What's in My Bag?

Firstly, I hope you like my new blog design! Thank you so mush for the lovely comments and positive feedback on this change. 

I've been meaning to do this post for a while since I got a new bag for Christmas. I usually carry really small shoulder bags but I wanted a different style so I love this one. It's from Debenhams and I will leave all links at the bottom of the post. I think this bag is the perfect size for me as it isn't too big. It is also really convenient as it has an attachable shoulder strap. I have sorted the inside out recently so it is quite neat but here is what I found inside…

Firstly, my purse. My sister brought it back from Greece for me. It looks like Michael Kors but its fake, I don't know where she got it from so I can't link it below but I'm sure you can find similar ones. I also have a diary which I got as a present so unfortunately i can't link it but it looks like it could be from Accessorize or Paperchase.

At the bottom of my bag, I have some loose grips, a few apple starburst and Hubba Bubba bubblegum. My mum thinks I have a low bloodsugar so I get headaches really easily if I don't eat for a while or have no sugar so I always like to carry some sweets. I also have a pack of menthol tissues - Autumn means colds!

I also have this little Givenchy makeup bag, I got this with my Givenchy perfume and body lotion set and its a great size to put in your bag. I don't actually keep any makeup in it though. I have a small hair brush, mirror, chapstick, blotting sheets, Britney Spears Fantasy Perfume, Pink Chiffon Hand Sanitizer from Bath and Body Works and a hand cream. 

Now onto the little side pocket, in here I just have this really little notebook and pen that I got from my Aunty. Its the perfect handbag size.

In the zippy bit, I have Anbesol as I get a lot of mouth ulcers and I also have some tablets.

This is it for my bag!

xoxo

Handbag: http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_089010231760_-1

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Major Changes & New Blog Address

For a while now I have been wanting to do some slight changes to my blog but not really sure how it would be possible.

I really want to rename my blog and re-design it completely. I just want a fresh different look but I was unsure how to when all everything is under 'PinkCupcake7'. I wanted to let you all know that I will be changing my blogs name to 'Just Add Sparkle' I think that it allows me to do more with the design and overall I just prefer it. For a while I will be keeping my blog address as 'pinkcupcake7.blogspot.co.uk' but on Sunday night I will change it to 'just-add-sparkle.blogspot.com'

On bloglovin please keep following me as posts will be the same I just would like to re-do my blogs design. I will change my name on that as well.

I'm sorry about this big change and I hope you don't mind.

xoxo PinkCupcake xoxo

4

6 TV Shows You Should Be Watching

I am a TV addict when I find a show I love, watching the whole series within the space of a few days and if you're a TV lover like me, these are some programmes you might want to try.

1. Friends
Need I say anything more? Friends is just the best, I think this programme is great for anybody. It is just a generally funny, great show.

'When Monica's high school friend (Rachel) re-enters her life, she sets off on a series of humorous and entertaining events involving Monica's brother (Ross), her ex-roommate (Phoebe), and her next door neighbours (Chandler & Joey)'

2. Pretty Little Liars
This show would have to be my ultimate favourite. I am so addicted! However, if you want to start watching it, you have to watch it from episode 1, you'd miss too much to start half way through.

'Four friends band together against an anonymous foe who threatens to reveal their darkest secrets, while unraveling the mystery of the murder of their best friend.'

3. One Tree Hill
I love this show too, its an easy to watch but extremely juicy show.

'This series follows the eventful lives of some high-school kids in Tree Hill, a small but not too quiet town in North Carolina.'

4. Once Upon A Time
This is a new one for me but I absolutely love it! Its so different from anything else on TV. It's so unique and interesting.

'For Emma Swan, life has been anything but a happy ending. But when she's reunited with Henry - the son she gave up for adoption ten years ago - on the night of her 28th birthday, everything changes. The now 10-year-old Henry is in desperate need of Emma's help because he believes from reading a book of fairytales that she's the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming - who sent her away from the Enchanted Forest to be protected from a curse that was enacted by the Evil Queen. Emma initially refuses to believe a word of Henry's story but soon finds that his hometown of Storybrooke, Maine is more than it seems. Because it's in Storybrooke that all of the classic characters we know are frozen in time with no memories of their former selves - except for the Evil Queen, who is Storybrooke's mayor and Henry's adoptive mother Regina Mills. Now, as the epic "Final Battle" for the future of both worlds approaches, Emma will have to accept her destiny and uncover the mystery behind a place where fairytales are to be believed.'

5. 90210
This is a popular show thats worth watching. I only started watching it in the later seasons but now I have the box set to start watching them all.

'A Kansas family relocates to Beverly Hills, where their two children adapt to the infamous social drama of West Beverly Hills High.'

6. Catfish
This is such a shocking programme! It's really interesting and a huge eye-opener at what people out there can be like. It's definitely worth the watch.

'Tackles the mystery and complexities of dating in a digital world. According to an MTV survey of Millenials 18-24 years old, 1 in 4 has online dated, 1 in 2 has a friend who does it and, in the past three years, traffic to top 10 online dating sites has tripled. In a world where everyone is constantly connected digitally, social media has made communicating easier but this digital world might also complicate relationships.'

Which shows would you recommend?

xoxo PinkCupcake xoxo

2

August Favourites

I know that it is a little early for August Favourites but I wanted to get this post up before I went home. I have a mixture of products that I have loved this month, here they are!

1. Isle of Luxe Coconut Scrub

I went to Celebration in Florida and in a restaurant they were using this scrub as soap in the toilets. It was available to buy and I just had to. It is incredible and hard to explain. You use it as a scrub as normal and it has anti-bacterial soap in it but this scrub makes your hands feel so smooth. The scent is gorgeous too but it is unbelievable how silky it makes your hands feel! At $25.95 it isn't cheap but I would 100% purchase this again.

2. The Body Shop's Coconut Body Scrub

As you can tell I'm really into the Coconut Scrubs! I purchased this from Ulta and I love using it once a week really just to pamper myself. During summer your skin can get very dry but using this makes it good as new. 

 3. Icing's Expert Stippling Brush

In my last favourites post I mentioned my love for MAC's Face and Body foundation. I decided to buy myself a stippling brush to apply it with and this one does the job really well. I think it compares to MAC ones, I would recommend looking at these brushes.

4. Clarisonic Mia

I love this thing. I have used it every day since purchasing it. I can't say that my skin is perfect yet because as the sales assistant warned me, for the Clarisonic to work I may get a few breakouts within the first month or so of using it to get all of the bad things out of my skin. Despite this, I feel that with my Clarisonic, my skin feels so fresh and clean. I will review it when I get home to England.

5. Gelish A Mint of Spring

My sister actually purchased this with my Sallys Card and I have been obsessed with the colour. As you know by now, I love blue on my nails and this colour I have been in love with! Also, since it is gel, it stays on for a good few weeks. I love it.

6. Clinique Acne Solutions

Although I haven't found this to completely vanish my blemishes, it helps to reduce them. It really helps to reduce the redness and make them calm down. I really like this stuff and will repurchase it.

7. Simple Eye-Makeup Remover

My final beauty favourite is this, I really like it for removing waterproof mascara. Although I'd have to say that I still prefer my homemade makeup remover. I have a post on how to make that here.

8. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

I love the whole concept of this, just like the no makeup selfies for cancer research. I have loved watching so many people take part in this for ALS.

9. Once Upon A Time

My final favourite of this month is this TV Show. I have been meaning to get into it for a while and after buying the first season I watched it all within 5 days. I love this show. It is about several fairytale characters being stuck in the real world and not remembering who they are as the Evil Queen has cast a curse. It sounds a little far-fetched but I am really enjoying it. It is the perfect mix between reality and fairytales. I would definitely recommend watching this if you don't already.

Those are my favourites this month! What have you been loving?

xoxo PinkCupcake xoxo

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Which Foundation Brush Is Best For You?

I have found that my most popular posts have been those when I give advice specifically for you. Since this is the case, I would like to do more posts like this and recommend specific products for you. Today I'm going to be talking about Foundation Brushes. I saw a post similar to this the other day and i just thought that it would be a great thing to share with you.

There are lots of different types of foundation brushes but the worst thing is buying one because it is highly rated but then feeling as though it isn't the right one for you. I will list the types of brushes below, whom I recommend them for and examples of those specific types. I mainly use Real Techniques Brushes as I think they are great quality but also very affordable so most of the examples will be that brand but I have a few others too.

1. Traditional Foundation Brush

These are the brushes that tend to suit me. I really like them but some of my other friends don't. These brushes are flat and taper in slightly at the end of the bristles. They're better for applying a liquid foundation or concealer when you want more coverage. I particularly use these brushes on blemishes because I find that they really conceal them well by packing a lot of product but still looking natural. 

e.g. Real Techniques Essential Foundation Brush (Available in Travel Essentials)

2. Buffing Brush

These brushes have a different shape and are quite fluffy. They are great for applying any type of foundation and give a flawless finish as they really buff the product into the skin.

e.g. Real Techniques Buffing Brush (Available in Core Collection)

3. Flat Top Foundation Brush

The bristles on these brushes are usually very short and densely packed. They are best used with liquid and cream foundations as they really work the foundation into the skin.

e.g. Icing Expert HD Foundation Brush (Just something to note is that the Icing Brushes are manufactured by the same company as the Sephora Brushes so they are excellent quality for money)

4. Stippling/Duo Fibre Brush

These are always recommended by the people at MAC, particularly the 188 and 187 I believe. These kinds of brushes are good for liquid foundations. They take slightly more time to apply than usual foundation brushes but they are worth it. I typically use one of these for full face foundation because they give a natural look but great coverage. 

e.g. I actually prefer the Icing Expert Stippling Brush over the MAC ones.

5. Beauty Sponge

I'm sure you'll have all heard of these before because they are very highly rated, particularly the Beauty Blender. (I actually have found a cheaper alternative that I prefer which I will link below). This form of application is great for liquid and cream foundations. They may be difficult to clean but the result is great. They give a flawless finish and are a really easy way to really work the product into your skin.

e.g. Earth Therapeutics Precisso Beauty Blending Sponge (Sold at Kohls)

So those are the several ways of applying foundation. I hope you enjoyed this post and please feel free to leave any other ideas of posts like these for me to do. All products mentioned are linked if you click on them. Thanks for reading!

xoxo PinkCupcake xoxo

2

Elsa Inspired Hair and Makeup

Once again my little sister wanted to look like a Disney Princess so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for an Elsa Inspired look. Obviously this is a wearable look and I love it as it involves a lot of purple.

Hair:
Firstly I sprayed my sisters second-day hair with a dry shampoo and massaged it in. This is great to add volume and will make it easier to tease later on.

I then teased the top section of the hair a lot. I kept taking different sections and teased them to create lots of volume. After you are happy with the amount of volume, smooth over the hair to make it look neat and not messy from backcombing. I then secured it with a clip to make sure that it stayed with lots of volume. I twisted the section before clipping it down too.

After I had secured the front section of the hair back, I began a french braid. This is just a regular french braid but make sure that you make it go the side of the head gradually.

After securing the braid in a blue, sparkly bobble, I tugged at the plait to make it bigger and look thicker.

I finally pulled part of the hair out and slightly curled them away from the face and onto the hair with my straighteners.

This is the final hairstyle!

Makeup:

I started by taking MACs paint pot in Painterly and using a flat brush to wipe it over the lid.

Next I took Faint from Urban Decay's Naked Basics palette and dusted it into the crease and on the lid. 

Next I took this colour from Wet N Wild's Petal Pusher palette and used the same flat brush to pat it all over the lid.

Next I took MACs Nocturnelle and dusted it with a fluffy blending brush in the crease.

I also mixed this red eyeshadow and sparkly pink/red colour and put those in the crease too because Elsa had a cranberry colour in her crease and purple on the lid.

I then used Foxy from my Naked Basics palette and went under the eyebrow with a Real Techniques Detailer Brush.

I then used Venus from the same palette and applied this to the brow bone and inner corner with the same detailer brush.

Next I applied a thin coat of Wet N Wild's Mega Liner in black and created a tiny cat eye.

Whilst I was letting her liquid liner dry, I filled in her brows with a combination of Maybellines Mastershape in Soft Brown and Naked 2 from the Naked Basics palette.

Next I dusted some purple shadow under her eye and also a combination of black and purple eyeliner and smudged it out. I also lined her waterline with a nude eyeliner to make her eyes appear bigger like a Disney Princess.

To finish the eyes, I took a clear mascara on the bottom lashes and used a black mascara on the top ones but my sisters eyelashes are so long that mascara can ruin the look so I wiped the wand first in a tissue to get some of the product off.

I then took Maybellines Age Rewind in Light and highlighted her face. I applied this on her cheekbones, nose, cupids bow and under the eyes.

Next I took a cream blush and put it on the apples of her cheeks and a little on the tip of her nose because Elsa has a red nose. I also put some of Baby Lips Cherry Me over the top to make the blush more red than pink.

To finish the look I lined her lips with a NYX Lip Pencil and applied a pink lipstick and Baby Lips Cherry Me over the top.

Since she was dressing up, I also used a glittery liquid eyeliner to draw 3 stars on her cheek but this obviously I wouldn't do if I was wearing this out.

That is the finished Elsa Look!

xoxo PinkCupcake xoxo

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Easy Ways to Keep Fit

I am not the fittest person in the world. I definitely don't do as much exercise as I should. I don't eat too well or have enough sleep but recently I've been trying to keep fit. Since I think of exercise as a chore, I have to think of easier, more fun ways of keeping fit. These are some of the ways I have been keeping fit but making it easy.

Obviously these things are not difficult workouts but I'm not looking to slim down or tone my body or anything, I just simply want to feel more in shape and healthy. One thing that has dramatically changed my lifestyle is my FitBit One. My Mum is a fitness freak and since she bought one of these, I have been learning more about it and even got one myself. It has dramatically altered my lifestyle.

FitBit One
A FitBit One is a tiny device that comes with a clip and strap so you can clip it on your clothes or wear it around your arm. It records all of your health. It records data daily and you can get the free app to monitor your results.
FitBit One device and app features:

• Records the amount of steps you do daily
• Records the amount of flights of stairs you go up/down
• Records the Calories you've burnt
• Allows you to enter the foods you've eaten
• Allows you to type in your water intake
• Allows you to type in the amount of exercise you have done
• Allows you to find out your sleep pattern including how much sleep you had, how long it took you to fall asleep, how many restless minutes of sleep etc..
• Allows you to set a silent alarm which will vibrate to wake you
• Talks to you if you programme it that way
• Times your exercise/runs etc…
• Allows you to compete with friends on who is the healthiest

One of my favourite features is that on the device, it has a flower that grows depending on how healthy and fit you are. It alters throughout the day. For example, my flower had 6 leaves when I had been walking all morning but decreased to 1 leaf when I was sat watching tv in the evening.

My FitBit One has encouraged me to become healthier. I now do more exercise and watch how I'm eating more. I also walk a lot more to try and increase my steps to the recommended 10,000 a day.

Exercises

I hate difficult, intense exercise so recently I have been trying to find easy alternatives to these workouts. 

• I like to go for a walk at least once a day. I hate running but walking is still an easy way to stay healthy. 
• I have a pool in my holiday home in Florida so I have been swimming and my Mum aims for 100 lengths a day. Setting a goal like this is a relaxing but easy way to stay fit.
• To strengthen my arms and legs, I have been using a step and weights. I step up, lift the weights above my head and step down. I just like to do 10 minutes here or there over the course of the day.
• I also like to do some cycles. I lay on my back with my knees up and reach for my knee with the opposite elbow. This is a way to tone you stomach. 
• I don't do this all that often because of the unbearable heat in Florida but a bike ride is always a good way to stay fit, especially if you do it regularly.
• I personally like to do 10 squats every morning before I get dressed. 10 squats obviously won't make a difference to my body but I just like doing it to keep fitter.

These are just a few of the ways I like to keep fit, it doesn't see, much but considering I literally did nothing before, I am quite happy with it. The huge curve for me was my FitBit One, it really has dramatically changed my lifestyle and I feel much healthier now for using it. I will leave the website linked here.

xoxo PinkCupcake xoxo

3

What eyeliner and mascara suits your eye shape?

Today I'm going to be doing another post similar to my 'What Lipstick suits your skin tone?' and 'What colour suits your eyes' posts. Today I will be telling you which eyeliner looks might suit the shape of your eyes.

Small Eyes
These are all tips to make your smaller eyes seem larger.
Eyeliner:

• ensure that your eyeliner goes from thin to thicker from the inner corner to the outer part of your eye, winging it out slightly at the edge but still make it look natural. 
• Use a pencil liner because liquid liners can look to bold and thick.
• Smudge dark brown or black pencil liner on your lower lash line to make your lashes look thicker.
• Use a white or nude eyeliner to line your waterline.

Mascara:

• Make sure you curl your eyelashes before applying mascara.
• Use a mascara that will volumize and lengthen your lashes.
• Make sure to focus more mascara in the centre of you upper lashes.
• Use several coats on the upper lashes.
• Don't apply too much mascara on the lower lashes but focus on the centre and outer lashes.

Big Eyes:
These are all tips on how to make your larger eyes look smaller.
Eyeliner:

• Apply a black liner on your waterlines.
• Stick to dark coloured eyeliners and draw a very thin line from the inner corner to the outer part of you eyelid very close to the lash line.

Mascara:

• Curl your eyelashes
• Don't apply too much mascara.

Close-set Eyes:
Eyeliner:

• Apply eyeliner to the upper and lower lash line, only to the outer edges of the lash line.
• Use a white liner on the inner rims.

Mascara:

• Apply a generous coat of mascara.
• Use a darker mascara on the top lashes.

Wide-set Eyes:
Eyeliner:

• Apply liner to the top and bottom lash line.
• Only apply liner from the outer edge of the eye to the middle.
• Apply a light colour liner to the inner corner of you eye.
• Use a bright coloured eyeliner to help your eyes pop.

Mascara:

• Use brown or black mascara and apply more to the outer lashes, maybe even apply single false lashes to the outer ones.
• Curl your lashes.

I hope this helped. If you have any other eye shapes that you would like me to cover, please let me know and I'll do another post with those.

xoxo PinkCupcake xoxo

1

Caring For Your Skin

I spend a lot of time and money trying to perfect my skin. I think that having good skin can save you a lot of money that you would usually spend on makeup and it gives you great confidence. This is what is in my skincare bag at the minute.

Taking off your makeup at night is the key to helping your skin and my personal favourite makeup wipes are the Yes To Cucumber wipes. I don't have them in my skincare bag because it is too small but it is something I use extremely often. I also use Simples Eye Makeup Remover and a cotton pad to remove my eye makeup. I also find that my DIY makeup remover works fantastically though, maybe even a little better than this one that I bought. If you want to see how I make it then click here.

As far as cleansing my skin goes, I  do that in the shower with my Clarisionic Mia and a cleanser I got free with that so they are not in my skincare bag but when I get out of the shower I use my L'Oreal Skin Perfection Moisturiser. I find this is the best moisturiser for my combination skin. I have a review on it here. 

I then take my Simple Soothing to the eyes balm under my eyes and use either Clinique's Acne Solutions Clinical Treatment or Decleors Spot Treatment on my blemishes. I have a full post on caring for acne skin and how to prevent it here.

I also use Lush's Bubblegum Lip Scrub to exfoliate my lips but I have a post on how to make your own lip scrub so click here for that. Or read my review on the lush scrub here.

Finally I have some tweezers and cotton buds in my bag too. What's your skincare essential?

xoxo PinkCupcake xoxo

2

Aurora Inspired Hair and Makeup Look (Maleficent)

Obviously not everyone wants to say their hair and makeup was inspired by Aurora from Maleficent but after trying this look on my little sister, I realised that it was a really nice look that I might have to wear more often.

Hair
This hairstyle looks very complex and like you have spent a lot of time doing it but really it is so simple. I started by curling all of the hair, I did it with straighteners but do it whichever way you prefer. Then I simply twisted the front two sections and secured them with a small clip at the back. Make sure these parts of the hair that are pulled back are quite loose for the next step. Then I two more pieces of hair from the front and twisted them over the other pieces. So it was going over and under the original pieces we clipped back. That's the finished look but since my little sister was dressing up as Aurora I added some flowers and pretty clips to the look.

Makeup
This is a very simple look, not much more than a no-makeup makeup look really so it is perfect for school.

1. My sister has good skin seeing as she is only young so I only used some of Maybellines Age Rewind Concealer to highlight parts of her face. I put this on her forehead, in a V shape under her eyes,on her chin, the bridge of her nose and on her cheekbones. If you have blemishes or feel uncomfortable with this little among of face makeup then I would suggest using a BB cream or a light foundation. MAC Face and Body would be a good example. I used the Real Techniques Contour Brush to blend the concealer in.

2. Next I added a cream blush to her cheeks. I took Maybellines Master Glaze Blush Stick in the colour 'Just Pinched-Pink'. I just dotted this on her cheeks and blended it with a combination of my fingers and the Real Techniques Multi-task brush. I wanted it to look natural and this blush did the job perfectly.

3. Next I took Benefits Cream Shadow in R.S.V.P and applied it to the lid, I then took a blush by Covergirl called Rose Silk and used it on the outer section of the lid. This looked really pretty and natural after blending it out. I applied this with my fingers and a Covergirl brush.

4. Finally I lightly lined her lips with NYX's Peekabo Neutral Slim Lip Pencil and used my fingers to blend it out onto the rest of the lips. I then took the same cream blush that I used earlier and dotted a tiny amount over the lips.

5. This step is optional but my sister wanted to look 'just like Aurora' so I used a light brown eyeliner and slightly dotted freckles onto her cheeks and over her nose, I then took a Real Techniques Detailer Brush and blended it out to look very natural.

I hope you enjoy this look, its perfect for natural days. I might begin to do more of these inspired looks or maybe celebrity makeup looks. Let me know of any you'd like to see.

xoxo PinkCupcake xoxo

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