Guess who's back... Again

Hello lovelies

So basically I stopped blogging for a while. Why I hear my avid readers ask? (Cue tumble weed... Is that the right cue spelling?) Because my darlings real life got the better of me. Scott is back at work full time, I have a toddler now... Yes he walks and everything, I have a flat to maintain whilst also trying to keep myself maintained! So basically I had to decide what wasn't as important to look after and obviously my blog was not a priority so I said bye bye to it for a while. 

But I am back! For now at least. I'm not going to back promises of how often I'm going to post I'm just going to post when I can and about what ever I want to or whatever is going on at the time. So it's now more of an as and when blog. It'll still entail the same sort of stuff eg baby, life, food, games, reading and beauty. Though probably a lot of baby stuff as he's still (of course) the centre of my world though I will try to add in other bits.

So for now this is just my "Helloooooo" post and will be back to my merry old blogging ways! I hope you enjoy and carry on enjoying what I post. 

Until I post again why not go back and read some of my old posts and maybe let me know if there is anything you'd like e to ramble about! I'm sure I can pretty much talk about anything. 

Take it easy

Ellie x

Before and After!

Hello Ducks!!

First of all I would like to apologise for not posting in a few days, I have been so busy and my laptop had a fit and it seems to be ok at the moment but we'll see out it goes! So yeah sorry about the disappearance!

Well I have been meaning to do a before and after for quite a while now but its difficult to find the time (and motivation) to put lots of makeup on. But I have finally done it :)

Now I think I've said before I'm no expert in the make up field and I don't wear foundation or anything like that, I usually just stick to eyes and every so often may put something on my lips, but thats still rare. After having Jack I didn't wear makeup at all for a while, then starting put mascara on and then eyeliner and such. SO! since no one sees me in foundation I thought I would do a before and after, with 2 afters. One wear I use a brush to do my foundation and one where I don't. Mostly for me to see the difference a brush can make as well as you lovely lot! Variety right?

To begin with I will just list the products I am using, now I will say now I didn't spend a lot of money on the foundation as I wouldn't be using it a lot (if ever again after this) unless I liked the results, but then I could be fighting a loosing battle as a better foundation could give a better finish then the cheap stuff. So this is sort of a review as well as a before and after.

Products used:

• Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Pro Primer
• Boots Natural Collection ShineAway Foundation - Porcelain
• Boots Natural Collection CoverUp Cream - Fair
• Boots Natural Collection Pressed Powder - Cool
• Boots Natural Collection Suntint Bronzing Powder - Sun Shine
• Boots Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks - Rosey Glow
• MUA (MakeUp Academy) Eyeshadow Palette -Romantic Efflorescense
• MUA (MakeUp Academy) Eyeshadow Palette - Heaven & Earth
• Gosh Kohl/Eyeliner - Black
• Rimmel London Exaggerate Eye Liner - Black
• Scandaleyes - Black (For the first After Pictures)
• Maybelline New York Lash Sensational - Black (In second after pictures)
• Nivea Fruity Shine Lip Salve - Watermelon
• Rimmel London Apolalips - Nude Eclipse (In the second after pictures)

Brushes Used:

• Barry M Concealer brush
• Super Drug Foundation Brush
• Super Drug Power Brush
• Super Drug Contouring Brush
• Gosh Blending Brush (In Second After Pictures)
• Barry M Eyeshadow Brush
• Super Drug Eyelash Curler

Before: Fresh faced and ready to go

First After Pictures using a brush to do foundation

Second After Pictures Without using a foundation brush.

There it is then, my before and 2 afters. 

My review on the Boots Natural collection is this. I don't like it. The foundation is very dry, I tried adding some moisturiser to it to see if it improved it at all but it didn't really make much of a difference. It caked very easily and clustered around my nose and eyes, even the concealer did. I think for a first time person wanting to try foundation/concealer it just isn't worth it. Even at £1.99 each you might as well just save your money and get a decent one, Ask around instead. 

The powder didn't help it at all but it may be different with another foundation. The bronzer wasn't too bad especially if you are going for a more natural look and I like the blush. But all in all steer clear of it. With a brush you could see the brush strokes and when using my hands it caked almost instantly. So I think, unfortunately, I'll be throwing the foundation and concealer away completely. 

I may try MUA foundation and concealer as I really like their eyeshadows. Think they are really well made and a lovely variety of colours at an affordable price. Obviously if I had the money I probably would have bought a more expensive one but as my funds are short I went for the MUA and I'm not disappointed at all. Really love it and at £4 per palette you can't really go wrong!

So I hope you like my before and after post (Sorry again its late) and look out for more in the future and I will be doing a proper review soon on MUA (MakeUp Academy). Hopefully if I have some spare funds soon I'll be able to try their foundation! 

What foundation/concealer etc would you recommend and any comments on my actual make up would be appreciated. I really am just experimenting with it all again and trying to find something that compliments me... but isn't difficult to do!

Thanks beauts

Take it Easy!

Ellie x

What I've been up to...

Hello people!
Well I had started writing a different blog for today but its gotten out of hand and needs more time now so will be tomorrow or Thursdays entry instead! I'm sorry.


So instead I thought it would be better to just update you on what I've been up to and maybe it'll give you some incite on why I haven't been tweeting as much or actually getting my blogs done in time.


Lately (since getting into my blogging again) I've been starting to feel more and more like me again. I mean I'm a mum first and foremost and nothing will ever be as important as that, ever. He's my world and my day begins and ends with his smile and smack in the face (love you too Jack).
But I have been feeling more me. Before I had Jack I'd play games, read books, do my hair, make up, meet with friends. When having a baby of course your priority changes. I'd rather play with him and make sure he's happy then do anything for myself! But he's coming up to a year now and he's starting to want to play with things and explore more. Hes also better at just chilling and I don't have to distract him just so I can run to the toilet!


On one hand its nice he's feeling more confident and becoming his own person, then on the other hand its like, my baaaby doesn't want me any more! *wallows in self pity*. Which is silly of course he does. He can't make lunch or change his nappy! Its good he feel comfortable now to play with his toys without mummy interfering.


Anyway so now since Mr Independent doesn't want me as much, I've had a bit more time to sort myself out. I can now do my hair and make up. I can read my books, play games and lots more. Especially with daddy around, I can have a bath and shave my legs! Wooo!


So I've been experimenting with make up a bit. Its been years since I have. My hair doesn't look or feel dead anymore.


Also I've been out and about a bit more. We had a family photo shoot last Saturday which was interesting. Went to see my lovely family in Totland which was nice. They live in a quieter town so it was nice to chill without hearing some one shouting at some one else. I took their dog for a walk as well which was great. She a lovely beast, kind of a challenge but she loves me (weirdo).


I've also been sorting out the flat, sorting through clothing and cupboards, generally having a pre spring clean and its felt good. I love being able to look through my wardrobe and find the t-shirt I was looking for instead of the t-shirts I haven't worn in years! Its such a refreshing feel to watch you discarded crap be taking to charity or carted off by the bin men! Nice clean flat!


Cooking from scratch as well! Making quiche, Sheppard's pie and soups. Its so rewarding to do and tastes amazing. Puff up all proud like a big mama bird! Yeah I made that Sheppard's pie... Tastes awesome!


So yeah, I've been a busy bunny and its all thanks to this blog and my husband and baby boy. They've truly brought me back to life and it feels awesome. I feel like a damn lady! I feel like myself and hopefully in the weeks to come it will carry on and only get better! Will be doing some make up blogs soon as well once I've perfected and found some looks I like and want to share, as well as recipes and much more.


Keep an eye out loves :)


Take it easy.


Ellie x

My "Beauty" Regime

Hello lovely people.

So todays blog (Technically it should have been yesterdays but I was really busy yesterday) is what it says on the tin, my "beauty" regime. I'm including my hair products as well because I don't do a lot in the beauty department so it would be a pretty short blog otherwise and if you have read my other blog posts you know I don't do 'Short'. Pictures will be included as well... woo pictures! Got batteries for my "far too expensive" camera (finally).

Well first off I cleanse my face with Liz Earles "Cleanse & Polish Hot cloth Cleanser" I really love this cleanser, the bottles are pump action (love a bit of pump action) and you really only need one pump to clean your face and neck with it (2 pumps if you feel you need it) so it does last quite a while. Plus you can get the starter packs which come with a muslin cloth (or you can buy them separately). I'm lucky enough to have a Liz Earle shop on the Island so I can just go get it but I will include the >>>> 'Link here' <<<< (follow to the Liz Earle goodness). I also use Liz Earles 'Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer' (Toner) and it smell incredible as well as leaving my skin feeling more alive (Its aliiiiive). Just a few sprays over my face and I'm awake! Who needs coffee (I do).

Next I use "Garnier Roll-On" My mum gave me this (I don't know what shes trying to tell me) and "Nivea Daily Essential - Sensitive Day Cream" I just picked this up on a whim really. I don't like most moisturisers as they never seem to soak into my skin and it just makes my skin feel greasy and I end up washing my face again cause I don't like feeling like I've been working over a pan of oil all day. I'm just weird like that. So the Nivea one is just a nice light one really helps my skin from drying out (especially around my t-zone) and the Garnier roll-on just stops my eyes from looking too tired (Thanks mum).

Now onto make-up, now I don't use foundation or anything along those line (too lazy?) But I try to do my eyes whenever I can. Just to give them a little pop. So I use an eyelash curler (Sorry not sorry its dirty, I use it on my eyes not yours), It says QVS on it but I don't remember where I got it from.
I use Gosh pencil eyeliner (Blaaaack), Rimmel London Exaggerate Eyeliner (BLAAACK) and Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro glam (BLLLLLAAAAAACK) Mascara. I've used these since I can remember, except the mascara which I just buy whichever I want whenever it smells off, but the rimmel and gosh I have used for yeaaars. I love them.

Note: When you buy a new Mascara check the smell, then smell your old Mascara and as silly as it sounds Mascara does go off so it is a good idea to get a new one every few months. It stop having the right effect on your eyes once its off. I do really recommend.

Now for hair. I always make sure to brush my hair before I wash it, it just helps that little bit more but you don't have to, you can tackle it afterwards and scream to the heavens then. I shampoo my hair twice (Yes its that dirty... joking... kind of). Once with 'Paul Mitchell Original Shampoo One' it has lots of chemicals in it so I assume thats good... I just love how it makes my hair feel after and it smells amazing plus I get it for christmas and birthdays (Its quite expensive) so I'm always going to have it (thanks dad). I then use 'Lee Stafford Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner' Again it smell amazing and since using it I have definitely seen a difference in how fast my hair is growing and the condition its in as its growing! (I check my roots to see how fast its growing, its amazing and easy way to measure it). I usually leave each product in my hair for 2-3 minutes each before rinsing out as they do need a bit of time to work and if you just wash it out straight away it hasn't really had the chance has it?

Now once thats all done and I've given it a quite towel dry I use (again) 'Lee Stafford - Breaking Hair Leave in Treatment' aaaaaaand 'Lee Stafford - Hair Growth Leave in Treatment'. After having my little bundle my hair went from 'Ahhhh halo of beautiful hair' to 'Bluuurrggghh frizzy broken scarecrow mess' and I realised it was because I wasn't able to take as long to look after it, I wasn't having multi-vits any more because I'd had my baby right? plus my hormones went back to being boring normal ones instead of super baby ones. So the reason I do a bit more and spend a bit more on certain products then others is because it works. Over the years I've tried looooooooads of different products for everything. I'm not an expert and will never claim to be in the world of beauty, but I am a expert when it comes to what works for my hair and skin. But even saying that I'm finding and experimenting more all the time because you get given certain products for christmas and birthdays, suddenly you've found the holy grail! Thank you family member!

So yes this is all the products I use on a regular basis :) Sometimes I don't use any of them and look a mess (Yummy).

Hope you get some thing from this and maybe even find a new product you will find useful!

Take it easy.

Ellie x

Beauty

I never say hello at the start of a new post. Just realised. Didn't do it this time either. Whoops.


Hello! Good evening, Good morning, Good Night.
Which ever way you're headed welcome to another blog post.


Now make up. What does Ellie know about make-up? I don't wear a lot of it, anymore, you may even be shocked to learn at one point I wanted to be a make-up artist. (gasp).
Yes I did a course of Specialist Make-Up in London. I did one whole year before I realised I didn't like London. I kind of went off make up as well. London was rubbish. I met some awesome people and learnt some pretty cool things but yeah.. London and I didn't mix. I got on with it but I missed the island.


Any who. Yes so a whole yeah of learning about make up and I can give you the best Victorian look ever! I can even do the hair to go with it. Don't get me wrong it was amazing but it was pretty much a year of Victorian hair and make-up. There were bits to the side here and there but when you basically get told (by your helpful, motivational teachers) that you will probably fail at becoming a make up artist because the competition it soooo tough, it kind of knocks your confidence (especially when you're being taught how to make it look like the person isn't wearing any make up even though they are. Victorian conspiracy make up).


I love make up don't get me wrong, if I had the time nowadays I'd probably do it more. I'm not going to blame having a baby. Its not even about time. I'm just a bit lazy. I could do the whole malarky of prima, concealer, foundation, power, contouring and such but
1. I literally have to give my face a completely new colour as my face is too many colours (blotchy skin)
2. It would take me way too long as once o get started I'm too much of a perfectionist to go fast
and
3. Make up is expensive.


Living in London we had every kind of make up shop you can think of. I loved them but some of them didn't love me. Quick explanation, when I was doing my course I was sort of both/grungy/ tom boy blah blah, so I stuck out like a sore thumb in MAC. A guy literally followed me round thinking I was going to nick something. Bitch please I have a loan and an overdraft and you aren't that special. But my make up kit for college alone cost me £500 and it didn't last so we had to buy more. I got a lot from Primark and boots but there was certain colours you could only get from MAC. I loved telling them I was a make up student and showing them my discount card (their premadonna faces fell fast muahahaa)


But once I left the course and sold all the make up to pay off the £1000 overdraft. I went off make up. I still wore eye make up. But it dwindled until last year I literally just wore mascara. Only putting more on if it was a special occasion. But I'm starting to feel the itch again. I want to experiment again. I want to play with my face and make myself look pretty. I've started wearing more make up on my eyes. I've even been able to straighten my hair a couple of times (without Jack being too much of a pest trying to rip it out). Even straightening it and putting it up is just... Nice.


So yes, the make up itch is coming back. Might even try lipstick (shock horror). May even post some pictures. Though I'm not quite sure how to do it on my phone.


Do you feel nude without your make up?


Take it easy.


Ellie x