First month of Uni - The actual essentials.

So I've been at University for just over a month now, and for some people it can be quite daunting (I've always loved the prospect personally). Moving out from home, moving in to Uni, meeting new people, lectures etc is quite a lot to handle. I quickly realised my routine from home had gone out of the window, and new essentials for my life appeared that helped me through freshers and the initial month of Uni.

1. Dry Shampoo - Freshers = Late Nights = Getting up late and rushing to a lecture with no time to wash your hair. There will be a time when your hair will look grim and you have 5 minutes until a lecture/Seminar, trust me, you will need this product in your life.

2. Instant Coffee Sachets - I found out very quickly that in the morning I need a hot coffee to keep me conscious during my 9am Monday lecture. That caffeine boost may be what you need to make the morning bearable, it was a miracle for me.

3. Face wipes - That skin routine you have? Yeah wave goodbye to that during freshers, you will not have the energy or effort to do it. Face wipes are the way forward, they are also good for UV face paint and the like.

4. Planner/ Diary - The first month will be busy, and first impressions are key so you don't want to be late or miss lectures, so get organised.

5. Plasters - Someone is either going to cut themselves cooking (or grate their finger like I did), or drunkenly fall over.

6. Quick food e.g. Pot Noodle - One time in this month, you will be either up late and get hungry, or not have the time or effort to make a decent meal.

7. Playing Cards - Card games are a great way to socialise, and you need some ready for drinking games!

8. Extension Lead - Uni accommodation can be very limited when it comes to plug sockets, and with all the electricals I bet you own, an extension lead is vital.

9. Door stop - Open door policies will break down those awkward social barriers between you and your new house mates, and are the best way to get to know everyone quickly.

10. Photos of Friends and Family - Make your room feel homely, it'll help you settle easier.

11. Lemsip/ Cold and Flu medicines - Freshers flu WILL happen and trust me, it's a bitch. Be prepared so you can fight it off quickly.

12. Speakers/Alarm Clock - Everyone loves a bit of music to prepare for a night off (if you don't then what's wrong with you?!) and after this night out, there is no way you'll naturally wake up in time for early morning lectures so an alarm clock is needed.

Hmmmm

So I'm sat on the floor of my Uni laundry room, thinking that I should start actually using this blog properly.

Starting University has made me realise that I need to be more productive with my time, and fill the gaps between lectures with little tasks or hobbies. This little space on the blogworld gives me this, so I am going to take advantage of it.

I'm going to aim for one post a week (not making any promises) with a bit of everything, just write about whatever I want. <3

Remember Bloglovin!

Getting that summer tan, without a sun bed

Now every year I have the same problem, I have very pale, easily sunburnt skin. So the idea of getting a summer tan is somewhat difficult as going outside also means applying factor 50 to every exposed piece of skin. 

I've never got on with fake tans, spray or moisturisers, as I either turn a horrible orange colour or I get a streaky tan. However this year I have discovered Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Body Lotion. It's a MIRACLE PRODUCT. 

This stuff sinks in really quickly, so no awkward waving limbs around in an attempt to dry them. It also keeps your skin really moisturised and happy. As it's a cocoa butter formula it smells incredible, you will enjoy sniffing your arms let me tell you. It is not streaky, and gives you a really nice tan, not too orangey at all. I would like to add that you MUST remember to wash your hands after applying, otherwise your hands will turn very very dark. 

So finally I get get a summer tan without my skin suffering and at £5.35 for a 250ml bottle it's not going to break the bank! A win win situation if you ask me. 

Mac Matte Lipstick - review

To have a Mac lipstick is somewhat a dream to many teenage girls, as it is seen as one of THE makeup brands. 

Now I'm not going to lie and say that I wasn't slightly overwhelmed at the Mac lipstick stand in the NY Macy's, and I did purchase my first Lipstick from the oh so bigged up brand. The next day I wore my purchase, the Matte lipstick in 'Diva', and I LOVED this darker shade. A few months later, back home and shopping in Cambridge, I purchased 'Russian Red', a bright brick red. So I thought I may as well do a little review on these lipsticks, someone out there might find it helpful...

Does it live up to its name? These lipsticks have an amazing matte finish, no other lipsticks that I have used have given that effect, which is fabulous. 

Does it last? Yes, Mac's staying power is pretty incredible, and I wore Russian Red the other day, and didn't reapply once. 

Good colour? Once again these lipsticks exceed expectations with the pigmentation, so yes great colour. 

Cost? At £15 they could be seen as quite pricey, they are a good medium between high street and high end lipsticks. 

Rating? 4.5/5 - the only reason I don't say 5/5 is that I find them drying sometimes, which is easily solved by wearing Carmex underneath. 

Overall, I'd say if you have the funds for one of these lipsticks, buy one because you will not be wasting your money. 

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick - review

Rimmel is one of my favourite high street brands for lipstick, and their Moisture Renew Lipstick caught my eye when shopping for a new orange shade for summer. I purchased  number 660 'In love with ginger', a reddy orange which I absolutely adore. I then went on to buy 510 'Mayfair red lady' which I also love, this time a telephone box red colour. There are a few questions I ask when reviewing a lipstick...

Does it live up to its name? It certainly does and is one of the best moisturising lipsticks I own, and leaves your lips feeling smooth afterwards. 

Does it last? The wear isn't the best and if you want a lip colour to last all day without touch ups, I don't recommend this one. It does also go everywhere, cups/drinks etc. 

Good colour? The lipsticks do have a good pigmentation and the colour is really good, and they have a wide range of colours from you to choose from.

Cost? At £6.49 that's pretty good for a decent lipstick. 

Rating /5??  I'd say a 3.5/5, as I love the colour and moisture of it, but having to reapply all day is something I am not a fan of. 

I hope this is helpful! :)

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Lipstick Obsession

I think that every person has their own individual obsessions, from TV shows to clothes to cars. At the moment I'm going through a lipstick obsession and GAH I can't stop buying them.

However, I feel like I justify my purchases as I do wear lipstick every day, and I like to have a selection to choose from. The brands range from Barry M to YSL (Although I have not purchased any high end ones because I do not have that type of money my mum just didn't want them). All my lipsticks differ in wear, colour and texture and I know which are my favourite ones for different occasions.

I intend to do reviews on my lipsticks because 1. Why the frick not? and 2. Some people out there might benefit from knowing which lipsticks are good and why (and I would know).

Just to give you a little taster of my obsession here's a photo of my lipsticks (Though some are missing as they are in handbags or just laying around somewhere)

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Cambridge

The city of Cambridge is best known for it's status, as one half of the Oxbridge university duo, the creme de la creme of universities. I am fortunate enough to have lived close the entirety of my life, and I know the city pretty darn well. If you ever get the chance to come and visit for whatever reason TAKE IT, as there are more delights to Cambridge than within a uni prospectus. Here are just a few things I would recommend if in Cambridge.

 1. Take a look at some of the shops (and make some purchases) Cambridge has a HUGE variety of shops, from your normal chains such as Topshop, New Look, John Lewis etc to Vintage shops and one off's. There are two large shopping centers in the middle of the city, The Grafton Center and Grand Arcade, both of which are easily accessible.

2. Visit the University of Cambridge and King's College Chapel (or the many other college's or chapels) - These are amazing and historical buildings, and give a taste of why Cambridge is so well known in the UK, and give a feeling of prestige.

3. Take a walk around the botanical gardens, just y'know look at all the pretty flowers.

4. If you're getting hungry at this point, find a cafe or restaurant (you won't struggle finding one) and have some tea and cake yum.

5. Go punting on the River Cam, this can be relatively cheap depending on where you go from, and is so much fun.

6. Walk around one of the many parks/ greens in Cambridge, Jesus Green is my personal favourite :)

Those are just 6 things you could do but there is so much more to do than that, here are some photographs I took the other day of Jesus Green and the back alleys of Cambridge (please go exploring if you go don't walk on the normal tourist paths)

Enjoy!

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