A-Z Guide to Happiness: M

M

I had a few for this, but I think the one I am going to go for is Make Up!

So, I'm not going to say you should cake yourself in makeup because I think looking natural and being comfortable in your own skin is so important, even if you still use makeup but as a natural look to enhance your features.

However... I find that if I am feeling low in general or about myself, playing with my makeup often cheers me up! Partially because it does take some concentration depending on the look you're trying to achieve, and also, if I'm being totally honest, it does make me feel more confident.

I absolutely love playing with makeup and I think its amazing the different things that people can do with it, I truly do see it as a form of art.

Here's some pictures from when I was experimenting a little a month or so ago, I've never done a look quite like this before and I also tried on false lashes for one of the first times! I've never been brave enough to wear them out though as you often see that drunk girl with her lashes hanging off her face or something, I don't wanna be that girl!!

What makes you happy?

Much Love

LJ xo

A-Z Guide to Happiness: J

J

Jim Chapman, yes I know he's another youtuber, I have a slight obsession with the tube of youuu, can you tell? I can guarantee you now I will be mentioning atleast two others throughout the rest of this guide! I'm sorry!! I tried to think of something else beginning with J but it's very hard. Has anyone else got something rather than a person?

Soooooo Jim Chapman is from Norwich, his brother is also a youtuber doing some form of fitness channel, and Jim's Fiancee Tanya is also from the youtube world. Tanya's mum actually taught me English at college! I spoke to her once telling her about my youtube videos for a presentation and she told me her daughter is on youtube and it doing quite well with it, 4 years down the line she's massive in the youtube community and has her own beauty range for sale in Superdrug.

Jim seems like one of the kindest people you can ever meet, from what you can tell from videos, he is incredibly down to earth, a very gentle person and I think he would quite happily be friends with everyone if he could!!

I think that's why I like his videos, they're always pretty positive and he's always so nice and sometimes social media is full of negativity but he always has something fun and nice to say!!

What makes you happy?

Much Love

LJ xo

A-Z Guide to Happiness : I

I

Hellloooo

So, it was actually kind of hard to think of something beginning with I, but I think I'm going to go for Ingrid Nilsen.

For those of you that don't know of Ingrid, she is a youtuber (MissGlamorazzi). Her videos mostly consist of beauty, makeup, fashion, she also has a vlogging channel by the name of The Grid Monster. She is a very beautiful young woman, who seems like a good laugh, very down to earth and positive, someone I definitely would love to meet.

 I used to watch her videos a few years ago, then sort of got into the british crowd of youtubers, but lately I have got back into watching her since her Coming Out video was posted a couple of months ago with over 11 million views..

This video was one of the most inspirational things (probably second to Shane Dawson's coming out video). I think this might be because they have finally found the confidence to just be them, and be happy! I would love to one day be able to be me, I'm not saying I'm coming out or anything but in general, I often put on some sort of persona around certain people to attempt to fit in, and it just isn't me.

If you want to watch the video (if you haven't seen it you may have been living under a rock :P) I have linked it here:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh7WRYXVh9M

What makes you happy?

Much Love

LJ xo

Introduce yourself....again

Hellloooo!! Long time no speak

So, I'm trying to get back into blogging, mainly as a bit of motivation for myself.

My emotions are kind of a rollercoaster to be honest! sometimes I have down days when in reality there's nothing specifically wrong with my life, in fact I am very lucky but that doesn't stop negativity! Where as others I'll be full of laughs and everything will seem ok.

So basically, I want this to be my happy place, somewhere I can put all of my positives for me to look at when I need some inspiration and motivation.

Hopefully in time this blog will be filled with family, friends, happy memories, laughs, photographs, makeup, hair, cooking.... everything that puts a smile on my face!

With any luck, eventually I will help other people to!

Anyway, that's enough for now! Hopefully I stick to it this time!

Much love...

LJ xo

My Youtube Channel and plans for 2014

Hey Guys

So as you can tell from the above title... I have a youtube channel ! yeeeyyy

http://www.youtube.com/user/EllJayeLife

I have already uploaded one video which was a Xmas Party/Going out hair and makeup tutorial! Below is the link. I was going to blog about it also however I have been away for the past 2 or so weeks at my boyfriends for christmas!

It was my first christmas away from home and it was very weird!! The reason we didn't spend it at both of our families is because he is from Newcastle, so his family lives around 5 hours away from mine :( Sad times!

My new years resolution is to blooming blog/vlog more!!! I love doing it but I feel like everything I write is just a bit pants so I get disheartened - if there's anything that you would like me to blog or vlog about PLEASE let me know :) It would be a massive help and mean a lot to know that someone reads this and I'm not a crazy person talking to myself :)

Anyways -  I will be able to blog more as my boyfriend is being posted away for 2 months in February and will also be being posted elsewhere in the world and on courses quite a lot this year (he's in the army) so it's going to be lonely times a little bit - so I shall be here more often yeyyy!!!

Another thing I plan on doing is cooking once a week from the student cook book i got from my parents - I love cooking but I am VERY bad at it (mainly the timings) If you'd like to see it I may even do a weekly blog of the meals I'm making - what do you think ??:)

I best be off!! Feel free to comment or tweet me - I will always reply!:)

Toodles
♥
                                                                Twitter ---> @ell_jaye

Instagram ---> @elljayeblog

Youtube ---> Elljayelife

Barry M .... Again!!

Hey guys!!

Apologies again for the lack of posting!:( I really am rubbish - most evenings after work I've been with my mr as he's now gone away for the next month. Also I'm not really too sure what type of things you would like to read? any requests/suggestions just tweet or post a comment below!!:)

So... those of you that have read my blog before know that I'm kindaaaa obsessed with nail varnish - especially Barry M. I purchased my first magnetic nail varnish from Barry M a fair while ago after seeing it was a lot cheaper than the other magnetic varnishes and I knew Barry M was good so thought i'd give it a shot!!

I had actually forgotten how much I loved this product until a couple of weeks ago when I used it again - which then lead to me buying a new one... and then yesterday another one.. woopsie! lol :) here are some pictures of the outcomes....

These are all £4.99 each. - I love how they come out, I feel that because of the pattern/2nd colour drawn out by the magnet it gives your nails a more manicured look - but obviously is a lot cheaper than going to get them done professionally, they also end with quite a glossy finish too which adds to manicured look. I will admit I was a LITTLE bit disappointed with the black one - which is my newest one - because the pattern that was drawn out did not stand out as much as it did in the other colours - but I do still like it :)

Hope you liked the post guys - remember if you have any suggestions for things you'd like me to post about just post below or drop me a tweet!:) Thanks for reading

Toodles ♥

www.Twitter.com/ell_jaye

www.Instagram.com/elljayeblog

What's in my makeup bag?

Hey hey :) I'm sorry I've been pretty absent:( I had some relationship issues and have started a new job so I dont get home until about 6:30 each evening and then i tend to go see the mr. This is a post I wrote a month ago for a guest post on Scottish Lass' blog :) Before we continue, I don't actually own any high-end products as I'm more of a budget beauty kind of girl :P 

Makeup Brushes

From the gold brush to the front we have:

Real Techniques - Buffing Brush - Which I use for my pressed powder

Blusher Brush (not sure what make as it was a gift)

Real Techniques - Deluxe Crease Brush - perfect for creating a smokey eye!

Real Techniques - Base Shadow Brush

Real Techniques - Brow Brush

Jenna Kidd - I- Glamour Define Eyeliner - however the eyeliner broke off, but the other end is perfect for correcting mistakes with liquid eye liner!!

The Face!

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation - in the colour 100 (Ivory) - I love this foundation as it has very good coverage but doesn't feel heavy on your skin! 

MUA - Cover & Conceal - I recommend going one tone lighter than your skin tone if you're wanting to cover up under eye darkness!:) 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - Transparent - I use this to get rid of any shine as I have quite oily skin.

Eyes

ELF - Eyeshadow Duo - in the shade Butter Pecan

Collection 2000 - Fast Stroke Liquid Eyeliner - Black

Avon - little red dress - perfect for the base coat on your lashes!

MUA - Every Lash

Maybelline - Great Lash

Rimmel - Scandaleyes - Perfect for the final coat to give extra volume! 

Blusher/Bronzer

Bourjois Paris Bronzing powder- smells DELICIOUS! 

MUA Blusher - Cupcake

Eyebrows

I never used to fill in my brows until very recently, when I had it done once for a photoshoot and I realised how much better it actually made my makeup look as it balances the face out a bit. Also when I went out before it sometimes looked like I wasn't really wearing makeup, but with the Brows darkened a bit it finished off the look and enhanced everything. 

The brow colour (top right) was coming out not quite dark enough, so I've been mixing it with that and the 3rd colour down :)

Lippssss

My Latest Lipstick purchases were Nostalgic by E.L.F (in the silver casing)

& the Lasting Colour Sweet Tart (the middle one) the colour of this one is very pigmented so it comes out really well, however it was a little bit too shocking pink for my liking, so I put foundation or the Nostalgic lipstick underneath and it makes it a lighter colour :) 

Miss Sporty - Hollywood in 140 Pasadena

&

Avon Moisture Seduction - (VERY bright pink!) 

Final Addition

The last thing in my makeup bag which is also my latest purchase is the MUA Pro-base fixing mist! You apply this after you have applied your makeup and it is supposed to help keep your makeup in place. I was initially going to get the ELF one after asking my friend how her makeup stays on all day, but it was out of stock so I thought I'd experiment with this for the time being!!! So far, it's not too bad I think it did keep my makeup on a little bit better than usual but will have to see how I get on with it :)

Thanks for reading!:)

Toodles ♥

Follow me on twitter ---> www.twitter.com/ell_jaye

Follow me on instagram ---> www.instagram.com/elljayeblog

Holiday Photos :)

Hey Hey! Ok so I know i've been REALLY slack! :( I'm sorry - I had 2 job interviews last week then on friday we found out that on sunday/monday my boyfriend was being flown to Canada for 2 months! So we were very shocked and gutted about that :( So I spent my weekend glued to his side! and so today he flew off and I started my first day at my new job too! Bit of an emotional rollercoaster tbh!

anyways a couple of people were interested in seeing more holiday pics so I thought I'd upload some for you all :) xx

What would you like to read on my next blog post? Beauty? Love? Life? Advice? let me know!

Toodles ♥

Follow me on twitter --> www.twitter.com/ell_jaye

Follow me on instagram --> www.instagram.com/elljayeblog

Shhh!

Hey Hey!

Sorry I've been very quiet over the past week or so! as you know last week I was away on holiday, then the day I got back my boyfriend also returned after 3-4 weeks of not seeing him so I've been pretty much glued to his side for the past 2 days!

I decided against trying sun-in Spray whilst I was away as it has hydrogen peroxide in it- which i'm pretty sure makes your hair green when mixed with chlorine - but I'm going to try it out now that I'm back!:)

Heres a picture of the view from near our room! was a bit of a hike going up and down the steps everyday but hey ho the rest of it was lovely! It was CRAZY hot though. Like usually its around 35-40 and I can bare it.. but it was 44 degrees C and hotter! my parents spent the whole time in the shade so I spent most of the time sitting by the pool on my own reading - I read 6 and a half books in one week!!!

If you like Romancey type books that aren't full of mush but a fair bit of drama - Lindsey Kelk is an AMAZING author. I think the first one of hers I read was a whilst ago and I think that was the Single Girls To - Do List, then I read the I heart series (I heart New York , I heart Paris etc) and finally I read another one called About A Girl. If you like one of her books you'll like them all as they all have similar plots just with different twists:)

If you'd like to see more pics then comment below! Are you going anywhere this summer???

Toodles ♥

Follow me on twitter ---> www.twitter.com/ell_jaye

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Liebster Award!

Heyloooo :)

So today I was nominated for the 'Liebster Award' by the lovely Boho Rush. As a new blogger, I wasn't too sure what this was, so I looked into it a bit more and found out that it is basically something to boost someone's blog reputation when they have less than 200 followers, which I personally think is a great idea because we all get to boost and help eachother along!:)

The rules for this are:
- Tell your readers 11 random facts about yourself
- Answer 11 questions given by the person who nominated you
- Nominate new blogs (under 200 followers) and give them 11 questions to answer

11 Random Facts About Myself
1) I am a singer/musician
2) I dabble in a bit of songwriting
3) I was a trainee photographer and got to model sometimes
4) I'm a girl gamer...
5) My guilty pleasure ... Justin Bieber :P
6) Favourite all time tv show... probably House !
7) I'm afraid of the dark.. not necessarily the darkness but what lurks in it!
8) The Script is my all time favourite band
9) I actually have videos on youtube - not vlog type ones but singing ones :P
10) I get very anxious and worry a lot
11) I find it very hard to believe in myself

11 Questions Asked by Boho Rush
Q Summer or Winter
A Summer!!!

Q What Is your biggest fear
A A bit of a sad one but losing my parents

Q What are your top 3 pet-peeves?
A 1) People being 2 faced 2) People not sticking with their word 3) People that flirt when one of them is involved in a relationship

Q What is your favourite makeup brand?
A Ahhh difficult, If nail varnish counts as makeup then Barry M :P

Q If you could spend the day with any celebrity who would it be and why?
A Ooooh good question hmm.. I'm stuck between a few :( Justin Bieber - because I've watched him on youtube since before he became huge. Mila Kunis - because she's just amazing or Shenae Grimes because she seems really nice, but I don't know too much about her I just imagine her being fun and bubbly! :)

Q Favourite TV Show
A Probably House, although there are a lot of others that I like :P

Q Favourite Memory From Childhood
A Oh gawwwdd ! I Can't remember a lot lol  - is that bad? Probably playing spies with my friends that are twins and trying to spy on my mum but always getting caught:P

Q Who is your style inspiration
A Oh dear, I don't really have a style inspirations I just dress depending on how I'm feeling and who I'm with, but I do really like the way that Gillian Zinser (Ivy Sullivan) dresses when she's on 90210, so possibly her!:) and again I like Shenae Grimes' fashion too - lots of 90210!:P

Q If your house was on fire what's the one thing you would save?
A If it doesn't include people... probably my box filled with letters from when my boyfriend was in Afghanistan and little memories we've made since then  ** cue the awwwwwhhhsss**

Q Pizza or Chocolate
A Ahhh this is hard!!! I like chocolate when I feel sad.. but I tend to like pizza whenever, so think I'm going to have to go for pizza! o.o

Q Favourite Scent
A Of a girls perfume, I really like Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy and.. theres a Hugo Boss one I got YEARS ago but can't remember what its called I just remember it was in a clear glass bottle which was sort of slanted and the perfume was pink :P ^.^ helpful if you want to try it I know ;) Such a good beauty blogger!

My Nominees are:

Subtle Coral - http://subtlecoral.blogspot.co.uk/

Beauties Unlocked - http://beautiesunlocked.blogspot.co.uk/

The Entity Of Beauty - http://theentityofbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

Beauty And The Button - http://beautyandthebutton.blogspot.co.uk/

The Questions For My Nominees :
1) Who is your Celebrity Crush?
2) What's the thing you look for in a guy/girl
3) What are your top 3 favourite things to do
4) Do your friends know that you blog?
5) What is your dream job?
6) What's your favourite food?
7) Where would you most like to live?
8) What are 3 things you want to do before you die?
9) What's your favourite makeup brand?
10) Do you own any high-end makeup or clothing?
11) Who is your all time favourite blogger(s)?



So that's my post !! Hope you liked learning a little bit more about me! To the people I have nominated please let me know when you have done this as I'm very interested in getting to know more bloggers!:)

Toodles ♥

Follow me on twitter ---> www.twitter.com/ell_jaye

Follow me on Instagram ---> www.instagram.com/elljayeblog

Barry M Nail Varnish (Mini Haul)

Hey Hey

So as you've probably seen in a previous post of mine, I am slightly obsessed with nail varnish, especially BarryM. I feel that it lasts reasonably well, has good coverage and the colours are amazing! As a treat and there is a 3 for 2 offer in superdrug at the moment on their nail varnish, I bought 3 new ones. But I thought i'd show you my whole collection aswell as just the new ones :) ♥

First off my new 'summer colours'

 (Left to Right -  Dragon, Neon Pink, Greenberry)

Limited Edition Neon Pink
I saw this and just had to get it!!! The colour is gorgeous and bright I love it. The only negative thing I found with this nail varnish is I did need 3 coats of it and it still isn't as opaque as the majority of Barry M varnish

Greenberry (Gelly) 324
I have posted before about the Barry M mint, and although I love it I do feel it is a bit wishy washy (not a very technical term but hey ho:P ), so when I saw this it really stood out to me! I don't have a picture but I tried it on one nail and it was very bright and came out very well, would only need 2 coats at a maximum, you could possibly get away with just one if you needed to leave the house quickly.

Dragon 324 (Gelly)
A gorgeous bright baby pink colour, again like the greenberry one it would only need 2 coats and is also a very summery girly colour!! EDIT: I have just tried this out on one of my nails and it has also got a very slight shimmery/sparkle in it! :)




And the rest of my collection.....

If you want to see images of their special effect nail varnishes (I have the crack one and magentic) then comment or tweet to me and I'll get that done and up on here ASAP!:) 

Toodles ♥

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