Mini Haul

 I kind of have a shopping addiction. 

I can't help it, things call to me and I have to have them, so I thought I'd share with you what I bought and how much I like it etc. 

Here are just a select few of all the things I've bought, actually, it's everything that isn't clothes or jewellery or has private details on like my NUS card (wooo).

First off; Real Techniques Core Collection and Complexion Sponge ~ everyone always raves about Real Techniques and so far I actually really like the stuff I've used but I can't get out the habit of using ecotools because that's what I've been using since I was like 12, they were my first ones so it's habit but I do like a change and I do like these brushes / sponge and will be getting more.

Benefit ChaCha Balm & Baby Lips Electro Oh! Orange ~ I do really like the chacha balm it's very moisturising and smells very refreshing but not over powering, so it's good but doesn't add any colour, not that that's a bad thing but if you wanted a tint don't go for that. And the baby lips hasn't actually been opened yet because I saved it for the picture, oops, more to come with that I guess. 

Bourjois Dissolvant and Healthy Balance Powder ~ these two have now become staple pieces for me! the Dissolvant gets nail varnish off so easy and your fingers smell so good after, and the powder gives me a really good matte finish in any foundation I've tried and stays on for quite a while. 

Nina L'eau 

This smells so good, it's the perfect blend of fruity and floral and it was actually pretty cheap, at John Lewis it was £24.99 for the 30ml but it was also that price for the 50ml which I don't get but I went for it and I love having different smells and stuff.

Garnier Micellar Water ~ I actually only bought this because I thought my sister had taken my Nivea Micellar one  to France with her, she hadn't, but I found that out after, and I found this one in boots after seeing VelvetGh0st use it on her YouTube and I actually really like it, it gets make up off so easy and it was quite cheap considering the size.

Charles Worthington Shine Booster ~ I only found out reccently that Charles Worthington had repackaged and I remember I had this a while back and it smelt so good, however I do think it's a little bit different though, yet to try it.

Urban Fudge Dry Shampoo ~ I've wanted this for a while and it smells so good I couldn't resist when boots had a 3 for 2 on, quite pricey though but my hair does feel refreshed and smell good, I am the worst at remembering to wash it, oops.

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Mask ~ I love the smell of Lee Stafford products it's subtle yet beautiful, I got this because I had the leave in treatment and it really helped to grow my hair a bit longer so I thought I'd try the hair mask this time now I've ran out and I can't wait to see results.

Babyliss Turbo Shine ~ basically because I don't like to share, 😂

Rachel xoxo

Benefit ChaCha Balm ~ Review

Jersey Boys😍

Oh what a night, early September back in 2014, (September 13th) I saw Jersey Boys on tour at the palace theatre Manchester, and it was soooo good, I love musicals,and everyone who knows me will know I love musicals, but this was just fabby. I knew it was Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons but I didn't know the plot or anything, I just loved it that much I had to buy a tshirt. So if you haven't already seen this tour, go! I sat in the grand tier at the front with my friends so I had quite a good view too. Deffenitely would go again.

We actually had the understudies on our particular show and I seriously would not have changed that, I found they go for it a lot more because they don't perform as much so they don't lose the spark, amazing. However there was a woman sat next to me absolutely loving it, getting ver excited about it, clapping along so hard she hit me in the head, there is no room for this in grand tier kind lady, calm.

Rachel xoxo

Back To School - //Essentials//😴

I started sixth form last Tuesday and I've fastly discovered that there are certain things that I need and I'm gonna share them with you in this blog post incase you've just started too;

First off, you're gonna need a huge bag for all the stuff you need to carry around and fit in it, mine was £19.99 from New Look and looks quite pretty I think, always a bonus, if you need a bigger bag, i reccommend New Look! To go in your bag gotta have, a pencil case, mines like a clear orange one from WHSmiths for £7 and I've filled it with all sorts of stationary e.g. Sharpies, colours, pens and pencils etc. Note pads for any lesson and although I don't recommend taking it everywhere a laptop to type things up and revise on. You're also going to need lever arch files for every subject so far it's been a week and I've been given soo much leaflets and booklets galore. If your place of study doesn't provide you with a journal, get one, it'll help you keep everything organised and keep you up to date whether it's with school or social events because being a teenager is hard balancing everything. Paracetamol is always a good shout too, never know when that headache is going to hit! It's always good to read ahead too so make sure you have all the books you'll need for your classes.

You may not know this but you also have a life outside of school take your camera everywhere to make memories with, obviously use your frees for homework and study time but also it's okay to have a break, I reccomend dedicating a night to yourself for pampering, listen to music, run a lush bath, moisturise, take care of yourself, just use that time to rejuvenate. You should also consider an emergency supplies pack, with pads, tampons, emergency make up, hand sanitiser, plasters, bobbles, pins, you know the drill. Keeping yourself hydrated is also key too, I personally forget to drink water so I bought a tinkerbell bottle from the disney store for £5 to make drinking more fun. Student ID is also your best friend if you're a shopaholic like me, which bris me onto clothes, my sixthform dress code is quite formal so a black blazer is a good shout because you can throw it on on top of anything and look smart, but also if you dress nice, you'll feel good hence you can focus more on your work, but I must add, go for comfy shoes, there's quite a bit of walking. And never forget your key so I have mine on a star wars keyring so I can't forget.

Then when that's all done, I think you deserve a nap, just get out a blanket and go for it.

Rachel xoxo

Perfect (Kinda Healthy) Smoothie

Returning to school in less then a week so it's kinda time to get healthy again so I can managage full days without a nap. Despite being a 16 year old girl, this is something I find very difficult, so having more fruit and veg is my first step to getting healthier.

Ingredients: 

1 handful of raspberries 

1 handful of de-leaved strawberries

1 handful of blueberries

1 banana 

75ml of cranberry juice 

2 scoops of vanilla ice cream 

                   or

2 tbsp of Greek yoghurt (depends how you feel) 

And oh my gosh, it was good!

Rachel xoxo

Holy Grail // Breakout Products

Pretty much almost every teenager gets spots, it just happens. Could be because of the stress we get from trying to balance school and work and social lives and eating and sleeping and relationships etc, it's hard, or it could be because of hormones, get a lot of them, spontaneous crying sessions happen to a lot of people don't worry, but it could always just be your skin type. Here are my tips, as a teenager for when I have a break out (which if often):

Here are all the products I use excessivly~

First off, I always make sure I wear no make-up, because that can cause it sometimes and fully cleanse using Nivea's sensitive 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Water, then give my face a once over with a Tea Tree skin care wipe and then use the Pixi Skintreats Glow Tonic. 

If after that I'm still breaking out I will wear Lush's Mask of Magnaminty for about half an hour and wash off in the shower. When that's off, I will then use the Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit facial wash, dry my face and put Soap&Glorys Doctor Spot on the specific ones. 

Because all these things take 3-4 days to work with my skin which is quite fast but very annoying if you have an event in a day, I'll use Quinoderm 5, this literally gives me results in a day, however it does make my skin very dry, because that's how it gets rid of spots so I have to use an extra moisturising foundation after, etc. 

Once every week, I'd also use a Bioré Ultra Nose Strip to make sure my pores don't clog up and I get horrible blackheads.

Because I am a teenager with copious exams, I get stress spots on my chest/back so I try and keep that clear so I don't have to wear too many turtle necks with boots' Tee Tre Witch Hazel Body Spray, this is a new product to me and since I've used it my back has virtually been clear. 

I'd reccomend all these products as they make my skin feel so good and keep it clear, and if you have any products you think are really good too and I should try, let me know in the comments.

Rachel xoxo

Completing The Bucket List // Update

This post is kind of an update for me about where I'm at with all the things I wanted to do over summer, sort of like a tick off for my summer bucket list before I start college~

I have really tried to make the most of my time this holiday, obviously lazy days are needed from time to time but if I've had a day free I've filled it with a trip to the gym or work etc. So far I have;

Played Messy Twister~ I really recommend this! it's a cheap easy way to have fun with friends! providing you're okay with a little bit of mess

We also had a Paint Fight~ went hand in hand with the messy twister

Party's and Gatherings~ it's just nice to see all your friends in one place! plus if someone has a house free, it's absolutely free

Made Cake Pops~ these were harder than anticipated, the cake tasted gorgeous but I had no idea what I was spins so I made the wrong icing :(

More Fairy Lights~ adds a little bit of pretty to any situation doesn't it?

Picnics~ again very easy to do, just bring the food your parents are trying to get rid of, yano, like the last three biscuits in the packet, and if you all do that it's cheap, you see all your friends, and your parents can buy more food, winning

I'd still like to do a few things, maybe like make macaroons or try real techniques brushes or even go th next stage lighter on my hair etc, I'll keep you posted

Rachel xoxo