Monday 31 August 2015

What To Do In a LUSH Interview

Above: Click here to watch 'What to do in a LUSH Interview'
This may seem like a strange post to pop on my blog but bear with me (it may help a few of you out trust me). If you are subscribed to my YouTube channel (click here) you may have noticed that my ‘How to Get a Job at LUSH’ video has almost 30,000 views and My Experiences Working at LUSH’ has almost 40,000 views… that’s a lot of views! So in continuing with my little LUSH series that I have going on (and most importantly to answer more of your questions), I thought that it was about time that I did a video on ‘What to Do in a LUSH Interview’ (click here). Now I am not someone who is making up these videos because I am just a LUSH lover, I actually worked for the company for 3 years and I did get involved in the recruitment process for the Reading store when I was there. So in comparing LUSH’s interview process with other retail stores, I would quite happily say that it is very different. Depending on the store and the manager, you may be invited to a single interview combined with a shop floor trial, or, just a group interview with lots of other people attending (and trust me they do get very busy). But please note, you may be required to attend both types of interviews! Now you may at this point be freaking out and wondering what on earth you would do in both interview situations but don’t worry, I have covered this in my ‘What to Do in a LUSH Interview’ video (click here). Just to give you all a heads up, LUSH at this time of year hire for the Christmas period so if you are wanting a part time or full time job at LUSH, now is the best time to apply (I started off as a Christmas temp and then managed to stay on part time). 

Above: Click here to watch 'My Experience Working at LUSH'
My Top Tips:
- Be confident and just go for it- you will surprised on how much credit you will get for doing this.
- Demo, demo, demo- whether you are in a shop floor trial or a group interview, grab a bath bomb and demo it in some water, or grab a massage bar and give someone a hand massage.
- Do a little research before going to the interview- this could be on bathbombs, facemasks, campaigns, soaps or what certain ingredients benefit the body.
- Check out some of LUSH’s campaigns before the interview- trust me, you will probably be asked which one was your favourite.
- A favourite product and why- it may be worth having a few up your sleeve just in case they ask for more than one.
- Think of a sales environment that you've been in before- often it is asked what you would do in a positive/negative situation (a classic example would be if a customer complained about a product).
- Think about why you want to work at LUSH- perhaps you are eager to learn more about beauty and what certain ingredients benefit the body.
- Practice, Practice Practice- maybe it would settle your nerves if did some demos on a family member or a friend? Or, you could pop into store and grab some advice off from a fellow Lushie.

There are so many things that LUSH could pull out on you at a LUSH interview, but these are some of the common ones that are usually asked. I really hope that all of these videos help you and if you do have any questions please do not hesitate me at eltoriasecrets@gmail.com. I am planning on do many more LUSH videos so please do subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here. Also drop me a comment below on what you would like to see next.
  
Above: Click here to watch my 'How To Get a Job at LUSH' video
Are you thinking about getting a job at LUSH? What video do you want to see next?
Much Love
Eltoria x

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Thursday 27 August 2015

Happiness Boutique Statement Necklaces

If I had to name a favourite piece of jewellery it most definitely would have to be a big statement necklace. For years I have been traipsing around high street stores searching for the biggest and boldest pieces that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg, but I often find that certain stores just do not stock them. I find that adding a statement necklace to any simple outfit gives it a punchy edge, and it often ends up with a good handful of people asking where you got it from. If you are someone who doesn't necessarily wear big and bold statement necklaces, I would recommend giving them a try because I was once someone who never used to wear them, but now I find that I piece outfits together based on the necklace that I am wearing (yes I am that in love). Recently I was sent this gorgeous Bold Crystals Statement Necklace by Happiness Boutique and I absolutely love it. I have mainly been wearing this necklace on more 'dressed up' occasions, but I have recently been pairing this number my beige duster coat from New Look at it look gorgeous. You can pretty much wear this necklace with anything but I think that it looks particularly nice draped between a shirt collar or a duster coat like the one below. 

What I love about Happiness Boutique is the range of necklaces that they have available. You can pretty much get any style that you want and you are seriously spoilt for choice when you look on their website (I had like 7 necklaces listed in my basket). The brand's style is timeless classic with a vintage touch who offer jewellery that is eye catching and charming. I love that you can get necklaces that are smaller and have pretty prints on them, or you can get something that is sparkly and bold like the one featured in these blog photos. I truly have to say that Happiness Boutique is currently my favourite place to buy statement necklaces at the moment and I cannot wait to add more to my collection. I am personally looking to get the Urban Chic Statement Necklace, the Mystery Ancient Coins Bib Necklace and the Boho Tassel Statement Necklace.The necklaces also come in a really cute branded box so you can pop them into your drawers without worrying that they will get damaged... ooh I love a company that cares about their products.

Oooh don't forget to check out my recent feature on the Temptist (click here) where they have featured my 5 top items which are tempting me right now. If you didn't know already, the Temptist is an amazing site where you can save all the things you want to buy in one place, where you can also share them with your friends on any social media site. Do check it out because my feature runs out on the 28th of August (today).

There's nothing like looking in the mirror and seeing a statement necklace, agreed?
Which one would you choose out of their range?
Much Love
Eltoria x

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Wednesday 26 August 2015

V Festival ft. Boots UK & Outfit Of The Day

Wow what a weekend! I would have to say that V-Festival (in Chelmsford, Essex) really was explosive this year, and I was really fortunate that I could collaborate with Boots UK to experience this amazing event. Whilst I didn't camp due to work commitments, I enjoyed Saturday’s line up which included: Jess Glynne, Labrinth, Mark Ronson, Tom Jones, Olly Murs, Sam Smith and many other amazing acts. The weather on Saturday was absolutely amazing (around 28 degrees) and I managed to catch one impressive flash tattoo tan mark on my arm (I’d do anything for the festival fashion). Talking of fashion, I decided to wear something light and airy for the event. I paired my ripped denim Primark shorts that you have previously seen in my Primark Haul video (click here to see that), with this gorgeous floaty/slightly cropped white top from New Look. I also decided to wear my brown Chelsea boots with my M&Co frilly socks because although it wasn't exactly ‘welly weather’, I still wanted to keep to the festival theme. I also accessorized accordingly by wearing this pink flower headband from Claire’s accessories which cost £9.00 (I know... I felt bad handing that tenner over to the cashier), but I also popped on some flash tattoos from Boohoo to look extra goddess like. Now, I did also buy this Petra Neon Zip Mac from Boohoo too, however, I didn't get to wear it because it never rained! (but nevertheless imakes a really good coat to wear everyday). If you can't wait already, do check out my V-Festival YouTube video by clicking here.

I could honestly run my own Boots store from the amount products that Boots sent me for the festival (talk about the ultimate the festival survival package!). What I particularly liked in this bundle was the Soltan Protect & Moisturise sun spray, Boots Dry Shampoo and the Sleek eye shadow pallet (and as you can see in the video (click here) it is just so gorgeous). If Boots hadn't sent me the Soltan Protect & Moisturise sun spray, I honestly think that my poor boyfriend (Joe) would have burnt to a crisp (the boy was going pink on his back and shoulders in the first half hour). It’s tiny 75ml packaging and easy application (meaning you don't have run the risk of having greasy hands because you don't have to rub it in) is just perfectly mobile for this kind of event. Other than falling in love with the Sleek eyeshadow palette, I also like the other makeup that was sent to me. As you can see below, I was sent a gorgeous range of lipsticks, lip liners and eye pencils so I was able to create the perfect festival makeup look (talk about bright colours).

Starting top left across: Stay Pout 'Date Night' lipstick, Collection Intense Colour blue eye liner, Rimmel London Exaggerate teal eye liner, Exaggerate red lip liner, No7 blue liquid eyeliner Bottom: Seventeen BB Cream in light
I would have to say that Jess Glynne was my favourite act of the day- her voice is absolutely amazing (and I really do mean off the record amazing!). She got quite emotional on stage during her performance, but if anything this only showed how real she is (the girl really does sing from the heart and you can really tell). My boyfriend particularly liked Fuse ODG because he really does get the crowd going- he's so fun to watch and his music is so easy to chill to. We also managed to get a go on the this huge swing ride which took us high up in the air to give us an aerial view of the festival. Despite Joe being (not admittedlybeing afraid of heights, we were able to see everything in the festival including the really cool Pringle stand where people were playing a 'Pringle themed' Twister... err yeah I know cool right.

Click here or above to check out my YouTube video
Oooh before I dash, please do check out my recent feature on the Temptist (click here) where they have featured my 5 top items which are tempting me right now. If you didn't know already, the Temptist is an amazing site where you can save all the things you want to buy in one place, where you can also share them with your friends on any social media site. Do check it out because my feature runs out on the 28th of August so check it out now.

Did you go to V-Festival this year? Have you ever been? What festivals have you been to this year?
Much Love
Eltoria x

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Sunday 23 August 2015

The Comforter Shower Cream| LUSH

If there is one beauty product that is sending me to heaven recently it has to be The Comforter Shower Cream by LUSH Cosmetics. The Comforter scent comes from its much loved The Comforter bubble bar, and it has been a favourite amongst LUSH shoppers for years (if you haven't tried it already it is an absolute must). Whilst it exclusively was only sold in the much beloved Oxford Street (London) store, everyone else wanted to be partnered in the shower with this berrylicious bottle so it is now sold across all UK stores (hooray). It almost reminds be of the satisfaction that a good French Fancy gives me... mmm here's some to tickle you fancy (get it?).

Most people can identify this scent from a mile a way and it is somewhat an iconic product that the company sells across the world. It's bright pink presence is enough to turn your head and its sweet berry scent is enough to comfort you in any given shower moment (hence its name). I wouldn't consider this product to be a seasonal one because it is suitable for any time of the year so hot cold, summer or winter, you can lather your body in sweet heaven at any time and moment (hell yeahhh). Now I must make it clear that this product is a shower cream and not a shower gel. The difference between the two is that it doesn't lather up as much as a gel, but it is a lot more moisturising than a gel (if that makes sense?). Although it doesn't create bubble glaciers like its fellow bubble bar sister, it however creates enough to cleanse and refresh the body in its sweet glorious way. I would say that if you completely adore the Snow Fairy range that only comes out at Christmas time, this shower cream is just the perfect alternative.

LUSH says: 'This berrylicious, reassuring shower cream brings to mind warm, familiar memories. The blend of sweet cassis absolute, uplifting bergamot and assuring cypress essential oils create a blackcurranty aroma that's like being wrapped in a snug hug'... who doesn't love a hug hey? You can pick up a 100g bottle for £4.75, a 250g bottle for £9.50 and a 500g bottle for £15.95. It is definitely worth it if you suffer from seriously dry skin although I would ask for a tester before purchase if you have very sensitive skin.

Will you be grabbing yourself a bottle?
Much Love 
Eltoria x

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Tuesday 18 August 2015

Life Update & Announcement

Well what can I say, what a Summer I have had. I honestly have to say that in the last 8 weeks I have been incredibly busy in all aspects of my life. Since getting back from South Africa at the beginning of  July, I have been jammed packed with weddings, social events, family events and not to mention that this blog and my YouTube channel have been keeping me a lot more busier than ever before. Before I go into my life update, I have a little announcement to make. This year I have been asked by Boots UK to attend V-Festival as one of their vloggers and bloggers! I will be at the Boots Beauty Zone tent where I will be glamming up with the #BeautyZone team and showing you all my ultimate festival outfit (trust me there are some gooden's). If you are going to the festival and want to come and say hi please do! Whether it is just a chit chat on hair and beauty, you can also have one of the zone's six beauty/hair stylists to create a fun festival look- think plaits, glitter, lippy, face art... ahh it all sounds so amazing! Despite being ever so excited to take part, I am also excited to see The Script, Sam Smith, Ella Henderson, Calvin Harris, Olly Murs, Nero and much more (let's hope I can get a selfie with at least one of them). So come on by, glam up and be in my vlog and blog photos!

Click Here to check out one of my recent videos
Now it may have come to your attention that I have really been focusing on my YouTube channel over the last few months. I have been doing collaborations with other well-known YouTubers like Chip Daddy (click here), and I have also been working with Curveball Documentaries on a recent hair removal project with Leanne Lim Walker (click here). I have more recently been collaborating with Beamly TV Network on a number of their projects which include creating some videos for Rimmel London- you can click here to check those out. I have also been trying to create a range of different styles and genres to my videos where I have not only been doing the classic ‘sit in front of the camera’ style, but also vlogging and look books in some really pretty places (South Africa just to mention one). I would definitely say that my genre was more beauty, fashion and lifestyle but I do also incorporate a lot of ‘tip’ videos (for example how to get a job at LUSH) and more recently travel. I am planning on doing a lot more with my channel so be sure to tune in every Sunday (unless stated otherwise). I am planning on filming my time at V-Festival and more makeup and hair videos in the near future (I may even do some baking ones... hmmm). Click here to subscribe to my channel Eltoria.

Above: Myself with some of the Gingersnap Models at the Corona Sunsets Festival
Whilst this post kind of has a festival theme to it, I recently attended the Corona Sunsets Festival with Gingersnap Models where I was dressed up as a ‘festival angel’. Some of you may not know that I have been modelling now and again for a very long time now (since I was 15!). I see it as a really cool hobby to have and I absolutely love the agency love and support that they give on each assignment. After spreading our angel love to a crowd of a good 10,000, we were able to enjoy the festival where we danced and sang to Clean Bandit and met DJ Eton Messy (a definite perk of the job right there). However the weekend just gone I went to Newcastle with a group of my friends. Now I have never been to Newcastle before (other than when I was like 4 perhaps) but my stigmatised impression of industrial chimneys and constant building works has completely been blown out of the water. Other than going out and maybe staying out until 3…4… ok 5am, I did some really fun activities like; ice skating, crazy golf, beach walking, a light house tour and shooting (I need to mention that I came 3rd in the golf). It was really nice to get away and I apologise for failing to upload a post on Sunday *fail*.

Above: Myself on the beach in Newcastle whilst I watched the boys swim... yep they're mad!
Not only have pretty much had a jammed packed Summer, it looks like that the rest of the year is pretty much busy too. On the weekend of the 26th of September (my birthday) my boyfriend at Christmas bought me VIP tickets to see One Direction at the O2- I know I'M SO EXCITED. We are also spending the whole weekend in London so I do plan to vlog the whole of it (even the concert) so be sure to subscribe to my channel as that is coming up extremely soon. On the travel side of things, for my boyfriend's birthday I bought him a weekend away in Amsterdam and we are hopefully going to do that before the end of this year (if not early next year). We also desperately want to spend 5 days in New York in December to experience the whole 'Home Alone' vibe so all of the fingers and toes are crossed. Also to top off all of the excitement, I AM GOING TO MEET JASON DERULO! If you didn't know already I am a major fan of his and February next year really cannot come around soon enough! So yeah, no doubt I will be filling you guys in on more plans and adventures that I will be doing this year.

Above: The Newcastle 2015 gang!
What have you been up to recently? Will you be going to V-Festival this weekend?
Much Love
Eltoria x

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Tuesday 11 August 2015

Smashbox Eyeshadow Palettes

I am not sure if this is entirely healthy but it seems that I have developed an addiction for eyeshadow palettes (well not healthy for my bank balance anyway). Not only have I been collecting my beloved Urban Decay and MAC palettes, but I have found a new hidden love for Smashbox. Smashbox I would consider to be a high end brand when it comes to makeup because the quality of their products are the same as brands like MAC (and I need to add that they are in fact slightly cheaper!). Whilst shopping for some presents in my local outlet, these gorgeous palettes grabbed my eye and I ended up purchasing them for myself (whoops). I have been trying to find a decent pink toned palette for a while now and I am so happy that I managed to get this Cherry Smoke palette for just £12.00I know what a steal! I like that the pink tones in this palette aren't garish, nor are they a sickly baby pink colour that reminds me of a eyeshadow that I used to wear when I was ten (cummon' we all used to do it). As I also got a few things for my friends as presents, and consequently spent over a certain amount of money, they threw in this Santigolden Age Eye Shadow Collage palette for free! Smashbox you made me one very happy beauty blogger that day.

If life is a bowl of cherries, your eyes ought to get in on the fun hey? What I particularly love about this palette is its deep cherry tones and hazy hues which makes any berry eye from this palette look ever so seductive. What's ideal is that you can mix and match these colours in any way that you like; I usually like to use a lighter shade on my inner eyelid and then get darker towards the outer lid (I usually use three colours and apply the most colourful in the middle). Whilst the key is to blend blend blend, you can also create some really gorgeous pink smokey eyes by using the rustic, dark cocoa and ebony shades in the palette- you'll look red hot like a fully ripe cherry (ooh see what I did there). I am going to be doing some YouTube tutorials on how to do certain looks so please drop your suggestions below (click here to check out my channel). Nevertheless, check out my wonderful swatches:

Above: swatches from the Cherry Smoke Palette
In my opinion I reckon that you are either going to love or hate this palette, I mean, the gold is rather gold and the blue is rather blue but nevertheless, I love it (do you?). The blue and gold in this palette is ever so pigmented which makes it two of the best colours to use throughout August- talk about glamorous mermaid eyes. You also have the option to add extra sparkle onto your eyes by using the twinkling nude and grey colours, and you can also base your water line with this black charcoal shade to create a dramatic look (ooh la la). I think that this palette is a all year round one, and I particularly cannot wait to wear this gold around Christmas time (did I just say Christmas?). Overall I am very happy with my little freebie palette (it's apparently worth £25.00 too!).

Above: swatches from the Santigolden Age Eye Shadow Collage Palette
Do you have a favourite eyeshadow palette at the moment? Do you like the colours you see above?
Much Love
Eltoria x

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Wednesday 5 August 2015

What To Take To University

Click on the thumbnail above to check out my 'What To Take To University video'
I honestly cannot believe that it has been 4 years since I first started to prepare to go to university- time flys so make sure you enjoy it. Now I know that most of you don’t even know if you are going to uni yet, I mean, waiting for those A Level results is probably one of the most stomach churning things that I have ever experienced (cummon’ your life pretty much depends on them… at the time anyway). Despite feeling like had a farm of butterflies in my stomach, I was extremely excited to get my uni stuff together because we all know what that meant… shopping! Now I was one of those annoying teens who wanted everything new and matching and who could blame me? I was moving out of home for the first time in my life and I wanted everything to be comfortable and perfect. Its all well and good taking the bare essentials for your first year (like some freshers did) but knowing me I would of probably would have gotten home sick in the first few days. There’s nothing like having a snug rug on the floor and pictures of your loved ones on the wall- Mmmm cosy.

So to put you all out of your ‘what to take to uni’ panic, I have created a video with some of my top picks (click here to see that). Not only is this video ideal if you are heading into your first year of uni but it is suitable for all years. If you are a fresher heading into your first year, my top tip is to not splash the cash in some sort of panic mode. Although I didn't have a tonne of money to spend when I was buying my uni stuff, but I made sure that I was smart in what I was getting. In my first year I was catered so I didn't bother getting the latest Jamie Oliver pots and pans, but I took a small selection of Wilkinson’s own so that I could cook myself something over the weekend (and if you are someone like me, cooking was one of the last things I wanted to do at uni). It may also be worth finding out who your flat mates are before your move in date because that way, you can discuss who can bring what and if everyone is ok with sharing the odd pot and pan now and again (trust me there is no need for 6 cheese graters). But then again there’s always one who says that they ok with sharing until someone doesn't wash up a bowl or two… trust me it is the end of the world to them.

But like I said above, making my university room as comfortable as possible was really important to me. In the picture above you can see what my first year room looked like and as you have probably observed already, I have soft furnishings and a cosy rug on the floor (which I am glad I took because the carpet was a minging green colour!). It is entirely up to you on how you would like your room to look like, I know that some people popped up their own curtains over the distasteful university ones and it looked really pretty and homely. But all I can say is enjoy shopping for you own little home and embrace every second of it. I am hoping to bring out a 'university series' so do pop a comment below if you have any post/video suggestions. But do check out my University Expectations v Reality post (click here) whilst you are here (it's brutally true and a gooden'). But click here to see What To Take To University video.

What are you planning on taking to uni?
Much Love
Eltoria x

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Sunday 2 August 2015

Home Made Gin & Tonic Ice Lollies

Eeek it's already the beginning of August (where on earth has this year gone?). So for a super quick and summery post, I thought that you guys would like to see some of my home made Gin and Tonic ice lollies! Now you don't have to put any Gin in there as you could easily just make them with lemonade, but as a gin lover, having one on a scorching hot August day would be just perfect (and apparently we are meant to be getting a heatwave in August here in the UK). All you need is some Gin (optional), tonic water (or lemonade), some ice lolly moulds, lemons and limes. It is best to place the sliced lemon and limes in first and for a better tasting effect, squeeze in some lemon and lime juice. It will take a few hours for the ice lollies to fully set in the freezer (around 5 hours).

Bon appetit! Just to let you know that this weeks YouTube video will be going up this Wednesday so keep an eye out for that.

What ice lollies have you been making this Summer?
Much Love
Eltoria x

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