The commute.

Welcome to the commute home.

It's Friday. I'm exhausted, pretty sure I have an eye infection and the trains are fucked.

Other than that, I'm actually really happy.

Okay, I'm so tired I could cry but that's not going to happen as my eye hurts too much. Go figure.

Instead I'm cozied up on an uncomfortable train listening to Bon Jovi, reading Cosmo and wishing I had bought the Double Decker Duo rather than the single one. Yeah, I'm greedy, what of it?!

It's been one of those weeks that even as it ended, I wondered what on earth I have done. I haven't clocked the same site hours that I normally would have liked to have done. I certainly haven't attended ALL the meetings I probably should have done. (Here's looking at you 12:00 today; my leftover chow mein called. You didn't.)

What did I achieve? I realised I have a lot of support in my team. They want to help me be the best I can be. I've learnt that I really want to be successful in my career. I've learnt that it's important to put your name out there and be reconsider. Lesson No 3? It's okay to down tools and do the shit tomorrow. Sometimes that makes you stronger; that clear mind really helps with everything.

So I am going to lay back now and dream of the fish and chips that await me when  I get off this blasted train. This hour is my time.

It's all new.

I'm ready to write again and it feels good. I guess I always forced myself to have to write about makeup and all the things I thought I wanted my blog to be. It's not about that.

It's called The Life of Ashi for a reason. It's my space and I will do what I want dammit!

Things have been up and down lately.

I've found myself at work and it feels amazing. I'm learning and I feel stronger and more confident every day. I'm surrounded by people that want to help me better myself. University was difficult for so many reasons, This job is my new start and all I want is to be the best person that I can.

I'm a true believer in that music can really take an effect on your life. The words can be fate. "You're going to reap just what you sow." I've heard Perfect Day by Lou Reed a few times recently. Countless times in my life, but a few times recently. So this is to be added to my list of personal development goals. No.8: Be the best that I can be.

Another up and down is my personal life. I'm not going to get into this too deep here, I think it's just fair to say that I need to learn to be me for a bit. I've always relied on needing a partner, a constant best friend for happiness. I don't need to. Perhaps it is time for me to learn to be my own best friend. Time to look out for number 1.

I'm not saying I'm okay. I'd be lying if I said I am happy and that I missed nobody because I do. I just hope that one day the people I miss will be okay. Then I will be okay too.

There's plenty of things that I want to do and say but for now I will sign off and see what words come next. Hopefully soon.

Catch up...

It's been too long since I have blogged.

The finishing of university, with the need to allow my mind to melt into the countryside and Netflix took over. Now I am regretting not taking the opportunity to take plenty of photos of my favourite products in the gorgeous sunshine...

Currently, I am working on a highly iconic building which is being redeveloped as part of a huge scheme in London. You might be able to see this building as it is on the river and it GENERATES a lot of interest...it certainly looks POWERful... (10 points if you can guess where I am working from the hint...)

Anyway, I am blogging over on graduateonsite.wordpress.com if anyone fancies a peek! Otherwise I am still posting on Instagram. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to take some new photos soon...I am finally wearing makeup again so at least I can actually review something!

Low cost lipstick shades for the Summer

Top Swatch - Natural Collection
Bottom Swatch - Rimmel Kate 05

I can't even call this a dupes post. One is £1.99, the other is £5.49. Yet the colours are pretty much exactly the same. I just wish the lighting showed it better. 

The Natural Collection Moisture Shine lipstick in Raspberry is a favourite amongst beauty bloggers. I originally heard about it from Miss Budget Beauty. (Most of my purchases are MissBB enabled!) What put me off was the cheap packaging but hey, you win some, you lose some.

Rimmel Kate 05 was purchased the same day would you believe? What I didn't realise was that they are THE SAME. The Natural Collection one ever so slightly more purple toned. Like, the TINIEST amount. The difference between them is the staying power. The Rimmel one lasts longer on the lips without making the ring around my lips and settling into the cracks, not unlike Raspberry.

So if you want me to tell you which one to buy...I couldn't tell you. The instant wash of colour from Raspberry is so impressive, yet I enjoy the staying power of 05. I will tell you that they are both stunning colours, very summery and worthwhile owning!

What is your ultimate summer lip colour? Let me know in the comments!

Ashleigh x

Boots Haul - May

There have been a few lil "just gonna nip into Boots" moments this month. They just happen! *insert relevant emoji here*

Here are the best bits. Lets face it, you don't really wanna see tissues and tampons? DO YOU?! *insert another relevant emoji here!*

Firstly, the Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Raspberry. Everyone bangs on about this colour so I thought I'd give it a try. Next, the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, which I really don't need to talk about. Everyone knows about this stuff. I picked up the L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinare Lip Colour in Molto Mauve - depressing name but a pretty pinky nude colour. These were also £5 off if you buy a bottle of Diet Coke so obviously I snapped the chance up! I also got the Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish lipstick in shade 05 which I have an interesting post to write about soon...

Eyeshadow wise, I picked up the Seventeen  Eye Eyeshadow in Rose Quartz, upon watching Fleur De Force RAVE about it. Seriously, for £3.89, it's beautiful. It does need a primer but dang, if you are in Boots, do a girl a favour and swatch it at least. Ughh, stunning. Finally, the Collection Eyes Unconvered Palette in Nude Bronze. Do I need another palette? Probably not, especially a nude one at that but the payoff is incredible. I can try to justify it with, "but it's great for travel" right?

What have you been buying this month? Anything I need on my shopping list for next month....?!

Ashleigh x

Ted Baker - No3 Brompton Crescent

Shower gel is something I want to be luxurious and decadent, yet cheap. I want fruity scents but without smelling like a tutti fruiti sweet.

This was reduced to 2 quid in Boots. 2 QUID!

"Scented with a lavish mix of lemon, jasmine and amber crystal, it's a touch of luxury that'll leave you feeling royally pampered."

BOOM. ACHIEVED.

Ughh this stuff smells heavenly. It's such a light fragrance that does smell fruity and flowery, without being overpowering. Getting down and dirty now, it foams up nicely in the shower and the scent does last on the skin for a few hours, which is always a plus in my books. Plus the packaging? Gold detail, pale turquoise gel - just looks so pretty.

I really wish I had bought more of these - it looks like it's an end of line product. I have found this on Amazon; £7.48 with £3.49 delivery? Erm....I don't think so...

Have you ever had discontinued product sadness? Let me know in the comments!

Ashleigh x

My secret place for reduced cosmetics...

How much would you pay for this little bundle? A Headmasters Blow-Dry cream, a retractable lip brush, a pair of cuticle scissors and a L'Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Loose Eyeshadow...

How does £2.54 sound? Much better than the RRP of £20.39 eh?!

Tesco are brilliant for reduced price cosmetics as they just seem to want to get rid of their old lines quick! I actually love the blow dry cream and the L'Oreal eyeshadow is beautiful to use. Although there can be a need to rummage in the totes of stock, you can find some true gems in there! If you have the patience, I highly recommend you have a little peek!

Also, around closing time on Sundays and evenings are ideal, as that seems to be when a lot of reduced stock is brought out (although don't quote me on that, it's just when I noticed the Reading store has done!)

What is your best beauty bargain that you have found? Let me know in the comments!