September Favourites

Maybe a little late being a few days into October, but here is what I have been loving a lot for the past month. My first was bought by accident, well basically I went to go buy some little bits for my cousins birthday present, I liked it so much I bought one for myself as well! 

Rimmel Colour Rush Balm in 710 Drive Me Nude. I really like these lip products shaped like a chubby pencil, I think they are super easy to apply, especially with the point to get a little more precision to your application. 

So this product says : "Moisturising Long Lasting Lip Colour ALLURING COLOUR, TENDER LIPS… So Kissable!"

I definitely agree with long lasting, I can put this on for work and after five-six hours when I finish, yes it has faded a little, but with a lot of lip products you would usually find it has pretty much gone. Also I found it fades well not leaving your lips with little colour patches. The range holds twelve different shades, so quite a few to choose from, my cousin only likes wearing nude colours hence why I have the nude shade of the bunch but it is a gorgeous, easy, wearable shade perfect for any time of the year. As for moisturising, I find a lot of the matte/long lasting lip products tend to be very dry and leave your lips flaky. I was very surprised with this one, as it says in the name "balm" it does go on super easy like a lip balm and then sets after a little while to a semi matte finish. So finally "kissable?" yes I believe so hehe! I will be getting my mitts on some of the others in this range. 

Rimmel Colour Rush Balm - 710 Drive Me Nude £5.99

Whilst I am talking about lips I may as well move onto my next favourite, from Estee Lauder another nude shade called 120 Desirable, the Pure Color Envy Lipstick. So I saved all my beauty club points up and ended up paying just over two pound for this one hehe! Oh my firstly I just want to say I love the packaging super simple, looks a luxury product with the navy and gold colours, but I really like that as you lower the lid it just clicks into place. Super simple I know but a nice finishing touch. This is a sculpting lipstick and I love how even though I chose a nude shade it adds shape and appears to plump up my lips with the full coverage colour. One swipe over my lips and that's it a fuller looking pout! A luxury creamy formula that leaves your lips feeling super soft and hydrated throughout the day. The only negative I have about this is the longevity, I find it does not last as long as other lip products but it does fade beautifully and it would not put me off buying other shades. 

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick - 120 Desirable £24

My only other make-up favourite are the Katy Perry Eylure Lashes - Lovely Lolita (£5.95), I got these to wear at the Katy Perry concert back in May, I only went and forgot them that night. But I found a couple of other occasions to wear these and I love them. I was a little worried that the Katy Perry range would be a lot of fuller and longer lashes but these are just perfect, adding a little "oommpphh" to your natural lashes. This set have clusters of six to seven lashes spread evenly with a short/medium length. Basically just right for the natural glam look.

Finally my last two products I have been using together quite a lot in September. From The Yorkshire Soap Company I got Bomb Cosmetics Raspberry Blower Cleansing Shower Butter (£7.99), silly me read the label wrong in the shop and thought it was a moisturising butter like the body butters from The Body Shop. But you actually take a scoop and lather it up in the shower, so it is like a tub of soap instead of the traditional bar of soap. Containing natural shea butter this is a rich and moisturising formula. I love the smell it reminds me of raspberry ripple ice-cream, and also goes really well with King Of Skin from Lush (£5.75). I know I am pretty late to trying out this but oohh my I am glad I finally got it! It is just perfect, after rinsing off my new shower butter I grab my King of Skin and use this all over like I would moisturiser but straight onto wet skin. I then pat myself dry and ta daa! super soft skin. I think I am starting to like this more than my Soap and Glory Righteous Butter, but only because I like the way King of Skin leaves your skin feeling more hydrated and nourished, like I can still feel the moisturiser slightly after a few hours of application. With a combination of bananas, avacados, and oatmilk as few of the ingredients no wonder I love the smell, very nearly similar to The Breakfast Scrub from Soap and Glory. 

Phewwuu .... Hope you liked my ramblings on about things I have been loving in September, leave a comment if you use any of these and what your favourite products are.

Love Jess x

DIOR & CHANEL | Cream Shadows

Oh don't you just love splashing out on super pretty make-up! These two just accidentally fell into my hands, as soon as I tried out the colours I new I had to have them!

Christian Dior: Diorshow Fusion Mono
Long-wear Eyeshadow
001 Lune

Chanel: Illusion D'Ombre Longwear Luminous Eyeshadow
82 Emerveille 

The main reason I bought them was because of the shades, they are PERFECT for bridal make-up. Both have a soft shimmery/metallic finish, blurring any imperfections and subtly adding a wash of colour. The swatches below were easily done by using only my finger. I must admit the Dior eyeshadow colour I have come across before within a different brand though, and I could not imagine how it would come out, I suppose I thought it would be a bright white pasty colour! But how wrong I was, it is a beautiful pale silver sheer wash with very fine micro-glitter. Whereas the Chanel shade is a warm peachy champagne shade, both giving a gorgeous, iridescent luminous finish.

Both have an amazing silky soft texture which I love, making it very easy to apply but as you can see by the swatches I found (especially with the Chanel pot) they are very sheer and hard to build up the colour. I tend to push a similar shade over the top to intensify the colour, "chopper" from Naked 2 Palette works well, or "all that glitters" from MAC. Fair enough if you wanted just a sheer wash of colour but due to the product being such a creamy texture I feel like it would crease very easily if worn alone. 

Very luxurious products, a bit pricey at £24 a pot, especially with better options out there.

Have any of you tried these two out? What cream shadows do you like?

Love Jess x

MAJOR #throwbackthursday

Hey guys! So I did say when I first started my blog I would explain why I chose to name it "please don't call me flora" sooo here is why .......

This is the photograph that inspired my blog name! From one of my Mum's many albums of when me and my sister's where little. I decided to play in a cardboard box, the photo was taken and she wrote the caption "please don't call me flora".

Random I know but I wanted something personal and a little different to all the other beauty blogs. Just seemed right to share it with you all after my Mum posted it yesterday for my 21st birthday, so a MAJOR #throwbackthursday for me hehe!

Love Jess x

MAC Eyeshadow Palette

TOP (left to right): Vanilla, Blanc Type, Brule, Omega, Corquette

MIDDLE (left to right): Naked Lunch, All that Glitters, Wedge, Texture, Charcoal Brown

BOTTOM (left to right): Mulch, Trax, Satin Taupe, Smut, Black Tide

I have the Large Single Pro Palette with x15 eyeshadow insert. All found on www.maccosmetics.co.uk

TOP (left to right): Vanilla, Blanc Type, Brule, Omega, Coquette

MIDDLE (left to right): Naked Lunch, All that Glitters, Wedge, Texture, Charcoal Brown

BOTTOM (left to right): Mulch, Trax, Satin Taupe, Smut, Black Tide

I use Vanilla and Blanc Type for highlighting the eye area, so the brow bone and tear duct, really helping to lift and open up the eyes. Blanc Type and Brule are also great for a matte natural base to work other colours onto because of the beige tones. 

Omega, Coquette, and Charcoal Brown are the colours I use for brows, with an angled brush to fill in and add shape. I use Omega for blonde and light brown hair, whereas the other two are slightly darker and Coquette has muted grey tones, so a great all rounder.  

Now, Naked Lunch is my favourite out of my whole palette, its super subtle and flattering for any make-up look! This and All that Glitters complement each other really well as they both have the pink/pearl undertone and shimmer, I love to layer these two on top of pink cream eye shadows to add texture, and to deepen the colours.

I use Omega and Wedge to define the crease and outer V of the eye, these muted beige shades can be great to break up other colours, or for a soft natural smoky eye, I like to sweep the colour all over the eye and blend well. 

Mulch, Satin Taupe and Smut are also perfect shades for a darker smoky eye, I love the bronze/red undertones they can be blended out really well. An easy to do smoky eye! You can also push the shadow along the lash line with a small flat brush (MAC 239) for a softer winged out look.

I really liked the look of Texture and Trax, Trax is a burgundy plum with a bronze/gold shimmer, I like to use them to add a little under the eye, only very subtly though. Texture can also be a an alternative to a natural crease colour to add a little more depth to the make-up look. 

Finally Black Tide, this is perfect for sweeping along the lash line with an angled brush to create the illusion of thicker lashes, great for blending but careful as it can drop a little. I love the little sparkle in this shadow too.

What is your favourite MAC eyeshadow?

Love Jess x

No7 | Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation

I must say I struggle to find a foundation that I really like, stick to using, and manage to finish the whole bottle. I have now been using this one for a good month or two and I love it! This foundation says it is suitable for all skin types (I have oily/combination skin) using a Zoeva Defined Buffer brush I work the foundation into my skin, starting from the centre of my face and working the product outwards to create a fresh natural complexion. When I purchased this I was suffering with dehydration and had flaky/crepey skin (doesn't sound nice, I know!) unlike many, the No7 foundation did not cake up around these areas, it totally smoothed out my skin. Obviously I use other products to help out with staying power and the finish but without powdering this gives a lovely natural dewy finish. I can apply it first thing in the morning and know I only have to powder once through the middle of the day and it will still look perfect when I get home later in the afternoon. It does say "up to 24 hour wear" but lets face it who wears foundation for 24 hours!
This is called a "Superlight" foundation and I definitely agree, this foundation has a very runny texture a bit like MAC Face and Body and gives a light to medium coverage, and it is build-able too! I do still need to conceal and some redness from my cheeks does show but that is understandable for a lightweight foundation. So all you girlies who like a more heavy coverage this would probably not be good for you, but I really do not like the "caked on" look so this is perfect for spring/summer!
As for the colour shades available, I went into Boots and had the No7 Match Made Service, I must admit they did choose a shade a little to dark for me and had to go back to get the lighter shade but this range has fourteen shades, and I now have a darker shade which I could mix if I get a little tanned this summer! phahahaa!
A little random but some people do like to know about packaging, this foundation is small and compact great for travelling and putting in your handbag, also I really like it is in a squeezy bottle so you can use it all up! 
Another plus ... with a SPF 15 and this foundation is also Hypo-allergenic. 

Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation £14.50 Boots

Has anyone tried this out, or any other No7 foundations?

Love Jess x

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick | 02 Beige Trench

As promised a blog post dedicated to the Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick!

There are eighteen shades to choose from, naturals, nudes, pinks, corals and reds, something for everyone. I chose 02 Beige Trench and I love it! Basically it is a beige shade with a soft pink undertone, so natural, enhancing my natural lip colour, I have been wearing it everyday since I bought it.

Usually I have to apply my Palmers Cocoa lip balm before any lip product so it doesn't leave horrible cracks in my lips. Not this one! With a quarter of pure laque and orchid blossom, this lipstick has an amazing texture, gliding on smoothly leaving your lips hydrated, glossy, and full of colour throughout the day, I can imagine the brighter and deeper colours would come out beautifully. I found I have to touch up once through the day but that does not bother me.
For a drugstore product I love the packaging, stylish, sleek and I like the fact you can see the shade on the bottom of the product.

Love Jess x

Make-up Haul

Boots have an offer on!

• Buy 1 get 2nd half price on selected cosmetics

(I'm not to sure when this finishes so go go go!)

I didn't go crazy but I did only plan to get wax, I managed to come out with things I didn't really need and NO WAX! Typical!

Eyelure Naturalites Natural Volume 020 £5.35

I only ever wear false lashes on a night out, and they can be uncomfortable if you're not used to them, as some can be quite heavy on the natural lashes. These are very fine and would be perfect for if you're a beginner to false lashes or for an everyday look to open up the eyes and a little extra volume.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer £5.49 

I love my Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer it is great for covering up blemishes and redness, but recently I have not been loving it so much under my eyes. I have found it to be a little heavy and drying, so after a browse I thought I would give the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer a go as I have started using the foundation again. This concealer has a lovely texture, its super light and doesn't "cake up", feel tight and dry which can be uncomfortable around the delicate eye area. After applying foundation I apply a little on the inner corner of my eyes, and dab in with my finger or brush, I find using it all under the eye area it can crease through the day, so just using a little in the corner and blending outwards works a treat! It brightens the eye area due to the similar formula of the foundation with peptides and a vitamin moisturising complex.... definitely waking up the eyes! 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick £7.99

Oh my goodness! This is hands down my new favourite lipstick! I love it so much my next post will be all about it .......

Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation £5.99

Over summer I have only been using either my Urban Decay or Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation, so I thought time for a change, after seeing Rimmel's new foundation on an advert I thought I would give it a go. When I first started using make-up the original Stay Matte foundation was one of my first products I used, I honestly cannot remember what it was like. This new formula says to be feather light, blends flawlessly, gives a natural finish, and all day shine control. Yes, yes, yes, and yes! It goes onto this skin beautifully, either with brush, fingers or sponge, lovely sheer finish without feeling caked on due to the light mousse texture. Just covering any redness and imperfections and lasting all day long. My only concern is it is slightly dark for me as I am pretty pale but I can get away with it when blended well, and some may find it a little to matte and flat looking, I always nearly use powder but you do not need it with this. For the price it's great I'm not complaining. 

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge £5.99

WOW! I love my Real Techniques Expert Face brush but now it has competition! I haven't been a big fan of sponges when applying foundation, I think my sister put me off them using cheap tacky sponges and never washing them. This sponge is high quality and well thought through with a unique design, giving you three ways to apply your liquid foundation. I use the large rounded sides to blend in my foundation all over the face, using gentle wiping motions to get the product onto the skin then stippling for a flawless finish. The pointed top is just right for around the nose and the flat edge is great for the contouring. LOVE IT!

Revlon Powder Blush - 10 Toast of New York £3.75

My Nana called me over in Boots to see a stand full of sale products, and I got my mitts on this lovely powder blush from Revlon for £3.75! Its a matte brown/nude shade, it is perfect for a natural finish. I have been applying this on the apples of my cheeks and blending slightly onto the top of my cheek bones with a large blush brush. The packaging isn't so good but I love the colour great for autumn!

Bourjois Blush Exclusif £7.99

Another new product from Bourjois! A "made-to-measure blush" with pH-reactive pigments and cream to powder texture it self adjusts to your natural skin tone. I cannot wait to try this out, such cute little packaging too!

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara 

This I did not get from Boots, my sister's friend brought it back for me from America. My eyebrows are a nightmare to keep in place all day they just want to stay horizontal, I have tried so many products, even hairspray. I found this on Miss Glamorazzi YouTube, and after using it the past week I am impressed, it grooms my eyebrows keeping them in place all day without the crunchy hard feeling!

WOW! That was a long post, leave a comment if you have used any of these products, or RT on twitter if you liked it!

Love Jess x

Fashion, Bridal, and Beauty Make-up | Photographs

I'm not going to go through week by week ten times, but I thought I would share some of my favourite photographs from throughout my summer in Bath. Some were taken by professional photographers, you will probably be able to notice as I need to work on that.

Walking down the hill from college

Royal Cresent

The view from my room one week

River Avon

Body Painting was one of my favourite weeks, as you could just let your creative side loose, I had so much fun and spent the whole of Sunday creating this piece below, inspired by bridal fashions I sponged white, blue, and coral aqua colour paints through lace pieces, creating texture and layering.

Autumn Inspired Make-up and Hair

Re-create competition was another great day of the course, college teamed up with The Body Shop and Teenage Cancer Trust to raise money and awareness, we were given the brief to inspire hope and positivity for teenagers. I focused my design on bright colours adding stencils and flowers to the hair. I also met Peter Swords King (Academy Award and BAFTA winner for make-up and hair design in Lord of the Rings) who was one of the judges on the day. Even though I was not placed it was such an amazing experience and looking at other people's entries was so inspiring.

I did this make-up on our lunch break 

Natural/Summer make-up

Final piece Make-up .... Inspired by spring pastel colours

At home through the week messing with my sister - Miley Cyrus We Can't Stop

A variation on smoky eye

One weekend there was a Great Gatsby themed party on the Saturday night, so we did hair and make-up for friends and family. Very Glamorous!

Love Jess x

The Body Shop | Almond Hand & Nail Cream

This is by far my best product from The Body Shop, and something I always have on my Christmas present list. I did a weeks work experience at The Body Shop when I was in my last year of secondary school, and I couldn't believe how popular the hand creams were. They have a range of four creams, Hemp, Wild Rose, Almond and a fairly new one, Absinthe. When I was on work experience the Hemp was the most popular due to it intense moisture, so I went to buy one of the hand creams for my Mum for Christmas and tried them out, and that is when I fell in love. Fair enough the Hemp hand cream was super moisturising but the Almond smelt amazing unlike the Hemp.

Almond Hand & Nail Cream
30ml £5
100ml £10

The Almond hand cream is actually an all around product and great for your hands and nails, containing two essential ingredients, sweet almond oil and panthenol. Beauticians use almond oil in manicures due to it being high in rich fatty acids, it is perfect for dry brittle nails, whereas panthenol gives great skin penetration, known for treating sunburns and minor skin disorders.
This is a daily hand and nail cream therefore one application will last throughout the day , however if you love it as much as me you'll have one to keep at home and a smaller one in your handbag. I love the rich formula and how it leaves your hands super soft without that greasy feeling , I like to concentrate massaging this into my cuticles and nails as it helps soothe sore hangnails and that annoying dry skin. Another thing I love about this product is the packaging, as you can see you can squeeze every last drop out and get your moneys worth.

This is a great hand-cream, however considering we are about to go into the colder months the Hemp is even more moisturising and great for people who suffer with very dry hands, if you like the scent.

Love Jess x

Birthday Presents!

Through the summer it was my birthday and I turned twenty. I didn't do much, just went on a little shopping trip to Leeds with my boyfriend, my Mum cooked a Sunday dinner for when I got back, since I had been away on weekends for college. Anyway I just wanted to share what presents I got and what I bought on the day.

My parents and sisters got me the bright pink handbag, which is from River Island, Nars Laguna Bronzer and Jouer Blusher in "Peony". My cousin got me some Real Techniques brushes, the large powder brush and blush brush. I went to London earlier this year and got the Urban Decay Basics palette, so I treated myself to the Naked 2 palette with some of my birthday money.
My boyfriend said he would treat me on the day, so I took full advantage and went to Mac, I got my first quad palette and eye shadows, I wanted just neutral shades that were wearable for everyday. I chose "All That Glitters" "Mystery" "Omega" and "Brule" I also got a 239 brush and a blusher in "Peaches".
We then went to The Body Shop to get some skincare for my boyfriend, and I picked up a new Colour Crush lipstick, I got one of these in my goodie bag from college on competition day, the colour was a bit too dark for me but I love the formula, the texture is really rich and creamy and lasts quite a long time. So I got the shade "210 - Sweetheart Pink".
With my new handbag I was desperate for a new make-up bag too, my last one was from Primark, which I'm not complaining about as it was only £1 it's lasted a pretty long time but it was now time for a better looking and sturdier one. I came across the bright pink one in Next, in the sale for £8 was very pleased. I can fit so much in, plus it matches my new handbag!

I had a great birthday even though I didn't do much. I was pretty happy with my gifts though...

Love Jess x

LIFE UPDATE!

The last two and a bit months have been super busy and you will probably understand why I haven't posted anything for a while.
I have been doing a make-up course through the summer! YES! I am now a make-up artist, I have had the best summer travelling down to Bath every weekend to attend a Fashion, Bridal, and Beauty Make-up course.
This all started in March/April time when I was competing in my college competition for Avant Garde make-up, my tutor actually kept me back after class one day to talk to me about what I was going to do when I finished college (Beauty Therapy) I had been thinking about carrying onto a make-up course but had no clue where to start looking or what kind of course to look for. My tutor is actually the one who convinced me to go for it and over the next few weeks I was searching on the internet for courses I could take.  This search was very difficult as there were so many options and routes to take, from a one day course to a three year degree at university. I came across a college that offered courses running over a number of weeks, they had a number of courses to choose from and I settled with a ten week course running over weekends in the summer. It was perfect!
The college is fairly new as it only opened a year ago, so my class was small, well only me and another girl. Which was great as we got one on one tuition and a lot of support. I also made a friend for life and I know if I needed to talk to someone she would be there and offer me support.
Anyway this summer has flown by and I have learnt so much, when I was researching where to go I came across some comments about going to make-up school, such as its not worth your money. Yes I admit it is a lot of money to part with. I couldn't get a loan so I had to use all my savings and the money my mum and dad put aside for when I was older. But was it worth it? HELL YES! I could have got tips and tricks of YouTube and maybe taught myself but it wouldn't have even come close to what I have achieved over these last ten weeks. Firstly you get an amazing kit and help with how you can build it up without spending a fortune, portfolio building we had a professional photographer in for some shoots other times we used the college camera and messed about with different shots. We covered so many looks and even put our own spin on them, training with other people helps you broaden your own skills, it was so interesting watching other people apply the make-up and how they interpret a certain look. Getting taught by someone who is actually in the industry! Most mornings when she was going through a look with us she would stop and randomly come out with stories of people she has worked with and experiences  she has. Also we had a couple of weekends with other make-up artists, being taught by them allowed us to ask questions and learn about other areas in this industry. I also met Peter King! I could go on forever .... but the one thing you cannot get from teaching yourself in the confidence. I am a shy person and that I don't think will ever change but my confidence with make-up and hair is so much better!
Last night I went to my college presentation evening and picked up my Level 3 Beauty Therapy certificate, as well as a surprise award for best in Level 3! So happy with my Dermalogica goodies. My tutor was amazing over the last two years!

Anyway this is what I have been up to over the summer, it was amazing and I will never forget it!

Love Jess x

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Day 29 | 30 Day Snap

Today was quite hectic and super tiring! It was Armed Forces Day and Scarborough was packed with tourists as the Red Arrow Jets were in town. Yes I do realise a photograph of them would have been much better for this feature but I found it quite impossible when serving teas and coffees and keeping my eye on not burning the teacakes. The noise was terrific (I could feel the ground shaking) yet I never got one glance when peering out of the back window at work.

So after only half a none stop day at work I rushed home for my little sister's birthday party with her friends. It was a photograph party, we set up the conservatory with spare white bed sheets and got the fancy dress box down from the loft. It was such fun.... So my snap for today is me and my other sister "supervising" at the park after tea! 

Last day tomorrow ......... 

***Sprinkle Of Glitter*** 30 Day Snap

Just above is the original link to the lady who started this lovely feature!

Love Jess x
p.s. please look at my last post for 30 Day Snap

Day 30 | 30 Day Snap

Boooom! I have completed the 30 Day Snap Challenge! 

I have taken two photographs today because I couldn't decide which one to upload. I've spent my Sunday in Hull with my two sisters and little cousin, treating my little sister for her birthday by taking her to the cinema to see Despicable Me 2. Which may I add is very funny, love the end scene, I was in stitches! I've had a treat weekend and been to McDonalds and had a doughnut on the train journey home! This is me in the cinema with my 3D glasses and sweets and making some time up after when waiting for the train walking up to the docks.

I must admit I am pretty impressed with myself for completing this challenge, but I have struggled some days, coming to five/six o'clock in the afternoon and either forgetting about a picture through the day or not having a very exciting day so not knowing what to take a picture of. 

One thing I have loved about this challenge is the fact I can reflect back on a whole month. It seems to have gone really fast but feels like I have been doing it ever since I started my blog. Since I started this challenge I have had my hair cut, been ill, started a new calorie controlled diet, started to exercise a lot more, gone on a couple of family days out, been to work, finished my level 3 beauty therapy course and spent a few of my evenings getting ready for my new make-up course. Maybe I haven't experimented with photography skills as such but I have still got through the whole month taking a photograph, edited it, made a post, and wrote a little piece to go with it everyday for thirty whole days!

Hope you have enjoyed this feature <3 

Love Jess x

***Sprinkle Of Glitter*** 30 Day Snap

Just above is the original link to the lady who started this lovely feature!

Love Jess x

p.s. here is the link to my last post on 30 Day Snap

Day 28 | 30 Day Snap

What a horrible day! It hasn't stopped raining at all today, which means not a busy day at work and got closed up early so hometime to get some comfy clothes on and slipper socks to warm me up. An exciting weekend is on the way! 

***Sprinkle Of Glitter*** 30 Day Snap

Just above is the original link to the lady who started this lovely feature!

Love Jess x

p.s. here is the link to my last post on 30 Day Snap