Tips on how to get a job on a Benefit Cosmetics counter.

For the past 6 months or so now,I've been working for Benefit Cosmetics as a Beauty Advisor (or BA) I absolutely love it! Benefit is such a fun brand to work for, and I absolutely love the products. Just as a disclaimer before I get cracking though, all opinions are totally 100% my own and this isn't the set guaranteed way of getting the job on any beauty counter! Just things that worked for me, and tips I'd like to share! 

When I was trying to get a job with Benefit I did some serious googling and found lots of horror stories on the interviewing process and the auditions, and if that's how you found this post. DON'T PANIC! It's nowhere near as bad as people made it out to be, and if it doesn't work out for you that's fine! 

The recruitment process for Benefit in particular can be quite lengthy and lots of waiting around the route that I took though was in my opinion one of the quickest and most effective. And that's auditions.  The basic principle is that the auditions are advertised on the website and anyone is free to turn up and give it a go. Good, because it means you don't have to face a phone interview and you also get instant results. Bad, because to some people it can seem pretty daunting. 

The audition process is initially a one-on-one interview, pretty basic questions; why do you want to work for the brand? Which products are your favourite? Etc etc. If you get through that initial questioning they invite you back in the afternoon. 

The afternoon is the actual 'auditions' so, for me they took us down and gave us some really basic training on 4 products and basic hygiene. We then practiced applying the products on each other and then they send you off out on the shop floor. The idea is that you go out 'traffic stopping' which is basically a way of going up to a complete stranger and trying to get them to come over to your counter, sit down and let you put some products on them! If that sounds utterly terrifying to you, to be perfectly honest you are probably going for the wrong job. Because that is about 40% of what you'll be doing as a BA. During the auditions, they aren't expecting you to make a load of sales it's more about them seeing how you speak to people, and if you can convince them to come over and give them the 'Benefit experience' (super friendly, informative level of customer service). Originally when I first started my auditions there was about 15 of us, but over the course of the time that you are there they gradually take people to one side and say if they aren't suitable for the role. I genuinely didn't even notice until towards the end when it was only about 3 of us left that people had been leaving, I'd been so determined to keep a steady flow of customers! 

Eventually, it was only me and one other girl left when they took me to one side for a FINAL series of questions, but these are the more practical questions like what days can you work? And things like that. I then got offered the job on the spot!  I know it sounds like a long old process but it's worth it in the end and it's a great way of seeing what an aspect of the actual job is like.

Overall tips: 

- Sounds cheesy but be yourself, if you aren't naturally confident around the public then this job probably isn't for you.

- Stay positive, not everyone is going to want a makeover. Be polite and move on to the next person!

- Chat to the customer, nothing worse than sitting in awkward silence! 

- Try your best to ignore what everyone else is doing, concentrate on you!

- Know your brand, which products do you like? Which are your favourites? Why?

- Have fun! 

I hope some of you found this helpful, and I'm impressed that you made it through to the end of this whopper of a blog post! Any questions, or thoughts I'd love to hear them in the comments section! 

Good luck! 

Daisy xo 

My current skincare regime!

Skincare is a new obsession for me, I distinctly remember a couple of years ago whenever I was watching beauty videos or reading blogs how boring I found it whenever skincare was mentioned but oh how times have changed! It probably all stemmed from when I started working at the body shop a year ago when mr routine consisted of nothing more than a face wipe for 'blemish prone skin' ick.

Over time I've started to properly understand my skin type, and what it likes and needs. I've finally realised that my skin is actually dry and the majority of the time if I get any breakouts its often because my skin is dehydrated so producing excess oil. (Hence why moisture features as a big part in my routine!) 

I've been in this routine for probably 6 months now, apart from the odd late addition and my skin, albeit not perfect is the best it's ever looked!

Daytime: 

Wake up and wash my face with NO7 beautiful skin melting gel cleaner, this is a lovely, cheap face wash that leaves my skin baby soft and clean. 

I then give my skin a quick swish over with a cotton pad and some Bioderma, which removes any last traces of stubborn makeup, and preps my skin.

I'm currently alternating between two serums, if my skin is feeling dry or like it needs a good boost of hydration I use my hydraluron, this stuff is like a DREAM it makes any moisturiser amazing and keeps my skin hydrated and smooth all day long. I would bathe in this stuff if it wasn't so bleeding expensive (RRP £24.99 for 30ML) And for the days when I'm not feeling too dry I'll use The Body Shop 'Drops of Youth' serum from the nutriganics range, enriched with aloe vera and babassu oil it's hydrating without being heavy or greasy.

Like 

My go-to moisturiser for the last few months has been without fail Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate, this stuff is effing divine, it's a lovely light lotion that doesn't feel heavy but banishes dry patches and gives a fantastic base for makeup. I first tried this stuff after IMATs 2 years ago, and since I've gone through 4 or 5 tubes, holy grail material here ladies. If you haven't tried it yet I strongly suggest you do!


Nighttime:

After wearing a face full of make-up all day, especially at work where I have to CAKE it on I look forward to washing it all off and having a clean face the best part of my afternoon! To get it all off I start by taking off my eye make-up with Bioderma, and then giving my face a deep clean with The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter and a muslin cloth. This butter melts away make-up and thoroughly clears out those pesky blocked pores around my nose but gently buffing with the muslin cloth.
I then finish it all off by oiling it up with my BalanceMe Radiance Facial Oil, oh baby. This oil. It deserves it's own blog post and I think I'm going to give it one, but seriously. Any spots, dry patches, uneven skin tone, anything and this improves it. I LOVE IT.


Q- I'm still looking for a couple of things to complete my skincare regime, so what are your favourite Toners and Eye Creams? I'd love to know!

Daisy xo

As of late...

You don't need to tell me I'm a shit beauty blogger, because I already know! Not only have I nearly completed my 100 day spending ban without updating you on it, I qualified as a professional make-up artist and didn't even blog about it! APPALLING! I thought to ease myself back into the blogging world and to attempt to update you all without a text heavy post I'd share some pictures from recently. I will of course write a whole post dedicated to my make-up course, and do a mini review on my experience if any of you would be interested? But until then. Enjoy some odd little snippets of my life through photos!

 Daisy xxx

Who's house... RUN'S HOUSE!

Beautiful make-up school!

This is my I've already had a drink and i'm EXCITED face

Early morning snuggles 

Playing with colour at Session School

Love my little pup

ALL the malteaser bunnies!

Best chum for our birthday night out!

100 Day Spending Ban Update: Week One.

Week 1 of my 100 Day Spending Ban is COMPLETE.

Virtual Hi-fives to anyone that has also been doing it. I haven't actually struggled as much as I thought I would, and I've been given all too many opportunities to break it. Just in the first week!

I have noticed that I've desperately tried to avoid temptation though, normally when I'm scrolling through my blog reading list I don't hesitate to click on Hauls, or new product reviews. But I have been avoiding them like the plague! Especially when things like the Rimmel Apocolips have taken the entire blogging world by storm and it seems like everyone and their nan has tried them. I have been avoiding Boots and Superdrug as much as I possibly can as well, it's all too tempting for my incredibly weak will power.

I also went up to London to go for a taster day at The Session School on Sunday, which I might write up an entire blogpost/ semi-review on soon. But we somehow ended up on Oxford Street. TEMPATION CENTRAL. Gah. It was unbelievably difficult, But somehow I manged to stick to my guns and avoid Selfridges, Forever 21, Zara and countless others.

I didn't leave completely empty handed though. I did go into the Body Shop and picked up 2 shower gels, which I am allowed to, as I did list them as an essential and I'd run out of my vineyard peach. I bought 2 mango shower gels, because They were 2 for £6 so it worked out cheaper to have one in reserve. I also got a Love Your Body Card. The cards are £5 so I did seem a bit of a cheat, but you do often get a free gift when you buy one, a free gift on your birthday and when you receive enough stamps. AND you get 20% off all your purchases at the moment with one. PHEW! So in the end, I paid £9.80 and got 3 shower gels (1 being a free gift) and  Love Your Body card. I ended up saving £8.20!

As promised, I did also say I'd write about all the products I've been lusting after this week, list them and move the money into my savings account. So. This week I've been lusting after:

• MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle £21.50 - A proper cult beauty blogger product now. And a beauty shimmery highlight, I want!
• Rimmel Apocolips in Apocoliptic £5.99 Oooft. I love the look of these lip lacquers, more opaque than gloss but with a sheen. I liiiiike. (And everyone else seems to have got one)

Considering it's week one, I don't think that's too bad to be lusting over only those two things! I'll move the £27.49 into my savings account now. Feeeels good!

Week One: Saved £27.49

Spent: £9.80

Q- Are any of you doing a spending ban? How are you getting on? 

What are you lusting over this week?

Ojon Rare Blend Oil Review.

If you watched my latest video, you'll have seen that I picked up this for an absolute bargain for £15 from my local Boots when the RRP is £29. I've heard quite a lot about Ojon before, mainly rave reviews so when I saw this for half price I was more excited than I probably should have been to give it a go.

What Ojon Say: 

"From tropical Tahiti to the Kalahari Desert in Africa, from the remote rainforests of Central America and beyond Ojon gathered potent natural oils legendary for their "great healing powers" and infused them into 3 phases: Amber, Crystal and Red.

One precious drop of this multi-tasking wonder helps protect, nourish and transforms dull, dry or damaged hair to vibrant health. Hair instantly looks glossier, shinier; suddenly feels softer, silkier, more luxurious."

What I say:

I'm not sure about whether or this oil has "great healing powers" but I do agree that my hair does look glossier, shinier and feels more soft and silky. I've tried various different hair oils as someone with dry, coloured, damaged hair I need all the moisture I can get! But this, I have to say has been the best I've tried so far. This feels like it properly penetrates my hair and nourishes it, rather than just coating and smoothing it.  It doesn't leave my hair feeling weighed down. but a little really does go along way - I am someone which follows the rule more is more, but not with this. One drop really will do the lengths and ends of your hair. 

How I use it:

As you can see in the pictures, the three oils "Amber, Crystal and Red" come layered, so you need to shake it before use. I find it best applied to damp hair, before blow drying as it does have heat protecting properties. Although if my hair is looking a bit lackluster and needs a boost of shine I'll rub a teeeny tiny little drop throughout the ends of my hair, giving it a bit of a boost. The one thing that I don't like is the packaging, it's a thick plastic bottle, without a pump. Which drives me craaazy, you need the smallest amount with this product and not having a pump means I pretty much always get too much. And if you don't screw the lid on tight it has a tendency to leak and gets eeeverywhere. Not cool.

All shook up!

Overall I'm really impressed with this oil, it leaves my hair feeling light, hydrated, shiny and soft. I'm not sure I'd pay £29 for it, but if it's ever on offer again I will certainly be stocking up! It has definitely made me much more curious to try some other products from Ojon, and possibly shampoo and conditioner. 

Q- Have any of you tried Ojon products? If you have, what do you like/not like? 

   - Would you pay £29 for a hair oil?

100 day spending ban.

Ohhhh lord what am I getting myself in for. I'm doing it. I'm biting the bullet and attempting a 100 day spending ban. This is going to be a bitch! 

I've got an exciting and expensive summer ahead of me, and to be honest up until now I haven't really been budgeting at all. I'm not exactly blowing my pay cheques on mulberry handbags (however much I might want to) but I have been buying things partly for the sake of it, on a whim or just because I'm plain bored. I've got IMATS coming up in June shortly followed by Glastonbury, and then a girls holiday a month later! So it's not exactly like my money isn't going to be put to good use, it's just going to be hard to resist temptation up until then!

The rules:

1. The spending ban will take place as soon as I post this blogpost (Tuesday 12th of February 2013) and will end on May 23rd 2013. 
2. I am not allowed to buy any make-up in between those dates.
3. I am allowed to repurchase something if its urgent and I have no alternative (e.g foundation, eyebrow pencil etc) but only if I have no alternative. 
4. Under no circumstances do I need any more lipsticks. *sob*
5. I am allowed to buy essentials (e.g shower gel, deodorant, heat protectant) 
6. I will write weekly update posts on my blog to talk about my progress, what I'm lusting over so I can keep a record of how much I actually want something. 
7. Every time I don't buy something that I want, I will move that exact amount of money the item costs into my savings account. 
8. I am allowed to repurchase skincare (within reason, I don't need to 'stock up' on 8 bottles of liz earle cleanse and polish) 
9. I am allowed to buy makeup with any vouchers I have/receive for my birthday 
10. I must see this through to at the very least 50 days! 

We'll see how we'll I manage it! Have any of you done the 100 day spending ban? I'd love some tips, or if any of you are doing it as well at the moment I'd love to hear how you're finding it! 

What are you putting on your face?!

Today I'm going to be talking about nasties. Parabens, silicones, SLS and that kind of crap. Now, until probably about 3 months ago I was blissfully unaware as to what any of those things were really, but since working at The Body Shop it has been brought to my attention. And seriously, that shit is SCARY.

If you're not entirely sure what I mean when I talk about these nasties, basically SLS is a cheap foaming agent that is in most, shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, laundry detergent, shower gels, bubble baths. It's originally derived from the coconut, but don't let that fool you. It's a nasty little bugger that has been seriously linked to cancer, skin irritation, organ toxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity. Parabens are essentially preservatives with antibacterial and anti fungal properties, used to extend the life of cosmetics. However, parabens in cosmetics are absorbed almost immediately into the body and mimic the body's own hormones, such as estrogen and damaging and disrupting the entire body. They too have been found, again to be linked to breast cancer; a study showed parabens present in the breast tissue of 18 out of 20 women suffering with breast cancer.

YIKES!

To me it sounds terrifying that this kind of crap can be legally allowed, let alone in cosmetics and every day items like toothpaste! Since scaring myself shitless with these facts and figures I decided to make a conscious effort to switch over to more nasty-free, organic natural products. Which sounds easy enough, but as a total beauty addict you'd be surprised how many products they creep in to.

What to look out for in ingredients
They've all got hideously long names to try and confuse you but the ones I try to look out for is:

• Methylparaben,
• Ethylparaben, 
• Propylparaben, 
• Butylparaben 
• Isobutylparaben.
• SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate)
•  SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) 
• ALS (Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate) 

I hope I haven't scared you all too much, but when I found out I was like WHY HASN'T SOMEONE TOLD ME?! So I'm spreading the word to you lovely ladies. I am still a complete beginner at this, looking for replacements for products I used to love, especially skincare and haircare wise. So if any of you have any suggestions of products you've been loving I'd love to hear them.

If you take anything away from this post, read the ingredients on the back of your favourite products. I think you'd be surprised! 

My beauty New Year Resolutions:

New year Resolutions aren't ever something I really give much thought to, I think it's too general and it's better to have shorter term resolutions, they are easier to stick to. But nevertheless, I thought I'd give 'beauty' resolutions a go, because I've found it's all too easy to fall into bad habits.

This year I promise to:

• Take all my make-up off before bed, even if I'm a bit drunk/so tired/lazy.
• Try not to limit myself to the amount of lipsticks I buy a month, I've got a serious addiction.
• DON'T pick my nail polish off when it starts to chip as much fun as it is. 
• Wash my make-up brushes at least once a week (A proper wash, not just a spot clean!

Sorry for such a short post, attempting to get back into the swing of things. Might do a little update on where I've been/what I've been up to if anyone's interested. 

I'd love to hear your New Year's Resolutions - Beauty related or otherwise! And I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and New Year, I know I did.

Love, Daisy 

xxx

Santa Fir Christmas Tree Farm

ITSSSSS CHRIIIIIIISTMAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS...nearly.

So this Saturday  just gone was the first I've had off work in ages, and it was lush. I got up late, got ready at a nice leisurely pace and then wrapped up in about 800 layers to brave the freezing outside frosty world. We ended up going on a spontaneous trip to the Santa Fir Christmas Tree Farm near Guildford.

Just to warn you, this is going to be a very photo heavy post...

I'd never even heard of Santa Fir before, but basically it's a christmas tree farm in the beautiful Surrey countryside with Christmas Trees growing from teeny tiny little saplings all the way to 12 ft enormous trees. And I was in my element. We didn't even go to buy our Christmas Tree, we don't put up our tree til about the 15th of December, especially not this year as my dad is in America until then. Bah humbug indeed.. We purely went to have a mooch around and see the REAL LIFE REINDEERS. Yes, you did read that correctly. Reindeers, in Surrey. Uh-mazing. They were so sweet, you were standing about 2 feet away from them on the other side of the fence, they were so beautiful. There was also the most gorgeous gift shop full of christmas decorations, and anything a christmas hoarder like myself could ever want. And wait for it, an entire wall of Yankee Candles. I was may have gone a little mad, and bought about 6 candles but at least my house smells like Christmas now.

Christmas trees!

N'aaawwh

The entrance to the gift shop

I want to live here.

I wanted to buy loads of these and fill them with candy canes

Red Apple Wreath burning away.

Q- What have you done to feel festive this season?

Lots of Love, Daisy xxx

My 'hair story'

This is an odd post for me, but I've been mentioned briefly in a couple of previous posts about my hair. (It's poor condition and general moaning about it.) But I thought I would essentially tell 'the story' of my hair. God  I know this sounds riveting but please, try not to get TOO excited. 

Me with my little 'fro and stylish outfit

Up until I was about 13 I had mid brown, shiny ringlet curled hair! Naturally! God knows why, but I started dyeing it dark brown when I was around 14ish and carried on until I was about 16 when I first got highlights just before prom. And they were HORRIFIC. White blonde stripes running through my dark brown hair *shudder* thankfully, I can't find an up close photo where you can see how bad they are, but I can assure you. They were terrible. 

After that, I gradually started to get more (and nicer) highlights, and go gradually lighter all over. I was also using John Frieda's Go blonder lightening spray religiously and ended up actually really liking the result.

Me with brown highlighted hair BEFORE using John Frieda's lightening spray
 with my beautiful  Panda who I miss terribly  :(

By the time I went to Glastonbury that summer I'd been using the lightening spray for a couple of months rather than getting highlights, which had made it a nice dark/honeyish blonde over all. Which I liked A LOT. Not only that, but it was obviously much cheaper and didn't seem to damage my hair too much. My hair was still actually in really nice condition at that point, because the small amount of bleach that I had on it pretty minimal.

Glastonbury hair AFTER using the John Frieda Lightening Spray, ft me in a big ol' puddle.

Now, after that it all just goes a bit downhill really. I don't know if I'm the only one but as someone who went from being Brunette to becoming a Blonde I found it weirdly addictive. The lighter my hair became the more obsessed I was whether or not I was blonde, I'd be constantly asking anyone (friends, family, passers by) if they thought I was more "overall blonde" or "blondey brown". When really, I should have been content with the lovely natural looking colour it was! But, to cut a long story short I ended up with bleach blonde hair. I don't know quite how it happened, but I just know it was a BAD decision on my part. 

My hair at it's longest just before it got bleached :(

My hair was nicest in my eyes when it was long, and still varying levels of blonde and brown mixed. But that is EXPENSIVE to keep up getting a full head of highlights and I succumbed to getting my sister's friend to use bleach all over to combat my pesky dark roots and have been fighting the effects ever since. As soon as I got it dyed that blonde it was falling out in clumps, it would no longer naturally curl, but fell lank and straight and the ends were so dead I had a good few inches chopped off the ends. Not nice!

Me at my blondest (excuse my drunken pout, I don't know either!)

As you can tell, I was very happy about returning to being a brunette!

Eventually, after months of bleaching my poor hairs I dyed it a home packet dye dark brown in April 2012 in a vain attempt to claim back some of the condition that was lost and put an end to the roots. Alas, my hair woes were not over here. The photo was on the night that I dyed it, and probably 3 washes after that it had already faded to a more coppery tone. 

And since then, 8 months have passed and I haven't dyed my hair. I have been getting more regular trims and  deep conditioning like my life depends on it and I'm gradually getting the condition back to it. It's even curly again! As for the colour, you would not believe that I ever even dyed it brown! The bleach obviously was still in my hair so after going on holiday twice this summer it went naturally really light in the sun again, and it's pretty much an ombré, dip dyed look now haha! You would not believe the amount of people that don't believe I haven't dip dyed it. I know it doesn't look great, but it's starting to feel lovely and soft again and it's growing so quick I'm just going to carry on letting it do it's thing! 

Most recent picture I could find that  you can see my hair properly in

Products that have helped:

• Aussie 3 minute miracle reconstructor. On my second big bottle of this now, and I cannot explain how much I love it, it works wonders on my hair and smells incredible! Available to buy here
• VO5 miracle concentrate, a hair oil that smooths and nourishes my hair, and again smells lush. Available to buy here
• Tangle Teezers. The only hairbrush I've found where my split ends have improved! And make my hair feel much softer and more manageable. Available to buy here. 

Sorry for such a long rambly post, if you've made it this far you deserve a medal! 

Q- What's your 'hair story'? 

What are your holy grail hair products?

Lots of Love, Daisy xxx

Tangle Teezers - Review.

As I have mentioned in a previous blog post in a desperate plea for help, I have damaged, brittle, unruly hair which I am desperately attempting to regain good condition again, and I'm about halfway there. I might do a post entirely about my hair if that wouldn't be too insufferably boring.

I was actually lucky enough to be sent 3 tangle teezers to try out by the lovely Jacqui of Tangle Teezer, and thought I would give my 2 cents. I was sent the Aqua Splash  Teezer, the Salon Elite  and an adorable little Compact Styler. 

The Aqua Splash Teezer:

What Tangle Teezer say:

"Splish. Splash. Splosh. Aqua Splash is the latest innovation from Tangle Teezer, and the first upright, non-slip, water-loving detangling hairbrush. It just loves to dive in and save stranded hair! The hollow design makes for easy, lightweight handling, and the rounded edges allows for smooth, free-flowing detangling."

What I say:

This was the first of the Teezers that I used, when I received the package I was just about to get in the shower anyway so I thought I'd give it a go. I initially thought that there was no way that it was going to get through the mane that is my hair after just waking up as the pins didn't look particularly long and as if they would get all the tangles out. But. I was impressed! I am currently using Aussie haircare and have been loving the results that I've been getting from using them but oh baby, these two together and like a dream team. I've never got out the shower with such silky hair before. My hair didn't feel weighed down from using the 3 minute miracle like it normally does as it was much more evenly distributed. BIG thumbs up on this one!

The Salon Elite Teezer:

What Tangle Teezer say:

"Salon Elite gives professional results in the palm of your hand. Detangling wet and dry hair without any tugs or pulls, it has an innovative centralised concave design that delivers firm, salon style brushstrokes from roots to ends. Perfect to pick-up-your-preening pace!"

What I say:

This is fantastic. No way around it, I never thought I'd feel this way about a hair brush. The pins are longer than the Aqua Splash and just literally glide through my hair, I am really really impressed with how easy and quick it is to get rid of my tangles and it doesn't hurt. GENIUS. Bloody Genius. I use this every single day now. If you haven't tried this, try it. Please!

The Compact Styler:

What Tangle Teezer say:

"An innovative hairbrush that is just too busy being fabulous! Cute in size and big on style, it can be popped into your bag and pulled out in a New York minute to reboot hair in seconds. Has a removable cover to protect the patented and innovative teeth from fluff and dirt."

What I say:

How. Freakin'. Cute. Is this?! I am a leopard print lover, as any of my friends/family/people who see me on a regular basis will know. I have similar fashion taste to Kat from Eastenders (google her if you're not from the UK) so I thought it was so sweet they sent me the leopard print version of this Teezer. This is perfect handbag size, fits into the palm of my hand, and it comes with a cover which for me is essential. Try as I might to keep it tidy the inside of my handbag is a mess, and It would just collect all manner of crap in the pins otherwise. 

All in all, I am absolutely chuffed to bits with the Tangle Teezers I was sent. And I would like to thank Jacqui again for sending me them. If you haven't tried one/bought one already, stick it on your christmas list because they are truly brilliant. Tangle Teezers are available to purchase here.

Q- Have you tried any of the Tangle Teezers? What are your go-to hair care saviours?

Lots of Love, Daisy xxx

Get to know me tag.

I have been suffering from hideous blogging block over the past few days and I asked during the #bbloggers chat what people would like to say and Alex who I talk about in EVERY blog post said she wanted to 'see things about me' ...creeper. But I thought that the 'Get to know me' Tag would be the best way to combat my blogging block and satisfy Alex's creepy obsession. ;)

Instagram vanity before work so you feel like we're getting to know each other. Intimate stuff.

Are you named after anyone?

Not really, I was going to either be called Phoebe or Daisy. Both of which are names my parents knicked off mutual friends haha.

When was the last time you cried?

On sunday night at Downton Abbey, *spoiler alert* LADY SYBILL! ;(

Do you have children?

Nope.

If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?

I'd like to think so, I try my hardest to be all the qualities I look for in my friends, like loyalty and kindness and all that crap. I dunno, I hope so!

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Noooooo... (yes)

What's your favourite cereal?

Ummm, it's a tie between golden nuggets, cookie crisp and nesquik. I'm sorry, you simply can't make me choose. But I like cereal best at night time, not in the morning. 

What's the first thing you notice about people?

Probably hair I suppose. 

What's your eye colour?

Greeny blue, it changes depending on the light. 

Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings, without a shadow of a doubt. Fun fact: I am 18 years old and I haven't actually really watched a horror film, all the way through. I just don't get the appeal! I hate being scared! 

Favourite smells?

Bonfires, cinnamon, Marc Jacob's Daisy Eau So Fresh, My boyfriend's aftershave - I think it's ralph lauren, The smell of rain, Dinner cooking and freshly washed hair. 

Summer or winter?

Winter, definitely. But ask me that in February when Christmas is out the way and it's so cold your eyes feel like they are going to fall out and I might reconsider.

Computer or television?

Computer, don't watch TV much really.

What's the furthest you've been from home?

Probably Malia in the summer actually. 

Do you have any special talents?

No, I wish! I'm exceptionally average at most things. 

Where were you born?

Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, London. But when I was 2 weeks old I moved to Gloustershire, so I couldn't really call myself a Londoner I don't think ;)

What are your hobbies?

I like reading,walking my dogs, cooking for people, make-up both applying on myself any others, getting drunk and 'mummy dancing' if you aren't familiar, just watch this.

What are your favourite movies?

Umm, weird mix but. Shawshank Redemption, 50 first dates, All of the harry potter films, All the Batman films. 

So that was my get to know me tag, I tag anyone reading and I would love to hear your responses if you do it.

Lots of Love, Daisy xxx

My autumn beauty essentials

Autumn is my favourite time of year, without a doubt. I love the cold brisk mornings and the evenings drawing in and curling up on the sofa. *Sidenote - how good is October TV at the moment?! Downton Abbey and The Great British Bake Off are my personal favourites atm.* But as with every change in season I notice my beauty regime, and the products I use alter slightly. So I thought I'd share it with you!

A good make-up primer

Something all to many people overlook in my opinion is a good primer for your make-up especially in winter where although you might not be sweating as much your skin is taking a lot more of a beating, as is your make-up! I've tried quite a few but my stand out favourite is still The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Reviver, it's perfect for drenching the skin in moisture without leaving it greasy or oily and makes my make-up last all day, but I have a whole post raving about it here so go and check that out if it sounds like something you'd be interested in.

Intensive lip balm
One of the first things I notice when the weather changes is my lips starting to get dry and cracked. That in conjunction with the central heating being cranked up every night it quickly turns me into an incredibly unattractive peeling lipped woman, so I'll be smothering myself in cocoa butter vaseline to keep them nice and soft. If anyone has any other good lipbalm recommendations I would love to hear them.

Foot care 
Not the most glamourous subject I'll admit but having cracked heels and troll toes is not an option for me, so I will be using a foot file to get rid of all the nasty dead skin and moisturising my feet before wearing cotton socks to bed to keep them in tip top condition.

Tonal makeup
This a/w I will be wearing lots of berry lips as seen in my Berry Lips - FOTD here. (I just picked up a Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie, and it is such a perfect Berry shade and really moisturising so perfect for the winter months!) Along with lots of gold and brown eyeshadows and TONS of highlighter as per usual, who said it has to be a summer thing?!


And a non beauty must have for the autumn - Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks, a recent discovery for me seeing as I have only really started to like coffee in the past few months, so strange how our taste buds change as we get older! But, there is literally nothing more autumnal and warms you up to core. SO TASTY!




Q- What is something you can't live without in Autumn beauty or otherwise?


Lots of Love Daisy xxx

Leibster Award!

I've been nominated by the gorgeous Alex of Bambella for the Leibster Blog Award, which I had utterly no idea what it was until I read her post on it. I was half expecting it to be some glittering awards ceremony, but sadly it isn't. ;) She explains that it's a way for bloggers with under 200 followers to get promoted and promote others. The nominees must write 11 random facts about themselves, answer 11 questions asked by the person who nominated them and ask other bloggers under 200 followers 11 questions. It all sounds very complex but I promise it isn't, I'm just rubbish at explanations and it is a very good idea.

11 facts about me:

1. Generally speaking I like animals more than people

2. Bit weirdly obsessed with Harry Potter 

3. I watch far too many cooking programmes for someone my age

4. My mum constantly takes the piss out of me for putting a positive spin on everything 

5. I work at the Body Shop 

6. I want to work as a makeup artist when I grow up :) 

7. I'm trying to type quietly because my boyfriend is napping

8. I started beauty blogging because I wanted to talk to people that got as excited about makeup/haircare/skincare as I do!

9.I once went to glastonbury festival and went backstage without the proper wrist bands, and held hands with my best friend 4 rows from the front of U2 in the pouring rain on peoples shoulders and looked back and saw the amount of people/lights/flags that seemed to be infinite and felt like I was in another world. 

10. When I'm old I want to look like Mary Berry. 

11. I think there is a small possibility I have a tea addiction, just like every other blogger in the world it seems.

Here is a picture of me, enjoying life outside Dumbledore's office to spice up this post.

11 Questions asked:

1.  You can only live in one item of clothing for the rest of your life, what is it?

Pyjamas. Without a shadow of a doubt. I'm in them 90% of the time anyway, preferably my ones with snowflakes on. But i'm not fussy. 

2. If you have one, what's your middle name?

Charlotte

3. What is the best/weirdest/funniest name of one of your pets (if you have one!)?

Oh my god, I have had too many weirdly named pets. We had two guinea pigs we thought we were girls when I was little, went on holiday and came back to lots of little baby guinea pigs! We got bored and slowly less imaginative naming the babies after a little while and one ended up being called Brown Bum, and it stuck hahaha! I also have a big chubby black Labrador called Plum. She is a beaut.  

Plum being the babe she is.

4. Snog, marry, avoid. Justin Beiber, Johnny Depp, your postman. Go!

Snog: Biebs, because he is beautiful. Marry: Johnny Depp because we've had a long running love affair and it's about time we made it official, and Avoid: my postman because she's infact a very butch woman. (Apologies if she's reading this)

5. What key things make you love and therefore follow a blog?

Pretty pictures, nice writing style, and someone who is clearly enjoying themselves and has a sense of humour, no need to take it too seriously!

6. Name one person or thing that can make you instantly happy?

My dogs, this is turning into such a weird dog-lady post. 

7. Llamas or monkeys?

Aaaah such a difficult question! Monkeys. Probably. Especially orangutans that cuddle you. Yes, definitely monkeys.

8. You've won the lottery, what's the first thing you buy?

A harry potter theme park, in scotland. (where it should be) with a life sized hogwarts castle and actors pretending to be real wizards so I can feel like it's real! Hahahaha (not joking)

9. Would you rather it was forever cold/snowing, or forever boiling hot?

Cold, definitely! I am an autumn/winter girl.

10. Who's your favourite artists? (Doesn't have to be just a painter for example, it can be an illustrator, musician, dancer, fashion designer, etc).

Phyllis Cohen. Seriously. That woman. If you haven't seen her work/heard of her. http://www.phylliscohen.co.uk/index.html She is incredible.

11. What one achievement in your life are you most proud of?

Designing and applying dramatic stage makeup for a dance competition on 60 dancers and winning an award for make-up design.

Questions for others:

...and the nominees are! 

Sarah from Modern Damsel

Lauren from Smokey Blush

and Natalia from Natalia Barbara

1. Why did you originally start blogging?

2. If you could steal any feature from any celebrity alive or dead what would you take and why?

3. If you had to eat one food for the rest of you life what would it be?

4. What's your favourite animal?

5. What in your opinion is your best feature? (Don't be humble!)

6. If your makeup bag was stolen what would be the first 3 things you repurchased?

7. Who is your biggest inspiration?

8. Favourite TV programme?

9. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

10. Most embarrassing makeup related story?

11. What would your patronus be? (This question is mainly directed at Sarah, because I know she'll love it but I look forward to seeing your other answers!)

Can't wait to see your posts, I also tag anyone reading this that wants to join in on the fun. Feel free to answer my questions and then tweet me the post @Daisykeeling 

Lots of Love, Daisy xxx

Recipe - Homemade Vegetable Soup.

The weather today has been one of these days...
Cold, blustery, rainy and perfect for staying in and doing nothing all day. Which is exactly what I've been doing! And I can't think of anything more appealing to eat when the weather is like that then soup.

I am not a culinary genius by any stretch of the imagination so this recipe is just a very very simple easy one which anyone can follow and that I've made up myself - no exact measurements or ingredients just work with anything you've got to hand. I've found this soup is perfect for the cold, rainy days for warming you through and keeping colds at bay.

What I used:

• 2 large potatoes
• 1 white onion, 1 red
•  4 little carrots (2 big ones)
• 1 large leek
• 1 clove of garlic
• knob of butter (hehe)
• salt and pepper to season
• nando's garlic sauce *optional*

Ingredients!

Obviously you can completely alter the amounts, and the vegetables you use. I'd say this serves 5 people easily with big portions. I added the nando's sauce right at the end, I've never done it before but it was really nice. Added a teeny bit of spice and just a load of flavour. 

First.

I roughly chopped the leek, garlic and onions. 

I then 'sweated' (such a grim word) them in the saucepan with a bit of olive oil until soft. 

After that I diced the potatoes and carrots into medium size chunks and added them to the saucepan.

Added the water and the OXO cubes (or your stock of preference) until everything was just covered, added a small knob of butter, seasoned it and then left to simmer for 20 minutes ish. Or until the potatoes and carrots were soft all the way through.

After this you should be getting that gorgeous soupy smell, and it's nearly ready. I put a splash of nando's garlic sauce in to bring out some of the flavour and add a bit of spice. I then left it to cool for about  5 minutes before I blended it because according to Sophia it's easier to blend (check out her spicy butternut sqaush soup recipe btw - looks amazing!) After that I blended it til it was thick and smooth but still had chunks of veg in it.

And after that, DONE! Easy as that. It barely takes 30 minutes all in all and it's a really tasty, healthy meal for when you need something to warm you up. I'd love to see if any of you make it or anything similar, please leave any recipe suggestions. 

Q- What's your favourite autumn meal?

Lots of Love, Daisy xxx