NOTD || Subtle and Sparkly

Hello There!

I have been gone for so long, and now I have so many things to write about! So today I thought I would share what is on my nails. I love this combination of polishes because it's a classic pink-rose with a fun shimmer-y twist.

I have only used this Revlon shade for the second or third time, but so far I really like the formula, and the color is really classic and easy. It's from the new Colorstay line, and I had to pick up one of the shades to confirm the hype! It takes about two coats to be completely opaque. However, the color on top was in my 2012 favorites, and I love it! I put this sparkly top coat from Deborah Lippmann over just about everything, and it just adds a little something. I wear this over other colors, and the blue-pink duo chrome sparkle is gorgeous, but I also wear it by itself when I have no idea what to paint my nails. 

I know it's a bit blurry, but you get the gist! This has been a cool combination for me, and I think I will do it again.

What are your favorite nail combinations?

xx BB

2012 Favorites || Swatches

Hello There!

Because I am a fool and I lost some footage, I thought I would show some swatches from some of my favorite 2012 products. Not everything I mentioned in my video will be shown here, so I will link the video at the end of this post. But I thought you should all see the shadows and lipsticks I loved up close and personal.

FACE::

Favorite Blush and Bronzer:

EYES::

Favorite Shadows:

Favorite Cream Shadows:

LIPS::

Favorite Lip Liner:

Favorite Lipstick:

Favorite Gloss:

Lip MISC:

Here is my 2012 favorites video:

What were some of your 2012 favorites?

xx BB

New Videos!

Hello There!

I know that I have not written in whats seems like forever, but I thought I should let you all know that a new video is up on my channel! Finally, I got around to editing my now VERY late December favorites. I also filmed the "Furry Friends Tag," where I professed my love for my puppy. I was tagged by GmaorousGaby on Youtube. I will give an update on my life very shortly, but I hope you will all see what I loved at the end of the year, and how much I love my puppy!

I hope you all had a lovely new year! What are your plans for 2013?

xx BB

A New Love || China Glaze's Ruby Pumps

Hello There!

I have had so many recent loves! I love discovering new and exciting products. But today is a little different; I thought I would talk about a nail polish!  have so many red nail polishes, so when people kept raving about this polish I just assumed it was nothing special. Yet seeing the cutest miniature bottle of China Glaze's "Ruby Pumps" in Sally's sucked me in. And now I see what all the fuss was about. This color is so beautiful, and tops all my other reds.

"Ruby Pumps" is amazing, not just because it's a beautiful classic red shade that is great for the holidays, but also because it has finely-milled red glitter throughout the polish that gives it that festive touch. You can see the glitter, but it isn't overly chunky. I love that the glitter is still subtle so you can get your "glitter fix" without it being obnoxious. Sometimes I'm not in the mood for tons of glitter! So if you're like me and you don't like glitter city, then this polish might be for you. 

two coats

What I also love about the China Glaze formula is that it lasts for ages. I also own China Glaze's "Call of the Wild" from the safari collection, and that polish lasted over a week, with only slight wear and tear. And this polish is no different. I will definitely be picking up more China Glaze polishes in the future. 

I would highly recommend picking this bad boy up.

Have you tried "Ruby Pumps" yet? What do you think of it?

xx BB

P.S. I talked about this polish and many others in my "holiday nails" video, which I will link here. 

Interactive! 7 Things for 1 Year! || New Year's Resolutions Edition

Hello There!

I have not written about my monthly goals in a little while, so today I thought I would share my newest goals with a twist: these are my goals for the WHOLE YEAR. Unlike my Beauty resolutions, these ones are a little more deep and meaningful, and have to do more with what's on the inside. Consider these my New Year's resolutions. But don't hold me to them!

Sleep More::
I have found that sleep really affects my mood. So I want to help myself stay away form distractions and work hard on homework so I can get to bed and be healthy and rested for school.

Wear Less Makeup::
I have noticed that while I was not wearing makeup over break my skin cleared up immensely! So this year I want to really put on minimum makeup and only apply the necessary concealer and powder, and not the whole "shebang." I don't need thick foundation when I am going to school or out and about.

Leave the Electronics::
I have realized over the past year that everything electronic has more of a part of my life than I want. I love my blog and Youtube, but I need to step away and enjoy things like nature, things that don't "beep" and "zing." Plus, phones and computers and everything on them can really stress me out! So going outside or reading a book will calm me down and take me away from this tech-savvy world. Which leads me to my next point:

Read::
I recently started reading some books for school again and realized how much I love reading! It really removes me from the chaos of electronics, and it is so relaxing. Plus, a good book will increase my IQ much more than my Twitter feed!

Be Honest and Kind::
Honesty and kindness are two traits that I don't think about enough. We can always improve, so in 2013 I want to catch myself being snark-y or rude and be more giving and understanding of others.

Believe in Myself::
I know I can do things, but I constantly doubt myself! I don't know why I always think I will do badly or fail, but this year I want to not be such a Debby-downer and trust my instincts. I might just surprise myself!

Try To Love Life::
Sometimes I get real down in the dumps, and I start to question everything. So this time around I want to learn to love, and appreciate the little things in life. I take so many things for granted. I want to look back on my years and know that, overall, my life was fun and I was happy. Yeesh. We are getting deep!

2013 is a new start and and fresh one, at that. I hope you all had a lovely holiday and new year, and that your 2013 is filled with joy and success.

What are your 2013 resolutions?

xx BB

New Year's Beauty Tag!

Hello There!

I have so many resolutions that I will share later, but today I wanted to share my five beauty resolutions for the new year. It's 2013! Can you Adam and Eve it? I love making new resolutions, so hopefully I can keep these ones!

1) I will cleanse, tone, and moisturize every night before I go to bed, even if I am exhausted. I notice a huge difference when I don't do it.

2) I will not over pluck my brows, because, if I get it wrong, I know it takes ages for them to grow back!

3) I will drink more water. I have noticed recently that clear skin really works from the inside out!

4) Use moisturizer all over when I get out of the shower. My skin gets dry and flakey all year round, and especially during winter, so I need to lather up to keep my skin baby soft.

5) I will not buy products until I have used up the ones that I have! It's crazy how big my collection has gotten, and I have spent much too much money on makeup.

I tag all of you, so feel free to do it yourself, and leave the link below!

What are your five New Year's resolutions?

xx BB

2012 Wrap Up!

Hello There!

Today I thought I would reflect upon this past year. It has been crazy and rubbish in some ways, and wonderful in others.

1) I found my love for makeup. Before finding Youtube gurus and blogs and such, I had not a clue what to do with makeup or anything beauty related. Now I know what does what, and I have found a love for makeup and from that has grown something amazing: my blog!

2) I started a blog and a Youtube channel! This is, by far, my biggest "mile stone," and one things I am really proud of. I love my blog and am so passionate about beauty and skincare and such. I love it!

3) My sister went to university. She moved to the other side of the country to go American University in Washington D.C. While I do miss her, she is back for the holidays, and with Skype she is never too far away!

4) I started dancing ballroom, full time. For about 16 hours a week I dance at my school, and for the most part I love it. I love diving into new hobbies, and discovering what makes me excited. Dance is certainly one of them.

5) My grandfather and dog passed away. I lost not only two members of my family who had been part of my life since I was born, but I also lost a piece of my childhood and my hometown memories. As I grow older I have found that my warmest memories of England have been slowly slipping away from me. I know some day I will have other memories, but none will ever be as special as the ones from the childhood and the city I still love.

6) I began high school. A new adventure began as I dived into harder classes and the drama-filled, catty world that is high school. As a sophomore I have been able to find my niche, but my freshman year was surely the hardest.

7) I found myself. I know that I will continue to discover who I am, but slowly I am chipping away at who I am, and I am learning what I like and dislike. I know it sounds silly to think that I don't know what I like, but I went through a bit of an identity crisis, and I didn't find myself for a while. Learning about myself has been therapeutic and has helped me become a person with ideals and beliefs, which is one of the most important things to me.

I hope 2012 was a wonderful year, and that 2013 is even better!

What was your 2012 like?

xx BB