Meet the Blogger #5

If you've been reading my 'Meet the Blogger' series then I hope you are enjoying it so far! This will be the last in the series for a few weeks but it will be back with new questions and new bloggers very soon! However, it's not over yet.. I predict big things for blogger Jade as she has a fab blog that deserves a lot more credit and a few more readers too!

"Hey there, I'm Jade! You can find me at skinsweet.co.uk where, like many others, I blog about everything beauty and fashion related. As a student, I am highly experienced in what the American's like to call 'drug store' products (I'm not even sure we have a name for that in England) and how to look good on a budget. Think more Seventeen than Sephora! If that interests you then make sure you stop by, after reading the lovely Lauren's post, of course."

1. What made you start your blog?
For the last couple of years I've been reading beauty blogs and watching these incredible girls on YouTube talking about things that they love and making something of it. I'm talking, of course, about people like Essie Button and Zoella. I just loved it and I wanted to be a part of it. I can't tell you how glad I am that I took that first step and created my blog, I'm still just as in love with blogging as I ever was. 

2. What's your must have product at all times?
I don't leave the house without lipstick in my bag, it's my must-have item. You never know where you're going to end up, especially with my friends, and a little lipstick can completely change your look! Suddenly you're ready for any occasion. That being said, I would never be caught not wearing concealer, I have the worst under eye circles! 

3. Who inspires your style - fashion and make up choices?
I'd be lying if I didn't admit to having certain people who's look I am always trying to achieve. Kate from gh0stparties is the top of that list for me, I love everything she wears both makeup and fashion wise. She's my absolute favourite! I think I favour bloggers over celebrities for inspiration. 

4. Who's your favourite well known blogger?
Again, Kate. It's always Kate. But I'm also loving Hannah from HannahMaggs and Judy from It'sJudyTime at the moment. Hannah's got such a naturally beautiful look that I can't help but be in awe, and now she's got her beautiful baby too! As for Judy, I watch her daily vlogs every single day without fail, I'm addicted!

5. And any underrated bloggers you think deserve more credit?
LilyAnnLoves is my favourite at the moment and she absolutely knows it! 

6. What is your favourite drugstore beauty brand?
I'm loving Seventeen at the moment, since they've rebranded their products look much more high end. I particularly love their lipsticks. 

7. And your high end brand preference?
I really don't have anything from any high end brands, I can't afford it! If I was to splurge on something I think it would be Benefit, everything they do seems to be beautiful. 

8. What's your favourite clothing brand? Online and high street?
I shop almost exclusively with Topshop, it's just my favourite for both statement pieces and basics. 

9. Got any blogging tips you have learnt?
Write shorter posts! I used to, and something still do, write these crazy long posts when I could have said the same thing in a couple of sentences and kept my readers attention! 

10. What are your hair styling secrets? Products? Electrical's?
A good shampoo and conditioner with an intensive hair mask for the ends, every time I wash my hair. That's literally all I do most days, occasionally I use a little leave in conditioner or Moroccan oil if I'm doing something special. 

11. And finally what do you want to achieve from blogging?
I just want to keep going! Make new friends, go to meetups, get involved and just enjoy it. 

Here is where you can find Jade:

• Blog (Skin Sweet)
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest

You'd be silly not to check out the lovely Jade's blog! If you want to take part in the next part of 'Meet the Blogger' you can find my email on my contact page for details!

Primark Haul

I find myself a lot of the time just lately browsing through Primark to pass time before a shift at work. With them not having an online store as such you never know unless you look and often stuff sells out really quickly. After a few trips I've picked up a few bits and bobs.

My last pair on sunglasses got left behind at V Festival in the summer so I was due a replacement. Though since I brought these it hasn't stopped raining, think I've cursed it - no Lauren it's just the UK for you. Anyway these leopard print shades cost just £2 and come with a little pouch too, not bad.

There was quite a big sale on in the homeware section and I picked up this wicker heart for decoration for just £1. It's now hanging on my wardrobe handles and looks very shabby chic.

I chucked most of my sandals out not long ago and planned on revamping my shoe collection - not that I need an excuse a lot of the time anyway. These were just £2.50 and there was a few colours for selection too. Nothing too fancy but simple enough for running errands in the summer.

I've got quite a collection of these socks now but at just £1.50 you can't complain. I love the frills as they look so cute with ankle boots. 

It's no secret that I'm a fan of 'the collar'. I just find it flattering with a boyish edge to it. A little bit of a monochrome theme going on here but pretty staple pieces in the wardrobe. (Left - £8, Right - £6.)

Definitely picked this floral printed chiffon over sized vest with the hotter months in mind. I love royal blue shades as I find it suits me so well and I really liked this floral pattern. I grabbed this on sale for £2 as well!

Have you made any Primark visits recently?

Current Wishlist

Ever since I booked the holiday to Majorca for September time I've been browsing every fashion website going and adding a lot of stuff to wishlists. As part of my spending ban I can only purchase clothes/shoes/accessories etc if I'm going to wear them during the summer and on holiday as I have a lot of saving to do! I'm massively impressed with River Island later and to seem to have everything I'm looking for.

• Love Powder Blue Shift Dress (£28)
• BooHoo Grid Checked Trouser (£20)
• ASOS via River Island Leopard Print Bowling Bag (£31.50 on sale)
• River Island Floral Print Playsuit (£30)
• River Island Dark High Waisted Denim Shorts (£30)
• ASOS Locket Necklace (£6)
• River Island Pink Daisy Lace Shell Top (£25)
• Topshop Black Tassel Loafers (£42)

Top of my list is probably the bag as I'm desperately in need of a good size travel bag to use as hand luggage, especially as it's on sale too! I'm really loving pastels and different patterns for the upcoming SS14 collections dotting around.

What brands are you loving at the moment?

Barry M Smokin Hot Palette

If I'm totally honest with you I only ever used to wander over to the Barry M counter in Boots to pick up a nail polish and completely disregarded any of their make-up offerings. If I'm even more honest with you I picked this up on a whim and really wasn't sure what to make of it after reading a poor review of another of their palettes. I opted for this palette as I thought it had a good mix of darker shades but some neutral ones too - a perfect mix for a cracking smoky eye look! I'm not the biggest fan of the cardboard packaging as it scratches so easily and it's hard to hide, plus the products can get dusty and stain the packaging sadly.

I really loved that there was a white shade included in this palette as I find it brilliant in the inner corners of my eyes to brighten them up especially when they could look a bit over the top with so many dark shades. The second and third shades in from the left I both liked as a base on the lid of the eye and working in the darker shades to create a smoky eye. A lot of blending included! Now I haven't included a swatch of the blush but that is possibly my favourite thing about this palette. It's a lovely wearable shade that isn't too much to give you clown features. It can get a little dusty but nothing to major.

Pigmentation isn't the best really but it is workable, so not ideal if you're on a tight time scale. If you have plenty of time though you can create some really lovely eye looks with this palette. All the shades are shimmery but some have more glitter than others. Overall I think this could be a good investment for travelling as it has multiple products and it's pretty cheap priced at £6.49. When it comes down to it though I probably wouldn't purchase another Barry M palette unless they improve the pigmentation of their shades. You can buy it from several places online, including Boots HERE.

Meet The Blogger #4

Another instalment of my 'Meet the Blogger' series and as excited as ever to introduce to you all another fab blogger! If you're a little unsure on what this series is all about you can catch up HERE.

"Hi, I'm Holly and I blog at Impatience is a Virtue. I'm a beauty and lifestyle blogger from the south coast of the UK. On my blog you can expect to find, product reviews, hauls, a lot of make up and the odd bit of baking!"

1. What made you start your blog?
I remember reading a few blogs and thinking "I could do that!" I love how blogging is a place to share things with other like minded people. It's been a great journey so far, I have been fortunate enough to work with some lovely brands and meet lots of amazing people!

2. What's your must have product at all times?
A good lipgloss! I'm carrying around L'Oreals Glam Shine Stain in Milady at the moment.

3. Who inspires your style - fashion and make up choices?
I wouldn't say I particularly have a sense of style! lol. I work in a hospital lab so my "style" mostly consists of me working in a lab coat, but when I'm out I do like to dress up. I would love to be able to pull off a quirky style like Zooey Deschanel. Make up wise, I love Blake Lively, she looks flawless all the time.

4. Who's your favourite well known blogger?
I love Sprinkle Of Glitter, she has a beautifully designed blog, amazing photos and sounds really down to earth. I would love my blog to be as successful as hers one day!

5. And any underrated bloggers you think deserve more credit?
Definitely Bed in the Kitchen and Becca's Fashion and Life, I met these two lovely ladies through blogging and they don't live that far away from me so we are able to meet up regularly. Their blogs are obviously great too!

6. What is your favourite drugstore beauty brand?
Rimmel is my favourite high street brand, I've used their Stay Matte Powder for years and their nail polishes are a great formula and apply really nicely. I love that Boots and Superdrug are always having 3 for 2 offers across the range too (just an excuse to buy more!)

7. And your high end brand preference?
I Love MAC, I love their classic black packaging, affordability, range of colours and their collaborations with celebrities like Rhianna and The Osbourne's. I currently only have three MAC lipsticks but am aiming to build my collection soon!

8. What's your favourite clothing brand? Online and high street?
Topshop is my favourite clothing brand and they're both high street and online! The majority of my clothes come from there. I also love Primark, mostly for the socks - I have so many socks!

9. Got any blogging tips you have learnt?
I've learnt so many little tips since starting blogging but the one I remember the most is make your photos as big as possible! A picture is worth 1000 words so make sure you use them!

10. What are your hair styling secrets? Products? Electrical's?
Before having my hair styled for my wedding, my hairdresser told me not to wash it the day before. Weirdly, it actually styles better if it isn't freshly washed. I've taken her advice if I fancy curling my dead straight locks and it works really well.

11. And finally what do you want to achieve from blogging?
I love setting little goals for my blog as I don't want to set my sights too high and then be disappointed. I was over the moon when I reached 100 followers then made it to 500 and I would love to reach 1000 followers this year. I would like to keep doing what I'm doing and hope that my blog continues to grow.

Here is where you can find Holly:

• Blog (Impatience is a Virtue)
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

Make sure you check out the lovely Holly's blog!