March Birchbox - International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day! Not that we deserve just one day! Just like last year, this month's box celebrates IWD. Celebrating and empowering women of the past, present and future is so important. I went to an all girls' school and we were really encouraged to push ourselves to be successful. It was even in our school motto. Let's continue to celebrate all the women in our lives, remember those incredible women in our past and empower the women of the future.. and why not treat yourself too! Beautiful Birchbox goodies for beautiful women? I think so! 

Current Beauty Favourites - February 2020

As someone with a ridiculous amount of beauty products, I so often get drawn into using the same products again, and again. So when I find a new (or old) product that I really like, it is always quite exciting. It has been a while since I did a favourites post, and I've discovered some great products, which I cannot believe I wasn't using for so long before. A lot of these have also solved a lot of beauty 'problems' that I was having.

The Best Matte Lipsticks - Charlotte Tilbury Edition

If I'm wearing lipstick, you had better believe it is matte. I have never been a fan of glossy or 'slippery' finishes - you will never see me in lip gloss! However a lot of people also feel the same way about matte lipsticks. Whilst I was cleaning out my makeup drawer and my huge collection of lipsticks, I found lots of old favourites including two from Charlotte Tilbury. This has inspired me to create a series of blog posts featuring my favourite matte lipsticks from different brands. I want to include both a regular and liquid lipstick option. First up, Charlotte Tilbury!

Is My Beauty Stash Recyclable?

The impact of plastic on the environment feels like a never-ending struggle. At the end of last year, the Royal Statistical Society found that only 9% of all plastic is properly recycled. Whilst more brands are bringing out plastic alternatives, coffee-shops offering discounts to customers with reusable cups; the one area that I don’t think gets discussed enough is plastic and the beauty industry.

February Birchbox - From Birchbox With Love

This month marks my fourth year being a Birchbox subscriber. It is so fun getting a little parcel of goodies every month, and it often introduces you to many brands that you will not have heard of. Unsurprisingly, this month has a Valentine's theme - and how aesthetically pleasing does this box look with matching paper decoration, and the colour of all the products' packaging! With a bit of makeup and skincare, you could be entirely prepped for a date, or hanging out with your gal pals for Galentine's!

My Desert Island Beauty Picks - Makeup Brushes

In all my desert island beauty series, I have featured at least three of each product. Whilst it is mainly due to my makeup obsession, it is completely unnecessary. Unless you are a makeup artist, we do not really need to have excessive amounts of one type of beauty product - and that includes beauty tools. For obvious reasons, a makeup artist has a plethora of different brushes in their kit, for sanitary purposes and for creating varied, editorial or commercial looks. But do I really need more than a couple brushes?

The Never Ending Pile Of Lipsticks

I'm sure we all have one makeup item that we all just own a ridiculous amount of - too many to be exact. For me, that is lipstick. From liquid, crayon and regular lipsticks, I own enough that I could wear a different shade every day and it would take a few months to get through them all. When I was completing my #MakeupMonday post, I noticed I was using most of the same stuff every week. As someone with such an extensive collection, it is pretty shameful! So what to do with all these lipsticks...

January Birchbox - Birchbox X Rochelle Humes

This year marks three years that I've been getting a Birchbox. I love getting it every month, and trying out a huge variety of products. I'm looking forward to trying more new things this year. The first box of the year is in collaboration with Rochelle Humes. I was big fan of S Club 7 when I was growing up, and Rochelle was part of the S Club Juniors! She has since been in The Saturdays, and now does a lot of presenting. She does a clothing edit with New Look. Let's see what was inside the box!

Concealer - My Picks

As a non-foundation wearer, I live on concealer. Whilst I might wear foundation for a fancy occasion, on the day-to-day basis, I don't need it. Now I will be upfront and honest and say that I only really use concealer for under my eyes. However, I do like the concealer I use under my eyes to be full-coverage so you should be able to use these to cover blemishes or any other issues. All of these concealers are available from the high-street, and all but one have a decent shade range.

#MakeupMonday - My Most Used Products 2019 Edition

A new year, and a new decade. Isn't that scary! The fact that in this decade I will be turning 30 is pretty scary - the age my mum was when I was born! In today's post, I will be revealing the most used makeup in my weekly #MakeupMonday posts on Instagram. I did this last year and I found it really interesting. As a makeup lover, I love trying out new products, but it is a true testament to a good product when you see how much you actually you use it.

December Birchbox - Ready, Set, Glam

I can't believe that it is time for the last Birchbox post of 2019! This month, we received our goodies in this gorgeous velvet bag! It is the perfect size to use as a clutch, or a travel makeup bags. I love the combination of the navy bag with the pink star and zip. Navy and pink is a surprisingly good colour combination which I would never before put together, but in the last year or so I think it really has grown on me. Lots of the goodies this month are perfect for getting ready for the festive season! Let's see what's inside.

Getting To Grips With Powder Highlighter

Is there any particular part of makeup that you struggle with? Whether its getting the perfect eyeliner flick, achieving a flawless red lip or not messing up nail polish (thank goodness for gel!) - there is often one thing that we 'struggle' against. For me, that is powder highlighter. Whilst it looks great on Instagram, in the flesh, powder highlighter can look really strange. I've tried many techniques, and powders and after many trials and tribulations - I think I've got it. Or least that I can work with!

Are You Bad At Sticking To Beauty Routines?

My name is Ellyn, and I am bad at sticking to beauty routines. I've written three posts about this in the last three years (2017, 2018, 2019) and guess what, I'm still not any better. I feel like many of these are quite common - or at least that is what I'm telling myself! I'd like to think that some of these are quite common, no matter who you are! As I have said in all of these, I really hope that one day I will be better but who knows! Check back in 2020!

Eyeliner - My Top Picks

If I could only keep one part of my makeup routine, it would probably be eyeliner. Eyeliner has been a crucial part of my makeup routine since I first started wearing makeup when I was about 13. I’ve gone through many eyeliners throughout the years, from a variety of brands but in the last few years have I found my favourites. Today, I will share three eyeliners which I think are some of the very best. I’ve included a felt-tip liquid, and two pencils.

#GRWM - These Boots Were Made For Walking

It has been a while since I did a fashion post. Recently, I've been trying to experiment more with the clothes I own. Especially my beautiful red boots! I was going out with friends last night so I thought I would put together a #GRWM post for you all. Most of my recent #GRWM posts have just been makeup and whilst I do share my outfits on Instagram, I thought it was time that I shared a full look!

Inside My Makeup Collection - Benefit Box Powders

One of my favourite videos to watch are collection videos, or de-cluttering. Essentially videos that allow us to be nosy! For beauty influencers, there is a constant stream of new products, so it is always interesting to see their collections to find out what products stay, and that they really enjoy. Benefit is one of my all time favourite brands, and one thing that I own the most of, are their box powders. An iconic part of their brand. Since I got my first one, there have been several more released. They are some of my most used cheek products, and have many for a long time.

November Birchbox - Birchbox X Frozen 2

The snow glows white on the mountain tonight, not a footprint to be seen. A kingdom of isolation and it looks like… ok let’s stop right there. We are not here for karaoke! If you hadn’t guessed by know, this month’s Birchbox is all about Frozen as Frozen 2 is released this month. I’m looking forward to seeing Olaf, as he is my favourite character, and of course what song is going to be stuck in my head! Let’s see what was inside this month’s box!

Desert Island Beauty - Makeup Routine

It's not a secret that I own way too much makeup for the average person. If you have read any of my Desert Island Beauty series, I tried to divide up my beauty stash to try and decide what I would take. I also share my makeup routine every Monday on Instagram. Today I thought I would be really strict with myself and share the makeup routine that I would take with me, if I could only take one of each step. If you have seen any of my Monday Instagram posts, you won't be surprised with some of these picks!

Last Minute Halloween Makeup

As the beauty obsessive in my house, when it comes to Halloween, I become the designated makeup artist for my sister. As Halloween has often been on a school night, I have often had a lot less time to create the spooky look that she wanted. Doesn’t help that she is also extremely fidgety. Halloween is tomorrow so I thought I would share two looks that I have created on my sister, which are quick, simple and you don’t need to be an amazing makeup artist for.

New Additions To My Beauty Routine

As a beauty addict, I have a lot of stuff. From makeup, skincare to haircare, I have a minimum of two per product. I can just about close my makeup drawer. Whilst I try to justify my beauty purchases, sometimes a few bonus items appear. In certain products I have particular favourites, but occasionally I like to change things up and try new products. I've been switching out a few products and have enjoyed them so far so I thought I would talk about them. I love hearing about new products, even if my bank account would like me not to purchase it straight away!