Learning to Love Yourself (or the Journey Towards It)

Hey guys,

Confidence is always something that I've struggled with. I wasn't particularly 'popular' at school, and puberty definitely hit me like a ton of bricks. Genuinely, I showed a picture of my teenage self to my housemate and he was shocked at how much I'd changed.

But in reality, I don't think I've changed. I'm still that 14 year old who pretends to be absolutely fine and pretends to have some sort of confidence about her, when in fact she has very little. I've never been the prettiest girl or the slimmest girl, but that's not what affects me. I have completely accepted this fact. It's the fact that I compare myself to everyone, and that if someone points out something about myself that I already feel is a flaw, it just replays in my mind. I still can remember the time when someone made a pretty nasty comment about my nose, and when someone pointed out how ugly I was to the entire class.

But then I think, that was school. And I'm not the same person that I was at school. And there is more to life than the way I look. I got good grades, and yes, I got mocked for it, but I'm now studying at a Russell Group university studying something I really enjoy. I was also called boring at school, yet if you actually get to know me, I am pretty damn hilarious. I am genuinely the most sarcastic person you will ever meet, and I love to take the piss out of myself. I was also told how I was too nice for my own good, and to be honest, this one is correct, as I let people get away with walking all over me and treating me like shit, but I guess you can't win them all.

I mean, I'm still not completely there yet, and I may not ever get there to completely loving myself, but I'm definitely learning to accept myself. The picture above was taken at a point where I was happy, my make-up had gone okay (considering my very mediocre make-up skills) and I was feeling somewhat confident within myself.

I'm not the brightest, or the funniest, or the prettiest (thank god for make-up), but I'm me. I'm Grace, the 20 year old who sometimes has a bad confidence day, but is learning to come to terms with myself. I'm a good person, I'm a good friend, I'm the most loyal person you will ever meet, and I love my friends and family more than anything. I'm just me, and I need to learn that this is nothing to be ashamed of. Even though I have been told that I'm not good enough and I'm not this and I'm not that, I'm learning to accept that people can have their opinions. But it shouldn't make me feel worthless because other people want to push me down. But I'm learning. I'm learning to love myself, or at least I'm on the journey towards it.

Thank you so much for reading,

Much love,

Grace x

Top 5 High-End Make-up Products for Fair Skin

Hey guys,

So, if you have read my blog before, or if you know me in real life, then you will know that I am very fair-skinned. As in, I literally blend into walls, I am that pale.

Therefore, I thought that I would share with you my favourite products that match/suit fair skin-tones. Even though the products that I mention are all high-end, this is only because the majority of products that I have found that match/suit my skin tone have been high-end, but I definitely want to try more high-street brands that cater for fair skin. Therefore, if you have any suggestions as to high-street beauty that caters for paler skin tones, then definitely let me know in the comments, as my bank account would very much appreciate it!

First of all, let's start with foundation. I absolutely love the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, I swear by it, and use it daily. Apart from it being super long-lasting and full coverage, Estee Lauder actually produce a colour that matches my skin tone. And you may think that I'm being ridiculous here, but a lot of brands do not produce foundation that is pale enough for my skin tone. That's when you know you're pale.

Also, that fact that my mother is ginger and has a darker skin tone than me. Yes, I am that pale.

I buy this in the shade 'Shell', as this is for skin with pink undertones, and is the lightest of the range. But hey, at least it's easy for me to colour-match myself. #lightestshade4life.

I also love the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow, which is described as being perfect for fair to medium skin, which I completely agree with! This is quite a subtle bronzer, so you can go for a more natural bronze, but can be buildable for a deeper contour. The highlight is also good in this palette, and gives you a very natural glow. I feel this palette is perfect for a more natural look, which is perfect for summer. However, they can be buildable if you want a more defined look, perfect for a glowy night out make-up look!

The Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer is also a favourite of mine. I used to use the Collection Lasting Perfection, which is also an amazing concealer, but even the lightest shade ('Fair') is a bit too dark for me now, so I have been looking around for a concealer that will brighten up my skin a bit.

My boyfriend bought me the Naked Skin Concealer earlier this year (he picked the shade Neutral Fair because it was the palest shade they did, the boy knows me well), and I have been in love with it ever since. It can be used for under your eyes and on blemishes, and is a full coverage concealer, yet feels creamy when applied, and not at all cakey.

Another favourite of mine is the Kat Von D Illuminating Powder, which is perfect for under your eyes and defining the contour on your cheekbones. This product has been described as being ideal for baking, but I'm too impatient for baking, so just dab it under my eyes with a beauty blender and use a powder brush to blend and wipe away the excess. This makes for a great under-eye brightener and is pale enough for even the palest of skin tones! Plus, a little goes a long way with this product!

In terms of highlight, I absolutely adore the Anastasia Beverley Hills Glow Kit in That Glow. Even though Golden Bronze is too dark for my skin tone, the other three are perfect. I have used Bubbly the most frequently, as I feel that it compliments my skin tone. Dripping in Gold is also a firm favourite of mine, and is perfect for when I've been using my trusty Bondi Sands Tan and need more of a bronzed glow. I also feel that Sunburst is perfect for an inner corner highlight, or just to amplify (is that he right word?) your cheekbone highlight a bit more. Again, a little goes a long way, as these highlights are insanely pigmented.

So there you have it, my top 5 high-end make-up products for pale skin! I absolutely adore each of these products, and use them on a daily basis! Even though they are a bit on the pricey side, they really do last, and manage to make my very dull, pale skin look somewhat dewy and a bit bronzed (well, let's not get too hasty)...

I hope you have enjoyed, and let me know your favourite products for fair skin below, as I'd love to try out some new products. Plus, if you have any suggestions for any high-street products that I should try, then please let me know!

Much love as always,

Grace x