FOTD #2

Products Used

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse – 010 Ivory

Marks and Spencer Limited Collection Lip & Cheek Tint – Magenta

Soap & Glory –Arch De Triumph

MaxFactor 2000 Calorie Mascara

Yves Rocher Lipstick – 101 Framboise



Monu 'Warming Aromatic Mask'

This is another product that I received in a glossy box and had yet to try so the other day when I fancied some TLC and pampering it seemed perfect.

The Monu warming aromatic mask contains natural clay, lavender and rosemary and is designed to be used on normal/combination skin.

 When I first opened the bottle it was like I had been smacked right in the face with a bunch of lavender. I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so strong but I like lavender so this isn’t a problem for me. If you do not like lavender this is perhaps not the product for you.

 The product rubs onto your skin easily then all that is left to do is sit and relax. I really liked the warming sensation of this product as it isn’t hot as such it is just nice and gentle. I cannot tell you how relaxing this mask is, it made me feel so calm and sleepy it is unbelievable. Not good during the day! Next time I will definitely try using it before bedtime.

This product does not harden so after 10-15 minuets all you need to do is wash it off. The mask washed off easily with warm water and a little bit of help from some cotton wool pads.

 After I washed it off my skin felt really cleansed and uplifted. For a great pampering product when you want some ‘Me’ chill out time I would definitely give this a go.

Anatomicals 'Your Nose Smells Rose' Body Cleanser

I received this body cleanser in a glossy box a little while ago and since I am trying to save a little bit of money by using the mountains of products I already have I thought I would give it a go.

Anatomicals is a fairly new brand to me and it’s only recently that I have started seeing their products popping up in the likes on Tesco and on popular sites such as Asos. All of their products come in bright packaging with quirky phrases on the front. This one says, “You need a blooming shower! Your nose smells rose body cleanser”, it then goes on to have a little story type thing on the back. Some of my other favourite phrases that I have seen include, “Sud the lot of you! Mango and Papaya body cleanser” and “Don’t just clean it woman, scrub it. Body scrub”. Mango and papaya sounds delish!

Anyway back to the product. The shower cleanser comes in a tube that sits on its head making it ideal for perching in the shower and enables you to use as much product as possible as it all flows down to the lid. This one is bright pink, all of the products from Anatomicals come in really eye catching tubes and tubs which I think make them ideal as gifts.

The product squeezes out easily and it looks like any other ordinary pink shower gel. The smell of rose is beautiful. Usually I am not a big fan of rose scented products because I find they can smell a bit too old lady however this one is floral but subtle.

The cleanser lathers up nicely on a body net and the smell of roses fills the air. It feels lovely and gentle on my skin but perhaps not as moisturising as I would like. I really like shower products form the likes of Dove for their moisturising qualities.

After getting out of the shower and having a sniff of my skin I have to say I was disappointed. The blooming roses that I could smell during my shower seemed to have disappeared. I really have to get close to my skin and have a strong whiff but the scent is still only very slight.

I was really gutted as this smelt gorgeous in the shower. However this has made me want to try more of the anatomical products, any suggestions?

Vampire Facial: Would you?

 I think everyone must of heard about Kim Kardashian’s latest procedure called the Vampire Facial, if not where have you been? You need to come out from under that rock! Anyway, this made me think about the lengths some people would go to for their own vanity.

When I was in my teens, around 14-15 I was all for cosmetic surgery. I wanted to have this done, that done and everything else. However my young and naïve self did not realise that my body would soon adjust and at the moment I am quite happy with how I look. That’s at the moment but how am I going to feel when the lines start appearing and gravity takes its toll? Will I do a Kim and turn to one of these crazy measures?

 If anybody didn’t hear about the vampire facial here's the low-down; basically it involves taking blood from your arm, mixing it with various chemicals and then injecting it into your face *cringes*. This is supposed to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

 Looking at the pictures just makes me squirm and I’m not even thinking about watching the video because I think it will haunt me.

 As a beauty lover I am all for lotions and potions to make me look and feel better about myself but personally I think this is a step too far. In fact I think injecting anything into your face is too far. At the end of the day you are paying to put nasties into your face which will just wear off anyway and you will look just the same if not worse than before.

 Would you ever have a procedure like this?

Tresemme Salon Sleek Straightening Spray

Everyone has lazy days, and I am no exception. So on these days when I want my hair to look as though I have actually put some effort into it I use this Salon Sleek spray from Tresemme.

Basically this is a straightening spray which also contains Argan oil which nourishes and helps to smooth your hair.

 All I have to do when using this product is spray onto damp hair, comb through and carry on with how I would usually dry my hair.

 Once my hair is dried it has a natural straightness to it and still has some volume which I think using straighteners can take away from your hair. It also looks shiny and glossy.

 I really like this product and for frizz free hair without the hassle I think it is perfect.

 Are there any other products from Tresemme that I should try?

Elf Cosmetics Studio Blush

 I do not necessarily believe that the price of a product is always reflected in the quality of the product. That is why I am always up for giving new cosmetics a go whether they are from a cheaper brand or a higher end brand.

 I have raved about Elf cosmetics in my posts before and sure enough I am going to do it again, this time with their studio blushes. The two shades that I have in my collection are ‘Fuchsia Fusion’ and ‘Berry Merry’.

 They are both really beautiful colours and not ones that I would normally go for, I was feeling adventurous!

Left: Berry Merry

Right: Fuchsia Fusion

 On first impressions the pink does look quite shocking and extremely glittery. However once it is applied it looks subtle and just gives you a lovely pink glow and pop of colour. Despite the glitter you cannot really see it too much on your cheeks which make it suitable for both day time and night time wear.

 The Berry shade is a deeper colour. I have quite fair skin and wearing this gives the sort of natural English rose sort of a look.

 The blushes blend very easily and do not look at all cakey. The pigmentation is fantastic and they are extremely long wearing.

 For my fair skin blush is an absolute must and Elf have ticked all of the boxes with this product. I love the quality, the colours and what’s more they only cost £3.75 so the price is amazing too.



Give The Gift Of Baking

A few weeks ago I entered a competition via Twitter and was lucky enough to win! The prize was 2 of these fantastic Cookie Jars from Lets Bake Cookies. I received the mini egg varieties but they sell other flavours including: Triple chocolate, Cranberry and coconut, Oatmeal and Raisin, and Smartie.                         

Everything you need to make your cookies comes layered in this cute little jar which can also be used afterwards and is a very handy storage piece. Anyway back to the cookies. All you need to do is add an egg, butter and vanilla extract to this mix to make your cookies. All of the instructions are provided in the little booklet. This mix makes 10-12 big cookies, I made 11 so just about right.

The cookies take no time at all to cook and once they are cooked and cooled taste absolutely delicious.

I think these are great alternative gifts and would be suitable for any age group. You can find them online by clicking here . The jars themselves cost £6.99. You can also find them on Twitter @The GastroClub.

FOTD & HOTD

Products Used

• Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector – Light
• Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse – 010 Ivory
• Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer – 2 Light
• Me Me Me Beat the Blues Moonbeam Highlighter
• MUA Undressed Palette – Shade 2, 9 and 10
• Barry M Wink Black Marker pen for eyes
• MaxFactor 2000 calorie Mascara – Black
• Soap and Glory Arch De Triumph
• Rimmel London Lasting Finish Soft Colour Blush – 020 Pink Rose
• Elf Mineral Lipstick – Runway Pink
• Boots No 17 Ultimate Volume Lip Gloss – Baby Pink

Hair Of The Day

Plaited Bun Ring

NOTD: No 7 'French Pink'

Nail of the day today is a basic pink from the No 7 stay perfect collection. I really like this colour it is more of a simple, classic colour which makes this perfect to wear at work.

Review: Avon Super Shock Gel Eyeliner

A little while ago I watched a Lisa Eldridge video where she used a lilac Chanel eyeliner. Immediately after watching it I decided I wanted a lighter coloured eyeliner to make a change from the usual black or brown.

 It just so happened that after watching the video I saw these super shock gel pencil eyeliners in the Avon catalogue.

 I purchased two of the shades, one called flash which is light pink and a silver one. The liners glide onto your eye lid and water line really easily. I was surprised at how creamy the consistency of these were, they almost look wet however they dry almost instantly.

 The colours are really nice and give your eyes a pop of colour. They also last a long time without cracking or smudging. When wearing on my lid they lasted all day, they did fade a bit from my water line but were still visible.

 I really like these eye liner pencils and think they are a fantastic addition to my makeup collection, I'm now eyeing up the aqua shade. These originally cost £6.00 but I got mine for £2.99 which is a really great price.

Have you used these before? What do you think?

My Top 3 Celebrity Perfumes

 Celebrity perfumes can be a bit hit and miss at times in terms of their actual scent and also the longevity of the scent on your skin. However, you can find amazing celebrity perfumes and the fact that they quite often cost a lot less than the more premium designer brands is an added bonus. These are my three favourite celebrity perfumes.

Britney Spears – Fantasy

Top notes: Red Lychee, Golden Quince, Exotic Kiwi

Middle notes: Cupcakes, White Chocolate Orchid, Jasmine Petals

Base notes: Creamy musk, Orris Root, Sensual Woods

This is not only one of my favourite celebrity perfumes it is one of my favourite ever perfumes. It is really sweet and has a vanilla scent to it which I’m guessing is from the cupcakes. The sweetness is muted slightly with the undertones of the musk to make a flirty, sexy scent. Due to the sweetness of this perfume I would say it is more of a younger women’s or teenagers’ perfume. It is not one that I will be wearing in my thirties but for now I love it.

 It also lasts on your skin for such a long time. I can spray it on in the morning and still smell it in the evening.

Price: 30ml from £11.49

Britney Spears – Circus Fantasy

Top notes: Raspberry, Apricot Blossom

Middle notes: Blue Peony, Water Lily, Red Sweetheart Orchid

Base notes: Vanilla Wood, Creamy Musk, Violet Candy

 This is my second perfume from Britney’s range and it was given to me as Christmas present from my brother a couple of years ago. I really like this perfume because it is sweet but light. Whereas the Fantasy perfume has quite a sexy feel around it this one is quite fresh. The fruitiness of the raspberry blends really well with the floral elements and vanilla to create a beautiful scent which is perfect for the summer months. I took this on holiday with me and now every time I smell it it reminds me of summer nights in Cyprus.

Price: 30ml from £9.99

Taylor Swift – Wonderstruck

Notes: Freesia, Green Tea, Apple Blossom, Raspberry, Dewberry

 This is the latest in my celebrity perfume collection and it is just beautiful. It smells amazing. You can really smell the berries but not in a sharp in your face sort of a way. If I was to describe this perfume in one word it would be, Romantic. This is also another light perfume yet it smells lovely. It is the perfect blend of fruity and floral.

Price: 30ml from £13.00

 Well there you have it my three favourite celebrity perfumes. They are all really good value for money, smell gorgeous and all have great longevity on your skin. What are your favourite celebrity perfumes?

Dry Skin Nightmare

  A couple of weeks ago my skin just went crazy. I think the combination of the cold weather and the heating breaking at my work drew all the moisture from my face and left it really dry. To begin with I just had a small patch of dry skin on my cheek which I thought would go away after some exfoliating and moisturising so I continued using all of the same products that I would normally do. However after 2 days my entire face just looked and felt awful. As a result I took the drastic measure of not wearing makeup for a couple of days and decided to try some new products for dry skin to try and sort the mess out. I am now happy to say that my skin is back to normal and thought I would share the products that I used to help get me there.

Garnier Soft Essentials Comforting Cream Wash

This is a really creamy face wash that is designed for dry skin. I have found it to be really gentle but effective. I have only been using BB cream recently rather than full layers of foundation but this removes all traces of it easily.

 My skin is quite fussy when it comes to new cleansers and can have adverse reactions but this has not broke my skin out at all, my skin looks 100% improved.

Price: Around £2

Elemis FreshSkin Super Boost Moisturising Serum

 This is the most expensive product that I purchased but it has definitely been worth it. I really like the Caudalie SOS serum after trying it in a Glossy Box so I wanted something similar to that.

‘This specially selected blend of natural moisturisers helps to maintain the skin’s natural barrier and prevent moisture loss. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid work together in synergy with softening plum oil and vitamin E to deliver intensive hydration and glowing, radiant skin.’

 I am completely in love with this product. As soon as you put in on it sinks into your skin and it looks soft and you do have a beautiful glow.

Price: £18

Dr Renaud Raspberry Soft Cream

 I got this in a recent Glossy Box and was a bit sceptical about trying it at first. It smells amazing, like some sort of raspberry pudding. This is why I was worried about putting it on my face, in my mind I imagined it to be sticky, must be the relation to pudding. However there was no need for me to be worried.

 The moisturiser looks and feels quite thick when you squeeze it out of the tube but once it is applied it just sinks into your skin and feels really luxurious. It doesn’t just sit on your skin or leave any greasy feeling.

Price: Can be found on EBay various prices

 The combination of using these products has improved my skin so much that it is no longer dry at all. I will continue using these products in my routine with my regular products to keep my dry skin at bay.

I would love to know if you have used or are going to try any of these products and what you think.

Review: Avon Daily Shine Dry Ends Serum

This is the third time I have purchased this little beauty from Avon and it is one of my favourite hair care products so I thought it was about time I shared this gem with you guys.

 The Avon daily shine dry ends serum is deigned for all hair types and can be found in the Avon catalogue or online for £5.50. However it is on offer a lot, and I mean a lot probably every 2 or 3 campaigns it is half price.

 I use this serum on wet hair. I just pump out 2-3 squirts, rub my fingers together and run my fingers through the bottom third of the hair. I then use a brush to brush it all the way through and dry.

 The product isn’t at all sticky and does not weigh my hair down. I have quite thin hair so can find this to be a problem with some products but this just feels really light, you can’t even tell its on your hair.

Whilst drying my hair I can already see the difference to if I was not using this product. My hair instantly looks and feels softer and healthier.

 It also makes your hair have a nice glossy shine without looking greasy. I coloured my hair a red mahogany colour a long time ago now back in September so it is pretty much gone but when using this you can still see highlights in my hair. Someone I work with thought I had had my hair re-coloured.

 For beautiful, shiny, healthy hair this is a hidden treasure and is one that I always go back to. Its one that you have just got to try!

Let me know if you have tried this product or if you are going to and what you think.

NOTD: Barry M 'Raspberry'

 A quick nail of the day post for you today. This is one that I purchased in my mini Superdrug haul , can be seen here. I really like this colour it sort of reminds me of a red wine shade.I like how it isn't too red, the pink undertones balance it out to make a lovely every day colour.

Mothers Day Gift Guide

Rose Mini Leather Organiser - Paperchase

Multi ring Eden Collar Necklace - Accessorize

Keep Calm Mug - Play

Yankee Cut Roses Candle - Play

Daisy Makeup Bag - NotOnTheHighstreet

Bee's Wax Skincare Giftset - NotOnTheHighstreet

 I thought I would put together a mini gift guide of things that I thought would be nice to give on Mother's day. If you have done a similar post I would love to read it just leave a link in the comment below, would you buy any of these gifts for your Mum?