2014 - 2015

I am going to be completely honest here. I really don't enjoy New Years. The whole idea of a 'new year, new me' really winds me up because honestly, how much can you change?! 

But then I realised that in 2014 I changed quite a lot. I decided to reach for my dream job as a make up artist, & quit my not so dream job to achieve success (not quite there yet, but I'm sure I will some day soon) which is 100% not something I would do. I mean, for a girl who has zilcho self confidence to pursue a dream that is not completely financially secure, who am I anymore? Luckily, I passed the assessment, my coursework was successful & everything is going pretty well. Hopefully soon I can start handing out my beautiful business cards with confidence that I can do anything with my tools & bring confidence & happiness to other ladies, or men, who ever really!

Which brings me on to my next point, Youtube. I decided this year to start creating videos for the internet, prominently make-up videos, which people might actually see. I have never been so far out of my comfort zone in my entire life & all I was doing was sitting in my bedroom, talking to a camera about my favourite eyebrow pencil & body lotion. Normally I feel uncomfortable in big social situations, like walking into a pub, club or bar, not sat on my bed with the door closed & nobody else around. My first one was just a '50 Facts About Me' video, telling the world what I liked & disliked, but it was the biggest rush when I started to edit it & actually liked what I saw. This was the best, most confident version of myself, & I loved it. Uploading it to the internet was terrifying, but when it hit 100 views (not much I know, but still a small milestone for me) it felt like I had just finished a marathon, except I wasn't out of breath or at all sweaty. So even if sometimes I don't feel up to filming a video, I will continue to do it when I fancy, & when I WANT to. 

Obviously, there have been things that I have succeeded a lot less at, I am no fitter now than I was at the start of the year. I have no more friends now than I had in January & this blog hasn't received a post a week like I really wanted it too. But it's hard to put things out there when they have been forced, & sometimes I just don't feel inspired enough to put words to paper (or words to keyboard, should I say?), but at least I am trying & that's pretty good I think. 

So, I am going to end this long & rambling post with 3 more 'resolutions' (damn I hate that word), which I am going to TRY to achieve. And yes, trying your hardest is enough. 

1) Reach my 2015 reading target of 35 books! It's not 50, but I would be chuffed if I hit that!

2) Travel more, if money allows! Even going to a few more cities in the UK would do. 

3) Be more confident. This is a pretty general one, but I want to be more confident about myself & my abilities. I CAN do things! And I need to remember it more often. 

Also, the usual apply, get fitter, eat healthier, become totally sexy but they don't count as 'resolutions' (eugh!), because by the beginning of 2016 I will have consumed within the last month or two approximately 100 cocktail sausages, three tins of celebrations & 2 gammon joints with all of the trimmings, & I will not purposely bring myself down because I have enjoyed my christmas, a little more than I should have!

So, what did you do in 2014 that you are proud of? I would really like to know (and don't try & tell me that there's nothing, because you have & I know it!)

Lots of Love,

Hayley!

xxx

My Top 5 of 2013!

I know this is very late and i'm sorry! But I figured this post was better late than never, as I want to write it so i can look back on it next year, as well as sharing it with you. This is going to be a post dedicated to my top 5 favourite beauty products of the entire year of 2013! And i'm telling you, they are gooduns.

Let's start with the least fun but very useful L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution. What a name! Basically, this stuff is incredible. It is a cleansing micellar water which is perfect for taking off make up. I use it if I have any heavy make up on, especially around my eye area, as it takes it off in a couple of sweeps and feels just like water. No stinging, no irritation, just clean skin. I also use it in the morning, just to get rid of any excess oil or grime that's built up on my face overnight. This has been a fantastic find for me, as I have used it almost every day for about 8 months, and this is only my second bottle!

Next up is my favourite face base of the year, the Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix Foundation. I don't really think I need to say much about this, it's just fab. It gives a medium coverage but it is buildable, it gives a slight glow but definitely doesn't look oily, and it smells AMAZING! I have tried the serum version of this, I would say that one gives a lighter coverage and I prefer the feel and look of the normal healthy mix formula.This foundation has been a revelation for me this year and I don't think I will ever be able to be without it again!

Something which kind of coincides with the foundation, is my favourite brush to apply it with. This is the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. Again, need I say more? But I will anyway. This brush blends foundation seamlessly, and makes it look natural but perfect at the same time. I seriously wish they sold this brush separately as I would probably own two or three of them by now!

For eyeshadow this year I have been loving my MUA Undressed Palette. This thing is the biggest bargain ever! You get 12 shadows, a couple of mattes and some beautiful shimmery shades, all very pigmented and a great texture for £4. £4! I would recommend this to anybody who is on a budget who wants some fabulously long lasting and very pretty eyeshadows. You can use these to create a very natural everyday look, or use the darker shades to get a fab smoky eye (i've even used it on my eyebrows when in desperate times too!). I seriously love this thing, and I have heard it is a good dupe for the Urban Decay Naked palette too. For that price, you seriously can't go wrong. 

And last of all (but definitely not least) is the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters. These are fabulous for someone who loves to wear bright lipstick but is maybe a bit frightened to do so everyday. They apply at first quite sheer but you can build them up to an intense glossy lip. These are so hydrating and easy to apply, and in 2014 I am probably going to end up buying a lot more of these. The colours I have here are Macaroon, Candy Apple, Sweet Tart and Creme Brûlée. I would say of the four my favourite is Candy Apple. I used to have Tutti Frutti and that was my ultimate love but I lost it! It's so sad, so that will definitely be repurchased in the spring, and I also have my eye on Juicy Papaya. 

So those are my top 5 favourites of 2013! Do you have any favourites this year? I would love to hear any recommendations!

My next post is going to be slightly (very) different, so watch out any book lovers!

Lots of love,

Hayley.

My New Years Resolutions!

I just thought as it's the last day of 2013 I should write a post to signify it. This isn't make-up related, or anything related really, so it will probably bore most of you, but I think it's always important to make a note of your new years resolutions so you can see if you have achieved them the next year!

So, mine include:

1. Read more. I really want to start reading more in 2014, as feel this year I only read when I went on holiday, and now i regret it. I love to read and you can learn so much from a book!
2. Learn how to cook in general, but especially healthy food. I'm not going to put the same old stuff about losing weight or exercising more, but this kind of relates. I want to be able to cook healthy, yummy food for my family (and I also really enjoy looking at cookbooks!).
3. Write at least 1 blog post per week. I really enjoy this blog, so hopefully as the year goes on it will get better and better! 

That's all of them, I think....

I had loads of different ideas of what I could do this coming year (I think at the most i had about 6) but I think keeping it down to 3 achievable important things is a good idea. I can think about more of the little things later. 

So, what are your new years resolutions?

Oh, and 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love, Hayley.