No7 Advent Calendar - Week 2

Hello everyone,

This past weeks advent calendar has had some real lovely products which I would never have thought of trying but really love. Time for some more reviews...

8th December: No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator

Now exfoliators are something I tend to use a lot for my skincare routine. I tend to use them in the shower as part of my nighttime routine. This one is really good. I sometimes find that exfoliators can be too vigorous for my skin and cause a lot of irritation resulting in my face getting very hot and red which for the record really isn't a good look. The exfoliating beads in this product are brilliant. There are a mixture of big and small ones and they just seem to do wonders on my face. I am only going to use this once or twice a week because I don't want it to run out straight away and I don't want it to irritate my skin too much. It leaves my skin feeling new and renourished. I just really think that it's great and there is a possibility that I might buy the full size product and keep this as a travel product for when I go away.

9th December: No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Day Cream

I haven't used a good day cream in a very long time so I am very happy that I got this in the advent calendar. I think that this is so much better than a moisturiser. I use it at the end of my morning skincare routine and before I put on my makeup. It really hydrates my skin and makes it feel nourished. I wasn't sure if it would be good for me or whether or not I would have to pass it off onto mum but I don't think I can bear to part with it. Its a good travel size like a lot of the products from this advent calendar. I think that there is a lot of product in the tube and will hopefully last me a long time especially as all I use is a pea sized amount once or twice a day.

10th December: No7 Blissful Body Wash

Now I'm not really one for spending lots on a body wash; I just tend to use whatever we have in the cupboard. I think that this smelt like the Dove soaps and body washes which I do quite like as a smell as it doesn't have a specific fragrance and is therefore quite mature smelling and in some ways quite sophisticated I guess. It has a luxurious feel to it but I wouldn't say that I would buy it to pamper myself as the full size product is £7.50 and I think thats quite a lot for a body wash.

11th December: No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Makeup Remover

As I said in my review of Benefit's They're Real eye makeup remover, I am not particularly a fan of most eye makeup removers. If they're too liquidy I tend to think that they will irritate my eyes but I think that this could be the one exception to the rule! If I go for eye makeup removers I would normally go for a creamy formula but I think that this may persuade me to trying others. It gets rid of eye makeup really easily and efficiently. I fear that it will be used up quickly though so may have to purchase the full sized product soon. I think it works well on lips too especially as I am a fan of long lasting products which tend to need to be scrubbed off. Because it is hypo-allergenic, it is great for sensitive skin like mine.

12th December: No7 Stay Precise Felt Tip Liner in Black

Now if you know me you will know that I really don't get on with eyeliner. I don't suit it and I can't ever get it to look right on my face. This product however has resulted in me converting to liking liquid eyeliner. This is the perfect felt tip eyeliner. Its sturdy and the product it gives off is very pigmented so you don't have to constantly reapply it. The felt tip nib is the perfect size for my eyes even though my technique still isn't great for applying it but I'm hoping that I'll improve over time. I want to get the perfect winged but subtle eyeliner one day!

13th December: No7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Delicate Pink

I think that this is the only product out of the whole advent calendar which I already have. I am a lover of anything lip related as you all know by now. I love how hydrating and nourishing this product is. It is so easy to apply as are most lip crayons as you don't really need to prime or lip line. If you are in a rush I would definitely recommend that you use this product. The only downside to this product is the lack of pigmentation. I don't think its as good as a lot of other cheaper lip products. Because I own this already, I'm giving it to my Philosophy buddy Beth so we can talk about it all lesson.

14th December: No7 Completely Quenched Moisturising Body Lotion

The last product of this week's part of the advent calendar is a body lotion. Once I find a body lotion or moisturiser I like, I tend to stick with it. As I like one by Garnier, I don't really think I will be using this so it is one mum will be getting. I used it and it smelt similar to the body wash and was of high quality. I can imagine though that if I used it in large quantities that it may leave a residue. When I used it though it did leave my skin feeling soft and luxurious so I think it would be a nice present for someone with more mature skin so they can use it with the body wash for a bit of a pamper.

So thats is for week 2 of the No7 advent calendar. I hope you're all enjoying the mini reviews I have done of each product. It's insane that I am half way through it. I love waking up each morning and excited to see what I will be getting to use that day. Bring on week 3!

So until next time lovelies xx

Benefit's They're Real Remover - Review

Hello everyone,

I was planning on doing an MWMR for this product but I don't think I could wait to review it mid-week. I am not really one for eye makeup removers because they nearly all tend to irritate my eyes or don't actually get the makeup off properly. I have been going into Boots and Debenhams a lot recently and this item is one that has constantly caught my attention. It costs £14.50 at full price but when I went into Boots it was only £11 so I thought, when else would it be better to try the product when there is money off?

I thought that £14.50 was quite a lot for an eye makeup remover especially if it was then going to irritate my eyes but I took the chance, and I have to say it is brilliant! It isn't liquidy and likely to run all over my hands when applying it to cotton pads and so liquidy so it won't rub onto my eyes properly. It has a thick and gel like formula which really gets to work in removing the eye makeup. It advises that you should wash it off after use but I tend to just use a micellar water on my face afterwards and that tends to do the trick. It doesn't leave my eyelids any more oily than usual and in fact I think it makes them nicer to apply makeup to and I'm not having to use a eyeshadow primer at the moment which is even better.

Just applying a pea size amount to a cotton wool pad to sort out my face after a shower tends to do the trick. I try not to use too much of it because I don't want to have to buy a new one immediately especially at the price it costs. I think it does a really good job and it is the perfect size to be able to take away with you in a wash bag. The screw on lid is durable and so it is hard for spillages to occur from it. The squeezy tube is also great because it is easy to hold and gets a lot of product out just like a hand cream or any other product in a similar sort of packaging.

I would just really recommend this product. I think it works well on both waterproof and non-waterproof makeup. It gets it all off without having to scrub your face so much that it goes bright red! I am very happy with it and would definitely repurchase when it runs out (although I'm hoping thats not anytime soon!)

Let me know what you use to get your eye makeup off and whether or not you have tried this great product.

So until next time lovelies xx

The Christmas Tag - Part 2

Hello everyone,

Here is part 2 of the Christmas Tag. A few more christmassy related questions as we are now in the second week of December. Lets let part 2 commence...

What is your favourite Christmas song?
I am a complete sucker for Christmas songs. I will start to play them in the middle of November and will have them on my iPod, my phone, the TV, the computer, the CD player - any means of technology which will allow me to play Christmas music. I have a few favourite songs which I tend to listen to repeatedly over the festive period. The more classic carol-y type ones are O Holy Night, The First Noel, O Come O come Emmanuel and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. However, you can't beat some of the more cheesy modern ones. I love Fairytale of New York, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) and of course All I Want For Christmas Is You.

Do you have a colour scheme for the Christmas tree and what is your favourite decoration to put on the Christmas tree?
I am in charge every year for decorating the Christmas tree. If anyone tells me what to do there will be trouble!! Only more recently have I tried to do a colour scheme for the tree but because we have a lot of lovely Christmas decorations it never seems to be that brilliant. I tend to go for white and red decorations mostly because that's what we have the most of. We always have an angel on top of the tree and I always enjoy putting her on. I do need a high stool to do this though because of me being little. I do have to say though that my favourite decorations I put on the tree are some creamy coloured angels each playing a different instrument and with fluff on them. I just think they all look so cute together and I think they make the tree look cute.

Who is your favourite person to buy Christmas presents for?
I always love buying Christmas presents for everyone. I probably buy too many, just like my mum, but if you can't give someone a present at Christmas, when can you? I really love buying for my family although they tend to have everything now and so they are quite hard to buy for. My brother has very expensive taste (trust him!) so I have to find something decent on a budget for him. Phoebe and I always do each other cute presents and I enjoy finding things for her, but as we try to outdo each other each year, after a while it gets hard to find the perfect present. Teachers are fun to buy for and so are all my other friends from both school and church. I think that the highlight of my year though is buying secret santa presents for the variety of secret santas I get involved in.

Do you prefer to give presents or receive them?
As I said above, I do love giving presents; to see the expressions they get on their face can be hilarious or can be overwhelming. But last year I got the most gorgeous bracelet and I love it so much that I save it for special occasions and always wear it with pride when getting it. I could go as far as saying it's one of the best presents I ever got. But as I said, I love giving presents. I love wrapping them and going to people's houses to deliver them each year.

Do you give to charity at Christmas?
Yes! I don't think that giving to charity is something that should be bragged about. There are so many worthwhile causes and charities about which need funding, especially at this time of year. There are a few charities which I support each year though. 1) Storehouse - this is a similar organisation to Foodbank where food and toiletries are given out to people who have been highlighted by social services as needing support. I think that at this time of year when it gets colder and harder to find some work, we should support those who need food, comfort and love this Winter. 2) St Nicholas Hospice - at our annual Carols and Candles service at church, they always have a bowl where donations can be made to St Nicholas Hospice. They look after people with cancer and support their loved ones. At Christmas time, it can be both the hardest time of the year for families and also the best. It is really good to try and fund opportunities for those who need it at this time of year.

So thats part 2 done. I really enjoy answering the questions and I look forward to answering next weeks ones. Same time next week guys!

So until next time lovelies xx

No7 Advent Calendar - Week 1

Hello everyone,

I love advent calendars. Each year we have a refillable snowman one and I love it. But for the past few years I have longed and longed for a beauty advent calendar. They are kind of expensive and I have never persuaded my mum to let me have one. But this year, I saw No7 had an advent calendar which didn't seem to be too expensive. I went shopping with my nan one Saturday and showed it to her when the woman behind the No7 counter told me that it was the last one and my nan decided to proclaim to the shop that we would be buying the last No7 advent calendar in the Bury St Edmunds branch of Boots.

So on the 1st December, I no longer had to gaze at its beautifulness; I could actually open it! So I thought that I would review each product that I've had from it in week 1...

1st December: No7 Skin Illuminator in Peach

When I used this on Monday night under concealer I was not a fan. I thought it looked way to shimmery and made my face need a lot more coverage and base from foundation. On Wednesday however, I wore it on top of foundation and underneath powder as I was going out for a meal. I have to say that this worked a lot better on my face. I think that it is so good and because of it, I have worn it every day since. It is the best highlighter I have ever used. A lot of highlighters tend to be highly pigmented, powdery and hard to blend but this is just perfect. I use the Real Techniques contour brush to blend it and they are a match made in heaven. I would recommend this to be used on top or underneath powder but not on its own as it does make your face look very shimmery.

2nd December: High Shine Lip Crayon in Daydreamer

Now you know I'm a lippy girl and when I saw this I have to admit, I did squeal a little bit. Most of my lip products are bold matte shades which I tend to go for on a day to day basis, but sometimes all a girl wants is a nude and subtle lip. I don't own many nude lip crayons and so to add this to my collection was a nice treat. I was worried however that it wouldn't look brilliant or wouldn't add any sort of definition to the lips but boy was I proved wrong. I really love this product and because it is a miniature, it means that it is perfect to fit in a handbag or schoolbag. I am just really happy with this product. I only have one other No7 lip crayon and so to add this to my collection is great.

3rd December: No7 Eye Colour Brush

Any chance that I can add brushes to my collection I will grasp with both hands. However, this brush did disappoint me a bit. I feel like it is similar to the free brush you get with the Naked palette. It seems soft but it is very hard to use to work product onto the eye. You can only apply eyeshadow using it flat and I am a lover of blending and this can't be used to blend properly I don't think so I feel this lets it down. However, it is a good size to pack in a travel makeup bag - not so small you lose it but not so big that you can't fit it in somewhere.

4th December: No7 Youthful Eye Serum

Now I was unsure of this product to begin with. When looking at the contents of the calendar, I was worried about some of the skincare items. I feel like No7 skincare is focussed more for mature skin and I briefed my mum that she may be getting the skincare items but sorry mum, I am very happy with this eye serum. I try to use it in the mornings when I get up and before I go to bed in the evening. I still have young skin so wasn't sure if this would actually make a difference for me but already after about 6 applications I can tell that it has made me look more awake and my eyes look widened and brighter. It works wonders without lots of highlight and light eyeliner colours - a very simple and easy thing to add into my daytime and nighttime routines.

5th December: No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Highland Mist

I would have to say though that this is my least favourite product which I got this week. I really am a sucker for nail polishes too but when I saw the colour I didn't really think that it was me. I showed it to mum and she loved it. But I couldn't review it if I didn't try it so I painted my nails on Friday night with it and by Saturday afternoon it was chipping and peeling off. I don't have to do too much hard work with my hands as I no longer clean but if I was cleaning and had this nail polish on, I wouldn't bet on it lasting more than 12 hours. I think that it looks best in the more Autumn/Winter months but I don't think that it suits my skin tone so it is one that mum cannot wait to use.

6th December: No7 Lash Impact Mascara in Black

After seeing this recently being released I always wanted to try it and what better way to try it than in a miniature size. However I am a little fussy when it comes to mascaras. I only tend to use plastic wands which look more like combs than the furry fibre-y ones. I think that I might be getting converted though. I really like the brush and think it gives a beautiful natural look. I normally go for a bold and full lash look but sometimes it looks best to have natural looking lashes and wish the makeup looks I do for school, I think it will look perfect for school. This will be great to have in my handbag or schoolbag for a daytime look or for a top up in the evening.

7th December: No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow Good Earth Trio (middle shade)

Finally is the single eyeshadow which comes from the Good Earth trio. I really like this eyeshadow. It is a beautiful grey-brown shade with the perfect amount of shimmer. Sometimes shimmery eyeshadows end up going all over my face and I think that you need such a gentle hand to apply them but this is brilliant. I think that it looks good on its own or blended with a lighter and darker shade. I used them with some Revlon eyeshadows and it looked brilliant. It is so easy to blend out and is just really good for daytime and nighttime looks. I am very happy with this eyeshadow and I don't think that it looks like a miniature. It is perfect travel size but also a brilliant eyeshadow to grab everyday for your everyday makeup use.

So they were my reviews of my No7 advent calendar treats from week 1. I am looking forward to what else I may get from the advent calendar and check back next week for the second week of treats and their reviews.

Let me know if you are loving any No7 products for this time of year. Also if you have advent calendars, chocolate or non-chocolate, I'd love to know what you have.

So until next time lovelies xx

Most Recent MAC Purchase

Hello everyone,

When in a Cambridge a few weeks ago for a Philosophy conference, I decided to pop into MAC. There is one rule I always have to adhere to - whenever I am somewhere with a MAC I have to go and treat myself to something. In a way I am quite happy that we don't have a MAC in Bury otherwise I would be very very poor all of the time.

As its getting colder and makeup looks are changing, I did some research for some things which I would use both in winter but also in the summer if needed. And of course when I go to MAC what do I head straight for? Well take a guess then have a look...

Originally the plan was to buy a lip liner and lipstick to go together and form a good combination but when I found these products that plan went out of the window. After seeing many bloggers rave about this lip liner I just had to treat myself to it. I am excited to use it as either a lip liner with another lipstick or as a lip base on its own. The lip liner is a gorgeous wine and autumny shade and the lipstick is a vibrant shade suitable for all year round.

I just really love MAC lip products and with my growing collection I think that is obvious to most people. Every time I look on the MAC website I go straight for the lipsticks and I have a very long list of lip products on my phone which I love. I really am a lip product addict aren't I?

Impassioned is a lovely pinky coral colour which is very vibrant. I am all up for a vibrant lip so it is definitely well up my street! It isn't like the usual pinky coral, it is deep and sensuous. I have worn it a few times on different occasions - once when talking constantly for a few hours, once at school and once for dinner one day and I have to say that on all occasions it was very long lasting and nourishing. It has such a creamy formula like all the MAC lipsticks and I feel that they are always very nourishing. The pigmentation is amazing as well and you don't have to layer it up to make it opaque, it is a very quick and easy lipstick to use for a bold lip. I really think it looks good on my fair complexion but I think it would suit a variety of skin tones, especially olive skin. I also think it looks good with my blue eyes which is why I always tend to go for pinky coral shades. Finally it has a slight satin finish so it looks matte but isn't at all drying.

Beet lip liner however is something completely different! I have recently got into wearing lip liners and wanting to try a variety as a lip liner or as a lip base. I hadn't got a wine coloured one so when I heard about this I was on a mission to get it. I think lip liners are brilliant to use as they prevent the lipstick from bleeding out onto the skin. Before I use it as a base I have to apply a lip balm because it does need some moisture to blend well. It looks really good on the lips but I do find it quite drying. Because of this I then tend to apply lip balm over the top to moisturise and to prevent it from smudging and therefore making it very long lasting. Unfortunately MAC lip liners as I have found out don't sharpen very well so I use it sparingly so it doesn't need too much sharpening. I think this looks really good with burgundy or wine coloured lipsticks like the Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in 107. I think that Beet is a brilliant name for this lip liner as it really is a beetroot like colour. I just love it so much and think it goes well with any makeup look!

So those were my recent MAC purchases. Let me know if you are as much of a MAC addict as me and let me know your favourite MAC products - especially if they're lipsticks!!

So until next time lovelies xx

The Christmas Tag - Part 1

Hello everyone,

So after doing the Autumn Tag on Sunday, I have decided to do another tag and what better one to do than the Christmas Tag. Because there are lots of Christmassy questions, I have decided to answer 5 questions for you all each week. So lets begin with part 1...

When do you finally feel that Christmas is coming?
I feel that Christmas is coming when many things happen: when our town puts the Christmas trees up, when the Christmas Fayre comes into town, when Christmas jumpers come back into fashion, when the John Lewis advert comes on TV, when Christmas songs come on the radio, when my parents buy mince pies - the list is endless! I am just so excited for Christmas and all that comes with it.

When do you start to wear Christmas jumpers?
I have already begun to wear my Christmas jumpers. I tend to start wearing them at the end of November to get my use out of them. I will continue to wear them til February because as I said, I want to get my moneys worth out of them and jumpers are so lovely to wear, Christmas ones are even better!!

What is top of your Christmas list this year?
I have a beauty related list this year of course. There are quite a few items from MAC including a lipstick palette which I really hope I get. There are also some items from Lush including Snow Fairy which I am hoping for from Father Christmas. But I have to say that top of my Christmas list would have to be an external hard drive. I have filled my Macbook's hard drive up after only 3 months of having it so I need some more space.

Do you prefer Christmas Pudding or Mince Pies?
I love both of these! I will eat many mince pies from the middle of November all the way up to the end of January. But I do think that I prefer Christmas pudding. On Christmas day and around the festive season, I eat endless amounts of Christmas pudding. I would probably say that I eat a third of a large Christmas pudding on Christmas Day. I really love Christmas pudding!!

When do you start your Christmas shopping?
Normally I start my Christmas shopping in early November but I have been late this year. I have only just started my Christmas shopping properly. Mum's birthday is on the 4th December so usually I have her presents sorted for both her birthday and Christmas but I have to confess, I only got her birthday present this weekend and I haven't yet sorted her Christmas present oops. I do love Christmas shopping though. I enjoy getting presents for people and then giving them to see their response.

So thats part 1 of the Christmas Tag. Answer the questions on your blogs or down in the comments. Expect part 2 the same time next week.

So until next time lovelies xx

Easy Peasy Craft 1

Hello everyone,

So I thought about explaining an easy way to make your room or any room look nice. It is a cheap and safe candle alternative. This is just a simple craft that can be done by anyone of all ages to make a place look nice. When I was helping to lead the craft, we were making them with 18 month - 4 year olds. But I really enjoyed making this craft for our living room for the Winter months.

So how do you turn this...

Into this?...

You will need:

 A glass jar (any size), a glue stick, some translucent coloured materials (cut into squares), a battery operated candle

This is very very easy:

1. Make sure the label from the jar has been taken off and there is no sticky stuff on the outside of the jar
2. Put a thick layer of glue all around the jar right to the edges
3. Stick the cut up translucent coloured materials all over the jar. Choose whichever colours you think go the best for wherever you want to situate it (I chose dark autumnal colours to suit the season)
4. Leave it to dry for a few minutes before starting a second layer - but here you will need to place the glue on the material then stick it on the existing materials
5. Do as many layers as you like until you are happy with it then place the battery operated candle in it and turn the lights off to set the mood and make the room seem lovely 

Ta-dah! You should have something like this...

This is just such an easy thing to do with family and friends. I think they look really good for this time of year and they are something that can be left on without the worry that it will catch alight. People of all ages will like this craft and it is a good thing to occupy little ones as well as older ones in the holidays or weekends or just to pass the time on a cold winter's evening.

If you choose to make this, please send me a picture on twitter. Also comment down below any craft ideas you have for me to do, I have limited capability but I'm up for trying anything.

So until next time lovelies xx