MAC Russian Red

MAC Russian Red £14

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I am quite the lipstick fiend, and find going without it on a day to day basis is just as much as going bare faced. 

My main colour of choice has always been red - orange red, dark red, blue red, purple red, ALL RED. I'm quite pale and think it suits my complexion pretty well.

I've always wanted to try MAC lipsticks (obvs!) but have always settled for drug store brands until recently when I took a trip to Selfridges and found myself at the MAC counter (dangerous).

MAC have copious amounts of red lipsticks, but in the end I opted for Russian Red.

It's a very bold colour, you only need one or two coats for it to really pop. It has a matte finish, which I love as I'm not a huge fan of shine lipsticks, although one of the downsides is it can be quite drying on the lips.

Russian Red is a blue red, which means it's much more deeper and intense, it also makes your teeth look whiter! (bonus). 

I have found extremely wearable and long lasting, it's a few hours before I have to top up and it lasts through meals and drinks without leaving me completely lipstickless. 

Next on my red lipstick list is Red Velvet velveteen by Lime Crime which looks A-MAZING. 

Sleek Rose Gold Blush

 Sleek Rose Gold Blush - £4.49

I'm really fussy when it comes to blusher because I like it to be quite subtle on my cheeks. I naturally have rosy cheeks so I don't want anything that highlights that too much!

Usually I go for something too subtle, that doesn't even show up on my cheeks which results in me using loads of product and being a complete waste of money...rubbish!

I've been a huge fan of Sleek make up for a while now, I religiously use their brow set (which is amazing, I reviewed it here). 

I spotted Rose Gold blush on a whim really, I saw there was only one left and thought it must be popular so decided to try it out.

It's a powder blush and super pigmented, which is great because it really shows up on the skin and you can decide how heavy to place it.

As you may have seen from the picture, it's also very close to NARS 'Orgasm' - and I love a good dupe! It's fantastic value for money at £4.49 and I really recommend it. It isn't too pink or harsh, it has a lovely coral shade with a nice shimmer which isn't too in your face. 

Have you tried this before? What's your favourite blush at the moment?

What's on my bookshelf.

As much as I love to blog about beauty products and fashion, I also try and mix it up a bit. If you've read my blog for a while, I try to put in bits and bobs of my life such as days out, baking and a few memorable (ridiculous) stories. 

One of the things I utterly love, and have done since I was young, is reading. I adore nothing more than getting lost in an amazing book, racing to finish it before I have to go to asleep, itching to know the ending and willing myself not to skip to the end just to take a quick peak. 

My Favourites. 

My bookshelf is filled with wonderful, weird and downright wacky books so it was incredibly hard for me to pick a few favourites, because to be honest, I could read every book on my shelf and enjoy it (otherwise they wouldn't be there!) 

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't love every book. Sometimes I can't even finish them because I find it so tedious and not my cup of tea. And, of course, I do have an ultimate favourite book which out shines anything I have ever read thus far.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is that book. I will tell anyone who listens to read it. I first came upon when I was in school and we had to read it for a project or something or other. As usual, most kids in the class were not feeling it and moaned, groaned and dragged their way through it. Not me, oh no. I was truly enthralled with this amazing piece of literature. 

'Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'

To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the 1930's in the deep south of Alabama. It deals with racism, ineqaulity, different ideals and the life of a young girl named Scout Finch. Her father, Atticus, is a lawyer and has to deal with a very difficult case. The story shows the ins and outs of understanding racism of that time, Scout's puppy love and falling outs with her brother, Jem. 

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is another favourite of mine. It is the only novel the poet ever wrote before her suicide in the 60's. It delves in to the mind of mental illness, depression and generally just...being. It is said that parts of the book are based on Plath's personal experiences throughout her life and her difficult struggle with depression. Not only does it deal with mental illness, but with friendship and love. 

I was utterly fascinated by it when I first read it, picturing ever small and minute detail, creating the whole scenario in my head as if it was a real tale, with real people. I think that's what a great book does, puts you somewhere as if you're living it. 

Honorable mentions also go to:

The entire Harry Potter series which I am obsessed with and can read over and over again (I really need to give these books back to my friend!), Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Game of Thrones by George R R Martin, Luella's Guide to English Style, Post Secret by Warren Frank and Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger.

I got a kindle for Christmas which I also use for reading (although to be honest, I've mainly been using it for twitter and games!) 

I haven't accumulated too many books yet, although I am a fan of the free books and the 20p books!

So far on my kindle I have 44 and 44 part 2 by Jools Sinclar, Wonder by R.J Palacio, Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry and The Hundred Year Old Man Who Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson (loving this book!) 

Currently reading.

Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick.

This isn't even my book, it's Craigs. I bought it him for his birthday last year since he expressed an interest in it. I started reading it before him, when he first opened it (woops) and it really took me in. Unfortunately, Craig then wanted to read it and because it was his present I had to let go. However, he's finally finished it so back in my mitts it goes! 

I love history, and I am really interested with North Korea (who isn't really?). This book tells the true tales of defectors, those that have escaped North Korea in to South Korea or China. The stories are fascinating, and almost unbelievable because they are so far away from what lives we live. A definite read if you find anything like this interesting!

What are your favourite books?

Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara.

Clinique High Impact Mascara in Extreme Black £17

I think mascaras are one of the most reviewed things on my blog, I am pretty blimmin' obsessed with them. My eyelashes are, to put it bluntly, awful. They're dark blonde, short and an overall mess. They're even worse lately, I've come into the habit of picking off my mascara when I'm bored/stressed and with that I've managed to pull out some eyelashes and break some in half.

I kid you not, on my right eye, I have half a full lash and half a short lash because I broke them in half by pulling them. Let's all hope eyelashes grow back...

I bought this Clinique mascara a couple of months back now as I'd seen it on a few blogs and thought it looked really great. I'm a fan of Clinique in general, especially their skin care range. It does what it says on the tin really, creates volume and and thick lashes, which is what I need. I also find curling my lashes before applying also makes a more POW! effect. 

I retails at £17 which is expensive for mascara but I've been using this mascara every day for 2 months so I've definitely got my moneys worth out of it.

Have you used this mascara? What are your favourite mascaras? 

Nivea Lip Butter - Vanilla and Macadamia.

 Nivea Lip Butter Vanilla and Macadamia £2.24

I bought this lip butter a few months ago whilst out shopping. My lips were suffering from the up coming winter weather and vaseline really wasn't doing anything apart from lying on my lips and feeling like goo. 

I hadn't read any reviews or had any intentions of buying this but I use Nivea moisturiser and do like them as a brand, plus vanilla & macadamia sounded quite delicious. 

I'm so glad I picked this up, its amazing, especially for the price. As it's a lip butter it moisturises the lips and leaves them feeling really nice and supple. I really struggle with chapped lips over the winter but since I've been using this I haven't had a problem. 

The lip butter contains shea butter and almond oil which helps moisture and is long lasting. If you're looking for a quick fix and something that will care and nourish your lips I would definitely head down to boots/superdrug and pick this up! And as first predicted, it does taste delicious!

and we kiss, as though nothing could fall.

1. early wake up for work. 2. went to see Les Mis and I forgot how many tears would be shed and wore a bucket load of eyeliner. 3. my I.D badge for dog walking. 4. it really did...! 5. it's cold outside. 6. my baby boo. 7. new boots which I adore. 8. my little moz man.

I've not done a Instagram post for a while so here's a little update. Nothing too exciting in the pictures, mainly me and my cats...which is basically my life, oops. 

I haven't done too much the past week or so, I've been given quite a few shifts at work so I've mainly been working. Although I work in town which isn't good 'cause every time I finish my shift I always have a little mooch around and end up spending money on silly things. 

I'm trying to put some money together to eventually get driving lessons (errrbody get off the road) so hopefully I can start soon. I've tried driving in my mum's car before and I CAN'T DO IT. I know it takes practice but God, it looks so easy but it really isn't! 

My main OMFG! moment for the past couple of weeks is that my hero, my one and only, my ultimate favourite man that I cannot talk about in real life because I get way too many FEELS is back. After a decade of no music, he decided his 66th birthday was the best way to celebrate and give us new music, ahhhh! I am of course talking about David Bowie (hence my blog title this time is his lyrics rather than 'instablog!'). I was at work at 9am so had no idea, until I checked my phone on my break and had a tonne of messages with various things such as "BOWIE'S BACK" - "KATIE WAKE UP BOWIE HAS A NEW SONG" etc! I am so excited he's back, truly. I never thought he'd release new music again, since he just seems happy chilling in New York. I have all my fingers and toes crossed that he's at Glastonbury this year, but I think it's too far fetched, even for me to think! 

As I mentioned in one of my above pictures, I went to see Les Miserables on the day it was released. We were pretty smart about it and went in the afternoon so it wasn't super packed, even though it was still busy! God, what a film. Go and see it. If anything, for the astounding woman that is Anne Hathaway. She is in the film for all of about 20 minutes (of 2 hours 37) and she COMPLETELY steals the show as Fantine. The way she sings 'I Dreamed a Dream' is not from just sadness, but anger and pure despair. Anne's emotions convey perfectly and never have I completely been in the moment at the cinema. Special mentions to Samantha Barks as Eponine who was fantastic, especially during 'On My Own', Eddie Redmayne for 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables' and Hugh Jackman who was really great. I thought Crowe portrayed Javert great although his singing clearly wasn't up to par as the rest. ALL THE AWARDS. Go see it. 

I hope you all have a good week :)

Essie - Leading Lady

Essie 'Leading Lady' - £7.99

I was opening my mail the other day when I came across an envelope from Boots. Inside was a voucher for £2 off Essie nail polish in Boots stores. Advertised was a few colours including this one which I immediately loved. 

I popped in town today after work as I had ran out of foundation (which meant using my 'for special occasions only' Estee Lauder Double Wear for WORK...no!) Whilst in there I spotted this on the shelf and remembered about the £2 voucher in my purse, so picked up a bottle.

I took it home and put it on my nails this evening and I am in love. It's so lovely! It reminds me of Dorothy's shoes from the Wizard of Oz. 

The main thing I love about it, is that it's a glitter polish but doesn't require a base colour beforehand, it paints a gorgeous deep red on your nails with tonnes of glitter packed in. I wish I'd have noticed this earlier as it's the perfect Christmas colour.

The Essie brush is perfect, I can apply the polish nice and neatly without any mistakes of getting it all over my fingers! Nightmare... 

I definitely recommend this from Essie, it's just become my favourite for the moment!