My Essentials: Make Up

Today is my make up essentials. This is what I wear every day and the brushes I would use. These are all drug store as my budget isn't very eccentric. I'm also not going to go into much detail about my brushes as (spoiler alert!) there will be a blog post about my brushes, just like the rest of my make up.

Recently I haven't been wearing foundation every day only on the odd occasion but the one I am using at the moment is the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation. This really perks up my face when I am looking tired or dull (almost every day). It also corresponds with my concealer which, when I'm not using foundation i put in areas where there is discolouration, blemishes or dark under eyes. To be honest, The Collection Concealer is a lot better for my under eyes as they are very dark but the Rimmel concealer cover them mostly.

Depending on how much time I have or how I am feeling I fill in my eye brows with the Sleek Brow Kit in Blonde. I only use the powder everyday as its lighter in colour so looks more natural on me. Over the top, if I'm in a rush, or if I really can't be bothered I use the Rimmel Brow This Way clear brow gel which I like as it makes them look like I have brows and makes them say in place.

As I don't want to look flat and like a blank canvas, I use the Soap and Glory Solar Powder to bronze and warm up my face. If I feel like I want a more contorted look I will use the exact same product but just the darker shade rather than both colours, and use a different brush. To set my face and so I don't look shiny I use the Rimmel Stay Matt Powder in 001 Transparent. Who would have guessed. Everyone and there dog raves about this and I love it too. It just matifys and keeps your make up in place but doesn't make you look flat.

Finally I use my trusty Maybellene The Falses Waterproof Mascara. This is in my 2014 favourites and will probably be in more favourites to come. There's not much better really.

I know it seems like there is a lot of Rimmel products but there are one of the products that I find reliable and suits my skin type and is what is available in my local boots as that is very limited.

Brush wise I'm just going to touch on what are my favourites and what I use them for. This my shock you for some but it is what works for me.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush- Foundation and Powder
Real Techniques Contour Brush- Concealer (It fits perfectly under my eyes promise!)
Real Techniques Blush Brush- Powder and Bronzer
Real Techniques Brow Brush- Brow Powder
Real Techniques 300- Contouring
Models Own Lash Curlers
Lash and Brow Groomer (I Lost my Real Techniques ones)

Thanks for reading. Next in the series is Skincare. See you then

Saskia x

My Essentials: Bed-Side Table

Today's episode of the My Essentials series is the bed-side table essentials. These are what I keep to hand at all times.

My bed-side table is from B&M and was £39.99. It has one draw which is where I keep things that I need directly by my bed, but not accessible instantly. Located in this draw is spare headphones (my bassbuds) and my TV remote.
On top of the bedside table to my left is my Roberts Radio ecologic 6 alarm clock; a range  of lip balms and my diary.

As I live alone I have one bed-side table and my chest of drawers the other side. This is second hand but was brilliant condition, pine, and is the perfect size. I obviously keep clothes in the drawers but to extend on my chest of drawers layout I will make another blog post on my layout of this.

Now on to what is directly by my bed. Here is my Notebook from Paperchase and has a floral pattern of it; Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter which I use as a hand cream because it is really hydrating and for ease of use. I also have my favourite candle at the moment- Yankee Candle Amber Moon. Moreover I have my sausage dog pen which is so cute and was a Christmas present.

So I hope you enjoyed this episode. Next week is my Makeup Essentials. See you next week bye!

Saskia x

My Essentials: Bathroom

As you may be able to tell by the title I am starting a little series. It is a five part series that will be uploaded every Monday. I hope you enjoy this series.

This is My Bathroom Essentials.

These are I use almost everyday- unless it is not needed- and love. Most of these products I have repurchased or will need to soon (after I have tested some other products). As you can tell there is a slight theme. I love Soap and Glory and Tony and Guy. I have bought many a product from both company's and am never disappointed.

Firstly is hair. I was going to do hair in a separate post then decided that my essentials for hair are here so I will slot it into this post. (Just a disclaimer, these products may not satisfy your needs as you are most likely have a different hair type to me.) I have very dry hair, but can get greasy if not washed for ages. As I have dry hair I only wash it twice a week. I know for some that sounds disgusting but my hair needs to have time to produce its natural oils so that it has an injection of moisture. If i washed it every day it would just strip it and be even more dry- which it doesn't need. On to the products- wow that took a long time. I use all Tony and Guy products. Wait ALL Tony and Guy products, I guess I didn't realise I liked it that much. For shampoo and conditioner I use the shampoo and conditioner for dry hair. This gives my hair and scalp an instant boots of hydration which you can feel as soon as you put the product on your hair, WITHOUT BEING GREASY!!!!!!! For a mask which I use from once a week to every fortnight is Tony and Guy Reconstruction Mask. This really hydrates the dry split ends of my hair, and nourishes in a really creamy way.

Now for the body. I'm not 100% sure on what type of body I have, whether its dry or not. I think its normal. However it can get dry in the winter or when I change conditions quickly. I use all Soap and Glory products once again. Whoops! But these are perfect for my skin and have a refreshing sent. The sent of all the product are sugar crush and I think I own almost everything from the range. You could say I'm slightly obsessed. It is one of my favourite sent though. The body wash is really moisturising as well as the body butter, and the scrub is really cleansing, and exfoliating.

Finally, every week (especially if its been really stressful) I have a bath bomb in my bath. My favourites are the Lush bath bombs and bars. My favourite normal sent is Avo Bath which is shown in the photo above. Although I do love most of their sents, they are so nice at Christmas. I have this type of bath with a candle lit and the lights off. This is the most therapeutic and relaxing bath EVER.

These are my Bathroom Essentials. Next week will be Bed-Side table essentials (this needs a better name!) See you then!

Saskia x

Favourites: 2014

I have many favourites of this year; whether that’s make up, hair, or fashion; these are what I have enjoyed using this year and will be continuing to use through the beginning- and hopefully most- of 2015.

Maybelline the Falsies Waterproof Mascara

This has been a staple throughout 2014 and is my favourite mascara ever! It gives fluttery, long, voluminous, lashes without looking clumpy. This gives a really natural finish to your lashes. It is also really easy to build to get a fuller looking lash, to go with a heavier eye make up.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (in 2- Cool Medium)

This concealer has been repurchased so many times this year I have lost count. It’s almost my not so secret weapon (as it is raved by so many bloggers and youtubers). It covers everything from spots to under eye circles and can be used with foundation or by itself. It’s so versatile and is brilliant for most skin types as it’s not cakey. It is a drugstore product and is available for £4.19 which is brilliant for how amazing it is.

Tanya Burr Lip Gloss (in Chic)

Chic is my favourite colour from the collection. This is because it is a natural, everyday colour. This nude also lasts all day without much re applying. Moreover, it’s opaque so is easy just to throw on in the morning. The formula of it is creamy as well, with an amazing sent (good enough to eat!) making you want to apply it just to smell it.

Real Techniques (Buffing Brush)

 The Buffing Brush is my favourite brush out of the whole collection (but the contour brush is very close behind).  if you are nervous, and just starting out in make up, this brush is perfect for you. It buffs the product into your skin seamlessly (this avoids the awkward “you've got a line” sentence). It is versatile as can be used for cream, liquid and powdered based products.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder 

Gives a natural look to your make up, which doesn't alter the colour of your foundation. It also helps your make up stay put and not be shiny.

River Island Tartan Scarf

This is my autumn/winter fashion staple. It goes everywhere (but the stables) and I have been wearing it since the beginning of September non- stop. It is on the price side, however it is double sided, super cosy, plus taller (okay that’s not too hard) and wider than me. So you get what you pay for. My warm cosy scarf that makes me think: I can conquer the world: and be confident.

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash

My penultimate product is the Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash I have now repurchased this twice since I discovered it. I love it. The refreshing sent really wakes you up in the morning and makes you feel clean and refreshed.

Tony and Guy Reconstruction Mask

My final product is the Tony and Guy Reconstruction Mask. This mask leaves your hair feeling soft, silky smooth and nourished after use. Especially as I have dry hair, I find it really hard to locate products that do this jobs as well as this mask. I love the brand tony and guy and have used it for the past three years. Although it is on the pricier side of my budget I will keep going back to their products as they leave my hair in the best condition ever.

I hope these products are useful and you see why I love these products. I hope you had a brilliant year and I wish you the best in 2015.

Saskia x

REVIEW: BassBuds Headphone- Fashion Collection

I purchased BassBuds Fashion Collection Headphones in September. Therefore I have been testing out these headphones for 3 months. These headphones have the same qualities and performance levels as Beats Inear headphones, but for more than half the price.

These headphones has a "microphone" and "controller". The controller: answers/ends calls; play/pause; next track; previous track; and can mute calls. The microphone has voice control. 

The headphones have a Swarovski Element. These make the headphones very attractive- and also easy to find in your handbag. Furthermore they have an anti-tangle technology in the wire. Which makes it easy to listen to music quick, and doesn't damage your headphones.

I purchased these headphones from Kent Domestic Appliances in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire for £44.99. This is a brilliant price for the quality of these headphone. http://www.kentdomesticappliances.co.uk/. If you are looking for a new, good quality headphones, I would sincerely suggest you try these headphones. They are very elegant, and feminine. However they do include a football addition for me, if these types are not for you. I am not sponsored, this is my own true opinion. I love these headphones and I would suggest you get them from this shop. This is because the people that serve you are genuine honest people, and will give you the best possible price for your product.

Saskia x

Chocolate orange and white chocolate cookies

These have to be one of the best tasting cookies I have ever tasted! 

200g Unsalted Butter

300g Self Raising Flour

325g Caster Sugar

Zest Of An Orange

200g Terry's Chocolate Orange

200g Milkyway bar

1 egg

Splash of milk

1) Preheat the oven to 200C

2) Mix all the ingredients together excluding the chocolate using a hand mixer to form a dough

3) Break the chocolate into small pieces and add making sure it is incorptiated well

4) Separate into small balls and put on a tray covered with greese proof paper.

5) Put the balls far apart so that they don't spread and make one big cookie when cooked

6) Cook for no longer than 12 minutes so that they don't burn and have a melting inside

7) Leave to cool for 30 minutes before eating 

8) Enjoy!!! :) 

Saskia x

The Holiday Season!!

From Halloween to the New Year has to be one of the best times of year. Lush; Snow (if there is any!); The smell of the Christmas tree; Family; The cosy, warm foods; And much more! As much as I love the shorts and t-shirt whether, we don’t quite get that in England (Its more rain! L). But we do get cold cosy winters that makes you really excited for Christmas! One thing I absolutely love to do around Christmas time is decorate the home. Okay yes I do get a little over controlling about it but, there’s only one time of the year you can do that. And that is Christmas! You just have to have colours for each room that are Christmas. Don’t you?

Christmas also means good chocolates and other foods. But mostly chocolates. There’s; after eights, Terry’s chocolate orange, hero’s, celebrations, and others. (Not that these aren’t good all year round)! Another food that is brilliant around Christmas is roast dinners. Now, these aren’t the same without Yorkshire puddings but would still be the best around Christmas. It’s just a warm, filling, comfort food that makes you feel so cosy and homely. 

Saskia x