Monday 31 March 2014

Negative space nail art tutorial

For today's post I'm going to show you a quick and easy negative space nail art tutorial. This type of nail art is fantastic for when you don't have time to do anything complicated but want something a little different.

For those of you who don't know what negative space nail art is, it is a design that has an element incorporated where there is no nail varnish on the nail. It has empty space alongside polish.

Here is the design I'm going to show you:

Negative space nail art eyes



For this design you will need the following:


Negative space nail art eyes


Base coat

Acrylic paint in black, white and a colour or colours of your choice (nail polish will do but paint dries faster and removes easier too. If you decide to use nail polish just replace each ‘paint’ with polish in the step by step)
Top coat
Striper brush
Small brush
Large and small dotting tools

Friday 28 March 2014

Benefits of essential oils and why you need to buy them!


If you look at the ingredients in your beauty products then the chances are that you will see a variety of oils listed. Tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, argan oil, jojoba oil... they’re used everywhere.

Essential oils can benefit your skin in so many ways. Why else would they be included in beauty products the world over? In fact, their presence is spotted in non-beauty products such as cleaners and insect repellents too. They can even be used to affect your mood. As this is a beauty blog though, we’re going to be focusing on the beauty side.

Now, have you ever actually thought about using essential oils to create your own products that are low in price and tailored to your skin type? Not to mention that it’s incredibly easy and quick to do which, of course, is what this blog is all about! It’s also pretty fun! I got in touch with Paul Rawden from Fresh Skin to discuss the benefits of essential oils and how you can make the most of them.



Fresh Skin - Peppermint Oil and Lavender Oil.

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Avon Gel Finish Nail Enamel in Creme Brulee review & swatches/comparison swatches

Avon have released a new collection of nail polishes with a gel-like, intense high-shine finish that come in 24 shades. It claims to be a base coat, colour and top coat all in one.






My sister recently received an Avon catalogue from her friend and, let’s admit it, you can’t NOT pick it up and have a flick through. Anyway, I have far too many nail polishes (it’s one of my vices) but I couldn’t resist a new release and when I saw the new gel finish nail enamel I wanted to buy one. I grabbed a bottle in Creme Brûlée to test it out.


Tuesday 25 March 2014

Delarom Acquaconfort Mask review

Delarom’s Acquaconfort mask is a hydrating face mask featuring Pomegranate Sterols to strengthen the skin barrier. It comforts and nourishes your skin, leaving it looking radiant and soft.


Delarom - Acquaconfort Mask - Face Mask for dehydrated skin


I don’t know about you, but when spring comes around I love to find the time to rejuvenate. The weather is fresh, and who doesn’t like to feel fresh too?

This mask appeared in my January 2014 Birchbox and after using it throughout winter, I’m going to review how effective this could be as the beginning to your own personal ‘spring clean.'

Made with natural ingredients, this smooth textured cream mask is designed to replenish dehydrated skin. It strengthens the skin barrier to retain moisture.

Monday 24 March 2014

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector review + swatches

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector is an award-winning, intensely nourishing, gel based coloured lip balm that transforms your lips from drab to fab. Containing Shea Butter, Wild Mango and Vitamins A and E, lips are softer and look plumper, covered in a 'my-lips-but-better' sweep of colour.


Clarins - Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in Candy Shimmer



I bought this product whilst hunting around for a new lip balm that moisturises sufficiently and adds a nice, subtle pop of colour. In other terms, a lip product that I could apply fast and easily whilst on the go for a casual day time look.

This caught my eye because of the natural colour and claims that it "nourishes, repairs and protects your lips… [and] protect[s] them from free radicals and environmental aggressors.”


Saturday 22 March 2014

Discovery Club by The Fragrance Shop review


Fragrance Shop Discovery Club


The Discovery Club by The Fragrance Shop is a UK based beauty box made up of five perfume samples and two aftershave samples (this can vary from box to box).

Included within the box is also a booklet containing money off vouchers for each of the perfumes in the box if you decide to purchase a full size bottle.

It is delivered each quarter and only costs £5 per box!

Fragrance Shop Discovery Club


When testing a new perfume you really need to be able to try the product on your skin. By doing this, you allow the perfume to mix with your skin chemistry and show you its true fragrance. Simply spraying perfume on a card in a shop will never give you the full picture. Samples are the best way to get a taste of what a perfume has to offer.

The Discovery Club is fantastic because it sends the samples straight to you without you having to hunt them down! Alongside this, they send you the latest releases for each season so you can keep on top of what's new.

Friday 21 March 2014

Cellu-Cup

Want to remove cellulite naturally? 

Today I'm going to be reviewing something that arrived in my March 2014 Birchbox: Cellu-cup!



Cellu-Cup


Now, if you are anything like me, you'll probably be sitting there right now wondering what on Earth this odd contraption is. What the heck does it do!? How are you supposed to even use that thing!? Do not fear! I will explain all.

Thursday 20 March 2014

Top 10: Winter/Spring transition fragrances


Top 10 Winter to Spring Fragrances



Happy Spring Equinox everybody! It is officially spring!

Well, supposedly.

Let’s be truthful here; officially it is spring, but the weather can’t ever make up its mind (here in the UK, anyway). One day it will be spring, the next it’s like we’re back in winter.

This kind of issue creates all sorts of problems: What shoes to wear? It’s too hot for boots now, but too cold for sandals. What clothes to wear? Can we scrap the thick tights yet? Coat or no coat?

SO MANY PROBLEMS!

Not to fear!

I am here to try to help with at least one of those issues - PERFUME.

Wednesday 19 March 2014

Nail art in 20 mins!

Hi everyone!

I thought that I would switch things up for today's post. Instead of reviewing a product, I decided to show you a very quick and easy nail art that you can fit into a spare 20-25 mins! It is also very spring-like so your nails can fit the season, even though you don't have much time!

My target was to get this design finished during little man's nap time and I succeeded!

Here is the final design:





And here is how I did it!:

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Soap & Glory Dr Spot

Want to clear spots fast?

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen a photo that I posted of one of my little hauls featuring this product.

The box in that photo was my second tube bought in preparation of my first tube running out (which isn’t happening soon, but I wanted to stock up whilst Boots were offering 3 for 2).

I think that now is the time though to provide you all with a review of the one and only: Soap & Glory - Dr Spot.







Monday 17 March 2014

Taaj - Himalaya Micellar Water

Today I shall be reviewing a product that helps to remove all traces of makeup at the end of the day: Taaj Himalaya Micellar Water.



Taaj - Himalaya Micellar Water



I first heard about Taaj Himalaya Micellar Water from Birchbox and also saw it mentioned on a vlog aaaaaages ago by Zoella that spoke about this, so I snapped it up for £16 from aforementioned Birchbox a while back and have decided to write about it just for you guys! Naw.

Saturday 15 March 2014

L'Occitane Shea Butter Extra-Gentle lotion for hands & body.

L'Occitane is one of my favourite brands. Therefore, a product from them that has multiple usage is going to get snapped up by me.

Being a mother, multiple use products are fantastic to have around. There is less messing around between products and everything is less cluttered!



L'Occitane Shea Butter Extra-Gentle Lotion

Friday 14 March 2014

La Roche-Posay Redermic R

Hello again everyone!

Today I'm going to be telling you about a product from the French brand La Roche-Posay; Redermic R Anti-Aging Dermatological Treatment - Intensive.



La Roche-Posay - Redermic R



What it does: Redermic R is a cream that is suitable for sensitive skin. The focus of this cream is to reduce wrinkles, even out skin tone and reduce dark spots. It contains 0.3% retinol and includes a retinol boosting complex.

Thursday 13 March 2014

bareMinerals Quick Change Brush Cleaner

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Hello and welcome to my first ever post!

If you are reading this then I fully appreciate it!

Now to cut straight to it - As you can imagine, knowing the theme of this blog (and if you don't yet, have a read of my About section!), any product that has a word such as ‘quick’ in the title is going to grab my attention.

Enter bareMinerals Quick Change brush spray!