July 2015 Favourites | Makeup, Skincare, Fashion and More!

It's been months since I last done a monthly favourites post, so seeing as there has been quite a few things I've been loving this month I thought i'd share them with you. Personally, I love reading and watching favourites as it gives you an insight to what people are loving and whats worth spending your money on. I thought i'd split mine into a few sections- makeup, skincare, fashion and other which consists of things I probably can't show but can talk about- so here goes.

Makeup

Collection Lengthening Mascara
I received this in a beauty box at the beginning of the year and from what I had experienced with previous Collection mascaras, I sort of put it to one side and didn't think much of it. I recently rediscovered this when sorting through my makeup and this was the only one I hadn't tested so thought i'd give it a go. I'm so glad I did! I was using the Benefit Roller Lash sample at the time and I found this done a similar job. Although, I still would really like to repurchase the Roller Lash, I don't see much point as I love this just as much. It creates length as the name would suggest and separation leaving you with natural fluttery lashes!

Seventeen Phwoarr Paint Concealer in Fair

I was coming to the end of my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and although that is a great concealer, I wanted to try something different. I had heard that the Seventeen Phwoarr Paint was a dupe for the Bobbi Brown Corrector Concealer so decided to give this a whirl as that is a concealer which is much raved about. This covers my dark circles like no other and doesn't crease throughout the day as I found the Collection one did a little. However, I must set this cream concealer with powder otherwise it will slip and slide in the warm weather! This will definitely go in my basket again.

Botanics All Bright Radiance Balm

I'd never heard about this product before reading it on someones blog a month or so ago. As it was on offer while making an online order I decided i'd give this a go as I remember, whoever reviewed it said it was amazing for creating that 'lit from within' glow. I use the L'Oreal True Match Foundation on a daily basis which I love, however it is a satin/matte finish and I prefer a dewier look during the summer. This works alone to make you look fresh and healthy when really you've just rolled out of bed but also works well mixed in with foundation. If you see this whilst shopping at Boots, swatch it! It has the most stunning iridescence running through it.

Skincare

Botanics Shine Away Invigorating Face Scrub

I've recently ran out of the other scrub from the Botanics range, although that was lovely I thought i'd give this one a go. I'm so glad I did as I much prefer this one! The other has plastic micro-beads however this has a more fine and almost sand/sugar like scrub which I much prefer as it feels like it's really working to lift any dead skin cells to leave you with much smoother skin. This is also for oily skin which has been working wonders to mattify my skin during the summer months.

Fashion

Primark Nude Loafers

I actually picked these up to wear to an interview as they're very plain and simple which I feel can be dressed up or down on more casual days. Since buying these they've not been off my feet, hence why they look a little worse for wear. I went back to pick up another pair but unfortunately they had all sold out, maybe that's a sign to invest in a more expensive, higher quality pair- eh?

Other

You may have seen a previous post of mine, talking about meeting up with family after a long while, you can read more about that here. But yes, I went to another gathering this month with all my family there for my cousins 2nd Birthday. It was so lovely to see the family but really nice to celebrate her special day also. I was in my element while shopping for her, as you may know- I work with children. We decided on a Peppa Pig puppet book and the most gorgeous little top with ice lollies and ice creams on- perfect for her holiday! She absolutely loved the Peppa book, and Peppa is her new favourite thing- so sweet! 

And that's a wrap of what I've been loving this month!

I'm just wondering, do you guys like these sort of posts or would you rather see something different?

Also-

What have you been loving in the month of July?

Let me know in the comments!

♥   ♥   ♥

July Goals Update | Life

Seeing as there are only two days left of July, I thought i'd update you on my July Goals(here) as promised. I'm also planning on doing a favourites this month so keep your eyes peeled for that on Sunday. Lets see what I've managed to complete this July then...

1. Finish college and my work placement. 

Check! College and placement done and dusted, I completed my diploma in Childcare and Education and came out with an A which i'm super pleased about! I also finished my last days experience in a local primary school and although I was sad to be leaving. I was so excited to start my summer holidays. I also received some lovely gifts from the children and staff, including a gorgeous personalised photo box and beautiful flowers-  which may I add are surprisingly still alive, 2 weeks later! You can see these on my Instagram (@xtracesofmythoughts)

2. Get a job interview. 

I finally got a job interview after handing in many applications to fill the role as a Teaching Assistant in a primary school. The interview didn't go too bad, besides not getting it- I received some good feedback! I am also in the process of enrolling with teaching agencies so hopefully I can get on doing supply work in September!

3. Complete a Paediatric First Aid Course. 

I am now qualified in Paediatric First Aid, woo! Not only will this help me in search for a job but this is also a skill I think everyone should have some knowledge of. I was surprised how little I knew but now I know what to do if someone started choking or was unconscious and not breathing- hopefully those situations never arise though!

4. Spend more time outside.

The weather hasn't been too amazing the past couple of weeks but at the beginning of July we were experiencing a mini heatwave. When the weathers been ok I've tried to sit in the garden and get some much needed vitamin D but I've also tried walking places more to save money and keep fit.

5. Spend more time with family.

I've been to a couple more family gatherings, it's been so nice to catch up with family I haven't spoken/seen properly in years and I hope to visit more often throughout the month of August.

6. Exercise more.

I was going to half cross this out but I thought i'd better not cheat. I was planning on going running a couple of times or more a week, that hasn't happened as my friends been busy and has been fitting her fitness in before/after work at the gym. I however, well I've been walking a lot more so that sort of counts right?

7. Choose healthier options.

For the majority of the month I've been trying to prepare healthier meals, sweet potatoes have become my best friend as I cannot stay away from carbs and they're a little healthier than your regular white potato. I've also been trying to encouragement salad/veg to every meal(except breakfast) and I've been making smoothies/juices with our new blender. I'm also trying to cut out the snacks after 8pm, which i'm doing quite well at!

8. Give my room a little makeover.

I've not had chance to do this unfortunately. I did however pull everything out, hoover, polish and basically spring clean my room. I have a net above my bed which i'd like to take down but i'm stuck on what to put there instead as i'll just have plain white walls which will look a little odd.

9. Give myself a little makeover.

Another, I've unfortunately not been able to achieve. I wanted to do something with my hair like dye it or get a new style but i'm too scared to dye my hair again as it takes for ages to grow out and I really don't know what to do with my hair. 

10. Blog more.

My blogging schedule before July was posting once a week on Sundays. However, I wanted to up my game and blog more often as I enjoy it so I've been posting on Wednesdays and Sundays. As I've been getting more ideas recently, I may post once or twice more throughout the week in August. Very exciting!

Overall, July hasn't been that bad. I do not have to wake up before 7:30 for the time being and I've been a lot happier! I'm very much looking forward to August as i'm hoping to see more of my family, there are a couple of birthdays and I may be going away for a few days to South Devon so watch this space as i'm sure there will be travel related posts to come if I decide to go.

What are your plans/goals for August?

Let me know!

♥   ♥   ♥

July Favourites

Hello!
I honestly cannot believe how fast July has gone by, I feel like I say this each month but July has come by and gone in a flash! I didn't even get around to doing my June monthly favourites, but here I am back with with things I've been loving this July, as the title states!

The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser- £8.50 here.

First up is The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser(hoping this hasn't been mentioned in a favourites before). I purchased the smaller sized bottle of this to try it out before I spent £8.50 on the larger bottle and then find out I don't actually like it. I'm glad I did although after a few uses I realised I loved it, it's so gentle and makes my skin feel so clean and soft! I've also experienced less breakouts as a result of using just 2 cleansers, one in the morning and this in the night after removing my makeup! I've also tried the moisturiser from the same range and really like that too, so I think i'm definitely going to try more!

L'Oreal True Match and Rimmel Lasting Finish- here and here.

I had a Rimmel foundation sitting in my makeup storage that I haven't used in a while as I'm not too keen on the foundation on it's own- it's the shade up from what i'd usually get too. I thought rather than not waste it i'd mix a little with my current L'Oreal True Match foundation for the summer, believe it or not I do get a little colour on my face rather than being the palest of pales. The L'Oreal True Match offers a satin to matte finish but mixed with the Rimmel 25 hour foundation offers a dewy finish which I love in the summer, without looking oily! I love the colour and finish it gives on my skin so will definitely continue to use this combination throughout the summer!

Tea Tree Water (Toner Water)- £3.95 for 100ml here.

Eu Natural!

The last beauty related item i've been loving this month is the Lush Tea Tree Toner Water, again I purchased this in the smaller bottle to see if I liked it, i'm so pleased as the bottle isn't even that small- I think it's the perfect size to use within the use-by-date. I bought this as my skin can be quite oily so I thought i'd give this ago to combat the oils and keep my skin clean throughout the day and after cleansing. Tea Tree has anti-bacterial properties so is perfect to keep your skin at it's cleanest and prevent spots, i'd definitely give this a go if you have oily skin- it's also super refreshing in the warmer months!

The sandals I've been wearing, they're well worn in from H&M about 2 years ago.

Mentioning the warmer months there, Wales is actually experiencing 'Summer'. This is rare as normally we get the odd few days then the weathers back to its usual self, grey and dreary! The weather has been so nice recently, it's actually warm enough to go without a jacket and wear sandals..although that's not a favourite of mine, people with their feet out- not the prettiest sight! I've loved being out in the garden in the Sun to get my daily dose of Vitamin D, like we all should be! I hope the weather sticks around especially when I'm off on my travels to the South of England.

You may of seen me mention a few times that my sisters moving out, and that she has now! Although that's not what I've been enjoying but I have been enjoying shopping with her. We've been quite often recently and although I do like shopping on my own, I don't mind accompanying her when she wants to do some shopping. After all, who would say no to shopping? Not me! Keep an eye out, you'll see a haul here very soon!

Lemon Ice Tea in the sun.

Last but not least, I've been loving drinking Lemon Ice Tea- so refreshing in the summer! I only actually tried it a month or 2 ago but I actually love it! I'm so glad I ventured out to try something new as I don't do that often. I do enjoy the Lipton Ice Tea(only the lemon flavour) when i'm out and about, but my Mum also buys a big bottle from I think it's Lidl as she spotted it in there when buying our fruit!

That's it for this months favourites, what have you been enjoying this month? Let me know!

Amy X