Jeffree Star "DREAMHOUSE" Velour Liquid Lipstick Swatch & Review

Hello, lovelies!

Now, I know you've probably seen 300 reviews on Jeffree Star's liquid lipsticks, but I recently got my hands on one, and oh. My. God. I love it. This post is probably just going to be me saying "I LOVE IT" a million times, so strap yourselves in, this is going to be a wild one.

After eyeing it up for what felt like forever, I finally took the leap and bought it from beautybay.com alongside a whole bunch of other beauty bits I've been lusting after. The mini haul included some Makeup Geek shadows, a Z Palette, an Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow definer, and this absolute beauty of a lipstick.

Packaged in the standard Jeffree Star pink and star-clad design, the sparkle from the lipstick is obvious even before you open it. It's a lot lighter than I had originally anticipated considering it has so much product in it, which is a bonus, as it's a solid addition to your makeup bag but definitely won't weigh you down.

On to the swatches!

SO. SPARKLY. 

I used my DSLR camera to take these photos, and honestly, I could die happy with how the formula came out. I was worried it wouldn't come across in pictures, but it definitely does. Buttery and thick, the glitter does make the formula a little bit gloopy, but if you can deal with that it really is a dream. Dries super quickly, doesn't smudge (however it never got the kiss test from me - so be careful if you're gonna be smooching your sweetness.) and, luckily, it doesn't have a strong scent like a lot of liquid lipsticks I've tried.

Always being one for bold lips, I usually stick to dark reds and purples, so snatching up this fluorescent pink was very out of character for me. However, I am so super crazy glad that I did, because I freaking love it.

And just so you can see how beautiful it comes across in selfies -

Thank you so much for reading, and as always... 

I'll see you next time, then.

Ree xo

Why Photo Editing Is Important

Hello, lovelies!

Now, I've always been a sucker for photo editing apps. The most I've spent on one was £7.99. Yikes. However recently I've been focusing on a few specific ones. All to improve my Instagram, blog, Twitter, and even my Facebook aesthetic. I'm one of those people who have a separate folder for everything on my phone. I mean, everything. Editors, Social Media, Games, white noise makers, the whole lot have their own folder.

What can I say? I'm an organised person.

The difference in engagement my photos get when they've been edited is crazy. I've seen an edited photo get 100+ likes on Instagram, and an unedited one just barely reach 20. Plus - editing is slightly addicting.

So before I start to ramble, let's get into it.

I'm mainly going to focus on Facetune, PicFX, Instasize and VSCO, but if you would like to know about the others let me know!

Facetune: 

I know you've probably seen 300,000,000 bloggers go on about this app, but seriously, if you haven't tried it, please do. It comes with features to whiten your teeth, sharpen objects, blur out backgrounds, everything. I mainly use the whiten feature for the backgrounds of photos - believe it or not, the photo above was seriously dark before I edited it. For selfies I use the smoothing tool to just soften things up a little, and the detail tool for bringing out my eyes!

PicFX/VSCO:

I'm grouping these two together because they are very, very similar. I use both for putting slight filters on photos I feel need a little something. In PicFX I use the PFX Film folder, and always go for PFX 5. Using the slider to edit the intensity of the filter, I usually apply it twice and adjust it both times. Weird, I know, but it's habit, and I feel like it makes them look best. In VSCO I alternate between F2 and G3. Again using the slider to edit the intensity, I'll usually only use this for blog pictures! It makes them look sharpest, I think.

Instasize:

I. Love. This. App. It was my saving grace when I had an all white border theme on my Instagram (two years ago, wow?!) and now I use it on my Facebook photos. It makes them look so much more appealing, and they get so much more engagement when they look better. When you open the app and pick your photo you're taken to the editing screen, where you can chose how you want to go about editing. I go to the end option to select the border, and usually just stick with white, but if I feel like being fancy (or I want a whole outfit & face picture on my Instagram because I look great) I'll use the blur option, it uploads the same picture to the background and blurs it, simple!

For an example of just how much of an improvement photo editing can be, I'm going to put in a before and after of a photo I took & uploaded to Instagram today.

See how much difference just whitening the background and sharpening the case can make? A simple picture of a DVD case made so much nicer just by 5 minutes on these apps!

On a side note; how good is Moana?! I LOVE IT. 

Thank you so much for reading, and I'll see you next time, then. 

Ree xo 

Update: IT'S APRIL?!

Hello, lovelies!

Um, can someone tell me where the first three months of this year have gone? Seriously, I'm not convinced they even happened.

I have no idea where to even begin with this post. My birthday passed without a hitch, February was a month of interviews and a few doctors appointments, and in March I got quite possibly the best news I've ever gotten -

I'm going to college.

Now, that might not seem like a big deal to a lot of people, everyone goes to college, right? Well, for me, it's the first step I've taken into getting back into education for almost 5 years. I dropped out of high school at 16 for several reasons, mainly illness related, and since then I hadn't once thought about going back into education. I always thought I'd be better learning as I go than being stuck in a classroom, y'know?

Anyway, I found a college near by that did an entry level Beauty & Makeup course that leads down the makeup route, which continues on to Fashion & SFX Makeup, which is everything I want to do with my life. So, I plucked up the courage one morning in January at 5am when my insomnia was being it's usual, annoying self, and I applied.

I interviewed for the course in February, and five days later I got an email telling me I had a definite place. I'm not going to lie, I absolutely cried. I sobbed like a baby and phoned every member of my family and friends I could think of at the time.

So now it's April, and I'm a step closer to knowing what I'm doing with my life! Yay!

I'm hoping to start bringing more makeup posts to this blog, tutorials, reviews etc.!

I hope you're not all too mad at me for disappearing again, I truly don't mean to! I just get very caught up in life, and my own head at times, that a lot of important things like blogging, eating, showering, all take a bit of a backseat.

But I'm here now! Let's do this!

I leave this post with a question; have you tried Eldora lashes? What was your opinion? Personally I love them, the M106s are my favourite and I wore them today, because obviously lazy Sunday's at home are for big, glamorous eye looks! Shameless selfie? Shameless selfie!

I'll see you next time, then.

Ree xo

12 Days of Blogmas: Day 7 - My Plans For 2017

Hello, lovelies!

Christmas is 6 sleeps away. I'm so excited, it's time for me to break out my Christmas bedding. Are you all excited?

Today's post is going to be a bit different, it's a list of things I'm planning to achieve in 2017, so next Blogmas I can look back and see how well I've done. I find making lists helps me a lot, especially at this time of year, so it's a list you're going to get.

By the end of 2017 I will have:

• Turned 21 (not that I have a choice - my birthday is in 39 days.)
• Passed my driving test
• Travelled
• Blogged weekly 
• Vlogged more
• Found inner happiness
• Started saving for my own apartment
• Finished decorating

It's not a long list, but I think if it was any longer I wouldn't be able to realistically complete it. I am looking forward to turning 21, if not only for the night out I'm having the weekend before it, but I'm definitely looking forward to travelling, and hopefully passing my driving test, I feel like I've been learning forever. 

Do you guys remember in June 2015 I posted about getting 2 kittens? That's one of them in the picture I used for this post! Isn't he getting big?!

Anyway, that's it, lovelies!

Tomorrow I'm having early Christmas, which is a tradition myself and two friends do every year, so tomorrows post will be later in the day, but a lot more interesting! See you all then!

Ree xo

12 Days of Blogmas: Day 6 - Last Minute Gift Ideas

Hello, lovelies!

Half way through already, can you believe it? I don't know what I'm going to do when Blogmas ends, I may just have to keep going with this daily blogging, because I'm loving it.

With Christmas a week today, I thought I'd do a quick high-street last minute gift guide.Everything on this list is under £20 and available from Boots, so if you want to get last minute stocking fillers, or just that one extra present for your mum, sister, best friend - I got you covered, boo.

1: No7 Illuminated Makeup Mirror

LINK

I - personally - would love to receive this as a gift. It's on offer for £19.99 rather than £49.99 so you're really getting a bargain, plus what makeup obsessed beauty doesn't need a light up mirror? It's by my trusty No7 as well, so if you want quality for a good price you're in the right place.

2: Soap & Glory Soaper Spa

LINK

My mum and I have actually bought 5 of these for different family members, because it's just too good of a deal to pass up on. All of the products in this box should retail at about £45, but you're getting it for £20! Can you say bargain? Especially since 3/7 of the products are full size, with the fourth and fifth being travel sized samples and then the two shower loofas. It's just too good. I'm going to pick one up for myself to be honest.

3: Sanctuary Stay Home & Relax

LINK

At this time of year there's nothing better than having a cosy night in with candles and movies. This Sanctuary kit is perfect as it comes with two scented candles, two reed diffusers with ten reeds, and a scented room spray, so making your living room cosy will be no hassle whatsoever. Give this to that one person who you know will love sitting with their candles lit, The Grinch on TV, and a hot chocolate.

4: Jack Wills Winter Warmer Gift Set

LINK

This. Is. Gorgeous. And it's a steal considering how expensive Jack Wills usually is! With a mug, a microwaveable mug warmer, hot chocolate sachets and mini marshmallows, this is the way to any girls heart. 

5: Zoella Lazy Days Fragranced Candle & Socks Set

LINK

Sets like this are the perfect stocking filler or last minute Secret Santa, so I couldn't really leave this off this list. Of course having the beautiful Zoe Sugg's branding on it bumps the price up a bit, but how cosy do those socks look?! It's definitely worth it for that one YouTube obsessed little cousin everyone has. (If any of my cousins are reading this - that's me. This is what I want. Please.) 

6: Soap & Glory Simply The Zest

LINK

Soap & Glory's SugarCrush scent is probably my most favourite scent in the world. I love it. It's perfect for waking you up and getting you ready for the day, but also lifting your spirits when you're feeling a bit low. If you know someone who is bubbly and bouncy and energetic, this is perfect for them! 

So, my lovelies! That's it! I loved making this list and if I'm honest I've added 5 of them onto my Christmas list - whoops! 

I'll see you all tomorrow for Blogmas day 7!

Ree xo

12 Days of Blogmas: Day 5 - Chronic Illness Doesn't Take a Break For The Holidays

Hello, lovelies!

I'm not one to really complain about things, but today's post is going to be complaining. I hope you don't mind.

I suffer from Fibromyalgia. "But Ree, what even is that?" I hear you ask, well, it's a rheumatic muscle medical condition that is characterised by wide spread pain and increased pain response to pressure on the body. Also can cause migraines, insomnia, depression, memory problems, sensitivity to noise and light, and in my case - IBS. Fun, right?

I wish I could say it takes a break for the holidays, and everything is fun and merry and I can go shopping and visit family without being in pain, but it doesn't, and I can't. My day shopping on Thursday (two days ago) is the reason why I'm on the sofa today, with a V-shaped pillow helping me sit up right, having to have everything I need within arms reach, and wishing I hadn't fallen up the stairs on my way to the bathroom.

While diet changes and life style changes have helped in the way I deal with certain aspects of this, it doesn't make it go away. Pain killers don't make it go away, anti-depressants don't make it go away, and lying in bed all day feeling sorry for myself certainly doesn't make it go away - however the latter is sometimes necessary. My legs just don't like working sometimes.

Of course there are days where it's not as bad, and those are the days I try to get most things done. Clean, work-out, shop, write, see family and friends - everything. Sometimes if I'm lucky I get two of those days in a row, and then I really go crazy, but once those days are done and dusted, it can take me a week, or longer, to recover. There are days where I don't feel like throwing all my clothes in the bin because even just wearing a tshirt makes me upper body feel like there's an elephant sitting on it. There are days when I can give my mum a proper hug because having someone else touch me doesn't send firey sparks right through me. There are days, but those days are few and far in between.

You learn to live with it, but at 20 years old I do get upset with the fact that, well, I do just have to live with it. I'd love to be able to not cancel plans, not have to message my friends saying "I'm so sorry but I can't walk", "I know you wanted to go out, but can we just watch movies at mine instead?", I wish I didn't have to have a wheelchair card for if I'm in town and start to struggle walking.

I don't want to make this post too long, because I know people can only read "woe is me" type posts for so long, but getting this off my chest is incredibly therapeutic for me.

So, I'll leave this here, in hopes that if you have friends, family, or even just acquaintances with a chronic illness, you don't get annoyed with them during the holiday's. They would love to come see you, come Christmas shopping with you, come on a night out with you, but sometimes, we just can't.

I'll see you all tomorrow for Blogmas Day 6!

Ree xo

12 Days of Blogmas: Day 4 - My Favourite Christmas Songs

Hello, lovelies!

In my opinion there are 3000 things that make this time of year the best time of year, but without a doubt one of the best is the music! Shopping centres, adverts, taxis, everywhere has got these beautiful tunes blaring, and it makes everything feel so much more cosy. Today's Blogmas post is about my personal favourite Christmas songs, the ones I listen to when I'm getting ready, on the bus, doing dishes, making dinner, or even just sitting around in my festive pug jumper and penguin pyjama bottoms writing blog posts. (read - right this very second.)

We'll start with the Christmas song that has been my favourite since I was a tiny human -

Fairytale of New York by The Pogues Ft. Kirsty MacColl 

This song is always the song that gets me the most excited for Christmas. I've known all the words since I was at least 4, and it's always the song my mum and I undoubtedly belt out at the top of our lungs together. It's just such a feel good, it's officially Christmas type of song, and I think I'll love it for the rest of my days. Never will I tire of this song, with its tongue in cheek lyrics and hilarious exchanges between the two singers, it's a classic.

For those who know me, this next song will be no surprise since the singer is one of my favourite people to walk the planet -

Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande

I could go on for hours about how Ariana is my baby, but I won't. Instead I'll just say how cosy this song makes me feel, the addition of jingling bells in the background really makes Ariana's beautiful voice sound like perfection, and every time I listen to this song I just get so beyond happy, and so beyond ready for Christmas. (Also, her whole Christmas and Chill EP.)

Last Christmas by Wham!

This song is a classic, do I really need to write about it? It's been covered by anyone and everyone, (including Miss Grande) but the original will always be the best version. To me it doesn't really feel like Christmas until this song has come out from the shadows, and I've dramatically sang along and acted it out in the shower. 

Don't Let The Bells End by The Darkness

I love this song honestly for the hilarity of the video. My mum always played this song near Christmas time, and it's always on a good few music channels too, so I've really grown up with it, and it's an absolute cracker. Like I mentioned the video is absolutely hilarious and always gets a good giggle out of me when I see it. Definitely on this list, definitely going to be on this list for a long, long time. 

I don't want to make this list too long, because I could honestly make this about 30 songs long, so I'll stop here, with these four absolute Christmas bangers.

I hope you enjoyed today's post, and I'll see you all tomorrow for Day 5! 

Ree xo