Haircare Haul

One of the positives of working a lot is having more pennies to spend and I decided it was about time I gave my hair some lovin'. As I've recently gone for the chop - I shall direct you to my Twitter for this - I thought it was the perfect time to throw myself into a decent haircare routine to try to prevent the awful state my hair was in previously.

John Frieda Frizz Ease Heat Defeat 

I'll hold my hands up here - I never use a heat defence spray. Big no no, I know, but I've just never really taken it into consideration and it's not like I blow dry my hair everyday. But then my hairdresser informed me that because of the curliness of my hair, any heat will dry it out. John Frieda's cheap and cheerful anyway so even if it does end up collecting dust of my dresser at least I won't be much poorer because of it. 

Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray

This has been frequently described as a dupe for the Oribe Texturising Spray but the main reason I picked this up was because of the 3 for 2 deal on all haircare - I told you I was a sucker for those. And how could I resist a well known dupe?!

L'Oreal Paris Elvive Fibrology Thickening Masque

One of the banes of my life is my thin hair, I am constantly trying to give my hair the oomph it longs for (hence the above purchase). I haven't heard much about this hair mask at all but I thought I would give it a go. And even if it's not brilliant at thickening my hair, it smells amazing.

What haircare products do you love?

- Millie xx

Under The Sea

Ok, maybe not literally the sea. But I can sill dream to be Ariel, can't I? Last Saturday I had a rare day off so me and the boyfriend went on a 'date' to Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay. I've wanted to go there since I've lived in Cornwall and I never had the chance so I finally persuaded someone to come with me! 

Blue Reef is a fairly small aquarium so it was a massive difference to The Sealife Centre in Brighton which is the only other aquarium I've been too. But Blue Reef has such a dedicated staff and you can tell that they really care about the animals there and are more than willing to answer questions. Also, throughout the aquarium, there were very informative posters about all the different species the aquarium had to offer.

The Giant Pacific Octopus was probably my favourite part of the aquarium. We were lucky enough to be in time for the daily feeding and the boyfriend was like a child he was so excited. The lady that fed the octopus was so helpful and gave an amazing talk about this particular octopus - she's 18 months old and likes to play. See, I do listen - and about octopus' in general. Considering that the holiday season is over, this brought in quite a crowd and just shows that the locals are supportive of this aquarium, which is a big deal in Cornwall. 

Towards the end of the tour of the aquarium, they had a massive tank with a walkway through the middle of it. This bit is always my favourite part of aquariums because I feel like you can really see all the variety of fish in the tank rather than just looking at the from one perspective. Within this tank was a Loggerhead Turtle who was rescued from Greece unfortunately blind. It was so sad to see him blindly swim around this massive tank but I know that this is probably the safest place for him as due to his blindness he cannot be released.

I enjoyed the day so much, I'd definitely go back. And I'd reccommend Blue Reef to anyone in the Newquay area, it's only £10 which I think is a good price for all the different species you can see. Now I'm working on persuading the boyfriend to go to Newquay Zoo...

- Millie xx

Beauty Haul

I've been a bit uninspired with makeup recently as I've begun to work full time (in not a very glamorous job may I add) I only really experiment with makeup on the weekends - if I can be bothered to put it on at all. Even when I've been out in the evening recently I've only really stuck to a simple look and throwing on a bold lip, hence the majority of the products I've been buying recently are lip products.

Real Techniques Powder Brush

If you saw my 'Real Techniques' post you'll know that I have recently ventured into the world of the Real Techniques brushes. This particular one has already taken a firm place in my makeup bag after replacing and old kabuki brush I've had for aaaages. This brush is just so fluffy and big that just one sweep across my face leaves it perfectly powdered. 

Clinique Chubby Stick in 12 Oversized Orange

This was an impulse buy as there was a offer on Clinique products in Debenhams. A rushed five minutes later and thinking that my collection was a- missing a chubby stick and b- missing a orange lip product and I was left with this product in my bag. I've yet to use it but after a quick swatch I found that it's much sheerer than I was expecting but a really gorgeous orangey shade. I'll obviously keep you updated and there may even be a review in it.

Bourjois Color Boost in Peach on the Beach

Tayna Burr recently featured this in a vlog and I've been lusting after it ever since. It's a pretty pink colour and is fairly similar to the Rimmel Lipstick I've also bought but just a bit more glossy and suits me so much more. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet  in Ole Flamingo & Frambourjoise

It's no secret that I love these lip products. I've raved on and on about them and I've finally extended my collection - best decision ever. I recently wore Ole Flamingo on a night out and my friend actually text me the next day to ask what exact lip product I was wearing because she was amazed at the lasting power. Ole Flamingo is the gorgeous bright pink shade at the top and Frambourjoise is a muted down version that is much more wearable in the daytime.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss in 16

I'm not 100% sure why I bought this product if I'm honest with you - there must have been a 2 for 1 deal on in Boots? This is such a pretty baby pink colour and the Kate Moss lipsticks are amazing, but it just isn't really my colour. The matte finish just doesn't really suit my skintone and washes my out completely. Maybe I'll try and pair it with a lipgloss to give it a bit more oomph but I'll probably pass this one onto my sister.

What have you been buying recently?

- Millie xx

REVIEW // Makeup Revolution London Run Boy Run Palette

This palette was £6.00 people. I've seen and heard a lot of buzz around Makeup Revolution recently and decided to check it out when I was in a better stocked Superdrug. I was instantly drawn to the Run Boy Run palette because of the gorgeous neutral autumnal shades. I love the rose gold lettering on the shiny black plastic although it does get grubby quickly. The actual palette feels much sturdier than it looks and has survived being in my handbag - if that's any indication!

I have to say that my first impression was very good. You get 12 shimmer shades and 6 matte shades in lovely autumnal colours. They are all so wearable, you can either go with a very neutral look (Hide Behind Me has been a frequent choice to wear on it's own) or you can smoke it up with the darker shades. Break Out From Society is my favourite and I know I'll be wearing that throughout the colder months. All the shades work so well together and you can create so many different looks that this has honestly been the only palette I've been reaching for recently. I also love the names of all the shades, I think they're so clever and well thought out. You also get one of those double ended sponge brushes, but honestly that was straight in the bin - does anyone else think they're such a waste of time?

Obviously, as the palette was only £6, these eyeshadows aren't the best I've ever tried. A few of them need a good few layers to make the colour solid and the shimmer shades are far better than the matte shades. But, if you can be bothered to build them up and experiment a bit this palette is a dream to use. Also, they are quite long lasting - I use this palette for work quite often and even on particularly hot days the eyeshadows are still in place and are still fairly opaque.

Have you tried any Makeup Revolution products?

- Millie xx

5 Things I've Learnt From 5 Months of Blogging

Ooh, that's a long title. So today is Corkscrew Curls' 5 month birthday! I've enjoyed having a blog so much more than I ever thought I would and although I know I haven't always been consistent *slaps hand* I definitely know that I'm going to carry on. SoI thought I'd share a few things I've learnt in the first five months.

1. Yes, use your blog as a outlet for everything but don't turn it into a bitchfest, No one wants to read that.
2. Don't read too much into Google Analytics. As long as you enjoy your blog and you're proud of it, who cares how many followers you have?
3. Be organised. Notebooks, diaries, calenders, graphs, tables. Find your preferred way of organising and stick to it!
4. Don't stress yourself out trying to strictly keep to your blogging schedule. Take a few days off if you're feeling uninspired. You're only human and I'm sure your readers won't mind. 
5. Have fun with it and don't turn blogging into a chore. You started because you wanted to, not because you had to. Start as you mean to go on.

Thank you for reading this post, hope you enjoyed it!

-Millie xx

Life Update

I know this post is a day late but I wasn't 100% sure if I was going to post this. As much as I'd rather not be sharing this with the internet, I did promise to keep you updated and thought I'd explain a few things. 

In my last 'Life Update' post I told you about my new job as a marketing apprentice starting in mid September. Unfortunately, I only found out the other day that I no longer have the apprenticeship as the place I was going to be working for changed management, decided not to take on a apprentice and no one thoughht to tell me. So, only a few days before I was supposed to start my new job I was told this. It's safe to say I was very upset. Luckily, the job I've had throughout the summer can keep me on so I'll at least be doing something and earning some money. I don't want to have a moan because I want my blog to be the most positive thing it can.

At the moment, I'm going back to square one and staring to look for more apprenticeships. This experience hasn't put me off apprenticeships, it actually has made me more determined to find a new one. I also know that I won't be as laid back as I was previously and I'll pester the company until I've signed on the dotted line so this situation won't happen again.

Hopefully, I'll be back to normal posting this week but I'm not going to promise anything. I've been feeling so unmotivated recently - I'm sure you'll understand why. 

Thank you for reading this!

- Millie xx

BOOK REVIEW // Only Ever Yours - Louise O'Neill

I recently featured this book in my post 'Summer Reading List' and I finally got around to starting to read those books. In all honesty, this is the best book I have read in a long time. I haven't wanted to put it down at all, which to me is a sign of a very good book.

I stumbled across a recommendation for this book in Company magazine and instantly thought that this is the kind of book that I love. It's set in the future after the world has pretty much gone to shit and society has decided to get rid of unnecessary things - cars, livestock and women naturally giving birth to girls. Females are now genetically made and brought up in The School until the age of 16 when they are either chosen as a companion, a concubine or a chastity. Men completely dominate this society and are in control of everything, including when companions have to be 'terminated'. The main character in this novel is Freida, a 16th year student coming up to the Choosing Ceremony. This book echoes many teenage girls worries - Am I too fat? Am I too thin? Am I pretty enough? - and massively amplifies them because whether you're pretty enough or not can have a drastic change on your life after The School.

This story is so cleverly written and I know it's one that I'll read over and over again. Little things such as female's names not starting with a capital letter show just how unbalanced this world is and gives you a real feel of how little women are valued. I am warning you now - this isn't a happy story. It's very harshly written and the quote on the front of my copy 'O'Neill writes with a scalpel' (Jeanette Winterson) is so fitting.

I reccommend this book for people who enjoyed the 'Uglies' series by Scott Westerfield.

What have you been reading recently?

- Millie xx

Top Ten Tag

I was tagged to do this post by the lovely Jordan and as I've been struggling with the ol' blogger's block recently, I thought this would be a good post to get me back into the swing of things.

1. Foundation

My firm favourite is 100% the Bourjois Healthy Mix. The colour I have is a perfect match for me, the lasting power is amazing and the coverage is just right for how I like it. 

2. Powder

Staying true to my Bourjois Healthy Mix obsession, my favourite powder would have to be the Bourjois Healthy balance powder. As much as I love the Rimmel Stay Matte, this powder just has that much more coverage. And it smells so good!

3. Concealer

I don't think this will come as a surprise to anyone as my favourite concealer is the Collection Lasting Perfection - obvs. I won't bore you with the details, you already know how good this is.

4. Blush

Topshop's Cream Blush in Head Over Heels is so pretty! It was my staple coral blush throughout the summer and I'm definitely going to try to work it into my Autumn makeup routine.

5. Bronzer

Soap & Glory's Solar Powder has been the only bronzer I've been reaching for recently.The two shades make it great for the paler skin tone and it doesn't appear muddy or orange once it's on. 

6. Highlighter

Even though I'm not one to regularly use highlighter, I always return to the same one when I feel the need for a bit of highlight. Topshop's Glow Highlighter in Polish is so pretty and is so easy to apply. Because it's a cream highlighter you only need a tiny bit.

7. Mascara

The only mascara I can think of that I continuously repurchase is some version of Max Factor's False Lash Effect. Even though I wouldn't consider it my current favourite, it's just always there in my makeup collection and always finds it's way into my Boots basket when I know I've run out. That's got to count for something, hasn't it?

8. Eye Shadow

I found this hardest category in the tag post to choose a favourite. I like to switch and change my eye shadows so frequently that I couldn't say whether I consistently return to a certain shade. Eyeshadow is definitely the makeup that I love to experiment with and create different looks. The Soap & Glory eye shadows are some of the best I've tried though. Ooh, and the Maybelline Colour Tattoos. 

9. Brows

I've never found a brow product that I've been totally happy with and I just sort of muddle along with a selection of half-decent pencils, gels etc. So I don't think I could tell you my favourite. I'm open to suggestions though.

10. Lip Product

If you have read a recent review here on Corkscrew Curls, you'll know that my current favourite lip product is Bourjois' Rouge Edition Velvet lip stain. Oh my, I think it's unnatural how much I love this lip product. To avoid repeating myself I'll just direct you to my review post here if you want to read about my love for this product.

I tag-

Emily

Sunaina

Pip

Eleanor

- Millie xx