Top 5: Bands I've Seen Live.

I'm sure you all know me by now if you follow me - I have a huge love for music and bands.

Music awakens something inside me and makes me feel things - happiness, sadness, good memories and bad memories.

I spent a huge chunk of my late teenage years and early twenties travelling the country seeing lots of bands at different venues and I loved the sense of adventure and independence gigs gave me.

So tonight, I thought I would put together my top 5 bands I have seen live.

5. Courtney Love - Birmingham 02 Academy - 18/5/2014.

Courtney Love has always been one of my top female vocalists for years. Since the first time I heard Hole I was in love, she's got this incredibly raspy voice that sounds great whatever she sings.

We all know that she's had some troubles in the past but that doesn't affect her writing great anthems and just being an all round babe.

I saw her in 2014 at the Birmingham Academy and she was excellent, the atmosphere was amazing and everyone was singing along, it felt really special as it was a small venue and I got chatting to loads of other Courtney Love fans there, we shared our love for her and had a great time.

4. Green Day - Genting Arena - 27/10/2009.

I had previously seen Green Day when they did their world tour for the American Idiot album in 2005 - I was lucky enough to join 59,999 other Green Day fanatics at the Milton Keynes National Bowl for one of the best shows of my life.

But this one just pipped it to the top.

When I saw Green Day at the Bowl, I was quite far away from the stage so I had to watch on the big screen, this gig at the Genting Arena in 2009 was different, I had gotten a spot right in front of the stage where I could properly see Billie Joe, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool and I was ecstatic.

They stormed through an almost three-hour set playing most of the songs from their then new album - 21st Century Breakdown and made sure they got all the classics in there aswell.

My personal favourite from that night was hearing 'She' for the first time live - that's one of my all time favourites.

Billie's crowd interaction was on point too, inviting members of the audience up onstage to play the bands instruments and sing their first ever song - 'Knowledge' at one point Billie Joe was firing Green Day t-shirts out of a cannon to the fans!

I had an amazing night, I jumped, I danced, I sang until I had no voice left and exited the Genting Arena feeling exhausted and sweaty, but on cloud 9 that I had just been given an amazing night thanks to Green Day.

3. Kaiser Chiefs - Tollwood Festival - Munich, Germany, 22/6/2009.

I have nothing but huge love for this band.

Kaiser Chiefs took me on a huge journey around the country early on in 2009, when I followed them on their UK tour, I did 9 out of the 10 dates they played which were: Nottingham, Sheffield, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Liverpool, Cardiff and London and I had a whale of a time. I met up with all my other Kaiser buddies, had so much fun and met the band almost every night after the gig and they were lovely to be around and talk to.

I took it one step further after the UK tour and managed to get tickets to see them play the Tollwood Festival in Munich, Germany.

This was going to be one of the biggest adventures and feats of independence I had ever taken. 

I traveled from Birmingham to London where I then boarded the EuroStar to Paris, an hour after arriving in Paris I was set to get on an overnight train to Munich.

The journey was fun, but tiring and when I arrived in Germany I went straight for a few hours sleep before having a look around the Tollwood site.

Kaiser Chiefs came on at 9pm and the little tent we were in exploded with excitement.

Ricky Wilson is such a ball of energy, jumping up and down, running to each end of the stage, climbing up the rigging and his crowd interaction was second to none. He always made sure the crowd were involved just as much as he and the band were and he would always mount the front barrier to sing to the crowd.

The entire gig was mind-blowingly good and although I had seen them 10 times in a few months at the point, the setlist was incredible and I enjoyed every second of it.

2. Oasis - Cardiff Millennium Stadium - 12/6/2009.

Oasis are one of my favourite bands in the whole world. They are the epitome of 90s and I grew up listening to them and loving them.

In June of 2009, I took my brother to Cardiff Millennium Stadium to see Oasis. My brother adores Oasis and for Christmas I bought hima ticket as I had always promised to take him to see them, and man, did I live up to that promise!

We arrived in Cardiff at 10am that morning, determined to get a front row spot, to ensure my brother had the greatest time before he became a Dad.

An after arriving we were called over by a security guard who gave us Gold Circle wristbands meaning we were at the very front, behind 79,999 other Oasis fans, my brother almost died in excitement and I was totally buzzing for it. 

The gates opened at 3pm and we flooded in, running for our lives to get that all important front barrier for the show.

The show opened with The Peth - a band fronted by film star Rhys Ifans (Harry Potter, Mr Nice, Notting Hill) who sported a broken ankle and a crutch at that time, next up were Conventry lads The Enemy, followed by Leicester's finest - Kasabian.

Oasis came onstage at 9:30pm and the whole place just went up.

Liam Gallagher sporting his green parka jacket and his trademark snarl and Noel Gallagher looking, sounding and playing as cool as ever on Lead Guitar.

They performed an incredible 3 hour set, playing songs from their album Dig Out Your Soul and classic anthems like Wonderwall, What's The Story Morning Glory? and we were treated to a beautiful acoustic version of Don't Look Back In Anger from Noel and with the help of us fans, the rendition bought me to tears.

We left Cardiff with our heads in the clouds, completely knackered and tipsy. A week later we were met with news that Oasis would be no more, so we were lucky to catch them before they split up.

1. Bon Jovi - Aston Villa Football Ground, 9/6/2013.

I think you all know by now that my favourite band is Bon Jovi. I have loved them from an early age and I listen to them all the time.

I had seen them twice before this time, but the gig at Aston Villa was the best one I had been to.

I asked my best friend Rachel to come with me to see them as she is quite a big fan too and as soon as she screamed "YES!!!" down the phone I knew this was going to be a day to remember.

So the day of the gig rolled around and we set off early to yet again ensure we had a great spot inside the football ground.

While queuing in the blazing June sun, we met two lovely women, a mother and daughter who were equally excited to be seeing Bon Jovi too. So we spent the afternoon chatting and drinking and just having a great time.

Gates opened at 4pm and we raced to the barrier.

Bon Jovi came onstage and I screamed like a 12 year old at a 1D concert, and so did a lot of other women, we just love Jon Bon Jovi, and who doesn't?! 

The only disappointment was that guitarist Richie Sambora wasn't there and was replaced with Phil X, who totally wailed on guitar, but it just wasn't Richie.

Bon Jovi played a 3 and a half hour set showcasing songs from their new album What About Now and belting out all the songs we love like Livin' On A Prayer, Its My Life, You Give Love A Bad Name and my all time favourite song - Wanted Dead Or Alive.

I got emotional throughout and teared up at the songs that meant a lot to me because in all honesty, Bon Jovi mean a great deal to me, I grew up listening to them, I cried along with their love songs when my past relationships failed, I sang along to them at the top of my voice when I was happy and you always, always throw in the air guitar when Livin' On A Prayer starts playing on a night out. Their music has been there for me through the good times and the bad and that's why I adore them.

Bon Jovi ended the gig with Always, arms and lighters were up in the air, the crowd sang their hearts out and me and Rach were clutching each other, swaying along together, singing our heads off.

It was a wonderful day and we left Aston Villa absolutely wore out, voiceless and sunburnt, but it was bloody well worth it.

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed sharing my great memories of some great gigs.

What are your favourite bands you have seen live?

Love, 

Please note: All photos are mine.

Top 5: Highlighters.

Every girl wants to look fresh faced and glowing and I truly believe that highlighters can help you achieve an inner glow.

Today I have selected my top 5 favourite highlighters that define my cheekbones and gives me that 'lit from within' glow.

MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl:

This pearl highlighter is beautiful. There is no shimmer at all, giving you a pearlescent glow on the cheekbones. I love to use this on my brow bones for that bit of definition.

NARS Albatross:

This must-have highlighter from NARS is a staple in almost every beauty bloggers makeup bag.

When applied to cheekbones, Albatross is an off white/cream highlighter with a fine fine shimmer of gold running through it.

You can build this beautiful highlighter up for a more defined, sculpted look, but I like to keep it on the sheer side for a healthy glow.

Benefit High Beam:

High Beam was the first highlighter I ever bought and I absolutely adored it.

I found it blended beautifully on my cheekbones and gave a very pretty ethereal pink highlight that gave me a radiant, dewy complexion.

MUA Undress Your Skin:

This edition from MUA's Undress Your Skin range is another one of my all time favourites. I use this on day where I want just a subtle highlight.

It didn't break the bank either at £3 and the powder itself comes kinda like its a baked powder.

When applied this highlighter gives a very subtle pearly pink almost silver shimmer to the cheekbones that doesn't leave you looking glittery.

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Powder in Soft & Gentle:

This highlighter from MAC is the newest addition to my collection and I can tell you, I am head over heels in love with this.

I have never had so many compliments in my entire life from people saying that I look healthy, glowing and radiant.

This 'gilded peach bronze' highlighter is nothing short of spectacular and makes me look a million dollars.

I use this pretty much anywhere I can highlight, my cheekbones, forehead, nose, cupid's bow, chin and just recently the inner corners of my eyes. I would say that there is a tiny hint of champagne running through this highlighter.

It's safe to say that Soft & Gentle has taken the highlighter throne for the time being and I can see it ruling for a long time.

What are your favourite highlighters? 

Glossybox Unboxing Video - May 2015

It's been ages since I filmed my last unboxing with Glossybox, so here is May's Unboxing Video!

Happy Watching! 

MAC Lipstick Collection.

It's taken me quite a while to build up a nice MAC lipstick collection because at £15.50 a lipstick it's not like I can buy them all in one go!

I love MAC lipsticks, there is no better feeling than slicking that luxury lipstick on my mouth for a lovely wash of colour.

So without further ado, here is my MAC Lipstick Collection: 

(L-R) Diva, Mehr, Up The Amp, All Fired Up, Ruby Woo, Twig, Brave & Amorous.

Diva: A matte finish lipstick, this burgundy shade is perfect for the Autumn and nothing short of vampy.

Mehr: The newest addition to my collection, this lipstick has been described as a 'dirty blue pink' toned lip colour. It suits my complexion perfectly for a soft look.

Up The Amp: One of my favourites in my collection, Up The Amp is a pretty lilac shade that really pops on the lips.

All Fired Up: This lipstick comes in Retro Matte finish and I'm totally in love with it. Paired up with my Barry M pink lipliner, it gives a vibrant dark pink colour that really goes with the Spring & Summer months.

Ruby Woo: The very first MAC lipstick I ever bought and I still get doe-eyed over it.

Another Retro Matte finish, this is a shade that screams SIREN. I call it my 50s bombshell lipstick and it makes you look just that.

Twig: Another one that has joined my collection recently is Twig. A satin finish lipstick, this lipstick can only be described as a soft muted brownish pink. I love using this to create a 90s makeup look.

Brave: Okay, I jumped on the bandwagon with this after seeing THAT photo of Kylie Jenner rocking those gorgeous nude lips. Knowing that most nudes don't suit me I opted for Brave in Satin finish which is a lovely nude pink that really flatters my skin tone. Now, if only I looked like Kylie Jenner...

Amorous: Last but certainly not least is Amorous, another Satin finish lipstick in a deep mauve shade. Another one perfect for those Autumn days when Diva is just too daring for a day time look.

What are your favourite MAC lipsticks?

My Month With Magnitone: Week One.

The last brand that gave me the chance to work with them when I joined the Bloggers Love Hub #BHTWITTERPARTY last month was Magnitone.

As mentioned in previous posts and skincare videos I already used the Rio SonicCleanse Face Brush to really give my skin a deep clean.

When I had the email back from Magnitone, telling me that I have been confirmed to try out the Magnitone Lucid I was over the moon, I even did a little dance.

This brush has been raved about for so long and I have always wanted one.

I chose the shade Sunshine Yellow and it didn't disappoint!

So, this week is week 1 of my month with Magnitone and each week for a month I will be filming a video so you can follow my Magnitone journey!

I cannot thank Magnitone enough for sending me this little beauty, it is really helping to keep my skin clear and soft.

You can buy a Magnitone Lucid from their website here.

If you want to buy one you can now save 20% by clicking this link: https://po.st/a9NbuH and entering the code Brogan20

See you next week for week 2! 

Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection: 301 Flat Contour Brush.

I'm quite late in posting this review as I have had and loved this brush since March and I cannot get enough of it.

If you remember back in March I reviewed Real Techniques 201 Pointed Crease Brush from their new(ish) Bold Metals Collection and I loved it.

I added a new brush to the collection a couple of days after my birthday in March: the 301 Flat Contour Brush.

This little beauty has a dense brush head to create shadows on targeted areas of the face to play up favourite features.
Just lately I have really been getting into my contouring and mentioned in another post a few months ago I have been using both Barry M's Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit and Daniel Sandler's Sculpt and Define Contour Kit to slim down my face and make my jawline look more defined.

 This brush in the Bold Metals collection comes in a beautiful gold finish and with all the Bold Metals Collection has a weighted handle to help distribute product evenly to give a flawless finish.

 With softer than ever bristles, this contour bursh is Real Techniques most luxe feel to date and refined artistry cuts offer high performance for ultimate application of makeup.

I find this brush is the most easiest contour brush I have ever used. The flatness of the brush helps it to fit perfectly into the hollows of my cheeks and the soft bristles blend contouring powders into my skin effortlessly and seamlessly.

If you want to try one of these babies for yourself. they are available at all Boots retailers and Superdrug stores and you can purchase them online at Real Techniques website here.

GRWM: Sweet Summer

It's been a good while since I last filmed a makeup tutorial for my YouTube Channel so today I decided to film myself putting my makeup on for a look that I like to call 'Sweet Summer'

It s a not-too-much makeup look that is really easy to achieve!

Click the video below for more:

Happy Watching!

Sebamed UK Review.

 Another brand I was lucky enough to work with thanks to the Bloggers Love Hub #BHTWITTERPARTY was Sebamed UK.

I have submitted a request to them for their Clear Face Toner to try out.

Even though I'm 28 I'm still prone to a lot of breakouts, whether its just when I'm about to come on my period or because I sometimes get oily skin I just break out, which is really annoying and I wanted something to clear my skin up.

The day after submitting my request I had a lovely email from Katrina over at Sebamed who said she was overjoyed to be working with so many bloggers to help push the Sebamed brand out into the world for people to try out.

She very kindly sent me three weeks worth of their Cleansing Soap, Facial Toner and Care Gel to try out, which I was over the moon about.

All the products shown in the picture above is from Sebamed's Clear Face range for acne prone skin.

The aim of Sebamed's products is to combat the proliferation of acne causing bacteria with the PH value of 5.5 along with removing excess sebum, maintaining the skin's moisture balance and effectively reducing pimples, blackheads and spots.

I used the Cleansing Soap everyday with my Rio SonicCleanse brush to really get deep down into my pores to out any nasties that were lurking beneath my skin and I will admit the first 3 to 4 days I purged like nobodies business, I had at least 4 big zits appear.

After using the soap I applied a small amount of the Deep Cleansing Facial Toner to a cotton wool pad and used it all over my face, concentrating on my oily T-Zone, my forehead, nose and chin. It was really refreshing on my skin and felt wonderful.

After using the toner I finished my routine off with the Care Gel. 

A light cooling gel that moisturizes the face gently and contains Panthenol to help with the healing of  acne scars.

I used this combination every day and night for 3 weeks and I was so happy with the results, my skin looked so much clearer and in the time I was using Sebamed I had my dreaded period and had no spots at all! My oily T-Zone was dramatically reduced and I looked matte for the first time ever.

Sebamed also have other ranges you can use, they have a face and body range, a baby range, hand and lip defence range and they also make deodorants, which I am really interested in, as I do tend to get quite sweaty at work.

Sebamed doesn't break the bank either, with a Clear Face Set starting at just £18.99 and you get all of the above products in full size including an anti-bacterial foaming cleanser.

So if you're a teenager who is starting to suffer with acne or someone like me who is prone to getting acne due to oily skin, definitely give Sebamed a try, you won't be sorry!

Sebamed's entire range of products can be found right here.

*Sebamed was kindly sent to me for review purposes. To read my disclaimer click the 'Disclaimer' tab at the top of the page.

Slendertox Tea - An Honest Review.

A while back, I attended the Bloggers Love Hub #BHTWITTERPARTY, where I joined hundreds, probably thousands of other fellow beauty and fashion bloggers to talk blogging, fashion and beauty.

It also gave us the opportunity to work with brands that Bloggers Love Hub had asked to participate, so we could request products from the brands to try out ourselves.

One of the companies were Slendertox Tea, who very kindly sent me a pack of their Day tea and a pack of their Night tea.

About Slendertox Tea.

Now, there have been a lot of new companies out there who produce detoxing teas for people to drink to help aid with slimming and cleansing the body.

Slendertox Tea have developed and organic tea or 'teatox' with no pharmaceutical products whatsoever. The ingredients that are inside their tea bags are 100% natural.

Slendertox Tea aim to give you the best, most natural detox which breaks down the fatty deposits that adhere to your intestines which then enables your metabolism to work much more efficiently.

 The Daytox ingredients are: Hawthorn Grain, Red Bean, Sterling Bean, Radish Leaf, Camellia Seed, Camellia Flower, Green Tea and Fennel Seeds.

The Sleeptox ingredients are pretty much the same apart from a few more added ingredients: Valerian Root, Large Hawthorn, Red Bean, Sterling Bean, Green tea, Radish Leaf, Camellia Seeds, Fennel Seeds and Camellia Flower.

Slendertox advise you to start you detox on a day off from work and to start with the night tea. And to follow a detox meal plan to aid the detoxing. Also, they advise you to drink at least 2 litres of water a day.

Now, I'm a blogger who doesn't review things dishonestly because then I would be lying about the products I receive. So I'm writing this review 100% honestly, and there may be a little bit TMI coming up.

 My Experience.

I started on a day off from work, it was a Sunday and it was Mayday the next day so I had another day off work.

Around 9pm Sunday night I brewed up my first tea bag from the Sleeptox packet.

On the back of the packet you are advised to brew the tea for 3-5 minutes but no longer than 6 minutes in warm (not boiling) or cold water.

I brewed mine for 3 mins as I'm a bit finicky when it comes to new and different tastes.

First taste of the tea was very pleasant, it kind of tasted like the smell of cut grass (WEIRD I KNOW) 

So I sipped at the tea and finished it about half hour after brewing it and headed off to bed.

3am rolled around and I still hadn't got to sleep due to stomach cramps, nothing severe but nevertheless, uncomfortable.

5am came and I woke up with the all-of-a-sudden urge to go to the toilet, and it was not pretty. I spent at least 20 minutes on the toilet before feeling well enough to go back to bed and when I did I still had those stomach cramps and I felt a really bad headache coming on.

I did manage to get a few hours kip, but come 9am I was rushing for the loo again.

I finally pulled myself together and thought it would be best to eat something so I made myself 2 poached eggs on 2 rounds of wholemeal toast, without butter as suggested by the meal plan.

I brewed myself a cup of Daytox tea. this time for only 2 minutes, as I thought maybe I had brewed it too long for my taste the night before and I wouldn't be rushing to the toilet as much.

How wrong I was.

11am I was on the toilet again, then again at 12:30, almost on the hour up until 6pm that night. I had a bad headache, the cramps were getting worse and I felt sick as a dog, so I decided that if I feel like this, I wasn't about to carry on.

I didn't have another teatox at all that day and by Tuesday morning I was feeling a lot better.

I really don't think Slendertox Tea was for me at all.

Don't get me wrong, after all the running to the toilet was done, I definitely felt lighter and my stomach seemed a lot flatter too, which was nice to see, but I just couldn't put myself through another day of headaches, feeling sick and stomach cramps and I had to end my relationship with the toilet.

I decided that if I was going to try and lose some weight I would cut down on everything, eat more fruit and veg and just eat everything in moderation. 

And I am happy to say that since starting my new diet last Sunday I have successfully lost a whopping 10lbs already and I feel amazing for it.

  It was very kind of Slendertox to send me some of their teas but alas, it really didn't suit me.

And I really felt I should be honest with this review and let you all know my experience with Slendertox Tea.
You can buy Slendertox Tea range here where they offer a 14 and 28 day Teatox or a 3 months Teatox. They also make slimming patches, shakes and even coffee for those of you who don't like tea.

Hope you enjoyed this post.

*These products were sent to me for reviewing purpose, to read my disclaimer click on the 'disclaimer' link at the top of the page.

March/April Favourites

Today's video is a March and April mash up favourites video, I completely missed March out so here are my favourites!

 Sorry about the super long video. I had to cram two months worth of faves into one video!

Happy Watching!

Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atbabbroganjay

Follow me on Twitter: @BroganJayATBAB

Follow me on Instagram: @brogiebum

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/Brogie87

Real Techniques 201 Pointed Crease Brush: http://broganjay.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/real-techniques-bold-metals-collection.html

Barry M Flawless Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit: http://broganjay.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/barry-m-chisel-cheeks-contour-kit.html

Products mentioned: 

Revlon Anti Shine & Primer Face Primer

Loreal La Pallete Nude Eyeshadow Kit in Rose

Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection 201 Pointed Crease Brush

Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection 301 Flat Contour Brush

Barry M Flawless Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit

Maybelline Anti Age Eye Concealer in Medium

Bourjois 123 CC Cream in Light Beige

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

Maybelline ColorDrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Keep It Classy

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Nude-ist

Barry M Lip Liner in 02 - Pink

MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in All Fired Up

P.S Love Nail Polish in Lilac

Barry M Speed Dry Nail Polish in Pit Stop, Road Rage, Stop The Clock & Lap of Honour

Aldi's Carino Professional Pure Argan Oil

Tresseme Perfectly Un-Done Wave Creating Sea Foam Mousse

Loreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

Soap & Glory Rich & Foamous Shower Gel

Victoria Secrets Endless Love Body Mist & Shower Gel

Sunglasses (Primark)

Sunglasses (Avon)

Sunglasses (Ebay)

Orange Is The New Black Book

Dress/Tunic from Primark

Cleated Sole Block Heels in Tan from New Look