Everyday 'What I put on my face' Makeup products.

I'm always very curious about what bloggers put on their faces each day. Do they stick to primarily high end products, drugstore/chemist products, or do they mix and match? I think the world of drugstore/chemist brands is better than ever, and getting stronger with each release. With Nyx in Boots and Sleek in Superdrug, these brands are more accessible than ever, making me question whether I really need to spend £20 + on a product when there is surely a dupe, or a similar product for less than half the price in my local chemist. With brands churning out amazing product after after product, it makes the makeup world more accessible to those with smaller budgets, and it's sprouting a new wave of beauty lovers and bloggers, who can afford to blog about the products they love without having to pinch a lot of pennies, or worry about the bills that are coming in. These products are a mixture of higher end, and those drugstore products that I cannot be without... plus some rather special appearances from some of my newest Nyx purchases. Read on to see more!

I think it was Nikkie from Nikkie Tutorials, the amazing Youtube makeup artist that first got me interested in foundation sticks again. Hers was from Makeup Forever, but when I saw the Mineral Foundation Stick from Nyx, I knew it had to be in my life! Easy to apply, even easier to blend, and with Nyx's amazing show of shades, this product doesn't leave darker skin tones out in the cold like numerous other brands do. It applies like a pan stick, with good coverage that still allows skin to show through, making it a medium coverage with the option of leaving skin to look natural and glowy, or go for a more full on look. I bought this in the lightest shade, and it's a tad too light for me (pale skin people rejoice!) but I've taken to warming up my skin tone with a bit of bronzer these days, just so I don't look like a ghost compared to those that have been on holiday, or have just spent some time out in the sunshine. Two other Nyx additions were one of their Eye Crayons in the shade Yoghurt, and Matte Lipstick in the shade Eurotrash; the former a soft champagne colour and the latter a more brown nude rose - such a good shade to use for a neutral glam look. I'm so impressed with the formulation and colour payoff, and the fact that there's a biiiiig stand of it in my local Boots excites me endlessly. 

Swatches for the Matte Lipstick in Eurotash, Eye Crayon in Yoghurt and Mineral Foundation Stick in 01 Fair.

It's not really a makeup post by me unless I include a little Estée Lauder, is it? I know, I have an obsession, but their Illuminating Perfecting Primer is one of the most glowy bases out there, perfect for creating luminous skin without a great deal of effort. I'm all about lazy makeup these days, i.e. makeup that doesn't take a great deal of blending or work, making it perfect for long Summer days when you just want to sit outside, with sunglasses, and a cocktail. Ahhhhh Summer. Combining this primer with Nyx's Mineral Foundation creates a really glowy, dewy base with a medium coverage, making it a real go-to for me when I can't be bother to go for a full on makeup look. It's natural, but with coverage... kinda the perfect duo for me right now. Another base product with serious clout is the Sleek Contour kit in light, which is a really good twosome of products, which includes a contour and highlight, with a huge mirror, for contouring on the go or just for touchups - or making that contour seriously amazing. This Sleek kit and the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow are two that I switch out, and use everyday, depending on how fancy I'm feeling - and to be honest, there isn't that much difference between them, although I do find the Sleek Contour a little darker for my skin, so perfect if I'm using more bronzer. 

One other love of my life right now is the Collection Nude Eyeshadow Palette called Eyes Uncovered, and it's such a simple palette - but that is what makes it so usable. Six shades that range from a soft, almost bone esc shade, right through to champagne, taupe and to a deeper almost ebony colour. It's a bargain of a palette, a real must have for beauty enthusiasts, whether you're mainly drugstore, high end or a collection of both. You need their wonderful palettes in your life. Sticking to eye products, and it's one of my all time favourite mascaras; the Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara, which is all kinds of wonderful. Black, lengthening, curling and eye-opening - it's got it all going on. I remember straying from this mascara to another, and almost instantly regretting it. This combined with an eyelash curler is a duo that cannot be overlooked. As a girl whose eyelashes mainly point to the floor like a camel, this is the only thing that can keep them looking voluptuous all day long. 

And straying a little from eyes, we have they eyebrows... which are basically all everyone wants to know about these days. Fleek is the word of the moment, and eyebrows are all about being on fleek especially with Anastasia Beverly Hills' Dip Brow Pomade. I use the shade Medium brown, which is an almost perfect shade for me, but I think if my hair goes a bit lighter in the Summer sun, then I may need to apply it with a softer hand. It's such a creamy formulation, making it really easy to apply and simple to get the hang of (even my mum has taken to doing her brows with it, and she's really uncertain about it). Another thing that she's uncertain of is highlighter, but with a quick word or two, she'll let me apply it, and then just oooh and ahhh over it for the rest of the day as her cheekbones catch the light. She has killer cheekbones, so highlighting them a little bit makes them really stand out and nothing works better than MakeupRevolution's Goddess of Love Highlighter, which is pearly, glimmering goodness. Super finely milled, it looks gorgeous on the skin, no matter what age. 

Last, but not least, is another type of stick, this time it's a concealer stick from Amazing Cosmetics - their Perfection Stick, which can be used to conceal, highlight and enhance the skin. I use it to brighten up my under eyes, conceal those nasty little blemishes and contour a little down my nose and across my cheekbones, making it a wonderful multitasking product that's mess free and really suited for touch-ups on the go, or to throw in your makeup bag so it can take you from day to night. 

Wednesday Wink - my weekly blogger shoutout

Happy Hump Day my lovelies! Hope your Wednesdays are wonderful and now that's it's gone past the middle of the week, you know that it's gonna be the weekend soon! Now I work all weekend, but that isn't gonna stop me from going out and enjoying myself; that means a few drinks, food and laughing with one of my favourite people and since my boyfriend is away in America for a week, I think having some serious girlie time is exactly what I need! But I also need something else... and that's to add to my Wednesday Wink saga, with the third instalment of wonderful bloggers. You're gonna wanna follow them all, fyi ;)

We're gonna start things off with Kat from tales of a pale face, who as you can guess from the name, has beautifully pale skin and is pretty much one of my go-to's for what I should put on my equally as pale skin. Not only that, but she's got some really insightful posts, such as SEO centric post, brand new makeup and skincare, and wish lists that just make me want to buy everything! Next up is Jo from flourish and blotting who has a blog that I just love to scroll through. She writes so easily, almost as if she's having a conversation with the reader and I just really love to read her new posts when I'm snuggled up in bed with a cup of tea - plus she also posts some drool worthy food pictures on her Instagram. 

Olivia Jade from dungarees and donuts is such a positive influence on me, with posts that I find myself happily nodding along with and actually saying 'that's right' out loud, which totally confuses my boyfriend. She has a wonderful selection of posts, a mish-mash of topics that I never knew I needed in my life, and now cannot be without. Plus, she's just a massive ray of sunshine. Next up is Jemma from dorkface, the leader of one of my favourite hashtags, #thegirlgang and all around amazing lady! With a hashtag like #thegirlgang, wonderful people from all around the world have banded together to share positivity and uplift fellow bloggers, and Jemma really has nailed it with collection of beauty, lifestyle and advice posts, that make us all, me especially, to be better people. She's a star and one that will definitely brighten your day. 

My final two ladies are a duo that I really, really love. First up is Zoe from zoe newlove, a beauty blogger and makeup artist who is currently making everyone jealous by sunning it up in Ibiza, and posting far too many pictures that are making me green with envy. She's a major inspiration for my photography, as she has some serious skills, as well as the way she writes - it just makes me want to keep reading, and reading... and reading... until it's two in the morning and I'm reading her posts from July of 2012. Lastly, but not least, is the wonderful Vix from vix meldrew, who is by far one of the most hilarious, witty and goddamn awesome bloggers that I know (when I say that I know her.. I mean through stalking of blog and Instagram). She's had my boyfriend and I giggling over our dinner at her #vixswipes hashtag, but she's also the author of so many blog posts that just have me saying 'yes', 'definitely' with a lot of nodding. She's like an agony aunt for the 21st social media using, girl gang member, anti-fuck boy generation and I love it. 

Are you following Ohkalukalay on Bloglovin and Instagram? 

My wishful thinking 'Holiday Handbag'

This is my *sigh* I wish I was going on Holiday handbag, the one that I'd carry with me to have dinner, to have cocktails and to generally lounge the night away with. I'm not off on holiday for a long while, but I like to imagine myself on a beach somewhere, or just by a body of water, content and slathered in the right SPF with a little cocktail and lunch right around the corner. I mean that both in proximity and in time, because lunch is definitely one of the best meals of the day and whether I'm on a beach, or in work, the idea of lunch always makes me happy. 

Doesn't this clutch just say holiday? This marble effect clutch is from Primark and it needs to be taken abroad, see different sights and be set on the table next to some really wonderful food. It needs it! Okay, I might need it too... but until then, I'll give you a quick stroll through some holiday handbag essentials. Nuxe's Reve de Miel Lipbalm is an everyday must-have for me, so you can bet that I'll be carting it around Europe with me, regardless of the time of year. Chapped lips are a massive annoyance to me, so I try and keep one of these sticks with me at all times, or even the little Reve de Miel pot, which is like a little pot of liquid, honey scented gold. It saves my lips and flaky skin from being too dry for anything else to touch. Trust me, this is a must have for any handbag. Then we have one of my favourite bronzers of all time, the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess bronzer which as well as coming in some beautiful tortoiseshell esc packaging, with a huuuuge mirror, the bronzer is equipped with it's own brush and doesn't appear too orange on the skin at all. There are so many positives about this product, I can't help but sigh dreamily at it whenever I see it.

A fragrance can sum up an entire journey, as that scent will always remind you of lazy days under the sun, or going on an adventure to somewhere new, which is why my fragrance of choice is Jo Malone's Lime Basil & Mandarin, a fresh, earthy scent that hit you with zesty fruit before balancing everything with a gentle lull of herbs. Ugh, it's one of my favourite scents of all time. Obsessed. And what better to accompany a sweet scent than fresh smelling breath? My Starbucks Spearmint Mints are ideally designed for after coffee, but I pop one whenever I feel like my breath needs a bit of freshness - perfect if you overindulge in garlic or anyone strong scented foods. The accessories can make or break an outfit, so by teaming marble with tortoiseshell (again) in the form of my sunglasses from Next, my woven 'I'm busy' floppy sunhat from Asos and a chunky pearl bracelet from Accessorize, these additions can make any outfit sing, whether it's a simple sundress or a printed kaftan - the options are endless.

What will you be including in your holiday handbag? These are what I've imagined to be in mine once I make my way to an Island at the end of September. I have high hopes for Greece, Italy or Spain, but we shall have to wait and see.

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Batiste Dry Shampoo in Marrakech

This is one of the only things that's keeping my hair in check between washes. Yes, I do have some good hair days, but for those regular days, when my hair is looking a bit lack-luster, this Batiste Dry Shampoo* has been a lifesaver. I can spray, leave my hair down, or put my hair up - depending on how long the day ahead is, and what I have planned. If it's going to be a looong hectic day, then I know that my hair is going up, but it's still gotta look reasonably nice. If I'm in a rush, or am not feeling well, then I'll throw my hair up and not care what it looks like, but that's usually when I catch sight of myself in the mirror and thinks, gosh I should have done something with my hair this morning. It would be nice to have this massive handbag, so I could cart around all of my hair tools and my makeup, so I'd look presentable at all times - but that's just not me. Plus I don't think my back would like me anymore... it doesn't need more strain, so I think that's out of the question.

On the good days, a little spritz of dry shampoo on the roots, a quick little scalp massage and then a quick run through with my fingers - then I'm good to go. It's a very quick way of keeping my hair looking fresh all day, as I do find that it may look good in the morning, and then by a few hours later, it's looking lank and just plain boring. So dry shampoo is an essential for keeping me looking presentable and tidy for the day ahead, any if my hair happens to smell really good because of the scented dry shampoos, who am I to complain? It's a subtle scent, nothing too overwhelming but fresh and a little spicy... making it the perfect accompaniment to any outfit, and pretty awesome if I forget to spritz myself with perfume before heading out this door. It's like a little scent buffer, and that's pretty damn awesome.

At £3.29, Batiste are an integral part of my haircare stash, because sometimes I really don't want to wake up really early to wash my hair, dry it and then style it. It's far too much effort. So this is the lazy girls way of getting ready without putting in tonnes of effort, plus there are numerous different scents to choose from - so that way, you can still get that extra 30 minutes of sleep whilst still having your hair smelling lovely and fresh. Win-win, right?

Wednesday Wink - my weekly blogger shoutout.

So I've decided to do this weekly addition, and it's going to be known as my 'Wednesday Wink' as in I'm tipping you the wink about which bloggers to follow and adore.... you get it? ;) Last week I posted my first blogger shoutout, and it felt really good to share the love. I want everyone who follows me to know the bloggers that inspire me, and drive me to becoming a better writer, photographer and artist. 

Celina from the celution is a Canadian blogger who always inspires me to up my photography game, whilst making me form the biggest wish lists from Sephora. Her posts about Bite Beauty, Tarte and all the lipsticks always have me pea green with envy because they're just so damn beautiful, and I need them all in my life. She swears by products that I lust after, and I trust her opinion, so you can bet that she's a massive enabler for me. 

Next up is Katie from katiedoesbeauty, a girlie that I know in real life, and since we've met, we've become this event going, pretty much bunch of besties, and it's really lovely because we can talk about blogging to each other and it makes sense. She's a Youtuber, which really inspires me, because I think it's terrifying, so I cannot be more proud of her, and all the other blogger that do that. Snapchat is scary enough for me. She's constantly upping her game with her blog and her Youtube; she's definitely one to watch! 

One of the first bloggers that I ever followed, or really ever spoke to was Amy from srslylou. She did my first ever blog design, and gave me so much confidence in the first few months of taking my blog seriously. With blog photography that's clean, simple and gorgeously effective, I can read her blog and know that everything she writes about is everything I need to have in my life. 

Stephanie from hope, freedom, love is a new favourite of mine; with her bright, airy photography, warm personality and amazing blog, I feel like I know Steph a bit more, every time I read her blog. She's getting more and more recognition and I couldn't be happier, as her blog is one of those that I love to read again and again. 

Lastly, but not least is Sarah from temporary:secretary, which I think might be one of my favourite go-to blogs of all time. Whether she's talking about cutting her own hair, the newest releases from Soap & Glory or giving me a seriously bad need to cuddle her oh-so fluffy poodle (look at this face!), I keep heading back to this blog again and again, because I know that Sarah will keep knocking it out of the park with amazing content. 

Check back next Wednesday for more of my blog lovin', and leave me any blog links please, for the future instalments of Wednesday Wink.

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The flat pack with New Look.

I'm obsessed with flat shoes at the moment, and not just any flats, lace up flats. I know that I'm incredible late to the party, as always, but I have to admit, these lace-ups are my go-to for footwear these days, regardless of outfit. It makes me think that one day I'll invest in those beautiful Aquazzura leather lace-ups that some amazing bloggers have, and they'll be a key piece that I'll wear whenever I need a staple shoe choice in my life. Without currently feeling the need to drop a few hundred on shoes, I've just been living and loving my two choices from New Look. One nude, one red - one suede effect, the other a leather effect - therefore both areas are covered, and so are both occasions. With a nude shoe, any outfit can be dressed up or dressed down - such as last night. Imagine those nude lace up points, with relaxed boyfriend jeans, a bronze-brown strappy suede top, a statement blue/white jacket and some gold/rosegold bling, all topped off with a soft grey bag. It was a good look. Casual but smart, perfect for a double date with some fabulous people. 

As for the red pair, they shone when worn with black skinny jeans and a strappy, floaty camisole and a statement scarf - it's a simple, almost minimalist style, but brightened up with a colourful touch or two. I'm a big fan of simple looks. Something I can put on, dress up slightly, and then go. I'll spend more time on my makeup than I will choosing an outfit, and that's the way I've always been, so I don't really expect that to change anytime soon; so I need key pieces that can make an outfit, and these shoes are the perfect mixture of smart, casual and just a little bit dressy (it's the laces).

I think New Look is one of my favourite destinations for shoes, as they're super stylish as well as being super comfortable - and have you seen their clothing right now? It's so amazing I have to stop myself from going in there, just so I don't leave with an entirely new wardrobe. I don't think you understand how hard this is, since I work about five shops away from it - believe me, it takes some serious will power. So, with key pieces in mind for the upcoming Summer months, these are the shoes that i'm lusting after - spot any that are catching your eye? 

This isn't a sponsored post, or even a post with pr items, I just genuinely love New Look shoes. 

Latest in Beauty BritBeautyBlogger Precious Petals Beauty Box

Happy Friday, my lovelies! And what says Friday better than a Beauty Box that simply put, has it all! I'll tell you what; there's nothing better. When this turned up on my doorstep, luckily I was already photographing other products, so I just jumped right into splaying petals all over the place and cooing over the amazing products. Of course, I already knew what was in there, but with names like L'Occitane, Melvita and Erborian, I knew that it would be love at first sight/try. And you know what? I was right. There's something so wonderfully enchanting about new skincare. It brightens my mood so much, especially as my skin has been in such a mood lately. It's been sullen, boring and just lacking in lustre, so when this arrived, I knew that my skin would get a good overhaul. 

I'm not going to lie, I think I was perhaps the most excited about the sample of L'Occitane's Divine Cream (8ml), as it's meant to be, well, diiiivine. But you know what? This sunshine, jewel of a pot holds something that I like to call 'glowy goodness'. I applied it last night, woke up this morning and it was like 'Helloooooo good skin, so this is what you wanted!'. My skin was so so happy. Yes, I still have a few dry patches, but those have been plaguing me all week, so it's not something I expected to be cleared up in the matter of a night, that really would have been divine intervention! It's texture is silky, smooth and glides onto the skin before being slurped up - I think it's something to do with the ingredients: organic immortelle and myrtle essential oils, which team up to increase circulation (hence the glowiness) and boost skin vitality. There's just something so beautiful about this moisturiser. I think I'll need a post all on it's own, but I definitely see me getting this fuller sized version of this - yes, it's that good, that fast.

Following on the L'Occitane journey, we have their wonderfully Summery Cherry Blossom hand cream (30ml), which smells so much like Summer and warm days, that I slept cuddling my hands under my chin so that I could smell the amazing scent. There's something so luxurious about a thick, moisturising hand cream, and this one from L'Occitane is right on the money! With Vitamin E and Shea butter (two of my favourite things to have in a hand cream) this Cherry Blossom cream is sweet, floral and just beautiful to use on the go, or when you have a moment to slather this on at home. I can see this being the perfect travel addition, as it's the perfect size for keeping hands supple when i'm out and about, and especially for holidays. The third glorious product from L'Occitane is the cult Almond Shower Oil (75ml), a favourite of numerous bloggers and another product that I hadn't tried before. I used to use, and adore the Verbena Shower Gel, and it was divine. I would leave the shower, scented like a lemon grove, and it was everything I never knew I wanted (*dreamy sigh*). I do very much like the idea of an oil to foam consistency, as not only does it nourish, but it also cleanses and leaves skin feeling very smooth. After one use, I'm impressed, but I always like to give shower products a good week or so of testing before giving a final judgement. If the scent is anything to go by, the sweet almond oil will be replacing all other shower cleansers this Summer. 

Next up, is Melvita. Whilst still being under the umbrella of L'Occitane, Melvita has created it's own identity, especially with one of their cult products, the L'Or Bio (17ml), which is an oil made of five rare and essential oils, argan, kendi, inca inchi, buriti and pracaxi. Not confined solely to skin or hair, this multi-tasking oil aids moisture, shine and a whole load of nourishment to wherever you apply; so much so, this has now been stolen by my mum, who doesn't plan to give it back anytime soon. Another person sucked in by the awe of this oil, leading me to think that this product really is cult!

One of the other Melvita products is their Rose Floral Water (28ml), and one that I was very excited about. I loooove a floral water. I love everything about them. They're refreshing, nourishing and the best pick-me-up for tired skin, without having a shot of coffee to perk you up. I did expect a spritz, which would give off more of a mist, but this spray just sprayed my face, which wasn't horrid at all, I think I've just been spoilt with my Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist and my Caudalie Beauty Elixr, both of which give off more of a mist. My skin looked really glowy and hydrated after using it, which I love, as my makeup does tend to look a bit dull through the day, so I love that this just perked it back up! As with some of my favourite skincare, this product contains essence of rose, mainly Iranian Rose Damask, which I always feel nourishes and looks after my skin. Plus the scent is always divine if you're a fan of roses. 

As my first Melvita products, I'm really impressed with them and would definitely look into owning more of their products, as I do have a soft spot for good, natural skincare, and I'm trying to involve more of it into my everyday skincare routine. 

Erborian is a brand that I've heard an awful lot about, but have never really seen in person. I think I once walked past a section in Boots with it, but I can't be certain - it may have been a figment of my imagination, but I really hope that it was there. Much like L'Occitane, Erborian has it's own cult following, and for a brand to have that many cult products under it's umbrella is really, really impressive. I love the idea of CC Creams (15ml), which aim to colour correct the skin, leaving you with a flawless look, whilst combining it with an SPF of 25, so there's some added sun protection thrown in there as well. I always add a little concealer, regardless of what I'm wearing, but since wearing this today, it gives a super light, smooth finish that balances out some redness that I have on my cheeks and nose, whilst contrasting the sallowness I get in some places, as well as the darkness under my eyes. I think this product will need a bit more testing, but I will say that I'm impressed with it so far. 

Lastly it's their Camellia Essence Serum (3ml), which sounds super exciting, as I always love a good serum, especially one that's been reviewed so highly by other bloggers. It claims to boost radiance, whilst repairing and protecting the skin, three claims that I love from my skincare - as I think I need all the radiance that I can get. It comes in a little sample, but don't be fooled, a little goes a long way. I was quite impressed with the application and how easily it sunk into the skin, but like all skincare, it needs some time to do its work right. I'll keep you lovelies posted on this thoroughly French skincare affair.

I'm so so so so so happy with this box from Latest in Beauty and Jane from BritBeautyBlogger, they have really created a lust worthy box here, and I cannot say this enough, but go and buy it. You will not regret this foray into L'Occitane, you just won't. It's £20, and can be found here on Latest in Beauty. 

Guest Posting for the fabulous Liza Prideaux and a blogger shoutout.

Just wanted to pop a little post up on here and remind you lovely folks that I did a guest post over on Liza's blog, Liza Prideaux, whilst she was busy being a new mammy of two adorable little boys (boy can you imagine how busy she must be with a newborn, and a toddler?) and that you should show her lots and lots of love by following and commenting on her blog <3 My Guest post featuring, you guessed it, loads of Estée Lauder, was posted at the end of April, but 'faking that glow with makeup' is always appropriate, regardless of the time of year. It's available to read here and while you're at it, why not follow the brilliant Liza on Bloglovin? As one of my favourite bloggers, she totally deserves it! 

And whilst I'm at it, why not share some blogger love, right? These accounts are just some of the amazing ones that I cannot be without! 

Firstly we have Helen from thelovecatsinc, who is all kinds of stylish and amazing, on levels that I will never reach - so I always look to her for inspiration with skincare and her snapchat stories give me life! See her bloglovin here. Next we have Carrie from wishwishwish, whose style, character and travels are so inspiring to me, I can't help but fall a little in love every time I see one of her posts. Find her Bloglovin here. Also we have Gemma from missmakeupmagpie, one of my first resources for everything going on in the beauty world. I call her the Queen of Pinterest (with a million followers!!), but she's also one of the loveliest and down to earth bloggers ever! Check out her Bloglovin, and you have to see her Pinterest too! 

Another favourite is Kate from katelavie, who inspires with her envy inducing photography, her interiors style and with the cutest, fluffiest cat named Mouse. She rocks a minimalist style, but not where you're wondering where all of her things are - it's an organised, Pinterest worthy dreaminess, and I cannot wait to take inspiration from her when I have my own home one day. Find her Bloglovin here. With style and wit in abundance, my next favourite is Rosie from rosielondoner, who inspires with her travels, her stunning photography and her even more stunning style. She has the wardrobe I dream of, eats the type of food that I love and has the sass to make her blog a go-to for everything from travelling, to recipes to the best cocktails in London. Follow her Bloglovin here. Hayley from londonbeautyqueen is my go-to for what's going on in the Industry, what products I should and shouldn't be paying attention to; her periscopes are a total inspiration as she says what needs to be said, and addresses the many things that we worry about as bloggers. You need to follow her on Bloglovin. 

I could go on and on about the bloggers that I love, so I think that once a week I'll be doing a little shoutout. Keep an eye out for a post next wednesday about me sharing the blogger love, and I hope that fellow bloggers will start by doing it too. 

Are you following Ohkalukalay on Bloglovin, Twitter and Instagram? 

Estée Lauder Makeup Bag

I have an obsession, and I do believe that you all know this. I, Rebecca, have an Estée Lauder obsession and I am not afraid to admit it! At first it was those little things... looking through my aunties makeup as a little girl, and playing around with all the deep brown lipsticks that she wore - all the while thinking that I couldn't wait to have a collection myself. Now that I do, it's safe to say that it includes a lot of EL, but only recently, within the past year or so have I branched into their makeup. Skincare was always a huge yes from me, as my mum has used Advanced Night Repair for as long as I can remember, and now I do too - gotta keep that skin looking fresh. It was one of the best decisions I made, and my skin drinks it up. But makeup... makeup is a bit tricky. 

My Duty free holiday purchases from last year were all about Estée Lauder and some Clinque as well. Bronze Goddess drew me in with it's glimmering beauty, and so the Bronzer made its way into my life, as well as their Sumptuous Waterproof mascara which goes on so dark, it makes my lashes look so fluttery and beautiful. Two purchases that I took a gamble on, paid off really well. The next purchase, non duty free, was Double Wear Light, a super light foundation that gives radiance and a wonderful glowy coverage - what's there not to like, right? It applies like a dream and I've taken to applying it with my fingers so that it gives an even more natural finish, before finishing with concealer and some powder to make the look last all day. It really is one of my favourite foundations, and a product that I will definitely repurchase. Plus the packaging is always stunning with Estée Lauder, so what is there not to love? 

One of my most recent hauls happen to include a lot of EL. I may have gone slightly makeup mad... but you know, what's unusual about that? The lipstick was what first drew me in. A matte red... do I need more in my life? Of course I do, what a silly question! I can never have too many matte reds in my life.. and I think my post yesterday has proven that as well (see Mac x Charlotte Olympia). It's in the shade Decisive Poppy and it's just dreamy. It's a semi-matte medium red with a cool undertone, perfect for making teeth look a bit whiter. It applies on the lips really smoothly, without dragging the skin - which is something really important to me when it comes to matte products. I have some matte products that are so drying, my lips tend to crumple up and look really dehydrated which is never a good look on anyone - unless that's the look that you're going for (please don't). Also in the haul, and one of the main things that caught my eye was the Estée Lauder Eyeshadow Palette - and being someone who didn't realise that EL did eyeshadow palettes, this was a very exciting discovery. The neutral palette is the perfect combination of matte and shimmer, neutral and metallic, making it into a palette that you can take from day to night with minimal effort and only two additional eyeshadow brushes.

Another two loves of mine from EL are base products, the first being the super luminous Illuminating Perfecting Primer, which makes my skin look so glowy, a perfect product for faking dewy, healthy skin when you're in a rush, or having a dull skin day. One other product that packs on the glow is their Double Wear Brush on Glow BB Highlighter, which has got Touche Eclat dupe written allll over it! It's a little bit cheaper and in my opinion, it's so much better! They're both glowy and beautiful, but I think there's a touch more coverage with the one from EL, plus I adore the way it brighten and highlights under my eyes, and the tops of my cheekbones. Such a gorgeous product that will definitely be a repurchase when it runs out. I also like that the bottom is a twist, as opposed to clicking it, like the YSL offering - I find that I get more control, and I know that if my makeup bag is being thrown about in my handbag, I'm not going to get an excessive waste of product. Onto another base product, and it's perhaps one of my favourite Estée Lauder products ever; Bronze Goddess Bronzer. A purchase from Turkish Duty free last year, and my god, how did I ever do without it? This bronzer is warm, illuminating with its ever so subtle shimmer and the packaging reminds me of tortoiseshell sunglasses that my mum had in the 90's. Just plain stunning!

One of the last products, is Estée lauder's Pure Colour Lip Laquer in Potent Petal*, a beautiful light rose pink shade that isn't as glossy or goopy as I expected. If you read this blog, then you'll know that I'm not a massive fan of gloss, but this one seems to be a rather pleasant exception. Not overtly sticky, and when I do apply it, I always pat it down afterwards, to take off the excess shine and glossiness. I don't mind a little bit, but a lot is just too overpowering for me. So I tend to treat is as more of a stain than an actual gloss, and it really works for me.

What are your favourite products from Estée Lauder? It seems that I only need some powder and a blush, and I'll have a complete look! Which ones are your favourites? 

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Weekly favourites, three lists of three and a personal update.

I kinda missed April favourites, so I decided to just pop in a s'tart of a new week' favourites post, because I'm really nosy when people post these... so why not? The start of may has been and gone, and I genuinely can't believe it. It'll be my birthday before I turn around, and then I'll be 25. 25. That's a quarter of a century. Makes a girl think (If anyone can name the movie that quote came from, i'll adore you forever). I don't know how I feel about being 25. I never really had a five year plan, or even a three year plan. I made short term goals for myself, such as go to University, get a degree, get a job... get a better job - and whilst those are all lovely, I don't think they really speak to who I am, because I'm still figuring out who I am. I'm so envious of those that grow up with a sense of purpose and identity. They know what they want, and they do it. I guess I just feel slightly displaced sometimes, but perhaps that's the age that we're in. I read an article once about how those growing up in the early 90's feel a sense of nostalgia for those times, as it was the time before major technological breakthrough in terms of wi-fi, iPhones, app stores and tablets. It seems that these days, everyone and their toddler has access to some form of technology. This is coming from someone who had her first Iphone at age 20 but still keeps her gameboy safe in a drawer with the original Pokemon game inside of it. It's like we're children of two ages, and still somewhat long for the simplicity of life before everything changed. I don't think I'll miss dial-up internet at all, no matter how nostalgic i'm feeling.

I suppose I'm just feeling on edge: I'm waiting for the next chapter of my life to start (in more ways than one) with news that I can't share yet, but it's an exciting move for me. I'm happy, but also sad. It's quite melancholic in a way, as I don't know quite how to feel. Sad about growing older, yes, but happy because things are happening now, things that I've wanted for so long. Happy that my parents are going to be travelling around Europe for months this Summer, but also sadness at the sense of displacement that will bring. I suppose I'm old enough to stand on my own two feet, and I'd like to rise to the challenge but I'm also afraid of what will happen. Nothing is certain.

Weekly Favourites:
By no great surprise, one of my favourites is the Jurlique Rosewater Intense Balancing Mist. Boy do I loooove this stuff. It's refreshing, good for the skin due to its natural ingredients and so darn beautiful to look at. Next up is Clinique's Lip Pop + Primer in Melon Pop, which is such a cute pink coral, perfect to slick/pat on for your desired colour payoff. It lasts for hours and hours whilst looking like the perfect shade for this warm weather. An accessory addition here, and it's these wonderful lace up flats from New Look, which are so ridiculously comfortable - and were even in the sale, so how's that for a cheeky purchase?
      I'm also finding myself paying a lot of attention to this postcard from Paperchase. The world is your oyster. The colour is fantastic, so is the font... but on my noticeboard, it's the words that grab me. I'm really hoping that the world will indeed, be my oyster. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Three songs that I can't stop dancing to:
Cheap Thrills by Sia. It's just so damn catchy and I just want to shake my hips every time. Sorry by Justin Bieber. Once again, another catchy song. I've been obsessed with this song for a while, but it still makes me want to bust out some really odd moves. Why Beebs, why? Clean by Taylor Swift. her album is an obsession of mine, and this song resonates very deeply with me. It's like in Brooklyn 99, 'She (Taylor) makes me feel things.' 'SHE MAKES ALL OF US FEEL THINGS'. If you haven't seen this glorious show, go watch it right now on netflix. 

Three things I can't stop eating:

Nutella. Always Nutella. Why is it so damn good?! Cinnamon Bagels. I don't know what it is about them, they have that warmth of spice in them, making them the ideal vessel for nutella. Yum. 

Three events that I'm looking forward to:

Beyonce in concert, in Cardiff at the end of June. Yay. I therefore need to replay all of the Beyonce, just to reacquaint myself. My Birthday. July the 10th. Well, I'm kinda looking forward to it. I don't really like birthdays or having things centred around me, but there will be cake. So that's exciting. A Scottish Wedding in August. My first trip to Scotland, and I'm going with my boyfriend, and this friends. Hopefully I'll get to do some sightseeing as I feel like I need to see a Loch in person. 

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Lush Cosmetics Shampoo repurchases

Just a little lazy post this Sunday, and what better, than when you're lounging in the sun, enjoying the warm weather, than to read about two products that are going to leave your hair looking and feeling fresh, whilst maintaining and even improving bounce and shine. Say whaaaaat? Yes, you read that right. I love Juicy, a mix of all things tropical, with papaya, kiwi and (my favourite) pineapple is one of my favourite shampoos, and my hair loves it. I love that at the end of a long day, I can swoosh my hair over one shoulder and still get a subtle hit of pineapple (which is both good and bad, as it makes me long for a holiday in the sun, with pineapple cocktails). It's such a fresh scent that leaves my usually always greasy hair feeling light, bouncy and ready for the day ahead. 

I do always have issues with my hair. Really greasy roots make for a really unhappy girl. I have to wash my hair every other day, which I can deal with, but it just gets so lank and boring at the end, I just end up getting annoyed, so I dry shampoo it and throw it up into a ponytail or bun. So yes, my hair is something very frustrating for me. Kinda like my skin... but that's for another blog post (I bet you're all looking forward to that haha). Another product that does its best to sort my hair out is Big shampoo, a sea salt shampoo (with biiiig and small chunks of sea salt) that buffs away dry skin from the scalp, and restores my hair to it's shiny, bouncy goodness. Plus it also makes my hair smell like the sea. Not a really sandy, seaweed kinda sea, but the sea where you can smell the salt in the air, and you just want to dive into its refreshing depths. 

I usually buy those cute little travel bottles of shampoo, but after missing the gloriously fruity, lemony I love Juicy, I just knew that I needed this fresh goodness in my life again - in the big 250ml size, which is £11.25. I think it's a really wonderful price, considering how good it makes my hair feel... and considering how much I spend on the rest of me, I think my hair deserves a fruity wash now and again. Big comes in the most wonderful pot, so you can scoop as much or as little as you want, into your palm, before massaging it onto your scalp. It's £12.75 for 330ml, and it lasts for soooo long, as I only use it about twice a week, to give my scalp a good deep clean, whilst keeping it light, and product build-up free. These shampoos are definite favourites, as I can't use anything synthetic or ladened with plastic, as my hair doesn't agree with it. I can wash my hair, have it look good for a few hours, and then have to wash it again the next day. What's the point, right? In the long run, they cost more, and aren't as good for your hair. 

What are your favourite Lush shampoo products? Any that you think I need to try?

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Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarin Cologne

Say hello to my first Jo Malone purchase. Yes, you read that right: First. Ever. I'm so excited about it. Usually when I used to walk past the store, I was too intimidated to go in, because it was super fancy and i'm... well, not. I do have my fancy moments but I don't really claim to be it, so it was a little overwhelming. I did however, wander in one sunny day last week (the sun in-between the hailstones and tropical rain) and start spritzing away, not really expecting to fancy that many scents. Boy was I wrong. I'm a huge fan of citrus scents, ones that are super fresh, but also have something hidden behind them, a spicy warmth or something. Basically, I didn't even know what I was looking for, but I found myself drawn to two scents in particular. Lime Basil and Mandarin as well as Wood Sage and Sea Salt. One fresh and teaming with citrus, the other earthy and reminiscent of bracing sea winds. I was in a bind.

Ironically, I'd originally gone in to see if there were any of the Herb Garden Collection left, but unable to locate any cologne's that weren't Wild Strawberry and Parsley (I longed to spritz Sorrel and Lemon Thyme), I decided to wander down the impeccably organised glass shelves and see what caught my eye, or my nose, more specifically. Some of the most beautiful glass bottles that would certainly look gorgeous on anyone's dressing table gave way to some of the most amazing scents - so as I stepped down the wall of fragrance, half a dozen tester strips in my hand, I came to a conundrum. That's when I'm going to jump back to my last paragraph. Wood Sage and Sea Salt or Lime Basil and Mandarin? Earthy or citrus? It took some serious deciding, but in the end, the sun cascading through the large windows convinced me that something fruity was needed, and thus, Lime Basil and Mandarin made its way back home with me. We made the hour and a half journey home, and now it's sitting, pride of place on some wonderful marble, on my dressing table. Cue the dreamy sigh. 

Jo Malone describes this as a modern classic, 'Peppery Basil and aromatic white thyme bring an unexpected twist to the scent of limes on a Caribbean breeze'. Cue that dreamy sigh again. Doesn't it just sound like the kinda holiday that you should be having? I can almost see me on a sun drenched beach, turquoise waters lapping languidly, with a drink in one hand and this fragrance in the other. Me, a dreamer? Whatever gave you that impression? 

The combination of lime and mandarin would make for a divine fragrance (or cocktail) but with the basil thrown in and a sprinkling of thyme, this makes it's base notes seem really earth and warm. In my opinion, that makes it almost peppery and spicy, which makes this fragrance so unique; it has so many levels, and as it warms throughout the day, I get different wafts of ingredients. One moment it's zesty lime, the next is a subtle spice of basil, and then it's a heedy warmth of woodiness from the thyme. Plus a splash of mandarin, so what is there not to love about this. I can spritz this on my pulse points in the morning, and still have the lingering scent clinging to my skin by the evening, making this Lime Basil and Mandarin Cologne one of the longest lasting fragrances in my collection. 

It's really dreamy, and just perfect for what I wanted. Now I just need Wood Sage and Sea Salt to make its way into my collection. Lime Basil and Mandarin is £42 for 30ml from Jo Malone. 

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Tom Ford Lipstick in Casablanca with swatches.

I know what you're thinking. Tom Ford. TOM FORD. It's about time I had some of this goodness in my life, and when I was last in London with my boyfriend, I thought, why the hell not? So in Selfridges I decided to treat myself to a little bit from the man himself. It's the first time I'd even seen a Tom Ford counter, as well as Charlotte Tilbury, so it was very, very exciting... almost overwhelming really; it was quite fortunate that I actually come out with something, as I very nearly crumbled and bought nothing. Too much choice. Too many beautiful products to choose from, so in the end, after getting a handful of swatches, I decided that a lipstick was the best product for me. I'm a lipstick addict, as I think you all must know. If there are lipsticks to be had... I'm there like a shot! I must own dozens and dozens by now (I'm being modest, it's probably like 100 by now) and I still always love the idea of buying more. Some people buy shoes, some buy utensils, I buy lipsticks (that's not to say that I don't exactly do the first two either...). So I had narrowed down my choices to either Casablanca or Indian Rose, and whilst they were both stunning and should have come home with me... I just decided upon one.

'I feel like this is the start of a beautiful friendship' and that's how I felt when I held Casablana in my hand. As Casablanca is one of my all time favourite movies, I felt like it was fate; I needed to have this lipstick in my life. 'Here's looking at you, kid' - well, here's looking at you, Tom Ford, for making such a ravishing shade. So I was (Humphrey) Bogarting around, delighted with my choice until I got to the counter and realised how much it was. I'm not going to lie, my heart pretty much stopped. £38. But I thought, as a treat, yes, this is something I need in my life. After that I thought that I needed to protect that little yellow bag with my life, because I was terrified that I'd lose it or leave it somewhere within the vast city. So as time goes by the bag becomes a permeant attachment to my person until I get back to the hotel, in which I promptly hide the bag in my suitcase, wrapped up in a few items of clothing - to protect it. That evening I went to see a show - Motown the Musical - and after having jazz hands all the way back to the hotel bar, and downing a few cocktails, all I could think about was how beautiful my purchase was. Beauty obsessive, right?

Casablanca is described as (the gateway to America) a reddened plum shade with a soft cream finish, and I couldn't agree more with it. It applies and sits very lightly on the lips, despite being so opaque with just one application. I'm going to be a stereotypical blogger and say that I was quite upset at the idea of ruining the embossed TF on the lipstick... as it's just so damn beautiful, so I simply used the other side of it... I still cannot bring myself to mar the perfection of it. It's one of those products that just needs to sit on my vanity, looking beautiful and inspiring admiring exhales - but it's also too beautiful to not use; which is a huge, huge dilemma. The packaging feels heavy and high end, with a simple black casing with gold edging - how classic? Very befitting of the name Casablanca. It even has rare and exotic ingredients to make it even more luxurious, such as soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter and chamomilla flower oil to create an 'ultimate creamy texture with an incredibly smooth application'. Tom Ford's Lip Colour is a luxury, and not one that I'm going to use every day... but it's not going to be a special occasion lipstick either - I think it's going to be one of those 'I fancy a bit of Tom Ford today' lipsticks. With buttery soft application and four to five hour wear time, with no clinging to dry patches, this lipstick is a conversation piece, especially when I dig it out to do some touching up. It catches the eye with it's simple yet extravagant packaging; a mix of minimal and luxury, this packaging tempts you in with the promise of great beauty. It delivers. It really does. 

It's a wonderful luxury lipstick, and I think it's very important to treat yourself every once in a while, but I don't think I'll be buying another for a while. I think my heart still needs to recover after spending £38 on it. It is damn beautiful though and I think it'll always have a place in my heart. I'm strange that way when it comes to products that mean something. For me, this lipstick means a foray into very High End products, my first trip to Selfridges, my first trip to London with my boyfriend and the year that I turn 25. Like the movie says, 'I suspect that under that cynical shell, you're at heart a sentimentalist' and I really do think I am. 

Ahhhh Tom Ford, 'I wish I didn't love you so much'.

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Sally Hansen Nail Polish Collection

Sally Hansen do some of my favourite nail polishes, in some of my favourite colours in one of my favourite formulations. The pigmentation is incredible, even after one application, the formula lasts days and days without chipping (which is a big deal on me) and the range of colours is amazing. Dark to light, subtle to bright, there isn't a colour Sally Hansen hasn't done, and yet the company is still bringing out new shades and making me want to have an entire wardrobe dedicated to nail polish. The bottles, in my opinion, are some of the best in the business, as they look very professional, with an applicator that's easy to handle, a brush that can cover the nail in two to three swipes and easily labelled lids that can help you locate your chosen shade in a matter of moments. What's not to love about these? A long with Maybelline's SuperStay Nail Polish, these are some of my favourite nail polishes ever, and with names as cute as the ones from Essie, I cannot recommend these enough to anyone looking to dive into more nail polish. But you want to know what the colours are so you can run off and buy them right? Well, don't let me delay you. 

On the top row, from left we have: Over the Rainblue, Highgray to Heaven and Short Cir-Cute, three shades that couldn't be more different. A beautiful navy glittering polish, with green sparkles that makes it look like a mermaids tail - a must have, right? Highgray to Heaven is one of my go-to grey shades, a true light grey that is a perfect minimalist nail colour, perfect to wear understated with any outfit. Lastly for this line, it's Short Cir-cute, a really bright pastel orange, perfect for wear with a tan, or on the beach (you can bet that this is going to accompany any trips to the beach this summer) and with it's gel formula, this one lasts even longer. On the toes, it lasts for weeks and weeks with minimal chipping. A brilliant buy for welcoming Summer into your life. 

On the second row we have four lust-worthy shades of pinks and reds. From left we have: Slice of Sunset, Frutti Petutie, Kook a Mango and So much Fawn. The first colour is another kinda pastel bright, one that's not too in your face, but compliments pale and dark skin alike, without being too overwhelming. Frutti Petutie on the other hand is a super bright almost fuchsia pink that says Summertime almost as soon as you look at it. It's a beautiful shade for warmer months. Kook a Mango is possibly one of my favourite colours of all time, and if you have it, you'll understand why. A bright, glossy red that stays on the nails for a whole week with minimal chipping is always a winner by me, and I cannot wait to have this on my nails again. So much Fawn is a softer, duskier pink, pretty perfect for a soft rose-esc look, and ideal for a clean, sleek look without looking like too much effort, or too girly. It keeps a fine line between too much and too little. 

Lastly, we have a line of some of my favourite shades; Moheato, Jaded, Teesta Turqoise and Grey Matters. Moheato is the shade that you'd put on your nails for a night of cocktails on the beach, tossing back mojito after mojito, savouring the mix of mint and rum. This shade reminds me of holidays and the warm sea lapping at my feet. Jaded is a stunning blue-green, almost lagoon like in colour, that once again has me reaching for holiday brochures because I need water that colour in my life again. It's beautiful and I want to book a holiday just so I can wear this; definitely a stunning shade, and possibly another of my favourites. Teesta Turqoise is a shade that I bought when I was looking for Essie's Turquoise and caicos, before I realised that Jaded was rather the perfect dupe for it, so instead I wanted something that was brighter, a more Mediterranean sea under blazing sun, and this is what I found. It's such a tropical shade and actually very similar to Essie's In the Cab-ana. Last, but not least, we have Grey Matters, one of my newest purchases from Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel line, which is a murky grey blue that pretty much reminds me of clay masques, and I think is beautiful on the nails, regardless of the time of year. It's from her 'Street Pastel' shade range, and I think that it's been described very well - a grungy green/grey/blue. 

What are your favourite Sally Hansen shades? Any that I need in my life? 

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