Boots Haul - September 2014

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, its just because the room which I usually do my blogging from was having a bit of make over.

Anyway, recently I went into Boots and picked up a few things; most of which are completely new to me. So, I thought I would share with you what I've brought and the reasons behind buying them.

Smashbox Photo Finish Original Primer (travel size)
I've been wanting to try a make up primer for some time, but I wasn't sure which ine to get as they are so many on the market. But, when I was over at the Smashbox counter I was recommended this due to how my skin is at the moment. I didn't want to invest in a full size, just in case I didn't like it. So, I decided on the travel size to see how I get along with it.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finishing Spray
I've heard a lot of great things about the Dryspun Finishing Spray from Bumble & Bumble, but I didn't want to again invest in a full size can without trying it first. The idea behind the hairspray is to give your hair a lift by spraying it into your roots, and then massaging it in. Its meant to provide an airy feel to the hair, as well as giving it some volume.

Sure Maximum Protection 48 hour Anti-Perspirant Deodorant in Confidence
I think this is my new favourite deodorant, and I'm almost half way through my first one. The scent of this is gorgeous, as its a light floral fragrance.

Revlon Colourstay Concealer in Fair
I've got this as my other concealer is due for running out, and I've heard some great things about this concealer. I chose this one as it has the added benefit of Saliylic acid, which is great for treating the occassional breakout.

Bourjois CC Cream in 31 Ivory
I got this as I wanted to try something a little different from a foundation, and I actually like the sound of this product; as it corrects redness, fatigue and dark spots, and it has a light texture and feel.

Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder in 52 Vanilla
I wanted to try a high street pressed powder, and I'd heard that this is very similar to the Geogio Armani Luminous Silk Powder, but for around a third of the price.

Aussie Mega Shampoo 500ml
I'm ready to try a new brand of shampoo and conditioner; as I have now worked my way through the majority of the Dove range. So, I've decided that I'm trying Aussie again, and this is a brand that I haven't used in years. I'm giving the Mega shampoo a go, and I think this is just a basic shampoo which is suitable to use on a everyday basis.

Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner 400ml
I decided to get this conditioner, as I wanted to get some more moisture back into my hair after I had used the Mega shampoo.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Light Mega Deep Treatment Mousee
I decided to get this as it seemed an unusual way to give your hair a deep cleanse. I've never used any of the 3 minute miracle range before, so we shall see how it goes.

Blog Update #3

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know that they won't be a blog post going up for the next couple of weeks, due to the room which I normally do my blog is being refurbished. I'm hoping to get my next post out on the 30th September.

Sorry about this and I will be back again soon

Lauren xx

Review: The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

Hi everyone,

This is currently the only cleansing oil that I own, and I use this to take my make up off.

It take my make up off with very little effort, and that includes waterproof mascara. When I have taken off my make up using this cleansing oil my skin feels sqeeky clean, moisturised and hydrated. Its also extremely gentle on the skin, and this nakes it ideal for all skin types; especially for people who have sensitive skin and contact lens wearers. 

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil is made using community fair trade camomile essential oil.

If you have fancied trying a cleansing oil, but you might be a bit sceptical of how it may work for you. Then I'd recommend you giving this one a go, as might be surprised because of how easy it removes make up at the end of the day.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil currently retails for £10 in the UK.

Advice on Taking up Photography

Hi everyone,

I thought I would offer some advice and guidance for anyone who is interested in taking up DSLR photography, but your not sure how to go about it. In this post I'm going to talk about DSLR cameras that are suitable for beginners, and also the different types of courses and tuition that is out there for you.

I started learning how to do DSLR photography about four years ago, and for myself personally I went and had private photography lessons with a professional photographer. Its taken me until now to how to get the best use from my DSLR camera, and what I need to do to improve on my photography.

DSLR Cameras that are Ideal for Beginners

Canon 100D with an 18-55mm IS STM Lens £479.00
Canon 1200D with an 18-55mm IS Lens £369.00
Canon 700D with an 18-55mm IS STM Lens £549.00
Nikon D5100 with an 55-200mm VR Lens £579.00
Nikon D5300 with an 18-55mm Lens £599.00
Nikon D3200 with an 18-55 VR II Lens £330.00

These are just some of the DSLR kits which I have found online, and these are the DSLR cameras that I think would be ideal for someone who is just starting out in DSLR photography.

Recommended DSLR Accessories

UV Filters - I would recommend buying one of these for each lens you buy; just because these protect the front of the lens, and they also reduce the glare on your photos

Tripod - One of these would be ideal if you wanted to do landscape photography, or taking a photo using a long exposure time on your camera. 

SD cards & Compact Flash Cards - If your camera takes SD cards, make sure you buy the SDHC type and its a Class 10; which are the latest SD class on the market. These upload pretty quickly to your computer. Compact Flash cards are mainly found in high end cameras; so I wouldn't worry to much about those. I'd also recommend you getting two 16GB cards, and also a 32GB than that way your covered memory wise, and you have spares if anything goes wrong or its full.

Spare Camera Battery - As you never know when one of these may come in handy.

Camera Bag - Lowerpro bags are fantastic camera bags at a reasonable price. Make sure you find a bag thats ideal for both you and your camera/ lens needs.

Photography Courses

You can go about learning how to do DSLR photography in few different ways, and these ways are: -
- College/ Adult Learning Centre
- Online Courses
- One-to-one tuition with a private photographer
- Photography Workshops

College Courses

These are just some of the courses that they offer at one of my local colleges, but I'm sure that you'll be able to find something similar within a college in your local area. Its also worth mentioning that with these courses you will have to pay an upfront fee of around £500+, depending on course you decide to take.
The course that I've found are:-
- Digital Photography
- Digital Photography Beginners
- Digital Photography Certificate Level 1

Online Courses

These are courses were you enrol online, and then attend a course at a particular venue. These courses do have limited spaces, and they is a fee to go on these courses.

www.digitalphotographycourses.co.uk
This online company offers a four hour beginners photography course, and it has enough space for 7 students. The course itself is based in London.

www.goingdigital.co.uk
This is a two part course, and you have to pay to attend each course separately.
Part One - Get off Auto
Part Two - Advanced Camera Skills

You need to enrol online for each course, and these are held within your local area. Each course has enough space for 10 students.

One-to-One Tuition with a Private Photographer

This is the route that I chose to take, and this worked brilliantly for me as I was able to fit in and around my lifestyle.

You gain a basic/ intermediate understanding on how best to use your DSLR camera, and how to get the best out of it for what you want to use it for. Its important to find a photographer that offers this service, as well as one that you can get along with. You also need someone who is a flexible and fit lessons in when its suits you and your lifestyle. These lessons are also worked around your pace of learning, and held in your local area. There's also no need to worry about exams, as they won't be any. Maybe questions here and there to see how much you have understood, and also some DSLR homework. 

Photography Workshops

Jessops Academy Course DSLR Level 1
This course is suitable for anybody who doesn't have any prior knowledge of how to use a DSLR camera, but would like to know on how to get the most from their camera by gaining a basic understanding.

This course is a mixture of both theory and practical work, and this will help you to get the most of your DSLR camera. You also pick up hints and tips along the way.

The course covers:-
- Lens & focus operation
- Camera handling
- Controlling image exposure
- Aperature & Depth of Field (DoF)
- Shutter Speeds
- ISO
- Basic composition

Jessops Academy Course DSLR Level 2
This course is suitable for anybody that have some basic knowledge on how to use a DSLR camera. But before you apply to go on this course; this is the knowledge that you need to have:-
- Aperature & Depth of Field (DoF)
- Understadning how to adjust your ISO
- Know how to adjust Shutter Speeds
- Understanding focusing & lens control

The Level 2 course covers:-
- To read & control exposure
- Ensure locking & bracketing
- Exposure metering
- White balance & custom white balance
- To get the best from your focusing system
- RAW/ JPEG
- Lenses
- Macro
- Flash
- Using filters

You do have to pay for each of these courses separately, and they have locations throughout the UK.

I would like to wish you loads of luck on your chosen photography journey. It'll be worth it in the end, I promise.

NB.) I have not in any way been sponsored for this post, by any of the above companies. This is just what found from doing a lot of research, and then collating it into a blog post that I hope that you will find useful.