The Weekly Round #11: feeling ill & re-reading Me Before You

The Weekly Round #11: feeling ill & re-reading Me Before You

Sunday 21 February 2016

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Sorry for the radio silence for the past week folks. I've been stuck in bed since Tuesday with the flu. I'm feeling a bit better but not quite 100% yet. I'm still coughing a lot but I'm getting there. I haven't done much this week because I've been so poorly, all I've done really is curl up in a ball, moan pathetically, drink way more lemsip than advisable and surf youtube. That's literally been my week.

I did get the chance to read Me Before You, which is something I've wanted to do for a while. I first read it a few years back and I absolutely loved it but after the release of the film trailer, which looks amazing by the way, watch it here, and the release of the second book, After You, I thought it was about time I re-read it. And it was even better than I remembered. I cried for like 2 hours after finishing it because it is so heartbreakingly sad. If you haven't read it you definitely need to change that, but for those of you who don't know Me Before You is about Louisa Clark, who after losing her job in a cafe, takes a job as a companion for the quadriplegic Will Traynor. Before his accident Will was a thrill seeker and a daredevil but is now confined to his wheelchair with only the limited use of his hand and a plan to end it all. Neither of them are aware of the profound impact they're going to have on each other.

It raises a lot of really important questions about a person's right to die and highlights the difference between what is legally right and what is morally right. On top of that it is a fabulously written, beautiful, funny, heartbreaking and bitter sweet story about love. Sorry I'll put my English Literature nerd back in her box now and just tell you that it's amazing and definitely worth a read before the film comes out in June. But make sure you have a box of tissues nearby.

What have you been up to this week? Have you read Me Before You? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

Max Factor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation Review

Max Factor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation Review

Thursday 11 February 2016

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It's been a while since I changed up my foundation but with skin that can at best be described as tricksy, and at worst acne riddled, I thought it was about time I mixed it up when it comes to bases. And as my bestie - the Ann to my Lesley - has been raving about this stuff for ages, like seriously ages, I thought it was time to give it a try, PLUS there was a free gift so obviously I wasn't able to resist.

So let's get down to the nitty gritty. Miracle Touch is a compact foundation that comes in a small glass tub with a black lid that plays host to a very basic make up sponge. I understand why it has to be stored this way, due to the super thick formulation of the product, but I have to say really not a lover of the packing. It doesn't feel particularly hygienic to dip my fingers into something I'm putting on my face, regardless of how clean they definitely are... but maybe that's just me.

The product itself is lovely, it has a really thick, almost waxy formula in the pan but when applied to the skin it becomes really liquid-y - I'm sure there's a better way of saying that.. fluid maybe? No not fluid! - and applies seamlessly. I've found the best way to apply it is with fingers, because they warm up the product and really work it into the skin but it does apply nicely with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush as well, shockingly I haven't used the sponge.

The formulation itself is lovely, it gives excellent coverage without looking cakey or giving you creepy-mask face. It's also really buildable, so you don't necessarily need a concealer, you can just pile this on the places that need extra coverage. The finish is also really nice, particularly for something this high coverage. I would expect it to be quite matte and a bit flat but it's actually quite dewy and fresh looking. Really my only complaint is the packaging, which is pants, but seriously other than that it's a great foundation.

Have you tried Max Factor's Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation? What did you think? If not what foundation are you loving right now? Anything I should be trying? What are you loving at the moment?  Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

January Non-Beauty Favourites 2016

January Non-Beauty Favourites 2016

Wednesday 10 February 2016

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Hi Guys! So you actually get a bonus post you lucky things. This was actually meant to go up last week but stuff happened and I didn't want to post anything - read more about that here) still better late than never. January is just a bit of a bleurgh kind of month really. After the excitement of the new year wears off it's depressing and cold and by the end of it there's still 330+ days until Christmas. That's why my Non-Beauty Favourites this month is made up of super cosy loungewear and internet stuff. Sorry should have put a spoiler alert. Awesome. Shall we get started?

New Look Unicorn Slippers - £7.00 from newlook.com

I got these for Christmas and they've been on my feet pretty much ever since. If I could get away with wearing them to work I definitely would. They are EVERYTHING. They're ridiculous, I know that, but they're amazing. 

Tu Teddy Bear Hoodie - from Sainsburys, no longer available online

Another one of my favourite Christmas presents is this super schnuggly sleep hoody. It's so warm and soft and it has teddy bear ears. It  actually doesn't get any better than that. The addition of animal ears makes everything better. I  actually haven't taken this off, I'm wearing it now. The second I get in from work it goes on, I've been wearing it over my clothes if I'm cold, I've been sleeping in it. It's ridiculous but I love it so, so much. 

Shay Mitchell - watch on youtube here

I mentioned Shay's youtube channel in a weekly round up a few weeks ago and it all still stands. Her videos are great and she is awesome. If you haven't checked her out yet you really should.

Wildfire by Rachel Platten - £7.99 from iTunes

I LOVE THIS ALBUM! I hate trying to describe music, it's not easy and I feel a bit like I'm repeating myself but it is a really good album. It's very pop-y and empowering, a bit like Taylor Swift's 1985 and I've been listening to it constantly. It's really good. 

Yankee Candle in Red Apple Wreath - £7.99 from yankeedirect.com

My sister picked this up for me just after Christmas and I've been burning it ever since. It smells absolutely gorgeous. It does smell a bit Christmassy, but seeing as I'm still not ready to let go of Christmas for another year just quite yet, I'm totally okay with that. It smells of apples and cinnamon and is very spicy and sweet but also fruity at the same time. When it's lit the scent is subtle but noticeable and gives a real cosy feel to the room, when it's not lit it makes my room smell like cinnamon rolls, which is amazing, either way I'm onto a winner. It also burns really evenly which I love, because it really annoys me when candles don't do that.  I love it.

Once Upon A Time - Streaming on netflix

I was really into the first season of Once Upon a Time a couple of years ago and then I just kind of forgot about it. Until recently when I got back into it and OH. EM. GEE. I have been missing out. Especially now that - the stunningly beautiful - Captain Hook is on the scene! What a babe! I'm hooked (ba dum tchh) It's so good. A must watch for disney fans.

Three Little Words by Jessica Thompson - £4.49 for Kindle edition, £6.99 for paperback both from amazon

Jessica Thompson is such an underrated author. I re-read this in January and I completely loved it. The title is somewhat misleading, you automatically think it's 'I love you' but it's actually 'I forgive you'.  On a cold February night Bryony's life changes forever when her boyfriend Max is murdered. The rest of the story deals with the aftermath of Max's murder and the importance of forgiveness told from several different perspectives. It's a beautiful story beautifully written.

What are you loving at the moment?  Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

A really bad week...

A really bad week...

Tuesday 9 February 2016

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Hi Guys. So I wanted to first of all apologies for the lack of posts last week and also explain why I suddenly went AWOL.  So my dog Paddy, if you follow me on instagram you'll be familiar with him, he's my Jack Russell who I've had since I was a little girl, and  he was the silliest, most ridiculous, wonderful little thing. Very sadly he died last week.

He was old and had had a good life and he was so loved by all of us. And the way he went was nice too. We realised something was wrong and so we stayed with him and stroked him, until he just fell asleep, surrounded by the people he loved and who loved him. Which I'm grateful for, but it doesn't make me any less sad. I'm devastated, he was my little buddy. We're all really upset and trying to get used to him not being in the house. It just feels so empty.

That's why I didn't post last week, I just felt too sad. I hope you understand.

xxx

NYX Mini Lip Haul & Review

NYX Mini Lip Haul & Review

Tuesday 2 February 2016

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A couple of weeks ago I was feeling really spendy - nothing new there - and found myself on the boots website, gazing lovingly at all the make up, when I stumbled across NYX. NYX is a brand I've heard a ton about but never tried, and as the reviews were universally positive, I figured it was definitely worth picking up a few bits. Before I knew it I was checking out with one of the Butter Lipsticks in the shade Moonlit Night and one of the Jumbo Lip Pencils in the shade Hera in my basket.

Moonlit Night is a deep, dark burgundy that looks way scarier in the bullet than it actually is. On the lips it's a vampy but wearable, red toned, berry shade. I'm totally in love with it. The formulation is lovely, very creamy and smooth, it applies well and the pigmentation is really good. The only downside is that I generally prefer my finishes matte because they last longer and this is a satin finish which means there is quite a bit of slip to it. It lasts reasonably well but doesn't really stick around for the long haul and it does need to be re-applied after eating or drinking. Another teeny tiny niggle I have is with the packaging, which I think is so cute BUT, and I don't know if this is just my one, but it's not very well made. When you twist the bullet up mine has the tendency to fall back down, which isn't great but not a deal breaker. Other than that I'm obsessed.

Hera is another kettle of fish entirely. A bright fuchsia with a blue toned shimmer running through it, it's way more sheer and doesn't apply as evenly as the lipstick. Even so it's really pretty and has a lovely smooth formula that makes application a breeze. On the upside I love the packaging, the design is really cute and great for just chucking in your bag. I like it a lot.

Apart from a few little bugbears I am super impressed, especially at such a low price point - the Butter Lipsticks retail at £5.50 & the Jumbo Lip Pencils at £5.00 - and I will definitely be picking up a few more come pay day.

Have you tried anything from NYX? What did you think? Any recommendations? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx