Fashion Friday's: The Zara Mini City Bag

Buying my first Zara has been at the very top of my wish list for a long, long time. I have massively got into Zara in 2014, and it is fast becoming my must have shopping venue. I just love how simple and classic their clothing is, and it always look such good quality and you can easily create effortless outfits. I can guarantee I will go in and see so many items that I want, but I do sometimes find some of their pieces rather pricey. Although, you can find those little gems with a rather decent price tag attached to them.

Zara handbags are known for being simple but an essential to every women's handbag collection. The full size City Bag was what originally caught my eye but at £59.99, it was over my budget and seemed a little large for the summer bag I was wanting. This has been a must have accessory across the fashion industry featuring in many magazines and fashion blogs. I was casually browsing over the Zara website late one night when I set my eyes on the 'mini' version of the must have bag, the Mini City which has a slightly budget friendly price of £39.99. I loved this pale pink colour which I think is perfect for taking us into these summer seasons. On the day my shopping ban was over, I headed to Zara bright and early to pick this up. I could not see it out on display, although I do find it hard to shop for accessories in Zara as they match them up in trends so you have to look on every display on all the floors. In the end, I asked a sales assistant who said it was not on the shop floor but she think it had arrived in that day's delivery. When she came out with it it was meant to be, fresh out of the packaging and on to my card it went. I have used this bag everyday since, and I love it. I like that there is two big sections with zips at the front and back of the bag where I keep my valuables. Then the entire middle section is for all of the necessary bits and bobs and it has a press stud to keep it safe. I love the long strap on the bag which you can throw over your body or wear it across your body. The handles are sturdy and can clip together with a little clip, the only downfall of this bag is that you can not fit it on your shoulders as the handles are just that little bit too small. But it fits nicely on your arm as a bit of arm candy and it is not a particularly heavy bag. The material of the bag is faux leather which is dyed into the colours which are the pink, blue, white and red. I like the array of colours which it comes in and I think this is my most recommend item to have featured on my blog to date, as I honestly do not think anyone would be disappointed having this in their possessions.


Lucy
xoxo

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan

I mentioned this in Monday's Recent Launches and Buys post. But it deserves its own dedicated post of its own. I have to really be liking a product in order for me to blog about it, as I do not want to recommend something to others for them to be disappointing in it.

If you had read my other post you will have got a little background knowledge about this tan. Basically Rimmel has relaunched their range of fake tans for 2014, and have featured the gorgeous Binky from Made in Chelsea as their poster girl. I have used their Sun Shimmer Instant Tan for years and have always loved the product. There are two types of finishes to this range - matte and shimmer. Last year I went for shimmer and although it looks nice in the summer and gives you a summer glow, I found in some lights it could looks glittery especially on my legs. Therefore this year I opted for the matte version, hoping for a more natural looking tan, but still getting that summer glow. It also comes in three colours - light, medium and dark. As I am pale skin and do not want an overwhelming over the top amount of colour, I choose light thinking that I could always build it up if necessary. I love instant tan over build able, as you can just pop it on if and when you need it and instantly. It comes outs there and then so you can see where you have missed and you do not have to wait for the colour to build over a few days. This is a wash off tan which is great, I used this when I went out last week and when I was in the shower the next morning it came off with little effort. I used a tanning mitt to apply it as with instant tan applying with you hands can end up a little messy and leave you palms stained.

I used this for the first time last week on a girls night out, and it just reminded me how good it was. I borrowed my sisters as mine had ran out, and she was telling me all about the new range and how it was half price at Boot's. I was telling her how much I love it, but if someone spills a drink on you it is game over as found that the colour runs really easily. She then informed me that this new formula is water resistant, which I was seriously so thrilled about. Therefore, I think this is a perfect tan for the spring/summer. It gives a lovely, healthy glow, you can choose the colour as well as your finish, its instant and waterproof and you can just wash it off the next day. It is an all over body tan for face and body, but I have not yet tried it out on my face as I am always anxious at the results. But if it is anything like the application to my body, I will be seriously happy.

I was intrigued when I went to buy my own bottle the other day to see that Rimmel now sell a Pre-Tan Exfoliater and a BB Cream Perfector Tan. The absolute icing on the cake, is that all the new Rimmel tanning products are currently half price at Boot's and Superdrug meaning it cost me just £3.49. I am definitely going to go and stock up on my next trip as I know this will be the tan I will be using religiously throughout spring and summer this year.

Lucy
xoxo

Recent Launches and Buys

Yeahh.. my spending have finally come to a finish. It has been a very long six weeks. This meant that I just had to pop to Boots yesterday and pick up a few bits which I have had my eye on for a while now. I literally had about five minutes to run round and collect everything that I wanted, so it was a bit of a case of just go with what you thought and fancied.

First up the Rimmel Colour Rush Balm - This was a recommendation from my sister, she picked up two recently and has been absolutely loving the outcome from the product. If you have been following my blog for a while now, you will know how much of a fan I am of the Revlon Colourburst Balms as I have been really loving the amount of pigmentation in them and how long lasting they are. I picked this Rimmel one up in the colour On Fire which is very much an everyday colour for me, it is not as red as the packaging suggests it is more of a muted pink on the lips. I am excited to try this and compare it with the Revlon alternative, these cost £5.99.

Revlon Parfumerie in African Tea Rose - This is part of Revlon's new scented nail enamel collection which has recently been launched. The bottles are really cute and I was just intrigued to find out the formula of these varnishes and if they do actually have the scent of what it states. I have had a sneaky sniff in the bottle and to me it just smells of normal nail varnish which is disappointing. However, I am going to investigate and see how this really works, at £7.99 I am really hoping for high things from this little bottle.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet  - This is a new launch from Bourjois, it is a line of lipsticks which have a matte finish but come in the form of a wand and not your normal lipstick stick. I picked this up in Frambourjoise which is a pale toned red and I am excited to test the formula and its lasting powers on the lips as it claims to have a 24 hour hold. These are £8.99 which is not the cheapest from the drugstore, but there has been a lot of good reviews about these so I wanted to test them out for myself.

Last but not least, Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan - I recently watched Vivianna Does Makeup video all about her favourite buys from the drugstore and she mentioned this fake tan. It reminded me of how much I loved it last year, and how coming into spring a new bottle was overdue. This was the one thing at the very top of my list when I took my first steps back into Boot's after so long! I was very, very happy to see that it is currently half price and was just £3.49. I really recommend this as it leaves a really lovely instant glow, nothing too dramatic but a realistic looking tan. I went for the matte version as shimmery looking legs is not my thing, and they always seem to go too shimmery on me. I am so happy that they have finally made the formula water resistant. I have had quite a few mishaps with this when a drink has been spilled on me and it would instantly run, so hopefully this will stop that ever happening again. I much prefer instant tans to build able ones as you can just wash them off the next day. I recommend this to everyone and it comes in light, medium and dark.

Lucy
xoxo

Stereo Rose

Stereo Rose first released in a few years a go in a MAC collection and it was a total favourite of many makeup lovers. I saw Lily Pebbles post a few months back when the new collection had been announced, and she had said that had purchased this and loved it. This blush comes from the current MAC exclusive line called Fantasy of Flowers which has been in stores since March. I actually purchased this as soon as the collection was released, but I wanted to properly put it to the test before I reviewed it for you.

With blushes once I find a favourite I stick with it and use it constantly; blushes take up a very small part in my makeup collection as I usually do not get that excited about them. I do adore the pop of colour on the cheek and always apply it when doing my makeup, but for me there is just so many other makeup pieces which intrigue me so so much more. This however has differently opened my eyes more as to the different colours and looks you can create and I have been more interested in expanding my blush collection.

So down the nitty gritty, Stereo Rose it is a beautiful coral based blush with has a golden shimmer throughout it. I loved the domed shaped of this as it is highly pigmented, you need the tiniest dab of colour for a lot of pay off on the cheeks. I can safely say I have never owned a blush with so much pigmentation, it will literally last me a last time. Even compared to my other MAC blushes where you give the pan a swirl with your brush, with this I literally just touch the end of my brush into it has enough for both cheeks.This is a Mineralise Skinfinish Natural, which is where my favourite powder which I am fully dedicated to comes from. It costs £22 which is a little more pricey than standard MAC blushes, but it is definitely worth it. The product is domed face and it has that baked look to it which provides a really natural but glowing pop to the cheeks. When I first set my eyes on Stereo Rose I thought it looked a lot bigger therefore naturally thinking it must contain more product than the standard MAC blushes. When I had a little scout across the Selfridges website I realised that this contained 10g. Interestingly the standard Powder Blush costing £18 contained 6g and the Mineralise Blush contained only 3.2g and they cost £20. I do not usually look at the grams per product but I think it is a bit crazy how they can differ so much. All in all though as this contains 10g it is differently worse spending that little bit more, as it will last you so much longer. This is a perfect shade from the transition into spring and I know that it has been making a daily appearance on my cheeks.

Lucy
xoxo

The Perfect MAC Quad

(From left to right - All That Glitters, Satin Taupe, Omega & Woodwinked)

Now, this is a bold statement to make but I think I might honestly own the perfect MAC quad. I can use it everyday to create a perfect everyday look but when I want a more intense look for a night out or for a classic smokey this can also be created with this quad. I actually only own five MAC eyeshadows in total, which is not surprising as I am not a huge eyeshadow girl but I am looking at expanding my collection for more spring tones. But then I look at my little quad, and I always know I can just rely on it at all times to pull off and create what I want to with great ease. The shadows are £12 individually or £10 in the pan form, and the 4x quad costs £6.50.

All That Glitters, was the first edition to this quad. I built it slowly over a few months to ensure I was including the exact colours that I wanted. I remember picking this colour and the actual quad up when I was on holiday in Ireland, I am not sure why but I just had an instant thought that creating a quad is so much easier than having individual shadows all over the place. When I started to create this palette I was MAC obsessed it was my first introduction to high end beauty and I thought it was the bee all and end all, and so did all my friends. I did not have any knowledge on colours and textures, and I can actually say that I created this quad with very little knowledge which I am a little bit proud of. As my interest in makeup grew I realised my little quad I had created featured three of the best know shadows, and are essentials for many people and often appear as people's must haves. This is a beautiful light pink colour which adds a little pop to the eye, it has a lovely golden shimmer running through it and I use this on a daily basis as a base. 

Satin Taupe is the darkest shade to my quad, and I wear this in the crease and outer section of my eyelid. It is the perfect colour to create the classic smokey eye, it adds an edge of darkness to a look. The great thing is that it is not too dark, I love a smokey eye, but I like it to still be bright and have that pop of colour rather than being made up of all dark browns and black. For the daytime I sometimes put just one layer of this on all over the lid and I am ready to go, it is a really easy shade to wear.

Omega was the last colour to be added to the quad. It was recommended to me by a girl working on the MAC counter when I popped into store one day. I had seen many people including it in blogs and in YouTube videos as a perfect colour for fair girls to use on there eyebrows. I have fair hair and a pale skin tone and I always struggle to get eyebrow colours that are not to dark for me. I love a full brow though and I have been struggling for years to find colours to match my colouring. I think during my high school days I definitely rocked eyebrows that were a little too dark for me, but I really loved the look at the time. If you swatch this on your hand it does not really create much colour and looks as though it lacks pigmentation. But, apply it with a brush onto the brows and you get that pop of dark blonde colour which is perfect for blondes. You can create a lot of colour with a the tiniest bit of colour. If you are not a massive fan or using pencils I would certainly suggest you try out using a shadow, I do find that it is long lasting and if you have a darker hair colouring mystery is often a favourite amongst many.

Woodwinked is my all time favourite eyeshadow colour hands down. A bold statement to once again make, but everyone and I mean everyone should have this shade. I bought this as an individual before the creation of the quad, but I miss placed it for months and I could not find it anywhere. So I had to rebuy it and include it in my quad as my second shade as it was such a must have. I then found the individual shadow but this means I have a double dosing and there is barely anything left in the single quad now, but it is okay as there is always a backup in the quad. On nights out my friends always borrow my quad and Woodwinked is the first colour which they are drawn to. I would describe this as the perfect everyday shade. It is a beautiful mid tone bronze, with shimmer once again running through it as I am not a huge fan of matte shadows. On the lid it is vibrant but and instantly brightens your entire look with one application of this colour. It is just perfection it is so shimmery and the pigmentation in all of these shadows are beautiful, you need very little product to produce huge amounts of colour.

I would love to know what colours would you or do you feature in you MAC quad?

All other posts from this week: The Flower Print Pant / Jewellery Collection and Storage / March Favourites

Lucy

xoxo

Fashion Friday's: The Flower Print Pant

Today on Fashion Friday I bring you a trouser/legging combination named the Bloom Block Flocked Tregging which I picked up from Topshop at the start of this season. A tregging is a mix between a trouser and a legging, which is great as it still has the smart trouser look but they have more stretch in them.

I originally bought them as a statement piece for a night out. I have surprisingly worn these treggings a lot more than I first thought I would, as I wasn't sure if they were a bit too dressy for the daytime. Although for daytime looks I have been teaming them with a variety of different black tops, then my leather jacket and a pair of plain shoes. I have worn this look to uni, out to meals and I jazzed it up with a statement necklace and my favourite pair of heeled chelsea boots for a night out. They fit really well and I love that they are made of a thicker material than normal leggings to keep you that little bit warmer, and they have a side zip to make sure they are fitted. I am definitely looking at picking up another similar pair to these for the spring, as I find them so comfortable and you do not have to think about the outfit in to much detail as the pants are so detailed. I love the monochrome effect that runs throughout them, and the flower details makes them more girly and fun. The material feels like felt to me and at first it did feel a little bit strange, but it is because the black material lies on top of the white so the design is more vibrant. I have just discovered whilst searching for a link to them, that they have actually gone down to £15 now in the sale. I paid £28 originally which I thought was a decent price for Topshop as it can be very pricey sometimes. However, if you have a quick browse under 'treggings' there are 98 different options currently, so I am pretty sure you will be able to find a design and style which you love!

Lucy
xoxo

Jewellery Collection and Storage

Recently I have been looking for a way to display my jewellery as I never really had any storage. I have tried to use jewellery boxes previously and I use them effectively for a week and then I give up and my jewellery ends up in the same state it was before. I was watching a video by Fleur De Force on her YouTube channel on her jewellery collection and storage recently, I loved the stands that she had recently bought and decided to have a nosy on the John Lewis website at the stands in more detail. 

I really love the style of these stands which come from the designer Lisbeth Dahl Poppy. This comes in a smaller size for £16.50 or the medium size which is the one I purchased for £20. So I popped into John Lewis recently and picked up the medium size, I really like that it has a vintage look to the stand. I especially like the design to the base and how it matches the ends and the top of the arms. There is one little negative to this stand, I have found it to be a little bit unsteady and the arms have wobbled a tiny bit as they are not fully secured into the main stand.

This is just a small amount of my jewellery which I have featured on the stand but I thought I would let you know what I have put on it. Starting from the left, I have a tie Thomas Sabo bracelet which has two charms attached to it which are an 18 and an anchor. I have three different Pandora bracelets which I have been collecting for about 3 years now. I have white single woven leather bracelet in pearl, I have a variety of beads and charms on this bracelet. The next Pandora bracelet is my original bracelet which I got as a present off my parents and this bracelet is completely full with charms and beads, its a really nice way to collect and build up your bracelets as family members buy me new things to put on it for birthdays and at Christmas. The final bracelet is my newest one which I got for Christmas 2013 off my parents again, it is one of the bangle styles. I think this is my favourite out of the three, I currently only have three beads and one charm on this one but I like the minimalist look so I don't think I am going to put too much more on it. To finish off this side of the stand I have two necklaces which I like to regularly wear. One is a long necklace with a black shark tooth which was from Primark, and the other is a orange and black statement necklace which I bought from Debenhams in the sales and I love it to really brighten an outfit as it is a real stand out piece. On the other side is two necklaces from New Look, I think New Look have some really good fashion jewellery pieces for really good prices and I always nip in whenever I am looking for something new. One features a collection of spikes and the other one is a real chunky chained necklace. Then I finally have my two watches on the stand, the first one is my Toy watch which I have had for ages, I think I got it for my 16th birthday and I still love to wear it. It is really good quality and it was expensive when it was bought, I really love the vibrant pink colour. The other pink watch is from Oasis, I bought this when my Toy watch broke and I had to send it abroad to be fixed so it took about two months to come back to me, so I bought this in the meanwhile. I actually do wear this on rotation with my Toy watch, as I like that its a more neutral pink colour and the fact that it is metal and not plastic. 

You can see featured at the bottom of the photos, a little dish which I absolutely adore. I picked this up from Debenhams in the sale last year, it is so lovely and has little butterflies all over the dish. I have now decluttered this dish and it is so much easier to find what I am looking for. I keep my rings and earrings in here and its so easy to find what I am looking for now. 

I hope you like all of my pieces and the way which I now store everything.

Lucy 

xoxo

March Favourites

I always plan ahead to post this right at the start of each month but it always takes me so long to decide and pick from the stash my favourites. But better late than never as always...

As my spending ban is still in full swings this month has been about rediscovering old favourites on the beauty side of things. I have also decided to start adding in other bits and bobs which I have been loving throughout March into this monthly post.

So on the beauty side of things the Seaweed Matifying Day Cream from The Body Shop. I have nearly finished using all of this product and I have really enjoyed using it. It has a great creamy texture, to smooth and refresh the skin first thing in the morning. It creates a lovely base before applying any products and I would consider purchasing this again. It is aimed at combination/oily skin, my skin is definitely combination at the moment as it can be drying in places but oily through the T zone.

Stereo Rose from MAC, this featured in my beauty haul a few weeks back and I have been seriously loving this blusher. It is from MAC's new exclusive line called Fantasy of Flowers collection. The product is super pigmented and the tiniest amount of dusting on your brush produces a lot of pay off on the cheeks. It love it as it adds a lovely, glowing effect to your cheeks and really brightens up your makeup look. It costs £22 which is quite expensive but this will last you for years, and it is perfect for coming into these summery months. It is an exclusive as it is part of this collection so if you fancy getting your hands on it, I suggest you take a sneaky visit to Selfridge's soon!

This is definitely my rediscovery product of the month; MAC's eyebrow pencil in Lingering. This is my second pencil in this colour I used to use it on a daily basis last year, but I thought it was a little dark for me as I am quite fair. I went on to using MAC's eyeshadow in Omega as it was more blonder and more subtle. However, I have been loving a bolder brow this month and I think you can create your perfect shape with this pencil. It is actually like a pen which you twist up to dispense more product, I find pencils a little scratchy and hard to apply. Whereas, this is smooth and soft and I have really been embracing it this month. It costs £13 which I think is a reasonable price and they sell quite a few different colours in the range depending on your colouring.

The Scandaleyes Micro Precision Eyeliner from Rimmel. This featured in last months favourites post but I have still been totally in love with this little gem from the drugstore. It is such a good price, and I seriously love how easy it is to apply. I think eyeliner can be a scary thought for some people but this is great as you can easily create a line as thick or as fat as you choose. It costs £5.49 and you can pick this up in most Boots and Superdrug stores.

The Gillette Venus & Olay shavers have been a god send. I have been lovely this razor so much, as you can see I have recently picked up another one. This come with a moisture bar which means when you are shaving it leaves your skin so soft and smooth. Its so nice and I never get a shaving rash of any sort. They are quite expensive usually about £10, but Boots often have them on sale for half price which was the offer which was on when I picked this one up. It also comes with a really handy little shower holder which has a suction cup on the back so you can attach it to your shower so you don't loose it!

Okay beauty products to the side..

Frozen came out on DVD, I had not actually managed to go to the cinema to see this but my sister bought it and I love it. It is classic Disney, the two girls remind me of me and my sister when I was younger. The songs are so cute and catchy, its just an overall lovely film.

Now if you've never heard of a Juicecube before neither had I until I saw Fleur De Force mention it a while back I think it was in her Christmas Gift Idea video. This little beauty can be bought from John Lewis or online, it comes in a few different colours and costs £24.99. Basically it is a portable charger which you can carry round with you in case your phone/ipod runs out of battery when you are out and about. If you have an iPhone you know how quickly they run out of battery and as I've been taking many train journeys recently my phone was constantly running out. All you do is charge the cube, it comes with a lead and many different interchangeable heads which fit many different devices which is super handy. So once its charged pop the little cube into your handbag and your ready to go. When you need it just plug your appliance into the cube and it starts to instantly charge it. It has become so, so handy and I highly recommend these to anyone who finds themselves with zero battery on a daily basis. I am going to be doing a full blog post on this sometime soon if you want anymore details.

Hope your all having a lovely April!

Lucy
xoxo

Fashion Friday's - Topshop High Waisted Jeans

Because I am a rather small 5 foot tall, I am always thought that high waisted jeans would not be an option to suit my size and frame nicely. However, since picking these high waisted jeans up from Topshop a few months ago, they have been worn a lot. I got them from the Petite collection in Topshop as they sell 28" leg which is perfect for me. Note to everyone else though they also come in the normal range in a 30", 32" and 34" leg. I really just adore how comfortable these are, they were quite tight when I bought them but they have gone really stretchy now which makes them uber comfortable. This range has a huge selection of colours and styles; mine are the Moto Joni Super High Waisted in Mid Stone. They cost £36 which I think is really good value, for a pair of jeans that is definitely going to last you a few years. I never really understand how the jean sizes work in Topshop, but I usually have to go up a size as the sizing is usually quite small. However saying that next time I might get my normal size in this type of jean knowing how much these high waisted ones stretch over time. This is a perfect colour coming into spring as it is a pale blue which really brightens up outfits, and they look great paired with some dolly shoes.

Just before I finish this post, I would firstly like to apologise for not posting a Fashion Friday post like week. On Thursday I had a little accident which involved me and treadmill -the treadmill definitely won. I am currently sporting two nicely bruised and scabbed knees and a pulled muscle in the top of my leg. The post completely slipped my mind, so I am sorry but I am back with one of my favourite posts this week!!

Lucy
xoxo

Foodie Photos

They say that what you eat represents your personality. I think quite a lot of these pictures represents that I have fallen off the healthy food bandwagon completely! But you have to indulge in your favourite foods every once in a while. I also have to say I did have some healthier lunches and dinner in the mix of all this but I just didn't bother to photo them as they are never as pretty as all the sweet tooth options! This also shows what I have been up to over the last two week and each picture reminds me of something or someone which could be a special occasion or just a little treat to myself. I have lots of birthdays and celebrations which always includes nice food and cocktails whenever I am with my friends.

Lucy
xoxo

Escentual.com Order - Real Techniques & Bioderma

I was very happy when this cheeky little parcel arrived on my door at the beginning of last week. I received an email from +Escentual telling me about there buy one get one free Bioderma Sensibo offer on the 250ml bottles and I instantly had to order. It was perfect timing as I have been meaning to place an order for a while as my current bottle of Bioderma is running very low. I was planning on only ordering the Bioderma, but then I some how stumbled across the Sam's Picks set from Real Techniques, and I have been wanting these for ages. It was also on offer £25.40 which is usually £29.99, there is currently an offer running on all of the Real Techniques range. I just knew I had to get this set whilst it was on offer, it is such good value for money. It includes six brushes - the multi-task, setting, buffing, pointed foundation, essential crease and fine liner. It is such a great little set as it includes a brush for every occasion and you could just have this set and nothing else and you are still able to do every part of your makeup effectively.
You already all know how much I love the Bioderma Micelle Solution but if you have never tried it before I highly recommend it, it is an absolute god send. I am very excited to try out this Real Technique's set, I have heard so many good reviews about these brushes and I absolutely adore the Stippling Brush which I already own from the range.

Lucy
xoxo

The Ultimelt

I am not got to lie I have been wanting to try the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm for a while now but at £34 a tub it is out of my student friendly budget, but it has been added to the birthday list. So in the meantime I have been putting a drugstore dupe to the test and I have been lovely the results. The product under target is The Ultimelt from Soap & Glory, which I purchased from Boots for £10. I have never used a deep cleansing product of this kind before and I was exciting to try it. For my usual cleansing stage I have been using my beauty find of 2013, which is Bioderma Sensibio H2O - Micelle Solution. If you don't know about this product, where have you been?! Don't stress but I highly recommend it, it is a water based cleanser which you can use over your eyes and face and instantly removes all traces of makeup in one swipe you can buy it from Escentual. The only reason I have tried to mix up my routine by trying this cleansing cleanser, is because I have heard that cleansing waters can be drying on the skin and only take off the top layer of makeup. In comparison to cleansing cleansers and balms which cleanse did down within the skin, and I like to know that every little speck of makeup is off my skin. I use this at night to take off my makeup it says you can use it over your entire face, I was skeptical to use it over my eyes but I did and it did not sting and took off my eye makeup pretty swiftly. It leaves you skin nice and refreshed, and my skin feels lovely and silky smooth after using it. The little muslin cloth which comes with it is okay, but I prefer to use a flannel as I like the thickness and texture to a flannel more. All in all this was an excellent discovery from Soap and Glory, and I have just checked and it is currently on offer in Boots for £6.67, as they have a 1/3 off selected skincare offer on.

Have a lovely day!
Lucy
xoxo

Revlon Lacquer and Matte Balms

Top to bottom: Unapologetic, Coquette & Vivacious

The Revlon Lip Balms have been a huge launch across the beauty industry worldwide. I picked three colours up from the new line a few weeks ago, and have been testing them out on a daily basis. There are two different types of the balms the Matte and the Lacquer. There has been many brands releasing their own versions of the Chubby Stick after Clinque first released them and they were a huge success in the beauty market. I picked up two from the lacquer range and one from the matte range, to test out how they compare to applying lipsticks. They have released ten colours in each range, which is a huge selection and means everyone is able to find a colour perfect for them and their skin tone.

Lacquer Balm - I picked up two different colours from the lacquer collection. I took me ages to decide which to go for and as usual I had a hand and armful of swatches! I finally decided to go for Coquette (110) and Vivacious (120). They have been advertised as being high shine and they definitely are, they are silky smooth to apply and they create a love burst of colour on the lips with just one application. I went for two of the most brightest shades from the line, but I am eager to pick up some of the more subtle colours from the range if they have as much pigmentation in them as the brighter colours.When applying these balms I do two layers as it just creates a more intense colour and the shine really reflects through well. They have a nice refreshing minty taste when applied to the lips which adds a little extra to the product.

Matte Balm - I picked up one balm from this side of the collection in the colour Unapologetic (210). I have never been a huge fan of the matte lips craze, as I like to apply lipgloss and have a shiny look to my lips. However, I am so happy I picked this up, it is absolutely divine. Surprisingly, it is my favourite from the three that I bought. The finish is beautiful, I find with the matte even more than the lacquer, that the colour is more pigmented and with just one swipe you have a full pop of colour to the lips. The texture is silky smooth and the taste is nice and has a subtle hint of shea and cocoa butter. Unapologetic is a stunning coral colour with a pink undertone and is perfect to bring vibrancy to a day to day makeup look. As we move from winter into spring and summer, I always feel a bit more daring with my lip colour choices and this is going to be a firm favourite throughout 2014.

All in all I absolutely adore these chubby lip crayon from Revlon, as soon as my spending spree is over I am heading to Boot's to pick up a few more from the range. I just love how quick and simple they are to apply, and with one application you have got an instant hit of colour to the lips. They are all easily buildable and you can create a more intense colour by applying another layer. You can wear them in the day and night and there is such a huge range within the collection, there is differently something for everyone. I bought these on a 3 for 2 offer in Boot's and there is currently a 3 for 2 offer on all Revlon products so I highly suggest you go and grab a few of these when you next nip on a shopping trip, if you have not already tried these little gems!

Lucy
xoxo

Clean and Clear Morning Energy - Skin Brightening Daily Facial Scrub

In my teenage years I would use Clean and Clear a lot as I did suffer with bad skin, and their products would always be great for sensitive skin. As I got a little bit older and more skin conscious I moved on to buying more pricier products as I was naive I thought they would be better for my skin. We all know this is not true as you can really find some little gems on the racks of your drugstore. But when I am looking for something new to add to my skincare routine, I always think that buying something a bit more pricey will help to make my skin better. I do think that some of the best skincare finds are from the more expensive side of the scale, but in this instant I found a absolute bargain which I am loving at the moment. The culprit is the Clean and Clear Morning Energy - Skin Brightening Daily Facial Scrub. A very long name for such a simple product.

When I come home to visit my family I still have a lot of skincare bits here, so I don't bring my usual daily routine staples with me as I have a small suitcase and the products are always so big.  Every time I come home and use this facial scrub, I always say I will take it back with me because my skin gets on with it so well. I just don't know what it is about it, but it leaves your skin bright and refreshed in the morning, and you skin is silky smooth. I love it when you feel like products have really cleansed your skin and this is exactly how this feels. It contains little bursting micro beads which really get into the nitty gritty of your skin and gets rid of any traces of anything on your skin, leaving you with a nice blank canvas for the day. It has a lovely lemony and citrus scent to the scrub, and the texture of the scrub is not too abrasive for the skin. Facial scrubs have come under scrutiny from some skin care specialists as they are said to spread acne and strip your skin of their natural oils. However I have been seeing a dermatologist for years and she has always said that it is all about finding what works for you - and this definitely works for me. I picked this up for Bodycare for £1.99, but I have seen it in Boots and Superdrug for around the £2.99 mark.

I really recommend this if you are looking for something simple to add to your daily routine, I have been using this morning and night and have really been loving the results.

Other posts this week: The Little Black Bag / Trains, Delays and A Concert / Recent Boots Buys

Lucy
xoxo

Fashion Friday's:The Little Black Bag

Today on Fashion Friday's the post is all about my have to have going out bag.
I adore this little black bag which is a staple in anyone's accessories collection. I bought it from H&M a few months ago for £14.99, which I thought was great value for money. I absolutely love the fact that one half of the bag features a panel of black faux fur. I love the idea of clutch bags but on a night out I hate having to hold a bag in one hand, and I always worry I will just put it down somewhere after a few drinks. This is why another great part of the bag, is that it comes with a gold twisted chain which is quite thick and you can just through it over your shoulder. It is just so, so convenient. When I bought the bag I was worried that it would not big enough for all of my essential needs for my night out. I think compared to other girls I carry quite a clutter free bag when I go out, and I feel it is always full of all of my friends bits and bobs. However it is a perfect size to fit all the necessity's in without being too small or too big. As you can see from the photo it has been very loved and used often. I featured a post a few weeks ago where you can see the contents of my going out handbag if you missed it click here. As you may already know I am currently on a spending ban which means I am really having to utilise my wardrobe as much as I can. This bag goes with absolutely everything as it is black, but the fur panel adds an element of dressiness to an outfit. As I said earlier I did buy it a few months ago so I do not think it is still available, although H&M often come out with a must have small black bag every season. If you fancy having a look around the handbag page from H&M click here.

Other posts this week: Trains, Delays and A Concert / Recent Boots Buys / The Drop Waist Dress 

Lucy
xoxo

The Day In The Life Of Me // Trains, Delays & A Concert

This is a day in the life of me yesterday. The pictures show what I got up to starting on my train journey until the concert. My dad won tickets to see The Wanted through a competition in the paper, and it conveniently fell on the day which I was coming home for a week. It was rather stressful as I did not finish until until 4pm and my train was at 5pm. The first journey was stress free, and  as it took over an hour so it was plenty of time for me to reapply my makeup, have some food and read my Cosmo and Elle magazines. It quickly turned quite stressful as my connection train was delayed 10 minutes. 10 minutes usually would not be a big deal, but we had a plan mapped out that I was suppose to be meeting my sister and mum at the train station. I would then give my mum my suitcase and bags, then me and my sister was hopping on the train to get to Manchester. However, because of the 10 minute delay all the plans fell to pieces as we missed the train, and we did not get there until 7.45pm. Usually this would not be a big deal but we had got told that we had to collect the competition tickets by 7.30pm, thankfully they were lovely about it and we finally got in! We made it in time from The Vamps. I should have taken a picture because if you follow me on Twitter you will know that I fell a little bit in love with the lead singer! The Wanted came on not too long after which was great as I hate having to wait around at concerts. I am not a massive The Wanted fan but they have had some good songs out and it was a great night out with my sis!

I think I am going to do more of these 'The Day In The Life Of Me' posts, it is a fun way of me letting you know what I have been up to in my day to day life. Let me know if you like the idea as I might add it to my blog if you readers like it.

Lucy
xoxo

Recent Boots Buys

Seeing as there is the 3 for 2 offer on currently in Boots, I thought I would pop along and see if there was anything new to pick up. I have had quite a few bits that I have been wanting to try out. The only problem is the store near me is rather small and lacks the amount of variety in brands and products that it sells. For instant I have been wanting to get my hands on the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, but my store sells barely any products from the range. However, on this instance I did manage to pick up some new pieces and I am very happy with my picks.

Soap & Glory The Ultimelt - This product has been raved about massively across the beauty industry in recent months and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. This is a deep purifying hot cloth cleanser, and it is suitable for all skin types. When I first saw the product I thought that the packaging really cheapens the product, it just resembles a giant tube of toothpaste to me. Anyway, I plan on using this at night before I go to bed to completely cleanse all of the makeup off my face. I am wondering if I will be able to use it as a kind of cleansing balm, as the first part to my nighttime routine to remove my makeup from my face and eyes. It says to use a grape-size splodge and massage over the face and neck for at least 2 minutes, then press off with a warm, wet washcloth. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that inside the box, there is a washcloth provided. I am very excited to try this and see if it is a new must have to my skincare routine, for £10 I am hoping it is a drugstore miracle.

Maxfactor False Lash Effect Fusion - Now, I have been using Maxfactor False Lash Effect mascaras literally since I was about 13 when I first saw it in a magazine and I have never looked back. Many people are constantly on the look out for a new mascara and they take pride of place in many peoples collections. However, for me mascara takes the least space in my makeup drawer. I think I own 5 mascaras maximum and I only ever use one. The one which I have been using for the last few months is the Maxfactor Clump Defy, this is part of the False Lash Effect range. I absolutely adore this mascara, and people can not convince me to convert. When the Maybelline Falsies came out and everyone was telling me how amazing it was, I thought I would just try it as I do still like to test out new products and maybe I was missing out on using an amazing product. It was inexpensive which I was glad about, because I just cannot find a way for me to use it effectively, and create the look which I can create so easy with my Maxfactor mascara. Whilst I was in Boots on this trip, I decided that I would not venture away from my beloved False Lash Effect range but would try another mascara from the range. The one which I choose was the Maxfactor False Lash Effect Fusion Volume & Length, I bought this is brown/black as I am very fair. The only negative to this mascara in comparison to the other one is that it is not waterproof, but I am hoping that it is worth the risk! This was £11.99 which is not extremely cheap for drugstore products, but if it is as good as my Clump Defy I will be extremely happy.

Pearl Drops Instant White - I wrote a post about this last week, so you can go read all about it here, and see all of the products details. But, I will let you know again that it is currently on offer for a third of the price so works out at £2.66, and I am really loving the results.

Boots Cotton Wool Double Faced Oval Pads - I simply adore these! I use these for any occasion where I need to apply a liquid product whether it be my cleanser, toner or removing my nail varnish. You get two different texture surfaces to the pad. The light textures side is ideal for applying lotions and creams. On the other side is a more compact surface which can be used for nail varnish remover. The best thing about this is they do not leave fluff like average cotton wool does. At just £1.89 these are such amazing value and you get 50 pads in the pack.

You may be thinking where is the third product to the 3 for 2 offer. Well, I also picked up the Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer as I have been wanting to try it for ages, and my current concealer is quickly running out. When I went over to the stand there was just one left in my colour which was light, which I was very delighted about. I swatched the sample on my hand and I instantly loved the creamy texture and it seemed to give really great coverage. So I popped it in my basket, as I had now been in Boots for over half an hour and I was in a rush to get to work. The product comes in a box so I did not really think to check the product before I bought it, which was a bit silly of me. When I got home I discovered some lovely person had dug their finger into the product and left their fingerprints in it. I did not want to keep it as it is so unhygienic and when I went back to Boots the lady was very apologetic. However, she said with the promotion being on they had sold out completely of the concealer, and the one which I had picked up was actually the last one in the store. So I sadly had to get a refund on it, but I am definitely going to pick it up again when it is back on stock.

With all the offers, coupons from the Boots machine and the £10 refund on the concealer it ended up costing me £14 for everything, which was actually really amazing value. The 3 for 2 offer finishes this coming Tuesday on the 18th March, so hurry down to your Boots this weekend to pick up your favourite things!

This weeks posts: The Drop Waist Dress / Spending Ban / February Favourites / Contents Of My Going Out Handbag

Lucy
xoxo

Fashion Friday's - The Drop Waist Dress

                           

This was the outfit which I wore on Saturday night. The dress is from Topshop and costs £20 which I thought was a really good price. I have found that Topshop has increased its prices quite dramatically over the past few months, and they have targeted all of the items including there basics. So I was nicely surprised when I saw the price tag attached to this dress. The style is drop waist which is really in this season, I was worried that this would make me look wider on my thighs but it actually flattered me really well and I like dresses that are not too tight. It really fitted me well and considering I am only 5 foot it was a really nice length on me. The colour of my dress is a navy blue; the range comes in many colours including some pastels for spring and summer. I was a bit worried it was not very dressy for a night out, but I think with the accessories and my chelsea boots the outfit all pulled together nicely. The great thing about this dress is it is very versatile you can wear it easily on a day to day basis, I have already worn it to uni with thick black tights, ankle boots and my leather jacket. Alternatively as I have shown, you can wear it to a more dressy occasion whether it be having dinner somewhere nice, casual cocktails with the girls or a night out.

Lucy 

xoxo

Spending Ban - Clothes & Makeup

I mentioned in a post last week called Make It Happen March that Lent has inspired me to get fitter and eat a more healthier diet. As me and my mum debated what to give up, as I do try to do it for the full 40 days and 40 nights each year she suggested something extraordinary. The suggestion was to give up buying clothes. My initial reaction was that it is the craziest thing I have ever heard. After about a minute of convincing myself that it was impossible, I started to think if I could actually do it. Now I do not think that I a manic spender compared to others, especially now I am a uni student. But on payday I do like to take a trip to my favourite shops and pick up a few nice new pieces. I do have a real interest in fashion, and going shopping and buying new clothes does definitely make me happy. I then continued to contemplate for a few minutes and thought if I could actually do it. 40 days is not an excessive amount of time and I am currently saving up so I can go on holidays with my girlfriends over the summer, so I thought it would be a good way to save a nice little sum of money. I sent a text back and told her it was on! I honestly think that she does think I can do this, because I do have good willpower and I like to achieve goals which I set myself. I then had an even bigger thought that I would put a complete ban on buying any clothes and makeup. My mum surprising text back saying that she thought it was a bit excessive and she was challenging me on the clothes part. But I am challenging myself to the makeup part of the deal. 

One week in, I had to face my first obstacle on Saturday as I was going out with the girls from uni and I has not actually bought a new going out dress for ages.I have not been out in over a month as I have been so busy so I was excited to go out and have a really good night out. I was discussing the ban at work on Saturday and my supervisor told me to just give up now and just go and buy myself something as it will make me happy. She also stated that it would help me get through the 8 hour shift knowing that I have a nice, new dress to wear that night. Having an hour break, I set off with the idea of giving up and heading to Topshop. I sent an emergency text to my mum and she told me it was up to me, but she was sure that there was something in my wardrobe to wear without having to buy something new. I then started debating this thought whilst eating my sandwich, I did decide on something I did have that I could potentially wear. I have had my eye on a white skirt in Topshop for a few weeks now and I tried it on but it comes with a pricey tag of £36. I really loved it and I planned on buying it on payday in February. Stupidly I decided not to go shopping for the first time ever on February payday, so I did not even buy anything new before Lent started except one dress from Topshop for £18. So from my entire wage I have bought one dress as I was not planning on delving on this spending ban. Bad decision from me! However, I did resist the trip to Topshop and literally just glued myself to the chair for my entire dinner hour. I also think the fact I did not going shopping before Lent started has added a little extra pressure to the entire mission.

It is now Wednesday and I have stayed away from the shops, I not finding it that difficult it is only a very short period of time and I am able to experiment more with my wardrobe. The hardest thing is going to be March payday and unfortunately I am at home when I get paid, and Manchester is is amazing for shopping for both clothes and makeup. A lot of people are saying that there is no point in doing this little mission as, as soon as the day for lent ends I am just going to go crazy and buy everything so I won't have actually of saved any money. But I really don't think I will, I will definitely be going shopping and buying the pieces I want badly but I do not think I will excessively shop. In terms of the makeup side of the ban this has definitely not been hard yet, but like I say its only been one week and 40 days is not a long time.

So I am interested in knowing what you have all given up for lent, and if anyone has ventured on a similar task to me?!

March Post's: February Favourites / Contents Of My Going Out Handbag / Pastel Satchel

Lucy

xoxo

February Favourites

I know that it is quite a few days into March, but it took me a while to gather everything together, and decide what I have been absolutely loving in February.

MAC Bronzer: This month's rediscovery is this bronzer from MAC. My Nars Laguna has been my staple since Christmas, but whilst I was at home I found this and brought it back to uni with me and I have really been loving it. It is a studio careblend/pressed and the colour is Lush Light Bronze. If you have pale skin like me it gives a lovely all over glow, and I think it is a little bit lighter and has a more orange undertone in comparison with Laguna which I really like.

Rimmel Nail Varnish: I did a review on this nail varnish last month, and I am still loving it. The colour is a lovely dark pink with a subtle purple within it. It is glittery and is an overall very girly colour. I love the brush on this, it is thick and makes application super easy. The varnish is long lasting and you can build it up to create a more intense colour.

MAC Eyeshadow: Arghh another rediscovery MAC's Retrospeck. This is such a beautiful colour and is a favourite amongst many. This was the first ever MAC eyeshadow that I bought and I definitely did well for a first pick! It is a great gold colour with glitter running throughout it. For an everyday look it is perfect to create a base on the lid, or some days I simply cover the entire lid in this and just pop on a few layers of mascara. For a more intense look I put this all over the eyelid and then put my all time favourite Wookwinked in the crease and on the outer edges, it is the perfect combination.

Revlon Matte Balm: Definitely my best discovery of February. Revlon has launched a new range of Colorburst Balm's, it consists of lacquer and matte balms. I picked up two of the lacquer balms and then one matte balm. In the past I have not been a fan of matte balms as I find they can look quite dry on the lips, and I do usually go for a more glossy look day to day. However, I was so surprised at how much I loved this matte balm. I think it is partly due to how much I love the colour which is Unapologetic, it is a lovely bright coral and I do not feel like it is too bright for a daytime look. I have been wearing it with a subtle base and eye combination, and then the vibrant pop of colour on the lips looks great for spring. It is also great for the night time and appeared in my Contents Of My Going Out Handbag post. Another great thing to this product is its easy application, it is so, so simple to put on with the crayon nib and it is so easy to just top up on the go. I recommend these to anyone wanting to try something new and for £7.99 they are a great dupe for the Clinque Chubby Sticks.

MAC Powder: The MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural has been a staple powder for me for a long time. I wear this in Medium which is the perfect colour to match my complexion. I love how sheer the powder is but it provides great coverage, and does not look too cakey on the skin. I have not found another powder as good as this and I will continue to use it as I just cannot get enough of it. As you can see I have not got much of this left, and I am torn with whether to break a habit and try something new. But I love it so much, I will be so disappointed if I try something new and it is not as good.

Tanya Burr Lipgloss: I am still loving the lipglosses from Tanya Burr's recent launch, I did a blog post on this and reviewed the two lipglosses which I picked up. I had been using Picnic In The Park the most out of the two which I bought, but for the last few weeks I have been wearing Aurora on a daily basis. It is a great gloss to go over practically any lipstick; I have kept it in handbag all month and it is great as it is so easy to reapply as it has a great wand for application. I find that with just one application you have created a lovely glossy look to the the lips. It is a highly pigmented pink shade and has a slight shimmer running through it.

Bobbi Brown Lipstick: This has been on my lips with rotation of my Revlon Balms all month. I simply adore it, I mentioned buying this product in my Selfridge's Haul. It comes from Bobbi Brown's new Amnesia Rose Collection and the colour of this beauty is Cosmic Lily. I am going to do an individual post on this later this week because it is simply stunning. It costs £22 which is very expensive, but in this instance money really did buy quality. The colour is dark pink but with purple undertones, it is a great colour for spring and I do not find it too intense to wear during the day. Putting this on and then Aurora on top, it is simply the perfect combination.

March Posts: Contents Of My Going Out Handbag / Pastel Satchel / Make It Happen March / Pearl Drops

Lucy
xoxo

Contents Of My Going Out Handbag

This is the contents of my handbag which I took out with my on Saturday night. My handbag is from H&M and has panel of black faux fur covering the front side, and the rest of the bag is made out of faux black leather. It comes with a thick, long gold chain and has a matching gold zip.

Purse - The most important piece in anyone's handbag. This lovely Ness purse was a gift form my parents for Christmas as I love the brand, and the tartan is pink and green. The pocket on the front is real leather and really adds a nice detail to the purse. It is also a great size for a night out as you can easily fit all of the essentials in it. I find that you need to carry quite a few cards around with you, I have my key card to my house, my bank card, my ID and  my uni card. Then you also need to fit your money in your purse and I find I can fit all of this is quite easily, my normal purse is big and it never fits in my handbags when I am going out. This cute pocket purse is such a handy size and takes barely any room up in your handbag.

Deodorant - Absolute essential for a night out, you can get so hot whilst dancing, it is nice to pop to the bathroom and freshen up. This is my favourite deodorant as it lasts a long time and has a nice floral scent. The great thing about this though is the size of the of the canister. It is one of Sure's new compressed canisters where you get the same amount of product it is just much smaller, meaning you can carry it around easily and it easily fitted into my bag.

Lipstick - I decided to test run the Revlon Colorburst. Unapologetic was the colour which I choose to go with. It is a lovely bright coral colour and looks nice and vibrant and definitely made my outfit stand out more. It did have a good lasting power and the colour did say on, however it did get quite dry on my lips so a fresh layer was needed. But I really love this, and I overall love the Colorbursts they are great and so, so easy to apply. I loved this aspect on my night out as with one swish you had topped up the colour instantly and the crayon nib makes the application as simple as possible.

Powder and Brush - I like to take my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish out with me on a night out, as it can get quite hot and sweaty on a crowded dancefloor. Apply a fresh application of powder can instantly mattify your face and make you look refreshed in an instant. Brush - simple to apply the powder.

Eyeliner - My new favourite eyeliner got its first outing on Saturday night. It comes from Rimmels new line and it has a micro tip which makes application very easy. I only carried this with me in case of a watery eye emergency, but I did actually reapply very lightly to the corner of my eyes as I found it got a little dry on the edges of my eye.

Comb - Everyone always ask me for a comb, so this is one of the main reasons it gets a spot in my handbag. But also because I like to quickly comb my hair through just to add a bit of life and make sure nothings flying out of place.

Lipbalm - I have had dried lips recently and I have been trying to keep on top of keeping them hydrated. This is the best lipbalm I own and it is very moisturising and instantly gives my lips the boost that they need.

I think compared to some people my handbag is pretty light on a night out, I hate having loads of things in my handbag on a night out as I just constantly worry that I have lost something and also you do not want an overflowing handbag.

Lucy
xoxo