MAC Lipstick Collection

I'm the first to admit I have a problem. I shop - a lot. Online, in-store, and preferably on my own because I'm a little embarrassed by the rush of adrenaline that pulses through me every time I swipe my card. Now shoes get me weak at the knee's, and I'm having a little crush on shorts at the moment, but buying jewellery just doesn't interest me, unless they're in the sale - sales get me excited about anything. But the biggest weakness? Lipstick, and unnecessarily buying it in every colour imaginable - especially if they're from MAC.

So I've come here today because a problem shared is a problem halved, right? Maybe some of you have this problem and I won't feel so bad. Here's my growing collection of MAC lipsticks, bar 'Girl About Town' who currently M.I.A.

(From right-to-left, Impassioned Amplified, Sunny Seoul Cremesheen, Cremecup Cremesheen)

(From right-to-left, Russian Red Matte, Lady Danger Matte, Morange Amplified)

K 

(Lipstick-ers Annoymous)

Personalised Beer Crates

Being the avid pinterest-er I am, every birthday is the perfect excuse to try out the DIY's I've pinned on to my Must-Try board. It's not that I don't like spending money on people, because truth is, I usually spend more money if it's handmade than if I had picked it up in a store. It's that people recognise that there's a lot of thought and time invested in that present, rather than grabbing them the first thing you come across. However, I'm not saying by any means all presents have to be handmade, I personally like to receive lipsticks and underwear more than anyone else. 

For my brother's 21st Birthday, I wanted to get him something out-of-the-ordinary and memorable - no shirts from Topman, or humorous books from Urban Outfitters (that I find incredible amusing) would suffice. But a crate full of beer? Now we're on to a good idea. These are purchasable all over the internet, so if you don't feel so crafty or you're short of time, take a look on eBay and Amazon - prices range from £30 - £40, and they will personalise the crates for you. I think these are perfect because you can fill them with whatever the person would enjoy. For instance, I made one for my friends 18th and filled the crate with wine and cake pops. 

I brought this vintage crate from Sainsbury's (they may still have them in the 25% off section). I used a silver paint pen for this crate, but normal paint works fine as long as you have a steady hand and patience. I do advise stencilling out your numbers and letters first on paper, and if you want to save more time, print out stencil letters and draw around them onto the box. 

K

(P.S, my Brother loved it).

Sun Protection 101

(all credit to Pinterest)

The sun is exactly the same sun, whether you live in England, Africa, China or goodness knows where, so it's dangerous to assume that the only sun you need to protect yourself from is "holiday sun". Exactly the same harmful UV rays are emitted wherever you are and whatever time of the year - whenever you are exposing your skin to the sun, you're are damaging it in an irreversible way (age spots, leathery skin, come on, you know the drill by now). Of course, the main issue when it comes to skin protection is not so much an everyday problem, although you should be wearing suncream daily - yes, even in the winter - but when summer eventually does comes along and we binge in the sun for hours on end. 

UV rays emitted from the sun penetrate deep into you skin and damage cells, whether it's cloudy, hot or even freezing cold - if you can see the sun, it's happening. In fact, the only reason we tan, is because our cells are screaming "Help me, I need protection!" UV rays produce a pigment in our skin called Melanin, which acts as our natural sunscreen, but relying on it alone is the equivalent to wearing an SPF of 3 - 15, depending on your skin tone. There are 3 different types of UV rays, most commonly known UVA and UVB, and then UVC which is not a problem at the moment because the ozone layer completely blocks it. UVA rays cause ageing and skin cancer and are prevalent all year round, whereas UVB rays are what cause you to burn, but are also prevalent all year round - so remember, UVA- Ageing, UVB - Burning. Too much exposure to these UV rays can increase your chance of skin cancer, especially among the paler, light-haired and freckly of us species. 

In 2011, around 13,300 people were diagnosed with a skin cancer called Malignant Melanoma, and out of those people, around 11,100 cases were linked to excessive exposure to sunlight and use of sun-beds. 

However, protecting yourself from the sun - and not just "holiday sun" - is easy. Always wear suncream and avoid the sun during the hottest parts of the day 12pm-4pm (which I know isn't fun, but neither is skin cancer, or a nasty sunburn) or at least seek shade. When looking for suncreams, I always recommend buying one with an SPF of 30, which blocks out 97% of UVB rays. There isn't a great need to purchase a SPF of 50 because it only blocks out 98% of UVB rays, and the thick consistency means that you are probably less likely to reapply. Always buy a cream rather than a spray, because it hasn't been proven yet how effective skin is with absorbing these sprays, and look for keywords on the back of the product such as 'photostable' and 'water-resistant'. Lastly, always make sure the product is both a UVB and UVA protectant to help defend your skin against premature ageing and skin cancer. Here's a great site for applying suncream correctly.

My recommendations

P20, Around £20 + Boots

La Roche-Posay, £14.50 Boots

With the summer holidays fast approaching for many of you (38 days and counting until I jet-off) I hope you found this useful. But remember, the sun is there constantly, so protecting yourself should be an everyday process. Slip into you skincare a facial moisturiser with an SPF and delay those wrinkles *fist bump*.

Until next time, 

K

Olivia Burton Big Dial Black and Gold Watch

The best lesson I've learnt in life is compromise, and why I shouldn't.

When I was gifted way back in March, an albeit beautiful watch for 18th by my Auntie, an immediate rush of guilt ran through me. The watch was nice, but it wasn't the right one - would it be rude to send the gift back? The problem is, I'm not one to have something for the sake of it. If I don't love it, I know I won't wear it, and then it would have been a waste of money and I learnt this from the very woman who gave it to me. You see, my Auntie has spent years waiting for Mulberry to bring out a black patent clutch - not too big, not too small, and it has to be Mulberry - now thats dedication. So without taking the slightest bit of offence she returned it and promised me we would find the right watch.

I looked at brands like Daniel Wellington and Kate Spade, but every time I seemed to end up on the Olivia Burton site, pawning over their vintage inspired little beauties. And then finally I relented last week, and brought the 'Big Dial Black and Gold Watch' (£72), after trying it on in store and falling in love. The only compromise made was having to buy the display watch because they were all sold out, but some may call that fate.

The over-sized, rose gold face is uncluttered, simply with only the brand name, roman numerals and 3 hands - no complicated stopwatches and dials that I never really know how to work. The thin leather strap compliments the large face, keeping it feminine and not too chunky or heavy on the wrist. Perfect. It was what I wanted all along.

Meanwhile, my Auntie is still on the hunt, and with no patent clutches due in for next season she seems to be at a lost. At this point, I'm sure I wouldn't have said no to an ordinary Mulberry clutch, but I admire that she isn't looking to throw her money at something she doesn't really want. I took it as a lesson, it isn't only boys you shouldn't settle for, if it's not the perfect shoe, bag or even watch, don't waste your time, or compromise. 

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