current favourites

I didn't want to call this my April Favourites as that sort of implies that I'll do this every month, which I can't promise I necessarily will. However, regardless of the title, here are some things which I've really enjoyed using over the past month or so.

• For a true neutral lover (and lover of shimmer!) the Naked Palette is a must. It has the perfect range of shades to take you from a pretty subtle day time look to a full on smoky eye. It's quite pricey at £36 but for the quality and the number of eyeshadows you get (12), I think it's worth every penny.
• I've already done a full review of Lancome Hypnose Drama (which you can read here), but let me just reiterate - this is the best mascara I've ever used. It's just a shame that I didn't fall for a high street one!
• While I do love my Rimmel Brow Pencil for more defined brows, when I'm after more natural looking eyebrows for everyday (which are also quicker to do) then Clinique Instant Lift for Brows is a must for me. It has a screw up brow pencil on one end and a brow bone highlight on the other. However, my brow pencil end has run out and this time I've just purchased Clinique's Superfine Liner for Brows as I wasn't so bothered about the highlight side as it seemed a little too gold toned. It's a bit more expensive than a high street brow pencil at £12 but it's the perfect colour for my very fair eyebrows!
• Again, I've done a full review on the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze which you can read here. This is just such a fab multi-use product - I love to use it on its own, as a base for eyeshadow and as a liner - just brilliant!
• Three nail polish colours which I've really enjoyed wearing recently are Models Own 'Blooboo', Barry M 'Peach Melba' and Maybelline Express Finish in 'Turquoise Lagoon'. They're all just such fun colours for spring. Have a look at them on my nails here, here and here!

• I've definitely rekindled my love for Soap and Glory's Pulp Friction Body Scrub. Not only does this stuff smell brilliant (I have to restrain myself from eating it), but it leaves my skin silky smooth! You can pick this up from Boots for £8, which I thing is a fab price considering how long it's lasting me.
• This may seem a bit of an odd choice, but I've really enjoyed using the Dr. Bronner's Magic Lavender Hand Sanitizing Spray which I got in my February Glossybox. Living in London and working in a job where I have to handle money, my hands continuously feel dirty and I find myself using a lot of hand sanitizer. I not only love the smell of this as it's less chemically smelling than others I've tried but I love that it's in a spray bottle. I also find that it doesn't leave my hands feeling as dry as others have done. I'll definitely pick up another one of these when it runs out.
• Ever since I smelled Valentina by Valentino in last month's Glossybox, I've wanted a bottle. My boyfriend treated me to some for my birthday and I can't stop using it! I'm awful at describing scents, but it's floral and girly but not too sweet. Definitely give it a smell if you get a chance as it's such a beautiful perfume.

• These jeans were really difficult to photograph so I don't think I've done them much justice, but I absolutely love them. I can't get enough of Zara at the moment and I think these leather look jeans have to be my favourite recent purchase. I can't find them online any more but they're basically identical to these. They're great to wear both in the day and for a night out and make basic outfits look so much more interesting.
• This necklace from River Island has been practically glued to my neck all month! I know everyone has these cuff style necklaces at the moment but for me this is the perfect thickness. I just love how plain it is and it looks fab especially with basic tees. It cost me £7 and it's also available in silver (umm, may have to get that...)
• Last but by no means least is my Babyliss Big Hair. This makes my hair look salon fresh and feel so healthy and bouncy - Kate Middleton would be jealous! I love how it gives my naturally very flat hair a bit of life and volume. It's perhaps a bit pricey at £45 ish (here on Amazon) but it does make the fiddly task of blow drying your hair so much easier.

Have you tried any of these bits? What did you think?

xx

beauty secrets

Hello!


I love love love watching beauty videos on YouTube and recently quite a few people have been doing a tag called Ten Little Secrets. This was created by Sammi from Beauty Crush (who also has a blog, which I'll link here) and I thought the questions were really interesting and so I'd give it a go. However, I thought that ten questions would make this a very long post so I shortened it to five. I haven't seen anyone else do this on a blog yet so if you do it too then please comment with a link so I can read it!


What is one product that makes you feel like a million dollars?

For me, defining my eyelashes makes me feel a lot better about myself. For example, when I'm on a night out wearing big thick false eyelashes, I always feel fab! They make me feel so feminine and I think they don't have to look tacky, even if they are big, if you keep the rest of your make up quite simple. Likewise, if I'm popping out for a run in the morning or to the shop and I don't have any make up on, I won't worry about foundation or anything else but a little flick of mascara can make me feel so much better and I think I look a lot more wide awake.

Two of my favourites at the moment are Rimmel Glam Eyes and Lancome Hypnose Drama  - can't wait to get the full size!

What is your skincare secret? 

I cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day and make sure I take all my make up off before bed. I take the majority off with a make up wipe or eye make up remover and then cleanse again. I always use a muslin cloth with whatever cleanser I'm using too as I love their gentle exfoliating properties and I also think that they make the whole job of washing your face a lot easier and less messy!

Other tips are drinking lots of water, not wearing face make up as often as possible to let your skin breath and brightening face masks.

Some of my favourite skin care products at the moment

What is your hair care secret?

Condition condition condition! I do have quite dry hair so I use them all over, but even if you have greasy hair, you can use a moisturising balm or mask just on your ends and leave on for a little while. I find that these masks and balms make so much difference to the condition of the your hair.

Still loving Umberto Giannini Indulgent Beauty Moisture Mask

Do you have any diet and work out tips?

I love food and I don't really deny myself everything so I think the best way to approach your diet is everything in moderation. If you gorge on chips and mayo (mayonnaise = <3) one day, just don't the next. Easy peasy. I also try and stay away from fizzy drinks as diet or not they are awful for you and can so easily pile weight on. They're totally empty calories!

In terms of exercise, I didn't work out heavily for a long time due to health problems, but in the last year it's something I've begun to enjoy a lot more. My advice would be just to try and find something you enjoy doing. For me, the gym is too intimidating and I find things like swimming a bit dull. I then tried running last summer and I love it! If you're unfit it can be quite hard at first, so try the Couch to 5K podcasts from the NHS as they are ridiculously helpful! Here's a link - so fab!

My running shoes!

Which perfume is your secret weapon?


I tend to chop and change between perfumes, I don't tend to buy the same one over and over again as I like to try different scents. However, at the moment I'm loving Calvin Klein Euphoria. I'm not particularly good at describing scents but I'd say it was quite a heavy perfume with some musky undertones, yet fresh and fruity at the same time. Um, yeah... Anyway, Boots, who can perhaps do a bit better than me, describe Euphoria as an addictive oriental fragrance that contrasts exotic fruit, seductive florals and a rich creamy signature. Apparently, it's inspired by a new found freedom, about living one's dream... (On second thoughts, perhaps my description was better!)

Calvin Klein Euphoria

However, for my birthday, my lovely boyfriend bought me Valentina by Valentino which is such a beautiful perfume and I think will quickly become my new favourite!

As I said at the beginning, if you answer these questions then please tell me as I'd love to have a little read, and I'd also love to know if you have any brilliant skincare, diet, exercise or hair care tips!

xx