17 Things I Learned During the First 17 Years of My Life

I turn 17 this Friday. Honestly, I cannot believe so much time has passed and I actually feel so old. In some areas of my life, I feel like I should be trying a little harder (cough maths cough), and in others, I feel like I am working to my full potential and more. I have learned so much over this past 17 years, and I feel like in many ways, I still have such a long way to go, such a crazy, fun, successful and hopefully long life ahead of me. Here's me toasting to myself. Here's me teaching you 17 things I have taught myself over the years.

1. You've got to stop watering dead plants. You have to let go of people that you don't need in your life, that repeatedly hurt you. You need to get rid of dead weight.

2. Always bring a pair of flats with you if you decide to wear heels for the day. Always. 

3. Speak your mind but don't be rude. Just because something has to be said, doesn't mean it has to be heard.

4. Start studying a few weeks before big tests, a few months before state exams. Make a realistic study plan and try to stick to it. You'll be so relieved you did later.

5. Take time choosing what cosmetics to buy. Invest in more expensive products if possible, do research on them before purchasing. Over time you will have a good quality, versatile makeup stash you can use anywhere.

6. If you're in a relationship that doesn't really hold any value to you, or if you cannot see a future with that person, let go. Don't waste your time.

7. Listen to music you like. Don't care what anybody else says or thinks, you like it, no matter how folk, western, rock or techno it is, stick your headphones in and let it play, loud.

It's actually sad how accurate these two photos are- they are legitimately, the summary of all I do.

8. Be nice to your teachers. You may secretly despise them, but arguing with them will get you nowhere.

9. Have some alcohol, smoke a cigarette. Only if you want to. Don't give in to peer pressure, make your own decisions. Everything in moderation.

10. Get in the habit of taking care of your skin. Cleanse, tone, moisturise every morning and evening. It's hard at first, but you will eventually get into a routine and you won't ever forget to look after your skin. It'll become like brushing teeth.

11. Be fair to yourself. Take care of yourself. Don't hang around toxic people, don't get into pointless drama. Stick to a group of friends you trust and that trust you. There's only so much you can do until you know you need a change from the people around you.

12. Don't let stupid boys make you sad.

13. Watch makeup/hair tutorials on Youtube. They will save your life and ensure you look gorge always, keep you full of handy tips and get you loads of compliments. 

14. Read books, watch movies. Go on walks in the park with you dog. Gaze out the window on long car journeys and dance to songs in your room. Write things every once in a while, or draw if you prefer. Let your mind wander, let yourself breathe.

15. Check back to sweetlikecinnamon05.blogspot.com every so often because let's face it, it's the best blog ever (not even guilty).

16. Love yourself. Tidy your room, pet your cat. Talk to your parents every once in a while, they are always there for you. Your mother is really your best friend and you dad will help you make decisions.

17. Be your own hero, nobody else will save you. If you're feeling down, do something about it. Look after yourself, love yourself, keep yourself healthy and happy and everything else will sort itself out.

Thank you so much for reading! I have been writing this little blog since I was 14, so its become like a diary to me. Thank you for clicking back and reading my rambles, I appreciate it more than you will ever know.

Gaby x

Review: Zoeva Luxe Rose Gold Brush Set

Hello and welcome back to my blog, all of my beautiful sweeties! I have been slacking on this blog lately- and that is an understatement. It's strange, I always find this time of year so busy and so refreshing- but to be honest, I feel that even though this little blog keeps me going and is my outlet for all things beauty, fashion and lifestyle, that it kind of reaches a dead end as every post ends. Even though I am immensely proud of over 20,000 pageviews, and the views each post gets, I feel it can do so much better- so I slack and postphone it to the backseat. I need to stop doing that, and I need to start writing on here again- and it's been difficult, as I've been writing just about everywhere else.

For starters, I did work experience over my Easter holidays in a local newspaper, and I actually wrote a piece talking about latest trends entitled Sweet Like Cinnamon! But stay tuned for all about that in my next Life Lately, as I will be doing one for April. As always, school has kept me busy but I can't wait until summer, as I will be writing for the newspaper again, and writing for this blog more, all in much warmer temperatures and crop tops (fingers crossed). 

Anyway. Moving on to the actual point of this post after the longest intro in the world- my gorgeous Zoeva brushes. I got these for Christmas and I first spotted them in one of Zoella's favourites videos- and I instantaneously knew I had to have them. I have to admit, I had only heard of the Zoeva brand a few other times, but they are a German makeup brush and cosmetic brand, and the Luxe Rose Gold brush set is one of their bestsellers- and no doubt, these brushes are beautiful. 

They have a warm matt brown handle, and the star of the show is a long rose gold farrell. The bristles of the face base brushes are brown with blond ends, which makes it super easy to know when to wash them, and the finishing brushes and eye brushes (except for the wing liner brush) have pure white bristles. The brushes have generally quite short handles- compared to some Sigma and Mac brushes. The name of each brush is imprinted into the handle in rose gold lettering which doesn't rub off (my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush has no name, so annoying). These look amazing on any makeup table- in short, they are soo pretty and I get so many compliments as they attract all eyes- they make an unreal present.

The following brushes are contained in the set: 4 face base brushes, 106/Powder, a powder brush, but I also use it for dusting off excess blush/softening bronzer. The 102/Silk Finish, which is a mineral foundation brush, but also works like a dream with liquid foundations. The 110/Face Shape, which I use for blending out and contouring my face, also works wonders with foundation. The 142/Concealer Buffer, which does what it says on the tin- buffs out concealer, on blemishes and under the eyes.

L-R

106, 102, 110, 142 and 127

4 finishing touch and eye brushes, 127/Luxe Sheer Cheek, which I use for blush and also contouring. The 227/Soft Definer, and 231/Petit Crease are unreal for eyeshadow blending and 317/Wing Liner, once used correctly, gives a long wing. Each brush is made with a mix of real and synthetic hair, mostly synthetic, so blending is a dream.

L-R

317. 227, 231

What are my thoughts on the brushes? I must say, I am extremely impressed and happy with them. They perform extremely well and are very easy to use- just like with all brushes, you do need to get used to them a little bit, but once you do, you receive a professional finish every time. They are so soft it's unbelievable- I washed them about a dozen times now and honestly, they feel and look brand new. In terms of shedding, I have noticed very little- they did shed a bit when I first got them, but after their first wash, I can say the 8 brushes have maybe in total lost about 10 hairs over the last 5 months. That's mental- their quality is unbelievable. They don't loose their shape, and it usually takes overnight to fully dry them.

I highly recommend these brushes- not only for the way they look, but for their performance. My only little glitch would probably be the density of the powder brush and the face shape brush- I wish they were a little less dense, especially the face shape brush as it can get a little difficult to blend powder that sits on top of layers of concealer and foundation. Other than that, I give these a 10/10- if you are looking to get into professional brushes and want to invest in a nice set, like I did, definitely look into these- you get a brush for everything you need in the set. The only brushes it's missing is a fan brush, a stippling brush and a pencil brush, but of course extra brushes would increase the price tag. It retails for 65e, and comes with a gorgeous brown case with a rose gold zip, ideal for travelling with the brushes. 

They're my thoughts on the brushes- I'm definitely not an expert on makeup brushes, as only recently I've started investing in good quality brushes. I'm super happy with these, I reach for them every morning and they make makeup application so much easier.

I hope this review gave you some insight and maybe helped you along your makeup brush way! Have you tried these brushes, what were your thoughts?


Thank you so much for reading!



Gaby x