Lifestyle: Secret Garden Party - & all it's mystery

I've just got back from Secret Garden Party Festival, and during my two day recovery time (trust me, you'll need it!) I thought I'd write a quick post about the pros & cons of a festival and how much fun I really had. Last week I uploaded my first lifestyle post, and whilst I'll still be writing about beauty & skincare products, I will also be posting tasty recipes, event recommendations and just general fun things to read about. Enjoy, x

I attended Secret Garden Party in 2014 and it was truly amazing; The weather was perfect & the music was great! I volunteered both this year and last, but I'm happy to do this; Working 14-15 hours on a bar gets you entry to the festival, free meal vouchers, free drinks after each shift, free parking and because you need to be there a day early, you don't have to queue for 4 hours in the heat, whilst carrying some very heavy bags.

This year was the first year that the event sold out so I was expecting something awesome. There were art installations all over, and something to keep you entertained everywhere. Whether this meant attending a wedding at the Community Hall, joining in at the dance-off stage, or hiring a boat so you could travel around a filthy lake, there were PLENTY of activities to keep you busy, you just need to look around. SGP is full of creative people who come up with these really fun ideas, and I really like that about the festival. It's something to differentiate it from other events.

This was my fifth (overnight) festival so I thought I was super prepared this time! Anything in comparison to my first festival away was a step up. I first attended Nass in July 2012, but I didn't bring any wellies nor a waterproof coat and then of course, the heavens opened up enough water which equated to a full month's rainfall during the only 2 days I was there! (Brilliant packing huh!) So with a northie, some water tight wellies and a couple of £1 ponchos, I thought I'd packed everything...wrong. Some of my friends didn't even brinf that! With my partner Jordan, we stayed in a 1 man pop-up tent, (1 skin thick) which wasn't good enough to hold the rain from the whole of Thursday and a lot of Saturday / Sunday!! So much water leaked into the bottom of our tent that we needed to use an emergency blanket to keep warm because our covers and bags were soaking wet, and the blanket, did NOT work in this emergency.

 I really enjoyed the music last year, the Friday night of 2014 was one of the best nights of my entire life (that's a big big thing to say or live up to!), but I felt like the music this year didn't really appeal to me. There were a couple of good DJs on the line-up, but by the time you've queued, or somebody needs to go the toilet, half the group want to leave. If I had to pick out my favourites stages it would have to be between the 'collo-silly-um', 'the drop' or 'The Dance-Off' (that one's purely for entertainment value).

My friends and I crept off on the Sunday evening around 9pm, because we spent the majority of the day in the tent we didn't attend the famous 'paint party'. We also missed the fireworks & didn't watch the floating stage being set on fire which is something that I've always wanted to see. Last year, I worked on the Sat/Sunday evening and missed both! If you're thinking 'Seen one firework display, seen them all?' then you're completely wrong. The fireworks at SGP are truly spectacular and so so hyped up! If you use google images to search, you'll see a montage of fireworks from the most recent years - and you'll also see why I didn't want to miss them.

Ok so I live in England, and rain should always be expected during 'summer'. Even if I was at home, I would have been cold & wet so I should always remember the 'you're at a festival to have fun, regardless of the weather' line, but it's hard to think like this when your clothes are soaked, and you've got a 9 hour shift ahead of you; Especially on the one day that it's meant to be sunny. The good thing is, you're surrounded by your friends who can very easily pick up your spirits, which makes a long shift fly by. I always feel really close to my friends after coming back from a festival / holiday with them. You've spent 5 days together (sometimes without a break) and during that time, you've slept, ate, dance, got drunk, and probably showered together - some really 1) hilarious & 2) genuinely bonding moments.

Whilst the rain did dampen my spirit a little, I still had lots of fun. I do love Secret Garden Party because it's just so casual, laid back and full of love & glitter. It's hard to write what a place feels like, or use just 1 word to sum up the festival but the event really is just so creative. It's full of silliness and fun. This festival is great for music lovers who happy to go anywhere; talk to anybody, and for those who have that feel-good mentality.

If you've been to Secret Garden Party and would like to share your experience, or alternatively, if there's another festival that you'd recommend, please feel free to comment below.

Thanks for reading, 

Yvette Marie xo

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Photo Credit: Andrew Whitton, Samantha Milligan, Nick Caro, Richard Johnson,

Lifestyle: Why I chose the 'earn as you learn' route

Last week it was my 2 year 'workaversary' (work + anniversary = workaversary... see what I did there!). I thought now would be the perfect time to write about why I chose an Apprenticeshop and try to (hopefully) help others make a decision if they weren't 100% sure on what to do...Enjoy, x

I never intended to head off to university, I couldn't imagine LIVING anywhere but Bristol, and when it came to Sixth Form in 2012 further education wasn't  compulsory, which meant that I wasn't really bothered about taking on tricky subjects for some extra points that I may (or may not) need for university. I wanted to do subjects that I knew I would ENJOY, but I also just wanted to have some fun with my friends (I had so much free time). I chose Media Studies, English Language, Sociology and Btec Health & Social studies.

After completing multiple mocks and my final year12 exams, I knew that 6th form wasn't for me! The best result I achieved in an exam was a D... Did I really want to come out of further education 2 years down the line with a grade D? Absolutely not! So this is around the time I started to look for an apprenticeship...I've always wanted to be a qualified (and a very good) Estate Agent, but most apprenticeships offered an hourly rate of £2.65, and I was not prepared to work 40 hours a week for that amount! I could obviously only turn down a job if I actually passed the interview stage which, in my case, took several attempts!

After I had finished all of my exams and applied for endless amounts of apprenticeships, I needed to hand in my 'leavers form' which meant Sixth Form was over for good. I had no job, no university offer and no go-to college course. On the day I handed in my form, I received a call from somebody who asked me if I wanted to attend an interview for an administrator role for a Mortgage & Protection advice business! I had a really good feeling about this call, and I.M.O the interview went really well. I changed my CV, the way I answered questions, and the way I presented myself. By the end of the day, I was informed that I'd got the job! I remember celebrating with chocolate cake (that's the way to celebrate everything).

Full time work was very different to Sixth Form, where I could go home at lunchtime and 'chill with my friends', but there was something very satisfying about receiving a pay check at the end of the month. It was MY money; I had earned it, and at the same time I was learning how to work in an office environment and at the same time developing my people skills. I didn't have to go to college once a week; I had a learning mentor who visited me approx. every 2 months to make sure my progress was on track. Every now and then I would need to write 'college' assignments, but I was happy to do this because the tasks were not tricky, and I was being paid during the working week.

1 year later – It’s fair to say that I missed my friends a lot during their first year. The majority of my group had left for university, (All over the UK; Plymouth, London, Leeds, Wales) and I was still in Bristol! I think one of the hardest things during this time was the fact that some of my friends were also having a bad time (feeling homesick) and there wasn't a lot I / they could do about it. 

For me, I was coming to the end of my apprenticeship and couldn't believe that a year had passed so quickly! I had been nominated as a finalist in the Business & Admin Bristol Post and Bath Chronicle's Apprenticeship Awards... Ok so I didn't win, but it was a really nice evening out, it's a great thing to put on my CV and it's always nice to hear that you've made the right decision!

2 years later - Moving Experience have since taken on a new Administrator who supports me in the business daily. I'm currently studying for exams so I can become a qualified Para Planner.. No I'm not an Estate Agent (or training to be one) but I think that I was sugar-coating that job to be something it's not. Both my friends at university and in Bristol seem to be a lot happier, and I think we all agreed that 2014/15 felt like it finished a lot quicker than the first year. Whilst my Bristol mates have made new friends, and I sometimes feel like not a lot is happening to me, there are at least 13 weeks during half-term & holiday time which I can use to spend time with them in Bristol, or I can always pop up and visit and vice versa..

Eventually, everybody has to grow up and potentially this may means moving away. I just remind myself that it can be a lot tougher for them because they need to make new friends, learn to live on a budget and move into a house with total strangers!

My top tips for you: 

1) Everybody gets nervous (including me!). It can be daunting for anybody if they're told that they need to make new friends, or learn a completely new & different set of skills!  2) If you have decided to go to university, make sure you check out the opening days. You don't want to choose the right course, at the wrong place!

3) If you're not sure about university, leave it for a year. Go travelling, save money, complete a college course in the subject that you intend to study further.  These could all benefit you in different ways.

4) Not interested in University or an Apprenticeship? Don't worry, there are so many different things that you can do.E.g. The Army, or Full-time employment. Book an appointment at your local Connexions to receive some more information and details about all of the options available.

5) Don't make decisions based on a relationship. If you did break up with your partner after deciding to stay at home and you've passed up the option of University, a placement abroad, The Army, etc; then you will feel like you've wasted some great opportunities. You can always learn to make it work.

Please feel free to comment if you found a successful alternative! Or if you have any ideas for future blog posts, I would love to hear them!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

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Review:Fullips - Lip Enhancers

6/6 - Lips ... If you've met me in person, or, if you've ever checked out my Instagram *click here*, you'll know that my lips aren't the biggest, in fact, they're tiny!!.. My top lip is pretty much non-existent. I would love my lips to be bigger, but I'm not so keen on having lip fillers, or any cosmetic procedure! So I searched the web for a solution (I think everyone does this) and I came across 'Fullips'. During the last few months there has been a lot of publicity around these lip enhancers from Fullips as Kylie Jenner claimed during an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians that this product was the reason for her new super-sized lips... OK so later on KUWTK Kylie admitted that she'd actually had lip fillers, but that didn't stop me wanting to test this product! Continuing reading for my full review! Enjoy, x

I purchased two sizes, small & medium from Ebay - I didn't think a size Large was needed, because my lips are just so SMALL! This product was pretty expensive, from memory I paid £18 for 2 plus Postage & Packaging... Yes it is a one off purchase, but I thought this was a little bit pricey considering this product is made by a small American company. If you shop around, you may be able to find a money saving deal such as '3 for the price of 2' or some sort of deal from a beauty salon /distributor - so be sure to do this!!

Ok... so where to begin? This product is super easy to use!!

1) Just before use, apply a lip scrub - here's an awesome recipe

2) Simply wet your lips (I find plain Vaseline is a good substance)

3) Apply the enhancer to your lips until suction has been made.. and relax!

4) Keep the plumper attached for approx. 30 seconds, and then repeat 

5) It's REALLY important that you detached the enhancer using your fingers (as opposed to just pulling the item off) otherwise your lips will bruise!
6) You may have to play around with a different technique, just to find out what work best for you.. there are hundreds of tutorials online, so have a look.

I really like the medium size because I can use it for my whole lip area, and then use the smaller size tool to target certain areas, i.e. my cupid bow!

Does this product work? Absolutely!! Here are some before and after photos -  as you can see, my lips look so much fuller, plump and just generally better! Make sure you check out my Instagram to see a complete variety of results. The lip area is left a little red after use, but that's pretty much unavoidable. After the redness has gone away and your skin has calmed down, apply a lip liner and your favourite lipstick!! Once lipstick has been applied, you can really see the difference in size!! The results last between 1-3 hours, which I believe is just about the right of time. It takes around 30 seconds (minimum) to make your lips bigger, and the results last all evening! If you use the enhancer every day, then the results will last longer! 

Have you tried the Lip Enhancers from Fullips? If so, what did you think? Leave your comments in the box below... Alternatively, if you have any ideas for future blog posts, I would love to hear them! 

Thanks for reading, 

Yvette Marie xo

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Review: Collection - Long Lasting Lipstick

5/6 Lips - Collection have just released a new line of long-lasting lipstick in 6 Matte & 16 gloss moisture boosting shades. The magazine brand Company have conducted an online quiz, where you can find out what colour sums you up best, plus you'll also read a little description of what kind of personality you have (whether this is accurate or not, I'm not 100% sure!) Link is here: http://www.company.co.uk/beauty/what-lipstick-shade-is-right-for-you-quiz. My result 'Kylie (Jenner) Purple'...AKA 'Mulberry Burst', so off to Boots I went. I really hope you like this review, I love writing fun & simple posts like this the most! Enjoy, x 

*photo provided from Company*

I love everything about this lipstick!! EVERYTHING. I popped until Boots after work very briefly...I always try to leave ASAP; If I don't, my visit usually results in spending a ridiculous amount of time just pondering and admiring all cosmetics, when I really don't have the time or budget for that kind of shopping! Once I grabbed Mulberry Burst, I couldn't help but notice the amazing shades available. I wanted them all! There are some seriously nice colours out there, and the texture feels great too. I just can't believe they're on sale for just £2.99... This product is such good value for money!

Mulberry Burst is a lovely deep rosy purple colour, not too dark, but at the same time it's not bright enough to be tacky and tasteless. This colour looks matte, but at the same time it's so moisturising!! You can literally see tiny tiny spots where the moisture has risen to the surface. One thing that I would say before purchasing (and this is the ONLY flaw)... the colour swatches online do not represent the shade accurately, so definitely check out this product in store :)

Does this last? Well Collection haven't promised '24 hour wear' so it's hard to know what they consider 'Long-lasting' - this definitely lasts for a good few hours, which I think is a reasonable amount of time. If you're a few hours in to an evening or night out, you've probably top up your lipstick at least once by this point!

Want to know what colour will suit you? Then take the test from Company, and comment below. I'd love to hear what different kind of styles are out there!.. Alternatively, if you have any suggestions or ideas for future blog posts, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

 

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Review: Liquid Lipsticks - Budget, Drugstore or Premium product!

Liquid Lipsticks have become all the range during the last year! And rightly so, I think they're brilliant. A strong base colour with a hint of shine sounds like the perfect combination, which is why I thought this review/comparison was be such a good post as part of my 6x Lips special. I'm all up for saving money, and if I can achieve the same results by reducing the cost then why not! Below, I've reviewed 3x different types of products; Budget - £2 from P.S Beauty (Primark), Drugstore - £8.99 from L'oreal, and Premium - £15 from Too Faced! Enjoy, x

Where to begin with this?...

Well first, what exactly would I like to see from a Liquid Lipstick? I want the results to look amazing! I'd like the item to provide shiny lips, (like a gloss) and to later dry matte (like a lipstick) and at the same time be long-lasting!? Ok...So I may be asking for a lot, but aren't these the kind of results brands are promising?!

BUDGET - At the super saver price of £2, this is a product not to be missed. The packaging looks professional, and I just love the small lip brush applicator. Is it shiny? Yes, but unfortunately it doesn't 'dry matte' it just kind of rubs off and disappears after around 30 minutes. If I'm being honest, this was more of a gloss. Unfortunately, it's super sticky, and whilst it smells great, it doesn't feel very comfortable. I purchased a neon / bright pink shade which was a little too much. I think if I used a smaller amount, the subtle results would look a lot better!

DRUGSTORE - I purchased this from Boots for £8.99, which is a little pricey for a lip gloss, but around average for lipstick. I liked this product because the wand was really wide, which made application easy. This item was really glossy, and I just loved the colour;  But I felt like it was possibly too wet, and so it didn't dry very well or leave any lasting effect. I think if the colour was more intense, and I also used a lip liner then the results would have been a lot more beneficial.

PREMIUM - At a price of £15, this is the most expensive liquid lipstick I purchased. Too Faced is an American brand, which means that you either need to find a UK retailer, or pay excessive P&P/Custom prices. I managed to find this online for £16 (go me!) but was it worth it?! I liked this product the most, its insanely pigmented, which meant I only required a little amount, however, the colour is jut too bright, it made it hard to match with other cosmetics. Although this item has a velvet lip brush, I needed to use a separate lip brush when applying this, because it was just far too wet. It is long-lasting (as promised, it does stain) and when it eventually dries, it looks matte but I wouldn't want to spend this kind of price again as I'd need a range of different colour lipsticks, and can't jusity those kind of prices!

Do you have a favourite Liquid Lipstick? If so, comment below to let me know! Alternatively, if you have any suggestions / ideas for future blog posts, I'd love to hear about them!!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

 

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Lush Write Up: My Favourite Face Masks

Just thought I'd write a quick post about why these two facemasks from Lush are my favourite! I'm a big big fan of Lush, I love the company's ethics (no animal testing & all natural ingredients ), I love the service I receive every time I'm in store, even if I'm not in Bristol, and lastly, I love the concept of each and every product! I hope you like this post just as much as I like using these two masks, enjoy x

Mask of Magnaminty - Firstly, this is made from 100% natural ingredients (free from BAD chemicals). Secondly, the ingredients used in Lush products are only purchased from suppliers who do not test on animals! This mask can do all sorts of things, but I mostly use it to help prevent breakouts. It keeps my skin calm and clear. As well as peppermint oil, (I mentioned this product in 'My Skincare Routine' post) this mask also contains Honey which is great as an antiseptic and moisturiser. The mask also acts as an exfoliator because it contains aduki beans and evening primrose seeds - so it works on my blackheads too. I've mentioned before that Lush products can be a little bit expensive (which is true) - this is £5.50 for just 125g, however, Mask of Magnaminty is the only mask from Lush which is self-preserving which means you don't have to try and finish a whole tub in 1 month - you have 4!

Oatifix - I love this face mask for completely different reasons than those stated above, but I think it's a great idea to have different products that alternate in order to save money and see the full effects of a company's products! This mask leaves my skin feeling super soft, firm, moisturised and really improves my complexion, plus it smells absolutely amazing! The texture is a little bit weird, because it's really thick & lumpy it can be quite hard to apply all over (without patches), and it's hard to wash off for the exact same reasons! If I could afford to use this all the time I would but with a retail at £6.50 for 75g, it's not really justifiable, especially as you only have 1 month of use.

Have you tried a Lush facemask? If so, what did you think? Do you have a favourite? Leave your comments in the box below, or, alternatively, if you have any suggestions / ideas for future blog posts, I'd love to hear about them!!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

 

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Festival Beauty Essentials

So I'm off to X Festival in Cardiff on 13th June which is going to be really fun, the line-up looks amazing! Whilst I was planning my outfit (I'm very organised), I had a great idea for a blog post. With summer fast approaching, I thought this would be the perfect time to write about my summer essentials. There is nothing worse than being at a festival in the heat, dehydrated, sleep-deprived, and having greasy hair, so here's some of my favourite products to avoid these kind of results from too much partying! They're also available in miniature, so great for travelling if you need to pack light! Enjoy, x

Dry Shampoo - As if walking around with dirty hair was bad enough, it's even worse when it looks and feels greasy! The best way to avoid this at a festival is either 1) Wash your hair stood underneath a cold tap, or have your friend throw litres of water over your knotty mane for it to then (if you have hair like me) dry with super frizz and triple the size it would be normally be OR 2) use dry shampoo! When you can do your hair no more, apply some dry shampoo. My favourite brand is Batiste, but if you are on a bit of a budget then you can pick up this item for less from most beauty retailers.

Primer - When I asked my friends for their thoughts on this blogpost, they didn't believe that primer was an essential, which is something that I would have agreed with up until now! I've started to wear it every day, (I have two; One for a hint of foundation) and I can really see the effects. I just see primer as an alternative to foundation - great for a festival in the heat! If I had to recommend a product, I would suggest Rimmel's 'Fix & Perfect Pro Primer' - it makes my skin look smooth, feel soft, and brightens my complexity.

Sun Cream - Nivea, everytime! This stuff works brilliantly and smells great. I prefer using either a cream or spray, as I find that is the easiest method of application. I can't express just how important it is to protect your skin!  

Wet Wipes - Wet wipes are your savour; Use them for everything!!  If I had to choose a favourite brand it would either be Simple or Halo. I love wipes from Halo because they have lots of different wipes for different types of jobs, but they can work out quite expensive, retailing at £1.09 for 10!! As long as you have some form of wetwipes, you'll be ok.

Fake Tan - At one point or another, those pasty legs will have to come out to catch the sun rays, so apply fake tan before you leave. I find it best to exfoliate my legs before and after application so the tan lasts. Although I've not really experimented much with fake tans, I love the mousse from Primark. It smells nice and I can enjoy the effects for a small price of £2.50!!

Glitter - I'm not 100% sure if you'd class this as a beauty essential, but it's definitely a festival necessity. Glitter makes every looks fun and colourful, so bring plenty of it.

Please feel free to comment if you found this review helpful, if you would add / change something about this list, or if you have any suggestions for future blog posts!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

 

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Review: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

We're now into the 3rd post (out of 6) all about Lips. With blog posts varying from the best way to care for your lips, to my favourite lipsticks and lastly, how to get super-sized lips (if they do not come naturally to you) without inserting chemicals! This week I reviewed the 'After Dark Stained Gloss' test tubes from the brand 'Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' which came in the following colours and also included a little lip brush; Hedonist (pale pink), New Wave (glossy neon pink), Jealous (red/orange shellac) and Little Black Dress! (black as you can probably guess)! Enjoy, x

Where to begin with this product?! These items are INSANELY pigmented; A little bit goes a very long way! The consistency is quite runny, but if you only use small quantities, this is manageable! The colours do stain, but this doesn't last all day. In fact, during the first use the effects lasted for just under 2 hours (I did eat so this may be why?). As the lip gloss leaves stains, I'd always recommend using the lip brush provided - it also makes application a lot easier. The colours in the pack are great alone, but also work when they're mixed ogether! The pink colours are a tiny bit darker than what's represented on the packaging, and I wouldn't say 'Jealous' was a very bold red, however, I feel as though this colour combination was chosen perfectly to fit with different occasions in the day, so they still work very well;

Hedonist & New Wave - It's pink, casual and you could easily wear this shade to work / out for coffee & shopping. Simple, but vibrant.

Jealous - Glossy and Red - It was very neat looking, but not too overpowering! Could easily work for a daytime date or out for dinner with friends!

Little Black Dress - A darkening shade, which works great with other colours to create an empowering /dark look - something that would be great for evening ocassions / special events.

I did enjoy experimenting with these lip glosses, but pricewise, they were on the expensive side. I purchased this pack on Ebay for £20, which meant I paid £5 for just 2.5ml!! - Certainly not the cheapest items out there, but as this is an American brand, it's hard to find these kinds of items without paying a fortune for postage & packaging! I would buy something similar to this again (obviously with different colours) but the price would DEFINITELY have to be lower!

I've read some great reviews about OCC's Lip Tarr and would love to try them out sometime... Obsessive Compulsive Products are available online from Beauty retailer Sephora - The 'After Dark' pack is now on sale for just $8!! - Alternatively, click here to visit OCC website where you will find this product & lots more!! http://occmakeup.com/. 

Have you tried OCC Stained Lip Gloss? If so, what did you think? Leave your comments in the box below, or, if you have any suggestions / ideas for future blog posts, I'd love to hear about them!!

Thanks for reading, 

Yvette Marie xo

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