10 MAKEUP BAG ESSENTIALS

I have whittled down the contents of my own make-up bag to bring you a short list of the 10 things everyone should keep in theirs. This list is great for travelling, for when you need to save space and is really versatile. So, here is my 10!

•  Tinted moisturiser is one of my staple makeup bag favourites, mainly because it has so many benefits in one bottle. It's hydrating, provides light coverage, and in most cases provides SPF too, which is great for space saving and your skin!

• Neutral eye shadow palette. This is for me, the most important. I use a palette with a few different shades of browns, and you can use them to create an everyday light smokey eye, line your eyes with the darker brown, use a brown shade that matches your brows to fill them in, even use one of the brown shades as a bronzer to bring depth to your cheekbones. So incredibly versatile! 

•  Concealer is a favourite of mine, great for spot treating problem areas, covering blemishes, even cleaning up lipstick outlines and eyeliner.

• Cleanser/makeup remover is something everyone who wears make-up should own! A good cleanser is essential for properly clean skin, and for keeping your skin in good condition. 

• Tinted lip balm.  Great for soothing cracked or dry lips and keeping them hydrated, especially in winter. A tinted balm will add a hint of colour, saving space in place of lipsticks and lip glosses.

•  Tweezers are a really important tool in my makeup bag. They can be used for removing any stray eyebrow hairs, to help put false eyelashes on if they don't want to behave and stick down, and even remove splinters. wonder tool!

• Clear mascara is something I never used to purchase, but now i'm obsessed. it's great for days where you feel like going au natural on the makeup, but your lashes need a little pick me up. It's even great for taming unruly eyebrows when you're running low on brow gel. 

• Powder. Great for setting shiny skin, concealer and buffing away eyeshadow fall out. 

• Foundation brush.  A Good foundation brush is the key to flawless skin. You can use it to apply tinted moisturizer, foundation, or a bb/cc cream.

• Makeup wipes are something that i shout at myself for using when feeling lazy instead of cleansing and toning properly, but are still something i use everyday, and are great for on the go. 

big hugs x

REVIEW - FOO FIGHTERS 'SAINT CECILIA' EP

Okay, so I completely understand that a music review probably doesn't sit all to great on a fashion or beauty blog, but I love the Foos, and this has to be done.

As I love the Foo Fighters with every inch of my heart, this may not be the unbiased review you would hope for when new music is released, but it will be honest.

Let's get down to business.

So, The Foo Fighters have just finished their world tour (which I was lucky enough to attend!) and how do they honour the end of a world tour? Release a free EP, of course.

The EP, (which i will mention again is FREE!) is titled 'Saint Cecilia' and was recorded in an impromptu studio in the Saint Cecilia Hotel in Austin. I would highly recommend that anyone who has an iTunes account downloads this, I mean it's not costing you a single penny, and the chances are that you will love it.

In usual Foo's style, the music is well put together, yet edgy. Its an EP that is rough around the edges, its sharp, it's loud, it's everything that you want in a Foo Fighters record. The lack of polish and the impromptu nature of this EP make it almost special and intimate to any Foo Fighters lover, new or old.

The first track, 'Saint Cecilia' is like a comfortable slipper. As soon as Chris Shiflett's catchy guitar riffs hit your ears, you know you're listening to a road tested, legendary band just simply do their thing. This track is wonderful, and it encapsulates the Foo's for me.

'Sean' is faster paced, and takes me back to the older, punk style the Foo's had years ago. It's nostalgic, it's like a journey through the history of the Foo Fighters for your ears. (I told you this wouldn't be biased whatsoever...haha!)

'Saviour Breath". Where do I start? Chris Shiflett's guitar playing in this is outstanding. Actually it's face melting. Grohl's voice is raspy, it's loud, and it's bloody brilliant.

The fourth track, 'Iron Rooster' is potentially my favourite. It's slow, it's got a country vibe about it that makes me feel like I could drive to this sound forever, the perfect driving song. It's Grohl exploring something complex in a manner so simple, and i'm still yet to fully understand this song. It's beautiful.

Finally, and last but most definitely not least, "A Neverending Sigh'. Oh my word. What a song. It literally demands your attention. Taylor Hawkins is incredible on the drums as usual, (After witnessing him drum live i'm forever convinced he is a robot with super speed arms) and the song feels familiar, yet it's completely new. It almost reminds me of All My Life. Epic, loud and anthemic.

This band is one that has proved the test of time. They give, (and give again. Sorry...) they they never fail to impress, and they definitely live up to their reputation as one of the biggest rock bands of all time. Award winning, legendary and a band full of history. This EP is definitely worth your time.

You can download the EP 'Saint Cecilia' from iTunes for free.

8 BEAUTY HABITS TO KEEP

Now all of these will more than likely be obvious to most of you, but some of us can be forgetful (me) or very lazy (also me) when it comes to keeping on top of a beauty regime. With that in mind, here are 8 beauty hygiene habits to keep. All the time!

• 1  ALWAYS take your makeup off before you sleep! This one is so important, you have to let your skin breathe at night! let your skin repair and take all your wonderful contouring and exceptional eyeliner off, trust me, you’ll thank yourself eventually

• 2 moisturise moisturise moisturise! This one is super important too! i know for us lazy girls out there it feels like a huge effort to moisturise post bath or shower, but it really is a must do to keep your skin soft, supple and hydrated! Word on the street is, it keeps you looking young too!

• 3 Throw out old cosmetics. Now I know a lot of us probably forget this one (I’m guilty!) but most cosmetics have a use by date, so try to keep a note of when your cosmetics will expire, if you haven’t already used them up by then! Out of date cosmetics can be harmful to skin, and no one wants that!

• 4 Clean those make-up brushes and sponges. Regularly! This is something i’ve always enjoyed, i have no clue why. Dirty brushes and sponges can harbour bacteria, which could give you spots and blemishes! give them a good scrub, at least once in a while.

• 5 Floss those teeth. Now for me this isn’t something I forget, because I have a strange love for dental floss, but surprising amounts of people forget! Floss your teeth at least once a day, and clean where your brush can’t reach. Please!

• 6 Avoid rubbing your hair and skin dry after your bath or shower. I know a lot of people do this, and it’s a habit you should train yourself out of! Rubbing your hair dry can cause breakages, so squeeze out excess water and pat dry! Same goes for your skin, pat dry, don’t rub! 

• 7 For those of you who have a pumice stone, this one is for you. Give your pumice stone a good boil to remove germs and bacteria. Because the stone is full of holes it’s essential to give it a clean to stop bacteria or any germs hiding in there!

• 8 Clean out your brushes. I’m all to guilty of this, but keep on top of hair brushes and clean the hair and hairspray etc. out of them regularly, you don’t want a dirty brush going through clean hair!

much love 

x

(I do not own any images used on this post)