How-To | Save Your Skin

I am a sufferer of dry, spotty skin. I'm prone to breakouts and redness. It can drive you insane. In all honesty, I'm not as kind to my skin as I think.

This year I have decided that I am going to look after my skin. Do those things that I really can't be bothered doing.

Here are my tips:

Moisturize

Moisturize before you go to bed. Before you put on your makeup. If you wear a primer with your makeup but don't moisturize try it instead. My skin has been so good recently and it's because I'm getting into the habit of moisturizing.

Wash Your Face

I feel this is crazy obvious but when I say wash your face I mean, take your makeup off at night. I am the absolute worst at taking makeup off at night because effort but, again, if you build a habit of taking it off at night it starts to become routine and you'll thank yourself for it.

Wear Less Makeup

I love makeup. Not because I'm obsessed with how I look but because I love experimenting. Recently, I started thinking why I wore foundation, mascara, eyebrow gel, blusher, etc. to work. I'm a nurse so yes, we have to look presentable but you don't want to look that "dolled up". I took it upon myself to put a little moisturizer on, some powder and mascara, because I NEED my mascara.

However, if you feel "naked" or it would make you feel more comfortable to wear makeup, try and substitute your foundation for a BB or CC cream or a tinted moisturizer. Something that'll be just that little bit kinder to your skin.

Drink Plenty

Of water. Keep yourself hydrated. It'll keep your skin moisturized too.

You'll notice a difference.

Sleep

Have a proper sleep. A solid 8 hours. You won't wake up with bags under your eyes - score! It'll also make you feel up to actually doing all of the above.

Do you have any other tips for saving your skin?

Twitter: @simplykarah

Bekah // SK

Relaxing Spa Day

We went to a spa! 

This is something we've never done. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. Booked the day before. Didn't know what to expect as I've only ever been to one spa and Kate's not been to any. 

However, it was, overall a really nice, relaxing time. 

We booked afternoon tea (unfortunately we have no photos, but take my word for it; it was ok), both got facials and then chilled by, and in, the pool.
This spa trip was for Kate's birthday (she's joined me at the ripe young age of 23) but we have decided to make spa days, or breaks, something we do on occasions. Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, New Year, Pancake Tuesday, and maybe, at a push, St Patrick's Day. Nah, I'm joking, but the first three yes.
Anyhoo, here are a few photos from our day (when I say a few I mean 5)

Kylie Cosmetics | Review

About a month ago I decided to purchase a few items from Kylie Jenner's make up range Kylie Cosmetics. There had been a lot of great reviews about the company that I decided to test it out for myself.

I also grabbed a couple things for Kate for her birthday but didn't take any pictures because I didn't want to ruin any surprises.

Here's what I bought:

Kylie Lip Kits (Matte)

Candy K: This is a nude pink colour. Not my favorite but overall a very nice colour.

Koko K: I think this is my favorite. It's a deep pinky/red (maybe just on my skin tone) but can be dressed up or down. Love.

Maliboo: I was a little unsure of this colour to begin with but seem to be warming up to it. This is a nude. And when I say nude, I mean for people who are slightly more tanned than me, and I'm ghostly white.

Kyshadows

Creme Shadow Copper (Birthday Edition): Oh my goodness! Creme shadow goals. It's so pigmented and bronze and just gorge! 

Creme Shadow Rose Gold (Birthday Edition): Again, the colour with these creme shadows are AMAZING! Very pigmented. Pretty pink, but I really like it.

Overall, my experience with Kylie Cosmetics was pretty good. However, I don't know if it's for all countries outside of America or just the UK but I had to pay two custom fees (because I bought the items in two separate go's). They were both just over £20. So add that on top of your £80 bill from the company and you've racked up a pretty hefty bill. Having said that, the products are really good. The lipsticks stay on all day and the eye shadow's are just beautiful.

Have you tried Kylie Cosmetics?

Twitter: @simplykarah10

Bekah / SK x

All About My Face | Face Theory

I am a sucker for trying different beauty regimes. And when I say sucker I mean, I ridiculously over spend because I never stick to one thing and try it out for so long.

I recently saw an ad pop up on my Facebook for this company called "Face Theory".  I'm never one to be drawn in to Facebook ads but something about this just caught my attention.

I did some researching about the company - y'know, making sure they're legit - and found that people who had used the skincare brand all seemed to really love it.

I'm trying my absolute best to stick with just this as my cleansing and moisturizing routine. Not trying to put too much on my skin, keep it fresh.

And oh my days!!! This stuff is completely saving my skin and clearing all my break outs.

I started the routine a couple weeks ago and within the first week I started noticing results. It's the best my skin has looked in a LONG time.

How-To // Long Lasting Lipstick

I'm back!! I'm just going to keep popping up around here because Kate is a bit of a bully (please don't hit me for that K). Like my big sister, I'm a big lipstick fan. Also like Kate, I need something that will stay all day because if I'm actually putting makeup on I'm either going to university, going out or really really bored. So I search for long lasting lip products and I have found some gems. However, I have also perfected the application process to maximise the staying power, if I do say so myself.

How-To // Survive Summer - Tanning

Okay okay I know, tanning is not particularly essential to surviving summer, but it helps. I am not one who tans particularly well, not unless I get unbelievably burnt, and even then I think most of the colour comes from all the new freckles that crop up. I'm very British okay!?

Over the past couple of years I have had the odd fling with fake tan but I've never settled into a committed relationship. I think this year we're going to have summer romance and see how that goes before I think about going long term.

Once I found a tanning brand that seemed to work for me I stuck with it. No way am I risking using a different brand and it going horribly wrong! I use a brand called St Moriz (which I'm guessing is a St Tropez knock off), it's pretty inexpensive at around £6 per bottle.

There are two main types of tan that I use (both by St Moriz):

Fast Self Tanning Mousse

and

Tanning Mousse in Medium

High End Make-Up | First Impressions

I'm not one that tends to go for the high end products of make-up. Mainly because I can't afford it and think that spending a whopping £40 on foundation is a bit OTT.

However, last month I had quite a bit of my paycheck leftover so thought I'd just splurge and treat myself.

I hesitantly made my way to feelunique.com and went to the makeup section. And stayed there, because once make-up was in my basket I couldn't face looking at other beauty products that would burn an even bigger hole in my wallet.

TGIF // Friday Favourites

 Spring has sprung for this Friday Favourites, anyone who knows me is probably surprised by how much pink is in this post. Usually I am so not into baby pink but apparently when it comes to ginormous mugs, magazines and blusher I'm a pink girl!

TGIF // Friday Favourites

 Some of you may know that I've given up diet coke for lent. If you know me you'll know how much diet coke I'll drink, I don't want to be dramatic but oh my goodness do I miss diet coke. So now I've discovered Ice Tea, I'd only ever had peach tea before and I hate peach so I assumed I didn't like iced tea. Man was I wrong.

Travel Essentials // Make-Up

Narrowing down make-up to take with me on a trip is hard. I think I've finally got to the point where I know what I want and need to take.

Travel Essentials // Face and Body

I can't pack lightly. I try, every time I'm going on a trip I think to myself "this is it, this is the time I'll pack really light and only take the absolute essentials". It's never yet happened. So, I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm not a light packer. I thought I would show you some of the products I take with me when I go away for a weekend.

 The Bag: I got this from Primark not long ago, it's perfect because it's huge and as you're about to see I fill it.

 The Basic Essentials: Deodorant and Face Wipes - need I say more?

 Shower: 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner is pretty handy when it comes to travelling. You might not get you're usual high shine or high volume hair but it's quicker and lighter to travel with. And a body wash is another obvious one!

 Skincare: I've recently been trying to find a skincare routine that works for me, at the moment I have a 5 product regime which is all well and good until you need to take it with you. I found these in my "random products I've not used yet" box and thought I would take this trip as an opportunity to try them out.

 Teeth: Toothpaste and a toothbrush (with a brand spanking new head on it - ooo aahh what a treat!)

The Tools: Facecloth, Hairbrush and Razor

And there you have it. We already have a Travel Non-Essentials blogpost up here and we'll be doing more travel posts as we go.

What are some of your travel face and body essentials? Tweet us @SimplyKarah10

Kate // SK

My Sisters Daily Make-Up // A SimplyKarah Guest

 Today I thought it would be nice to grab my sister to help us out with a post since she's on holiday at the moment so is around for me to bug her until she says yes..

Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (52 Vanilla) 

Concealer: Bourjois Healthy Mix (51 Light Radiance

Brush: Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Bronzer: The Body Shop Bronzing Powder (02 Fair Matte)

Brush: Real Techniques Contour Brush

Blusher: Make-up Revolution Ultra Blush Palette  - Hot Spice

Brush: Real Techniques Duo Fibre Face Brush

Highlighter: Sleek Highlighting Palette - Solstice

Eyeshadow: Sleek I-Divine - Enchanted Forest

Mascara: Loreal Paris False Lash Flutter (Extra Black)

Lips: Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet - 08 Grand Cru

Setting Spray: Maybelline Super Stay 24

"I'm living away from home for Uni so this palette is really useful for bringing back and forth with me because it has so many shades as well as matte ones and shimmer ones"

 "This was a coming home present from Kate because she knows I'm all about the glow. It's super pigmented and the bronzey orange one is perfect for my skin tone"

"This was another present from Kate, this time for Christmas. It's a really good winter palette and I'm really enjoying experimenting with the purples."

"I love this bronzer because I'm really pale at the moment and they do really light shades so I don't look dead or orange but somewhere in the middle"

"I recently picked up this healthy mix serum foundation and the matching concealer and it's doing wonders for my skin. I actually think it might be improving my skin. Bourjois have a really good colour range for light skin tones too so I can find a foundation that matches when I'm super pale in the winter and when I have more of a tan in the summer."

What are some of your favourite daily make-up essentials?

Comment below or tweet us @SimplyKarah10

Kate // SK

&

Becky (the sister)

Christmas Presents and Sales Haul // Sleek, Charlotte Tilbury, Waterstones & More

Hello lovely people! It feels like it's been a while since I blogged but that's only because I got so used to blogging every day in December. Hats off to any blogger who does proper full blogposts every day and has another job around it!

Today I thought I would show you a few bits and bobs that I've got up recently. Some of these I was given for Christmas and others I picked up in the sales.

I thought I would start with the very very best. My sister got me this Charlotte Tilbury Glastonberry lipstick. She wrapped it up and put it in a shoe box which had me very confused but I was SERIOUSLY excited when unwrapped this. I've wanted a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick forever and this berry colour is absolutely gorgeous!

I picked this book journal up at Waterstones during their 50% off sale. It's by Moleskine and I'm in love. I love notebooks and I love reading so it's the best of both worlds (rrp £17.99).

If you read my recent New Years resolution post then you may know that one of my resolutions is to right up a little sum up and word of the day every day of this year. I saw this notebook from Valentina in TK Maxx and thought it was perfect. (£4.99)

When this trend first appeared I thought it was ridiculous. Why on earth would anyone want a ball of fluff hanging from my bag or keys? But as you've probably guessed, I changed my mind. I ALWAYS, and I really do mean always, spend about 5 minutes at my front door rooting around in my bag trying to find my keys and getting gradually more and more worried that I'd forgotten them. Not any more though, it's hard to miss a giant fluffy ball in my bag! (New Look - £3.99)

This book caught my eye as soon as I walked into Waterstones. The cover is gorgeous and when I saw the illustrations inside I was sold, plus the story is super cute. I would highly recommend picking this one up, especially if you have kids to read it to! (Waterstones - £14.99)

I spotted these earrings in Primark and thought they were super cute. Primark is so hit and miss with jewellery, there's always a few things I love and a few things that are just awful. (Primark - £1)

 

I love Burt's Bees products in general (especially their body wash), but as always Lipbalms are my weakness. This honey one is gorgeous and actually smells of honey, not fake manufactured honey smell but legit straight out of the jar honey. (Boots - £3.99)

 

You can never go wrong with a Sleek pallet and this Storm palette is no different. The colours are absolutely beautiful and I don't think there is a single colour I won't be able to make work. (Boots - £7.99)

From left to right: Charlotte Tilbury - Glastonberry, Sleek Storm Pallette - Sand Storm, Snow Storm, Calm Before the Storm, Thunder Storm, Perfect Storm, Firestorm, Dust Storm, Gathering Storm, Storm Cloud, Electric Storm, Eye of the Storm and Blackout.

And there you have it. I'm officially very skint and I will not be going shopping anytime soon (although I did make Ebay and Amazon orders recently so keep an eye out for those!). I hope you enjoyed this post and maybe even spotted some things you'll pick up yourself. I also apologise for the number of times I've written the word "Storm" in this post!

Thanks for reading, tweet us your favourite Christmas purchases @SimplyKarah10

Kate // SK x

NEW YEAR // Ombre Hair

 A few weeks ago I ombred my hair (again). I'd got my hair cut much shorter than usual and all my ombre had been cut off. I liked my new short do but after 5 years of ombre hair it just didn't feel right without it. I was pretty nervous about ombreing my hair when it was short incase it went awfully wrong, but as it happens it turned out quite well!

 

I used the Loreal Paris Wild Ombres Preference Brush On Ombre which I used previously and really liked. 

Step 1: Get everything out the box and read the instructions.

Step 2: Pour the Lightening Powder into the Bottle (2)

Step 3: Squeeze the lightening crème into the Bottle

Step 4: Shake the bottle. And then take off the cap (and be careful because the product tends to expand and try to escape after shaking!)

Step 5: Apply to the ends of your hair (or however high up you want to go) using the brush provided in the box

Step 6: Wait, panicking slightly around 30 minutes. You can scrape the product off a piece of hair to see how it's getting along if you're worrying.

 

Before and After pictures. I know the before picture is pretty bad but it's the best I had. I MUCH prefer my hair with some blonde in it. I think it makes it look much more styled, textured and volumised. The after pictures are from straight after I dyed my hair and dried it so that's my excuse for it looking a bit fluffy!

Top Tips

1. If (like me) you're a worrier then wash it off after 20 minutes, blow dry and assess the progress. You can then re-apply left over product onto areas you missed or all over if you want to go lighter.

2. Use old towels even after you've washed your hair the first time. For some reason no matter how well I wash my hair after bleaching it there always seems to be residue left on my hair which ruins towels.

3. Get a deep conditioning mask to use a day after dying. As you will know, dying is not great for hair and can really dry it out. I've found using a hair mask the day after helps.

4. Get a friend to do the back. This is especially for those with shorter hair. When I had long hair I could do the back no bother, not so much this time!

5. Relax. If it goes really wrong you can go buy a dye with a similar colour to your roots your cover it up. Either have a friend with you or like I did, have a friend on the other end of the phone on emergency hair dye purchasing duty just in case. Fortunately I didn't have to make use of her this time!

Any top tips for dying your hair?

Let us know!

Kate // SK x

BLOGMAS DAY 20 // Favourite Festive Lipsticks

I am a tad obsessed with lipstick. My collection is unhealthily large for someone with no money. I wear lipsticks all year round but when December hits and the Christmas parties roll around my lips are hardly ever without a good ol' bold red or berry. These are just a few of my favourite lipsticks!

When it comes to the perfect lipstick I expect a lot. I want inexpensive. I want it to stay on my lips no matter how many coffee's I drink and I don't want a lipstick stain on my coffee cup. I don't want my lips to get dried out but I don't want it to stay sticky and have to keep peeling my hair off my lips. I mean really am I asking too much?!

 Rimmel London Apocalips - 304 Eclipse

Loreal Paris Color Riche - Blake's Pure Red

Loreal Paris Color Riche Matte - 430 Mon Jules

Soap and Glory - Pom Pom

Maybelline New York Super Stay 10 hr Tint Gloss - 540 Endless Ruby

I haven't found my perfect lipstick (yet) but these are few that got close. If you're interested I'll be doing full lipstick reviews in the new year.

What are some of your favourite lipsticks?

Tweet me any recommendations @SimplyKarah10

SK x