HUGE blog sale

Welcome to my first ever blog sale!

A few rules before you start...

1. Please comment below with your paypal email address and item(s) that you wish to purchase. I will then send you an invoice. Please pay ASAP.

2. Everyone will be emailed first come first serve in the order of comments.

3. Postage costs will be £2 for one item. £2.80 for 2 or more (due to it being a small parcel).

4. All items are in excellent condition, some are new with tags all stated under each item.

5. I am unable to hold any items, due to this sale only being available for 2 weeks.

6. No returns or refunds accepted.

7. UK buyers only. International offers please email  me.

8. Items will be posted out the next day.

9. Any further questions please email me at: lucyalana@outlook.com

New Look Dress size 6 £3.50

Love dress Size S/M £3.50

                                     

Pink ruffle skirt new with tags size S £3.50

Miss Selfridge skater skirt size 8 £3.50

ASOS petite aztec print cardigan size 8 £3

Oasis purple mid rise straight jeans new with tags size 8 £6

Topshop pants size 8 £5

Topshop leopard bodycon dress size 8 £3

Next top size 6 £3

Hollister top size S £5

Primark new with tags. Size 6 £3

Primark top new with tags. Size 6 £5

Gap Tee 13XL (6/8) £3  

Topshop crop tee size 8 £2

 Topshop sparkle skirt size 8 £5

 Gilly Hicks top size XS £4

Primark beaded top size 8 £4 

 Dorothy Perkins studded jumper size 6 £3

 Dorothy Perkins floral dress size 8 £3.50

Topshop yellow top size 8 £3.50

 Forever 21 blue jumper size S £3.50

Red or Dead top size 6 £2 

 Next pink beaded top new with tags. size 8 £6 

 Topshop tee & cake pink crop tee size 10 £3

 Superdry grey top size M £3

 New Look floral mesh top size 8 £2.50

 Ted Baker cream tee size 1 (8/10) £6

 Topshop peplum top size 6 £3

Hollister brand new with tags tee size S (8/10) £7

 Topshop skater skirt like new. size 8 £4

 Primark new with tags size 8 £3.50

 New Look red skater skirt. size 8 new with tags £4

Black topshop crop size 6 £1.50 

 River Island disco pants size 8 £4

River Island skirt size 8 £4

H&M cream tee size S £2.50 

 Matalan jumper size 8 £3

 Oasis top new with tags. size 8 £4

 Hollister crop grey jumper Size XS (6/8) £5

Next studded pink jumper size 6 £3 

 Miss Selfridge top never worn. Size 8 £1.50

 Ralph Lauren tee size M (8/10) £6

Primark crop top size 6 £1

Topshop burgundy jumper size 10 £3

 Topshop purple leggings new no tags. size 6 £1.50

Zara Dress size S worn once £6

Beauty items

For all nail varnishes and lip products the postage will be £2.80 due to the width of them they will not fit through the large letter slot, so will therefore have to be sent as a small parcel. For palettes, and eyeshadows postage will be £1.20 as it should be able to send as a large letter. I am not wanting to make any profit on postage, but at the same time do not want to make a loss. For any combined postage, but email me. Same rules apply to what is stated at the start of this post.

Offer - Any products for £1.50, buy any 3 for £4

Left to right: Essie chubby cheeks £2, Models own in Raspberry Crush (brand new) £1.50, Rimmel cocktails colour in Hawaiian Punch (brand new) £1.50, Body shop in Rosy Cheeks (brand new) £1.50, Lovely girl glitter £1

Left to right: Lola Butter in Bluebell (brand new) £1.50, Pretty Girl £1, Seventeen colour carnival in Light Blue Glitter £1.50, Seventeen mint choc chip £1, Maybelline dark blue £1.00, Collection parma violets £1

MAC Vibrant Grape (swatched £6), ELF brightening eye palette in Glam (brand new) £2, Vivo shadow in Dusty Pink £1.50 (brand new), Seventeen Shocking Pink and Socialite (the blue on far right) (both in packaging untouched) £1.50, Natural collection duo in Apple/Frost £1.50 (swatched)

Chilli Pepper shadow palette in Warm (brand new) £3, Elizabeth Arden shimmer powder in Nude Shimmer (only swatched) £4, Stila lip and cheek stain in Fuchsia (85% left) £4.

Seventeen palette (new - products untouched) £3

Kylie Cosmetic lipglosses authentic bought from her website. Exposure (left) So Cute (right) £10 each or £19 for both. Swatched and applied once.

MUA lipstick in Juicy (brand new) £1, ELF jumbo stick  in Sangna starters (brand new) £1, ELF lipstick in Seductive (brand new) £1

Elizabeth Arden lip palette (brand new) £3 (outer packaging slightly scratched), eyeshadow palette (brand new) £3

Elizabeth Arden palette cheek and blush palette (2 shades lightly swatched) £5  (outer packaging slightly scratched)

Clinique high impact mascara miniature in black (brand new) £1.00, Soap & Glory gloss stick in Technicoral (brand new) £2 and No7 moisturising balm in Caramel (brand new) £2

Happy buying!

Lucy
xoxo

Blogging props

So I have finally got round to writing my blogging props post, and I am so happy to be sharing some of my best ideas. 

A far few weeks ago before Christmas I was bored of all of my props which I was currently using. They were not inspiring me and I found that I was using the same props in every post and they were looking very similar. I first decided to look in my existing stash again and I did manage to find some new things to add into my posts. My top tip is to look at what you already have lying around, books, magazines, candles, jewellery and flowers. I now keep a little box with all other types of props which don't have a home on display such as sequins and gems, just so I can grab it when I need it and it is all in one place. I still felt that I needed some additional new items, so I decided to have quick look on eBay at what they had on offer and I got a little carried away. I bought ribbons, strings of sequins, gems, crystals and washi tape. In total I spent less than £5 and I now have lots of new things to play around with.

I think you can very much get into a routine or in fact a rut of using the same set up, but I know when I read blogs myself I like there to be more to the photo than just the products/products which are being featured. It makes the photos more interesting and intriguing. I find that on Instagram the most eye-catching photos are those which have a matching colour scheme and are striking with just one glance. However, sometimes photos can be too busy and fussy, and this can take away from what the photo is suppose to be focusing on. I have seen photos which have been bursting with props and it takes a few moments to gather what the photo is trying to portray. So sometimes I find simple but effective can definitely be the most engaging photos.

In order to find inspiration as to what props to buy for your blog, definitely go with the theme of your blog. Do not try to go too out of your comfort zone if it doesn't feel right for you. I think sometimes you can want to buy whatever every other blogger is, and this is not always the best way to be. Don't get me wrong I have got on to the marble and copper trend but that's because I think it looks really great in photos and I have those themes within my home. However, I follow many bloggers who do not follow this trend and I am just as intrigued by their photos. It is all about finding your own niche and going with it. 

If you have any other ideas please feel free to share..

Lucy

xoxo

3 favourite foundations

I thought it was finally time I wrote a post dedicated to my three favourite foundations. Recently, if my friends have asked me for any makeup recommendations it has always been foundation options, as I think it is the trickiest product to find which works perfectly for you individually. These are the only foundations which I use regularly, there is no other foundation in my drawers as these are the only ones which I can rely on. You will of seen all three of these featured on my blog if you read it frequently. Now lets get into the nitty gritty..

The budget recommendation is L'oreal's True Match foundation, I have been using this for at least two years now and I am yet to find something on the drugstore market which matches even remotely close to this. It is easy to apply I use my beautyblender as I feel as though it meshes the foundation with my skin really well. This range has a really great colour range and I have had a few different shades. I am currently wearing 1.5 Linen, but I also have 2.0 Vanilla for when I have a bit more of a tan to my face. This is a medium coverage with one layer but it is definitely buildable. Recently I have been using this foundation more for when I I know I will only be wearing it for 6-8 hours and not an entire day. Some days from leaving the house to getting home my foundation is on my face for 15 hours and it does display some wearing especially around my t-zone, but like I said before this is the best drugstore foundation is terms of coverage, equal application and comfortability on the skin.

Kat Von D Lock It is the latest addition to my favourite foundations collection. I bought this in Sephora in the summer before it was released in the UK. Kat Von D is definitely in my top three makeup brands to ever exist as I have never bought anything from the brand which I have ever been disappointed with. When you are paying a lot of money for a product you want it to do exactly what it says it is going to. This foundation has a slightly matte finish and that always makes me slightly nervous, as areas of my skin are very dry and I automatically think that everything will cling to those areas. However, with a good base this actually feels quite hydrating, and if you want full coverage you are able to achieve it with just one application. This foundation is also great for hiding blemishes and discolouration. It claims to keep a flawless base for up to 24 hours, I can say I have worn this product to work and it definitely does not look as perfect as it did when I left the house first thing. But, it does seem to last well on the skin, and it definitely does depend on your skin type and base products which you apply. I have the Lock It concealer on my wishlist, has any one tried it? Let me know if you have in the comments and your opinions on it.

Nars Sheer Glow is the creme de le creme of all foundations on the beauty market, and until I find something better I will quiz everyone who tries to tell me otherwise! I have also had two shades of this foundation, I started out with the shade Monte Blanc but I thought it was a tiny bit too light so this time round I went with Deauville. I first discovered this on my 21st birthday when I went for the makeover at the Nars counter in Selfridges I had heard so much about it and thought it was the perfect time to take the plunge and buy it. I love the coverage, its buildability, its longevity and most of all it's magic 'glow' element. It adds life and radiance to all areas of your skin, my skin is combination as I have dry areas but also it is oily through my t-zone and chin. With a good moisturiser and primer this stays locked in and does not wear throughout the day. I find this very comfortable on my skin, and I get excited everytime I apply it to my face. There is no denying that it has a hefty price tag of £31 attached to it but a little does go a long way my previous bottle lasted well over a year. This also has a great range of shades in total 19, it is brilliant if you have a fair skintone as they have a great selection of tones on offer.

So there we are my holy grail foundations. I would love to know your faves...

Lucy
xoxo

The Roundup for January

January has been a busy month for me - once again! However, I finally took the plunge from one of my New Year's resolutions and joined the gym. I had been meaning to do it since September when I moved back home. I decided to join DW fitness clubs as one of my friends already attends and it is always nice to have someone their for moral support. I am happy to say I have been really enjoying going to the gym I have been going on my days off during the week, however I am yet to motivate myself to go on my days off at the weekend. I have been doing a mixture of classes and taking myself to the gym and so far so good!

I feel like I have not particularly had a very exciting month. It has been very long and drawn out, I am actually happy to see Febuary arrive. One thing I am determined to do this year is make the most of my time off. I went for a weekend away in York with my best friends from uni, I had a great time and it was so nice to catch up. I think York is one of the prettiest places in the UK to visit and I always enjoy going back. I am heading to her house in February for her birthday, so I can't wait to see her again. It is so strange when you see someone everyday at uni and then you move 3 hours away from each other it's a huge shock to the system. 

I booked two holidays to help me get over the January blues. One being the main family bonanza of the year which is a two week holiday to Italy, and I cannot wait! We have been to Italy many times before and it is one of the most picturesque countries which you will ever visit. I also booked a less sunnier or exotic holiday to Nottingham! I am going with my closest university plans and I cannot wait. I haven't seen some of them September, we are all so  busy working different shifts but we have managed to get our diaries together and we have a weekend in May and I am already super excited! I love having things booked and things to look forward to. 

I am hoping to sat fully sorting my bedroom at home out during my annual leave next week. I have 10 day off in a row and I want to totally throw everything which I don't need or use (which is currently half of my bedroom content!) in the bin and declutter. I just have far too much stuff and I really do not need it all. Once all the clutter and crap has gone I need to tackle the pile of clothes which currently does not fit in my wardrobe. Then I am going to get a new dressing table and drawers and add some nice home decor. I am very excited, but I do not do well with living a streamline life I am a hoarder. Let's hope that next month I am reporting back that my room is now all beautiful. 

That's all for January! 

Lucy

xoxo

January Favourites

January is usually the month where everyone has some fabulous new favourites post Christmas as everyone has new products. I actually did not receive any makeup for Christmas last year, I have however still got a brand new favourites post for you this month as I have some new favourites!

The Urban Decay Shadow Box is such a great little compact palette it is great if you are going away as it fits perfectly inside my makeup bag. I have been getting a lot of use out of this palette this month, and I have been quick to find some of my favourite shades. Sin is great as a base to all looks as it is a light pearlescent gold, I then have been choosing Bordello or Baked depending on what I am wanting to create. If I have been wanting something more dark and smouldering I then add either Mushroom, Smog or Lost. I did not think I would get much use out of Mushroom which is a shimmery grey, but I have surprised myself at how much I have gravitated it towards it and it has been nice not wearing gold and coppers 24/7.

I have really enjoyed using the MAC highlighter in Beaming Blush which launched as part of their new extra dimension highlighter line. I am really happy that I chose this shade as it has a pinky undertone which looks stunning on the cheekbones and reflects beautifully in the light. I have been pairing this with my MAC blush in Peachykeen which is an all time favourite as it suits my fair colouring beautifully and has a slight shimmer adding more light and dimension to my face.

This week I put up my latest Colourpop haul if you want to check it out. I feature their eyebrow pencil in Honey Blonde which I have been really loving since it arrived at the start of this month. It is a good match and the pencil applies well it is not chalky, the nib is thin helping with precision and I think it is great value for money with it's $5 price tag. Another favourite from Colourpop which I have been using a lot this month is one of their super shock shadows in the shade Weenie. This is a beautiful metallic rose gold and it is great for a one sweep shade, which actually makes it look like you have blended a few shades together.

Kat Von D are launching some new liquid lipstick shades throughout the next few months and I could not be happier as they are definitely my holy grail of all liquid lipsticks out there on the market. I was soo happy which they launched on Debenhams as they are now so much more viable to get our hands on. I have been loving Lolita II once again, it is a gorgeous chestnut nude which looks beautiful on all skintones. I am definitely going to have to buy some their new shades when they launch as so many of them look amazing.

What have been your favourite products in January?

Lucy

xoxo

Feel Unique Haul

I somehow, as always ended up stumbling across the Feel Unique sale website and was surprised at the amount of bargains on there. All the sale products now have between 50-80% off and I just could not resist. As always I am here as your enabler to say go ahead and spend, spend, spend!

I have tried a few pieces of Tanya Burr's beauty collection but never anything from her nail range. I picked up some of her nail polishes in three different shades - Mini Marshmallows, Pick & Mix and Penguin Chick all with 80% off costing just £0.95. I have heard great things about these and cannot wait to try them out. I also pick up from her line a lip gloss in Afternoon Tea for just £2.35, I already own Picnic in the Park which I really like as it is pigmented and not too sticky. I previously tried some of her eyeshadows and the Galaxy Eye palette was just £3.60 and the shades really stood out to me. The last purchase I made from her collection was the Flush Cheek palette. This was half price for just£4.00, and was great value for money as it contains a bronzer, blush and highlighter.

I love Fleur de Force as a person and what she stands for, and I think she represents the blogging community really well. I have previously tried one of her lipglosses and I was impressed and they had 70% off so I picked up the shade Written in the Stars for £2.05, which is a classic go to pink shade for me. The last thing I added to my basket was her Lunar Rose eyeshadow palette which was such a bargain as it had 80% off making it just £1.55! This has some really nice burgundy toned shadows in and I am excited to put it to the test.

I suggest if you want anything which I have mentioned you get online as soon as you can! There is also so many other products included in this huge sale so it is definitely worth a peek.

Lucy
xoxo

Colourpop Haul

This is definitely at least my fourth Colourpop haul over here on my blog. Everytime they have some sort of free shipping offer I always cannot resist making another order.

The lip bundle which is in this haul is actually a birthday present for my best friend for her Christmas present which I obviously have not yet given, so I pray she isn't reading this! I wanted to feature it in the haul though as I think this is not only a lovely present for someone else, but they are sets of their best selling lip products so if you are wanting to treat yourself your know your getting something good. This bundle named Out and About has two ultra matte lipsticks in Viper which is a dusty rose and Times Square which a pink beige, and also a ultra satin lipstick in Baracuda which a gorgeous warm deepened rose. I always rave about how much I love the finish of the ultra satin liquid lipsticks and I actually already own Baracuda myself, it is a beautiful shade which as always is long lasting and comfortable on the lips. I would usually swatch these but as they are a present I obviously won't be doing in this haul. This bundle costs $15 all together. 

I also picked up two of their super shock shadows in the shades White Rabbit and Static. I was sold on White Rabbit when I read the description which says it is a pink copper, as copper shades are my go to. I am happy to say that this is just as beautiful in real life as it is in the photos and I cannot wait to try this out. The shade Static is darker than a shade which I would naturally gravitate to, but it just looks so amazing in the pan and the burgundy tones stand out to me. I already have a few of these shadows in my collection in the finish which is pearlised, which is my favourite finish out of all the different ones which they do. I think they are the most pigmented and the most long lasting without creasing on the eyelid. 

I finally picked up an eyebrow pencil from their collection. Before this purchase I had not ventured out from eyeshadows and lipsticks, but I wanted to try a few more pieces from them. I picked up the shade Honey Blonde, which is pretty self explanatory the shade is for warm toned blondes. I have tried this quite a few times since receiving this order, and I actually think that is a pretty decent eyebrow product. For $5 I think it is great value for money as in the UK I think drugstore brands really lack within the eyebrow product ranges which they sell. I usually always have to buy high end eyebrow products are there is a huge difference in comparison with how the products wear, and also the choice of shade range.

Have you bought anything recently from Colourpop?

Lucy

xoxo

Fitness

When I think about my 'fitness' past, I have never been the person who hits to exercise which I know is an excellent starting place. I hated PE at school, I hated it mainly because I hated outdoor activities mainly running. It was the bane of my life, and I had no intention of ever trying as to me it was pointless. As a child I went to swimming and since the age of 3 I attended dance lessons. I thoroughly enjoy dancing, and since being back home from university I have gone back to my old dance school doing a class of ballet a week and I have been loving it. There is no doubt of the impact which ballet can have on your body, with the strength and technique which is requires. However, I wanted to take things up a notch further rather than it just being one hours sessions a week. I joined the gym at uni and with one of my friends who is really into fitness we started to go a few times a week. However, I did not sustain it and I quickly fell back into my old routine.

I am now more than ever wanting to actually go the gym on a regular basis. If you read my recent new year's resolutions post, you will know one of them was to join the gym and go. I did take the first plunge by actually joining the gym last week, I had been saying I was going to do it for ages but I never got round to it. It has been a massive help that two of my close friends already go the gym I have joined. I am always much more encouraged to actually go and attend a gym class or a session if I have made plans to. It's nice to have someone there you know for moral support especially when you are brand new to it. I want to join in mixture of classes and going to the actual gym. I have looked online at their classes timetable and jotted down in my diary the classes which I fancy, the days and times around what I am working. I want to participate in a number of different classes to see which ones I enjoy the most. I think it is important to do a variety to see what I liked the best at the start, so then I have an idea when I think about when I can go each week.

This week I attended my first class which was bodyattack. I was not expecting it to be as intense as it was, but even though I came out in a big, sweaty mess after the session I felt as though I hard worked hard and it is definitely a great cardio workout. I made the mistake of booking my gym induction the day after. I woke up the next morning with aching legs, but I think when your body aches it shows that you worked hard. I thought I was going to a gym induction which would just be showing me how the machines work. How very wrong was I, it turned into an hours personal training session. Considering my lack of exercise history previous to this, I was not prepared in the slightest! When I say I thought my body was literally going to give way on the last set of crunches, I was not exaggerating. I made the error of informing the trainer I wanted to tone up, especially my stomach and legs. Let's just say I was waddling like a penguin the next day, I have never felt a burn quite like it. Saying that, I found the induction really useful as I now don't feel as though the gym will be too daunting next time I go on my own, as I now know how to use the equipment properly to actually get something out of it. He also went through lots of floor exercises with me which I found the most useful as I can also do these at home for days when I don't have time to go but I still want to do some sort of exercise. 

I am not jumping into this thinking I am going to be some sort of Victoria Secrets model in no time, but I am doing this for myself to tone up and feel better in myself ultimately improving my own self confidence. I am going to make it my goal to attend three times a week whether it be a class or a gym session. I am quite lucky in with my job I have 3 or 4 days off a week so I am pretty much aiming on going on all of my days off for the first few weeks to see how it goes. Alongside this I am also trying to eat more healthy. I do not eat 'unhealthy' anyway, but as everyone does I make bad choices and I never feel good in myself after. I am going to try and eat the best I can as I think I think it is vital alongside weightloss and toning up. I have seen quite a few bloggers do a series of fitness updates and I always enjoy reading them. I was wondering whether to do them monthly or just as and when? I think I will see how I get on and will go from there.

Lucy
xoxo

Morphe 35O Palette

I finally managed to get my mitts on the Morphe 35O palette, and boy am I glad to have it in my possession. I bought it from Beautybay and it costs just £21 considering it contains 35 shades it is amazing value for money. I could not decide between this and the all shimmer version. However, I decided to go for this as it contains a mixture of mattes, metallics and shimmers. It is great to have such variation within a palette. If you have followed my blog for a while you will know what a huge fan I am of the MAC Warm Neutrals palette due to the range of shades it contains, but this is one up on it due to there being 35 shades. I am quite predictable when it comes my what I wear on my eyes I always choose golden and brown tones, and my absolute favourite at the moment is burgundy shades. I love that they add a pop of colour and they also complement my blue eye colour beautifully.

If you are wanting a palette which is budget friendly, pigmented and you are a neutrals lover you need this in your life. I totally understand the hype around it and it's all for the right reasons. I would pay double if not triple for this palette hands down as I have been loving it that much. I have had this for over a month now and all of my palettes have been collecting dust as this is what I have picked up almost everyday. The bottom two shades on the right hand side have literally brought a whole new dimension to my burgundy love and I did a amazing smokey eye using some of the matte shades blended with this and a little dark brown blended on the outside, and it was of my favourite looks I think I have ever created. There is no denying I love a good shimmer shade, and I could maybe do with 2 or 3 more shimmers in this palette, that would be its only downfall. I think the matte to shimmer/metallic ratio is a little bit off. However, the shimmer and metallics which are in the palette are all stunning and complement the rest of the shades beautifully. I was not sure if I was going to use the brighter orange shades in this, but I actually blended some of the brightest shade into a look the other day and it really added a pop to the look. This will be great to use in the spring and summer to add some colour and diversity into my looks.

Unfortunately this is once again sold out, the only way to get your hands on it is to follow Beautybay on their social media as they do often restock it in but in small quantities. I would not recommend buying this from Morphe directly unless you are desperate as one of my friends has done this and got stung with a big delivery and customs charge, and it ended up costing her over £50.

I am already eyeing up some more of the Morphe palettes and it would be great if anyone had any recommendations?

Lucy
xoxo