It's Always Been You...Tube

I feel like I have kind of talked about Youtube a lot on this blog, and many times, because the truth is I have been trying to become a 'Youtuber' since I was 13/14 years old. By 'Youtuber' I don't mean someone famous on Youtube, I just want to make videos regularly and because I enjoy doing it. I mean let's not lie, having a career in it would be amazing, but that's not my end goal, for me it's just about something that I love. So instead of giving a million excuses as to why I haven't been making videos, I thought I'd talk about why I want to make videos, and a little history of my Youtube life. If you would like you can watch the above vlog which covers everything, but in case you prefer to read I'll also do a short write up of everything I talk about below!

So let's start on why I love Youtube...

I started watching Youtube videos when I was around 13/14 years old, and I watched Youtubers like Charlieissocoollike, Shane Dawson and Meekakitty, mainly daily vloggers, although Shane also did some sketch videos. I can't remember the exact reason why I first started watching videos, but the reason that I stayed was down to a sense of personal connection that you get from watching a certain Youtuber. I had plenty of friends at school so I wasn't lonely, but I think I was still working out who I was as a person, and watching people who were either going through the same, or had already been through it really helped. Even now I watch Youtube videos when I wake up, when I'm on a break, and when I get home, I consume so much Youtube that it's probably a little unhealthy, but I really don't care!

My first Youtube channel...

It wasn't long after starting to watch videos that I made my first Youtube channel, and I kept getting into the loop of making videos, and then deleting them, and then trying again a few months down the line. For some reason I could never make it stick. That channel is still up today and there is a clip of one of my really old vlogs in the video above, if you want to check out cringey 17 year old me! I even tried a couple of times (unsuccessfully I might add) to take part in VEDA (Vlog everyday in April) but only ever kept it up for a few days at a time.

University and blogging...

When I went to Uni my Youtube obsession was at it's height, I went to study Film and TV and I was hoping to make a lot of friends that also wanted to make Youtube videos. Thankfully there wasn't a shortage on people who were into Youtube, unfortunately I was rubbish at sticking to making videos. Then in my final year of Uni I got into something entirely different, blogging. As you can tell it went pretty well as I have been blogging for almost 3 and a half years now! I've told the story many times about how I got into blogging so I won't bore you with it again now, but if you really want to know I do talk about it in the video above!

Gaming Channel...

When I left Uni and moved back home I lost a lot of my creative outlet because I wasn't making films for work anymore, so I knew I really wanted to try and get a channel up and running again. At this time the type of Youtube videos that I was into the most was Gaming paythroughs, this was about the time that Pewdiepie started getting popular. So I got ahold of  a recording device and started recording myself playing on my Xbox 360. This was probably the first time since starting Youtube that I actually felt like part of a community, and I even did a collab with another small Youtube gamer. In the end I couldn't keep up with recording, it was mainly because I lived at home with my Mum and my brother and it was difficult for me to find time when it was quiet enough to record. So in the end my gaming channel fizzled out but it's something that I really want to get back into in the future.

Where we are now...

About a year ago I got really good at making videos and made one a week which went on for a good few months, and that is where I plan to get back to! Tim and I may be moving into our own place very shortly which will make it even easier for me to film, as I won't have to worry about his parents being around. In the mean time I plan to upload a new video once a week on either a Friday or Saturday, whether it be a vlog, a makeup look, or a challenge video, so keep your eyes peeled for those!

Let me know in the comments what kind of videos that you want to see on my channel, and I may just make them...

Wishlist Wednesday: Youtuber Merch

So I didn't really ask for anything but money for Christmas because I really couldn't figure out anything that I wanted, and then when it came to writing this wishlist post I realised something. There is so much Youtuber merch that I want to buy that I really should have asked for some for Christmas... Thankfully my birthday is only a month away so I won't have long to wait to get some of these!

1. iBallistic Squid T-shirt: £15.10

2. Stacyplays Page and Molly Backpack: $34,99

3. Stacyplays T-shirt: $22

4. Jacksepticeye Septiceye Sam Plush: £14.99

5. Jacksepticeye Speed is Key Shirt: £14.99

6. Pewdiepie Edgar Backpack: $28

7. Pewdiepie Beach Towel: $14.40

8. Pewdiepie PJ Pants: $20

9. Pewdiepie All Over Brofist Tee: $23

Having now looked over everything I have selected I realised that I picked all 'Let's Play' Youtubers. I will admit they are my most watched channels at the moment, and 'Let's Play' Youtubers are definitely my favourite Youtubers at the moment. Stacyplays and iBallisticsquid are quite recent editions to my watch list, as I have recently become a little bit obsessed with Minecraft! I am hoping soon to get my own PC so I can even try and do some of my own Minecraft Let's Plays, but we'll have to see...

Who are your favourite Youtubers at the moment?

Lush Christmas Haul

Last week I attended the Lush Christmas event in Reading at The Oracle, and I managed to spend a lot more money than I intended to. So I thought I would make a haul video sharing everything that I bought with you. I warn you, this is a very long video, so if you do not have the time or patience to watch the full video I will place a list of all of the products underneath the video.

Here is what I bought:

- Golden Wonder Bath Bomb

- Dashing Santa Bath Bomb (Free from Basingstoke Lush)

-Lush Luxury Pud Bath Bomb (Free from Basingstoke Lush)

- Santa's Lip Scrub

- Veganese Conditioner

- Celebrate Body Lotion

- Magic of Christmas Bubble Wand

-Peeping Santa Bubble Bar

- Bar Humbug Bubble Bar

- Brightside Bubble Bar

- Melting Marshmallow Moment Bath Oil

- Big Bang Bubble Bar

- Star Dust Bath Bomb

- Yog Nog Bath Bomb

- Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb

- Father Christmas Bath Bomb

- Cinders Bath Bomb

Have you bought anything from the Lush Christmas range yet? What is your favourite?

Vlog: Weekend in Wakefield

There is nothing better in this world than spending time with family, especially when it's family that I haven't seen in a long time. My cousin, Jade lives in Wakefield, and I only get to see her a couple of times a year, so when I do we always do something special... This time we visited York, and went to the beach in Bridlington, it was a very fun filled but tiring weekend!

Daily Vlog: Mini Pancakes and Shiny Shoes

Youtube Video: My Sister Does My Makeup

A few weekends ago Tish and I were up in London for Summer in the City 2015 and we decided to film a challenge video! I thought this would actually go pretty well... although all she did was make me look more like her! Safe to say she won't be doing my makeup again...

Daily Vlog: Summer in the City 2015 - Creator Day

Daily Vlog: Waiting Forever for my Sister...

Beauty Besties: Beauty Box Swap

Welcome back to Beauty Besties, it's been a few weeks since we've managed to get a post together, but we've done it! This week Kerrie (Pish, Posh and Polish), and I decided to make up Beauty Boxes for each other as a little surprise for one another. So we met up in the week for dinner and swapped boxes, and I literally couldn't wait to get home to open my box and see what was inside! Believe me when I say that Kerrie thoroughly spoilt me, please watch the video below to see what I got in my box...

There were so many amazing products in my box, some of which I literally couldn't wait to start using, and some I have been using every day since I opened the box. Have you done a Beauty Box Swap before, if so what is the best thing you ever received?

Daily Vlog: Big Blue and Biscotti

Daily Vlog: Blue Hair and The Gift

Bronze Eye Look featuring Lush Eye Jewels

A couple of months ago I gave my first impressions on the Lush Eye Jewels which I purchased on my first trip up to the London Oxford Street Store and I was seriously impressed. One month later and here I am finally getting around to making a tutorial with these beauties. To see the look I created you can either watch the video below, or scroll ahead to the write up!

To create this look I used three Eye Jewels, which unfortunately I do not know the names of, and as these are an Oxford street exclusive I am unable to look them up on the website but I will describe them the best I can:

• White Shimmer: I believe this is the lightest shade available and it's really glowy.
• Gold: This is a gold shimmery colour without glitter (there is another with glitter).
• Copper: This is a really lovely shimmery orangey copper colour.

Here is how I created the look:

1. Start off with an eye shadow primer that will help these colours stick.
2. Use the White Shimmer all over the lid right up to the brow bone as a base, blending out with your finger.
3. Take the gold and draw this only onto the lid, then using a flat eye shadow brush blend it and make sure you are happy with the shape.
4. Using the copper colour draw this onto the outer corner and slightly up into the crease, then blend this out using a pencil brush.
5. Also with a pencil brush take the Copper colour half way along the lower lash line, connecting to the outer corner.
6. Take the gold again and use it on the lower lash line from the inner corner, blending it where it meets the copper.
7. Go back to the White Shimmer shade and concentrate this on the inner corners.
8. Using your favourite eye liner create a wing, then coat your lashes with your favourite mascara, then you are done!

Please let me know in the comments whether you have used the Lush Eye Jewels, and of course let me know what you think about the look!

A Day Out in Brighton...

I happened to mention to Tim the other day that we hadn't yet managed to do anything for summer, so we decided maybe we should spend a day at the beach. I have wanted to visit Brighton for as long as I can remember and despite holidaying ever year in my youth only a short while up the coast from it, I had never been! 

Sunday we decided on the spur of the moment to just up and go down there, so armed with a picnic blanket and a towel we set off. There was so much that I wanted to see that we didn't manage, so we have decided to go again for a whole weekend next time!

I was so excited to get my beach on during our car journey!

Tim and I basking in the sunlight, you know there is no one I would rather spend a day with than him...

We wandered on over to Choccywoccydoodah and the cakes on display were seriously amazing, I fell in love with this white rose and cherub cake... If I ever get married then I want something like this.

They also had these cute child's birthday cakes with little ducks on, how impressive are these?

We managed to wander onto the pier and spent some time in the arcade, I managed to win myself a stuffed Sven the Reindeer (Frozen), much to Tim's surprise as he said he has NEVER seen anyone win on a claw machine before.

All in all I had an amazing day, have you ever been to Brighton?

Basingstoke Lush: Summer Blogger Event!

I was lucky enough to be invited along to the first ever Lush blogger event in Basingstoke, and it was all about being Summer Ready! There were seven bloggers in total, myself, Hannah, Sophie, Katie, Angi, Sam, and Dawn, so it was nice to meet some local girls! I was also surprised to see Ryan working in the Basingstoke store, as I first met him in the Reading store at some of their blogger events, which you can read about here and here. 

Here are all the products that we talked through:

• The Sunblock: This clever little block is designed to be used in the shower and is SPF10 to give you that initial protection from the harmful UV rays! However you can also use it as you would one of the Lush massage bars and rub it into your skin after showering. It comes in a block of three, so you have three applications worth in the one block.
• Sesame Suntan Lotion: This product smells so ridiculously good that I almost want to eat it... If you are a fan of peanut butter then you will love this lotion. It has SPF 10 and can be reapplied throughout the day.
• Powdered Sunshine: This product seems seriously strange to me, it's a powder that you use like a suntan lotion... and it has SPF15!!! How ridiculous is that? 
• Million Dollar Moisturiser: I have heard about this product before, but I never realised that it was also SPF30! I know that when I'm going out into the sun I always forget to worry about my face, so having an SPF in my moisturiser would be really good for me.
• Ocean Salt Body Scrub: I was assured that this product it amazing as a body scrub, the sea salt is perfect for getting rid of all your horrible dead skin!
• Sea Salt Hair Spray: We were given an amazing demonstration of this product by the lovely Zoe. She showed how you can use the salt spray to put volume in your hair, and how it can also be used to achieve those perfect beachy waves!
• Sunnyside Bubble Bar: This little guy is seriously delicious, busting with loads of orange scents, and it's covered in gold glitter, turning your bath water into literal sunshine!
• Big Blue Bath Bomb: With sea salt and seaweed, this bath bomb turns your water into the sea, well a much more relaxing and better smelling version of the sea anyway...

We were also lucky enough to be able to make our own little Big Blue to take home with us... It's always great fun when you get to make your own bath bombs at the Lush events, and it's always so satisfying watching it bubble away knowing that you have made it yourself!!

To top it all off at the end of the night we were given a goody bag packed full of products, if you want to see what we got in those then check the video out below!

Brand Focus: Essence Makeup

 Ever since I found out that Essence makeup was going into Wilkinson's stores my interested was immediately peaked. Every time since then when I have gone in Wilko's I stop by the Essence stand and have a good old browse, however they never seemed to have the item I actually wanted in stock... Then I found out I could order online from them, and I got really excited! I decided to try and get a full face of makeup for as cheaply as possible, and I wasn't disappointed! If you would like to see the full makeup look I created and my full opinions then please watch the video below, or if you prefer I have completed a write-up underneath the video, enjoy!

1. Soft Touch Mousse Makeup in 01 Matte Sand: This was hands down one of the stand out products for me. It gave me a lovely base and didn't feel heavy in the slightest, which is perfect for the hotter weather that we have been having recently...

2. 16h Stay All Day Concealer in 10 Beige: This is a very similar product to my Collection Lasting Perfection concealer, however it doesn't feel as heavy as the collection one. Which again for this time of year is perfect!

3. Pure Skin Anti-Spot Compact Powder in 01: I was intrigued by this product in particular as I am currently having the worst breakout of my adult life, obviously having only used this product once I cannot comment on it's spot fighting abilities. However it does have a distinctive smell, which I assume is the anti-spot complex, and it certainly mattifies my skin and takes away any excess shine that I have. I guess only time will tell whether the anti-spot powder works...

4. Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder in Blondes: This was another one of my favourite products, I have been struggling to find a bronzer that looks natural on me, and this certainly exceeded my expectations. I'm also a big fan of it because it is matte, I'm not a big fan of shimmery bronzers.

5. Silky Touch Blush in 90: This is a really lovely light pink bronzer with a slight golden shimmer in it, perfect for summer.

6. All About Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette: This comes with six shimmery shades, and they are surprisingly pigmented, although not my favourite eyeshadows in the world, they did pretty well.

7. Make Me Brow: This product is a dupe for Benefit's Gimme Brow, having used both personally I can see no difference in the finish of either. Considering this one only cost £2 against the £18.50 for the Benefit version, I would go for this one. It made my brows defined and natural looking, which is all you can ask for in a product like this.

8. 2 in 1 Eyeliner Pen: This is very similar to my Makeup Revolution liner pen, however one end of the pen is more like a 'marker' and is thicker, which is perfect for lining the upper lash line. Then the other thin line is perfect for creating the winged look I like.

9. Lash Princess Mascara: I was surprised to find that the brush from this mascara was identical to the brush of the Makeup Revolution Viper mascara that I tested out a couple of weeks ago. The brush itself is quite confusing and I'm still not sure whether you are supposed to use the curved or the flat end. However the formula of this one was SO much better than the viper, and it did give my lashes a bit of curl that lasted, unlike it's cheaper counterpart.

10. Lipliner in 06: I was happy to find that this liner was very smooth and creamy and wasn't at all 'scratchy' on my lips, and the colour is gorgeous.

11. Lipstick in 05: The lipstick went perfectly with the liner, which I was happy with considering I only had online pictures to go from. This lip colour is a little darker than what I would normally wear, but other than that the formula was fine, and wasn't drying in the slightest.

All in all, I was really impressed with everything that I tried, as mentioned above my favourite products were the bronzer and the foundation, I can definitely see myself fitting these into my daily routine.

Have you tried anything from Essence, if so what is your favourite product?

First Impressions: Bourjous Rouge Edition Lipsticks

Happy Tuesday everyone, I hope you are all enjoying the lovely sunshine that we seem to be having today!

I filmed this video months ago but for some reason completely forgot that I had done it, until I stumbled across it this morning...

Trying American Candy!

A couple of weeks ago me and my sister decided to try some American Candy like everyone currently is on Youtube. A lot of it contained peanuts therefore my sister didn't like them, and to be honest I wasn't too keen on some of them either. However there were a few in there that made up for the rest, so check out the video below to see what we liked and what we didn't like!

Have you tried any American Candy before, if so what did you think of it?

Beauty Besties: Brand Focus - Makeup Revolution

It's that time of week again everyone, when I link up with my lovely blog friend Kerrie of Pish, Posh and Polish, so don't forget to go and check out her post here. This week is all about Makeup Revolution, both Kerrie and myself love this budget brand, and so we decided to show it some love and create a whole look using only their products!

As usual I have decided to do this prompt as a Youtube video, I hope you are all enjoying watching these as much as I am enjoying making them. Please let me know what you think in the comments as this was my first makeup tutorial style video and I would love to make some more in the future.

Beauty Besties: What's in my bag?

Welcome back to Beauty Besties, this week we are talking about what is in our handbags! These videos have been floating around Youtube forever, and I always like to have a nosey. However whenever I watch these videos I have a little giggle to myself because the contents of everyone's handbags appear to be perfect. So I decided that I would be 100% honest with my video, and I didn't have a look through my bag beforehand to reorganise it, I just pulled everything out as it is... and hoped it's interesting enough! If you want to see what was in my bag then check out the video below. Also don't forget to check out Kerrie's post and see what is in her bag!

May 2015 Favourites

Seeing as I am getting good at posting on Youtube I thought it was about time that I started doing Monthly Favourites videos! I have done one favourites video before, but then I didn't get into the whole 'monthly' thing... but hey ho life is full of second chances right? If you are wondering what made my monthly favourites then check out the video below!