January Favourites

That’s it, we are a whole month and a bit into 2017 already, and if I’m being completely honest, I’m not feeling it so far.  It’s been a pretty crappy start to the year, but here are my January favourites that have seen me through the month!

Tea Pigs Spiced Winter Red Tea

This has been my all time favourite brew this chilly January, it’s basically a cinnamon tea – but it’s mixed with loads of Christmassy spices that creates a delicious blend for a tasty brew.  It’s been my go to tea on a few evenings now, ever since I got one of these in my Pick ‘n’ Mix box at Christmas time.  So far, it’s been the only one that I’ve felt the need to go out and repurchase since then, so I think that is saying a lot!

The Body Shop Lip Balm

Another item that I received at Christmas was the Body Shop Christmas scented lip balms, in both Vanilla Chai and Frosted Berries.  Now had I been in store myself and seen these, I know I wouldn’t have picked it up as I prefer a lip balm stick opposed to the ones where you need to use your fingers to apply.  That being said, I’m so pleased that I was gifted these because they’ve honestly been amazing for my lips, I really love them!  They last for hours on end, they keep my lips hydrated and pretty without being sticky, and best of all, they taste pretty good too!

Superdrug Vitamin E Range

I’ve been super impressed with the quality of the Superdrug Vitamin E range this last month, although I have been a fan of their products ever since I went cruelty free in the summer, and I’ve loved their day and night cream for years now.   These creams work really well at giving my thirsty skin a little extra moisture both morning and night, and they never feel sticky or heavy on applications either.  This last month and a bit I’ve really fallen for their body butter, it’s super gentle on my sensitive skin and just works wonders at tackling the dry patches when my eczema breaks out.  It’s a super quality body butter, and I’m talking The Body Shop quality, at just £2.99 a tub!  Another products from the range that I’m really liking is the micellar water which I’ve been using both day and night to remove any leftover make up from my face and to just give my skin a little bit of an extra cleanse before applying my moisturisers.   What I’ve been loving the most about this is that surprisingly it’s actually feels really hydrating on my face, it doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry or tight after I’ve used it – which is a problem I tend to have with a lot of micellar waters that I’ve used in the past.  All in all, I’m so impressed with the whole range and would absolutely recommend that you give it a try yourself!

So although pretty late compared to everyone else’s January Favourites, these are the goodies that have seen me through the month and have gave me a little bit of joy too!

Have you tried out any of the above?

Until the next one,

Birch Box

It had been a few months since I last treated myself to a subscription box, so when I spied that Unidays were offering 50% off the October Birch Box, I decided to sign myself up for the month.  I did however make a rather silly mistake, as I signed up for the 50% off box on October 31^st, and then was charged on the 1^st of November again for the next month’s box.  I wasn’t that fussed though, as both boxes looked really pretty, and there was a few bits and bobs between the two boxes that I was keen to try out.

October

So I’m not going to lie, there was only really one product that I was interested in when I signed up for this box – the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray.  I have recently become a fan of the stuff, so I was really keen to stock up on it to tie me over till Christmas.  Sadly I didn’t receive this in my box, however I did anticipate this as I did the order, seeing as I was ordering on the last day of the month.  If I’m totally honest, there wasn’t really anything that wowed me in the box – other than the styling of the actual box itself.  Inside contained a facial mist spray, hair oil, eye brow brush, a sheet mask, a lipstick crayon and an aroma therapy shower gel.  Not to sound snobby, but these are all items that I either buy myself a regular basis and have plenty to keep me going, or items that I tend not to both much with.  The facial mist does feel great on my skin, the lipstick crayon is a gorgeous colour and I love the way the hair oil makes my hair smell (like a hairdressers) however I probably won’t bother much with the other items.  I’ve got a brow brush, and the mask is not cruelty free, so this box wasn’t a winner for me.  I did however LOVE the design and drawer style of the box, and I have it nicely displayed and in use in my room. 

November

Seeing as I had no idea what to expect in the November box, I was actually quite excited by what might come.  The delivery was as quick as the first one, only taking a few days to arrive after the payment was taken.  Again though, sadly the contents were not items that I was thrilled by.  Now don’t get me wrong, they are all great products, just not stuff that I go mad for.  My November box contained another facial spritz spray, a leave in hair conditioner, a lipstick primer, BB cream and a facial moisturiser.  All great products, all cruelty free, just these are not the kind of items that I had hoped to receive in a monthly subscription box.  I’ve been loving the Nuxe moisturiser which I’ve been using under my primer, and the lip stick primer does work a treat – however it’s not something that I think I will bother with when I run out of the sample.

I like to keep my routines pretty simple, and so adding extra bits and bobs really complicate things for my and clutter up my toiletry bag!  None the less, I will be using up all of the products above over a period of time, however for the time being I will be cancelling my Birch Box subscription – as this beauty box is not the one for me.

Did you treat yourself to any of the above boxes?  Were you more thrilled with the contents than I was?

Until the next one,

Winter Lip Care Essentials

Dry, chapped lip season is once again upon us, which is not ideal for our poor wee peckers.  My lips have been pretty healthy as of late, however I have had some pretty bad spells this year where they have been dry and irritated and sore.  As the colder weather is starting to take its toll on them once more, here are some of my winter lip care essentials, which I have found to really take care of my peckers over these colder months.

Barry M Lip Oils

I’ve only recently become interested in watching vloggers during my free time, and I’ve really been enjoying watching people try out new products and finding out what they think.  Zoella vlogged earlier this year about the Barry M lip oils, that she suggested are a great dupe for the Clinique ones – which are way pricier and not cruelty free.  I had actually some across these in store before, however didn’t think much of them, other than they looked like a gloss.  After hearing the great things that Zoella had to say about them (even after she said that she loved the Clinique ones too), I decided to pick one up on my next Superdrug outing, and they did not disappoint!  This beautiful product makes my lips feel absolutely fantastic.  They look and feel nourished with every application, and as the oil is clear, they look really natural and healthy too.  The formula glides on beautifully and soaks into the lips, giving them enough time to absorb the goodness.  Priced at £4.99, this is something that I’m willing to pay a little more for, as I know it works.  Superdrug currently have three for two on all cosmetics right now – so if this is something you’ve fancied trying out for a while now, why not do so next time you’re picking up your staple products?

Burts Bees

Now I’ve spoken about these lip balms the last time I was having problems with my lips – Burts Bees lip balm fixed me up then and they’ve fixed me up now!  These luscious lip balms leave my lips feeling smooth, nourished and healthy with every use.  Burts Bees use bees wax, shea butter and sometimes coconut oil too to create the perfect formula for each balm, alongside the appropriate essential oils to make each and every one unique!  During these colder months I’ve been loving and reaching for the peppermint lip balm as it makes my lips feel tingly and fantastic – however I have also been loving the fruity ones that I picked up over the summer when they had their online Christmas 2015 clearance sale.

Between the lip oil and lip balm, my lips have been looking healthy and happy during these colder winter months.  Whenever I feel them beginning to tighten or dry up, a small application of either normally fixes them up quickly!  It really makes me feel uncomfortable and unhappy when my lips are feeling dry, and so I’m so pleased that I’ve found these goodies to keep my peckers and I happy during the next several months.

What have your lips been thanking you for during the colder weather?

Until the next one,

Battle of the Lip Care

I’ve been on a mission these last few weeks to try and find the perfect lip product for my poor dry lips.  I woke up one morning and they were just so red, sore, chapped and just really uncomfortable – not to mention really unpleasant looking.  I tried creams, coconut oil and my trusty Lush Lip Scrub – but none of it worked!  So payday past, I picked up a few wee bits to put to the test of trying to bring my lips back to normality.  Here is what I found!

Crazy Rumours

After searching high and low online for a cruelty free lip balm, I was delighted to spy that Holland and Barrett stocked these fantastic balms.  For a long time I saw a lot of people raving about these on Instagram, as they are a 100% natural and vegan lip balm with a load of lovely favours!  From sodas, to citrus, to coffee and even festivities – Crazy Rumours legit have a flavour for everyone and every mood possible!  I treated myself to the lovely Peppermint one as I like the tinglyness on my lips when they’re not looking great, and it sure didn’t disappoint.  A simple balm with no colour, it’s really helped to try and get my lips over this weird dry phase!  It’s a lovely light weight balm that is non sticky and really soothing – especially when the peppermint starts to set in.  It takes a few seconds to feel the tingle, however it lasts long enough to make them feel lush and lively!  The smell is so great too, it reminds me of candy canes and you can actually smell it as you’re wearing it which is fab.  I’m really pleased with my purchase and will be picking up a few others the next time I head into Holland and Barrett!

Burts Bees

How is it possible that I am going to be twenty two this year, and this month was the first time EVER that I have tried a Burts Bees product?  Although not vegan, they are a totally cruelty free which is exactly what I need right now!  Seeing as Holland and Barrett had a BOGOHP sale on at the time of purchase, I decided to go for one of each brand.  I went for the Wild Cherry flavour as I fancied something fruity, which smells absolutely amazing, like good enough to eat.  Unlike Crazy Rumours, Burts is quite a thick balm which you can totally feel as you apply it.  It leaves my lips feeling glossy and very well nourished with every application, and I’ve noticed that one application of this will last me hours – although I do like to apply a touch up, it definitely is not necessary.  Like Crazy Rumours, Burts have a great variety of flavours to choose from – so many actually that I’ve decided to pick up a few gift sets to put away for Christmas pressies already… I like to be organised okay?! 

Lush Charity Pot

I also picked myself up a small pot of my trusty old friend Charity Pot during my last visit to Lush, as it’s been a while since I scooped one up.  It’s the perfect size for my little travel bag, and is great for those times when my lips feel like they’re on fire and need to be soothed.  A little goes a long way with this, so for just £3.50 it’s a bargain considering I’ve barley made a dent in it coming up to week three since purchase.  I will admit that it does feel a little greasy at times when apply to my chin and upper lip too, however when it’s all absorbed it does leave my skin feeling soft to the touch and less irritated.

Unfortunately, as much as I’ve loved all these products - none have them have managed to cure my poor old lips completely…yet!  Although very much improved, there have been a few days (like today) when nothing seems to want to help me out.  I’m delighted with each of my purchases - however I’m still on the hunt for that perfect product!

What’s your go to purchase for your peckers?

Until the next one,

Cruelty Free Make-Up Follow Up

A couple of weeks back I shared with you all the lovely and affordable cruelty free make up in the form of Barry M and B.  As promised, I’ve broken down the products to try help you get a better feel for them.

Mascara

I absolutely love, Love, LOVE this mascara – it’s totally amazing!  It’s not a particularly fancy wand, if anything it is probably a little bit old school.  In the morning I do about three swipes across each eye to give me a nice natural looking lash – however if I have plans in the evening it’s really easy to build up the look without clumping, leaving me with a nice dramatic eye look!

Barry M Foundation

I really think that this could be the best foundation that I have ever tried out – like ever!  It’s so light to wear, and if blended well (which doesn’t take much effort at all) I really don’t think you can tell that I’m wearing it!  I was delighted to find the perfect shade for my skin, I could tell just by looking at the bottle it was the one for me.  However I did sample it too… you know, just to be safe!  It gives the most perfect matte finish ever, and leaves my skin looking lovely and healthy every day.  My only concern with this was the price – this little pot cost me £5.99, and I’m already just about half way through.  Saying that though, Barry M usually have some sort of promotion on too at all the major drug stores – which will hopefully mean I can stock up then, making it cheaper for me in the long run!

Blusher

I really like the style of this blush, its powdery but whipped, so when you apply it with a brush it takes really nicely to my matte foundation, and gives me a nice pinky glow all day.  I picked this up for £3.99, but as it retails at £7.99 full price, I’m not sure that it will be one I’ll be quick to pick up again unless its on offer.  I’m cheap okay?!  I do however adore this shade, and the peach alterative was super cute too!

Blemish Primer

This stuff is amazing, it makes my skin feel fantastic with every single application!  It feels really moisturising and leaves my skin feeling super hydrated throughout the day too – a win win situation!  I’m not sure I can say much about the blemish control – but it does create the perfect base for my make-up, which now lasts pretty much a whole day with no touch ups!  This is one product that I would be willing to pay the full £9.99 for as it had been great for my skin, however I will not say no to a promotion in the future *wink wink*.

Beauty Blender

This was one of the items that I had not intended on purchasing, but you know for £4.99 I couldn’t really say no.  I was in desperate need of a new one anyway… or so I told myself at the time!  It’s the perfect sturdy little blender, although slightly smaller than the real techniques one.  My sisters have however told me that it feels and looks just like the official real deal, whatever that means – but I presume it’s good news!

Face palette 

For £4.99, I suppose I can’t really complain.  But I will, my only problem is that the swatches are simply not big enough!  The highlighter is amazing, it gives me a nice glow without being too dramatic.  The concealer is pretty good too – however I have noticed that if I don’t blend it to my best ability in the morning then it does tend to get a bit patchy as the day goes on.  These are the only two items I’ve used so far, but I’m sure the others will come in handy sometime soon!

The finished look!

So there you have it, I really like everything that I picked up!  If you’ve not checked them out yet, then give them a go!  I’m now on a mission to find the perfect lip care product – so if you know of anything, let me know below!

Until the next one, 

July Lust List

Just like last month, I’ve put together a few bits and pieces that I would like to treat myself to.  I’m keeping it short and sweet this time round though, as I have three birthdays in July to fund – as well as another three during the first two days in August… YIKES!

Vegan Subscription Box

My six weeks on my gluten/dairy/yeast free diet have been and gone, and I’ve decided to carry on with it until I’m given a reason not to (bar the occasional treat mind you!)  My mum is a vegan, and she has come across the perfect wee snack box for me.  It’s 100% vegan and totally gluten free too, and it only costs £9.50!  They send you out a box a month, which will contain five to eight vegan snacks that are guaranteed to cost more than the value of the box you are paying for.  I’m excited to try this one out and report back to you guys at a later date!

Nakd Treats

I’ve found that buying Nakd bars from my local supermarkets has become a little bit repetitive.  They only stock certain flavours now – and although I do still really enjoy them – I like to have variety.  You can now purchase a variety box online from Nakd for just £7.99 – they send you 9 bars in the post, some of which I’ve yet to try!  I can’t wait to place an order, I’ve been dying to try the Café Mocha for ages now… so here is hoping it’s a good one!

Lip Care

If you follow me on Twitter, you will have probably noticed that I’ve been complaining about my lips and awful lot this last few weeks.  I don’t know what happened, I basically woke up one morning and my lips were dry and red and sore and just really not nice looking!  It’s really quite painful at times, so I’m hoping that I’ll be able to find something that will fix the problem sooner rather than later. I’ve been having a look at a few vegan and cruelty free lip balms and moisturisers since my problem occurred, so watch this space.  I’ll fill you in if I find that miracle product any time soon!

I think that’s it really!  I’ve a few trips coming up in the next couple of months that require hotels and train fares – as well as all these birthdays (and my boyfriends and I three year anniversary) that all need funding too.  I don’t need to crazy splurge on myself every month – but I do like a wee treat here and there!

What’s everyone else got their eyes on this month?

Until the next one,

Lush Bubble Gum Lip Scrub

For as long as I have been shopping at Lush – the lip scrubs were always something that I have tried to avoid like the plague.  Paying £5.50 for such a small product that I believed did very little was something that I had no interest in.  I even went to the extreme one time of actually making my own – which was actually quite nice and worked really well, if I’m honest.  Honey, coconut oil, sugar and peppermint essence.  Just a little too messy for my liking.  So it actually kind of came as a surprise to myself when I randomly decided to add one to my basket one evening.  During this winter past, my lips were really super dry and sore from all of the wind, rain and the little snow that we had to endure.  So I thought “what the hell?”  I had the cash, and felt like going a little bit nuts – which is apparently my approach to every purchase I make there now!

When it finally arrived in the post, it didn’t take me long to crack it open and give it a bash.  The smell is incredible, it smells just like those really cheap and nasty bubble gum balls that you would buy from a sweetie shop when you were a kid which tasted like heaven.  The colour was also stunning, this scrub is a fluorescent pink which makes it stand out from the other scrubs… bar The Kiss, the valentine’s limited edition.

The scrub is really quite loose in the tub which makes it really good and super easy for actually giving your lips a nice scrubbing.  It does however tend to be a tad messy when using though – clumps tend to fall off as you’re applying and you end up with pink sugar everywhere!  After use, my lips feel brand spanking new every time.  I apply a little bit of lip balm straight after use, which leaves my lips feeling nice and soft until my next application.  I’ve been using my scrub a few times a week since purchasing back in December, and I’ve only now used about half of the pot – which I think is amazing considering that this was a £5.50 purchase.  I’m absolutely delighted with my Bubble Gum Lip Scrub, and although I’m not sure it will be something that I will stock up on straight away when I run out – the fact that it’s lasted me this long for such a small price makes me think that this won’t be my last purchase of the product!

Have you tried any of the Lush lip scrubs?  What’s your favourite?

Until the next one,