Super Hans Alive at Concorde 2 - Big Beats are Best!

Matt King, best known for playing the character "Super Hans" in hit TV show "Peep Show" has taken to the stage with a DJ Set in character as Super Hans to prove to the nation that big beats truly are best. 

Photo credit : Will Bill (www.trasharts.co.uk)

Joined on stage by a maraca wielding, poncho clad friend who is "definitely not a drug dealer", King brings us a range of classics guaranteed to get any crowd going. Featuring tracks from the late Bowie, Michael Jackson - even a bit of Stone Roses for good measure - we are transported on a musical tour of the past forty or so years. The show feels a lot like watching something from a live episode of Peep Show with King staying in character throughout, reassuring us with his encore that the longer the note, indeed the bigger the dread.

Concorde 2 was packed out, with the majority of people more than willing to throw themselves into the experience and have a good dance (some maybe a little too willing but it wouldn't be Brighton without someone rushing the stage or needing to be pulled out the crowd by security). I also wouldn't have expected a moshpit at a Super Hans show but hey, I'm always down for that!

Whether you're a fan of Peep Show, dance classics, or just a damn good night out this is probably the show for you. Super Hans Alive is touring the country for the rest of October with tickets still currently available for all of the shows. 

Five Songs For Wednesday

Clicking the images will take you to the song on youtube.

1. Otherkin - AY AY 

 As the name of the track suggests, AY AY is a great, rowdy, fun song. Otherkin are a Dublin based band who create punchy, catchy music and I am a huge fan. This track features a great guitar solo and it is clear that there is a lot of talent in this band. I particularly love the abrupt ending to this song, reminds me very much of the moment a song cuts out at a live gig and you take a few moments to regain composure.


2. Cinema Car - Transformer

I think I first heard this track when it was featured on The Inbetweeners. I was somewhat surprised when it showed up on Spotify to discover that the lyrics are "Cinema Car" and not "Sit in my car" as I first thought... It's an addictive song with a great catchy beat and I look forward to exploring the rest of Transformer's music.





3. Reverend And The Makers - He Said He Loved Me

I got the chance to see Reverend and the Makers play at a fairly spontaneous and intimate gig back in 2010, they were great fun to see and so friendly when I had a chat with them afterwards. They are still making new music and currently touring, but I have to say I am a bigger fan of their older classics. "He Said He Loved Me" is a relateable (for me anyway) song with a fantastically weird video. I am always a sucker for a nice, odd music video.




4. Bad Sounds - Wages

"Wages" is the latest release from one of my current favourite bands. My housemates are overjoyed to have something other than the two previously released tracks playing in our house on repeat (sorry guys). I can't wait to see what else they are going to do. "Wages" has the same indie/pop vibe as Bad Sounds' previous tracks, whilst also being pretty relateable for all us terrible, horrible millenials. Bad Sounds are currently touring with Rat Boy, as well as doing a few of their own headline shows - fingers crossed they come down to Brighton sometime soon!



5. Pixies - Where Is My Mind

Finally this Wednesday I thought I'd go with one of the best songs ever written. Pixies are such an excellent band. Where is my Mind is an excellent song. Listen and be happy. 





Have a great Wednesday! (Mostly proud of myself for actually posting this on the correct day for once)

Five Songs for Wednesday (On a Thursday, Sue Me)

Clicking the images will take you to the song on youtube.

1. The Garden - Call This # Now

This song is allover the place but in a really great way. The Garden is an experimental rock duo from California and their music is just the right kind of kooky. I'm very excited to hear that they are playing a free show in Brighton on the 2nd of September, go go go!

2. The Belligerents - Caroline

The Belligerents are a five piece band from Brisbane and remind me somewhat of Electric Light Orchestra (though this might just be me). I've had Caroline on repeat for days now and most likely will for days to come. It's a funky song that changes pace entirely towards the end. 

(I cannot currently find a version of this on youtube.) 

3. Lemonheads - Mrs Robinson (cover)

I adore the original Simon and Garfunkel version of this song anyway, but the alternative rock edge that Lemonheads bring to the track makes this cover just as good (in my humble opinion). 

4. Erasure - Sometimes

My love for Erasure came about when my housemate and I woke up after a "few" drinks to find we'd acquired an electric keyboard with a synth key. We decided we were going to try and cover "A Little Respect", fortunately both our version and the keyboard are now long gone. Still, "Sometimes" is a classic and probably my favourite Erasure track. 

5. The Avalanches - Frankie Sinatra

Another Aussie band, The Avalanches new album 'Wildflower' is full of great songs (listen to "Because I'm Me" too, it's great). This track has an early hip hop vibe, slightly reminiscent of De La Soul in 1989.

Brighton's Alternative Great Escape Festival at Mesmerist

Clicking the images will take you to the song on youtube.

As a nice surprise this weekend, while an old friend was in town, I got to go and enjoy Brighton's Great Escape Festival! The festival showcases fantastic new artists, most of which are likely to be really successful in the near future. Admittedly I only made it to one venue - which was part of the alternative great escape - but I still saw some great acts that I'd love to go and see again!

1. Bad Sounds - I Feel

I think this was the fastest I've ever fallen in love with a band. Their stage presence was amazing, all so lively and seemed to really be enjoying themselves which always makes you enjoy yourself too! They are such a great band to see live and I would really urge you to go if you get a chance. They each have their own quirky fashion sense, paired with super catchy, excellent music - what's not to love? This is probably my favourite track from the few available on spotify and soundcloud, I can't wait for them to upload more.

2. Sam Sure - Catching Feelings

Watching Sam Sure perform is quite frankly lovely, He gives off a really friendly vibe, and sings about very relateable issues. This track in particular is very catchy, again I would definitely recommend going to see him perform if you get the chance. 

3. SKIES - Leave Me

SKIES are a fantastic duo from very close to my hometown in Kent. Alie has a fantastic voice and the lyrics are beautifully thought provoking. A husband and wife duo, the chemistry between Alie and Jericho is obvious and creates a lovely atmosphere. They know how to provoke a laugh from the crowd, all round a great band to get listening to!

4. Blaenavon - Into The Night 

I didn't get a chance to see Blaenavon, but this is my favourite track from them that I've found online. A friend of mine got to see them and felt they should be featured! She loved the energy of their performance and thought the lyrics and musicianship were fantastic. 

5. Bad Sounds - Avalanche

Another one from Bad Sounds, but honestly I've not stopped listening since I saw them. I don't think I've ever been so keen to make sure I grabbed one of them and found out where to listen online. 

I had a really great time and I'm definitely going to make sure I go again, but see more this time! It's always nice to find new music and new bands to listen to, and good to do it whilst you've got a chance to meet the members and chat to them about their music. Everyone I met this weekend was lovely and very genuine and I can't wait to do it all again.

It's particularly important to note that all the images used and videos linked to are property of the artists who made them.

Collection of Makeup Looks

I thought I'd just post a few photographs of recent makeup looks that I have done for myself and for friends. Enjoy! x

Done with netting, Urban Decay's Electric Palette and Primer Potion

Done with Nyx white liquid liner and Natural Collection liquid liner

Done with Urban Decay's Electric palette, Nyx white liquid liner and Too Faced melted chocolate liquid lipstick in Chocolate Milkshake

Done with Nyx white liquid liner, Jeffree Star Liquid lipstick in Jawbreaker, Lime Crime Velvetines in Squash, Beet it and Pumpkin

Natural look using Too Faced's semi sweet chocolate bar palette, and Too Faced's melted chocolate lipstick in chocolate milkshake.

Fawn Eye using Too Faced's semi sweet chocolate bar palette and Bourjois' liquid  lipstick in nudeist

Bright eyes and brows using Urban Decay's Electric Palette, Nyx white liquid liner and Urban decay's Gwen Stefani Lipstick in Firebird.

Five Songs For Wednesday

Clicking the images will take you to the song on youtube.

1. San Cisco - Awkward

For some reason I love crazy person songs (Paramore's Crazy Girl, No Doubt's Bathwater), so this is right up my street. Please please tell me if you know any more of these kinds of songs. I think this is my favourite so far. 

2. The Chemical Brothers - The Salmon Dance

People seem to either really love this song or think it's completely stupid. I, of course, think it's brilliant. It's silly but so what. The video is once again a total piece of art. 

3. Muse - Panic Station

I'm definitely still on a high from seeing Muse a couple of weeks ago. They sounded so completely polished and having real drones flying around the stadium was insane. My housemate is convinced she is the future Mrs Bellamy and if that means we get to be mates then that's fine by me. This is one of my favourite Muse songs. 

4. Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice

My friend made me watch the video of this to see Christopher Walken dancing and I fell in love with him a bit. Great song, great video.

5. Nothing But Thieves - Trip Switch

For some reason, it really makes me cringe when the name of a song is heavily featured in the lyrics, so this was more of a grower. But it is another fantastic song from a great band. 

Once again, I'd love to hear any recommendations. Especially for crazy girl songs!

Too Faced SemiSweet Chocolate Bar Palette Review

If I could marry a palette I would marry this one. I would take it off into the sunset and spend the rest of my life with it, every day in bliss. 

I was very hesitant to buy the semisweet palette as I already own more neutral palette than any one face needs, but as I STILL can't get hold of the sweet peach palette (seriously if anyone knows anywhere I can get hold of it please PLEASE let me know) I thought I'd give it a go...

First impressions wise, I love the novelty packaging and it comes with a really handy 'how to' guide, ideal for some inspiration.

But the smell... Oh god the smell. Having not owned anything by TooFaced before I was nervous that it would smell like that nauseating fake chocolate smell that you get in cheap candles and other things that are meant to be chocolate scented, but it's lovely. It doesn't smell exactly like chocolate in my opinion, but it is lovely and sweet and it makes me happy when I open it up. 

It consists of sixteen different shadow shades, mostly neutral browns and oranges, with a few pops of pink and blue. There is a good mixture of matte and shimmer shades, with a couple of glitters too.

I absolutely love that you get larger pans of the light, highlighting colours, as these tend to be the colours that you use most of. It's simple but well thought out and was definitely a push factor in buying the palette.

Swatches over Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original and over nothing. Excuse the patchy swatches... I'm impatient and didn't wait for the primer to dry.

The colours in this are great and you can do SO much with them. They are all lovely and creamy, except Coconut Creme which is a tiny bit chalky. The pigmentation is absolutely amazing. With the Naked palettes I find I have to load up my brush quite a bit, but I barely have to touch these shadows to get great colour payoff. In fact I got caught out the first time I used it and ended up swiping a big, thick, dark brown line across my eyelid as I completely wasn't expecting it. 

I've been looking everywhere for a palette with great peachy oranges and totally wasn't expecting it from a chocolate bar palette, but Bon Bon, Caramel and Peanut Butter are exactly what I was looking for. 

I would recommend this to anyone. Especially as a first time buy or if you are on a limited budget. This palette will do everything you need and more.

This palette is available here for £37

New Bedroom Lights!

It was Student Loan day on Monday, otherwise known as Treat Yo Self day (Parks and Rec anyone?)
I gathered quite a stash of new things, including a lot of fantastic new makeup to be reviewed shortly, but I thought I'd make a quick post about some adorable lights I found super cheap in Primark.

Tiny butterfly fairy lights - £2.50

I feel like these were a huge bargain, as they are so so delicate and pretty, yet super super bright. As they're strung on wire it was really easy to wrap them round the horns of my deer head. I think it makes him look great. (Lights take 3xAA batteries)

Flamingo Standing Light - £10

I'm a bit obsessed with flamingos at the moment,so this was mine from the moment I saw it. It's a bit more expensive but I think it's still cheap for what it is. (Light takes 2xAA batteries)

Moroccan style gold fairy lights - £6

I love the patterns these project onto my walls, they make my little bed and book nook very cosy. (Lights take 2xAA batteries).

I love the huge difference all these lights have made to my room at a very low cost, and Primark have loads more to choose from so go and have a look! Happy Thursday!

Five Songs For Thursday

Clicking the images will take you to the song on youtube.

1. Mini Mansions & Alex Turner - Vertigo

I love this single from Mini Mansions and Arctic Monkeys vocalist Alex Turner, it was recommended in my 'Discover weekly' Spotify playlist and was added straight into my favourites playlist.

2. Andy Grammar - Honey, I'm Good

I heard this playing in TopShop when me and my friend were having a Treat Yo Self day, both immediately shazamed it. Not the kind of thing I'd usually like, but this is so catchy and feel good that it's hard not to enjoy... The video is also absolutely adorable and I'm kind of upset I'm not in it.

3.Oasis - She's Electric

 Perfect oldie but goodie track, who doesn't love a little bit of Oasis from time to time?

4. Waterparks - Crave

A friend of mine recommended this to me, and not only is it a great track, but the video includes dogs. AND attractive men dressed as dogs. As I may or May not have a small obsession with dogs this is right up my street.

5. Newton Faulkner - Badman

This is a really lively and upbeat track. I like a lot of Newton Faulkner's music but this track is a personal favourite.

It may be a day late, but this is what I'm listening to at the moment, and what is getting me through an incredibly stressful week of deadlines that I'm fairly sure were in May... but hey ho! Leave your recommendations in the comments!!

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette Review and Swatches

The Eyeshadow Palette was the first piece of the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani collection to be released. It's currently out of stock on the Urban Decay site, but is available on Feel Unique for £40 with the option to use a student discount or other voucher codes that can be found online to reduce the price ( I love Feel Unique). 

I've had this palette for a few months and whilst I was counting down the days for it to be released, I'm a little disappointed by it. 

The Palette contains fifteen 1.4g shadows, three of which are permanent shades (Skimp, Stark and Blackout) with the remaining twelve being limited to this palette. The palette contains a mixture of matte and shimmer shadows in both neutral and bright colours. 

The shadows themselves are a fantastic formula, as with pretty much all Urban Decay shadows. All are creamy and pretty pigmented, though 1987 is a little creamier than the rest. 

Swatches over Urban Decay's Primer Potion in Original on the left, no primer on the right.

What bothers me about this palette is the range of colours you get. I felt like a palette with fifteen shades was great value, but it doesn't feel like you get as many as that as a lot of them are incredibly similar. Most of the shades are neutrals and a large chunk of those are very light. Once on the eye, I find it pretty difficult to distinguish between Skimp, Bathwater, Blonde and Pop.

The only colour in this palette that I actually use regularly is Punk. Punk is a gorgeous, warm, dark brown shade and is great in a warm toned smokey eye look. I use this pretty much every day and am pretty disappointed that this isn't one of the permanent shades as I'd love to be able to buy it separately. I'd love to hear about any good dupes for this shade in the comments!

I'm not usually one for pink eyeshadow, but Harajuku mixes very nicely with 1987 for a rose gold eye look, these are the only other two shades I use fairly frequently. 

When I ordered this, it came with samples of four of the Gwen Stefani lipsticks which was a nice surprise. I'm not sure if it still comes with these but they are a pretty great bonus as the lipsticks are fantastic and I've since bought a few. 

All in all, I'd say this palette probably isn't worth purchasing in my opinion. There are better neutral palettes out there for less money that I feel you would get more use out of. It's a shame as there are a few great shades but they alone don't feel worth the hefty £40 price tag!

Let me know what you thought of the palette in the comments!

Removing my half and half hair dye

Anyone who knows me knows how often I dye my hair. I get bored within weeks and am always trying interesting new colours.

Last December I went for half black, half white blonde hair.

I loved it, and over the next few months played about with different colours on the white side. As is always the case, I got bored and decided I wanted to one colour all over again. I massively underestimated how difficult this would be to do. 

By the time I went to start, my hair was a pretty big mess of colours as the half and half was difficult to maintain on my own. 

The blonde side was a mess of pink and blue, and the black had chunks of red and green. Yet I still reckoned it would be easy enough to just bleach it all and start again. I used LOreal Preference Extreme Platinum, which I've previously had good results with when going brunette to white blonde. 

Except apparently if you're going from black and red to blonde, it doesn't work like that. As can be seen by the disaster pieces below.

My hair was green and orange, and the ends were absolutely fried. So I booked a haircut and hoped they wouldn't comment on the colour too much as I couldn't afford to get it fixed there.. 

Nope. 

"What the hell have you done now? Why? What on earth did you use? Why do you do this? Just please let me do the colour..." 

After being told off, I had more of my hair cut off than I've lost in years, I was pretty ready to cry, but at least it felt slightly better..? As can be seen in this candid post trauma shot;

I've always had hair way down my back and am still slightly gutted. I went home and my next set of dye had arrived. When doing my crazy colours I tend to use La Riche Directions dye, as it's conditioning so doesn't damage my hair, and the results are always really vibrant. It's also available on eBay for less than £3 a pot and can be added to conditioner for pastel colours or to spread it further. I put the shade violet on and set it for about two hours and here it the end result. 

It's still much darker on the left, but I'm looking more purple allover, it's going to be a long process to get back I think but I'm happy for now. If you're after going half and half, do. It's great and reasonably easy to do with the help of a friend, but do bear in mind how you'll get it out after. I would very much recommend having it professionally recoloured if you can afford it.