Urban Decay Bronzer & Highlighter | Beauty Review

Recently, I received the Urban Decay Beached Bronzer and the Urban Decay Afterglow Powder Highlighter. Since I love make-up and I love talking about make-up, I thought I would do a review on these two products.

Firstly I want to say that this is just my own opinion, and I am not being paid to review these products, it's purely for my own entertainment. :)

Beached Bronzer

Packaging

The product comes in a square, silver, shimmery box with palm trees overlapping the brand name. The colour of this product is called "SUN-KISSED".
When you open the box up and take the actual product out, you can see that it is the shape of a circle. The top of the bronzer has the same design as the box it came in, but instead of a silver colour, it's more of a mint green. The bottom of the product is a rose-gold colour, which I am obsessed with at the moment, and on the back it has a sticker with the brand and product name.
When you open the bronzer, straight away you see the actual product, and on the opposing side there is a mirror. This makes it a good product to take out and about with you as the mirror can come in handy.

Product

From first look, I think the colour of this product is beautiful. It's a matte bronzer, and has a slight peachy tone making it perfect for a natural tanned look. At first I thought it might be a little bit too orange for my skin tone, but when I put it on I realised it was a perfect match. It looks amazing on the skin and definitely gives you a healthy tanned look.

It defines your cheek bones, without any contour product, and it makes you look 10x better. You could 100% use this product with just foundation and concealer, as it's a natural colour, but you could also use it for a fuller face of make-up.
If you like to contour, like myself, then you can use your contour product on top and it will obviously define your cheek bones a lot more. But if you're looking for a little bit of natural contour, then this product is perfect for just that. It defines your cheek bones while also keeping it natural and not too OTT.

I love this product and I will definitely be using it throughout the summer and while I'm away on holiday. You could probably get away with wearing just a light brush of this product which is great when on holiday, as you don't want to over do it on the make-up front.

I'm going to rate this product 8/10.

Afterglow Powder Highlighter

Packaging

The product comes in a pinkish coral, shiny, square box, with a lens flair like pattern on it. The colour of this product is called "SIN".
When you open the box up and take the actual product out, you can see that it is the shape of a square, similar to the box. The outside of the product is all silver and in the centre is the brand name, with product name below. On the back, it has the usual sticker with the brand and product name.
When you open the bronzer, straight away you see the actual product, and on the opposing side is a caged like pattern, which you can see through the brand name on the outside.

Product

From first look, I thought the colour was a bit to dark for me, but when I first used it I thought it was beautiful. It has a slight gold tone which is what worried me at first as I usual wear pink highlighters, but when it's on the skin the gold tone isn't too noticeable. It looks amazing on the skin and when the light hits it, the shine of the product is to die for.

It emphasises the definition of your cheek bones, without over powering the contour. It definitely gives a kick to your make-up making it look 10x better.
If you like to use highlight to highlight certain parts of your face, like myself, then you can definitely use this product. I only usual highlight the top of my cheek bone, but I'm sure you can use this on your nose, cupids bow, and even on your brow bone if you're going for a goldy eyeshadow look.

I love this product and I will definitely be using it on special occasions and meals out with my friends or family. You could probably brush it onto the face very lightly to give your face a little bit more of a glow, and I think I might have to try this when I'm away on holiday.

I'm going to rate this product 7/10.

Here is a quick photo I took to show the bronzer and the highlighter on my face.

 

On my face:

* Seventeen: Photo Flawless Skin Primer

* Clinique: Superbalanced Make-Up Teint Equilibre Parfait (02 Fair)

* L'Oréal Paris: True Match La Touche Magique (Ivory Beige)

* Urban Decay: Beached Bronzer (Sun-Kissed)

* Sleek: Contouring and Blush Palette (Medium 374)

* Tony Moly: Cristal Blusher (11)

* Rimmel London: Stay Matte Powder (001 Transparent)

* Urban Decay: Afterglow 8-hour Powder Highlighter (Sin)

On my brows:

* Laval: Eyebrow Pencil (Blonde)

* Maybelline New York: Brow Drama (Transparent)

On my eyes:

* Urban Decay: Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Original)

* Urban Decay: Naked Palette (Naked, Darkhorse)

* Urban Decay: Naked 2 Palette (Bootycall, Snakebite)

* Urban Decay: Naked Smoky Palette (Whiskey, Radar, Combust)

* Urban Decay: Naked Basics Palette (Crave)

* Clinique: Quick Liner for Eyes Intense (01 Intense Black0

* L'Oréal Paris: Miss Manga Mega Volume (Black/Noir)

* Clinique: High Impact Mascara (01 Black)

On my lips:

* YSL: Volupte Sheer Candy (3)

* Rimmel London: Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick (101)

* Maybelline New York: Colorsensational Shine Gloss (137 Fabulous Pink)

I have got another contour product on top, so it's not a clear representation of how it looks, but I didn't use too much of that product, so you can still see the Bronzer. Also, the highlighter is quite prominent and helps give a nice healthy glow to the face.

Overall, I really like both of these products. Although they may be a bit expensive, they are definitely worth the buy if you like bronzing and highlighting.

The Disney Tag | Questions

Because I am a MASSIVE Disney fanatic, I thought I would do a Disney Tag post so you can find out a little bit more about me and my Disney obsession.

SIDE NOTE: These questions were taken from several different Disney Tag's already online.

1. A scene in any Disney movie you wish you could experience?

I would definitely have to say the 'I See The Light' scene in Tangled. It's so romantic and cute, and I can imagine the beauty of the lanterns in the air with it reflecting along the river. I've thought about this way too much clearly.

 

2. When was the first time you went to a Disney park?

The first time I must have been about 4 or 5 or maybe even 6. I had the biggest fear of people dressed up, which was great, so I didn't meet any of the characters.
I then went a second time when I was 8, I think, and I was a little braver but I still didn't want to meet any of the characters.
I'm going in August of this year, and I'm pretty sure my fear of people dressed up has been conquered. So hopefully I'll get to meet Mickey and/or Minnie mouse and any other characters.

 

3. Walt Disney World or Disneyland?

I've only ever been to Disneyland Paris, so I'm going to say that. But I would LOVE to go the Disney World. Definitely on my bucket list.

 

4. If you could choose any of the characters to be your best friend who would you choose?

At the moment, probably Baloo from The Jungle Book. He's so cute and cuddly and funny.
I also think either Pascal from Tangled or, of course, Olaf and Sven from Frozen would be great friends.

 

5. Who is your favourite Disney princess?

Either Cinderella or Rapunzel. I love both of them equally.

 

6. Favourite princess dress/outfit?

I actually really love Tiana's dress from The Princess and the Frog, which is quite odd for me to say as I don't like the colour Green too much.

 

7. Who is your favourite Disney prince?

When I was younger it was definitely Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid, but now I think it has to be Flynn Rider (Eugene Fitzherbet) from Tangled.

 

8. Who is your favourite Disney character in general?

This is a VERY hard one for me, but I think
I'm going to have to say Thumper. He's adorable and very much like me in many ways.

 

9. Flounder, Sebastian or Scuttle?

Scuttle. All the way.

 

10. Genie, Abu, Carpet, Iago or Rajah?

The Genie. RIP

 

11. Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth or Chip?

I love Mrs. Potts, I think Chip is adorable, and I feel like I can relate to Cogsworth quite a lot. But I have this weird obsession (I use this term lightly) with Lumiere, and I always have. So it's going to have to be Lumiere.

 

12. Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck?

Always, Mickey Mouse.

 

13. The first Disney movie you remember seeing at the cinema?

I'm pretty sure it was Tarzan.

 

14. Name a scene/moment in any Disney movie that never fails to make you cry?

There are so many!
SPOILER: I cry when Flynn Rider is dying in Tangled. I cry when Andy gives away his toys in Toy Story 3. I cry when Bing Bong gets left with the dead memories in Inside Out.
I cry a lot.

 

15. Best Disney kiss?

100% Rapunzel and Flynn Rider in Tangled. They are definitely my OTP.

 

16. What is your favourite Disney movie?

This is also VERY hard for me to answer. I have a decreased the number down to 6:
Cinderella, Tangled, Mary Poppins, The Aristocats, The Emperor's New Groove, and Basil the Great Mouse Detective.

 

17. Overrated Disney?

I'm probably going to get a lot of hate for this but The Lion King and Frozen.

 18. Underrated Disney?

I definitely think Basil the Great Mouse Detective isn't talked about enough and maybe The Fox and the Hound.

 

19. Favourite Disney song?

Another VERY hard question. Either 'Reflection' from Mulan, 'I See The Light' from Tangled, or 'Belle' from Beauty and the Beast.

 

20. Least Favourite Disney movie?

Probably Atlantis The Lost Empire, it's not my favourite.

 

21. If you could live in any world from a Disney movie, which would you choose?

Definitely the world from Tangled.

 

22. What type of Disney item do you collect the most?

Tsum Tsum's mainly, but I do own a lot of Disney mugs.

 

23. Favourite Disney villain?

Ursula. She's so sassy which is why I love her.

 

24. Favourite classic Disney & favourite modern Disney?

My favourite classic Disney movie is probably either Cinderella or Peter Pan.
My favourite modern Disney movie is either Tangled (if you class that as modern) or Meet the Robinsons. I love that film.

 

25. Favourite Disney Soundtrack?

I love the Tarzan soundtrack. Phil Collins is pretty good.

 26. Favourite live action Disney film?

I loved the newish Cinderella film, but more recently I have been in love with the new Jungle Book film. I watched it and fell in love resulting in new Jungle Book socks and pyjamas.

 

27. Didn't like as a kid, like now?

I used to be so scared of Sleeping Beauty but I love it now. However, the part where she follows the light of the spinning needle thing still freaks me out.

 

28. Are you the only one obsessed with Disney in your family?

I think I'm the most obsessed, but my sister and other relatives love it too.



There you have it. Feel free to use these questions for yourself and I hope you enjoyed finding out a little bit more about me.

Kew Gardens | Out & About

To start my long summer break, my parents took me on a day out to Kew Gardens, located in London. They had been there once before, but this was my first time visiting and I really enjoyed it. If you're someone who doesn't like walking around, doesn't like flowers or greenery, and also someone who doesn't like to relax, then this might not be the place for you. But for me, this place was a dream.

 

There's a little café that sells tea and cake, there are several ice cream shops/carts/vans and everywhere you looked there was a beautiful photograph opportunity. If there were Disney songs playing 24/7 and multiple Zac Efron's walking around then it would have been 10x better, but maybe next time.

 

Since it was my first time going I didn't really know what to expect. I had heard a few things from my parents but, pretty much, most things you imagine in your head don't actually match the real thing. For example; I imagined this location to be fairly average sized, and maybe a few flowers growing from the ground, but boy was I wrong.

The gardens are massive, they have several conservatories, a house where a past King used to live, and great amounts of different plant and flower types sprawled around the grounds.

It's an incredible sight.

Here are some of the pictures that I took on my day out:

 

 

 

 

 

As you can tell, I like photography a lot.

I really enjoyed my time at Kew Gardens. I took a lot of photos that I am really happy with, and we ended the day with ice cream and Starbucks which added to the enjoyment of the day.
I would definitely recommend visiting this place if you love photography, and also if you like going on long walks, because this place is huge.
It's definitely a place to take the family.

Hello, It's Me | UPDATE

It's hard to believe that a year and a half ago I posted a blog about whether or not I was going to go to university. The course I said I was going to apply for was Television Production and I am glad to say that I have officially finished my first year of that course. But first, let's look back at my last blog post, and uncover the reason why I have been M.I.A.

 

January - June [2015]

 

Top of the Rocks Building | New York

I spent these 5/6 months studying for my A2 levels - the last year of sixth form - and completing coursework for the courses I was taking. Going back to school, after the Christmas holidays, was so stressful and time consuming that I found no time to blog for enjoyment. I had a blog for my media course, but that was classed as coursework and not something I would usually do in my spare time. I also went on a trip to New York in February, so I spent a lot of time preparing for it, but also remembering my memories from that week.

Year 13 was one of the most stressful school years of my life. I had stress from the vast amount of work we had to complete, and nearer to the end of the year I had struggles with other things going on at school but not at all work related. I was so happy and relieved the day I signed off all of my coursework and the day I walked out of the exam hall for the last time. It felt like a lot of weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

 

June - September [2015]

 

Prom

My somewhat long summer holiday was filled with laughter, day trips out with friends, drinking with friends, and a heck of a lot of sleeping. Over that summer I got back into my hobby of reading and I learnt a lot more songs on the ukulele, which I like to think I have perfected by now. Prom was a blast, and results day was a laugh - mainly at the end of the day when me and my friends took a trip down to the pub. [I would like to mention that at the time I was 18 years old so I was allowed to drink...responsibly.] I was very happy with my results and I wasn't more contented with the achievement of getting into my first university choice. I was overjoyed.

Over the summer, after getting accepted into uni, I was given the task to create a 'Summer Project'. This was to introduce me as a person, so when I started uni everyone would watch it and get a glimpse as to what my persona is like. Also, at the same sort of time of creating this video, I was travelling through the euro tunnel, into France  - basically my second home. When I got back, I had one week to prepare for my first week of uni and it is fair to say that I was petrified.

 

September - May [2015-Now]

 

One of the Studios at Maidstone TV Studios

Obviously my first day of uni was scary, but I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it more, of course, when I started doing the work and I had created friendships with most people on the course. Now that the first year is over I feel like I've talked to everyone in my year and I've created some sort of bond with everyone.

We had three units that were completed during three terms - one unit for each term:

• 1st Term - Storytelling (1st Unit)

• 2nd Term - Directions (2nd Unit)

• 3rd Term - Documentary (3rd Unit)

On top of those units, we also had a contextual studies essay to complete which is basically the theory behind our course topic. Throughout all three units, and even the units to come in the next two years, we have a blog. This blog gets marked as put of our course, and we basically upload posts on our research, our pre-production for the unit and out post-production.

Obviously, where I've been spending most of my time keeping up to date with my uni blog, I've had no spare time to catch up with my personal blog.

But here I am.

I've decided that I want to blog a lot more, now that I have 4 months off for the summer. I'm going to post about places that I've visited, make-up products that I've bought and tried, new songs or albums that have been released, new films or TV series that have been aired and anything else that comes to mind. This is going to be a place where I can talk about anything, let my mind run free, while hopeful entertaining someone. Kind of like my YouTube channel [ https://www.youtube.com/user/beccaabennettt ] but in a reading form.

I hope you find some enjoyment out of these posts, and the next one won't be as long as this. I promise.

Christmas is Coming.

It is now December.

Winter is here, and Christmas is coming.

But along with that, everyone is moaning for different reasons because of Winter and Christmas.

It's the norm in England, or at least in my household.

 

Every December I start moaning about the cold weather, and the fact I don't want it to snow. I basically become a scrooge when it comes to snow or ice. It just doesn't take my fancy, and I wish it wouldn't fall on the floor. It can snow when I'm not at school, but when school does come it needs to rain. My mother will moan about not having enough food, or having too much food, and she'll also worry about having spent too much money which makes my dad moan to my mother about the fact that she shouldn't worry about it. Above all of the moaning during December, it's usually a very fun month. We spend time with family, play games, laugh with each other, and stuff our faces until the button pops on our jeans. I love Christmas for all of those reasons. Except for the button popping, that's annoying and untrue. 

 

The only thing that is disappointing about December, is that fact that we are still sat at school working our butts off. I am counting down the days until I can leave school for Christmas, because I cannot wait to have like a 10 hour lie in. Ok, I'm exaggerating. A 5 hour lie in. Trust me, I need one of those. School is so stressful and tiring that we're all getting through each week with no energy. I have a photography deadline at the end of this week, so I'm currently stressed about that. I like counting down to Christmas and the break, but I also dislike it due to the deadlines that need to be met during the next three weeks. Also I have a university interview this week which I am so nervous for, so counting down for the break doesn't fill me with ease. Although I have a lot of work to do and a lot of stress to get over, I personally cannot wait for Christmas.

 

I hope you have been enjoying my December photo challenge so far. 8 days in and I'm still going strong. Give me time and I'll forget sooner or later. Trust me. Two more weeks and then I'm off for the Christmas holidays. I will be posting more posts whenever I can about Christmas and stuff - so keep your eyes peeled.

Can you wait for Christmas?

I know I can't. 

:)

University.

University. 

YES or NO?

This is the question that has been circling around mine and others in my year groups head for the past year. It's a pain in the backside. 

During the last few years at school (11-13) you have to make some of the biggest decisions of your life. Well. They may not be the biggest in the long run, but in the present day they certainly seem like it. 

Year 11 - You have to decide whether you want to go to college for further education or go to sixth form (either in your own school or another). 

Year 12 - You have to think about what type of career you want in the future, and you have to decide what courses you want to look at for apprenticeships and/or uni's. 

Year 13 - You have to finalize the courses at apprenticeships and/or uni and apply. But you also have the dreaded decision. 

Go to uni?

Not go to uni?

That is the question.

Literally. 

As a child I always thought I would go to secondary school, go to sixth form and then go to uni. Well that was my second thought. My first one, well, that's another story. 

But this thought changed when it actually came to making the decision of whether I wanted to go to uni or not.

When your young you don't realize how many courses and uni's there are in the world, until they send things to your house with your name on it - which makes me feel bad since I didn't know they existed but they knew I did. 

I have had a mountain of leaflets, booklets and letters come through my door from different uni's around the world offering different courses and inviting me to their open days. It's so strange. I feel wanted. But then I realize that pretty much everyone I know my age has had the same paperwork come through their doors. Which makes me feel one of many. Which I suppose isn't a bad thing. 

When making decisions I always think back to what my siblings decided to do. Not so I could copy them. Just so I could get some inspiration and some ideas. 

My brother chose to go to uni, after attending his schools sixth form, to do a degree in IT I think. I'm not sure. I just know that he went or I should say goes to uni. He chose a 4 year course. First 2 years at uni, 1 year in industry and the last year back at uni. He's currently on his last year and I think he enjoys it. It has opened him up to different opportunities and skills that makes him who he is today. 

My sister chose to go to college instead of sixth form and do a childcare course. This was over a period of 2 years and after education she found a job at a day nursery through one of her placements. She decided to stick with the job and not go to uni. Every so often she'll think about uni, but whether she goes or not is another thing.

I am currently attending my schools sixth form and hoping to get into uni. I literally sent off my application a few days ago. I followed my thoughts as a young girl of going to uni and I applied. 

As I said before I had always thought about going to uni, but that hasn't always been the case. I went through a stage in my life where I didn't know what I wanted to do. I wanted to music, cause I love performing. But it's such a hard industry to get into and also to get in any of the courses that do music you need a grade in an instrument or singing. I don't have a grade as I never had any singing exams. After wanting to do music I was stuck. I had planned out that I was going to go to uni to do music and then work my way into the industry. But that failed. So I had to think again. I went through a stage where I said to my friend that I just want to be a mother. I want to get married, get a house, start a family and be a stay at home mum. My friend didn't like that idea. She told me, I can be all of that but I can also have a career. If I wanted to get anywhere in life I need to make good decisions. And just being a mother wasn't one of them. Yes I will be a mother in the future, but first I need to get a job. What that job is yet, I'm not sure. 

So after the stage of 'wanting to be a mother' I decided that I wanted to do English at uni. I was set on it. I looked at loads of English courses and went to open days for them. The only reason why I wanted to do an English degree was so I could get into a media career. I still wasn't sure what type of career in media. I just knew I wanted to work in media.

After getting my as level results, I decided that I wanted to keep looking at courses. But delve more into media. I had received better grades in media than I did in English. Which is why I kept looking. Until I found it. The course for me. 

Television Production. 

Yep. That course has got my name written all over it. We went to an open day for it and I fell in love. Well, metaphorically I fell in love. I've applied and hopefully I'll get accepted. I just keep refreshing my emails. 

And that was my deciding on uni story. 

So, are you deciding on uni or not?

My advice to you before you make your decision is to look at all the options that are being offered to you. 

Do you want to take a gap year?

Do you want to do an apprenticeship?

Do you want to go to uni? 

It's completely up to you. Don't let anyone influence your decision. It's your life and you're the one who will be living it. 

 

University. 

YES or NO?

:)

Concerts.

I've only been to a few concerts in my life - Demi Lovato, McBusted & Steps.
I know, I'm so cool for going to a Steps concert.
 But having to a perform at a concert, even if only a few people do turn up is quite terrifying. But also quite enjoyable.

So, for two of my A-Level Music units I have had to organize and perform at a concert attended by family and friends. At first my class were happy because we love to perform, but as the date got closer we were dreading it.
We organized the first concert in June/July time as one of the units was the class organizing the concert and performing at it. We were rubbish organizers. Our teacher basically told us what to, how to do, and sometimes he would do it for us.
I should probably clear up that my music class only has like 4 people in it. So it's a small but nice class. However, when we started organizing this unit's concert we had 5 people, but she left a few weeks before the concert - she still performed at the concert so it wasn't much of a problem.

For the first concert we all decided to perform 2 solos each and perform 2 ensembles songs together. We didn't want the concert to be to long as we didn't really want the audience to get bored and walk out half way through it. I know professionals perform more songs at their concerts, but we definitely aren't professionals - and it wasn't that kind of concert.
As well as us 5 performing we invited our Glee club at school, that we had been running for like a term, to perform one of their songs after the interval. They sung their rendition of 'Rolling In The Deep' by Adele, and they did really well. 

For the concert I sung 'Wide Open Spaces' by Dixie Chicks to show my Country roots...not that I really have any. I just love Country music, and I loved the song.
I also sung 'Strong' by London Grammar who are recently becoming well-known to the public. I must admit, I had never heard of them before I performed their song. My music teacher showed me the song, and at first I wasn't really feeling it, but I decided it was out of my comfort zone and I should give it a shoot. That, and my teacher practically forced me to sing it.
I didn't have a choice.

Here is the video of me performing the song at the first concert that was put together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l46qqrKpi90&list=UUUkalk_p75EeEbfCkfgOlKA

For another unit we started at the start of this term at school, we didn't have to organize a concert but we did have to perform 3 solo songs and at least 1 ensemble song. We decided we would do 2 ensemble songs that were technically challenging, as well as performing 3 technically challenging solo songs.
My teacher would always stress that the songs HAD to be technically challenging. This meant it took us a while to find songs that were classed as 'technically challenging'.

For this concert I sang 'Hollywood' by Michael Buble.
TECHNICALLY CHALLENGING - It was very VERY low.
'When The Right One Comes Along' by Clare Bowen - from the TV series 'Nashville'.
TECHNICALLY CHALLENGING - The timings were hard and the harmonies that I previously recorded were also very difficult.
And 'On My Own' from the west end show 'Les Miserables'.
TECHNICALLY CHALLENGING - The song is just generally difficult. High notes. Difficult timings. Emotional.
It was a very difficult song to sing, but I think/I hope I did it justice.

Give it a listen and tell me what you think.

Even though both of these concerts can't really be classed as 'concerts', they were still really fun and I can't wait to perform at out next one.
If there is a next one.

:)