Twenty Seven Million: Let's stop human trafficking

This blog post is off topic but it's something I really want to talk about. I'll be back to normal fashion and beauty related posts very, very soon.

You might be wondering about the title of this post. Well, Twenty Seven Million is the name of a new charity single by Matt Redman & LZ7 who aim to do something - and raise awareness - about human trafficking.

There is an estimated 27 million people caught up in human trafficking today - the highest number ever documented. There are modern day slaves, victims of organised crime and people who are forced into smuggling and child labour.

Sadly, fewer than 2% of those affected are reduced...

That's where this song comes into it. A21 Campaign aim to, with the money raised from the song, look after those who are are survivors, prevent trafficking in as many places as possible and to ensure that the traffickers serve time for their crimes.

Founder of the A21 Campaign said: 

"...our hope is that this song will help create and enact a culture to do something about trafficking."

If you haven't already, have a listen to have song:

To make a difference, buy the song on iTunes.

UK 99p: iTunes

US $1.29: iTunes

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Thank you for reading.

Suzanna

XOXO

The magic of Sudocrem (yes, magic!)

You might be wondering why on earth I'm talking about a cream that's famous for healing nappy rash. Well my friends, it does much more than that. 

Even though it is the markets leading nappy rash cream, Sudocrem can be used to heal and soothe various other skin conditions such as:

- Cuts and grazes

- Minor burns

- Sunburn

- Eczema/acne

- Bed scores

- Chilblains

It's gentle and won't sting upon application! It reduces infection and contains a mild anaesthetic to soothe pain. It helps heal wounds and forms a protective barrier over the effected area.

Enough of the science-y stuff, personally I love this cream. Everyone in my family uses this stuff, and for different reasons. I use it as a thick moisturiser at night to soothe my skin as I suffer from acne breakouts and redness. Forget toothpaste, this stuff works. My dad uses it to treat cuts and infections whereas my mum uses to treat sunburn (in the summer, of course).

It's a thick consistancy so I recommend using it at night so that it has time to settle.

Celebrities such as Chloe from TOWIE was seen using it in a recent episode stating "I swear by this stuff". Even the likes of Cheryl Cole and Rihanna have all revealed that they too use Sudocrem.

They come in small, medium and large (the tubs) and I purchased mine from a chemist. I wouldn't recommend you buy it online simply for heath and safety reasons - you want it to be fresh! This stuff is so cheap as well - around £5 for the largest tub! It's worth a try.

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Hope you enjoyed this! I'm sorry it wasn't as long as my previous posts; I've just finished writing a two thousand word essay on politics. Fun! Anyway, see you next time.

Suzanna xoxo

The Woman In Black

Holy shit. That's all I've got to say :)

Description: "Working alone in an old mansion, Kipps begins to uncover the town's tragic and tortured secrets and his fears escalate when he discovers that local children have been dying under mysterious circumstances. When those closest to him become threatened by the vengeful woman in black, Kipps must find a way to break the cycle of terror."

It's Daniel Radcliffe's first major role since the end of the Harry Potter franchise and we all hoped that it would be a success. And it was.

The film - based on a book in 1983 - starts with three random girls who are playing with their dolls. Suddenly, they stand up and make their way over to the window and then jump out. Queue the screaming. Then after the titles, it starts with Arthur Kipps having flash-backs of his wife's death (child-birth) and then he talks to his son about going away on a business trip. 

I was waiting for the cinema to open and on the poster in the lobby it said underneath the name: this film contains intense supernatural threat and horror. I wouldn't call it supernatural threat as it's not supernatural however I do agree with the horror aspect.

The film is very jumpy - at some points I couldn't even look at the screen! The figures and faces; in particular the woman in black herself, gave me actual nightmares. You won't get them out of your head! I'm coulrophobic so it was even worse for me. 

A man who sat in front of me said to his wife at the beginning "this is gonna be lame" and, no lie, at the end he said "that was some scary shit!".

The only thing I didn't like was the ending. It pissed me off and ended too abruptly. But it worked.

Overall verdict: The Woman In Black is seriously wicked film and I'd definitely pay to see it again! It has been given great views by the critics which is another bonus. If you haven't seen it yet, I definitely would recommend it. I'm going to check out the book now.

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Hope you liked it. I'll talk to you soon; I'm going back to school tomorrow so blog posts will be less frequently (no-one follows my blog so it's ok).

Suzanna

XOXO

PS. Arsenal fans! The match yesterday was appalling but reading the Piers Morgan and Josh Francschi Twitter argument this morning was amusing.

Let's talk about books...

I don't know about you, but I love to read. From horrors to dramas to autobiographies, I enjoy the lot (well, maybe not scripts or screenplays - I read Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw once and I got bored after the first few pages). I thank - and blame - my parents for making me into such an avid reader due to the masses of books they have. I started getting into books when I was 2 or 3 - the Hungry Caterpillar was a loved favourite of mine and it all started from then. 

Anyway, I enjoy reading when I have nothing else to do so I thought that I'd do a blog post on my fave books!

If you love horrors then, if you haven't, check out Stephen King. My absolute favourite - and possibly my favourite book of all time - is The Long Walk. This book was written when King was writing as Richard Bachman so the tone of the writing is different to most of his works. The plot is simple: 100 teenage boys go on a walk, the last one standing is the winning and is granted a prize of anything he wants. Obviously it's not that simple and if the boys go under the speed limit or stop walking they get a ticket. Three tickets are they are out. It's a great book and I'd definitely recommend it.

For drama books I'd recommend literally anything by Jodi Picoult. Whilst in Egypt I looked through the book section in the lobby and found Vanishing Acts. It was a thick, lengthy book which seemed boring and draggy and I was so wrong. I finished the book in two sittings and I still remember the story today. It's about a mother who finds out she was kidnapped as a child. It's hard to review the book without giving spoilers away so I'm going to leave it there. Read it!

I'd also recommend The Runaway by Martina Cole if you like reading as it'll probably take you a long time to finish.

Autobiographies are most interesting for me especially if they are written by a favourite comedian of mine. So these are comedy books as well. I've just finished reading two - Michael McIntyre and James Corden. Michael McIntyre is my favourite comedian of all time so when he released a book, I was over the moon! Spending nearly £20 didn't bother me when it came to his book and I still re-read it today. If you like his type of humour then this book is AMAZING. I find myself laughing out loud (LOL really does fit this book perfectly) and I once woke my parents up from giggling at night. On the other hand, I wasn't a big James Corden fan per say, I was more of a Smithy fan however I still gave it a go. I was pleasantly surprised, it did make me chuckle but not as much as Michael McIntyre's did. It depends on your humour really, but I'd definitely recommend these two books.

Books about TV Shows can be good too - my favourites are Skins: The Novel and The Hills: City of Angels as they are extra episodes of the shows. The Hills is one of my favourite reality shows whereas Skins is one of my favourite British Dramas. I will say that Skins (the book, mind you) is rated 18. I never knew books could be rated an 18 - but I can totally see why. It's very rude. I think they are better for older teenagers and young adults to be honest.

Action books are great too. The Hunger Games by Suzanna Collins is great and the sequels Catching Fire and Mocking Jay are just as good. I feel as though these books suit all ages as they contain elements of reading that suit everyone. There is elements of romance, action, drama and slight horror. The second one is my favourite as lots happened but together, they make a perfect series. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore is a good book if you like action - I'd definitely recommend this if you have seen the film, or want to see the film. Books are better than films! A perfect example of this is the whole Harry Potter series. The books are just so much better and are written in so much detail compared to what we see in the cinemas. I've read every Harry Potter book and I freaking love them.

Ok, I've just realised that I have written a lot. So instead of rambling on, I'm going to do a list of my top book recommendations!

Drama:

- Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

- The Runaway by Martina Cole

- 1984 by George Orwell

Horror:

- The Long Walk by Stephen King

- The Woman In Black by Susan Hill

Action:

- I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

- The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

- All of the Harry Potter books

Autobiographies:

- Live & Laughing by Michael McIntyre 

- May I Have Your Attention Please? by James Corden

- Bossypants by Tina Fey

War:

- Band of Brothers by Steven E. Ambrose

- War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

- When Hitler Stole a Pink Rabbit by Juidth Kerr

- The Pianist by Wladyslaw Szpilman (watch the film!)

TV Books:

- L.A Candy by Lauren Conrad

- Skins: The Novel by Ali Cronin

- The Hills: City of Angels by Andrew Perry

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I hoped you liked this! It was fun to write about something other than fashion or beauty. I'm thinking about do a film review on The Woman In Black as I saw it yesterday and I loved it. What do you think?

Suzanna

XOXO

Top 5 Eyeliners For Your Waterline

Different eyeliners work for different people. Your friends absolute must-have might not necessarily work for you and vice versa. It takes a long time to find the perfect eyeliner that suits your specific needs, whether it be tight lining, for your waterline, lower or upper lash line etc. 

Today I'm going to talk about my top five favourite - black - eyeliners that are waterline safe. Please remember that these are just suggestions for you to try, not everything works for everyone. 

*These are in no specific order*

1. MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder

Described as an "intense black", for me this eyeliner has a slight green tint to it. Despite this, it's one of my all time favourites for the waterline. It's too draggy for the upper lash line however it's the perfect consistency for the waterline. It's creamy but not so that it smudges once applied.

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2. MAC Kohl Power in Feline

Another MAC eyeliner! As a cult favourite, this eyeliner is commonly compared to Smolder yet they are different. Feline is much more creamy and more black that Smolder. I find that this one lasts slightly longer than Smolder but does take longer to settle. If it's used on the upper lash line I wouldn't recommend closing your eyes fully to prevent smudges. However, it's a great eyeliner.

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3. Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero and Perversion

Zero is decried as black whereas Perversion is described as the blackest black. It's all down to personal preference when it comes to the UD eyeliners. Personally, I find the Zero more natural (well, for black eyeliner anyway) and less harsh especially for day time. Switch to Perversion if going out as it is much more vivid and in-your-face. They are both great, and last for about 6 hours (on me).

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4. Chantecaille Kohl Pencil in Black

This is probably the most expensive eye-liner in the world (slight exaggeration? maybe), yet it is amazing. If you want to define your eyes with a creamy, rich black colour then definitely choose this. Chantecaille are known for their luxurious products and their eye kohl's are no exception. They are available in many colours, but the black is my favourite.

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5. Rimmel London Soft Kohl in Black

For a drugstore/high-street product, this eyeliner is brilliant. It doesn't drag, doesn't smudge and doesn't leave those annoying lines on your eyelids after application like some eyeliners do. I use this probably more than my high-end eyeliners simply because if it runs out, then I can repurchase without making a huge dent in my wallet. It's around £7 in Boots and compared to the £32 Chantecaille and the £14.50 MAC eyeliners, it's worth it. 

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I hoped this helped! Leave me a comment and don't forget to follow my blog!

Suzanna

XOXO

Simple and stylish blazers

The blazer has been a fashion essential ever since the idea of masculine chic was invented. The prominent structure of a blazer revitalises and pulls together any outfit.

Everything looks good with a blazer thrown over it. Fact.

For me, the best thing about blazers is the fact that everything works. Pair it with matching trousers and you get a conservative, work appropriate look. Or wear it with a tee and distressed jeans for a casual weekend look. Even layering it over a mini dress for a night on the town works.

The reason why I'm talking about blazers is the fact that, this year they are making a fashion comeback. Blazers are getting back to the basics in classic shapes, neutral colours and a reasonable balance of masculine and feminine designs.

Here are some of my favourites:

This Topshop Grey Boyfriend Blazer is great for those casual days. Pair it with skinny jeans, boots and a simple tee for an effortless yet stylish look. For £65.00, I think you could find something a little better with a much lower price tag, however if you have the money to spend, this is definitely a good choice.

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H&M have always been a favourite brand of mine because of their vast selection of simple and colourful pieces. Their new blazers are simple yet fashionable with a wide range of bright colours. My favourites are the pink, red and blue and at £24.99 each, you can't go wrong!

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Everyone needs that staple, black blazer that goes with everything and anything. I really like the look of this Theory Risea Stretch-Wool Jacket (it's called a jacket, but it's definitely a blazer) from Net-a-Porter. It's simple yet incredibly wearable, and you can see this by the image above - the blazer is paired with a white tee, high-wasted trousers and nude pumps.

Unfortunately, this bad boy costs £375 and I'm 99.8% certain most of us wouldn't fork out that much on a blazer - especially a black one. So here is a pocket-friendly alternative...

Here we have a black long sleeve blazer from River Island that is only £55.00 compared to the Theory blazer. My advice is to buy a cheaper blazer and dress it up by adding lavishing accessorises and pairing it with bright shoes.

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Leave a comment and follow me!

Suzanna

XOXO

Tried & Tested: TRESemmé Salon Sleek Smooth Memory Straightening Spray

(***I'll be adding pictures soon! The ones I used originally were stock photos and looked horrible so I'll be doing my own shortly!!!***)


Wow, that is a mouthful.

This is going to be a review on the TRESemmé Salon Sleek Smooth Memory Straightening Spray. (I'm going to call it the straightening spray just to save time)

TRESemmé claim that:

"Salon Sleek Smooth Memory Frizz Controller Spraightening Spray contains Argan Oil from Morocco known for its nourishing and smoothing benefits. Use with heat appliances to train hair to become straighter, smoother and less frizzy over time."

So basically, they say that this product is the bees knees. But is it really that good?

Yes, it is. I purchased this from Boots around three weeks ago when I ran out of my Bed Head serum (which is uh-may-zing I hasten to add). To be completely honest with you, I picked this up expecting it to be mediocre. But how wrong was I? This product does exactly what it says, however I find the staying power of the product more on the bad side of the scale. After washing my hair, before I blow-dry, I spritz this all over and then dry it. After about 15 minutes, I have no frizz what-so-ever and my hair feels incredibly soft and hydrated. However, even if I straighten my hair afterwards, the spray doesn't keep it straight. I don't really see this as a "straightening spray" I see it more as a "control frizz and make your hair super soft" kind of spray. Being said, there's nothing wrong with that. I have other serums (which I'll mention in another post) that keep my hair straight. After all, I didn't expect this to be as good as it claims - it was only £4.99. I must add that, from personal experience, this product is much more effective is used alongside other TRESemmé products such as the shampoo and conditioner. I used it once using Herbal Essence shampoo and conditioner and the results weren't as good.

Well, I hope this was helpful. I'll be doing a fashion type blog next which is fun.

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I've just ordered from Feel Unique the hyped up Moroccan Oil which I am super excited to try out - I'll definitely do a fair review after I've tried it out several times. If you would like, I could compared several hair treatments? 

Leave a reply if you'd like that!

Hope you enjoyed this,

Suzanna

XOXO

Your Guide To: Upcoming MAC Collections

If you are an avid make-up fanatic then you'll absolutely love what MAC Cosmetics has to offer in their upcoming collections. All of these collections are being released (or have been released) between February and July. I'll do another post on the autumn and christmas collections when promo pictures are available (or when they've actually made the collection!)

MAC Vera

Flashy florals, butterfly brights, punchy patterns, and a light-as-air spirit fuse in a collection inspired by the art of textile designer, Vera Neumann. Limited Edition.

 Crushed Metallic Pigments

L-R; Strawberry Patch, Aloha and Butterfly Party

Pearlmatte Face Powder

L-R; Flower Fantasy and Sunday Afternoon

Plushglass

L-R; Pretty Plush, Fashion Fanatic (limited edition), Confetti (limited edition), On A Holiday (limited edition) and Butterfly Dream (limited edition)

Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner

L-R; Lord It Up, Industrial, Designer Purple, Undercurrent, Petrol Blue, Black Line and Black Swan

Nail Lacquer

L-R; Play Day and Midsummer's Dream

Cook MAC and Shop MAC

Cook M.A.C

Fluidline 

L-R; Wholesome, Midnight Snack and Added Goodness

Tendertone Lip Balm

L-R Clockwise; Tread Gently, Purring, Hush-Hush and Hot 'n' Saucy

Nail Lacquer

L-R; Kid Orange, Salad Dressing and Al Fredo

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 Other products in this collection:

- Opulash Mascara

- Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder

- 211 Pointed Liner Brush

- 129SH Powder/Blush Brush

Shop M.A.C

Eye Shadow Quads

Top to Bottom; Call Me Bubbles, Colour Added and Shop & Drop

Call Me Bubbles

Colour Added

Shop & Drop

Lipstick

L-R; Innocence Beware!, Watch Me Simmer, Naughty Saute, Quick Sizzle, Dish It Up and  Runaway Red

Kissable Lipcolour

L-R; Enchantee, Woo Me, So Vain,  Scan-delicious and Flaunting It

Cremeblend Blush

Top to Bottom; Florida, Optimistic Orange and Restores Dazzle!

Florida

Optimistic Orange

Restores Dazzle!

 Beth Ditto for MAC Collections

Several weeks ago Beth Ditto announced that she'll be creating her own collection for MAC Cosmetics which will be released during the summer (available globally from June). From her own style we can suggest that the collection will include bold eyeliners, bright lipsticks and an array of coloured eye shadows which is very very exciting! 

We'll keep you posted.

MAC Viva Glam: Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin for Viva Glam

The last time Nicki Minaj collaborated with MAC she created the infamous Pink Friday lipstick which sold out online in under 30 minutes of going on sale. This meant that they only released a limited amount every Friday (fitting, right?) for several weeks. Unfortunately, this mean't that loads of people couldn't get their hands on the lipstick and lead to people paying £40 on eBay! 

Fortunately, Nicki Minaj - and Ricky Martin - is collaborating again in what I'm sure will be another quick-selling collection.

This time they are releasing a lipstick titled Viva Glam Nicki and a Lip Condition, both embossed with their signatures. 

Viva Glam Nicki and Lip Conditioner

Make sure you note the date of release so you don't miss out! It's available February 15th for those in North America whereas it's international in March. Another surprise is that this collection will be available for the whole of 2012 until February of 2013.

MAC Lightfully New Collection

From the promotional pictures released, this collection looks amazing. And by 'looks' I mean the packaging. Is it bad wanting to buy this just for that reason alone? Well aside from the packaging, the products sound interesting.

In this collection, there is:

- Lightful Cleanser

- Lightful Softening Lotion

- Lightful Essence

- Lightful Moisture Creme

The positive to this collection is the packaging and the interesting names of the products. I haven't got the fainted idea what "Lightful Essence" is going to be. However, the negative is the preposterous price tag MAC seems to think I am going to spend on a little tub. All of these items are between £25 and $45 which, I think, is a little too much.

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So that's all for the upcoming MAC collections until June. I hope this helped you in any way. If prices will be useful, please let me know in a comment so that I can include it in future posts.

Thank you!

Suzanna

XOXO

Ps. I'm sorry at the length of this. If you read it all, the kudos to you.