A New Year | Part 1.....Going Vegan

Happy New Year!!

Are we still allowed to say that? I was holding off writing this post until well into January because this post is not about a new years resolution but a lifestyle change that I have been pre-empting for the past few months, and one I plan to stick to for the rest of my life and not just the year ahead, and that is making the Jump from Vegetarian to Vegan.

I started my meat free journey when I was 12 years old when on leaving primary school I made the concise decision that I no longer wanted to eat meat. My youthful decision was down to the basic concept that I didn't understand why as humans we would choose to slaughter and eat animals when we didn't need to. As I grew older, and throughout often having to defend my life style choices in many an argument, I slowly educated myself on farming conditions overseas, the effect that eating animals has on the environment and the major health benefits that comes from removing meat from your diet.

As the years passed and I turned 25, I had now spent more of my life as a vegetarian than I had a meat eater and it was at this point I began making a concise effort again to re-educate myself on matters of the environment, animal welfare and my health. It was also at this point that I came across the documentary 'Cowspiricy', when I realised that virtually all my reasons for being Vegetarian bleed through into Veganism. I discussed the ideas with closes friends and family, and the most I discussed it, the more I knew that if I wanted to live my most ethical life, I had to give up all animal products. Over the next month or two I started to cut down on the animal products I was consuming. I decided that the New Year seemed like the perfect point to make the change for good.

Since then I have been on a food adventure... sampling some great vegan alternatives to various dairy products, trying out Glasgow's impressive (for Scotland) range of Vegan restaurants and emerging myself in vegan online culture. 

I hope now that I can use this space to share this part of my life with vegan food hauls, recipes and vegan beauty. I would also like to say that I am very new at this so any help and advise would be greatly appreciated as I tackle this new ethical lifestyle. 

Hears to a Happy and Healthy 2016

Sarah xXx

Today's Make-up | Basic Bitches do it Well

FOTD | 25/6/14 

Garnier Miracle Skin Cream | Colossal 'GO EXTREME!' Mascara | GOSH Brow Kit

With potentially the biggest photo opportunity of my life a week on Friday (My Graduation), my skin has of course decided to explode with spots and puffed out a little (maybe too much yummy food and sleepless nights in Spain me thinks?!) In an attempt to keep spots to a minimum and my skin looking a little more tight and youthful, today I'm keeping it basic. Instead of foundation, I am just wearing the new Garnier Miracle Skin cream (review blog post coming once I've tried it out for a bit longer) a lick of Maybelline 'The Colossal GO EXTREME! Volume Express' mascara (what a mouthful) and my go to GOSH Brow Kit to tame my brows slightly before I get them waxed a little before the big day. 

All products are available from Superdrug

Garnier Miracle Skin Cream | 50ml | £12.99

Colossal 'GO EXTREME!' Volume Mascara | 9.5ml | £6.99

GOSH Brow Kit | £8.49

Have any of you tried out Garnier Miracle skin products?

Comment & Subscribe

Sarah Xx

Hair today, Gone tomorrow

Sweeney Todd? 

All smiles with my freshly chopped mop

For anybody who knows me, it's a well known fact that I HATE the hairdresser. In my entire 23 years on this plant I have only had around 3 haircuts that i've not truly disliked. I don't know if its my hair type (crazy curly and uber thick) or if they just never listen to me but I alway end up leaving fighting back the tears and repeating over to myself 'It's only hair, it will grow back'. Being in Montreal all of last year was the perfect excuse for me just to not get it cut due to the language barrier (I really will use any excuse) but after 14 months of colouring, curling and sub zero temperatures the time came for me to finally get rid of my dead ends. Luckily for me, two of my close girlfriends informed me that they have been cutting their own hair for the past few years and offered to give mine a quick snip! Result, a free (much needed) haircut in the hands of someone I trust! It took them a grand total of 4 and a half minutes to go from a bit of a birds nest to much more manageable curls and I love it! 

Are you a hairdresser lover or hater?

Any bad hairdresser experiences??
Comment & Subscribe

Sxx

Review | Bite Beauty 'Colour + Shine to go'

Bite Lipsticks (L-R) | Tannin, Cin Cin

Swatches (L-R) | Cin Cin, Tannin, Champaign Pearl (gloss)

Ever on the hunt to find some more local beauty treats over here in Canada, on a recent trip to Sephora I can across the brand Bite Beauty. A Toronto based cosmetics company that a pretty decent selections of lipsticks that are of great quality... and even healthy enough for you to eat!!! A rather edgy brand and I love how they are binding fashion and lips sticks together! For me, as you may know if you have checked out my 'Lipstickoration' posts, Lipstick is one of THE most expressive cosmetic and can make a dull dreary day into something a little different!

I was keen to try out a few products from this all-lipstick brand and fortunately I came across this little on-the-go bag of goodies! for $15 there was two min lip sticks and a lip gloss

On swatching the testers in store I fell in love with both colours, and the lipsticks are perfect for even the tiniest handbag!! The pigment in both lipsticks is pretty decent and the smell is temptingly delicious... it does not surprise me that these were made safe to eat as i'll be licking my lips all day when wearing these! I can't wait to be get some creative outfits that have been inspired by these shades too!!!

Keep your eyes peeled for this brand some more... 

Sxx

Beauty | Small ELF Haul

Hello Every one!!!

Hope everyone has been enjoying this lovely week of weather... i almost forgot what the sun looked like!!

To brighten up my day even more, after moving back home, i had a lovely little package from ELF waiting for me!!

Look... the sun was actually shining!!

I placed my First ELF order a few weeks ago when if you spent £30 or more you received 50% off your online order!!! well with an offer like that I could hardly resist!! I took this opportunity to stock up on some new brushes and try out some new products that I have had my eye on for some time!!

Check out my Haul video here (coming soon) to see all the bargains I got!!! 

now i'm off to play with all my new make up!!!

Thats all for now

Sxx

Review | MUA Make-up Range Pt. 1

hello everybody!!! 

Today I have a review of some cosmetics in the bargain make-up collection MUA (Make-Up Academy). For those of you in the UK you may have seen their £1 make-up stands in Superdrug for just over 2 years now. MUA mantra is that great make-up doesn't have to cost the earth and their range can be a guilt free indulgence!

When This line was first introduced, all products were £1. They had a bright range of eyeshadows, lipsticks and glossed as well as basic staples like pressed powder, mascara and liners! The have recently introduced new and exciting new products to the line such as BB creams, Eye shadow pallets and bronzers and nail art nail polishes. All products are under £4 and all the basics that they introduces in their first line are still only £1.... but can £1 make-up actually be any good?!

Since the Brand first launched I have purchased several items form the range so thought I would share with you the true winners (that i would happily pay ALOT more for) and some bargain make-up products that you could properly do without!

MUA Eye Shadow in Shade 2 & 9 in Pearl finish

The First product From the line I purchased was some of their eyeshadows. They have a range of colours in shimmer and matte shades and each shadow contains 2g of product.
These eyeshadows have (surprisingly) amazing pigmentation, they also blend well and lasted all day with a primer applied underneath! These are certainly one of the Stars of the Collection and the range and get a rating of 4/5!!

MUA Pressed Powder in Shades 1, 2 & 3 

Swatch | Pressed Powder in shades 3, 2 &1

Compared to the eyeshadows the Pressed Powder are slightly more disappointing. The three lightest shades are all very orange toned and not one of them matched my skin. The were also a rather a chalky consistency and left the face looking a little too 'cakey' for my liking. However if you are looking for something with a good coverage and you are one of the lucky ones who skin type matches these shades then you certainly get a lot of product (5.7g) for your pound. I think they are great to throw into your handbag in case of emergency and they just need a little work to blend. My rating for these is 2/5!!


Check out Part two of this review to see my Thought on their Lipsticks, Blush, Mascara & Liners
Thats all for now 
Sxx

Beauty | 40 Questions on All Things Beauty

Since I am fairly new to the online beauty community I thought this would be the perfect time to answer some beauty questions for you all....

The make up that I'm going to leave behind next year! *sob*

I originally saw these questions on beautyisasmilexo.blogspot.co.uk and thought i would give it a go myself!! hope you enjoy!!!

1. How many times do you wash your face daily?
- Well depending on if I am wearing make up or not or going to the gym i would say 2-3 times a day!

2. What skin type do you have? (Oily, Dry, Combination)
- I would say I have combination to dry skin, i get dry patches on my chin and around my nose!

3. What is your current facial wash?
- I use No. 7 Skin beautiful cleansing water to remove my make up and good old Liz Earl cleanse and Polish to really cleanse my face!

4. Do you exfoliate?
- Yep, roughly 2-3 times a week.

5. What Brand do you use?
- To exfoliate I use Soap and Glory "Scrub Your Nose in it" and a Superdrug own brand exfoliating face mask in raspberry.

6. What Moisturiser do you use?
- Currently I use Olay Touch of Sun shade light in the morning and dark in the evening!

7.  Do you have freckles?
- yep... i am a ginger Scot after all :p

8. Do you use eye cream?
- yes, a cream not a gel works better for my bags. Currently using a lovely one from the body shop!

9. Do you, or did you, ever have acne prone skin?
- I have always been bothered by the odd break out since the age of 14 and I still get them now but this is usually due to me eating unhealthy, drinking too much and not taking off my make up

10. What foundation do you use?
- currently my skin has been pretty clear so I have just been mixing some mac pro-long wear concealer in with my face primer. i'm also a big fan of GOSH foundations when i need a little more coverage!

11. How about concealer?
- Couldn't live without it. I use Benefit erase paste for under my eyes and GOSH liquid concealer for high-lighting and covering any redness or blemishes.

12. Do you know your undertone colour?
- My colourings are very cool, with a touch of pink rose rather than orange or yellow based.

13. What do you think of false eyelashes?
- Great on a night out or special occasion but i don't have the time or patients to put them on. They aways make the eyes look amazing in photos though!!

14. Did you know you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
- yes i did... i only agree with this rule for everyday mascara that is being opened and used lots as there will be bacteria build up, for others i think they last a bit longer!!

15. What brand of Mascara do you currently use?
- I have re-found my love of No. 7 mascaras, perfect for day!!

16. Sephora or MAC?
- Got to be MAC at the moment as I live in the UK, I'm moving to Canada in August so watch this space.

17. Do you have a mac pro card?
- Nope!!

18. Do you use a make-up base/primer for the eyes?
- I don't really wear a lot of eye shadow so never felt the need to buy a proper primer!!

19. For the face?
- Yes, I currently use GOSH velvet touch face primer, its almost finished but I have an ELF primer on its way in the post to try out!

20. What is your favourite eyeshadow?
- Pistol by Urban Decay, great for a smokey eye!

21. Do you use pencil or liquid liner? I use a black shadow with liquid liner on top

22. Do you use mineral Make up?
- No

23. What is your favourite lipstick?
- Owww, thats a hard one!! Right now it is NYC Blue Rose

24. What about lip gloss?
- I'm a big fan of any Bourjois lip glosses!!

25. What is your faviourte blush to use?
- Coralista by Benefit

26. Do you buy your makeup on e bay?
- No! i'm alway a bit wary or e bay... unless you have been recommended the seller

27. What makeup tools do you use in makeup application?
- hands (for foundation) brushes for blush and eyeshadow/liner.

28. How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
- not really at all now, I used to a lot when I was starting out with makeup

29. What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
- lovely to look at... a lot of hard work (and mess) to apply!

30. Do you like drugstore makeup?
- yep! i would say my make up bag is around 50% drug store / high st.

31. Did you ever consider taking makeup classes?
- I used to work as a 'Beauty Spesalist' in Superdrug so got some training then, now its just a bit of fun/obsession of mine!!

32. Are you clumsy in putting on make up?
- still a disaster at attempting winged eyeliner.... i have no idea how people mange to not get eye lines all over the place!!

33. Name a makeup crime that you hate?
- Foundation that is not the correct skin colour or badly blended!! I love most make up looks, they might not work for me but that doesn't mean others can't rock it!!

34. Do you like colourful shades of makeup or neutral ones?
- Give me a bright lip any day over neutral

35. Which celebrity always has great makeup?
- Blake lively, some times its so effortless but she looks amazing all Glam as well.

36. If you could leave the house using just ONE makeup item, what would it be?
- Mascara

37.  Could you ever leave the house without makeup on?
- Yes! I would never wear makeup to the gym so lots of people have seen me bare faced... I don't think they always recognise me though :p

38. Do you think you look good without any makeup on?
- I have been told by some that I do but i'm yet to be fully convinced

39. In your opinion, what is the best makeup line?
- Has to be mac, for high end its not painfully expensive, the quality is amazing and the line is always new and exciting!!

40. What do you think of makeup?
- I love it!! for me I love the way you can change your face, your mood, or even the way people around you perceive you! Make up is an indulgence, a mood booster... its not about vanity at all! putting on a Bright lip can being you confidence and colour to your day!!!

phew.... that took a while to type! If you made it to the end i congratulate you!!

Thats all for now

Sxx

Beauty | Spotty Pastel Nail Tutorial

Why hello there.... 

 This lovely british Summer weather getting you down, for what feels like the millionth month in a row now it is still pouring down with rain here in the UK so to brighten up this miserable day I have a Bright, Pastel spotted nail polish tutorial!!

This Nail look is perfect for those who have short nails and no artistic talent.... like myself, but will look even better is you are gifted on the nail art front!!

All the Nail Polishes Used in this tutorial are super cheap and easy to get hold of!!!

NYC | Mint Macaroon 253 - £1.49 - Superdrug

Barry M | Coral 296 - £2.99 - Superdrug/Boots

Collection 2000 | Base Coat - 99p - Cosmetic Fairy

Now lets keep our newly summer manicured fingers crossed for some SUN this summer!!!! :)

Thats all for now

Sxx

Beauty | New Hair!!!

I have been dying my hair a light Auburn ( who am I kidding, I was Ginger and very proud!! ) colour for almost 3 years now! I have always loved this colour on me as it warms my (very) pale skin tone!

I have however decided to go back to Brunette so when I am in Canada next year I won't have to worry about trying to find the right colour of hair dye!!

Still not 100%  sure.... I think in my heart I will always be a red head ( as I was  born with a lovely head of ginger hair) !!

Let me know what you think and leave a comment bellow!!

Thats all for now!!

Sxx

Finally on YouTube!!!

Well after a lot of consideration, trial and error, I have finally decided to make my own YouTube channel.

My channel will run along the same lines as this blog... nothing serious, just a bit of fun!!!

If you want to check it out that would be AMAZING!!!!!

I have put up two videos already (both beauty related!!) so check them out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TslRBP92sLw&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a92H_h-nKNw&feature=plcp

Thats all for now!!

Sxx