Top Summer Bronzers - Drugstore and High End

I love a bronze-y look pretty much all year round, but there's something about the Summer months that really make me want to dive head first into my bronzer collection, (obviously fully expecting to look like Beyoncé..). I don't like things too red, too orange or too glittery, so choosing the perfect bronzers can sometimes be struggle, particularly in the drugstore when most of the bronzers tend to be saturated in shimmers. 

I've narrowed it down to my go-tos from both drugstore and high-end, so hopefully you'll find a new bronzer to fall in love with!

e.l.f Blush & Bronzing Powder in St Lucia

Max Factor Creme Bronzer in Bronze 10

The e.l.f bronzer is actually a duo with a blush, so I guess you're really getting bang for your buck with this product! The blush is actually a little bit too light for my skin tone, so I'm just focusing on the bronzer. It's such a beautiful toasty brown that really brings warmth to your complexion. If you're looking for a little on-the-go palette, this is the perfect package as it comes with a sizeable mirror too! I'd say this is great for light-medium/medium skin tones, and they do lots of other duos with different tones, so there'll definitely be a perfect match for you. 

The new Max Factor bronzer has fast become my current favourite! It pretty much goes against everything I like in a face product, yet somehow it's perfect! When I say it goes against everything, I'm talking about the fact that it's visibly loaded with shimmers AND it's baked, (I'm not too fond of baked products). I'd actually been looking at this bronzer for a while, but I was so sure I wouldn't like it when it was on that I'd put off purchasing until the right offer came along, (hello Boots 2 for 3!). It creates the most perfect golden bronze-y glow, and adds just the right amount of shadow on my skin. The shimmer is undetectable, instead creating a super natural glow. If you're looking for a new affordable bronzer for the Summer, this is my top recommendation. 

Sephora Collection Bronzing Powder in Bali

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Tom Ford Soleil Bronzing Powder in Terra

I've spoken about the Sephora Bali bronzer hundreds of times on my blog, so I won't ramble on too much, but if you're able to get it, it truly is one of the most beautiful bronzers! A perfect mixture of warm and cool tones, and blends like a dream. I'm going to be so sad the day I run out of this little gem! It ain't easy for us UK girls who love Sephora!

One that's definitely not new on the scene, but that's certainly a cult favourite is the Benefit Hoola Bronzer. They've extended the Hoola franchise into creams and liquids, also bringing out a lighter version of everyones favourite bronzer. I'm a true fan of the original Hoola bronzer, and I find it works on my skin tone no matter how it differs throughout the seasons. It's actually pretty similar to the Sephora bronzer in terms of colour, it's the perfect mixture of warm and cool meaning it also provides a subtle contour too. I tend to use bronzing products the same way I would a contour powder, and I love Hoola for this.

Ahhhh, this is the real deal when it comes to 'high-end' products. Tom Ford is the business, and if you're spending some serious money on your make-up, it better be the best thing you ever put on your face. I picked up the Tom Ford 'Terra' bronzer after some serious hype over it, and it truly is worth it. Particularly with the amount of product you get in the pan, it marginally justifies the whopping price-point! It's slightly warmer than the other bronzers, but definitely not orange and there's absolutely zero fall-out. If you're in the market for splashing out on a bronzer or if you're a luxury beauty fanatic, it's definitely one to add to the collection as it will last a life-time.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and maybe discovered some new bronzers to check out! Feel free to suggest some more that I might like too!

Why I Took A Break & My Thoughts On The Blogging Industry

I've been doing a lot of thinking for quite some time about my blog and social platforms, and it's safe to say the industry has completely changed from when I began this little space on the internet in 2013/14, let alone how much it's changed from the very start! Not to say that it's a bad thing, but myself and bloggers alike are finding it difficult to find our feet, and where we fit in amongst the hundreds of thousands. I'd say this definitely applies if you're someone like me, who has taken a huge break, or multiple breaks in between. Where do I come back to, and where do I belong?

I began my blog solely as a fashion blogger, and I would post 3+ times a week, with different outfits shot in locations by my house. They weren't particular attractive locations, you know, the classic 'garden fence', or 'nearest plot of grass'. I can assure you they were nothing on the highly coveted streets of Kensington that we see all over our screens these days. 

Naturally, I began to change direction as I fell more and more in love with beauty. My content was a mixture of both, until I 'dropped' fashion posts in favour of reviewing new make-up, or sharing my current favourite products. This is definitely the path I've remained on, and I don't see myself straying, however I also don't intend to be a one-trick pony. I have a multitude of interests, why not share them? The bloggers and influencers I aspire to and keep up with the most are not limited to what they talk about, sure, they're loosely labeled as a 'fashion' blogger, a 'beauty' blogger etc, but the content varies, and that's what makes it interesting to me.

Anyway, back to why I took one hell of a back-seat. As my content was changing, my audience was changing too, and I wasn't comfortable with the idea of losing all of these followers that I'd built up from the start. People who loved fashion posts didn't necessarily want to stick around for beauty posts, and I totally understand that now. I want to build an audience that want to see my posts, and want to read my content, and I'm happy for that process to be however it will be. 

So where do I stand now? I'm comfortable with my place in the industry, despite it being smaller than a grain of rice. The main thing, and the reason I keep coming back is because I love producing content, I love writing, I love creating my own little space in this world for whatever I want. 

I don't want to neglect the efforts I've put in over the years, I want to nurture and grow this space I've created for myself, and give my passion the love and attention it deserves. 

I'm excited to re-join my journey, I hope you'll join me along the way!

Goodbye 2016, Here's To 2017!

I'm sure most of you are beginning to eye roll at these 2016/2017 posts, but I'm totally immersed in them, and I find them to be inspiring and motivating. There's nothing like reading a years worth of peoples success to give you a kick up the ass!  I won't quite be putting together a post on my list of achievements from 2016, I don't feel I pushed myself to the limit in every aspect of my life, and that's why it's time to take the reigns and begin my own successful journey. 
I did, however, have some of the most amazing experiences. I went abroad with some of my best friends to Tenerife, and we had such a fabulous week together. Lots of spaghetti, pizza, chips.. oh, and of course sun, cocktails and pools. I'll never forget this trip, partially because the tan lines from wearing an oddly designed swimsuit won't let me!

This is also the first full year since the days of high school where me and my best friend Heidi have been back in each others lives! It's like those years apart never happened.. dramatic, I know!

Too many good memories to share, but the fact this is the only picture I could salvage from my Instagram ain't no good! 

(If you know me, you know I sure as hell didn't drink that champagne! Smoke and mirrors people!).

Possibly the biggest, most exciting thing to happen to me this year was meeting my wonderful boyfriend. My little heart warms up every day with him, and I couldn't be a happier girl. He's taught me to exit that dream killer, 'the comfort zone', and to go out and kick ass. I've learned I'm so much more capable than I ever thought! We've shared so many amazing memories together, and I can't wait to see what 2017 brings. Expect some travel content from me! 

I also got very involved with fitness, I've been a very regular member at my gym, and thats something I'm really proud to say! A year ago, I could barely run to a bus stop, and whilst 15 minutes might be nothing to most of you, the fact I can run for that length of time now is such an achievement, and I plan to increase that this year!

I can feel the passion for improving myself burning inside of me, and thats across the board. For health, fitness, work, hobbies, every aspect of my life, I want to take it to the next level and beyond this year. I want to see how far I can push myself, I want to prove to myself I can do damn well anything I set my mind to. 

Here's to 2017!!

COTTON CANDY

My absolute favourite colours are pastels, so i'm delighted that they're huge this Spring/Summer. Of course, I have been emptying the contents of my bank into the shops in return for a beautiful pastel-filled wardrobe.  During one of my recent 'accidental' shopping sprees, I spotted these gorgeous pastel pink trousers. Like a moth to a flame. H&M has always had a very appealing price tag, and these trousers were no exception at only £12.99! Straight from picking up those trousers, I found a very smart co-ord which I fell in love with! I feel rather posh now owning a 'skirt-suit', all I need is some Miu Miu shades and Louboutins to finish the look off! (I can dream, okay).  Whilst heading to the checkout in Primark, I noticed this very smart, (but cute), pink tweed top. My favourite detail is the tiny sparkles intertwined with the material.  Although this look is generally quite smart, I couldn't resist slinging on a pair of white jellies! I bought these last year from New Look, and I believe they're still available. If you've been following my last few posts, I needn't say more about this bag other than, 'well done, Primark!'.

JACKET - H&M - £29.99 TOP - PRIMARK - £6 TROUSERS - H&M - £12.99 SHOES - NEW LOOK VIA ASOS - £9.99 BAG - PRIMARK - £9

GINGHAM MEETS PASTEL

If you hadn't noticed, I kind of went on a 'payday' splurge and blew all my money on anything and everything, so i'm a little in the red.. however I fancied popping into my local town to 'browse'. Just 'browsing' worked out as well for me as it ever has, and I came home with bags and bags of stuff.  I didn't (quite) break the bank though as New Look and Primark were on their price game!  It's a gorgeous warm, sunny day today, and living next to a farm means theres lots of lovely green land and photo opportunities. I'm really pleased with how these pictures have come out, so I might use that space more often! Topshop and Asos have stocked this gorgeous boxy gingham tee for £28, but when I spotted it in New Look for only £12.99, I knew I had to have it. I decided to pair it with my favourite pastel blue trousers. I can't resist putting these on! I think the yellow ones are next on my list. The rest of my look is thanks to Primark and their wonderful bargains. I've posted about the shoes already here, so definitely check that out.  No regrets buying the cheaper option, if anything they're even more comfortable!

 (such a model.. jokes)

TOP - NEW LOOK - £12.99 TROUSERS - TOPSHOP - £30 BAG - PRIMARK - £9 SUNGLASSES - PRIMARK - £3 SHOES - PRIMARK - £14