Sunday 7 December 2014

Dealing with 'Problem' Skin

I have a love/hate relationship with my skin. Some days I will wake up, and it'll be fine. Other times, it'll take one glance in the mirror, and I'll want to immediately climb back beneath the covers. Unfortunately, on such days, this is not always possible. So here are a few products that I use to keep my unpredictable skin in line.. and do the best I can to ensure every day is a good-skin-day!

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Balancing Work & Play | #1 - Importance of Recording Memories



Since I started working full-time, I've been rather slack with my blogging - something I'm really quite disheartened about. Each month I say, 'This month will be better, I'll get loads done!' ..and before I know it, the month is over. 
It is ridiculous to think that this year is almost finished already, and despite me feeling like I haven't done anything, I can look back and see that actually, I've been making pretty good use of my time off after all! 

I'm planning a little series of posts intended to help those of you who work a lot, and maybe feel a little guilty about not getting much done, or finding it hard to make time to do things which you enjoy.

Friday 14 November 2014

Roses de Chloé

For me, it's rose season.  A little strange perhaps, but I find rose a little too heavy in the summer, but just perfect as the colder weather begins to set in. 

This particular perfume from Chloé has been sat on top of my drawers all summer. I've been spritzing it here and there, but only now does it feel right to use it. I am a HUGE fan of the original Chloé, it brings back so many memories (funnily enough, of a friend called Chloe..) We used to go into Debenhams when we were younger, and literally cover ourselves in it. It's such a sophisticated, timeless fragrance. 

This perfume offers a rosy twist on an old classic, and is a huge winner for me.  The lasting power I have found to be incredible, and there is no better use for this perfume than to douse a scarf in it, getting a subtle waft every so often. (Is that just me?!) 

If you know someone who loves rose fragrances - a great christmas present idea!

Sunday 12 October 2014

Walk in the Woods


I haven't blogged in an entire month. And for that, I apologise! I'm still getting into the swing of full time work, and have had a lot going on, so blogging has taken a back seat.
My cousin is getting married next weekend, and I am to be a bridesmaid. It's been so lovely seeing all of the preparations finally come together, and I'm so excited - no doubt, there'll be a whole tonne of photos, so I'll be sure to pick out a few to pop onto here!

Saturday 13 September 2014

To Me, From Me.

It's important to treat yourself once in a while, who's with me?
Recently I've been working a lot more, so not only have I had slightly more money to play around with, but I've also been a lot more tired, and feeling a little strained. Here are a few little 'pick me ups' that I've treated myself to over the past month or so.

First up, this beautiful 'One Line A Day - A Five-Year Memory Book'
Think the Timehop app in paper form. 
Each page of this book is dedicated to each day of the year, with about 5-6 lines for each year. You fill in the year at the top of each section, and write away. Come the next year, you fill out the section below, and so on. I haven't actually begun writing in this yet, but I really should start soon - I am so excited to read through it in five years time, and look at how far I will have (hopefully) come by then!
It's such a brilliant idea, and would also make a great gift. I picked this up in Waterstones, although I think I may have also spotted it in Urban Outfitters, as well as online on handpickedcollection.com, so it's pretty accessible. With beautiful gold-edged paper, it'll look lovely on your shelf as well.

Next up, a MAC eyeshadow - Shroom. As I mentioned in my recent eyeshadow post, I have far too many, but just one more won't hurt, will it??

And my usual go-to 'pick me up', a new Essie polish. This one is 'Urban Jungle', from their summer collection. I actually had this colour on my toenails for weeks - is it just me, or do some Essie polishes stay on way longer than others? This beautiful pinky-nude is opaque in just one coat, which is pretty fantastic. I'd been using my mum's Ballet Slippers prior to this, which required about 3-4 coats to reach the same colour.

 A couple of months ago I picked up a REN gift set for £23. I've absolutely loved everything that came in the set, but can't seem to find it online anymore. It featured some products from the Rosa Centifolia range, and a couple from the Vita Mineral range. Much to my surprise, the moisturiser pictured above, (Vita Mineral Daily Supplement Moisturising Cream) is actually a full-size version, and costs £19 on it's own.. which means I got all the rest for just £4, plus a super handy pouch to keep all of my skincare bits in. A bargain! 

And last of all, I finally purchased 'Roses de Chloé.' I am a huge, huge fan of the original Chloé perfume, and included it in a wishlist post not long ago, as the scent brings back a lot of memories for me. However, I had been itching to try the new rose version ever since I saw Rebecca talk about it at the beginning of the year, and oh my. What a scent. I won't say too much about this as I have a whole post coming up about it soon, but it's definitely one to go out and sniff, especially if you're a fan of rose fragrances, or love the original Chloé like I do!!

Wednesday 10 September 2014

Glow Glow Glow

Having skin on the slightly oiler side of things means I try to stay away from shimmer as much as possible, especially around my t-zone. Using shimmery bases, or anything too illuminating usually ends badly. However, sometimes my skin just needs a little bit more of a glow, and these are the products I reach for.

It's not that I avoid illuminating bases completely, some of my favourite base products are marketed as 'brightening' and 'radiant'. On days where I do happen to reach for a more matte base, I will nearly always finish with a light dusting of MAC's MSF in Lightscapade. This gorgeous powder is ever so fine, and really gives that 'glow from within' look. 

Next up - a very similar product, but a tad cheaper, with the added bonus of gorgeous packaging and a beautiful delicate scent. Bourjois' Java Rice Powder took the blogging world by storm when it was re-released for their 150 year anniversary last year. The vintage-inspired mint green packaging was a huge hit, and the product inside doesn't disappoint either! A very finely milled pinky-toned loose powder, perfect for sweeping across the tops of your cheeks, or using all over for even more illuminating power.

Benefit's High Beam is probably my least favourite of the three, as I do prefer my highlighters/illuminators to be in powder form, as I think it helps to make the glow look more natural, and easier to build up in the right places. Having said that, this one definitely shows up more than the other too, and packs more of a glowing punch, as it's thicker. Great if you only want the glow in certain small places, rather than all over.

And last of all, Sleek's Rose Gold blush. On my normal, natural complexion, this doesn't look exactly 'right.' However, when I've added a little more colour to my skin, or been on holiday, this is perfect! A beautiful pink blush with tiny flecks of gold scattered throughout. This is the ultimate blush for tanned skin, and gives a pop of colour and a natural looking glow all in one sweep.

Saturday 6 September 2014

End of Summer Wishlist

I thought it was about time I wrote another one of these wishlist posts, as not only has it been almost seven months since my previous one, but I find it useful to keep track of what I've currently got my eye on. 

So first of all, we have these black skinny jeans from Zara. Zara jeans are my absolute favourites. They fit like a glove, and last ages. (Not to mention, they're sometimes cheaper than Topshop.. and my Topshop ones always break?!) These jeans have ripped details, which I'm quite excited about, as I've never really given them a go before. 

Now for something slightly (oh, just slightly..!!!) out of my price range are these BEAUTIFUL boots by Hudson shoes.  Retailing at £160, I think I'm being a little optimistic here. I actually have them put by in a shop at the moment, here's to hoping I win the lottery within the next week! 
I believe it's important to invest in good shoes, especially for winter, and these are just so timeless, I could see myself wearing them years and years into the future. I might have to have a word with Ben about these, and see whether he can help me out as an anniversary present..! ;)

Next, is something I've actually just already purchased. I literally could not keep away from this perfume. I went to Boots AND Debenhams the day it was due in, but neither store had it, so I gave up for a while. I had a £5 off reward in Debenhams on my Beauty Card the other day, so it was the perfect opportunity to pick it up! It smells *so* pretty, but I think I'm done with perfumes for a while now. I don't want this to turn into another eyeshadow situation..!

These headphones from Sennheiser caught my eye a couple of months ago, but to be honest, I kind of forgot about them. It wasn't until one of my pairs of apple earphones started to play up that I came across them again. I've never bought myself any 'over the head' headphones before, I've always stuck with Apple ones, so it'll make a nice change! These are also £40 off in John Lewis at the moment, so once again.. perfect timing, or what?! UPDATE: Yep, I couldn't resist them..

And last of all, another rather pricey item, is this gorgeous Filson Daypack
These are hard to get hold of in England, but a shop in my town has a couple in at the moment. I highly doubt I'll ever get it, but it sure is nice to dream! I absolutely love these bags - Ben has a huge one, and they just feel SO thick and durable, yet another thing that would probably last me forever.

So, if you do excuse me, I'm off to work out my finances for the next couple of months.. haha!

Thursday 4 September 2014

Beauty On The Go

You have no idea how long it's taken me to make this post! This was one of the very first ideas that I had when I started out blogging.. a year and a half later, here it is.

Usually I try to keep things in my bag to a minimum. I used to be one of those people who carried around literally everything with them, everywhere. Pretty soon, I got fed up with the constant shoulder ache and decided to streamline the contents of my bag.

For all of my little beauty bits, I use this handy Cath Kidston zip pouch. I also have a much lighter coloured floral one, (which I much prefer), but sadly I spilt coffee all over it at some stage, so it's not looking its best anymore! These little pouches retail for just £6, and are so useful. I've had my two for a solid 3 years, and they're sill holding up really well! They can also fit a surprising amount of stuff inside, as you can see. They make it so easy to switch from bag to bag, just slip it in and you've got everything you need, all ready to go!

Nail file
Bobby pins
Hair elastics
Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot powder
Real Techniques duo fiber face brush
Cath Kidston mini mirror
Lush Charity Pot hand cream
Sally Hansen Miracle Cure nail polish
Burts Bees tinted lip balm
Seventeen Stay Time concealer
Real Techniques deluxe crease brush
Kleenex shine absorbing sheets

Thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear what you think down below! :)

Saturday 30 August 2014

Just Around The Corner..

First of all, yes it is August, and yes this is a post about autumn. Whether you like it or not, autumn is hiding just around the corner. For me, this is great. I'm really not much of a summer person at all, and spend most of my time in jeans and a t-shirt, with an emergency jumper rolled up in my bag. I think I had bare legs twice this year.. and even that was with a midi skirt.

Whilst summer may not be officially over, autumn began creeping it's way into my life last week, when I picked up a gorgeous soft plaid blanket scarf from Zara. The colours are beautiful, and couldn't be more autumnal if they tried. I've been swapping my tan flats for ankle boots, and excitedly eyeing up the thicker knitwear section of my wardrobe. 

It's almost time to dig out deep berry blushers and lip colours, and spritz on all of the fig perfume you can find. 
Bring on the darker mornings, falling leaves and hot chocolate!

Thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear what you think down below! :)
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Thursday 28 August 2014

The Best of Both Worlds

Today's post is about the face cloth which now comes with the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. (Read my thoughts on that HERE)
If you're anything like me, you struggle to wash your face without the help of a face cloth. When I find myself without one, I get water everywhere - and end up leaving cleanser on my face. Not ideal! 

Over the past year, my mum and I have gone a little overboard with flannels. Just the other day she called me into the bathroom, laughing. Our flannel basket was piled about a foot and a half high in a pyramid formation, with each flannel neatly rolled up. 
I personally like to use a fresh flannel each time I wash my face. Now do you see why we have so many?! 

Moving on from the flannels.. muslin cloths. 
I first tried a muslin cloth at the beginning of last year, when I first purchased Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish. A third one came my way with my first Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm. I loved the way they made the cleansing process seem a little more sophisticated, and feel more luxurious.. I always find my skin feels softer and looks brighter after cleansing with one.

Having said all that, and leading to the main point of this post - Emma Hardie's face cloth is my new favourite thing. The soft flannel side allows you to get enough water on your face, and the muslin side is perfect for gentle exfoliation and ensuring every drop of cleanser is removed. Whoever came up with this fantastic idea?  
Now I'm just wishing all of my face cloths were 2-in-1...

Tuesday 26 August 2014

Korres Mango Lip Butter

How long has this been on my 'to buy' list?  Too long. 
Korres is a brand that has always intrigued me, (yes that may be down to their packaging..) but I've never given any of their products a go, until now. It took me a while deciding which flavour/colour lip butter to go for, but in the end I settled for the Mango.

I love orange tinted lip products, as I think they help to brighten up my whole face. However, I'm not too keen on orange-toned lipsticks, as I find the effect is ruined when the colour is too strong.
This lip butter offers a very subtle tint, (the perfect amount of orange-ness, just enough to add that hint of orange to my natural lip colour) whilst being extremely nourishing, and smelling so fruity! Mango is one of my favourite scents, and this does not disappoint!

If I remember correctly, I have this Lip Butter mixed with Soap & Glory's Gloss Stick in Nudist on in my sidebar picture. 

I'm excited to give some of the other ones a whirl now that I know the formula is a win, have you ever tried any of these before? If so I'd love to know which ones you recommend! 

Sunday 24 August 2014

Note To Self.. No More Eyeshadow


For someone who wears eyeshadow once or twice a week (at the very most), I'm very aware that my little stash is a bit over the top. All of this for just two little eyelids? Yes, I know it's ridiculous. It's not even that there's so many, it's also the fact that many are SO similar. I have a problem.

Eyeshadows, whilst not my highest priority in the mornings, are one of my favourite things to buy. I get drawn in by all of the different colours, and the shimmers, the satins, the mattes.. Oh a light brown? Yes, I have about 5 already.. but this one is different, I swear! 
I wish I could use them on a daily basis, but I'm not the greatest at getting up on time, so find that I usually don't have time to pat on a pretty colour. ..And I'll always choose eyeliner over eyeshadow if I'm pushed for time.


My first venture into 'sensible and wearable' eyeshadows (goodbye 13 year-old me's blues, purples and shimmery whites..!) began with these little 'Color Tattoo' pots from Maybelline. With a promise of  24-hour-colour, these drew me in, and I used to use them a fair amount. The colours shown above are 35-On and On Bronze, 65-Pink Gold, and 40-Permanent Taupe. 
I spent a few weeks trying to track down Permanent Taupe to use through my eyebrows.. I'm not sure how that went in the end, as I can't remember ever trying it again! I'll have to give it another go on the brows soon, as I remember the colour doesn't quite suit my lids.
Pink Gold is one that I love to use as a base pinky-toned shades from Naked 3. This is such a beautiful shade, but you only need a tiny touch of this.. a little goes a long way.. (so don't cover your entire lid in pink!)
On and On Bronze is the first one I picked up. A beautiful colour which gives just the right amount of shimmer.

You've all seen these before, Naked 2&3. I feel like writing about Naked palettes is some sort of beauty blogging right of passage. I don't think I've ever mentioned these on my blog before, but I was lucky enough to receive both as a gift from Ben at the beginning of the year. Beautiful palettes, beautiful shades. The overwhelming temptation to try the original Naked is too much to bear! I'm thinking I might pop it on a christmas list or something.. I'd feel far  too guilty if I bought it myself.



Favourite shades from Naked 2:  Bootycall, Suspect, Verve and Pistol.
Favourite shades from Naked 3: Strange, Burnout, Liar and Mugshot.

Another thing to point out, the samples of eyeshadow primer that you get with these palettes are amazing. 
TOP TIP: Rather that ripping off the top of the sachet, or cutting the corner off, just pierce them with a pin and they won't dry out as fast! :) This goes for all sample-sized sachets. (Thank you to the lady at Kiehl's for telling me this!)


And finally, the Naked Basics palette, and two MAC shadows.
I snapped up the Naked Basics with a 20% voucher from Debenhams right as I started this blog. 'Naked 2' is my most used shade here. When I was fully blonde, I used this shade through my brows every day. Every single colour in this palette has it's use, and it's a fantastic one to take away with you on holiday, as it doesn't take up much room either!
The MAC shadows I only picked up a couple of months ago (if that). Spurred on by Rebecca's post HERE, I went on a quest to find Shroom, as another friend had also mentioned in the past, so I was keen to give it a go. A lady at MAC offered to put some on for me before I bought it, and then asked if there was anything else I'd like to try. At this point I mentioned Naked Lunch.. and well, the rest is history. 
Let me just say one thing. Being on an eyeshadow-spending-ban and having a half full MAC quad is hard...

Thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear what you think down below! :)

Also I'd love to take the time to say a massive thank you to all 700 of you readers!! I didn't even notice that number creep up, it's such a joy seeing that so many of you enjoy what I do on here, so thank you!
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Friday 15 August 2014

Gingembre Rouge by Roger & Gallet

Today I'm sharing with you one of my favourite perfumes at the moment - this gorgeous fragrance from Roger & Gallet! 
'Gingembre Rouge'* is a new take on Roger & Gallet's 'Gingembre' released 11 years ago. 
A beautiful light Zanzibar-inspired fruity/citrus scent with a ginger kick to it, Gingembre Rouge is unlike anything I've ever sniffed in the past.

Tuesday 5 August 2014

Morning Skincare

My skincare routine seems to have finally 'settled'. Whilst I do still enjoy chopping and changing my products around to suit my skin at the time, I've stayed quite loyal to these five, and they're doing a pretty good job.

Saturday 2 August 2014

Haircare with John Frieda and Argania Hair Oil

I never really do much with my hair, but since switching up my routine (and actually noticing a difference), I thought I'd talk about what I'm using at the moment, as I'm really impressed!

Thursday 31 July 2014

Non-Beauty Favourites / July

It's times like these I wish I had a beautiful white wooden floor like Kate.. 

I thought it would be nice to focus on the areas which often get forgotten about on here, so here are a few of my favourite things from the past month.

Saturday 26 July 2014

Little Dreams

It's been a funny few months. I finally feel like I'm growing up. I've been thinking about my future a fair bit, and have come up with a little to-do list for over the course of the next year or so. Where better to document it than on my blog?

Wednesday 23 July 2014

A Week Away From It All

Finally I've found the time to share with you what I got up to during my holiday off work!
It seems like such a long time ago already, but Ben and I had a lovely week in the New Forest camping, and then we popped down to Brighton for a bit, and for a spot of shopping. Regretfully I didn't take many photos, but here's a few from the handful of ones I did take!

Friday 18 July 2014

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL - Comfort Cream & Invisible Oil

Being a fairly pale girl means suncream is pretty much my best friend. I like to wear an SPF of at least 30 on my face every single day (yes, even in the winter), and try to always remember to smother myself in the stuff when I'm outside and the sun is shining.

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Candle Care Tips & Favourite Yankee Candle Fragrances (Video)

Click image for video
Yep, another video! My post on one of my candles was fairly popular, so I decided to film a whole video of some of my favourite fragrances, including some really useful tips on how to get the most from your candle.

Saturday 12 July 2014

Late To The Party

Here's a quick round-up of some super hyped up products which I've only recently gotten around to trying, and have been resisting for as long as possible.

Thursday 26 June 2014

What's In My Makeup Bag - #2


I vowed to do a follow-up on my previous 'WIMMUB' post (which is now over a year old!?) and it's safe to say a lot has changed in that time, aside from brushes. I'm feeling pretty happy with my current picks, but I'm still itching to try new things every few weeks! This post is a tad long, just warning you - grab a cup of tea for this one. (Bag from Primark)

Monday 23 June 2014

Dr Bronner's Magic Soaps


If you've never heard of Dr Bronner's before.. where have you been?! This lovely, organic, fair trade soap comes in many forms, and many different fragrances, so you're sure to find one you like. 
Free from SLSs, artificial fragrances and other nasties, they are sure to become your skin's new best friend.

Friday 20 June 2014

A Good Morning

Today I thought I'd share with you some snaps from my Instagram this morning. 
It's been a really great day so far. I'm currently off work for 2 weeks, so I'm trying to squeeze as much in as possible, and make the most of each day! 

Thursday 15 May 2014

Complete Head-to-Toe Pamper Evening Guide

First of all, I'd like to state that these pamper evenings are a rare occurrence in my life. As much as I'd love to chill out and go through this routine every Sunday evening, I simply can't find the time. As a result, these probably happen once every few months.. at the very most!
So without further ado,
 Here is my guide to a complete, head-to-toe pamper evening!
I always like to begin with a tidy room and a candle alight, as I can't relax in a cluttered or messy environment. Lay out everything you plan to use and pick out some comfy pyjamas to throw on. Turning off your phone and laptop can also be beneficial during this time, and allows you to really de-stress without any distractions. (And prevents the whole process taking 4-5 hours.. trust me, I've been there) Also, just a note - I haven't included any hair treatments in this post, as I find they don't really have that much of an effect on me, but by all means, add some in!

Step 1 - Shower
Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub, Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm, Ultrasonic Facial Cleansing Brush (a TKMaxx find)

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Yankee Candle - Mango Peach Salsa

Today I wanted to share with you one of my favourite Yankee Candle scents for this time of year, Mango Peach Salsa!
I used to work for Yankee Candle, so it's safe to say I am literally drowning in these jars. Be careful opening a cupboard in my room, because there's a very high chance you'll get one dropped on your head, or even worse, your toes. (Yes, that's happened - many times, and they're pretty heavy!)

Monday 14 April 2014

Peter Rabbit

Look at these little fluffy arms.. so stumpy and cute!
As it's almost easter, and bunny-related items are everywhere at the moment, I thought it'd be a good time to dedicate a post to my little bun.
If you are a long time follower of this blog, you'll know who this little fluffy bundle is. I've had Peter for around 9 months now, and it's been so lovely to see him grow and develop a little personality. He's gained quite a few fans on my instagram!

Wednesday 9 April 2014

A Bit of a Breather & a Nugget of Advice


You've heard it all before, a blogger completely loses all motivation and seriously lacks ideas - 
so they go on a bit of a break. 
I've done exactly that, and I feel so much better now as I've had a lot of time to reflect.

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Little White Lines


White eyeliner is possibly one of the most overlooked 'staple' products out there. Most brands offer them in some variation, but I always see loads left on the shelves - why aren't people using them more?
I recently picked up this lovely MAC eyeliner in shade 'Fascinating' (read: white), and I've been using it for just about everything.

Monday 10 March 2014

Has Spring Sprung?


For those who live in the UK, I'm sure you'll be able to agree that the past few days have been delightful. A real breath of fresh air! The sun has been shining, and the skies have been blue. Sure, there may have been a little bit of a wind, but compared to all of the rain and floods we were dealing with a couple of weeks ago.. it feels like heaven.

Monday 3 March 2014

Wishlist #3 - A Little Out Of My Price Range


Today I thought I'd share with you some of the more expensive and 'out-of-my-league' items currently floating around on my wishlist. A girl can dream.. right?

Friday 28 February 2014

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+] Before & After - My Acne Success Story


At last, a chance to review my favourite product OF ALL TIME. See the results for yourself down below!
La Roche-Posay was a brand I hadn't really heard of until the end of last year, when every blogger seemed to be singing their praises, with the main star of the show being Effaclar Duo. I tried this product, and was fascinated by what a huge effect it had on my skin.
Then they made it even better. 
Meet Effaclar Duo[+], now designed to also fight marks.

Monday 17 February 2014

That Sunny Sunday



What a lovely surprise it was to finally see the sun again!
Ben and I decided to make the most of the sunny weather, and went on a little walk in Wiltshire. We didn't reach our intended destination, (a huge valley) but I reckon we ended up pretty close. We saw a couple of deer chasing each other across the fields, and explored a little bit of woodland.
We then visited Salisbury for a spot of lunch. Not a single drop of rain fell from the sky, and there wasn't an umbrella in sight. Everybody seemed to be in such a good mood, and it was a really delightful day.

Saturday 15 February 2014

Room Redesign!


As promised, (a while ago) here are a few snaps of my new(ish) room!
I'm absolutely loving it at the moment, as the white walls make it seem so much bigger, and everything just looks cleaner and more grown up.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I most of my furniture from Ikea's discount section (usually by the tills), and saved around about £200 in total! It's definitely worth having a look there, I managed to get everything I needed - a white double bed frame, a double mattress and white chest of drawers.
Along by the chest of drawers, there is also a white full length mirror. (Bit of a reoccurring theme going on here..)

Saturday 8 February 2014

Instantly Glowing Skin with Bourjois


 I've never used to be into the whole 'glowing, dewy' look, as I much preferred a matte base, with quite high coverage to disguise the less-than-desirable skin that laid beneath. But recently, since stepping up my skincare routine, and dramatically changing the look of my skin, I've been dabbling in a few lighter coverage foundations, and illuminating powders.. and you know what? I think I'm really liking them.

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Topcoat

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Topcoat - £5.99
I didn't paint my nails for the whole of January, and whilst choosing a polish to (finally) use earlier on, 
I was reminded of this little gem, and decided to share it with you! 
I picked up this topcoat a couple of months ago, as I had never tried a fast-drying topcoat before, but didn't really want to splash out on the Seche Vite at £9, so I tried the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri instead, for £5.99. Honestly, looking back, there isn't much of a difference in price, but I guess I wanted something to be able to compare Seche Vite to when I do finally give it a go.

Monday 3 February 2014

What I've Been Up To..

Firstly I'd like to apologise for the lack of posts recently - I've been so busy! I don't think I've actually spoken about this on my blog yet, but at the beginning of January I started a new job at Boots Opticians. It's such a relief to be finally working in the same town that I live in, so I get a bit more of a lie-in before each day, but sadly less time to blog. It is only a part-time job at the moment, so really it's just down to my rather bad timekeeping skills! I really do love this blog, and I'm determined to make it one of my main priorities in life, so do keep your eyes peeled for more regular updates.

Monday 27 January 2014

Clinique Super City Block Face Protector SPF 40

Clinique Super City Block Face Protector SPF 40 - £17.00 
Something a little different today, and it may seem a little out of place, judging by the current weather here in the UK(!) ..but yes, today I am reviewing sun protection.
After having recently becoming somewhat addicted to chemical exfoliation (within reason), I realised that I really needed to up the levels of SPF I put on my face daily, despite the lack of sunshine. Moisturisers and foundations with added SPFs are always a bonus, but ideally, I needed something stronger. 

Sunday 26 January 2014

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm

Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm - £34
After hearing so many good reviews about the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm, I thought it was about time that I gave it a go for myself. My skin was on the mend after a particularly nasty breakout, and I felt like I needed a change in the cleansing department... something a little luxurious to give my skin a bit of treat. And then, it was in the sale. I snapped it up right away on Feel Unique for £28, a much more justifiable price than the original £34!
A few days after I purchased it, Fleur De Force did a review on various cleansing balms, with Emma Hardie coming out on top, not only leaving me breathing a sigh of relief, but also glad that I bought it before it sold out!

Friday 24 January 2014

Brand Focus #2 - Burt's Bees




Hello everyone! I know this post is a tiny bit late, but here's the second part to my 'Brand Focus' series, dedicated to Burt's Bees. This wonderful natural cosmetics company was founded in 1984 by Roxanne Quimby, and has grown from strength to strength since then. In 1994, Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm was created, and remains as the company's #1 bestseller today.. (and one of my firm favourites!)

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Outfit Post #1 - Bees and Boots

Dress - Zara, Denim Jacket - Topshop, Boots - Topshop, Bag - Zara, Watch - Daniel Wellington, Necklace - Accessorize
I thought it was about time I featured clothes on my blog, so here we go! This is probably one of my favourite outfits at the moment.
Sadly most of these items are now out of stock, which is a shame as I had planned to link them in this post. I'm sure most of them pop up on eBay quite regularly, so check on there if you're interested in any of these pieces! :)