough for my to apply some fake tan. Its always St Tropez mousse or lotion with a mitt!
To allow time for my tan to sink in, I will read in bed or watch a movie with some chocolate. Once I am ready for bed, I will pop on a cool gel eye mask that has been chilled in the fridge.
There is one pamper evening essentials guide, thats perfect for the day before an event or during the day before a night out!
Friday, 31 May 2013
Prom Series: Prom Hair Update
Just a quick update on prom hair ideas...
Today I went to my salon to have my prom hair trial and I am really pleased with the results and think it looks really nice and great with my dress! I'm not going to show you any pictures yet as I don't want people from my school seeing what I am wearing until the night!
The reason why I am doing this update is because to begin with I wasn't happy with how they did my hair and so I told the stylist what I wanted to be changed.
This brings me on to the update... following on from my prom hair post, I gave some tips for doing your hair yourself or going to a salon and I mentioned voicing your opinion.
My stylist spent almost and hour doing my hair - pinning, curling, straightening, spraying etc. and it looked lovely, but it wasn't 'me'. However, it was her interpretation of a photo I showed her. She did nothing I hadn't asked her to do or something I hadn't shown her.
I sat there with my mum and we both agreed that the style wasn't me and wasn't something that I would usually consider. I felt really bad that after basically an hour of styling my stylist was going to have to take the whole thing out and re do it, but at the end of the day, your paying the stylist to create something you love!
The whole time my stylist was asking if this was what I wanted or was it too/not curly enough etc. She really reassured me that she would be happy to spend as long as it took to get it right.
I asked for not too much product in my hair so it wasn't 'crispy' or 'hard' and she listened - she put next to nothing texture mousse in and little hairspray - exactly what I wanted!
The moral/point of the update is to make sure your not afraid of hurting the stylists feelings for not liking what they have done.
Today I went to my salon to have my prom hair trial and I am really pleased with the results and think it looks really nice and great with my dress! I'm not going to show you any pictures yet as I don't want people from my school seeing what I am wearing until the night!
The reason why I am doing this update is because to begin with I wasn't happy with how they did my hair and so I told the stylist what I wanted to be changed.
This brings me on to the update... following on from my prom hair post, I gave some tips for doing your hair yourself or going to a salon and I mentioned voicing your opinion.
My stylist spent almost and hour doing my hair - pinning, curling, straightening, spraying etc. and it looked lovely, but it wasn't 'me'. However, it was her interpretation of a photo I showed her. She did nothing I hadn't asked her to do or something I hadn't shown her.
I sat there with my mum and we both agreed that the style wasn't me and wasn't something that I would usually consider. I felt really bad that after basically an hour of styling my stylist was going to have to take the whole thing out and re do it, but at the end of the day, your paying the stylist to create something you love!
The whole time my stylist was asking if this was what I wanted or was it too/not curly enough etc. She really reassured me that she would be happy to spend as long as it took to get it right.
I asked for not too much product in my hair so it wasn't 'crispy' or 'hard' and she listened - she put next to nothing texture mousse in and little hairspray - exactly what I wanted!
The moral/point of the update is to make sure your not afraid of hurting the stylists feelings for not liking what they have done.
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Beauty Testing
As a beauty blogger I like to try new products and test them to review for my blog. Although I feel that there are not a lot of beauty product reviews on my blog, I hope that over the summer I can do more. With that said, I do have a few products in mind for me to review...
Anyway, when reviewing products its good to test them out throughly and sometimes that means doing things out of the ordinary, such as going swimming with a new waterproof mascara on etc..
When clearing out my magazine collection (because I like to keep them all for that 'just in case' moment) I thought I would go through and tear anything out that looked interesting, or something that I might like to scrap book.
I think I found the article in an ancient 'Look' magazine and I re-read it and thought it was very useful. If you can't guess already, the article was all about testing out different beauty products before you buy them, so you know if they are worth it or not. Another great feature about the article is that it tells you how to test with and without samples.
As the article is very old and I doubt many people remember it and some never read it, I thought I would run through what the article talks about and then everyone can test out their new beauty buys!
Here goes..
Lipstick
With sample: Rub the lipstick on the cushion of your finger to see how waxy it is - the waxier the lipstick the longer it will last
Without sample: Choose the finish that you want in the shade you want. Remember that matts have lots of pigment and gloss will give you a high shine.
Face Powder
With sample: Should be undetectable on the skin. Finely milled powders are suitable for all skin types. Oily skin types better suit loose powders compared to pressed.
Without sample: If you can't test the shade, go translucent as you tend to choose the shade you wan't to be, rather than the shade that suits your skin tone. Words such as 'sheer' and 'luminous' mean it won't make your makeup look dull and will enhance your overall look. Stay away from shimmer and glitter in face powders!
Eye/Lip Liners:
With sample: Look for pigment and long lasting formulas. Draw a line on your hand, wait a second and see if it smudges - a little smudge is okay as this will allow for blending and creating a smokey effect, if it smudges too much it won't stay put all day!
Without sample: When looking online, the colours shown in the swatch are usually a pretty good match so look in the description for words such as 'long lasting' to give an indication of how well they will stay.
Illuminator/Highlighter
With sample: BLEND! These are formulated to only be used in small amounts and then blended into the skin. Too much shimmer will make you look shiny and have the opposite effect to highlighting and lifting your face. Avoid silvery shades and go for nudes and champagnes.
Without sample: Terms such as 'light reflecting' are usually a good indication that the product will have slight shimmer.
Lipgloss:
With sample: The more the gloss shines, the fuller your lips will look. Dap onto the back of your hand, wait a moment and then run your finger through the formula, this will show if the consistency is sticky or not.
Without sample: Avoid large shimmer/glitter particles as these can look cheap and not set well on the lips.
Blush/Bronzer
With sample: Check they work in combination with your other face products. If you have sensitive skin look for non - comedogenic products as this won't irritate the skin. Run powder formulas along the back of your hand to check for pigmentation and blend creams to see consistency.
Without sample: Avoid glitter. Don't go for shades that are darker than you would naturally tan, or flush when you work out.
Mascara
With sample: Don't test samples on your eyelashes - you don't know where the wands have been and how many other people have tried them! Unless the sample is fresh from a counter give it a miss. Otherwise, run drugstore mascaras along the back of your hand and smudge to see its staying power.
Without sample: Determine what your looking for - lengthening, curling, thickening etc and then look for these words in the product name and descriptions.
Foundation/Concealer
With sample: Apply to your neck and jaw line. If your being colour swatched at a department store counter, ask them to remove some of your foundation and apply to a clean area, that way you will be able to compare what you already have on and the swatch. This should also show you how accurate the colour match is. Don't buy just from testing on the back of your hand as the skin tone varies. Always re-swatch yourself when repurchasing.
Without sample: Try not to purchase online unless you have been using the brand for some time and you know what colour you are and what to expect from the formulation.
Six Quality Control Tips and Tricks
1. If it doesn't smell right it probably isn't. The same goes for if you don't like the smell, you probably won't use it.
2. Compare products against each other. Switch between brands and always revisit a brand you haven't enjoyed as formulations are always changing and improving.
3. Fragrances change over a period of time due to body temperature and conditions so when buying a new perfume its best to test it on your skin, wander around the store and then come back to purchase after the scent has had time to settle on your skin.
4. If you try out a new product and get a sudden break out, stop using the product. However, if its skin care, hang on in for a few days to see if the break out clears up - this is usually just due to a change in product or routine.
5. Don't change all of your skin care routine at once. Gradually change products so that your skin can get used to new formulas, and if you have any reactions such as irritation and break outs you know that its the new product!
6. A product can take a while to show improvements to your skin, whereas a bad reaction will show itself immediately. Persist with a beauty buy for a couple of weeks before you give up!
I hope that this testing 101 helps when buying new products and don't forget to try before you buy! There is nothing wrong than asking to be colour swatched to find you don't like the formulation, colour, appearance etc so choose not to buy a product!
Anyway, when reviewing products its good to test them out throughly and sometimes that means doing things out of the ordinary, such as going swimming with a new waterproof mascara on etc..
When clearing out my magazine collection (because I like to keep them all for that 'just in case' moment) I thought I would go through and tear anything out that looked interesting, or something that I might like to scrap book.
I think I found the article in an ancient 'Look' magazine and I re-read it and thought it was very useful. If you can't guess already, the article was all about testing out different beauty products before you buy them, so you know if they are worth it or not. Another great feature about the article is that it tells you how to test with and without samples.
As the article is very old and I doubt many people remember it and some never read it, I thought I would run through what the article talks about and then everyone can test out their new beauty buys!
Here goes..
Lipstick
With sample: Rub the lipstick on the cushion of your finger to see how waxy it is - the waxier the lipstick the longer it will last
Without sample: Choose the finish that you want in the shade you want. Remember that matts have lots of pigment and gloss will give you a high shine.
Face Powder
With sample: Should be undetectable on the skin. Finely milled powders are suitable for all skin types. Oily skin types better suit loose powders compared to pressed.
Without sample: If you can't test the shade, go translucent as you tend to choose the shade you wan't to be, rather than the shade that suits your skin tone. Words such as 'sheer' and 'luminous' mean it won't make your makeup look dull and will enhance your overall look. Stay away from shimmer and glitter in face powders!
Eye/Lip Liners:
With sample: Look for pigment and long lasting formulas. Draw a line on your hand, wait a second and see if it smudges - a little smudge is okay as this will allow for blending and creating a smokey effect, if it smudges too much it won't stay put all day!
Without sample: When looking online, the colours shown in the swatch are usually a pretty good match so look in the description for words such as 'long lasting' to give an indication of how well they will stay.
Illuminator/Highlighter
With sample: BLEND! These are formulated to only be used in small amounts and then blended into the skin. Too much shimmer will make you look shiny and have the opposite effect to highlighting and lifting your face. Avoid silvery shades and go for nudes and champagnes.
Without sample: Terms such as 'light reflecting' are usually a good indication that the product will have slight shimmer.
Lipgloss:
With sample: The more the gloss shines, the fuller your lips will look. Dap onto the back of your hand, wait a moment and then run your finger through the formula, this will show if the consistency is sticky or not.
Without sample: Avoid large shimmer/glitter particles as these can look cheap and not set well on the lips.
Blush/Bronzer
With sample: Check they work in combination with your other face products. If you have sensitive skin look for non - comedogenic products as this won't irritate the skin. Run powder formulas along the back of your hand to check for pigmentation and blend creams to see consistency.
Without sample: Avoid glitter. Don't go for shades that are darker than you would naturally tan, or flush when you work out.
Mascara
With sample: Don't test samples on your eyelashes - you don't know where the wands have been and how many other people have tried them! Unless the sample is fresh from a counter give it a miss. Otherwise, run drugstore mascaras along the back of your hand and smudge to see its staying power.
Without sample: Determine what your looking for - lengthening, curling, thickening etc and then look for these words in the product name and descriptions.
Foundation/Concealer
With sample: Apply to your neck and jaw line. If your being colour swatched at a department store counter, ask them to remove some of your foundation and apply to a clean area, that way you will be able to compare what you already have on and the swatch. This should also show you how accurate the colour match is. Don't buy just from testing on the back of your hand as the skin tone varies. Always re-swatch yourself when repurchasing.
Without sample: Try not to purchase online unless you have been using the brand for some time and you know what colour you are and what to expect from the formulation.
Six Quality Control Tips and Tricks
1. If it doesn't smell right it probably isn't. The same goes for if you don't like the smell, you probably won't use it.
2. Compare products against each other. Switch between brands and always revisit a brand you haven't enjoyed as formulations are always changing and improving.
3. Fragrances change over a period of time due to body temperature and conditions so when buying a new perfume its best to test it on your skin, wander around the store and then come back to purchase after the scent has had time to settle on your skin.
4. If you try out a new product and get a sudden break out, stop using the product. However, if its skin care, hang on in for a few days to see if the break out clears up - this is usually just due to a change in product or routine.
5. Don't change all of your skin care routine at once. Gradually change products so that your skin can get used to new formulas, and if you have any reactions such as irritation and break outs you know that its the new product!
6. A product can take a while to show improvements to your skin, whereas a bad reaction will show itself immediately. Persist with a beauty buy for a couple of weeks before you give up!
I hope that this testing 101 helps when buying new products and don't forget to try before you buy! There is nothing wrong than asking to be colour swatched to find you don't like the formulation, colour, appearance etc so choose not to buy a product!
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Prom Series: Final Stages
Most people are probably on half term at the moment, which means in between revising it is the perfect time to finish getting ready for your prom!
There still may be a few bits and pieces that you need to buy such as undergarments and accessories. All of your appointments should be booked at this stage and half term is a great time to hold hair and make up trials.
On Friday, I am going for my hair trial which I am looking forward to, however I'm still not 100% sure how I want to have my hair. I'm going to take some photos with me of styles that I like and also some of my dress so my stylist can see how the dress hangs.
If you are doing your make up yourself, then I suggest you try it on a day when you have done your hair how it will be for prom so that you can see how it will all look together.
The very last things that you will need to think about is your nail colour and fake tan.
You will want a nail colour that will reflect your personality and compliment your dress. Many people choose to go for the classic colours such as reds and nudes, however, bright colours can look great with a tan.
If your going for a spray tan, you should choose a salon where you have been before. As I have mentioned before, the days before prom and on prom itself is not the time to be trying new techniques and shades - you don't want to turn up looking orange!
Also, if you are fake tanning yourself, then make sure you start a few days before the prom date so you can gradually build up the colour and have time to solve any problems that may arise. A good alternative to fake tan is a wash off fake tan as you can just apply it to the areas that will be visible such as legs, arms and chest. Wash off is usually less streaky and because you can wash it off, its great if you make a mistake. Make sure that if your going to an after party where you may be going in a pool/hot tub it will come off!
Here is the link to my fake tan post:
www.jessieobsessed.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/fake-tan-holiday-routine.html
There still may be a few bits and pieces that you need to buy such as undergarments and accessories. All of your appointments should be booked at this stage and half term is a great time to hold hair and make up trials.
On Friday, I am going for my hair trial which I am looking forward to, however I'm still not 100% sure how I want to have my hair. I'm going to take some photos with me of styles that I like and also some of my dress so my stylist can see how the dress hangs.
If you are doing your make up yourself, then I suggest you try it on a day when you have done your hair how it will be for prom so that you can see how it will all look together.
The very last things that you will need to think about is your nail colour and fake tan.
You will want a nail colour that will reflect your personality and compliment your dress. Many people choose to go for the classic colours such as reds and nudes, however, bright colours can look great with a tan.
If your going for a spray tan, you should choose a salon where you have been before. As I have mentioned before, the days before prom and on prom itself is not the time to be trying new techniques and shades - you don't want to turn up looking orange!
Also, if you are fake tanning yourself, then make sure you start a few days before the prom date so you can gradually build up the colour and have time to solve any problems that may arise. A good alternative to fake tan is a wash off fake tan as you can just apply it to the areas that will be visible such as legs, arms and chest. Wash off is usually less streaky and because you can wash it off, its great if you make a mistake. Make sure that if your going to an after party where you may be going in a pool/hot tub it will come off!
Here is the link to my fake tan post:
www.jessieobsessed.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/fake-tan-holiday-routine.html
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