Topshop Makeup | Blush

Topshop Makeup | Blush

Topshop Blush £6 

Next in the Topshop Makeup Series, I want to go over the blushers. These are not my favourite thing in the Topshop makeup range, although I know plenty of people who would say they were. I just want to start with the packaging, I absolutely love it, like all other Topshop makeup items, it has the adorable black sketching, in this case, polka dots. The only thing I will say, is that after a while, the white background becomes a little more cream, and then there's no going back to that lovely white crisp casing, dangnabbit. 

The consistency of these is what makes them a little different from anything else I own, and certainly anything else I have seen on the High Street. They apply as a cream blush, but dry with a more powdery finish. I actually find powder blush easier to apply, as you just apply it with a brush, however, I do like to use these for a much more subtle finish. I think because it applies as a cream and dries to a powder, it gives a much more natural flush than a powder would. I also don't find it that difficult to apply. I just use my fingers, and dot it on my cheekbones or the apples of my cheeks (depending on which mood i'm in) and then blend it out as much as desired. The colours can look a little scary in the pan, but they are very easy to blend, and you can also build up the colour if you want something a little more opaque. They also have quite good lasting power, I wouldn't say it's amazing, but for £6 you can't really expect miracles (plus, you don't want to look like Aunt Sally for over 24 hours).

The colours I own are Head Over Heels (pictured on the left in all photos) and Flush (pictured on the right). Head over heels is my favourite (as you can see it has been used a fair bit...and looks pretty grubby). It's a gorgeous coral pink and I find that this suits my skin tone a little more than Flush, which is a lot more pink. 

What do you think of Topshop blush? Do you own any?

♥

FAQ

Who designed your layout? 

The ever so talented Dana, who writes Wonder Forest designed my blog layout

What made you start a blog?

Back in 2007, I started watching YouTube videos and learning all kinds of new things from various makeup gurus, I remember in 2008/2009 I started watching Lollipop26 (Laura) and ACurrentCustom (Lorraine), and they both had blogs alongside their videos. Being very shy and not at all confident, I decided that the best way to get involved in the makeup community and write about something i loved, was to start a blog myself. So in February 2009, I created "georgine". 

How do you get people to read and follow your blog?

When I first started my blog, I think in the first 2 weeks, I gained about 3 followers, they certainly didn't just appear overnight. I would read and comment on other blogs (personal comments not my blog link) & eventually more people would hop on over and join. I also joined twitter, and started following other bloggers and becoming part of the beauty community. Chatting to others who enjoyed the same things as me, and making friends. If you are putting in the effort, people will find you. It's taken me over 3 years to get to the point I am at today. I know it may be frustrating to those of you who have written a few posts and feel as though nobody is listening, but nobody was listening to me at one point either. It's important to just enjoy each aspect of blogging. The ideas, the photography, the editing, the writing and the satisfaction it brings you when you hit the "publish" button. Good things come to those who wait, so just remember that when you feel like smashing your head on your keyboard because you don't have all the followers you wish you had. Blogging should be fun, and extension of you and the things you love, and if it isn't fun, and you aren't enjoying it or getting any satisfaction out of it, maybe it's just not your scene. You also have to remember that not everybody reading your blog will be following you with google friend connect or bloglovin, or hellocotton. They may be subscribed via email, or simply just have your website bookmarked. The vast majority of my readers are not followers at all (just something to keep in mind). Have fun, make the effort and get involved and I'm sure you'll get followers/readers in no time. :)

I need help creating a blog name, can you think of anything?

I would love to have the time and the imagination to help you come up with a blog name, but unfortunately I have neither. Nobody knows you better than yourself, so pick something unique that's personal to you. Things you love? Things that inspire you? A quote maybe? The possibilities are endless (as long as someone else hasn't already snapped it up).

What do you ask for at the hairdressers?

In order to get my fringe the way I have it, I usually ask for a "short sweeping fringe on one side with side parting". I tend to trim it myself (although I probably do an awful job), but I much prefer my hairdresser to do it for me. 

Does ombre-ing your hair damage it?

Yes, any chemical hair dye will damage your hair, but bleach is probably the worst thing you can do to it (alongside enormous amounts of heat). I don't bleach my hair very often, in fact I have only ever done it twice, so it wasn't overly damaging. I know a lot of people bleach their hair all over (highlights etc). As long as you use suitable products and keep good care of it, it will look/feel absolutely fine!

What is a boot sale?

A "Boot Sale" or "Car Boot Sale"has absolutely nothing to do with the shop Boots. Two VERY VERY different things. A car boot sale, is essentially a jumble/garage sale but from the boot of your car. If you were to DO a bootsale, you would collect up things from your house that you no longer wanted/needed/grown out of and bundle it all into your car. You'd then drive to a field (mostly on a sunday morning and somewhere that actually DID a bootsale, don't just roll up and park in the nearest field and expect people to show up) and park up next to all the other cars, empty your old things onto a table and sell them to people at cheap prices. I love going to bootsales and seeing what bargains I can find, and I urge you to do the same. It's also a great way of getting rid of things that are cluttering up your room/house and making some extra pocket money. 

If I give you the money, can you purchase something for me and send it overseas?

I'm afraid I don't do custom buying. I think if I started doing it, it would end up being very time consuming and everyone would want me to do it. haha

What do you use to read blogs?
I use Bloglovin' to read blogs. I think it's amazing! You can categorise blogs into different groups and mark certain posts as read or unread so you never miss a post from your favourite bloggers. I also use this on my Iphone as an app for reading blogs on the go.

I'm thinking of starting a YouTube channel but i'm worried about what people will think of me or if I will get teased. Do you have any advice?

If you desperately want to make videos, and it's something you think you might enjoy, stuff what anyone else thinks. Do they have the guts to make a video and upload it for the world to see? no? well then what do they know! ;) Do things FOR YOU and not for anyone else. Don't let anyone else's immaturity spoil your fun. Most people don't understand YouTube and if that's the case let them wallow in their own ignorance. You also don't have to publish it to your personal social networking sites if you really don't want anyone finding out. Don't link it anywhere and don't tell anyone (unless of course you trust them) and it will be almost impossible for people to just "stumble upon you". YouTube is like an ocean full of millions of fish (except the fish are videos). If you make a couple of videos and decide you don't like it or want to do it anymore, then that's fine too. You gave it a go!
(p.s. If you are under the age of 16 and you're asking me this question, make sure it's okay with your parents that you start making videos on YouTube, just in case they absolutely despise the idea, don't want you getting into trouble)

I'm stuck for what to film my first YouTube video on! Do you have any ideas for me?

When I did my first YouTube video, I wasn't really expecting many people to see it, and I just filmed a random day out shopping with a friend. For my first proper sit down video, I think I did "60 things in my bedroom" which didn't require any talking (just editing and a bit of music). I think it's best to do something that you will feel comfortable with. I was very shy when I first started on YouTube and even now I wouldn't say i'm 100% comfortable talking to a camera knowing you will all see it, but it gets easier. Maybe a what's in my bag video? (simple show and tell) or a "Get to know me" tag video? So that new viewers will know all about you!

Just say yes, just say there's nothing holding you back"

How often do you turn things down or shy away from doing things a little out of your comfort zone? How often do you say NO? For me, this word would crop up an awful lot more than the word "yes". 

As most of you may or may not be aware, I struggle with anxiety and panic attacks (read more on that here), so for me, sometimes saying no, I believe, is the only option. My mind takes control and makes me think that I will be safe doing the things that are within my comfort zone, things that don't scare me. But, what kind of a life is that? Do I really want to be confined to doing things with baby steps over and over? Life is too short for that. Do I want to live my life turning things down and missing out on so many opportunities just because it scares me a bit? No, and neither do you. 

If you are reading this, and you suffer with anxiety disorder, have panic attacks, depression, have social anxiety or are just a very negative or shy person, then I know full well, you want more than anything to be able to say yes to so many things, but the way your mind works, means you are terrified to do this. What is the worst that could happen though? Will you drop down dead? No, the chance of that happening are slim to none. 

It's taken me so long to try and push all my negative thoughts surrounding different activities that are linked with my panic attacks, but i've just reached a point in my life where I think "SOD IT". So what if I have a panic attack? What's going to happen to me? I would rather do more things, that I can look back on and think "I'm so glad I did that" than think "I really wish I'd done that". I don't want to ever be left with that awful question floating around in my head of "what if?". There may be times when you do panic, or you do get in a flap about something, but if you know that ultimately you're going to be okay, at least you can say you did it, or you tried it, and at least you won't be left thinking "what if?".  

I've had so many panic attacks I can't even keep count, but do I remember all of these and relive these panic attacks every day of my life? No I don't. What would be the point? Anxiety is really rubbish, panic attacks are really rubbish, but you can't let these things take complete control of your life or you will be consumed by nothing else, and it will make you desperately unhappy. You are more likely to remember all the amazing times, than you are to remember times where you felt anxious. Why miss out on any opportunity to make happy memories you'll keep with you forever because of this?

One thing I find very difficult about living with anxiety, is the hold it takes over you without you even realising. You get used to it, and you get used to the way of living, and you don't see how your behaviours are so varied from the norm. I am very jealous of people that ooze confidence. I sometimes think "If only I never had to worry about anything", but then do I really have anything to worry about anyway? Are the things I worry about really significant in the grand scheme of things? The answer is no, probably not.

I hold back on so many things, that I feel like I can never 100% enjoy myself in any situation. There are very rarely times in my life, where anxious thoughts are not floating around in my head, ruining a situation for me. Sometimes i'll even be driving to Asda and they'll be there. I feel like my anxiety is a little demon living inside my head (I know, i'm getting slightly freaky on yo asses, but you know what I mean), and the only way to ever destroy it is to be like "LOOK, SEE, I'M FINE, I CAN DO THIS, NOW GO AWAY", and eventually he will get bored, and leave (I'd just like to make it clear at this point that I am not possessed, all clear on that? Yes? good).

More recently, I've had a bit of a wakeup call. I felt myself becoming too consumed by certain aspects of my life, certain people, situations and mostly, my anxiety. I stopped going to events in London, I stopped meeting my friends as much, I stopped eating out in restaurants as much, I stopped getting the train. I let my anxious mind take complete control. Some days, I just spent on my own, speaking to nobody and doing nothing, because I felt safe that way. Nobody should be living their life like this, and sometimes it takes a small (or large) slap in the face for you to realise which path you were heading down. Consider this yours. 

Over the past few weeks, I feel as though I have turned over a new leaf. I want to be more positive about things. Being anxious means you are more likely to find the negatives in any situation before the positives, and this becomes so draining. Not just for you, but for others around you. 

I have started to say YES to things I'd never normally say yes to. I'm not saying yes to absolutely everything, but i'm making a conscious effort to agree to more things. I recently went to a Festival, and yes, it was only for the day, but I have a slight fear over festivals. Large crowds, drunk people who will probably end up vomming (fear of vomit), but I put all this to the back of my mind, and just went. I had such a good day and got to see one of my favourite bands and make happy memories. The alternative to that, would have been to stay at home doing nothing, which a few weeks back, is exactly what I would have done. I went on 3 trains to meet a friend to film YouTube videos to a place i'd never been before. I know most of you reading this will raise an eyebrow here and think "Zoe, that really is no biggy", but for someone who couldn't even get on one train, to one stop without being on the brink of an anxiety attack a mere few weeks ago, this is a huge achievement for me, and again, had such a good day!

I feel so much better for saying yes to things. It has improved my confidence drastically, and it's made me want to go out and do more things that i'd normally never think/want to do. It's making me feel a lot more positive, and with positivity, comes happiness.

I guess the point i'm trying to make with this post, is please think about this for a second, try and step away from your anxious/negative mindset, and look at the bigger picture...

You get ONE life (unless of course you are a feline), one chance to do anything and everything you want. Do not let something like this control your decisions or ruin experiences for you. The same goes for people. Don't let people ruin things for you, or control your behaviours or your life choices. 

It's YOUR life. Share it with others but don't let anyone, or anything take over the control you have.

Say YES. Make it your mission, to do things you'd never normally do, go places you'd never normally go, meet people you'd never normally meet. How can you make memories, and take new paths in life if you turn everything down?

Taking the quote in the song in THIS blog post "Do one thing everyday that scares you". I probably wouldn't take this too literally if you have severe anxiety, but apply it to making decisions every once in a while to begin with. So what if it scares you? Think about how you'll feel when you accomplish it, think about the opportunities it could bring you. Think how happy it could make you!

Now, after reading this blog post, there are a few things I want you to do:

♥ Say YES to something you wouldn't normally say yes to, and let me know in the comments what it was

♥ Listen to the song posted below, I likes it!

♥ Watch the film "Yes Man"

♥ Alternatively, download/buy the book "Yes Man" written by Danny Wallace & read it

♥ Put your favourite song on and dance around to it (not for any reason other than i'm sure it will make you feel at least 10x better than you did before reading this)

♥ Remember that you are not the only one feeling this way, and that only you can change the outlook you have on life

Reflective Friday

Reflective Friday

It's not very often that I sit down and do a "spur of the moment" blog post but I was in a reflective mood and started to think about how different things were for me this time last year. Obviously I share a huge amount of my life with you guys, and see you all as my internet buddies, but there is a massive chunk of it that only my close friends and family know about that has never been introduced online, but let's just say that this time last year I was a very different person. I wasn't as happy and I was inside a "zoe shell" as Louise called it.

I'm not writing this blog post to tell you the back story or to explain how everything got better, but what I do want to do, is reassure any of you that may be going through a hard time, that things DO get better. It may not feel like it, but with a few little changes, they will. Nobody leads the perfect life, and things that you aren't prepared for may get thrown at you, and sometimes it's really very hard to battle those problems and sticky life situations. I just want you to know that you can do it. It might take days, weeks, months or years. Everything happens for a reason and everything we go through moulds us as people and make us who we arThis Ellie Goulding song, is one of my favourite songs that summed up the majority of my 2012. You know those songs that just get you EVERY TIME and it's like the lyrics were MADE for your situation? I had to admit, every time I listened to it up until a few months a go, I'd cry. I don't know whether they were sad tears, or happy tears, I think possibly tears of relief? I played it over and over and I felt like it really helped. Music makes everything better.

What's your favourite song with meaning? good or bad?

♥

Hey guys as you have seen on  my website you know i have two watches one which is the same as zoella and another one the name is called softech london  and i really love it.

Primark Summer Sale + Autumn Haul ♥

Primark Summer Sale + Autumn Haul ♥

I'm sorry for how long/late this blog post is! I doubt the sale stuff is still available as I bought it a few weeks back, but I thought it's still worth including in my Primark haul. There was loads of stuff in the summer sale, a lot of it junk, but I found a few beauties. And their new autumn clothing is in now too, so most of that should still be available. They are putting out new stock constantly this season, it's like a different shop every time I visit lately!

AW14

I never, ever wear t-shirts normally, and I'm not sure why but I really liked this rose print one when I saw it. It is made from a slightly ribbed fabric and it was only £5.


I bought these floral make up bags as my old toiletry bags were getting a bit minging. I love the ditsy pattern on this set, and I think they were £2.50 and £3.50 each.

I bought this rose hairband to jazz up my lazy weekend top knot! It was only £2.

I really love these little roll on perfumes from Primark, this one is called He Loves Me and I think it's meant to be a Marc Jacobs honey dupe, but either way it's really nice, and the perfect size for my handbag, and only £2.


I never normally wear leggings either, let alone patterned ones! But I couldn't resist these floral printed ones, which I guess I can wear with a long loose top when I'm feeling lazy. They could probably be glammed up with heels too, but I'm not brave enough for that! They were only £5.

I love these skirts with a little frill at the bottom, I think they're really cute! They're possibly a bit short for work, but I think I might try to pull them off with opaque tights and flats. I love the checked one, and the black one is slightly textured, and they were only £5 each.

Sale Items

Isn't this fruity pineapple bikini AMAZING?! I love it, and I'd been eyeing it up for a while but didn't want to part with £12 for another bikini, I've way too many. However when I spotted it in the sale for only £5 I decided it had to be mine!

 

 £1 knickers... no more needs to be said... aren't they cute! 

I probably went a bit OTT with buying reduced pyjama tops for £2/£3 each, but I'm a bit obsessed with buying pyjamas.

I don't really wear maxi dresses, but I saw this nice indigo coloured one reduced for £6.90 so I bought it and wore it for work on one hot day. I've not worn it since, and I'm not sure I'll wear it again to be honest, I don't think it suits me!

This cute little strappy summer dress was originally only £5 anyway, but it was then put in the sale for only £2! Crazy cheap, I've been wearing it at home as a casual dress. 

I was really pleased to find this floral frilly duvet set in the sale, it was only £7 reduced from £14, and the double fitted sheet was reduced too. It's a little bit OTT girlie, but as I don't share my bedroom, I can have it as girlie as I please!

These sandals were only £2, and even though it's the end of summer, I can save them for next year. I bought them in pink earlier in the year and they're really comfortable!

More pyjamas.. I found these in one of those massive messy piles in Primark. I bought two PJ sets with printed t-shirts and patterned long bottoms were only £3 for each set! I got one with pink flamingos on, and one with an owl and polka dots. Perfect autumn nightwear!