Why you should get involved with #FrugalFebruary

February is here, and with it being the shortest month of the year... it's the perfect time to try something new, or even take up a challenge. So here's where Frugal February comes in...

Being a 'millennial' (ugh did I seriously just use that word?) comes at a price. There's always a new bit of technology released that you just damn well need, or a new restaurant that's opened up to incredible reviews. There are Instagram accounts dedicated to making us feel envious of other people's lives and no matter what time of day or night I check my social media feeds, there is always something that catches my eye and makes me want to spend money.

So lets' put a stop to it and go back to basics - for an entire month. Grated, unless you're a child, it's likely you'll need to spend some money this month - those bills sadly aren't going to pay themselves, and you'll need somewhere to live, so don't forget about your mortgage or rent... but everything else? Now that - we can work on!

So how do you get involved, I hear you ask? Well let me give you a couple of examples to get you in the mood and think about how you can live frugally this month.

Beauty

First things first, aside from absolute essential purchases (e.g running out of something completely), it's time to cut back on beauty this month. If you're usually familiar with the layout of the high end beauty hall, why not try a month with only budget buys? Instead of a Space NK haul, try and just buy drugstore instead. If you already do buy drugstore, take it on step further and maybe try a pound shop beauty hall, or even a no buy!

Fashion

So you're a die hard Fshionista, who just loves keeping up with the trends... welcome to your challenge month. Instead of shopping in Topshop, try the charity shop! Instead of ASOS, head straight to ebay and set yourself a limit of £5-6.00 per item (inc. Postage)! I once managed to buy a perfect Topshop coat for £0.99 on ebay and years later, it's possibly the best online purchase i've ever made! If you really want a challenge this month, why not set yourself a challenge of selling X amount of clothes on ebay or Depop and using the funds you make to buy new clothes. 

Food

I don't know about you, but I have a particular bad habit of buying overpriced food. Wholefoods is one of my favourite places to shop, and it's a place where a half full basket can set you back over £100 a week! It's by no means cheap, so this month i'm setting myself a challenge to spend less on food, and become more creative, resourceful and inventive. Instead of going out for dinner at my favourite raw food restaurant, I'm going to challenge myself in the kitchen, and come up with a few recipes to use at home. Instead of grocery shopping, I'm going to try and use up as much as I can from the pantry, and bulk make meals to live frugally. 

Life

The best things in life are apparently free....so why not see what those things actually are this month. Grab your comfy shoes, and let's get exploring. If you live in London, then this will be a piece of cake! There are so many places to see and things to do without spending a penny! Why not plan a walking tour, or research online and set out on an adventure. Don't forget your packed lunch! 

So those are just a few examples on how you can save money and live frugally this month. To me, being frugal doesn't mean constantly living on a no buy, but instead really thinking about your spending decisions, and working out if there's a more economical alternative. It's not about buying the cheapest option, but the best option.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, will you be getting involved? Let me know in the comments!

Em xxx

Celebrating One Year of My Pale Skin!

I can't believe I'm saying this, but today is the day that My Pale Skin turns one year old. When I started this blog a year ago, I had no idea it would receive the support it has. I didn't have a clue how big the beauty blogging world was, nor did I ever begin to imagine how it would change my life - or that I'd manage to hold onto a hobby for an entire year!

Before I started this blog, I wasn't really in a good place in my life. I had huge confidence issues due to some traumatic experiences I'd faced in the years previously. I also had a lot of spare time, and nothing to fill it with which meant that I felt like I was sort of just coasting through life. My general life pattern was work, internet, eat, sleep, repeat. My social and friendship circle was non existent - I didn't really have any friends, as i'd developed a coping mechanism of  shutting people out to help me deal with a lot of the personal issues I was facing.

My Pale Skin has taught me so much, in such a short amount of time and that's all thanks to you. I can't even begin to express how much it fills me with joy to see that people actually read, comment and even watch what I have to say.  But, here we are - one year and almost 300,000 page views later! I want to say thank you, to all of you, for clicking, tweeting, reading and joining me on my blogging adventure. 

I'm so thankful for all of you for helping me grow, not only as a blogger, but as a person, and a friend. This blog means so much to me, and I can't wait to see where we are, or what we've overcome  this time next year.

I've got some exciting things lined up to help celebrate this occasion, and that includes a full blog makeover! So expect to see some changes happen to the way My Pale Skin looks pretty soon! I'm also hoping to have a content upgrade and produce some more exciting content for you, which is where you come in. I'd love to hear what you'd like to see more of on this blog, what posts you like to read and which you're not too keen on - so do let me know in the comments.

Once again, Thank You. Thank you for reading, sharing and welcoming me into the blogging community. Thank you for helping me reach my first blog anniversary, and thank you for helping me let the light into my life.

Em xxx

Illamasqua Make Up Haul!

Although I own a few products from Illamasqua, I can't say that I've ever truly dived in and experienced the brand, or it's full range. I've previously bought a few base products from them, such as foundation & concealer but that's about as far as my foray has taken me. 

I love a good sale, and when I heard that Illamasqua had started theirs, I jumped straight in and started adding products to my basket.

I've heard so many things about using the Cream Pigment - Hollow that I just had to have it. For some reason I thought Delirium may work as sort of an edgy contour, but seeing it in person, I'm not so convinced... at least it was on sale... right?

Whilst in a Contour mood, I started browsing the Eyeshadow range for alternative options and picked up Heroine and Justify. It was then that I noticed the Vulgar eyeshadow, and although it may seem a weird choice, I'm seriously into the way Sssamanthaaa blends her eyeshadow out using an orange shade, and when I noticed this was on sale, it didn't stand a chance - the poor little thing. It went straight into the basket. 

So that's everything I picked up! I'd love to hear your thoughts. Have you tried any of them before? Let me know your thoughts!

Em xxx

Everday Make Up Tutorial For Pale Skin!

This January, there's one make up look that I just keep finding myself coming back to. There's something about this combination of colours and products that I just can't stop wearing, and I wanted to share it with you all. It's so quick and simple to do, and many of the key  products are drugstore! Which means it's not going to break the bank either - so a win win situation!

Here's the video to see it in action...

Products used:

Foundation: Nars Sheer Glow - Siberia
Concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer - Chantilly
Contour: NYX Taupe Blusher
Bronzer: Bourjois Delice de Poudre (51) 
Highlight: Me Me Me Beat The Blues - Pearl Pink*
Blusher: Inika Mineral Blush - Peachy Keen*
Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade - Medium Brown
Eyeshadow Base & Transition: Make Up Revolution Essential Mattes 2 Palette*
Eyeshadow, Lid: Make Up Revolution Iconic 3 Palette
Eyeliner: Maybeline Big Eyes Eyeliner - Beige & Black
Mascara: YSL Shocking Mascara
Lips:  Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Sticks - Bashful & Raplumzel.


I'd love to hear your thoughts on this tutorial! Let me know in the video comments. And of course, don't forget to give it that big thumbs up and subscribe!

Em xxx