Summer Playlist

As you are reading this, I'm on holiday enjoying the sun and attempting to get a tan - and probably failing. So, as you've probably guessed by now, this is a scheduled post as although there may be internet where I'm going, I will not have a way of writing any posts. In fact, this will be my first scheduled post, so a bit exciting!

I'm not sure about you, but I love listening to my iPod on holiday and this summer, I've even created a playlist specifically for this. It's mostly full of happy, upbeat songs as that's how I like to feel during summer. So I've made a list below of the songs which are on my summer playlist. I thought I'd note that a lot of these are Taylor Swift songs as I really like her music (has anybody else heard her new single? Who else is excited for album no.5?) and some of the other songs are by lesser known artists, which I don't think get enough recognition for their work. I decided to include links to some of the lesser known songs in case you wanted to look them up. I'm sure most people have heard of the more popular ones, so I didn't think links were necessary.

• Changin Me - Cady Groves
• Long Live - Taylor Swift
• Holy Ground - Taylor Swift
• Classic - MKTO
• Fearless - Taylor Swift
• Oath - Cher Lloyd
• Ours - Taylor Swift
• Rock N Roll - Avril Lavigne
• So Called Love - Cady Groves
• Stay Stay Stay - Taylor Swift
• Tongue Tied - Leddra Chapman
• We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift
• What the Hell - Avril Lavigne
• 22 - Taylor Swift
• Great Escape - Mike Dignam
• Life in Sunshine - Jamie McDell
• Happy Little Pill - Troye Sivan
• Dumb - Jamie McDell
• L.O.V.E. - Gardiner Sisters
• This Kiss - Carly Rae Jepsen
• Shake It Off - Taylor Swift

Hope you have fun looking through and having a listen to the songs I'll be listening to throughout my holiday. It also occurred to me as I was writing this that by the time you are reading this, anyone who did GCSEs or similar qualifications this year will probably have their results. I know I'm a bit nervous for mine even though nothing went disastrously, so good luck to anyone getting their results! I hope they're what you expected and hoped for! 

-What songs are you listening to a lot right now? I love finding new music, so I'd love to hear your suggestions-

Miss Muggs xx

8 Ways to Prevent Split Ends

Over the years I have gained various tips and tricks from hairdressers, relatives and friends about how to avoid split ends and as a result, I have fairly healthy hair. 'Fairly' being the keyword here. Sadly, split ends are a problem for anyone with long hair and it is incredibly hard (if not impossible) to avoid them completely. So I thought I'd share some of these tips with you. Some are very obvious, some are less so, but I thought I'd include them all just in case. Before I begin, I would like to say that I don't always follow all these steps myself as it can be really hard at times, so these are just suggestions.

1. Use shampoo and conditioner that is specifically designed to remove split ends or keep hair healthy.

Also, remember to condition the ends of your hair carefully. I usually use Herbal Essences' Beautiful Ends shampoo and conditioner when I wash my hair. There are various other products you can use, I think most companies which produce shampoo and conditioner have some product line for dealing with split ends. I really like the Herbal Essences ones, partly because they contain 'red raspberry and silk extracts' which smells brilliant and partly because the conditioner makes my hair feel silky soft.

2. Avoid blow-drying your hair. Try to either towel dry it and leave it to dry naturally.
It's a well known fact that heat damages hair and hairdryers are just as bad. If you have to blow-dry your hair, try to use a higher fan speed setting and a lower heat setting.

3. When your hair is wet, use a comb rather than a hairbrush.
This may seem like a strange one as I know that so many people brush their hair in the shower or immediately afterwards, but it really is much better to use a comb or at least a wide-toothed paddle brush. They are less damaging when brushing out the knots, especially when your hair is wet and delicate.

4. Don't tug at knots.
This is quite an obvious point, but I thought it needed to be made as I sometimes do this. It is better to work from the bottom of the knot first with little downwards strokes, repeatedly. Just avoid tugging too hard.

5. Don't over brush your hair.
I know a couple of people who will bring hairbrushes with them wherever they go, which is fine if you know there will be specific reason for needing to brush your hair, but over brushing on a daily basis can actually be very damaging. Even if you only brush your hair once a day but use over 100 strokes, it can cause split ends.

6. Look for non-heat hairstyles.
There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube and other websites which are specifically non-heat and sometimes you can get the exact same effect without using heat at all. I understand this is quite difficult if you need to style your hair quickly, but it's definitely worth at least looking.

7. Avoid chemicals.
Obviously if you have to use straighteners or curlers, it is best to use heat protection spray, but quite a lot of other products such as texturising sprays and hairsprays can contain harmful chemicals which aren't good for your hair. Some brands use only organic or natural ingredients in their products, which is generally better for your hair.

8. Don't wash your hair everyday.
There are mixed views on this. Some people rely on washing their hair everyday, others disagree. However, it is generally better to wash your hair every other day instead of everyday as it gives your hair some time for the natural oils produced by your body to naturally repair your hair and strengthen it. I understand that some people absolutely hate having oily hair and feel the need to wash it everyday, but know that those oils you hate are actually good for you.


I thought I'd add that one of the few ways to properly remove split ends is obviously to get your hair cut at the hairdressers or cut it yourself with hair scissors (don't use normal scissors! They can make the split ends worse!). It is suggested that you get your hair cut every 6-8 weeks. However, I hope I've given you some ideas so you can reduce the number of split ends at home and keep your hair healthy.

-Do you have any tips to avoid split ends? I'd love to know them-

Miss Muggs xx

Living Behind the Lens

I was thinking recently about how much the digital age has taken over. It has become such a common occurrence to always have some electronic device, whether it's a phone or an iPod, on you. Around 53% of mobile phone users have experienced at least some form of nomophobia, the fear of being without your phone and even I can say I don't feel too happy in a strange place with no mobile phone. But today I want to talk about another electronic device we bring with us almost everywhere, in our phones or on it's own. A Camera.

I realised recently that wherever we go, we almost always bring a camera and we will often find ourselves hiding behind the lens, trying to capture the moment. This can quite easily become a problem. Often, we have such a great desire to capture the moment on a camera that we forget about the actual moment and the atmosphere. Say you are at a music concert, filming the artist on stage. You will find yourself looking at the camera's screen to check that it looks ok more than you are actually looking at the artist with your own eyes. Therefore, you are not fully experiencing the moment while you are there, you only get a half experience. But you think to yourself, 'it's ok, I caught it on camera so I can watch it again properly'. However, we all know what you film on a camera or phone never looks quite how it does in real life and never captures the moment how you remember it from being there. A special moment is not just what you see, but what you hear, what you feel and the people around you (or not around you if you are alone). Those are the things that make the moment special. If you film this moment, you can't fully experience it whilst you're there and you can't fully experience it afterwards when you re-watch it. So you have just wasted that moment and can never fully experience it exactly like it was.

I know I am not alone in doing this and it has really started to shock me when I see a sight like the picture below. All these people aren't properly living in the moment and can't be enjoying it as much as they'd do if they just put down their cameras. Recently I have begun to leave my camera behind and only use my phone for other things and I have noticed a real difference. Every moment I try to capture in my mind rather than with an electronic device. You may not believe me, but just try it, for one day. Put your camera or phone down and enjoy a day where you can make proper memories. Yes, you won't have any physical evidence or record of the moment, but surely what you've remembered in your mind is much better than remembering that time when you sat behind a lens.

Back in February, I went to one of Lauren Aquilina's concerts. Most of the people there had been filming at least some of the concert and when she got to a certain song, she asked us to put our cameras and phones away and just listen. Immediately everyone shuffled around, a bit confused and feeling a bit separated from their cameras, knowing they'd never be able to watch this again. But as soon as this emotional song began, all eyes were on her. Some people were singing along, some people were just listening, but the atmosphere was amazing. Everyone felt connected. Nobody was hiding behind any sort of lens and for that one song, we were just living in the moment.

I am not trying to say that I completely disagree with cameras and filming or taking photos. I think it's great that we can relive a moment over and over again, whenever we like. In some circumstances, taking photos can improve your appreciation of life, which is fantastic! All I'm saying is that, in some moments, especially when you're spending time with friends or family or you're at a special concert, perhaps try to put the camera down and live in the moment.

If you can't see this embedded video, watch it here. 

This video is one that went viral a while ago. It is not exactly about cameras, but has the same general point. Look up and live in the moment, because you never know what you might miss if you're living behind the lens.

-What are your thoughts on this? Would you be able to cope without your phone/camera for a day?-

Miss Muggs xx

Foundations and BB Cream Review

Over the past year I have been building up my makeup collection, which has been fairly difficult due to the price of certain products and also the fact that I am the type of person who, once I've found something I like, will generally continue to use just that and re-buy it when the product has run out. I therefore only own 3 foundations and a BB cream but I am perfectly happy with this collection. As you can see, three out of four of the products are from the same brand, Rimmel London, because of the same idea as before, that I will generally stick to the same product/brand. Today I thought I would review these and share my opinions on each one. I have included links to both Boots and Superdrug, which are the two stores I most regularly visit for makeup. There may be some sort of sale on at Superdrug online at the moment, I can't tell. So if you'd like to get any of these products cheaper than usual, go there.


Rimmel London BB Cream

£6.99 at Boots
£4.99 at Superdrug

This is my most recent purchase as I decided that during Summer I needed something that had enough coverage to make me feel like I have gotten rid of any redness or paleness but at the same time isn't too thick and wouldn't be too bad for my skin. I happen to be incredibly lucky because I rarely get spots, but wearing some foundations or facial creams causes me to get little bumps which are the beginning of spots. As this is supposed to be made to be good for your skin as it: primes, moisturises, minimises pores, conceals, covers, smooths, mattifies, brightens and helps protect, I find it perfect for Summer. It can occasionally turn out a little orange on me, but that is usually because I have put too much on and I have very pale skin (I have the 'VERY LIGHT' version, by the way). And as an added bonus, this BB cream has SPF 25 which makes it even better suited for Summer days in the sun.


Rimmel London Wake Me Up Foundation

£8.99 at Boots
£5.99 at Superdrug

This foundation is one that has been praised and loved by the likes of Zoella, Fleur de Force and many many other bloggers on the internet. Personally, I have to admit, it was a bit of a let down. I had high expectations, but when I actually tried it I had a few problems with it. The key problem which meant I stopped wearing it was the 'radiant glow'. I just found that personally it was too sparkly. Every time I went to touch my face for some reason, I would get a hand caked in sparkles. I know some people love this sort of shimmer, but for a person who can't stand having sparkly hands and face, it really wasn't ideal. It also appeared to be a bit orange on my very pale skin, even with the lightest shade (Ivory 100). However, it does have very good coverage, a pump which makes it easier to use and SPF 15, which is great for summer. But for me, this just wasn't what I'd hoped for.


Rimmel London Lasting Finish Foundation

£7.99 at Boots
£7.99 at Superdrug

I heard of this foundation through a friend who wore it everyday at the time and really recommended it. This time, I was pleasantly surprised. It is basically matte but for me, it has a little shine. But NO SPARKLES!! The coverage is perfect for me as it isn't too thick but isn't thin or watery either. The undertone is more pink than orange, which works better with my skin and prevents the orange look I talked about before. Though, I think there are other shades which have more of an orange undertone. So see what suits your skin if you want to get this foundation. I haven't tested whether it lasts for the full 25 hours like it claims, but it lasts all day and your face still looks good at the end of it. Again, I got the lightest shade (Light Porcelain 010) and there is a brilliant little pump for ease-of-use. There are only two downsides to this product. One is the fact it doesn't have SPF, so it isn't really suitable for summer wear in hotter, sunnier countries. The other is that it can cause a slight breakout if I wear it everyday, so I generally choose to wear this foundation on special occasions or after a couple of days of being makeupless at home.


NYC Natural Matte Foundation

Not sold at Boots
£2.99 at Superdrug

As a complete contrast to the previous foundations, this was a complete surprise product. I bought this product about a year ago when I was still getting into makeup, didn't understand much and most importantly, didn't want to spend too much. I guess I wasn't surprised at the time having not tried many other foundations, but as soon as I started buying others, I kept coming back to this and realised I had discovered a real gem. This is a matte foundation (as the name suggests) and so I don't have to worry about sparkles. I rarely appear orange unless I absolutely smother myself in the stuff. I have Ivory 001, which is the lightest shade and it blends with my skin perfectly. The coverage is quite light, but it evens my skin tone and if used with good concealer, it covers any unruly areas. Admittedly, it doesn't last quite the 8 hours it says it should and there is no pump or SPF in it, but for £2.99, it is a bargain. I went through one of these tubes in about 8 months and this is my second. I use this as my everyday foundation as it doesn't break me out and is very cheap for what it is.

*****

So there we go. Those are the products I choose to cover my face with. Hope you liked this sort of post and possibly were inspired to buy (or put off buying) one or two of these. I think it's important to remember that some of these products I may like/dislike because they work in a certain way with my skin and as everyone's skin is different, I cannot guarantee that everyone will agree with my opinions. So I'd love to know what you think of these products if you own any of them!

- Are there any particularly good foundations you use that might be worth trying? -

Miss Muggs xx

Liebster Award

A few days ago, Eleanor Rose from Eleanor Rose Etc. nominated me for the Liebster Award. I'd heard of this before I'd even started my blog as I have been reading other small blogs for a while. So thank you Eleanor for nominating me! I love this sort of thing and it sounds fun. I got to go exploring through the blogosphere and find some amazing new blogs. If you haven't heard of this before, there are plenty of articles on the internet if you type 'liebster award' into any search engine. So anyway, here are the rules:

• You have to link back to the person who nominated you
• Write 11 facts about yourself
• You must answer the 11 questions given to you by the person who nominated you
• Next, you must nominate 11 bloggers with under 200 followers and give them 11 questions to answer
• You cannot nominate the person who nominated you
• You must let your nominees know they have been nominated and provide a link for them to your post so they can learn about it

11 Facts About Me:

• I have never broken a bone
• The only times I've been to hospital was once when I was a baby and a couple of times in the last 5 years to have my teeth checked up on (they were clearly so messed up that a hospital orthodontist also had to go ‘ooh yep that’s interesting, they’re all still there. See you in 6 months’ before I finally got braces a couple of years later)
• I am about a 50% visual and 50% kinesthetic learner
• I am an ISTP personality type according to the Briggs-Myers Personality Test
• I am terrified of spiders
• I can name all of the 50 states of the USA (what happens when you have too much time during the summer holidays)
• I can speak some French and a tiny bit of Mandarin and Italian
• I don’t have my ears pierced
• I drink mostly just water and would choose it over a fizzy drink
• I have naturally thick, wavy hair which is hard to style
• I am so pale that at junior school I was often asked if I was ill

My Answers:

1. What is your favourite blog?

This is so hard to answer! I love so many blogs I’m not sure I could pick a favourite!

2. What is your dream job/career?

Since I was about 10, I've always loved the idea of singing for a career. Recording songs in a studio and performing on stage (though if it came to it I think I'd be too nervous). I even went through a stage of songwriting until I found that anything I wrote was too cheesy to ever be considered a decent song, so if I have time or inspiration I do it for fun. So yeah, basically I’d love to be a singer (not that that would ever happen).

3. Favourite perfume/scent?

I would have to say ‘Wonderstruck’ by Taylor Swift. I have never got into many perfumes before, but this one I adore. For me, I link memories very distinctly with scents so I have mini flashbacks (if you could call them that?) and can describe the exact surroundings of when I last smelt that smell. Since I have worn this perfume for various events/occasions, I have good memories of these and therefore love wearing it because it makes me happy.

4.Favourite song?

Currently my favourite song is ‘Great Escape’ by Mike Dignam, but if you were to ask me my favourite song of all time I wouldn't be able to! I have sooo many favourites!

5. Something you are looking forward to in the future?

Hmm, I am sort of looking forward to moving into sixth form (college), I guess?

6. Somewhere you would love to visit?

Australia. I have been there once and loved it so much! So I’d love to go back. I’d also quite like to one day road trip around America or visit Thailand.

7. Cats or dogs?

If you’d asked me this a couple of years ago, my immediate response would've been dogs. However, I have a cat and think kittens and cats are the most adorable things in the world and don’t need full-time attention but are very loving when you’re around. But at the same time, I’d love to have a dog one day as they can truly become your best friend with their loving personalities.

8. Favourite TV show?

I like The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and New Girl. But my favourite TV show of all time has got to be Friends.

9. Who is your role model?

This is a hard one as I don’t think I particularly look up to one person. I like to take aspects from friends, family and celebrities personalities and attempt to use these in my life to become a better person. So I guess I don’t really have one.

10. What would you change about the world?

Mostly the obvious things such as poverty, world hunger and the water crisis as there is enough money, food and water for the whole world, but the first world sort of takes these things for granted and overuses the resources. I would also end all wars, calling for world peace and make gay marriage legal.*

11. Random fact about yourself

I'm running out of facts about myself! If you'd like to read my fact file, you can read more facts about me. Click here is you would like to see that. Sorry if this is cheating, I'm just not very good at thinking of interesting facts about me!

*These are my opinions and if you don’t agree or have a different opinion on this matter, it’s ok and I’m ok with you expressing them, as long as you understand both sides :)

People I'm nominating:

1. http://whatrachaelwrote.blogspot.co.uk/

2. http://wanderingnot-lost.blogspot.co.uk

3. http://www.littleldnlife.blogspot.co.uk/

4. http://kissingwinter.blogspot.ie/

5. http://katie-rose96.blogspot.co.uk/

6. http://lifeinafewnutshells.blogspot.co.uk/

7. http://niamhsdream.blogspot.co.uk/

8. http://bowsofstyle.blogspot.co.uk/

9. http://lucyabigailsmith.blogspot.co.uk/

10. http://evelinkivi.blogspot.co.uk/

11. http://springpuddles.blogspot.com/

My Questions for you:

1. Do you prefer chocolate or sweets?

2. What is/was your favourite subjects at school/college?

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world without the worry of money, where would you go?

4. If there’s one thing (like a talent) you wish you could do, what would it be?

5. What is your favourite season?

6. What is your favourite song at the moment?

7. What is your favourite store?

8. If you could only own two makeup/skincare products, what would they be?

9. Any fears?

10. What is your favourite quote?

11. Why did you start blogging?

Hope you guys have fun! I'm looking forward to your answers :) I'd love to read them, so if you link your post in the comments I'll check them out 

Miss Muggs xx