Festive nails!

Being a Beauty Therapist, I can obviously do my nails whenever I want, the downside being that I get bored very quickly with them! Last Christmas I had red glitter on all my nails-

I decided this year to have a black and gold theme, just finishing them right before this blog post! I use the Orly Gel Fx gel nail polish system on myself and my clients. At first I wasn't too sure about it as I love OPI polishes and felt bad for using a different brand but now I'm used to it, I really enjoy using it. 

It's so easy to use and the kit contains an LED lamp which only takes 30 seconds to cure each step. After shaping my nails and wiping them with the cleanser, I applied the primer to the tips of my nails and cured them for 30 seconds, followed by the basecoat. I then brushed them down and applied the colours I had chosen and pressed loose glitter onto the tips, my thumbnails and ring fingernails and sealed it all with two coats of topcoat. They now look like this ...

I'm soooo pleased with this design and I'm sure my clients will want something similar when they see mine! It's an easy design but really sparkles in the light and I can't wait to show them off over Christmas and the new year! 

Xx

A Belated Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Yes I'm late as usual, it's been a hectic but lovely few days and I've just been so busy that I haven't got round to writing this post until now, sorryyyyyy! Christmas this year has been a little different, we are staying with a friend for a couple of months while we hopefully buy a house so things have been a little more complicated than usual. Christmas Day was spent with my dad, sister and boyfriend at my dads house. I took our two cats with us as it wasn't feasible to leave them at my friends house so it took a lot of packing and unpacking of my car all for one day and one night, more stressful than I thought it would be! Boxing Day was back at my friends house followed by an evening at my aunt and uncles house for food and a fair bit of alcohol! After a nice lay in yesterday morning, we went over to friends of ours who announced they are expecting a baby! We are so excited for them and it means we have 4 friends due between jan and August next year so it will be crazy I think! One of my friends gave birth the Sunday before Christmas and had a little boy so I have also been seeing him a lot. If that wasn't enough excitement, we are back over to my aunt and uncles house tomorrow for a lovely roast and more drink! I hope you all had a great Christmas Day and got everything you wanted from Santa. I will soon be posting the presents I received and look forward to reading your Christmas posts 

Xx

My Christmas list for Father Christmas!!

It's nearly Christmas whooooo! That time again already and this year I actually have a list of things i would like, mainly because it was my birthday in November and I didn't get everything I wanted so I changed it to my Christmas list! 

• Issy Miyake Pleats Please 

This perfume is gorgeous! I'm quite fussy when it comes to fragrance and it takes me ages to make a decision on whether I like one or not. I received this as a sample size in one of my Glossyboxes so I had plenty of chances to try it out. 

• Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

Need I say any more?! It has been released today (as I write this post it is the 16th December) and my boyfriend has already ordered it for me, spoilt I know! 

• Mac eyeshadows for my palette

There's a list including sketch, sable, concrete, green smoke, club, brule and many more! I know my sister is getting a couple for me

• Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick

I always have a few shimmer bricks floating around in my makeup bag, this time I would like the lilac rose shade. I have nearly tried all of the shades with my favourites being rose and nectar. 

• Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm

I've been eager to jump on the bandwagon for quite a while now but haven't actually got round to it. I kept putting it off as I have a lot of cleansers to use before I think about getting another! 

• Voucher for a facial

I haven't specified a particular salon for this so I think I will put any money I get for Christmas towards it. I really want a Guinot Hydradermie. I used to work in a salon with Guinot and always had a facial once a month but now I'm self employed I miss out on this luxury :(. Obviously I can give myself a facial but it's not the same. 

• Skipping Rope

You may laugh but it's been proven to do wonders for your body. I was always really good with a skipping rope at school  so I'm hoping I'll pick up where I left off! (The same cannot be said for hoola hooping!) 

Now I'm hoping Santa (or Father Christmas as you may call him) is reading this and will buy me all these things as I've been a very good girl this year, honest! 

What's on your Christmas List? 

Xx

December Glossybox!!!!

Finally finally finallyyyyyy it's here!! I received an email saying my box would be sent out later than usual which was fine but it still felt like forever waiting for it! I was hoping I would get some good items this month as it's Christmas...

As you can see from the photo, I received:

Wilkinson Sword Intuition Naturals Razor

Lipsy London Glam Perfume

Seche Nail Colour in Blanc 2

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hour Eye Shadow in On And On Bronze

Beautiful Movements Cosmetics Nude Lipgloss

All in all, not such a bad box, although I'm not sure I will use the nail colour. I have a lot of nail polishes and recently bought a Seche Colour to try as they claim to be one coat colours but I'm not too impressed. I expected them to be as good as their Seche Vite top coat which I swear by but the few times I applied it, it hasn't lasted and also lost the shine (even with the top coat). 

I will definitely use the color tattoo and the lipgloss, I hope it's not sticky though! The razor will come in handy as I use my boyfriend's (different razor blade on the top though!). 

What did you receive in your Glossybox? Anything you won't use? 

Xx

Blog troubles

Hi guys! I'm so behind on doing blog posts, I have been feeling a bit uninspired by my work and ideas recently that I haven't been doing blog posts. I've been thinking of ways to make my blog more exciting for you to read or at least a bit different to other blogs but I can't find anything that would set it apart. I'm not very good with computers or cameras, I only have an iPhone and iPad and find myself writing new posts on my phone and using the photos. I read a conversation on twitter recently about the importance of having a good camera and photos, which I understand but i don't have the money to buy a camera. I would love to get one and snap away, experimenting with lighting and backgrounds but I just don't have time. Or maybe I'm not into it as much as other bloggers which is why mine lacks all the components of a good blog. 

I see my blog as a place to put my thoughts down on products etc as I would love love love to do YouTube videos on hauls/fashion/vlogging but that isn't possible at this moment in time. I never think anyone actually reads it! I'm hoping I will get inspired and get better at photos (hopefully with a little help from my photographer sister) and will have a much better and improved blog in the new year for you all to read! 

For now though I will continue posting little bits and bobs (and some average photos). Enjoy! 

Aromatherapy Associates Bath and Shower Oil Collection

I received this set as a Christmas present, not really knowing anything about the Aromatherapy Associates brand. Their packaging is lovely and expensive looking, I feel very luxurious using them and they definitely look smart standing in my bathroom! These are just sample sizes (each one is a 3ml size), each one of these oils comes in a full size beautifully packaged up and wrapped in a ribbon. In the set are 9 miniature bottles, all different blends of aromatherapy oils, with a description on each one. This is a great idea as you can just read the bottle or the description card that accompanies the box to find out which oil targets what you need. They include two oils for relaxing, two de-stress oils, two revive oils and three support oils and all are highly concentrated, so much so that you only really need a few drops of the bottle in the bath or shower to really get the benefits of the oils. I also like to only use a little bit so I can make them go further :). I have my favourite ones and will purchase these in the large size when I have used all of the miniature ones. Some of the bottles are missing from the photo as I have already used those ones up! :) 

I love using Aromatherapy oils professionally and at home as I really think they work. I am aromatherapy massage trained but I am not trained to blend oils other than adding a few drops of different essential oils to a carrier oil which is what I do for my clients at work. There is an aromatherapy oil book that I frequently read as I find it very interesting to discover their benefits and uses. I always use tea tree oil for its antiseptic benefits- cleaning cuts, putting it on spots and blemishes, using it to help heal fresh piercings and wiping it over skin. Lavender is known for its relaxing properties and is widely used in aromatherapy sets. Other oils can help menstrual cramps, muscle aches and pains, depression and anxiety.. The list goes on. 

This gorgeous set also makes a great gift for Christmas or birthdays or maybe for Mother's Day. I certainly liked receiving this as it is a great way to get introduced to the Aromatherapy Associates product range. 

Happy Belated Birthday To Me!!!!

So it was my birthday on the 11th November yeahhhhhhh! I turned..... 25 sshhhh don't say it too loudly! I'm not a fan of birthdays, in fact I hate them. I'm in a happy normal mood the day before but as soon as I wake up on the morning of my birthday, I am such a grump! Then it's down to my boyfriend to cheer me up all day and spoil me haha! 

This year we both took the day off and we went to Westfield Shopping Centre in London. We had never been but after looking at the list of shops there, I was so excited to go! I was planning on doing outfit posts and taking photos of my purchases but I've been so busy moving house that all the clothes are now packed away in various cases. This is such a boring post for you all, I'm sorry but I thought I would just let you know what I got up to to celebrate and what I bought. I ended up spending a small fortune (of my boyfriend's money) in Bershka, which happened to be the first shop we went into. I picked up a pair of jeans, a skirt, two vests and a thin jumper that I can layer over another top. Hopefully I will get photos and you can see what the all look like! In H&M I bought some leggings, some footless tights, a flower patterned scarf and a silver necklace to wear with jumpers. I needed some new black flat pumps for work (and by this point my feet were aching) so I popped into Dorothy Perkins and found some gorgeous pointed ones with gold metal patterns on the toes. One thing I actually went to look for was a new bag as I am obsessed with having a new one with the change of every season! I found one in River Island but my boyfriend found an even nicer one that is black and taupe on the front and back, with a fluorescent panel either side. I wanted a rigid bag to carry my work diary and iPad etc, although it's so big I can't find anything in it! I can't wait for some Xmas shopping in London so it's an excuse to go again! 

Loving La Roche Posay!

Since discovering La Roche Posay at the beginning of the year, I have been buying more and more of their products. My newest ones are Effaclar Mat and the Thermal Spring Water. I find all of their items really suit my skin and know if I have a blemish, I can reach for my Effaclar K and the spot will be gone within a few days. 

All La Roche Posay products are paraben free, 100% hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and all are tested on sensitive skin. I have oily/combination skin and it has been so disgustingly greasy this summer that I felt I needed to do something about it, I swear as I get older its getting worse! Although I have been told its good to have oily skin as it means less wrinkles when I'm older! 

The Effaclar Mat comes in a 40ml tube and a little goes a long way. I find that a tiny pea sized amount will cover all of my face and I have a big face :). As predicted it is suitable for sensitive skin and oily skin prone to imperfections and shine, which I'm hoping is code for 'really greasy skin'! The problem I find is that I can't use products intended for oily skin as they then strip too much oil out and leave it even lilies but with dry patches. I have come to the conclusion that my skin is dehydrated( I have my hydraluron for that) so I need to address that first to balance my skin out. The Effaclar Mat claims to help control shine, reduce sebum production and the appearance of pores therefore creating an oil free texture and smoother skin. I have only been using it for about 3 weeks now but my skin has definitely improved. It feels softer and I don't need to apply powder as often as I previously had to and my makeup seems to sit nicer/last longer. This is probably a combination of all the new products I have been using but I like to think that the Effaclar Mat has helped. 

Thermal Spring Water 150ml- I don't know what made me buy this but I found myself picking it up again and again so thought I should just purchase it. The idea of spritzing your face with water is a strange one and I feel a bit indulgent for doing so (my boyfriend thinks I should save money and just throw Evian at my face everyday). I have to say though, my skin seems to love it and it soaks in a treat. It's supposed to soothe sensitive skin or skin that is easily irritated by outside factors like the climate and contains minerals and trace elements to soften and soothe. I use it after washing my face and before I put my Hydraluron and moisturiser on. 

Xx

November Glossy Box

I'm late putting this post up as it was my birthday last week so I've been busy doing things and going places! I was really excited for this particular box to arrive as I knew it was due two days after my birthday but it's not until now that I've actually looked in it properly as we are in the process of moving house so I have A LOT to do. 

I'm really happy with all the products in this box as they're all quite big sizes so it makes it look like I have a full box of goodies instead of tiny perfume samples. The first product I noticed was the Elegant Touch Rapid Dry For Nails which I know is very good and does what it says on the tin! I used this a few years ago at the salon I used to work at and it really does dry polish in 60 seconds, although i still believe nails aren't fully dry for 45 minutes to an hour. I will definitely be using this in my salon as the cold weather means clients will be coming in wearing boots and gloves so anything that makes the polish dry quicker will really help this time of year! 

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Blush in the shade Cranberry- gorgeous packaging, very girly and flowery and reminds me of a Clinique Chubby Stick (winds up like a crayon too-very similar). I have to say I was a little disappointed to see that the top ingredient is mineral oil (paraffinum liquidum) as I tend to steer clear of products that contain this. It does contain beeswax and ceresin wax so is very moisturising and I look forward to trying it soon. 

Emite Micronized Eye Shadow- I feel a bit bad when I receive eye shadows as I am a complete Mac lover so I tend to judge them before I try them. However this one is highly pigmented and a lovely cream colour shot through with a shimmer so I will get a lot of use out of it. Straight in my makeup bag I think! It's also completely free from perfume, parabens, oil and nickel. 

Yves Rocher France Hand Cream- I don't know much about this brand so I can't write a lot about it. I actually asked my boyfriend to review it for me as he tells it how it is whereas I tell it from a beauty point of view. It smells of pistachio and cocoa which I quite like but he didn't as it hung around for quite a while (I think it's also because he is a nail biter so doesn't like the taste!). We are both impressed at how quickly it soaked in so it would be a good all rounder if the smell wasn't so strong. 

Vichy Idealia Life Serum- I love using serums this time of year as my skin always feels like it needs a little extra something to make it not look so dull. I'm intrigued by this serum as I use Vichy's eye roll on so I hope it is as good, if not better! I have three sample sizes to use and they came in a cute pink organza bag that I could use again. I'll let you know how I get on! 

Xx

Real or Fake?!?! Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

So word on the street is there will be a Naked 3 Palette but no one knows if it is true or not. Urban Decay are not confirming or denying, they have so far made out on Twitter that no such palette exists.... Yet photos have appeared on Instagram with supposed receipts proving the authenticity of the Naked 3. It is so far only available in Sephora in France with many people saying the store mistakenly put the palettes out to be sold ahead of schedule. So what do you all think? A clever publicity stunt by Urban Decay in the run up to Christmas? Or a prank with some very well done photo shopping? I hope the rumours are true although I'm not sure how different the colours can be to the Naked 1 and 2 palettes. I don't own the second one because I am quite happy using my first one but I'll definitely be in the queue for the third! 

Edit- release date for the Naked 3 is 16th December tbc, although until I see a definite confirmation from Urban Decay, I am a little sceptical. 

Lee Stafford Sea Salt Spray

I picked this product up about a year ago when I was preparing to go on holiday and needed something to put in my hair to make it look half decent and less like Monica from Friends (you know the episode!). I had read a lot about salt sprays but had bad experiences in the past from ones that made my hair crispy or weighed it down so that the curls disappeared. My hair in its natural state is a mixture of curls/ waves and frizz! Some days if I leave it to dry naturally, it can look quite nice but other times it looks awful, huge and messy! 

It took me a while to pluck up the courage to use this and I did take it on holiday with me but I didn't use it much. It's only from using it the past month or so that I have fallen in love with it. All I do is spray it through my hair after I have washed it and then leave it to do its thing. If my hair is dry then I spray it through and scrunch it with my hands to define the curls a little bit better and calm the frizz down. When I am working, I tend to blow-dry and straighten my hair or curl it with GHDs as it looks neater and tidier. Also because my hair is so thick, I find it really hard to tie it up comfortably so it is out of my face but looks professional. I recently bought a tangle teaser and it is amazing at getting though my hair without tugging or hurting and I really feel like I am getting somewhere with my messy mop head! 

This salt spray contains a pro-mineral complex of 26 minerals and sunflower extract to moisturise and promote a healthy shine. It makes your hair feel soft and manageable and not crispy at all. The bottle sprays out a nice even spritz over the hair so it doesn't feel weighed down or too wet and soaks in well. Now that I have got the hang of using this product I think I will look at the rest of the Lee Stafford range to see what I can find. 

Xx

Alpha H Liquid Gold

Alpha H is an Australian brand created 20 years ago. It is a family run company and over the years have developed products for men and woman and all skin types. I was first introduced to the range from watching QVC (I am addicted!) and one of my beauty therapist friends suggested I try Liquid Gold as I had spots around my chin and jaw line. 

Liquid Gold contains glycolic acid and liquorice extract to gently resurface the skin and is great for scarred or dull skin. I use it every other day at night on a cotton pad and gently wipe it over my skin. It tingles for a few minutes as the glycolic gets to work. When I first used Liquid Gold, I came out in more spots but my skin tends to do that when I try a new product and it settles down quite quickly. I now use it every so often when I have an outbreak of spots but my skin has really cleared up a lot since using the Liquid Gold. I really recommend using it, it is suitable for all skin types. I first used it when I was 21/22 and it is a great addition to my skincare routine. My skin feels really soft the morning after I have used it and it definitely improves the look and tone of my skin. 

October Glossy Box

After much waiting and checking of my emails to see if it had been dispatched, I finally received my October Glossybox. If I know something is due to arrive, I get very impatient waiting it! As I never seem to be home when the Glossybox gets delivered, our kind delivery lady always hides it in the same place  so I don't miss out on it and have to trek it to the post office to pick it up. I wasn't as excited about the goodies in the box this month ...

Another perfume sample this month in the form of Katy Perry 'Killer Queen'. Not my favourite of scents I have to admit although it smells nice, just not my type of perfume. It has top notes of dark plum, wild berry and bergamot which to me is like a headache in a bottle but some may like it! 

Me Me Me Cherub's Blush- fits the theme of the month which is 'Dark Romance', I kind of hoped I would receive a plum/red lipstick but this is the next best thing. It is a cheek and lip tint but I will probably just use it on my lips and then put a clear gloss over the top. It stains a nice pinky colour and doesn't rub off easily (from my hand anyway!).

Premae Multi-Vit Smoothie Serum- I was excited to see this in my box as I love anything lemongrass scented and on closer reading of the accompanying card, I saw it is for combination skin. It claims to 'hydrate the skin whilst keeping it matte free' so I can't wait to try it out and see if it does the trick. 

One thing I love about the Glossyboxes is that they include some lesser known brands. The Gamila Secret Cleansing Bar really intrigued me as I had never heard of it before. I'll admit that as soon as I got it out of the box and realised it looked like a bar of soap, I was immediately put off (the similarities to soap stop there, it doesn't work like a soap does). I really hate soaps and how they then sit by your sink collecting germs and hair but I'm willing to give this one a go. It doesn't actually strip your skin like a soap does, it contains more than 80% pure virgin olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, Shea butter oil, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil and lavender oil. Phew that's a lot of oils! Suitable for sensitive skins, it heals any problems within 28 days. 

Last but not least I received Monu Illuminating Primer SPF 15. Being a Make Up Artist I have come across loads of primers, admittedly most of these are specifically for particular skin types so I look forward to trying this one. It smells clean and fresh and absorbs into the skin quickly leaving it feeling soft  it I'm doubtful as to whether it actually illuminates. I shall investigate further! 

Xx

L'Occitane Ultra Riche Body Lotion

I don't know if I have mentioned this before but I love L'Occitane products. Every year for Christmas I get a box full of their gorgeous creams, shower gels and hand creams to use up through the year and I can honestly say I finish every one of them (apart from the soap, I'm not a soap user). I have a hand cream in my makeup bag and in every hand bag I own and also there is one beside my bed to use morning and night. 

I first used this body lotion when I received a sample of it at the L'Occitane shop. Although I have oily skin on my face, my body is strangely dry. I think this is mostly down to sun damage (oops!) and I'm generally lazy when it comes to moisturising anywhere but my face. I go through stages of doing every day for a week or so then get out of the habit of it. I don't like sticky, greasy body lotions but when I find one I do like, I use it all the time. I have 2 cats and getting into bed after moisturising my skin and feet etc only to find balls of fur have stuck to me, is not a nice thing! One is long haired and she seems to permanently be shedding fur everywhere and no amount of hoovering gets rid of it so using a body lotion that soaks in straight away is ideal for me. 

This one contains 15% Shea butter to really moisturise my skin and the smell is gorgeous. A little bit of this goes a long way or you will be left with a slight residue on the skin if too much is used (not such a bad thing for some people). I bought the 250ml size and I still have over half left and that's with using it for a few months. After I have used all of it, I will probably buy the Ultra Rich Body Cream as my skin gets even more dry in winter but I will definitely be buying this lotion again in spring/summer. 

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel

Hi guys! I've been so manic recently with work and writing blog posts. I have a whole list of products I want to write about as I'm always discovering new ones or rediscovering old favourites. I know there's tons of blogs out there with info on the same things as mine but I still like to write and inform you of my opinions as everyone is different. 

Today I want to tell you about the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel. I don't know if I have mentioned before that I used to use really rough exfoliators as I have oily skin and thought they would help, turns out I was doing more damage than good so I switched to more gentle products. This seems to have worked as I have far less blemishes and less greasy skin as I'm not over stimulating my oil glands or stripping my skin of its natural oils. I bought this peel as part of a set a while back, I'm a sucker for sets with full size products and little try me sizes. This peel is the 15ml size which is actually not that small, you only need a little amount of this product for it to work its magic. 

The packaging is clean and smart looking and looks expensive standing on my shelf. The peel itself is a cream consistency which can easily be spread across the face, avoiding the eyes. I leave it on for ten to fifteen minutes to do its thing before I remove it with warm water and go on to use a facemask and then moisturiser. It leaves my skin looking fresh and clean, removing the rough skin and dead skin cells that clog up my pores. I am running low on this product so I will be sure to pick one up when I go to the beauty show next weekend eeeek can't wait! That's a whole other blog post in itself as we go for the whole day and I always come back with more than I need but I do pick up some Christmas presents along the way! 

Primark and New Look

So...this happened! I was very restrained though and only bought one thing from New Look and a few bits from Primark. 

I went to New Look first with my sister, I've been looking for a pair of ankle boots for ages but can't find any that fit me and one of my clients suggested New Look. Unfortunately I couldn't find any so I got distracted with looking at clothes and heels! These shoes jumped out at me....

I love them! I'm not really a shoe person, my sister has loads and they look great on her as she can actually walk in sky high heels whereas I walk like I've had one too many to drink. All the heels I own are stupidly low and pretty much boring and black so I am trying to force myself out of my comfort zone and wear different colours and styles. It is my 25th birthday in November and I want to wear these shoes for a night out.. May just have to train my feet to walk in them! I haven't worn shoes this high(and they're not even really high) for at least 4 years if not more, could be an interesting night out! 

I have quite a few skater style dresses that I don't think I have worn enough this summer so I was looking for some cropped jumpers to layer over the top of these when it gets slightly colder. I went to Primark to have a look as I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I bought two cropped jumpers/tops- one black and grey striped, one plain black....

I actually picked up another skater style dress for £5 as you can't really go wrong with black! Then on to the jewellery section, I really want to get into wearing rings so I was specifically looking for some. My fingers are stupidly thin and long so I have never really worn many rings as it's hard to find some that fit. I found a ring and a necklace in Primark that I can wear with a variety of clothes to jazz them up a little....

I also bought two exfoliating gloves as mine has gone for a walk about somewhere in my house. I wear fake tan nearly all year round, only having a break for a week or so every few weeks so I need to use the gloves to get the remainders of the tan off. 

I can't wait for more Autumn/Winter clothes to come out in the shops, it's my favourite time of year although it's not good for my bank balance! 

Xx

Olympia Beauty Show 2013

One of my favourite places to go is the beauty show, I go to Excel in February and Olympia in September. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's where beauty brands go to exhibit their products/makeup/nail polishes etc and you can buy them at trade prices or on special show offers. I love looking around at everything and having a girly day out with my friends! 

After getting the train and the tube, we arrived at Olympia at about 10.15am and were surprised that we could walk straight in as we usually have to queue up outside for ages. Once we had our name badges, first stop was NYX Cosmetics which was very quiet( glad we went there first as the queues for it were crazy the rest of the day). 

I bought a set of ten lipglosses, 2 eyeliners and a lipstick. The huge OPI stand is always in the middle of Olympia but we resisted going to it until after lunch as its always so manic, you need to get your elbows out to be in with a chance of actually getting to the polish stands! Although by the time we went there, I was getting so annoyed and tired of the crowds that I just adopted the same technique as most of the shoppers- just shove your way through and push people out of the way haha! I lost count of the amount of times someone tried to take me out with a swipe of their basket to the back of my knees or an elbow in the ribs! I bought a base coat, 5 nail colours, an Avoplex oil and a mango Avojuice. 

Two of the girls we went with needed to go to the S2 stand to stock up on Shellac but the queue was 3 hours long so they gave up in the end and bought OPI Gel Color instead. After a visit to the Eve Taylor stand for some facial wash and a massage candle, we went to buy some products at Australian Bodycare. We had decided to leave this one to last as we always buy litre bottles of their Skinwash and Hand and Body Lotion, I didn't fancy carrying them around all morning. 

We were disappointed that Leighton Denny wasn't there as I needed a new nail file and always like looking at his new polish collections. Big facial brands like Decleor and Guinot never go to Olympia as they exhibit at Excel every February and I'm already looking forward to going there! 

Bourjois Color Boost Lipstick

Everyone has been raving about these Color Boosts so I picked one up when I went to Boots a few weeks back. A lot of drugstore brands are now bringing these lipsticks out and I'm assuming they're modelled on Clinique Chubby Sticks as the packaging is very similar. One of the Clinique ones is sold every few minutes or something crazy like that, amazing when you think of it!! 

The colour of the packaging mimics the colour of the lipstick inside so mine is a peach colour as I bought 'Peach on the Beach'. It apparently lasts 10 hours which I don't think is necessary although I won't find out if it lasts that long as I'm constantly nibbling my lips and licking them! They do contain an SPF of 15 which is good for holidays etc as I like to have something pretty on my lips while I'm out and about in the sun. 

The colour pay off is good, I only need a few swipes of it across my lips to achieve the colour I want. I will probably only continue wearing it while the sun is still out as it's a summery colour and I tend to wear reds or darker colours in winter. 

Cowshed Grumpy Cow Uplifting Body Lotion

This was one of the products I included in my Drugstore and Tk Maxx Haul post and I finally got round to using it for the first time a few weeks ago. All the Cowshed products are Paraben, petrochemical and sulphate free and suitable for vegetarians. They do a whole 'Grumpy Cow' range which includes candles/room diffusers, bath and body oils/lotions and shampoos and conditioners. This is only the second Cowshed product I have tried but I would like the candles so might add those to my birthday list! 

The packaging has the trademark Cowshed label and design and is an almost see through bottle so you can see when it's empty. The combination of essential oils- red mandarin, petit grain and grapefruit make this a very fresh and light body lotion which soaks in almost immediately. I'm quite picky with body products as I hate it when I've put it on and it doesn't soak in properly or smells funny on my skin after a while. This body lotion is really nice because the smell doesn't disappear, it stays on your skin for hours and it also doesn't mix with my fake tan and create an awful biscuit aroma! (You know what I'm talking about). I've really been making the effort to moisturise my body before I go to bed as usually I do my face, neck and hands but can never be bothered to do the rest of me. Very lazy for a Beauty Therapist I know! This comes in a 500ml size which is perfect for a body lotion and it also doesn't have an annoying screw top which a few of the ones I own do have. 

Xx

Avon Maxi Tan - tan enhancing oil spray

I have recently got into using Avon products and I typically get addicted to flicking through the catalogue to find something else I can buy! I read about this product online when I searched for tan enhancing sprays. I still use my SPF but I just spray this underneath. The reviews for this product aren't very good online but I thought I would give it a go as I only paid £3.60 for it! 

I was pleasantly surprised by it on holiday, it was greasy but only if I used too much and I was only lying in one place most of the time :). I think it made a difference to my tan and I seemed to hold onto a decent colour for a while after I got back from my holiday. I have olive skin anyway though and my skin is quite tough in the sun, some people said they came up in a rash when they used this product but I have had no problems at all and will definitely use it on my next holiday. 

Facemasks I'm loving!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11387823/?claim=gp98w6gh2x4">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

I've always been really into my facemasks and will try any brands if they work. These are just 3 of my favourite ones I find myself going back to time and time again. 

Decleor 

I have two favourite facemasks from Decleor that I use on a weekly basis. I love Decleor products as they are the first brand I worked with when I started at my first salon aged 15 so I'm a bit biased. When I had facials at the salon, I would always have the Aroma Purete 2 in 1 Purifying and Oxygenating Mask applied to my skin as it is oily and a little bit congested along my t-zone. This mask has tiny beads in it that exfoliate dead skin cells away that could be blocking your pores, jojoba for hydration and bamboo to remove impurities and mattify the skin. I leave this on for ten minutes before adding a little water and using the beads to gently exfoliate. There is no tightness on the skin while this mask is on which is great as some masks for oily skin tend to dry it out. 

My next Decleor mask is the Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution 'Flower Essence' Moisturising Mask. Phew what a long winded name for a product! I love this mask on my cheeks where I sometimes get dry patches or eczema and on my neck (very important to use products down to your décolleté!). It has a very refreshing feeling to it and is very comfortable on my skin, I'm tempted to leave it on for longer than the recommended 5-10 minutes as it makes my skin feel so nice! 

Elemis Fruit Active Rejuvenating Mask- I bought this originally to use on my clients as I hadn't really decided which facial brand I wanted to use. I have since chosen Eve Taylor for my facials so now I get to use this mask on my skin! :) the description on the back of the tube says "ideal before special occasions to restore a glowing complexion, or when the skin is looking tired or dull". My skin tends to look dull this time of year and this mask is just what I need to get it looking healthy again. Some if the Elemis products don't suit my skin but this one seems ok along with the peels and exfoliators. I leave this one on for 10-15 minutes and rinse it off with warm water. 

Xx

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Roll-on Eye Gel

Anyone who knows me knows I have been going on and on about buying an eye cream, even my clients are sick of me moaning about my dehydration lines and dark circles! I had looked online at countless different brands but couldn't decide which one to buy. It wasn't until I went into Boots and looked at all the skincare available that I settled on this one from Vichy. I hadn't even thought about looking at Vichy products as I don't really know much about them but this one states that it reduces dark circles, puffiness and dehydration lines so is clearly the right one for me. 

All Vichy products are fragrance and paraben free, allergy tested and also tested on contact lense wearers (me being one of them) which I hadn't thought to check for when I was researching eye products. It contains thermal water, hyaluronic acid, dextran sulfate and escin( horse chestnut extract). Horse chestnut is used in a lot of eye creams and gels as it boosts circulation and thickens the delicate under eye area therefore reducing the appearance of dark circles. 

The thing I love most about this product is that it is a roll on. This is such a great idea, I don't know why all eye creams and gels don't have them instead of annoying screw tops that get messy. It's so much easier to take the lid off and roll the ball under my eyes, its so refreshing and feels like it instantly soothes and cools. Within a week of using this, the dehydration lines disappeared and my eyes didn't look as puffy. 

I definitely recommend this product and now want to try other products in the Vichy range. 

Xx

My First Glossybox!

Eeeeeek! I received my first ever Glossybox today! I was so excited when I looked at my emails yesterday to find one telling me the Glossybox had been dispatched and I should expect it in a few days. I had wanted to try them for ages as I know a few people that are subscribed to receive one every month but I was always worried about spending money on a luxury as opposed to a necessity. We have been trying to save as much as possible for our house fund (within reason-I still like my takeaways and clothes!) but Tom, my boyfriend, has very kindly bought a six month subscription for me as an early birthday present... Very early as its in November! I'm very grateful though as it means I can now not feel guilty about receiving a box every month as its a gift and I didn't buy it myself :). 

Look how gorgeous the box looks with its Union Jack print.. 

I was very excited to see it was wrapped in tissue paper, sealed with a sticker and a bow! 

After unwrapping what felt like a Christmas present (I don't get many these days), I was greeted with 5 products. I was pleasantly surprised to see I could and will actually use all of them. I received a pack of Eylure false lashes, Be A Bombshell eye liner in Onyx, a sample size of Elizabeth Arden Untold fragrance, Dr Lipp nipple cream for lips( have to say the name made me cringe a little) and I bottle of Toni and Guy Shine Gloss Serum. 

I am actually looking forward to using all of the items and I may create a blog post of a makeup look involving the lashes and the liner. Funnily enough it was only yesterday that I thought about buying a liquid eye liner as it dawned on me that I don't have one in my pro makeup kit so I hope this one performs as good as it looks! It looks like a sharpie marker pen with what looks like a sturdy tip for precision lining, can't wait to do a cats eye look! 

I'm also always moaning about my hair and how frizzy it has been recently, mainly because I expect it to just look good all the time without touching it but that's not the case with my lions mane. It will be interesting to see if the Shine Gloss Serum leaves my hair looking greasy or weighs it down as I find a lot of products do. I'm sure I will be featuring them all in a blog post somewhere down the line though! 

If you received a Glossybox this month I would love to know what you thought of your products! 

Xx

Drugstore and Tk Maxx Haul!!

I have been meaning to post these products for a few weeks now but only just got round to it! I went to Boots to pick up a few bits and pieces but ended up spending just over £100.. Oops! :) Then i went to Tk Maxx and my boyfriend kindly bought me some products.  In my defence, I will use everything I bought and quite a few of them have been on my wish list for months! (Desperately trying to justify spending so much in one go). 

From Boots:

Essie Nail Polish in Fifth Avenue- I would describe this as a coral red, although my boyfriend thinks its pink?? Gorgeous colour, easy to paint and lasted a week on my fingernails which is good for me considering I take off client's nail polishes every day. 

La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat and Thermal Water- I've been wanting to get a Thermal Water for a while now as my skin can sometimes feel tight before I put my makeup on. I just happened to see the Effaclar Mat while I was in Boots and decided to get it. I have oily/combination skin and La Roche Posay products are good for this, I can't wait to try them. 

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eye Roll-On- I have needed an eye product for months but couldn't decide what to get. I have used so many eye creams and gels that haven't really done what I need them to. I have dehydration lines around my eyes and puffiness and dark circles which this gel claims to eliminate so fingers crossed! 

Hydraluron Moisture Booster- So glad I finally bought this! Skincare guru Caroline Hirons recommends this, as do a few other bloggers and YouTubers. I will use this under my moisturiser morning and night. 

Rihanna Reb'l Fleur Perfume- Bought this so I stop using my friends one when I go to her house! Love love love this, I'm usually really picky with perfumes as I don't like to be overpowered by fragrances but this one is perfect for me. 

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes- I needed another one of these mascaras as my one is nearly all gone. I like the brush and how easy it is to build up. 

Bourjois Color Boost Glossy Finish Lipstick- I've seen people rave about these on YouTube so I'm looking forward to using it and reviewing it. I bought the shade 'Peach on the Beach'. 

Tangle Teaser- My hair is so long now that its ridiculously hard to brush all the way through. I dread brushing it as its really thick and I try brushing the ends first to stop splitting it but its still such a chore! I hope this will end my pain! 

Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner- My conditioner ran out and I always seem to go back to this one every so often. I love the Aussie range of products and find they really suit my hair. 

Tk Maxx-

Cowshed Grumpy Cow Uplifting Body Lotion- always wanted to try the Cowshed products but have never treated myself. This smells really fresh. 

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment and Argan Magic Restorative Hair Mask- randomly picked these up to tame my lions mane! 

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream SPF 50- Picked this up to use when I go away as I need to start looking after my skin in the sun. 

A bit of a boring post but I will be doing blog posts on most of these products when I get the chance to try them all out. Lets face it, I need to use them all religiously to rid myself of the guilt of spending so much eeeeek! 

Xx

Rae Morris Makeup The Ultimate Guide

I treated myself to this book as it had been on my Amazon wish list for months! I have quite a few makeup books now and I did think about doing a post about them all but they are packed away in boxes ready to be moved to our new house when we get it. They are mostly Bobbi Brown books and a few others but my friend lent me a Kevyn Aucoin book- Making Faces, which is one of my favourites! 

The reviews on Amazon for Makeup: The Ultimate Guide are full of positive comments so I couldn't wait to get it and have a read! Rae Morris is a very successful Makeup Artist and author and knows all there is to know about makeup. In this book she goes through techniques, brushes and tricks of the trade with amazing photos and step-by-step guides to make the looks easy to follow. Now I have read a lot of makeup books and picked up things along the way whilst I'm working on brides etc but this book has tips that I have never even thought to do, I find myself reading it and thinking 'oh yeah, what a great idea' and wondering why i didn't think of that before! 

The layout of this book is different to most makeup books which is refreshing and makes me want to read it more. Instead of the usual prep, foundation and concealing, powders/bronzers/blush, eyes and lips etc routine, this book starts with brushes and skin prepping, moving onto eyebrows, eyelashes and eyeshadows. This is because its better to do the eyes before doing foundation as its easier to wipe away fall down from shadows and the eyes are one of the main features of the face so why not spend more time doing them. The looks created in this book are incredible! The photos haven't been touched up, which goes to show how good Rae is at makeup. 

Comparing this book to other makeup books, I like how this one is set up as it is easy to read and follow. When reading the step by step guides, I can imagine actually putting them into practice and creating the looks. I also like that there is a tip accompanying the guides, as if someone is there teaching you in person and prompting you. I have so far read this book twice and keep going back to it again and again. I will definitely be keeping hold of it for years to come and re-creating the looks, in particular the over 40s section as I sometimes get stuck with this age group. Definitely get this book! 

Xx

Cowshed Soothing Bath and Body Oil

This was given to me by my sister recently and I already love it. It comes in a glass bottle, which automatically makes it look expensive and luxurious, with the trademark Cowshed label around it. The bottle looks lovely but the lid doesn't tighten very well on this one, although this isn't a problem for me as it will be sitting in my bathroom upright and may just be a fault with this particular bottle. It retails at £20.00 for the 100ml size from the Cowshed website, I have the 50ml size and if I like it a lot then I will probably purchase the bigger size. On opening the bottle I can definitely smell the jasmine but it is in no way over powering( yippee!). The main description on the front says it contains essential oils of jasmine, chamomile and sandalwood so it is very calming and relaxing. I looked at the rest of the ingredients in the Cowshed website and it boasts an impressive list of other essential oils- rose absolute, clary sage, lavender, ylang ylang and neroli to name just a few! 

This oil can be used in the bath as a fragrance oil, rubbed into skin after a shower/bath or used as a massage oil. Now I have tried a lot of oils over the years and I can happily say that this is one of the least greasy ones I have used. It soaks in effortlessly and left my skin feeling moisturised but not oily. 

Cowshed pride themselves on only using the highest quality essential oils from sustainable sources and all their products are free from parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates, artificial colours and fragrances and don't test on animals. Impressive hey! They opened their first spa in 1998 and you can now find them all over the world which is amazing. I was invited to go to their shoreditch house spa for a hen do two years ago but I couldn't make it and I definitely regret not going but the other girls said they had a great time and highly recommend their treatments. I'm already looking at going there for my 25th birthday in November as they also accommodate a group of friends for a pamper party in the evening. I'll also be adding a few of their products to my birthday and Christmas lists for sure! 

Xx

Liz Earle Strengthening Nail Colour

Exciting news for Liz Earle fans- she is releasing 12 nail polishes! There will be three sets- Classic Nudes, Bold Brights and Deep Darks and they launch on the 29th August. It's great to see Liz branching out into nails as she has already conquered skincare and has some of the best selling products in her range. 

The nail polishes are 5-free which means they are free of Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor. They contain avocado and borage oils which will condition your nails. They will retail at £7.50 each for a 12ml size which is a great price compared to rival nail polish brands. You will be able to buy them at lizearle.com, QVC, John Lewis and Boots. I can't wait to try these out and I'm sure they will be featured in a blog post sometime soon! :) 

My Favourite Fragrances

I always have a few fragrances that I wear different times of the year and daytime/evening perfumes. My favourite go to fragrance for summer days is L'Occitane Eau De Toilette in Cherry Blossom. I first received this as part of a set for Christmas a few years ago and love it so much that I get it every year ( thanks to my lovely boyfriend). It is L'Occitane's best selling fragrance with top notes of cherry, freesia and black currant which makes it ideal for summer days in the sun. I used to just save this for special occasions but got so addicted that I use it pretty much every day! 

My fragrance for the evenings at the moment is Gucci Guilty. I find that it is too heavy for me to wear in the daytime but is perfect for going out in the evenings. It costs £39.50 for the 30ml and £52.50 for the 50ml in Boots, although the prices may differ between retailers. 

Top notes- mandarin orange and pink pepper

Heart notes- geranium, peach and lilac

Base notes- patchouli and amber

If I am going out somewhere nice in the daytime I will wear my Victoria's Secret Pure Seduction. It is from their Secret Garden collection and I was first introduced to it by my friend a few years ago who was given the whole set by her then boyfriend. Every time I went round her house I would spray one of them as I just love how fresh they smell on my skin ( I still do spray hers even though I have my own). The scent is red plum and freesia and it is gorgeous! I can spray as much of this as I want and it doesn't get overpowering and the smell stays fresh all day long. I bought mine while I was at the airport and it came in a set with the matching shower gel and body lotion. Bliss! 

There is one fragrance that I love but don't own at the moment and that is Giorgio Armani- Armani Code. I was first bought this fragrance 6 years ago when my boyfriend and I had only just got together and he went away to Ireland for a week ( this was my first present from him-yes soppy I know!) . It still reminds me of that time 6 years ago so I love repurchasing it just to reminisce a little. I think it is a fairly heavy fragrance, for me anyway, but it is perfect for the evenings. 

Top notes- jasmine and orange

Heart notes- orange blossom

Base notes- honey and vanilla

It costs £41.50 for the 30ml, £47.00 for the 50ml and £71.50 for the 75ml. I will definitely be buying this again soon as my Gucci Guilty is running out.