SUNLIGHT

I took this film last year and only just remembered about it. This shoot was towards a photography exam which I chose to focus on 'creative use of light', focussing on how natural sunlight created shapes and shadows in nearby residential areas to me.

nice one.

INK

I've never really been a fan of tattoos. I've been brought up to think they're tacky and 'imagine how they'll look when you're all old and wrinkly'. They've never really been of interest to me, on others and definitely not on me. My parents don't have, and have never liked tattoos so I guess that's where I got my initial perception from.

source : pinterest

But I've decided I want tattoos, and I'm actually going for a consultation next week. I don't  want to be covered, it wouldn't suit me at all. Small/medium ones. Or big ones, but just one or two. I think the change of heart is due to a few things.

My change in taste and style over time. In school I was all about the pretty/girly style; the polka dots, bright colours and endless Cath Kidston-style prints. I used to think wearing a plain top looked boring, but now it's what I love. I also wouldn't dream of wearing all-black outfits. How boring, bring out the mint green polka-dot. I now see simplicity in style something which can be exciting by how you pair it with things and wear it, adapting it to your own tastes and style. I've learnt a good few basic pieces are essential, and just easy to wear. I blame my change in style on my age, and things around me like my peers, and it may sound odd, but largely the internet. Social media, and being introduced to the blogging world has given me inspiration to just wear it if I like it.

Now, instead of seeing tattoos as tacky or distasteful like when I was younger, I see them as works of art which explicitly express your tastes, loves and interests.  I've been looking at simple, outline tattoos of things I think I won't get bored of. Roses are a cliché design for a female but I love them. I've found so much inspiration from Instagram accounts and done a ton of research for nearby tattoo artists who's work I love.

I've landed on a simple line tattoo of a rose, which I hope for the artist to maybe tweak into his own style and incorporate a bit of dotwork as I absolutely adore it. I plan on getting it done on my side/ribs, yes risky as it's supposed to be a painful area but it's not going to be very big.

So yeah, there's just my recent thoughts on tattoos blurted onto the internet. I want to know other's view on tattoos...love or hate them? have them? don't want or want them?

Have a look at my Tattoo pinterest board here and the specific ideas for my first on this

KAT VON D EVERLASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK

LEFT - UNDERAGE RED / RIGHT - VAMPIRA

THE AFTERMATH - YOU KNOW THEY'RE GOOD WHEN THEY'RE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE

I've been converted. As much as I love the standard lipstick bullet, liquid lipsticks are a new favourite. In particular, the Kat Von D Everlasting ones are so good that I went back to buy a second shade a day after trying the first. I picked these up in Sephora while in New York earlier this year and I love them.

The first shade I picked up was Underage Red. I only owned one red lip colour at the time, (Mac Russian Red which I love) so decided to get one in a different formula as I was loving red lips. It's a pretty bold red and the formula is very matte and opaque, but not drying and easy to apply. I also love the tattoo-style illustration on the packaging. 

After trying Underage Red I immediately loved it and went back to see what other shades caught my eye. I saw Vampira, and in the tube it doesn't look like much - almost a browny red. However as a lover of dark lips I gave it a swatch and it immediately made me want it. It's the perfect vampy red which has the smallest hint of purple. 

I like to apply this quite thinly as I found when applied thickly, it can become quite heavy and uncomfortable on the lips after a few hours. But I've sussed it, and having a lighter layer (after getting rid of excess before applying) still gives the opaque colour which is long-lasting and more comfortable to wear.

I've now got my eye on the bright purple shade in the range, have you tried these?

KAT VON D EVERLASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK - $20 SEPHORA

NEW YORK CITY

Last year I posted two wishlists before I went to New York with my family. The beauty shopping was well and truly done, and even though it was a few months ago I may post a haul of what I ended up buying from the wishlists, and my thoughts on them after using them. It was an insane experience as my first time in New York and I enjoyed being a proper tourist for a week. I was constantly in awe of everything and I would love to return, (demonstrated on my instagram with one too many #throwbackthursday posts...)

Throughout the trip I took a lot of photographs. Some of family, the expected touristy photos and way too many selfies, and those I'll spare you of. But here I've shared my favourite photos of the bunch, which I took with the intention to possibly consider for my A Level course or just capture the city as I saw it.

Street photography is the obvious theme, and I liked focussing on street signs and the traffic lights. I wanted to capture New York as a city and the whole overwhelming atmosphere felt by tourists, mixed with the individual, normal lives of those who live there.

I also took some light trail photos but they didn't suit this post, so I may include them in a future post.

Here's to more photography posts!

THE REVAMP

Its been a while...

The reason the last post was from December 2014 is because exams happened. I've recently sat my AS Level exams in Photography, English Language, Geography and Sociology but now that I'm (almost) work-free for the summer I've decided to devote some of my free time to revamping this blog. 

I plan to write and post whatever I fancy. I want to share some of my favourite photography projects as well as the random babble of my thoughts in some opinion writing or response pieces. Journalism is one of my options for university so this is a way to have a bit of practise as well as just have some fun.

Of course my love affair with make-up and clothes is still going strong so I'll share some stuff that I think is worth sharing too - the lipstick obsession never dies.

So that's what's been going on and what is to follow. 

PIXIWOO HAVE DONE IT AGAIN // miracle complexion sponge

I've always been one to favour make-up brushes over sponges. I never really got make-up sponges. They just always made me think of face-paint applicators, applying it watery and streaky, and even when the huge hype around the Beauty Blender was about, I had no desire to try one (plus they weren't available in the UK) so just never tried them, loyal to my e.l.f. and Real Techniques brushes.

Yet, I recently picked up the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge after arriving incredibly late to the party. After owning almost all of the Real Technique brush sets and loving them, I thought I'd pick one up from a brand I trust.

I've been using this for around a month to apply my foundation with the flatter side, and concealer with the point and I love it more than I expected to. The finish and coverage of make-up is a lot more seamless and smooth, and application is so fast and easy.

So yes, I wouldn't say I'm converted, but I am impressed with the humble make-up sponge, and really recommend this one!

NEW YORK WISHLIST #2 // drugstore

The second instalment of my New York beauty wishlist is here, containing drugstore items. I have a feeling I'll receive some strange looks from US residents as I run around CVS and Duane Reade in excitement. To them, its a pharmacy, to me its a world of well-priced makeup I've never been able to try before...us British love a good drugstore and the same old Boots and Superdrug only have so much to offer. Here's a list of what I'm planning on picking up the US drugstores...

WET'N'WILD EYESHADOWS// probably the thing I see cropping up in a 'US Beauty Haul' the most...wet'n'wild palettes are so popular, with gorgeous shades and apparently brilliant quality, not to mention the insanely cheap price tags.

COVERGIRL LASHBLAST// covergirl is another brand unavailable to us here in the UK, and I've heard good things about their mascaras, and being a mascara whore lover, I'll definitely be picking one up to try!

NYX SOFT MATTE LIP CREAM// I believe some Next stores stock NYX, but unfortunately none around where I live do, so I plan on picking some products up, one (or two) being the Soft Matte Lip Creams which I've heard are great.

NYX JUMBO EYE PENCILS// The other NYX product I've heard loads about are the Jumbo Eye Pencils. I plan on picking up the famous Milk, a white base, and probably a bronzey shade, because who doesn't love a bronzey smokey eye?

MILANI BAKED BLUSH// Despite not really being a blush fan/wearer, I'm wanting to pick up some from Milani after hearing good reviews. If not them, then something from Milani as a brand as it isn't available in the UK!

MAYBELLINE COLOUR WHISPER// Maybelline's answer to the Revlon Lip Butters (which I love anyway), but not available in the UK yet, I'll be looking out for these!

MAYBELLINE COLOUR TATTOO// finally, something that is available in Boots and Superdrug, but if I'm not mistaken, the US have a wider range of shades, including a lot more neutral/wearable shades. Already owning and loving two (Permanent Taupe and On and On Bronze) I'll be seeking out some other shades!

No doubt my two lists will grow and grow closer to the time I go to the US (r.i.p. bank account) but those are the bits I'm planning on picking up! If you haven't read my first wishlist, featuring products from Sephora/high-end items, you can read it here!

Any recommendations for things to pick up are very welcome!