The Drugstore Face Edit

It's that time of year where I'm stressed, depressed and to be quite honest, not even that well dressed. However one thing that is guaranteed to lift my mood is doing my makeup! As I've got older, I've learnt that less REALLY is more and I actually prefer myself with no makeup on. However on those days where I do need to socialise, these are the products I use to help fake the "flawless" face look!

PRIMER: I was very late to the primer party and I totally regret not using one sooner! The one I like to use is the Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm. Yes, you read that right - Nivea for MEN. Don't be put off by this because purchasing this will be the best decision you've ever made. Just pop it on over your moisturiser and really work it into the face. I like to leave it for a few seconds so it turns a little bit "tacky".

CONCEALER: is the next stage in my routine. I've wrote a separate blog post on this which you can find here! However if you can't be bothered to go and have a look then the ones I switch in-between are the Sleek Correct and Conceal Palette, the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and last but not least, the Primark PS...Pro Longwear CC Concealer.

FOUNDATION: It's fair to say I've tried every foundation going in Boots and Superdrug but the one that I've fallen in love with is the L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation. I alternate between two shades - I currently use Golden Cappuccino but sometimes mix it with Deep Golden depending on my skin tone. I find the best way to apply this foundation is by using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush! This foundation feels super light on the skin, blends amazingly and the coverage can be built up without looking cakey. 10/10 recommend!

POWDER: Being an oily gal means I'm not one of those people that can rock the dewy look. I NEVER skip powder - it's just not an option. I'm currently using the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder that claims to "control shine for up to 5 hours".  IT'S TOTALLY SHIT! My matte skin lasts about an hour and that's really pushing it however I hate wasting things so I'm trying to use this up as quick as possible. If you're looking for a cheap powder that does a much better job, then I STRONGLY suggest the Boots Natural Collection Loose Powder! It's half the price and sets beautifully on the skin!

SETTING SPRAY: This is another beauty product I wish I'd discovered earlier 😩. It makes such a difference! I've gone through bottles of the NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray and I have no regrets! A couple of sprays and my skin is transformed! I love the finish, my makeup doesn't budge and I don't look like a greasy disco ball at the end of the day! WINNING!👌

How did ASOS become so successful?

Gone are the days where you would be trailing around your local shopping centre with achy legs searching for the perfect outfit. Online shopping is quickly taking over the lives of consumers for three main reasons: it's fast, convenient and in some cases, much cheaper than what's in-store. The fashion industry is no exception, with ASOS having become one of the most popular online retailers purely because they can keep up with the demands of consumers without compromising on quality.

Who are ASOS?

• They are a British online retailer.
• The acronym stands for "As Seen On Screen'.
• ASOS specialises in all things fashion and beauty related for both men and women. 

Founded in the year 2000, ASOS were relatively unknown until a couple of years ago. With no physical store, the company had to work extra hard at their digital communication in order to target consumers. They were already facing stiff competition from the likes of Boohoo and Missguided who were running similar businesses. 

In order to adapt themselves in the industry, ASOS had to create an online presence that would equally reflect their online store and their brand values.

How did they do it? ASOS are a strong advocate of the multi-channel approach. With their primary target market being young adults, ASOS had to engage the audience on a platform that would help them connect with everyone - that platform being social media. You name it, they're on it! Multiple accounts have been created to deal with different purposes, such as MensWear and Customer Service. Their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even Snapchat accounts are updated frequently with new content and the latest releases. Interestingly, ASOS only acknowledge positive press about the company. This could suggest that they don't want their customers to become aware of the negative aspects as it may affect their buying behaviour.

More recently, ASOS have introduced "Insiders" on their Instagram account. ASOS Insiders are a group of influencers that have a large following online. Unlike other online fashion retailers, ASOS choose to recruit influencers rather than bloggers to represent the company. This strategy is effective as influencers are seen to be more credible than bloggers. The influencers maintain their own individual styles whilst being able to inspire the audience with products from ASOS in a subtle way. 

The company's success is partially owed to the time and money invested in how they portray themselves online as well as how they try to interact and understand the wants and needs of the consumer. The impact of this relationship with the consumer has enabled ASOS to utilise their Search Engine Optimisation across all their digital platforms. Easily searchable keywords have allowed ASOS to maintain their position as one of the top three organic searches on Google's Search Engine Result's Page - this gives an indication as to how much much traffic is being directed to the actual website alone. 

The need for "fast fashion" is critical in this industry and ASOS's strategy is to "fundamentally change the way customers live and shop for fashion on mobile." In order to do this, ASOS created a campaign using the hashtag #AsSeenOnMe. The hashtag is most commonly used amongst bloggers and normal everyday people on Instagram whereby the audience are able to share their latest purchases. This user-generated content combined with commerce enables the customer to easily "shop the look" making the buying process much easier.

These days there's an app for everything, so it was no surprise when ASOS also introduced one. It was downloaded 3.2 million times in the first half of the year according to The Drum, (2016) and the company has seen 51% of sales take place on a mobile device. The app uses in-app push notifications to alert the customer about the start and end of sale events whilst on the go. It is an effective strategy and is almost "exclusive" for users of the app in the sense that you are made aware of the promotion almost immediately as opposed to relying on manually visiting the website to see what offers are on.

Using information from both the website and the app, ASOS are able to build a profile around their most frequent customers. By analysing the consumer's search habits, ASOS are able to understand that individual's buying behaviour including variables such as style and trends. This information is then collected and as a result, ASOS can suggest similar items that the customer may also be interested in purchasing. 

All of these factors have contributed to the success of the company. ASOS depend on digital communication in order to keep on top of a growing online market. It is a competitive industry that will continue to develop and expand in years to come. ASOS are ahead of the game for one particular reason and that is down to how they've established themselves on their digital platforms. ASOS have focused on maintaining a strong identity by staying active whilst maintaining a functional yet engaging service. 

Clothes Show Live 2016!

Living in Birmingham means it's a bit of a no brainer to attend  The Clothes Show when it's right on my doorstep! This was my second year going and it didn't disappoint!

WHERE DO I START???

I really recommend making a full day of this event especially if it's your first time going! It usually starts around 9am and in that way you can beat the crowd later on - it also makes the experience a lot more enjoyable!

The Clothes Show is your one stop shop for all things fashion and beauty! There are a crazy amount of stalls (branded and independent) - you're going to need a couple of hours just to get through them! From Russian hats to Christmas decorations - you're bound to find something to take your fancy!

My favourite part of the day was The Alcatel Fashion Show - combining fashion, music and dance in one place whilst promoting the latest collections from the likes of Topshop and Boohoo. Lasting approximately 45 minutes, you will LITERALLY not take your eyes off the stage! 😼

I won't lie when I say that the main reason that I love going to events like this is because of the amazing line up they have every year 😇.  You can meet a range of celebs and bloggers from TOWIE's Fearne McCann to the UK's top fashion blogger at the moment - Sarah Ashcroft! (Be prepared to queue for a hell of a long time to get a photo though!)

Now at a place like this, it is impossible not to see hundreds of girls with their hands full of shopping bags. It's quite easy to be sucked into buying a goody bag from a brand for only a tenner or whatever but actually if you think logically (which I rarely do), you can buy a few different ones and give them as stocking fillers or Christmas presents - you're welcome! 😊

*A couple of hours later*  I was absolutely knackered, my legs were aching and all I wanted to do was go home and sleep. However, I would be completely happy to do this all over again! The Clothes Show is the ultimate girls day out!

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LIQUID LIPSTICKS: YAY OR NAY?

Anyone who knows me will know it's very rare to see me without lipstick! Although I have a relatively small collection, I tend to stick to one colour until I get bored of it. I never thought anything would replace my trusty Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 107 until the NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick walked into my life!

I spontaneously bought it after debating it for about two months and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made! *ok, that sounds a bit dramatic but new makeup REALLY excites me* 😅.  Now I LOVE a good red lip and even though some people say it's not appropriate for everyday wear, it's what I feel most comfortable in!

The shade "Cherry Skies" is very similar to Rimmel's 107 but I think it's 100% better! Obviously the colour will differ on everyone but for someone that has an Asian skin tone like me, Cherry Skies is a deep burgundy colour.

The two are around the same price bracket however the pigmentation of the NYX Liquid Lipstick just wins purely for the pigmentation which is essential if you eat 24/7 like me - this stuff does not budge! I'm really impressed with the staying power and I reckon you could get at least 6-8 hours wear out of it which is pretty incredible for only £6.50! I love that the formula isn't majorly sticky, thick or gloopy which is what I was expecting. As for the wand, I'm not it's number one fan and if NYX were to make one improvement on this product, I would say this is the area they need to look into but I'm willing to overlook it due to the fact the actual liquid lipstick is AMAZING!

What I would say is that liquid lipsticks are a bit like winged eyeliner in the sense that practise makes perfect!

THREE TIPS FOR APPLICATION:
1.  USE A LIP SCRUB - THIS GETS RID OF ANY DEAD SKIN
2.  USE A LIP LINER - IT MAKES THE WHOLE APPLICATION PROCESS A LOT EASIER
3.  TWO COATS MAXIMUM - TO AVOID FLAKY LIPS

Overall, I can't fault this product! It's comfortable on the lips without making them feel dry, a little goes a long way and there's a colour for pretty much anyone!

Perfect for party season or even if you're looking for new item to put on your Christmas list, then I totally recommend this product! 

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My Current Skincare Routine | November 2016

I think we can all relate to repeatedly putting our alarm on snooze about 300 times before we actually get out of bed and the last thing you want to do is take part in any strenuous activity at 6am. That is why I have came up with a skincare routine that uses a handful of products and can be achieved within 10 minutes!

STEP 1: Finding a face wash that doesn't aggravate my skin can be a bit of a challenge. However, I was surprised to find that the face wash that I would be using for the next 6 months would be one from the supermarket! I think that supermarket own brands sometimes get overlooked so I would definitely recommend going into your local and checking what they have! The one that caught my eye was the Sainsbury's Facial Wash with Vitamin E - now I've looked online but it seems as though they've discontinued it *inserts heartbreak emoji here*. Anyway, I squeeze out a decent sized amount of the product which is kind of like a gel texture and lather it onto my face.

STEP 2: A couple of months ago, I decided to invest in a cleansing brush but I didn't want to spend a fortune on the likes of a Clarisonic. Instead, I opted for a cheaper alternative; the No 7 Beautiful Cleansing Brush - costing around £25. It has two speed settings depending on what kind of cleanse you want. I like to work the brush in circular motions around my soapy face for about 30 seconds, anything longer leaves my skin feeling quite dry and tight.

STEPS 3 & 4: Something I've recently started doing is mixing The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil with my moisturisers. As mentioned in previous blog posts, I have acne prone skin and since using this product, I've noticed my complexion clear up quite quickly! 

I like to alternate between moisturisers depending on what I'm doing on the day. If I'm not going anywhere, I tend to go for my La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo. I've been using this for over a year ever since I saw Chloe Miles rave about it! The Effaclar Duo helps to control shine and fade blemishes. Again, it's another gel like formula which can be quite drying on the skin and that's why I add a couple of drops of the tea tree oil in for an added boost of moisture!

For the days where I have a bit more human interaction, I use the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion. The recent cold weather has left my skin looking a bit dull and this product is perfect! It's light, non-greasy and sinks right into the skin leaving me with a fresh, glowy look. A little goes a long way and I like to use this before I prime my face - it creates the perfect base for applying my makeup. 

STEP 5: Last but not least in my routine is an eye cream. I'm 20 years old but I look about 12 which is definitely going to work in my favour once I reach the age of 50 🙂.  An eye cream is something that I have only recently introduced into my routine but it has made such a difference! I've used cheaper alternatives but nothing compares to The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream. I apply this twice a day and it helps to reduce the bags around my eyes  *you know what it's like being a student - pulling all-nighters to get sh*t done* and brightens my under eyes too. 

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First Impressions & Why I Ditched the Make-up Wipes!

Up until the last few months is when I would say that I've properly got into a skin care routine. Like everyone else, I thought it was too much effort and even though I've probably tried every skin care product under the sun, I couldn't possibly tell you what they are actually used for *oops*. So when I heard on the grapevine that we shouldn't be using wipes to take off our makeup, I was like what the hell am I suppose to use now???

Either way I followed the crowd and decided to use a Clinique cream cleanser that my Mum had sitting in her bedroom. I had no idea what I was doing of course but I didn't let that faze me. I moisturised the product into my fully caked foundation face and used a flannel soaked in warm water to remove the makeup and VOILA! (that's French for there it is - in case you didn't know).

THAT'S WHEN I WAS CONVERTED

Ever since that day, I have used a wipe probably once or twice! (obviously this is only acceptable behaviour when you've had a night out and you really cba to do your full routine). I've notice that my skin feels so much softer, cleaner and smoother whereas the wipes felt harsh and raw on my sensitive, acne-prone face. 

I've now been on the hunt for other cleansers that are more budget friendly than my Clinique one and I recently saw an advert for the Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Oil. I'd never tried anything from that brand before but after seeing such positive reviews from Louise Pentland and Tanya Burr, I just knew that I had to jump on the bandwagon. 

I picked it up on offer at Superdrug for only £3.45 which was an absolute bargain. With no artificial perfumes or colours and loaded with multi-vitamins, it claims to "dissolve make-up with no greasy residue". So I gave it a go last night...

You apply a couple of drops to your hands, then massage gently over your face and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Pretty straightforward stuff and it didn't disappoint! THIS PRODUCT IS AMAZING! It's quick, easy and feels amazing on your skin - I was really impressed! All my make-up had melted away, leaving me with a squeaky clean yet hydrated appearance. 

As with any other make-up remover, I went in with my final step of the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water to get rid of any lasting traces of foundation, mascara, etc. 

24 hours on and I've woken up with no new breakouts which is a plus for me!

I'm giving it 5 stars:

• student budget friendly 
• it does exactly what it says on the tin
• suitable for all skin types

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My Favourite Concealers

If you've been a long term sufferer of acne like me then you will understand the struggle of finding a concealer that doesn't emphasise your spots or make it look cakey. Thankfully, my acne seems to be clearing up after years of having terrible skin, I have finally found three concealers that work for me. 

It's probably best to mention that I have combination skin before I go any further with this post - so what works for me, may not work for you! :) 

First up is the Sleek Correct and Conceal Palette. As the name suggests, the palette contains a concealer, corrector and a setting powder. I find using the lightest shade on any blemishes before I apply my foundation works best for me. I tend to avoid the darker shade but every now and then, I use it to contour my face. The setting powder contains an SPF of 15 and I actually find that this doubles up as the perfect neutral eyeshadow shade. 

The consistency of this product is quite light so this is ideal if you're after a very natural, no makeup look! Available at Superdrug and Boots. 

Next up is a cult classic amongst YouTubers and bloggers. It's the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. I use this every single day without fail and it never lets me down. I love using this concealer under my eyes and to highlight my nose, I then set it with a good translucent powder and I'm pretty much good to go. This is also an ideal product if you've had a breakout because it covers just about any spot!

If I'm going somewhere like a party for example and I want a higher coverage base, then I use this concealer in a shade darker before I apply my foundation and it works brilliantly!

Available at Superdrug and Boots. 

Last but not least is the Primark PS... Pro Longwear CC Concealer. This is my go to concealer as it does exactly what it says on the tin. Don't let the colour of this concealer alarm you. Long-wearing, yes it is! It is the cheapest product in this post at only £2.50 but it certainly delivers. I was apprehensive about trying Primark's makeup range and just like everyone else, I jumped to conclusions and thought it would be really sh*t - how wrong was I??? 

Acne scarring takes months (even years) to get rid of yet this concealer covers it in just one swipe! The green corrector is ideal for masking redness - I don't know how I've survived so long without a corrector because it makes all the difference in how your makeup looks! It's not too light but it's thick enough to last an entire day. 

Available at Primark. 

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GET TO KNOW ME: 5 facts about me!

The first blog post is always the hardest to write and I've spent at least two weeks wondering what I can post and what better way to start than talking about something I have 100% knowledge on - ME! *lol*

So this is a little introduction, five things about me:

1. My dream job would be either a farmer or an astronaut - I just love the idea of owning my own farm and as for being an astronaut, well I'm just really intrigued by space

2. I once met Jake Quickenden at The Clothes Show - this is probably the highlight of my life *lmao*

3. I'm convinced I stopped growing aged 12. I'm literally so short (5'1)! that in the words of Nicole Richie (if you've ever seen Candidly Nicole, you'll know what I'm going on about!) "there's an entire world up there that I don't know about" - tragic but true

4. If I could appear on any TV show, it would definitely be Come Dine With Me - I'm an expert on cooking potato waffles perfectly *just saying* 

5. For most people, getting braces is a traumatic ordeal however I am about that 1% that thoroughly enjoyed wearing them and would pay any amount of money to have them again. I wore them for 18 months and one of the first things I said when I had them taken out was that I felt like Donkey from Shrek *awks*. Honestly though, if you've had them then you can relate - so much surface area!

Anyway there you have it, five facts about me! Hope you enjoyed reading about how weird I am!

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