Back To School Life Hacks

Hi everyone,

I'm following on with this 'Back To School' theme by sharing some of my favourite hacks for going back to school! 

Firslty, if you haven't seen my essentials for school click here. It's a life hack in itself! Or not...

DON'T USE GOOGLE

Use scholar.google.co.uk instead to get more accurate results.

HAVE A SCHEDULE

Especially in exam season, having an exam schedule is vital. To always know when and what your supposed to be studying will make your life less stressful through this time.

COLOUR CODE

Colour code folders with subjects and take notes in the same colours. Your brain will connect the notes with the colours and will make it easier for you to study,

TO DO LISTS

Know your targets and goals for the upcoming day and week. You can use a notepad or a something on your wall and decorate it until your heart's content. Make sure you can always see what you need to do so it will inspire you to do it.

FREQUENT BREAKS

Have a 5 minute break every 20 minutes to help your brain retain more information!

PLAN LUNCHES

Plan what you're going to make for lunch the night before. It will make it so much quicker in the morning. You could also make the lunch the night before or if your having sandwiches you can make a lot and then freeze them! (Don't freeze sandwiches containing salad though, only things like ham or cheese.)

PREPARE BREAKFAST THE DAY BEFORE 

There are so many breakfast recipe which allow you to make them the night before. They'll save loads of time in the morning or you could just have cereal.

MUSIC PLAYLISTS 

Make a playlist which is exactly how long you have to get ready. Music will make you get ready faster but also help you stay on time so you'll never be late again.

I hope you found these tips useful and they'll help you when you go back to school!

xmollymaex 

Back To School Essentials

Nobody wants to talk about going back to school before summer is over BUT it's always good to be prepared so I'm going to try and help you be as prepared as possible!

NEW STATIONARY 

Everyone needs new stationary when you go back to school because NO ONE wants to be the person who is asking for pens on the first day. Also, getting new equipment prepares you for the school year and may even make you feel more inspired to do work.... Or maybe it won't but it's worth a try.

HAND SANITISER 

School is full of germs. It's so easy to brush past some chewing gum under the table so I recommend getting some hand sanitiser just in case. 

MINTS/CHEWING GUM

After eating lunch it's always nice to have fresh breath. I usually take sugar free mints. If your school allows it and if you don't have braces, you can take gum - just don't chew it in class!

MEDICATION

I always take paracetamols in my school bag just in case I have a headache or some can of pain. You can take which ever medication you need but use it in moderation and only if you need it.

DEODORANT/BODY SPRAY

I always use deodorant before and after PE, it's an essential and keeps me feeling fresh. I also use body spray all the time around school to make myself or the area smell better.

I hope you found these tips helpful!

xmollymaex

Current Makeup Routine feat. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

Hello everyone,

My make up has changed so much recently so I thought I would update my makeup routine and include my new purchase of the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette!

-BASE-

BENEFIT: BOI-ING CONCEALER - 02

As you may know, I have been on holiday and gained a tan so I use shade 02 of this concealer under my eyes and on any problem areas. I only use a small amount as it is quite thick.

NYX: HIGHLIGHT AND CONTOUR PRO PALETTE - SOFT LIGHT & CREAM

I still mix both of these powders together to set under my eyes. I find them to work the best with my skin type.

BENEFIT: DEW THE HOOLA 

This liquid bronzer is perfect for a natural glow - I put it under my cheekbones to give a subtle contour effect. I got this mini size in ELLE magazine (September issue) so if you are unsure about purchasing it, buy the magazine and test it!

THE BALM: MARY-LOU MANIZER 

This is my perfect highlighter to give the best glow which will be seen from Space!

-EYEBROWS-

BENEFIT: GOOF PROOF BROW PENCIL - 02

This is a great brow pencil which I have been using daily since getting it in ELLE magazine (July issue).

BENEFIT: READY, SET, BROW!

This makes your brows as hard as ROCK! It's so good despite the smell reminding me of the dentist...

-EYES-

NYX: WATERPROOF PRIMER 

This helps keep my eyeshadow in place all day. I will set this with my powder because it makes an easier base to work on. 

TOO FACED: CHOCOLATE BAR PALETTE

FIrstly, this palette is gorgeous! I use the shade MILK CHOCLATE in my crease and also on my lower lash line. I then take CREME BRÛLÉE on the outer third of my eyelid and MARZIPAN on my inner third. I use CHAMPAGNE TRUFFLE in the inner corner and WHITE CHOCOLATE on the brow bone. 

I do change my eye look often because this palette is so diverse but this is the one I go for the most.

L'OREAL: PERFECT SLIM SUPERLINER

This is my favourite eyeliner of all time! It's so easy to use. Some days I will  do a wing, others I will draw a thin line, close to the lash line - it just depends.

MAYBELLINE: BIG EYES MASCARA

This mascara is double ended. It has a wand which has a thick brush for upper lashes and small, thin brush for lower lashes. I change my mascara regularly but I find the best trick to get long, thick lashes (which works with any) is to brush your lashes down first and then brush them up. Don't overthink it - just do it!

-LIPS-

MAC: LIPLINER - SOAR

I use this all over my lips then put a lip balm over it. This is my favourite way to wear it but I do change my lip daily go to my Favourite Summer Lip Products post, to find out what I wear!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my new makeup routine. I change it often so I will keep you updated!

xmollymaex 

BARCELONA HAUL: Sephora, Ale Hop & More

Hi,

I recently went ton holiday to Barcelona and bought a couple of things so I'm going to show you them today. 

-SEPHORA-

This was my first time in Sephora and I was so excited. I loved it, here's what I got:

KAT VON D: EVERLASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK - LOVESICK

€20

BEAUTY BLENDER: MICRO MINIS 

€13.90

SEPHORA: CREAMY BODY WASHES - (L-R) COCONUT & MANGO

€0.80 each

TONYMOLY: RICE MASK SHEET CLEAR SKIN

€1.50

SEPHORA FACE MASK: AVOCADO

€3.95

-PASSION BEAUTE-

I saw a few drugstore brands when I was passing so I went in and picked up some things.

WET N WILD: WALKING ON EGGSHELLS TRIO

€4.99

ESSENCE: ALL ABOUT THAT BRONZE EYESHADOW - 01 BRONZE

€4.99

ESSENCE: MINI LIPGLOSS TRIO - 07 ME + YOU = BFF

€3.79

-ALE HOP-

I also went into Ale Hop and picked up some mugs.

ALE HOP: MUG - COFFEE MUFFIN WIFI

€3.00

ALE HOP: MUG - ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE 

€3.00

I hope you enjoyed seeing everything I bought when I was in Barcelona!

xmollymaex

How I Clean My Makeup Brushes/Sponges

Hi guys,

I recently uploaded my Top Ten Makeup Brushes so today I've decided to share how I clean them. I will also show you how I clean my makeup sponges (eg. my Beauty Blender). I wanted to show you what products I use  and how I do it. I hope this helps!

Before telling you how I clean my brushes, I just want to point out that you should clean your brushes every week or two. I clean them on Sunday's because I like having clean brushes for the start of my week. You should clean makeup sponges, ideally, every time you use them or every other time.

-BRUSHES-

To clean my makeup brushes, I use the No7 Makeup Brush Cleanser and I use a textured tea towel as well. I pump onto the towel then use a circular motion with the brush. The makeup will start coming off onto the towel. It won't stain the towel but you do need to wash it after cleaning the brushes. 

I sometimes have to use a few pumps on different areas of the towel to fully clean the brush. This is usually with brushes I use for liquid products, like my foundation brush. 

After I have cleaned the brush, I lay it sideways for it to dry. It is important to lay it on its side otherwise the cleanser could reach the glue in the brush and the hairs may fall out. 

Also, you should leave the brushes to fully dry before using them unless you are using a spot dry cleaner (which only cleans surface makeup and is not a 'deep cleanse' as suggested.

There are tons of different cleansers for your brushes, I like the No7 one because it is hypo-allergenic. 

-MAKEUP SPONGES-

Beauty Blender have a range of products to clean and care for the sponges. I haven't tried any of these but I have used Fairy Liquid. This works perfectly and gets all the stains out so it is as good as new. 

I turn the tap on, saturate the sponge then put a little Fairy Liquid on the sponge, massage it into the stains then rinse. I do this a few times on every area. 

I keep rinsing, making sure all of the soap is out and leave to dry on top of the canister which comes with the sponge. 

The first time I ever cleaned this, the link dye came out and the stains were a little tough to remove but now it is easy to clean the sponge.

I hope this helped,

xmollymaex