Blonde Ambition

Ta-dah! Finally out of the ginger woods and into the ash blond light! I recently embarked on a blonde mission/ambition and I'm happy to say that my hair is finally where I want it to be. On a Sunday mission to find some Applewood cheese (heavenly stuff), I got my lovely weekend guest (my sister) to snap some pics of my new do. Keep reading for deets on my new hair and favourite products...

Review: Antipodes Manuka Honey Collection

Current obsession is back! I was recently sent Antipodes' Skin Brightening Day Cream* and Skin Brightening Eye Cream* from their Manuka Honey Collection. Currently assessing whether or not I could live without one of these...

How I Decorate My Apartment for Autumn

This is my favourite season: cosying up with a cup of coffee on cold sunny mornings, carving pumpkins and generally being a bit basic is the best. As much as I love Christmas, the cold at this rate is proving plenty cold enough. Let's stay in the leather jacket and a light scarf temperatures please?

Without further ado, here are my favourite autumn decor pieces!

Review: Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Scrub

On the whole, I'm not particularly loyal when it comes to skincare. My skin needs different things as the seasons change, so I'm more than happy to investigate and experiment to see if I can find something I want to pledge my allegiance to. Nevertheless, my Botanics' All Bright Cleanser certainly isn't getting traded in any time soon, and I'm also borderline obsessed with these guys: today I'm reviewing Nip + Fab's Glycolic Fix Scrub.

Review: Gosh Setting Powder

Long time no blog.  I miraculously seem to have a Saturday afternoon to myself for the first time in a few weeks, so I'm sitting down to share one of my current faves with y'all. If you have oily skin, you deffo want to read on (I swear I say this all the time, my main mission seems to be operation shine-free). I've cracked it. I've got it. A powder that doesn't cost the earth but keeps you impressively matte for the major part of the day!

Almost Autumn-Ready

I hope everyone had a lovely Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK! With a fair few clothing deliveries arriving at my house (end of the month splurging is my current favourite habit, apparently) I decided to take this lovely wrap dress for a spin around Nottingham's Arboretum for some sunshine and a picnic. One of my favourite and most affordable purchases I've made recently, this dress is seeing me nicely through the last dregs of summer. When autumn arrives, the tights and boots will be at the ready to pair it with! 

The Best Affordable Day and Night Creams for Oily Skin

When the heatwave hit England a few weeks back, I had to seriously step my skincare game up. My foundation had been migrating away from the centre of my face by midday: never a good look, but one I'm sure anyone with oily skin can relate to. I made my way into town to purchase my trusty Shine Away Gel by Botanics, only to discover that it had been discontinued in the past month. Still hurting here Boots. Fix it please. 

Left abandoned by my favourite product, I was looking for skincare that was going to keep oil at bay for a reasonable price. Meet Garnier's Moisture Matte and Nivea's Regenerating Night Cream for combination skin.

My Mary Poppins Ambition Fulfilled: The Fiorelli Carlton Tote

This baby is the product of a long search for a bag that would be good for work and weekends whilst also being cute, sturdy, and large enough to have some Mary Poppins-esque magic about it. A working zip was also on the agenda in my search, after spending a month convinced I'd dropped my purse a few streets back since the contents of my bag was pretty much free game. Despite the hefty checklist, the Fiorelli Carlton Tote pulled through: I treated myself for the first time since starting work and dayum did it feel good!

Shampoo That Doubles Up As A Brush Cleaner?

Brush cleaners have recently hit the market as a must have: another thing to add to our never ending shopping lists. Cleaning makeup brushes is an annoying task, and the fact that extra products are required to complete it just makes it even more arduous. Hold up! I think I've found a brush cleaner that's affordable and doubles up as another product. Hello, L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Shampoo!

Life Update: I Graduated!

Just a quick post to let y'all know that I am offically a grad! A week ago I said goodbye to student life for good, a day I always struggled to envision coming around; as with all things, it did, and it was the perfect way to say adieu to Nottingham University and to round off a tough but rewarding and hella fun three years.

For all you fashion fans out there, dress is Warehouse, robes are Hogwarts (maybe).

 

My Four Essential Face Brushes

I'm sure lots of beauty lovers can agree: you gotta get through some rubbish brushes to find the gooduns (famous saying yep). Face brushes are important. They can really change the way your products work for you, so it's worth the search (progress: still ongoing). Here are the brushes I currently can't live without (from top to bottom):

Review: Benefit Ready, Set, Brow

What's on your brow wishlist? I know mine: gloriously full, sharp enough to kill and with a heavy dose of insta-esque ombre-ness. If the nature of the last wish evades you, good: save yourself from near-impossible eyebrow goals. Benefit's Ready, Set, Brow does however attempt to fulfill some of these wishes, especially for those of us who want flawless brows all day. My hand is well and truly raised. Available free with Marie Claire this month, this brow setting gel claims to give you picture perfect arches "from working to twerking" - hmm, their marketing team needs to calm down a little I feel. Nevertheless, I put it to the test: whilst working, definitely not whilst twerking.

Intern Diaries: 5 Things I Learnt In My First Week

An internship is kind of a funny place to be: I've still got that uni kind of sleep clinging to my eyes but I have to be up early and dress like a functioning adult. The world's no pjs at 3pm rule is really bloody hard to abide by.

Quick life update: I graduated with a first in English from Nottingham University and I'm currently interning at a restaurant guide for the next two months (one month already down!). I'm bloody chuffed. Despite the fact I feel as though I've had to "adult" rather quickly, I'm surprised at how much I like it. That doesn't mean it's easy: by the time I'm home, fed, OITNB-ed and GoT-ed, I'm absolutely ready to sleep. However, after a month on the job, I'm getting more and more used to being a real human and thought I'd share some fresh out of the experience kind of tips. Welcome to Getting to Nomi's Intern Diaries*: here's what I learnt in my first week.

*Consistency dependent on success and levels of exhaustion.

Review: Zara Apple Juice

Zara perfumes are where it's at: delicious and affordable. Seeing as I was almost out of perfume entirely, I popped into the store round the corner from where I work (the usually crazy Zara goes dead at 5:30pm - heaven!) and bought the first one that took my fancy: Zara Apple Juice, costing just £7.99.

How I Contour My Nose

I'm sure many of you can relate to the fact that the beauty world of YouTube is where I've learnt everything I know about makeup. Literally all the things. However, when it comes to contouring, I see so many tiny perfect noses being contoured and think well, that's not gonna work for me.

My nose isn't symmetrical, so I've had to employ a few tricks that the beauty gurus with perfectly straight noses don't take into consideration. Please also remember that some people just have noses that look better without contour: don't follow trend if it doesn't work for you!

Better than Batiste? Herbal Essences Clearly Naked Review

Confession: I hate dry shampoo. If my hair is looking bad I'd rather forgo the extra half hour in bed and wash it. However, I've recently been trying to take care of my hair a little more, and this means trying to avoid washing it every day and stripping it of the good oils that keep it protected.

It's been so longed since I purchased dry shampoo that I didn't even realise so many brands had released their own (I thought Batiste was the only kind!). Intrigued, I picked up Herbal Essences Clearly Naked.

Recent Beauty Buys I'm Loving

Long time no blog! Excuses are boring but I've been cooped up in the library nursing my final uni essays into completion and not brushing my hair. Honestly, blogging about beauty has been the last thing on my mind.

Nevertheless, I've purchased some gems recently so figured it's time to procrastinate and share them with you. Hope you enjoy!

Cake & Kittens

I've long wanted to visit Nottingham's Kitty Cafe, so when my sister came for a short stay this week I decided it was finally time to fulfil dreams. If there's one thing I learnt from this visit, it's that cats are extremely difficult to photograph (unless they're staring pensively outside) ...

thinking bout life

Back At It Again With The Ray-Bans

It's official: white vans mirrored sunglasses are the accessory to be seen with this season. Thanks to the lovely Gabrielle (A Glass of Ice) and The Sunglasses Shop, I've chosen the Ray-Ban 4221 Shot Red Rubber shades* to take me through spring and summer.

Travel Diary: Paris

I spent the beginning of this week visiting one of my oldest and bestest friends who is currently living and studying in France's capital. I was beyond excited to spend time with her, eat some crepes and drink large glasses of wine. Only fair, right?

Apologies if this diary seems a little like "look at these pictures", but we really did intend to fill two days with as many sights as we could. I'll try and make it slightly useful, but seriously, Paris is just extremely lovely to look at. 

funky flooring along Rue de la Paix

Review: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick

It's safe to say I pretty much freaked out when I opened this present from my best friend. As an unemployed student, I don't go near the CT counter very often (I just browse online and cry instead, as with many things), so I am pretty much feeling like a proud mother. This is Charlotte Tilbury's Very Victoria Matte Revolution lipstick.

I took it on a night out the other day and the frantic palpitations that occured when I thought I'd lost it were something else. Don't take expensive lipsticks on nights out my friends. Don't put yourself at risk.

10 Ways To Feel As Though You've Got Your Shit Together

Excuse the profanity, but sometimes we really do just need to take an afternoon to sort life out and yes, get our shit together. I truly believe that no one actually knows what they're doing in life (even that girl with the job you want and the coat you want and the Instagram you want, trust me), but occasionally we find the odd trick that helps us feel as though we do. Let's just address the below picture: highly staged, highly planned, highly not-what-the-corner-of-my-desk-currently-looks-like. No one has their shit together, but flowers and candles and books make us feel 'together', right?

Here are some tips that I hope will help you feel that bit more like yes life I got you:

Review + Giveaway! Get your brows on fleek with Browtician

It's no secret that eyebrows are my thang (I kinda feel naked without them being well groomed and filled in, I can't lie). Whilst over-plucked, thin eyebrows are a trend to be left safely in the 90s, I'm still always on the hunt for a great pair of tweezers that are going to keep things looking neat and tidy. When Browtician asked me if I'd like to try out The Jeweller, The Square, The Stylist and Loud Brow styles *, I couldn't say no!

Plus you could win them for yourself! Keep reading...

From top to bottom: Loud Brow, The Square, The Jeweller, The Stylist

Have you ever seen such gorgeous tweezers? They're super sleek, plus their individual cases make them every beauty-lover's dressing table dream - plus they're junk-filled handbag proof! They're basically the Parker pen of tweezers. Can I get them individually engraved I wonder...

Each tweezer is unique and has a different edge to its design and function, which I really love. Pop one in your handbag, one on your vanity, keep one for travel and let your favourite have pride of place in your makeup bag! Here's the low-down on the range:

Loud Brow - This Loud Brow tweezer in 'Blue Bird' certainly stands out. This colour is beautiful! These are slanted tweezers, making them perfect for shaping and grooming. I love the fact that their case matches their colour - colour co-ordination at its best!

The Square - These tweezers mean business! The square tip and grip function means that they're perfect for styling the most unruly of brows. 

The Jeweller - My favourite by far - I can't say no to a bit of bling. The Jeweller is a slanted pair of tweezers with a white body and pink stone, again with a pink and white case to match. These seriously feel like diva tweezers. Obsessed!

The Stylist - A mini pair of tweezers plus a brow shaping and styling tool make this style a two-in-one steal! A shaping comb for grooming plus a brush for gel or powder product application is the perfect thing for on the go/travel.

Want to win ALL FOUR of these Browtician tweezers? Enter below and they could be yours!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

(Please note that this giveaway is only open to UK residents)

I can't wait for you to try out these tweezers. All products are available to purchase at Superdrug, and be sure to visit Browtician on Facebook and Instagram. Happy tweezing! xo

 *The products reviewed in this post were gifted by the brand or company mentioned. All opinions are my own.

Mii Cosmetics Review

I was lucky enough to work with Mii for their 2016 ad campaign last year, and as a thank you gift I was sent some of the products* that were featured in my shoot. Today we're talking face products, with a bit of lippie added in...

Repairing Damaged Hair: New Garnier Ultimate Blends

As you may know (as if I haven't posted about it enough on Instagram), I recently had my long-ish hair cut into a long bob. I've always wanted long, princess hair, but seeing as my cloud-like frizzy locks require daily heat-styling, it's just never going to happen and I'm becoming okay with that. I'm like, almost totally cool with it. Almost.

Lobs are on trend and I'm finding it to be a much healthier hairstyle compared to my previous length. I do intend to grow my hair out again, but this time I'm desperate to do it right. I was already starting to see split ends when Garnier selected me to try out their new Ultimate Blends Strength Restorer Honey Treasures* range for damaged hair...

Review: Nip + Fab Bee Sting Mask

You guessed it, I'm trying out more from the weird and wonderful world of Nip + Fab. Missed my post on their Dragon's Blood Cleansing Pads? Never fear, just click here.

Today I'm moving on to the Bee Sting Lifting Mask, which claims to plump your skin, making wrinkles appear smoother and lifting facial contours whilst it's at it. Those are some big claims. And yes, this stuff actually does contain bee venom, so apparently shouldn't be used if you have an allergy to bee stings. Intense stuff.

This mask retails for around £10, but is pretty much always half price in Superdrug. On first glance, I must admit, for a 50ml tube of a product that recommends the use of a 'thick layer', it seems a little on the small side for the retail price. Nevertheless, I was prepared to see what all the buzz (sorry) was about...

This stuff has a very inoffensive texture. It's a clear, gel like liquid that absorbs into the skin pretty quickly. Word of warning on the smell front: this product seems to have captured the smell of the dentist. Those afraid of the place might want to steer clear.

After being applied to the skin it produces a (very) slight tingle after a few minutes, but this is totally bearable (trust me, my skin is sensitive and flares up red very easily). You can hardly feel it on your skin!

It can then either be washed off after ten minutes or worn as an overnight mask. The overnight mask effect I have found to be the least effective: I can't personally observe much difference in my skin, particularly as my skin is often puffy in the mornings anyway! I do however love the effects of the ten minute mask: it really evens out my complexion and gives my skin a healthy boost. I have noticed it really does plump up the area around my cheekbones, which makes contouring an absolute dream! I haven't yet seen it wipe away my wrinkles (yeah, I'm only 21 I know, but I have heavy frown lines from a resting bitch face unfortunately) but I'm hopeful that with prolonged use it will continue to give my skin a smoother appearance.

Have you tried this? Let me know your thoughts... xo

Review: Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara

Sometimes I decide I've fallen out with some of my best-loved makeup products. A few weeks ago, I took this emotion out on my mascaras. Benefit's Roller Lash was too spidery, Bad Gal wasn't making my lashes long enough and my trusty Max Factor 2000 Calorie ran out. What's a girl to do? *first world probs moment of reflection*. Go to Superdrug and stand bewildered in front of rows and rows of makeup products, that's what.

Pushed for time, I grabbed the one that stood out the most (alien green is my kinda thing, not gonna lie) praying to the makeup gods that it'd had a nice review somehow, somewhere in the world. Hello Rimmel Lash Accelerator.

Upon research I discovered that this mascara has been around a while. A long while. Okay, five years, but in the makeup world - a place where everything is new new new - that's definitely out of the ordinary. Of course, it has evolved, and I was excited to try my random purchase.

Things I love:

- This mascara is enriched with argan oil and is supposed to make your lashes look super long and encourage their growth in the process. Honestly, it's one of the most lengthening I've ever tried. I really love that aspect of it. It doesn't do much on the curl front so if you have super straight lashes then it's probably not the one for you.

-It looks great on the bottom lashes too, which is something I'm always looking for in a mascara (you'd think more could cater to both sets of lashes, right?) 

- Longer lashes? I'm not sure yet, but my lashes are 100% stronger. They look thicker and more defined, and when I wash my face I always think I've got a touch of mascara on...but no, it's just that my lashes have had a boost!

I'm less of a fan of the fact that:

- This mascara does leave marks. After a few hours wear and a trip to the bathroom, you will pretty much always look in the mirror to find a few spots of it are now sitting beneath your eyes. It's not crumbled away, but more kind of printed. It's strange, and whilst not a deal breaker, kind of irritating.  

Final verdict? I probably won't repurchase, but this mascara will serve me well for the coming months. However, if I notice more growth, it may just be a winner (just might need to check my reflection more often... *swishes hair*). 

Have you tried this? Let me know below xo

Men's Post-Shave Balm as a Primer? Really?

If Nikkie Tutorials tells me to do something, I'm probably going to do it. After watching her time and time again apply Nivea Men's Post-Shave Balm to her face as a primer, I just had to try it out for myself. What Nikkie says goes.

This is my confused face (to convey my apprehension). Before you ask: yes, my hair is now short and yes, I too am obsessed with infinity necklaces (£2 in H&M shh don't shout about it).

Nevertheless, with the price at just £3.50 I was more than happy to investigate whether or not this balm actually works or just makes me smell like a well-groomed man (ain't nothing wrong with that).

Here's how I got on with it and what I learnt along the way...

First up, I would only recommend this for combo/oily skin. If you're dry and need a lot of moisture before priming, this product will simply be too heavy and probably create unwanted texture to your makeup. Hate to be the bearer of bad news (if you're dry do you really need primer though? Life's tough questions...)

If you've passed that stage, let me tell you how this stuff works:

• You need a clean, dry face. If you can, skip the moisturiser.
• It absorbs pretty quickly but you do need to give it a good five minutes to ensure your skin is ready for makeup. Once it's absorbed, your skin will feel soft and smooth. Yes, your face will smell a bit manly, but after all your makeup is on you won't be left with any scent.
• Now, here's where it gets a bit tricky. These days I like to apply my foundation with my fingers (don't judge okay, fingers are your best tools! Someone once said...once...). Newsflash, that process is not available with this primer. If you rub product into it, it crumbles. Disaster. 
• What you do need is a stippling brush or beauty blender. I'm currently out of love with my blender but have found a Real Techniques stippling brush to work wonders.
  

Yeah, it's a tiny bit of a faff but seriously, your makeup will stay perfect all day. I have noticed a serious improvement in the way my makeup looks and lasts.

This is a great primer for oily skin simply because it's so good at keeping your makeup on your face! Your makeup stays latched onto the balm and doesn't let half as much oil through. I haven't even been setting my makeup. Absolute result.

Have you tried this out? Let me know your experiences. Yay for strange and affordable primers! xo

Current Favourite: Nip + Fab Dragon's Blood Cleansing Pads

Now before any Dragon's Rights Activists get on Nip + Fab's case, no dragons were harmed in the making of this product. Dragon's Blood is actually a substance obtained from certain plants, (Google it, it's kind of fascinating) and these cleansing pads combine it with hyaluronic and salicylic acid to hydrate and restore skin. Intrigued? As was I when my mum started boasting about them. To be honest, anything with the word dragon in the name and I'm there (I've got a serious Khaleesi ambition). One pot down and another trip to Superdrug and I'm well and truly hooked.

I use these after cleansing and before moisturising and have found them to be really effective in improving my skin's appearance. These are great at speeding up the healing process if you suffer from any kind of spots, plus they also leave your skin feeling plumper, tighter and super fresh.

For real, you only have to smell these things to tell they're going to work wonders. That slightly acidic but nevertheless pleasant scent screams 'I mean business'. You gotta get them to get it, to be honest.

You get 60 in a pot, which is essentially two month's worth. They usually retail for around £9.99, though they're often on offer in Superdrug. Either way I think they're incredible value for the price; if you want to step up your skincare, this range is a great place to start.

They might even turn you into a dragon-wielding princess. Report back to base if so ... xo

Naked Basics: Three Looks, One Palette

Naked Basics palette was one of my Christmas presents this year and I am extremely in love with it. It's a small palette, making it a great size for travel, but it still contains six great shades that are perfect for creating a day or night time look.

From left to right:
1. Neutral look. Using Foxy as a base and applying Naked 2 all over, you can create a great natural look for every day.
2. Brown Smokey. Building on the neutral look, by adding Faint to the outer V and under the lash line with a tiny touch of Crave to create some depth, you can achieve a great brown smokey eye.
3. Black Smokey. Super simple in concept but requires some patience (is it just me who hates doing black smokey eyes but loves the end result?) Pack Crave all over the line and smoke out under the lashline. Even though these shadows are super blendable and smooth, they do have fallout so take care.

I adore this palette. Who knew you could create statement looks with only six neutral shadows? Til next time... xo

Current Favourite: Rimmel Matte Lipstick

Current Favourite is back! Today it's taking the form of Rimmel's Kate Moss Matte lipstick in Wine (Shade 107). My boyfriend actually bought me this lipstick and I'm super impressed with him because it's essentially my idea of perfection.

The colour payoff from this lipstick is incredible. And what a gorgeous colour! This "wine-stained lip but hella better" kind of shade is big at the moment and I can see why. It suits a wide range of skin tones and whilst it makes me look very pale and vampy, I'm totally embracing it.

The formula itself is matte but not totally matte. As you can see, it's got a bit of shine to it and it certainly doesn't dry to the point that it won't smudge. Nevertheless, it's got a good wear time and definitely doesn't crumble as it fades.

One factor some might not be so keen on is the fact that this lipstick is scented. Very scented. It smells like a tropical fruit. Personally, I love it, but just a heads up.

Rimmel make some of the best lipsticks at the drugstore in my opinion, and I'm so glad this one found its way to me!  

What are your favourite drugstore lipsticks? xo

Review: Maybelline Matte Colour Tattoos

I'm back! I've handed in my stupid 15,000-word accumulation of essays so I can finally get back to being a normal person who has fun and doesn't hate life (it's been a killer fortnight, can you tell?). What's my idea of fun you say? Well, it might just be playing with makeup, not gonna lie...

I've been so excited to play with these three Colour Tattoos by Maybelline. I tried some of these before and loved them, but I never even knew the range had intricacies (there are ranges within the range, how about that). Here we have (from left to right in all pictures):

• Creamy Beige - a Creamy Matte Tattoo. A gorgeous beige with a gold undertone.
• Permanent Taupe - a Creamy Matte Tattoo. A great grey-toned brown.
• Vintage Plum - a Leather Effect Tattoo. A more subtle finish but a lovely purple shade.
  
  

Thoughts:

• I love the formula of the Colour Tattoos, particularly the original Creamy Mattes. They have a blendable consistency - making them easy to apply - but they set to a matte. Vintage Plum (far right) is Leather Effect which I found to be slightly more difficult to blend. I definitely prefer the creamier formula as you can achieve a more opaque look. 
• However, they all make great, simple eye looks and can also be built upon to achieve something more dramatic. As you can see from the photos, I don't have a defined crease so I really need a bit of shadow in my crease to make the look that bit more polished. I do however adore Creamy Beige (far left) on its own, as it's so natural. It doesn;t take much fussing over so it's a really quick way to step your makeup up a notch.
• The great thing about these is that they don't crease. The vibrancy lasts all day and the formula seriously doesn't budge. They're a great choice for people with oily lids, or if you fancy applying shadows on top they act as a tinted eye primer.

I'm thoroughly impressed with this formula and can't wait to incorporate these into my makeup. Have you tried any of these Colour Tattoos? Let me know! (what other shades would you recommend?)


Thanks for your patience whilst I took a blogging break. I have lots of new products to try out, so stay tuned xo