My Skincare Routine | The Top Picks

Long time no see I guess, I will be back posting when I can about all things fashion, lifestyle and university!

My skincare journey…

I often speak about my skincare routine and share the process I have been through to get where I am where I feel comfortable to go out bare faced and feel happy with my skin. I used to regularly switch and swap my routine up, however, over the past 6 months I have found the products that I absolutely love and have really helped clear any new spots or fade away acne scars.

First thing I've learnt that is removing your makeup before is ESSENTIAL!! My secret is out now, but after most nights out in first year of uni I'd always be toooo lazy to grab a facial wipe and take my makeup leaving my skin full of blemishes and breakouts... looking back now it was gross AF! If there is one thing I'd tell my younger sell is take your bloody makeup.

Now though there is nothing better feeling than wiping of your mascara and brows that has been smudged during the day and that excess foundation stuck in your pores... I have been using the Simple Micellar Cleansing Water on cotton pads to gently get all that makeup off before moving on to my fave part...

 

YASSS... my absolute favourite part is the DEEP CLEANSE!!

I am obsessed with the Tropics Skincare range to get any other little gritty itty bits out of every single little crevis and crack on my face! First up I use the Smoothing Cleanser - Complexion Purifier. It's great to use with their bamboo face cloth as it leaves you feeling uber fresh and ready for a good nights sleep!

My scarring from acne can often get me down when I'm having a red, patchy and blotchy day. I was digging out photos and when I was about 16 my skin was soooo much worse than I ever thought it was. If you want to see the transformation head to my Instagram (@hannahmae_g).

But there has been one product that has been my absolute lifesaver over the past six months... it is again from the Tropics Skincare range, and it is the Tamanu Balm!! OHHH ma GODDD it has been the best for fading away scarring, drying up new spots that are under the skin and impossible to get rid of! It looks and smells gross but it does absolute wonders and when I wake up feeling all silky and glow-y.

With changes in weather recently I have needed to keep my skin extra moisturised as I have found the cold harsh winds can be very tough on dry patches from fading acne, so keeping moisturised is a must for my skin. I have always been loving the Simple Replenishing Moisturiser as its kind to skin, super easy to apply and I always carry a small tube of the cream in my bag for when I'm having a long day out of the house!

{links to all products are at the end of the post for anyone who wants to try any of these out}

 

Chatting To Maisie Peters

At the age of only eighteen Maisie Peters has been storming the music industry at such a young age. Only just today she released her new single Details which will be followed by her EP, Dressed To Nice For A Jacket which will be available to listen from the 2nd November. 

She is now on supporting Tom Walker on his UK and European tour and here's what went down when she came in to the studios... it was so much fun to just talk Nandos and boys and a little bit of music in between!!

Are you enjoying being on tour with Tom Walker?

I am having the best time. So, so good. And he's the nicest guy ever. He's so lovely.

It was only last week released a new single In My Head and what is the backstory of that song? And I want to know all about what inspired you to write it.

Okay. So I'll try and do this quickly. It’s kind of weird because I started it the day after I wrote Worst Of You. I wrote the first verse and then I couldn’t think of anything else for it. So I just left it and then like six months later I wrote the second verse when I was babysitting somebody just on my laptop, and then like last month we wrote the chorus. So like totally different points in my life. I mean obviously it has like inspiration, like in my romantic life or whatever, but I feel like more importantly and especially like recently I was kind of feel like this is a meaning that's come to me recently is like the whole song is really about like putting on a front and trying to see like better than you are. I feel like that's so relatable with me and my friends.

It's not long until your EP is released on November 2nd. Can you tell us a little bit more about it?

So I'm like super excited for it to come out. It's got six songs and they've all been written by me and my friends over the past year I would say. So some of them, where finished like last month and some of them I wrote like over a year ago, but I think they all kind of reflect the year that has just happened. So I'm excited to show people these were producers and writers, I've written them because they're amazing. But yeah, it just feels like it was a really easy choice for me to pick all the songs have going on it and they feel like a really good, fresh kind of new page for me and my music.

And you've recently performed at a few festivals this year, so Neighbourhood in Manchester last week and you performed at Live At Leeds. What were the highlights of being at those festivals?

Oh, they're all so different. That's what is amazing. So at Live At Leeds was at church, like proper massive church and then Neighbourhood last week was in this like grungy venue, which I was totally not set up for. Like it was cool bands and then there was just me with my girl pop, but they were all so sick I because they were all with such different people and this is like my first time in a lot of these cities. So it's amazing to like have your first time doing playing my music in a new city. I mean, I love Manchester. I've been twice. It's just so cool to be able to go to different places because of music.

You're obviously a one to watch because you've been on BBC Introducing and Radio X. What are your plans for the future, whether that's the near future or far away?

I mean we're going to have to go for world domination for far away. But for the near future I just want to keep touring I'd love to go to America and to Asia. Also, like keep coming student radio like I actually love student press. It's my new favourite thing because I feel like I’m a student so it is like me and all my friends just having a chat. Um, keep trying to meet people that listen to my music and just getting to know. Plus, releasing more music because I've written loads of songs this summer that aren’t on the EP but I really want to release them so I might do like a sneaky EP like quite early next year as well. 

If you want to know what else Maisie has been upto with her life, music and what is coming soon... Be sure you give their interview a listen on MixCloud!!

But, finally, a MASSIVE thank you to Maisie and her team for coming in to the studio, hanging out with us and doing a live session too. Good luck with the future you will do amazing!

Finding The Perfect Way to Wind Down

Boohoo, how can we possibly be discussing the end of summer? I am going to miss the light warm nights where you could spontaneously plan days in the park or beer garden beverages, but on the other hand, I am excited about fall and oh boy am I ready to rock chunky knit jumpers, beanies and scarfs.

Now the nights are drawing in and the social buzz of summer is slowly tailing off, I’m finding a little time to take look back on everything that’s gone on and set aside a little more me-time. Looking back, this summer was a bit of a hectic one for me, with my family holiday to Fuerteventura, festivals such as Parklife, a mad weekend away in Dublin and sososo much more.



Coming back to uni I have realised just HOW important wind-down time is too as well as a good nights sleep. Recently stepping into the third year at uni has been crazy in terms of Shock Radio (ps. keep a look out for it all on my social media). I used to spend hours on my laptop and then expect to fall asleep straight away and wonder why I couldn’t… And why I ever thought my mind was going to be CHILL after watching back to back episodes of Gossip Girl, I'll never know!?

SOOo today I wanted to share my ways in which I do that, so here goes….

Switching it all off:

It sounds so much easier than it is and even I can still struggle with it but we all know how tempting it is to keep scrolling through social media or watching just one more episode on Netflix can be, but trust me, if you just put the screens away like an hour before bedtime you will feel SO much calmer.

Set the scene:

As soon as I get in from uni or pretty much anywhere I change and put my comfy clothes on, and I instantly begin to feel more relaxed and so I like to make my environment just as comfortable. I tidy up wherever it is that I want to wind down, whether that is my bedroom or the living room etc. Once it is tidy I love to put on all my fairy lights and the odd candle. Sometimes I'll even get a few pamper products because who doesn't love a face mask night to feel refreshed!

Get your pen out:

I have loved doing this over summer and I am carrying it but if I have had a really super busy day or there is something really playing on my mind, I tend to just write it down….there’s nothing worse than trying to sleep when your mind is running at a million miles per hour thinking about something you’re feeling stressed about. Go on and let it all out!!

Bubble baths = all problems solved:

Seriously though, what situation can’t a bubble bath fix? I never used to love baths as much as I do now, but, I am SUCH a bath lurverrr. It just solves everything and anything; whether it’s stress, achy muscles or just wanting to switch off after a long day, a bubble filled bath tend to does the trick.

What’s your go-to when you wanna feel calm and want to wind down???

 

The New New Basics

OH, hey there (!!) 

If you follow me on Insta then you will know I have been soaking up the sun in Santa Susana and exploring Barcelona with Alex.... We were actually there to just relax and rewind before the madness of final year starting but me being me had to seize the opportunity and snap my outfit that I am in LOVE with. Barcelona was such a beautiful city but there is a whole new post coming full of recommendations and more thoughts on the city BUT for now, here’s a lil outfit post we snapped whilst there, introducing my newest graphic tee and favourite red skirt!!

 

Since the start of the year, I have been head over heels, utterly obsessed with red clothing and my wardrobe just didn't feel complete without the perfect red denim skirt which adds that bright pop of colour to any outfit. Stepping out of my comfort zone with clothes and colours is something I have really embraced this year and I don't think I'll go back to that dull monochrome wardrobe.

I picked up this absolute beauty whilst doing a lil bit of online shopping on SHEIN! It is super comfy and stretchy which made it perfect when we were sipping beer and eating excessive amounts of tapas on holiday.

PS: I had bought a size medium and I am usually a size 10 for anyone who is unsure what size they'd be on their site. I totally understand the pain of not knowing sizes on different sites and the dread of sending them back is a nightmare.

 

Moving on, I really want to talk about my other love, graphic tees!! They are such a staple item for any girls (or guys) wardrobe. They can either dress up a pair of jeans, make a skirt look casual and you can really show the mood you're in through what is printed on to it. 

This one was a random pick up in New Look last month and I think it was the red which really made me want to buy it. As for the leopard print, at first, I was very unsure... I have never been a fan of the print, however, seeing it slide into more street style looks on Insta, I took the leap and bought it and I have to be honest, there is no going back my love for leopard print is very much alive (so expect A LOT more posts featuring leopard print)!!

But for the graphic tees, you can practically pick them up in any store at the moment. The likes of Topshop, Pull & Bear, Zara all have so many beautiful t-shirts with the best sayings on. If only my whole wardrobe could be full of graphic tees.

 

I’ve been pairing this outfit with my Dune black sandals, tortoise and flash lens sunglasses from ASOS, a couple of layered bracelets from Joma Jewellery and my current favourite earrings which are tortoiseshell brown from SHEIN. Be ready for more Barcelona and Santa Susana posts to come, I can’t wait to tell you more about the trip and obvs where all the best spots were!

 

 

~ SHOP THE LOOK ~

A Weekend In Dublin

Dublin has always been a place I have wanted to visit and having friends from uni living in Ireland it seemed only right to book a weekend away with the girls to experience it over the bank holiday weekend - tasting Guinness, listening to Irish folk music in Temple Bar and visiting Kilmainham Gaol.

It is fair to say we spent most of the weekend talking, eating and drinking, which was utterly perfect. It was great to just catch up about our summer holiday and time at home with family. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever laughed that much as I did that weekend!

A weekend to Dublin isn't complete without a trip to The Guinness Storehouse. That was the first stop we made, it was certainly great to learn how to pull a perfect pint and how to taste test it so you get the best tasting drink so you can reallllllyy appreciate the full flavour.

It is clear we embraced the full tourist vibes by getting multiple photos outside St. Jame's Gate Brewery and Temple Bar! But we also took a bus tour around the city, we got to see as much as possible and our tour guide was honestly the best.  

Ohhhh... did I say that Pope Francis drove past us on when we were stood in O'Connell Street as he made his visit to the city. 

We took a trip to Temple Bar and develled in to there to watch the live Irish music being played and it felt super fancy and traditional – what more could you want?

We had only planned to stay for three days, but managed to squeeze a hell of a lot into the weekend. Most of our time was spent in different pubs where the atmosphere was always buzzing and lively. The one thing I fell in love with, was the Guinness…. I mean I tried it and I tried it again... the first pint was beaut, second not so much but I guess it's a love hate drink!!

On our final day we took a very looooong walk out to Kilmianham Gaol, omg the stories about what happened in their during the riots and rebellions during the Easter Rising in 1916! Walking around the jail and seeing the markings and blood stains on the floor and walls was so surreal seeing it all a century later. 

It is fair to say that the weekend was AMAZINGGGG, spending time with the girls, drinking far too much beer and eating the best breakfasts it was a weekend I will never forget. 

Mango Cocktail Lovin'

Since summer is drawing to an end and it's August Bank Holiday weekend it only seems right to share my recent love for mango vodka cocktails!! It is the perfect summery, light, refreshing cocktail and is super easy to make as you don't even need a shaker. What more else could you want to make your bank holla even easier than before?

Mango is one of my favourite fruits, especially in the summer time. The cocktails you get in Slug & Lettuce and other bars are good but nothing beats freshly blended mango topped with Absolute Mango Vodka.... without a further ado I am just gonna quit the small talk and tell you how to make this delish drink!!

 

Urban Decay Born To Run Palette: Review + Swatches

So recently, Urban Decay recently launched their brand new collection "Born To Run", and OH BOY am I in love!! The full collection will also include three new vice lipsticks, three 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils, and an All Nighter spray travel edition. You like warm tones? You like cool tones? You prefer a deep smokey eye? Or, you simply love the natural glow look? Then.... THIS. PALETTE. IS. FOR. YOU.

I am so excited to share with all the deets on their eyeshadow palette, so let’s dive in!

To start it has twenty one shades in a mix of a shimmery and matte finish. It is definitely the perfect eyeshadow palette that you will take when you travel. For me, it is even better as there are 16 new shades in this collection - I never used to be that confident when wearing eyeshadow, I always stuck with gold and bronzes HOWEVER after experimenting with this palette I am trying more bold looks from the burnt oranges to a blue smokey eye.

As for the shadows, the matte colours are very pigmented but still blend so smoothly together. It feels like velvet. I love adding a little bit of shimmer to any look and I find that the shimmer shades are so strong, you don't really need to wet them either which certainly makes on the go looks super duper easy! Plus the shade selection has just been perfectly picked. There really is not a shade in the palette that I don’t like and wouldn’t wear. I think even the pops of color are quite wearable for people who don’t use a lot of color on the eyes.

My current go-to favourite colours at the moment:

- Stranded

- Accelerate

- Baja 

- Still Shot 

and of course... Hell Ride

This selection of colours creates the ultimate perfect summer look. With hints of orange and pink tones and kept light and glowy with Stranded, to me it feels like a sunset on my eyelids.

 

 

 Finally, how could I not talk about the packaging... Oh Ma God it is just WOW!! The images of different destinations from around the globe that makes me want to pack a bag and travel the world, exploring the amazing sunsets, beaches and revisit the past from historical monuments. It definitely makes your inner wanderlust come alive. Plus if I am ever stuck with inspiration on what eye look to create that day the images give me the courage to try new colours and blend the contrasting blues and oranges to create something that makes a statement. 

 

This is one of the few palettes which really has every shade you could ever need. Whether you like neutrals or brights, shimmers or mattes. I have found myself down-sizing my collection, as this is the one palette which I can easily create multiple looks with and for any occasion too. It has certainly made packing lighter and easier too.

Below I have done swatches of each colour so...

(Top row of palette is the left image, you get the rest).

There’s really a lot to love and play with the new Urban Decay Born to Run Palette. It is priced at £39.50 for a whopping 21 shades! I look forward to taking it with me on my travels this summer so stay tuned for more features.

Is this palette on your wish list?

~ SHOP THIS POST ~

We Got A Puppy | Meet Hugo

Our new puppy... 

HUGO THE MINIATURE DACHSHUND

We have recently expanded our little family.... I’m so excited to finally introduce you to our littlest and newest best friend, Hugo! We’ve only had him for a couple weeks now, and he’s such an adorable and fun-loving baby. I wanted to introduce him here and give you all the low down about our experiences so far and hopefully get some of your doggie advice from you guys too.

Hugo loves playing, his tummy being tickled and is obsessed with lots of cuddles and falling asleep on our lap,  I have even taught him to play fetch. He simply likes to follow us around all day whenever we are in the house, but absolutely LOATHES it at night. Lets just say he likes to cry a lot if we leave the room without him or at night time when we all go to bed....  It is heartbreaking hearing wimper and cry, many times I've been tempted to get up and cuddle him, but if I did all our hard work and training would be ruined. 

He is so sweet and adorable so it's extremely difficult to not fall in love when he gives you the biggest puppy dog eyes EVEERRRR!! As you can tell he already knows how to work the camera and certainly isn't shy at posing for it either! If you follow me on any social media you will have already seen his little face many times over but how can you not share him with the world!! 

All in all, it’s been amazing getting to know him and adjust to his early hour wake up call, but it has certainly been a very positive change as it’s fun taking care of a little life. He’s already brought me so much joy and makes us all laugh everyday. I really believe and have seen the therapeutic effects that a dog can have in your life, as they are just pure love. It is a lifestyle change and you have a friend for life. It is fair to say, I don't want to leave home and head back to uni next week, the thought of leaving my little buddy breaks my heart!

If anyone out there has a dachshund or another small dog, I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice!

Where Have I Been? Why I Stopped Writing...

HEY. Remember me? I used to write sassy related blog posts about whatever the hell I wanted to with a little bit of style inspo and lifestyle stuff thrown into the mix as well. Every year I set myself goals and new years resolutions to stick at blogging and to post at least once a week... well once again I absolutely failed, not because I wanted to I have just been in a totally weird mental space the past few months. Focusing on my degree – spending time with family and working on my radio career all taking priority over my blog.

To start, where have I been... (you probably don't care but I am still going to say). Since March it has been non stop with university final deadlines and essays which were due as well as working on my radio show "The Girl Power Hour". That was soon followed by Parklife, moving houses at uni, coming back home for summer to spend time with family and just working to make money for summer.... when you are endlessly busy, month after month you don't realise that you've neglected something. Sadly for me it was my blog, but it certainly doesn't mean I am not passionate anymore. If anything having a break keeps me motivated and fresh minded with new ideas to grow my blog even more.

This leads me on to why I stopped writing. From July on, I had time to blog but my head just wasn't in the right frame of mind. My neglect to my blog became like a niggling sensation of guilt. The longer I have stayed away, the harder is has been to get back in to it. Every day I kept thinking “oh I’ll do it tomorrow” or “I’ll pick it up again next week!” – that turned into “well, does anyone even care anyway?”. Any idea I did I have I felt it was “crap”which led me in to constant overthinking. I wanted everything I put out to be perfect. Perfectionism, too, is such a problem. It stops me from posting because I’m constantly worrying it’s just not good enough. But good enough is often much greater than I think it is.

AND

Now that I am back... I am putting all of this aside and getting back to the root of why I started blogging in the first place - I LOVE writing and sharing my ideas, lifestyle hacks and photos of my life -- so here I am. I’m back (I hope).

A Bloody Disgrace - Period Poverty

So I am back, it may have been a quiet two months on here but I have so many ideas and posts in the pipeline which I can't wait to share with you all very very soon, however, I have something to share with you all...

One in four girls admit they did not feel they knew what to do when they started their period. 

Over the past few weeks, I have been fortunate enough to create a short documentary addressing period poverty within the UK. I got to speak to a wide range of activists and charities who support the right to free sanitary products for girls and women who can't afford them.

Across the UK, 10 percent of girls are unable to afford sanitary products and 48 percent of girls are embarrassed by their period.

There is often myths and taboos still attached with periods. Gabby Edlin from Bloody Good Period talks about breaking barriers with the stigma and the shame attached to periods as well as discussing the education girls and women and not receiving. 

Bloody Good Period is an organization that was set up to provide sanitary towels and general period supplies for asylum seekers refugees and those who can't afford them. They are based throughout London and have one centre in Leeds but then we also facilitate voluntary collections all over the world so people get together at a university or school can do a collection and then we put them in touch with the nearest centre.

Do you often feel like girls and women are not receiving the correct education when it comes to menstruation and taking care of their bodies when they're on their periods?

"Yeah absolutely. I mean it is obscene. People maybe have a quick talk about periods when they're in school but it is mainly girls, boys don't really seem to have it all and then we just go through life with it just being this big mystery. It's ridiculous as it is such a huge part of life and it doesn't need to be this huge thing, it should just be a thing that's as common as an everyday headache. I think if we just educated everybody about them so people knew what to expect."

Periods have always been known as a taboo topic to talk about but such stories need to be shared and it needs to be discussed more frequently. How do you go about talking about it so openly?

"I just feel like we don't have time to talk about taboo and stigma and all the things that are holding us back. It's just it's exhausting, you know it's is 2018 and I think the only way that you can talk about it, is you just do it. There is no point wondering why it is this way. I mean that is also important but it's too late now, the issues with period poverty are so extreme now that there's just no time to be discussing the stigma attached to it you've just got to discuss the periods."

To hear more from the people I spoke to listen below:

Freedom 4 Girls - an organisation that usually works with African schoolgirls. I got to speak to the founder of the organisation, Tina Leslie, here is what she had to say...

"One day a colleague called me and said do you realise that I am working in a school and I have five girls here in Leeds who aren't attending school because they can't afford sanitary towels. I was so shocked and I hadn't realised how serious this issue was in my own city - one of the girls had her period for two years and didn't even know it was her period, she thought it was just happening to her."

It is evident that there is a direct correlation between girls skipping school and their monthly cycles, due to the truancy committed by the young women because of lack of resources to purchase the sanitary products they need. The pricing of pads and tampons has come under fire in the UK in recent years as items are still taxed due to not being deemed a necessity. 

I know, sanitary products are a necessity, NOT a luxury!

This is such a huge urgent issue which demands the attention for direct action to help those who are suffering from period poverty. There are so many things you can do to help the girls, women and asylum seekers who cannot afford sanitary products... first of all follow #FreePeriods and just talk about it with friends and family. 

It is often easier said than go but stop thinking that the idea of periods something to be ashamed and embarrassed about and bring it up into conversations in your daily life. Below I have linked a bunch of charities, organisations and projects which you can donate products to or even set up your own local organisation to help communities work together to beat period poverty. After all, menstrual care should be a basic human right and the natural experience of having a monthly period should never come at the expense of an education and missing out because you can't afford it.

CHECK OUT:

The Pink Protest

The Red Box Project

Bloody Good Period

Freedom 4 Girls

Hey Girls

Free Periods

No More Taboo

The Beauty Banks

Stepping Into Spring

The clocks have gone forward, mornings are getting brighter, evenings are getting longer and now the snow has moved I feel spring is soon on its way... the sun is trying to shine through the clouds and those spring in-betweeny outfits are making an appearance. It is the clothes that have been hidden away in the back of the wardrobe -- from floaty dresses, biker jackets and of course the return of the sunnies!

So let’s chat all about this outfit… Firstly, we gotta talk about > this < dress, I have been a massive dress lover but since I got this floaty dress in the January winter sales I LOVE IT! It'll be that one peice of clothing I wear non-stop come summer. I havent really got round to wearing it up until now as it has been so cold but I team it up with a high neck top from Zara > here < it instantly became a whole new look!

I am really not a fan of getting my legs out but this dress was the perfect combo as it's floor length but a slit up the side for the floaty summery look. I love the length, the floaty-ness, and the fit, it’s basically my new favourite piece of clothing and of course, I just had to share… YES, it is fabulous, not only are they comfy but also can be dressed up super easily too…

> These < boots are my new faves!! They are a classic River Island find and the belt, ooooh the belt!! I have always struggled at finding nice simplistic items in River Island without them adding unnescessary bling to everything. But these are my new gems which get worn with every outfit as it dresses it up.

I love a good belt and this one goes with everything and everything. But as you can tell accessories are my new go-to for transforming a basic outfit to something with a little more style hence the reason I am always wearing low hanging hoop earrings, rings, my belt... etc I think you get the picture.

So basically, this post has just been me swooning over my recent purchases but I hope you’ve enjoyed the lil’ read! But for now, I’m gonna go back to digging out spring clothes and go online shopping for more since pay-day is only next week!!

Are you spring ready? What’s your go-to in-betweeny outfit?

~ Shop The Post ~

The Low-Down with O.D.L

Straight out of Ohio, Drew and Levi (aka O.D.L) took to the UK on their first tour this past weekend. Moving on from The Tide, they have begun a new adventure as a brand new duo... O.D.L. I was fortunate to grab an interview with the boys before they took to the stage for the second night of their tour in Manchester.

Why did you decide to call your band O.D.L?

We deicded to call ourselves O.D.L because we spent months thinking about it as we wanted to do something with initials but didn't know what. But we were in the kitchen one day and my dad was like, "you guys are so dysfunctional because you guys can't think of a name". Then we were like that is it, it's pretty cool and it works so lets use that. 

It's funny because everyone thinks that D and L stand for Drew and Levi but no it just so happens to work out like that. 

Who are your inspirations and influences?

Levi: Mine is definitley Ed Sheeran because he is the reason why I started music in the first place as it is the reason why I picked up a guitar and taught myself the whole of his first album.

Drew: All Time Low, pop punk at heart! I would literally spend hours in my room jsut jamming away to all their albums with my guitar. 

Levi: I'd say influences for O.D.L's music is the likes of the Chainsmokers and that type of vibe and that genre. 

How do you guys deal with fan girls outside the venues and hotels?

We are used to it now, it has been around three years but it was definitely crazy at first because we were just normal kids thrown out in to the world of playing with The Vamps around the world and in arenas. It was just crazy but eventually we got used to it and its just like they love us and that is all it is. They love our music and they love us. We think it's great as it is just them supporting us, it is awsome.  

You guys do vlogs of your daily life, how was YouTube helped boost your career? 

Yes that is what we were trying to do, we started with the vlogs and like there is a lot of vlogging andand it is very big now and we were thinking like no one really actually like does like real music and vlogs or puts there whole life online. Of course, there are vloggers who put out like funny songs which aren't serious but we are musicians and we thought if we mix the two together by putting great music but also do the social media too - we are just hoping that would work.

Finally, can you sum up O.D.L in three words?

Oooh that is a difficult one... oh god... 'Our Dysfunctional Life' hahah!! But in all seriousness, musically we are EDM, we are definitlely energetic and we are quirky kids. I think we will go for EDM, engertic and dysfunctional!

Cheers for that boys!!

If you want to know what else Drew and Levi have been doing with their life, music and what has happened to The Tide make sure you give their interview a listen on MixCloud... 

But, finally, a MASSIVE thank you to Drew and Levi and their team. Good luck with the future boys!!

New Finds || Tropic Skincare

I’m not gonna lie, I am pretty terrible when it comes to sticking to my skincare routine and over the past couple of months it has been almost non- existent. It is totally my own fault by not giving myself the full attention and time as life just keeps on getting in the way....

But after receiving a bunch of products from Tropic Skincare I’ve promised myself that I’m gonna get back to my skincare routine back in action! So obviouslllly I gave them all a try and ohhhmygod  I am loving all their products. So the best way I get hyped about my new routine is by talking about the products I have been using and lovin' and my "first impressions".

~ The Lowdown ~

ORGANIC ELIXER:
It may look and smell a little like cooking oil but works wonders on keeping my face hydrated and fresh looking. With uni deadlines and work, I fear I often look tired and worn down ~ BUT using a few drops of the oil every night before bed and when I wake up I feel totally refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead.

LIP LOVE BALM:
I would never have included my lips as part of my skincare routine but since the "beast from the East" hit the UK a few weeks ago I was having chapped lips... SO I’ve popped the Lip Love Balm into mine and it is perfect for smooth lips especially if you want to wear lipstick throughout the day!

FRANGIPANI, STAR ANISE AND TIARE FLOWER BODY WASH:
I ~bloody love~ a good body wash, I mean who doesn’t? And finding the best one for your body can become very tiring but after using this a few times it instantly left me feeling SO refreshed & clean – it’s gentle, smells lush but most importantly does the job... plus it is perfect for sensitive skin too.

VITAMIN TONER:

Before trying any of the Tropic products I hadn't really understood the whole purpose of a 'toner' but I LOVE IT! It makes me feel alll faaaannncy, it leaves me feeling all fresh and awaken on the mornings, I bloody love the stuff so it's definitely worth giving it a try. 

SKIN REVIVE:

I do love a good moisturiser and Skin Revive is packed full of 20 different fruits, flower and seed extracts -- it certainly leaves me feeling hydrated with full healthy skin and in the past week or so I have seen a mahoosive change in my complexion as it is naturally more glow-ier.

SMOOTHING CLEANSER:

I have never really spent much time trying different cleansers but now, after trying the Smoothing Cleanser I am OBSESSED!! Tropic certainly did the job well…. It almost feels alike to a moisturiser, is super soft and although I tend to use it for a second cleanse, it removes all makeup really well too!

If you are wanting to try a mixture of all these products and their bamboo face cloth then it is definitely worth giving the Travel Essential kit as it is all which I have talked about. ALSO-- if you are unsure on the products there may an ambassador for Tropic Skincare in your area so check for Facebook groups or become a hostess or ambassador yourself. 

~ Shop The Post ~