Reading: Geek Chic, Dull, Or Just Plain Normal?

Hi all,

As it says in my blog heading, this blog won't just be about beauty, I want to write lifestyle and general musings interspersed with my posts about pretty things! This week, I've been thinking a lot about one subject. Reading.

I get the train to work every day, and the commute is long. I mean LONG. This means I get a lot of reading done. Having been given a kindle for christmas (thank you Mummy!) I stocked up on books from the bestseller list and got stuck in. One thing seemed to continually strike me about female protagonists in the latest popular books. They seem to fall into two separate categories, one who is pretty, sociable and enjoys shopping, and one who is socially awkward, and always talks about how she would rather stay at home and read rather than go out and socialise.

This generalisation makes it seem that the medium of reading is betraying its very own kind, those avid readers who do not fall into this exact category.

What?! A girl can enjoy make-up and hair and parties and also like to snuggle up with a good book? Heaven forbid!

I'm not saying this is true of all books, not at all, I'm sure if I looked there would be a lot of characters who broke these stereotypes, but it just seems like an alarming amount of the current bestsellers do this.

I'm Abi. I love make-up, fashion, hair, parties, high heels, girly films, boy films, shopping, dancing. Oh, and I like to read, and have a degree in literature.

Readers come in all different categories, just like you wouldn't assume a personality of someone simply because they liked to watch tv, I don't think readers should be assumed to be a single kind of person. It just discourages those who don't want to fall into that category not to do it, and surely these writers don't want that.


Hope you enjoyed this slightly different blog post. I'll be back with more beauty tomorrow!

Abi

Big Brand Review - Estee Lauder

Something that I want to start on my blog is a monthly brand review, where I got through my favourite products of a certain brand, alternating between high-end and high street brands. This month I want to review one of my very favourites, Estee Lauder.

Estee Lauder has been one of my favourite brands for a very long time. Admittedly, it can be on the pricey side, although I believe the quality makes it so worth it. Another thing I love about the brand is the BEAUTIFUL packaging. A remark I often hear from friends about Estee Lauder packaging is that they love how gold and high-end it looks, and also, the vast majority of products come with a little mirror inside, which I think is an element severely lacking in some high-end brands. Tiny mirrors are always useful!

Of course, with a review, I can't just gush about how much I love the brand, so everytime I do this I'll talk about a few of my most-loved products from the brand, the ones I use up over and over again, but I'll also talk about the ones that have disappointed me.

Disappointing product No.1

Let's start with the bad news first,

Sensuous Fragrance

I always think for any brand that does perfume, branding is so key, and Estee Lauder seem to fall flat here. They have so many different perfumes, which all seem to blend into another, none of them sticking out to be particularly iconic. Particularly Sensuous, I have to admit, I found anything but, the scent coming out a bit too sour for me. However the exception to the sea of uninspiring fragrances from EL is 'Beautiful', which has a sexy, musky scent which I really like.

This may be mainly a branding issue for Estee Lauder, if there were less fragrances and the bottles felt more special, then maybe the scents would be more distinctive. I know as a beauty blogger I should care about the product inside the bottle more than anything, but I really think packaging plays a large part in how we feel about a product.

Loved Product No.1

Now for the pretty things..

Bronze Goddess Bronzer.

This is without a doubt, my favourite bronzer ever. I have tried a million, (trust me, I went through a very orange stage once, when I was desperate to be the bronzer queen. Thankfully that stage in my life is now past.) This bronzer is just perfect for blending, and comes with a gorgeous mini contouring brush that you can use solely for this bronzer, to save on time-consuming brush washing! It has a very subtle shimmer which seems to catch the light just right, and saves on having big dark patches on your face where you may have gone overboard in bad lighting. It also is MASSIVE. Not one for fitting in a little make-up bag, which can be irritating, but this means you can use a large brush to reach your whole face, for really even coverage. This also means it lasts forever. I usually make one last a good four or five months, which for me is incredible. A big five stars for Bronze Goddess.

Disappointing Product No.2

Advanced Night Repair

This may come as a shock to some people, but I really did not see the difference between this and some high street skin products. It claims to be a miracle product, and I know some people absolutely love it. I really think this is one for slightly older skin, so I'm not neccessarily reviewing this as bad, just bad for myself. For nearly 80 pounds, I can't speak for older skin, but young skin can definitely pull off the same effect for a fraction of the price.

Loved Product No.2

Double Wear Foundation

Both the stay-in-place and the light version of this foundation are fantastic. They are definitely for someone looking for the matte look, as dewy they are not. But for anyone with oily skin they are perfect, keeping shiny at bay all day. For a high-end foundation I also think they are reasonably priced, at about 28 pounds, and they last for a really long time, especially because you only need a tiny bit for full coverage, as they are so thick and matte. I used to wear this foundation a lot when I was younger and had frequent break-outs, so they are perfect for a first high-end foundation.

I genuinely didn't have any more disappointing products, I told you I love this brand! Next time I promise I'll pick a brand where I have a more even balance, but you always want to do your favourites first, don't you?

Loved Product No.3

Bronze Goddess Eyeshadow Palette

I am fully addicted to this palette. I am now going to tell you some very sad news, and I would like you to place your hands together in prayer.

They discontinued it.

I have touched pan on two of the eyeshadows in this palette, the light, nude colour and the gold. When it happened to the gold I genuinely ran through my house wailing. The colours are just too gorgeous! This palette is perfect for summer, it has just the right colours to go with a freshly sunkissed face, and is really natural, whilst also having the tiniest bit of shimmer to be a little bit special. I admit, I have carried on its use into the winter, and am now trying to slap my hand away whenever I reach for it to save it! In general, estee lauder eyeshadows are beautiful, although this palette has the only browns I have yet found which are perfect for tanned and pale skin, (both of which I am, in different seasons). I have yet to branch into the bright blues of the palette. Perhaps not.

If Estee Lauder bring back this palette, I promise the gods of make-up to never complain about lipglosses being too sticky or mascaras drying out again. PROMISE!

I could probably talk about this brand forever, I LOVE it, but I want to keep these posts short and just leave it at the things I really really love. If I discover anything I like that omes out new, I will always put it in my monthly favourites at the end of the month!

(Once again, sorry for boring stock photos, I will get a camera soon!)

A City Girl's Top 5 Office-to-Party Products

Hello beauties,

I thought that in my first blog post I would do a lengthy introduction of who I am and what I'm about, but let's face it, who wants to read a summary of someone when they don't even know if they'll like their blog? So instead, I'll get started on the reason were all here, a good ol' beauty blog.

 

I work in the city, and have a long, long commute into work every morning, with early starts and late nights. With all my time used up by work, it's often hard to be able to run home and completely change a make-up look, and to refresh my face so I look like I spent hours in front of the mirror, rather than slapped it on on a shaky train! So in this post I have compiled a list of my current top 5 favourite office-to-party make-up products.

 

For those of you who are still at school or uni, I remember the days of having a late class and having to run off and have fifteen minutes to ready yourself for an event so don't think this post doesn't apply to all of us busy bees!

 

1. Mac Mineralize Skinfinish

Nothing says hard day at work like a dull, tired complexion, especially if you're sitting at a desk all day and not running about, as the blood flow can seriously decrease to the face, making you appear tired and unrefreshed. This product is an absolute lifesaver for those circumstances when you just need to up the glow factor a little, and refresh your mornings foundation without a full new application. The powder aspect of the product takes care of any oily skin that may have built up in the day, whilst not creating an age-ing matte effect. Simply take a big, soft brush, and dust all over the face. Use a slighter, harder brush, or a contouring brush to use it as a highlighter on cheekbones. Continue onto your neck and collarbone area if you really feel you need a pick me up.

2. The Collection: Lasting Perfection Concealer

A blogger favourite among many, most will consider this the concealer of choice. I must say I agree, The colours are gorgeous, not orange or too yellow, just a lovely range of skintones. It also lasts all day! Now, nothing can substitute for a good cleansing routine, yet we all have those days when we pop into the loos at lunchtime and a spot has reared its ugly head (literally) over the course of the day. No-one feels like a night of fun when they feel self-conscious about their blemishes, so always keep a little tube of this tucked away for any emergencies on your desk-to-dancefloor journey.

3. Benefit: 'They're Real' Mascara

Another blogger favourite, (can you guess I was inspired?) I have tried pretty much every mascara under the sun, as my eyelashes are so short, and this is definitely one of my favourites. It's not the slickest of mascaras, so you will find yourself with a clump or two, but it makes up for it and more with volume. It used to shock me everytime I put this on just how much bigger and voluminous it made my little lashes. If you're looking for something more subtle and clump-free, then I'd go for a different mascara, but after a day of staring at a computer screen, this added pop of party on your eyes will open and brighten them right up. It also comes in a mini version to chuck in your clutch bag if you're leaving your day bag at the office!

4. Tangle Teezer

Okay, I cheated, this isn't exactly a make-up product. But I just couldn't have a blog post about going anywhere after a day of work/school and not include this MAGIC hairbrush. There's nothing worse than rushing to the bathroom and tugging a paddle brush through your tangles and finding that you have to spend the rest of evening with frizz central chilling out on your head. I am a sufferer from the frizz monster myself, as I have very long hair which tends to tangle dreadfully on the ends, so the Tangle Teezer has been my saviour when there's no time to go home and do a proper haircare routine before the evening. The clever little brush slides through your hair without damaging it, and, like the benefit mascara, you can even get a little one for your handbag!

5. Rimmel: Kate Moss Lipstick

Lipstick just HAD to be in there somewhere. If there's ever a pick me up in five seconds, it's a killer pop of lipstick. My personal favourite are the Rimmel Kate Moss range. I really like the staying power of these lipsticks, so they are perfect for a quick application for easy beauty. My favourite colour is the classic 101, it's a bright red with a dark tinge for a bit more of a vampish look, without the gothic undertones. If you're a Zoella fan, you'll know her love of the 107 lipstick, and though I do like this colour, it can be a bit dark, whereas I'm yet to find someone who doesn't suit the 101! If you're looking for quick, on-the-go beauty, then always opt for a lipstick rather than a gloss, unless you're going for nude lips. No-one likes getting their hair stuck to their face as they run for the train or bus home!

So there you have it, my top 5 desk-to-dancefloor favourites! If you liked my blog, please give it a follow, and leave a comment so I can check out yours, I'm new to the blogisphere, so would love to meet some other beauty-lovers!

P.S. Sorry for the stock photos, I'm going to wait until I get used to the blogging game before I splash out on a little camera!