Beauty Fashion Lifestyle

Monday 28 April 2014

Boots 3 For 2 | Bourjois and Maybelline


Hi guys. Today, whilst running a few errands in town, I found myself caving in once again to the infamous Boots 3 for 2 offer. After finding out that this deal was back on last week, I tried to resist but I have finally given in and bought myself some new beauty goodies! There are so many products that are currently on my wish list, so it was very hard for me to whittle it down to just three - I could have spent an absolute fortune! With that being said, I settled on two Bourjois products and one Maybelline product; so here is what I think of them so far!

Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Polish in 06 Rose Cupcake - £5.99
First up is this really lovely nail polish from Bourjois. I have loved the 1 Seconde range for a long time now after having owned a few other colours in the past. Not only do these polishes dry relatively fast but they leave you with quite an opaque colour after just one coat as well, (although I still like to apply two!) Another great thing about this product is its flattened 'fan effect brush' which makes painting your nails a breeze, as you need just one swipe on each nail and you're done. Not only this but the gorgeous rosey pink colour is perfect for spring time too. Overall, I love this polish and I can see myself reaching for it a lot in the up and coming months!

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 10 Light - £5.99
Next, I was in dire need of a new concealer that was not brightening or highlighting, as of course you do not want to use those types of formulas on blemishes or things that you want to conceal. So, after hearing lots of great things about Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer, I decided to give it a go. I went for the shade 10 'Light' as opposed to 15 'Fair' because it was too pink-toned and my skin is more yellow-toned. After trying the product out on a few blemished earlier, I am a little undecided as to whether I like it or not. The consistency was not as creamy as I was expecting and although it was not difficult to blend, it looked quite obvious on the skin and clung to dry patches. However, I am determined to continue using it to see if I start to enjoy the product more.




Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in 02 Frambourjoise - £8.99
Last but not least is a product that has been creating a lot of buzz around the beauty blogging community lately and I must say, they definitely live up to expectation! The Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks are, in my opinion, amazing. The shade I opted for is Frambourjoise, a bright and vibrant berry pink which looks lovely on. The formulation is very lightweight and they feel very smooth and buttery the lips - aka not sticky at all! This lipstick does give a beautiful matte finish but when you first apply the product, it is glossy and it does take around 5 to 10 minutes to fully dry. So far, I have had this product on all day and it is very long wearing; it hasn't budged at all, even after I have eaten. I only have two minor problems with this product. Firstly, it is quite hard to get a precise line using the doe foot applicator. So, I think that I am going to buy a new lip liner soon to accompany it and make the application process easier. Secondly, when you initially apply the product, it has a slightly odd smell to it. However, it is not too offensive and it fades pretty quickly, so I can easily overlook this. I am in love with this product so far that I am already eyeing up which shade I want to buy next, I'm thinking either Hot Pepper or Pink Pong! 

So, those are the three products that I purchased as part of the Boots 3 for 2 offer today. I absolutely love the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick, I think I'm addicted after just half a day! Have you tried any of these products out before? What did you think of them? Please let me know by leaving a comment below. Thank you :)

Thursday 24 April 2014

Missguided Spring Fashion: Bodycon Dresses

Hi guys. I have always been a fan of bodycon dresses as they tend to suit my petite frame really well, they are my go to choice outfit wise if I am going on a night out. This spring, Missguided have come out with some amazing bodycon items and I could not resist sharing some of my favourites with all of you. The colours and patterns of all six of the dresses I have chosen are so pretty and are a lot more interesting than the standard LBD's that you usually see. Not only this, they are super affordable too - these particular dresses range from just £19.99 to £24.99. So, let's delve straight in!

First up is this gorgeous halterneck style dress. The colours on this dress are so vivid and the geometric shapes mixed with the subtle floral print is extremely unique. Plus, the black mesh detailing adds a little something extra too. You would definitely turn plenty of heads in this little number!

Next is this bright white mesh dress. Although the design is relatively simple, it's still a really great dress. I can only imagine how amazing this would look when you have a tan! Seeing as the dress is so plain, you could definitely add some statement heels or jewellery to take it to the next level.

Brynna Monchrome Asymmetric Bodycon Dress - £24.99
This dress is seriously amazing, the pattern is so unique and intricate! Although it is monochrome and not really along the spring/pastel theme running through out this post, the asymmetric hemline brings it right up to date. I can see this dress being extremely popular!



Mulika Contrast Bodycon Dress in Snake Print - £24.99
This dress is so beautiful, yet very understated at the same time. I love how the snake skin print is quite subtle and not too in-your-face, like some animal print dresses can be. This teamed with the mint colour block strip at the hem is a really cool combination!

Oticka Floral Asymmetric Mini Dress - £24.99
This is my favourite dress of the bunch. The floral pattern is absolutely gorgeous and the colours are so appropriate for spring! The white band around the waist really cinches you in too, giving a really nice silhouette. Plus, similarly to the monochrome dress above, the asymmetric wrap over detailing adds a little something extra.

Mikayo Mint Bodycon Dress With Mesh Detail - £24.99
Last but not least is this lovely mint number. Just like the white mesh dress above, although it is a simple design, there is something so striking about this dress. I can imagine that it will suit lots of skin tones and flatter many figures too. Plus, the mesh band gives that subtle amount of exposed skin, which is really sexy!

So, that's it guys. I hope you all enjoyed reading about my favourite bodycon dresses from Missguided. Their spring wear is so on trend and affordable, I really cannot rave about this brand enough. Which dress is your favourite? What will you be wearing this spring? Please let me know by leaving a comment below. Thank you!

Sunday 20 April 2014

Scrub It Up: Super Beauty's Raspberry and Cranberry Body Scrub


Hi guys, I hope that you have all had a lovely Easter weekend so far! Today I thought that I would do a quick post to show you this amazing body scrub that I picked up on Friday. Seeing as the weather has slightly improved lately in the UK, we are finally able to start showing a little more skin and donning our spring/summer wardrobes. However, after not seeing much daylight during winter, we can often neglect our bodies during this time. With that in mind and some spare change in my purse, I popped into my local Boots in search of a body scrub to bring my dry skin back to life. Initially I had the urge to buy my all time favourite body scrub, (Soap & Glory's Sugar Crush Scrub,) but as I am on a bit of a budget at the moment, I begrudgingly resisted. So, that is when I came across this alternative from Super Beauty.

Admittedly, I had never heard of this brand before but I found a couple of their products on the shelf; including a rather delicious smelling Coconut and Acai Bath & Shower Gel. Seeing as I am trying to save money at the moment, the main reason why I was drawn to this particular scrub was its price tag - which was reduced from 
£4.99 to just £2.49! Secondly, the smell of this product is heavenly. The mixture of raspberry and cranberry is really lovely and is almost good enough to eat! Not only this but this is not run of the mill scrub either, this product claims to have a brightening effect on the skin too! As for the results after just one use, my skin feels a lot smoother already. The beads in the scrub are very gentle and not too abrasive or rough, so even those of us with sensitive or irritable skin should be able to use this product too. My skin has certainly improved already but I think I may need to use it a few more times on my more stubborn, dry areas to see a more noticeable result.



Overall, I would definitely recommend this scrub. Not only does it do the trick in terms of body exfoliation but it is a real bargain, as well as smelling delicious - what more could you ask for? Of course, if I had the option I would have gone for my trusty Soap & Glory scrub as mentioned above, but this is certainly a great alternative for the budget concious like myself! What do you think of this scrub? Have you tried any products from the Super Beauty range? Please let me know in comments below!

Monday 14 April 2014

Easter Baking: Creme Egg Brownies


Hi guys. With it being Easter this week, I decided to attempt making a very exciting Easter themed treat - Creme Egg Brownies! For those of you who do not live in the UK, Creme Eggs are made by Cadburys and are sold in England around Easter each year. These yummy milk chocolate eggs are filled with sweet yellow and white fondant icing inside to emulate the look of a real egg. This recipe has been circulating on the Internet for quite a while now and I thought that I would give it a go. The outcome was amazing, plus the recipe is pretty simple, so I thought that I would share it with you all so that you can attempt it yourselves over Easter. Let's begin!

The ingredients you will need are:

185g of unsalted butter
185g of dark chocolate
85g of plain flour
40g of cocoa powder
3 large eggs
275g of golden caster sugar
6 Cadbury's Creme Eggs (cut into halves)Before starting, make sure that you have all of your ingredients and equipment on hand and lightly grease the tin you are going to cook the brownies in with butter or by using parchment/grease proof paper. Also, refrigerate your Creme Eggs as this will make them easier to cut into halves later on. Then, preheat your oven to 160°C. 

Step 1
Melt the dark chocolate and butter together using either the microwave or in a bowl over boiling water, whichever method you prefer. Set aside to cool.


Step 2
Break the three large eggs into a bowl and add the 275g of golden caster sugar. Mix the ingredients with an electric whisk on a high speed for 3-8 minutes. The end result should look thick, creamy and pale in colour. It should have also doubled in volume.


Step 3
Make sure that your chocolate and butter mixture is relatively cool and pour it into the bowl containing the eggs and sugar. Gently fold the chocolate in until everything is combined.


Step 4 
Sieve in 85g of plain flour and 40g of cocoa powder into the mixture. Gently fold in the flour and cocoa until it is fully incorporated into the mixture. Pour the finished mixture into your greased/lined baking tin. Make sure that it is spread out evenly to get a better and more attractive result. Cook for 15 minutes.


Step 5
Whilst the brownies are cooking, take your Creme Eggs out of the fridge and cut them into halves using a sharp knife. Be extremely careful as this is very tricky and accidents can happen (I cut myself with the knife as it slipped off an egg!) After the 15 minutes are up, remove the brownies from the oven and gently press the egg halve into the mixture. Cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes or until a skewer or knife inserted into the brownie mix comes out clean.


Step 6
Cut the brownies into squares whilst they are still hot and in the tin, as it is much easier, and then leave them to cool.


And viola, that is how you make these delicious and decadent Creme Egg Brownies! Have you ever tried this recipe before? What are your favourite Easter treats? I hope that you enjoyed this post and please let me know if you give this recipe a go yourself, I would love to see the outcomes. I hope you all have a great Easter weekend! 

Friday 11 April 2014

Mini Haul | H&M, Forever 21 and Boots


Hi guys. Today I thought that I would share with you a couple of bits that I have acquired over the past two or three days. With spring well and truly underway, I have been attempting to update my wardrobe a little and for me, this means one thing and one thing only - florals! When it comes to clothing, I love patterns and I always seem to be drawn to anything flowery. This may mean that my style is very predictable, however, I know that they suit me as well as make me feel pretty and feminine. In addition to this, I also picked up one of my favourite skincare items in Boots too. So, let's get started on this mini haul!



H&M Floral Playsuit - £12.99
First up is this gorgeous playsuit from H&M. I am a huge fan of playsuits in general as I think that they suit my petite frame really well and I love that they make you feel a little more secure than dresses (I hate the mishap of wearing a dress on a windy day!) However, what drew me in to this particular one aside from the floral pattern is the back. The cross over straps add a really detail and unique touch to the design. For now, I am going to wear tights with this but if the weather in the UK ever heats up during summer, it will look stunning paired with some simple black sandals too.


Forever 21 Floral Fuse Crop Top - £5.50
Next is this really cute crop top from Forever 21. I absolutely love wearing crop tops and this monochrome one is right up my alley. I love the silhouette that a crop top creates when paired with something high waisted on the bottom half; I think this top will look great with my Topshop Joni Jeans. Not only this but Forever 21 crop tops are such great value, at a mere £5.50 how could anybody resist?!


Forever 21 Tropical Floral Bodycon Dress - £12.00
Carrying on with the floral theme, this tropical bodycon dress was my next purchase. Initially I thought that this was a little too vibrant and loud for me but after trying it on, I am in love with this dress. It fits like a glove and the tropical print is very striking. I think that this will look really nice with a bright pink lip for a night out, however, I think I could probably find a way to tone this dress down to be worn in the daytime too. Although there are a few differences between the two, Topshop have got a very similar dress in stock at the moment (see here) but at a fraction of the price, this dress is definitely the way to go!



Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean 3 in 1 Cleanser - £8.00
Last but not least is one of my favourite skincare products. The Peaches and Clean cleanser is so great at breaking down and removing my make-up, no matter how much I am wearing. I use this product both in the morning and the evening as it is just so refreshing and it makes my skin super soft. It's peach and menthol scent really makes your skin tingle as you are massaging it in, which makes it a great pick-me-up (especially in the morning time.) Ever since I started using this cleanser a few months ago, in conjunction with a few other products that I use daily, the condition of my skin has improved drastically. What makes this purchase even better is that I actually got it for £5.33, as there is a one third off offer on at Boots at the moment. So if you wanted to try this product out, I would grab it whilst the offer is still on!

I hope you all enjoyed reading about the fashion and beauty items that I have purchased this week. Which is your favourite item from the haul? What have you hauled recently? Please feel free to let me know by leaving a comment below. Thank you!

Monday 7 April 2014

My Lip Crayon Collection | Revlon, L'Oréal and Rimmel


Hi guys. Over the past year or two, lip crayons have majorly taken off in the beauty world. Ever since the release of Clinique's Chubby Sticks, almost every brand on the market have created their own dupes of the ever so popular product. Lip crayons are incredibly handy and useful as they give a wash of colour to the lips whilst moisturising them at the same time. These products seem to be handbag heroes too; I always have at least one thrown into the bottom of my bag in case of emergency. They are incredibly easy to apply, especially if you are out and about, as you do not necessarily need a mirror or excellent precision to apply them.

My lip crayon collection has grown steadily within this time and I thought that I would share some of my favourites with all of you today. I will be focusing on three high street brands that I think have nailed this popular trend perfectly; Revlon, L'Oréal and Rimmel. So, let's get started!

Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm in Whimsical - £7.99
First up is one of the new Revlon Lacquer Balms released back in January of this year. 'Whimsical' is a lovely berry pink, purple-y shade that has lots of little specks of glitter running through it. I would say that this product is not that highly pigmented, it gives a nice wash of colour but it can be built up if desired. I think this should would suit every skin tone and it looks lovely on a night out!

Rimmel Color Rush Balm in The Redder The Better - £5.99
This stunning true red shade from Rimmel is definitely one of my favourites. I love the effect that a red lip gives and this product is no exception. Aside from the colour, this crayon is also incredibly moisturising and long wearing but when it does fade, it does so evenly. Plus, its cocoa and vanilla-like scent is a delicious bonus too!

L'Oréal Glam Shine Balmy Gloss in Sin For Peach - £6.99
Although the name is a little misleading, this crayon is the most gorgeous colour for every day wear. I would describe it as a pinky nude colour that is 'your lips but better.' Out of all of the aforementioned crayons, this one is by far the most moisturising too. It glides on very well and is so smooth that at times, I forget that I am even wearing a lip product at all! Being the newest addition to my collection, I definitely want to try another colour as soon as possible.


Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Standout - £7.99
'Standout,' one of the new matte balms from Revlon's ColorBurst collection, is a dark cherry red shade. At first, I had my concerns about buying a matte lip product as they can be very drying and show up any flaky patches that you may have. However, this product surprised me - It glides on so nicely. It is very long-wearing too, as on a night out I only have to top it up once. The colour is absolutely stunning and is great if you want to make a statement!

Rimmel Color Rush Balm in Rumor Has It - £5.99
'Rumor Has It' is a beautiful bright pink shade that looks especially amazing during spring and summer. This crayon is highly pigmented, yet the colour is definitely buildable. One layer leaves a lovely subtle pink colour on the lips. However, a couple more coats really brings this vibrant colour to life. As with my other Color Rush Balm mentioned above, I just cannot get enough of its cocoa/vanilla scent too!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - £7.99
Last but not least is the first lip crayon that I ever bought. 'Crush' is a stunning deep berry colour that suits all skin tones. Out of all of my crayons, this one certainly lasts the longest on the lips due to it being more of a stain than a balm or gloss. I love pairing this product with a cat eye and lashings of mascara for a vampy evening look. As with all Revlon crayons, 'Crush' also has a minty scent to it that makes your lips tingle upon application, which I really like.

(Shades from left to right: Whimsical, The Redder The Better, Sin For Peach, Standout, Rumor Has It, Crush)

So, that's it for my lip crayon collection. I would definitely recommend any of these products to all of you, they are seriously amazing. I am the biggest lip crayon fan as they are so quick & easy to use and I am sure that my collection will continue to grow in the near future! What is your opinion on lip crayons? Have you used any of these products before? Which ones are your favourites? Please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Thank you! :)

Thursday 3 April 2014

Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid Foundation Review



Hi guys. I think it takes a lot of time and experimentation to find a foundation that suits you perfectly. There is so much to consider when finding your perfect base; finish, coverage, colour and so on. So, when you finally find the right one for you, your foundation becomes your ultimate staple. This foundation for me is Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid Foundation (£7.99.) 

Ever since I discovered and started using this product a few years ago, I have fallen in love with it's formula! Maybelline claim that this foundation has the lightness of a mousse but in a liquid form, which automatically intrigued me, as I cannot stand products that feel really thick and cake-y on the skin. Due to the fact that the foundation is air-whipped, it glides on to the skin seamlessly and as its name suggests, it leaves you with a gorgeous satin finish. Although this is a medium coverage foundation, it is extremely buildable and if you use a tad more product for a night out, you can build it up to a fuller coverage and your skin looks flawless with absolutely no imperfections in sight!



As the formulation gives a satin finish, this means that it also gives your skin a subtle luminous glow too. This is not something that I would have automatically gone for due to my oily/combination skin, as most people with this skin type tend to opt for more matte products. However, when buffed in to my skin using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush (which is part of their Core Collection,) this formula has great staying power! I also set my foundation with Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Powder (£3.99) to ensure that it is locked into place. Of course, I still do have trouble with oiliness on my T-zone as the day goes on but that is easily fixed by using blotting sheets or re-powdering. 



The colour I use is Ivory (010,) the second lightest out of the eight shades available, and this matches my skin perfectly. Although in the swatch above the foundation looks very yellow-toned compared to my pink-toned hand, I can assure you that it is my perfect match! However, as we go into the summer months and I hopefully catch a tan (the UK weather is pretty unpredictable,) I will probably buy the next shade down, Cameo, instead. Each bottle lasts me around three or four months and for just £7.99 a time, I do not see myself changing foundations any time soon!

Overall, this product is great for those who need a medium coverage that is buildable which has a natural, yet slightly luminous finish. It is definitely one of my absolute staples make-up wise and I do not see enough reviews or hype about this product in the blogging world. Have you ever used this foundation before? What do you think of it Please let me know in the comments below. Thank you!