Emily's Blog

Hello everyone, I have bought a couple of things recently that I have absolutely fallen in love with & they have both become one of my top favourite makeup items.

Real Techniques Sponge Applicator

I bought this spontaneously in Asda a few days ago, I just saw it there, there was a massive sale on Real Techniques items & I picked it up. I have heard great things about it from other bloggers and YouTubers, so that did influence my decision, although I was contemplating on whether or not to buy it for ages; I didn't know if it would be worth the £5-6 that it is.
I would totally recommend it to anyone and it is defiantly worth the money. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do, but I now prefer it more than using a brush to put on my foundation and concealer. It does get dirty quite quickly, as you can tell from above... and I've only used it 3 times... But it does say on the packaging it needs washing quite frequently.

Application: I put my foundation on my hand and either dab the sponge on my hand and dab it on my face, or I put the foundation on my hand, use a brush to sweep it over my face then dab the foundation on with the sponge applicator. For concealer I just simply dot it over any imperfections and under my eyes and dab it on with the sponge.

The sponge is a specific shape (as you can see below) and you use each side/part for different things, but I tend to just use the flat bit and occasionally the tip (not the edge of the sponge because I find it a bit awkward).


UPDATE: I washed it a few hours ago (with shampoo & warm water) and it practically looks brand new again - which is fab and it also didn't take ages to clean as well. 
However it is taking quite a while to dry, even though I have obviously squeezed all the water I can out...
It is currently wrapped in a little towel... which will hopefully make it dry for the morning!

Mac Mineralize Skin Finish: Soft and Gentle

I have wanted this for ageeeees and I finally ordered it online a week or so ago. I am in love with it and it is my favorite Mac/High end product and it will probably remain that way for a long time. It is £23 but I would definitely say it is worth the money, as you don't need to put much on and there is a lot of product in the case thing (I don't know what you would call it.... a pot?!)

Application: I use Benefit's Hoola bronzer (which is also one of my favorite products) to contour, blending it in with Real Technique's buffer brush. I then use my finger to apply Mac's soft and gentle just above where I have contoured. I sometimes blend it in with the Real Techniques contour brush if I have applied quite a lot of the product.

It lasts all day on your skin, and adds a soft glow which is still noticeable - especially when the light shines on your face. I especially think this is a perfect product for summer.
IT IS JUST SO PRETTY!

Hello everyone,


                                 

Hello everyone!
Sorry I haven't posted for a month, I've been so busy finishing coursework, my EPQ and revising for my mocks and just generally revising for my exams in a couple of months. But I will write a few blog posts within the next couple of days and schedule them for the next few weeks.

 Lipsticks

Eye shadow

You don't need to apply much at all, just one or two little dabs and you're done! Although, make sure you bluff it in/blend it in with a brush after.
I personally think the blush is totally worth the money (£18); it is simply gorgeous and as you don't need to apply much, it should last a very long time - like most Mac products.

Hello everyone! Two blog posts in one night, I am on a rollllll!

Now I made a blog post about this 4 week expedition trip of a lifetime to Malaysia, Borneo almost a year ago (I cannot believe it was that long ago!): http://emilyfrancesx.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/world-challenge-malasya-and-borneo.html so go and check it out if you want to!
I will describe in a bit more detail in the following paragraphs, but basically I will be doing lots of activities for a month, such as diving and helping in a community and a lot of fundraising's required to pay for the expedition.


The trip will allow me to develop many of my own skills such as independence, confidence and my ability to work within a team. Not only will it help myself, but going on the trip will allow me to work within a community to help improve people's lives who are less fortunate than ourselves, of which will be absolutely amazing.
One of my close friends went to Kenya last year on a similar trip, of which she helped out in a community and she said they had a great time helping out and having fun with the children, but they were all sad to leave.
I think it will be so much fun teaching them cool stuff and having a good time with them and also helping them and where they live and go to school.
I feel like money makes a huge difference to their lives, but to meet other people and hear our stories and for us to listen to their stories and experiences will make a difference and it will make everyone positive and happy.

As well as helping out in a community for a few days I will be going on a couple of hikes/treks up mountains and through rain forests, turtle conservation, completing a scuba diving course and having some relaxing time to explore the places we travel to. I honestly cannot wait to go. I signed up not even knowing if my friends were going to go which was really brave for me; I'm not the most confident person in the world! I have made a few new friends though and a girl who I used to be good friends with is going as well, so it will be great!


I still have quite a bit of money to raise before the summer so I would honestly be eternally grateful if you have a spare £3 (or less it doesn't matter!) to go towards this amazing opportunity.
It honestly sounds so cheeky & sounds as if I am begging, but I have no idea how else to write it! I do not in anyway want to come across as sounding like a total beg, but any donations will be very very much appreciated and I could not thank you enough.
Here is the link you can follow if you would like to make a contribution: https://www.myworldchallenge.com/make-a-contribution.asp?femid=901865&ch=mJImm7 :)

Hello!
I have bought a lot of makeup recently, so I thought I'd write a couple of blog posts on the different products I have purchased. I'm going to do high street brands in this blog post and MAC in another one, of which I will upload a few days after this post.

L'Oreal Paris 'Miss Manga Punky' mascara

I have heard such great things about L'Oreal mascara's, so I thought I would give one a try. I had the Million Lashes one in mind to purchase, but Boots had an introductory offer on their new mascara 'Miss Manga Punky' and it was £5.99 (usually £8.99), so I decided to purchase the product. However, I regretted that decision a couple of times after I had used the mascara. I was disappointed with the brush; it was very little, and if it was a fiber brush it would be better, but it has short little plastic points. I don't usually mind mascara's with a plastic applicator, as I love Benefits 'they're real' of which is no doubt in my top 3 mascara's I have ever purchased, but not this one.

I don't hate the mascara, but I definitely wont be repurchasing it in the future, I will trust other peoples judgement and go for the 'Million Lashes' mascara. The mascara however does add volume and seriously makes your lashes stand out, but I just don't like the fact it's a bit clumpy and hard to apply, of which are two things you seriously don't want in a mascara... Especially one you're spending £5+ on. It is particularly difficult to apply the mascara to the bottom lashes as the applicator is so little and fiddly, so therefore I use my mini Benefit 'they're real' mascara or a mini MAC one I got free with an online order, as they are both super easy to use and only require a couple of coats.
The packaging however is quite nice and fits the 'theme' of the mascara, if that makes any sense!

Now, I should have read into the mascara before purchasing it; this kind of 'lash look' isn't one I particularity wanted, but we all make mistakes - ha ha!
New moto: think twice before you buy!

Revlon Lip Butter

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm