Do a Masters Degree they said, it will be fun they said!

Wow, okay, so i had myself so excited for all the blog posts i’d be able to write because i would only be in lectures 3 days a week, and now im so dissappointed with the lack of them!

One thing i now know very well about a Masters Degree is that although you arent in university as many days of the week as you are during an undergraduate degree, you have 10x the amount of reading and work to do. It’s killeeeeeerrrrrr. It’s very much a case of, here’s a taster of a topic, now go and read on the subject, we wont spoon feed you!

This for me has been a massive challenge as i struggle with reading, or at least understanding what i read, so having to read multiple scientific papers a week (and understanding them) is pretty tough!

After this Friday i will luckily have some time to relax and breath before assignments start to pile up again, and what a perfect time it would be to work on a blog post about a wonderful box of treats i was lucky enough to win recently! (time is escaping me… recently means just under two months ago – oopsie)

This box  was filled with goodies from Nutri2Go, LianMask & KohlKreatives! Please please please go check out their social media!

Instagram & Facebook: nutri2gouk
Website: http://www.nutri2go.co.uk

Instagram & Facebook: kohlkreatives
Website: http://www.kohlkreatives.co.uk

Instagram & Facebook: lianmask
Website: http://www.lianmask.co.uk

I can’t wait to share all the health and beauty bits and bobs with you, but until then, here’s a preview of what i was lucky enough to open up!

Now let’s keep out fingers crossed that i dont get bogged down with work for this long again!

p.s. i really want the mug in the header photo/feature image

Lana xoxo

InstaNatural Products!

So for the past two weeks i have been away travelling Ireland with a best friend of mine, and away from my laptop and internet – probably why i havent posted in ages!

During the time i was away, i was sent two awesome products from InstaNatural and here they are!!

My most recent favourites! Micellar Cleansing Water & Organisation.

Recently, myself and George went on a little family shopping trip in Bristol, and although i went into town with my list of necessities, i wasn’t looking for anything in particular. But i obviously managed to pick up a few things…

Kiko Milano Essential Bronzer

So as you may have seen in previous posts, i have been covering my Kiko Milano Haul! And here is what i personally think is my favourite product, the Kiko Milano Essential Bronzer in 201 Sienna Melange.

To start off with, i ADORE this product.

Kiko Milano – Ultimate Pen Long Wear Eyeliner Review

I have been using this wonderful little pen since i purchased it, and i would seriously recommend it to anyone! I very rarely wore eyeliner unless i was going on a night out as it just took too long to add into my morning routine, but since purchasing this eyeliner pen, that has all changed!

Kiko Milano: 849 Pearly Antique Blue – Quick Dry Nail Lacquer

Im obsessed with painting my nails! And after seeing this shade on sale (even if i had ones similar) i just had to buy it! It was also from the quick dry range, which was a bonus!

KIKO MILANO Haul!

Recently i’ve been on a wonderful week long 20th birthday holiday to the beautiful city of Paris! It was just as incredible as i’d hoped, as we stayed within the Disney parks! Although Disneyland was as magical as always, we also spent a day in central Paris, and did a little bit of shopping (oops!). Luckily, the summer sales were on, and many bargains were found, including a handful of items from the wonderful brand KIKO MILANO! I couldnt believe the sales they had in there, and after spending forever in the store, i came out with 4 items.

LIEBSTER AWARD!

I want to give the wonderful Skyeskretcher a massive thank you for this amazing nomination! Please go have a look at her blog (link will open up a new tab!) and throw her some deserved likes and comments!

Im new to this, and this is a big step for me…

So, although very known to those who know me in person, those of you who don’t know me should know that make up is not my friend. I don’t understand it, i don’t know what works with my face, and i feel very claustrophobic pancaked up.

I embrace spots, and i’m someone who enjoys making homemade face masks, and the natural look. But there are times when i want to go out with all my glammed up friends who look stunning, and i wish that i could get my face to look that way; currently i do the winged eye liner and mascara… and thats it… nothing special in the slightest.

Whilst at my latest cheer competition, i had multiple hours to wait before competing, and wanted to play around with my friend Amy’s make up and see what creation i could come up with on my face, just to look good in the photos! And i think i may have opened the door, knocked down the nerves, and made it that one step closer to the world of eyeshadow (i was using her naked palette though…)

To top it all off, i’ve finally found a BB cream in my colour, which saves me from the world of foundation! I’d like to greatly thank Nivea for their medium to dark shade of BB cream – you’ve made me feel more girly, and are my new favourite replacement for a foundation! (not that i wore any previously, but you see where i’m going with this!). I’m wearing it in the photos below!

Instead of throwing myself in to the overly priced deep end of the eye shaddow world, and purchasing myself a Naked Palette, i went for a cheap £2.99 palette (usually £3.99, but was on offer), called eyes uncovered in nude, by Collection. I know you beauty bloggers will be screaming, but i’m so new to it, that for now, this will do!

I started using the third one in (called “biscuit”) and then worked in the darker tones towards the outer edge of my eyes. Below are a few photos of my first attempt! I know theres so much room to improve, and any advice would seriously help me!

i apologise for the lack of eyebrow game, as well as the hair leaning towards the greasy side, oops…
I think i’m getting there with this make up thing, slowly slowly…
Id love your opinions and ideas for me to try next!

– Lana xoxo

UV Gel Nail Excitement!

Since leaving school, I’ve been obsessed with doing my nails. And recently, i’ve added something very exciting to my nail collection – A UV LAMP, meaning GEL NAILS! I personally feel they look better, they take less time to do, and they come off surprisingly a lot easier than expected!

The best thing is that although i do have some UV colours (that are colour temperature changing) I’m also still able to use my regular varnishes, but by using the UV top and base coat, it gives it that gel effect!

The lamp i have is a very cheap one off eBay, which i purchased for £10 including postage and packaging! There are a variety of lamps, large and small, but i personally thought a larger one which i could fit my whole hand (or foot) in at once was most useful.

Here is a few photos of the one i purchased which has worked perfectly for me!

View from the top, which shows off the two settings and the button which initiates the timed lights.

View from the front with the lights off, showing the inside and the reflective surfaces.

A view from the side with the lights on.

A view inside with the lights on, showing the distribution of light due to the reflective surfaces.

It doesn’t have a brand name as it is quite a cheap one, but it does come with different settings. There is the basic on and off switch, and also an option to have the lights on a timer for 120 seconds (2 minutes) in which is usual drying time. Once pressed, it will turn itself off 120 seconds later which is super convenient, as you don’t have to think about how long your hand’s been under the lights!

The machine also came with the 4 lights as well, so you don’t have to go out hunting for your own! The inner surface is reflective which makes sure that the light is distributed all across your lovely nails.

I also purchased different thermal/chameleon UV Gel nail varnishes off of eBay, which when hot are one colour, and when cold another. They look so funky when they’re mid way though changing!

The first one changes between a light blue and a striking purple, and the second one changes between a nude/grey, to a dark black! They’re so much fun to play around with and they’re constantly changing.

Hop onto eBay, search UV Lamp, as well as UV Thermal/Chameleon Nail Varnishes, and it will come up with a wide range of types, colours and brands! I have used Chrystal-G as well as gdi, but don’t be afraid to try other ones!

Get experimenting!

– Lana xxx