My Summer Beauty Picks

I'm not going to lie, the contents of my makeup bag pretty much stays the same all year round apart from a few bits here and there. I'm just not adventurous with my makeup, I know what suits me and what I feel comfortable with so I don't tend to really experiment with it too much. That being said I do love treating myself to a few new beauty bits every so often, who doesn't? Recently I've replaced a few of my trusty products and switched in some new brands to change things up a little for Summer so I thought I'd share my current picks for my makeup bag.

The first thing I wanted to mention is my foundation as I recently changed from my favourite Rimmel Lasting Finish to the L'oreal Paris True Match. I've done a full post on this so I won't go on too much but I've been so impressed and I just wish I'd made the change sooner! I'm sure I'll go back to the Rimmel foundation at some point as it works so well with my skin but the True Match has been far better than I expected. It's definitely different as it's much more lightweight and buildable but overall it gives a nice finish. I'm currently still using my Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. I just haven't found anything better than this and I can't see myself buying any different any time soon. It's so affordable and is fab at covering up any breakouts. The final few products I've been using are the Seventeen Define and Conquer Contour Kit, Rimmel Lasting Finish Blush in the shade Pink Rose and my usual Maybelline Matte Maker Powder. I'm still so sad Seventeen have been discontinued, this contour palette is brilliant and I really don't want to have to try and find another. The blush has been a go to of mine for a few years now and for £3.99 you just can't go wrong! The same goes for the powder, I don't see the point in spending loads on a product like that. I don't always use highlighter but if so I tend to reach for my Manna Kadar 3-in-1 which gives such a lovely glow. I've had this Benefit Roller Lash Mascara for a while but I recently picked up the Maybelline Lash Sensational to replace it so I can't wait to see if it's as good as everyone says. Finally I have my Max Factor lipstick in the shade Burnt Caramel. I've lost count of the amount of times I've mentioned this on my blog, it's just the perfect shade for me and I don't often use anything else.

One beauty product I am always buying more of is nail polish and in Summer especially I just can't help myself. I am all about the pretty pastels and I'm currently obsessed with the CND Vinylux polishes so I know these are going to be a go to of mine during the next few months. The pastel yellow colour is beautiful and just perfect if you're going on holiday. I never used to like having yellow nail polish on but there's just something about this that looks gorgeous. I'm also really enjoying the shade Dragon Fruit by Barry M at the moment too which is a beautiful light pink, again great with a tan!

The final few things I'm using a lot at the moment are my Just Pink Perfume and my Peach Body Mist from The Body Shop. I picked up Just Pink from Next last year for about £12 and as it's such a big bottle, I'm still yet to get through it! I tend to reach for this a lot in Summer as it's so sweet, and I'm pretty sure it's one I'll always repurchase. You can't beat The Body Shop for the best smelling scents. The peach range is so up my street and I still can't get over how nice this body mist is. Again it's another perfect one for Summer, it just makes me think of being on holiday every time I use it. It's so fresh and sweet and it really lingers which I love.

So that's some of my summer beauty picks! When I find something I love I tend to stick with it and it takes a lot for me to try a different brand, so these really are trusty favourites of mine. I'd love to know if you're a fan of any of these products too?

*Affiliate links used in this post

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2500 Twitter Followers Giveaway - CLOSED

This is just an extra little bonus post today to let you know if you haven't already seen that I'm currently running a giveaway over on my Twitter! I recently hit 2500 followers on there and it's been ages since my first giveaway so I thought now was the perfect time! It's just a few beauty bits, some products I've also tried myself over the last few months and loved so I was desperate to share them with you too! All you have to do to enter is follow me over on Twitter, you can find me here and then retweet my pinned tweet. Full details below.

WHAT YOU WILL WIN

- 2x Bilou Shower Foams in the scents Tasty Donut and Cotton Candy

- 3x 7th Heaven face masks

- 3x Nivea Urban Detox face masks

- A mini Soap and Glory Clean On Me shower gel

- A gorgeous New Look necklace

- Nivea Peach Lip Balm

HOW TO ENTER

Twitter - follow me here and RT my pinned tweet

T&C

- UK Only

- No quote tweets

- Must be following on Twitter and have RT the pinned tweet

- Ends 13th August

- Winner will be selected at random and contacted on the 14th August

GOOD LUCK! I'd love as many people to enter as possible, there are some fab products included!

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Five Years From Now By Paige Toon Book Review

It's currently 1am in the morning on the 12th of July and I've just finished reading Five Years From Now by Paige Toon, and whilst this post won't be going up straight away, I felt compelled to write my review now. I'd seen this book a few times whilst I was out over the last few weeks and straight away it looked like one I was going to enjoy, luckily George got it me for our anniversary as he knows I've really been into reading again recently and after starting it last Tuesday night, I was done within 24 hours. I just couldn't put it down! Out of the few books I've reviewed recently I think this is going to be the one I really struggle to keep spoiler free. I'm going to try my best but I just have so much I want to say.

What if you met the right person at the wrong time? Nell and Van meet as children when their parents fall in love, but soon they are forced worlds apart. Five years later, they find each other. Their bond is rekindled and new feelings take hold, but once again they must separate. For the next two decades, fate brings Nell and Van together every five years, as life and circumstance continue to divide them. Will they ever find true happiness? and will it be together?

My review 

Nell and Van meet at the young age of 5 and soon become inseparable. After a tragedy occurs when they are 10, they are forced apart and Van moves to Australia to live with his dad, with Nell staying in Cornwall with her dad. Though they stay in contact and maintain that close relationship as best as they can, it isn't until he returns for Christmas when they are both 15 that they realise there might be something more between them. Torn between their feelings for each other and worry about what other people may think, the book is essentially about whether they could ever really be together, and I found it absolutely heartbreaking.

From the death of a family member to them having to say goodbye to each other again at age of 15 when they've realised they're in love with each other, it was just an emotional rollercoaster. I felt so invested in their relationship, it was intense, painful and beautiful, I was so willing every 5 years when fate brought them together again for it to just finally work out for them. I don't want to spoilt it in case you haven't read it but be prepared for lots of twists and turns, it was never going to be easy for them, one lives on the other half of the world, children get involved and sometimes life just gets in the way but the love they have for each other is always there.

When reading this I found myself smiling away, just loving the relationship between Nell and Van. It was written perfectly, you could feel the chemistry between them from the words on the page. With that though there were also some really sad parts, in fact that doesn't feel justice enough for one particular part with Nell's dad later on in the story. I was sobbing, like 'I can't breathe' sobbing and I can't remember the last time a book made me feel like that. Each time we skip five years and we come back to Nell and Van, my love for the characters just grows but I do feel a bit mixed about the ending. I don't want to ruin it for you but it's very bittersweet, and a reminder that life doesn't always work out as you might imagine. I totally get that and understand why Paige Toon went the way she did with it but I'm a romantic and I love, a good love story so in my ideal world, it would have maybe gone a little differently and been wrapped up in another way. I also found there was so much build up in the first few chapters, building up that relationship between Nell and Van, that I did get so emotionally invested into it, that the last few chapters where they were both older felt a little rushed to me. Maybe that isn't the right word but I just felt that once the decision had been made to take it in a certain direction, it ended very quickly and I just wanted more. I did absolutely love the book on the whole though and there are several parts I've gone back and re-read because I enjoyed them so much, there were just a few little things I wish would have been different but that's life. Paige has written a wonderful love story and I'm so glad I read it, I was a broken woman by the end of it but that shows it was a good book. It made me feel such a range of emotions and it's been a long time since a book last made me feel like that.

'One day, maybe five years from now, you'll look back and understand why this happened'

Have you read Five Years From Now? I'd love to hear your thoughts if you have!

Similar post - 4 of my favourite book to film adaptations

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Summer Clothing Wishlist - Quiz, Asos & Yours*

It has been so long since I last did a wishlist blog post! I used to do them quite a lot but recently I've just not really found much I've wanted to buy. Now Summer is well and truly here, I think it's the perfect time to do a bit of online shopping though for new bits to add to my wardrobe. Whenever it gets warm, I realise how much of my clothes are suited to Winter!

Quiz

The first place I've been looking at is Quiz. It's actually been ages since I last shopped there but they've got some gorgeous pieces in at the moment, from Sequin Dresses to casual tops, you can pretty much find everything you need for the Summer. Whilst sequin dresses might seem a bit extravagant, if you have any events or parties coming up over the next few months, you are sure to find something with Quiz, one that has caught my eye is the Grey Bardot Maxi! A few other things I love more for wearing during the day, this Navy Crepe Necklace Top is so pretty and looks like it would be so comfortable to wear when it's warm, love the added bonus of the necklace too. I love the Yellow Floral Cold Shoulder Frill Top, it's not often I go for something like this but it's just so summery and it's perfect for that pop of colour. Finally Kimonos are something I turn to quite a lot during Summer, they are great for a little cover up but not as heavy as a jacket and they can really turn a plain outfit into something a bit special. I love this Black Multicoloured one and it's currently on sale!

ASOS

Asos is always one of my go to places for new clothes, and whilst they don't currently have loads that is taking my fancy, I have spotted a few pieces which I think are perfect for Summer. It's not often I wear skirts but I have one similar to this Jersey Pencil Skirt that is so comfortable and I get so much wear out of it when it's warm. I really need more and this colour is gorgeous! Speaking of skirts I also really like this Leopard Print Mini, I think it would look so nice with a black t-shirt and some sandals. I love a simple vest and this white lace cami is perfect. The lace just adds something a little extra to it and makes it a top that could be worn in the day or for a more fancy occasion. Onto shoes not that I really need any, I really like these champagne espadrilles. I don't have anything like this at the moment though I used to, and they were my absolute favourite!

Yours Clothing

I picked up a few bits from Yours Clothing a while ago and they have been some of my go to clothes over the last few months! I just find the fit is brilliant, really true to size and they last so well. I picked up one of these Cross Front Vests last time, it is pretty much my favourite top in my wardrobe and as I've seen they do about 5 other designs I think I need to pick up a few more. I love the black vest with flowers on and also the plain white is a nice basic one to have in to just throw on with jeans and sandals. Back to skirts I found this beautiful Green Palm Leaf patterned one and it just makes me think of holidays. It looks so comfortable and could easily just be worn with a plain vest for a light outfit on a hot day. I keep being drawn to things like this so maybe I just need to take the plunge and give it a go this Summer.

What's on your Summer wishlist at the moment?

*This post is in collaboration with Quiz Clothing

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