GATINEAU AGE BENEFIT MOISTURISER

I'm massively fussy when it comes to moisturisers. They have to be light, but super hydrating, but not irritating, but I like it to be obvious that they've made a difference.. Fussy, huh?

It took me a while to start liking the Gatineau Age Benefit moisturiser*. It's slightly fragranced and a bit too heavy for my liking, but I'll be honest, I'm hooked. I use this in the evenings and the effects this has on my skin is just like no other. It blurs every single imperfection and my skin looks glowing and fresh. I like that I can still slightly feel this on my skin in the morning as it creates a lovely base for my make up.
It's quite thick and rich but since it's the winter weather, it's exactly what my skin has needed.

The packaging is questionable. For the price of the product - an eye-watering £69.20 here - I'm not at all impressed with the obviously plastic packaging. The lid scratches so easily that it just looks awful now.
I know it's not all about packaging, but come on...

The tiniest amount transforms my face from a dehydrated mess to a soft, fresh face.

You can find Hayley Loves on TWITTER and BLOGLOVIN'

FELINE FLICK

Like many people lately, I've ditched my usual neutral shaded smokey eye and picked up the trusty gel liner to get my cat eye oooonn. An extra 10 minutes getting ready, hundreds of cotton buds and an added dose of frustration later and I find myself sporting the feline flick.

This ultra feminine look leaves room for so many more activities on the rest of face. Pair with a slight flush and a bold lip or an added pinch and a neutral lip this is a day to night ready template. I've been loving wearing the new Revlon Matte Balms in Standout for a long-wearing party look.

The Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner (What a ridiculously long name..) will always be the top of the bunch when it comes to liner for me. It's ultra black, insanely long lasting but super easy to apply and build up. I like to apply it with the Real Techniques Accent Brush as it's dense enough to create a sharp line yet small enough to keep absolute control of.

I like to tight line whenever I do my feline flick just so you can't see any gaps around the lashes. For this, my absolute must-have pencil liner is from Daniel Sandler. I've absolutely raved about it here, so I won't bore you too much, but it's lasted many nights out on my tight line and I've had no transfer whatsoever.


What look have you been sporting lately? Any must have products from you guys?

You can find HAYLEY LOVES on TWITTER and BLOGLOVIN' 

NARS MATA HARI

When I found out I had £5 on my Space.NK Incentive Card, I was straight down there. I've been needing to expand my blush collection seeing as all my current shades are all very similar, and being a Nars blush lover already it seemed a no brainer. Mata Hari was not the shade I intended on buying - when does that ever happen? I had Gina and Douceur on my to buy list, but I was swayed by the pretty pink Mata Hari.

As with all Nars offerings, you all know that the product is 'finely milled' and extremely pigmented, but this shade gives so much more. I think it's lack of shimmer that gives this pop of colour a certain edge as it brightens yet sculpts in all the right places.

I am literally obsessed with this rosy flush, but what have you guys been loving lately?

You can find HAYLEY LOVES on TWITTER and BLOGLOVIN' 

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT AND BLOGGING COMPETITION

Can you believe it's been well over a month since my last post?
No, me neither.
To be honest, I'm glad I took a big break because in all honesty, my heart just wasn't in it that much anymore. It felt like a bit of a chore to take pictures and write about it all and that isn't what blogging is. This isn't a job, or an obligatory task in life - it's fun and it's for myself so why did it feel like that?

There's a lot of competition out in the blogosphere and throughout Twitter lately. Everyone wants to be in the thick of it getting all the PR samples, sponsored posts and having the most followers and that is so not what blogging is about. If you're really desperate to get all that stuff, go and work in a magazine because it's making a bad name for us bloggers. I'm not going to lie, it's nice getting things for what you write - why wouldn't it be? - but making it such a focus is just beyond everything.

So I guess you could say that me and my perception of blogging went through a bit of an itch - I even my passed my blog's first birthday because frankly, I just couldn't be arsed. And that is 100% OK. But over this past couple of weeks I remembered how much I loved it all - getting comments, having a new subscriber and my friends saying "Oh, I saw that post! It was really good!" - and I really want to get back on track with it. It's difficult doing it alongside university and working, my time management is a load of crap as it is, but I want to make time for it, I want to make time for you, my readers, but mainly I want to make time for myself. I actually took pictures earlier to start writing up a couple of blog posts, but I left my camera cables at home, typical.


Things have been alright lately! A belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! University has been difficult - all my deadlines seemed to come at once, but I found out yesterday that I actually got myself a First in one of my modules, and believe me I was shocked. I was sat in London Victoria with my friends and just shouted "HOLY SHIT, I GOT A FIRST". Safe to say people looked, but I don't care.
For those who don't know, I study Public Relations (PR) and the course seems okay! First semester was a bit hit and miss but it was only really an introduction. I'm starting a module next week called Writing the Message Online where I have to make a blog on WordPress so I'm hoping it'll make my get my ass in gear and give me more motivation for this one. I've been considering buying my own domain for a bit now and changing my blogs name, so we'll have to wait and see!


So I've been rambling here for a while now and I'm desperate for a shower and some tea, so lets wrap this up and get going!
Keep your eyes peeled for a new domain and potentially a YouTube channel coming your way!

Sorry for the ramble. See you soon, I hope.

CLOTHING CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

Feeling Brave? Clothes for your Other Half this Christmas

Buying clothes for the lady in your life can be a bit of a minefield, especially when you’re left to your own devices to choose them. It’s no wonder most guys tend to avoid the subject altogether, preferring, instead, to give them money or vouchers so that they can treat themselves to something they really like. Buying for the guys in your life, however, is a little bit easier – they tend to be a lot more relaxed and easy-going about their clothing choices, and their preferences tend to be a little more transparent so it’s easier to pick up on hints.

If you’re stuck on gifts this Christmas and would like to treat your other half to more than just a standard gift, clothes are a great way to go, if you get it right! Just make sure you keep the receipt – you know, just in case.

 

For the Lady in your Life

Dresses
Perhaps they’ve seen some gorgeous evening dresses but can’t justify buying one because money can be spent elsewhere. Or maybe they have dropped a couple of hints about a skater dress they like the look of. Take a look at the quality evening dresses from George and pick something that she’d look fabulous in – as supermarket brands are more affordable than some high street stores, your money will go further and you’ll have some left to spend elsewhere! Opt for a size based on what’s already in her wardrobe and keep the receipt just in case it needs to be exchanged.

Shoes
There’s no such thing as too many shoes and Christmas is a perfect time to add to her collection. Whether you choose a pair of killer heels from the Kurt Geiger collection to make her jaw hit the floor, or you’d prefer to stay sensible and treat her to a pair of practical, but cute, winter boots, is completely up to you. Remember to bear in mind what she would appreciate more.

Coats
Winter is cold, we all know that. If her coat has seen better days, why not treat her to a new one?

 

For the Guy in your Life

Pyjamas
Not all guys wear pyjamas to bed, and some choose to wear just the bottoms rather than the full shebang. PJs are a great little stocking filler and come in so many different styles and patterns lately, including funky superhero-laden prints and ones that pay tribute to their favourite TV programmes, such as Doctor Who – why not go wild? It is Christmas, afterall!

Trainers
A new pair of trainers that they’ll get plenty of use out of will always be appreciated. Opt for a style that they like – normal sports trainers, Converse and skate shoes from the likes of Vans and Etnies are popular choices for guys all over the country. Choose wisely though!

Hoodies

Keep your fella warm during the winter months with a super cosy hoody – fur lined and chunky will keep the bite at bay, while there are some great, trendy prints around at the moment too.

Vary their Christmas box and they’ll have plenty of surprises to open on the day that will show just how much you care!




SPONSORED POST

WHITE MUSK SMOKY ROSE

I'm so, so fussy with perfumes, I always end up with 20 plus testers in my pocket whenever I head into Boots, and I've never found that perfect scent. White Musk Smoky Rose* from The Body Shop isn't far off though...

It smells exactly like the name, very rose-y, but not floral, and very musky, yet not powdery - I'm definitely not the best at explaining scents haha! It doesn't last very long, but I'm sure that the Perfume version lasts longer than Eau De Toilette

This has soon become one of my every day fragrances and I absolutely love it. I get so many compliments whenever I wear it! The plus? It's not that expensive so I wont feel as guilty when I'm stocking up!

If you're putting some fragrances on your Christmas list, make sure this is one of them!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER