Body Progress Update #1

I've spent a good few weeks deciding whether or not I wanted to write this post and put myself so far out there on the internet, but I'm trying to care less about what people think and just be a bit more positive. So here I am sharing my body progress with you guys.
My journey has been very slow compared to some people's and that's because it took me a long time to get into a routine of just generally making healthier life choices, and I have hit a few bumps in the road. Nonetheless I am extremely proud of my progress and will be continuing to share it with you guys should you all wish. 

 This is me, a year on from when I began going to the gym regularly and eating far more healthily. The before pictures of me in a bikini are just a tad unsightly so I'm afraid I don't have the balls to be posting those.

I am fully aware I'm far from perfect (and far from a Victoria's Secret Model...but that's just unrealistic for me) and I am still far from where I want to be, but I have toned up a lot and gone down 2 dress sizes (from a 14 to a 10), despite the scales actually not moving, so I am extremely proud of myself.  My waist has also come in and I've lost a lot of fat from my thighs and arms. Currently I have fallen off the rails with the gym and last week I only went three times, and generally I will go five or six, but that happens. Cutting down on overly processed foods and refined sugar has helped me along my journey, although I do still order the occasional Dominoes and chow down on an entire pack of Fox's Jam'n Cream Biscuits!

The above picture is from my Summer Ball in 2015, and the below is from my 2016 Summer Ball. You can see that my shape has definitely changed around my tummy.

I hope to write a few "What I Eat In A Day" posts and an updated gym routine in the near future if that is of interest to anyone?  My goals at the moment are to sort out my tummy and tone it up and also to grow the booty! Progress is slow but from experience I know that is the best if it's a long term change you are after. I owe a lot to the internet in particular for keeping me motivated, in particular to Carly Rowena and Ashley Nocera, who are just two of the most beautiful and inspirational people going.
Are you on any body journeys at the moment? 

The Least Summery Lipstick Purchase

"What are you doing Daena, this is not a Summer lipstick", I hear you all scream. Don't worry I am fully aware that this is the most autumnal shade I could possibly have picked up and had to try and justify this purchase before it happened. Nonetheless it still occurred and thanks to my miscalculations at Palma Airport (and flipping Brexit) I'm pretty sure despite Duty Free, I paid more than I would've in England.

that highlight though Daena

Complaints aside, this is the most gorgeous matte lipstick which glides evenly on the lips and lasts for so long. I find that it leaves a slight stain behind on the lips and therefore doesn't mean you necessarily need to carry it around with you all day for touch-ups. 

It's shade is very similar to Diva which I also own, but it has a slightly more purple tone to it which seems to be making my teeth look whiter, no complaints from me there! It's a bit in between Diva and Viva Glam x Ariana Grande. 

Personally, I will be rocking this throughout Summer even though it's the wrong season - who made up this rule of berry tones being for winter anyway?!

What's your most recent MAC purchase?

Top 5 Summer Beauty Bag Essentials

Here are my top 5 products which will not be leaving my beauty bag this summer!

1) NYX Born To Glow Illuminator Who doesn't love a good bronzed glow on holiday? This beautiful illuminator can be used as a highlighter or underneath foundation as a primer. I personally use the bronze colour under my foundation and it creates a beautiful glow. I'm dying to try one of the lighter shades to put on the top of my cheekbones.
2) MAC Face & Body This seems to be the only foundation I wear in Summer as it's super light, leaves a beautiful glow and it's waterproof, what more could you want?! 

3) NYX HD Loose Powder For those of you who can't bare being shiny, this NYX powder does a wonderful job at setting down makeup and leaving a matte finish to the skin. I find it's not cakey but does leave the skin looking and feeling super smooth.
4) Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara I love a good waterproof mascara all year round because they do a much better job at holding a curl in my lashes, but they're essential in the summer. Not only are they sweatproof but you can also go into the sea and not worry about coming out looking like something from a horror movie. I particularly love the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara as it really separates the lashes but can also be quite dramatic if layered up.
5) Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade Similarly to mascara, you don't want to go into the sea or swimming pool and come out with your eyebrows halfway down your face, it just wouldn't be a great look. Anastasia Dipbrow is a waterproof formula so will stay in place even through sweat and sea water. I for one will be using this on my holiday!
What products do you swear by in Summer?

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

I've had this bad boy sat in the back of my makeup drawers for a while now and over the past week or so I have been testing it out, and I can tell you all I am very pleasantly surprised. With all the hype around this mascara and the £19 price point, I did have very high hopes for this mascara and all expectations were met!

I use three coats of the mascara on both my top and bottom lashes as I like to have very voluminous lashes which are also long. This mascara does an amazing job at building up volume quickly and I cannot fault it, except for the name I just think its unnecessary (I'm not a prude I promise!). Also as the brush is quite fat it makes the application process far quicker, although does make it challenging to attack those bottom lashes neatly. As for the packaging it is quite weighty and really reflects the price point - packaging is one thing you just cannot fault Too Faced for! 

Generally I wear eyeliner on my top lashes as well to make my lash line appear thicker, but with this mascara I haven't felt the need to. Here is a before and after shot just so you can see how much of a difference this mascara makes to my lashes!

This is definitely my new favourite mascara, and although it isn't waterproof it still does a great job at holding a curl in my lashes. You can get hold of it at Debenhams here!

Have you guys got any mascara recommendations?

Dior Rose Gold Sunglasses Dupe

How beautiful are these Sunglasses ?! All the blogger gals are jumping on those Dior sunnies, but hey I'm a student and as much as I want them, they cost over a months rent, so I decided to go on a hunt for some dupes. I found these on eBay for £10.45 and although you can definitely tell they're a bit cheaper and aren't identical, they still claim to have UV Protection and still look beautiful. 
If anyone has any tips on how to keep these mirrored babies unscratched sand clean then please holla at me because they get so grubby!