Ciara Sims

I've been walking around most of this month with a fractured rib which hasn't been fun at all, but that doesn't mean that the whole month has been a complete write off. I've had a couple of great days. I went up to Covent Garden with my boyfriend on Valentines day and had a great time and for my friend's birthday we all went for a meal at Byron which was just soooooooo good. Over the past 28 days there have been a couple of items that I have loved using.

Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in Light (£6.99). I love this stuff so much. This has been my go to base all month. I wont ramble as I have done a full review but it looks so natural, leaves my skin feeling smooth and looking clearer. It also makes my skin look hydrated as it doesn't cling to any dry patches and it's really easy to apply. I just use my fingers to massage this all over my face, no brush needed.

Lush Tea Tree Toner Water (£4.25) has been my skin saviour this month. It really helps too cool down and soothe my skin, calming redness and tightening my pores. It's perfect to spritz on whenever you want and I really have seen my skin improve since I started using this again. Full review here.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (£19.50). Since getting Roller Lash with this month's issue of Elle Magazine it hasn't left my lashes. I love it so much. It curls, lengthens and adds volume to my eyelashes making them look 10x better than usual while still looking natural.

The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Night Cream (£12) is the perfect night cream if you have sensitive skin that needs a bit of hydrating. I love this night cream and it has been a firm favourite in my daily skincare routine because it really leaves my skin looking and feeling soft and smooth. Also it's fragrance, colour and alcohol free so is really gentle on the skin.

Herbal Essences Clearly Naked Volumising Shampoo (£3.99). This is my favourite shampoo ever hands down. It is completely silicone, paraben and colourant free which means it doesn't weigh down my hair and cleanses it properly leaving it bouncy and soft. It also smells really nice containing grapefruit, lemon, orange and mint. The scent stays on the hair but isn't overpowering. Beautiful. I can't rave about this stuff enough.

I hope you all had a good month,

Ciara x

When I'm having a bad skin day or lets be honest - week - I love to use a face mask to try and freshen myself up a bit. There are so many great face masks available on the high street and a brand I particularly like is Montagne Jeunesse so I thought I would pick up their Deep Cleansing Passion Peel Off Mask (£1).

I love the smell of this mask, its got a really nice fresh berry scent that isn't too overpowering. Also the fact it is coloured means you can see where you've applied it so you get a nice even coat. Also this dries quickly and is really easy to remove.

However that's where the love for this stops. When I applied the Peel Off Passion Mask, it stung my eyes a bit, and when I removed the mask my face was left a bit red. There was no irritation or itchiness, just redness but because of these reasons I wont be getting this again because there are so many other great face masks out there that don't do this.

I'm really disappointed with this face mask and I really hope that it doesn't make my skin even worse than it is.

What is your favourite face mask?

Ciara x

Spring is basically here and it's time to dig out the fresh, bright, new nail polishes and step away from the heavy berry shades that we loved so much during the winter. *Ciaté Need For Tweed (£9) is one polish that is definitely going to leave you craving the summer. It's an explosion of aqua and navy coloured bar glitter with a dash of lemon on the side.


*Need For Tweed can be layered to achieve a more textured look however I quite like the look of the two coats that I have applied. Otherwise I think it just looks a bit over crowded, as if your nails are furry and you lose the lovely detail of the bar glitter. What I also love about the glitter is that it is not sparkly, it's just solid blocks of colour, I think this makes it really interesting and it is unlike any polish I have ever owned.

Because I am super super lazy and quite low maintenance I love polishes like this because it means I can get away with chipped nails for ages and nobody ever notices! This polish is actually really long wearing, even though it has a rough texture it isn't jagged and so doesn't catch on your clothes or anything. It is also really easy to apply, I use sort of dabbing motions to evenly distribute the glitter.

Another amazing shade from the *Ciaté Mini Mani Manor!

What are your go to shades for spring?

Ciara x

*This post contains items which were gifted to me. Full disclaimer.

So I've been on half term all this week and although it has been a week of revision for my GCSE's I have still managed to fit in a lot of telly. I love finding out about new shows to watch so I thought I would share with you my top 10 TV shows incase you were in the mood for something a bit new.

• The Walking Dead
• Skins
• Takeshi's Castle
• Man Down
• Russell Howard's Good News
• Qi
• 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
• Friends
• Modern Family
• Fortitude

So there you have it. My top 10 TV shows from dramas to comedies, game shows to quiz shows, both new and old. Stick the kettle on and pick up the remote.

What are your favourite TV shows?

Ciara x

There is no doubt that Benefit are great at mascaras (*They're Real! I'm looking at you!) so I when I saw that Elle were giving a way a sample of the new Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (£19.50) I snatched it off the shelf.

Normally I don't take what a mascara claims to do seriously as they pretty much all do the same thing but Benefit Roller Lash does everything it claims and more. Roller Lash has a curved rubber brush that is really easy to use and will force even the most stubborn lashes to curl. Its "hook and roll" brush curls, lengthens and separates the lashes leaving you looking just like Betty Boop. It lasts forever without flaking or smudging and it is also super easy to remove unlike Benefit They're Real!.

I love all the detail that Benefit put into their packaging. Even though this is just a freebie from a magazine, the packaging is stylish and classy and will look cute in any makeup bag.

Will you be buying Benefit Roller Lash?

Ciara x

*This post contains items which were gifted to me. Full disclaimer.

I'm a big fan of natural makeup at the moment. I just think there is something so elegant and classy about natural beauty. Yes I love a statement lip and some bold winged eyeliner, but on a day to day basis I like to keep my makeup quite minimal. I've finally got into a little routine that I thought I would share with you as all the products are affordable and super easy to use.

My go to base at the moment has been the Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in Light (£6.99). I tend to skip a primer with this BB cream as it is so light and stays put all day. It covers redness and improves the overall appearance of my skin. I doesn't cling to dry patches or oxidise. I love it, you can see a full review here.

When I'm having a good skin day I tend to leave my base like that, however some days I just need that little extra bit of coverage in the form of the Natural Collection CoverUp Cream in Fair (£1.99). I love this concealer because it is just so easy to use. It's great for covering blemishes and it doesn't crease so is good for under eye circles too. Yes as I have mentioned before, the shade range is appalling but Fair is just the right colour for me, so if you are pale it might be worth a look.

I then set my face with the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 001 Transparent (£3.99). There was a time when you couldn't click on a beauty blog without reading about this powder and there is a good reason why. This powder is amazing, by far the best I've ever tried. It mattifies the skin, sets my makeup and doesn't leave me looking chalky like so many powders do. My only issue with this powder is the packaging. The plastic lid tends to crack which is annoying but seeing as you're only paying under a fiver for it, you cant really complain.

I then go on to do my eyes. I'm quite cack handed so I cant be dealing with complicated eye shadow looks during the day. I'll just end up poking myself in the eye and that isn't a pretty look for anybody. So instead I love using simple colours to wash all over my lids. The perfect colour for this is the  Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow in 35 On And On Bronze (£4.99). It is the perfect shimmery metallic bronze colour that is subtle enough for the day but can be built up for a dramatic eye look. I spoke about it in my November favourites last year and I don't think I have put it down since. It may be the new love of my life.

I don't think I could live without eyeliner, I really think it can make or break a look. Even when I have barely any makeup on at all, I will have subtle eyeliner on. I love using the Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in 001 Black (£3.99) to line my upper waterline. It is almost like secret eyeliner because you don't really notice it but it makes a big difference. It makes your lashes appear thicker and defines your eyes.

Speaking of lashes. My very well loved L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in Magnetic Black (£10.99) has been used a lot recently. I love it because it lengthens the lashes, doesn't clump, and still looks fairly natural. Enough said really.

Once my eyes are done I give myself a quick wash of colour with the Body Shop Honey Bronze in 01 Light Bronze (£13) to add some warmth to my face. This is such a gorgeous bronzer and perfect for us girls with paler skin as it isn't orange at all. I also love it because it is matte, one of the things I hate the most is over glittery faces. Don't get me wrong, I love a bit of glitter but glittery bronzers can look a bit muddy. This compact is also great for on the go as it has a pretty decent size mirror.

Then I love to bring back the natural colour in my cheeks by using a subtle pinky blush. My favourite is the MUA Blusher in Bon Bon (£1). This blush is amazing and you all need one. The quality is way more impressive than the one pound price tag suggests. I wont ramble on too much about this as I did a full review. All I will say is that it is a really pretty matte dusky pink shade that I think will compliment most skin tones.

Finally no look would be complete without a good lipstick. I've been on the hunt forever for a nude lipstick that is the perfect colour for me as I tend to find most nude lipsticks far too pale. The L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Eva's Nude Lipstick (£6.99) is absolutely perfect and is everything I've been looking for. It's a beautiful pinky shade with hints of gold which really compliment the skin and give a sun kissed effect. It's quite long lasting, isn't heavy and fades naturally. I've gotten loads of wear out of this already and I think it might even replace my well loved Revlon Pink in The Afternoon!


What are your everyday makeup staples?

Ciara x

For a couple of weeks now I have been absolutely dying to get my hands on the Lush Unicorn Horn Bubble Bar (£3.25). The design is a little bit girlier than I would usually go for but I love the bright pastel colours that have been twisted together and it has even been decorated with candy stars. It is so bright and colourful and looks as if it has just stepped out of my My Little Pony Annual that I had when I was six.

Lush Unicorn Horn is scented beautifully with lavender and neroli which is so relaxing. I'm saving this one, so I'm keeping in my draw for a while and every time I open it up I'm hit with the smell of lavender and it's so gorgeous I just stand there for a while and take it all in.

I've heard so many great things about Unicorn Horn that I'm so excited to use it and really sad that it wont be in Lush all year round. Plus as it is a bubble bar I'm expecting a lot of bubbles!

I hope you all had a good Valentines Day yesterday.

Ciara x

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Because what's more cuterus than your uterus?

Ciara x

Recently I've been really loving nude nails. There is something just so elegant and classy about them. I reviewed another nude colour that I've been loving - *Ciaté Cream Soda a couple weeks back but since then I have found an even more understand nude that is perfect for day to day wear but is also something a little bit special. Perfect for Valentines day!

*Ciaté Members Only (£9) is a gorgeous shimmery peachy nude colour that is perfect for day and night. The shimmer is really fine pink and goldish glitter that catches the light beautifully and makes a change from the usual plain nude nail polishes.

This is just the perfect polish to apply. It is sheer and so is incredibly versatile, you can create so many different looks using this polish depending on how many coats you want to put on (I have three on so you can see the colour properly, but two is usually enough for me). It dries super quickly, perfect for if you have a date and you're running a tad behind schedule. (We've all been there!) and it isn't streaky at all. This isn't the longest lasting nail varnish in the world but when it does chip, it is barely noticeable. You would need to be seriously staring at your nails to notice. Another fantastic polish from the *Ciaté Mini Mani Manor!

Have you got any plans for valentines day? What colour will be adorning your nails for the big day?

Ciara x

*This post contains items which were gifted to me. Full disclaimer.

I recently got back from a sports trip as part of my GCSE PE course and the week was filled to the brim with climbing, archery and orienteering in the freezing cold wind and even snow. All the activities and the Baltic weather have taken their toll on my poor hands and left them feeling a bit worse for wear. They're so dry and sore. The only thing that has managed to rescue them and get them back to normal is the *Soap & Glory Hand Food Hydrating Hand Cream (£2.50).

*Hand Food contains shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow which makes it thick and extremely moisturising but non greasy. It leaves your hands feeling so smooth for a long time and it smells amazing, as do all Soap & Glory products. I have never ever had a Soap & Glory product that I haven't loved, I think my favourite products of theirs are the Righteous Butter and Clean On Me Shower Gel. I love Soap & Glory's names and packaging and think they are a fabulous budget brand.

I love this travel size of *Soap & Glory Hand Food as it is the perfect size to shove in a handbag and go but you get a decent amount of product that lasts a long time. If you're in need of some hand loving then you seriously need to get your self down to boots and pick yourself up a tube of this bad boy.

What is your favourite hand cream?

Ciara x

*This product contains items which were gifted to me. Full disclaimer.

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Don't forget you can follow me on Pinterest. Also I'm always on the look out for great accounts so leave your username below and I'll give you a follow!

Ciara x

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Thanks to The Queens Empire I have been nominated for the Liebster Award. The Liebster award is a great way of helping bloggers under 200 followers get noticed and get to know other bloggers along the way. For me, the idea that people even take the time to read my little blog is amazing let alone the fact that somebody has thought me worthy of a nomination!

So here is how it works:

- You must thank the blogger that nominated you and include their link
- Answer the 11 questions the blogger has set you
- Nominate 11 new bloggers with less than 200 followers and include their blog links
- Let the bloggers that you have nominated know that you have nominated them
- Create 11 new questions for them to answer
- Enjoy it!

I was nominated by The Queens Empire to answer the following questions. Hopefully by the end of this you will know a little bit more about me!

1. Why did you start blogging?

- I created my little corner of the internet just as a space for me to have my own say on certain things, connect with new people and talk about things that I love.

2. What do you like to do in your spare time?

- In my spare time I love to bake, draw, blog and play netball.

3. If you could go anywhere is the world, where would it be?

- I would love to visit Peru.

4. If you could buy any 3 things, what would they be?

5. Top three movies?

6. Favorite color to paint your nails?

7. If you could have any hairstyle what would it be?

8. Are you a summer or winter person?

9. What is your best piece of advice to share with the world?

10. Who is your celebrity girl crush?

11. Fuzzy socks or Slippers?

I would like to nominate: Not Quite London ¦ Ooh La Luce ¦ Girl On Trend ¦ Teen Witch Closet ¦ Amelia Anastasia ¦ Repressing The Crazy ¦ Media Junkie Jungle ¦ Miscellaneous Musings ¦ Perks Of Being Nazia ¦ Kateidoscope ¦ Anna Jasmine to answer the following questions:

1. Were there any blogs that inspired you to start blogging?
2. What is your star sign?
3. Who/what is most important to you?
4. What is your favourite quote?
5. Your top 3 book recommendations?
6. Your first memory?
7. If you won the lottery what is the first thing you would buy?
8. Your favourite colour?
9. Boots or Superdrug?
10. bold colours or neutrals?
11. What was the last song you listened to?

I really enjoyed doing this post and I hope you all do too. Leave me the link at the bottom so I can read it. Have fun!

Ciara x

I'm always looking for ways to add volume to my hair and scrunching mousse into damp hair before styling is a great way. I have tried my fair share of mousse really and until now I thought that they all do pretty much the same thing. I actually came across the Boots Essentials Styling Mousse (£1.10) by accident. I asked my brother to pick me up some mousse on this way home and  being the cheap skate that he is, he picked this up for me.

I'll be honest, when I saw it I turned my nose up straight away. It was too green, too cheap and too Boots for it to be any good. Well boy was I wrong. This stuff is way better than most of the mousses on the market and it is only £1.10. That's right, just over 1 quid!

This stuff is fab, just by scrunching some into my damp hair before styling/leaving to dry, it creates volume and just generally makes my hair look better. It isn't sticky, doesn't leave hair feeling crisp, weigh it down or smell funny. Brilliant. It adds some lift and body at the roots which lasts all throughout the day. Wait it gets better: It also protects against heat damage and prevents frizz.

This mousse is the perfect package. It works extremely well and is cheap as chips.

What's your fool proof way to add volume to your hair?

Ciara x

I've been having a bit of a dip this week and I have been in need of a little pick me up. Nothing makes me feel a bit better than looking at gorgeous quotes on Pinterest, so I thought I would share with you my top 10 quotes for when you need to keep going.









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Keep going.

Ciara x