Vinyl of the Month!

Hey everyone!

So it's that time - this months vinyl is The Darjeeling Limited Soundtrack (Record Store Day 2015)

This was an eBay buy whooooopsssssss. But I missed out on Record Store Day this year and this was on my wishlist :P

I love this vinyl - it is a limited edition green (slightly darker than the picture) and comes with a great cover and artwork. This movie is one of my favourites from Wes Anderson - it really does tell a sweet story about family, travels, trust and India. My background is from South Asia so I love everything about this soundtrack. It really takes me back to my childhood and listening to all the classic Bollywood music and all those lovely colours in India and the rest of South Asia.

Have you guys seen this movie? What do you think of Wes Anderson's tale?

Happy end of the month everyone! :)

Superdrug Haul

Hi everyone!

It seems to me like the hauls just won't end :P I need to stop but ahh well! YOLO as they say :P

So I was recently in Superdrug and I FINALLY found some Real Techniques Sculpting Set brushes (£20.99) that I was after. I also got a highlighter (Opalescent Amber £3.00)  and lip liner (Caramel Noughat £1.00) from MUA. I do love that brand - its cheap and the products are awesome.

I must admit - I was a bit late to the real techniques band wagon...I only purchased the travel set around October last year and full size brushes this year. They are pretty good to be fair - I guess I just never got around to buying them. This particular brush set was always sold out in my local Superdrug so I managed to find them after a while! I have been excited to use this set though. It is aimed to contour and enhance. The set contains the following:

"Each brush is a special design: a sleek, high-shine pink instead of the classic matte.

• sculpting brush: features a wide, angled head specially designed to help create defined contours
• fan brush (set exclusive): softly sweeps on powders + whisks away any excess makeup for an even finish
• setting brush: the key to completing any look with a controlled dusting of powder or highlighter

I actually already own a setting brush - but it is always nice to have an extra one - I also recommend this brush highly because you can use it for so many things! 

Have you tried these brushes yet? Do you think that these brushes are worth the price? 

I have only swatched the items below and have yet to use them - but I am excited to try them out!
Anyway do excuse the pictures the best light I had was in my bathroom. Oh in case you were wondering my nail colour is Tart Deco from Essie and the ring is from Next. :)

I find that the highlighter can also be used as a blush or blush enhancing powder but is is really pretty for something so cheap! I love the colour pay off. The lipliner is a perfect nude and for £1 it really is worth it!

Have you tried any of the highlighters from MUA yet? What do you think of the quality and price of these items? :)

Like I mentioned before - I really do love both brands and I look forward to seeing what comes out next. For Real Techniques I really want to try the Bold Metals brushes next they are a bit more pricey but from what I have heard certain brushes are worth having. As for MUA I still want to try some of their new face products this includes their setting powders in the lilac, green, peach and yellow. (I did pick it up but I left it again whoops!)

I hope you are all well! Have a fantastic day!

Ash xx

Make Up Storage

I am an adult now, I have real make up storage!

Ok it isnt that exciting but for me it's awesome I have FINALLY set up my storage system the way in which I want it.

I went for the 'look on youtube for options' type of thing - I totally caved and bought the IKEA Alex 9 Drawer System. (link!) But I am SO glad I did. Now I have order in the way I store things... I think these are just popular because it doesn't take up much space yet it holds so much inside.

Most of my drawers are full of make up already - I used old Glossyboxes and Birchboxes to store everything neatly and I am so happy with the result!

On top of my awesome unit I have a few cool thing that I wanted to display like decor items and my make up certificate, brushes etc...

I am just happy with the way it has all turned out... Do let me know if you would like to see a full in depth look at things... but for now I have posted pictures of a few drawers that are open!


I hope that you are all well!

Ash xx

June Wish list!

Hello friends!

I hope you are well.

Here are some of the items on my June Wishlist :)

~ Annie Court Shoe by Miss KG. £70.00

~ Giorgio Armani / Privé Eclat de Jasmin Eau de Parfum, 100ml. £155.00 

~ Make Up Revolution Velvet Matte Lip Lacquer. £3.00

~ How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful by Florence + the Machine. (Album)

~ Geo Ring Pack by ASOS. £6.00 

What is on your June Wishlist?

Take care everyone!

Ash xx

Vinyls of the Month!

Heyyyy everyone :)

May has been one heck of a busy month. I didn't get as much time to listen to vinyls - however I did have a few of favourites from my Third Man Records haul.

1. The Ghost Who Walks by Karen Elson 7".
Yes THE Karen Elson - I actually did not know that she was an amazing musician - her music is so soothing and cool. She spends a lot of her time in Nashville and released an album whilst she was still married to Jack White (hero :P) on his label. This was the first single from the album. I LOVE EVERYTHING about this song - its so beautiful and magical. It really tells a story and the artwork is lovely. I recommend that you all check out the song/video because it really is lovely. Karen's album is also amazing!

2. That Black Bat Licorice by Jack White 7". 
As mentioned above - Jack White is a bit of a hero of mine. Not only is he a genuis musician - he is also an all round interesting guy. This song is from his latest album called Lazaretto. It is pretty raw, exciting with a violin solo! I love the way in which everything connects for Jack White - this album and its artwork is all linked. You should check out this song if you want something to rock out to!

3. Thunder On The Mountain by Wanda Jackson 7".
I don't know much about Wanda Jackson in all honesty - but I discovered her stuff through Third Man Records and her collaborations with Jack White. Obviously I did know that she was a Country Musician. This song is just FUN! I really got into Country Music and the Nashville scene - it is on  my list of places to visit when I go to the States. I really respect Wanda for creating awesome music and to keep going. It might not be everyone's cup of tea - but I do love this when I want to listen to something different. Do go and have a listen - the video is also a lot of fun!

So there you have it! These are my May favourites out of my vinyls. What have you been  listening to lately? Do recommend your favourite songs/albums! I am always up for new music.

Have a great day everyone!

Ash xx

Mini Selfridges Haul

Hey everyone!

It has been a while, Apologies for that :( May has been a crazy month for me. But I have a lot of posts for the future! :)

So, last week I had the pleasure of visiting the Birmingham Selfridges. I do love Selfridges! I wish my bank account would love it more though! :P

Anyway, I picked up a couple of things from there...of course I did...I was supposed to be on a bit of a ban - but they never last too long!


I got two items from Selfridges - A Konjac Sponge with Green Clay and The Parallel Universe Eyeshadow duo from the NARS Christopher Kane collection.

I have only breifly seen the Konjac Sponge on blogger sites and instagram, I don't actually know much about them apart from the fact that they are used for cleansing? So I will need to post a full review on this product when I have tried it out. It was £8.99 and it is for oily/combination skin. According to the website they describe these sponges as this:

"The unique, net-like structure of the Konjac Sponge gently massages the skin to stimulate blood flow & cell turnover, while French Green Clay works to minimise breakouts and alleviate complexion congestion. Your skin will feel beautifully clean without any tightness and gradually become clearer, brighter and less spot-prone. What's more, each sponge is 100% natural, biodegradable and made from a sustainable source so you're saving your skin and the planet!"

There were so many options to choose from but this was the one I kept reaching for. Have any of you guys tried the Konjac Sponges before? What are your thoughts on them?

The eyeshadow duo was a bit of an impulse buy - this collection from NARS has been really hyped and it IS very beautiful. But once I saw this in the flesh I had to have it!

Both colours have a duo-crome undertone to them. The first shade is a pink/beige with pink and blue-ish understnes and the second shade is a violet shade with pink glitter undertones. The colour pay off is AMAZING! I really think they are most lovely and look great on the skin. (Apologies for the swatches - the lighting wasn't too great but they are really pretty.) I do hope I can buy more of the collection - i have my eyes on the copper shadow (forgot the name whoops) The packaging is different from the usual black and white from NARS. For this collection it is the usual matte black with a pink metallic outline. (WHICH I LOVE!) I really am looking forward to using this duo in the future for the summer - I have a couple of weddings coming up so it is perfect for that!

Have you guys tried anything from this Christopher Kane collection?

So this was my  mini haul from Selfridges - I kind of wish I could live there...don't you? :P

Take care everyone!

Ash
xx

NARS Makeover

Happy May to you all!

I am soo glad that it is bank holiday this weekend.

I recently had a makeover at NARS so I thought I would share some pics from the day with you.

I really enjoyed  my time with the artists - they spend their time visiting local stores and I got a neat gift from them too! So the pictures are my final look to which I decided on a simple make over focusing on the skin mostly. As well as random Snapchats from the day. I also included the gift items I got from them as well as my own purchases! It was so much fun and I cannot wait until my next makeover with them :)

Have you ever had a make over at NARS? 

Enjoy your bank holiday everyone! 

Ash xx

Make Up rambles.

Many apologies in advance for this post. But this is a sort of update/ramble/stuff I use at the moment because I am lazy post.

The older I get, the lazier I feel at times in applying make up. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I am always on the go, and in the mornings I just don't have the time to apply make up. So I take the easy route and stick with a few basic products.  

My main goal these days is to create a more natural look. So much so that I forgot to wear eyeliner or more like how to apply it! I kid you not 99% of the time I apply make up in the car. So these are the products I use.

Rimmel BB cream. - I got this on offer a few months back, it is still a little bit thick for me however it does offer good coverage and lasts a while. It helps cover up skin problems and makes me look a little more awake! 

Make Up Revolution Concealer - THIS WAS £1!!! I have just come across this brand I. Superdrug snd I boughtthis concealer for an everyday kind of thing. I didn't want to waste my Nars creamy concealer for work! This one is cheap and covers well enough. I don't usually like stick concealers but for £1 it's all ok.

Essence Waterproof Eyeliner - I love that this liner is really small, the want is easy to use and it does last a while. Plus its cheap - so win win!

Loreal Miss Manga Punky Mascara - I must admit this is not as good as the original Miss Manga, the wand is a little difficult to use and you can get product everywhere. However the finish and effect is good. So I keep this on me to use daily.

Rimmel Cream Blush - I got this in a GlossyBox and it is amazing! Such a pretty colour - very similar to Topshop Neon Rose. This also smells amazing, I use it on my lips too.

So that's it - these are all of the products I use on a daily basis for work. I am

Enjoying this method but I will definitely be mixing it up once some of these things get used up. 

Do you find easier ways to do your make up? Is there a certain routine you have for every day purposes? 

Hope that you are all well! 

Ash 

Vinyl of the month!

I could not imagine my life without music. I think in the past I have made a post about my favourite albums, well today I decided to do my favourite vinyl of this month.

 My collection is growing all of the time and I just love putting on a record and relaxing. It is my way to unwind and forget any stress.

This months choice is Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix. This was a re-issue that I got from Oxford a couple of months back. I swear I was born in the wrong time because Psychedelic music is my thing. Hendrix is one of my favourite musicians of all time!

I love this album so much. It's just so experimental and GENUIS. I really wish I was alive when Hendrix was and be lucky enough to see him in concert.

What I love about vinyl is the story behind the album, the cover, the songs, why a certain thing was chosen to represent the artist..etc..etc.. I do like this cover as the original cover was a little NSFW!

I will always be a 60s music lover, so much happened in that time.

If you hear any song from this album I would listen to 1983 (A Merman I Should Be) ugh this song is so beautiful!

Have you heard this album too? What are your views on Vinyl?

Take care all!

Ash xx

NO EXCUSE!!!

AHHHHHH FIRSTLY I AM SO SORRY!!!!

Ok I don't have much of an excuse but I didn't have a laptop for MONTHS!

All of the posts I have made recently have been from my phone and I just had enough of squinting whilst trying to blog. SO I just waited to get a new laptop. AND here we are.


So I realllly can get stuck into blogging now. I have so many things to talk about!
I hope that you are all well :)

Ash xx

Audacious

Happy Friday everyone! 

My love for the NARS Audacious lipsticks continues. 

I picked up two colours recently; Jeanne and Leslie. They are both reds - One is more Brown/Tan Red and the other is a Blue based Cherry Red. 

Red. I really cannot get over the texture of these lipsticks! 

Leslie ^_^ 

Jeanne shown below. 

Have you tried many of these colours? I would recommend them to everyone because every lipstick is so different and the texture is like no other. It's almost similar to the Tom Ford lipsticks. A must have in my book! 

I hope you have a great weekend! 

Ash xx

Winter Skin needs.

Hey all!

How's it going for you all?

This winter has been so weird, it's frosty, windy, icy. Ugh. Not at all good for my skin. I have been using my regular skincare but my skin is still dry and flaky at times. It just feels so strange and sort of knocking my confidence a bit. Anyway, I have been doing some research on stuff that I could use and I came across this brand. I have already tried a few things from the NIP+FAB range and I saw this product posted on the Millie Mackintosh Instagram page.

So I picked up the Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum and the Dragon's Blood Fix Cleansing Pads. These were on offer with 1/3 off, so I got the serum for around £13 and the Cleansing Pads for around £6.30? Which I thought was a pretty good deal! Both items contain Hyaluronic Acid and "Dragons Blood" + velvet flower.
The serum is supposed to to deliver much needed moisture and leaves skin looking plumper. I really hope that this works with my skin and delivers the much needed TLC that is needed!
The cleansing pads are also said to give the skin hydration and cleanse pores. I felt like this would be a good idea to team up the two and add them into my regime.

I can't wait to try both!

Have you guys tried anything from the NIP+FAB range?

Have a lovely evening all!
Ash

Current Handbag Favourites

Hey everyone!
How's it going?!

So today's post is just a brief insight into what sort of products I carry around in my handbag.

1) KIKO Hydrating Hand Fluid and The Body Shop Mango Hand Cleanse Gel. These two have been my hand favourites lately. The KIKO hand lotion is amazing! The scent is very similar to MAC skincare and it really takes care of my hands during the colder days. The hand gel is probably one of the better ones that I have used and the scent is so lovely!

2) Chanel CHANCE perfume 50ml EDP. As well as other mini testers that I forgot the name of lol. I have had this Chanel perfume wrapped and in my drawer for ages but I only just opened it. I like the smell of this and it lasts pretty well.

3) ESSENCE Get Big Lashes triple 3 black mascara and Waterproof liquid eyeliner. I randomly came across this brand in Wilkinsons. Both of these products were under £3. The mascara is a pretty basic formula, it does gove my lashes a a volume boost but it can be flaky. The eyeliner however is amazing! The tip is a flexible felt, which was difficult to use at first but it lasts for ever! I managed to get a good technique going and I end up with a lovely flick.

4) MAC Satin eyeshadow in Orb and Estée Lauder eyeshadow brush. I finally hit pan on this shadow and I use it daily just to add a wash of colour to my eyes.

5) Rimmel Stay Blushed cheek tint in 001 Pop of Pink and Topshop Cream blusher in Nutmeg. Both of these blushers are my favourites at the moment and I wear them every day. So wasy and simple to use!

6) Make Up Revolution the Matte Effect Concealer in Light Medium. This was £1!! I was so surprised and it actually is a great concealer with good coverage. It does last a long time too and I don't have to top it up. I will definitely be re-purchasing this. I like the matte finish of this too.

7) EOS Honeydew Melon Lipbalm & Korres Mandarin Lip Butter. My go to products for lips, perfect for this harsh weather!

8) MAC Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy and Satin Lipstick in Brave. I aim to finish both of these lipsticks very soon. They are great for daywear and work purposes.

8) NARS Audcious Lipstick in Raquel. Firstly these lipsticks are THE BEST. I like to mix this particular colour with Velvet Teddy to create the perfect Beige/Pink Nude.


I think I probabaly do have a lot of products for my handbag, but I do tend to do my make up on my way to work - which is why I have so many!

What kinds of products do you have in your handbag?

Take care everyone!

Ash x

New Year plus a few 'must do's'

Hello all! I hope that you have had an amazing Christmas and New Year. It really did fly by I swear...

I have been thinking about the things I want to achieve this year, 2014 was okay- I had some amazing adventures but some things were a bummer. So this post is just about things I expect to do and perhaps learn from 2014. Aka "kick butt of last year"

1) Lose weight - I am sure that this is not just my resolution/goal. I got into good shape in 2013 but I let myself go in 2014. Now I am feeling the consequences of that- I just want to be confident again and feel as if I have proved others wrong. So my plan is pretty basic - I hate the gym. I have never enjoyed going there and I hate the idea of working out in front of people which is pathetic I know but it's hard sometimes. I have been doing a lot of research on exercises that I can do at home and with the right equipment and will power I know that I can do this. I simply cannot let myself become lazier to be honest. As for diet - it's amazing how it's always 70% diet and then 30% exercise. I can (if I try hard enough) discipline myself. I do try to eat the right amount of greens and healthier food. The results I usually see on my skin and my attitude. With this I aim to gain more confidence and feel like my good old self. So fingers crossed that I get somewhere this year.

2) Make up empties - ok this one is a little more silly but I genuinely feel like I have too much for a single person. My aim is to use up a lot of my stuff and if not donate/sell or give away. At the moment I am very close to finishing my first MAC lipstick in Brave and hit Pan on my MAC Orb eyeshadow. Think of it this way - I have spent a lot of my own money on high end make up and a lot of it is just hidden away and never used. I found my Urban Decay Naked2 palette after so long and I hadn't used it in forever! I remember buying it when it was released in like the first couple of days and then a couple of years go past and you forget. I do have an addiction to make up I thjnk - if I see something new I buy it and don't use it. Which could be ok if I was a make up artist and used it on other people but I'm not lol. What's interesting is that when you first start out collecting/using products your taste and preferences of brands/colours change a lot over time. I have many lipsticks that are staple pink nudes but now I just don't feel like it suits me anymore. For example - MAC - Fanfare, Cosmo, Brave, See Sheer, Mehr. These are all very similar colours that are wonderful but I just don't feel it anymore. So either I finish these or I donate them on to people who will use them. I think, if I use one lipstick a week I might just get through it all! So 2015 will be the year that I try to de-clutter my make up and pass it on to people who might have better use for it than myself!

3) Be Savvy with the £££ - I am the worst culprit when it comes to saving money and taking the cheap way out. I guess I do have expensive taste at times and this is particularly bad when it comes to going out with my friends. I don't even know where the money goes! But now I am going to think...do I really need that lunch? Do I really need that coffee? It's not just about the calories but I don't even want to think of how much money I spend on unnecessary things in one year. Yes we need food etc but I would rather save up and buy a designer handbag or heels. They might last longer! I won't stop these all together but I will try to cut my spending by at least half.

4) Be Charitable - So as well as saving the £££s I also want to give them away generously. This is more of a self cleanse thing. We live in a world where our first world problems take over and we feel like the world owes us a favour. I am very guilty of this at times - I want to remain positive and work on helping others. There is so much stuff that I could do. My one £20 lunch might be something of gold to another less fortunate person.

5) Clear surroundings = Clear mind - One word clean! I want to clear out a lot of things around me and be more organised. Sometimes I feel like if things around you are tangled - your mind is stressed and perhaps less at ease. Spring clean will definitely happen and recycling the things around me. Perhaps this will help my kickstart to change and be less of a hoarder and feel free. It does sound lame but I really do want a clearer room, house, mind, social life etc etc and make room for more reading and "me time"! I can do this.... I hope lol!

My five goals/resolutions/ must-dos of 2015! I want to be more positive and take these things on board.

What are your hopes for 2015?!

Keep smiling you lovely people!
Ash x