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

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

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

How Much Is My Face Worth?

HeyHey!

I've seen a couple of beauty bloggers do this post and I am intrigued to see how much mine is worth as I have said in previous posts that I'm more like the 'budget beauty blogger' so lets see how this turns out...

p.s a few items of mine were gifts or from magazines and things like that so I'm not sure if they count or not so I will count it, but I'll put (Gift) next to it:)

My everyday makeup,
Starting off with just my face:

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation - £6.99
MUA cover and conceal (concealer) - £1.50
Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder - £3.99
Natural Collection Bronzing Pearls - £1.99

So that's just a total of £14.47

I could not find any prices for the blusher I've been using so I've put the one that I used until it ran out and I thought I'd use this up to save money!

Eyes!!!
Lulla & Belle Cosmetics Smokey Eyes - (Gift) - £5.99 (according to someone on ebay as I can't find it anywhere else)
Avon Little Red Dress Mascara - £2.50 (Gift - considering it's an Avon product i'm shocked by this little bargain!)
MUA Every Lash Mascara - £4.99
Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara (the one in orange packaging) - £6.99 - I got this either for free or cheaper on sale with some 3 for 2 deal or something!:)

Eyes adds up to £20.47 - 2 of these were gifts though and 1 on sale... so still not too shabby!

Lips (obviously I don't wear all 3 of these at once, but it depends on what I'm wearing with which one I choose)
Miss Sporty Hollywood Lipgloss £2.99
MUA Lipstick - £1
Avon Moisture Seduction Lipgloss - £3

anddddd the Lips section totals at £6.99


Right then.. In total, my Everyday Makeup adds up to £41.93
And that looks like (minus the lipgloss/lipstick)....

If I do my going out makeup I only add 2 extra things and they are:
Fast Stroke Liquid Eyeliner Collection 2000 - £2.50
and
the Pretty In Pink 81 Colour Eyeshadow palette that I mentioned in my everyday smokey eye post - £14.99

So adding that on it would make my total for my going out makeup £59.42

and my Going Out Look, looks like...

It's pretty much the same, just with smokey eye makeup too :)

So... I think that's not too bad actually! Yes I definitely would like to have MAC and Bobbi Brown makeup, and other expensive brands, but unfortunately I cannot afford that at the moment! So if you're wanting to keep your makeup on a budget, I'm your gal ;)


Thanks for reading! Any questions feel free to comment, I will always reply :)

Toodles ♥

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

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

Get To Know Me (TAG)

HeyHey

Well I've only been blogging for a month and so far haven't really had the chance to show you ..well me! as I've been overwhelmed with assignment and such (but all that ends next week WOO!) I saw this tag on Subtle Coral's page, and thought I'd give it a go :)

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

If I blow dry it - straight, if I leave it to try itself a sort of wavey/curly :) 

2.  What is your natural hair colour?
Blonde !

3.  Do you dye it yourself or do you go to a salon?

I Have never dyed my hair in my life! Keep being tempted too but can't bring myself to do it

4.  How often do you wash your hair?

Every other day

5.  Do you wear the same hair style everyday or do you change it?
I mostly have my hair down and straight, but I do wear alternative hairstyles a few days a week too :)

6.  Do you do your own mani/pedi or do you go to a salon?

Do it myself :)

7. How often do you change your nail polish?

Hah... well I'm a little bit of an addict.. probably 3 times a week, this week since Monday I've already done them 3 times :$ 

8. Do you polish your toes in the winter, or just in the summer?

All year round, I don't really like my feet so by painting my toes it makes them feel a bit prettier

9. How long does it take you to put on your make up?

everyday look around 10 minutes, going out probably 20-25... I always have to have a battle with my contact lenses before hand when I'm getting ready to go out

10. What do you do first, face or eyes?

Face!

11. Do you "collect" make up or only buy when you need?

Nail varnish I collect.... everything else, only buy when I need, as I'm a student and atm I don't have money to spend on myself, it all just goes on food at the weekend when I stay with my boyfriend.

12.  How often do you wear false eyelashes?
Never, I've worn them once for a like Under 18 fancy dress thing my friend dragged me too... but they didnt stay on well so I've never dared where them again! 

13. Do you wear a full face of make up everyday?
Not really, only when I'm going to college, or out with friends or something, if I'm just sitting at home then I don't :) Even sometimes when I go to college I don't put foundation on, sometimes just concealer, blusher and mascara.

14. Do you wear make up when your staying at home?
Rarely, only if there's a chance of my boyfriend randomly asking me to come over, or if I'm feeling a bit rubbish i put it on to make me feel better! 

15. Will you leave the house without make up?
Hmm... I have done, but only if I'm wearing my glasses as I feel a bit more disguised lol I will leave the house with minimal makeup (just a bit of blusher and mascara) but I rarely ever go out with none on as people always say I look ill... 

16. How many high end products do you have?
None, unless you count Avon as high end? and that was a gift. I would definitely say I'm a budget beauty blogger:P

17. How often do you clean your make up brushes?
Probably not as often as I should! :$

18. Do you decide your OOTD every night or when you are getting dressed?

For usual everyday things - when I'm getting dressed

For an occasion - the night before :)

19. How often do you change your handbag?

Very rarely! as I said, I don't have the money to go spending on other things! 

20. What time do you get up and go to sleep?

On a day off, I wake up at around 8:30 but sometimes lye in bed for a while, I go to sleep somewhere between 12am-2am :)

21. How often and when do you work out?

Every night I do 30 (or more if I can) stomach crunches/situps

22. Left handed or Right handed?
Right handed

23. How tall are you?
5ft4 :$

24. Do you speak a foreign language?
I took my french Gcse when I was 14 (year 9) and got a B, and then did my Spanish and got an A

so yes I speak a little bit of French and Spanish - not as well as I used to though as I've not spoke either for 2-4 years, I'm better at translating it then me making the conversation though if that makes sense?

25. How many pets do you have?
1 - a west highland white terrior (westy) called Poppy!:)

26. How often are you on Blogger?
Pretty much everyday

27. Do you read the comments posted on your blog?

Definitely, and reply, although I'm only new so haven't had many yet! but I will always read them!:) 

28. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?

Sometimes I will note down something I like the look of yes:) 

29. How did you come up with your blog name?
Well with my real name it's difficult to really get a nickname out of it, but with a mix of that and my middle name a few people called me LJ, but I thought that looked a bit boring so it became EllJaye :) 

30. What kind of camera do you use? 
Either my phone camera  (Samsung Galaxy S2) or the Casio EX-ZR10. I also have a Fujifilm HS20EXR but I use that for photography on adventures more than my everyday blog photos:)

31.  How often do you clean your house?
Well I live with my parents still, but I clean my room just.. whenever it needs cleaning really! depends how messy I've been that week:P

32. What is your favourite colour?

Black - although thats not really a colour, pink and mint green :)

33. What is your favourite beauty/fashion magazine?

Elle

34. Do you swear?
I do... one of the side effects of dating a geordie:P 

35. What are you doing for the rest of your day?

I'm going to go watch Despicable Me 2 with my mr, as he's obsessed with the minions! then I'll be going back to his and probably remain there for the weekend, If I don't post that's why - no signal or internet :( 

Anyway! so there's a little bit more about me! You ever want to chat to me just message me or tweet me! I'll always reply!:) 

Speak soon!

Toodles ♥

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

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

Having a few difficulties with this, not sure why it's posting half of the lines highlighted white... sorry! x

30 Day Snap Challenge - Day 20

HeyHey!

So my internet is being stupidly slow and wont even load any images or anything for some reason, so I cannot actually add the snap here right now, but it is on my instagram at elljayeblog . I will add the picture once my internet is deciding to show more than just blogger :P I wanted to show you all a video too but that will have to wait until tomorrow! :(

Speak tomorrow

Toodles ♥

Colourful Eye Makeup!

HeyHey!!

So when I was working at a photographic studio, I was being the model for my friend who was wanting to learn to do makeup professionally, and it ended up in me experimenting on my self everytime we were browsing at photos. I did this look to wear to a fancy dress party where I went as a doll.  (The middle image is the look I tried to create, and the outer 2 images on the left & right are my attempt - the eyeliner is a little messy sorry!) This look was using the Pretty In Pink eyeshadow palette from my previous eyeshadow post.

I wouldn't use this for everyday use as you can see it is very... vibrant! But for a fancy dress party or a themed photoshoot (e.g seaside,mermaid type thing) then it would work well :)

If anyone has any tips on how to not get the little dots of mascara on your eye lids that would be great. Because as you can see, I've had that issue a little bit here and the only way I can think to get around it is to keep my eyes closed until the mascara is dry,which obviously isn't very convenient!

More makeup looks to come! If there are any looks you want me to try & make a tutorial for, tweet them to me or message me the link on here!!

Toodles ♥

Follow me on twitter  https://twitter.com/ell_jaye

Follow me on instagram http://instagram.com/elljayeblog

& if you want to chat feel free to email me at elljayeblog@gmail.com

30 Day Snap Challenge - Day 4 -- Smokey Eye!!

Hey Hey!!

Okay day 4's picture is a makeup one! My attempt at an 'everyday smokey eye' look

I do not use any expensive makeups as I'm a student and am poor so all my makeup is done with highstreet/drugstore brands! The eye shadow is actually from palettes you can buy from Argos called "Pretty In Pink" I have 2 palettes from them one is a flat rectangle one and the other is a large cylinder shape. The colours used for this look are from this palette - http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4381000.htm

Although some people might be like shocked and horrified by the fact I use makeup from argos... I thought it would be awful, but there is actually a massive range of colours for a low price and I personally love it!!

If anyone would like a tutorial on how to get this look please message me or tweet me as I think it would be quite fun to do!!

A full shot of me with this eye makeup is below, as you can see it isn't too over the top for daytime use but adds a bit more to your daily look :)

Follow me on Instagram at http://instagram.com/elljayeblog

and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ell_jaye

Hope you liked this post, write again tomorrow:) 

Toodles ♥