Hey guys, 

This week, I thought I would bring you all an opportunity to test and give your own opinion on some of the newest beauty items around. I'm talking about the Boots Volunteer Panel. If you don't know, the Boots Volunteer Panel is perfect for those of you who want to have a go at testing beauty products, giving your honest opinions about them, while also getting to keep them too! 

Have you ever wanted to test skincare, cosmetics, and toiletries and actually give a valued opinion on these products? Do you want your opinion to count and change the way products are used or developed? Well that is exactly what the Boots Volunteer Panel needs. 

The Panel consists of Men and Women aged 18-80, it is a balanced panel of a wide range of members of the general public, who they hope will provide an unbiased opinion. This could be you. If successful, volunteers are either asked to test products at home, or at the Evaluation centre in Beeston, Nottingham. So if this is something you do want to take part in, please be aware of the fact that you may need to travel.

When testing the products at home, you are usually allowed to keep the product, and all that is required is you complete an online questionnaire as feedback. Depending on the length of the test, it could mean you test a product over a few months and respond to a number of questionnaires. It's really important that when testing the products you do not use them on anyone else and your feedback needs to be completely honest. It's important to note that you can withdraw at any time. If testing the products at the test centre, you are fully reimbursed in the form of a Boots gift card or by bank transfer if you prefer.

Boots are particularly looking for more Asian and Black skin types to take part, as their stock of products catering for these skin tones is ever growing. So, if you are 18 or over and of this colour skin type, you are needed, but please feel free to apply even if you are not.

I thought I would share this, as I get so many of you messaging me on social media asking about the products I use and get to test from various brands and I know some of you would like to try testing products for yourself, so I thought this would be a great opportunity and I am planning to apply myself! To apply click here.

Amina xx

Hi guys,

My most requested blog posts are always in relation to make-up storage. Either people really need help or just want to be a little nosey. Let's face it I am always the latter. I'm not sure why I have put it off for so long but maybe it's because the pictures aren't too pretty. However the main point of this post is function with a little focus on appearance thrown in. 

So first of all make-up storage doesn't have to cost you a lot. In fact it can technically be free if you get a little bit thrifty and use boxes that other products might have come in. The beauty industry is such that packaging is everything. Luckily for us that means a ready made pretty storage box.  In the picture below I have used a pretty sturdy box that my Glossier order came in, which even has a retracting lid to stop that pesky dust getting in. Occasionally you can get free make-up bags when purchasing beauty products, so make the most of these too.

Hi Guys,

This week I am bringing to you a blog post all about glasses. I have worn glasses from a very young age. Primary school in fact. I went through a long period of trying to get away with not wearing them, like a lot of kids probably do, however, I think they just gradually got worse. I used to do the whole thing where I would take them with me to school but only wear them when I was in lesson, but around sixth form and uni I gave in a decided to just wear them full time as I literally couldn't see clearly more than 2 metres in front of me. 

I do still battle constantly with wearing glasses for many reasons. I think I have one of those strange faces where my head is quite big and square so finding glasses that suit me is quite difficult. Also my prescription is quite high, so when I do wear them the thickness of the lens seems to reduce my eye size a little, which distorts what my actual face looks like. Saying that, I do wear glasses everyday and have come to accept my glasses as part of me. However, I do wear contact lenses sometimes for special occasions or a day out etc.

Glasses Direct appealed to me as I literally couldn't find any glasses at my recent eye test that suited me. I felt stuck. I had taken time out of my busy schedule to get my eyes tested but when it came to picking a frame I could not choose. Being a mum of two, working part - time and basically not having time in the day to wee let alone shop for glasses left me stuck. I then came across Glasses Direct and was left intrigued.

I found loads of glasses styles that I really loved and what's fab is they have a virtual try-on page where you can upload a picture of yourself and virtually try the glasses on. I tried this, but felt it wasn't a true representation. Still stuck, I delved a little bit deeper and found out they do a free 7 day home trial service where they send you up to four of your favourite styles for you to try on and all for free! I think this is such a great service as they even pay delivery for you. So in essence, you get to try before you buy. 

Once I got my glasses, this is where my lovely Instagram and Twitter followers came in, as I got them to vote for which glasses suited me best! Out of the four options, the majority voted for option four which I was over the moon with, as I liked them best too.

Literally all you then need is your prescription details, which are usually given to you when you go for your eye test. Once you select your frame online, you are then directed to complete the prescription details and it is as simple as that. You can then add on any extras such as anti-glare coating etc. Being so busy, it literally made my day that it was made so simple.

Up until this point, I was completely happy with the process. However, when my chosen frame did arrive, it felt quite loose and one of the arms were bent. The good thing about Glasses Direct is they have optometrists on hand via phone, so any problems and they are literally one call away from being contacted. I was then asked to send the glasses back in the pre-paid envelope and they would do their best to resolve the issue. However, I guess this is one thing to consider when opting to purchase glasses online, you don't get the glasses personally fitted to your face and this can make such a difference to your vision. Up until now, I have had to send the glasses back twice and they are still in for correction. This is something I will definitely consider next time I'm purchasing glasses.

I hope you enjoyed this week's post and has opened your eyes (pun intended) to a new way of selecting you future specs. Do you wear glasses? Where do you purchase from?

Amina  xx

Hey guys,

This week I am bringing to you a brand focus on Stila Cosmetics. They have appeared on the blog before in my Christmas Stocking Filler Gift Guide and New Year's Eve Makeup Look, however this time I am going to introduce you to some of their key products and new releases for Spring and end with a Spring make-up look, so be sure to scroll all the way down!

One thing I love about the brand is how easy their products are to work with. The products speak for themselves and help anyone achieve an effortless make-up routine. They are fast becoming my favourite make-up brand and something about the brand as a whole really connects with me. 

First up we have the Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows. These are one of the products that Stila are well known for. The Glitter & Glow combines glitter and eyeshadow into one product, it applies wet and dries to a powder. No need for glitter glue, it is fuss free, with maximum impact and I think this is what really appeals to me. Below are some swatches from the christmas gift set which contains 3 mini's, however there are a range of over 20 shades. Including duo chrome shades new for Spring. I am obsessed by the way, and want them all.

Carrying on with the eye theme, Stila have also released a Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow for Spring, as easy to use as the Glitter & Glow but with less of the glitter and more of a pearly shimmer. This is perfect for a less obvious look and gives such a subtle shine, it is soft and beautiful. I love that the colour applies wet and dries to a powder. It also means it is buildable, you can apply a thin layer, or apply more to get fuller coverage. These can also be worn with the Glitter & Glow if you are looking for maximum impact. However on their own they give a pearlescent effect that is so stunning. 

One thing I find fantastic about Stila is the usability of the products. They are created with ease in mind. You don't have to be a make-up artist to use them but can still get a professional look. An example of this can be seen in the new Smudge Kajal Eyeliner. It is essentially kajal eyeliner with a smudge sponge and sharpener attached at the bottom.  The formula is lovely, very waxy and applies smoothly. Perfect for smudging and giving a blended look, but with a high intensity pigment. It comes in four colours and I need them all.

Another classic Stila staple is the Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, infused with Vitamin E and Avocado oil it keeps your lips hydrated throughout the day. As matte liquid lipsticks go, this is a very comfortable formula, one of the best I've tried. And that is saying something really as I am definitely a gloss girl! For Spring there is also a shimmer version which is metallic and just stunning. Shimmer for the win I say.

Also new for spring are the Stay All Day Sheer Liquid Lipsticks, same formula but somehow more transparent and less pigmented. Everyone is so caught up with high impact these days but these are surprisingly nice and lightweight. They offer a light wash of matte colour to the lip, and offer a great compromise for someone who loves a matte lip with a softer finish. 

If you are looking to jazz your lips up you need to get your hands on Stila's new Glitterati top coat! It is a clear liquid with tiny particles of pearl, perfect to apply over any of the Stay All Day liquid Lipsticks. Perfect for nightwear and gives your lips a little added extra. This is next on my wishlist!

I created my Bohemian Beauty look below with Shimmer & Glow in Carefree over the lid, with a dark brown shadow blended into the crease. Because the liquid dries to a powder you are still able to apply and blend powder eyeshadows to the rest of the eyes. I then applied the Smudge Kajal eyeliner in Intense Black over the lash line and used the smudger to blend it out. On the lips, I applied Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Bellissimo with Stay All Day Sheer Liquid Lipstick in Sheer Caramel over the top to give an ombre effect. I love the fact all the products can be layered to get different effects. 

So that's my round up of some of my fave Stila products and some of their new releases. Once again this is a brand I am totally falling in love with and will continue to purchase from. They somehow make beauty and make-up un-intimidating and make it exciting for everyone. Have you purchased from Stila? What are your faves? Let me know in the comments below.

Amina xx

*Contains PR samples. All opinions are my own.