WHAT I WORE: 70TH BIRTHDAY MEAL

REVIEW: SKINETICA ANTI-BLEMISH SOLUTION

HEY, IT'S OK #1

So I thought I would start a little series of just a couple of fun posts (I haven't decided if I'm going to make them weekly yet... Let me know what you think?) of 'Hey, It's OK...' lists - kind of like the article that Glamour magazine runs every month - but about a whole host of weird and wonderful things. I doubt these posts will have a certain theme to them but I just thought they'd be something a little different and interesting to do... So I'm rambling now so let's get on with it, shall we?

LEARNING CURVES: SMALL CHILDREN

IN THE PRESS: HOW TO START WEARING MAKEUP

Forgive this late uploading of a post but I felt that I just had to share my thoughts. Whilst going through my blog feed I noticed Jane from British Beauty Blogger had written a post titled 'Are You A Selfie?' which I immediately clicked on. Forgive my naivety but I originally thought it was a post about self-photography which is something I'm currently much interested in because of my taking part in the 365 challenge (posts on this coming soon). It actually contained a rebuttle to the recently published 'How To Wear Makeup' piece in the Guardian. I love Jane's posts on these kinds of topics because not only can she construct a coherent argument she makes it witty and wry at the same time. I read Jane's post and then I read the piece from the Guardian. I mulled on it for some time. The entire length of a movie in fact. Then I decided to write and publish this post.

EVENT: BIRMINGHAM LANCOME SKINCARE

REVIEW: REVLON SUPER LUSTROUS LIPSTICK IN 'CHERRIES IN THE SNOW'

REVIEW: LOOK BEAUTY BROW PERFECT

REVIEW: NO7 SKIN MATCH SERVICE & STAY PERFECT SPF15 LIQUID FOUNDATION

REVIEW: MEMEME BEAT THE BLUES LIQUID HIGHLIGHTER IN 'PEARL PINK'

REVIEW: MUA UNDRESS ME TOO PALETTE AND SWATCHES

HOW MUCH DOES MY FACE COST? WEEKEND EDITION 2013

REVIEW: SOAP & GLORY THE FAB PORE HOT CLOTH CLEANSER CONCENTRATED CLEANSING CREAM

REVIEW: TARTE LIPSURGENCE NATURAL LIP STAIN IN 'ENCHANTED'

REVIEW: NYX 5 COLOUR SHADOW THE CARIBBEAN COLLECTION 'I DREAM OF BARBADOS' PALETTE

HOW MUCH DOES MY FACE COST? WORK EDITION

REVIEW: MUA PRO BASE CONCEAL AND BRIGHTEN KIT IN 'PORCELAIN'

REVIEW: LIERAC PARIS MASQUE CONFORT MOISTURISING RICH CREAM

REVIEW: HERBAL ESSENCES 'HELLO HYDRATION' & 'TOUSLE ME SOFTLY' INTENSIVE MASKS

FOOD: LUXEMBURGELI MACAROONS

REVIEW: NUXE REVE DE MIEL LIP BALM

GUEST: TALES FROM THE KINGDOM 'WHAT'S MY MY MAKEUP BAG?'

Hello! I’m Christina and I write my own blog named Tales from the Kingdom (I live in the Kingdom of Fife, see what I did there?) When Helen asked via Twitter if anyone would like to guest-post for her (utterly brilliant… who said I’m a suck up?!) blog, and in the spirit of adventure I thought I’d try writing one and said yes! Here I am, and now to move on to my topic of choice… Travel make-up. 

I am a support worker for a charity that supports adults with autism spectrum conditions, and that involves a lot of night-shifts and sleepover shifts (where I sleep at work… it’s a bit weird.) Added to that, I travel home to Glasgow quite often so packing my make-up bag for travelling has become something of a fine art. So what do I pack in my make-up bag? And how do I travel light?

GUEST: RAMBLINGS OF A BEAUTY BIRD 'HOW MANY PRODUCTS DO YOU USE BEFORE BED?'

REVIEW: L'OREAL ELVIVE EXTRAORDINARY OIL FOR COLOURED HAIR

MY THOUGHTS: ALLURE MAGAZINE

REVIEW: RIMMEL APOCALIPS LIP LACQUERS IN 'NOVA# AND 'STELLAR'

REVIEW: NO7 STAY PERFECT LIPSTICK IN 'GLACE'

REVIEW: REVLON JUST BITTEN KISSABLE BALM STAINS IN 'CRUSH' AND 'HONEY'

REVIEW: SHEER COVER EYE PALETTE 'SMOKEY EYES'

FIFTY RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME

I saw this tag on Hayley's blog, Waterpainted Dreams and I thought I would give it a go. I hope that it isn't too boring to read through and I've tried to make it as quirky as possible. I'm not the most interesting of people but after having a quick scan over the results of the mini-poll I'm running in the sidebar at the moment (please vote if you haven't already!) some of you are keen to know more about my lifestyle. This is a little insight into my world...

REVIEW: SLEEK TRUW COLOUR MATTE LIPSTICK IN 'AMPED'

MY BLUSHER COLLECTION

REVIEW: SOAP & GLORY PEACHES & CLEAN 4-in-1 WASH OFF DEEP CLEANSING MILK

BLOGGING: PROS AND CONS

image taken from weheartit.com

WHAT I WORE: NEW YEAR'S EVE 2012

Necklace - River Island - £12
Black Jacket - New Look - £25
Red Vest Top (just seen) - New Look - £4
White Racer Back Top - New Look - £6
Jeans - Topshop (Jamie Fit) - £40
Black/Wood Heels - New Look - £25
Clutch Bag - Very - £16

REVIEW: SOAP AND GLORY KICK-ASS CONCEALER THREE PIECE FLAW CAMOUFLAGE KIT

REVIEW: URBAN DECAY NAKED BASICS PALETTE

TOOLS: REAL TECHNIQUES BLUSH BRUSH

REVIEW: URBAN DECAY NAKED 2 PALETTE

REVIEW: FASHIONISTA BLUSHES IN 'AMBER GLOW', 'NEW YORK', 'FLUSH' AND 'BLUSHING'

REVIEW: MUA 'THE ARTISTE COLLECTION' MULTI-USE PALETTE AND SWATCHES

PICKS: AUTUMN/WINTER LIPSTICKS 2012

I just had to include the last picture! I was positioning the camera when a cat sat on my garden gate caught my eye and I accidentally pressed the little camera icon that took the photo. I do love the Korres 'Wild Rose' Lip Butter even if I don't look as though I do!

These are my top five lip colours - they're the colours I always have stashed in my bag and the ones that I reach for the most. Some are recent additions that I can't live without and some are ones I have been using for months now... Maybe longer.

A/W12 saw the rise of the berry lip, which I embraced whole-heartedly. On the other hand I do still love a nude look for when the eyes are doing the talking instead of the mouth and obviously pink is wearable all year round.

So in no particular order they are as follows:

MAC 'MAGNETIQUE' LIPGLASS - REVIEW - BUY

I was lucky enough to win this as a giveaway prize from my gorgeous friend Islay. This is the perfect pop of blue-toned hot pinkness. The formula is really pigmented and there is a very subtle shimmer. It's a daring colour that I use when I want to boost my confidence. I heart it so much! 

It's a daring colour that I use when I want to boost my confidence.

ESTEE LAUDER 'BRILLIANT BARE' PURE COLOR LIPSTICK - REVIEW - BUY

How could I not include an Estee Lauder lipstick in this line up? My go-to higher end brand has come up trumps with this amazing nude colour that contains a hint of shimmer and enough hydration to keep my lips looking perfect all day and into the night.

My go-to higher end brand has come up trumps with this amazing nude colour.

RIMMEL LASTING FINISH BY KATE MOSS LIPSTICK IN '101' - REVIEW - BUY

I've never been the biggest Rimmel fan in the world - a few products have let me down in the past. These lipsticks, this one being the first of two in this Top 5, are the brand's saving grace. This is a light blue-toned pink that literally matches any outfit. It's feminine and easy to wear - what more could I want?

This is light blue-toned pink that literally matches any outfit.

RIMMEL LASTING FINISH BY KATE MOSS LIPSTICK IN '107' - REVIEW - BUY

From the moment my amazing friend Lisa bought me this lipstick I have been head over heels for it. There is no doubt that if one lipstick has made it into the majority of the beauty blogging world's shopping baskets it is this one. It screams out to be worn as it sums up the berry and plum trend of this autumn and winter to perfection - and even Dave loves it on me, so how could I not include it?

There is no doubt that if one lipstick has made it into the majority of the beauty blogging world's shopping baskets it is this one.

KORRES 'WILD ROSE' LIP BUTTER - REVIEW - BUY

As tinted lip balms and butters go this is the product I would place at the top of the list. Its a subtle pink-red that can be built up to provide the intensity that you want to it to. It's not sticky, conditions the lips so that they're smooth and soft and smells incredible. It's love.

As tinted lip balms and butters go this is the product I would place at the top of the list.

Which lipsticks and colours have you been using the most this autumn and winter?

EVENT: FRANCESCO GROUP BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY

The 1st of December saw the meeting of like-minded girls in Birmingham for the Christmas Blogger Meet-Up, organised by the wonderful Hayley from Strangeness and Charm. The lovelies I passed the afternoon with, including Hayley, were:

TOP ROW: Hayley, Jessica. Amy, Gemma
BOTTOM ROW: Char, Chloe, Andy
All images stolen from twitter profile pictures/accounts

BLOGGING: AN A TO Z