Blog awards

Hi guys! 

I am soooo  unbelievably sorry for not posting in so long. I was absolutely bogged under with A Level revision and my new job- I hope you can understand! 

So, I've been nominated for the Liebster Award by the lovely The Blonde Breakthrough 

I got these rules through The Blonde Breakthrough's Blog, who nominated me for this award and there are four rules to stick to when you have been nominated:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog
2. Answer the questions provided by the nominator 
3. Nominate and link ten bloggers that have less than two hundred followers
4. Create 10 questions for the nominees to answer.

My questions were:

1. Who is your biggest inspiration in life?

Wow- what a deep question. I look to many different people for different inspiration!

For everything, I usually would turn to my mother for inspiration; she's truly the best. For fashion and beauty, my ultimate inspiration is CarliBybel (follow her on Instagram and she'll blow your mind)

2. What made you want to create your blog?

Honestly, I just love to babble about things I'm interested in! I loved the thought that I could share tips and tricks with other people and hopefully one day be an inspiration for somebody else. It's also uber fun and satisfying!

3. If you could travel to any place in the world, where/why would it be?

I'm an absolute sucker for blue seas and white sand. I'd absolutely love to travel to Thailand, Bora Bora and the Maldives purely due to their breathtaking beaches and scenery! I've been to places like New York and Washington and I would totally want to visit more American states too! 

4.Peanut Butter or Nutella?

NUTELLA, ALWAYS.

5. What do you find most challenging about maintaining a blog?

100% the upkeep. I find it really hard to take crystal clear photos and find the time to write my blog- because I'm such a perfectionist, one post can take me hours! 

6. If someone was interested in becoming a blogger, what would your tips be?

Stick at it. No matter what, stick at it and be persistent. You're never going to get 10000 followers over night! Keep it interesting and ONLY write about things you're genuinely interested in. Unfortunately I don't think you can ''fake it till you make it'' with blogging, you've got to be yourself.

7. Best compliment you've ever received?

I always get told that I remind people of Demi Lovato which is an ultimate compliment as she's such an inspiration and empowering woman. However, my ultimate favourite was a comment on instagram where someone said I look like Megan Fox!! (I know, unreal!) 

8.If you were to throw a dinner party and could only invite 5 people (celebrities included), who would you invite? 

Scott Disick, Michelle Keegan, Kim Kardashian, Chris Brown and Beyonce.

9.If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA, hands down.

10. What is your favourite movie?

Argh, I hate this. LOL is a pretty awesome movie!

I nominate: 

1- Yeah I'm Lost

2- The Blonde Breakthrough

3- Love Lauren
4- Black is the new black

5- Never Too Experienced

6- Lipstick and Laughter

7- Sparkle Shine Heather

8- Romantiquely

9- About Today

10- Chatter Girl

My questions to you all:

1. If you could be friends with any celebrity who would it be and why?

2. What would your dream job be?

3. If you were a food, what would you be and why?

4. What do you find the most rewarding part about blogging?

5. Who is your favourite blogger?

6. If you could own any handbag, what would it be and why?

7. If you won £10,000 what would you spend it on?

8. Have you ever considered travelling? If so where would you go and why?

9. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

10. Sweet or savoury?

Time to get nominating guys- thanks for reading!

Simply Jess x

Tanning essentials: preparation and application.

Hi guys! 

So, I know it's only Wednesday and usually I would be preparing my tan on a Thursday (ready for the weekend) 

So, lets talk essentials.
Mine 100% come from St. Tropez.

This brand is absolutely incredible if you do not want streaks or patchy fake tan.

The steps I follow to gain the 'perfect' tan:

1. Preparation
Preparation is the key to a non streaky or patchy looking fake tan.

- I always make sure I'm fresh out of the bath/shower, with freshly shaven legs (and everything else) to ensure that the application will apply smooth.

-Moisturise! I can't stress this enough. You need to moisturise. Personally I just moisturise my knuckles, elbows and knees pre-application. However after my tan has dried I always do a full body moisturise too. 

2. Application

I doubt there's anyone that even attempts to fake tan without a fake tan mit, however if you are one of these people...INVEST IN A TANNING APPLICATION MIT!

There is nothing worse than seeing girls with bright orange palms. For a first, it doesn't look natural at all. In the sun, you never see tanned palms as they're not something that naturally catch the sun- thus making your tanning application look ridiculous.

-Orange hands would only occur if you apply tan without a mit as you would be leaving product on your hands.

- I always apply in a light circular motion, applying around one or two squirts of product at a time. The circular motion ensures that the fake tan will cover everywhere and it prevents the streaky lines that can occur.

TOP TIPS: 

- Don't apply too much product as you then increase your chances of build ups in areas, causing streaks and a heavily uneven tan

-If you over apply, you may well look orange- this is not an attractive look, the purpose of tan is to make you look TANNED (as if you've caught the sun) and most certainly not that you've had a ball with your Doritos.

-Don't heavily to the inside of your arm, your palms and the balls of your feet. These places do NOT naturally catch the sun and you'll see when you're on holiday- these areas are always paler as they do not tan as easy. If you apply lots of product to these areas too, it will look un-natural and defeats the object of a 'tan'.

-LET. IT. DRY. With nail varnish, you wouldn't  use your freshly painted nails to fold your clothes would you?! It would smudge them right? Exactly! Treat your tan the same- let the product dry to avoid any smudges, patches or stains. My worst ever experience was brushing my teeth after fake tanning (Drops of water came off my toothbrush and landed on my leg leaving some lovely white splodges where it'd removed my tan!!) 

I hope this has helped with your tanning application and I do highly recommend this product. I recently bought my new bottle from Feel Unique where it's currently only £24.00 usually £30.00 in my local Boots!

Thanks for reading,

Simply Jess x

Get ready with me- my daily make up procedure

You could say when it comes to make up, I'm a little, maaaajorly obsessed with it.
Here is a snapshot of some of my daily essentials, my must haves. 

How do you prep your face?
Every night I religiously take my make up off using the Garnier Skin Naturals collection- the Softening Cleansing Lotion and the Softening Toner. They do an amazing job at removing make up and keeping your face hydrated at the same time! Not only this, but it doesn't sting. I simply cannot use baby wipes/face wipes as jeeeezz they sting like a bi***h!        

 Although the cleanser and toner aim to not dry out the face, I don't think you could eliminate the fact that your skin needs moisturising and hydrating. My two fave products for this are the 'Simple- Kind to Skin collection- Hydrating Light Moisturiser' it's really light on your face so it feels incredible; I cannot stand it when your face feels heavy e.g from putting too much product on.
I've only just tested out the 'Chanel- hydrating cream' as it came as a tester with a recent purchase.... WOW! I've always always always stuck by Chanel 100% and I'm so glad I have done. This hydrating cream is incredible. If you're looking for a glowing effect- this is the product for you! It's on my wishlist now for pay day so I can get the full thing!! 

To the juicy bit.... The actual make up application:

My foundation is again my favourite brand, Chanel. Honestly, I've tried MAC, Rimmel and many other high street brand and nothing compares to this. I use the Chanel Vitalumiere in 30 Shell. This usually isn't the reason anyone would buy a foundation... But honestly the smell is INCREDIBLE. Not only does your face look amazing, but it smells amazing too!

I'd 100% recommend this foundation to anyone! Most of the time with purchases from Chanel you receive little freebies too, that's awesome right?!

P.N I do use highlighters/primers/brow kit and any extra products as my post would've almost been a full photo album if I included everything- If you want any details feel free to message me! 
The cheeks/face...

For my bronzer I use the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Bronzer in 'GIVE ME SUN'. (left product) This bronzer is perfect if you're wanting a shimmery look... But also a heavily bronzed cheek- which I do given my brunette locks and darker skin. 

I apply the bronzer using a Real Techniques Bronzing Brush to the bottom of my cheekbone, lining up with my ear and my top lip. I then apply the bronzer to my temples and blend upwards to the to top corners of my forehead.
After applying my MAC bronzer, I apply the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in 'Beige', this is my ultimate essential, I honestly couldn't live without it... It adds so much more to the cheeks, really highlighting and complimenting my harsher looking bronzer. These two are the ultimate duo!

The eyes...

My eyes are probably the most trickiest part of my daily routine, given the dreaded eyeliner flicks. 
Firstly, I apply the Benefit 'Stay Don't Stray' eye primer and brightener- this is perfect if you're wanting to add the harsh white contrast underneath your brows to compliment them.
I then use my MAC white eye shadow and cover up and over my crease to my brow line, before applying my NAKED 2 palette colour of my choice to the creases.
For my eyeliner I use the gel paint point in black from MAC, and the MAC 209 brush to apply, this creates a strong and bold eye liner look. Because I'm using a paintbrush, I am able to thin out my flicks due to the natural fading of any brush stroke- creating a natural  looking flick or dramatic if you press harder.

For my mascara I use the Chanel mascara in black- Be careful as this has occasionally made both my mum's and my eyes itch. Weird I know!

The Lips.... 

Because this is my every day essentials, I am not getting my MAC Lipstick collection out! For every day use I swear by the Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil in Cocoa. It creates the most beautiful nude tone and most definitely compliments the other products. It's sooooo worth a try!

Although this isn't everything I use (I do apologise) these are my basic essentials I use when getting ready on a morning. If you have any questions don't hesitate to message me!

Simply Jess x

Welcome to my blog guys!

Hi guys! Welcome to my blog, Simply Jess.

A little background information: I'm an 18 year old girl from York, I'm just finishing my A Level's (exams are under way as I'm writing this!) with a new career at Nestle as of Monday. I am utterly obsessed with shopping and beauty products and I Instagram basically anything that's beauty, fashion or food related.

I'm currently on the Cambridge Weight Plan trying to shed the pounds- I've currently lost 12lb over the past 3 weeks and hope to lose a few more ready for my holidays.
-Uuuhh.. Why is she telling me this? It's just to inform you that there will be a lack of my 'foodie' pictures for the next couple of weeks, especially those that contain indulgent foods such as chocolate etc. Just until I'm back eating naughty foods again.

I'm a complete perfectionist- Yes, the annoying type. You know, the girl in class who will rip her paper out if her notes aren't neat enough. Suppose as a blogger that's not a bad quality to have right?

Anyway, moral of this post is that I'm a brand new blogger  who will be posting fashion, beauty and lifestyle posts. 

Welcoming any advice or tips that your kind hearts may want to offer, please email them to jessleaming@hotmail.co.uk if you think I may need to know anything. 

I'm so excited to see where this adventure takes me and with the help of you guys, I'm sure it's going to be a fun one!!

Simply Jess, x

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