December 2018 Favourites + Dislikes

The last monthly favourites was back in July so thought I would do my final one of 2018.

BEAUTY

Benefit Dandelion Twinkle Powder Highlighter
My sister Amelia has been back from university for the Christmas celebrations, I love it when she is back because I get to try new makeup and skincare that she has and this is one item that I have been using for a while now from her makeup collection and I love it.

Collection Speedy Highlighter
I love this highlighter, I put a line of it on both upper cheek and then pat it in with my fingers, it can be a subtle highlighter or you can make it slightly more dramatic which I love, normal highlighters cling to the dry patches whereas this one doesn't.

Fame
I was at the park a while ago with my family and family friends and one of our friend's smelt so good so I had to ask what it was and it's Fame another Essential Scent fragrance.

Merry Christmas 2018 #Blogmas2018

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas.

Also thought I would mention how proud of myself I am that I managed to complete Blogmas this year, I didn't miss a single blog post which is odd because I was so busy with work and looking back now I don't know how I even had time to do it but I managed it.

#Blogmas2018

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The Ordinary Serum Foundation #Blogmas2018

Back in May I tried The Ordinary Coverage Foundation for a blog post and when I purchased that foundation I tried to purchase this one but my shade wasn't available and FINALLY they have my shade in.

CLAIMS:

• lightweight medium-coverage formulations
• looks natural with a very lightweight serum feel
• resist collecting within fine lines and stay on for longer
• offer a semi-matte finish

2018 For Me #Blogmas2018

I thought I would recap the year, it's been a very emotional year and one that has good and bad, I feel like some parts of the year I wish I could erase it from my memory whereas some I wish I could relive.

Losing a family member
Technically he isn't blood family but I will always count Nick as my family. Nick had fought for years against cancer but sadly at the beginning of the year he lost the fight and passed away. It was the hardest thing to see and to happen, seeing his young children live without a family has been tough but I am so proud of Nick's wife Julie on how strong she has been and the boys, they have really done well. I just want to thank Loros (Leicester Hospice Charity) who looked after Nick and the family so please if you would like to donate to a charity then please donate to Loros.

Launching my blog
I had written a blog previously but kept privatising it, I felt like people would judge so I deleted it and thought I would start a blog when I feel confident and comfortable. I knew that there would never be a time so I just went for it, I have to be honest when a few family friends found my blog Instagram account @theblogofaliciamaude I felt like I had been caught out but speaking to one of them and now she is going to start a blog.

Makeup Collection 2018 #Blogmas2018

My Dad tells me I have too much makeup, I have cleared some out but I love playing with makeup and putting together different looks. The way I have stored these are with three old IKEA Moppe drawers that I painted, you can get smaller versions of them still but I wish they still did this side.

I am going to through each set of drawers plus each drawer, I thought I would mention that I am not a professional makeup artist, everything I know I have either self taught or watched YouTube videos.

Weekly Pamper Routine 2018 #Blogmas2018

Most Sunday‘s (9 out of 10) I give myself a little pampering, it’s my way to refresh myself for the new week. I have decided to share it with you and also to recommend some products I love using and show you how some Sunday’s I do blog posts like face mask reviews. What's funny is I am working on Sunday so I gave myself a pampering on Friday so I could put it up onto this blog.

Hair Mask

No sooner I wake up I take my hair out of whatever updo I have going on and put a hair mask on and leave it on pretty much all day.

Product Used: Garnier Ultimate Blends The Enriching Nourishing Hair Mask

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm #Blogmas2018

I love when my sister comes home from uni because I get to raid her beauty bag and try her products out like this Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm.

CLAIMS:

• Lightweight cleansing balm quickly dissolves stubborn eye and face makeup, including those with sunscreen. 
• Transforms from a solid balm to a silky, fluid oil upon application.
• Non-greasy. 
• Non-drying.

GIFT IDEA: Christmas Eve Box 2018 (My Godchildren) #Blogmas2018

I have a goddaughter called Ramayah and three godsons called Alfie, Ollie and Kane. Last year I put together Christmas Eve Boxes and loved them so thought I would put together one for them this year and show you, if my godchildren are reading this (doubt it), I promise I won't give you a Christmas Eve box every year, I will do something different next year. Also thought I would mention that the PJ's they have are part of the family matching range, I have the adults PJs to match my godchildren (sad).

TAG: December #Blogmas2018

Another TAG that I saw on NikkieTutorials blog post.

1. What do you love most about December?
The weather, I love how it's cold and you can wrap up and it's cosy.

2. What is your favorite perfume to wear with the holidays?
I don't really have a seasonal fragrance, I wear the same sorts of perfumes throughout the year.

3. Which 3 products can’t you live without this December?

1. Hats, I love wearing beanies.
2. Scarves, I wear thin scarves in the Summer but in the Winter period I love wearing thick knitted scarves.
3. Body/Face Butter, my skin is naturally dry but during this time period I love using the body butters and face butters to cover and protect my skin.

GIFT IDEA: Secret Santa (Jayne The Manager) #Blogmas2018

Right now, I am terrible with budgets when it comes to gift giving, I always overspend but I don't care. At work we are doing Secret Santa and the manager said max £5 spend so oops, I over spent.

If you don't know what Secret Santa is (I bet you do) then everyone's name is written down and put into a bag/hat/box and then you pick a name out, I got the manager so I thought I would put together a pack for her and her daughter Amelia.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Montagne Jeunesse Pink Lemonade Peel Off #Blogmas2018

As a young teen I always used Montagne Jeunesse masks but haven't done one for years, who else used them when they were younger. They are cheap but also were in all of the younger people stores like Claire's Accessories.

CLAIMS:

• Peels away impurities and brightens skin

Nail Polish Collection 2018 #Blogmas2018

Fact about me, I am addicted to nail polish and had 276 nail polishes at the beginning of the year but I cleared out a lot because my current job doesn't allow me to paint my nails.

I have stored my nail polish on top of my makeup drawers and thought I would show you them now before I redo my room and have a different way to organise them. What I have done is put them in brands on this blog post so you can see what I have but at the beginning I have put the treatments, basecoats, topcoats etc together.

Daily Evening Skincare Routine 2018 #Blogmas2018

Here is my evening skincare routine and I know people will think I am wrong but this works for me.

Cleanse: Garnier SkinActive Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water
I tried various micellar waters and felt they dried my skin out so when I found an oil based one that is for dry and sensitive skin I had to try it and I love it, I use large cotton pads to use this product with.

Exfoliate: Lush Movis Soap
I run this bar of scrub under the tap and then directly scrub my face and rinse off with warm water.

Lip Scrub: Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub
I don't like mint but I like this lip scrub, I apply to my lips and move my finger in a circular motion then I have to admit I like the scrub off, it's delicious.

Lip Balm: Blistex MedPlus
This lip balm is quite thick but I use it at night because it smells disgusting.

Eyes: Polaar Icy Magic Instant Eye Contour Energiser
I want to plump my eyes up a little and get rid of the under eye creases.

Toner: Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic
If you read my Daily Morning Skincare Routine you would have seen I use the spray version of this in the morning, I like to use a cotton pad soaked in this and gently patted onto my skin.

Serum: The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%
I started using this serum end-November because I have noticed that I have fine lines on my forehead and I hate them so looked into The Ordinary and this claims to help reduce fine lines, I am writing a blog post on it which will be out in the new year.

Serum: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
I have been using this serum for about three months on and off and my skin has been glowing since using it but I notice when I miss it, I need to use it every day to see the glow, if I skip it that day my skin is dull. I put one dropper into my hand and then gently tap it into my skin and let it sink in.

Moisturiser: Astral Face & Body Moisturiser
I put a thick layer of this moisturiser onto my face massaging it into my face in circular motions.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: e.l.f Lash Extending Mascara #Blogmas2018

E.L.F has started being stocked in Boots and Superdrug so it's easier to get your hands on now.

CLAIMS:

• Creates longer-looking lashes that define the eye
• Formula is enriched with vitamin B, E, and algae extracts to help condition lashes
• New brush head bristles allow for defined, even coating of the lashes

GIFT IDEA: Leaving & Congratulations (Halle's Gift) #Blogmas2018

I have worked with Halle since March 2018 and it that space of time I have cry laughter a lot and had some deep conversations so when I found out she was leaving I was upset but I know it's the right thing for her to do so I put together a gift of things that remind me of her plus some other bits.

TAG: This or That (Beauty & Fashion Edition) #Blogmas2018

I saw on NikkieTutorials blog she did this TAG post so thought I would try it out myself because I'm nosy and would like to know what you would choose so please comment below or link me in a social media post if you do it yourself.

MAKEUP

Blush or Bronzer: Bronzer - I have naturally rosy cheeks.

Lipgloss or Lipstick: Liquid Lipstick - I am loving at the moment LipSense® Lip Colour in Nude Pink with LipSense® Lip Glossy Gloss so kind of both of them.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: NYX HD Studio Photogenic Foundation #Blogmas2018

I have seen recently people on social media talking about NYX HD Studio Photogenic Foundation and they all seem to love it so thought I would try it out.

CLAIMS:

• Enhance the appearance of silky smooth skin.
• Achieve a picture-perfect look any time you're in the spotlight. 

Am I A Feminist? #Blogmas2018

A while ago I saw a video on This Morning which if you would like to view it them I have linked a YouTube video, it got me kind of annoyed that this poor woman had to deal with such a vile experience and the comments she got, I wanted to share my views and experiences I have had. Before I explain I am not out there to get peoples sympathy or to show off (disgusting but people will think it).​

Now I have never been Upskirted but I have been grabbed a few times in a club/bar, I have never mentioned this to close friends because I felt kind of dirty but I know I shouldn't, why should I be ashamed, the people that violated my space should.

Perfume Collection 2018 #Blogmas2018

I thought I would share my perfume collection on my blog, I used to have a lot of designer perfumes but ever since I started trying Essential Scent I used theirs.

Daily Morning Skincare Routine 2018 #Blogmas2018

During 2018 I have put more focus and effort into my skincare than I have ever done so thought I would share with my readers my daily morning skincare routine.

REVIEW: Neutrogena® Hydro Boost® Hydrogel Recovery Mask #Blogmas2018

I love face masks especially sheet masks because they are cleaner so when I saw a gel mask I thought I would try it out.

CLAIMS:

• Skin feels refreshed, hydrated and noticeably supple.

HOW TO USE:

1. Cleanse your face
2. Peel white film backing from the mask sheet and discard
3. Place hydrogel mask down on face and leave on from 15 to 30 minutes
4. Remove the mask and massage remaining product onto face and neck

What I Have Learnt As A Business Owner? (1 Month In) #Blogmas2018

5th November 2018 marks the day I launched my dream business Maude & Noah, it has been a month and I thought I would tell you a few things that I have learnt since launching.

Sales don't just fly in: You maybe lucky to have really supportive family and friends who will purchase things from you on the day of launch, I don't have that (my parents have been supportive) so don't feel down if you don't get a sale in straight away.

TIP: Getting Rid Of Hiccups #Blogmas2018

I have a tip that might be able to help you out. Now I can't take credit for this, the manager of the site I work at Jayne actually told me about this so if you ever get hiccups follow this tip and it will stop them. I know people are going to be thinking ‘oh as if’ or ‘like this will happen’ and I was like that when she told me this, I thought it was like the other remedies or tricks like holding your breath or standing on your head whilst saying the alphabet backwards but Jayne’s tip worked.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: SenseCosmetics LashSense® Waterproof Mascara #Blogmas2018

I wanted to try another SenseCosmetics product after trying LipSense® lip colours, I loved them and thought I would give another product ago. I have one mascara that I love and that's Benefit They're Real! mascara other mascaras haven't faced up to that one.
Thought I would also mention that I used my iPhone to take the photos which some were slightly blurry - sorry! I also woke up and did my makeup so I look red eyed and slightly tired.

CLAIMS:

• Waterproof formula provides much needed moisture to prevent lash brittleness
• Long-lasting technology will not smear, smudge or rub off
• Contains a mixture of natural botanical and scientific ingredients to help keep colour on and protect lashes

FOTD & OOTD: Simply Claire's Salon Christmas Fayre #Blogmas2018

I don't do many fashion blog posts and really want to get into them a little more so thought I would show you an outfit that I wore to Simply Claire's Christmas Fayre that I had a stand at for my business Maude & Noah plus also the makeup I worn in which one of the products I am actually doing first impressions on for a blog post.

I just want to say that I am not a professional makeup artist, hairdresser, nail technician or stylist, this is all self taught (kind of- explanation in a blog post coming up).

GIVEAWAY: Christmas 2018 #Blogmas2018

To kick off Blogmas I have put together a Christmas giveaway, giving away a few of my favourite products plus a few interesting products that I am testing out myself (you get new versions).

WHAT'S IN THE GIVEAWAY: