Twenty Three.

*Dress was kindly gifted to me from Femme Luxe Finery*

It's my birthday! Today I turned 23 years old, how did this happen!? It doesn't seem right that I'm 23 already, getting married and about to buy a house. It's gone crazy quick and it actually scares me how quick the next 23 years will go. Here are 23 things I've learnt in 23 years.

1. Don't worry about what other people think

2. Make time for yourself 

3. My parents were right about everything

4. Mental health is important

5. Live in the moment 

6. Trust your gut instinct

7. It's ok to say no

8. Put yourself first

9. Don't compare yourself to other people

10. Accept who you are

11. Friends and family are everything

12. Take each day as it comes

13. Set goals

14. Everything happens for a reason

15. You can't please everyone 

16. Don't take life too seriously

17. Stop worrying about money

18. Skincare is important

19. Travel while you can

20. Music is my escape

21. Everyone has their own timeline

22. Do what's best for you

23. Don't give up

Here's to twenty three!

A Birthday Makeup Look

My birthday is in a few days and as my 23rd birthday will be a little different compared to other birthdays over the years, I decided that I'd still like to get dressed up and do my makeup how I usually would do on my birthday.

The very first thing I do is fill in my eyebrows, I use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pomade in the shade 'Taupe'. Then to neaten up my brows, I outline them with the NARS Creamy Concealer in the shade 'Vanilla'. I find that this the perfect shade for me, it's not too light or too warm - so it's great for my pale days as well as when I have tan on.

Moving onto my eyes, I smother my lashes in Revitalash Serum, it's honestly been a god send since taking a break from my lash extensions - the growth of my lashes in only 4 months is insane. Then, I prep my lids using the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer, it's been my fave for years and does its job, so will forever be my go to.

I've decided to use the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette as there's a decent range of smoky shades and shimmers. Using 'Foxy' as a base, 'Busted' and 'Snakebite' for depth in the crease and a mix of 'Half Baked' and 'YDK' on the lid. Using the shade 'Verve' as a highlight, I apply this in the inner corners of my eyes and underneath my brows.

For my face, using my all time favourite, the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in the shade 'Stromboli'. Then going back in with the NARS Creamy Concealer in the shade 'Vanilla', to brighten the eye area I apply this under my eyes and on any blemishes and then blend the concealer out with a beauty blender. To add some definition, I use the Benefit Hoola Bronzer to contour my nose, cheekbones, jawline and the top of my head. After blending out the bronzer, I set the rest of my face using the Revlon Colorstay Pressed Powder in the shade 'Light to Medium' or 'Medium' depending on what shade of tan I've used. 

Then, I apply my lashes. Being a lash tech whilst in lockdown, I actually made these curly, volume strip lashes myself. I've already tested them and they actually turned out so much better than I thought they would, so I'm well chuffed. However, if I didn't make my own strip lashes I would've used the Ardell Double Wispies.  To blend the strips in with my natural lashes, I use my all time fave mascara that I always end up going back to, the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara and I also apply it to my bottom lashes too.

For my lips, I'm going with my go-to everyday fave. I line them with the MAC Lip Pencil in the colour 'Stripdown' and then go in with the MAC Matte Lipstick in the colour 'Honeylove'. It's honestly the best lip combo.

Lastly to set everything in place, I use the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray and just spritz it all over my face. This is another one of my all time favourites that I've been using for years, it just does what it's meant to.

Tan-Luxe Face Self Tanning Drops

I have had this on my wish-list for a while and contemplated buying it for a couple of reasons. Number one, I had heard amazing reviews but also heard many negative reviews too. And number two, the price tag - it's £35 for a 30ml bottle.

When I tan, I used to tan my face using leftover tan from my mitt. But, because I wear makeup almost everyday and I cleanse and exfoliate regularly, it does fade ever so quick - usually within two days. I then have to rely on my foundation to colour match and if I do have a makeup free day within this time, well you guys know, I'm naturally super pale so I end up having a very pale face and a tanned body. So that's when I decided to give in and give this little beauty of a product a go. 

You'll be pleased to know that it ticks all the boxes, it is vegan friendly and cruelty free. 

The design of Tan-Luxe is a luxurious-looking glass bottle with a pipette dispenser. The bottle comes in a very good quality white case which is perfect to keep the bottle clean. You can purchase it in two shades - either light to medium or medium to dark. I got light to medium for a natural glow and I decided it was the best one to go with my tan.

I first tried this product out when I didn't have a tan, hoping for a nice glow and to look less ghostly - big mistake! As you don't see a difference straight away, it's easy to add more drops. The next day, I definitely noticed a difference. I had such a bad uneven line under my jawline and onto my neck that I had to apply makeup for the following three days to cover it.

Surprisingly it doesn't actually smell of fake tan. It smells more fruity and perfumed than anything. When I was actually looking up on the ingredients for this, raspberry seed oil is included which is when I clicked - it really does smell of raspberries.

The consistency is runny but more of a serum like consistency.  

You simply add a few drops to your everyday moisturiser, serum or face oil and apply it like you usually would. The amount of drops depends on your target colour/glow. The application is really good, it feels like you're applying your moisturiser/serum like you usually do. One thing I will say upon applying, make sure to get right up and around the hairline, corners of the nose, right around the lips and eyebrows and blend it properly around your jawline and neck. You can't actually see where you've applied it so make sure you cover every little area of your face because you will notice if you miss any patches the next day.

It matches my tan so well. I use Bondi Sands light to medium and let it develop overnight for around 9 hours and with Tan-Luxe, I mix no more than 2 drops into my moisturiser. I couldn't even lie to you when I say the colour match is 100% perfect. I feel like you need a little play around with it for the first couple of weeks to see how many drops you need to get the right depth and colour.

It's hard to say how often I use this as I go by how my actual tan fades. But usually, I now apply Tan-Luxe to my face the same night I tan my body and then use it for the next two or three days when doing my skincare in the mornings. It fades out really nicely and in sync with my Bondi Sands tan. It doesn't end up going patchy either which is amazing.

It doesn't give off an orange colour at all. It makes me look more awake - especially if I'm having a makeup free day, it gives me a really nice glow. I struggle with tan going patchy and dry on my chin and nose after a couple of days, but with this face tanner it doesn't do that at all.

Overall, I'm so glad that I ended up buying this little gem as it is now included in my everyday routine when I have tan on.

10 Things I'm Going To Do When the Pandemic is Over

I've been thinking about what I'm actually going to do when the pandemic is over. I love routine, I've never liked change. As I've been off work for 11 weeks, I've now got myself into a new daily routine and thinking about going back to my old routine is making me feel anxious. I wrote down 10 things I'm going to do when the pandemic is over to keep my mind at ease and to look forward to in the near future.

Stick to an exercise routine

I have been doing so well sticking by exercising that I've actually grown to love it. I'm not sure yet on how I'm going to fit workouts into my daily routine when I go back to work as I work long hours and it'll be fully hands on but I'll manage it somehow.

Focus more on myself

This is a huge one for me because I have struggled with this for years. I have always put people first before myself which isn't always a good thing. It's definitely about balance.

See friends and family and give them an even tighter hug than I usually would

Before the pandemic happened, I wasn't appreciative enough of my friends and family. Now, I will cherish every single moment spent with them, hug them that little bit tighter and tell them I love them more.

Work my ass off

After moving our wedding, suppliers and honeymoon around, we have unfortunately lost some money. But, I am raring to get back to work and earn as much money as I can.

Support local businesses even more so

I can't even imagine how much small businesses are struggling right now. There are so many small local businesses in my city, it just makes me so sad how some of them haven't managed to survive it.

Go to London

I miss London. That is it. It's my absolute favourite place in the world. As soon as this pandemic is over, Liam and I will be taking a trip to London. It's only around a 2 hour journey for us too so it's not too bad.

Go to see Liam's Nanny in her care home

Liam's nanny has dementia and is in a care home and we haven't seen her for months. This will be the first place we will go when we are able to.

Finally get my hair done

Can you believe that I haven't had my hair professionally done since the end of January!? I was trying to find a new hairdresser but it was a struggle as I work the same days and hours as hairdressers so finding someone that worked on a Monday was proven impossible. So, my hair was already at 8 weeks before we even went into lockdown. Luckily, I'm trained in hairdressing so I have managed to foil the front and sides of my hair in the meantime until I find someone to fix my mess of hair.

Get regular massages

Leaning over doing lashes, nails, feet and other treatments all day every day really puts a strain on my back. I have always struggled with my back anyway but with my job, I struggle with it even more. I tried to get into a routine of getting a massage once a month but it didn't last long. I will definitely get back into having them, they really helped my back as well as help me relax, de-stress and sleep so much better too.

and lastly...

Go places without having to be cautious of social distancing

I think most people can't wait for this to happen. Honestly, I cannot wait for the day when eventually everything will be back to normal.