Why I Got A Second Job | Being Self-Employed and Employed

 

Yasssss #girlboss life! 

T-Shirt : Pretty Little Thing // Jacket : New Look // Lipstick : Stila, Beso

Two jobs? You must be crazy! That's what I've been getting told, but I know making this decision has been the best thing I've done for myself in a long while.

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick Collection

 Anytime I get new lip product I'm excited.... when it's Charlotte Tilbury... I hit the next level! All hail Queen Charlotte and her extreme make-up perfecetness. 

The new 'Hot Lips' collection is inspired by and in collaboration with some of the world’s most inspiring celebrity women.
These include Miranda Kerr, Salma Hayek, Kate Bosworth, Helena Bonham-Carter, Poppy Delevingne, Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Kim Kardashian-West to name a few! (I know ... amazing right?)

I have three gorgeous shades from this new collection and thought it was about time I shared the excitement with you all.... (Seriously someone else please tell me new lip products also get them giddy like a kid at Christmas?)

First up - Secret Salma is a natural deep rose plum which I have to say, is my personal favourite out of the three I own! 
This shade is perfect for Autumn and has recently become my most reached for lip product!
The formula to these is incredible - the lipstick glides on like butter, so smooth and soft and leaves your lips feeling so moisturised but still with a fantastic opaque colour. 
Application is perfect because of the shape, size and angle of the bullet end and can we just appreciate the detailing on the bullet - I hardly want to use it because it will get ruined!

Next we have Kate Bosworth's piece in the collection... Bosworth's Beauty. A gorgeous classic statement pink, perfect for day or night! I love this Elle Woods style pop of pink, a go-to for those days where I want to feel super girly and fun!

Last but not least... it's the queen of the world/social media/TV/life ... Kim Kardashian, with her addition Kim K.W.
This gorgeous 'vintage styled' pink nude is totally fabulous - set to make the lips appear fuller this shade is perfect for a subtle but simple bit of glam.
I love pairing this with one of my MAC lip liners to create that irresistible nude Miss. Jenner has made famous! 

See below for ... my arm... oh wait I mean the swatches...

The Hot Lips lipsticks are priced at £23 each. Yes, these are expensive - nearly £8 more than MAC's high quality range - but I honestly LOVE them.
I mean, they are worth the price for the packaging, detailing and formula alone, not to mention the amazing colour range!
Obviously these aren't something I can afford to splash out on weekly but a monthly treat - why not! I've been trying out alot of CT products recently and have completely and utterly fallen had over heels for the brand!
Do you have any CT favourites? Let me know!

Thanks so much for reading you beauties - I know A Yellow Brick Blog hasn't really been the same this year with it's reduced content but I am really trying hard to get back into the rhythm of things and making time to sit down and blog until my fingers hurt!

Shop the range :  

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Everyday Lip Shades To Add To Your Collection

Hello lovely people - before I jump into this post I just wanted to remind you all that my Instagram account has changed! Yes I have a totally new account so don't forget to give it a follow :) - @AlohaKirstie ..... now the promo is done - time to chat lippys!

I'm very much a creature of habit and even though I am the owner of countless lipsticks, glosses and liners I always have that collection of favourites that I am reaching for on a daily basis.

I love to see what products bloggers are reaching for again and again (I mean, we all try out so many it's always good to know what gets picked up time after time) so I thought why not share 6 of my go-to everyday lip shades with you guys.... because basically - you seriously need them all in your life!

You might think they look similar..... but they so aren't - I promise!

Featured :

Tanya Burr Matte Lip - Martha Moo | Sleek Matte Me - Birthday Suit | NYX Liquid Suede - Soft Spoken | Lancome Juicy Tube - Caramel Gospel | MAC - Velvet Teddy | MAC - Brave

MAC - Brave
This is a lipstick a bought.... purely down to a pinterest post! Yup, I spotted an image of this and the lip liner Soar and fell.in.love. This is the perfect subtle rosy pink, especially if you're not into thick heavy colour!

MAC - Velvet Teddy
I love this little beauty - a MAC essential which I think everyone needs to own! The perfect nude in my eyes, I don't think I've seen anyone it doesn't suit.... I even bought it for my Mum!

Lancome Juicy Tube - Caramel Gospel
This product is one that I randomly had for SO long before actually picking it up and trying it out! When I say this makes your lips look big and juicy... I'm not kidding! The shine is incredible and it's so smooth to apply, plus it smells amazeballs.

NYX Liquid Suede - Soft Spoken
Soft Spoken seems to have become my go-to for Festivals and nights out - I wore it at the Isle Of Wight Festival, V Festival and when out in Mallorca! It lasts SO long and the deep colour really is one of my favourites ever! 

Sleek Matte Me - Birthday Suit
Bargain alert! This little beauty is only £4.99 - remind me to invest in some more shades - Sleek always have gorgeous original colours! (Their lipstick 'Mystic' is fabulous)

Tanya Burr Matte Lip - Martha Moo

I did a full blog post on this product not too long ago (here) so you can read my opinion in full over there. Such a lovely shade, perfect for adding a bit of a pinky rose tone to your look - I feel like it's alot lighter on the lips than it looks on my arm though!

What are your favourite lip colours to rock daily?

Sleek Matte Me Cream Lipstick - Birthday Suit

I don't think I'm the only person there that has tried and failed to purchase Kylie Cosmetics. (Damn you people faster than me.)
So, for me, it's all about finding dupes and lookalike products for now and I found this total bargain recently!
I was browsing the self-selection in Boots when I was shopping last week and these 'matte me' lipsticks by Sleek really caught my eye.

Birthday Suit was the first colour I swatched and to be honest was the only colour I cared about. I'm SUCH a sucker for a nude lip at the moment - and if it's matte.... even better! I knew I had to have it, especially for only £4.99.

The colour is gorgeous, a great brown nude which is easy to apply and feels so smooth. It dries quickly and has a great stay-time although after a few cups of tea I do need to re-apply but for the price it's not something I mind.
I've been wearing this on top of a nude lip liner and it's perfect for everyday work!

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Birthday MAC Haul

As I woke on the morning of my 26th birthday bright-eyed and bushy-tailed I did my usual morning routine -  you know just some light yoga and a shot of healthy greens...... and by that I mean I casually lay in bed, avoided getting up and checked my phone for any exciting Kardashian news.
And BING there it was - a surprise MAC voucher waiting in my inbox for me from my lovely boyfriend (Lots of brownie points for him!)!

Of course this voucher did NOT last long and no sooner had I got it, it was gone. Although I must admit it was a tough choice picking from my never-ending wishlist!
Here's what I decided on.... 

Strobe Cream

This has been on my wishlist for so long now. Every single photo I had seen of it online looked so stunning - I'm obsessed with a perfect glow and that dewy, natural look and this cream looks like the perfect way to create that. I can't wait to play around with this stuff!

Lip Liner - Soar
The Kylie Jenner classic. I cannot believe it's taken me this long to invest in it! I LOVE MAC's lip liners - they are the best - and I'm so glad to have another nude shade to wear daily with Velvet Teddy/Brave.

Lip Liner - Nightmoth
Like I had said in my recent post I really wanted to buy a new lip liner to go with my Ariana Grande Viva Glam lipstick and THIS is the perfect shade!  Seriously dark, this plum shade is the best base for it - and also gorgeous on it's own!

Lipstick - Brave
Another product which has been on my wishlist for months and months.
 I saw a gorgeous picture on Pinterest of someone wearing Soar & Brave together and since then I have been wanting to purchase them both - and now I have! I know this is going to get some serious wear, it's such a pretty colour - perfect for everyday!

Eyebrow Pencil - Lingering
This was a total random purchase! But I've just had my eyebrows done and felt like trying something new for them! I quickly tried this out and am so impressed by how easily it works on filling in my sparse areas and how little you need! 

What's top of your MAC wishlist?

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MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande Lipstick

When I heard the next Viva Glam celebrity was going to be Ariana Grande I knew I was going to invest. It didn't matter what shade it was - I was interested. (any excuse to buy another MAC product really....)
I'll admit it - I'm a fan girl! I love Ari, she's a babe!

Anyway.... the collection was released and at first I was actually a little unsure whether to take the plunge and buy it, but because it looked so awesome on Ari (Yup, we are so close I can call her that...) so I decided that it was a must and my life wouldn't be complete without it.

This Viva Glam isn't like any of the others I've had before, I'm used to the fun girly pinks of Nicki and Miley but this lippy is super dark - a gorgeous matte plum in fact! 
Don't be alarmed buy the shade in the tube - it isn't as scary once applied!

The shade is gorgeous, I'm in love and so,so pleased I decided to buy it.
The forumla is surprisingly moisturising for a matte shade - a little like the feel of Velvet Teddy (my number one lippy).

I highly recommend you pair this with a liner though - it's too easy to make a mess of it .... as I may have found out!
 I have a liner slightly lighter which isn't overly great with it so I think I'll be investing in one a bit darker to perfect the look!

I cannot wait to wear this on a night out - is it sad I kind of want to base my outfit around it?!

Have any of you tried it out yet?! You can check it out - here.

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Disney Wishlist : Star Wars Special

BB-8 Hoodie |  Princess Leia Mug | Key Covers | Backpack | Monopoly | Maxfactor Limited Edition Lipstick | Pink Primark PJ Top  | I Only Date Rebels Slippers

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Clutch Bag Essentials & Giveaway

It's coming to that time of year again. Christmas parties, family gatherings and that all important New Years Eve.
Most of these occassions will include a cute little dress, a nice pair of heels and of course.... a clutch bag!

Now I have a list of things I ALWAYS carry in my clutch - no matter what time of year or where I'm going - if I'm on a night out... these things will always be in my bag.

1. Tissues
I have to carry tissues wherever I go..... I think it's just the dreaded thought of having to go for a wee without them haha, believe me they have come in handy many a time on a night out!
2. Anti-Bac
Yeah.... I'm not leaving the house without this stuff! My favourite at the moment has to be the Soap & Glory Sugar Crush hand sanitizer, it smells amazing.
3. Eyelash Glue
I'm such an eyelash fan on a night out - I don't feel complete without them! I HAVE to take glue with me though, the thought of one flapping around and having no glue to fix it really scares me, so I always have one packed. 
4.Small Purse
How cute is this little Minnie Mouse coin purse! I don't like to take my huge wallet out with me (and normally it doesn't fit along with everything else in my bag) so a small purse it always a must. 
5. Lip colour of choice
Whatever shade I've picked - I've gotta take it with me! All those drinks sometimes rub it off so re-applying because a regular occurrence this time of year.

(Obviously my phone and keys are in there without question)
Last but not least.... 6. my Travalo! I can't even think how many times I've talked about these since I started blogging - it was even a blogger that made me buy one in the first place back in 2011, they looked so handy and I was about to go travlling so it was a must-have. Your favourite perfume with you anywhere and everywhere 24/7 - perfect for us girly girls!

This is where the exciting part of the post comes in.

Yes! I've teamed up with Travalo to give FOUR of you the chance of winning one of their can't-live-without atomizers!

There are 2 original Travalo's and two Milano Travalo's up for grabs (the colour of your choice... subject to availability) and all you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter below - the perfect little treat just in time for Christmas!

Good Luck you beauties!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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November Favourites 2015

It's December!!!!!!! Hands up if you're excited! *waves hands in the air!*

 I always get so excited at this time of year, I love the atmosphere on the lead upto Christmas, so much love and laughter and I'm really looking forward to bringing all the festive excitement to AYBB this month!

To start us off I'm going to be chatting all about my favourites from the past month..... not going to lie I had ALOT of favourites in November so I've narrowed them down to just a few!

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Hand Gel
I'm in LOVE with this stuff - I've already used half the bloomin' bottle.... I really need to buy a back up! It has the amazing gorgeous sugar crush scent we all know and love and it's a product you can take anywhere and everywhere with you!

Nars Mini Duo : Orgasm & Laguna
I bought this little compact in Florida last year, I had been wanting to try both of these shades for years so when I saw them both in one easy palette I knew it was a must. I recently stumbled back upon it and have fallen back in love! The bronzer is fab for contouring and the blush gives a lovely warm winter glow, such a great purchase.

MAC Velvet Teddy
I may actually make a huge statement here. The best lipstick of all time? I cannot stop wearing this shade and I'm nearly out which is making me super sad. Such an easy everyday nude, how did I live without this for so long - this has to be my current statement lip.

No7 Lip Pencil - Melon
I have so many No7 lip liners hanging around and I forget I have them all the time! This is such a beautiful colour and it works perfectly with Velvet Teddy - just call me Kylie Jenner!

Glasses
YES! I actually have a new prescription which works - yahoooo! I don't feel as blind anymore which is fab, I'm loving being able to wear these alot more often, my old prescription was 6 years old and just doing nothing.... I'm already wanting some new frames though!

Glade Honey & Chocolate Candle
The biggest bargain candle of all time. These are always on sale somewhere and I managed to get this one for just £2 in Tesco recently.
 This scent reminds me of my parents house, my Mum has a stock of these constantly in the cupboard. For the price the quality is amazing, it has a slight smell of angel perfume and it just makes me happy! Go and buy one now!!

Trek Protein Oat Flapjack
A part of me wishes I never found these. I'm on the health train still and feeling fab from it... but I'm still partial to a little something to cure my sweet tooth. I've been popping into Holland Barrett and trying out a few new bits and a couple of weeks ago one of these fell into my hands! Soooo good and dairy and gluten free which makes me happy. Obviously I only try and have one a week and try and have it just before or after exercise as I know otherwise I could start piling on the pounds haha! 

Eat Natural Dark Chocolate With Macadamias and Cranberries
My.favourite.treat.ever. The gluten free versions (which I think are the same as the original) come in a pack of 4 and are slightly smaller than the usual sized bars so they make a perfect evening snack. This and a peppermint tea after dinner - perfection.

What have you been loving this past month?! 

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Favourites Rediscovered

With my slight beauty addiction (slight...I say...slight!) it's quite impossible to use everything all the time.

It's always fun stumbling across an old favourite and fallen back in love with it and recently I seemed to have fallen into a deep hole of them.
 Such an awesome hole in fact that I obviously, being me, wanted to write a post all about them!

 Hugo Boss Deep Red Perfume
This is such a high school classic for me! I LOVED this as a teen and a few years ago I asked for a bottle for Christmas..... which I had kind of forgotten about if I'm totally honest - until last week.
Deep Red is literally the perfect winter scent - I've been using it everyday and I have been getting some many questions about it! This is going to be my go-to for the rest of the season!

Collection Little Mix Perrie Lipstick
I'm not going to lie.... I have 3 of these. 3. Sat in a drawer! I bulk bought them when they first came out as I was so scared they were going to be limited edition that I didn't want to run out as I loved it so much.
Such a gorgeous purple (and they were a total bargain at just £2.99 each!) - I can't believe I'd forgotten all about it - I can safely say there's one sat in my handbag now!

Indeed Labs Hydraluron
I actually repurchased this recently as I got it for an amazing price.... half price in fact! I love this serum, I pop it on every night before moisturising and it leaves my skin feeling great, especially in this horrible climate at the moment!
The only reason I had stopped using it was because of the price so I will be making this tube last as long as I can.

Nivea Refreshing Toner
Ooooo this is a drugstore beaut! I just love the scent of Nivea products and this had been shoved to the back of my skincare for far too long! I hate the feeling of my skin without toning - it's like a must-have refreshing step for me after cleansing!

Have you stumbled across an old favourite recently? It's crazy how much stuff I forget about!

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Beat The Winter Lip Blues

I don't know about you but the winter plays serious havoc with my lips.

Dry, sore, flaky - pretty much a gross look for any lady right?!
 With the wind and cold outside and the heating inside my lips tend to become a real pain in the butt and I do everything in my power to avoid that dreading 'trip-lip' ..... you know... when your lips get all sore and red, like so red above them that it looks like another lip. I mean I haven't had that since I was a child but it's a fear of mine!

This little duo have been a god send and won't be leaving my side until spring is here!

First the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub, which I have mentioned many a time here on A Yellow Brick Blog. This is the perfect product for keeping my lips healthy, soft and flake free.
The yummy smelling (and tasting) sugar scrub is easy to use, I just pop a bit on my fingers and rub it in circles across my lips or rub my lips together to help get rid of all that nasty dead skin. This creates the perfect base for all my lippys!

Next - to battle those sore lips. The new Blistex Intensive Moisturiser in Cherry*.
Blistex are one of my go-to brands when it comes to lip therapy products and this new addition to their collection is actually the best I've tried from them.
The new cherry flavoured intensive balm brings a bit of fun to the otherwise simple looking original. The smooth clear gel balm isn't sticky at all, it soaks into the lips with ease leaving them soft and seriously hydrarting for hours on end - all with a lovely cherry scent. (It reminds me of cherry drops/cherryade and takes me straight back to being 12 years old!)

What are you favourite lip products at the moment?

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Makeup Revolution Unicorns Unite Lipstick Collection

Make-up Revolution has taken over the beauty and blogging world since it's release and form I can see they seem to have more new releases than hot dinners coming out of their offices!

Say hello to another fun and funky lipstick collection - Unicorns Unite.

I mean, nowadays, who isn't a fan of pretty unicorns, fun shades and something a little out of the norm!

This 5 shade collection isn't something I would usual go for colour wise (minus Myth... that's so up my street!) but I've actually fallen in love with Throne and Legend and with Halloween just around the corner these colours could be a fabulous last touch on a spooky or out of this world costume!

Makeup Revolution Unicorns Unite Lipstick Collection*

Left to right :

Throne • Legend • Magical • Horn Of Magic • Myth

Top : Throne - Legend - Magical

Bottom : Horn Of Magic - Myth

These lippys are only ..... £1 each! Yes just one tiny British pound OR you can buy the whole collection for just £4- saving £1! What a Barry bargain!

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September Favourites 2015

Well, well, well it has been a little while since I uploaded a monthly favourites post or video, so I thought it was about time I started them up again - let's jump straight on in!

Let's start off by talking make-up. My Seventeen shimmer brick has been a godsend since my Fake Bake beauty ran out a few months back (I just can't seem to get hold of another one).  This is a gorgeous finishing touch to my everyday make-up routine, a summer glow is a constant mission of mine!

My Naked palette has been my go-to palette this month, nearly 3 years and countless smokey eyes later and I'm still so in love with this classic. I still love playing around with the different shades, they are so easy to wear.

My lipstick of the month HAS to be MAC's Velvet Teddy - I cannot stop wearing this, it is such an easy shade to just put on no matter what I'm doing or wearing, it's nearly running out which I'm pretty devo about.

Little Ondine is a brand I talked about last week, their nail polishes have changed my thoughts on doing my own nails - they are just so easy and I love this pretty baby blue shade. (Full review here)

The Lee Stafford Arganoil Nourishing Miracle Mist is easily my favourite hair product of the month, it has made my hair feel so much softer and healthier - I couldn't even tell you how many times I've used it already.

Yes, that is an anti-bac hand gel you see there. This is the cheeky little number that has been living in my handbag for the length of September - one of Bath & Body Works best (of course) this is Cozy Vanilla Cream and it smells so yummy!

Skincare pick of the month is my Simple protecting light moisturiser. I'm not normally one for wearing a moisturiser at night but with the change in weather recently my skin has been a little drier than usual but just a light layer of this each night has worked wonders. My skin never really works well with thick, expensive creams so this is perfect.

My Travalo Milano has probably been everywhere with me this month - armed with my fav Vera Wang Princess - this was amazing when spending whole days at Bestival and great for a little freshen up while I'm at work or out for the day! (Full review here)

Dry lips have been the bane of my life the past few weeks so having a lip balm next to my bed has been a total and utter must! Nivea's lip butter in Blueberry has been my balm of choice - I LOVE these butters so much, I still can't decide what my favourite scent is.

Last but not least is a candle from PartyLite candles - you may remember seeing this in a post last month. This Berry Blossom candle is totally Sweet Pea scented and I have been burning it like crazy (as you can see from the photo above!) This candle brand has had me SO impressed, they last for hours and hours and the scent really does fill the whole room/home!

Are you still a fan of the classic monthly favourites posts?

What have been your favourites products from the past month?

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KISS Cosmetics Kisstick & Colour Switch Lipstick

Lip products, my ultimate weakness and what better than a product that can turn one lippy into well.... more than one lippy - that my friends is what the awesome people at Kiss cosmetics have created!

KISS Cosmetics Mini KISStick* & Colour Switch Lipstick*

Colour Switch is a new and original product and total innovative make-up saviour. Bored of the same colour? Keep on reading...

Colour Switch is a magic wand shade (Blanc) that can transform any of the KISStick shades into an entirely new colour - genius!

The white lipstick is used as a base; your lipstick is applied over the top and blended together creating a brand new colour. You can adjust the intensity as you like, doubling, tripling even quadrupling your current lippy collection.

 So easy and effective, this extends Kiss Cosmetics lip collection and makes them stand out from the cosmetics crowd.

Maybe you're bored of the one colour or it's a little too vibrant for you or for the look you are going for - the colour switch is all you need to transform it into something a little more subtle and pastel.

The KISStick shade features is 'Frisky Fuchsia' - a colour I would happily wear as it is or after the colour switch!

As you can see above the Colour Swtich is so easy to use and you can adjust it to whatever shade you fancy. From one layer to four, you can see how the colour transforms. (I haven't blended these though are you can see)

You can find the Colour Switch and everything else Kiss have to offer over at www.kisscosmetics.co.uk :)

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Most Worn MAC Lipsticks

MAC Lipsticks - one of the beauty lovers 'must-haves' of the century. From classic shades to limited edition collections - I'm sure you've all got at least one, in my opinion they are one of the best lipsticks out there and you can NEVER have too many!

I love the ones I own and my wishlist is as long as my arm but I have a few that seem to always be the ones I reach for first - old faithfuls that I can trust!

Rebel | Velvet Teddy | Viva Glam Miley | Girl About Town

Rebel

Who's says dark shades are only for Autumn or Winter months? Not me! I love this colour, fab for both nights out and daytime wearing - this deep purple is going to have to be repurchased soon I think!

Velvet Teddy

Probably the easiest colour for anyone to wear, ever. I haven't yet found a nude that I love as much as Velvet Teddy, this is a fail safe for any look - I love wearing it alongside my Whirl lip liner!

Viva Glam Miley

Miley's addition to the world famous viva glam lipstick range - a gorgeous bright fuschia pink. I am such a huge fan of this shade and always get compliments on it!  

Girl About Town

The classic Kirstie. If I had to pick just one pink lipstick to wear for the rest of time this would be it! This is the shade I always recommend to people when they ask me my MAC favourites! 

Like this post? You may also like :
My MAC Lipstick Collection
Viva Glam Miley Review
Girl About Town Review

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