Valentines Day Look | Golden Eyes & Red Lips!

As Valentines day is fast approaching, I thought I'd share a smokey golden eye/red lip combo with you guys. This is the look I'm sporting this valentines day and I hope you like it!

I'm wearing my favourite red lip at the moment which is MAC's Ruby Woo. And on my eyes is a combination of products... as a base I used Maybelline' Colour Tattoo 24hr eye cream in the shade 'On and On Bronze', and then applied 'Gold Coast' and 'Sunset' from my Soap & Glory Perfect Ten palette. And of course there has to be some winged liner involved. I just used my Rimmel exaggerate waterproof liquid eye liner which I've been using since I was 15! It's a goodun'.

I think the golden eyes and red lip combo works really well together. It has that (dare I say) 'sexy' appeal. I also feel that the shimmery golden lids will truly make you sparkle on the day!

My Evening Skincare Routine!

Hi guys, so today I wanted to share my evening skincare routine with you. I've actually always been a bit hesitant to do a skincare video, because for me, it's a very personal thing - you're getting up, close and personal on the internet, you're putting your bare face out there. And that really is quite terrifying.

I actually have huge amounts of respect for anyone who has put a skincare routine up on their blogs or up on YouTube, you are brave human beings! It's actually really nice to see that people are comfortable in their own skin. And, I also enjoy seeing what products people use, so I find these videos super helpful.

Anyway, for those who are curious, my skin-type is combination. It can be oily and dry, it changes all the time. My skin is also super sensitive and I am prone to break-outs, so I am extremely careful with what I put on my skin.

The products I've shown are doing wonders for my skin right now and I'm really happy with the current routine I have! I don't always use the Origins drink up intensive face mask as a 'night moisturiser', I use it once a week to re-hydrate my skin. I actually use the Origins Make a Difference Plus+ moisturiser on a regularly basis. And, I bloody love it!
Also if my skin is feeling particularly spotty there are a few additional products I will sneak into the routine too.

Anyway, I hope you find this video somewhat helpful and hope everyone has a lovely evening!

Spoilt Rotten, Thanks Guys!

If you have been keeping an eye on my blog, you will know that I have had an operation on my womb. I'm doing a lot better today, however I am really nervous about getting my stitches removed a little later on today... Eeek!

Anyway, I just wanted to do a little appreciation post, slash, a little reminder of how lovely everyone has been to me. I have been spoilt rotten with krispy kremes (my favourite doughnuts), teas, flowers, and boxes and boxes of chocolate! Sugar heaven!

I know I've said thank you a billion times, but thank you, thank you, thank you! You are all so wonderful and I'm so lucky to have you all in my life!

Zoey Olivia Dot Com & Header Update!

(The old design)

(The new design)

(YouTube channel)

Hi everyone. I hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday enjoying roast dinners and what not! Today I just wanted to share a few little blog updates with you all.

I have updated the header on my blog and on my Youtube channel to a minimalistic/fancy styled font. Just a little change to something more me. And plus it's nice to refresh things every so often!

As some may know, I love minimalism, less is more... And so, I've chosen a simple black and white header that reflects me as a person/blogger. 

I also wanted to say that I didn't dislike my old header, I thought the flowers were really pretty... but, I just didn't feel like it was very me. 

Also, my domain is now working! I am officially www.zoeyolivia.com! I actually bought this domain back in November and I completely forgot about it. So, I'm glad it's finally being put to good use! 

Anyway, I'm really happy with the changes I've made and I hope you guys like it too!

Grey days | Life After Surgery

This week has been a bit of a toughie for me. I have been really struggling to walk, move around, do simple tasks and just be myself. For someone who thrives to work hard and like's ensuring the day is filled to the brim with productivity, this has been a too little hard to manage in my current state.

Last week I gave you a little insight in to my life. 'When Life Gives you Lemons, Make Lemonade.' Sometimes, we have to put making lemonade on hold. Especially when health is a concern.

In a previous blog post I talked about my upcoming womb operation for my endometriosis. And I have now had said operation.

Sadly, I had a few complications whilst in surgery. It was worst than they expected, and instead of just removing the endometriosis (which was extensive), I also had something called 'Adhesiolysis' performed on me, as well as having a large cyst on my ovaries removed.

After the surgery, my blood pressure was incredibly low, I was in unbearable amounts of agony, I'd completely lost my appetite and I was sick a few times.

Because of these complications it meant I couldn't leave the hospital on the day of the surgery (as was planned). I had to stay a few days, which may I add, was awful. I couldn't sleep a wink, I had drains attached to my stomach and my hand, and to be quite honest, I felt like a useless turnip. I wanted nothing more than to go home to my own bed.

Luckily, I was discharged early (two days after the surgery) after speaking with a doctor at the hospital. The nurses suggested that I stay another night or two, but I really didn't want to.

As you can imagine, staying in hospital isn't the most dreamiest of places to be in.

Anyway, I was so incredibly happy to be home. SO SO happy!

Being at home has been a bit of a struggle, however, I have had Joe looking after me. To be honest, it's been kind of sweet that Joe has been so supportive, caring and so attentive... I'm not used to being smothered with love and care (just joking Joseph)!

The things I'm struggling with the most since the surgery is that I'm not able to perform simple tasks or walk around for a long period of time without feeling out of breath and feeling the need to sit down.

One of the hardest tasks was taking a shower, I was almost in tears because I couldn't climb into the bath without Joe's help, once in I couldn't bend my head forward to wash my hair (it was a real struggle believe me). I was also so nervous about getting my wound patches wet (even though they are splash proof) that I was moving around like a lost puppy who had never seen water before. Scared stiff.

Also, Co-Codamol is a real game changer. I've been on this stuff before and boy it is powerful. After five minutes of downing two, I feel like I'm seeing double... that's when I realise I need to put on my specks. Blind problems and Co-Codamol are a no no. How anybody is able to perform a daily task with these in their system is beyond me.

Anyway, I've got two weeks off to get back to normal, my stitches are being removed next Monday and I just need to take each day as it comes.

I'm sorry for this rambly piece of writing. I always feel better when I've expressed myself and got everything noted down. I'm sure you don't need to know every detail of my surgery and progress but it's really helping me deal with things.

And, one last thing, before I attempt to make a cup of tea (we've got new tea-bags and I'm hooked on the stuff). I just wanted to say how thankful and lucky I am. My boyfriend, friends and family have been SO lovely. A special shout out to Nicol, (my best friend from uni, who now lives in Germany), who surprised me with flowers and chocolates on my return home. That was the loveliest surprise I have ever received, so thank you so much for cheering me up.

To be honest, everyone who has sent me a message, left a comment, had a natter on the phone, bought me card or present, thank you so much, it really is appreciated. You are all so lovely, thoughtful and kind-hearted! And, I love you all so much!

Soap & Glory 'The Perfect Ten' Palette Review & Swatches

I've been meaning to do a review of the Soap & Glory 'The Perfect Ten' Palette for quite some time now... I actually picked it up from Boots back in December, when they had '3 for 2' deals on their Christmas gift-sets. The palette cost £16 and is sadly limited edition. However, some of these shades are in Soap & Glory's Lid Stuff palettes (What's Nude and Smokey Dokey).

I've always wanted to try the Naked Palette's but for someone who doesn't usually play around with eyeshadows (until late 2014), I thought I'd try this one first as the shades are very very similar.

The palette includes ten shades, three mattes and seven shimmery shades that range from a light cream to a shimmery black. The perfect range of shades for creating a gorgeous smokey eye!
The packaging is pretty neat. It has a magnetic closure, and also features a big mirror and a brush with two ends. Personally, the brush is a little useless to me as it will go unused, however the mirror and magnetic closure are nice finishing touches.

The formulation of these eye-shadows are pretty impressive for drugstore shadows, especially the shimmery shades... they are highly pigmented, really smooth and easy to work with. The matte shades aren't quite as good in terms of pigmentation but they are smooth and easy to work with as a base or as a highlighting shade.

Vanilla. A matte cream shade, not highly pigmented but easy to work with and easy to blend. Would look lovely under the brow bone as well as in the inner corner of the lid for a more subtle highlight.

Minky. A pinky rose gold shimmery shade with sliver pecks of glitter in. This is such a beautiful shade and would look lovely on the outer corners of the lids.

Pink T. A muted pinky matte that can be used for the crease. This is my least favourite of the bunch, I find it a little chalky, and it isn't as smooth as the rest.

Aubersheen. A medium purply taupe satin shade with small purple specks of glitter in. This looks lovely all over the lid or blended out in the outer corner to add some depth.

Gold Coast. A yellowy gold satin shade. Highly pigmented and easy to work with. Looks lovely all of the lid or on the outer corners of the lid to add some depth. This is one of my favourites of the bunch!

Taupe Cat. A medium brown taupe satin shade with small gold specks of glitter in. Another really pretty shade that can be worn all over the lid or blended with Sunset and Brownie.

Sunset. A beautiful coppery satin shade with gold specks of glitter in. This shade is absolutely stunning - another one of my faves!

Brownie. A medium brown satin with small gold specks of glitter. This would look lovely on the outer corner of the eye for that perfect brown-bronzey smokey eye.

Black Gold. A matte charcoal grey. This is great for adding some depth to the eye, or to use as a subtle liner instead of liquid.

Smokin'. A black shimmery shade with sliver specks of glitter in. Great for the outer corner of the eye for that extra smokey eye look.

(Top to bottom: Smokin', Black Gold, Brownie, Sunset, Taupe Cat, Gold Coast, Aubersheen, Pink T, Minky and Vanilla.)

Overall, I think this is a great and affordable shadow palette.

If you are just starting out with experimenting with the 'smokey eye' look or want a cheaper alternative to the Naked palette, than this is the one to go for!

The only thing I would say is that I had a little difficulty trying to work with the matte colours. They aren't as pigmented as the shimmery ones, so you do have to apply more product.
My tip would be to use an eye-shadow primer for a base (I use Urban Decay's Primer Potion), and the colours will be a lot easier to work with, will be intensified and they will last all day!

Have you tried any Soap & Glory products? What do you think of their makeup?

NARS: The Laser Cut Eye, Cheek and Lip Palette Review

After purchasing NARS' Virtual Domination cheek palette, I really wanted to get my hands on the eye, cheek and lip palette from the same 'Laser Cut' holiday collection.

I was overdue a concealer anyway, so I decided to treat myself to the matching palette as well. And, I'm SO happy I did.

This beautiful double decker palette contains three limited edition eyeshadows, a limited edition blush - 'Day Dream', 'Laguna' bronzer and a mini 'Dolce Vita' lip gloss.

The eyeshadow's are simply stunning, you get a beige, a shimmery gold and a khaki colour. These colours compliment us red haired girls perfectly. The blush is also a dream to use, highly pigmented and adds warmth to the cheeks.
But my favourite item in the palette has to be the 'Dolce Vita' lip gloss, I absolutely adore this shade, it's a muted rose pink, and again is the perfect lipgloss for us red haired girls!

Overall, I am super impressed with this palette. And, I can't wait to see what NARS bring out next year!