My Current Beauty Favourites

I rarely write favourites posts and I've never written one about beauty products alone. Thus, for my blogging challenge of posting for seven days (that you can read about HERE), I thought I would talk about my current beauty favourites.

 

 

I have been enjoying these nail varnishes recently: Essie's Turquoise and Caicos and Barry M's Coral nail varnish. Turquoise and Caicos reminds me of the sea and where I normally wear bright colours, it's a nice middle between being bright and dark. Coral is awesome; when I look at it, it reminds me of sweets. It's such a juicy colour!

I had never tried anything other than Barry M nail varnishes from their collection until this product came into my life. Barry M's black liquid liner is awesome. It's easy to apply and dries quickly.

Hair-wise, I have finally joined in on the Batiste dry shampoo hype. It's been all around the blogosphere and the real-world-osphere and I'm so chuffed that I finally put it in my basket as I did a little supermarket shop. It makes myself believe my hair is nearing the end of its first-day-wash (which is FAB) and smells like coconuts. I have also been enjoying the VO5 Heat Protect Styling Spray. I bought it last year and I've finally started using it. I am very careful when it comes to using heat on my hair and although I never know how to tell whether a heat protecting product is working or not, VO5 smells delicious and so assuming it's helping my hair (my hair does seem in good condition), the smell makes it a top notch product. I'm not good with smells but I'd explain it (probably wrongly) as a musky, fruity scent and I get lovely whiffs of it throughout the day. I have never had a problem with the pump which makes it all the more fab-u-lous. 

 

I'm not sure what the name of this perfect No7 eye shadow is but I love it. It's lightly shimmery and the reason why I love it is that it's discreet but pretty. This photo (only this one - the lighting was awful) is slightly edited and so I'm not sure if the colour looks different but it's a grey and bronze colour and it isn't over-the-top. I love that I can wear it to any sort of occasion.


























This picture doesn't do justice to how pretty the colour is. I have Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey. I really like it and love it for going out to parties and it feels lovely on the lips. I think I will wear it a lot more in the summer with a tan. I really love this, though and I'm going to buy another when I can! It doesn't take a lot to make my lips pink and I am so glad I found the range when I was in Boots.



These smell gorgeous! I bought Soap & Glory's mini creamy body wash around Christmastime and I've almost used it all. It smells so fresh and clean, mixed in with many sprinkles of sweetness. I am also adoring Ghost's Sweetheart body moisturising lotion. My mum got the perfume for Christmas and gave me the lotion that came with it (thanks mum!). It smells so sweet and I love wearing it when I've got nothing to do instead of wasting perfume or adding it with perfume to go out.

Benefit's They're Real mascara will always be a favourite of mine. It lengthens and thickens my eyelashes perfectly for a normal day or a day out.

Do you love any of these? What have you been loving? I'd love to know!

The Girl in the Moonlight.

 

P.S. Sorry about the poor pictures... As usual, I'm working on it!

 

P.P.S. Yay to Noelle for reviewing Essie's Mint Candy Apple as I recently bought it and can't wait to use it. I'm sure it's going to be a new favourite.

My little blogging challenge:

Day 1

Me, Myself and I | A Few Facts

It's the first day of my challenge to write a blog post and publish it every day for the next seven days (more about that HERE)!

I have written two "facts about me" kind of posts before, HERE and HERE. My first one was fuelled by eagerness and my second one was a product of not being able to write another conventional "facts about me" post. I enjoy reading these posts by bloggers and despite finding them incredibly difficult to write (I have attempted many times), I am with my friends Ben and Jerry and some musical soundtracks, ready to write... about myself.

1. As a little'n, Winnie the Pooh was my hero (he still is).

2. Since a young age I have enjoyed *prepare yourself for an enthralling fact* spelling.

3. As a ten year old, I would have been dreaming of becoming an author.

4. If I were to be honest to people who ask me what I want to be "when I'm older" now, I'd tell them that, yes, my dream is to be an author.

5.  But I don't.

6. I hate starting sentences with "but" or "and" (so, I apologise for number 5).

7. I have known four of my closest friends for almost my whole life.

8. I really love Brighton (England).

9. Places I really want to visit include Italy, California, New York and Germany.

10. I am hoping to be fluent in at least one more language in my lifetime - I'm working on it!

11. I love big days out where they start by leaving home at eight in the morning and end by returning late(ish) at night.

12. I love clotted cream ice cream...

13. ... And strawberries. 

14. Summery tunes make me grin childishly.

15. Cooking excites me.

16. I love having tea and cake at sweet cafes.

17. Sunsets make me feel so serene and happy.

18. I miss secondary school...

19. ... Even though I left almost two years ago...  

20. ... But I'm enjoying now... 

21. ... And looking forward to the future...

22. ... Even if I'm a little scared.

23. My brother is one of the most awesome people I know.

24. I love books.

25. I love writing.

I thought it would be nice to finally write another post like this for my week of posting every day. I'd love to know something about you. Please say something about yourself below!

Blossom & Light Blue Skies,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

The Girl in the Moonlight | A Little Challenge

In my world, March is a month where I'm a bit like "hm, what are you?" It's the anticipation for the first glimpses of warmth and the scariness of exams. To make March a bit more exciting on my blog I thought I would blog for seven days straight. Last November I set myself a challenge (HERE) where I blogged for five days straight. Then there was Blogmas and that was... tough, albeit fun. It's been a couple of months, I've recuperated and am ready for a seven day blogging challenge starting tomorrow!

So, here's my schedule for the next week and if you're from the future there will be some links attached to the titles:

Saturday: A facts about me post
Sunday: Some recent beauty favourites
Monday: A review of an old book  
Tuesday: Tunesday!

Wednesday: A post about one of my favourite websites

Thursday: A post about a book I'm excited for

Friday: A DIY post   

 

My challenge from November was compiled of posts that I would find a bit daunting and scary and a couple of these are those and some of the others are posts that my blog isn't synonymous with. I'm excited to stretch myself again.

So, on Saturday, I will be posting a conventional "facts about me" post because I've been trying to write another one for so long. I rarely write about beauty-related things on my blog and so thought I would address some of my recent favourites! For a while I've wanted to review books that I read years ago and so on Monday I'm going to start a new series for my blog and I'm so excited about it. On Tuesday I will talk about some of my favourite music and on Wednesday one of my favourite sites. On Thursday, I will post about a book I'm excited to read that will come out during the year; I'm excited as I've only done one "book news" kind of post before. On Friday, I will publish my first DIY post which is exciting and scary. It's been one of my aims with blogging and on my 2014 blogging bucket list I made it an aim to write and post one in 2014.

The plan is to not have these posts ready and waiting and write them the day before or on the day, although I am allowing myself to take photos in advance! I'm seeing if I can be creative without planning.

I'm excited!

Hidden Gems & Forgotten Treasures,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

Book Swap | The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman

My awesome blogging buddy, Simona recommended a book to me and I recommended one to her as part of a blogging book swap. We read them and then reviewed them and I'm excited to be posting my review of The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman. I recommended I Love the 80s by Megan Crane for Simona to read and you can read her review HERE.

The Life List is a sweet and charming read with a plot that's unique and gripping.

Brett Bohlinger should be envied. She has a handsome, rich boyfriend. Her friends and family love her. She has the perfect job. She has a fabulous loft. She should be envied... right? It takes the death of her wonderful mother to make her realise just how imperfect her life really is. Devastated and torn apart, it takes all of her will not to scream when she finds out she hasn't, after all, received her inheritance and has to complete a challenge first. And this challenge is big. She is reminded of a list she wrote when she was fourteen that her mother kept. Only there were many goals that aren't completed. There are goals remaining like having a baby and buying a horse. To receive her inheritance, Brett must complete these goals.

When my copy of The Life List came through the post, the first thing that struck me as awesome (as well as the pretty front cover) was the plot. This book isn't simply a love story. It's a life story. Brett's fourteen year old dreams were forgotten along the way and during this time she'd convinced herself that these dreams were the furthest from synonymous to her current dreams. Mother knows best, though.

Brett's character is more than pleasing. Despite forgetting her goals along the way, Brett is motivated and her ambition shines through, with and without a push from her mother. She may have not found her old goals compatible with her life initially but soon she's completing them without even realising.

Throughout the novel Brett is looking for love and it's the sweetest rollercoaster ride.

There were two friendships I adored throughout the novel, one being the friendship between Brett and her mother. Even though she's not alive throughout the novel, their relationship is felt and her presence is still beside Brett despite her death. Her mother knew her so well and Brett knew her mother too. They were best friends. I also fell in love with the friendship of Brett and Brad. They are the sort of friends who bounce off of each other perfectly and it made me want a Brad in my life.

The novel is refreshing and a reminder to the reader that materialistic things don't have to be the goal but the ones that you promise yourself you'll reach when you're younger (or other similar goals).

I enjoyed doing this with Simona and if anyone else likes the idea of it, feel free to tweet me HERE or write a comment below because I would love to do it again! Simona would love to do it again too and you can Tweet her HERE!

Burberry Coats & Phone Calls,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

P.S. Thanks to Simona for making the banner!

Carrie Says | The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

One of my New Year's Resolutions (that you can read about HERE) is to read books recommended by Carrie Hope Fletcher and then to write a review about them. You can see my first two HERE and HERE. The next book I read was The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern because of THIS video.

Carrie says: "Just... read it!"

I have so much to say about this book but I don't have the words to say it all. That's why I've put off this review, considering I finished it a couple of weeks ago. I was hypnotised by the intricacy of it all, charmed by the magic and completely wonderstruck with every word. What may seem like a strongly hyperbolised sentence, is simply the truth of a beautifully majestic novel (inside and out - I love the front cover).

The novel, I think, is disguised to appear to be focussed around this enigmatic and stunning circus. Of course, in ways, it is. This circus arrives without warning and leaves in the same fashion. It is crucial to the novel. There is a lot of detail about the tents in the circus and how it looks. There is more to this gorgeous tale, though. There is a haunting and mysterious duel between two young people that contrasts strongly with a budding and sweet romance.

This is a novel of promise, but also darkness.

I was happily hypnotised by the way Morgenstern wrote The Night Circus. The whole novel is described in a way that made me feel like I was right there, witnessing this place that mesmerises the world. It mesmerised me.

There is something innocent and yet passionate about the relationship between Celia and Marco. They are both trapped in a duel they don't understand with the future as uncertain as their "moves" in their duel. Their relationship is gorgeous despite its darkness.

Then ending? Well... "Just... read it!"

I haven't written enough for this review but I am still a bit cautious about letting my fingers tap away because not only do I not want to give anything away to potential readers of The Night Circus, but I'm finding it hard to put this enchanting novel into words.

Tents & Stars,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

A Little Trip to Lush

I, er, I... *Raises hands guiltily.* I went to Lush. What happens when I go to Lush? I leave the shop flustered, excited and, well, with less money.

This little beauty is the Mmmelting Marshmallow Moment luxury bath melt and has always been my favourite Lush product as it reminds me of Snow Fairy, their awesome Christmas shower gel. I actually bought two of these (whoopsie) but I used one last week; it's one of Lush's perfect sweet and candy-scented products. It, to me, smells of bubblegum and dolly mixtures, costs £3.95 and is good in moisturising skin.

The Twilight bath bomb is said to smell like lavender and malt; it smells beautifully flowery. It costs £3.25. It's meant to help you feel sleepy and it makes the water really pretty.
























Talking about this bath bomb makes me fangirl to the extreme. It is called Avobath (in my head I hear "have a bath!") and smells like every scrumptious lemony sweet I can think of mixed in with something fresh. I haven't used it before and am excited to do so. It costs £3.25 and it seems to make the water all mystical and shimmery (without making your skin shimmery).
























When I bought Bohemian soap, I went home and sat on my bed and just repeatedly sniffed it. Lovely and lemony, it lingers discreetly on the skin - no where near overpowering but simply lightly citrusy and fresh. It's soft to use and when met with water and for 100g, it cost £3.10. I believe it's one of the Lush classics as I've heard many people rave about it and I'm not surprised after using it.

I picked up Prince Charming shower gel predominantly because of the name. It cost £9.95. With my inner-romantic occasionally taking over, I just liked the idea of it. I haven't tried this yet (I have a lot of Snow Fairy shower gels to enjoy but I will be starting it soon as I don't want my Snow Fairy products to run out!) but I'm intrigued.

Well. I feel exhausted, emotionally and physically. I'm going to go and have a bath and recuperate! Do you have a favourite Lush product? Let me know!

Lemongrass & Bubblegum,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

P.S. Sorry about the plethora of lighting changes!

"It is Toxic and Painful and Deeply Unfair," - Ellen Page

Below I have placed a video of the awesome Ellen Page and her coming out as gay.



She's one brave woman. It frustrates me completely that she had to be brave, that it's not yet unsurprising for someone to be gay and for it not being the norm to not have to "come out"; for it to not be an announcement; for everyone to just be in agreement: being gay is a-ok. But it isn't yet the norm to not have to come out and Ellen Page is bloomin' incredible.

She talks about people questioning themselves; about wondering "What on earth is going to happen to you" because of the unfairness they are exposed to at school or because they can't tell their parents "the whole truth" about themselves. The future can be a worry and she makes it clear that it's crushing. Many have pointed out the complete injustice of this whole situation in relation to all those years ago (and yet not overly long ago) when there was slavery and complete unfairness towards blacks with segregation and vile attitudes. We see that as wrong now; as sickening, inhuman and thankfully in the past. The feelings that are shadowing many gay people's lives - young and old - need to go now. They need to be left in the past. It makes me incredibly sad to think about how hopeless many feel because the whole world hasn't yet woken up and seen the light. But they will. With our help.

"I'm tired of hiding," she said. This rips a large shred of happiness out of me. *Queues rhetorical questions that I hope you can answer correctly.* Is that fair? Is that a happy world? A world where people can't tell people the truth about themselves. Is that a world we should be proud of? We can change this. If everyone gets on board the train labelled "We support lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders" and makes their support clear, we can make this world brighter.

Ellen Page has used her position to promote the struggles that the gay community have; she's also used her position to suggest the difficulty of her position: it's still difficult, celebrity or not. I don't doubt that she'll continue to promote better values; a better life for those who feel undermined. We all have to do so. Anything you do will count - just do it! Do you want to be part of history that still has all of these disgusting attitudes towards gays that are not dissimilar to the attitudes towards blacks all of those years ago? Do something about it.

Being gay isn't a choice. Being gay doesn't have to be this stigmatised thing; it shouldn't be this stigmatised thing. Let's change that!

Tweet something showing your support of gay rights, equality and the complete abolishment of disgusting attitudes towards those who love the same sex. Show a friend this video and spread this attitude. Do something.

I feel a massive surge of gratefulness to the support Ellen Page addresses through her speech; those who may work long hours to help people; to those who are helping every single day.

Change & Smiles,

The Girl in the Moonlight.