May 30, 2013
May 29, 2013
This weekend as you may have noticed from my relentless tweets and Instagram snaps, Darren and I embarked on a little adventure across the South (details of which you can read on Sunday!). On the way back we took a de-tour and stopped off at Chichester, otherwise known as the home of my nearest Space NK. I had been lusting after a visit for some time and wishlist in hand, marched in on subconscious mission to empty my bank account.
Unfortunately the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders which I've been desperately waiting to swatch have evaded me again as the branch didn't actually stock them, so I settled for a substitute from By Terry which has also been on my radar for a while now. This weightless Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder made of hyaluronic acid, the ingredient of the moment for moisture, is completely translucent and promises to resurface the skin and blur out imperfections whilst setting makeup for clear and luminous looking complexion.
I also picked the Shampoo and Conditioner from the new Bumble and Bumble Surf range. As a massive fan of their Surf Spray I have eagerly anticipated getting my hands on this duo for the perfect just-walked-out-of-the-ocean tousled look. I've only just given it a whirl this morning but so far, so good!
Keep an eye out for these products popping up on the blog at a later date, as I'll more than likely want to have a full rave about them once they've been given a good test.
Have you made any purchases at Space NK recently? What are your favourite brands there?
YouTube | Twitter | Bloglovin' | Facebook | Instagram
May 28, 2013
May 26, 2013
Living by the Seaside may have it's advantages, but being nearly an hour away from the nearest Space NK is definitely not one of them. Possibly my favourite beauty destination of them all, I could keep myself entertained in one for hours. Here are my current picks from the host of brands that Space NK houses.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light: I've certainly been lusting after this one for a long time. Powered and I have never really gotten along, but with the promise of the perfect dewey finnish that not only holds make up in place but covers imperfections too, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders definitely sound like the perfect products for some all year round glow.
By Terry Touche Veloutée: I'm always on the hunt for products to help my tired eyes and highlighting pens tend to be the ones that work best for me. This offering from By Terry has not only had some serious hype surrounding but it also sounds like the perfect concealing, crease free formula.
Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Liquifuchsia: Cream blushers now play a huge part in my make up routine and I rarely choose a powder over these days. The colour alone would sell this beautiful Kenyn Aucoin blush to me but idea of a lit-from-within glow that can be built up to create a strong colour or washed out for a slight flush sounds mouth watering.
Diptyque Philosykos Eau De Toilette: If theres one thing I come to Space Nk for its to have a good sniff of anything Diptyque. I'm certain Philosykos has been on many a wishlist in the past but for some reason I've never taken the plunge and actually purchased it. There's always something very distinct about a Diptyque scent and the fresh fig notes teamed with deeper woody elements make this one no exception.
Pierre Hardy For Nars Nail Polish Duo in Sharp Lines: Inspired by his 2013 shoe collection, Pierre Hardy infuses his ultra modern colour palette into these limited edition nail polish pairs. Varying from a duo of pastel shades to this dark and light combo, it would be extremely hard to walk away with just one set.
Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser: I've practically had to forbid myself from buying this product with its staggering £57 price tag, or what I like to call two weeks worth of food shopping. However, I just can't seem to get it out of my head. Images of Millie Mackintosh (a known lover of Chantecaille) and her impeccably glowing skin spring lustfully to mind and I've never heard a bad word said about the tinted moisturiser that's just so much more.
YouTube | Twitter | Bloglovin' | Facebook | Instagram
May 23, 2013
May 21, 2013
May 19, 2013
01. Iced raspberry Tea with a slice of lemon is the perfect Spring drink | 02. Coca Cola's marketing team are geniuses. Even if they spelt my name wrong. | 03. Homemade spinach and mozzarella pizza | 04. The infamous River Island knuckle rings and Rimmel's Rose Libertine | 05. When I found out Origin's had launched a Ginzing moisturiser it was in the basket and ordered in under a minute. | 06. My two favourite baking books, Cupcakes from the Primrose Bakery and Boutique Baking | 07. Anniversary treats from Darren | 08. White roses, my favourites | 09. Getting Sunday breakfast right.
Product of the Week: It may have only been in my possession for less than two weeks but I'm already head over heels in love with Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess. There can't be a scent in the world that screams holidays in the sun as much as this perfume. Warm and coconutty and with a hint of fresh citrus, I can't get enough!
Wanderlust-Inducing Blog Post of the Week: I challenge you to scroll through Emma's Paris photo diary and not want to immediately drop everything and hop on the Eurostar. Strolling down the Champs-Élysées, taking in the Louvre and of course a necessary stop at City-Pharma, Paris I need you!
On The Wishlist: After having a good long browse through my new skincare idol, Caroline Hirons's blog there have been more than a few items added to this wishlist this week. Top picks include Peptabright, REN's ClearCalm 3 Clay Cleanser, the Superfacialist Rose Cleansing Oil.. I could go on for hours.
YouTube | Twitter | Bloglovin' | Facebook | Instagram
May 18, 2013
Although the Spring weather seems to be wavering slightly in England lets cheer ourselves up with the seconcd part of my Spring Edit and four lovely perfumes that make me think dreamily of blue skies and short skirts.
Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche: Possibly the first perfume I ever fell head over heels in love with, this little green bottle will always have a place in my fragrance roster no matter the season, but Spring I think is when it really stands out as the scent I can't get enough of. Light, zesty and above all packet with warm citrus it lingers on the skin and oozes the feeling of a fresh Spring afternoon.
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess: If the smell of holidays in the sun could be bottled, this would be it. The perfect combination of coconut, vanilla and citrus with a slightly musky edge that makes me want to do nothing but bung on a bikini and sit by the pool sipping something with an umbrella in it! It's the sort of perfume that just seems to radiate from within, almost as if it's an enhancement of your natural scent. I can never stop smelling my wrist when I'm wearing this.
Stella McCartney Lily Absolute: Floral perfumes have never really been my forte and Lily of the Valley always seemed like an old fashioned scent in my mind but the notes of spicey black pepper and amber in this fragrance bring it back to life in a mysterious but beautiful way. The word sensual springs to mind when I wear this perfume, but it's still light and fresh enough to wear on a sunny day.
Chloé: I don't think there's another perfume out there quite like Chloé. I can never put my finger on the actual notes, which are warm amber, honey and cedar wood all blended with the scent of roses, although its not the soft sweet floral that you would imagine. It's elegant and definitely strong, but couldn't be more chic. I usually reserve this one for soft Spring evenings as its the deepest of these four fragrances. This is also truly the longest lasting perfume I've ever come across, I'm sure if you didn't wash for a week (although I don't advise that!) you'd still be able to smell this. Also, could the vintage style bottle be any prettier?
What's your favourite Spring fragrance?
YouTube | Twitter | Bloglovin' | Facebook | Instagram
May 17, 2013
May 16, 2013
May 12, 2013
Sunday for me is the epitome of a chill out day. I like to take it easy and get myself mentally prepared for the week ahead and nothing does this better than treating yourself to a Sunday pamper. I've gone into more depth in my previous Sunday Series with some no messing about hardcore preening, but sometimes it's nice to take a more simple approach.
Towards the end of the afternoon when the Monday blues are already beginning to settle in I run a nice hot bath and jump right in. This weeks pamper goodies are from Neom's Scent With Love Gift Set*, full of beautifully fragranced products designed to relax. Having everything you need to unwind all wrapped up in a neat little box is definitely the way to go for some stress free bathing.
I start by pouring a cap full of the Tranquillity Organic Bath Oil into the water which immediately fills the room and your peace craving nostrils with a heavenly mix of Lavender, Sweet Basil and Jasmine. Next its onto the Sensous Organic Body Wash, a little more invigorating with it's mix of Ylang Ylang, Frankincense & Patchouli, this luxurious foam softens and prepares the skin ready for moisture. After a good long soak preferably with a glass vino (if you're old enough!) I hop out and liberally apply the Sensuous Organic Body Lotion which is fragranced with the same spicy scent as the Body Wash, infusing it into the skin for even longer and locking in moisture with it's hydrating formula full of Shea Butter and Argan oil.
It's then straight on with the pyjamas and a cosy up on the sofa. I find this is always a good time to get my nails prepped for the week while I sit with either a good read or something preferably starring Ryan Gosling. After a good file, buff and a careful selected nail polish I like to round it all off with a nice thick layer of the Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Organic Hand Cream which melts in beautifully and leaving hands incredibly softened and non-greasy.
There's nothing like a good pamper to clear your mind and relax your body so take half an hour or so just to yourself and you'll feel unstoppable once that 7:00am alarm rings on Monday morning!
* Gifted PR Sample
YouTube | Twitter | Bloglovin' | Facebook | Instagram
May 10, 2013
May 07, 2013
I'm pretty sure I could count on less than one hand the amount of lower end 'drugstore' foundations that I actually get along with. I'm no snob when it comes to make up but premium brands are always the ones I turn to with confidence for a flawless base.
Bourjois's Healthy Mix however, I have always been quite loyal to through all three of it's variations; Original, Serum and now the new Radiance Revealed. The original healthy mix was a light/medium coverage that could be built up well. It had a satin finish with a slight amount of radiance. The new formulation is very, very similar, so much so I can't really tell the difference, not even in the colour (which I am 51 for reference). The packaging has been given a sleek update and it now sits in a glass bottle as apposed to plastic. Bourjois claim to have enhanced the formula rather than completely changed it to now incorporate a whole lot more 'fruit therapy' goodness for added radiance and hydration. The products still contains that same fruity scent, but no more so than before.
The only downfall (and I can safely say this applies to all the variations) is the lasting time, which for my combination skin is usually around four or five hours before I notice a lot of shine on my t-zone. That being said though, Healthy Mix is still one of my go to foundations for a light feeling base that gives my skin a polished finish. For a budget foundation, I don't really think you can go wrong here and especially now that the colour range has been increased to eight different shades which is rare for a drugstore brand, there should be something for everyone.
Have you tired the new formulation? How do you think it compares?
YouTube | Twitter | Bloglovin' | Facebook | Instagram
May 05, 2013
01. Costa and Doughnuts for Breakfast | 02. If it were bookshops vs. beauty halls I'm pretty sure books would win every time | 03. A mini BB Surf Spray, adorable! | 04. Some seriously holographic heels in Next | 05. Daisy Cupcakes from this post | 06. Fringe! | 07. The best kind of working lunch | 08. More unhealthy food. Addicted to Costa. | 09. Trying to make things right again with some healthy juicing | 10. Receiving four GlossyBoxes from my old address and not even knowing I was still getting them! | 11. Playing with some spring colours for yesterday's post | 12. Best Chcolate Fudge Cake I've had in some time!
Must Watch of the Week: Anna's fashionable goings on with This Works' new In Transit range, a group of products I've been keeping a close eye on recently. Informative and incredibly well put together, can this girl do no wrong?
On the Wishlist: Neal's Yard Healing Foods Recipe Book, more than likely spurred on by this post from Suzie. You may think from the amount of pizza/cake/chocolate and generally unhealthy foods I post on instagram that I don't have the best of diets, but aside form those little treats I do really care about what I put into my body on a daily basis and this book looks just up my street.
YouTube | Twitter | Bloglovin' | Facebook | Instagram
May 04, 2013
After nearly a week of consecutive sun (touch wood) I think we can safely say Spring has arrived! The beauty wardrobe deserves a seasonal revamp and the first port of call for me is always nails. Ten little fragments of colour that give noting but hope for warmer weather. The big dilemma however is pastels or brights? I've picked five of my favourites in each category that will definitely be adorning my nails over the coming weeks.
Pastels have always been good to me. Their soft hues are flattering and pretty and suit almost every skin tone. First up we have Essie's Fiji, the palest of all the pinks, think ballerina. The formula is opaque which creates a subtle statement on the nails. Another nude that I can't seem to talk about enough is Lychee from the Barry M Gelly Collection. Easy to apply and super glossy this is the ultimate 'mannequin nail' colour for me, and they don't half last long! Topshop's Parma Violets has been in my collection for a long, long time but what's not to love about the perfect pastel lavender? This one take a good few coats but with all Topshop nail polishes it's definitely worth it. Essie makes an appearance again with Bikini So Teeny which although hailing from last years Summer line, is still a firm favourite for a soft touch of blue. Finally the newbie of the bunch from B. Cosmetics is a serious contender for the mint green of the year. Sea Foam is my first purchase from their nail polishes but the formula and wear time have definitely impressed me.
As for the brights, I like to keep them pure and simple but very intense! Barry M's Blueberry is an amazing stand out, creamy blue without a hint of lilac in it. Similarly Green Room from Topshop has an intense colour but with an edgier forest green tone. If you're one for sticking to the typical spring/summer colours then Cute As A Button*, a bright pink-toned coral and Fear and Desire, a fierce orange from Essie are the ones for you. These two look amazing on both toes and fingers! Last up possibly one of my favourite polishes of all time, Ciaté's Yellow Taxi, the perfect loud nail colour that's just on the right side of neon before we start talking fluorescents.
What are your favourite Spring colours?
* Gifted PR Samples
YouTube | Twitter | Bloglovin' | Facebook | Instagram
