The You tube Princess Tag, My Luxury Must Have Products!

In my opinion I am a Princess, these are the high end products I cant live with out. A little luxury is good for the soul!

  Nars Laguna Bronzer
As a fan of the OC, possibly the most stunning place I have ever travelled to I had to buy this cult bronzer even for the name alone. This bronzer truly gives you the California girl glow. Not orange and not to dark it is the perfect subtle bronzed shade. This gives me a Lauren Conrad glow. At the cost of £26 it is pricey but a worth while investment.

 Nars Orgasm Blush
This highly pigmented rose gold blush could bring to life even Morticia Addams deathly complexion. It warms up your skin tone without you looking doll like. It gives a natural glow and when worn with the Laguna Bronzer it enhances your tan beautifully. Once again I use these products to channel my inner Lauren Conrad. The picture of LC below is exactly the type of colour Orgasm and Laguna give you when used together.This blush costs £21.50.

 Benefit Coralista Blush
Dreamy packaging and a heavenly product. I use this natural coral glow when I am having a bronzer free day. It gives you a cherubim hint of colour that lightens up your face. It costs £23.50 but it will last you a long time this product is highly pigmented and you only need a minuscule amount on your blush brush.

 Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Powder
This pressed powder does what it says on the tin. It has a creamy consistency and holds my foundation in place even after a night of debauchery. At £29 it is very pricey but it works. My only grumble about this product is it doesn't contain SPF so I tend to only use it at night.

 Benefit They're Real Mascara
Simply the best mascara I have ever used and when it comes to mascara I am a floozy. It cost £19.50 but it will be the best £19.50 you will ever spend. When I wear this I always get asked what I have on my lashes.

Mac Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel
If you want Lauren Conrad feline flicks that last all day you need this product in your life. It is the darkest black and glides on like silk. The price is £15 but worth it in my opinion.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation
Read my full review on this product. This foundation will change your life.At £32 it is a worth while investment. This gives me a beautiful dewy angelic complexion. A firm favourite of highly ranked beauty gurus the world over.

Mac Russian Red Lipstick
The name of this lipstick alone makes me feel sexy. When I wear this product I transform into a 1950s Pinup girl. Wear this with jeans and a plain t shirt for instant glamour. I think Mac Lipsticks are the best and at £15 a lot cheaper than other high end brands. I also use it with the Mac red lip liner.

Urban Decays Naked Palette 
I use this versatile palette most days even after 2 years of owning it. The price is £37.

Dior Addict Eau Fraiche Eau de Toilette
Such a feminine grown up perfume. If you never have smelt this give it a try. It lasts for hours on the skin and has a gorgeous light floral scent. My all time favourite. £51 for 50ml. 

Hope you enjoyed reading guys!
Love Glutton4beauty

The life of a loner and being okay with it.

I spent the first 22 years of my life trying to bond with peers. In nursery I tried to gain comrades by sharing my Barbie's and helping less creative children with their finger painting. During Primary school I spent years chasing after the popular girls and pretending I like the "normal" things like The Spice Girls and Boyzone. In the comfort of my own home I would listen to 70s bands with my Dad, discussing philosophy and reading poetry. I was accepted in to the peer group but I always felt that the other kids could tell that something was not right. I guess the only way to describe it is a barrier. I feel there is a big strong barrier between myself and others. I can say and do the right things but I do not connect with other people. In high school I managed to flirt between all the social groups but never actually belonged to any. I went to parties and was involved but never really had the ability to keep a friend. When I did begin to bond with someone I would distance myself from them and manage to stir an issue between us. This was a pattern that happened time and time again. As I type this it feels like it sounds deliberate but it was not. The basic human skill that most people naturally encompass I just do not have. Through university I continued this pattern that I have nicknamed " befriend and ditch". I love acquaintances but I just do not want people to get to close. I enjoyed getting close to boyfriends  and found solace in a relationship with someone just as complicated as me. I always felt meeting other people there was a wall. I could smile, joke and make them laugh but the normal connection just wasn't ever there. Others first instincts of me were always be wary but they had no reason but gut instinct to determine that reaction. I did manage to make a few close friends at university who are still my friends now but these people were patient enough to wait. I guess I am a bit like a cat you need to earn my trust.
 This issue I have used to cause me large levels of stress and upset. Well because I am a loner. Yes I said it I am a loner. I do not fit in. I am good at my job and get on well with my colleagues but again on a personal level I do not fit in. I never will. I enjoy my own space and company. I can be an open book but only display the chapters that I wrote myself. I do not feel comfortable being to close to people. The more I have thought about this "issue" the more I have realised that this is not an issue. It is only society that says we should belong to a social group and have lots of friends. I am happy being isolated and not fitting in anywhere. It sounds crazy but I truly am. I feel powerful not conforming and not trying to impress others. I live my life in a way I am happy with. Not striving to fit in actually lifts a huge weight of your shoulders. It is not that people do not like me but I just do not connect with other people. Finally being okay with this after all these years is actually liberating. This really is a case of "It is me not you". I have left a few potential friends pissed of with my isolating antics but I cannot help it. I guess if I sat and tried to psychoanalyse myself it could of stemmed from my Mothers death. But I just think I am a lone wolf.
I want all the other loners out there to know that it is okay. I actually think it is pretty cool. We are designed differently and heck I reckon we could all do something pretty spectacular with all that "alone" time. If you don't fit it don't try. I have a few amazing REAL friends who understand me and I understand them. I do not fit in with them and vice versa we are just individuals. I will never be one for trying to impress others. I care about other people, I just do not want to be their friends. I guess I need a connection with someone to form a friendship. This is a rare event for me.

Ode to a Loner by glutton4beauty

Me, myself and I and I do not ever cry.
I am my own best friend and I will enjoy my own company till the end.
In summer bloom or winter doom I will enjoy isolation and individual domination.
No pressure to impress and never any distress.
Isolated in the corner in my magenta dress I do not have an ego to caress.
Smiles and charm without any harm.
I am a loner and I am here to conquer.

November Favourites!

Favourite Number 1
My first monthly favourite is a tea. It is the organic lemon, ginger and manuka honey tea from Pukka. In Scotland we use the term "Tea Jenny" to describe someone who loves tea and I am a major tea Jenny! I absolutely love herbal tea and Pukka are one of my favourite tea brands. This tea really is like a party in your mouth. It is the perfect balance of ginger and lemon, the manuka honey gives it a lovely subtle sweetness. The smell is divine and comforting. I find it very refreshing yet it also warmed me up during cold November. This tea costs £2.29.

Favourite Number 2
My second monthly favourite is a bit of a blogger cliché and it is Moroccanoil Treatment. I just rediscovered this little baby after buying it at my local hair salon after the stylist used it on me. This beautifying oil really has given my highlighted hair a new lease of life in chilly November. The best thing about it is that it does not make your hair greasy and is so light for an oil. I am going to do a full review on this product soon.

Favourite Number 3
This month The Body Shop Mango Body Butter and Shower gel combo has hydrated my dry skin. Not only does it smell amazing, it is so hydrating! I have fairly sensitive skin and this stuff is so gentle. It really does give my skin 24 hour hydration and I actually think it makes it look brighter. I have found that the shower gel works well as a shaving gel also. I highly recommend these two products.

Favourite Number 4
Here comes a big shock for you all! My fourth favourite is my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation. I am pretty sure this foundation was made with a combination of angel dust, rainbows and unicorn fluff. It is AMAZING. Read my full review to learn more. 

Favourite Number 5
My favourite scent this month has been the Armani Diamonds Rose Perfume. This stuff just smells sexy. It is a gorgeous twist on the original. It has a much warmer sent and I think it is perfect for the colder months. The longer it is on the skin for, the better it smells. As Coco Chanel once said "Spray perfume where you want to be kissed". 

Final Favourite
It would not be winter without a Yankee Candle. This month I have been loving Vanilla Cupcake. When I burn this my house literally smells like I have been baking a cake made of rainbows and fairy dust. It smells super sweet and warm. It truly smells good enough to eat........trust me I have been tempted!

Hope you enjoyed my November monthly favourites guys!
Lover glutton4beauty  xx 

Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream Review

I was excited a few months ago to get my mitts on the Benefit b.right It's Potent Eye Cream. Not only was I excited about Benefit's description of the product but also the stunning packaging. As with all Benefit product's the packaging is very pretty and look's good on your bathroom cabinet. The price is £24.50 for 14.2g...........read on and find out if it was worth the splurge!

What Benefit claims about the product:

• It's Potent! eye cream fades dark circles and helps smooth fine lines for brighter, younger-looking eyes.
• It's Potent! helps to restore elasticity and firmness. 
• It uses a blend of hydrating botanical extract's and loquat extract, known to help protect the skin from free radical damage.
• It brightens up the under eye area.

What did I think about the product?
First of all I should tell you that my eyes are my problem area. I suffer from dark circles around my eyes and have permanent dark pigmentation under my eye area.
Eye cream is something I normally do not mind spending a few extra pennies on. However this product claims to be brightening and it did not brighten my eye area at all. In fact if anything it made my eyes red as it stings on application. After reading a lot of reviews about the product this seems to be a common problem. Benefit state that you should just dab the cream gently and not rub it in, even though I did this it still hurt my eyes.
 A product that claims to help restore elasticity and firmness tends to be moisturising and I am afraid I just found this product oily. It does not have a luxury feel and actually feels less luxurious that some of the cheaper drug store brand eye creams. I found that the oily consistency of this product made it hard for me to apply my under eye concealer and found that my concealer just slipped off.
I did give this product a good chance as I used it for 4 months.
Sorry Benefit I will not be repurchasing this product again and would not recommend this to anyone else either. At the price of £24.50 I feel this product is hugely overpriced. 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation Review

So I finally to took the plunge and indulged myself by buying the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation. I have been reluctant to purchase this product for a while as it is pricey, however after hearing the hype I felt it was time to try it out for myself. Along with this review are some pictures of me with no makeup and one with Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation on. I wear the shade 30 beige. 

What does Chanel claim about this product?

Its soft and evanescent ultra-fine fluid texture is a real surprise: although exceptionally delicate and light, it offers an incomparable “second-skin” perfecting result. The complexion appears amazingly even, fresh and energised. The skin glows with seemingly nude beauty. As if lit from within. Bathed in light…
Use VITALUMIÈRE AQUA after your daily skincare, without a sponge or brush.

Its formula, enriched with a UVB sun filter and mineral sunscreen, protects the skin from damaging sun rays (SPF 15). Its crystalline fragrance accentuates the sensation of freshness and pleasure on application.

After shaking, its ultra-fine texture glides on under fingertips to instantly melt onto the skin. Applying foundation has never been this easy.

What does glutton4beauty think about these claims?

This foundation is like wearing a second skin, it feels so light on the face. It does not feel cakey and makes me feel natural.

As I normally wear Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation I was concerned I wouldn't get enough coverage from this foundation. I was wrong! It gives the most beautiful luminous coverage. It covers blemishes but you still look like you have skin. You only need a pea size amount for your whole face and it blends like a dream.

I love that it gives my skin a dewy appearance and yes Chanel are correct in saying you look fresh and energised. 

As it is a light formula I feel it is perfect for my young skin. I have had so many compliments since I have started using this foundation.

It has SPF15 which is fantastic considering Double Wear has none at all. I am so glad I have found a great foundation with a SPF. Here in Edinburgh SPF15 is sufficient at this time of year.

When I wear this foundation I do feel that I look like I have a natural glow.

This foundation lasts a good 6 to 8 hours on me with my Benefit 15 Hour Primer (review to come). I prefer not to wear powder as I like to look dewy but I am sure if I wore powder it would last even longer.

I love the packaging, it is very compact despite being a 30ml bottle. It looks pretty on my dressing table. 
I feel that all Chanel's claims are true and it is the best foundation I have ever used! This product is worth the hype!

The only negative thing I have to say is that at £32 this product is very expensive but I do think it is worth it and something I will continue to buy. 

Me with no makeup 

Me with Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation on

Hope you enjoyed reading,

Love glutton4beauty xxx

Christmas Shopping Outfit of The Day

Christmas shopping OOTD. Faux leather jacket from Miss Selfridge £52, tartan scarf from Zara £20, checked shirt dress from Urban Outfitters £35 (2 years old), fleece lined tights from Primark £3 and black suede wedges from Newlook £19.99. In Edinburgh people like to look stylish when they shop. Princes Street is a great place to see people wearing all the current trends.I definitely think it is one if the most stylish places in the UK. I would describe my style as a clash of LA and London. I like the laid back grungy style of LA but love to mix it with current London high street trends. I literally live in black leather jackets and biker boots. 

Edinburgh Christmas Market Outfit of The Day

       Yesterday I went to the Edinburgh Christmas German Market, here is my OOTD. I also added a few fun pictures of myself and friends on the Big Wheel and on the 60ft Star Flyer!

I am wearing a plain grey t shirt from Missguided.co.uk it was £12, the jacket is also from Missguided and was around £50, the jeans are Topshop Leigh Jeans £38 and finally my tartan scarf is from Zara and cost £20.

For the record we are terrified of heights!We then rewarded ourselves with mulled wine.

Friend or faux?

Today I am going to blog about friendship. Have you ever had a friendship that weighs you down, brings you down, makes you feel that you are being judged and is demanding? I know I have. I may have even at points in my life been this sort of a friend. I turned 24 in June and I felt that I had always been a pushover and a people pleaser. After a hard few months where some things happened that changed my outlook on life, I decided to start standing up for myself and do the things I enjoy. I also made the decision to eliminate the friends that I felt had a negative impact on me from my life. Prior to this I had been told that I had changed and yes I had changed. What I think is really funny is that people find it so shocking that you change, I was  under the impression that as human beings we are always evolving and becoming better version's of ourselves.


What is a "Faux" Friend? 

To me a faux friend is somebody who has a negative impact on you. Wither it be a judgemental attitude or in my experience a controlling one. It is somebody who likes to know what you are up too, but not out of interest but to make sure what you are doing falls into their idea of what you should be doing. A faux friend is somebody who will be abrupt to you at the drop of a hat for example, if you are to busy to meet them when it suits them. My best friend and I can go a month without seeing each other and there is never any animosity. We are both adults and understand that we are both busy. A faux friend is somebody who likes to use you, in my experience to be a drinking buddy. You will find that it is only when you are doing what the that person wants is when they are warm to you. As I change and grow into the person I am becoming I find that my true friends respect that and enjoy it. I found the faux friends  resented it.   I am not saying that these people are bad people but the way I view it is how the people make me feel. The way they are might work for others, but if these people have a negative impact on me they are not "suited" friends for me. I only want to surround myself with people who make me feel good and support me through the hard times. I know it sounds extreme and I do not ever recommend just ditching people. You have to realise that you can only be a good friend to others if you feel good about yourself. The only way you can feel good about yourself is if you do things you enjoy and surround yourself with people that have a positive impact on you. Be honest to the faux friends tell them it is just not working for you. You will be able to tell a lot from their reaction. If they get angry and nasty you know you made the right choice. Always go with your gut instinct. I had a faux friend who I stopped speaking to twice before I finally cut all ties. If someone came to me and told me they did not want to spend time with me any more as the friendship was having a negative impact on them, I would respect that. People are allowed to grow and change.

What is a Real Friend?

I can honestly say I have only three real friends. Remember guys its quality not quantity. When I was younger I was determined to surround myself with lots of acquaintances. I have learned that true friendship is so much more valuable. A true friend is somebody who most of all makes you feel good about yourself. They are always there when you need them and respect that you also lead you own life too. It is balanced and equal. You care and support them as much as they care and support you. They will support you through the hard times and laugh with you in the good. They will be happy for you during your successes and never ridicule you during your failures. Every time you see them no matter how long its been it will be like you have never been apart. They will share your views on most things and just understand you. With a true friend you will feel that you can always tell the truth no matter how gritty or shameful. You will know they would never judge you. Friendship in your late teens and early twenties comes with a lot of heartache. When you establish who your true friends are though it will feel great. My opinion is drop the bad eggs and keep the true. Do not keep the bad eggs because you are scared you will not have lot of friends. View it as clearing out your closet and making room for fun new things! It is very cheesy but listening to Katy Perry's new song Roar really helped me during this transition. It is all about getting strength and making your own decisions. Never let people push you around and pressure you to do things that do not interest you. Friendship is one of the most important things in life so make sure that it really is a friendship you have with someone.

Remember......Friendship should be FUN! 

Lonely Day...Lets talk depression.

Such a lonely day

And it's mine

The most loneliest day of my life

Such a lonely day should be banned

It's a day that I can't stand

The Most lonely day of my life

The most lonely day of my life

Such a lonely day

Shouldn't exist

Its a day that I'll never miss

Such a lonely day

And it's mine

The most loneliest day of my life

The above lyrics are from System of a Down's song Lonely Day. The nature of this blog post is not that of beauty but of a subject that is deeply personal to me. It is about my battle to overcome anxiety and depression. I am writing this blog in the hope it will help someone experiencing the loneliness described above. Lonely is the word that describes suffering from anxiety best for me.

It really was me, myself and I. I really did cry a thousand times. Luckily for me I got better. I believe you can too! Please message me if you have any further questions. The term me, myself and I is now a happy one for me! I overcame this extreme loneliness. I now enjoy my own company and do not feel lonely. 

    

What happened?

It started not long after I got my first job as a graduate. I would repeatedly check that I had my purse and keys when I got in from work. I would check that I had them  four or five times. What started as a strange impulse soon grew into  panic attacks that only happened when I was alone. They would start for no reason at all. At first I thought I had a medical condition that caused my throat to close up and heart to race. When I researched the symptoms I realised I was actually suffering from acute panic attacks. Instead of trying to get help I just tried to ignore what was happening to me, I continued with my life and continued to suffer privately.As the months marched on my panic attacks got worse and my confidence started to drop. All my thoughts about myself were negative ones. I felt like I was worthless, useless, stupid, a failure and a burden to the people that care for me. I began to believe that everybody hated me and I lost enjoyment in the things that I had once loved. For example music and books. I cried myself to sleep most nights and felt lost. I felt I had forgotten who I was and felt like an empty shelf. I was functioning for example going to work and eating but I wasn't living.I had always been a very bubbly sociable person, but I started avoiding social situations. I felt alone even when I was surrounded by people. I felt like I was stuck on an island of heart break and I didn't know what was breaking my heart. This is the thing about anxiety and depression it can effect ANYBODY. There does not even need to be a trigger. In my case I think my episode may of stemmed from my Mothers death but I cannot be sure of that. Society is so judgemental when it comes to mental health disorders. What society doesn't realise is that these sort of conditions are very common but people are not open about it. Luckily for me I have an amazing Dad who helped me and when I finally did seek professional help the Dr was amazing.

What is a panic attack?

A sudden feeling of dread, the sudden urge to push your way through to the nearest exit, the whole room shrinking down around you and everybody staring at you and smothering you. In a split second, without you anticipating it, or knowing it's going to happen, your body releases adrenaline. This adrenaline is released as your body is preparing for "flight or fight". Something our brain is programmed to do in a life or death situation. You need adrenaline for a fight in order to be strong, and you need adrenaline for flight, in order to run fast and get away. This would have prepared our cave-dwelling ancestors to fight or run away from danger, but it’s much less appropriate to the stresses we encounter today. Clearly, we are not cavemen any more, and we don't need to hunt for our food, but this adrenaline is released in situations like tripping over a step, being extremely excited, being on a roller-coaster, being in a fight, In an accident, adrenaline is released into our bodies all the time, but us panic attack sufferers

have a "SENSITIVE ALARM".

Panic Attack Symptoms

very rapid breathing or feeling unable to breathe

very rapid heartbeat

pains in your chest

feeling faint or dizzy

sweating/Shivering

ringing in your ears

tingling or numbness in your hands and feet

hot or cold flushes

feeling nauseous

wanting to go to the toilet

feelings of absolute terror

feeling smothered

feeling claustrophobic

being extremely emotional/uncrontrollable crying

feelings of unreality, called depersonalisation and derealisation.

Tight throat

Recovery

By the time I finally went to speak to a Dr my depression and anxiety was very bad. She felt that I needed a short course of anti depressants to help my brain rebalance and heal. I will say there is many other methods of treatment other that medication. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Counselling are two common treatments. But after a failed course of counselling the Dr and I felt that it was worth me trying a medication. Luckily I did, within a month of taking the tablets I began to feel like a heavy weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I could finally see life in perspective and began to feel like myself for the first time in a whole year. On top of taking the medicine I also spent time acknowledging my negative thoughts but did not allow them to over take my mind. I also did deep breathing exercises when I felt bouts of anxiety starting. Six months later I came off the medicine and have been well since. I want people to know that the help is there and you are not alone. Some of the brightest stars have suffered from anxiety and depression. There is a reason it is nicknamed the thinking individuals illness. Remember thoughts are NOT facts. This mantra really helped me during my period of recovery.

Moving on

I will always have to watch out for the warning signs starting again as I will always be at risk of it coming back. I have learned to view negative thoughts as passing clouds most of which are not real. I do not view myself as a victim of the illness but as a survivor. Everyday I have to make a conscious effort to look after myself and use the mantra "Thoughts are not facts". If I can overcome it you can too. I can truly say I am me again and it feel great!