Exam season is rapidly approaching, meaning revision is at the forefront of pupils' minds and is a common occurrence in their daily lives. In whatever way possible, students are preparing themselves for upcoming tests, including myself with GCSEs being only a few weeks away. Although some people may be sorted and confident in their revision methods, others may not know where to begin and how they should be studying in such close proximity to the exams. This post is tailored for any of you who need to know how to revise right before your exams start, or if you're looking for any extra tips that will help you be more confident during your tests. I use all of these methods of revision on a regular basis and they definitely work for me, so hopefully they will be useful for you too.

1. Read through any revision notes - I often make notes about my subjects throughout the course, opposed to waiting until the very end, meaning by the time I come to revise I already have notes on everything I need to cover. However, it's no use having these if you don't look over them, so I take the time to read over any revision notes again. This ensures that the knowledge becomes solidified in my brain and is also great for recapping on any topics that I might've forgotten. If you haven't previously made any notes and don't think you'll have time to now, I'd highly recommend skipping this step and focusing on the others, which are ultimately more effective. Now is also a good time to re-read any texts for English or go through vocabulary books if you study another language.

2. Use flashcards to test yourself and condense your knowledge - Everyone has different methods that work best for them, but I find that flashcards are the most effective for me. They allow me to organise my subjects into smaller sections and condense my knowledge into memorable and manageable chunks, so it's easier to recall the information. Also, you can easily flick through them to test yourself or get someone else to quiz you on the contents of each card. I personally like to type these opposed to writing them as I find it much quicker, but this is personal preference and I'd advise doing what's easiest for you. Don't worry if flashcards aren't helpful for you as there are many other methods, such as making posters, listening to podcasts, making rhymes and watching revision videos, so it's important to find the methods best suited to your way of learning.

3. Make the most out of revision guides - All of your revision guides have been created with your specific tests in mind, meaning they will contain all of the key points and cover any topics that you'll need to know about. I highly recommend getting all of the correct revision guides and utilising them, as they point you in the right direction and outline everything that you need to cover, being specifically tailored for students. My personal favourites are the CGP revision guides, which incorporate colourful layouts and understandable diagrams to make revision more manageable. These can also be used in conjunction with revision websites such as BBC Bitesize to ensure that you have a wide range of knowledge and are prepared for any question that may come up in the test. If you find that you want more detail about what topics you need to know, the specification for your exam is the best place to consult and is also the most accurate, as it's written by your exam board.


4. Highlight any key points - A vibrant highlighter is the best way to draw your attention and is therefore useful to make any key points stand out. If you know that a fact is important or if a certain topic is guaranteed to appear on the exam, make sure you highlight it so you know that it's worth remembering and it stands out as a significant point. When you skim-read over your notes again, the highlighted points will become ingrained in your brain and therefore much easier to remember. I also find it helpful to highlight any information that you continually forget, that way you'll find that your eyes are always returning to it and you're much more likely to eventually remember it. However, it's important to not highlight too much on the page, as this will stop it from being as effective.

5. Use practice papers to see your strengths and weaknesses - It's useless knowing lots of content if you can't apply it to specific questions, meaning past papers are really useful for practicing how to turn your knowledge into a suitable answer. By familiarising yourself with the type of questions that could appear, the actual test is less likely to be scary and you'll have adapted to certain styles of questions and irregular wordings which can often catch you out. Also, past papers assist you with wording answers and exam technique, as some tests look for a particular format or layout for your answer in order for it to be correct. You may also get lucky with past papers as similar questions may appear to those that you've already practiced and you'll therefore know how to answer them. Make sure you also look at the mark scheme to see if your answers are correct and find out how your can improve.

6. Split your revision into manageable sections - When it comes to actually revising, you want to ensure that you're as productive as possible. I can guarantee that if you are tired or not focused, nothing will go in and therefore trying to revise will be wasting your time. Rather than setting out to do revision for hours on end all in one block, split this into smaller sections to give you the chance to relax and re-focus in between. A small break can actually have a positive effect on the mind and makes it much easier to switch between subjects. However, don't let your breaks get too long, as that's where your motivation can start to dwindle as you revert back to distractions like phones.

I hope that this post has been helpful and that you now feel more prepared and know some ways that you can revise. If you have any upcoming exams then I wish you the best of luck and I hope that these methods will be successful for you.

Love from Daisy x

I've been absolutely in love with the Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter from The Balm ever since I first saw it through many blog posts, all of which sang its praises and claimed that this was one of the best highlighters on the market. The Balm is an American cosmetics company that fits somewhere between drugstore and high-end, meaning their products aren't the most accessible in the UK. As soon as I got my hands on this product I immediately began testing it and forming my opinions on it, all of which will be included in this in-depth review!

The packaging of this product is absolutely adorable, being really cutesy and retro, not too dissimilar from brands like Benefit and Soap and Glory. I really like how much effort was put into the design of this product and it definitely stands out amongst the rest of my makeup collection. This highlighter comes in a sturdy plastic case that flips open to reveal a generously sized mirror on one side and the beautiful product on the other. I definitely think that this product is travel-friendly and perfect for throwing in your handbag for quick applications whilst on-the-go.


The colour of this highlighter is a gold-toned champagne, which looks absolutely stunning and I feel as though it would suit any skin tone. At first, I was slightly worried that it would be on the yellow side and not suit me, but this definitely isn't true and it looks lovely. Also, highlighters like these are perfect for creating a natural glowing look and I can guarantee that this product will suit most people.


The Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter has a smooth and almost creamy texture, feeling incredibly soft on the skin. It applies evenly, without any patchiness, adding a gorgeous amount of light and shimmer to the face without being too over the top. The pigmentation is insane and only the slightest amount is required to create a lovely look. Once blended onto the tops of the cheekbones, this highlighter hits the light in a beautiful way and really transforms how your makeup looks.


On me, I find that this highlighter is long-wearing and will stay in place throughout the day, meaning my face will look radiant and illuminated for hours without the need to reapply. When it does eventually start to fade, it does so evenly and you aren't left with a patchy mess or traces of solid gold shimmer, meaning this highlighter looks beautiful on the skin throughout the entirety of the day.

I find that the best way to apply this highlighter is with a light hand, as a little can go a long way and it's much easier to build up the product rather than try to remove it. A light sweeping across all of the high points of the face produces a luminous glow that looks absolutely stunning when the light hits it. I also think that this product looks lovely as an eyeshadow, brightening your eyes whilst adding a gorgeous shimmer to the lid.


Overall, I'm absolutely obsessed with this highlighter and I'm incredibly glad that I got my hand on it, as I honestly feel like it's changed the way my makeup looks. I hope you liked this review and I'd love to know your thoughts on this product down in the comments, so make sure you let me know. Thanks for reading and I'll see you next week with a new post!

Love from Daisy x

When it comes to drugstore nail varnish, Barry M has always been the most popular, producing lots of high-quality products at affordable prices. I've tried a few of their products in the past, but when the Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Varnishes were released I was blown away by the number of positive reviews they received and knew that I had to try some. Four polishes and a top coat later, as well as hours of research and testing, I decided that it was about time to share my thoughts on them with you in the form of a review.

Starting with the packaging, I think that these nail varnishes are super cute and I especially like the gold lids. I feel as though Barry M always make products that are really pretty yet still feel luxurious and sophisticated. I also like how you can clearly see the colour of each varnish, and the shimmery gold for the top coat nicely matches the concept of this line. The brush that comes with these nail varnishes is flat and the perfect size to fit on your nail whilst still allowing you to be accurate.

Barry M has made some big claims with their Sunset nail varnish, saying that they will provide a gel-like finish without the need to use any UV lights. Quite a lot of drugstore brands have said similar things when launching their own products, yet I've found it hard to find one that actually delivers on these claims until now. After testing these, I've definitely found them to be incredibly shiny and tough on my nails and I feel as though they really do achieve their claims of having a gel-like finish.

There are many different colours within this range and they're constantly expanding the selection, meaning you're bound to find something that you like. Regardless of what season it is or what colour suits your nails, I can guarantee that Barry M has got you covered. From this line, I own four different colours plus the top coat, so I'll talk about each one individually:

Dark Side of the Shroom - This is a mauve greige colour that is quite individual and unique, yet completely on trend at the moment. It's suitable for wear all year round, being not too light or equally too dark. This rich shade is definitely perfect for everyday wear and I think it looks absolutely lovely once applied.


Fuschia Generation - This is a vivid, raspberry toned shade that has purple-pink elements reminiscent of a fuschia flower, like its name. I feel as though this colour is beautiful and its fairly dark tone means that it can carry you all the way through from summer to winter, being really versatile.


Plum On Baby - This is a very dark plum, almost aubergine, colour that is definitely best suited to the colder months. I actually find that it looks black when two coats are applied, but in daylight you can see the slight purple undertone that is really subtle yet beautiful.


Do You Pink I'm Sexy - This is a gorgeous ballerina, pastel pink that is really natural and suitable for any occasion. It looks lovely once applied, acting as a natural wash of pale colour that isn't too bold, and I feel as though this would be stunning as a bridal nail colour.


The Daylight Curing Topcoat is perfect for giving a high-shine, glossy finish to he nails, more than I've seen from any other drugstore nail varnish. Used in conjunction with the other Sunset products, I feel as though it helps to provide a long wearing effect and stops it from chipping, which is an amazing quality for such an affordable product.


I was absolutely blown away by the performance of these products, as they produce an intense shine and durability that I've never before encountered, apart from with a gel manicure. The consistency of the polish means that it's almost opaque after just one coat and only two is necessary to create the perfect finish. The formula, which is rich and not at all gloopy, meaning it's incredibly easy to apply it onto your nails in an even layer.

As if there weren't already enough positives with this product, I've also fallen in love with the longevity of these nail varnishes and I find that they last incredibly well on my nails. I usually find that I get around 8 days of wear before they start to chip, which is much longer than I get with other nail varnishes and is definitely great considering I don't protect my nails as well as I should. Even removing these polishes are easy, with regular nail varnish remover being the only thing required, meaning you don't have to soak your fingers in acetone and wait for ages like you would when removing gel manicures.

As you can see from this photo of my friend's nails, these nail varnishes provide an incredible shine and glossy finish, looking almost identical to a gel manicure.

Overall, I think that the Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Varnishes are amazing in quality and I don't have a single negative thing to say about them. Everything from the gorgeous colours and their quirky names to the incredible longevity and durability points towards them being brilliant nail varnishes and I can understand why they've received so much praise. If you're looking for a hybrid nail polish that acts like a gel manicure but is a regular polish, as well as being extremely affordable, then I can guarantee that you'll love these as much as I do.

Thanks for reading this blog post and I really hope you liked hearing my thoughts on these Barry M nail varnishes. I'd love to know what you thought about these products as well, so make sure you let me know down in the comments. I'll be back again with a new post next Sunday, so I'll see you then!

Love from Daisy x

Essence is renowned for being a really affordable makeup brand, whilst still producing some high-quality products that are now frequently stocked in the UK. I've definitely tried a number of their products and thoroughly enjoyed them, whereas others are new discoveries that I've only recently started trialling. Today, I thought I'd share some of my favourite products from this brand with you and hopefully persuade you to try them out, since they're definitely worth it!

Soft Tough Mousse in Matte Honey
I’ve had this product for quite some time and definitely enjoyed using it as a bronzer, despite its actual purpose being as a foundation. This cream product has a smooth, velvety texture that makes it really soft and easy to apply, turning into a matte, powder finish. It’s definitely quite pigmented, so I feel as though only a little amount of this product is necessary to create a gorgeous, bronzed look. This can definitely be applied in a sheer, natural way for a light bronze to the skin, or much more generously to achieve more pigment. This product is a definite dupe for the Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzer, so if you’re looking to try out that product but want something much more affordable, this is definitely worth a trial.



I Love Colour Intensifying Eyeshadow Base
I’ve only trialled this product a few times, but I’ve definitely found it to keep my eyeshadow firmly in place throughout the day. I find that this definitely helps to control the oiliness of my eyelids and stops any eyeshadow from creasing, meaning my eye makeup lasts for much longer. This eyeshadow base is also made to increase the intensity of the colour that is applied to the eyelid and it provides an even base for any product to adhere to.


Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
This mascara claims to make your eyelashes look like false lashes, which is a huge claim to make but I do feel like this product lives up to this. First of all, the packaging is really cute and girly, which is an added bonus for this lovely product. This mascara has a thick formula that grips onto your eyelashes and makes them look really voluminous. It may look a bit clumpy in some people’s opinions, but I feel as though it definitely looks like false eyelashes and is very dramatic. For me, this would definitely be more of an evening mascara as part of a bold look, but I really like it and it’s definitely great for such an affordable price.


Liquid Lipstick in Beauty Secret
I’ve been using this product quite a lot over the past few months and it’s definitely been a firm favourite of mine, becoming a staple in my everyday makeup bag. Essence claims that this is a liquid lipstick, and although I feel as though it’s more like a lipgloss, I still think that there is a nice amount of pigmentation. From what I’ve seen, this shade tends to look different for many people, but what seems to be common amongst everyone is that it provides a glossy, plump look and is really comfortable on the lips. I’d definitely recommend trying this if you want something quite bold yet still glossy, and there are also some other beautiful shades on offer. 


Longlasting Nude Lipstick in Come Naturally
This lipstick is a beautiful cool-toned nude shade that has a slight mauve tone to it, making it quite a unique lipstick that is really beautiful. This is definitely different to what I usually wear but I feel as though it looks lovely on the lips. It has a very creamy texture and a nice colour payoff, lasting for a couple of hours once applied. It’s really lightweight and you can barely feel it on the lips, although it does tend to fade after eating and drinking. I think that this is a beautiful take on a nude lipstick and this is definitely a unique shade that I love wearing.



Make Me Brow Eyebrow Mascara in Blondy Brows
As soon as I saw this product I was instantly reminded of the Benefit Gimme Brow, as it’s an obvious dupe of this well-loved eyebrow gel. The brush is really small, which I like as it means you can be precise and really be detailed when filling in your eyebrows. This product is perfect for making your eyebrows look fuller and filling in the sparse areas, giving a more even look. It also helps to set them into place, keeping your eyebrows looking neat throughout the day. The only downside is that I picked up the wrong shade of this product and ‘Blondy Brows’ is slightly too light for me, but I feel as though the darker shade would be perfect and really suit the colour of my eyebrows.


The Gel Nail Polish in Indian Summer
This nail varnish instantly screamed summer to me and I was attracted to the beautiful, vibrant coral shade. I feel as though it will look fabulous against tanned skin, but it also looks lovely against pale skin and definitely stands out. I’ve also heard great things about the formula of these nail varnishes, as they’re said to be long-wearing gel polishes that don’t require an LED or UV light. Their application is really easy and just one coat provides a generous amount of colour, with two or three coats being needed to create an even and vivid look.



That's all for this post! If you've tried any other Essence products and fallen in love with them, I'd love to hear what they are and possibly try them, so make sure you let me know down in the comments. Thanks for reading and I'll see you again on Sunday with a new post, so bye for now!

Love from Daisy x