REVIEW: 'Midnight Memories' by One Direction

There was a lot of anticipation on Twitter over the release of this video and I, as a fan of One Direction, must admit I was looking forward to it. Every music video they've released I've loved but with Midnight Memories, I didn't really like it as much. I played the song a few times before the video came out as I was given the album for Christmas (you can read about that HERE), and it wasn't one of my favourites. If I could pick any song from the album that would be released as a single, it'd be Strong, just because I think its just beautiful.

However even though Midnight Memories is a good song, I  just don't think its great. The music video was a little 'plain' as well, usually I love everything One Direction brings out but this one was sort of a disappointment. It might be because the media released paparazzi photos of them filming in London so we sort of knew what was going to happen. I really wish the press would stop doing that, not just with music videos but films as well, it really ruins everything.

The story of the video was a little strange as well. I mean, it starts at a party where they're all bored because its really uneventful (it reminds me of primary school discos where there was balloons and flashing lights - 'them were the days' as the youth would say). Then the music starts and Harry walks in, looking all sexy, as he does, and so the song goes. They then decide to leave the seemingly dull party and gallivant round London, I mean who doesn't?




Anyway, I just wanted to review the song because its been out for almost two weeks and its almost gotten 18 million views on VEVO which is amazing. I had planned to write it straight away but I had blog posts that I wanted to publish first, then I haven't had time to write anything. This is the only day in ages that I haven't had work to do so I thought I'd take advantage of the situation. I've got a few stock-piled for the next few months which I really hate doing as it just feels like I'm cheating but I am determined to publish at least once a fortnight. Let's hope so.

You can watch Midnight Memories yourself HERE.

Feel free to check out my last blog post: My Morning Skin Routine

My Morning Skin Routine

I don't know why the image
is blurry, sorry folks.

Since I've been ill these last few days, I thought I'd write a little post on My Morning Skin Routine as I've had the day off Sixth Form yesterday and thought I needed cheering up a bit. I genuinely love discussing my makeup products and trying new skin things because its just something I enjoy. So let's get cracking!

Again, why so blurry?

The first thing I do when I wake up is use my Bliss Lid + Lash Wash Makeup Remover that my mom bought me. I've probably only used it about 4 or 5 times because I've decided to save it until I've been wearing a lot of eyeliner or mascara the day before. It's really good at just making sure that every ounce of makeup is off your lids and lashes (as the name would suggest, duh). Seriously though, just a quick wipe over your eyes takes everything off and it just feels so much better. Now I don't use it everyday because I use my face wipes for just removing most makeup as they're just a little less harsh. I'm not particularly fussy about the type of face wipes I use, as long as they do the job properly.

Plus, this makeup remover is slightly more expensive than most of the skin things I own so I'm trying to save it. What I do like about it is that it has almost no fragrance and is completely irritant free. There are loads of products that I've used that say that but this one really works. It doesn't hurt my eyes or make them sting or anything, its just a GOOD product.

The next thing I use is my Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing Cleanser which I've already sort of spoke about in my January Favourites 2014 blog post so I won't go on. I use it twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, using a cotton wool pad just to wipe it over my face. Its best when you've been wearing a considerable amount of foundation the day before because it just makes me feel better knowing that my skin is completely unclogged of all that makeup.


The last thing I use is my Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser which I think I've spoken about before as well (it's getting to the point where I can't even remember what I've written on this blog so sorry its I'm repeating myself). You can read that blog post HERE, and that was written weeks ago and I still like it so. It makes my face feel all soft and lovely and "plump" - that might be the wrong word but that's the only descriptive word I can think, and I do A-Level English. I should be ashamed.

You can read my previous blog post here: Review: 'That Awkward Moment'

REVIEW: 'That Awkward Moment'

I wanted to write a quick review on the film as I absolutely loved it, so here's what I thought about it.

Last Wednesday, I went to the cinema with my three best friends to watch a film; we were going to see the Delivery Man the week before but something came up with one of my friends, so we changed the date until the week after to watch That Awkward Moment. I wasn't really expecting much because it was a last minute decision but I ended up really enjoying it. It's actually HILARIOUS. The premise is that there are three male friends played by Zac Efron, Miles Teller and Micheal B. Jordan, who suddenly all find themselves single at the same time.

They decide to make a pact to stay single and 'try to build up their roster'- a term I've only just learnt which means a group of people who you have who are willing to sleep with you and can be called upon at any time to fulfil such duties, the more you know eh? Obviously its not as easy as that, and so the film shows the struggles of them trying to maintain single and failing.

The story was okay I guess, there were parts that it sort of jumped and didn't really make any sense but apart from that it was a good film. What I will say though is that the comedic timing was absolutely spot-on. I think the jokes were well written as well, so much so that I think its sort of the perfect film for teenagers and young adults because there's a lot of good humour.

One thing that I was really surprised about was the amount of sexual jokes there were, and trust me there was a lot. I wasn't expecting as much swearing as there was either, especially since its Zac Efron. I don't think I've seen another of his films apart from the High School Musical movies so I was a bit surprised. Happily surprised. I forgot about how gorgeous Zac is and if anybody needs a reminder, this film is PERFECT for that.

Feel free to check out my last blog post: January Favourites 2014

January Favourites 2014

Since its the end of January, I thought I'd better write a post on my monthly favourites so far. There haven't actually been a lot but I have enjoyed every single one of them so its probably best I get started. So let's go!


Makeup Products:

Seventeen High Drama Intense Liquid Eyeliner: I was given this as part of a eyeliner set from my mom for Christmas and I was just going to continue to use my Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Eyeliner until I'd finished. But for some reason, I just felt like a bit of a change I don't know why. I tried out all of the eyeliners from the set and I liked them all, so I doubt I'm ever going to have to buy some myself because I've got loads now. I might do a full review on that set soon because I think its a really good product in general. I've just had a look online at the price of just this liquid eyeliner and it was only about £4 which I think is brilliant.

Nail Products:

Elegant Touch Rapid Dry For Nails: I love this soooo much. I've only just starting using it even though I know I've had it for months, maybe even years. It sounds really stupid but I've just never thought about it so I would complain that my nails were smudged because it took too long to dry, and just not use it. Now this spray dries my nail varnish so quickly, like within 60 seconds or so. Now one thing that I have found that it does, is that sometimes when you paint your nails a bright colour, after a day or so, the colour starts to fade and it doesn't look right. This spray keeps the colour for longer which I like so I think its a good product. Again, its pretty cheap so I think its a great product to invest in if you, like me, are too impatient to wait for your nails to dry.

Face Products:

Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing Cleanser: I feel like my mom bought something from the Clean & Clear collection a few years ago when I had just started getting all spotty and everything. I obviously didn't use it at all because I didn't really see the importance of skin care when I was like 12 or so. Now, my skin has been okay for years but these last few months have just been awful for my face. So, I have decided to cleanse twice a day, NO EXCUSES. I've actually seen the benefits in the last few weeks and I just feel better as well knowing that I have done all I can to help my poor skin.


TV:

The Tomorrow People: This is an American TV about people with powers and them having to hide from those who want to hunt them. I have really gotten into it lately, there has only been a few episodes because it takes forever for UK channels to play them. I mean, sometimes a series in America might have already ended before it starts over here, I mean what the hell? I have to fight the urge not to look up what happens on Wikipedia because I have absolutely no patience, as we have already established.

 

Feel free to check out my last blog post: Top Five Beauty Tips





Top Five Beauty Tips

Hello folks, now it feels like its been forever since I've written a post even though it hasn't even been two weeks. Its probably because I've been so busy starting back with Sixth Form and everything, plus my laptop has broken so I've had to use my mom's for today while she's at work. Now I thought I'd write a post about my Top Five Beauty Tips because I've been really lazy with my skin and hair routine over the past few months; I think that if I post and physically release it into the world then I have absolutely NO excuse. So, lets get started!

• The first tip is to always condition thoroughly; now I have really frizzy hair and I've always sort of complained about it but never done anything about it. I've looked online and saw that some things that are supposed to be really good, are also REALLY expensive. Now, this was an accident actually but I used the biggest handful of conditioner ever and it actually worked. My hair started to become less frizzy which meant that my curls hung more; this makes my hair look a lot longer than it actually is which I think looks so much better. Now the conditioner I use is the Tresemme Salon Silk Conditioner which isn't for any particular reason than that my mom bought that one. I really like it because it makes my hair feel really soft and smooth. It also smells nice as well which is a bonus.

• My second tip is to always use lip balm; I've only just started using it regularly which is awful. I bought some lip balm and then I was given Nivea lip set for Christmas; I use it every single day, sometimes even twice a day. I hate thinking about the way my lips used to bleed because of how cracked they were, it was absolutely vile. I love the way my lips feel now though, because they just feel plump and lovely. Its just great.

• The third tip is to use Vaseline as a makeup remover; now I had been using makeup wipes which aren't the best for your eyes and they can irritate your skin. Plus, they don't always remove things like eyeliner and mascara which means that if you shower, you can get 'panda eyes'. I put Vaseline on my eyelashes after looking it up online because I wanted them to grow longer and thicker. Then I found out that if you swipe a cotton bud across your lash line, it removes the makeup so much easier and avoids any gunk that will clog up in your eyes.

• The fourth tip is to always moisturise; I always moisturise my face using the Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser because it just makes my skin feel soft and refreshed. I do it after I cleanse and before I do my makeup. I use it because of the fact that it gives my face a certain glow which makes my foundation look better. Plus, I do it at night before I go to bed but using Nivea Soft Refreshingly Moisturising Cream because it isn't as shiny as my morning one. I don't know where I bought my morning moisturiser, I feel like I've just had loads of makeup items and things that I've only started using recently... how strange. I don't have so much as a regular routine for my body moisturiser as I have loads of bottles from beauty sets from Christmases and birthdays. I usually just use the matching moisturiser with the shower gel because it feels really wrong to use a peach-scented soap with a chocolate-flavoured lotion. I mean, ew.

• My last and final tip is to always look online when plucking your eyebrows; everybody has them but not everyone knows how to style them properly. Point being ME, circa 2010. I had never really bothered with my eyebrows until I was about 12 or so but when I look back at old photos of me from before that, I wish someone had plucked them properly because they are absolutely awful. Now for about a year or so perhaps, I didn't really do much with them apart from slightly pluck between them and underneath. However, around year 9 I began to take more interest and started plucking them intensely. The word 'over-pluck' is definitely not the word because I went from having quite large brows to the thinnest line of hair ever. They were absolutely ridiculous, I mean, I have a huge head, I'm not going to lie, which made it even worse. They took about a YEAR AND A HALF to grow back completely and ever since then, I have carefully thought out how often I pluck my eyebrows and where I do it. Over the last few weeks, I've been trying to fill out my left eyebrow because it doesn't match my right eyebrow (its such a fuss I tell you). I've been using guides online to try to shape to the best of my ability and its sort of working I guess. My advice for anyone thinking of plucking their eyebrows is to look online first and see the best way to do it because trust me, you will regret it otherwise.

REVIEW: 'Adore You' by Miley Cyrus

She has done it AGAIN. Miley Cyrus has made another video that has caused controversy about the... um delicate subject matter. Now if people think the 'Wrecking Ball' video was graphic, HOLY COW, watch 'Adore You' and you will never feel clean again (I'm slightly exaggerating this for comic effect but you get the gist). Again, just like last time, I think the actual song itself is brilliant. Miley's voice sounds frickin' amazing in this song, it really really does. She sounds absolutely fantastic and I'm not just saying it because she does. That song really plays to her vocal strengths which is a sort of raspy but incredibly beautiful sound.

However, the music video makes me feel violated. I really don't need the image of her writhing around in bed touching herself, just burning in my mind, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. It just looks really wrong. And I'm speaking as a teenager myself so all the adults out there cannot say that this is what we want. Because it really isn't. When 'Wrecking Ball' came out, a lot of her fans defended her on Twitter and I can understand looking back on it because I guess it was "artistic", if you like that sort of thing. Now this video has came out, I see many of those same people sort of questioning her... 'judgement', shall we say?

I know that she's probably top of the charts and I guess that's why she made the video as intense as it is, so people will continue to talk about it because of its graphic nature, and then the song will get stuck in their heads and that's what will make them buy the single. But I think she missed a trick, I mean she could have made the same style of video if she wanted to if that was the inspiration for the song was but just less pornographic. We didn't need to see everything as crudely as it was made. She could have been more vague I guess in the way the video was portrayed, I mean that's what I thought anyway and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, right?

I watched her documentary on MTV and she said something like "people think I'm a hot mess, but it's a strategic hot mess" and it begs the question, what kind of strategy is she going for? And what's coming next? I'd hate for her to be the next Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears, I know they have their lives together now but for a while, and I hate to say this but it was pretty touch and go. I remember reading articles about them when I was younger (circa 2007) and just being worried for them, you know? They were the people that a lot of young kids looked up to, I know I did. I had every single album of Britney's; my friend and I used to choreograph dances to her songs, just wishing we were "as cool as she was". I don't want this Miley to be the person my younger cousins look up to. Vocally and musically, she is perfect and I do love a lot of her songs but this video is just too far. Sorry, folks, that's just my honest opinion.

To watch the 'Adore You' music video: click HERE

To watch the 'Wrecking Ball' music video: click HERE

To read my blog post on the 'Wrecking Ball' music video: click HERE

What I Got For Christmas 2013

Its a few days after Christmas and I thought I'd write about some of the presents I received. I absolutely love them all; I think this might have been the best Christmas just in general. I got everything I wanted, spent a bit of time with my family and ate tons of food. I'm telling you, I have no idea how I'm going to get back into my jeans for school because for the last 3 days, I've just been wearing the comfiest, cosiest clothes known to man. Here's some of the presents that I just love (P.S. I'm really not bragging at all, I just thought it be nice for people to read if they need to buy gifts for a teenage girl- I know we can be unreliable at times but with these presents, you simply can't go wrong).



Clothes: Now this year, my mom gave me her laptop to look online and see what I wanted from New Look. She told me to put everything I wanted into the basket and she's pick a few things from there to give me. I think this was the best idea ever because no only did I get stuff that I actually wanted but it was still a surprise because I didn't know what she was getting me from my basket.





I would recommend this to people who perhaps want to buy clothes but they're not really sure what style that particular person likes. Also, they pick their own size for clothes or shoes so you don't have to guess and get it wrong. Now, here's some of the stuff that I got. My style tends to be really simple and casual, I like plain T-shirts with some sort of cool pattern on them. That's what the majority of my wardrobe is and I just wear them with jeans or jeggings because it suits me and my body shape best.




.
Shoes: I got 2 pairs of shoes this year; my mom bought me some beautiful brown chunky boots, again from the New Look website. I wasn't sure if she was going to buy me them because when I looked, they didn't have my size. She bought them anyway and had to later exchange them for a smaller size but I really REALLY love them. They're so beautiful and comfortable.







I also got given a pair of white Converse from my auntie and uncle which I really needed because I've been wearing the same pair of shoes for months because my last pair of Converse and the ones before those ripped in the exact same place and I don't know why. Guess I just have to be more careful this time.


Nightwear: I was given 3 pairs of pyjamas so I got rid of a few old pairs to replace them. I was also given a onesie and this is the first time I've ever owned one. I literally wore it all day on Boxing Day because it was so comfortable and lovely. I hate having to wash my new things, I just want to wear for weeks on end and if I could, I definitely would. I got a new burgandy hoodie which I've decided that I might just keep it as part of my nightwear if I get chilly rather than it actually being something I'd wear outside. Its so comfy and it looks great with a pair of navy tracksuit bottoms that I also was given.

Lovestruck by Vera Wang

Perfume: I don't actually wear a lot of perfume, not because I don't like them because I absolutely do. It's just that I have dozens of bottles of cheap body spray and I have this compulsive need to use them first. The problem is that by the time I've got down to using all my body spray, Christmas or my birthday comes and I get more. This happened again this year and now I've got a box of sprays and about 5 perfumes. 


Cosmetics: I was surprised at the fact that I didn't get a lot of makeup this year but I'm actually really happy because I do not have enough space in my drawer for that. It's completely full with things so that's cool.
I was given 3 different sets of nail polish; one from Essie from my friend which I was really happy about because it was the Winter Collection 2013 and the colours are beautiful. Now here, I would usually include a photo of them but I would like to do an extensive blog post on all the nail polishes I have so look out for that in the future.


Music: My other friend bought me the One Direction CD Midnight Memories which I asked for because even know I'm 16 years old, I am still a fan. I tried to not listen to their album until I was actually physically given the CD but I just couldn't help myself. I looked it up and just listened to their brilliance all the way through. Now I have to say, I like their music and will always have a soft spot in my heart for Harry Styles. So sue me.



DVD: Last but not least, one of my favourite gifts ever, my boxset of NCIS: Los Angeles off my mother. I'm already onto season 3 and I just love it. I think it was actually a bad decision buying this for me because I'm just watching countless amounts of episodes instead of planning my English coursework or completing my Statistics revision.

Oh well. What can I say, eh? It's the Christmas week. I refuse to believe that it can only be celebrated on the 25th, I'm going to go against the rules and extend it for a whole week. Who's with me?

Christmas Nail Art

As you know, I've been getting into the "Christmas spirit" a lot more these last few weeks, usually I don't really care and I don't know why this year I'm suddenly really interested, who knows? I've been listening to Christmas music on repeat and even painted my nails all Christmassy and festive.

Now I wanted to do something really incredible and fantastic but I thought I should try something simpler first because I don't have the steadiest hand. My friend comes into school with beautifully painted nails with different patterns and little pictures on and I'm always so jealous. I had a little look on online and decided to try one particular pattern; here's how it turned out..

So if you want to recreate 'Santa Hat Nail Art' just in time for Christmas, here's what I did:

I painted the entire nail with a lovely champagne glittery colour; its called Golden Touch and its from the Fearne Cotton nail range- I tried to find the link online but I think it might have been part of a limited edition set but you can always substitute it with Gold Lining also by Fearne. I use Golden Touch a lot just on its own because its really pretty and sparkly. I tend to use 2 coats because I think it needs that extra build up but this time, I just used one coat because I didn't want to make it look too intense or anything, I just needed a base coat and I found that it just looks really nice. This one drys really quickly so by the time I had done both hands, I could start the next part.

Next I used a red nail varnish to do the tips of my nails, I wouldn't bother trying to make the edge neat like you would if you were doing a French manicure because its only going to be covered with the white nail polish. What I would say though is make sure that if you have rounded nails like I do, then don't round the red nail polish. I did mine in a straight line across the nail because I think it looks better that way. I don't know which colour or what collection the red I used was from because it doesn't have anything to identify it but I'm sure it'll work fine with any red nail polish. This also drys quickly because you're not using a lot of nail polish to be honest but make sure as I slightly smudged my little finger of my right hand and had to fix it properly.


After this, I simply 'dotted' a white nail polish at the edge of where the red and champagne colour meets to make the fluffy rim of Santa's hat. This might be the part where people go wrong and trust me, I did. Especially on my right hand because I'm right handed and hand to try to work with precision with my left hand. The good thing about this is that you can always fix it with the champagne colour if the white has gone too low down on your nail. Again, I'm not sure where this white polish is from, I think its from Avon maybe. I know its part of the French manicure set but apart from that, pretty much clueless.

The last thing I did was use a top coat and I always ALWAYS use the same one because I don't know if its supposed to do this or not but it drys amazingly well on your nails. Plus if you have some on your fingers, which I always do as I'm not the best, its an absolute life saver and you can just pick it off like PVA glue (damn that was the best time in primary school).

I hope you enjoyed this, I certainly did and I'm very happy with the results. Have a great Christmas :)

UPDATE DECEMBER 2013

This makes me sad that this
isn't even all of my work.

Now, I wanted to write this post because a few days ago, I was honestly just fed up of Sixth Form. The first half-term was pretty much fine, it wasn't too bad settling in to a new school or trying to do the work. Everyone said that "the step between GCSE and A-Levels is much bigger than anything you'll do" and to be honest, I did think it was sort of an exaggeration because I didn't find the work difficult at all. But it has FINALLY hit me.

Not just the countless amount of essays I have to write for English or the ridiculously complicated equations that I have to solve for Mathematics, but the tiredness and stress of Sixth Form. Also, waking up at half 6 and leaving for school by half 7 is definitely a challenge, especially lately. I mean, some days when I leave the house, the sun hasn't even rose yet. It can actually be like pitch black when I leave the house which I hate, especially since I have to walk 15 minutes on my own.

If that flaming ball of fire can't even be bothered to get up then I don't see why I should, do you?

I have to say that I have never felt as absolutely exhausted as I have in the last few weeks. I've been literally having 9 hours sleep and that's still not enough; I think because I walk for 2 hours to school and back, it just takes it out of me. Especially because I have the worst timetable so I stay all day when my friends have lie-ins and half-days. I've also been ill for a few days so that was absolutely beautiful *coughs* sarcasm. I'm hardly ever ill so when I am, its a BIG deal (for me anyway).


I think it so sad that the only thing that gets me through the week is the promise and hope of the joy that is FRIDAY. Never have I ever sympathized with Rebecca Black as much as I do now (look at me referencing popular culture- only 2 years late, woo).

November Favourites 2013

I've decided that I'm only going to do my monthly favourites when I have a good handful of things that I've been enjoying. That's why I didn't do one for October because I didn't really use anything new and if I did, I started it at the end of the month and decided to push it into this Favourites post. So lets get started, it might be a long one so I apologise right now.. Enjoy.

Makeup Products:

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner 24hr in Intense Black: I don't actually know how long I've had this but I know that I didn't open it because I wasn't really sure about how to use it. It does take a few tries to understand but I think I've got it, I use it everyday for school and its really easy to apply now. This is probably the best eyeliner I've ever tried and funnily enough, my friend asked me which eyeliner to buy and I told her that she should definitely get this one because its just so good. I don't think I'm ever going to buy another one, I might just keep re-buying this one every time I run out. But to be honest, I don't think will ever happen because I've hardly made an indent into the little pot and I use it every day and have done for a good few months so its definitely a good product to invest in.
You can get this HERE.

Maybelline Fit me! power in 315 Soft Honey: Again, I've only just started using this powder because I'd already opened the Rimmel London Lasting Minder Powder Foundation (which you can read about here). I think that its okay for a powder, I mean it does its purpose by taking away the shine on my face which I absolutely hate. I'm not really into shimmer at all, I just think a matte look is so much better for me. I also have the matching foundation which I think is a bit too orangey for my skin colour so I only use a tiny bit for school.

ChapStick in Strawberry: I only bought this because I'd ran out of my other lip balm; it was only £1.05 from Boots and that was the amount of change I had left in my purse. It's pretty good and it makes my lips feel soft for a good few hours which I guess is its only purpose yet nevertheless, a good purchase.

Clothes:

Khaki Fur Trim Hooded Parka: I've only had this for a few days yet I know that I'm going to love it, I've only wore it to school for one day but its so warm and lovely. I was really hesitant to get a coat because I never think one suits me. A bit padded one tends to dwarf my figure but I really love this one. I think that it suits me well and keeps me warm and that's all I really need. You can tell that parkas are in fashion at the moment because pretty much every person at my school wears one so yay for a lack of complete uniqueness.
You can get one HERE.





TV:

NCIS: Los Angeles: This is my new obsession. I know, I know, only last month it was Criminal Minds but now I'm over that. I watched as many episodes as I could but now I'm onto the next thing. I'm very fickle with things like that. I really want Kensi and Deeks to get together because I think they would be the perfect couple and I've even asked my mom to buy me the boxset for Christmas because I love it so much. I hope she doesn't confuse NCIS: Los Angeles with NCIS, because that's a completely different show with different characters and for some reason, I just can't get into it. It only started in 2003 but I don't know if its just my TV, but it looks like it was filmed in the 70's because the filter seems really grey and fuzzy. It's just not good. Whereas, NCIS: Los Angeles is bloody brilliant and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a bit of action/ crime on telly.