March Favourites 2017

I literally don't know where March has gone, or even this year for that matter. It's all just flying past. The sun is also shinning whilst I'm writting this blog post, that makes me so incredibly happy and motivated! Anyway, on with my favourites, there isn't many beauty products this month, but more life favourites and things I can't actually take photographs of. Sorry if you do like beauty favourites more, BUT I do like to keep it real. I don't want to throw in a lipstick and pretend its been my favourite.

Paco Rabanne Olympea Intense EDP - You may of seen in my last post I was talking about the new fragrance from Paco Rabanne and it just wouldn't be  right be not mentioning it in my monthly favourites (sorry if you've heard enough  and are bored). Its just all I've been wearing, fragrance wise and really gives me summer vibes! 

LUSH American Creme Conditioner - I have been doing a lot of shopping in Lush recently. There isn't a Lush shop where I live, the closest one is around 45 minutes away. But this month I have been travelling to different places, so I've been stopping in different Lush shops (saddddo). But my mum got a sample of this hair conditioner, and I used a little bit of it. First off, the smell... is to actually die for. It's quite a thick conditioner so its great as a treatment or conditioner. I have been using it on the mid-lengths of my hair, and it just makes my hair feel so soft and smell so nice. 

Lee Stafford Purple Shampoo - This product is one I have actually been using for quite a while now. I have blonde hair, so I do tend to get some brassy tones in it, usually after I've just dyed it. But what this product does is actually cancel out those brassy tones. I have used quite a few different brands and variations of purple shampoo, but I would defiantly say the Lee Stafford one is the best, just for the pure reason it works the quickest. I only use this every other time I wash my hair, or once a week just because it can be quite stripping. 

Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes Hot Shots -  Can you tell I'm a Lee Stafford fan? Again, I have been using these for a few months now. You actually use these in the middle of your shampoo and conditioner. They are just a treatment which really gives you amazing results! You just foam it up, rub it all in your hair, pile it on top of your head and wait around 2 minutes (sometimes I leave it in a bit longer). Then you rinse and follow with conditioner. The results on my hair have been amazing, I recently had a hair dilemma, my hair was very very yellow after I dyed it and this just cancelled those yellow tones and made it more of a white blonde. 

Liverpool - This month I went to Liverpool to see my friend at Uni. I had a really good time, it was great to let my hair down and really explore somewhere different. I just wanted to mention this briefly in my favourites because it was a big part of March for me. If you did want to read some more about my trip or just see some pictures, click here.

Ed Sheeran 'Dive' Album - OOOOOMGGGG, I haven't listened to anything else this month, literally I have had this album on repeat. On the way to Liverpool this is all I listened too, and I just can't stop, I'm even listening it to it now! Every song is amazing, but my absolute faves are; Happier, Galaway girl and New Man. 

Broadchurch - I have super late to the band waggon here, because I am actually talking about the first series. I had a really chilled day, I popped it on because I have heard so many good things from friends, family and youtubers. I watched the whole first series in one day... I don't really do that very often. The last time I was this obsessed with a TV show was probably PLL. 

Beauty and the Beast - I went to the cinema with just my mum this month. I have never ever done that in my whole life, we have always been with other people, not just us. But it was lovely, and the film was amazing. Much better than I actually thought it was going to be. I am a bit skeptical when it comes to old classic films being remade. But I think it was beautiful, I have read quite a bit about Emma Watson playing Belle, I personally think she was amazing and played the role beautifully. It's such a must see film, so magically but has a gorgeous story just like the classic. 

TOWIE - Since series 1, with Mark, Arg, Lauren G, Sam... and all the others, I have always been a fan of this show. I know its probably a lot of s**t but I really do enjoy watching it. It's actually nice to get lost in someone else's life, drama and problems for 45 mins, haha! Series 20 or something ridiculous has started this month, hense why its in my favourites. If you want a laugh and something easy to watch, then give TOWIE ago. 

♥

December/January Favourites 16/17

I wanted to call this post 'December and January Favourites' purely because I didn't upload a 'December Favourites' because it's the time of the year, where I post a yearly favourites. I didn't want to miss the month completely, because  in December I did find some amazing products, and I still wanted to share them with you. I do actually have more favourites for December, because I feel like December a lot happened, a lot came out and I just got caught up in all the Christmas spirit. January for me, is a stationary month, quite boring and I just have to sort my life out and clean.

The Body Shop Spiced Apple Shower Gel

I was obsessed with this scent in December, I used it everyday, EVERYDAY in December, Obsessed. It's just Christmas in a bottle. I still have a little bit left, but I don't want to use it because I know its limited edition (I THINK?!) for Christmas.

The Body Shop Spiced Apple Hand Cream

From the same range as the previous shower gel. So as well as the scent being amazing, the actual hand cream is insane. It doesn't take ages to dry, it just soaks in lovely, leaves that amazing scent and really helps to nourish my hands. I did actually go back and buy more of the hand creams in other scents. Highly recommend those.

Clinique Sonic Brush (MORE INDEPTH REVIEW COMING SOON)

I did give myself quite a big Christmas present, a few weeks before Christmas. Which I haven't really spoken or mentioned until now. But I'm not going to say too much, other than I love it, it has changed my daily routine and I'm not sure how I ever cleansed my skin without this brush. My family and friends laugh at me, because I literally don't go anywhere without this brush. My boyfriend hates it. BUT I used it on him yesterday, and now I think he' s converted. But a full review will be up in a few weeks, once I've had it a bit longer.

Urban Decay NAKED Ultimate Basics Eyeshadow Palette

I received this as a Christmas present from my parents, if I'm honest it was on my list. They would be 'parent goals' if they knew I actually wanted this. But I am so happy and grateful that I received this. I have the original palette from Urban Decay and love it, so I knew I would love this palette. Its all matte, apart from the shade blow, which has a slight shimmer in with my eye sight. The shades I have been using the most are nude, commando and tempted. I've been running those in the crease of my eye as my transition colour.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation

For the whole of the winter period this has been my go to foundation. I would say 99.9% off the time, this foundation is the one thats been on my face. I absolutely love it, its a full coverage foundation, with a matte finish. I'm sure you would of read about my raving about this before. Its just a brilliant foundation. I am the shade NC15 for your reference.

Clinique Contouring Stick

With Christmas and New Year, I have been going out more, going for more drinks and meals and just generally dressing up a little bit more than I do on my average Saturday night. Therefore, I have been wearing a bit more makeup, so I have been using my Clinique contour stick, in the standard shade. Its such a lovely formula, its very creamy and blendable, I either use my Louise Young LY30 brush or  a Real Techniques Complexion sponge to blend it in. It creates a natural contour, or you can really build it up for something a bit more intense.

Gingerbread Latte Instant coffee drinks

Winter time is that time of the year where you just want a nice hot drink. I have been using the Nescafe Gingerbread latte instant drinks. These are just perfect for me, I really stocked up on them in December because I knew they would be a limited edition for the Christmas time. All I do is put the powder in a cup, add hot water and stir, then you leave it for around 30/45 seconds and stir again and it goes all creamy and tasty. SIDE NOTE - Costa Honeycomb lattes were just my addiction when I was Christmas shopping. 

 Bondi Sands Gradual Tan

In January, I don't know if you are the same as me, but I just feel a bit down and gloomy. Christmas is over, we've got the Christmas blues and you just want to get out of the cold weather and feel a bit more glowy, but you don't want to make too much effort. So this is where I have been using Bondi, their gradual tan, this is just fab. I apply it all over the top part of my body and let it sink in over night and then I wake up in the morning and I'm a lot more tanned. But it's not like fake tan, its just a gradual healthy glow. Its got the most insane coconut smell as well, its gorgeous.

Barbour jacket

My main present for Christmas was a Barbour jacket off my parents and boyfriend. I literally haven't taken it off this month. I wear it every time I leave the house. It keeps me super warm, its very stylish and I don't think it will go out of fashion. It's a very timeless piece. I got the classic olive green Beadnell wax Barbour jacket. It's got two studded vents at the back, two normal front pockets and then above those front pockets are slanted pockets which are just the most useful pockets ever! Love, love, love! 

Cowshed shampoo and conditioner

I have been using a new shampoo and conditioner from Cowshed in January, I picked it up in T.K.Maxx which if you didn't know if fab for getting great finds in the beauty section. They do loads of different brands, like Cowshed, Bed head and bumble and bumble. This is a smoothing shampoo and conditioner. Its got lavender in, so its great to use at night so it relaxes you before you sleep. The conditioner can be used as a normal conditioner, or it can be used as a treatment if you leave it on longer. Personally I wash my hair, apply the conditioner, leave it on whilst I cleanse my face and body then rinse.

I feel like this is the most favourites I have ever wrote about before in a post, but it was two months in one. So what do you expect? Hope you had a fabulous first month to 2017, and we've only got 11 more, until 2018... haha, sorry, it had to be done. 

♥

November Favourites 2016

November has been a bit of a rubbish month really.. I've either been really stressed and busy or ill. I've had a norovirus, which was terrible and the worst thing ever. I caught it off my boyfriend, after looking after him for the night. Then we seemed to just pass it onto the whole family, wasn't good. Then I thought I was over that, I am... Just now, I have a terrible cold. I do love Winter, but I always seem to get ill around this time of year. I hate it, I just want to get on with my life. Haha, sorry for the rant!! So there isn't really any beauty/makeup in this favourites, just because I have been loving the same products, I haven't really ventured out. Although I have a few orders on the way from the black Friday sales. I'm sure I will be telling you about those soon!

Paw Paw Lip Balm

My lips always get so dry and horrible in the colder months. I hate not having nice smooth lips, because then I feel like I can't wear any matte lipsticks, and they are my faves. But this Paw Paw lip balm is amazing. It doesn't have to just go on your lips, it can be applied anywhere on any dry patches. It comes in a squeezy tube, so its easy to apply and basically just works.

Michael Kors WonderLust Fragrance

So this is a new fragrance from Michael Kors. I am a big fan of 'Sexy Amber' fragrance. Wonderlust didn't disappoint me, its very fresh and oriental to me. I don't think it suits this time of year too much, but it is just gorgeous. Would be an ideal Christmas present for anyone who loves Michael Kors and wants to buy into the brand. It's got notes of pink pepper, almond milk, jasmine and then theres something a bit more spicy and warm like sandalwood. I'm not the best at describing fragrances, but this is very lovely and is deffo worth a sniff!

Clinique Turnaround Day cream - Rosy Glow

This is the range from Clinique that I have been using for well over a year now, I love it. It makes me skin feel new and radiant. I do have normal/combination skin, it does just work for me. I am putting the day cream in my favourites, because I recently finished my tube, so I repurchased another. I thought, I don't really rave about the day and night cream I use very often, so I took this opportunity to give it a big old rave. Its a revitalising moisturiser, so it is meant to make the skin look fresh, radiant and much more glowing and that is why I love it so much, because it does do all those things. I can tell from my skin, when I have changed to a different moisturiser, because it just never looks and feels as good as when I use these. The moisturiser is also meant to create and reveal new skin cells, thats why its the 'turnaround' range. I have used up so many of these, its scary but I do always go back to it.

Soap and Glory Hand Food

A bit like the Paw Paw lip balm, my hands just get so dry this time of year. With the hand food, I have had one in my bag and one by my bed and I have actually used a whole tube up this month. My hands and lips are always the first things to suffer in the winter and Soap and Glory just know how to treat my poorly hands.

L'Oreal Shampoo and Conditioner

I really needed some new shampoo this month, I just ran out completely.. which really is so unlike me. I do normally use L'Oreal Shampoo & conditioner, I was using the newest one, which is the 'air' something, its to make your hair thicker. But I didn't really like that one as much as the others, but oh my goodness.. I think I've found my new favourite. Its the restoring one, to make your hair thicker, fuller and stronger. Its got 5 benefits and has just made a world of difference to my hair.

♥

July Favourites 2016

Firstly I am so sorry that this post is going up late, I had a very busy end to July and start to August! July was a lovely month for me, I turned 20, booked a trip to Ireland, hung out with friends more and chilled in the British sun (it was actually quite hot in England - SHOCKED!!) Here we go though,a favourites  better late than never...

Rimmel London Rita Ora Nail Polish - 300 Glaston-Berry
I have been on the hunt for the perfect coral shade of nail polish for quite a long time now, and I found it in July! It's a Rimmel Rita Ora shade - 300 Glaston-berry, its a gorgeous coral shade, good name, its the perfect coral, not too pink, not too red but also not too orange. It was about £3 so good value too. The other reason I love this nail polish is because it actually stays on my nails. Most nail polishes I apply stay on for about a day and then actually peel off, in a layer... so weird, does anyone else get this?! But I find this Rimmel polish doesn't do this, it does last me about 4/5 days (which is amazing for me)!!

Giorgio Armani Si
I have been loving this fragrance this month! Normally I stick to my fragrances, either Chanel Mademoiselle, Alien or Mark Jacobs Decandance, but this month I have been loving Si! I do quite like sweet scents, but I also like them quite strong or woody. Si is a fragrance which I find lingers around on me a while, the bottle is beautiful and I just love the smell of this! I was walking to work one day this month, and I applied this fragrance before I left the house, and I got the most amazing whiffed of this scent! It's also perfect for a wedding... Si means Yes in Italian, and it's also got a gold ring on the bottle!! SO CUTE.

L'Oreal True Match Foundation 
I tried this when it was the old bottle and formula, and I didn't get the right shade, which is quite  ironic, haha. But I thought I would try the foundation again, in the right shade, and also because everyone always raves about it and I agree. It's a great everyday foundation, it hasn't broke me out, its the perfect shade for me and I am quite a pale gal, so it's hard to find the right shade. I use the shade Ivory - 1N for you people who are wondering. It gives a medium coverage I would say, is a very watery formula, but blends in lovely.

MAC Extended Play Lash Mascara
I have been loving this mascara for a few months now, but I like to change up my mascara and make sure I do actually like one, by missing it (if that makes sense?! - Probably not). But I love this because of the brush, it's a skinny brush but the bristles aren't plastic. Because the brush is small, the mascara doesn't go all over your face, it's perfect for getting the lashes in the corner and also on the bottom. I believe the mascara is waterproof, but I haven't had any trouble getting it off, or it watering all down my face.

Toni and Guy Texturising Spray 
I have tried many sea salt sprays, texturising sprays, volumising.. you name it, I've tried it. But late July I got my hair cut (post coming soon) and I needed a little bit more texture in it, because I've now got layers. So I thought I would try this, and I love it. It doesn't leave your hair feeling crunchy, and it doesn't look like you've got product in it. It just looks like its got a little bit more texture, the layers are more defined and the hair just looks like theres more volume.

♥

June Favourites 2016

Cannot believe that its now JULY!! Where on earth is the time going... anyway, heres some of the products I have been in love with this month.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation - I have never owned a foundation from Chanel before, or any makeup item if I'm honest. However, Mademosielle is just my all time favourite scent. I will be writing a more in-depth review on this foundation, but if you want a very luxury product which is amazing, very light-weight but can be built up to a light/medium coverage, you will love this product as much as me. I would say I do prefer more heavy coverage foundations like Mac Studio Fix, but this foundation is perfect for summer, it lets the skin breathe and is a water based foundation, so you need to shake it before application. I use the shade B10, which is the palest shade, I will just bronze my skin up for when I do (hopefully) get a summer tan!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer - I just want to say that I really don't like the foundation from this range, its way to full coverage and heavy for me, even though I just said I am more drawn to full coverage foundations, double wear just didn't agree with me, and every time I wore it I got breakouts *cry*. On the other hand, I adore this concealer, it has got a high coverage, but when worn with the Chanel foundation, its perfect because I just apply this were I need more coverage. I think this would be great for a day were you don't want much makeup on, and will skip foundation because this is a great product for coverage where you need it. (I am shade - 1C light cool)

Benefit Hoola - I'm sure I've mentioned this in a recent favourites, (I can't remember, sorry my bad). But I really love this bronzer, its got amazing pigmentation and just is the perfect bronzer shade, can be used on the high points of the face to give a natural bronze or is the right shade to use more in the contour of the face. Can't not mention the packaging, its super cute!!

Elizabeth Arden Lash Extending Mascara - In the summer days I prefer to have my lashes looking natural and separated, and this mascara is perfect for this. I use two coats, it gives amazing length and definition. Perfect for everyday and is just probably the best mascara I've found for separation.

NYX butter gloss - I have two versions of this product, one is 'INTENSE' and the other is just... normal!? I really like these because they just leave such a gorgeous gloss on the lips, which isn't sticky it just looks so pretty. I would say theres only one downfall with these and thats, that they don't really last too long. But at the end of the day, it's a lipgloss, they won't last for hours and hours. However, glosses are much easier to apply, so carrying it in your handbag and applying on the go works for me! Shades - Intense; chocolate crepe (90s deep shade) butter gloss normal; Peaches and cream, gorgeous pure summer pink. Love NYX shade names!

♥

May Favourites 2016

Just like every month this year, its flown past and has been amazing! The highlight of the month was definitely the last week, me and my boyfriend just chilled in a city near us, Cardiff. Went shopping, a few hauls will be on here as a post, soon!! But it was amazing, and I had a lovely time just chilling out. However, obviously I am going to share some things which I have discovered this month and/or I have just plain and simple just fallen in love with!!

Coconut nail polishes Barry M - I can't remember if I got these at the end of last month or this month. But I really like them, you don't need a base coat and then are supposed to have coconut oils and good things in to protect your nails. Which is amazing for me, because my nails are so awful. They have gorgeous shades too, I have one pink called alhoa and a nude one called tiki hut. Gorgeous colours for summer!

Clinique Anti-Blemish Gel - Yet again my skin has been playing up. I seem to say this every month now, I don't know what is happening! But I don't like it. I really like Clinique as a brand, I think they are just very good at getting results. They are fragranced free and just very dermatologic, this Anti-Blemish Gel is very good too, you just apply it to the areas you need or all over your face and it basically helps to get rid of any spots and blemishes.

Rimmel White Eyeliner - I think I go through phases with wearing white eyeliner in my waterline. Last July I wrote a post, and included them http://goo.gl/32gizt. But I have been wearing white eyeliner in my waterline pretty much everyday this month. It brightens the eyes  and also makes you look like you've had lots of sleep, plus it does make them appear larger. 

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation - I have been wearing this as my everyday foundation this month. But I have been coming out of it at the end of the month, because it is a very pale shade and I am pale naturally but I have been loving a fake tan too - you wait and see! The foundation is a demi-matte finish, so its not really dewy but its not a flat matte, it gives a medium coverage but you can build it up. I have the shade 'calico' which is the lightest shade. But I do really rate No7, especially as they can colour match you and find the right foundation for you.

NYX Soft Matte Lip - Cannes - I have been wearing this lipstick every day this month, its amazing. Its not nude but its not too bright. It's prefect for in the day, and it just gorgeous. It's matte and very long lasting. It reminds me of a 'your lips but better' shade, oh dear I went there. I want some more colours of these, I can't wait to check a NYX stand out (available online and at Boots). I ordered this one online, but it's hard to see the colours, so I did go on a bit of a whim with this shade.

St. Tropez Tan - Everyone I know has literally been raving about this tan for ageeees! So this month I actually picked one up, and I have fallen in love. It's the best tan I have ever used, seriously amazing. You apply the guide colour and you can either leave it on for 1 hour (light) 2 hours (medium) or 3 hours (dark). I have been doing about 2 and a half hours. It gives a gorgeous colour, and wears really lovely, it doesn't do that patchy thing where it just comes off some places and not others. Also, no need to sleep in the tan and get it all over your white sheets - amazing!

My favourite, favourite of the month, that I briefly mentioned at the start... Me and my boyfriend, went away to Cardiff for the bank holiday weekend at the end of May. We had been together for 3 years, so we wanted to do something special. We just went shopping, had cocktails, chilled, went to the beach and ate out a lot!!! I would say the day we went to the beach, was my favourite day of the year so far!

♥

March Favourites

March has been the best month so far, the first 2 weeks was probably the best 2 weeks of my life. I got myself a new car, picked it up on the 1st of March, (Volkswagen Polo) and I am in love with it. Then I got myself a new job, so now I am a fragrance consultant and I start at the start of April, I cannot wait! I have been very happy and things have been going into place in my life, I have also discovered some new products this month, and I have been reaching a lot for a very beautiful eyeshadow palette which I got for Christmas, so lets hope April is as good as March

Lancome Visionnaire Serum

Oh my, I cannot describe to you how amazing this stuff is, it really is heaven in a bottle. Very expensive, but so worth it. It retails for 30ml £60, but I always believe spending a bit more on skincare is worth it. I asked for a sample from the Lancome counter, I had a sample of the serum, day cream and then the night cream. I love all of them, and gradually will probably purchase them all. But I thought what do I really need in my skincare routine, and the answer was a serum. Before this I was either using the No7 minimising pore serum or the Estee Lauder Clear difference serum. Both of those I loved, but the No7 one had ran out and my Estee Lauder one was getting too used to my skin so I felt like it wasn't working as well. I probably will still use that one when I have a breakout and my skin gets a little bit spotty :(. But the Lancome one, is really good for minimising pores, reducing fine lines and creates a better skin texture, it just agrees with my skin and I highly recommend it.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (combination and sensitive skin)

I picked this up on a little bit of a whim because I normally get the pink version of this one, but there wasn't any left, so I went with this green one. However, I think I prefer it, it just mattifies the skin and really does get rid of all my makeup. I either use this for just my eye makeup or as a first cleanse.

Soap & Glory Smooch Operator

I got this a while back, when I did an online order and when it arrived I was a bit disappointed because it says "smooch operator" on the lid, and I didn't really want a smooch operator that makes my lips bigger, I just wanted a balm. But this is honestly amazing, it tastes/smells amazing, its so thick and balmy, and I just love it, I apply it every morning when I'm doing my skincare, and then when I apply my lipstick my lips are just so soft.

Lancome Sourcils Gel and Zoeva Wing Liner Brush 

Another Lancome product, oooo I just love that brand at the minute. This is basically an eyebrow gel, one like the ABH Dip Brow Pomade which I have never tried just purely because it's not that easy to get in the UK. I have the shade Taupe, and I basically get my Zoeva Wing Liner brush which is insane for brows, and so easy. I just apply the product, outline my brows and then fill them in with little strokes, if its too harsh then I just brush my brows through with a spooly brush. I used to fill my brows with the Soap & Glory Brow Archery, but it kept drying out on me in the end, and this method is just so much easier I think.

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette 

Leave the best until last, I got this palette for Christmas and its amazing, the eyeshadows are such a good quality, lovely colours and so wearable. In March, I have gone quite neutral on the eye, just using the shade 'bitter start' all over the lid, with a bit of  'sweeter end' in the inner corner and half way on the lid. My favourite shades of the palette are 'sweeter end' and 'freshly toasted' they are gorgeous.

Hope you've had an amazing March, we are now in Spring, the clocks have sprung forward and I am currently tucking into an Easter Egg! Much love, and happy Easter/Spring!

♥