Hello Darling, 

I have done it! That's my degree truly and utterly complete. Three years of my life come and gone and now I'm left with a degree for the rest of my life. In honour of my results being announced today, marking the official completion of my degree, I have decided to dedicate a post to my degree and I am just going to share with you all my experience throughout the past three years and the journey I have undertaken to get here. 

Ever since I was about 11/12 I decided I wanted to be a lawyer, which marked the way for my degree choice in Law. Really at this point, Law wasn't even a choice for me, everything I'd done across my entire secondary school time was dedicated to ensuring I was going to study Law at university. I understood the grades required and I was determined to get them.  I'm not entirely sure when or how the decision to do law was set in my mind, my parents and entire upbringing was massively working class. I grew up predominantly on a council estate, my parents were never married and I didn't know a single person in my family who had gone to university, so I'm not entirely sure what inspired my choices, but whatever did, I am incredibly relieved. To be honest, I never saw myself as working class or disadvantaged until a-levels when I began to study sociology and I realised the statistics were pitted against me. This was also a time I realised, my poorer single-mum entitled me to a larger grant from the government because all my friends could afford to receive some form of financial support from their parents, I also realised being the first generation to attempt university and being a pupil premium, free school meal kid, meant I was also more attractive to universities on a 'diversity basis.' It's easy to see a larger student loan and being able to tick the box on your Ucas form because your parents never attended university as being some sort of inequality in the system, how is it fair that some working class kid who seemingly has always managed to perform decently highly across school gets any form of advantage over any other middle class kids - we all revise the same and we all work as hard as each other. However, one thing I have learnt in my time at university is that formal equality does not equal substantive equality. The truth of the matter is, we do not all work the same, it may seem we do and for years I would never say otherwise but there have been hurdles in my way (and in so many others' ways) that even I couldn't recognise, that mean our societal position results in us doing something more - even if that can't be immediately recognised. 

I began my degree in September 2016 at Newcastle University. University was the complete opposite to the life I'd previously led. I had gone from a town that didn't even have a nightclub, to a city that had more nightclubs and people and restaurants and life than I could ever imagine. I had gone from a sixth form of 80 or so students, to one of the biggest courses at Newcastle, which had about 250 students in one year group. University was the first time I ever came across and was friends with private school educated individuals and the wealthier classes. Obviously I knew private school was a thing and I had many friends who outweighed my wealth significantly, but in secondary school where we all wore the same maroon jumper and all walked the same way home from school, I had never noticed any difference between my friends and myself, this was the first experience I had with a divide. I remember walking along with two of my private school friends in first year and they were discussing how angry they felt when other people said they 'paid for their grades.' A phrase I had never heard before - I just brushed it off and didn't really understand what they were talking about.

In the first couple of weeks of university, my personal tutor took a lecture to us freshers. She asked us to raise our hand if we only wanted a 2:1 and didn't think we were capable of reaching a first - I put my hand up along with the rest of the room. She proceeded to tell us that we were wrong and any of us sat in the room could have a first by the end if we work hard to get it and she was once in our position thinking a 2:1 was her limit, but she got a first, so why can't we? I remember rolling my eyes and joking to the person next to me that it was never going to happen. It was easy for her to say, she probably had some amazing education and she was clearly way cleverer than I was at this stage and I'm not the kind of person that gets a first, before a couple weeks ago I didn't even know what a first was!

Academically, first year law was a tragic blur. I understood nothing. Seminars were confusing and I couldn't ever figure out how to even find the reading, never mind actually understand it. I was used to being embarrassed in seminars by the seminarist who asked my questions that I never understood and always answered wrong. Getting a 2:1 at this point seemed as likely as winning the lottery. I failed one module on our January mocks and didn't score much higher than 50 on the other three mocks. I was doomed, I chose the wrong degree. What was I even doing here, half the room learnt latin at school and I didn't even know that was still a thing, never mind trying to remember what stare decisis was meant to mean (of which I am still confused.) I was out of my depth and I was ready to give up. I looked at switching courses after first year and thought about starting again with sociology. I told myself when we got our first year final exam results, if I got a 2:1 I would keep going and if I got less I would swap courses and try again. By some miracle (or rather incredibly hard work) I managed to achieve 62/63%. A 2:1!! That was it! I could do it. I had proven to myself that I clearly wasn't as lost as I thought I was and I was worthy to stay on the course. I had done better than a lot of my inner circle on the course and for that reason it would be silly for me to swap. So, into second year I headed. 

I got way more comfortable with the course in second year. I could now just about navigate Westlaw and Library Search. I could figure out how to reference my essays decently and I could give a good go at a case summary. I was still a bit lost from time to time, but my courseworks were all ok marks and a 2:1 seemed to be achievable. Second year introduced me to a first class mark - my first ever glimmer of brilliance. Equity was the hardest subject I had ever studied. What was even going on?  What is the auxiliary jurisdiction and where do I find it? What is a fiduciary? How do I know what a trust even is? This was not what I thought I had signed up for. But, I was not going to be beaten by equity. I worked so hard, drowned myself in the textbook, tried hard in seminars to understand what we were meant to do, went to the odd extra class and started my coursework weeks before my circles in law because I was so desperate to figure out the answer to the question. And I got a 75 in my coursework. A first?! And suddenly some sort of fire lit up inside. I am clearly not incompetent anymore and I can figure this whole law thing out. I revised harder than I have ever revised before. I was in the library from 8am till 11pm (and I only left then because the library I worked in shut.) And then another miracle. I got a first in my equity exam and my criminal law exam and ended up averaging 67%! A really good 2:1!! Woohoo!! I was overjoyed. I was so happy that my hard work paid off a 2:1 is definitely achievable now! 

And then came third year. My new legal confidence, I can do this I can understand this course was quickly shot down by my poorest mark since first year. My employment law coursework hit me where it hurt and reminded me I couldn't slack off, a good mark wasn't automatically in the bag, I still had plenty work to do. My worst mark was quickly met by a decent January exam score and the best coursework scores I had ever got - 75 and 80. 80?! What has happened here - I had gone from not even knowing there was a criminal and civil law system, to being able to produce an incredibly high quality essay. My faith in myself was restored, I can do this and surprisingly, I'm not half bad at it. But final exams were coming and I had a dissertation to complete and I could not stop yet. The last couple months of university were a complete blur - dissertation, revision, exam, exam, revision, exam. Days merged together and the library was more of a home than my home. But I had done it - three years and it was complete. 

Third year exams also marked the hardest period of my life to date. I received various calls a week before my exams began. My mum, who had been incredibly depressed for years, was being taken to hospital for who knows how long because she was too unwell to care for herself. My two younger siblings, one of which has serious autism were being moved out of my home to live with their dad I had conversations with a social worker, the emergency services, my mum, my nan, my step-dad, my own dad, my grandad, my mum's friend, my older sister - everything was focusing on my mum's downfall. She had been ill for years. Every university holiday I would return to someone who wouldn't get out of bed, who wouldn't cook and who didn't care. I had watched her have an emotionally abusive relationship and I had watched that come to an end. I had watched my younger siblings struggle at school, I had been watching them fall behind their academic age, I had tried to teach my sister how to do her maths homework but I didn't know how to help her when she was already so behind. I had watched the slow disintegration of my home and I was powerless to stop it. But this time, I started to crack more than before. Focusing became harder than it ever was. I ended up going to my GP who prescribed me an anti-depressant (which I never actually took because I was too afraid of the side-effects). I was feeling a huge amount of emotional toll because I was feeling helpless and responsible and angry and sad. But exams don't stop for anyone and they especially don't stop for a mother who is too depressed to care for her children - so I tinkered on, I kept revising everyday and I blocked out everything at home.

One thing I have realised in my three years is everyone has home shit. Someone is always ill or someone has gone or someone is having an argument with someone else. Someone is feeling low and someone else is feeling lost. Most time we don't even know that someone is struggling because they struggle alone and get on with life. I grew up with a mum who was in an unhappy marriage an abusive second relationship, serious depression and personality illnesses; a brother who had serious autism and needed high levels of attention and care; a sister that was helpless who I wanted to save from her statistical fate and still want to save everyday; a step-dad who grew up in foster care and had serious family and attachment issues; a household with very little money; a dad who was too immature to be a full time parent when I was a child and ended up in prison then, during my later years, has a family of his own - need I go on. My point is... we all have shit. My shit is no bigger than yours but we all have it and just because someone doesn't seem like their life might be falling apart, doesn't mean it isn't.

I hope I've not gone too far off track, but stay with me I am going somewhere. Do not let your shit define you. There will always be people who have more money, more resources, more time, better families, easier lives, less worries etc. Do not let that stop you. Work your arse off. Don't allow anything to be your excuse. You are in charge of your own life, as cliche as that may sound. I could have easily followed a path that was statistically set out for me or ran when things seemed more difficult because I couldn't afford to buy brand new textbooks. Life is hard and life will test you, but don't let hurdles get in your way. Life is unfair, some people don't have as many hurdles as others, but don't let that stop you running the race with all you've got - I'm getting incredibly cliche now. Some people are lucky enough to receive an incredibly high standard of education and many of us don't. Others are lucky enough to go home to supportive or loving households, parent/s, extended family, foster parents, grandparents etc and others don't.

What I'm ultimately trying to say is, I shook my head in first year and refused to believe that I could be sat with a first class law degree - but here I am. 

No one helped me get here, no one revised for me, no one typed my notes up for me or made revision cards or wrote faster the I've ever written before in my final examinations - that was all on me. And for that, I am incredibly proud of myself. And I hope that gives you hope that it doesn't matter what obstacles you face in life, you owe it to yourself to try your best at everything you do and everything you want to do. We all have shit, but don't let that be an excuse for why you can't do something. 

I would also quickly like to say, if you have just finished a degree and you're graduating with a 2:1 or a 2:2 or a 3rd, do not feel ashamed in anyway, if you tried your hardest. If you have ran with your hurdles and that was the best you could achieve, what more can be expected of you. You should be incredibly proud of yourself for securing and completing a degree and no one can take that away from you. 

I would also quickly like to add, despite stating this has all been on me. I have had the most incredibly supportive boyfriend over my entire degree who deserves such a shoutout for his companionship. He stood by me, read my essays, discussed topics with me, ran over revision cards, cuddled me when I messed up and always cheered me on. He truly has supported me every step of my journey and for that I am so thankful - Thank you Ryan.

I'm not sure what my next steps are, but for right now I'm just proud of what I've accomplished and I'm ready for what life has to throw at me.

If anyone has any questions or wants to discuss their experience or ask advice about university life and hurdles, feel free to leave it in the comments below!

Have a pretty day

Kayleigh xo 

Hello Darling, 

With dissertation, exams, family problems and financial worries all pilling up, I have been so incredibly stressed recently. When I'm stressed I tend to turn to youtube for a release, watching funny videos and podcasts and other relaxing content is my therapy for stressful times. So, recently, I have been indulging in painting content and just probably like everyone else, watching other people create amazing art makes me want to and think I also have the ability to create amazing art.


One genre of art that particular interested me was 'Acrylic Pour.' I saw lots of acrylic pours in time lapses, particular on twitter, but then some of my favourite youtubers (Jenna Marbles and Threadbanger) both created their own acrylic pour videos and since that point, I have been desperate to try it for myself.

So, to complete this craft I bought a selection of acrylic pains from the works, they weren't too expensive, but I was sure to buy a bigger white as I had previously read online that you use a lot of white paint, which I learnt to be true. I then bought some paint boards from the works, I would have bought canvas, but in all honesty, the paint boards were cheaper in bulk and I thought they'd work just the same. I then bought a huge bottle of PVA to use as a mixing medium and lots and lots of plastic cups. On my second attempt, I also found some paint thinner in the shed to try as a medium, but this may have caused a few issues, which I will get into a little later.

Quite simply, I filled all the cups with my different coloured paint, added random ratios of PVA and also added a little water, which I'm not sure if is correct, but I did and then proceeded to get pouring.
I quickly realised, for my canvas sizes I did not need to fill the whole cup with paint, probably less than half way. I then held the cup to the canvas, flipped it and woohoo a beautiful paint creation was there. After holding the canvas in every possible position to allow the paint to cover the whole board, I had created some super fancy art! Not only was it super relaxing but I was over the moon with the results I had created. I'm not entirely sure what I'm planning to do with these painting, but it was so relaxing and the stress reliever I needed making them.




Returning to the point of mixing mediums, this paint requires special liquids to act as thinners and allow the paint to react, I believe. These thinners can be quite expensive, so for someone such as myself who was just trying this out, I didn't want to invest in the proper stuff that acrylic artists use, although I'm sure this would wield better results. I did have a look in my local discount shops to see if they had anything similar I could use, but I didn't find anything. So from advice on the internet, I opted for PVA as my initial medium. The second time I completed this art, my mum managed to find some paint thinner in the shed, but due to the warning labels on the bottle I was a little weary of using this, as I did not want it to irritate my skin or ruin everything around me, so I added a tiny amount to each colour. for some reason however, the addition of the thinner made the paints strangely gelatinous, like slime, rather than runny paint. However, I did figure out that adding a bit more water removed this effect and made the paint runny again, although it did stay in this resistant state that would not stick to the plastic cups. It is very tricky to explain, but luckily in the end, when using the paint on the canvas, everything worked perfectly. I'm only raising this, as you may have potential issues with mixing mediums, I'd recommend doing a bit of research first to which you think would be the best, but ultimately, just give it a try and see what happens, you can attempt to make the mediums work for you!



If you want more information on acrylic pouring I used: https://acrylicpouring.com/basic-supplies-get-started-acrylic-pouring/ as my guide for my creations, however a simple youtube search will bring you more than enough example and tutorials of what to create.

I have included my art and what we decided to name each painting.

I hope you enjoyed reading and let me know if you give acrylic pour a go, feel free to send me or tag me in some of your art and if you're already a pro, leave your tips for me below.

Make every second beautiful and have a pretty day,

Kayleigh xo

Hello Darling 

It has been an incredibly long time since I last posted and that makes me incredibly sad. But, unfortunately life gets in the way and the degree I am undertaking is incredibly demanding and difficult and I need to focus all my spare attention on coursework and exam prep and when I'm not doing that I really just need to relax and turn my brain off. 

As much as I love the blog, it can be incredibly stressful trying to get good photos or coming up with post ideas, so it just isn't that switch off outlet that I need between my university work. 

This isn't to say that I wont come back to the blog after third year, or if I need to vent my feelings from time to time I wont post, but for the moment the blog is on pause. 

You can still contact me via email or social media if you'd like to. 

I hope any readers understand, but university is an incredibly important life step and I really need to dedicate all my time into that right now.

Thank you and see you all soon, 

Have a pretty day, 

Kayleigh xo 

Hello Darling, 

Today's post is a little more real and raw and it's partly being written so I can speak my thoughts out loud, even if no one is actually listening. 

Mental health over the last few years has certainty become more of an open topic of discussion, particularly with the younger generations. This is brilliant for anyone suffering mental health issues, it's easier for individuals to talk about their problems, which could get them the help they need, or save their life. Today I'm not actually going to discuss mental health and why the stigma needs to be reduced, I'm going to talk more about my experience with mental health which mainly regards my mum. 

I almost feel like the collateral damage when it comes to her illness. While I'm not suffering myself, I still suffer the effects and aftermath of her illness. My mum was diagnosed with depression in her teens/early adulthood, I think. As a child, I don't remember much of her depression impacting me particularly, other than when my brother was born and she suffered a lot with really bad postnatal depression. I think part of the reason I don't remember her being depressed is because we lived around a lot of family, so I was often with a Nanna or Grandad, but also her depression has certainly worsened over the years and there is no doubt that my younger brother and sister will certainly remember her depression when they are my age. The fact I can't remember her the way she is now, makes it particularly painful now as I can remember what she used to be like. My mum is honestly the funniest woman I have ever met and she's so pretty even though she doesn't think so, she's cool and listens to good music and nearly everyone who meets her thinks she's ace. But the problem is, over the years her unique and charismatic personality has gradually melted away. She doesn't like to leave the house or speak to her friends, she's asleep more than she's awake, she has no confidence anymore and struggles to meet new people and watching her amazing personality gradually fade away is so difficult to watch, especially when I can't relate to her and understand why. 

I am constantly in a state between anger and sadness with her, which means I go through periods of resenting her but then afterwards feeling guilty and upset with myself because I understand that she has an illness. As the eldest child, especially when I'm home from University, when she's on her 'down days' a lot of her burdens fall on me. I look after my little brother and sister and make sure they're ok, as well as dealing with the constant phone calls and texts from my Nanna asking how she is, which she sits locked in a dark room sleeping for 20 hours of the day.  As a result, I get angry. How can you help someone who refuses to help themselves? How can she not understand that she has responsibilities above her own feelings? How can someone have so much self-pity when everyone around them is struggling and worried? Then I feel guilty. Is this even her fault? Does she choose to be this way? What can I do to help? Then days later, when she's up and cleaning up the aftermath of her darker days, I'm expected to act normally - this is the norm. 

I'm constantly worried about what she could do to herself, but also stressed about how her illness is impacting everyone else and it means I'm stuck in a never ending dilemma of how to feel about it. 

When she's on ok days, my Mum is literally my best friend. But when she's going down, I can't understand why she doesn't fight back. We're all here to support her, but it feels like we're not enough. What's stopping her fighting? What voice is telling her to go to sleep and ignore her life and to lock herself away and unplug her phone and why can't she say no to it? 

What's more, it's so difficult to find council in someone else. It almost feels embarrassing to discuss with some people how much your family are struggling and I certainly don't want sympathy off someone. When you do finally pluck the courage up and talk to someone about the situation, they can't offer any solution that hasn't already been exhausted. Do you think I haven't tried to talk to her? Do you think we haven't forced her to counselling or therapy? But there's only so far we can physically go, she has to help herself and until that point, I'm constantly trapped in this same space of resentment and guilt. 

I don't know what causes depression, or what has made it worsen. I don't know why my Mum hates herself so much and I don't know why we're not good enough to fight it, but I do know that I don't wish it upon anyone and if I could have my old mum back, I'd swap it without hesitation. It's so difficult to watch someone in pain with themselves and know that you can't do anything to help and make them feel at ease. As depression grows, so does the worry that the original mum and best friend that I remember, is just going to vanish completely. 

Hopefully this is helpful to someone out there and if anyone wants to discuss this post maybe you have a parent or family member who's suffering with mental illness, feel free to leave a comment below or contact me via email.

Make every second beautiful and have a pretty day,. 

Kay x 

Hello Darling, 

 The beauty community is filled with constant product recommendations, some I've been fortunate enough to try and some I haven't. As time goes on some products are hyped up and quickly forgotten and others stay constant favourites. I've decided to go through a few 'cult' products that I have never tried and why I have never tried them. 

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/553802085411799835/)

Nars Sheer Glow 

I love foundations, they are my ultimate guilty pleasure. However, I have never tried the Nars Sheer Glow! When it was at the peak of its popularity, I was simply too young to spend this much on a foundation and now I'm older, there's just too many other new foundations that have such a good reputation! I also prefer a matte finish rather than glowy and I'm not usually a lover of the word 'sheer so all in all this foundation just doesn't seem like it suits what I would want it to! 

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/385902261804219686/)

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer 

Another Nars product that has received a lot of attention is the creamy concealer, the main reason I didn't buy this product is because I use concealer way too quickly to spend a lot of money on it. For me this tube could be re-bought 15 times a year and I really cannot justify that spending if I love it! I wont try this, simply because it is too dangerous for me if I like it!

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/424675439844875508/)

Becca Shimmering Skin Protector 

This is one of the products on this list that I have come so close to buying and walked out of the shop. I think the main thing that's stopping me is price, but also I don't have a clue which shade to try and I worry the colour would be too intense for my needs. I do think maybe in time, I'll bow down to Becca's temptation and give it a purchase.

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/AVVcyizDqJRqfjTq14P2S0Q8d2BSHn6EaFlfth519Kl8F9Mw2sP1HOs/)

Huda Beauty Rose Gold Palette 

I tested this palette in Paris and I loved the matte shades! Again, I came very close to a purchase. However, I'm not keen on the idea of the textured shadows and how to use them. I'm not sure my skill set would work with these shadows if they're trickier to use and I also cannot justify spending the money for one pink shade.
[Future Kayleigh has actually came back and amended this post, I feel like it is only fair to state this has now been bought as a gift for me and I completely love the palette. It's the remastered edition so the glitters are different to the palette above, but on the whole it's probably some of the best eye shadows I have ever used. Don't get me wrong the price tag is incredibly steep, but as a gift I am absolutely in love with the palette.] 

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/500321839838467294/)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade 

Only recently I have started doing much of anything to my brows and mainly I use a powder, not a pomade. I prefer a lighter more natural, subtle look and in my mind, a pomade creates a much stronger bold brow. Pomade also has the disadvantage of drying out whereas, a powder does not. So, in my mind, powder is the way forward for me personally. 

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/141019032065140716/)

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer 

This concealer is THICCC. I've tested it in store and for me, despite often having blemishes, this is just too much for my skin. If I was into photoshoots or doing stage makeup, I'd probably understand the need for a product this heavy duty, but for my everyday needs, I need to be realistic about what my collection requires.

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/324892560602973590/)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kits
Whether it be the cream kits or the powders, I have never bought on of the Anastasia contour kits. I bought a very similar powder version from Revolution for a much more affordable price. But on the whole, contour kits aren't really needed by me, I am much better with a single shades to contour and bronze, since there are always shades left in the palette that I simply will never use! I also feel like contouring has move on quite a lot, at one time it was a huge thing in the beauty world, now other trends have pushed their way to the front and the obsession with contouring has semi-taken a back seat. 

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/443182419562472785/)

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palettes
Too Faced have released some very cute, almost too good not to taste, palettes. I have got a the odd palette from Too Faced, but unfortunately, none are any of the chocolate bars. The colours in the palettes didn't scream anything original to me that made me want to run out and buy them and as pretty as they are, they contain a lot of colours that I simply have in other things! I love love love the packaging, but it just didn't justify the purchase for me, so I never bit the bullet and bought any! 

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/135741376246851280/)

Beauty Blender
The complexion sponge from real techniques is a complete staple in my daily makeup routine and now, I could not do my makeup without it. However, as for the original beauty blender, it is something I have never ever tried! The price point at £16 is way too much for me for a sponge, I even find the real techniques one to be a pest to buy and that one is much cheaper. Also, similarly to concealer, I fly through sponges too often and I would be constantly having to repurchase the beauty blender at the higher price point! The beauty blender is something I am hoping to try eventually, but as for right now, I'm happy with my real techniques sponge. 

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/288934132337038226/)

Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
Loose Setting powder isn't really something that gets my heart racing and I also don't really bake. I used to own the Nars Crystal Powder and after a complete Love-Hate relationship I passed it on to someone who could actually get some use from it. This has kind of made me feat for the problems that loose powder cause me and on the whole I tend to opt for a pressed powder, which is probably the reason I have never considered trying this.

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/483855553703070029/)

Mac Fix Plus
The main reason I have not ever tried Mac Fix Plus, is because I do not have a clue what to do with it! It isn't really a setting spray in the sense it will keep your makeup on longer and I don't really understand how it could be a primer and how it could work and I get that you could use it to intensify pigments, but I can also use water for that...So what is the point of this product?! If someone could tell me and let me know, I'd be happy to try it and give it a chance, but as for right now, I'm not ready to invest because I haven't a clue what the hell I would do with this spray! 

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/245375879674393704/)

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick
I have heard a lot from the variations of the Bobbi Brown shimmer bricks and there have been many products released with a similar vibe. The main reason I have never invested is because when I'm makeup shopping, I tend to forget to even consider what Bobbi Brown has to offer. I know that sounds awful and I complete respect the beauty in the brand and the amazing talent, however it is just something that isn't on my radar! And for that reason, I have never even thought about trying this product out. 

(photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/387098530463050602/) 

Lorac Pro Palette
My final product in this post, is the Lorac Pro Palette. A couple years ago, this was a massssive deal, as big as the naked palettes! And I have never tried it! Quite simply, Lorac is too hard for me to get hold of, being in the UK. There have been so many releases from Lorac that I have wanted to try, but I just can't get my paws on them because they're on the other side of the world. I'm practically certain were this product to be easily accessible in the UK, it would already be sat in my collection.

And that's it from me! Let me know if you have tried any of these products and if you think I'm really missing out! Also let me know in the comments if there's any products that are super hyped that you have never tried. Also, please don't leave without giving my blog a follow at the bottom of the page or on bloglovin', I really appreciate it!

Make every second beautiful and have a pretty day,
Kayleigh x

Dear Darling, 

Netflix is the ultimate streaming platform and also the ultimate distraction from anything productive. In fact, I'm watching it right now as I type. I've been wanting to do a few Netflix posts for a while and go through some new films I've tried or things I want to watch. But, that includes a lot of hours spent watching netflix shows, which I'm certainly not complaining about, but I just don't have the time for that today. 

So, instead I've decided to give a quick run-down of my faves on Netflix in case anyone is stumped and needs something new to watch!

Once Upon a Time:
This is MY SHOW. The main reason I pay my Netflix subscription. I love everything about this show. It's easy watching and combines all the traditional fairy tales with more adult themes. There's magic, action, heartbreak, romance, comedy, drama, suspense - I just love it so much. The only thing that annoys me is that hardly any of my friends watch it so I have no one to discuss it with! I will say the acting isn't the most amazing and it certainty isn't a serious show, it's just good easy watching with lots of excitement and happy endings! 

The People v O.J. Simpson:
Unlike the last show, this one is incredibly serious with very good acting. The People v OJ is a recreation of the O.J Simpson trial and it is done amazingly. If you aren't sure what the O.J trial is, or you think you know but you're not sure on details, be sure to head on over and watch this amazing drama. Every episode had me in tears or shouting at the screen. If you're concerned with politics or law or crime, this is really amazing and I have recommended it to literally everyone I know. 

Ru Paul's Drag Race:
Cheesey, over the top, glitter, hilarious, sass - what other words can I use to describe this show?! If you've ever seen project runway, Ru Paul's Drag Race is very similar, only is a competition for drag queens! There's design and performance and runways. This is another show made for easy binge watching. The talent on the show is unreal and it really opened my eyes to a drag culture I knew nothing about. I've watched all the seasons and loved every single one! 

Kevin Hart Stand Up:
I love watching stand up and Netflix have an amazing stand up selection. Amongst my favourites are the Kevin Hart stand ups. There is a few to choose from and I have watched them all and they tend to switch on and off which ones they decide to have on. I love Kevin Hart's comedy and I really enjoy his sense of humour. It's certainly for the adults but I don't find it offensive or rude like I find other comedians. I am also a massive fan of Eddy Murphy and I would really compare the style and jokes of the two. Each one is as good as the next so try watching any and I'm sure he'll have you in fits of giggles. 

Miranda:
Moving to something much more British, Miranda is my complete spirit animal. There is a 'Bridget Jones-Esque' humour to Miranda, so if you enjoy Bridget Jones Diary, I am sure you will love this. I have watched all the episodes so many times. The humour is fun and light and mostly family friendly, with some cheeky references here and there. By far one of my favourite shows and my choice if I need something to cheer me up! 

Outnumbered:
Another show where I have watched every episode over and over is Outnumbered. In fact my boyfriend regularly comes in and says 'I cannot believe you're watching this again.' This show had the potential to be complete cheese with bad acting and rubbish jokes, but it is the complete opposite. The children, especially in the earlier seasons, are hilarious and the parents reactions are also really funny. It highlights the classic problems every British family goes through and has some of the most amazing dialogue. I'm just sad the kids have grown up now and there's no more episodes being made. 

Vampire Diaries:
I haven't watched Vampire Diaries in a while, but for a time I was complete obsessed. Not only is there amazing eye candy, but there is dark drama and love and mystery. From a glance you'd compare it to the Twilight-Saga and by watching the first episode only you'd probably still think that, but after episode one you realise this is far from it. There is much more depth and magic and more creatures. I would say it is much more adulty that twilight and the vampires are more traditional but not quite all the way to True Blood status. The earlier seasons are my favourite compared to later, but I'd really suggest giving it a watch. 

Fresh Meat:
If you're a university student living in England, this is the show you need to watch. I watched it before Uni and didn't find it as funny, but now after 2 years of the uni experience, I watched it again and I enjoyed it so much. It's reliable, has all the characters in that you're probably going to find at university, mixed in with some a little bit more dramatic scenarios that I hope you don't encounter. Jack Whitehall is probably my favourite character in the show and the one I find most at my university. Again, the earliest seasons are the best and if you're a young adult I'd certainly give it a watch!

I do have many many more favourites on Netflix, including some films. But I've decided to leave you with these for now! If you've enjoyed reading my recommendations and decide to watch any, let me know what you think! And if you have any recommendations for me, please leave them in the comments, I'm always looking for new things to watch!

Please don't forget to follow me at the bottom of the page or on bloglovin' and thank you to all my new followers, I really appreciate having you guys!

Make every second beautiful and have a pretty day,
Kayleigh xo 

Hello Darling, 

Recently, I did quite a large order on TAM beauty's website. I didn't realize how good the sales were! I think I got around 15 items for £30, which I thought was amazing. TAM Beauty collectively owns brands such as Freedom and Makeup Revolution as well as some slightly less well known companies too. 

I've accumulated lots of products from contour sticks to eye shadows and I'm very excited to share them all with you and give you my first impressions. If there's any products in particular I mention, that you'd like a full review on or just have more questions about, please let me know and I'd be happy to oblige. 

The first thing I'm going to show you, is the biggest thing I bought. I'd actually seen this item in Superdrug over the Christmas period and contemplated buying it for full price. It's the Makeup Revolution Blush and Light palette. It was meant to be £30 but I managed to pick it up for £10! In this palette you get a full collection of blushers, bronzers, contours and highlights. There's 6 Bronze/Contour products, around 12 highlight products (depending obviously on your skin tone and what your choice of blush/highlight is) and then 15 blush shades - if I have counted correctly. I'm not going to lie, there are a couple duds in the palette, lacking in pigmentation or a bit too powdery, but there are also some amazing shades too! For £10 for this many products I literally cannot complain! The palette is completely massive, in comparison it's way bigger than my morphe palette and the shade range is fantastic. I have been using it quite a bit and I can imagine for a makeup artist, looking for affordable products and wide variety this would be amazing. In reality, I certainly don't need this many cheek products, especially because I already have many others, but they're certainly nice to have! 

There were so many palettes available on the website, I found a few, unfortunately when I went to check out a few had gone out of stock, but there was a massive variety on there! I stuck mainly to the sale section, to see what bargains I could find. This one is the 'Eyes are the dead palette.' I got this palette for around £1 - which is completely amazing. This palette contains a lot of dark shades, so it's probably a little out of my comfort zone as I like to keep my eyes to light and bright colours or shimmers. However, for the price it was certainly worth a shot. I haven't actually had chance to use it yet, but I'm sure when I get round to it I can create some really nice looks with it. 

I also picked up a couple brow items too. Both products are from 'I Heart Makeup' and I chose a little palette and a brow mascara. I actually love the formula of the mascara, but unfortunately I got it in 'fair' and my brows are nearly black, so it's way too light for me, but it really does keep my brows in place so I'm certainly going to pick it up in a darker option and give this one to one of my friends with lighter brows than myself. The palette I also love and it is actually in my colour. It comes with two brown shades, a black/grey shade and a clear wax, along with a little brush and little tweezers. I actually really enjoy the brown powders and they are very pigmented. I used the black more along the lash line than anything else, which I like but I haven't really dabbled in the wax much. I think both of these items were around £1 in the sale, but even full priced they're incredibly affordable. 

I seem to have gone absolutely crazy with cheek products in my online shopping. I bought a large Revolution cream contour stick, a Revolution cream palette, a Revolution duo cream stick and a Freedom powder contour palette. I have been using all the products a fair bit and for someone who doesn't do too much with cream contour, they've really been helping me. I particularly like the contour end of the duo stick and find it really easy to apply. But in reality, I've really enjoyed all four of the product so far and would 100% recommend all 4 of them. 

Continuing on with the whole cheek vibe. I also chose 2 huge bronzers. These are literally my new holy grail products. I think they're both from Freedom and the pan sizes are huge. One of the bronzers has a kind of thirds pattern, with 3 different shades included. And the other is just one set colour with Freedom imprinted on the surface. I completely love using both! The bronzer with the 3 colours I really like as it's a bit paler, so when I don't have any fake tan on or I'm feeling particularly natural, it's the perfect wash of colour that I need. The second is a little darker, but still just as lovely on the skin and easy to blend. I've practically been using both everyday! I also chose a highlighter from Freedom too. I have one currently that I completely love, but sadly I smashed it a little bit and lost some of the product. So when I saw there was some similar on sale I decided to pick one up! I think the one I purchased is in Ambient, but it's much softer than the one I already owned. The colour and powder is lovely, but the shade itself is not as blinding as many other highlighters I own. I did pick this up for £1.50, so if you're looking for a daily highlight for super cheap I'd have a look! 

From the brand Makeup Obsession, I wasn't really sure what to choose. There were a huge variety of colours and shades of eyeshadows, cheek products and brow powders. I've never really tried or seen much from this brand so I wasn't sure what to pick up. In the end I went for a golden shade and a matte brown eyeshadow, I think both were less than £1. With these products, I do believe you can buy a bigger palette and put the squares inside to create your own palette, but I just have these in the individual pans at the moment. 

My final cheek product is a blush from makeup revolution which was a matter of pence, but is incredibly pigmented. I also chose a nude lipstick from 'I heart makeup' and a makeup brush cleanser from makeup revolution. I also bought from superdrug a couple days before this order the new concealer from revolution, which is tried and tested and currently there is a post up on my blog if anyone is looking for more details on that product. Feel free to read that --> here <-- 

I was really excited to use this new cleanser in my Stylpro and so far it has worked really well! If you're interested in my intial review of the Stylpro feel free to give that a read --> here <-- 

And that's it from me for now! Have you ordered from TAM beauty? Let me know in the comments what you bought! 

Please also follow me via bloglovin' or at the bottom of the page. I apologise, whilst I'm back in the thrust of university my blog posts may be less structured and regular, with the immense pressures of my degree, but I am trying my best and I really appreciate all your support. 

Make every second beautiful and have a pretty day, 

Kayleigh xo