NOTD: A Little Zest

Hey Everybody. I am watching SuperScrimpers while blogging away. Who else loves this programme? Today I have a NOTD post for you.

I fancied a bit of a blank canvas on my nails with a touch of colour so I added a bit of zest. I started with one coat of my Rimmel base coat followed by two coats of the O.P.I. Nail Lacquer Funny Bunny. I then used the striper part of my StarGazer Nail Art pens in the shades Yellow and UV Green to add dashes of random zesty colour. It's a bit childlike, but it's a quick and easy way to add a little bit of quirk to the nails. I then finished off the manicure with my Elegant Touch Rapid Dry Nail Spray.

O.P.I. Nail Lacquer Funny Bunny ~ An off white shade that is a little translucent so needs at least three coats to be fully opaque, £7.45 for 15ml or $5.30.

StarGazer Nail Art pens in the shades:

Yellow ~ A bold primary yellow shade

UV Green ~ A fluoro green shade

The StarGazer Nail Art Pens can either be bought singular or in sets of the regular colours and UV colours. There are so many places to buy them so it's best to use your search engine to find the best deal for you.

What simple nail art do you like to do when time is of the essence, but you still want to add a touch of difference? let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

Crystal Clear Skincare Follow Up Review

Hi Everyone. I hope you have all been having a great weekend. Today I have a follow up review for you of products from Crystal Clear Skincare. Here is my initial post where I attended the #liftawaytheyears event, link.

I am going to talk about each product that I received at the event for free and have been thoroughly testing out.

Far Left: Wipe Away The Years Anti-Ageing Cleansing Milk, £27.00 for 200ml

Rather than massaging into skin and wiping any excess off with a cotton pad I squeezed two pumps onto a cotton pad and wiped it around the contours of my face and neck to cleanse. As it says to avoid contact with the eyes I used a face wipe to cleanse around that area. I do love the scent of this product and it was nice to use, but I do think it's a bit pricey as other cleansing lotions like this have worked just as well for me at a cheaper price. I did not clean the bottles before taking this photo as I wanted you to see that for some unknown reason it gets a bit gunky at the top. This may be from the moisture in my bathroom so it may not happen if you keep it in your bedroom? I think this is a good size, but I think different size options would be better as travellers may find this too large to pack.

2nd From Left: Stay Young Intense Anti-Ageing Serum Moisturiser, 30ml Comes With The Wand

This was a lotion formula that was meant to be squeezed into the wand (far right) and massaged into the face and neck. This felt really nice on my skin even without the wand. I would say this 30ml tube lasted about 1 month when used twice a day.

2nd From Right: Intense Anti-Ageing Serum, £60.00 for 50ml

Again I did not clean the top to show you that it gets a little gunky too. I used this both with the wand and without. This has a serum gel consistency. I really like how this feels on my skin. It feels like a treat :) The bottle is a bit dense and a little hefty which I think is not necessary. I prefer this to the moisturiser version that comes with the wand, but they are both really nice to use.

Far Right: Lift Away The Years Wand, £59.99 Comes With 30ml Anti-Ageing Serum Moisturiser

I do really like this device. I did try both the serum and serum moisturiser with this by squeezing product into the top of the wand, screwing it back on and manoeuvring it around my face and neck to work the product into my skin. I did not find that the product came out evenly from the roller ball though even when I added more product than was recommended so I decided to use it in my own way and I much prefer it. After cleansing I apply the serum to my face and neck with my hands not rubbing in, but spreading over. I then start from the bottom of my neck and work the wand upwards over my chin. I then work around the contours of my face applying pressure to make my muscles work and add definition where I want. I sculpt my cheekbones and slim my face by working from under the cheekbones out towards my ear. I then work towards my nose on the other side of my cheekbones. I gently, but firmly work from under the inner of the eyes pulling up and out towards my temples. I then work from the centre of my forehead out towards my temples and repeat all of this on the other side of my face. I repeat these movements on each area a few times and hold when pulling upwards for a couple of seconds as muscle has memory and this helps the definition to be more prominent. I repeat the whole process twice. I finish off with a massage to each temple for a few seconds as I find it relaxing. I do this by slowly circling the area. I follow this process morning and night. 

I would definitely say that the lift away the years wand is a valuable tool to have as a part of your skin care routine for any age to aid in maintaining youthful skin, uplifting the face and neck. I notice the difference mostly in my cheekbone area. My skin feels more plumped and defined. I do really enjoy using the serum, but I will try using this wand with other serums and moisturisers too. 

Overall I am very impressed that by using this simple tool twice a day for as little as 2 minutes at a time my skin looks more uplifted and I enjoy using it as it's a pampering massage that I can give to myself whenever I want. I really like the serum too, but I think the price tag is a bit high so I will look for alternatives once mine is all used up.

Have you tried any Crystal Clear products or treatments? Which ones do you like/dislike and why? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

NOTD: Essie Nail Lacquer She's Pampered

Hi there beautiful people. What are you all up to this Saturday? Today I have just a wee post for you of the gorgeous nail lacquer I received in my GlossyBox this month, link.

I applied one coat of my Rimmel base coat followed by two coats of this Essie Nail Lacquer She's Pampered. You could get away with one coat if you are in a hurry, but it annoys me when I can see my natural white (yellow stained) tips showing through the colour even just a little bit so I applied two coats. This is one of those classic red shades that you could wear with any outfit. I described this in my GlossyBox post as a rose scarlet shade and I would still agree with that description.

You can buy this nail shade for £7.99 from Boots or Superdrug. You can also order it from amazon.com for $5.85.

I finished off the manicure with my Elegant Touch Rapid Dry Nail Spray.

What are your favourite Essie nail shades? What are your favourite red shades for the nails from any brand? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

Exclusive Blogger Competition - Win £200 to Spend at Chi Chi!

Hi Everyone. How are you all doing this Friday? The weather is so strange. The rain was back this morning, but now it has disappeared and the sun has his hat on once again. Today's post is a competition which is exclusive to bloggers, but you still may be interested as a customer to know about the fashion brand involved. 

I have never shopped at Chi Chi Clothing London before, but they have some gorgeous pieces. The idea is to make up a wish list to be entered into the competition for the chance to win £200 to spend on Chi Chi fashion. So here is my wish list ..........

Left: Chi Chi Verda Dress Red, £129.99

Centre: Chi Chi Breezy Dress Blue, £129.99

Right: Chi Chi Magdalena Dress Black, £129.99

I have some bandage style skirts, but I must admit to yearning after a Herve Leger style bandage dress. This elbow length, scoop neck style looks just perfect. They finish mid thigh on the model which may even come up a little more knee length on me as I'm quite short. I am a bit more conscious of my arms as I have gotten older so this style saves me from any concerns. This has a concealed back zip and is made from stretch fabric. A very sexy yet simple style that I could change the look of easily with various shoes, bags and jewellery.

Left: Chi Chi Rosemarie Dress Black, £109.99

Another bandage style dress with trim detail around the waist and hem. I love the cut out styles around at the moment making this little black dress totally on trend.

Centre: Chi Chi Teresa Dress Red, £89.99

This is the last bandage style dress I picked out and boy it's sexy. This accentuates the assets for sure. The emphasis is obviously the cleavage area leaving everything else to be shown through the silhouette of the dress. I love the colour too.

Right: Chi Chi Mercedes Dress Black, £22.99

This is another style of dress I have always lusted after. The black is understated, but the sequins will make you sparkle in any room. There is little exposure from the front, but the back has a lower scoop to show some back action.

There are so many more great pieces on the Chi Chi website so check them out through this link where they also have a sale now on!

Any bloggers wanting to enter this competition please check out this link :) All entries must be in by 5pm today so hurry!

Have you shopped at Chi Chi before? What are your favourite designs? Let me know in the comments below and link any blogger entries too :)

Love to you all

Announcement: More! Magazine Will Be No More

Hey there my loves. Monday's are always a bit hmpf after the weekend and I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I thought I should mention this to those that may not have heard. 

 

(photo & announcement from moremagazine.co.uk)

I am not currently subscribed to more! magazine, but I have picked it up in the years passed and think it's a sad turn of events as I know it is still popular with a lot of you. If you want to grab your last issue then you must do so on Tuesday 23rd April (tomorrow as I write this post).

I hope that everyone from more! magazine goes on to have a happy and fruitful career wherever they may be.

 

Love to you all

E.L.F. 50% Off Haul

Hi my beautiful people. I am sitting here munching on some tasty strawberries and typing with one finger. Now that's dedicated blogging, ha ha ;) Recently I picked up some products in the E.L.F. 50% off sale so I thought why not show them to you with swatches included :)

Far Left: Mineral Face Cleanser, £6.00 for 50g

This water-activated, powder based cleanser works to clean and exfoliate the skin for a beautiful healthy glow. 

Moisten hands and face with water. Pour a small amount into hands and rub together. Gently massage into face and neck and rinse off. Use morning and night or as desired. 

I usually only exfoliate my face and neck twice a week with facial cleansers/scrubs, but I found I was able to use this type of product daily. I really enjoyed using the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant which I previously reviewed here. I thought this might be a cheaper alternative if it works just as well. The bottle has a flip top lid with three holes to shake the product out. The bottle is just over half full with product so it could be smaller.

2nd From Left: Studio Concealer Ivory, £3.75 for 3g

Conceal acne spots, discolouration, under-eye darkness or any other place desired with this twist up concealer. The creamy lightweight texture blends evenly for a natural full coverage that lasts.

Apply to areas that need additional coverage. Gently pat onto skin and blend with fingertips or a concealer brush.

This is a very peachy stick concealer that I purchased to use under the eyes, but I will see how it covers blemishes too. The stick is a little smaller than I thought it would be, but a good size to sweep easily under the eyes I think. I hope it will work well.

2nd From Right: Studio Translucent Matifying Powder, £3.75 for 3.8g

This translucent powder works on a wide variety of skin tones to help set your makeup in so it lasts longer. 

Use the sponge to blend in the powder over the face, neck and decolletage as a setting powder. Reapply as needed throughout the day for a refreshed look.

(Sponge Applicator contains Latex)

I previously reviewed this product here.

Far Right: Studio Makeup Mist & Set, £3.75 for 60ml

Keep your makeup in place all day with a radiance boosting invisible hold.

After you have applied your makeup spray a light mist 12-16 inches from your face with eyes closed to set your makeup in place or use for a quick touch up throughout the day to refresh your makeup. Let it dry naturally or blot with a tissue to help speed dry.

Previously reviewed here.

Left: Studio Daily Brush Cleaner, £3.75 for 60ml

An anti-bacterial daily brush cleanser for quick cleaning in-between makeup applications. Disinfects brushes to provide a fresh and clean application every time.

After using your brush, spray several times over the brush bristles. Gently wipe the brush onto a clean cloth to remove makeup. Allow brush to fully air dry before next use. 

Previously reviewed here.

Centre: Studio Mascara Primer, £3.75 for 2.5ml

An excellent conditioning base for mascara. 

Apply the Mascara Primer like you would any mascara, but allow Primer to fully dry. Layer on your Mascara as usual, for an enhanced look. Remove with makeup remover.

I have used a mascara primer before from Jane Iredale which I found really made my mascara look more volumised and held a curve in my lashes better. I am hoping this will do the same.

Right: Glitter Eyeshadow Flirt, Currently £1.75, usually £2.50 for 4g

Achieve radiant shimmering colour with this luxe Glitter Eyeshadow. 

Apply with fingertip for vibrant colour or with a brush for a subtle effect. For best results use with an Eyeshadow Primer. Apply wet for more intense looks.

This is looks lovely in the pan. A bold lilac shade with silver glitter particles. I think there will be fallout from this product, but perhaps it might not be too bad with an eye primer. I have had this swatch on my hand while blogging and the glitter particles have all fallen off. The colour seems to have faded also.

Left: Studio Glossy Gloss Ballet Slippers, £3.75 for 6.8g

High shine, pigmented Glossy Gloss delivers a beautiful sheen and a rich tint of colour to your pout. 

This is a nude skin tone shade that is quite peachy. It's creamy and looks like it could be worn nicely alone or over lipstick.

Right: Studio Glitter Gloss Dazzling Diamond, £3.75 for 6.8g

Dazzle and shine with this intense, show-stopping glitter filled gloss. Infused with light-reflecting micropearls, this non-sticky gloss illuminates lips with sheer brilliance and lots of colour. 

This is a clear gloss with gold and lilac glitter particles. It looks like it would be good over any lip shade if you like glittery lips.

Studio HD Blush in left to right Diva, Encore & Showstopper, £3.75 for 10ml each

Rich and creamy HD Blush naturally sculpts and highlights the cheekbones for a soft-focus effect that is great for everyday use.

Press down gently on the pump to release a very small amount of colour. Apply with finger or a stipple brush to the cheekbone in a tapping motion and blend in.

I find these very impressive and I would have bought all 5 shades, but the other 2 were sold out :( I actually got these mainly for the lips as I am hoping that they will be long lasting. A bit like an OCC Lip Tar. I am not sure how these will work on the cheeks as a little goes a very, very long way so they might be hard to blend in and control which will be frustrating if applied over face make-up. 

Diva ~ A cool pink with a blue undertone

Encore ~ A deep rose pink

Showstopper ~ A deep plum

I am disappointed that it looks as though my bottle of Showstopper has already been used as there is product around the outside of the spout. Be careful when first opening these too as the first one I opened (Diva) spurted out some liquid.

All prices shown in this post are full prices, but as I had 50% off these 12 products only cost £25.95 which included delivery. I am one happy bunny other than the what looks to be used Showstopper.

E.L.F. products are available from eyeslipsface.co.uk and eyeslipsface.com

Did you take part in this E.L.F. sale? If yes, which products did you pick up? What are your favourite and not so favourite E.L.F. products and why? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

 

Pearl Lowe Spring Fever GlossyBox

Hi there lovelies. I hope you are all fine and dandy on this gorgeous spring day. Today I have the contents of my April GlossyBox to share with you so here I go ........

The box itself is in a floral vintage inspired style. Absolutely gorgeous and so feminine. It was designed by Pearl Lowe so all credit to her.

Top Left: Sun Sense Daily Face SPF 50+, £18.50 for 75g

Sunscreen ideal for all year round protection –  use it every day on the face and neck.

• SPF 50+, UVA and UVB broad spectrum, facial sunscreen
• This light, soft cream has an oil-free base and is tinted for a sheer matt finish
• Helps protect against premature ageing from sun exposure
• Oil-free base – ideal for combination and oily skin

Anything to protect my skin from the harmful rays is worth a go.

Top Centre: Yves Rocher France So Elixir Purple Yves Rocher Eau de Parfum, Usually £44.00 for 50ml, but two sizes with one reduced in price

Described as an intoxicating and magnetic fragrance. A unique combination of botanical ingredients: Infusion of tuberose, essential oils of vetiver, bergamot, patchouli and benzoin extract to create an incredibly feminine, floral-woody elixir.

Spray onto pulse points.

I am sure this would be a wearable scent for a lot of people, but it's not really to my taste unfortunately. It feels a little too old for me. A little too vintage. I do think you could wear this day to night though.

Top Right: Nip + Fab Dry Skin Fix Body Butter in Mango Smoothie, Currently £4.95 for 200ml, Usually £9.95

This rich, whipped body butter repairs dry + dehydrated skin with 24 hour moisture-boosting ingredient Aquaxyl which has been shown to improve the skin's water reserves. Subtly invigorates the skin with the fresh, fruity scent of mango!

Apply to clean, towel dried skin after showering or bathing.

This cream feels really nice and smells more like a creamy mango rather than the really obviously fruity scent that I was expecting. I like the subtlety of it. This also comes in scents of Pistachio Sundae and Coconut Latte.

Bottom Left: Sleek MakeUp Blush in Pixie Pink, £4.49 for 8g 

Highly pigmented blushers to brighten and define cheekbones, available in 10 shades. These silky-fine and long lasting blushers create a subtle and radiant glow and suit all skin tones.

Apply using a small powder/blusher brush by swirling the brush over the surface of the blusher. Tap off excess and apply onto the apples of the cheeks to emphasise your cheeks and your smile.

There is definitely a great range of shades and I would say there are at least a few shades to suit all skin tones. 

This cool toned blush is very spring/summer. This will definitely make the cheeks pop if built up heavily like this swatch. It can be dusted on lighter however for a subtle pinch of colour to the cheeks. This is the middle ground between an English rose and a barbie shade as it can be worn to determine both.

Bottom Right: Essie Nail Lacquer She's Pampered, £7.99 for 13.5ml at Superdrug, Boots and other stockists.

To the victor go the spoils. Work hard and treat yourself like a VIP with outrageously luxurious scarlet.

Superdrug say this is from the winter collection so I am unsure why it is in this box, but I love the colour anyway. A gorgeous rose scarlet that I would wear at any time of year.

So that's everything folks. I am really pleased with this month's box. I am not too keen on the perfume, but one out of five ain't bad. The box itself is a keeper too. I love that GlossyBox have themed boxes and hope that they continue to do so.

For more information on GlossyBox UK check this link and for GlossyBox US check here.

What products did you receive in your Glossybox this month? Are you pleased with the products? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

NOTD: Purple With Red Glitter

Hi there my loves. I hope you are well today. I want to share with you my current manicure as I can't stop looking at it because I love it so.

I applied one coat of my Rimmel base coat followed by two coats of my Primark Glo Baby Glo! UV Reactive Nail Polish (Ultra Violet). This is an almost regal purple shade that looks gorgeous by itself however I felt the need to add some glitter. I am not sure if Primark still sell this shade sorry, but it was very inexpensive if they do.

I added two coats of my Chit Chat Nail Varnish (Crimson/Red Glitter). I think this adds a really nice splash of glitz to the nails to make the purple pop even more. I asked for this at Xmas as it was just £1.00 from Poundland for 12ml. I can not find this exact colour online, but here is a link to another shade from this range so that you can get more of an idea of the glitters. There are smaller and larger glitter particles in this red shade, but they are all the same colour. 

I finished of the look with my Elegant Touch Rapid Dry Nail Spray. I think that these look fun and pretty while sparkling in the sunlight.

Which glitters do you like to layer over nail colours to make them pop? Tell me your favourite combinations in the comments below.

Love to you all

 

Personal Hygiene & Feminine Protection

Hi there Beauties. What have you been up to today? Anything fab? Today I want to touch upon the subjects of personal hygiene and feminine protection. 

 

Left: Morrisons Total Confidence 24 Hr Protection Crystal Waters Antiperspirant Deodorant

Up to 24 hours protection against wetness and odour. Alcohol free. 

Shake well, hold about 15cm from underarm and spray. 

On my weekly shop this is another product I picked up to try. This has a fresh scent and works well. I really wish products would start saying 8 hours or more protection for example instead of saying 24 hour protection and in the fine print saying up to 24 hours. I would always shower/bath and reapply before this time, but I just wish we could have a more honest sell. I would buy this again, but this may not be great for those who travel as it does not come with a lid. This was about £1.00 I believe. 

Top Right: Morrisons 16 Ultra Towels Without Wings Regular

Maximum protection with a stay dry cover that draws liquid into the towel's absorbent core, helping to keep you fresh and dry. Individually wrapped. Shaped for comfort.

Peel and remove backing pouch. Press firmly onto briefs. Do not flush down the toilet after use.

Again I believe these were £1.00. These worked well for protection, moulded nicely around the pelvic area and stayed in place. They are a bit larger than my usual sanitary protection, but they are slim and unnoticeable. It would be better if they had a sticker of some sort to seal the wrapper after use. Not ideal, especially if you are not in your own home and would prefer a little more discretion. That being said I would repurchase these if I couldn't get my usual ones which I will speak about next.

Bottom Right: Bodyform 16 Normal Ultra, 99p

Shaped to fit your body. Heart at the front for easy positioning. Dry fast absorption for a dry and comfortable feeling.

I have been picking these up from the 99p Stores for a while now. I am sure you can also pick them up in most places like Boots and Superdrug or a chemist, but I think this is the cheapest place I have found to get them. These work just as well as the above for absorption and protection. They are a little smaller so a slightly better fit. I know most of us don't feel as feminine or good about ourselves when we have our period, but the cute heart on these gives a girly touch and who doesn't want that. These do have a sticker tab which you have to peel off from the new towels wrapper and re-position to wrap your used towel so it's a step up from the above towels. I just wish the stickers were a little bigger and more secure as I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed the towel unwrap itself just before you dispose of it or even in the bin. 

A quick tip girls is that if you use the end of a loo roll place your used towel wrapped as normal inside the cardboard insert, fold in half and put into the waste to be sure that it won't open and cause embarrassment.

I hope this didn't make any of you feel awkward. I have never thought about discussing sanitary protection before, but let's face it most of us women have to deal with periods every month and guys know that we do so why not find the best protection for you during that rubbish time.

What are the best products you have found for protecting against body odour? Are there any feminine protection or hygiene products that you can recommend? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

Body Beauty: Bathe, Scent & Moisturise

Ello, ello all. Welcome back to Beautiful Addictions. Today I have three reviews for you of products for the body.

Left: Morrisons Creme Bath Orchid White 

Pour under warm running water to create a bath full of bubbles. Use within 24 months of opening.

I have already reviewed the shower creme of this range here. This has the same baby soft type of scent as that. It's very clean and pure. I believe this was less than £1.00 for 1 litre. Myself and my fella both use this and it has lasted us ages. It's good to know it's guy friendly too so it saves buying two separate bottles if you share. This actually produces a good amount of bubbles too. I have already bought another one of these and will do so again.

Centre: Revlon Charlie Red Perfumed Body Fragrance, Currently 84p for 75ml

Hold can 15cm from the body and spray.

My Mum bought me this in a set of four sprays for my birthday, Link. Mine is a 50ml can, but you can purchase the 75ml size from Superdrug shown in the link above. I usually wear body spray rather than perfume if I am just at home for the day so it's always good to try new ones. I remember being given a Charlie perfume when I was very young and I'm sure it featured some red in the design so I didn't have very high hopes for this one as I found the perfume too old for me. I know I am much older now, but that memory still made me feel like this may be a more mature scent. I was however nicely surprised as the mix of flowers and spicy fruits are pleasing. It's not expensive so if it's not for you it shouldn't be too much of a disappointment. 

Right: Keep Clean And Moisturise Luxury Body Lotion Pomegranate Noir, 99p for 250ml

Pump into hands and lather over your body.

I picked up this range in the 99p Stores, Link. I described this scent in that post as a 'very light scent that is soft, yet a little musky at the same time'. I would still have to agree with that. It's very creamy and a thick formula that feels great on the skin. More of a body butter than a lotion I would say. The cream itself I love, but the packaging doesn't work so well. I am not very good usually at getting these pump designs initially to pop up ready for use so the fella was called in and sorted it. About a third of the way into the bottle the cream seemed almost too thick to pass up the tube. I had to keep unscrewing the pump, swirling the cream around and using it from there. Eventually I went to the swirl and scoop method to get the product out as the pumps dispenser fell off. I could put it back on, but it just seemed easier to do it this way. Overall I still really like the cream. If you can find another pump to fit the bottle that might work better then this would be fab. I may just have a dodgy one, but I have the other scents to try and will let you know.

I have tried a few of Morrisions beauty products now, but which ones do you recommend? Have you got a favourite body fragrance that you think I might like? Have you found any bargains in the 99p Stores? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

 

My 1st Graze Box

Hey Everyone and Happy Sunday! I wish weekends were a bit longer, but don't we all. Today I have my very 1st Graze Box to show you. I have been debating about getting started with Graze for a very long time, but just thought I could chuck some dried fruit and nuts together myself for healthy snacking at a cheaper price. However when looking at the Graze website a little more and realising there are a few boxes to choose from and a variety of 100 different snacks I knew I had to try it out. The three types of boxes are as follows:

The Eat Well Box ~ A selection of healthy recipes with the odd treat now and again. 

The Boost Box ~  The strictest, most healthy box with the most nutrient dense foods to give you a natural boost. 

The Light Box ~ All the lowest calorie nibbles. Everything’s between 50 and 150 calories and nothing tastes like diet food. Great if you’re watching your weight. 

I went for the Light Box as I am trying to be healthy most of the time and hope that these snacks will encourage me to be as there is a lot of variety. I do actually enjoy eating these type of foods so it's not torture for me.

So here is my Graze Light Box. I like how it feels personal with my name on the information card. Inside is all the nutritional information for each snack box. Underneath this information are the use by dates. I would prefer these on the actual boxes, but at least the information is there. There is also an information booklet all about Graze. I love the cute napkin which I found underneath my snacks.

My four boxes are Summer Berry Compote With Wholemeal Shortbread, Hot Cross Yum, Tropical Daiquiri & Bonnie Wee Oatbakes.

I like how Graze will send you random snacks so that it's a surprise, but you do get the opportunity to 'Bin' snacks if you don't want or like them. I binned one with olives before this came as I really don't like them. After trying each snack i will rate them so Graze will know if I 'Like', 'Love', want to 'Try' or have Binned. There is also a tick box option to 'send soon'. 

So far I have opted to have my Graze Box sent to me every two weeks to see if I like it. The box easily goes through normal sized letter boxes as they are just a little bigger than A5 size so you don't have to be home to receive it or sign for it. You can also choose a preferred delivery day. Graze deliver nationwide and delivery is free. Boxes are prepared 5 days before delivery. You can opt to push back deliveries if for example you are going on holiday and won't need it. The boxes can be delivered to more than one address which you can add to your account. The boxes are also recyclable.

I work 4 days per week so I plan on taking one to work each day next week to try them out. Each box is usually £3.89 which works out to be less than £1.00 per snack. I have been given a code for you to try out a free Graze Box :)

Enter this code when you place your order to receive your free box and share the code with friends if you like. You do have to enter card details to sign up for your free box, but if you are not happy to continue just cancel your future boxes.

For more information on Graze check out their website here.

I am trying to get a wee bit healthier and fitter for the summer so I am also taking part in the Squat Challenge and the Planking Challenge. I started on the 1st April so by the end of April I will have completed them both. For those who don't know the Squat Challenge are Squats each day for 30 days which increase in the amount each day with every fourth day off. I also use hand weights while squatting. The Planking Challenge is 1 minute of planking every day.

Have any of you tried Graze before? If yes, what are your favourite boxes and snacks from the range? Are you taking part in the Squat Challenge and/or the Planking Challenge? If yes, how are you doing? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

 

NOTD: Golden Summer Sand By The Sea

Hi Everyone. It's such a gorgeous day today I hope it stays like this. Today I have a NOTD post for you of my current manicure.

I applied one coat of my Rimmel base coat followed by two coats of this 2true Fast Dry Colour Quick Nail Polish in Shade 15. I have never tried a 2true Nail Polish before. I love this shade. It's such a true pastel blue. Great for spring/summer. For those who have tried 2true Nail Polishes before this has a new flat brush design. It did apply really well with two coats, but the brush does pick up a lot of product so I had to be careful not to apply too much to each nail. I can not find this shade on the Superdrug website, but I can tell you this was £1.99 for 7ml, Link.

I then applied one coat of the Amy Childs Nail Polish in Star Struck over the top. I picked this up at the Vitality Show recently. You can see that post here. This is a gorgeous shimmering golden shade like the summer sand. You can purchase this nail polish of 10ml for £5.00 or two shades for £8.50 at the moment, Link. You can also for £20.00 buy a box set of Amy's five nail shades, Link.

This manicure really does make me think of a day at the beach. I wish I was there right now. What are your favourite nail shades and/or nail combinations for spring/summer? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

 

Hand Care

Hi there cherubs. Today I have a wee post about caring for your hands. We use them a lot for many things every day so we should take care of them. I used to think my Mum was weird when I was younger because she always seemed to be applying hand cream, but now I realise why.

Left: Yes! Nurse Protect Your Lovely Hands Intensive Moisturising Hand Formula, From £4.99

Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry hands regularly before and after a shift. Massage well into the skin. 

As you can tell this is aimed at hard workers. I received this product in my April 2012 GlossyBox where you can find all of the information provided about this product. This tube has a flip top lid that is easy to open and close, yet secure. This was a nice hand cream to use. It has a creamy, not greasy formulation. I would say this hand cream would work well for the average consumer as well as those in jobs that require the particular need for hygiene ie. lots of hand washing. You can buy this on subscription or as a one off payment shown in the link above.

Right: Lavera Basis Sensitive Organic Hand Cream, £1.00 for 20ml

Lavera Basis Sensitive Organic Hand Cream with organic shea butter and organic almond protects and moisturises your hands. It absorbs into your skin leaving no oily residue and is suitable for the whole family. 

I received this product in my February 2012 JoileBox. I really do like the almond scent in this cream. It felt very smooth to apply, almost like silk. I know this is the sample size as shown in the link above for £1.00, but I don't really like lids you have to unscrew on hand creams as they have a tendency to jump away from me when I try to put them back on, ha ha. You can buy the 75ml version of this online for £4.45 from many websites and I believe that comes with a flip top tube. Just copy and paste the product name from this page into your search engine and you will see many sites pop up.

So which products and/or treatments do you use to take care of your hands? Scrubs, creams, massages, nail treatments? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all 

 

Scrub, Conceal & Spray

Hello loves. Are you having a fine and dandy Wednesday? Today I have 3 product reviews for you so here I go :) .............

Left: Natural Collection Cover-up Cream (Fair), £1.99 for 8ml

To cover spots, blemishes and under eye shadows. Easily blendible.

I bought this concealer quite some time ago when I couldn't find my usual concealer the Collection 2000/Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate 16 Hour Wear Concealer (Light 2) which has proven to be very popular and rightly so as it works very well. However after trying this Natural Collection concealer out I have to say that on me this works just as well as the Collection 2000/Collection concealer. This concealer comes in two shades of Fair and Medium and Fair is fine for my complexion. I do think it would be good if there were more shades, especially for darker skin tones as two is not very many and will not suit everyone. This has a creamy, but not slippery formula that is buildable and covers well, but does not cover my red veins so good. It has a simple twist up tube that unscrews and the wand has a doe foot applicator. The writing does wear off just like the Collection 2000/Collection concealer as you can see. I will repurchase this for sure.

Centre: St Ives Elements Olive Scrub, Currently £2.48 for 150ml at Superdrug

Gently exfoliates away dead, dull skin. Mild enough for frequent use, your skin is left re-energised, feeling moisturised and smooth with a healthy glow. Natural Ingredients of Olive oil which helps nourish, without greasiness and Olive oil leaf extract, a natural anti-oxidant. 

Apply to damp skin in gentle circular movements, avoiding the eyes. Rinse off with water.

I was sent this ages ago with a magazine subscription. This has fine granules within the scrub that feel comfortable on the skin. The shade is a fab green that is different from most scrubs. I found the granules in this product good for both face and body so it saved me taking two products in the shower. I used this twice a week on both face and body and it worked well. I like the scent of this it's very natural.

Right: Primark Breath Spray Peppermint Coolness

Sugar Free. Spray as frequently as needed into mouth.

I purchased this product in November as part of this haul. It was about £1-£2. I love the bottle as it's leopard loving fun. This worked well and I would pick this up again.

So that's it for this review post. Have you discovered any cheap, but well worth the money concealers? What are your Natural Collection favourite products? Do you know of any face scrubs that also work well for the body? Do you know where to find cute breath sprays like this one or any other handy handbag products? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

 

The Vitality Show 2013

Hello my sweets. How are you on this fine day? I have a little haul/day out post for you today so I will start off with how the day went and move on to the goodies. 

My Mum's birthday fell on Mother's Day this year and as part of her presents I bought her a ticket for the Vitality Show at Earls Court with some money to spend there. 

So it was Sunday the 24th March. My fella dropped me off at Mum's extremely early (about 7am) as he was working in town, but kindly dropped me off first. I sipped some coffee to wake up and splashed on some make-up. We left Mum's at around 8.15am. Walking up to the train station seemed better than standing in the cold and when we arrived I purchased our peak time tickets from the machine. Train after train was cancelled as a train had broken down on our line so we hopped on a bus to another station and yet another cancelled train. By this time we had been in the cold for almost two hours. We were both shivering and I couldn't feel my toes. In the end we jumped onto a bus and got two tubes. Overall it took us about three hours to get there when it should have taken about one, but we finally made it. 

After all this I was determined to buy something. We went around the stalls seeing the latest health crazes and tasting some healthy nibbles. There are also people that go there to take part in exercise classes. Good on them, but no matter how healthy I am you ain't gonna get me limbering up for the crowd. I did taste some fabulous cheeses which Mum loved too that were of the mature variety and I could have stood there all day eating them. I really can't remember their name sorry. 

After a while we stopped for a much needed coffee and a panini. I saw Amy Childs casually strolling past in her pink onesie, with rollers, fake tan and lashes to boot. She does look great and always makes makes me laugh when she is on TV. She can certainly rock a onesie.

I picked up this Amy Childs Nail Polish in the shade Star Struck from her range. This was £4.00 at the show, but it's usual price is £5.00 for 10ml or at the moment 2 for £8.50, Link. Amy's nail polishes are said to be non-chip and high gloss. This is a fantastically shimmery gold shade. I can't wait to try it and see if it lasts well. One of the girls at the counter said that this is very popular in Amy's salon and looks good over the shade Berry Beautiful which I think it would.

I found another stall which was really busy. I had to buy more than a nail polish after all this effort so this was my chance.

Tunic Tops In Coral, Blue, White & Dark Beige

I am not sure of the name of the stand this was on as I was too hot and bothered to pay attention by this point, but the tags say Sugar Babe Italy. Amazingly I managed to find these online so you can see the design better, Link. I am a bit annoyed as when I asked about the sizing as it was too busy to go through each top because hardly any had size tags the seller said you are a medium. He said take the ones without size tags because that's what they are. I put them against me briefly with my coat still on in the small mirror and thought for £10 each I am sure they will be okay. I have now tried them on at home and found that all of them are too big. Also they are different sizes. The Coral is a medium, the Blue is a large, the White is a large and the Dark Beige is a small. They are quite long too more like dresses on me, but I am determined to wear them as I can't exchange the size. They are quite see through so I think I will wear them over some bodycon dresses from H&M that I have with a long cardi so that they don't look so billowy.

Slash Neck Tops With Tie Backs In Dusky Pink, Pale Mint Green, Black & Beige

This is where they tie at the back

These were from the same stall, but the label says it's a brand called Zinka. I couldn't find a link for these tops I'm afraid. These came in many lengths and again the sizes were not labelled. I was told they were not made to a specific length etc. The sizes have been cut out so I have no idea what they are, but they all fit well even though they are not exactly the same. I had some woman trying to hassle Mum and I as she wanted one of the colours I had and was almost trying to literally take it from me. She followed me around the stall basically. I would have bought more of these in different shades, but the ones that were left were shorter and I needed some longer tops so I didn't get them. These were all £10 each also. In these photos the Dusky Pink looks more lilac and the Beige doesn't look as golden as it is in real life. I am really pleased I got these even though it was a job to do so.

We got these goodies for free. I have already had both coffees and given the biscuits to a friend.

These were more freebies. The Palmer's was a part of my ticket offer that I had to collect while there.

Anyway we left the show just wanting to get home. We went from bustling heat to the brisk cold once again. I had a tea at Mum's and my fella picked me about about 1/2 hour later. 

I have been to the Vitality Show a few times now and at first it was a novelty, but now it seems like a lot of the food stalls almost repeat themselves with a lot of the same type of products. I also think the foods can be quite expensive and for the average consumer it's just not affordable. I spoke to two women at the show who said they got their tickets for free. They weren't impressed this year either and went next door to the Ideal Home Show.

Did you attend the Vitality Show this year? How did you like it? Did you find any useful information or pick up any great products? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all