What I got for Christmas | 2015

Been neglecting this blog recently, as I have had a lot of uni work to do! But seeing as it's Christmas break i've & got a bit more time on my hands, I thought i'd do a quick post on what I got for Christmas and my birthday. (as my birthday is a few days before Christmas!)

First things I got were some lovely bunny slippers and a bunch of socks! I also got some bras and underwear which is fab as you can never have enough!

One of my favourite things I got were these colouring books; a Harry Potter one and a Doctor Who one! They're really good for stress relief and as I'm going up to Cumbria for New Year i'll be taking them to help pass the time in the car!

Next I received a Kopperberg gift set, which is my favourite cider! 

Ant-Man on DVD: this is such a great film and so funny! And scrabble fridge magnets. I love having things on my fridge and leaving little notes so these are a cute idea! 

Make-up wise I didn't get much, as I already have a lot and didn't ask for anything. But I did get a mini Superdry eyeshadow set, with mini mascara and lipgloss and it's so nice. The shades are super pigmented and is handy for travelling. I also got a set of nail varnishes that has a mixture of nude, metallic and everyday shades. There's literally a colour for every occasion!

For my birthday I received a lovely bracelet with a silver crystal bead in the centre. I also got this delicate rose gold necklace (which I think is from Next) and it's so nice. 

My boyfriend this year got me this Ring flash for my SLR. I'm so excited to use this and try it out! He also got my a Totoro onesie (thats's too hard to photograph!) but it's so soft and comfy and even has pockets which is a bonus!

Some more gift sets I received is a Dove beauty one, with shower gels. I love Dove products, the're super nice and the shower gels especially are really silky and make your skin feel so smooth. 

I got the Versace Woman perfume which has a lovely sweet smell to it. 

And I love this Yamkee Candle set, it came with 3 votive candles in the scents: Berry Trifle, Bundle up and Winter glow. And a little holder to put them in. I love this, as I can now have the scent of Christmas in my house well into the new year!

Lastly, I received a nice selection of Soap and Glory treats! I got a total of 5 Hand Foods, which is my favourite hand cream so I'm so happy about that! And the mini ones are perfect for keeping in my bag. I also got some Heel genius, Clean on Me, body Butter and The Scrub of Your life body scrub.

I also got lots of chocolate & sweets and some other little bits but I'm too lazy to photography them!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas, and Happy New Year!

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September Favourites!*

A little late as were now over a week into October! But I started back at Uni at the end of September so my blog has unfortunately had to take a bit of a back seat!

The first item on my favourites list is this eye mask from Gabriella 'Velvetgh0st's Primark Range. I have been watching her on Youtube for a while and was so excited when she announced her own Homeware range. This eye mask is so cute and super soft! By far my favourite thing from the collection.

Next is this Yves Rocher Moisturising Lipstick. It's in shade 106 Mauve. It's like a deep neutral with slight plum undertones. I think it's such a lovey shade for the autumn winter and hasn't left my handbag for weeks!

I have also found myself reaching for the Seventeen 'Brows That' Eyebrow Kit more than usual this month. I've had this for a while but i've rediscovered my love for it  recently. It's so easy to use and it's compact so great for travelling. 

The skincare products i've favoured has been the Naobay Calming Face Toner. It removes make-up, cleanses, tones and soothes the skin with chamomile extracts. My skin has been looking a lot healthier since using it and i've not been breaking out as much.

I've also been using the InstaNatural Argan Oil*, which i've been using for so many things! It's been great to just rub into little dry areas of my skin (and with winter coming I'm sure there will be more) but i've also been loving using it as a massage oil, as well as dropping tiny bits into my bath for a little added moisture. It completly natural and organic (as is the Naobay Toner) and so it's probably the best form of moisturiser you can get. 

Lastly, i've been addicted to the Foodie Market Oaty Flapjacks.

You can get these in Aldi and they're only just over £1 I think  for a pack of 5. They're only small so a decent size for a midday snack. I love flapjacks anyway but I always find they contain way too much sugar and unnatural ingredients, whereas these really don't, they're probably the healthiest flapjacks i've found!

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(*I was gifted this product for free in exchange for my honest feedback)

Back to Uni: Mini Stationary Haul!

As I am going back to University this week (tomorrow actually!) to study my Masters I realised I was lacking in some basic stationary. I picked up these things from Wilko's and it didn't even come up to £5 which is amazing!

The first thing I needed was an A4 ringbinder. I was drawn to this plain brown paper effect one as I think it will be cool to draw on and customise my own designs onto it. It's also great as it has string to tie it shut.

I love this cute little A5 notebook. And it was only £1 too. It's hardback and spiral bound so it's sturdy and will be able to stand being thrown around in my bag.

As I don't think i'll need to carry a lot of pens around with me, a huge pencil case wouldn't be worth it so I was happy to find this little pink one which I can just pack a couple of things in there. 

The mini highlighters were only 75p for 10 so that's such good value, and I'm a sucker for anything 'mini'!

 I think Wilko's is such an underrated store, especially for stationary. Everything is brilliant value for money and perfect if you're a student on a budget!

September Glossybox

This month's Glossybox was the collector's Style Edition, which celebrates the upcoming Autumn/ Winter season. 

All 5 products are full size, which is really good. Here's what I received in mine:

Nails Inc: Nail Polish in Khaki shade. 

£11

I've used nails Inc before and I love how long lasting they are, and you only need two thin coats for a good colour. The shade is a good go-to shade for the autumn and I don't think I own a khaki coloured polish so this is a nice addition to my collection.

Bellapierre: Shimmer Powder

£12.99

You probably can't make out on the photo, but this is super glittery! It claims to be long-lasting and won't smudge or fade. I'm not really one to use grey on my eyes but I do love how shimmery it is, and i think it will be nice to use in the lead up to Christmas.

Invisibobble: Traceless Hair Ring £4

&

Marsk: Eyeshadow Brush pro £16.70

I've always been intrigued by the invisibobble, as I tie my hair up everyday for work I hate coming home and it's all kinky and out of shape. These will be great for if I'm going out after work and don't have time to restyle my hair. There's 3 in the box so £4 is really good value!

This eyeshadow brush is so soft and a really lovely shape to the bristles. This is probably my favourite item from this month's box.

Maria Nila: Luminous Colour Hair Masque 

£18.95

Lastly, this Hair Masque is designed to strengthen and protect coloured and natural hair. As I started dying my hair early this year, i've been on the lookout for products that will help keep it nourished. It's 100% vegan aswell which is a bonus!

Overall, this probably wasn't one of the best boxes and although i'll get some use out of these items I wasn't overly excited about them, as I've received things very similar in previous boxes.  

x

Autumn Primark Haul!

Autumn is by far my favourite month, and I was so excited to see stores now showcasing their Autumn ranges! 

I popped into Primark in Manchester and these are just a few things I bought to see me through to winter. 

(Leggings: £10)

Firstly I got these light beige skinny leggings. I love these, as they look fairly smart and not at all like leggings, but my God they are so comfy. I also love the detailing on the pockets. 

(Earrings & Necklace: £1.50 each)

I'm loving Gold coloured jewellery at the moment, and I grabbed these triangle earrings and delicate coin necklace for just £1.50 each which is such a bargain. 

(Boots: £18)

I've been on the lookout for some decent winter boots for a while, and these I fell in love with. 

I love the tartan detailing on the inside as well as the laces. They're a very dark grey, almost black colour so they will go with anything. As well as looking good, they're also very practical as the heels have a decent grip which will be handy for if we get any snow!

(I also bought some thick boot socks to go with these that I forgot to photograph!)

(T-shirt £6.00)

This tee is a nice off-grey colour and I love the design on the front. It's a loose fit and will be great for the slighter warmer Autumn days. 

(Checked Shirt: £10.00)

I think this will look great layered on top of the tee pictured above. It's orange, blues and grey checked, which are my favourite colours and just what I think of when I picture autumn. 

(Batwing Top: £6.00)

Lastly, I picked up this top. It has 3/4 batwing sleeves and a high neck. It's so comfy to wear and such a nice shade of brown. 

I love Primark as it's so affordable, yet the clothes are still great quality and will last me for a good while!

Lush Oxford Street Haul!

Last week I travelled to London for a few days, and while I was there I took a trip to the massive Lush store on Oxford Street! I really had to restrain myself and managed to only pick up 5 things!

I haven't used any of these yet, so this is just first impressions. 

The first thing I was drawn to was the Little Dragon Bubble Bar. (£5.95) It's in two parts on sticks, so you can break it apart and just use one at a time. I love that it's a wand type as you can whirl it around the bath! 

As you can see it's a nice burnt orange, with lots of gold glitter! It's Cinnamon and Ginger scented so it really gives that Autumnal and Christmas feeling.

Next I picked up the new reinvented Karma Bubble Bar. (£4.25) I have used the old Karma bubble bar before and it's a favourite with both myself and my boyfriend, so this was a must-have. And I love the pyramid shape. It has a fresh tangy orange scent and again, bits of glitter but not too much that it gets everywhere!

The final bubble bar I got (Yes, I really love bubble bars!) was Granny Takes a Dip (£3.65)

I've seen this as a bath bomb before, but I never got round to buying it so with it being fairly cheap I though I'd grab one. I think all the colour in this will look interesting in the bath and it has a great citrus smell! 

Next up is the Mechanic Soap (£4.95) This is different to all the usual soaps they sell, in that it is cold-pressed which apparently is better for the skin. I was so intrigued my this that I had to get it. And the best part is the candy scent; The same as Snow Fairy which is one of my favourites! 

It is designed specifically for washing grease and grime off hands (hence the mechanic style I guess) but at the same time not taking all the moisture out of the hands. 

And lastly, this little gem. The Furze Bath Oil (£2.00) contains neroli oil and elderflower which gives it a lovely floral aroma. Great for if your skin needs nourishing or a bit of a moisture boost, which will be handy in the coming winter months where my skin always dries out with the cold!

 Has anyone tried any of these? Or bought any other products from the Oxford Street store that are worth trying?

x

August Favourites!

Not many beauty favourites this month as I've just been using most of the same things from July! 

But I have been reaching for the Pixi Lip Blush a lot. It's a lovely subtle shade and just gives my lips a nice tint and is great for the days where I just want a natural look. 

I never really have jewellery favourites as I never get a chance to wear any, but I bought this lovely Rose Gold ring from a Chinese seller off EBay for about £2-3 (which is an absolute bargain) and it's so much nicer than I expected and I've hardly taken it off! 

Another thing I've been loving is the Radox herbal bath salts. These have really helped ease my achy muscles after a long day of running around at work! 

I'm a big fan of fun hand washes, so when I saw this Carex bubblegum scented one, I couldn't resist. I've used the Strawberry laces one too a while ago and liked that so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed by this! 

Lastly, the two book I've flew through during August are Attachment and Landline, both by Rainbow Rowell. She's fast becoming one of my favourite authors; I absolutely love her writing style, her characters are always lovable and witty especially in Attachments, and the story flows so well and is never boring! 

X 

Makeup Revolution: Pro Brushes Review

Make Up Revolution recently added a Curve Collection of brushes that are specifically suited for perfect contouring and shaping. There are two sets, and I decided to just buy 4 of these to start to see how they are.

There is a set of 4 'Pro Curve Contour' brushes for the face. 

The one I decided to get was the FH01 'Pro Curve Contour Blusher & Highlighting Brush'

I've been using this to contour with bronzer around my cheek bones, nose and around the edges of my face. This is a great shape for those areas, and it is a good size as I have quite a small face and have found a lot of other contouring brushes a little on the large side.

They also launches a set of 9 Pro brushes for face and eyes, of which I picked 3 up.

The Face one I bought was the Pro F102 Concealer brush.

This is great for blending concealer around my eyes and does a really good job of getting into the creases to ensure I get an even coverage.

The two Pro eye Brushes I reached for are: The E102 Eyeshadow Contour Brush & E103 Eyeshadow Blending Brush

The E102 is angled so is prefect for applying eyeshadow to the top of the lid, or just in the corners. 

And the E103 is a good all round blending brush, and I have found has worked well with cream and powder eyeshadows. 

All of these brushes are super affordable, with the most expensive being £5.99 I think. And the eyeshadow brushes are just £1.99 which is such a bargain. 

I don't think the bristles are as soft as other Professional brushes, but then again I didn't expect them to be, and I certainly don't mind when they're that price!

I'll definitely be purchasing more of these brushes and completing my collection in the future!

My Empties- Beauty & Toiletries

I though i'd share some of the things i've used up over the past couple of months! (HERE's my last Empties post if you want to take a look!)

First is the Body Shop 'Deep Sleep Body Mist'. I absolutely love this, it has worked wonders when i've needed a good night's sleep. And it lasts for ages too as you don't need to spray a lot. 

Next is the Aussie Aussome Volume Conditioner. I love all the Aussie products as they always make my hair feel nourished. Although I'm not sure how much volume it gave my hair, I didn't really notice much of a change if I'm honest..

The Garnier Ultimate Blends Shampoo promises to illuminate the colour in your hair and help it last longer. As I started dying my hair in January I noticed that it doesn't take to colour very well, and it fades so quickly so I picked this up from Wilko to see if it would help and I have really noticed a difference! This will certainly be repurchased! 

I love Wilko for hair products as I can always get a bargain! I went through their own brand Brunette dry shampoo so quickly. I liked this as it did not leave a white/grey spray residue on my hair like most dry shampoos, so it was easier to blend in.  

Onto Beauty products, the Nivea Essential care Lipbalm is something I have loved using. I much prefer these lipbalms to the potted ones as they are handy for when I'm a work and this Nivea one has given my lips the right amount of moisture. 

The Barry M Gelly Lip Crayon is next on the list. I'm not sure if this is just me, but I haven't used this that many times but it seems to have gone down SO quickly! It's as if it's evaporating or something? I've loved the colour, but I don't know if I'll buy it again as I'm not sure about the formula at all. 

I've gone through the Simple face wipes and the Superdrug face wipes. I don't have a specific brand I reach for, Basically I just buy whatever's on offer! I'm usually safe as long as I get ones that are for combination skin. 

Most of the 'empties' posts I read are generally beauty & skincare, and I haven't seen a lot that include toiletries so I thought I'd add some of mine for a change! 

The Toothpaste I've been using is Colgate triple action. My favourite is usually Arm & Hammer but I thought I'd try this one and I'm not sure it's as good but still worth a go. 

The last item in my empties is the Imperial Leather Softening hand wash. If you want a hand wash that also moisturises and doesn't leave your hands feeling course then this is the one! It smells super lovely as well! 

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