Current Beauty Favourites

When I started this blog (previously A Yellow Brick Blog) back in 2013 I talked about make-up a lot. Probably 85% of my content was talking cosmetics whether it be favourites, hauls or a review. I lived for it and spent so much money on tying out the latest releases, top trends and recommendations from other bloggers to feed my addiction!

Over the last couple of years this has slowly faded away, not only do I not really have the budget to be buying new products every single week but I have also become a creature of habit and once I've found a few products that work for me I will use them religiosuly until they are empty!
So I wanted to share with you all some of my FAVS right now that I have been using constantly!

Stila Heaven's Hue Highlighter - Kitten
Highlighters are my thang! I have been obsessed with using highlighting products since I tried out a cream highlight from (maybe) Illamasqua  back in 2008/2009! I have bought countless different powders, liquid and creams over the last 8 or so years and this new release from Stila is up there with my favourites!
Kitten is such a classic shade from Stila and this version of the Heaven's Hue is the perfect finishing touch to any make-up look! I used to use the highlight from my Charlotte Tilbury contour kit everyday but I've now switched to use this on my cheekbones, down my nose and under my eyebrows! If you get the chance to check out the Heaven's Hue Hilighters.... do it!

Beauty Blender Sponge
Well.... I'm not too sure how I actually lived without this. I swore by using a buffing brush to put on my Facebook .... until I discovered a damp beauty blender! This is now the only way I apply my foundation and concealers, game changer!

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
This was actually an influenced purchase... I haven't had one of those in a while! I had finished my with my Age Rewind Concealer (I think that's what it's called) from Maybelline and as the Fit Me was on offer and I had seen Brittney Saunders using it in her videos I thought I would give it a go! This is the perfect 'wake up' for my skin. It brightens up my eye area and transforms my tired face immediately! Where it has been so hot recently some days I have just been wearing this without foundation to brighten my skin and get rid of any fatigue on my tired-ass face!

Make Up Forever HD Foundation
I must say this has been in my make-up collection for a long while now BUT it can only come out to play when I have a tan! The shade I have is way too dark for my natural skin colour but when I have fake tanned, this mixed with a bit of my darker True Match foundation is amazing! Such incredible coverage and perfect for a night out.... it was also my go-to for the IOW Festival earlier this month! 

Nivea Daily Express Hydration Primer
*Holy grail alert* - this is my favourite skincare product to use every single morning. Once I've washed my face in the shower and used a toner I pop on this super light primer moisturiser to melt into my skin before I start my make-up routine. It feels fab and my skin just loves it, I'm not one for thick cream on my face so this formula is perfect, plus it feels really refreshing - I highly recommend giving it a go, especially throughout the summer!

Rosie For Autograph Eyeshadow Quad - I Feel Like A Million Dollars
I'm a sucker for nudes, bronzes and general neutrals when it comes to eyeshadows. I love my Naked palette from Urban Decay but this has actually been my go-to for the last few months. The whole Rosie range is super pigmented and fantastic quality!

Blank Canvas F33 Extreme Contour Brush*
I was sent this brush to try from Black Canvas a few weeks ago and I think I've probably used it every time I put on make-up. It is the perfect brush for applying my Charlotte Tilbury contour powder, definitely an everyday product for me now!

Zoeva 317 Wing Liner Brush
The perfect brush for applying eyebrow powder. That is all.

Five Of My Favourite Things Purchased At Disneyworld

I'm back with another Disney post, it's been way too long since I've talked about one of my favourite things ever and I know I still have my Q&A to come (I haven't forgotten) but I thought before then I would share some of my favourite Disney possessions and more importantly ones from Disneyworld!

I have been lucky enough to venture to Florida three times since 2012 and each time, of course, I have spent hour upon hour (at the horror of my boyfriend and best friend) browsing round the gift shops and stores all over Disney.
No doubt thousands of dollars later and I have a home full of pictures, magnets, kitchenware, plush toys, stationery and god knows what else! But there are so bits that mean just a little bit more than others and I wanted to share five of my FAV Disneyworld bits that I've picked up over the years! 

 My Disney Pandora charms are so, so special to me. I got my first Pandora bracelet this past Christmas (2016) from my best friend and one of the first things I thought when I opened it was.... I cannot wait to buy Disney charms!
I have two - the Fantasyland Firework Charm which my boyfriend bought me from Magic Kingdom on our first day of our holiday this year which I adore and I have the Mickey Mouse Ears Charm which I bought for myself to remind me of my favourite place!
These charms aren't the cheapest but I love that I get to wear them every single day and have that happy reminder on my wrist!

Minnie ears!!! Such an iconic buy from Disneyworld and if you've been to Florida and haven't worn a pair then who are you? Looking at these in my room makes me miss walking round the parks, taking it all in on a daily basis... ahh holidays!
This castle phone case is actually the second version I have had of it. Back in 2014 I had an iPhone 5s (I think) and I bought this exact case apart from the fact it was hard plastic. As I had a phone upgrade back in Jan 2016 I had been Disney phone caseless for far too long so I couldn't wait to get back to DW and pick up a replacement! The perfect way to keep a bit of Disney in my life 24/7!

If you follow me on social media I think you probably ALL saw me rocking my MU cap during my Disney trip this year. I spotted this in our hotel shop and feel in love (yes I am 27 don't judge!) then bought it from Magic Kingdom during our first day there. Such a cute little replica of Mike's hat!
Last but not least this is something I bought from Disneyworld 5 years ago during my first ever trip. This trip was spent with my best friend and it was a literal dream come true for me, the photo in the frame is of me and my bestie... and believe or not this wasn't actually posed for, just a perfect snapshot of us both looking at the castle at the same time! The quote makes me happy and fits the photo perfectly.

Find everything online here (although I have no idea if you can order it... *sad face*) :

Cap - http://bit.ly/2lEVmrq

Firework Pandora Charm - http://bit.ly/2rzTIcZ 

Mickey Pandora Charm - http://bit.ly/2sxyEFn 

Similar Photo Frames - http://bit.ly/2sQFLM1

iPhone Case - http://bit.ly/2tpSQZG

What are some of your favourite items you've picked up from Disneyworld over the years?

Helpful Handbag Products From Merci Handy

If you're anything like me, anti-bac is your life. 
It's true.... I can't go anywhere without a trusty bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel safely nestled in my bag. Ready for public places, people and of course - transport, I don't think I could actually tell you how many bottles of gel I've gone through in my lifetime but, it's a lot!

Merci Handy contacted me last month at the perfect time.... just before the lsle Of Wight Festival - a place where anti-bac is needed by the dozen and a total must-have for my festival backpack.
Receiving four of their hand gels, New Wave (not pictured), Cherie Cherry, Oh My Lemon & Black Vanilla, I knew I would be in no short supply... even when half my friendship group hold out their hands after every trip to a portaloo because they know I'm always armed!

These hand gels smell delightful and are in such a handy (excuse the pun) size, very similar to the old style Bath & Body Works hand gels. They aren't drying in the slightest which can be a real downfall for some brands and they actually leave my hands feeling really soft.
The scent 'New Wave' isn't pictured because I actually used the whole thing before I got round to shooting for this post.... it was my festival saviour!

The Merci Handy team were also kind enough to send me one of their Refreshing Face Mists.... which I didn't know I needed in my life until this god damn UK heatwave! 
A delightful reviving and refreshing mist which in it's 'Flower Power' scent reminds me of a body spray I used to use but in a very toned down form. The doesn't ruin my make-up and really does give a moment of cool to the face, neck and chest which is needed when stomping up a hill home!

Have you tried about Merci Handy products yet? They really are a fab brand for little handbag essentials!

Want to chat or see more? Find me below :

Twitter - @alohakirstie

Instagram - @alohakirstie

Facebook - /AlohaKirstie

Summer Body Essentials

Summer 2017 has HIT the UK and for once I (nearly) feel ready! 
As someone who has never been overly body confident, Summer can be a bit of daunting premise for me....... and my thighs! 99% of the time my legs are pale, hairy and severely un-ready to see the light of day, especially in public, so when warm weather approaches I like to prep like a pro to ensure I'm not caught out when it comes to baring all!

As I was just at the Isle Of Wight Festival earlier this month I had already started my summer body ritual before this crazy (yes I'm melting) heatwave began. It's only a few extra products to add into my daily/weekly routines but they really are life savers.

1. NSPA Coconut Daily Refresh Shower Scrub*
First things first, before all that tanning and creaming malarkey I need my skin to be fresh, clean and smooth - so a body scrub is a must.
This creamy daily scrub from NSPA at ASDA smells bloomin' incredible - if you have read my blog for a while you will know that scents are a big thing for me. If a product doesn't smell good, I wouldn't and won't purchase it or use it. Coconut is one of my all-time favourite scents for products too so this is a winner.
I use this a few of times a week all over my body to prep my skin for fake tanning (or to get old fake tan off) and for only £2... yes £2 - it is WELL worth it!

2. St. Moriz Advanced Pro Formula Tanning Mousse*
All hail my all-time favourite tan.
St. Moriz has been in my life for years now and I totally swear by this brand. They were kind enough to send me a bottle of their new advanced pro formula to keep me going this month/Summer. This is the medium shade which I like to layer on for a few nights before I have an event, super easy to use I just use a mitt to apply all over before I go to bed and then wash it off in the morning. It gives a super natural and long-lasting colour (my mum even commented on it last week!) plus right now you can win a trip to Miami with St. Moriz's Baywatch comp right - here. (Totally non-spon... I just really love them)

3. Bondi Sands Everyday Tanning Milk
Gradual everyday tanners have been in our life since the early 00s when Dove & Johnson's bought out their famous moisturisers - which, if you didn't use, were pretty life changing. 
My high school years are a blur of me covered in this stuff thinking I was super sassy... but clearly not sassy enough to use real fake tan. I'm a big Bondi Sands fan and their products are up there with St. Moriz for me, I love the scent and the shade is always really natural looking. This is the perfect product for me to use to keep my skin moisturised plus keep my tan long-lasting and topped up.

4. Tropic Mineral Sun Protection*
Sun cream. The number one product everyone should be using in this weather. 
My skin, unfortunately, does have a slight problem with some sun creams. As I am a sufferer of the dreaded heat rash I can only use sun creams that are non-pore blocking which believe me... aren't that common!
I usually use Boots Soltan Sensitive cream which is a god send for me but when Tropic asked if I'd like to give their Skin Shade Mineral Sun Protection and I read it wouldn't block pores I jumped at the chance!
I chose the 30SPF as 15 didn't feel enough for me and my sensitive skin and 50 felt unnecessary for me on the IOW! I've been loving this suncream and so far... no heat rash wahooo!

What are your favourite products to keep you increase your body confidence leading up to the Summer months?

Want to chat or see more? Find me below :

Twitter - @alohakirstie

Instagram - @alohakirstie

Facebook - /AlohaKirstie

My Favourite Movies To Lift My Mood

If you're a natural human being you're going to have down days. It's a fact of life, especially with the devils that are hormones.

When it comes to cheering myself other than food, yes chocolate DOES work, I love to chill out on my awesome corner sofa and put on a 'feel good' film! So here's a little list of my favourites.... and if you haven't seen them I highly recommend you do!

Love, Rosie

This has got to be up there with my top 5 favourite movies ever. It makes me laugh, it makes me cry, it makes me happy! Lily Collins is just awesome as Rosie - if you haven't seen this you are seriously missing out on the perfect rom-com.

Look Who's Talking

This movie reminds me so much of my childhood, my parents named me Kirstie after seeing Kirstie Alley's name and I always loved her as an actress growing up.

This film is still a total classic.... and the more I grow up the more I fancy the pants off of John Travolta! 

The Bridget Jones Trilogy

What female would not want to sit down and watch Renee in her big pants! Bridget Jones is so iconic and Bridget Jones' baby, for me, was even funnier than The Edge Of Reason! I'll never get bored of these.

Just Go With It
This has got to be my favourite Happy Madison movie! Full of lols AND most of it is set in Hawaii.... which we all know is my number one on the bucket list of life!

The Wolf Of Wall Street
My favourite Leo movie. And Leo always knows how to make us feel better! This is a three hour movie so make sure you sit down and clear your afternoon for this one. This is honestly probably my favourite movie ever made in the history of time! so.bloody.good.

90s Disney

The classics from my childhood. Aladdin, Beauty & The Beast, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid (okay I know that's 80s!), Pocahontas, Toy Story, Hercules, Mulan .... these of course always make me feel better. Ain't no movie like a Disney movie.

What are your favourite movies to watch to put a smile on your face? Let me know if the comments below or tweet me at @alohakirstie!