Fashion: Staple Shoe.

Hi Guys!

So i've never done a fashion post on this blog, as much as i love fashion i feel i know a lot more to be able to talk about beauty and make up than i do fashion. However after a weekend break and some serious shopping i picked up a pair of shoes that have not only become my staple shoe, but one of my favourite purchases of all time. Now i'm a converse girl, i own far too many and wear them with nearly every outfit, however for a while i've had my eye on a pair of "tika 2's" from topshop for a number of months now. After deliberating over colours and patterns and the fact that all of my friends thought they were awful i put off buying them. That was until seeing a very lovely girl in Office wearing a same style show (which some people refer too as skater shoes i believe" i asked were the shoes the tina 2's but they were in fact from Office. Well that was it, with in 10 minutes i had tried them on, paid and was at on a bench in the middle of Chester changing my footwear. Since then it's safe to say i should have followed my instincts and bought these shoes earlier! I've barely had them off! They've joined dresses, various colours of jeans and my personal favourite combination with some peg leg pants.

Unfortunately for my bank account there are various other colours and patterns in both Topshop and Office, i'll link some of my favourite ones below, so I'm about to purchase some more!

Not only are these shoes seriously comfy, needed no breaking in and are versatile with their outfit combinations but they are also only £20!!! I can see these being ruined by then end of summer because i have worn them so much.

Other styles i love!
Office- Kicker Slip On (leopard)
TIKA2 (Mint)

New Nail Girl- Sally Hansen Nail Growth Activator

Hi Guys!

This week is a review of a product i was so sceptical about! The Sally Hansen Nail Growth Activator promises to strengthen, help growth and improve the health of your nails. I have awfully bitten my nail for as long as i can remember, so when i decided to be "a grown up" and seat getting acrylic nails done at the age of 15 i never looked back.. and for practically 3 years straight i have never had them off. After christmas however i decided to let my nail breathe and start to really take care of them.

It was because of this that i bought the treatment. As you all know i love my nail polishes so it's very rare i don't have polish on my fingers. However since starting to use this i leave the polish off my nails all of sunday until sunday night or depending on what i have planned in the week until a later day.

All you do with this treatment is paint a couple of coats at a time on to each nail, you can see it sink straight in to the nail. I put a couple of coats of this on every time i remove and re-paint my nails. But the deep treatment i give them over the sunday/monday period has really helped a lot more!!

So sceptical Jess was proven wrong again! I genuinely really enjoy this product! It doesn't come with any strict rules on how to use it or what to do before of after.

I actually picked this up in boots just a couple of months ago.. however when checking the website to add the link the boots website actually says no longer available. But check your local stores in the Sally Hanses counter and have a look otherwise, a simple tap in google brings up a fair few amazon sellers where it is available! Seriously check this out if your nails need that extra boost or saving!

See you next week!

Let's Get Summer Essential

Hi Guys!

This week i want to share with you my top tips, top products and top essentials for preparing for summer and to keep us happy throughout summer.

The first thing for me when it comes to summer is tan.. yes i fake tan all year round.. but for summer it's just a must! Whether your going to be tanning on a beach. relying on the good old gradual tanner or mixing the both here's what i do! I use St.Tropez tan all year round.. especially for special events and so on, however when it comes to summer and near to my holidays i like to use something a little bit different. I've used the Palmers Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze Tanning Lotion for a few years now and i really love it! It gives me the perfect base to go on holiday with! Not only that but it also really hydrates my body before it gets thrown in to the heat! It's really cheap (£5.35), easy to apply and you don't need to be a tanning pro to apply it for great results! Check it out here

Next is nails- for me (a collector of nail varnishes) i have a fair few colours to choose from to brighten up any day.. but for summer i like to go bright! Really bright! My favourites are..
Barry M - Guava (a bright turquoise, in the belly formula)
Barry M - Pink Flamingo  (a bright, in your face, pink that not only makes you feel super girly, but super bright a summery!)
Jessica - Electric Teal (as the name suggests a bright teal colour, a gorgeous formula and a beautiful finish)
A  dupe of the above Jessica Polish is a new release from Barry M, it iso ne of their most recent released belly formulas in Kiwi
Finally Sally Hansen - Big Money (a fine gold and purple glitter combo! Goes on like a regular payoff, and loads of glitter pay off!)

Feet- Now i know i'm not a fan of feet, so the thought of getting my feet out in a pair sandals terrifies me. However i have a little secret i use to make my feet look somewhat nicer! It's the soap and glory Heel Genius, i swipe this over my feet every morning and night to ensure my feet are in the bets possible condition! Pair this with one of the above nail polishes and you set to go!

Finally is makeup! When it comes to summer, i hate piling a load of make up on. It makes me feel so claustrophobic and horrible. So i stick to 5 products! 1- a light foundation like the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation or on a good skin day the Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer, (thinner foundations or just concealers provide coverage but not cake! A nice light base is what it is all about for summer!) 2- my favourite matte summer bronzer, Benefit Hoola.(i love how this gives colour and definition to a simple look) 3- either Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara or the http://www.boots.com/en/Maybelline-Volum-Express-The-Colossal-Mascara-100-Black_1379053/ (big, bolt eyelashes are my favourite all year round, so this is no change!). 4- A brighter eye look from the Urban Decay Naked 3 (i love the versatility of brighter and more neutral eye looks in this palette). Finally number 5, the lips. Now i'm not a bright lip girl, but i need something hydrating in summer so i really love the Revlon Colour Burst's my personal favourite is Strawberry Shortcake. I like how sheer and hydrating these are, whilst still giving some colour pay off and a beautiful finish.

I hope you feel all ready for summer now, be careful, be good and have fun!

Hair Care Review- Aussie Miracle Moist

Hi Guys!

I've used aussie products for number of years, it's fair to say i've trial'd tested, loved and loathed some of their ranges! The newest to grace me with it's presence was the "miracle moist" line. I've previously used the 3 minute miracle, and this is my one-stop none-stop deep conditioner that i use every week.

Whilst i have been home from uni, and not having to buy my shampoo and conditioner i thought i'd try some more.. the shampoo and conditioner both retail for £5.99 for this you get a 500ml shampoo and a 400ml conditioner (sold separately) however… they do come in smaller sizes for a cheaper price if you wanted to give them a go.. and also are usually on offer at supermarkets or drugstores. At the minute, they're on offer in Boots!

But do they perform? And are they worth it?
In my opinion they did make my hair feel hydrated, stronger and softer i had used them both. Although i must confess to have used cheaper shampoos and conditioners and had the exact same result. On the up hand though i did find that when i used the aussie pair i didn't need to use my 3 minute miracle as well. Which for me is good as it means using less products in my hair!

Overall i did like them, they have that lovely aussie smell that all their products are tarnished with! I would certainly recommend giving them a go and seeing how you like them, but i must also say to compare them to cheaper brands and let you hair decide what it likes better!

Thanks, and see you next week! Jess  x

Should i splash the cash? Dearer Shampoo's and Conditioners…

Hi Guys!

This week i must admit i have felt very grown up.. since finishing my first year on university and moving back home i seem to have put everything in to perspective. Uni has definitely made me grow up, realise what i had when i lived at home and how grateful i should be for everything mum and dad did for me before i went. Whilst i was at uni i obviously had to buy everything myself.. now for me this was a first. If i ever wanted something from shopping it would just be a text to mum or i would pick it up in town with mothers money. So having my own money to budget and spend on everything from food, to beauty essentials i really did look at what i was spending and if i needed to. One cut i made was to my beauty products, did i really need to use a &10 shower gel, which i could pick something practically the same in body care for £9 cheaper. Then i thought about shampoo and conditioner. I have naturally really curly, thick and frizzy hair o it was always a must that i used well known, well branded (and frankly expensive) shampoos to treat my hair, especially since i have been blow drying it and straightening it. However i found myself buying really cheap shampoos and conditioners (rather than my usual aussie ones) and them actually cleaning and conditioning my hair. I used the Alberto Balsam, Coconut and Lychee first and as a lover of all things coconut the smell hit me first, after my dual out of shower drying hair routine i felt my hair to be exactly the same as how it is when i use more expensive conditioners. You can purchase them here for just 99p!

I challenge you, give it a go! See how your hair reacts, and let me know if any of you have every been in a predicament to buy food or beauty products!

I mist however confess to still using aussie products now and again as i do love them, and being back home i thought i might as well take advantage! But as soon as i'm back at uni i'll be back on the Alberto!

Thanks guys! see you next time!

REVIEW- Maybelline Express Nail Polish Nail Remover

Hi Guys!

So whilst i am at home for my birthday, i celebrated early with my friends at uni! One of my dear friends bought me this new little Maybelline Express Remover Pot, very similar to the Bourjois one..

I have never used to Bourjois one, so this was my first time of ever using such a contraption. It's basically a giant sponge, in which you poke your finger in to and supposedly comes out with your finger nail clean of nail polish.. in just 1 dip!

Ok, so i'm convinced.. this stuff actually works!!! I was wearing an essie varnish, dipped my finger and out clean it came. It's so much easier and less messy that using god knows how many cotton pads and spilling nail polish remover all over your bed! Now i'm not sure how long these are supposed to last, but i could imagine them lasting a month or so as they are rather larger and the sponge is soaked in remover. One thing about these though, however as well as many other nail polishes.. it is not a fan of removing glitter. I tend to add a thick top coat to my glitter polishes and peel them off each nail rather than trying to scrub aimlessly.

I'm actually really impressed with this product, and for the price i feel it is actually rather reasonable. it retails at £4.99, the same price as the ever so famous Bourjois number.. which i have also heard really good reviews about! You can find it in Superdrug, i would definitely recommend checking this out, if your as lazy or messy as me when it comes to sorting your nails!

See you next week! Jess

Uni Tip Talk- Making Friends

Hi Guys!

This weeks Uni Tip Talk is one that is probably closest to my heart.

I am a rather outgoing and confident person, however just before uni i got so scared and anxious that i would be living with people who i would;t get on with, that i would't have any friends with and that i would spend 3 years alone in my room…

Boy was i wrong! I never had any need to panic, because everyone else who moved in to that house on the same day as me felt exactly the same. They were just as nervous and anxious of leaving home, starting somewhere new and being around complete strangers. So here i go with my 5 little tips that i promise will help you come to terms with saying goodbye, saying hello and opening your door.

Tip 1
Use social media once you know which uni you have got in to, the union of your uni are bound to have set up some sort of Freshers page where you can not only meet people on your course, but people you will be living with or just going to the same uni as.

Tip 2
When you have moved in, keep your door open.. Prop it open with a chair or a door stop so people know you are in and around. If thy don't know your there they won't speak.

Tip 3
Knock on your neighbours doors, or the doors on your floor, introduce yourself with some chocolates or sweets. Get to know there name and ask them what course they are on or if they are on Facebook or twitter…

Tip 4
Saying goodbye to your parents can be hard and upsetting, but trust me it gets better and you won't cry forever! As soon as they go you need to occupy yourself, talk to neighbours, make a brew or unpack your room!

Tip 5
Go to the social events that are put on especially for you, theres bound to be a party or get to know… session around either in your building or at the union!

I hope these tips helped, i'm really enjoying sharing all these little facts which i wish were around for me when i started last year! If you have any other questions just leave them below or get in touch! Just remember, your never alone as a fresher.. there are loads of you!

See you next time!

Make-Up too Far...

Hi Guys!

So in this weeks post i wanted to share some of my tips and tricks to cleaning out, re-stocking and re-vamping your make up collection.

I have recently moved back home from uni for the summer period, during this time i realised how much make up i actually owned. It was split between Uni and Home but frankly, it was the same items rather than different ones at each house.

It was this (as well as the fact i knew there would be less to pack up in september..) that inspired me to really sort through, sort out and chuck out what i didn't need, want or wanted to make a lost of to re-buy. Here are some top tips i found to help keep you on the line to sorting through.

Tip 1.
Empty out all your make-up in to one big pile, not only will you be able to see the sheer amount you have, but you will also be able to get through and be sorted rather than greeted with another load if you do it in sections.

Tip 2.
Organise your make-up in to sections: Mascara, Foundation, Lip Products, Face Products, Eye Shadows.. so on..

Tip 3.
Make sure you have enough space around you to be able to have distinctive piles of what you want to keep, give away, store and bin.

Tip 4.
Have some sort of storage ready to be able to put your make up in, whether these are compartments from Muji like i use, bin bags to dispose of the make-up, or an old make-up bag to take round to your friends and family.

Tip 5
Be strict with yourself, you are clearing out for a reason, if your just going to dispose of one 5 year old mascara don't bother starting and causing yourself the mess. Set yourself targets of what your limits are, how much you really NEED and how USEFUL they actually are.

Let me know how you get on! See you next week!

Jess

Uni Tip Talk- Travel

Hi Guys!

So over the last couple of months of being between university, home and generally rushing most things i have found out one great things to just make life a little bit easier. These include things such as sorting out what sort of makeup to travel with, choosing outfits to take for multi use and small bottles to carry skin/body care products. When i was coming to university in September i looked for so many blogs to help me understand and get to know so many unanswered questions about what i could expect or what i should pack and never really found anything.. so for this years freshers or future uni students.. here it is!

So before i went to uni the only travelling i did was on 2 week holidays with my family so i had never been prepared to take weekend trips to places, packing for my self before. So for those of you that are already at uni and haven't had to do this yet or if your going to be a fresher this year.. this is for you!

Tip 1.

Travel containers, now i know these are things everyone hears about… but never really uses! Well they actually are really handy! I use mine to store my ceasing water in, hair products like morrocan oil leave in conditioner if i am home for a couple of weeks and brush cleaner for my make up brushes in case i need it. Everything else your parents are bound to have at home so cut down on packing when going home by not taking things such as shampoos, conditioners, shower gels and body lotions.

Tip 2.

If, like me, you are going to be coming home between holidays from uni whether it' every weekend or just once to break the term up you may be using trains. I really reccomend getting a railcard, you pay a one off payment to gain the card which you then use to get a discount off the train journeys you take to anywhere. They are great if you have to get multiple or long trains home that cost a lot, or if you are going to be regularly coming back and to to uni. As far as i know you can use these on all train companies and as long as you carry it with you on every journey you get discounted you shouldn't have any problems! You can get one here..  i would also highly recommend you planning ahead when you want to go home and booking your tickets further in advance as thy really do work out so much cheaper.

Tip 3.
A good case! Now it sounds silly but there nothing more embarrassing, annoying and stressful than your case breaking as you get off a train, especially if your rushing to get a connecting train! So i honestly recommend investing in a good sturdy case than isn't to big, can fit in the case storage of trains or in above head compartments and doesn't weigh a tone when you fill it.

Tip 4.
Swiftly linking to my last suggestion- packing. I am one of those people who has to pack for all occasions possibly necessary. And to be honest i kind of have to as i took most of my clothes to uni with me and keep very little at home. So what this means for me is having the decide essential items to take with and after the past 8 months i feel i have pretty much mastered it. Your favourite, most wearable pair of jeans, depending on how many days you are home for the appropriate amount of tops (do not take 3 options for each day) take as many tops as you are away for, take 2 pairs of shoes (unless you have a specific event for which you need a specific pair of shoes). Roll your clothes, yes they may be a little creased but this gives to better spacing within your case to be able to fit everything else in. Use the containers i have previously talked about and do not take full sized bottles (you won;t and don't need them). And finally make sure you are able to lift your case as you will have to get it on and off the train.

Tip 5.
Last but certainly not least ensure you ave essentials in a carry on handbag so that you can reach them easily. In mine i personally keep my purse with all of my tickets and cash in, a packet of sweets and a bottle of water. It is important to remember than no one but yourself will have to carry all of your bags and get them on and off of the train or bus so make sure you can carry everything and get to everything easily so that it is a lot less stress for you.

Tanya Burr Lip Gloss

Hi Guys!

So i realise that i must be the last blogger ever to do this sort of blog and review of the lovely Tanya Burr's collection, but i really want to test out the products and get to know them before reviewing them. I also think that it's important to really see how you wear and how much you wear or use the product before reviewing it. So thats what i have been doing for the last few weeks i have measured how many times i have reached for this product, when i have used it and how it has looked with a variety of different make up looks. It's safe to say it passed all sorts of tests i set out for it because i must admit with Tanya's reputation i expected a lot from this range! I have tried both the nail varnish and the lip gloss, but i really wanted to o a review of one lip gloss in particular which to be honest was one of the ones i didn't feel i would wear as much as some of the others. The lipgloss is "Just Peachy" t's quite light for me and not a colour would ever usually pick in both lip glosses and lip sticks but i just seem to have been wearing this one the most both in the day with casual looks and at night when i'm wearing something heavy on the eye and want a lovely neutral to swipe over!

What i love most about this product is that t is not at all sticky or gross on the lip! If there is one thing i hat about lip glosses it is how sticky some of them can be and it puts me off instantly i just can;t wear them! So when i glided this ver it felt use like a lip balm but with a gorgeous pigmented colour! It gives the perfect "gloss" shine and finish. it also smells delicious!
You can buy all of Tanya's products here! Superdrug or Feel Unique

So it was definitely a thumbs up from me and a big well done to Tanya Burr for creating such beautiful products both lip glosses and nail polishes!

Thanks Guys.. Jess x

Uni Tip Talk- Sort Your Options

Hi Guys!
So this is the first bulletin in my new Uni Talk Tips that i am going to be posting every wednesday!

This post is all about sorting out your options and what i fund best helped me when choosing my course and my uni.

Tip 1.
Really look at what you want to do, look at all the options for your possible chosen course as they may be a few strands to this course which one or another may suit you better. When looking at this think about what you are doing well at now within your A Levels and see if this helps you make your decision. Gather all your university prospectus' together and compare the courses to what you like between them.

Tip 2.
Go to open days and applicant days to look at the course in more detail and talk to lecturers who may tell you more information and deals about the course that aren;t in prospectus'. Going to the universities really helped me not only get a feeling for the course but get a feeling for the actual university campus' themselves.

Tip 3.
Whether your staying at home to commute or moving to a different part of the country, talking to current students at the university may help you decide if you could cope with living away or what it is like to commute, these students have had first hand experience at what you are going to be facing in just a few months, so ask them questions and listen to what their saying.. i know this really helped me!

Tip 4.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. I decided that i was determined to get in to just one specific university, this turned out to be the only one not to offer me a place and i was devastated. I know how it feels to be so passionate about a specific course and uni to have it taken from you just like that! So keep your options open and make sure you have back up plans for other universities.

Tip 5.
last but not least when making your final decisions for your first and second choice take your time to look at both courses and compare both them and the universities themselves as once you click that confirm button to your choices here is no going back! I found the website a great help for having all my uni's and courses in one place so check this out

Thanks guys, and see you next week x

Review: Bourjois Healthy Mix

Hi Guys!

So you've probably all read or watched at least one review or mention of the Bourjois Healthy Mix, well today i bring you a new one!

I've watched so many things where this product has featured as a favourite or top 10 so but i have never really seen anyone truly talk about the benefits of this product and how "healthy" it actually is to the skin. We all know how bad osme foundations can be and how vital a right foundation for your skin is. Now by t's name you would expect this product to be pra tically skin care, but it does claime to give you not only hydrated skin, but a luminous looking, flawless complexion with a healthy glow! So does it?! 

From my experience of this foundation over the past few months i have admitedly seen a change in the in which my skin reacts to this foundation. I like quite a full coverage foundation and as some of you may know this is quite a sheer one.. so at first i use it with quite a bit of concealer. However i have noticed myself usign a lot less concealer and relying totally on what this foundation does in covering my skin. I must also admit in to being really happy and pleased wth this foundation after all it's hype and how spectical of it i was.

Not only is it easy to apply, blend and in all fairness wear! But it does give you that healthly looking skin glow that we all want, espeically for threse spring/summer days where flawless no foundation skin is every girls dream!

Thanks guys! See you next time.. Jess x

The new Behind the Blog

Hi guys!

So over the past couple of weeks I feel I have had some amazing ideas for this blog! Since I am soon to be finishing Uni for summer I'll have the time be able to concentrate on blog posts and what not.

I'm also embarking on a new stage if my life, I'm dieting.. It was scary to think of at first but I've took it head on and so far it's going pretty well! 

So here it is, the new plan!

Mondays-

Mondays will continue to be the day where i share what began this blog... The  beauty and make up I am loving, reviewing, hauling and reccomending. 

Wednesdays-

Wednesdays are going to be something very dear to my heart.. My Uni Tip Talk, as I finish my first year of university I want to share with all future uni students what it's really like to be a uni student and how i went about getting in to university.

Fridays-

Friday's will be the day where I share my dieting tips, recipes, new excersises and whatever else I have found out about dieting that week. 

So this is it! This is the start of the new Behind the Blog.. I hope you enjoy it!!

See you soon.. (Hopefully..) x

50 Years of Superdrug

Hi Guys!!

So a few weeks ago Superdrug celbrated their 50th birthday! They have a lot of instore and online offers, competitions and promotions going on aroudn thier birthday celebrations but one thing they did was team up with Barry M.

Now if you have read my blog previously you will probably all ready be aware of my border line obsession wih Barry M nail polish's and there are very few of them left now that i do not own.. so of course when i seen this team up with superdrug for a limeted edition special polish i just had to check it out! To my surprise i actually loved it, some of the previous specials Barry M have brought out haven;t really caught my eye, but this one was glittery so the typical glitter obsessor i am it came home with me!

I originally put this polish over a pale pink thinking it would add the perfect princess glitter top coat to make my nails extra jazzy! But to my surpruse the tint of the rather deep pink actually came across as well as the gltter.. so after taking all the nail polish off and applying this on it's own about 2/3 times i had such beautiful fuschia pink glitter nails!

I purchased mine when it was first released a few weeks back but i should imagine they will beround stores for a few months so if you come acros i would recomend you checking it out! They retail at the same price as any other standard Barry M polish, and are clearly noticiable from the different packaging. http://www.superdrug.com/barry-m-cosmetics/barry-m-nail-polish-pink-glitter-50th-birthday-10ml/invt/914661&bklist=

Thanks guys.. Jess x

Starting a Trend

Hi Guys!

So i know i usually post blogs on mondays and yesterdays went up as normal.. but today i want to introduce something new and rather exciting. On this blog every wednesday for the next couple of months i am going to be giving out my advice to future uni students. I know i found it hard to have all my questions about uni answered before i actually got there, and when i was applying so hopefully my following few blog posts will help a few people!

I'm hoping to cover everything from applying, choosing your course, travelling to and from uni, getting your own place in the second year, decorative ideas for uni rooms, what i found helped me to move out and adapt and any other questions anyone has about what to expect!

So see, you all soon!

Jess x

Spring/Summer nail essential shades!

Hi Guys!

So i'm a bit of a nail varnish horded as some of you may know! And like many others i wear specific shades in specific seasons of the year so i've decided in each new season we enter throughout the year i will share with new some shades which i think are pefect to wear and make you nails a truly statement feature! 

Now obviously everyone knows that spring is a time for pastel colours to emerge and add that light burst of colour.. i've got some great ones which i have fell head over heels for and are constantly on my nails! Most of these are Barry M so they're affordable and easy for you to find! 

1 Barry M- Berry 

This pastel purple is one for me that i had never really loved before as i have never been a huge fan of purple as a colour.. but this year i don't know what it was but i am in love! I think it's because this colour is so easy to wear and it doesn't need three hundred coast of it to make it a good enough colour like i have found with some other pastels.

2 Barry M- Rose Hip (gelly)

This next colour is from the newly released Barry M spring collection which has some of them most beautiful pastel shades that are so easy to put on. The extra glossyness of the gelly formula makes this pastel pink somethign extra special and stands out from other brands. I really love to add a clear glitter over this for an extra princessy look!

3 Essie- Turquoise&Caicos

This polish is not only one of my favourite nail polish colours i own but my favourite colour in general! I just love mint green! It's such a beautiful colour and i find it so easy to wear. I also must admit to having a lot of complements and "oooo what are you wearing on your nails" when i wear this I love Essie nail polish's and as soon as i seen this one it just had to be purchased! It has barely been off my nails since last summer!

4 Barry M- Mint Green

So as i siad in the previous varnish you are now aware of my borderline obsession with the mint green colours. Now your probably thinking "Jess, these colours are exactly the same why have you included them both?" well heres the surprise.. there actually not! This mint green is slightly darke than the other and you wouldn't think it makes taht much of a idffernece but like you i was shocked at how differne they actualy do look when their on the nails!

5 Barry M- Coral

Finally is coral.. a pretty self explanatry colour, which some may say is a little too summery. But i disagree, i think this is the perfect transfer shade to take us from the dewy mornings of april to the brighter long days of may and june! I also think this is a perfect holiday coliurs.. it just looks so good when the sun bounces off it! It really brings out the orange in it and i love it!

See you next week, Jess x

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Review: Palmers Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze, Body Lotion

Hi Guys!

In this weeks post i'm going to share with you something i have been using for quite a number of years, and to be honest i'm shocked that i haven't mentioned it before.

So like many typical girls as soon as march comes to an end i break out the fake tan to embrace spring! I've tried so many different tans from mouses to lotions to gels, and so many different brands.. but i always end up coming back to the same 2 year in year out! One of them being the gradual mouse from St.Tropez. But the other being this lotion from Palmers. I have mentioned other palmers products in previous posts but this gradual tanner is just perfect to use as a moituriser and get some tan from it at the same time. It's easy to use (a main reason i love it!) it isn;t messy or going to stain any sort of bedding or carpet if your a tad heavy handed utting it on and best of all theres no streaks or horribly browny orange patches everywhere!

For a body lotion tanner this is quite good at giving a good tan to your skin off just one application. I use a mit to apply this like with nay other tan as it can stain your hands and fingers! Another benefit of this product is it doens't have as much of a horific smell as some others tanners do!

As far as i am aware this product is pretty easy to find and won't set you back anything more than £6, i've found this in both drug stores like boots and in my local supermarkets so i would definitely reccomend you trying this out! http://www.boots.com/en/Palmers-Cocoa-Butter-Formula-Natural-Bronze-Gradual-Tanning-Moisturiser-250ml_1189257/

See you next week! Jess x

Lip stick balms

Hey guys!!

Now I must confess to not being the most efficient with my make up, it does take me a while! But for those rushed Uni mornings where I'm running late for a lecture, I have come across a fantastic product! I usually scrub my lips, apply balm and then a lipstick and gloss. However if I just don't have the time I have been using the lip balm sticks.

I have aquired a few varieties including some from No. 7 and Soap and Glory! I would reccomend them to anyone, and I have noticed I reach for them even when I have time to do my make up! There fab for throwing in bags and mean I can apply a pop of colour to my lips without liners, gloss' and sticks of products everywhere! 

Nail Polish Growth!

Hi Guys!

So one of my first posts on this blog was all about my love and addiction to Barry M nail polish's, this week I'm going to talk you through a few of my most recent purchases and fave colours!

The first couple of my recent faves are really new out and are part of the Aquarium range for Barry M. Pacific is a blue iradecent colour that changes to a beautiful green in the sunlight! The next from this collection is a matching glitter to Pacific called Mermaid, a lovely top coat and packed with glitter! 

The final is a beautiful rose good colour, Caspian, it's so perfect for neutral days, but gives that girly glitter finish you can't not love!

The next is yet another bluey toned, but from Essie! Turquoise is just that perfect spring/summer colour that you never want to take off your nails! 

Back to Barry M for a shade that to me just shouts spring! Berry a pastel purple glides on and makes nails look effortlessly chic spring! I'm not one for purples, but this just keeps getting on my nails! 

Finally is a pale pink from Ted Baker! Unfortunately I don't know it's colour, but it's from Boots if that helps! This pale pink makes for a beautiful natural nail, effortless but beautiful! 

Well that's it for this week guys, see you next week! X

February Favourites- 2014

Hi guys! 

As you can probably tell by the title these are this months favourites, but can we firstly address how fast this month/year is going?! WOW 

Hair Care 

Now I won't go on about this, because I have actually done a full blog post review of it already! But it is the Urban Fudge Vanilla and Raspberry hair spray! 3 things, it smells good, it holds hair, and lasts in bad weather! Pretty good! 

Body

Now this for me is an old favourite which I have recently re-purchased and remembered how much I loved it! It's the Palmers CoCoa Butter! For me this leaves me soft, smooth, not sticky and smelling wonderful! Really like this for all it does to my skin and that reminiscent smell I get from it! Also I would highly reccomend Palmers gradual tan it's also fab! 

Skincare 

This next product has also appeared on my blog before, but I'm getting to the end of it and just wanted to say again how much I am loving it! It's the Clinique rinse off foaming cleanser. In a previous post I discussed how I wanted to really gather a good skincare routine, and after using this product for a few months it has definitely served me well! I am really impressed with the condition of my skin which I believe has come from me taking my make up off properly! 

TV Show

Now I think this is my most excitable thing to talk about this month as my favourite TV show has started to air it's new series! My Mad Fat Diary is a fabulous adaptation of a real life diary from the 90's! It's absolutely fantastic! You can watch series 1 and catch up with series 2 on 4oD now! GoGoGo!

Music 

Now I am a great lover of late 90's early 00's music as that was my era of growing up! I recently got tickets to watch McBusted which I am beyond excited about!!!! And I've also been even more in love with one of my favourite bands of all time.. OASIS! 

Shower Product

This month I wanted a little bit of summer to be appear to keep me sane until it actually arrives! I've been using the Original Source Limes shower gel! I've used a fair few of these in multiple scents including another favourite the lemon one! A lovely scent, it lathers well and the scent stays on your skin! 

Food/Drink 

Finally, this month I have been loving a peppermint tea before bed to calm me and relax me! I personally like to add some honey and almond milk to mine! 

So that's all for now, see you next week! X

Urban Fudge Hair Care

Hi Guys! 

This weeks post is about hair care, I know I have done a fair few posts about hair care.. Well here's another one! I had heard a few things about this new brand Urban Fudge but I had never seen anything from their range in shops I was told sold it. That was until I spotted them in my local Superdrug! So I took the opportunity to pick a couple of things up. (I got mine in the UK, in Superdrug!)  

The first was the one thing I had heard about, mainly for it's scent (which, granted, is very very nice!) but it's their hair spray in Raspberry and Vanilla. 

Now this hairspray claims to be soft on hair, strong holding and anti-frizz, these days like a lot of others. However to be fair this product did actually help me with this! My hair survived through wind and slight rain (as well as smelling delicious) with no touch up's! I will definitely be buying this again! 

The next product is Texture Blaster this product is one I am still slightly undecided about how much I like it. Again it smells delicious, and does give some texture and hold like it suggests. However, for me this product made my hair slightly sticky and heavy. 

 So for what it does it is relatively good, but I am out off products from how they actually feel as well as how they do. 

If you want anymore information please leave any questions in the comments and I'll get back to you! Thanks guys, see you next week! 

The Liebster Award!!!

Hi Guys!

So as i sat in my uni room checking over my previous day blog last night i came across a comment from the lovely Charlotte Thompson! (http://charlotte-louise-t.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-liebster-award.html), this comment stated that she had tagged me to complete her set list of questions. 

Now if you aren't aware of what the Liebster awards are, they are basically set in place to get bloggers with less that 200 followers, more people checking out their page! So thank you so much to Charlotte for that, and lets get on with answering her questions! 

1. Why did you decide to start writing a blog? I started writing a blog after i had watched so many YouTubers say this how they started out, and what they we're doing as a career is something i love and am genuinely interested in, so that was that, i had a blog!

2. What was the first thing you ever posted about? The very first thing i ever posted was an introduction to the page, all about me and why i had created the blog. But the first beauty related thing was my review of the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. 

3. Your man (or lady) crush has just called whilst your running out the door for work, saying they'll meet you for lunch. You've only got time to run back through the door and grab 1 product - what is it? Concealer! Without a doubt.. you can cover up all those untidy parts of the face where your make up has rubbed off, and it can be used all over the face not just to conceal those dark eyes! 

4. Name a make up brand that's not so popular that your loving at the moment.

Now i know this brand is up and coming with the makeup world, and for those of you that have seen previous posts on this page you will recognise my love for Soap and Glory, and recently i have been trying out more and more for their make-up range.. and i certainly have not been disappointed! I would highly recommend the Kick Ass concealer and the chubby stick lip pencils are fab for on the go colour and hydration! 

5. What is your favourite food? Oh god, what to say.. well i'm from the north and i'm currently living away at uni so at this moment in time it's something i'm missing a lot- my mums roast dinners!

6. Whats the ideal present you would want from me right now (if money were no object)? I've seen a fair few new handbags i would love get my hands on! Including a Michael Kors one!

7. Flowers or Chocolates? Flowers, but no lavender as i'm allergic! 

8. Shrek or Finding Nemo? Shrek holds a special place in my heart, as it was new out when i went to Florida years and years ago so i got to meet the dressed up characters.. to a 9 year old IT WAS FAB!

9. Where's the furthest place you've even been? I've been to a few Islands in the Caribbean like Aruba and Jamaica, but when i finish uni i'll be spending 3 months in Australia!

10. Starter or Pudding? Pudding, i'm a sucker for anything sweet!

11. What's the most expensive thing you have in your wardrobe (i.e bag / clothes / shoes / makeup)? Well as you may be able to tell from a few questions ago, i like my handbags! my mum brought me back a big Prada shopping type bag a few years ago which i adore! 

So thats the questions off Charlotte, below i'm going to put the links of bloggers i'm tagging and the questions i have come up with! 

1. If you could only have make-up by 1 brand, which brand would it be?

2. Whats the most expensive make-up product you've tried?

3. What's the worst make-up product you have ever bought?

4. You've got 10 minutes to get out the door, what do you reach for for a quick look? 

5. The best cheap product you own?

6. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? 

7. If you could own any specific beauty product, what would it be? 

8. Would you rather spend your night in front of the TV with a face mask and ice cream, or out in town clubbing? 

9. Do you prefer Fruit or Vegetables? 

10. What is your current occupation? (work/uni/gap yearer)

11. Where do you seen your blogging in 5 years time? (YouTube? Famous for blogging?)

And here's who i am nominating, check these girls out!

http://stephellis531.blogspot.co.uk

http://porcelainqueen1.blogspot.co.uk

http://ameliarosel.blogspot.co.uk

http://amydollll.blogspot.co.uk

http://kissandmakeupbeautyblog.blogspot.co.uk

http://jennihearted.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/a-walk-in-park.html

http://www.bagsbowsandboots.com

Thanks guys, see you soon x

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette Review

Hi guys!

This week I'm talking about the Urban Decay Naked 3! The newest of the UD line, now I know most of the beauty bloggers that own this have already shared their opinions, but I wanted to wait until I had used it for a while to see how I really felt. And also to see how versatile the colours were. 

It's safe to say that this is a lot different to  the other 2 pallettes, for me anyway. The other colours are much more "me" neutral and easy to use. However these colours took a bit more work to get used to and find some looks with. Although this is a lot different than what I am used to it doesn't mean I don't love it as much as the others- I do!

I've found myself stretching for a few colours on a daily basis to create similar looking eye looks for a quick routine for Uni. Those are strange, limit and dust. For me these colours are easiest to create a beautiful no effort day look, blended together with dust adding a perfect not to over the top shimmer! 

On the other hand, I have also used this pallette to create some beautiful night looks, using mugshot, dark side and black heart again these colours create a look that I would not usually wear, but I must admit I have been loving the change! 

I must admit though, there is one stand out colour in this pallette for me, it's the one that first caught my eye... And to me the most beautiful! It's trick the most glorious rosey gold, a shimmer shade, but like the rest heavily pigmented and easy to blend! Recommending this pallette to everyone, gets you out of a typical neutral zone! 

See you next week! X

The whole Apocalips obsession

Hi guys!!

So a few months ago I seen this huge rush of people blogging, reviewing and raving about the Rimmel London Apocalips, they we're said to be the "latest beauty craze" and we're hyped up to the sky! They did however seem to come with a warning that if you were not a "bold lip" type of girl, then don't bother! Me being one of these "bold lips make me look stupid" type of people stayed clear and watched as flew off shelves. 

However a little before Christmas I bit the bullet and bought my first apocalips. Now I didn't go for one of the more "muted" colours, oh no! I went all out! Confidence in my mind I purchased the shade Across the Universe, now incase you aren't familiar with this shade, it's a right red!

Now the colour pay off of this is as everyone says, amazing! I don't doubt that for a minute, and yes to be honest I love this, and it seen a lot of action on my lips all over the holidays! However I have one little bug bearer which really outs me off this product.. The smell!!! I don't know what it is, and I can't explain it, it's just not at all pleasant. Not like others like soap and glory or sweet tasting ones.

Although, it didn't stop me from trying another one, just to check if it was just the particular colour I owned that was dodgey! 

Nope, they are all like that! I love everything else about these lip lacquers, the finish, the colours are true to how they first go on, they are long wearing and the are genuinely excellent for showing off a bold lip that won't smudge off your face. It's just the weird taste and smell that comes with it that outs me off buying anymore and wearing it as much as I would love to. 

Thanks guys, see you next Monday! X

We've got through January!

I cannot believe that we have already come to the end of January! Over this past month I have tried quite a few things which I have loved! Most of these were presents I asked for or received, for Christmas. I have 7 favourites which I'm going to share! So here goes...

Make Up

Soap and Glory have been a large part if my beauty life for a number of years, however I have never ventured in to their make up range apart from the Thick and Fast mascara, however I received a kit of their make up for Christmas and I have LOVED it! 

The stand out products in this for me are the highlighter on the right which I adore!! It's so beautiful and gives a natural, perfect looking shimmer. The other favourite is the bottom left eye shadow (the top section) this is such a beautiful shimmery pinky nude. It's not to glittery and is perfect to creat an effortless natural day look! 

Skincare

Now this next product was mentioned in my last post so I won't go on about it, but it's the La Roche-Posay effaclar A.I corrector cream! I love this for not only moisturising, but actually helping me control and stop breakouts! It's been fab! 

Hair Care 

Now hair care is really important to me, tins the thing I feel I spend the most time researching and trying out products for. I have used quite a few of the Aussie products but I had never tried the popular "3 minute miracle" well now I have! I use this as a deep conditioner each week and I have been loving it! I can certain tell a difference in the condition of especially the ends of my hair, and the shine and softness! 

Bath 

So you may or may not know my love for Lush! And one product in particular is one I look forward to all year, it only gets released at Christmas and as soon as it's released I stock up, and I mean stock! It is of course the well known and well

Loved, Golden wonder bath bomb. It's scent, it's explosion of colour and it's general luxurious gold glitter coating! Ahh I just love it! 

Body

As mentioned before I have long loved soap and glory products and had used the sugar crush body butter before, however when I was bought a new one at Christmas I re-found my love for it's smell, it's soothing effect on my skin and how long I feel moisturised after! 

Books

Now I'm not big on the whole reading thing, the only books I can cope with reading (in small proportions) are autobiography's. The one I have chosen was one I received for Christmas, and it's the comedians John Bishop. I have watched john on 2 of his tours and as the worlds biggest James Corden fan I obviously see him on A League of Their Own. 

I've not yet finished the book but I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far! It's funny, witty and emotional!

Perfume

Finally my perfume of the month! Now I have used the Armani Acquaintance di Gio for 5 years now, however this year after smelling a sample of Katy Perry's Killer Queen in a magazine, I fell in love with this completely different yet beautiful scent that I both was not used to and was a lot different to my previous chosen perfume! 

One last point, HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THIS BOTTLE!! 

Well that's all for this month guys, see you next time! X

Loreal Mad!

Hi guys!! 

I don't know what it is but these past few months I've been drawn to the Loreal lines of both hair and makeup, I have never owned as much Loreal as I have other brands before so it has been nice for me to try some new things out and see how well they work with me and what I want them to do. I have spoken in previous blogs abouts a couple of skin care items I have been loving from they're current range, but this post is going to be all about their hair care line! 

As I said I have never owned that many Loreal products, this especially goes for the hair care, apart from a few shampoos and conditioners that's it! So when i seen an offer in Boota just before Christmas I decided to try out a couple of the Elnett range. 

My hair is important to me, it's naturally right curls and I hate it, so I do everything I can to get it straight and manageable, I had noticed it's condition worsening so this seemed the perfect time to protect it using something different. The Straight heat defence spray claims to keep your hair straight for 3 days, that it does. It also promises that my hair will be soft and shiny even after blow drying, again it does! I have certainly seen a difference in the condition of my hair from using this over the last couple of months, and it will definitely be one added to my carefully planned out hair care routine for re-purchasing! 

The next product is there most talked about range I feel, the hair sprays. Their seems to be so many different ones all promising different things. To be honest it picked the one that sounded most exciting and most likely for me to be able to tell a difference from other hairsprays. I can't say i am a non-stop user of hair spray, it's always the hair product i end up owning the longest. Nights out once or twice a week use a spritz and that's that. However I can notice that from other hairsprays I have used it does feel nicer on the hair, not heavy, not sticky and it's got a hold! The one I used also promised to add shine to my do, and that it did succeed in!

I look forward to trying some more of Loreal, and I would also welcome any recomendations of Loreal products! Thanks guys, see you next time x

Behold the Balms

Hi guys! Just a quick mid-week post about something which i am heavily relying on at the moment.. LIP BALMS. Now over the years I've gone few copious brands like Burts Bee's, Vasaline, Baby Lips and palmers. However these past couple of weeks January and the holidays have caught up with me and the especial bad weather has taken it's toll on my lips. I am forever applying lip balms of all sorts but nothing has really cut it this week. Until I found a hidden gem in my makeup draws.. The Body Shop lip butters! I have used a fair few of these remember fondly the chocolate and almond ones. My current one I coconut.. If you have any sort of chap lips or dryness this works and does wonders! I would reccomend this to anyone, it comes in so many glorious flavours and it's a product that really does work! What could be better! 

My latest skin care favourites

Hi Guys! In this blog I'm going to discuss my skin care, what I like, what works for me and how I go about looking after my skin. 

Now I've never been good at looking after my skin and every year it becomes a New Years resolution to look after my skin more, so I end up buying a bunch of products to try out and see how I find them. But the truth is I'm lazy, when I get in I want to get my make-up off quickly and settle down for the night. For a a while I used the MAC cleanse off oil, and it worked brilliantly for me it removed my make up and protected my skin from breakouts. However once the formula was changed my skin had an allergic reaction to it and I was devastated. Since then I have never really bad a skin care routine in general, never mind one that I was happy with. I have quite dry skin that can be prone to breakouts. 

The past few months have however changed for me and I've noticed a massive change in my skin (for the better) one of these products I have previously spoke about which was the Loreal 3 in 1 purifying solution 

The other products I am using are as follows; Clinique Foaming cleanser- I love how I swipe this on, rub it with water and my make up is off and squeaky clean! 

My next product is also Loreal, I bought this to see how it compared to the MAC cleanse off oil, surprisingly it did the job and got the makeup off once it was mixed with water, I do however feel kr slightly dries my skin, but I do enjoy using it and the clean after feel!

The final product is one I had done a lot of research into after seeing a lot of YouTubers talk about it as favourite skin care products! It is the La Roche-Posay targeted breakout corrector! I have been using this for 2 weeks and can honestly say I have never known my skin be in much better condition, it has stopped and cleared up break-outs, my skin feels smooth, soft, moisturised and pure. 

I would most definitely recommend trying these products out if your as lazy and uncomplicated as me!

See you soon! X