October Lifestyle Favourites

October has been manic but wonderful, and I've loved my first full month back at uni - there's a lot of work but it has all been worth it! I'm here today with my lifestyle picks from the last 30 days... I hope you enjoy!

On TV: RuPaul's Drag Race is officially my life now. GET IN ON THE ACTION. I'm almost done with Season 2 and I started watching three days ago - it is a problem.
On the big screen: The girls made me watch Hercules and it was incred. Well chosen my angels!
On my iPod: I cannot stop playing Family Affair by Mary J Blige. An oldie but the ultimate goldie.
On YouTube: For me it has been all about Zoe from Zoe London's Vlogtober - that girl is a gem, so much time, and so much respect.
On Bloglovin': I am in lurve with Talkin' About M, who has not only master the perfect winged liner, but also does wonderful FOTDs that I can't get enough of.

What have you gals been lovin' this month? I am all ears!

My Birthday Vlog

Hey there babes, today I am sharing my birthday weekend (from about two weeks ago!) for your viewing pleasure... I hope you enjoy!

The (Super) Slow Burners

Not every product is an instant winner for me; sometimes a product's hype is just too much for one little makeup morsel to handle and by the time I get my hands on it, there is no chance in hell of my expectations meeting reality... These ladies are products that I was at first beyond underwhelmed by, but have since crept their way up into my heart.

First of all is a foundation that is now my go-to night out beauty... Nars Sheer Glow scores brownie points firstly for its surprisingly broad shade range (something that I am rather passionate about!) but also for its longevity and fabulous coverage. This base looks simply beautiful when applied with a Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge; it's not quite full coverage, but it is definitely great for those who prefer a more flawless look.

Then we have a lip balm that I'm developing a rather intense affection for... It is, of course, the Nuxe Rêve de Miel and today I'm here to convince you that this beauty is worth sticking it out for... This isn't one of those oil, emollient balms that are more common on the balm scene. The reason why I fell hardcore off the bandwagon with this boy is that it just feels like it's sitting on your lips; but this is part of its power. Where this balm wins is that it really sticks around and feels like it's doing so much good to your lips... plus the effects mean my lips are looking so much healthier, even when I am not wearing it. OH it is good.

Finally we are looking at Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner, which is now so well used its lettering has entirely rubbed off. Initially I just wasn't a felt tip liner kind of gal... this took me some getting used to but it has now progressed to being a firm favourite. I even think the price is pretty decent too! The only liquid liner I would consider repurchasing, fo' sho'.

So crew, what are your thoughts? Have you tried any of my picks?

The Blogs That I Love

A.K.A. the beautiful folks chillin' in my Blog Roll!

I am as addicted to finding fab new blogs as the next girl and loved Natalie's call for a bit more blog lovin' up in here, and I'm not just talking about the website.

Buh dum bum tss. Here all week guys.

It is therefore with great pleasure that I take you through my blog roll; be warned, it's about to get a whole lot more talented in this space...

This list is in alphabetical order, just to keep shite logical!

To start off with, it's A Girl And A Beauty Blog, AKA the place where I go if I need to be enabled. Siobhan is a gal with excellent taste, and an equally great sense of humour - definitely a joy to chat with in the comments section! I'm especially into her Sephora recommendations; I am still saving up for my first online haul!

Holly's blog Bloomin' Rouge is stunning, chocka with beautiful photos and great tutorials, as well as a good mix of lifestyle stuff too... One of the most original blogs I follow! She has a great sense of humour too... You'll see that's a recurring theme round these parts ;)

Vanessa is such a babe and easily the funniest blogger in town. Every post on Citron and Guavaberry makes me laugh, and I love the buckets of personality in each post; she truly stands out from the crowd. Plus her photos. The bomb. Dot and com.

The first photography blog I followed, Erstwhile Felicity is one of those blogs I've read start to finish and whose posts I eagerly await! Sonia's photos are simply stunning and really do tell a beautiful story (you're going to want to Pin all of them, I'm warning you now!

My latest photographer love, Helena La Petite's series on mastering the basics of photography is so ridiculously useful, you have no idea; it was the step I needed to push me into finally switching on the Manual setting on my DSLR. It is digital gold, folks - plus her photos? AMAZING.

The lovely blog In A Pavillion is one of my favourite reads and Lilly's photos are so fabulous (if you hadn't guessed already, I am a sucker for beautiful photos!) an eye out for her cracking In Seven Days Around The Web posts - great weekly discoveries well worth reading!

I discovered Noirvé about a month ago and my love was instant and obsessive... She's recently become a full time freelance designer, so if you're interested in a similar path I highly recommend checking her out!

The next in the crew is the wonderful Pale Lily, whose minimalist vibes really calm and inspire me. She's the queen of a gorgeous photo (her style is insanely distinctive) and her mix of lifestyle with the odd smatter of beauty is always hugely engaging.

I've highlighted the great Sarah Nicole Hunt before in my Instagram of the Month post, and I'm about to rave again. She's a photographer and nanny with a talent for film photography, and I regularly go back to her blog just to fall in love all over again.

Last of all is the lovely lady that is Grace of That Grace Girl, who has been one of my faves since I first got into the beauty blogging world. Her photos are fab and I love that she replies to comments, taking a real interest in her readers. She's also got flawless taste; my wishlist doubles with every post!



And there you have it... Please go check out these talented chicas and let me know what you think! They are incredible. Also if you have any recommendations for more blogs you think I'd like, leave them in the comment section below!

My Autumnal Must-Haves

Chillier weather is rolling in (as I write this, there have been six thunderstorms in as many days... madness!) I love this time of year, but it doesn't half take its toll at times. These ladies are three products that I've really enjoyed using this autumn!

Some Heavy Duty Lip Care
I must seriously love being the last one to the party, as the world and his wife has already weigh on the virtues of Nuxe's legendary Rêve de Miel Lip Balm, but when I first tried this out in February, I really didn't get it. Whereas other balms might feel more moist and melty, this one seemed to simply sit on my lips and do nothing... fast forward eight months and I'm happy to step forward as a fully fledged member of the RdM fan club. If you've bought a pot previously and not felt the love, I urge you to bring it out for a second chance as it has finally earned its place on my bedside table. I apply before bed and wake up with super soft lips. It is actually pretty awesome.

An Inexpensive But Impressive Hand Cream
I'm a huge fan of hand cream: my hands are usually very cold and prone to getting a bit battered by chillier weather. This Aveeno Oatmeal Hand Cream admittedly smells a bit out-there thanks to the oat that gives the cream its name; I would however urge you to overlook this as it is actually quite fantastic, far more so than its tiny  price tag would have you believe. I have had it in my handbag for the last month or so and I'm convinced it outperforms a huge number of far more expensive options.

A Gorgeously Scented Candle
I've already mentioned in my Making The Most Of Student Housing post that I'm a big believer in the power of a good scented candle. This one is my beloved Laura Mercier Ambré Vanille, which I have been loving since my move back to uni, as it is far more potent than its size might have you believe. It's the perfect autumnal scent, and has certainly helped me get into the mood for this season!

Have you guys got any autumnal must haves that you would recommend? Leave 'em down in the comment section, I am all ears!

Beth's 7 Beauty Holy Grails

Well hello to you, new By Her Mirror feature... for the longest time, I've been wracking my brain, trying to think of a way of getting some of my favourite people involved in my blog. It was actually my babe Lizzie that came up with the blue print for this one, so thank you Lizzie! I'm asking a special guest to tell me their favourite beauty products in their current stash (be it haircare, nails, makeup, skincare... whatevs).

My first guest is the beautiful angel that is Beth, my buddy since GERM1002 in first year and current housemate. Besides being gorgeous, hilarious and deeply wise, she is also into her makeup and was more than willing to jump in on the BHM action with this post!

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers
[Me: So why do you link these curlers then Beth?]
Well... They sit on my eyes really nicely, and actually fit to my eyelid (does that make sense?) to help make my lashes curl properly... Plus they don't pull out my lashes in the process. When I use these, my mascara doesn't get all over my glasses, unlike other curlers I have tried.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
It definitely makes me less spotty and when I wake up my skin isn't as dry. In general it just keeps my skin smooth and soft... When I got the tester, within a week my skin was looking so much clearer and healthier so I had to go and buy the whole thing as that was the only thing in my routine that had changed!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz in Medium Brown
My flatmate used this on me last year and I basically never wanted to leave the house without my brows filled in ever again... Although don't tell anyone, I have!! It just makes everything look so finished and done, plus it helps balance out my glasses too. Plus I love the spoolie!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation
For years I hadn't found a foundation that was anything like my skin colour and I noticed the shade range for this one went up to quite pale, which was great. When I use it I swear my skin actually clears up, to the point where if I stop using it I get spots again! I swear that's the opposite of what foundation is meant to do? I also love the smell. But I can imagine some people would hate the smell. Are you writing all this down?? [Me: Oh yeah baby!]

Rimmel 60 Second Nail Polish in Rose Libertine
Point no. one: it has a decently sized brush that covers basically your whole nail in one go. Point two: you only need two coats to get a really good colour. Point three: it dries very quickly, perhaps not in 60 seconds, but close enough. Plus I think it lasts really well too. ...And of course I love the colour too!

Moroccan Oil
If I put it into my hair when it's wet, my hair is far less frizzy when it dries and my curls look more defined. If I apply this to my hair as a finishing serum, it helps keep my hair straighter for longer and again, reduces frizziness... cos no one likes frizziness, do they Tieran?
[Tieran: No, especially not me. Frizziness can f*ck off!
Beth: Are you going to put all this in?]

Chance Chanel Eau Fraiche Eau de Toilette
I like this because it is a light and not at all overpowering scent but still has fairly decent lasting power - I'd say a good 5 or 6 hours, plenty long enough for me. I always get compliments when I'm wearing this too... People say "Oh Beth, what are you wearing, you smell nice" and I say "It's Chanel bro."


...and there we have it, by far the most fun I've had whilst writing a post! Thank you to beauteous Beth for being my first ever guest - I now officially want to own all of her picks, I don't know about you!

Making The Best of Student Housing

Living in student digs is rarely a Pinterest-worthy experience... You'll be living in the cheapest accommodation of your life, but it's going to look like the cheapest accommodation of your life too.

As a fourth year (which I freak out about regularly, by the way) I've had my fair share of student housing and like to think I've sussed the tweaks you can make that will instantly restore a cosy vibe back to your hovel-- I mean home.

• Lighting is crucial. This was a lesson I learned in halls and a good lesson it was too. Our flat was covered in strip lighting, which really helped to add to whole prison like vibe my visitors were quick to pick up on! In January I came back with an old lamp that had previously graced our living room at home, and it made my room feel far more homey.
• FAIRY LIGHTS EVERYWHERE. IKEA do some amazingly cheap battery powered options that are super cute too.
• Scented candles are the one. I've currently got an array of vanilla-based beauties on the ready to help add a homely vibe (and they also helped cover up the smell of damp that permeated the room when I moved in.)
• Become a clichéd cactus owner. I owned a couple of orchids in first year and they died in no time whatsoever: my cacti are far more likely to survive and are a great way to ease yourself in before committing to trickier plants!
• Print off a load of photos. My wardrobe in France was covered with pictures from home and it was a lovely way of feeling like my friends were there in spirit!
• The people are what really matter. At the end of the day, the world's worst house is far more liveable when you're sharing it with great friends and I'm relieved to say I have always been extremely lucky in that respect!

What are your guys' tips for making a hovel a home?? Let me know down below!

In A Perfect (Beauty) World

The world of beauty is, in this writer's opinion, a pretty great place to be - but I like to think it's not peaked yet. I've been brainstorming ideas that Need To Happen, and today I'm officially sharing them with you.

LET'S DO THIS.

1. We'd all have the option for makeup lessons in school. The guys would be just as welcome as the girls.
2. All foundations and concealers would come in plenty of dark/pale shades, and in the three undertones.
3. All these shades would match perfectly across the board there would be no confusion about what shade you are in Maybelline vs. Nars
4. Custom made lippies would be available in Boots and Superdrug
5. Sephora would be everywhere in the UK. EVERYWHERE.
6. Some kind of app would exist that could tell you what makeup the person in a photo/on TV is wearing - no more watching Made In Chelsea and being confused by Lucy's lip colour!

So go on then - what are the things you'd add to my list? Prepare to get sucked in to thinking about this one, I got far too into it for sure!

A Weekend Walk

Yesterday Beth, Tieran, Tom and I went for a walk and I wanted to share the experience with you!

Instagram Of The Month: SarahNicoleHunt

You guys probably know by now that I am a bit of an Insta-fan. Nae, that sounds too soft: the truth is that "obsessed" doesn't even begin to cover it. I know I love finding great Insta accounts to follow and swoon over, so I'm thinking that every now and again I'd like to highlight a fave, who I'm sure you guys will be just as into.

Today it's all about SarahNicoleHunt, whose stunning blog I stumbled across and fell in love with in August. She's a photographer (can ya tell??) and her pics just make me feel things, man... She works as a nanny and regularly features the children she looks after, which may have something to do with da feelz.

I think she is insanely talented, and I have been p*ssing myself at her Twitter account too. She's a legit chick and so worth a follow.

Now let's just watch the magic together:

VIDEO: Our trip to Harrogate

This week's vlog was about my trip to Harrogate with the famalam! We had a ball... I hope you enjoy!

If You Do One Thing This Month #5

...use some of these hacks to jazz up your Blogger layout!

This post is SO totally inspired by Bloomin' Rouge's great posts on techniques to try on Blogger; read hers here and here if you've not seen 'em already.

Today I've assembled a few little tricks that I've been busting out on my layout, plus some sites that have been super, duper helpful on the subject...

Build A Test Blog Site
This isn't a trick I've heard many people mention, but my God is it one that I swear by. Any complex widgets or major design efforts are always tested out on my dummy blog, and it's made my life SO much easier. I even use it to see how blog posts will actually work/look beyond the Preview option (I hate that all Blogger preview options can't be clicked through... le sigh!) This has been an amazing help and if you've not got a test blog already, get on it now!

Make Your Own Pinterest Button
Pinterest has been responsible for the rise to fame for so many bloggers out there; adding a "Pin It" button can really help drive traffic to your blog. I'd considered option for the simple, standard Pinterest button widget that is offered by the site - but having spotted a few bloggers that had their own personalised buttons, I figured I'd make my own.
This tutorial is the one that I used to host my button, which I designed for free on PicMonkey. Frankly I've never felt like more of a design genius.

Customise Your "Older/Newer Posts"
This one is a two in one jobbie... I personally hate the look of the "Older/Newer Posts" options that feature at the bottom of Blogger templates, so I've found two ways to make them more bearable. The first option is to change it to numbered pages, which I think looks far more professional. I am using Style 4 on the post I've linked, and all I had to do was change the colours to suit me and BOOM, I was off.
I've also had a fiddle in my blog posts to make sure that "Older/Newer Posts" says the title of the blog post it's referring too,  and I got the code for that here.

I hope you guys liked this post - do please let me know if you have any of your own stylish hacks for jazzing up Blogger layouts as I am obsessed with finding more!

Five Autumn Lippies

... that I am inappropriately excited about wearing!

Autumn is an amazing season... We're talking beautiful leaves, amazing fashion and all the best people have their birthdays in autumn - including yours truly. I've got five beautiful lippies that I've had to put oon the backburner over summer (though if I'm honest I have worn them far more than I'd like to admit... it's always autumn in my heart!)

Chanel Crayon Lèvres in 34 Natural
I'm still not 100% into the whole nude lip scene - but I've been dipping my toe in with this guy, a Chanel lip liner. For me it's as far into the brown lip trend as I'm likely to go for the time being; my only drawbacks are the price (COME ON CHANEL IT'S ONLY A BLOODY PENCIL) and the slight pearl running through it... Just why?

MAC Craving Lipstick*
We're turning to my first ever MAC lippie now, Craving. An amazing, berry shade with a crackin' formula, you can wear this bold and badass, or buff and blend for a stained look. And that MAC scent... it'll always do things me.

Clinique Black Honey Lipstick*
Now, this guy could be just a marvel of marketing... but if it is, I'm totally still into it. Yes, you could have a regular sheer berry lippy... But this one has a real hint of black to it that I personally feel lifts this from being a plain Jane berry. Cracking for this time of year he is, crackin'.

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned*
I'm sure you've all heard the hype surrounding the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils... I think they definitely deserve them, as you'll struggle to go back to regular lip-and-lip-pencil combos after trying these! This shade is my classic matte berry; I simply love it.

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 08*
This was probably the nude lip that eased me into nude lips: it's a brill price, pretty universal colour and super easy to get hold of too! I've even used it in an old video - if you're interested, it's my Christmas Makeup look!

So have you got some lippies to recommend?? And are you as autumnally obsessed as I am? Let me know down below!

*Affiliate links

To Do List #2

I just went back to look at my last To Do List, and was very excited to find I could tick off everything on the list... result! I love having little goals to chip away at; every semester at uni I write myself a few things I want to achieve, and it's lovely to look back and realise that I nearly always succeed.

Here are my goals for this semester:

1. Become majorly nerdy. We're talking going to the library by choice, sitting at the front of lectures, being the one that asks the stupid questions. SWATTING IT UP big style.
2. Get at least two hours exercise in per week. I miss being a fitness buff and it would be lovely to get back into pole; on a similar vein
3. Take up yoga and build my core strength. I have basically no core strength whatsoever and this is the part of my fitness I am most wanting to change.
4. See more of my bros. I've improved from my seriously asocial ways that set in over the summer, but now I'm back at uni there some uni friends who I've majorly missed out on seeing.
5. Become a homebody. I am terrible at tidying, horrible at housework and interior design is not my scene... yet. My room this year needs a lot of nurturing and I hope I can make the space my own, and one that is not a tip 24/7.
6. Continue practising my photography. I'd love a new lens but I am also determined to make the most of my current one (Canon 40mm, in case you were wondering.) I feel I've improved but there is always room for more.

I love hearing what other people are working on - so now it's up to you! What goals are you working towards?

My Year Abroad: What I Wish I'd Been Told

Truth be told, my Year Abroad did, at times, truly disappoint more than delight - optimism is a hard flame to rekindle once a stranger's snuck into your flat three times after all... but that's a story for another time! I've compiled a list of the realistic things I wish I'd heard before the move to France; not the ridiculous claims about the glamour and the lifestyle (bollocks, by the way) but the nitty gritty about what to actually expect. I'm hoping this will prove at least slightly helpful to those of you who've just made your way there!

1. Make travelling a priority: doing amazingly at a job you're never going to repeat is not worth caring about.
2. It's not going to be the best year of your life. 
3. You feel homesick, lonely and isolated.
4. You've already had Freshers - you won't learn much from another year of partying.
5. Foreign flus = Freshers flu x 1000
6. You will change, for the better.
7. Make the most of your friendships.
8. Find every opportunity to speak the native language.
9. French pastries are amazing.
10. No matter how much you think you hate it at the time, you'll miss it after.
11. Reverse culture shock is almost worse than culture shock, as it's unlikely you'll be properly expecting it.
12. Write letters to your mum - she will love them.
13. Find a new hobby/passion.
14. Take millions of photos.
15. FRENCH BUREAUCRACY IS HELL.
16. Have your exit strategy sorted - how do you close your bank account? Cancel your phone contract? Tell your landlord you're moving out? You get the idea.
17. Just because you didn't enjoy every second does not mean you have failed.
18. Places are just places. Paris is just a big city. France is just a slightly less developed country. Let go of any romanticised ideas.
19. MUSEUMS ARE ACTUALLY INCREDIBLE.
20. The cheese is the bomb!

There is also the truth that other people's years look far better than reality on their Facebook/Instagram, so don't beat yourself up if it looks like you're having a lame time compared with everyone else!

While we are on the subject - this is a shameless chance to share what were some of my highlights, and I am taking it...

Have any of you guys lived abroad? How did you find the experience if you did - and if you haven't, where would you must like to go?

Why I Became A Never-Nude

I am hoping that the AD quoting trend that I have spied (and shamelessly fuelled) in the beauty community continues to thrive; this post does however have a purpose other than to share the love for my favourite comedy of all time...


I'm just gonna come out and say it: nude lippies, for pale ladies with yellow undertones and artificially reddened hair, are hard.

It was also hard to find myself a good nude when I had dark blonde hair, and today I'm going to lay it down for you:

• 80% of the nude lippies on this earth look brown and stupid on me. (Not to be confused with brown and Jenner-esque.) Concealer colours don't suit everyone, Makeup Industry At Large, especially when most brands only produce concealers that are too dark for pale folks anyway.
• If you get it wrong, you look sick and diseased. Case and point:

  

  Yeah you're welcome.

• Bold colours are so much fun. Yes, you could go with a colour similar to the one that nature gave you... BUT WHY SHOULD YOU, when bright pink lipstick looks as killer as it does?
• I'm secretly a goth that would love to wear Nars Train Bleu all day. I have a dark side. I like to think that dark side is my mouth. God that sounded disgusting.
• Boudicca would have worn red lipstick had she owned Ruby Woo. We all know it. Red lippy helps you get sh*t done. 

I rest my case... and turn to you guys - are you nude lovers? Or are you in the bold and badass camp with the cool people me?

VIDEO: September Beauty Favourites

I love Beauty Favourites as much as the next kid - couldn't be without them at times! September was a great month and I feel that's reflected in my choices... what say you?

PRODUCTS MENTIONED

Charlotte Tilbury Rock n Kohl in Barbarella Brown*

Guerlain Maxi Lash Mascara*

Clinique All About Shadow in Olive in My Martini*

Nyx Butter Lip Gloss in Apple Strudel

Avene Hydrating Serum

Nars Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc*

Laura Mercier Scented Candle Set (the actual one I bought!)*

*Affiliate links