Birchbox Wishlist | 2018

The last time I was crazy for birchbox was probably back in 2016/17. I had 3 boxes on subscription before things got tough in this thing we call life. Although recently, I've been browsing the website and wanted to share some items that have made it to my wishlist!

Skin and Hair-care: 

Amie Naturally Kind: Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash - I swear by this facial wash. If you have dry skin like myself, it's the best thing for it. The scrub itself is so delicate on the face, it also brings all the hidden impurities and dead skin cells to the surface. After use, it leaves your skin feeling and looking so radiant and soft. I can't wait to re-order this and try it out again after a year away from it. My skin definitely needs some TLC right now!

Bioré: baking soda pore cleanser - I'm familiar with the nose strips from Boots, but I didn't know this was a thing! Especially with baking soda. I'm all for trying new things on my skin, especially because each day is never the same. My pores are quite bad at the moment so this could be the ideal thing my skin needs to bounce back to life.

Benefit 'The Pore-fessional' - Again, another pore cleanser but I am willing to try anything to radiate my skin and make it look less zombie-like. As a 23-year-old, some days it's like my skin is resembling someone in their 40s with how rough and moggy I look/feel. One thing I want to achieve this year is clearing my skin and looking after it a lot better.

Amie Naturally Kind: Gently Cleansing Micellar Water - My favourite type of products are those that are naturally blended. I've used Micellar water before by a different brand and didn't really get along with it as it completely dried my skin right up! I wanted to give this a whirl to see if it lived up to the facial wash & I'm praying it does. Won't lie, I'm rather excited. 

Bioré: Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser - This is similar to the one above & I'm all for the deep pore dig ups! I like being able to see what my skin hides from me, as weird as that sounds I just find it highly fascinating. After hearing great things about this cleanser, it's made me want to try it to see if its compatible with my skin!

Beauty Protector: Protect and Detangle - My hair LOVES this protect and detangling spray. I kid you not, it made my hair feel sensational. You know when the woman on the Herbal Essences advert screams 'yes'? well this my friends will make you do the same but louder. It helped nourish my hair back to health as I do dye my hair every other month and it just lost all life within it. Extremely pumped to use it again! I didn't even realise there was a bigger version on the website, so this has made me exceptionally happy. 

Beauty: 

Clinique: High Impact Mascara - After reading some reviews, speaking to people within shops who work for Clinique and more or less watching some Youtubers comment on it, I decided to follow the pack and put this within my list of things to try. I need a new mascara as my makeup collection is rather small and repetitive. Clinique as a brand as amazing so the mascara definitely has some shoes to fill that's for sure!

Benefit High Brow Glow Pencil - Let's be honest, I don't really know how to use this but trying new products is on my list of things to do. If you have any recommendations on how to apply this, please let me know. Other than that, I'm looking forward to my first brow Benefit makeup experience!

Benefit 'They're real' Tinted Lash Primer - Youtubers & bloggers have made me do it... ever heard that phrase? It's quite popular. I've seen some of my favourite people use this and I also used it for my Graduation Ball back in 2016 and adored it that much I've re-discovered it to try again. Pumped!

Benefit 'Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow' Foundation - I haven't ever used a foundation that wasn't by Rimmel London. Definitely stayed within my comfort zone but I figured, what better way than to rip the band-aid right off? Benefit have won me over for the majority of this post & I can't wait to order, try and review this foundation. I'll be using the shade 'Ivory' as I'm quite pale due to England being so dull, it's hard to tan!

Benefit 'They're real' Double The Lip - Give me a dark lip and I'll love you forever. I don't know why but I prefer darker shades to lighter ones? Although this one comes in a range of colours, the ones I'm wanting to try are, 'Nude Scandal' & 'Juicy Berry' as they seem quite sophisticated colours.

Benefit Stay Don't Stray Concealer - My dark circles have meetings on how they want to discolour my face and make me look old, not joking. I discovered concealer in my final year of university when I thought it was funny to cake my face in it drunk... don't ask because I'm stumped too haha. Anyways, like foundation, I've only ever used Rimmel London concealer as it's my safety blanket and I need to woman up and try new things! I'll also get this in the shade Ivory to make me look more awake for the job that is slowly draining me. 

Pixi H2o Skin Tint - This brand is the most talked about in recent months. Loads of people I watch on Youtube rave about it. I'm guessing the skin tint is a primer to wear underneath foundation if it isn't then oops ha, if it helps me look half decent then why not try it!

Pixi 'Hello Glow' Set - By far one of the prettiest sets I ever did see. Most definitely fell in love when seeing this and instantly added it to my wishlist (& my basket) because it looks so flawless. I have no idea what to expect with this trio but I am looking forward to trying them out. 

Pixi by Petra Flawless and Poreless Primer - Must be craving primers or something! Although a primer that unclogs your pores sounds amazzzzing. This has to be the one product I am looking forward to trying the most 2 in 1, can't go wrong there at all!

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer - Mind that, foundations don't really make my skin oily just somewhat spotty after a few days. I've read upon Laura Mercier products and they seem rather good to use. Since this is oil-free, I'm intrigued to see how my skin reacts to its formula. 

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder - Never used a brightening powder and it's making me anxious thinking about it haha! But going in with an open mind, hopefully, I use it correctly. If anyone has any tips, feel free to help ya girl out as I'm no makeup expert at all (as you can probably tell). 

Laura Mercier Lip Glacé - Lipglosses are my second favourite lip products to wear, so when I discovered this red shimmery gloss from Laura Mercier I felt the ultimate feels of a kid in a sweet shop. But admiring the lipgloss, It more or less jumped straight into my wish list. 

Thanks for reading!

Find me here: 

Instagram: @jaydeekelly 

Twitter: @crashl0nelystar 

xo

All photo's belong to birchbox.co.uk 
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L'oreal Paris "Read my lips" Review | 2018

Photo cred: Jaydeekelly (me)

I'm a little behind schedule posting this but better late than never, right? Towards the end of last month, I was browsing around the sales in Boots and came across this lip kit. Not an expert by any means but after using this I wanted to share my thoughts, so here we are; 

Read my lips when I say this, this lip kit is out of this world. I've always wanted to say that in a blog post, although you have to imagine me saying it haha. 

ANYWAYS . . . 

When it comes to trying new makeup products it makes me feel weird. After realising that most of my make up is just by one brand, it kind of made me want to branch out and try new things. And, that is what happened, yay! 

Let's be honest, L'oreal lipsticks are just astonishing. Beautifully sits on your lip for hours and doesn't come off like most, although I do like to top mine up because why not? I purchased the "Color Riche"  in the shade 630 Beige A Nu lip kit and it's sent me speechless. It represents a nude/beige colour, which I've been loving recently and think it looks very nice and sophisticated when wearing it. 

The packaging for the lip kit was shaped like a cracker and was so much fun opening it. At first, it took a while to figure out on how to open it but after 10 minutes of making myself look a fool, I sussed it out and ta-da, like opening a treasure chest. The lip liner is just a regular liner pencil which isn't too shabby, to be honest, but the lipstick casing was O M G, beautiful. Guess you can say, this little birdie is easily pleased. Seriously though, the casing is gorgeous. Nice gold casing with the L'oreal Paris logo. When opened, you twist the bottom like most lipsticks and then the most beautiful colour reveals itself. Ok, I'm making this sound very cringe but I promise, it's worth it. Very pleased with this purchase in the sales, from £10, to £5 and SO WORTH IT. 

I am so impressed, to say the least. I wore this lipstick and the lip liner for New Year's Eve and it just looked amazing. And, it felt like my lips were plumped but oh well... I felt good for the first time in weeks.

With a nice shirt, skirt/trousers and a pair of booties, the lipstick will compliment an Au Naturale makeup look or any makeup look for that matter, as it's nice and simple.

I can't recommend this enough, but then I realised that I got this in the after Christmas sale and didn't think it would be in stores. BUT, after doing a little browsing I managed to find the L'oreal Paris lipstick - 630 Beige - in Superdrug for a bargain price £6.99! Click here to have a look! :) 

Thanks for reading!

Find me here: 

Instagram: @jaydeekelly 

Twitter: @crashl0nelystar 

xo

New Year, New Resolutions

Happy New Year!

Wow, that's Christmas put to bed for another year, Welcome 2018! Well and truly baffled at how quick time is just slipping away. Oh well. Another year full of goals, memories, journeys, and happiness. So exciting to say the least, I wanted to share some of my resolutions. I did one last year and I shocked myself with how much I achieved.

• Be more positive - Getting inside your own head is not a nice feeling. I struggle to stay positive with simple situations so achieving this resolution is #1 on my list.

• Get Professional Help For My Mental Health - Don't want to go too much into this topic as it's quite tender and fresh cut at the moment, but at some point, I want to seek professional help when it comes to my mental health. More so, for strategies to learn whenever I feel anxious, depressed or not myself. 

• Set More Goals - This is something I say will happen but never does. I am my own worst enemy at times which sometimes holds me back. I want to achieve more goals that I set and do more exciting, new and spontaneous things throughout 2018. 

• Say Yes More - Being too scared to say yes to more things soon catches up with you. 2017 I didn't take risks to say yes, I said no instead. For 2018, I want that to change to be able to go for a night out, or on a coffee morning with the girls, shopping and not feeling guilty, spending time with family/friends and taking more opportunities by the hands and just do big things.

• Find myself - Sometime's I don't even know who I am, or what I'm here for. Throughout this year I want to find that sense of security of knowing who I am and what my purpose is. Here's to the crazy adventure! 

Those are my resolutions for this year, nice and simple. When I first wrote it, it appeared I had more things I wanted to achieve to say I've done rather than develop on the things nobody talks about. Well, that's going to change. Stay tuned. 

Thanks for reading!

Find me here: 

Instagram: @jaydeekelly 

Twitter: @crashl0nelystar 

xo

What a year you've been, 2017.

2017... Where do I begin? 

Thank you. Thank you for being challenging to say the least. Throughout I have had good moments and not so good moments but let's just focus on what truly matters. So at beginning of the year, I set myself some resolutions and for once, stuck to them. Not going into detail every single thing I have achieved or what has challenged me so I'll just list a few. 

I Graduated from the University of Lincoln with a BA Honours Degree in Film & Television. It was a great opportunity to have, to walk across the stage within the most beautiful Cathedral, ever. I can say I finally have my degree & my best friend, alongside my family were there to witness it. Forever thankful. 

I met my other half and ever since we went on our first date, we have been together. 10 months down the line and we are about to move in together in our first flat! So exciting yet so scary!! 

If you told me at the start of 2017 I would be moving in with someone I'm madly in love with, I'd have laughed in your face. Look at us now, January 2018 we will be seeing each other every day (help) haha. 

First tattoo actually happened. I kid you not, I barely even flinched. I think this was mentioned in my March favourites but it's a fantastic memory to look back on due to the fact, I had broken ribs at the time and it was so spontaneous. "Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase" if you sang that, I'm proud.

I left a job that was destroying me as a person, literally. I didn't recognise who I became as I dedicated the best part of 16 months of my life to serve the community whilst being slammed to the ground. Let's just say, leaving was the best thing I ever did. Finally have my life back and definitely much happier, healthier and more relaxed.

Had my surgery and battled a tough recovery. As hard as it was, it has made me stronger for the better. I see it as an opportunity to keep myself healthy while still recovering and not to fall downstairs into a brick wall again hahaha! But no, the whole experience was definitely eye-opening and I'm ever so thankful to have gone through what I did.

Achieved amazing things. Such as taking part in a relay drive for Children in Need again for the second time. Although I didn't drive the relay, I drove home and had so much fun in doing so. On roads I've never been on the challenge was gratefully accepted and achieved. I am due to pass on 18th January 2018 after a previous cancellation (due to poor weather) and let's hope I nail it!

All in all, 2017 has encountered so many good memories I will cherish forever. Although going through harder times made me want to give up, I kept going and I'm glad because tonight is all about putting the difficult times to bed, embracing the amazing moments and looking forward to the future. 2017... again, thank you for being a whirlwind of good and bad, I've achieved more than I expected. 7/10 resolutions to be exact which is fine by me. Here's to 2018, let's make more incredible memories and kick ass!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! <3

Thanks for reading!

Find me here: 

Instagram: @jaydeekelly 

Twitter: @crashl0nelystar 

xo

Thor: Ragnarok Review/Fangirling moment | 2017

Photo credit: google.com

I haven't done a Film review in about a year or so & I've been itching to do this for a while now but rarely ever go to the cinema anymore as I'm always busy with work. Lame excuse, yes, but when I managed to go, Thor: Ragnarok was on and it did not disappoint.

Marvel films are literally the best, I mean Stan Lee is the ultimate hero for giving us these amazing comics and letting people lose themselves in the illusion of superheroes kicking ass. Films like these are the reason I studied FTV (film and television) at University. The people who make these films possible, make me jealous... extremely jealous as I'd love to be able to direct a superhero movie, or just be behind the scenes, I mean, how cool would that be?

*SPOILER ALERT*

Thor is imprisoned on a different side of the universe, fighting against time to get back to Asgard to defeat his new foe, The Ruthless Hela, in order to stop Ragnarok which would see the end of his homeworld. Taking Loki under his wing after learning he isn't dead, they team up with a familiar ally who he has to defeat to gain his trust once more. Along the way, Thor becomes 'pals' with Korg and Meek, a beloved duo within the plot. All coming together as one to allow the storyline to unfold.

My main focus was on the story, the cheesy one-liners and the AWESOME costume designs, CGI, and all the immense camera work. Suppose you can say I was in my element, film degree is handy for something. I cannot praise the development process, the actors/actresses, directors/producers and all the team behinds the scenes, enough for all the time and effort that has gone behind this film. Such dedication to keeping the iconic Superhero stereotype and genre more alive than ever. The entire film as a whole did not disappoint, going to watch it I had quite low expectations and didn't think it would be that great... how wrong I was. The camera work and each angle just fit, there were a few things I would have done different but that's what makes peoples style of the film so unique. However, you could tell how much passion had been put into every element of the film. From camera work to costumes, to the scripts being on point, actors looking so amazing and just wow. Am I fangirling? not sorry!

I'm babbling and this probably doesn't make a single bit of sense, but oh well. Can we just appreciate how beautiful Chris Hemsworth is though? I mean come on we are all thinking it. I cannot get my head around him not playing Thor... Physically can't visualise anyone else in that role. He fulfills his character so well and even his cheesy jokes just have me in stitches. The transition of his appearance within this film, well, I had to double take a few times and more or less became hypnotised by his hot-I mean nice looking face (nice save right? haha). Jokes aside, the fact the directors/writers or whoever made the decision to have Thor with short hair just made him more dreamy.

Mark Ruffalo, legendary actor to say the least. I've followed his films since I was younger and never fails to amaze me. Playing Hulk, just makes me love him more. Although his character is a crazy green wild child in a giants body, he's literally the ideal match I reckon. Can't praise him enough as his acting is flawless. I rarely ever say that about actors so when it's said, that's how you know it's won me over.
There are so many characters to sing praises for but I won't continue to do so as I will just be typing until next December haha. Although one of my new favourites is indeed "Korg" who's played by Taika Waititi who also directed the film, HOW INSANE is that?! Jealously level has just increased for sure. But no, Korg is probably the funniest and cutest on-screen personality with his partner in crime Meek, watch the film to see why.

This has been no means a review... it's been a post of me fangirling, again. Can't be helped though, so go watch this film. It's SOOOOO good. Maybe I should promote films for a living? mind that I'd be a crap promoter hahaha!

Thanks for reading!

Find me here: 

Instagram: @jaydeekelly 

Twitter: @crashl0nelystar 

xo