The Body Shop Virgin Mojito Range

Hello everyone,

So before my summer holiday away to Center Parcs with my best friends, I decided to treat myself to some little bits from The Body Shop of which the smell would remind me of my summer holidays. So when I smelt the Virgin Mojito range, I fell in love and knew that it would be the smell of my summer. I decided to buy a small body butter and a body sorbet in the scent and have used them a lot so I thought I'd review each of them for you. 

The smell of this is so addictive. It is so fresh and smells so strongly of Mojito. It has such a lovely initial smell of the lime. It is so citrusy and makes you smell so lovely all day. The undertones of mint which come next are nice and fresh and perfect for the summer. I love using them in the morning as they wake you up and get you ready for the day.

The Body Shop Body Butters are something which I have not got on too well with in the past. I find them sometimes too thick to use which can make it off putting. After loving my most recent Pink Grapefruit one, I thought I would try out the Virgin Mojito one and I am so happy I did. Even though I only have the smaller size, it is perfect. It is a great size to fit into a washbag or a handbag to travel with. I find that using it in the morning really gets me going for the day. I am happy they do this in a small size as well as the regular one, but next time I go into The Body Shop I will be upgrading to the bigger size and getting my moneys worth.

I have never tried The Body Shop Body Sorbets before but I am so happy that the first one I tried was from the Virgin Mojito range. However the main thing that put me off was the texture. I understand that it is supposed to be a lot lighter than the Body Butters but I don't know if I will repurchase it when I have finished. I find it hard to rub in and feel that there is some sort of residue that is left after applying it. I love using a moisturiser before I get dressed and after a shower, but I don't think that the Body Sorbets are good enough for hydrating my skin.

So if you love fresh, citrusy, summery scents then this one is definitely for you. However this range is believed to be limited edition (excuse me whilst I cry) so once it's gone, it's gone. Hopefully there will be some left after I have stocked up haha. And for those of you who are under 18, don't worry, you don't need to show your ID to get your hands on it - so make the most of this sort of mojito!

If you have tried this lovely range I would love to hear what you think of it.

So until next time lovelies xx

Topshop Makeup Review

Hello everyone,

Look who's back, back again. I am so sorry for being absent for what seems like forever. The past 4 months have been hectic as I had my final A Level exams, which all in all means I have now finished school (we hope)! So much has happened beauty wise that I have a heck of a lot of things I want to review so I better get started eh?

Competitions in the beauty world are very hard to come across sometimes, let alone win. But I went in for one on Instagram and luckily won. The lovely people from Topshop sent me 7 great makeup items that I consider to be perfect for the summer. They are very glowy and great for both a daytime look and an evening look. So here is what I was sent...

I think that there is enough products here to use as a whole makeup look (without a base) so here is my summer look reviewing the products as I go along.

Glow Stick in Spotlight
This cream blush and highlight in one is one of the most natural looking summer items I have ever seen. I apply it straight from the stick onto the apples of my cheeks. It blends in so easily using either a brush or your fingertips. I have got it in the shade Spotlight and think it is a great product to use this summer; its not too creamy that it will slide off the face but it is creamy enough to apply straight from the stick onto the face, and then easy to blend out.

Brow Palette in Fetch
This brow kit has everything in it. It has a great wax and powder which both have a great formulation. You can use them separately or together when applying. It also has a brush, a tiny spoolie and a miniature pair of tweezers. Hence, this is a great product to pack in your makeup kit when you are going away as everything you need is in this little box (with gorgeous packaging may I add).

Glow Highlight in Gleam
I think that this product is multi-purpose. It is a great highlighter for the cheek and has the perfect amount of shimmer in it, but I also think it is a great cream eyeshadow. I think that because it is so creamy and easy to blend out, that it can be used on the eyes as a wash of colour or with other eyeshadows. It has quite a gold sheen to it which is really flattering on both the cheek and on the eye for all skin tones in my opinion.

Eyeshadow in Galaxy
When I first saw this eyeshadow I didn't think it would look at all nice on me. I thought it was too dark for my pale skin and blue eyes, but was I wrong! It is such a gorgeous shade for in the crease. It goes really well with the cream highlight for both a daytime and evening eye look. I would be more inclined to use it sparingly in the day but heavy at night as for me it can look like I have a black eye if it is too dark. It has great pigmentation which means you need very little on the brush. It is quite a handy size also to fit in a makeup bag. I would say that it is quite similar to MAC Sable so if you can't afford it, the Topshop one is a great dupe.

Kohl Eyeliner in Sable
Now most of you will know that I am not too keen on eyeliners, mainly due to the fact that I can't apply it very well. I tend to struggle with kohl eyeliners. Some are quite hard and hence I dont like to apply them. This one from Topshop however is great. It is a lovely colour and has a great formula. It is really easy to apply and the formulation of it means that it goes quite opaque quite quickly. I haven't got an eyeliner like this one and there is no doubt that once I have finished it I will repurchase it. Also, the packaging is gorgeous!

Doe Eyed Lashes Mascara in Black
I am fussy when it comes to eyeliners - you all know that! However, recently I have left my obsession with plastic wands behind me and now tend to use fibre style wands. When I first looked at the wand I thought that it wouldn't be for me, however I do really like it. It provides a great amount of product in one application for a natural, daytime look. This can be built up using multiple applications for a more voluminous and lengthening look which is perfect for the evening.

Lipstick in Nevada
I have a couple of other Topshop lipsticks and absolutely love everything about them. This one has the most gorgeous rose gold packaging which I fell in love with as soon as I saw it. However, the colour of the lipstick is definitely not for me. I personally think it looks a lot more like a concealer than a lipstick. The only way I can wear it and make it work is by using it as a base and putting a gloss over the top, whether that be a clear gloss or a coloured gloss. I think this lipstick is more creamy in texture than my others so I might have to purchase another in this packaging to see if the formulation as a whole is different.

So this is my natural daytime look which I have been loving at the moment and I'm sure I will continue to love it for the rest of the summer. I think Topshop makeup is great so if you haven't yet tried it, you are definitely missing out!

Thank you Topshop for sending me these lovely items, I will continue to use them and love them. And remember everyone, next time there is a competition, don't not enter because you think you won't win - be persistent and optimistic!

So until next time lovelies xx

Me Time Tag

Hello everyone,

Sorry I haven't posted for the past fortnight, I’ve been very busy with school and half term, then all of a sudden Sunday evening came around and I hadn’t written a blog post. This week I thought I’d do another tag as I have enjoyed all the others I have done so far. So lets begin…

1. What do you like to watch or read during me time?

I love watching loads of things during me time. I love watching YouTube videos, especially ViviannaDoesMakeup, Hannah Maggs and the Shaytards. I also pretty much love anything on Netflix particularly New Girl and Orange Is The New Black. And of course F.R.I.E.N.D.S.! I don’t tend to read that much but depending on my mood I might crack open a book.

2. What do you wear during me time?

Anything comfortable! Normally either my pyjamas or a warm snuggly jumper and jogging bottoms. Oh and fluffy socks of course. I mean, who can’t live without fluffy socks?!

3. What are your favourite me time beauty products?

I love having a bath so using anything from Lush is always good for me. I also love face packs if I’m in the mood whether they're from the drugstore in a tube or a clay mask from Lush. I have also really been loving using Liz Earle products to cleanse my face and give it what I call a ‘mini facial’. You can read about those products HERE.

4. Current favourite nail polish?
This is an easy one for me. I am wearing it now on my fingernails and toenails. This is the Barry M Nail Polish in Vintage Violet. This is a perfect colour for all year round and can look great with casual outfits or for something a bit smarter. It is a great nail varnish if you're in a rush to go out or to fix a chip.

5. What do you eat or drink during me time?
I tend to eat a mix of savoury and sweet things during me time. I love Thai Sweet Chilli Crisps and anything chocolatey is also good. These on their own or a combination of the two is great. And for drinking, its either got to be a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Both of them are good by me. 

6. Current favourite candle?

This is tricky for me. With candles I don't tend to have favourites. I like to try different things all the time. I really love tea lights as they make everything look pretty. Scented and unscented tea lights tend to always be on in my room. I also like the Fairy Dust candle the best I think for smells. I have used a few of these and they are just such a lovely treat which smell lovely and last for ages. The tin is also cute to use when the candle is all burnt out. 

7. Do you ever have outdoor me time?

I tend to spend most of my me time in my bed alone. Sometimes though I like to go on a walk. Putting my headphones in and going for a walk around where I live makes me happy and forget about crap that's going on. Sometimes I go for a run in the morning with my mum and I would say this is a bit of me time too. 

8. Would you ever go and watch a film alone?

Aha I wish. I would love to have the confidence to do this but I would be too scared to go on my own, especially if I saw people I knew. I don't have much time or money to go to the cinema anymore. I also don't have anyone really to go with so that kind of puts me off going to see films which I want to go and see. 

9. Favourite online shop?

If it's clothes shopping, I like to look on H&M or New Look the most because that tends to be where most of my wardrobe comes from. Beauty wise, it has to be Space NK, MAC or Boots I think. I love shopping online, or at least browsing for new beauty things. Amazon is also a great place to online shop and browse. I could spend hours looking at new books, beauty items, CDs etc. I spend way too much time online browsing or shopping for new things! 

10. What else do you do during me time?

I just like to spend the time doing what I want really. I love talking to my friends so a Skype call, a phone call or just a long texting conversation is always good by me. Also listening to music and having some devotional time, being a Christian, is always something I like to spend me time doing. 

I hope you liked this tag. I found it online and thought it was something different. I love doing tags so if you find some others let me know. Or feel free to contact me and send me questions you would like me to answer. Also, if you complete this tag, I'd love to read your responses. 

So until next time lovelies xx

MAC Viva Glam Palette - Review

Hello everyone,

So today's post is all about my MAC Viva Glam lipstick palette. I got given this for Christmas and you have no idea how excited I was to get it. I am so happy with this palette and thought I would review each of the colours for you and swatch them too...

TL-VG1, ML-VG2, BL-VG3, TR-VG4, MR-VG5, BR-VG6

Viva Glam 1: Matte Shade

This shade at first glance I thought was going to be my favourite shade out of the whole palette but unfortunately it isn't very pigmented. I had to layer it up a lot to get to that level of cover in the picture. It is a gorgeous matte shade though and one that really is suitable for both daytime and nighttime. I can see myself wearing this a lot in February. The only downside though is that it is a bit drying so will make sure I use the MAC Prep+Prime Lip under it to make it stay for a long time and to renourish my lips.

Viva Glam 2: Satin Shade 

This is by far my favourite shade! I think it looks so good as a neutral lip and even though it isn't much different to my natural lip colour it still has an impact and looks great with a neutral makeup look and a smokey eye look. I really recommend cleaning your brush before using it though because any dark lipstick will get onto the palette and won't make your lips look as amazing. I might have to try and get this in stick form to add to my nude-pink collection.

Viva Glam 3: Matte Shade

When I looked at this shade I was a bit concerned. I dont really suit dark lips unless I am going out and this shade in the palette looks quite brown but low and behold to me it is a nice berry shade. I am yet to find a MAC berry shade that looks good on my lips but with this I am happy with it. It is quite nourishing and the pigmentation is really good. The only problem when applying it is trying to keep a steady hand and making it stay on the lips rather than it going on the skin - but I'm sure I'll perfect that skill one day!

Viva Glam 4 - Frost Shade

This shade would look really good as a gloss over the top of other lipsticks. I think this looks great matched with VG1 as it is just the frost version of the shade I would say. I think that it has great pigmentation and because it is really glossy, it is really nourishing for the lips and I didn't feel it budge or slide around on the lips when I was wearing it which is something I was worried about. I think its a great shade to wear with any makeup look whether it be daytime or nighttime.

Viva Glam 5 - Lustre Shade

This is a lot like MAC Patisserie which was my first ever MAC lipstick and to have it in a palette form is nice. It goes great with VG2 for the same reasons as I said above for VG1+4. This is the best shade if you are running late and need to quickly whack something on. It doesn't need much precision for application which is great for me even though I am addicted to lipsticks, I am not the best at applying them! It would be a great lipstick to team up with a dark smokey eye whether that be a black/grey one or a brown one.

Viva Glam 6 - Lustre Shade

Just like the other two, this goes great with the shade alongside it in the palette (VG3). In the palette this shade looks more brown than VG3 but I think that on the lips it is more red. The finish which it has is lovely for any time of day and I think it is a great shade to make the transition from Winter makeup looks to Spring ones. It is easy to apply and would look great on its own or on top of a darker shade to give a glossy finish.

So that's my review for the MAC Viva Glam Palette. I am so happy that I got this for Christmas and I can tell that I will be using it a lot this year. I am a bit worried that some shades need more application than others to get a good look on the lips but I'm sure it will all work out well. At £35 I think this is a great product and would really recommend it to anyone who wanted a variety of MAC lip products. It is also a good size to fit in a makeup bag so I can assure you that this will team up with my MAC eyeshadow quad for when I go away.

Let me know what lip products you are loving at the moment, especially the ones you are using to change your Winter makeup into Spring makeup.

So until next time lovelies xx

My MAC Eyeshadow Quad

Hello everyone,

Sorry I didnt post last week. Instead I thought I would treat you to a double bill this weekend. I have two MAC palette reviews for you.

Today I've got for you a review of my MAC quad which I started back in the Summer. I have a lot of single MAC eyeshadows but wanted to create my own signature quad of shadows that I can use on a day to day basis for a daytime and nighttime look and that I can easily fit into my makeup bag. So here is my MAC quad...

TL-Omega, TR-Blackberry, BL-Shale, BR-Satin Taupe

Omega:

This is such a nice subtle, neutral shade. If I'm not really feeling wearing much eyeshadow, I will just sweep a little bit of this along the lid. It is subtle enough to wear on its own or can be used as a base to build up other colours. I love this caramel-like shade and think it can be worn all year round. It is a matte shade which means it is great to be worn on its own. I personally would say that if youre looking to get a really basic, neutral base shade, that Omega is what you should be picking up and going to the counter with.

Blackberry:

I love a purple/burgundy eye sometimes, but after me not being able to work well with MAC Cranberry because I end up looking like I've been in a fight, I looked for an alternative. This came in Blackberry. Cranberry is a shimmer shade whereas Blackberry is a matte. It is a plum coloured matte shade which a perfect crease colour. Its a great shade that can really transform your daytime look to a nighttime look. It is really easy to blend and looks great with a range of other shimmer eyeshadows, especially MAC Jest for a really cute and girly look.

Shale:

This shade I got for Christmas and I love it. It is a great wintery eye shade because of the blue undertones it has. It is a lovely shimmer shade that can be used in the crease or all over the eye for a more dramatic and nighttime look. This can also go well with Cranberry. It can be used with browns and greys which makes it a great eyeshadow to have because of its multi-purposeness. It is highly pigmented so a little goes a long with and sometimes fall-down leaves shimmer on my face but it's easily rectified with a bit more powder. This was a shade I wasnt sure about trying because I didnt know exactly if it was me but I am very happy that I put it on my Christmas list.

Satin Taupe:

This is a MAC classic. Anyone who owns MAC eyeshadows owns this shade and so I was very late to get it. This was the other eyeshadow which I got for Christmas. If you are looking to do a brown smokey eye look this is the perfect dark shade to blend into the crease and the outer corner of the eye. It has some shimmer in it but its highly pigmentation is great for a bold and dark eye which stands out so much more than when using other shades. It has a metallic look to it, like Shale, but don't let that put you off buying it and wearing it. It is a classic shade to own and I would recommend it to everyone!

This quad is something I would use on a day-to-day basis and I think you can get so many great daytime and nighttime looks out of it. It is cheaper to buy the palette and fill it with the eyeshadow refills than to buy them all separately. I also think they look nicer. With MAC eyeshadows, a little goes a long way and I don't think you need much so they will last a long time. Having a variety of different shades means the combinations of looks which you can make are great and whenever I wear MAC eyeshadows, especially this quad, I always get compliments from people saying how great the shades are.

So if you are looking to buy some eyeshadows I would recommend MAC entirely and they have such a wide variety that there really is something for everyone. 

Let me know if you have any MAC eyeshadows and if you would recommend any to me to try because I am always up for trying new products.

So until next time lovelies xx

Liz Earle Skincare Routine

Hello everyone,

Firstly, a quick sorry for the lack of blog posts recently. Life stuff has been happening as well as A Levels and life is just very very hectic!

But I thought I would tell you my new skincare routine and kind of review the products which I use. I put some Liz Earle products on my Christmas list but unfortunately Santa did not deliver; the Boxing Day sales however did!

The gift set which I treated myself to was the Botanical Skin Saviours set. This included: the Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, the Instant Boost Skin Tonic, the Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion, the Skin Repair Moisturiser and two muslin cloths. I got this at a fab price and it also included free delivery and a 30ml Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and a small muslin cloth.

After reading great reviews from a variety of bloggers I thought I would bite the bullet and just go for it. I was a bit apprehensive at first because as I still have quite young skin I wasnt sure if it would do anything for my skin and because I have skin which can get irritated easily, I was worried that it may cause allergic reactions but I needn't have feared because they are great. I use most of them in the evening after a shower for my evening skincare routine but also use them in the morning before I apply my foundation so I thought I would briefly run-through my routines...

Morning Skincare Routine:
In the morning I wash my face with warm water and use the muslin cloth to do this. If I have a bad breakout or need some nourishing I will use the Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser before this. But normally the warm water does the trick to make my face look more awake. I then pat dry my face with a nice fluffy towel before putting some of the Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion on some cotton wool and rubbing that all around my eyes. If my face is feeling in the need for some moisture I will then use about a pea size amount of the Skin Repair Moisturiser. Don't think that you will need lots of the moisturiser because a little goes a long way and leaves your skin feeling moisturised.

Evening Skincare Routine:
After my shower in the evening I tend to come out looking like a panda (girl problems!) I use the Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser on my dry-ish face and work it in using circular movements. I focus it around where I have breakouts and on my panda eyes. I then use a muslin cloth and warm water to wash the cleanser off. I focus a lot on my eyes to get all of the mascara and stuff off my face. I keep washing my face about 3 times to make sure all of the cleanser has gone and that my face feels clean. I then put some of the Instant Boost Skin Tonic on cotton wool and wipe that over my face before finally moisturising using the Skin Repair Moisturiser. As I said before, I only use about a pea sized amount because that really is all you need.

These products truly are amazing. I have used them for 14 days now and not used any other skincare products and I can really feel a difference in my skin. I have some breakouts but am not sure if they are because of the products. The products make my skin feel nourished and hydrated and I can see a great improvement in how glowing my skin looks. These products don't make me feel oily at all and I will continue to use these for a while. The muslin cloths do get a bit dirty because of the makeup marks but putting them in a wash after every 5 days of use or so cleans them up and they look new again. I have nearly finished my tonic and eye lotion which makes me a bit sad and as they are a bit pricey and out of my budget, replacements will be on my birthday list I'm sure.

I hope you liked my little reviews and skincare routines. I would really recommend these products to everyone and I'm sure they will do wonders for your skin like they have done for mine. Thanks Liz Earle for making great products. I am now hooked and will be investing in a lot more things soon. If you have tried any Liz Earle products let me know how you got on with them and I might have to do another little shop.

So until next time lovelies xx

No7 Advent Calendar - Week 3

Hello everyone,

This week has been a really good week for the products in the advent calendar. I would possibly go as far as saying that it has been my favourite week so far! There has been such a great mix of a variety of products. Lets see what week 3 had to offer...

15th December: No7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in Black

After getting the Stay Precise Felt Tip Liner I have wanted to use every eyeliner under the sun! So when I opened this up I was excited to add another eyeliner to my vast collection and to actually try and use it. I wore it to school that day without any eyeshadow on and I have to say that it disappointed me. I had to keep on checking in a mirror because it left black marks on top of my eyelids. Once I wore it with heavy eyeshadow (like gold) it didnt leave this mark. I think that it only really works for me when teamed with a bold eyeshadow look. I think pencil eyeliner has to be applied well for it to look good and I dont think I've quite mastered it yet but I will one day! It is also a really handy size to keep in a makeup bag and I dont think it needs sharpening all the time which is a really good thing.

16th December: No7 Essential Lip Brush

I have only just started to use lip brushes for my lips. Normally I would line the lips or use a good lip balm then apply the lipstick over the top normally but during the colder Winter months, I have been putting a layer of lipstick on using a lip brush. I think this maintains the staying power of the lipstick and helps to give a bolder look which I really like during this time of year. I have tried a variety of lip brushes and I have to say that I think they all do great jobs whether they are expensive or cheap. I wouldnt have gone out and bought this product on its own but because I have got it as part of this advent calendar, I am very grateful and have used it every day since getting it.

17th December: No7 Intense Volume Mascara in Black

As I said before when reviewing the other mini mascara from the advent calendar, I am fussy when choosing a mascara. Like the other one, this has a furry fibre-y wand which I am not particularly fond of. I found the formula of this mascara more liquidy than the other one and I dont think that it gives a lot of volume. I just think that it shows that you are wearing a thin layer of mascara. If you are wanting a minimal makeup look then I think this would be for you. It gives a bit of length but not much volume. I would say that the mini sizes of these mascaras are great to take away or to keep in a clutch bag on a night out, but I wouldnt go out and buy the full size product of this mascara or the other one if I'm being honest.

18th December: No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow Cappuccino (top shade)

I have recently become a lover of a gold eyeshadow look. I think that they are a great Winter party or going out look if you want it to be bold or even something subtle for day-to-day wear. I have been using this ever since I got it as a base for very highly pigmented gold eyeshadow products. I think it would look good with any colour over the top as it is a shimmery base coat. The size of the product is also something which I find great - it doesnt take up too much room in my makeup bag or makeup drawer! I also think it would go well with the other eyeshadow which came from this calendar if you were looking to do a quick and easy eyeshadow look if you were in a rush. I dont know how much I would use it any other time of year but I am loving it at the moment and I'm sure it'll be used at some point in the Spring/Summer months. I would also recommend using it under the bottom lash line as a way of brightening the eyes and making you look more awake.

19th December: No7 Nail Effect in Disco Ball

Now when I opened this up, it was safe to say that I automatically began to feel slightly more festive. I love wearing darker shades in the winter and then putting a top coat which leaves an effect on top. I have used some before but because the formula is so thick it just goes opaque over the nail varnish but this one I would say is multi-purpose. You could wear this as a glitter nail varnish on its own or you could match it with another colour and use it as a great top coat. I wore this last night with Barry M's Vintage Violet and thought they were a great combination. I think it a great product to have either full size or travel size. I would easily use this all Christmas and would recommend it highly. Its safe to say I will be using this for the rest of the Winter months and maybe even in Spring too.

20th December: No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Day Hand Cream

I'm not particularly one for hand creams. I have tried a variety but I just think that they arent for me. As an Avon Rep I have tried a variety of Avon ones and I have also tried the Soap and Glory Hand Food. Dont get me wrong theyre not bad products, I just generally have soft hands which dont tend to crack or get dry so I am quite lucky. Because of this I dont tend to use hand creams; but I know someone who does! I dont want to get used to this hand cream which costs £10.50 for the full size product, especially when there are cheaper alternatives which work just as well. I tried it on the day that I got it and thought that it was good - it didnt leave a sticky residue on my hands, it made my hands feel soft, but this isnt something I would use much. It also doesnt have a distinct smell which is something that I tend to like in body products so I dont think its for me. Because of this I am either going to keep it in my makeup bag or give it to mum. Even if I dont intentionally end up giving it to her, I'm sure she'll find it and keep if for herself anyway.

21st December: No7 Stay Perfect Metallic Eye Pencil in Metallic Grey

As you now know, my eyeliner obsession is going out of control! I am a lip product addict at heart and always will be but I am starting to really get into eyeliner. I have a few sparkly metallic eyeliners but not one like this. It has a great eyeliner like the Supershock ones from Avon - it is a gel-like liner in pencil form. Also this eyeliner has a smudger on the end which is really nice to have. I guess you could use this as an eyeliner or part of an eyeshadow look. I have used this eyeliner with my bold gold eyeshadow look and because it is a silver colour, I think it really works well as a contrast. And of course who doesnt love a bit of silver in the festive season? I am excited about wearing this on Christmas Day with my green sequin dress. The only downside with this product is that it is very long and it is hard to fit in a makeup bag, but because it has a strong staying power, it is unlikely that you would need to keep reapplying it.

I'm really excited to see what I have left to open and I will be reviewing the last 4 things from this years advent calendar. 

So until next time lovelies xx