Wednesday, February 20, 2013

My Everyday Makeup


I thought I would do a little post about the makeup I currently use on a daily basis. I always get into a little routine with the same products then once I get bored, I'll switch it up a bit and change the colour products around like lipstick, blush and eyeshadow. I've been rocking a dark or bright lip for so long, that I wanted to dull it down a bit and go a bit more natural. I'm enjoying it a lot. I feel like my face looks a bit more fresh. These are the current products i'm using!

Nars Sheer Glow in "Mont Blanc"
Maybelline FitMe Concealer in "Light"
Erase Paste Concealer in "No.1"
Sleek Blush Face Contour Kit in "Light"
Sleek Blush in "Mirrored Pink"
HD Brows Kit in "Vamp" 
Estee Lauder Eyeshadow Duo in "Raisins"
Benefit "They're Real" Mascara
Stila Smudge Stick in "Damsel"
YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in "13 - Peach Passion"

I hope you enjoyed this little update. I love having a nosey into everyone's makeup bags and I also find it useful to see what others are loving so I thought you'd like to see mine too. I want to review a few of the products mentioned separately as they deserve an individual rave, but for now I thought it'd keep it sweet and simple.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Rose Gold "Yes" Bracelet


Last week, I was perusing the website "Etsy" which, if you aren't familiar with, is a site where small businesses can make and sell specific items. Since I am going through a major obsession with rose gold, I searched "Rose gold bracelet" and found a shop which offered cute bracelets with words bent into them. They had words like "Love" and "Hope"(as well as other cute designs) which I toyed between for a while, and then noticed that they offered a custom service for any word of your choice. If you have read my "Just Say Yes" post, you will know that I have decided to say yes to a lot more things in order to break free of my anxiety and panic disorder and to live life to the fullest that I can. As a reminder of this, I thought it would be nice to get a bracelet that simply said "yes" so that when I look down at my wrist i'm always met with a positive vibe and a little nudge of "just do it, what's the worse that can happen". They offer the bracelet in many different sizes so no worries if you have a teeny wrist like me or a slightly wider one. Including postage and packaging this bracelet only cost me £18.27 which for a silver plated bracelet that will mean quite a lot to me, is really not bad at all. I really love it and have already worn it lot's. I love that although it's so simple, it has a lot of personal meaning and also looks so cute.

Is there anything you'd love to get written on a bracelet? A reminder of something? Or maybe something that would mean a lot to you? 
Link for the shop: CREATIVEdesignbyTHAO


Sunday, February 3, 2013

Instagram Prints

Who can you spot?

As most of you might be aware, I am a little obsessed with Instagram. Being a lover of photography this little iphone app is something I am always using and loving and I have now clocked up a rather large amount of photos on there. It's a shame to have all those memories and pretty photos trapped in your phone, so to rectify this problem, I used a site called Printstagr.am to print out my favourite images. I'm not too sure where i'll put them yet, but i'm pleased with how they came out, and all in such good quality. You can buy them in stacks of 12 in 2 different sizes. You can choose between mini prints or slightly larger more "polaroid" style, which is what I opted for. The website also allows you to create calendars, stickers, posters, mini books and memory boxes with your prints, which I think is such a nice idea either for yourself or for a present for someone else. Now I just need to decide where i'm going to put them. I think they'd look great on a wall or a pin board. If like me you are a bit obsessed with Instagram, or you have a selection of photos you think would look brilliant printed out, I'd definitely take a peek on their website. 

If you want to follow me on Instagram, search @ZozeeBo
or take a look at my profile here : http://instagram.com/Zozeebo

♥

Friday, February 1, 2013

25 Facts About Me


1. I used to suck my thumb from the ages of 0 - 6 and pull out the fluff from a Christmas hat which I named "wobbly hat"

2. The sun instantly makes me happy and rain instantly gets me down

3. I am a really fussy eater and stick to what I know and love

4. The last time I got properly drunk was when I was 18, since then I've barely touched alcohol

5. I can't wait to have my own babies (not for at least another 6 years - hold your horses)

6. When I feel comfortable around you, you will probably think I am a complete weirdo. Weird is good though right?

7. I can appear quite shy when I first meet people, but very quickly warm up



8.  I used to do country dancing, maypole dancing and knitting in primary school

9. The Isle of Wight is one of my favourite places to be. I have so many amazing memories of being there as a child, so it's always nice to go back.

10. I am counting down the days until bootsales (car boots) start again


11. The most North of the UK I've been is Leeds

12. The smell of mushrooms cooking makes me gag/want to throw up and don't even get me started on what they taste like...

13. I'm addicted to cupcakes (Hummingbird and Lola's to be precise)


14. I'm taking an extra empty suitcase to Florida in March so that I can stock up on American cereals (Lucky Charms mostly), pop tarts and other sweets and treats. I'm sure most girls would take an empty suitcase to bring back all their US makeup goodies..but no. haha

15. I've not been on an aeroplane for almost 7 years. I've forgotten all things "flying"


16. I sing all the time when I'm alone but would never properly sing in front of anyone. 

17. My legs always have little bruises on them. I don't even know how or why, but they do. Apparently I bruise like a peach and have terribly clumsy pins.

18. So far this year, I've only cried at happy things and no sad tears at all. *fist pump*

19. Sometimes I have hot chocolate for breakfast

20. When I'm cold, I'm get really grumpy

21. I collect Disney DVDs

22. I love driving on long road trips and discovering cool new places (mostly by the beach)

23. I still eat potato "SMILES", meant for kids (don't judge me, they taste damn good okay)

24. Sunglasses shopping frustrates me because of my pea head. None of them fit me.

25. I have the worst selective hearing EVER. It annoys everyone so much. if you were to talk to me as I write this blog post, I just wouldn't hear you.

Hope you liked this slightly more personal blog post this evening! I'd seen lot's of other bloggers doing this so thought i'd do it too. I'd love to hear 25 facts about you aswell. I also apologise for the "i'm-feeling-slightly-mental-so-my-webcam-photos-have-turned-out-like-this-and-these-were-the-only-half-decent-ones" shots. We all have moments like this...right? haha

♥

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Illamasqua I'mperfection Spring Collection


As a huge fan of Illamasqua since they first came on the beauty scene, I like seeing all their new and exciting collections. One thing I love about the brand, is that each collection will be so well thought out, and have so much meaning behind each product and specific "look". I was recently invited along to see the new Illamasqua Spring Collection and I wanted to share my thoughts with you all. 

One cannot simply snap away at new products without a comedy shot of their best friend inside a blusher compact...

The collection is titled "I'mperfection" (get it... I'M PERFECTION = IMPERFECTION) Personally, I think this is one the best collection names i've ever heard. So simply but SO clever. The difference an apostrophe can make! It's all about embracing the things that are typically seen as imperfections and highlighting them instead of hiding them away. 

Alex Box describes the collection as "a stand against the homogenised nature of the beauty industry today, and a celebration of freckles, scars and birthmarks - the things that make us who we are. To borrow a line from Marilyn Monroe, "Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring". I love that quote! 


The first thing in the collection that caught my eye was this gorgeous blusher duo in "Lover & Hussy*", both gorgeous matte shades. The colour that stood out to me the most was the orange/peach tone, as these shades really compliment my skin in the summer once i've had a bit of sunlight on my face! Illamasqua blushers are my favourite thing about the brand. They are far more pigmented than plenty of others I have tried and the consistency of them is really lovely to use and blend. 




Next up is the lipstick. Lipstick was the first item of makeup I ever bought from Illamasqua as they had such a vast and interesting colour range. They have the best selection of matte lipsticks you will ever find, and the colour payoff is amazing. This shade is called "Immodest*" and it's a gorgeous vibrant, fuchsia pink. The lipsticks are really long lasting and contain vitamin e for nourishment, which is almost a necessity when wearing matte lipsticks as many people stay well away in case of major dry lips. 


Above are swatches of the lipstick "Immodest" and both blush colours from the "Lover and Hussy" duo, as you can see, all three are extremely pigmented.


Next is a brush* which really excited me! Illamasqua have designed this brush for a more chiselled and precise blush technique when applying. This new "brush up" design has an ellipse shaped head designed to tuck directly under the cheekbone. Gone are the days of big rosy round cheeks, it's all about creating more shape and structure to your face (hello fake cheekbones) and the best way of doing that is a more precise way of applying your blusher. I am so excited to start using this on my face, although it definitely sounds a lot easier than it probably is, and could take a few attempts in order to make it look just right. 


Besides the brush, I was also really intrigued by the new nail polishes that Illamasqua had brought out with this collection. Each nail polish is in a pretty pastel shade with a speckled finish inspired by the beauty of a bird's egg. At first I raised an eyebrow at this bizarre concept, thinking it looked a little like sparse glitter, but the more I looked at these, and when I saw them on the nails, I was completely sold. They look SO good! The two shades I have above are "Freckle"* and "Speckle"*. Speckle being my favourite in a gorgeous pastel purple. I can't wait to do my next manicure with this and I also think it would look great on toes!


In keeping with the campaign and collection, they had also designed a speckled effect for the eyes using the precision ink liners in black (Abyss) and white (Scribe). I would have never thought to do anything like it but it looked amazing on the girls, and sounded so easy to do. I also love the other creative ways of using other colours with your eyeliner. Who would have thought white cat-eye liner would look really good with a neutral eyeshadow? Not me, but now I really want to try it. 

The one amazing thing about Illamasqua is that their collections aren't just "pretty" but inspiring, and the campaigns that run alongside new collections are really interesting and make you think outside the box. If there is ever a brand to open your eyes to the creative world of makeup, it's Illamasqua. You don't have to be daring in your makeup choices in order to indulge in any of the products, but keep an open mind and be inspired. Makeup can become a very boring chore in our every day lives, but it's nice to keep everything a bit fresh and exciting, and I always feel like Illamasqua do that. 

Buy items from the new I'mperfection collection here on the Illamasqua website
What are your favourite items from the new collection? Anything you'd love to buy and try for yourself?

♥

Friday, January 25, 2013

Review | Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm


This might not come as much of a surprise to you, that after so many fellow beauty fanatics raved on and on about this cleanser, I had to try it out for myself to see what all the hype was about. I ordered the 'Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Professional Cleansing and Exfoliating System' (that's quite the mouthful). It contains the Moringa cleansing balm, aromatherapy infused rosehip exfoliating seeds and the buff and polish cleansing cloth. Being a complete lover and addict of the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, I considered myself quite brave for stepping out of my comfort zone and steady skincare regime to give this a whirl. Totalling at £33.60 for the whole kit, this cleanser isn't cheap, but I also don't consider that sky high for good quality skincare. After all, we have to spend a decent amount of money on our skin to enable us to have the perfect canvas for makeup.


The cleansing balm itself is contains moringa seed extract, wild sea fennel and vitamin E to minimize the appearance of pores. Orange, Neroli and Mandarin extracts to rejuvenate and revitalise and Jasmine, Cedarwood and Rose to help re-hydrate and re-condition dry or dull skin. It also claims to be very calming on sensitive skin too. I really like the smell of the cleanser, it smells really fresh and natural (none of that strong artificial stuff). I actually prefer the scent of this to my trusty cleanse and polish as it is a lot more subtle. I wasn't sure that I would get to grips with smoothing an oily balm over my face as opposed to a cream but it's pleasantly nice. The balm breaks down all traces of makeup and is safe to use on eyes too (nothing worse than getting cleanser in your eye and hopping around your bathroom in pain splashing water at your face). 


When I first looked at the size of the tub, I was a bit apprehensive about how long it would last me, but a little goes a really long way. I find that a £2 coin sized dollop is enough to do a whole face (bearing in mind I have a pea head) and then a little extra swipe afterwards if my makeup is a bit on the heavy side. I can see this lasting a lot longer than I initially thought. I also really love the cloth that is provided with this. I thought I'd forever be a muslin cloth girl, but the soft, gentle flannel is so much nicer to use on my skin. Saying that, it's not as exfoliating, which is where the rosehip exfoliating seeds come in. You can incorporate these into the balm, and gently scrub your skin with the cleanser to give yourself a pampering treat. I have also enjoyed using these, however I don't use them very regularly as I prefer to just use the cleansing balm on it's own. You can also use the balm as a face treatment when left on for 10 minutes and wiped away. 


Since using the Emma Hardie cleanser, I have noticed a difference in the overall appearance of my skin. As someone with combination skin (oily and dry in places), it has definitely balanced it out, and the dry patches aren't as dry and the oily patches aren't as oily. I also feel as though my skin is a lot more hydrated and looks a lot more healthy. I also just really enjoy using this on my skin, it's a real treat when it's the end of the day and I can use this to remove my makeup, I almost look forward to it. As this cleanser is so gentle and natural, I would say that it is suitable for most, if not all skin types. If you haven't ever tried a balm, or the thought scares you a little, I really advise that you give it a go, like me you might be pleasantly surprised. 

♥

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Hello 2013.


After giving you all a re-cap of my 2012 in my previous post (both good and bad), it's only right now, to start the new year on a positive note. After a turbulent year, I am determined to make 2013 the best ever. I can't say I have ever stuck to resolutions, but I want to make a list of things I'd like to do and achieve, and at the end of this year I want to look back and see which I managed to do. I think it's important to set goals and aims to give you something to look forward to and strive towards. It's also the best feeling once you actually manage to accomplish something.


♥ Don't sweat the small stuff
Being a naturally very worried person (that's anxiety and panic for you), I tend to get very overly stressed about very small and insignificant things. I'm the sort of person that sits biting their nails and the inside of their mouth over the fact they can't park their car perfectly (parallel parking is not my strong point okay...). I need to learn that some things really don't matter and that sometimes I really shouldn't give a F...monkeys. 2013 is going to be the year of minimal stress and maximum enjoyment. 

♥ Think more positive
I would say that in a lot of situations, I am able to see the positive aspects but definitely not often enough. I will more than likely think of all the negatives of something before I even consider a more positive outcome. It's mostly reflected in the mood I am in. If I'm feeling a bit down or anxious, I can be a right negative ninny. I need to stop finding things wrong with everything and start looking for all the great things in sticky situations and remember that it's not the be all and end all if things don't go as planned.

♥ Drink more water
I went through a little phase last year where I became slightly addicted to attempting to finish 2L bottles of water in a day. I remember that it was sometimes quite a struggle but also that it made me feel so much better inside and out. I felt a lot more healthy, a lot more hydrated and my skin was also thankful. It's certainly not an easy thing for me to try and do as I'm naturally not a very thirsty person and being quite petite, it doesn't take a lot of liquid before I feel like i'm going to burst from the inside out or wee myself. haha. I'm going to try and drink a lot more, whether I manage to complete a 2L bottle a day or just come close, it will be a vast improvement from "oh, I forgot to have a drink today...". Oops.


♥ Be more organised
I am useless at keeping track of life events and juggling my days. I've already filled in all my dates etc in my new diary and I'm going to carry it around with me and continue to keep track of what's going on in order to make sure I'm not on top of myself with not knowing what's happening. Days all seem to blur into one nowadays and this doesn't bode well with my messy organisational skills. I feel a lot more at ease when I have things sorted and filed neatly and I know what's happening and when. 

♥ Blog more
Towards the end of the year my blog got left outside on the doorstep for a while. Myself and my blog have always had a very on and off relationship throughout the (almost) 4 years of us being together. It's not that I decide that I don't like it sometimes, it's just that often I find writing it an unenjoyable experience when I feel as though i'm updating it just for the sake of it. I always want to produce posts that I love, and in turn, that I think you'll love too. Because of this, I sometimes step aside for a while, just to get my creative juices back, then I reappear loving it just as much as I did before. In true Ross from Friends style "WE WERE ON A BREAK". I want to spend more time creating blog posts this year, and really learning to love my blog a lot more. Call it lovers therapy...or bloggers therapy...

♥ Be the best version of you
This is one of my favourite quotes. I'm not sure where it comes from but I currently have this quote set as my desktop background (not the one below with me in it, that would be slightly odd...haha). I like that it encourages you to be the very best you can be, surround yourself with people that bring out the best in you and don't be anything but yourself. It's easy to lose who you are or to become a bit lost but this quote will always bring you back round and remind you just to be YOU and sod anyone that doesn't allow you to do that . :)


♥ Travel more
I haven't been on an aeroplane since I was 16. That is a LOOOONG time. I have completely forgotten what it's like to fly and the concept kind of terrifies me, but I'm determined to step on a plane and go somewhere warm this year. I really want to go to Playlist Live and Vidcon, both in America (where I have never been before) so it looks like i'll be dusting off my passport and getting my bikinis out. *dances* 

♥ Choose a healthier option occasionally
That title could have quite easily just been "eat healthy", but I don't want to set myself really unreasonable goals and ban myself from ever ordering a sneaky dominos every once in a while. I simply just need to eat a slightly healthier choice every now and then. My diet is pretty bad. I'll wake up and eat a chocolate bar or make my way through a packet of biscuits for my breakfast. I'll also drink my weight in hot chocolate (with cream and marshmallows) when really I could have a glass of water or a nice fresh smoothie. I also think I need to lay off the pizza a bit, or maybe start making my own :) It's not in order to lose weight (I am already a skinny minny due to my ridiculously fast metabolism) but sometimes I worry that the food I eat is doing no good for my insides and making me feel lethargic and I'd like to feel a little healthier.  


So those are my little personal challenges/goals I have decided to set myself. Some are working well already, my diary is full of goings on and I already feel a lot more organised. I've already written 2 posts this year AND thoroughly enjoyed writing them. I have also picked healthier options, and so far, I've gone a whole 14 days without ordering myself a dominos. HOORAH! I am going to really make the most of this year, and I hope you all do too. "Happily ever after starts here". :)

What sort of challenges and resolutions have you set yourself for 2013?
Are you hoping to look back over them in a year and have completed a good handful if not all of them?