L'Oreal True match | Is it yours?

You can see my camera in the pump! 

Something different for today, a completely honest, not-paid-for-at-all foundation review!

*cough* one day late... *cough*

Aimed at anyone who dreams of a flawless face and perfect skin. L'Oreal True Match - My all time favourite!

I have only ever tried around a handful of different foundations but the L'Oreal true match is by far the one most worthy of my scarce moneys. It is quite pricey for a foundation (£9.99 at Boots) but I personally think its decent for a tenner.

 As it says on the front, it is very easy to blend. The shade I own is N1 ivory and matches my skin tone near enough. In store and online, I have noticed that this foundation caters well for all the pale people of the world. However, I've not seen as many darker shades which is a bit disappointing. 

 As I live in the UK, SPF is not very important to me. At all. It is England we are talking about, known for its brilliant weather and sunshine. Anyhow, this is a serious plus if you live in a warmer country.

I rarely have problems with dry skin but get an oily 'T-zone' and this foundation works fine for me. I do have days where it applies really smoothly, good to go, brill. But I also have days where it cakes up and basically goes to sh't. It's most likely my fault but when I do wear it, it stays on for around 5 hours without any primer (just moisturizer) . I need it to stay on my face for my entire school day, although I rarely wear anything more than moisturizer and mascara to school, the struggle of early mornings! 

I apply this foundation with my Real Techniques ''Expert face brush''

I would recommend this foundation, just make sure you check that it is the right shade for your face before purchasing it. Wearing primer underneath will definitely make this L'Oreal foundation more long lasting. Oops, i forgot to mention- I sometimes use this as a concealer and that seems to work really well?

I hope this was helpful to anyone on a budget, looking for a decent foundation. Check out the primer I use and the foundation below!

Want to buy it? L'Oreal True Match
How about my Primer?

♥♥♥

Cathy Cassidy | Yet another interview

I recently had a the opportunity to interview Cathy Cassidy. For me, this was slightly surreal as I had been a big fan of her writing since primary school. I also had the pleasure of meeting her at a 'Big School' event back in late 2011, in year 7, when my real love for her writing was just amplified!

She is a popular childrens author and has written books such as ''Cherry Crush'' and ''Marshmallow Skye''. Her novels are captivating, fun and normally follow wherever her frequent day dreaming takes her!

Cathy gave some great, interesting responses, so I hope you love reading this interview as much as I loved writing it!

Cathy with her husband Liam and children, Calum & Caitlin

What has been the highlight of your past week?

Well, last week has been week one of a book tour around the UK and Channel Islands talking about ‘Sweet Honey’ which has just gone into paperback. I met about 4000 readers in big school and library events and I've genuinely loved every minute. My readers are so amazing and enthusiastic, they make all the hard work worthwhile!

Do you have a favourite quote, or one that inspires you?

Follow your dreams...

Do you ever experience writer's block?

Yes, I guess we all do at times… but it's important not to give in to it. You wouldn't get away with having 'student's block' so why should writers be any different? If I'm really stuck I talk to my editor who always manages to ask the right questions to get me unblocked again! Daydreaming is also a great way to generate new ideas!

Is there a message in your any of your novels that you would like readers to grasp?

Friendship, family and kindness can get you through the worst of times.

Is any of your work based on your life, or people you know?

No, the stories are fiction - but they often deal with difficult themes which I have seen at first hand. I daydream and the stories that unfold are always very different from the starting point.

Are you planning to write any more books in the near future?

Yes, there's lots more in the pipeline!

What book are you reading right now?

A book called 'Mrs Hemingway' about the wives of famous American author Ernest Hemingway.

Where did your interest in writing originate?

I've always loved inventing stories and have dreamt of being an author ever since I knew that such a job existed. I'm not sure where that compulsion to tell stories comes from, but I am very glad it's there!

What career path do you think you would have taken if you weren't an author?

I've already had a number of careers…

 I trained to be an illustrator and worked at that for a while, then I was Fiction Editor on a national teen magazine, then an agony aunt on a different mag for twelve years. I've been an art teacher - and loved it - and also worked as a waitress and a petrol pump attendant! I wasn't quite so keen on the last two! If I had to start over, I'd either have an animal rescue or a craft business.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Believe in your dreams… and work your socks off to make them happen.

Why did you decide to write ‘Looking Glass Girl’?

This year is the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and I was asked to write a book with an Alice theme. I loved working the Alice imagery into a story and giving it a dark, modern twist!

Where do you go to relax and get away?

For holidays, I love adventure and exploration… or maybe a Greek Island if I need to unwind! Last year we didn't get a holiday and this year looks likely to be the same, so weekends away or having groups of friends to visit has been my way of chilling out.

Be sure to check out:
http://www.cathycassidy.com/

Order Cathy's upcoming book:
 Looking Glass Girl

♥♥♥
*Next Post 7th March*
Coming soon....

Begin Again

A little brief. But wanted to keep it short and sweet.

Remember to stop caring what others think and just have fun. You only have one life (unless you're  magic or superhuman or something!) and nobody can stop you doing anything you want to do. 

 Start Monday off with a bang and forget  anything  bad that happened last week because none of that matters. Take risks, whats the worst that could happen?

 Every new day can be a chance for change.

Good luck x

♥♥♥

Alice Oseman | An interview

'In case you're wondering, this is not a love story. My name is Victoria Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year - before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people - I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that's all over now. Now there's Solitaire. And Michael Holden. I don't know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don't care about Michael Holden. I really don't.' 

- Solitaire

One of the many different covers for Solitaire.

Alice Oseman is an popular, upcoming author. She is just like any 19 year-old, always on her phone, Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook... She also has Uni and a shit-tonne of coursework to cope with!

Her debut novel 'Solitaire' was released just last year!

Solitaire is a book written presumably for teens, using Alice's own experiences. You can really relate and its worth a read. Since Alice brought out the book, early last year, she has received some great feedback.

I got the opportunity to interview her after stumbling across her ahh-ma-zing tumblr (link below). Here's my little chat with Alice Oseman!  

Hey Alice, How has your day been so far?

It's been a bit stressful! I'm frantically trying to finish an essay for my terrorism module at Uni and it's taking quite a long time to write it.

What inspired you to write Solitaire?

I've always harbored a love for coming-of-age stories, but I couldn't find one that explored my teenage experience - the grey and boring school life pessimism that I knew. So I decided to write one myself.

Is there a possible sequel or another book in progress?

My second book isn't a sequel, it's another standalone YA contemporary. It'll hopefully be out in early 2016.

What would you say is the best thing about Uni?

Getting to eat what I want when I want. And no more maths.

Are you addicted to the internet?

YES. No regrets.

Interesting fact about you?

I'm a member of the National Youth Theatre's stage-design department (except I don't take part anymore).

What advice would you give anyone who wanted to go into writing as a career?

You have to keep trying. It's so easy to give up, but you just have to keep trying. You have to want it so badly that you can't possibly give up.

All time favourite food?

Pizza!!

What music are you currently into?

I'm listening to Bon Iver as I'm writing this!

What is your all-time favourite book? 

Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis.

Big thanks to Alice for taking the time to answer my questions! 

Alice's tumblr: http://chronicintrovert.tumblr.com/

Buy Solitaire on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solitaire

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