I Got Into University!

I did it! Last Thursday after a dreaded three months of waiting, I found out that I'm officially a Communications and Media student at the University of Leeds. It still hasn't sunk in that I'll be moving from the middle of the Bedfordshire countryside to a huge city, but I've never been so excited about something. After three years of absolute A Level induced hell, I'm ready to move on and finally prove myself. I'm planning on doing a few posts about becoming a fresher and preparing for university, I've always loved reading other peoples and found them really helpful. Here's to the next chapter in my life!

Have you recently got into university? Any tips for a fresher?

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Models Own (Again) | Mirrorball Collection in Hot Stuff

I seem to be loving grass as a backdrop in my pictures at the moment. Even if I did have to pick out a load of dead leaves before I took photos, the things I do for my blog aye? But there is a higher love in my life at the momento, this being Hot Stuff. Yes, I know, the Models Own Mirrorball Collection is so last year but I've only just had the honour of owning any of the stunning polishes after receiving a couple for my birthday. So, as the Mirrorball Collection came out all the way back in September 2012, I'll give you a little reminder. It's made up of five glitter packed polishes; Hot Stuff, Freak Out!, Dancing Queen, Boogie Nights, and Disco Inferno, each with a different coloured lid corresponding to the colour of the polish.

Hot Stuff is loaded with red and fuchsia speckles of glitter and larger pink and rainbow glitter pieces, which seem to be either gold or blue most of the time. It looks stunning in the sunlight, of which we're luckily getting a lot of at the moment. When I got it, I instantly thought of BarryM Greenberry, don't you think they make a beautiful pairing? Application is hassle free, but like most polishes with large glitter pieces, you do have to poke them around a bit to get an equal coverage.

As expected, it is a total pain to remove, but I think it's appearance is worth the twenty minutes it took me to get it off my nails. The glitter can be slightly scratchy due to it's size, but nothing that a coat of top coat can't fix. Hot Stuff has fast become a new favourite of my glitter polishes and a welcome addition to my Models Own collection. If you want to get your hands on this (and quite rightly so) it's available from the Models Own website and most Boots stores for £5 each, or £20 for the whole set (exclusive to the MO website).

Have you tried any of the Models Own Mirrorball Collection?

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Road Trip Playlist: The V Festival Edition

Summer equals festivals and in eighteen days time I'll be road tripping with a group of friends to the depths of Essex to attend V Festival. Road trips need an epic soundtrack, to keep everyone upbeat and excited and of course to have a sing-a-long. I've been left in charge of providing the playlist for our V Festival road trip, so here's what we'll be blasting down the A1...

1. Beyonce - Crazy In Love
2. Calvin Harris - Thinking About You (Feat. Ayah Marar)
3. Avicii - Wake Me Up
4. One Direction - Best Song Ever
5. Benny Bennassi - Satisfaction
6. The Fratellies - Chelsea Dagger
7. Rudimental - Feel The Love
8. Breach - Jack
9. Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines (Feat. T.I and Pharrell)
10. Mcfly - Star Girl
11. Swedish House Mafia - Don't You Worry Child
12. Deadmau5 - Ghosts and Stuff
13. Enrique Iglesias - Hero
14. Fedde Le Grand - Put Your Hands Up For Detroit
15. The Killers - Somebody Told Me
16. Gym Class Heroes - Clothes Off
17. Icona Pop - I Love It (Feat. Charli XCX)
18. Afrojack - Take Over Control (Feat. Eva Simons)
19. Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
20. Justin Timberlake - Sexy Back

Our journey will probably need a couple of CD's to keep us going, but there's a selection of the tracks I'll be using, with a few golden oldies here and there (I'm looking at you Enrique Iglesias). I haven't just stuck to artists who are playing at V Festival, we'll be hearing their music all weekend anyway!

Whats are your favourite roadtrip tracks?

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Models Own | Hedkandi Collection in Bora Bora

Oh Bora Bora, you absolute beauty. I've been eyeing up this bottle of beautiful golden sparkle since it's release a few weeks back, and I'm so happy to call it mine after I got it for my birthday. I haven't owned a new Models Own polish in so long, and unfortunately many of mine are beginning to go gloopy making application a difficult task, but nothing a little bit of nail polish remover can't fix (try it girls, it works!). Bora Bora, inspired by the party island of Ibiza, is the newest offering to the hedkandi collection along with gorgeous glitter, Sunset Chillout. It's just a shame I don't have a holiday to wear this on! Any offers?

At first look I thought this might be a polish to be worn over another, but this really holds it's own after two coats. It's such an easy colour to wear, and would look amazing with a tan - which I sadly lack. The lasting power has been seriously impressive too, after wearing for three days there hasn't been any chipping at all. I mean, how amazing is that?! Models Own, you've certainly impressed me once again, and I will keep coming back for more (just as long as my bank account can support my obsession). You can get Bora Bora in you life - which you definitely should - from the Models Own website or Boots for the bargain price of £5.00.

So, I should probably address the fact I haven't posted for yet another two months. Well this is just a total blogging disaster really isn't it? I did an updates post, and most of that still applies. Still waiting for A Level results day (4 weeks oh my god!), still looking for a job, and I'm still feeling uninspired with my blog. I love blogging, my blog is my creative outlet, and there's no way I'm going to stop just yet. Thank you for all sticking around, and a special thank you to Mollie from Mollie Muses who has been especially lovely. It if wasn't for your email I wouldn't be writing this post now - you're a babe.

I'll be back. Have any of you tried out the Models Own hedkandi collection?

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Let's Have A Catch-Up...

Uh oh, it seems that I disappeared off the face of the earth once again. I thought I owed my lovely followers who have stuck around an explanation for my complete lack of blogging in the last few months - it's time to get a bit personal ladies. Let's have a catch-up...

[1] It's that time of the year that I completely despise, hello exams and coursework deadlines. This sudden influx has been a shock to the system and has led me to a fair few meltdowns (one of my best talents). I haven't had the best of years at sixth form, it seems to be a pattern with me that I start off with impeccable attendance, I meet all homework deadlines and then suddenly I just lose it a bit, but this year I completely lost it. I don't want to go into too much depth, as thinking about it all freaks me out a bit.

[2] On the topic of sixth form I finished last Friday, so I'm two exams away from a fourteen week summer of freedom! I've been on the job hunt, but haven't had the best of luck so far. It was only last week I got rejected from SEVEN jobs at ASDA. Charlotte is not loving life right now!

[3] Still on the topic of education, I thought I'd give you a bit of a university update. I was lucky enough to receive offers from all of the five universities that I applied for, but there was always one that stood out for me. I've firmed the University of Leeds and insured Newcastle University to study Communications and Media. Keep your fingers crossed for me guys, I'm not feeling so hopeful at the moment.

[4] I've been feeling very uninspired with my blog recently, from content to design. I have even considered stopping, but I'd miss it way too much. I'm planning on having a complete blog design overhaul, and I have so many post ideas. I just need the summer to get it all going!

So there you go, a little update for you all. I've been surprised to still be gaining followers and receiving comments so thank you so much to all of you who stuck around, and hello to my lovely new followers. I'm going to try so hard with my blog over the summer, and maybe even attend a meet-up, who knows?

How are you all? I'll be back with new posts in the very near future!

 

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Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Luna | Review and Swatches

I'll be the first to admit I'm not one of those girls that has a deep obsession with lip products, but after seeing the Rimmel Apocalips lip lacquers plastered all over my blog feed I just had to try them. I actually firstly bought Celestial but my friend lost it after I'd only worn it once (I haven't forgotten Becca!), but I'd actually always had my eye on Luna, I just wasn't sure if it would be too bright for me, and how wrong I was. Luna's peachy coral colour compliments my skin tone perfectly, and although it is quite an out there shade, I feel like I can wear this as an everyday lip without feeling too over the top. It's such a perfect shade for the Spring and Summer months as well, the perfect pairing for a floral dress and sunglasses.

The lip lacquers are effectively a liquid lipstick, that glides on effortlessly, giving a gorgeous, and slightly glossy but natural finish. The dipped shape of the applicator, means that the most product is applied to the center of the lips, a god send for an amateur lipstick applicator like me, saving me from getting it all over my face. Impressively, Apocalips last with a glossy finish for around two hours, and then leave a lovely stain to the lips lasting for around a further three hours. However I do think that the lasting power does depend on the shade, although Luna does last for a great length of time, brighter shades from the range like Big Bang (orangey red) and Apocaliptic (blue based fuchsia) would last longer and leave a deeper stain on the lips.

As a light shade, I have found that Luna does pick up on chapped lips, but nothing so severe that it can't be fixed with a quick sweep of lip balm before application. I'm so happy I took the plunge and left my comfort zone when it comes to lip colour, Rimmel Apocalips really are worth the hype. Now I just need to decide which shade I'm going to buy next!

Have you tried the Rimmel Apocalips, do you think they live up to the hype?

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Aqua Green Glitter Nails | Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Greenberry

BREAKING NEWS! We can report that Charlotte is still alive. Er, hi guys, it's been a while hasn't it. Almost a whole two months in fact, oops. I've had a lot going on in my personal life, some things I can share with you, and others which are a little too personal for the entire internet to know. I'll probably do an update post at some point. Anyway, the good news is that I'm back and heavily armed with blog content. I've missed you! 

It's hardly a surprise that I'm diving straight back in with a nail post, I just love nail polish. After seeing the massive hype sweeping my GFC bloglovin' feed (cheeky) that is the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine nail polishes, I couldn't resist, but then again I can never resist a nail polish. I instantly knew Greenberry was the colour for me, it became love at first application, and a perfect colour for the impending summer months... if they ever arrive. I just want to wack out my shades, coral lipstick and hear the sounds of the ice cream van! With my massive adoration for Models Own polishes, I had to add a coat of the hugely coveted holographic glitter Juicy Jules, it looks amazing when my nails catch the light - even more reason for the sun to come out.

However, as much as I loved the colour, I wasn't so impressed with the formula, and it's a real shame. I agree, it does live up to the label of 'hi-shine', but when it comes to the lasting factor, I found mine to be chipped after one day of wear - not impressed. But, I have to be honest, I'm willing to put up with this annoying element because the colour certainly makes up for it. It took two coats to achieve a glossy finish, but I reckon you could actually get away with one, I should also add it took a pretty long while to dry.

I'm glad I tried this polish out, and it didn't break the bank at £3.99, but I have been left a little disappointed by the lack of longevity. I'll still be using this polish a lot though, it's just such a beautiful colour. I guess I'll just have to hunt out a seriously strong top coat! I hope you're all well, I'm sure I'll be back soon.

Have you tried the BarryM Gelly Hi-Shine polishes?

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