The Life Post | Blog Overhaul

Not sure if you've noticed, but I've been a bit MIA in terms of the blogging world lately. Twitter and instagram have become a bit lost on my phone apps and blog posts have become sporadic and honestly, a little lazy. So I decided to just leave it for a few days and have a real think about what I wanted to do.

Since I started blogging I've loved it, from chats on twitter to finding the latest beauty products and outfit inspirations. It's been my own little outlet to when everyday life was getting me down and I needed a distraction. Not only that but's opened a couple of doors for me, professionally and personally. But lately it has taken a back seat and it does make me sad.

I've had a LOT changing over the last couple of months which is probably the biggest factor. I left a job I'd been at for years which was comfortable but also mind numbing and started an amazing job in London. I still live down south so I'm commuting around two hours everyday, which is tiring but totally worth it. It's in marketing so a lot of the time it's online so when I get home the last thing I want to do is sit on a laptop. The boy and I have also started looking at houses, so when I'm not working most of my time is spent sorting this out - #stress.

Having some time away from really committing to blogging has really bought me back to what I really loved about it. Getting to know my products better, playing with them and creating new looks. As much as I love clothes and fashion I'm not a big "yeah take pictures of my outfit" kind of a person. I always loved the make up side of it more. That may change in another few years, who knows, but right I want to go back to basics - make up. I love doing reviews and comparisons. I'm not a make up artist so how to's aren't exactly my strong point, however I love doing them for that reason. 

If I'm honest I had gotten into the habit of blogging for the sake of blogging, and I think people could tell. I had convinced myself I needed to blog every day which is probably why. I know more than anything now that I don't need to do that. You guys are still here, still viewing and I'm still gaining new readers even though I'm not posting all the time. That's definitey opened my eyes so I will only be posting when I really want to. I have a lot I want to post about and I have a few ideas so it will still be aroun 3/4 times a week - but it won't be my usual 5/6 days as before. 

I want to get back to being more interactive with you guys as well. I've neglected twitter and commenting on blogs I like through time constraints and I'm sorry for that. I want to get to know you all, make some connections and give you guys more of what you're after.

What would you like to see more of on T&M?

The Review | Benefit Hoola Bronzer

BENEFIT HOOLA BRONZER

So, another little beaut from my little Benefit haul the other week and this is one that I don't think I can ever live without again. I'm ridiculously picky with bronzers, they can't be too shimmery, too orange toned, too dark, too obvious... The list goes on and on. So when the benefit lady asked if I'd used it before I was like hmm.. no and didn't feel over enthused. But then she put it on my cheeks and I suddenly had beautifully sculpted cheeks. Sure, probably helped she was a make up artist but I was sold.

I took it away and had a play and yup, I have cheek bones! It's breaking news people! It's incredibly easy to use, pop it on the Real Techniques contour brush, suck in the cheeks to locate your cheek bones and just blend in from the hairline until you're happy with the colour depth. I also blend in a circular motion up to my forehead and alone the chin line. 

The tone of this is beautiful, I can't compliment it enough. it's very natural but very effective and the lasting power is definitely impressive. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a natural colour and an easy contour partner. Parfait!

Have you tried Benefit's Hoola?

The Review | Benefit PosieBalm

BENEFIT POSIEBALM £14.50

The summer calls for lighter formulas in all make up products, tinted moisturiser replaces foundations, cream blushes replace heavy powders and balms and tints replace glosses. I recently had a lovely little make over in Benefit and this was in the little hoard of products I ended up going home with. It was paired with it's matching tint and the colour was beautiful and lifted my skin tone so amazingly. I decided to choose between the two and I went for the balm.

So what's it like? Well, there has been a plethora of tinted balms on the high street over the past couple of years so in the long term I wasn't expecting it to be much different, I just really liked the colour. However, this is so ridiculously nourishing and keeps the lips supple for a long time. it's the first time I've come home and my lips felt better after just one day. In terms of colour, it's not as lovely without the tint (we know what I'll be getting on my next trip...) but still a lovely fresh summer colour and it's my go to.

What do you think of these new balms?

The Mani | Topshop Speckle Nails

TOPSHOP WHITE SPECKLE NAILS IN DANCING IN THE DARK & EVERYBODY GET UP £6

The Topshop next to where I work is evil. They keep things on the till that tempt me - my poor poor bank account. These were one of those purchases, what could I do? I was buying a top with the EXACT same colours in it so - you know. Whoops. 

I don't have any speckle polishes so these were definitely a novelty and the colours are beautiful. Dancing in the Dark looks like a pale grey, but it definitely has some nude tones to it which makes it that tab different and versatile. Everybody Get Up is a summer pale lilac, not mu usual colour but very pretty. I find that the white speckles are really easy to apply - you do need a couple of coats to get a good amount of colour but it is still quite sheer. Longevity wise after five days I've seen no chipping (apart from where I had a bendy nail) so I'm thoroughly impressed. I do find the formula a little thin which is a downside, but I do love the colours and the difference in pattern.

Have you ever tried speckle nails?