Desk Essentials | June 2017

Sadly I've been having to do lots of revision recently (due to mocks soon) which has meant that I've had to spend a lot of time at my desk. I've come to a conclusion of what I need on my desk and what I don't need and in this blog post I'm going to share with you what I need to hopefully help you! 

Pens- This is an obvious one but you can't really revise without a pen. Key pens which are important when I revise are Sharpies, normal black Biro, couple of colourful Biros and my pen which has 4 colours in. 

Laptop- This can be a good or a bad thing as sometimes I do get distracted and start going on Twitter but when I'm using it for school it's good as I can quickly look stuff up on Bitesize or do Mathswatch which help my learning. 

Tablet- This is something that I've only recently started using but it's very helpful because I haven't got any apps on it so I can't really get distracted. I use this for the same reasons why I use my laptop.

Paper- I can't revise if I don't have any paper as I need it to write all my notes on. I could do it on my laptop but I've found that I revise better when writing stuff down instead of typing. For most subjects I used lined but for English mind-maps I use plain and for maths I use squared paper.

Revision Guides- I get most of my notes from the classwork but I always read the page in the revision guide because there can be stuff which was missed out in class. Or I can use these if I have a bad teacher and we don't make any notes in class so I have to teach myself using the revision guide. I also use these for the practise questions.

Ringbinders- For most of my subjects I have a ringbinder in which I keep all my revision notes. I've found this to be the most organised way to keep them and I have separate folders for each instead of one big one. 

Water- Water is an essential everywhere that I go so obviously I need it when I'm revising. I also remember hearing that it's good for the brain but to be honest I have it because I get thirsty. I usually have my velvetgh0st Primark tumbler cup on my desk. 

Snack- If I'm working during the day I like to have some sort of snack because I seem to get more hungry then. I know it's better to go for something healthy but I'm not healthy so usually it's chocolate or a couple of biscuits. 

Notebook- Right close to an exam I will get my Pukka Pad notebook and write what I think are the most important things in that upcoming exam and I also condense my notes so for the last couple of days I will revise from that instead. 

I hope you found these tips useful so you know now what to keep on your desk when you're revising. Let me know your desk essentials as maybe I've left something out. Follow me on Twitter (@thelipinsider) and Instagram (@thelipstickinsider) for more! 

After School Routine | June 2017

I know it's nearly the end of the school year but I still wanted to do this because I wanted to share my After School Routine for when I'm revising after school. This was one of my productive days because some days I don't do that much but I did quite a bit this night and I was proud of myself. 

I usually get home from school at around 3:30 (we finish at 3) and then I will get changed into some comfy clothes which are usually a hoodie and leggings. After that I usually chill out but today I had some homework so I answered an ICT exam question and then I went on Vocab Express to do some French homework but there was none, which was great! This meant that I could chill so I probably went on Twitter for 20 minutes. I also had a snack of a Galaxy cake bar as I was getting quite hungry.

After this I will then go downstairs and make mine and my sister's lunch for the next day. I will also talk to my sister about our days while I'm down there. I usually will be making dinner but on this day I had dinner later so it was a bit different. 

Then I will go upstairs and do some revision. I started off with maths and I was just revising what we did in class that day, which was the nth term; I also did some practice questions from mathswatch to consolidate my learning. 

I was starting to do some English revision, reading through my language exercise book and make notes on key bits when my McDonalds came! I had a quick 15 minute break to eat this and whilst I was eating I watched a YouTube video and went on my phone. Once I was finished I went back to revising English and continued what I was doing. 

Then I had a massive break. I had a dessert (an Areo mousse) and I also chatted and spent time with my sister because I really don't want to be revising all night. 

After that I continued with revising and I did some French revision whilst watching Victorious on Netflix. I only done one page of notes but it did take quite a while and this revision was on adjectives. 

I was getting quite uncomfortable in my clothes (it was a really hot day for May) so I decided to have a shower and get into my pyjamas. I also did my skincare routine and brushed my teeth.

After finishing the episode of Victorious I was watching I put on some YouTube and curled my hair using my Lee Stafford Curling Wand, which I did a review on a couple of weeks ago. Once I had finished I was meant to do some extra revsion but to be honest I couldn't be bothered and left it. I watched YouTube and then went to bed after checking my phone.

So that was my After School Routine. I was also meant to do some biology revision but I left everything I needed at school so that was kinda a good thing! For more of me follow me on Twitter (@thelipinsider) and Instagram (@thelipstickinsider)

Revision Tips & Techniques

As we are now in exam season I thought I would share some of my revision tips with you. These might not work for everyone but it's good for you to know them because they might surprisingly work for you. These tips/techniques can be used any time of the year so make sure you make a note of these.

Make a revision playlist- A mistake I used to make was listening to my normal Spotify playlist and that has some really fast songs on that you want to dance to so I have made my own revision playlist that has a lot of slow tempo and acoustic music on. If you would like to know what's on my playlist let me know and I can do a blog post about it.

Don't spend ages making notes look pretty- This is a mistake pretty much everyone has done but if you make your notes look pretty you will spend less time revising. I limit myself to a couple of colours because colours help the brain but I make sure my notes are neat so I can read over them but I will just do simple titles and no colouring in. 

Get everything on your desk before you start revising- If you don't do this you will find is easier to procrastinate as you might end up going downstairs to get food and end up watching Titanic, going for a run, knitting a scarf and before you know it it will be the day off your exam so have everything you possibly need on your desk or around your desk.

Write stuff down- You don't learn that much by reading over your exercise books so you need to write stuff down. You could do this in the form of making flashcards or posters or whatever suits you best. And don't copy it word for word, change it into your own words so it's more easier to understand.

Allow yourself free time- Sometimes it feels like teaching aren't giving you enough free time but you can have some if you manage your workload better. If you do all your homework/revision during the school week it means you have the whole weekend to do activities that you enjoy. 

Use revision guides- Revision guides are really useful because they usually contain extra information which your class teacher might've not taught and you never know that extra information could be a 6 mark question in a test (okay maybe not that much). I would definitely recommend to invest in these (they're not that expensive) and especially subjects that you struggle with. 

Mnemonics- If you struggle remembering the order of something, mnemonics might help. I am really bad at making my own but if you search it into Google good ones will come up and hopefully it will help you remember it. 

Ways To Revise
Posters- This is what I do most of the time because I just like writing everything down and it helps me remember quite a bit of information. I don't make them pretty just pack them with information.
Flashcards- I use these for geography because I struggle with it so I can condense all of the information and remember the processes and the steps.
Past exam papers- These are really easy to find online and it helps you to understand the style of question they ask and mark schemes. 
Mind Maps- I don't do mind maps but they are helpful for some people because all they have to do is think of a colour and then remember what was on that colour branch.
Videos- YouTube can be your best friend. Write in the topic that you are revising and then watch the videos and make notes. This is good if your someone who loves watching YouTube. 

They're all of my tips and techniques and loads of information on revision. I hope this helps and good luck in your exams. For more of me follow me on Twitter (@thelipinsider) and Instagram (@thelipstickinsider). 

Day In The Life | School Day Edition

I haven't done a Day In The Life post for quite a while so I wanted to do another one but with a twist as usually my days are quite repetitive so I wanted to do a Day In The Life on a school day. If you want me to do any other themed Day In The Life posts, let me know in the comments below!

6AM- I wake up at 6:15 and I will then have breakfast, which on a school day is always Cookie Crisp cereal. After having breakfast I will have a quick shower and get into my school uniform.

7AM- Next I will do my makeup and if you want an updated school makeup look, let me know in the comments below. After that I will then relax by going on my laptop and phone, usually stalking on Twitter or Facebook to be honest.

8AM- I leave at around 8 and walk to school and it I get there between 8:20-8:30am. Form starts at 8:45 and that is 15 minutes long.

9AM- 1st period (lesson) starts at 9 and as I'm writing this blog post on a Tuesday, my first lesson on a Tuesday is maths.

10AM- Our second lesson starts at 10 and by this point I am usually starving, which is uncomfortable when sitting in a lesson. On the day I'm writing this my second lesson was PE. 

11AM- Thankfully break starts at 11 and during break I will eat my chocolate biscuit bar and I will talk with my friends (although they probably don't like me; jk). At 11:20 third period starts and on Tuesday I have English.

12PM- For the first 20 minutes I am still in English as all lessons are an hour long but at 12:20 I then had science and like in second lesson I am usually really hungry, even though I did eat at break.

1PM- At 1:20 lunch time will start and it lasts for 40 minutes. At lunchtime I do basically the same as what I do at break time, eat and talk. My lunch usually consists of a chicken sandwich, crisps, a frube, tomatoes and a drink but some days I don't eat it all.

2PM- Finally last lesson has come but that is the lesson of the day when everyone is most disruptive (all the teachers hate us). On this particular day my last lesson was French, which always goes really slow.

3PM- End of the school day! I always walk home and end up getting home at around 3:30. Once I'm home I will get changed into more comfy clothes and I will then relax by going on my phone and laptop. 

4PM- During this hour I will be making mine and my sister's lunch for the next day and I will also make dinner too.

5PM- This is dinner time (where obviously I will be eating). After dinner I will go to my room and do any homework that I got that day or I will do revision but usually it is a mixture of both.

6PM- At 6 o'clock I will still be doing some school work or sometimes I will write a blog post. At about half six and I have been working for an hour I like to have a break but this break does usually go on for quite a while- I need to work on that.

7PM- Usually I am still relaxing by watching YouTube or Netflix until around about quater to eight where I will shower. I don't shower for long as I hate spending long in there but some nights I do need to wash my hair.

8PM- After getting into my pyjamas and taking my makeup off I will either continue with any work if I am in a productive mood or I will relax by watching YouTube and browsing the internet, especially Twitter.

9PM- If I'm doing work this is my cut off time because I don't want to be working too late. I go on my phone, watch anything, get lost in Twitter and just relax! I should probably read my book but I always leave my book in school.

10PM- This is when I go to bed and I go to bed quite early because I don't want to be feeling tired in school. 

That's an everyday, basic day in the life of me on a school day. I hope you enjoyed this and give me more examples of Day In The Life theme posts you want to see; maybe either a Saturday or Sunday theme? Follow me on Twitter (@thelipinsider) and Instagram (@thelipstickinsider).

School Morning Routine | 2017

A couple of blog posts ago I did an After School Routine so to go along with that I thought I should do a School Morning Routine. If you want to see a normal morning and evening routine, let me know in the comments below because I would love to do them.

Firstly I will wake up at 6:15 and yes I know that's early but I like to take my time in the morning and I would be stressing and everything would go wrong so I like to get up early. I will then go downstairs to have breakfast which is usually cereal and after enjoying that I will venture back upstairs. 

Once I'm upstairs I will get out my school uniform and head into the bathroom to get ready for the day so I will have a quick shower and get dressed. After getting some water, I will turn on my laptop and blog for around 20 minutes; I do this because I find it kicks starts my motivation and productivity, so that's good for school.

After blogging I will put on my makeup and if you would like to see what I do for my makeup read my School Morning Routine. Whilst I'm doing my makeup I'm usually on Twitter or YouTube but that's what websites I'm on most of the time.

I will then sort out my hair and I never really do anything fancy for school so I just brush it until it is somewhat straight. I really like my hairbrush, it's from Primark and it's really pretty. After sorting out my hair I will just be on my phone or laptop just checking social media and just relaxing before school.

When it's time to leave for school I will put on my blazer and coat, spray and put my lunch into my school bag (which I made the night before). I will leave my house at around 8am and I walk to school and it takes me about 20 minutes to walk to school.

So after that I'm in school and that is the end of my school morning routine! In the post I was talking about blogging in the morning well I'm actually wrote this blog post during my school morning routine, which is really good and ironic!

After School Routine | February 2017

In todays post I'm going to be sharing what I do in the evenings after school and I haven't done a routine post in a while so I'm really excited to be making another one again. If you want me to do a School Morning Routine let me know because I will happily do one.

(This text won't move to the left so sorry about that)

So to start off my evening I have to come home; we get let out of school at 3pm and I usually get home at around 3:30pm and I walk. When I get in I turn on my laptop and throw my coat and backpack on my bed and just take a few moments to relax, especially if it wasn't the best day at school. I will also put on Netflix or YouTube and recently I have been watching The Crown on Netflix, which is really good and I'm really liking it.

I will then put something cosy and comfortable especially after wearing my uniform all day and today I was wearing this mint jumper from River Island and black leggings. This jumper is so big I love it.

After chilling for a bit I will then venture downstairs and make sandwiches for the next day and also mine and my sisters packed lunched- usually I have a chicken sandwich, crisps, tomatoes, chocolate biscuit bar and a drink.

I will then make dinner and when it's cooked I will eat it. I forgot to photograph what I had for dinner this night but I had fish fingers and chips and it was very nice and very easy and not long to prepare.

After enjoying my dinner I will head back upstairs and what I did upstairs was work on my blog and writing blog posts and after doing that for about 45 minutes I did some geography revision and I was reading through my revision notes which I had already made and I had a test in a couple of days time so I needed to do revision.

After being in my room for a while I will come downstairs to the living room to watch some TV and I will do that while eating something naughty such as Chocolate M&Ms- don't worry I only ate less than half of the bag.

Again I will come back upstairs and watch YouTube and usually I will be watching new videos that have come into my subscription box that night. While watching YouTube I will go on my phone and be checking social media such as Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter.

Then, after watching YouTube for a while, I will head into the bathroom and firstly I will take my makeup off using a cotton pad and Garnier Micellar Water. Then I will do my skincare routine- today was simple as I was only using face wash but every other day I will use face scrub and moisturising lotion. Next I will head in the shower and I will wash my body using The Body Shop Spiced Apple Shower Gel and Wilko Coconut & Vanilla body scrub. Today was a hair washing day so I washed my hair with Alberto Bassalm shampoo & conditioner.

I will then get into my pyjamas and these pyjamas are from Primark. I will then do a bit more school work or blogging and then that will be it for my day and I can chill. Usually I'm just on my phone and laptop but I do need to read more so I need to start that up again. After chilling for a bit I will go to bed and then that's the end of the day for me!

So I hope you enjoyed my after school routine; if you would like a version that's not set on a school day let me know and also let me know if you would like morning routines because I would love to do them blog posts.

School Makeup Routine | January 2017

When I go to school I wear different makeup to what I would wear when I'm not at school so I thought I would share my school makeup routine. I also have a few new makeup products that I picked up recently to share with you and I'll included my opinions on the products when I get to them. 

So firstly I start with foundation and the foundation I'm currently using is the Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation and I recently picked it up from Boots and I love it. It's perfect for school because it's quite natural and it gives a low-medium coverage which is what I want for school. What I do is pump some onto my blending sponge, dab it onto my face and then blend it in with a foundation brush and if I have to go back in with the blending sponge; yes I know that's a weird way to apply and blend in foundation.

Then for concealer I will use the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and use that for my under eye circles and also any spots. I've had this forever and I'm using it up as I don't think it's that good as it doesn't last and it's all gone by midday so I'm waiting to use my Rimmel concealer. I apply this by using a concealer brush then going in with my blending sponge.

I will then powder my face using the Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder and I do like this powder but I want to try some others to see what ones I really like. I apply using a powder brush from Studio London.

The last product from the face category is blush and my new favourite blush is from MAC and is the MAC Powder Blush in Fleur Power. It's such a lovely colour and looks really natural and it lasts all day, something which my Makeup Revolution blushes didn't do. I apply this using a Studio London brush.

I don't do much with my eyes apart from mascara and I'm still using the Maybelline Go Extreme Waterproof Mascara and I didn't really like it at first but I do like it now after wearing it for quite a while. This isn't really that natural so I have to try not to put on too much. 

For the lips I don't wear any lip product because I don't want to keep applying it as that's annoying throughout school so I just wear lip balm and at the moment my favourite lip balm is the eos Pomegranate Raspberry Lip Balm and it's really moisturising and it's got a nice scent.

That is my school makeup routine and yes I know I don't wear that much but I like to keep my makeup natural and also who can be bothered in the morning to do winged liner because I know I can't.

School Emergency Kit

In my school bag I like to keep a little emergency kit with some beauty products inside that I might need and I do actually use the products inside on a regular basis so it's good to keep them in my school bag. 

The bag that I use for my emergency kit is this Zoella Beauty cosmetic/coin purse and I really like using it because it fits in my bag nicely and it's not too bulky and you can also see through it, which is handy for in a rush. This is £6 from Superdrug but I'm not sure if you can get it anymore.

Cath Kidston Provence Rose and Peony Hand Cream 30ml- I get quite dry hands so I like to keep a hand cream and I really like this one because it's a nice size to fit in the cosmetic purse but I also really like the scent, which obviously is quite important. 

Carex Strawberry Laces Hand Gel- Schools aren't the most hygienic place so I like to keep some hand sanitzier. I also go for the Carex fun scents one because they make my hands smell nicer and the Carex ones are also good quailty and make your hands feel a lot nicer.

Polos- In my lunch I always have crisps and that means sometimes I have smelly ones so to avoid smelly breath I keep a pack of Polos and I have one after lunch. I prefer having these to gum because I'm not really a gum fan as it looses it's flavour and you have to find somewhere to spit it out. 

Apple Burst Tic Tacs- As well as having Polos I like to have some TicTacs and usually I go for the apple flavour ones because they're my favourite and sometimes I don't want to have minty breath so I'll have apple breath instead.

Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me- I do keep a lip balm in my blazer (we will go onto that later) but I keep this one in the cosmetic purse for when I want colour if I look a bit dead, which is all the time at school because it's school. This is a really nice lip balm and I really like the Baby Lips from Maybelline.

Hairbands- I usually keep a hairband on my wrist for PE but sometimes on a Monday morning I do forget so it's good to keep a couple in my emergency kit because I don't want to be using an elastic band. 

Female Things- Obviously not much to say about these but I keep them in my school bag in a secure section because I don't want people to see them when I get my emergency kit out. I also didn't picture these because I thought it was a bit weird and you know what they are.

Victoria's Secret Strawberry & Champagne Body Mist 250ml- I always take the body mist that I'm wearing that day and the day I was making this blog post I was wearing Strawberry & Champagne which I got in Superdrug for only £7.50.

Soft & Gentle Wild Rose & Vanilla Antiperspirant 75ml- This is important to have in my bag especially for after PE. I know you can get smaller ones because I have a smaller one in my handbag but I like to have a slightly bigger one as I use this every week, sometimes twice a week, depending on when I have PE.

eos Blueberry Acai Lip Balm- In my blazer pocket I always keep an eos and the one I was using this day was the Blueberry Acai one which is one of my favourites. I love eos because they really do moisture the lips while giving a flavour.

Glittery Mirror from Primark- I also like to keep a mirror in my blazer pocket just to check my makeup hasn't rubbed or just to check if there's nothing on my face because that is embarrassing. 

Pack of 10 Tissues- Also in my blazer pocket I keep a small packet of tissues which I got in a multipack from Primark and you never know when you or someone might need a tissue so I like to come prepared. 

That's everything that I take to school in case of an emergency and you never know when you might need something so I think it's better to come prepared because you'll be so angry with yourself if you forget to bring something.