I got this set of mini Sleek Matte Me lip creams just before Christmas so unfortunately it's no longer available but thought I'd still do a little review on them anyway as the full size versions are available here, which I will definitely be stocking up on once these have run out.

First of all lets talk about the packaging, why is everything just so much more appealing when it comes in miniature?!!  Am I the only one that gets sucked in by this?  The packaging is really simple and, dare I say it, sleek.  These little miniature versions are also perfect for popping in a little clutch bag on a night out and the colours are just perfect.  There's not a single one of these that I don't wear, which is not always the case when products come in a set like this, there's normally always one that finds its way to the bottom of my makeup bag never to be seen again.

L-R: Rioja Red, Birthday Suit, Velvet Slipper, Old Hollywood

For ages I have avoided matte lips as no matter what time of the year I tend to suffer with very dry lips.  I love the look of matte lips though so I was determined to give them a try.  What I have learnt though is that it is all about the prep, even if you don't suffer with dry lips I would still suggest you prep your lips first as I find these lip creams last a lot longer when you prep your lips properly.  Firstly I brush my lips with a toothbrush to scrub away all the dry skin and then I exfoliate them even further with my trusty Lush Lip Scrub.  Then I like to generously apply plenty of lip balm (my favourite being Burt's Bees) and leaving that to work it's magic whilst I apply the rest of my makeup. This to me is one of the most important steps, letting your lips fully absorb the balm before applying the lip cream, as I have once not done this when I was in a rush and lets just say it was a big slippery mess and bleeding lip stains.  Not pretty!!  

Onto the actual formula itself, when first applied the product has quite a creamy texture and glides on nicely but I feel like you have to work quite quickly as it doesn't take long to dry and get that tacky feeling before it dries fully.  Once dry though that lip cream is not budging, especially the two darker shades.  I have both eaten and drank with these lip creams on and it has not budged and has only required minimal top ups.  The Old Hollywood shade especially needs a good old scrub to be removed.

                                              

                          Birthday Suit and Velvet Slipper   

Have you tried the Sleek Matte Me lip creams before?  Which is your favourite?

                          

Jacket // Backpack // Phone Case // Shorts // Shoes // Travel Bag // Earrings // Purse // Sweatshirt

If you read my birthday post you will have already seen that my main present was a trip to Disneyland.  I'm not going until December but the excitement is just too much that I have already been planning my wardrobe, which has left me with a wishlist the length of my arm.  I have already managed to get my hands on THAT Lazy Oaf hoodie, which will be coming with me and I can't wait to wear, but here are some of my other favourites that are at the top of my wishlist.

I am completely in love with the Alice in Wonderland bomber, they also have several other bombers including a lovely mint green Little Mermaid one but I think I would get more wear out of this one.  I included the shorts because I just love them and would be more practical if your planning a trip to Disney this summer.  The travel bag is pretty self explanatory... could there be a more perfect piece of hand luggage for a trip to Disneyland.  Then there's the Kate Spade purse, soooo cute but a tad pricey, the backpack however is just as cute but a lot more affordable.  The shoes and earrings are just to add a bit of sparkle and to bring a more subtle hint of Disney to outfits.  I have also fallen in love with these watercolour Disney phone cases, so much so that I'm even contemplating something similar for my next tattoo.  Yes, after only just finding the nerve to get my first tattoo, I am already planning the next one!

Seeing as I've got until December until I go I can see myself adding a few more of these to my wardrobe by then.  Even if you don't have a trip to Disneyland planned who doesn't love a bit of Disney in their life right?!!

If you follow me on instagram you may have seen that yesterday I took a trip to Brighton.  Not only was this a feat in itself, being the furthest I've travelled with my anxiety in nearly two years, but I also went to get my first tattoo!  I've always wanted a tattoo but have been to indecisive and afraid to actually get it done.  Last year when I started to step out of my comfort zone and face my fears I made the decision that I wanted to get the tattoo and made it one of my goals for this year.  So when I  came across the wonderful Gee on instagram I just knew she had to be the one to do it.

The night before I barely slept due to a whole mix of emotions, I was nervous about travelling, nervous about getting it done... What if I had a panic attack and she couldn't finish it?...  All mixed with the excitement of finally finding the courage to be brave enough to do it.  This time last year it wouldn't have been something that I could even consider doing as my anxiety was way too bad.  The three and a half hour drive to Brighton gave myself plenty of time to work my nerves into a frenzy but luckily Gee was amazing.  She was so lovely, made me feel so comfortable and I don't think I could have found a more perfect person to tattoo me.  Not only was I able to get my first tattoo but my second one too!

I knew I wanted my first tattoo to be a quote that I could look down at and be reminded that no matter how tough it gets I can get through it and have before.  I have always loved this quote and although I tried to find something else that was a bit shorter, I just kept coming back to this quote so I knew it had to be the one.  When Gee showed me the design I knew I'd made the right decision as the font was perfect and exactly the type of thing I had described to her.  I really didn't know what to expect when she started to tattoo me, but surprisingly it didn't hurt at all and I now understand what people mean when they say it's hard to describe what it feels like.  The only way I can think to describe what it feels like is a slight scratching and vibrating feeling.  When I was trying to decide on my tattoo there were two different ideas that I just couldn't decide between so I decided that I would get both if the first one went well.  Thankfully it did because I loved the second design Gee came up with for me just as much.

I had toyed with the idea of having the word strength written on my wrist to remind me that I am stronger than I think and can get through the anxieties that life throw at me.  When looking at tattoos I saw lots of different of images of people with that tattoo and I just wanted something that felt more unique to me.  I also liked the idea of having an arrow tattooed on me to represent the struggle of being pulled back by my anxiety and moving forward to face and hopefully beat these anxieties.  I knew I still wanted it to represent strength too so looked for ideas for symbols of strength, and as soon as I saw this celtic one I knew that had to be the one with my Dad's side of the family being irish.  I asked if she could incorporate these things into one whole design and this is what she came up with.  I absolutely love it!!

I can't even begin to describe I how pleased I felt with myself after this experience.  Gee was absolutely amazing and I trusted her completely.  I think a big part of the experience was ensuring I had the right person doing it and I felt completely comfortable with her.  I couldn't have asked for it to go any more smoothly than it did.  This whole experience of travelling and getting these tattoos done has given me the massive boost of confidence I needed to face my anxieties head on and I will have a permanent reminder of this now and know that I can do it!!