Saturday 17 December 2016

2016 highlights + GIVEAWAY! Win a YSL lipstick of your choice!


Hey there, my lovelies! We're almost in 2017 now (where has the time gone?!), which means that it's time to sit back and reflect on the last twelve months. I don't know about you, but for me, 2016 has been a bumpy ride. There's been ups and downs, some real challenges, and so much has happened in the world. I think that a lot of people feel the same way about 2016, but today, I want to focus only on the good things. Despite everything, 2016 has been an amazing year for blogging. My little corner of the web has grown so much, and this makes me feel incredibly happy and grateful. Today, I want to share with you a few of my 2016 blogging highlights and favourite posts. There is also a little Yves Saint Laurent lipstick giveaway at the end!

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Friday 9 December 2016

Korean beauty mega haul + reviews!


Hello, my beauties! Today, I bringing you a huge round-up of all the lovely Korean beauty products that I've discovered recently. As mentioned in my Autumn favourites, I have been using nothing but Korean skincare for the past few weeks, and truthfully, my skin has never looked or felt better! Even my boyfriend, who doesn't normally take any interest in my beauty routine, commented one morning and said 'Wow, your skin looks really clear and radiant!'. This made me so happy! If you've read any of my previous skincare posts, you know that I've always struggled with oily skin and breakouts. These Korean goodies have really helped me to get things under control, which is why I'm so excited to talk to you about them today. Hope you enjoy!

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Friday 2 December 2016

Britney Spears 'Private Show' - unboxing and first impressions


Hello there, my loves! It's been a little while since my last unboxing and first impressions posts, mainly because I haven't actually bought a lot of perfumes this year! There haven't been too many exciting fragrance launches lately, although I have seen quite a few of my blogger friends rave about the new scent by Britney Spears, 'Private Show' (£15 for 30ml, allbeauty.com). I'm not typically a huge Britney fan, but I do enjoy her perfumes - they're always so girly, likable and sweet. My lovely boyfriend got me a bottle of this as a surprise gift, and today, I will be sharing with you my honest thoughts on this fragrance. Hope you enjoy!

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Saturday 26 November 2016

Autumn favourites 2016! Lipsticks, toffee lattes + tamagotchis!


Hello there, my sweet muffins! I know that everyone's been saying this already, but how are we already nearly in December?! This year has to be the quickest one yet; I remembering talking about my November 2015 favourites like it was yesterday! Christmas is just round the corner now, but since we're still in autumn, I wanted to share with you some of this season's favourites. Today, we're going to talk about everything from makeup and skincare products, to retro 90's toys - hope you enjoy!

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Saturday 19 November 2016

Blogging organisation tips, shortcuts + the ultimate blog post checklist!


Hello there, my beauties! I hope that you're all having a wonderful week. Today, we're going to talk about what's likely one of the least fun (but also one of the most important!) parts of being a blogger - planning, scheduling and organizing your posts. If, like myself, you are a busy person with a full-time job, you may find it a little difficult to always keep your blog organised and stick to a posting schedule. I still find it quite challenging at times, but there are a few practical tips and tricks that help me stay organised, especially during busy periods. Today, I'd like to share them with you - hope you find them useful!

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Sunday 13 November 2016

Korean beauty haul!


Hey there, my beauties! I hope that you're all having a wonderful weekend. Today, I'm bringing you another (and hopefully slightly less awkward!) YouTube video! When I saw that my local TK Maxx opened a Korean skincare section, I got really excited and went on a little shopping spree! Korean beauty products get a lot of attention and praise in the blogosphere, and I was really happy to finally be able to try some of them for myself. In this video, we're talking about face masks, eye patches and banana-shaped night creams! Hope you enjoy!

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Wednesday 9 November 2016

Blogger Recognition Award! Why I started blogging + some blogging wisdom!


Hey there, beauties! I hope that you're all having a beautiful week so far. Today, I'm really excited to be doing the Blogger Recognition Award tag. I'd like to thank my fellow blogger and a dear friend Andrea for nominating me! I wholeheartedly recommend that you check out her lovely blog, A Glimpse of Glam. She writes the most amazing fashion posts with a personal twist, and is a true inspiration for myself and many other bloggers! I was so excited to be nominated for this award tag, as it does look quite interesting and different from the usual beauty tags. I hope you enjoy!

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Friday 4 November 2016

Urban Decay Vice Metallized & Comfort Matte lipsticks - review + swatches!


Hey, beauties! Today, I'm really excited to talk to you about these gorgeous Vice lipsticks by Urban Decay (£15, Debenhams). I was always intrigued by the Vice range - with over 100 (!) shades and six different finishes to choose from, it seems that Urban Decay have really catered for every preference and taste. It was difficult to pick out only two shades for the review (I wish I could afford all of them!), but I decided to go for Moshpit from the Comfort Matte line-up, and Peyote from the Metallized range. Urban Decay claims that these lipsticks offer 'unbelievable pigmentation in just one swipe', and nourishing formula enriched with avocado, aloe vera and jojoba oil. It definitely sounds very promising, and I could not be more excited to try these. Hope you enjoy!

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Sunday 30 October 2016

I'm on Youtube! + 'Get To Know Me' tag


Hey, lovelies! I have some very exciting news for you today - I've finally started my own YouTube channel! YouTube is something that I always wanted to branch out into, but for the longest time I felt too shy, and didn't think that I'd be any good at it. I'm still very nervous about publishing my first video (I'm really not used to being on camera!), but I'm also excited and happy to have finally given it a shot. Today is just a little introduction video, combined with a 'Get To Know Me' tag, which I thought would be a fun way to start. Hope you enjoy!

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Tuesday 18 October 2016

5 types of posts that get the most views!


Hey, jelly beans! I hope you're all having a beautiful week so far. Today, I'm going to share with you a few post ideas that, in my experience, attract the most readers. As a disclaimer, I don't believe in posting things solely to get traffic - at the end of the day, you should always blog about the topics that you're truly passionate about (whether they are popular, or not). Having said that, it can be difficult to attract new readers and get people to visit your blog, especially if you're just starting out. It could be useful to know what kind of content is likely to be popular, which is what inspired my idea for this post. I hope you find these helpful!

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Thursday 13 October 2016

Makeup products I regret buying!


Hey, jelly beans! Today, we're going to talk a little bit about some of the most disappointing makeup products that I've purchased in the past year. Of course, this is all just my personal opinion and I don't mean to put you off trying these products for yourself (except for a couple, which are just outright flops and I honestly wouldn't recommend them to anyone!). We all have different tastes, and what doesn't work for one person may work for another. Still, I thought it would be fun to venture to the back of my makeup drawer and re-discover some of my biggest shopping fails. Hope you enjoy!

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Saturday 8 October 2016

Victoria's Secret beauty mini haul + why I will never buy VS makeup again!


Hey, beauties! First of all, I'd like to thank you for all the love and support on my last post, where I talked about my eating disorder and going vegan. It wasn't easy opening up about something so personal, but I'm glad I've decided to share my story. Reading your lovely comments has helped so much, and I'm very grateful for all the kind words! Today, we're going to talk a little bit about one of my favourite brands ever - Victoria's Secret. If you've been visiting Shoes and Glitter for a while, you've probably noticed my obsession with their gorgeous, comfortable clothes, perfumes and accessories. Recently, I went on a little shopping spree and picked up a few things from their beauty department, so I thought that it'd be fun to do a little 'shop and tell'. Hope you enjoy!

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Monday 3 October 2016

My vegan journey. One month's progress + my eating disorder.


Hello, my lovelies! Today's post is going to be different and very personal - something I don't do often. Some of you may have noticed my recent tweets, where I've talked about changing my lifestyle and switching to a vegan diet. This was a very drastic change for me, and today, I'd like to talk a little more about it and share my progress with you all. As a disclaimer, this post is not going to be some kind of vegan propaganda where I try and convince you to switch to this lifestyle. We all make our own choices, and I think it's great that we live in a society where we actually have the freedom to do so. This post is more about sharing my own experience with veganism, and also my eating disorder - something that's extremely personal and difficult to talk about, but also a big part of my life. I hope that perhaps some of you may relate to this in some way, or find it helpful if you're thinking about switching to a vegan diet. Hope you enjoy!

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Wednesday 28 September 2016

Eyeshadow palettes round-up! High-end + drugstore


Hey, lovelies! If you've been visiting Shoes and Glitter for a while, you probably know that eyeshadow palettes are my biggest weakness when it comes to makeup. I just can't say no to a pretty set of lovely eyeshadows; plus I find them to be much more convenient and practical than mono eyeshadows (especially when travelling). Today, I've decided to do a little round-up of all the eyeshadow palettes I've reviewed this year. There is a good mix of both high-end and drugstore palettes, and I've added the links in case you want to check out a full review and swatches. Hope you enjoy!

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Friday 23 September 2016

Autumn fragrance recommendations 2016!

Hey, gummy bears! With autumn finally here, I'm very excited to be bringing you my seasonal perfume recommendations. It's weird to think that it's already been a full year since my first ever perfume post... My fragrance collection has grown a lot since, and I've discovered many new scents that I'm very excited to share with you all. Personally, I think that autumn is perfect for perfumes that are quite bold, sweet and intense. My favourite autumn fragrance notes include earthy patchouli, caramel and amber; all of which will feature in today's list. Hope you enjoy!


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Sunday 18 September 2016

Are Urban Decay palettes really worth your money? Naked 3 honest review + full swatches!


Hey, jelly beans! Today, I'm going to talk about one of my most exciting makeup purchases so far this year - the Naked 3 eyeshadow palette by Urban Decay (£35, FeelUnique). The Naked range needs no introduction, and I'm sure that many of you are already familiar with these iconic palettes. I was always drawn to the beautiful, rose gold tonality of Naked 3, but could never justify the hefty price tag. I think that in this day and age, we have so many quality drugstore makeup options available to choose from; it becomes questionable whether high-end brands are even worth the money anymore. I firmly believe in treating yourself to something luxurious from time to time, which is partially why I decided to finally take the plunge and buy this palette. Did I need it? Absolutely not. I just couldn't resist it (can you blame me?).

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Sunday 4 September 2016

1 year blogiversary! + 5 most important lessons I have learned from blogging


Hey, jelly beans! Today is a very special day - Shoes and Glitter is celebrating its one year blogiversary! I honestly can't believe how quickly the time flies... When I first posted on this blog exactly one year ago, I didn't expect myself to stick to it for more than a couple of months. I would look up to all the bloggers who have such gorgeous, well-established blogs (I still do) and thought 'Wow, I could never achieve this!'. One year later, and I'm enjoying blogging more than ever - it's something that I look forward to doing every single day, and that makes me feel happy and fulfilled. Shoes and Glitter now has over 600 friends on bloglovin', and almost 3000 Twitter buddies! And whilst blogging isn't all about the numbers, I'm beyond grateful for each and every single one of you who comes here to read my random beauty ramblings. Although it's only been one year, I  can already say that blogging has been one of the best experiences in my life, and I hope for it to continue for many years to come!

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Monday 29 August 2016

Urban Decay Primer Potion vs. NYX Proof It! - eyeshadow primer comparison & swatches


Hey, beauties! I'll start this post off with a little makeup confession - until a few months ago, I never used an eyeshadow primer. I didn't really believe it was needed, that is, until I discovered Urban Decay's Primer Potion. A good eyeshadow primer can really transform your entire makeup routine - it makes the application smoother and more even, brings out the intensity of the colours, and makes your eyeshadow last a lot longer. Urban Decay's Primer Potion is the best eyeshadow primer I've tried to this date, however, it is also quite expensive (£16, Debenhams). I've been on the lookout for a cheaper alternative for a while, but most of the available drugstore options are very disappointing (namely, Rimmel's Undercover Shadow Primer, or L'Oreal's Color Riche Base). However, in my recent drugstore haul, I've discovered something that could be a worthy competitor - NYX's Proof It! primer (£5.50, Boots). My first impressions of it very extremely positive; plus the fact that it is over ten pounds cheaper is definitely a bonus. Today, I will compare the two primers in a little more depth, and see whether this budget-friendly alternative can hold its own against Urban Decay's renowned Primer Potion. Hope you enjoy!

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Tuesday 23 August 2016

L'Oreal La Palette Glam eyeshadow palette - review + swatches!


Hey, gummy bears! I hope that you're all having a beautiful week so far. Today, I am really excited to talk to you about the La Palette Glam eyeshadow palette by L'Oreal (£12.99, Boots). This is a summer limited edition of the original La Palette, featuring ten vibrant, unusual colours. L'Oreal describes this palette as a 'unique selection of ten pop summer shades, which will help you unleash your creativity'. I have actually tried both the original La Palette and the Nude Rose edition, and wasn't impressed with either of them because of the poor pigmentation and longevity (full review here). I probably wouldn't have bothered with this new edition, but I was quite intrigued by the unusual selection of colourful shades, and decided to give it a try. Hope you enjoy!

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Wednesday 17 August 2016

Share a little happiness with Happiness Boutique jewellery


Hey, jelly beans! First of all, I wanted to thank you for all your lovely birthday messages on Twitter. I had an absolutely wonderful weekend away with my better-half - we spent the day at the beach in Weymouth, which totally surpassed my expectations. Turns out, England has some beautiful beaches, too! We got quite lucky with the weather, so we spent the entire day enjoying the warm sand and the clear blue sea. I only wish the weekend had lasted longer, but we're definitely making the trip again next year!

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Thursday 11 August 2016

Top 10 prettiest perfume bottles! Part 2 of 2

Hello, beauties! It's time for part two of my top ten prettiest perfume bottles, and I couldn't be more excited! In the last post, I asked you lovelies about what you think is the importance of packaging, and whether a pretty bottle is enough to make you want to buy a fragrance. A lot of you seem to agree that the scent itself is always more important than the bottle, although lovely packaging is definitely a welcome bonus. I've been known to buy perfumes just for the bottle, but at the same time, some of my all-time favourite fragrances come in pretty unattractive packaging... But, that is a post for another time! Today is all about the most beautiful bottle designs - make sure you check out part one of the post here!


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Friday 5 August 2016

Top 10 prettiest perfume bottles! Part 1 of 2

Hey, gummy bears! Today, I'd like to do a little 'show and tell' of some of the prettiest perfume bottles in my collection, so prepare for a photo heavy post! I often get asked about my collection - if you've been reading Shoes and Glitter for a while, you've probably seen quite a few of my bottles in various recommendations posts. I currently have over 160 different perfumes, as well a stash of miniature fragrances and samples. I've been collecting them for about six years now (contrary to the popular belief, fragrances can keep for decades if stored properly), and at least a third of my perfumes are gifts from family, my boyfriend, etc. A lot of people see collecting fragrances as an expensive hobby, and whilst it can be heavy on the wallet  - I actually can't remember the last time I paid a full price for a bottle of perfume. Thanks to things like online sales, tester sizes and TK Maxx, most fragrances can be purchased for a small fraction of their original prices. But, that is a post for another time! Today is all about the prettiest bottle designs, and I'm really excited to show you my favourites. Perfume bottles can be like little art pieces in themselves, and I enjoy looking at them just as much as I like to actually use them. Hope you enjoy!


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Wednesday 27 July 2016

Lifestyle #1. Dealing with stress and pressure


Hey, gummy bears! For a while now, I've been trying to think of ways to bring a breath of fresh air to my little blog. I love reviewing products and babbling on about makeup, but sometimes I feel like that's all I ever do. I truly enjoy reading more personal, heartfelt posts on other blogs, so I've decided to try and share some of my own. Today, I'd like to talk a little more about something that affects even the best of us - stress, pressure and anxiety. I don't know about you, but I'm a massive worrier by nature. I tend to stress out about pretty much everything, and I let things get to me too easily. I think this is something that a lot of people can relate to, though. Sometimes things get tough, and it's easy to let life get the best of us. Even the most positive people out there have moments of weakness and feeling down, and it's perfectly normal to feel those emotions. It's also important to maintain control over those feelings, instead of letting them control you. Everyone is different, and we all cope with difficult situations in our own ways. Still, I thought I'd share a few things that help me deal with stress and anxiety - hopefully you will find them helpful, too!

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Saturday 23 July 2016

Sleek i-Divine eyeshadow palettes in A New Day and Oh So Special! Review + swatches


Hey, jelly beans! Today, I'm really excited to talk to you about these gorgeous i-Divine eyeshadow palettes by Sleek MakeUP. I mentioned these briefly in my recent drugstore haul, and promised to do a full review and some swatches. As some of you may already know, eyeshadow palettes are my biggest weakness when it comes to makeup. I absolutely love collecting them, although it's rare that I end up liking every shade that's included. Still, after hearing so much about the super affordable Sleek MakeUP palettes, I just had to try them! There are about twenty different palettes available in the i-Divine range, and the two I've picked up are A New Day (which features basic, soft nude shades) and Oh So Special! (which is more rose-toned with shimmery finishes). Hope you enjoy!

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Wednesday 13 July 2016

Boyfriend makeup knowledge tag!


Hello, gummy bears! Today, I'm really excited to be doing the 'Boyfriend makeup knowledge (or lack thereof)' tag. I first spotted this on Nadia's blog (she is my blogger bestie and an absolute star, so make sure you pop over to her blog and say hello!), and the answers made me laugh so much I just had to try it on my better-half. My boyfriend has been incredibly supportive throughout my blogging journey - he always reads my posts, and even suggests things for me to review when we're out shopping together. However, he seems to be completely immune to any kind of makeup knowledge, which is funny considering how much I go on about it. We both had so much fun doing this little tag, and I invite all you lovelies to join in and try it with your other half, also!

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Saturday 9 July 2016

Recently used foundations round-up - drugstore + high-end!


Hello, beauties! Does anyone else feel like they're always on the search for that perfect foundation? I'm always easily swayed by positive reviews and 'revolutionary' formulas, although I have yet to find a foundation that would tick all of my boxes. I find that a lot of them look good on the skin for about thirty minutes, but at the end of the day, well, it's usually a complete mess (especially if your skin is very oily, like mine). Recently, I've decided to truly commit to finding my perfect foundation, so I've been trying out a few new brands and formulas. Today, I will be sharing some honest thoughts on my recent acquisitions, as well as old favourites that I've decided to re-visit. Hope you enjoy!

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Sunday 3 July 2016

*CLOSED* 500 followers international giveaway! Cocoa Blend eyeshadow palette by Zoeva


Hey, beauties! Today is a very special day - Shoes and Glitter is celebrating its first 500 Bloglovin' and 2500 Twitter followers! I'm so excited, happy and grateful for all the love and support I've received throughout my blogging journey. I know that 500 followers may not seem like much, especially compared to the many more amazing, much more established blogs - but it really does mean the world to me. To be honest, I don't really like the term 'followers' - I see you all more as my friends; fellow bloggers who share the same passion and interest for beauty, makeup and blogging in general. Reaching half a thousand Bloglovin' buddies feels like a huge milestone for me and I've decided to celebrate it with a little giveaway! Today, I will be giving away one of Zoeva's Cocoa Blend eyeshadow palettes, which is probably my favourite palette of all time. Hope you enjoy!

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Tuesday 28 June 2016

Drugstore mini haul! Maybelline, Sleek MakeUP, Bourjois and more

Hello, beauties! I've been on a bit of a drugstore craze lately, so today I'm bringing you another beauty haul! I love high-end makeup, but these days I see it as more of a special treat, rather than something I'd purchase regularly. I feel that with drugstore makeup there is just so much more to choose from, and the quality is often just as good as premium brands. Since it was my payday last week, I placed a little order with Boots for a few items that have been on my wishlist for a while. Today, I will be sharing with you my general thoughts and first impressions of these recent purchases. Hope you enjoy!


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Thursday 23 June 2016

Favourite summer lipsticks! Drugstore + high-end


Hey, lovelies! I'm feeling really excited now that summer is finally here (even though since the summer's started three days ago, we've only had about fifteen minutes of sunshine so far...)! Typically, I don't tend to change up my makeup depending on the season, and I'm pretty bad at following the latest beauty trends. However, since my makeup collection keeps expanding with every payday, I've decided to mix things up a bit and introduce more of a seasonal rotation. Whilst I enjoy sticking to the same sort of shades all year round, I think that summer is a good opportunity to go a little brighter with your makeup. Today, I'm very excited to share with you a few of my favourite summer lipstick picks, which are all about vibrant pinks, reds, and feminine nudes. Hope you enjoy!

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Friday 17 June 2016

Argan oil - what is it, how to use it and where to buy it?


Hello, jelly beans! As promised, today's post is going to be all about argan oil - its benefits, uses, and tips on how to ensure you buy the best quality stuff (without spending a fortune). During our trip to Morocco (which is where argan oil originates from) I had the pleasure to learn a lot about the 'liquid gold', and witness its production first-hand. We visited an argan oil cooperative in a small village outside of Marrakesh, where local women work to produce the oil. It is a labour-intensive process, which involves smashing and grinding nuts from argan trees to produce a thick paste. The paste feels a little like pizza dough (trust me to make a comparison to pizza!), which is then drained away to extract pure oil. From what we've learned, it takes days of hard manual work to produce just the smallest amount of oil. The argan oil cooperative we visited had its own shop attached to it, with plenty of locally produced argan goodies of all kind - from pure oils to soaps, perfumes and shampoos. Everything was lovely, but also very expensive, so I ended up purchasing a small soap made from argan paste as a souvenir.

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Sunday 12 June 2016

Summer fragrance recommendations!


Hey, lovelies! With summer just around the corner, I'm very excited to be bringing you my seasonal perfume recommendations. Personally, I think that this time of year is perfect for scents that are light, citrusy and refreshing. Hot temperatures tend to intensify fragrance notes, which means that a lot of the more potent scents can be a little overwhelming in warmer weather. My personal favourite summer perfume notes include lemon, grapefruit, coconut and peony rose, all of which will feature in today's list. Hope you enjoy this season's recommendations!

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Thursday 9 June 2016

What I got in Morocco + update about our trip!


Hello there, my lovely muffins! It feels amazing to get back into blogging again. I've missed you all very much! I'll be sure to catch up with all your lovely blogs over the next few days. Our holiday was amazing - it was great to take some time off together and celebrate our anniversary in such a special way. Morocco is a beautiful country full of rich and vibrant culture, and some truly unforgettable sights. Honestly, it's been difficult to get back into the daily grind after such a great holiday, but being able to blog again makes it all worth it! Today, I'd like to tell you a little bit more about our trip, and show you a few beauty items (since this is still a beauty blog!) I picked up in Morocco. Hope you enjoy!

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Friday 20 May 2016

NYX Acqua Luxe lip glosses - review + swatches! (+ blog update)


Hey, muffins! Today, I'm very excited to talk to you about these gorgeous Acqua Luxe lip glosses by NYX. I briefly mentioned these in my NYX mini haul, and today, I'm bringing you a full review! NYX claims that these glosses are 'packed with glitter and just a hint of colour to create the look of full, luminous lips'. They can be worn on their own, or layered over a lipstick for mirror-like shine. These glosses come in five different shades, featuring mostly pink tones, but there are a couple of nude and peachy shades, too. Today, I will be swatching two of those shades - VIP and High Society. Hope you enjoy!

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Sunday 15 May 2016

The £1 face!


Hey, muffins! How do you feel about budget beauty products? Personally, I love to indulge in high-end makeup, although admittedly, expensive doesn't always mean good. Cheap doesn't always mean bad, either, and there sure are some amazing, budget-friendly gems out there. Recently, I received a few makeup items from Miss Beauty London - a brand that features only £1 beauty products. This gave me the inspiration for today's post, so I went ahead and purchased a bunch of £1 makeup from different brands. Today, I will show you my makeup done using £1 products only, and share my honest thoughts on some of the most budget-friendly makeup out there. Hope you enjoy!

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Tuesday 10 May 2016

Recent skincare discoveries - hits and misses!


Hey, beauties! Today, I thought I'd so something a little different, and talk about my recent skincare discoveries. It's quite rare for me to feature skincare reviews on my blog, mainly because I don't consider myself that knowledgeable in the subject. I love learning about skincare from my favourite beauty gurus like Anne (Linda, Libra, Loca) and Samantha (My Beauty Cloud), but when it comes to my own skincare choices, I kind of just go with whatever sounds good! This is why instead of writing individual reviews, I thought I would share with you some general thoughts on my recent skincare acquisitions. Hope you enjoy!

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Thursday 5 May 2016

NYX mini haul + first impressions!


Hey, jelly beans! Today, I'm very excited to bring you my first beauty haul. NYX is a brand that's always been on my radar - their products are affordable, and the quality rivals some of the most expensive makeup brands. However, until recently NYX was quite difficult to get hold of in the UK. When my local Boots finally started stocking it, I picked up a bunch of NYX products and thought that it would be a good opportunity for a little 'shop-and-tell'. Hope you enjoy!

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Sunday 1 May 2016

My guide to celebrity perfumes - collection + recommendations! (Part 2)

Hey, lovelies! It's time for part two of my celebrity perfume collection (you can check out part one here!). In the first part, I talked a little bit about the importance of not judging perfumes by their label, and showed you a few of my favourites by Britney Spears, Beyonce and Katy Perry. Today, I will be sharing the rest of my collection, which features more unusual celebrity scents. If you don't like the typical, sugary-sweet celebrity perfumes, these recommendations will be perfect for you. Hope you enjoy!


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Tuesday 26 April 2016

Blogging tips for beginners (part IV) - writing beauty reviews. Tips + what to avoid?


Hello, muffins! This post was originally going to be part two of my celebrity perfume collection, but I thought I'd break it up with another installment of blogging tips (make sure you check out parts I, II and III)! Today, I'd like to talk to you a little bit about writing, which is really the main part of any blogging process (and often the most difficult one!). Writing is something that's very individual and subjective, and there's no real right or wrong way of doing it. Everyone has their own style, and that's something we shouldn't shy away from - it's what makes our blogs special and unique! There are however a few things to look out for, especially when it comes to writing beauty reviews. Today, I'd like to share with you a few writing tips, and things I've learned from working on beauty reviews. Hope you enjoy!

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Wednesday 20 April 2016

My guide to celebrity perfumes - collection + recommendations (Part I)


Hey, jelly beans! Today, I'd like to talk to you a little bit about celebrity perfumes, and show you my collection! Celebrity scents are bit of a love and hate thing... Generally speaking, people that avoid buying celebrity perfumes do so because they dislike the celebrities behind them, and don't want to be paying for something promoted by a given person (i.e 'I could never wear something made by so and so!). The truth is, celebrities are rarely involved in the perfume-making process. An independent perfume designer composes the fragrance, the given celebrity then approves it, sticks their name on the label and that's it. They give their general preference as to how they'd like the fragrance to smell, but it's the designer that actually creates the scent. Did you know that the same person that's composed a few of the Paris Hilton fragrances also works for Marc Jacobs? Kim Kardashian's perfume designer team has created some scents for Hugo Boss and Lacoste. It's really all about the label, and I've learned to never judge a scent based on the name behind it (same logic applies to fashion, makeup etc.). I'm not saying that a celebrity fragrance is ever going to top Chanel or Dior in terms of quality, but they can all be enjoyed and appreciated equally. Celebrity scents are fun, affordable and for the most part, very easy to like!

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Saturday 16 April 2016

The Beauty Lover Tag!


Hello, muffins! Today, I'm really excited to be doing the 'Beauty Lover' tag, which is slightly different and more refreshing than the typical makeup tags. I'd like to thank my sweet girl Trishna for inviting me to participate in this tag - make sure you check out her lovely blog, Tips Capsule! She blogs about beauty, fashion, and food (her recipes are always super easy to follow and delicious!), plus she's one of the loveliest and friendliest people I've had the pleasure to talk to. Now, onto the tag questions! 

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Monday 11 April 2016

The best eyeshadow palette ever?! Zoeva 'Cocoa Blend' - review & swatches


Hey, beauties! When it comes to buying makeup, eyeshadow palettes are probably my biggest weakness. I absolutely love collecting them, although it's rare that I end up liking every shade that's included. When I saw a few of my favourite beauty gurus rave about this gorgeous Cocoa Blend palette by Zoeva, I knew I just had to have it. I was immediately drawn towards the warm tones and the elegant packaging, plus the selection of shades seemed so unusual and versatile. Today, I'd like to share with you my thoughts on this gorgeous palette... And as you can probably guess from the title - it is a favourite! 

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Tuesday 5 April 2016

Blogging tips for beginners (part III) - Photography on a budget. How to improve your blog photos?


Hello, darlings! It's time for the third part of my series dedicated to blogging tips. This time, I'd like to focus on how to make the most of your blog photos when you're on a budget, and share a few tips on photo composition, props and design. Honestly, I don't consider my blog photos to be that good - I certainly see more impressive images on other blogs on a daily basis. However, this part was requested by a few of you, so I thought I'd share some things I've learned over the past few months. For the record, I don't have a professional camera for taking blog photos - I use the humble little camera on my phone (Samsung Galaxy Alpha). I don't believe that you need the best equipment to take decent photos - to me, it's all about the composition and general aesthetics, which can be achieved with a few simple tricks. Hope you enjoy!
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Wednesday 30 March 2016

Best perfumes for spring!


Spring is finally here, and I honestly couldn't be happier! British winters aren't too exciting, and there is something about spring that always makes me feel more optimistic. Sunshine, longer days, blossoming flowers and fluffy ducklings - there are just so many things to love about this season! Aside from ditching the winter boots, one of the main things I always look forward to is changing up my perfume wardrobe. Whilst winter is perfect for perfumes that are quite heavy, bold and sweet; spring is all about floral, light and refreshing scents. Today, I'd like to share with you a few of my favourites. Hope you enjoy!

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Saturday 26 March 2016

NYX Lip Lingerie lipstick review + swatches! Lace Detail + Bedtime Flirt


Hey, beauties! Today, I'm very excited to share with you my thoughts on the new Lip Lingerie collection by NYX. I've always been more of a lip gloss gal, but when I saw these lippies, I simply couldn't resist trying them! The Lip Lingerie liquid lipsticks promise to give you a flawless, matte finish that lasts all day. They come in twelve beautiful, nude shades, which range from cinnamon pinks to chocolate browns (also including one lovely, sultry red). I will be swatching two of those shades - Lace Detail and Bedtime Flirt. Hope you enjoy!

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Monday 21 March 2016

Perfume of the month (March 2016): Hanae Mori - Butterfly


Hey, muffins! Instead of doing my typical monthly beauty favourites, I thought I'd introduce a new series dedicated to my top perfume picks of the month. I always enjoy changing up my scents depending on the mood and the season, and this month I've been particularly loving this gorgeous Butterfly Eau De Parfum by Hanae Mori. This is a sweet, creamy perfume which, to me, really encompasses everything I look for in a perfect fragrance - captivating scent, top-shelf quality and great lasting power.

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Wednesday 16 March 2016

Blogging tips for beginners (part II) - how to grow your audience?


Hey, lovelies! It's time for part two of the series dedicated to blogging tips (make sure you check out part one here!). Again, I don't consider myself to be an expert when it comes to blogging, but I thought it might be helpful to share a few things I've learned over the past few months. Today's post will focus on growing your audience through connecting with other blogs. Hope you enjoy!

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Thursday 10 March 2016

Favourite body butters + recommendations update!


Hey, beauties! It's been a while since my last top body butters post, so I thought it would be fun to do a little update. Body butters are one of those things that I absolutely love, but don't use often enough. I tend to be a little lazy when it comes to my body care routine, and usually go for 'in-shower' moisturizers that are quick and easy to use. Having said that, I still like to indulge myself with body butters from time to time, especially during colder months when my skin is very dry and needs extra hydration. Today, I'd like to share with you a few of my top body butter picks. Hope you enjoy!

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Saturday 5 March 2016

Blogging tips for beginners (part I) - Finding your niche. How to make your blog stand out?


Hello, muffins! Today's post is the first part of a new series, dedicated to blogging tips. Whilst I don't consider myself to be an expert when it comes to blogging, I thought it might be useful to share a few things I've learned over the past few months. This post will focus on finding your own niche, and making your blog content more original. Hope you enjoy! 

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Monday 29 February 2016

*CLOSED* 6 months blogiversary! Thoughts, goals + YSL lipstick giveaway (international)!


Today is a very special day - Shoes and Glitter is celebrating its first six months blogiversary! I honestly can't believe how time flies... When I created this blog in September last year, I didn't expect myself to stick to it for more than a couple of months. However, blogging quickly became something I'd look forward to doing every day - something that makes me feel happy and fulfilled. It's helped me fill that empty void I had in my life, which stemmed from having very few hobbies and a pretty miserable job. Throughout my blogging journey, I've met so many wonderful people, and made a few good friends. Although it's only been six months, I can already say that blogging has been one of the best experiences in my life, and I hope for it to continue for many years to come!
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Friday 26 February 2016

My Victoria's Secret collection + recommendations!


Victoria's Secret is one of my all-time favourite brands; and whilst I do adore their clothing lines, I'm really all about their beauty products. When a brand new Victoria's Secret store opened near my town last month, I was over the moon! Their beauty department is absolutely wonderful and you'll definitely be seeing some makeup reviews soon. Today, I'd like to focus a little more on their fragrance selection. Victoria's Secret are well-known for their perfumes - they are always so girly and sweet, and come in the most adorable bottles. Although my collection isn't very big, I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favourites. Hope you enjoy!
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