INS
* Going up to my old uni with my girlfriends this weekend to celebrate the end of One World Week
* Reeses mini cups
* Cupcakes and Cashmere blog - I've been reading it for about 2years now- still so inspiring - link
* Yankee Candle in Cherry Vanilla - makes me want to eat my room
* Curling up on a sofa with a cup of tea and a magazine. Leisurely, fuss-free and thoroughly relaxing
* Dry roasted salted peanuts nomnomnom
* Taking it upon myself to decorate the room in my house that we use a Temple - looks so pretty
* The iPhone battery pack case I got for Christmas - actual life-saver
* Jamie Oliver's 30minute meals - perfect for dumb cooks like me
* My H&M booties - link
* The Body Shop's Mango Body Butter - not going to lie, I smell rather scrumptious.
* Laura Mercier illuminating tinted moisturiser
OUTS
* My iPhone's battery life - my 3gs was so good but the 4s battery life is driving me crazy
* Valentines Day/Doomsday commercialised crap everywhere (even when I wasn't single this would annoy me)
* All the horrible murder/crime stories that the Daily Mail posts every day
* Driving lessons. Started learning in '06, gave up 'cos failed 3times, now been forced into it again - blah
* Boys
* The fact that recently every day seems to be a 'bad hair day'
* Space of 3days 2 necklaces fell and smashed & 2 barely-used high-end lipsticks snapped in half - wtf?!
* Job applications and processes - depressing stuff
Love, Emma xo
Currently Listening To: We Found Love - BoysWithADream
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
l o v e
Havent done one of these for a while...so here you go....a few of my recent fave things:
(All the pictures and things are mine, they have been edited on instagram because it just makes everything look so much cooler)
Love, Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Breathless - Shane Ward
(All the pictures and things are mine, they have been edited on instagram because it just makes everything look so much cooler)
 |
| TOP ROW L-R: Fruit bowl which is now used to showcase a few pretty things; new Mulberry Tillie Wallet MIDDLE ROW L-R: Candle Holder and two pretty candles; Chanel Illusion D'Ombre eyeshadow in Illusoire BOTTOM ROW L-R: A plate of warm cheesy spicey comfort pasta; Candle holder and tea-light candles from Ikea |
Love, Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Breathless - Shane Ward
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
My NOT so conventional review on the Clarisonic Mia
Anybody who's anybody has heard of it. Everybody has read and watched rave reviews on it. Googled it. Added it to your online basket and maybe even pressed check-out. And then closed the tab and reprimanded yourself for considering buying what is essentially a face brush for £120.00. And then probably argued with your inner beauty-obsessed-alter-ego that it is an investment that is worth it seeing as you spend so much on make-up anyway and what good is all that make-up if your skin underneath isn't at it's greatest and cleanest? And then decided you'll wait a little bit and someday in the future....
(And if you haven't heard of it...well I'm sure the hole you live in must be very deep indeed.)
Yes I am talking about the Clarisonic Mia. The skin cleansing brush system that has so much hype surrounding it.
Well, naturally and unfortunately, I got suckered in to the hype. Bought it. Used it. And regretted it so bad.
(This is a long post and I feel it is necessary to give you a bit of background on my skin so you get a better picture.)
What type of skin did I have before using the Clarisonic Mia?
I do not want to sound showy-offy, but thankfully I have never had any major skin problems on my face (I suffer from eczema on some parts of my body). I never suffered from acne, or even mild breakouts. It is only at that time of the month that the odd tiny spot would set up camp on my forehead - never anywhere else - and even these ones would leave after literally a day or two. My skin concerns have always been pigmentation, uneven skin tone, dark under-eye circles and dry skin but I was able to deal with these without much hassle. I had normal to dry skin and was able to try out new products and such without fear - my skin was not sensitive.
If I had good skin why did I buy the Clarisonic Mia and what were it's supposed benefits?
I had heard such good things about it from people with all types of skin and I was going through a skincare phase and was really focusing on cleaning my skin deeply. I researched the Mia for over a year and a half and kept it on my wishlist.
I know you must all have seen or heard these a billion times before, but for those of you who haven't, here are it's claims:
*Cleanses 6x better than with your hands alone in just 60 seconds
*Works with skin, not against it, to gently message away impurities trapped within pores
*Prepares skin for better absorption of creams, serums and moisturisers
*Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
*Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores
*Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
*Gentle enough to use 2x a day
What struck me as particularly interesting was that it claimed to cleanse 6x better and promised a good deep clean. I was looking at it as a strategic buy for prevention rather than to solve any skin issues. I thought of it as an investment that would help me sustain good skin, develop a squeaky clean base that would lap up all the goodness of my other skincare products and essentially help my skin look healthy and young when I am a grandma.
So, what happened after I started using it?
So I bought mine in August while I was holidaying in America (I got it in a Nordstrom sale for $119).
First time:
*I followed all the instructions on how to use it. Won't type them out but link you to the official website - link.
*I was using the Neutrogena Visibily Clear 2-in-1 Cleanser and Mask cleanser at the time (Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish please forgive me) and I used this because I hadn't heard good things about the cleanser Clarisonic provided.
*My skin felt soft, smooth and very fresh, albeit a little bit dry. I applied moisturiser and went to sleep.
*I woke up the next morning and noticed that the skin around my nose felt a bit dry and patchy but I thought nothing much of it.
*By the next evening I had 2 spots on my forehead. I remember this v.clearly as I was extremely surprised as it was nowhere near that time of the month.
*So I googled this and found lots and lots of people saying that they had an initial 'purge' from using it. I assumed this was what was happening to me and despite being a bit grossed out I continued to use it.
One week later:
*I now had weird bump things on my forehead and chin - somewhere I have never ever everrr gotten any spots or problems. A bit worried that they were not going, but all the reviews said to keep going with it until all the gunk is out from the pores - to allow the purge.
*I was only using it once a day as twice a day proved too harsh for my dry skin which was now much dryer.
Increasingly self-conscious and worried about these bumps I decided to stop use for a little while to see what would happen.
*Skin clears up.
A month or so later:
*I decided to stop being wimpy and brought it out again to use.
*Dry patches around my nose reappear and they look horrible underneath foundation
*Bumps on forehead and chin re-appear and are worse than ever. They are underneath my skin - not fully-fledged popable spots, but weird cyst like bumps. Gross I know.
*As I had never suffered from anything like this before I got very upset, self-conscious and paranoid. It was only then that I realised how much for granted I had taken my skin before.
But I persisted and was sure that it was still a purging period and that afterwards my skin would look great.
*The bumps just get worse and worse and worse.
*Little spots started appearing in random places like my temples and underneath my eyebrows - WTF!
*Broken capillaries around my nose which I still have to put up with now. (I didn't even know what broken capillaries were before the Clarisonic!)
*Skin is dryer than ever
*Aside from all these bad side effects I didn't get any of the good effects it claims to give!
*I stopped using it but my skin didn't clear up. I used various spot treatments and they would work for a couple of days untill bam the bumps and spots would re-appear in exactly the same places.
*As someone who could previously leave the house with a bit of under-eye concealer, blush and lipstick, I was now someone who couldn't leave without a full face of foundation. It was really horrible and for once I understood how hard it must be for people who suffer from acne.
What did I do to clear my skin up?
*As I said earlier, I used various spot treatments, but all of them yielded results that were only temporary.
*So I went on a complete detox - I used nothing on my skin at all to calm it down. (yes, I hibernated).
*This period also made me buy a long-term-lust which was Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish hot cloth cleanser. So after a couple of weeks of skin detox I started using this.
*AH-MA-ZINGGGG!! This worked like nothing else and really helped my problematic skin!!
*No they didn't disappear overnight but redness was reduced and the bumps slowly started shrinking and properly disappearing.
*Most importantly, unlike before, they didn't reappear *touchwood*!!
*It's been ages now since I've stopped using the Clarisonic on my face but I still have blemishes where the bumps were but these are easily covered with concealer.
What do I do with my Mia now?
*As I bought mine from America and was having all these problems long after I arrived back in London, I couldn't return it and felt bad about the money wasted.
*I probably could have continued using it and waited for the purge to finish, but it was getting ridiculous, was way too long and I'm clearly not brave enough slash am a very vain person lol.
*SO I now use it on my body! I use it daily with my various body washes and have found that it works much better there and leaves my skin feeling very smooth and clean with no purges!
Phoawr that was some essay huh? So overall, clearly, the Clarisonic Mia did not work for me. I now have sensitive skin on my face and am prone to break-outs and have to be careful about what products I slather on. I still don't understand why my skin reacted to it so strongly and badly but it was a headache and a half and really not worth it.
But I speak for myself only. This is how my skin reacted, it does not mean that yours will react in the same way. There cannot possibly be so much hype over a product for no reason - read the reviews on Makeup Alley here - link. Google it. Youtube it. Decide for yourself.
I just thought it was important to draw attention to the possible/potential side effects and cons incase you have been blinded by the hype and think that it can do no wrong!
I hope this has been useful to some of you! Please let me know what your thoughts on it are - Have you tried it? Thinking of trying it? Your experiences with it? Do share!!
Love, Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Paradise Lost - Brand X Music
(And if you haven't heard of it...well I'm sure the hole you live in must be very deep indeed.)
Yes I am talking about the Clarisonic Mia. The skin cleansing brush system that has so much hype surrounding it.
Well, naturally and unfortunately, I got suckered in to the hype. Bought it. Used it. And regretted it so bad.
(This is a long post and I feel it is necessary to give you a bit of background on my skin so you get a better picture.)
 |
| I got the baby pink one because proceeds from the purchase went to Breast Cancer Awareness (probs the only good thing that came out of the buy!) |
What type of skin did I have before using the Clarisonic Mia?
I do not want to sound showy-offy, but thankfully I have never had any major skin problems on my face (I suffer from eczema on some parts of my body). I never suffered from acne, or even mild breakouts. It is only at that time of the month that the odd tiny spot would set up camp on my forehead - never anywhere else - and even these ones would leave after literally a day or two. My skin concerns have always been pigmentation, uneven skin tone, dark under-eye circles and dry skin but I was able to deal with these without much hassle. I had normal to dry skin and was able to try out new products and such without fear - my skin was not sensitive.
If I had good skin why did I buy the Clarisonic Mia and what were it's supposed benefits?
I had heard such good things about it from people with all types of skin and I was going through a skincare phase and was really focusing on cleaning my skin deeply. I researched the Mia for over a year and a half and kept it on my wishlist.
I know you must all have seen or heard these a billion times before, but for those of you who haven't, here are it's claims:
*Cleanses 6x better than with your hands alone in just 60 seconds
*Works with skin, not against it, to gently message away impurities trapped within pores
*Prepares skin for better absorption of creams, serums and moisturisers
*Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
*Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores
*Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
*Gentle enough to use 2x a day
What struck me as particularly interesting was that it claimed to cleanse 6x better and promised a good deep clean. I was looking at it as a strategic buy for prevention rather than to solve any skin issues. I thought of it as an investment that would help me sustain good skin, develop a squeaky clean base that would lap up all the goodness of my other skincare products and essentially help my skin look healthy and young when I am a grandma.
So, what happened after I started using it?
So I bought mine in August while I was holidaying in America (I got it in a Nordstrom sale for $119).
First time:
*I followed all the instructions on how to use it. Won't type them out but link you to the official website - link.
*I was using the Neutrogena Visibily Clear 2-in-1 Cleanser and Mask cleanser at the time (Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish please forgive me) and I used this because I hadn't heard good things about the cleanser Clarisonic provided.
*My skin felt soft, smooth and very fresh, albeit a little bit dry. I applied moisturiser and went to sleep.
*I woke up the next morning and noticed that the skin around my nose felt a bit dry and patchy but I thought nothing much of it.
*By the next evening I had 2 spots on my forehead. I remember this v.clearly as I was extremely surprised as it was nowhere near that time of the month.
*So I googled this and found lots and lots of people saying that they had an initial 'purge' from using it. I assumed this was what was happening to me and despite being a bit grossed out I continued to use it.
One week later:
*I now had weird bump things on my forehead and chin - somewhere I have never ever everrr gotten any spots or problems. A bit worried that they were not going, but all the reviews said to keep going with it until all the gunk is out from the pores - to allow the purge.
*I was only using it once a day as twice a day proved too harsh for my dry skin which was now much dryer.
Increasingly self-conscious and worried about these bumps I decided to stop use for a little while to see what would happen.
*Skin clears up.
A month or so later:
*I decided to stop being wimpy and brought it out again to use.
*Dry patches around my nose reappear and they look horrible underneath foundation
*Bumps on forehead and chin re-appear and are worse than ever. They are underneath my skin - not fully-fledged popable spots, but weird cyst like bumps. Gross I know.
*As I had never suffered from anything like this before I got very upset, self-conscious and paranoid. It was only then that I realised how much for granted I had taken my skin before.
But I persisted and was sure that it was still a purging period and that afterwards my skin would look great.
*The bumps just get worse and worse and worse.
*Little spots started appearing in random places like my temples and underneath my eyebrows - WTF!
*Broken capillaries around my nose which I still have to put up with now. (I didn't even know what broken capillaries were before the Clarisonic!)
*Skin is dryer than ever
*Aside from all these bad side effects I didn't get any of the good effects it claims to give!
*I stopped using it but my skin didn't clear up. I used various spot treatments and they would work for a couple of days untill bam the bumps and spots would re-appear in exactly the same places.
*As someone who could previously leave the house with a bit of under-eye concealer, blush and lipstick, I was now someone who couldn't leave without a full face of foundation. It was really horrible and for once I understood how hard it must be for people who suffer from acne.
What did I do to clear my skin up?
*As I said earlier, I used various spot treatments, but all of them yielded results that were only temporary.
*So I went on a complete detox - I used nothing on my skin at all to calm it down. (yes, I hibernated).
*This period also made me buy a long-term-lust which was Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish hot cloth cleanser. So after a couple of weeks of skin detox I started using this.
*AH-MA-ZINGGGG!! This worked like nothing else and really helped my problematic skin!!
*No they didn't disappear overnight but redness was reduced and the bumps slowly started shrinking and properly disappearing.
*Most importantly, unlike before, they didn't reappear *touchwood*!!
*It's been ages now since I've stopped using the Clarisonic on my face but I still have blemishes where the bumps were but these are easily covered with concealer.
What do I do with my Mia now?
*As I bought mine from America and was having all these problems long after I arrived back in London, I couldn't return it and felt bad about the money wasted.
*I probably could have continued using it and waited for the purge to finish, but it was getting ridiculous, was way too long and I'm clearly not brave enough slash am a very vain person lol.
*SO I now use it on my body! I use it daily with my various body washes and have found that it works much better there and leaves my skin feeling very smooth and clean with no purges!
Phoawr that was some essay huh? So overall, clearly, the Clarisonic Mia did not work for me. I now have sensitive skin on my face and am prone to break-outs and have to be careful about what products I slather on. I still don't understand why my skin reacted to it so strongly and badly but it was a headache and a half and really not worth it.
But I speak for myself only. This is how my skin reacted, it does not mean that yours will react in the same way. There cannot possibly be so much hype over a product for no reason - read the reviews on Makeup Alley here - link. Google it. Youtube it. Decide for yourself.
I just thought it was important to draw attention to the possible/potential side effects and cons incase you have been blinded by the hype and think that it can do no wrong!
I hope this has been useful to some of you! Please let me know what your thoughts on it are - Have you tried it? Thinking of trying it? Your experiences with it? Do share!!
Love, Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Paradise Lost - Brand X Music
Friday, January 13, 2012
White Beret. Pink Lips.
Instagramified....
Love Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Back at One - Brian McKnight
 |
| LIPS: Sleek Pout Polish in Pink Cadillac |
Love Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Back at One - Brian McKnight
Saturday, January 7, 2012
“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.” - Gywneth Paltrow
Hello all of you beautiful people! Is everyone having a good weekend?
I was out yesterday doing a spot of shopping and was feeling raaather adventurous and wore my favourite red lipstick out during the day time - such a rebel, I know.
My favourite red lipstick of all time everrr is Nars' Jungle Red (I reviewed it here - link). It is just such a flattering shade of red and does most of the work so I could keep the rest of my face pretty 'clean'!
(Please click on the photo to see it bigger and clearer)
So I hope you liked it - I will be doing a proper face of the day featuring Chanel Emerveille soon! Do you guys wear your bright colours out during the day? What do you think of red lipstick for daytime - trying too hard or confident?
Love Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Mr Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan
I was out yesterday doing a spot of shopping and was feeling raaather adventurous and wore my favourite red lipstick out during the day time - such a rebel, I know.
My favourite red lipstick of all time everrr is Nars' Jungle Red (I reviewed it here - link). It is just such a flattering shade of red and does most of the work so I could keep the rest of my face pretty 'clean'!
(Please click on the photo to see it bigger and clearer)
 |
| FACE: Nars Sheer Glow foundation, Benefit Boi-ing concealer, Nars Laguna bronzer EYES: Chanel Illusion D'Ombre eyeshadow in Emerveille (only one layer of it - it's a lot more vibrant the more layers you apply), Covergirl LashBlast mascara LIPS: Nars lipstick in Jungle Red |
I've decided to be a lot more daring with my make-up looks this year and actually use all of the makeup I own and not think "oh I'll use this for a really special occasion, there's no point wasting it on a shopping trip" - I mean WHO KNOWS I may well meet my future husband on a shopping trip and it always pays off to be prepared!
(Obviously potentially meeting a future husband isn't the priority here...or what I meant at all. It was just an example...ahem you know...)
Love Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Mr Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan
Sunday, January 1, 2012
My Year in Photos and TAG Top 11 for 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
So, we arrived at the end of another year. WHAT A BLOODY YEAR IT'S BEEN! For me atleast, it has been SUCH a crazy, crazy, craaaaazy rollercoaster of a year. Some very important things have happened in my life this year, for example, graduating from university! Some very important milestones happened in my personal life too - I've lost friends this year and I've made new ones, I've learnt things from different people and in turn have learnt a lot about myself. I learnt some very hard but helpful lessons. My year started off truly horribly, and has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ever since - there have been some great highs and also some horrible, horrible lows. I've probably cried more this year than I ever have in my whole life ha but I've also made some incredible memories this year that I know will always remain with me.
All in all, crazy, pretty much sums it up. I am extremely scared about what 2012 will bring for me, but I'm also excited and feeling quite ready to enter it. I wish you all the best of luck in the coming year and I wish you all love.
I thought it might be interesting for you (or not) and fun for me to map my year out in photos. Whilst looking through facebook and other albums I have to admit I got rather emotional - especially looking at the university photos!
(Please click on the photos to see them bigger and clearer)
The pictures are only small snippets of my year..obviously a lot more happened in between these time collages but these are some of the highlights of my year. I hope you enjoyed seeing them!
TAG - TOP 11 FOR 2011
So, we arrived at the end of another year. WHAT A BLOODY YEAR IT'S BEEN! For me atleast, it has been SUCH a crazy, crazy, craaaaazy rollercoaster of a year. Some very important things have happened in my life this year, for example, graduating from university! Some very important milestones happened in my personal life too - I've lost friends this year and I've made new ones, I've learnt things from different people and in turn have learnt a lot about myself. I learnt some very hard but helpful lessons. My year started off truly horribly, and has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ever since - there have been some great highs and also some horrible, horrible lows. I've probably cried more this year than I ever have in my whole life ha but I've also made some incredible memories this year that I know will always remain with me.
All in all, crazy, pretty much sums it up. I am extremely scared about what 2012 will bring for me, but I'm also excited and feeling quite ready to enter it. I wish you all the best of luck in the coming year and I wish you all love.
I thought it might be interesting for you (or not) and fun for me to map my year out in photos. Whilst looking through facebook and other albums I have to admit I got rather emotional - especially looking at the university photos!
(Please click on the photos to see them bigger and clearer)
 |
| Second term of final year had begun! Celebrated lots of 21st birthdays, went out as much as possible before exam period! |
 |
| WOO EXAMS ARE OVER! This collage sums up my last few weeks over university ever! LOTS of going out, my friends' joint occupation themed birthday - I was an F1 racer, my university's Summer Party which was SUCH a good day, my graduation ball which which was a fun night despite having to pull my dress up every 2minutes, and just generally going out every night to make the most of our last days! Made some incredible memories from the last few weeks alone! |
 | |
|
 |
| I graduated in July from the University of Warwick with a 2:1 in History yaay! I then jetted off to America and spent some amazing quality time with my cousins and went to 5 different states over 2months! Highlights were going to the Harry Potter Theme Park in Orlando and Vegas! Incredible, incredible summer. |
 |
| After my amazing summer of fun I have done nothing exciting sadly! Celebrated Diwali, lost my baking virginity, had a pyjama party and played pictionary for my 22nd birthday to truly celebrate how old and boring I now am, went up to visit my uni because I just can't stay away and had a very fun family Christmas! |
The pictures are only small snippets of my year..obviously a lot more happened in between these time collages but these are some of the highlights of my year. I hope you enjoyed seeing them!
TAG - TOP 11 FOR 2011
I was tagged by the beautiful Tali from The Gloss Goss to do this who I'm sure you all already know - if you don't then make sure you click the link and check her amazing blog out! So let's begin...
TOP 11 PRODUCTS FOR 2011
* Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation
* Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish
* Lush Glogg shower gel
* Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara
* Lady Million perfume
* Rimmel lipstick in Just So
* Benefit Boi-ing concealer
* Origins Never a Dull Moment Face Polish
* Sleek Storm Palette
* Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman brushes
* Nars Laguna bronzer
TOP 11 BEAUTY/FASHION BLOGS *links*
* Zoella
* See Jane
TOP 11 YOUTUBE SONGS/VIDEOS *links*
* Criminal Penguins - BBC Wildlife - so funny how animals have such personalities too!
* Pitbull - Give Me Everything ft. Ne-Yo - whenever me and my friends here this it immediately takes us back to our last weeks of uni and Barcelona
* Drake - Marvin's Room - reminds of summer and an unfortunate series of events
* Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai (Female) - one of my many 'revision songs'
* Champion - Chipmunk ft. Chris Brown - song that got me through researching my dissertation!
* Gone - Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland - reminds me of personal things from the year
* Five Year Old Makeup Guru - my friends said my kid would be like this!
* Polite Bear Waves Hello - LOVE this! So cute I want one!
* Lioness flirting with Lion - the commentary is so funny/animal personalities continue to amuse me!
* JoJo - Marvin's Room - usually hate covers but her's really did something whenever I heard it
* Enrique Ft. Ludacris - Tonight I'm F*cking You - listened to this on repeat for months!
I hope you all had a fantastic New Years Eve, I definitely did! Happy New Year to you all!!!
Love, Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Marvin's Room - Drake
I hope you all had a fantastic New Years Eve, I definitely did! Happy New Year to you all!!!
Love, Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Marvin's Room - Drake
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