Money-saving Monday: Tip #17

Tip #17: Student discount [Part 2 of 2 - UNiDAYS]
UNiDAYS is another form of student discount and this one is free to access, unlike the NUS card. UNiDAYS is more suited to online shopping, but the mobile app does allow access to student discount on the high street too. UNiDAYS also have a Share & Earn scheme, by which you can earn a little bit of money by sharing UNiDAYS with your friends. We'd love it if you could help the upkeep of our blog by joining UNiDAYS through our referral code (it's available to anyone aged over 16 and in full-time education). It offers great discounts at a huge range of stores, including Hollister, Cath Kidston and H&M.
Our UNiDAYS referral link is:
https://www.myunidays.com/r/AMci63p_gCM

Thank you!

Sophie's Outfit Of The Day

Today I went into town to look around and do some window shopping.

I am wearing:

Black Cami Top - River Island

Black Leather Look Skater Skirt - Miss Selfridge

Purple Knit Cardigan - New Look

Black Suede Ankle Boots - New Look

Tan Tights - Marks & Spencer

- Sophie x

Money-saving Monday: Tip #16

Tip #16: Student discount [Part 1 of 2 - NUS]
In the UK, there are two major types of student discount available. The first is NUS, a card costing about £12 a year, which is well worth it as I personally have saved over £150 in my first year of owning one. NUS discount is available at places such as Superdrug, Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Accessorize, as well as allowing you to save on things such as meals out at Pizza Hut or Frankie & Benny's, helping to make your overall budget go further.

Molly's Night-Time Skincare Routine

After removing my contact lenses, I start removing my eye makeup with the No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Makeup Remover (1), which is an oil-based makeup remover so it's really good for getting off stubborn and waterproof mascara, and it also conditions the lashes. Usually I shake it first to mix the solution together and then tip it onto a wet cotton pad which I hold on my eye for a few seconds to take everything off.

Money-saving Monday: Tip #15

Tip #15: Check your wardrobe
Before you go clothes shopping it's useful to check out your wardrobe and identify any 'gaps' you may have - this way, you can buy something you need to match with something you already have to complete an outfit.
Additionally, you can avoid wasting money on something too similar to something you already have.

Ditch Or Download: Ensemblr App for iOS

Ensemblr is a great idea for an app, and I like how you can find outfits that fit together and imagine it being laid out, as well as you being able to see immediately the price of the item and where to buy it.
The settings allow you to filter by item, price range, brands and retailers. Using the settings, you can also look for recently released items.
When looking at items you find and love on the app, you're able to look online for the item too, to buy it, and there is the option of putting it as a favourite in your wardrobe for later.

However, I found it slightly annoying to use as you could only scroll forwards and it takes ages to find something you want, and when you do, the system may not be up to date and the items may be out of stock online. I also found if you go off the app for a second, when you go back on, it takes you back to the start of the clothes - meaning you have to start scrolling again.

Overall, I found the app a little boring and pointless as although it's a nice idea, I personally find it much easier to search for items on retailers' websites. The app simply wasn't for me.

Verdict: Ditch

Sophie's Face Of The Day

Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation in 'I'm Pure 4 Sure'

Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer Kit in 'Light'

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer & Highlighter in 'Ivory'

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer In 'Fair'

Soap & Glory One Heck Of A Blot

Soap & Glory Love At First Blush

Soap & Glory Smoulder Kohl In 'Superblack'

Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara

Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil in 'Deep Brown'

Barry M Kohl Eye Pencil in 'White'

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in 'Black'

Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

NARS Sheer Lipstick in 'Dolce Vita'

- Sophie x

Money-saving Monday: Tip #14

Tip #14: Dupes
There are many dupes (cheaper and similar alternatives to the more expensive products) in the makeup world. Dupes for clothing and accessories also exist, often sold by Zara and Primark.
Lancôme, L'Oréal, Bobbi Brown and Maybelline are all owned by the same parent company, and often they may sell the exact same product but with different packaging and for a different price.

Ditch Or Download #4: H&M App For Android

Upon recently installing the H&M app on my phone, I have not been disappointed in doing so! The app's design is very neat, professional and easy to navigate, as well as the app serving all the functions that I would expect of it - and more!

In the Shop section, you can filter products by item, colour, size and 'concept' very easily, and you also have the option of choosing multiple colours, sizes or 'concepts' to filter by in any one search. As well as this, I found it very hassle-free to add products to the bag for checkout.

The Inspiration section is great for finding outfit ideas, or keeping up with the latest trends. There are lots of videos, photos and articles to really get you inspired with fashion and beauty.

The My H&M section of the app has the option of location-based offers and fashion news via push notifications to your phone, as well as an order tracking service.

In Support, I found information on contacting the company, or following their social media, and the Store Locator picks up your GPS to find a store nearby, whilst also specifying what departments the store stocks (Ladies, Kids, etc.).

The app seems to run very smoothly and is very easy to use, whilst also having so much available at the simple touch of a button.

Verdict: Download

Sophie's Outfit Of The Day

Brown Suede Ankle Boots - New Look

Tide Beach Tank - Hollister

Jeggings - River Island

- Sophie x

Money-saving Monday: Tip #13

Tip #13: Split the delivery cost
If your friends are planning to order from the same store as you, order together and you can split the cost of delivery - or even get free delivery by spending a certain amount between you!