April Nicole Clark

So.. I guess I've got some explaining to do.

It's been nearly two years since my last blog post; I know, I should be slapped across the hand for neglecting it for so long! 

During the time I've been AWOL, I've left college and starting working which has taken up a lot of time, I've been spending a lot of time with family and friends and there was been a lot of personal things that have distracted me from continuing with this. 

BUT I never forgot about this and I always said I would come back to this one day and it's finally happened! I've missed blogging and writing a lot and I'm super excited to come back and start back up again! 

I've got a new camera, new ideas and a new attitude and I'm very excited!

Anyway, to end this quite short introduction back here are some more recent photos of me! I think i might have changed slightly, what do you think? 

(Yes, I met Oli White!!) 



April xox

Hey guys! Christmas is so close now, it's only three days away, this means that everyone is starting to have a slight panic on last minute gift shopping or food shopping! If you're like me, and you're well prepared for Christmas (for once...) then you have time to think about one of the more important things for Christmas day, what make-up are you going to wear? FEAR NOT. I have a eye-look that you can wear for Christmas day and feel FANCY! 

Enjoy!

Firstly, i'll tell you what other make-up i'm wearing.

My foundation is MAC studio sculpt foundation in the colour NW15, i buffed that into my skin with the Real Techniques expert face brush.

I have Benefit's Boi-ing concealer under my eyes and on any blemishes, i applied that with my fingers.

I set all that with MAC's mineralize skin finish natural powder, in the colour light.

My blush is the Soap and Glory, love at first blush which i applied on the apples of my cheeks.

I've done my eyebrows with the Rimmel brow-this-way brow kit, in the colour dark brown

& Finally my lipstick is Maybelline's moisture renew lipstick, in the colour 380, dark night waterl-oops!

Now for my eyes! I didn't do anything too "in-your-face" i did a subtle, yet glittery eye-look that would be good to wear for those Christmas day photos!

(Firstly, i'll just say this look may not be for everyone, and that's cool, but i'm showing you what i plan to be wearing and i hope you enjoy it!) 

I firstly applied the Maybelline 24hr colour tattoo shadow in the colour metallic pomegranate all over the lid and blended out. I mainly chose this colour because it's a very wintry burgundy colour and the colour tattoos are a good base for other shadows. 

I then applied a colour from the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette, the colour blackheart and blended into the crease. Blackheart is a very dark, almost black-ish colour with slight red-ish glitter tint in when first applied, once blended out it goes on a slightly lighter colour.

Finally, i applied the MAC paint pot in the colour chilled on ice, which is a beautiful light glittery colour which can be used on it's own or it can be a lovely colour to put on top of any other shadow! I applied this to give this look a bit more sparkle and a bit more glitter for the festive season! 

After doing this i blended it all out and then applied a thin line across my lash line of L'Oreal's super liner so couture, i curled my lashes and then applied Rimmel's wonder-full extreme black mascara. 

Personally, i'm not a fan of false eye-lashes, i can't apply them very well and they just don't suit me, BUT if you want to give this look a little something extra then you apply those lashes! 

TADA! Hope you've enjoyed this and i hope you like the make-up look! 

Let me know if you'll try this look, if not what make-up do you want to wear for Christmas? Let me know!

April xox

Hey guys! So i've realised it's been a while since i've done a foundation review and the one that i've done is my most popular post! I'm surprised i haven't done another one yet!

Here we are then, hope you enjoy!

Firstly the foundation i'm reviewing as i'm sure you've already guessed is the Rimmel lasting finish foundation; i've got the nude collection as i'm ghostly pale that i thought it best to go for those ones! I have colour 100 ivory, which i think is the palest shade out of the nude colours, because like i've said, i am ridiculously pale. 

Now, i'll firstly talk about price £7.99 which is a pretty standard price for most drug store foundations now, so it's nothing that'll massively break the bank. As always this foundation can be found in most drug stores, boots, superdrug, i've no idea about any other countries' drug stores, sorry!

On to the foundation itself, the coverage is definitely medium to full, it has a quite a thick consistency so if you're not one for those types of foundation, i'd maybe avoid this one.  This foundation applies lovely on the skin it's quite an oily consistency as i have dry skin i can't have a foundation that will dry out my skin even more. It also has SPF 15 in it as well which is always good to have a little bit of extra sun protection in your foundation. When i apply the foundation i apply it with a real techniques expert face brush and buff it into my skin, that's just my preference and it make the foundation apply and look lovely and natural. This foundation is said to be hydrating and moisturising and although i can't get away with not applying moisturiser before, this foundation does feel very hydrating! For someone who has dry skin i do enjoy having a hydrating foundation so that it doesn't dry my skin out!
They have a wide range of shades for this foundation and they also have the nude colours as well. 

Going on to the "lasting 25hr" claim, i've never worn foundation for 25hrs BUT it does last a rather long time! I have to say the foundation doesn't stay "perfect" but i highly doubt any foundation will do that! I can go all day with this foundation and not feel like it needs a touch up on a normal day, but if i'm at work or i'm rather busy for the day, i sweat a bit more (how sexy) so i do enjoy touching up my foundation on my t-zone, but that's just me! 



Other make-up i'm wearing:

(Not really make-up) Garnier's 5 second blur.
Benefit's Boi-ing concealer under the eyes.
MAC setting powder on the t-zone.
Soap & Glory Love at first blush.
Bourjois Bronzer.
Rimmel's Brow this way.
Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette, shade as a highlight under the brow and nooner all over the lid and blended out.
Maybelline Gel eye-liner.
Rimmel's Extreme black wonderful mascara.
TADA!

Hope you've enjoyed this post! Have you tried this foundation, did you like it? If not, will you try it? Let me know!

April xox

Hey guys! I know it's already quite far through December and i'm a little bit behind on this post, but better late than never!

Enjoy!

Firstly, probably my favourite of all of the favourites, the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette! 

I've been wanting an Urban Decay palette for a long long time now and the one i thought i would get the most use out of was the Naked 3, and i am most certainly getting use out of it! I use it pretty much everyday, i mix using the Naked 3 and the Naked basics palette that i reviewed in another post (http://aprilnicoleclark.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/brown-smoky-neutral-eye-look-with-urban.html). 

The colours are mostly baby pinks, few neutral browns and also a mix between shimmers and matte shades. They're super pigmented and apply beautifully on the lid, the come with four tester primers that will last a long time as you barely need any to make a big difference! You get a brush with it as well which is double ended, one of the lid and one which i've been using for the crease and blending it out, and that's also really good too! 

I know these aren't the cheapest of palettes at £37, BUT if you're willing to splurge on yourself or possibly a christmas present, i'd definitely suggest purchasing it! 

 Next, is something that has been essential for me in the winter months and that is my woolly hat! We've been hit with a horrid cold spell recently in the UK being only one or two degrees celsius, i've been wearing it nearly everyday! 

I bought this from Tesco and it was only £8 and it was exactly the same as the Topshop one for £14 (i love Topshop, but i do enjoy saving money too!) 

It's super cosy and keeps my head super warm, and with it being grey it goes with all my darker winter clothing. 

Hey guys! So, a couple of weeks ago me, my family and my friend Lauren went to Edinburgh for the day shopping and to check out the Christmas market! I did have a little shop, for myself before i begin going mad and buying ALL of my gifts last minute (as i do every year, c'est la vie...)

Edinburgh is so beautiful all year round, but especially at Christmas time the market comes out with so so SO many food stalls, rides, they have so much to do and it's all over parts of the city! If you like in Edinburgh.. i am incredibly jealous.

Bit of a mixed post as i will show you what i purchased, along with a few photos of the Christmas market and telling you what it was like! 

Enjoy!

Firstly, lets have a look at the things that i bought! I went firstly into Topshop, it's the first store i see as soon as i walk out of the train station and what a better place to start! Topshop have now started bringing in their Christmas-y clothes but as always when i go shopping lately, there was nothing that i liked; or if i liked it they didn't have it in my size! 

BUT i did find a pair of what i call "Noel Fielding boots" (if you're a Noel Fielding, or a Mighty Boosh fan you'll be with me on this!) ready for winter in the sale for £30!

Noel Fielding boots, am i right?

Next, we went into New Look and again all of their Christmas stuff was out, but my eyes were drawn once again, to the sale! Trying to save some money before Christmas...

I found a long maroon cardigan that i was drawn to, mainly because of the 50% sign but that was just a bonus! 

I mainly bought it because in the winter months it's great to layer clothes to keep warm and to add a little something to an outfit, rather than just wearing a coat. I thought this would go great underneath my parka coat or even when the weather starts to get a little bit warmer it'll be great to wear on it's own as well. 

It was only £15 so it was a total bargain as well! New Look are doing a huge sale of 50% off right now so have a look online at what you can snap up! 
(Sorry i don't have a photo of this one.)

Next, we both went into Zara. Now, i'm not usually a huge fan of Zara as i don't often see anything in there i like but i did manage to find a little something this time. 

A plain white t-shirt (i know it's not totally plain but still!) is oddly something that i don't have in my wardrobe but i saw this one and i thought i'd have it.

It's so simple and again going back to layering it would look great as a staple top and layered up with a cardigan, wooly jacket and a nice and snug hat! 

At only £10 as well, it was a steal!

We both couldn't resist going into Lush either of course! The Lush in Edinburgh is a Lush Spa as well, there's only a few of them in the UK as far as i know, so i was pleasantly surprised with this! Sadly, it was packed and i couldn't get anywhere near the bath bombs which was the main reason i went into Lush, but luckily i went and had a look at the hair stuff and i stumbled upon all of their hair masks. Now, my hair isn't in the best condition, i dye it, use far too much heat on it so i'm always on the market for anything that'll sooth my dry hair! I managed to find what's called "roots" which is for quite fine and damaged hair and it's suppose to make your hair feel lush (pardon the pun) and smooth, sounded perfect to me! It's not the cheapest product as £10

That wasn't the only product that i bought in Lush. I hear so so many people rave about the salt spray they do and i thought i'd try it for myself! I have to admit, the smell put me off slightly, it smells sort of like cigars but once you get past that it's something worth purchasing!  I've used it a couple of times in the roots of my hair and given it a little tease and it does give a fair bit of something extra in your hair, as well as using it on the ends of your hair and "scrunching" to give another look. 

I can't remember the exact price, but you'll find it on Lush's website!

That was all i bought! 

BUT

This post isn't over just yet, we also went and visited the Edinburgh Christmas market! It's so beautiful, there's food stalls, rides, present stands and so much more! 

I've got a few photos from there too, enjoy!

Well, that's it! A quick haul and a few pictures from my trip to Edinburgh!

Hope you've enjoyed this post!

What are you guys doing for Christmas? Have you been to the Edinburgh Christmas market? Let me know! 

Thanks!

April xox

Hello! I'm back again and as i'm writing this i'm currently sitting in a blanket, with a cup of tea, watching come dine with me, feeling rather content. But here is another favourites post! October has been a bit of a crazy month for me and you may have seen my previous post "Moving on" if not it's here. 

BUT ANYWAY, i've still be trying new products, clothes and other bits and pieces ready for a lovely October favourites!

Firstly, the Garnier 5 second-blur has been a staple in my make-up routine for all of October! If you're looking for a dupe for the Benefit porefessional then i'd would most certainly recommend you consider trying this one out. It applies beautifully on the skin and makes you skin feel so smooth and it makes your make-up look flawless when applied! This product will make your pores disappear in an instant, it's suppose to blur wrinkles as well but i can't really give any advice on that! It's still not the cheapest product at around £12, but it's still a cheaper alternative then the porefessional by Benefit as much as i adore that product don't get me wrong! 

Next, is the Benefit boi-ing! concealer. I have serious problems with my under-eye circles and i cannot stand them, so any product that helps to cover them bad boys up i'm going to try! I've heard pretty much everyone rave about this concealer and for good reason, it's great! You only need to apply a small amount under the eyes or on any blemishes, blend it out and they disappear in a flash, it's my holy grail of concealers. I have only ONE little problem, it's a little too drying for me, but it's rectified with a good primer/moisturiser before hand! Again, this concealer isn't the cheapest at £17.50 but you don't need a lot to make a difference and it is a worth while product to buy if you fancy a splurge!

My next favourite isn't anything beauty or hair related but a film instead! I recently went to see "Lets be cops" staring Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. they both also star in New Girl as Nick and Coach. First of all this film is HILARIOUS, i've never laughed at a film so much! But if you're not into crude humour then this might not be the film for you. 

The film plot is Justin and Ryan are living in LA and struggling with their careers, for a costume party they dress as cops (or police officers to my fellow brits) and everyone believes their cops! They begin to take it to far and get into some weird but absolutely hilarious situations. I'll leave the trailer below!

(It's slightly rude and does include a lot of sexual humour, drug references and lot of swearing, so if you're under 15 i don't suggest you watch this.) 

Going back to beauty things, my next favourite is the Garnier sleek and restore hair oil. Sadly, i have quite frizzy hair naturally so i'm always looking for products that will "disguise" my frizz and i think i'm onto a winner! This hair oil is great for using after styling to tame fly-aways, you can use it after washing your hair as a heat protect up to 230 degrees and it smells lush! I've fallen in love with this product because you don't need a lot to make a big impact, it's good for styling it gets rid of your fly-aways to give you that sleek 'n' sexy hair as they call it. It's not overly priced at £9.99 which i love and it'll last a long time which is an even bigger bonus!  

My final favourite for this month is another make-up product, the L'oreal colour riche nude lipsticks in the shade "barely golden" by Eva Longoria. I've been eyeing up these lipsticks for a long long time but i've resisted because i have far too many lipsticks already, but i caved (no surprise). Although i'm pretty glad i eventually caved as these nude lipsticks are just beautiful! They apply with ease, they last a long time and they're brilliant for everyday wear! 

Hope you've enjoyed my October favourites! Do you like any of the products i've mentioned or will you give them a try? Let me know what your favourites for this month are!

April xox

Hey guys, sorry i've been M.I.A for the past few weeks but i have my reasons.

I don't know whether talking about this on the internet is a good idea, but this is my blog and i will share what happened while i was away.

Sadly, my boyfriend (who has been mentioned on this blog many times before) and i separated and it's been difficult for me.

I've been going through phases and i've not really wanted to blog or do anything over this past month, all i've done is work and spend time with my family and friends; which is all i needed right now. 

Now, before i continue i will address the situation that i know will arise from me writing this. 

1. I am NOT in anyway shape or form using this as a way to "bash" him or "insult" him. Brian was a big part of my life and whatever has happened i will never stop caring for him. 

2. I'm NOT looking for any sympathy. I am using this as way to express how i feel and really make myself feel better and also, let you all know where i've been for the past month!

3. Whatever has happened between me and Brian is still our business and i wont disclose any information about how/why things ended, but all that you need to know is that it did, and things are moving on now. 

Ok, we good? Good. 

Spending over a year of your life with someone and seeing them most days, to completely cutting someone off and not seeing them for a long time, is as you can imagine very difficult. We still remain friends on social media but we are not on speaking terms, as it has been very difficult for the both of us. I still care very very much for Brian and i always will, we are just having time apart before we can feel we can become friends again, hopefully. 

I have spent this past month working, spending time with family and friends and focusing on myself a lot to get through all of this. Sadly, this has meant that i have not had the motivation to write any blog posts at this time, and i do hope you understand things have been very difficult for me and still is. 

By no means will i remove anything on this blog about him as he was a huge part of my life and completing removing him from this is not what i want to do. This blog is showing you my life and that is what Brian was, so no, i will not remove any of the posts i have made about him. 

I'm still struggling and dealing with this, but like everything it will take time but i'm hoping to get on with life and continue with this blog as a creative outlook for myself and a new beginning for myself now! I will throw myself into my work and into my blog and i will make myself feel better by doing this and i hope you guys can come along with the journey as well. 

I don't want to go into much more detail about this as i don't want to depress anyone or get all silly and cheesy on you guys!

Overall, Brian was a huge part of my life, not just a boyfriend, but a best friend and for that i will always always care for him and love him. I hope in the future we can both be in a place where we can become friends again as i feel cutting someone off for the rest of your life is never a good way and i don't want either of us to hold grudges against each other, i want to enjoy life and that includes Brian. 

WELL, that was lovely wasn't it! But i hope you guys understand i haven't been in the right mindset to do blog posts and i wouldn't want to throw any old posts just to have something here! I'll pick myself back up, throw myself in my blog and you'll (hopefully) be getting some more posts on here from now on. 

Thank you.

April.