My Miss England - Essex Experience

Welcome back lovelies!

I'm sorry for the lack of posts recently, I've been wrapped up in the glittering pageant world!

I've had so many of you ask me about me recently competing in the Miss Essex (Miss World) finals I thought I would blog about it!

Before I start, I just want to clear up that this won't be me being a sore loser having a rant and slagging off the pageant world, so if that's what you're ready this for I'm sorry to disappoint! Haha I just wanted to share my experience with you all...

Being my first pageant I honestly had no idea what to expect and was honestly bricking it. I've always taken part in competitions since I was very young, I was a dancer for 12 years then went on to compete with horses in dressage and showing disciplines, I'm not an overly competitive person but I do love a challenge!

When I applied I had no idea that I would actually hear back from the Miss England organisers, let alone make it to the finals. The application was an online form of questions as you would expect, then you are asked to send a number of pictures with your application. I will admit, the picture I sent was actually me half cut in a nightclub toilets but my tan was good and the lighting was bomb so ...why not!

A few weeks passed and I had heard nothing back until one day after work I casually checked my emails and there it was ..and email from Miss England offering me a place in the Miss Essex final! Safe to say I was excited!

For weeks I tried to prepare myself as much as I could ( you would be surprised how much blogs and YouTube channels cater for this kind of thing ) but nothing can really compare you for your first pageant. I also thought being a first timer I would be at a huge disadvantage.

So finally the day arrives, my suitcase (yes I took a suitcase) is packed and I'm ready to go. Now normally I'm a relatively confident person but it's a daunting thought walking into a room full of pretty girls that are competing against you. I thought pageants would be super bitchy but I was surprised by the reality.

On arrival at the Venue I grabbed my case out of the car, took a deep breath and walked into a giant, beautifully decorated marquee expecting the other girls to be giving me their best resting bitch faces but what I encountered was quite the opposite. There were about 25 girls scattered over 4 tables so I decided to find my lady-balls and plant myself on one of these tables of girls. I expected instant interrogation or something, clearly watching too much Sons of Anarchy, but what I really got was genuine, smiling girls talking about life and mishaps, no bragging or trying to impress, just real girls. Okay ..so the worst bit was over right?

After the initial introductions we started on rehearsals for each round. There were 3 rounds we had to rehearse for - the black dress round, the jeans confidence round and the infamous evening round - all of which had different routines you had to master effortlessly while trying not to fall of the stage ...and smile at the same time.

After a good few hours of rehearsals we were given time to get ready for the pageant. In the midst of makeup brushes, false eyelashes and bras flying about, two guys walk in carrying, no lie, 10 large Dominos pizzas for us girls ...heaven! Thanks to Dominos Bishop Stortford for possibly the best food sponsor ever haha!

Okay so after the hour of make up, pizza and our first outfits we were finally ready! At this point I wasn't nervous at all ..I had the routines down, I looked pretty pageant-y, I felt ready for the show.
Our first routine involved all of the girls walking round the catwalk and stage in a sort of snake formation then follow one another backstage ready for our solo experiences. This was flawless, I didn't trip or turn the wrong way but when you've been practicing to an empty room all day then it's suddenly filled with guests and judges you can't help but suddenly get a few butterflies!
I didn't feel like it bothered me at the time until it was my turn to do my solo strut down the catwalk with various poses at the end while smiling sweetly at the judges, then omg it hit me ..my concentration went out of the window and for some reason I decided to march down the catwalk and instead of stopping for my posing/smiling I decided to turn around straight away, March back up the catwalk and proceed off stage ..KILL ME NOW

I'd given up hope after this, how do you recover from that fluff up? Regardless of my doubts I was going to bloody well try! For the jeans round I donned my trust blue Joni's (best jeans ever btw) and give it all I had! Safe to say that round went ALOT better ..lots of posing and smiling trying to redeem myself!

Last but not least, the infamous evening gown round. We all thought it would be a great idea to get the kind of dresses that require lacing up at the back even after being told we had to quick change! Backstage was a tangle of girls yanking other girls into their glittering dresses ASAP!

This was the round I was most looking forward to ..the round where you could really show off and make the most of the catwalk, which I did of course! Some girls did get a bit carried away apparently but I was too busy lacing dresses to see!

So this was it ..my dress was on and laced, I was next on stage and couldn't wait. It's a daunting yet amazing feeling Knowing all eyes are on you. My turn on stage was over all to soon, by this point it was time for an interval so the judges could make their decisions.

I think it's not until you stand back stage, surrounded by gorgeous girls in beautiful dresses, that you realise how high the standards are. By this point I really thought I had no chance at all in reaching the top 10 and was considering trying to unlace my dress when shock ..my name was called as judges choice top 10 'number 20 ...Nicola!'
I won't lie, I was not expecting that at all as there were so many amazing girls and only 10 top spots, it was a real proud moment!
I made my way on stage to join the top ten line up and to be asked my question. We had been warned of the questions beforehand and there was one I wanted to avoid ..'why did you enter Miss Essex' and of course this is the one I got! There are so many ways this can be answered but it can sound so cliche. I did my best to answer as truthfully as I could on the spot ..I can't tell you what I said because I honestly have no idea ..it was all waffle to me but apparently the judges liked it!

After, the top 10 line up the girls go backstage to await for the runners up and the winner to be announced. This was a very tense moment if I'm honest, so many girls so close to that winning spot but there's only one crown. In the end a beaut blonde named Emily Evans took the crown for her great performance and all of her fundraising efforts including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro! A worthy winner in my eyes and an excellent ambassador for Essex ..no white stilettos in sight...

Although I had sore feet from wearing heels all day and was exhausted it was one of the best competitions I've ever experienced, so well organised by the Heslewood family and I made some wonderful friends and have even landed myself a spot in the Miss Cambridgshire finals in a months time! No rest for the wicked ay!

I would really recommend these kind of competitions to any girls that want to boost their confidence and challenge themselves. Gone are the days when these pageants were purely beauty based ..they now focus on so many factors like personality, kindness and education.

I hope you've enjoyed my little insight into my pageant experience so far!

Thanks for reading ..until next time
Essex Beauty Queen xxx

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick Review

Everyone has their weaknesses and one of mine happens to be lipstick. I can’t go a day without wearing lipstick and I literally own so many I’ve lost count but I really can’t help myself, every time a new lipstick comes out I just have to have it!

My latest lipstick obsession happens to be the Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipsticks, I cannot get enough of these beauties!
I had previously tried a few other brands of liquid lipstick but just wasn’t feeling them as some would never dry properly, some would smudge and a few even started to crumble after only 10 minutes or so of wearing them!
I had seen some mixed reviews on social media due to the scandal that hit the internet is 2015 but decided to give them a try for myself.

I took a guess with the colours as the online swatches on Beauty Bay are pretty off to be honest, and ordered Serenity as this was the shade I liked most and had heard a lot about.
As expected the shade that arrived was different to that shown on Beauty Bay but if anything it was actually nicer than what I had expected.

The liquid lipstick has a typical ‘lipgloss’ wand applicator which usually I despise with normal lipglosses but the wand actually makes application of the liquid lipstick so much easier than applying standard bullet lipstick. It is great for getting the right shape without the use of lipliner, perfect if you’re on the go all of the time!

The product itself is what really impressed me. Liquid lipsticks get a bad name for smudging, crumbling or the colour being to diluted but Gerard Cosmetics have really out done themselves with this lipstick! The colours are so bold and look the same on your lips as they do in the tube. The lipstick glides on effortlessly and dry’s in a few minutes, while it does leave a slightly sticky residue this does go once fully dry. Another factor that impressed me is just how long the product lasts, I wear it to work on a daily basis and only have to apply once in the morning and rarely have to touch it up, even after lunch. Even on nights out I find the lipstick lasts all night and doesn’t smudge at all. What more could a girl ask for!

The only slight downside is if you do have to reapply it, if you try to reapply too much it does become a little cakey but this can be resolved with a makeup wipe or cotton bud without ruining your makeup.

Because I was so impressed with just how good this liquid lipstick is I obviously had to buy more ..4 more in fact, of various shades and tones to suit every occasion and outfit.
I don’t even think I could choose a favourite shade!

Although Gerard Cosmetics is an American company (cry!) some of their makeup range is stocked on the Beauty Bay website, although this is very limited at least you have the option of next day delivery.

The shades shown here are:
Invasion
Ballet Slipper
Aphrodite
Iced Mocha
Serenity

All are £9.50 each from Beauty Bay.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time…
Essex Beauty Queen xxx

Winter Dry Lips Survival Guide

In light of the recent horrific weather we've been having in the UK (I hate winter btw) I decided to cover a real beauty issue I am having right now caused by this horrible cold weather! (I am not a winter person!) I wanted to share some of tips with anyone else having the same problem ..dry lips!

Having dry lips seems like such a small issue but can cause so much pain with cracking/splitting and once they do your lips seem to take FOREVER to heal again.

I have created a daily routine and tips to keep your lips in top condition:

Step one: exfoliate - getting rid of dry/dead skin will expose soft/heathy skin and aid healing. I use Lush Bubblegum Sugar Lip scrub to exfoliate as its not too harsh on your skin and tastes amazing! Just try not to eat it!
Be careful not to scrub too hard as you may do more damage than good.

Step two: moisturise - once to you have removed all of the dead skin apply an intensive lip balm such as the Nivea essential care balm or Vaseline. Try to stay away from coloured/flavoured lip balms as I tend to find they don't provide to moisture needed to heal lips and can just end up going all crusty ..eww!

Step three: healing - this step is only for if you have really sore split lips ( especially at the corners of your mouth ) that do not seem to heal at all. Use a small dab of savlon at the corners of your mouth as this will aid speedy recovery. Be careful not to get any in your mouth though! I find it best to do this at night.

Tips:
- Drink lots of water to keep your body and skin hydrated.
- DO NOT lick or pick at your lips constantly as you will just dry out/ damage your lips further
- Apply colour/flavour free intensive lip balm/ Vaseline as often as possible during the winter, especially if you have a cold/flu and are breathing through your mouth.

I hope this little guide will help you and your lips through the winter months!

Until next time...
Essex Beauty Queen

Valentines Day - Date Night Inspo ft. Boohoo

Valentine's is one of those special occasions where you can really dress up and let out your inner goddess, whether you're out with your man or out with the girls, Boohoo's Valentines Day edit has something for everyone.

Boohoo is one of my all time online clothes stores as they have such a wide range of styles, from LBD's to slouchy boyfriend jeans. I also love how they cater for all shapes and sizes including regular, tall, plus and petite unlike many other online and high street retailers.

Anyway ..here is my pick of the Boohoo Valentines Day edit to help give you girls some date night inspo no matter what you have planned!

Happy Valentine's Day Girls!

Until next time...
Essex Beauty Queen

My January Favourites!

My January favourites

So this is actually my first favourites posts, it's one of those things I always think is a good idea ..then forget..

As part of my promise to be a better blogger I thought I would start as of 2016!

There have been 5 products that have made my favs list this month so here goes:

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection 16hr Concealer - I have actually been using this concealer for a few months now and absolutely love it! For just a few quid this concealer is everything you need to cover blemishes, redness and even dark circles not to mention smoothes your skin and pores!
I also use the lightest shade 'fair' and the darkest shade 'dark' to contour. You get perfect, blendable coverage every time!
I would suggest applying with a beauty blender for the best results.
It really is by far the best concealer I have ever used!

Zoeva Rose Golden Eyeshadow Palette - I love Zoeva brushes so when I discovered their range of eyeshadow palettes online obviously I had to buy one!
I went for the Rose Golden palette as it features so many shimmery shades as well a 3 matte shades, definitely a must have for a more dramatic 'going out' eye look.
All of the colours are highly pigmented and have a gorgeous,buttery texture making them a dream to apply.
Although it's hard to choose, my favourite shade has to be Foil which is a shimmery nude colour, perfect for all occasions.

Schwarzkopf got2b Oil-licious Styling Oil - during winter I find my hair always becomes dull because of all the crappy weather, harsh wind and rain. The got2b Styling Oil helps add a bit of shine and life back into your hair and has become one of my most used hair products.
I use 2-3 small pumps of the oil (depending of your hair length and thickness, I have long, thick hair) on damp, towel dried hair then blow dry/style as normal.
Alternatively use during everyday styling, just add one pump and distribute throughout the mid section and ends of your hair to add a little extra shine and bounce. Remember to avoid your roots unless you dig the greasy look!

Mac Whirl Lipstick - this lipstick is an on trend brown, matte shade, darker than the infamous Velvet Teddy but still just as eye catching. It is the perfect shade to compliment winter outfits and can be used for literally any occasion!
I love it so much I even wear it work every day!

Essence Waterproof Eyeliner Pen - now I don't know how many of your girls get this problem but on cold,windy days my eyes water constantly! This can play havoc with your eye make up and if you're eyeliner isn't water proof you could be in big trouble!
I bought this eyeliner on the off chance after my current one failed me and I was left with a wing-less eye and needed emergency eyeliner. To my surprise this may actually be the best waterproof liner I have ever used. It lasts all day and can survive the watery eyes caused by harsh winter weather.
Because of the fine tip it's also perfect for drawing flawless wings!

So there you have it ..my January favourites! I will list all product details below.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection 16hr Concealer - Superdrug £4.19
Zoeva Rose Golden Palette - BeautyBay £15.95
Schwarzkopf got2b Oil-licious Styling Oil - Superdrug £5
Mac Whirl Matter Lipstick - Mac £15.50
Essence Waterproof Eyeliner Pen - Wilkinsons £2.80

Until next time...
Essex Beauty Queen xxx

ICEBAR London Review #BloggersBelowZero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ICEBAR LONDON is one of those places we all hear raving reviews about but some never find the courage to go! I was lucky enough to bag myself a space on the recent bloggers below zero event hosted by ICEBAR London and organised by the amazing Lauren (blonde_vision/ LDNMeetup).

The London ICEBAR changes its theme every 12 months or so was recently transformed into an awesome rock'n'roll themed icy paradise. The time and skill that must go into making each masterpiece is fascinating, with so much precision down to the little details. The photos really don't show just how amazing these icy creations are!

Okay so to clear up a few misperceptions, you don't spend your entire time in the actual 'ice bar' area, you get 20-40 minutes to admire the art and sip a cool cocktail or two ...which come in ice glasses of course! At -5 degrees you will find that 20 minutes is more than enough.

You also don't need to dress particularly warmly. I made the mistake of wearing a jumper, coat and over the knee boots and I was BOILING. You are given a thick cape and gloves, and if you're short like me the cape will pretty much touch the floor! The only other advice I will give on outfit choice would be wear covered shoes and avoid dolly shoes/sandals as you may end up with no toes!

 

The ICEBAR itself is tucked into a cute little side street abundant with restaurants and bars just off of Regent Street.

On arrival we were greeted by smartly dressed waiters and waitresses with trays of delicious cocktails and appetisers in what would usually be the bar/restaurant area - on this occasion all the tables and chairs had been moved away to make room for 60 odd bloggers! While waiting for our turn in the Ice bar we all started with an icebreaker while being waited on hand and foot with all the drinks and appetisers we could possibly want and the staff were so polite and really couldn't do enough for you.

 

Tom, the lovely marketing and sales manager gave a speech about the details of the ice bar and also his passion for writing. It really opened our eyes to how much work goes into both the making and the running of the ICEBAR London.

 

Finally my groups' turn in the Ice bar had arrived, we all donned our fur hooded capes and gloves then made our way into the bar.

I have seen pictures and videos before but it is truly breath-taking in reality - not just because it is cold! What was once a simple square room, had been transferred into a rock'n'roll themed icy palace. The attention to detail really is mind blowing, everything is perfectly carved and sculpted by hand. 

We were all offered a rock themed cocktail served in an ice glass from a deliciously tempting menu of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. I chose 'We Will Rock You' which was made with Absolut vodka, passoa, passion fruit puree, lychee juice and lemon juice, it was hands down one of the best cocktails I have ever had made even better by the ice glasses! We also got to chat with Tom about the ICEBAR, his experience and his passion for writing. It is always so nice to meet people who share the same passion for writing.

         I would honestly highly recommend ICEBAR London to everyone! It is such a unique and fun experience that is both beautiful and well run by such passionate people, whether you're just popping in while being a tourist in London or making a night of it, it is a must-see!
I can't wait to return again soon!

Until next time...
Essex Beauty Queen xxx

Rose Gold Christmas Nails

Rose gold has recently become one of my favourite colours, especially with the festive season fast approaching, So obviously at some point I had to have Rose gold nails so why not for Christmas!

Sadly not many brands actually do a Rose gold shade polish so finding the perfect shade was a little tricky until I stumbled upon the Max Factor stand in Superdrug (I was buying dry shampoo but naturally was drawn to the make up isle!).

There it was, the perfect metallic Rose gold nail polish! I had never used a Max Factor nail paint before but after hearing good reviews I decided to give it a go and definitely wasn't disappointed!

This shade is part of the Max Factor Glossfinity range - a collection of bold colours with a shimmery metallic finish.
The polish is a dream to apply and only requires one coat (although I prefer two coats for a longer lasting finish). Be warned it does take a little while to dry, especially if you're doing more then one coat so have a hairdryer on hand if you're in a rush!

For best results apply a clear top coat once the polish is completely dry for a long lasting 'fresh out of the salon' nails.

Until next time...

Nicolahearts xxx