summer wish list

Clockwise from top left: Essie Nail Polish in Turquoise and Caicos, Daisy Floral Bomber Jacket from Topshop, Origins A Perfect World World BB Tinted Moisturiser, Black Strappy Wedges from River Island, Denise Tunic from Monki, Everard Skirt from Aubin and Wills, Enamel Etched Triangle Earrings from Urban Outfitters, Estee Lauder Pure Colour Gloss Stick in Orange Poppy

Hurry up summer! I can't stop dreaming of being able to wear shorts and skirts without the need for thick tights and to be able to venture outside without having to debate whether to bring my umbrella or not. However, on the other hand, I don't know if I'm quite ready to have to keep my legs stubble free 24/7 and to keep my toe nails prim and painted (mmm cold and rain is good for laziness)... So to try and get in the mood for summer (how is it nearly June?!) I've put together a little wish list of more summer appropriate bits and bobs.

• Now I 100% don't need any more nail varnish but this doesn't stop me wanting this incredible turquoise polish from Essie. It doesn't look like much in the bottle but definitely Google some swatches as it's so beautiful on. I'd happily wear this on my fingers and toes all summer.
• This daisy print jacket would look perfect with some high waisted denim shorts and little sandals for a stroll in the park. It's also really handy to have a little summer jacket like this around as, well... the English summer weather can be unpredictable to say the least.
• I'm really enjoying using my No7 BB Cream again at the moment and it's the only one I've tried so I'm keen to give some other ones a go. I loves Origins skincare and I like to think that this would not only make my skin look brilliant while it was on, but make my skin healthier in the long run. I've heard some great reviews of this too!
• These wedges from River Island would be great to wear out at night in the summer. I'm not going to pretend that I'll stop wearing black in the warmer months as that would just not be true - these wedges would look great with black leggings and a black tunic!
• I actually think this Monki blouse would look great with the River Island wedges. This would also be fab over denim shorts or again with leggings if it's a little chillier.
• This skirt makes me want to go on holiday so much! The idea of wearing a little white cami tucked in to this and then walking down a beach barefoot is my idea of heaven right now. The print is beautiful.
• I can't really put my finger on what I love about these earrings from Urban Outfitters but I just think they're a really interesting shape. In the summer I scrape my hair up in to a bun a lot and I think dangly earrings can look great when your hair's up.
• If you read my post a few days ago (which you can look at here) then you'll know that I'm obsessed with lip products at the moment. I really want one of these sheer gloss sticks from Estee Lauder but I don't know if I'd be able to decide which colour - they all look so pretty!

What's on your summer wish list?

xx

origins checks and balances face wash

Hello!

I haven’t posted for four days now which I suppose isn't really that long but feels like FOREVER wahhhh! The pressure is finally off regarding essays and although I do have one more as well as revision to do, these things are not urgent at the moment. I've come to Norwich for a week or so for my birthday and my Mum's which is nice and relaxing so I'll have lots of time to devote to my little blog, which I'm very much looking forward to!

To get the ball rolling again, I thought I'd tell you about a fab product that I've been using for a little while now - the Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Facial Wash.

Months and months ago now I tried the legendary Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and had the worst possible allergic reaction to it. Now I don't have sensitive skin particularly and don't suffer from spots generally but this gave me itchy red blemishes all over my face for literally weeks (sob... so embarrassing). This isn't to say however that the Cleanse and Polish is a bad product though as I've heard of very few people having this sort of reaction to it; there was obviously something in it that I was just very allergic to. (I do have a picture of my horrid spots/boils that I took for lolz but do I want to show it? Um, no.) Anyway, after my skin started to clear up, I was on the hunt for a new cleanser, which was when I picked up the Checks and Balances Face Wash from Origins.

As I've said before I have combination skin, but the dry parts can be more of an issue . This is why this face wash is so good. It claims it cleanses both dry and oily places without cancelling each other out. Any unwanted oiliness is reduced but the rest of my skin is not left feeling dry and tight as a consequence. I do have the odd spots around my chin from time to time and I have to say, my skin has looked very clear recently, and I think the balancing effect of this may have something to do with it.

I use this in the same way as I did with the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, with a muslin cloth, however I don't put it across my eyes as it suggests not to. I also don't use this to take off my make up, as I always like to double cleanse, so I make sure that the worst of my make up is off first. The Checks and Balances Face Wash lathers up to be nice and foamy too so it's really easy to work it well in to the skin.

All together this is a brilliant everyday cleanser for people like me who have combination skin but don't want to make their skin any more dry or oily, and I definitely think it's worth the £17 price tag. This is a little more than you would pay for the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish (£14.75 for the starter kit) but you do get 50ml more product in the Origins cleanser. As a company, Origins also produce their skincare naturally and organically, without harsh chemicals such as parabens, and also make the most of renewable sources and energy - fab! - so I don't mind spending a little bit more on good quality skincare products compared to simply using all high street brands. In general, I think it's more important to spend money carefully on suitable skincare that works than on having all high end make up. If you're on the market for a new cleanser then give this a try!

xx