May Favourites Time

I have been shockingly terrible at uploading blog posts this month but I have a valid reason for being so rubbish. I got a new job and moved back up to Aberdeen, so my life has turned a little hectic and is just starting to settle. There are a few products I have been loving and relying on this month during the move and different events that I wanted to show you, so... Here are my May Favourites:

I had heard the hype and spied the swatches of Bourjois' new lip launch- a moisturising liquid lipstick: The Rouge Edition Velvets - which I had to try. I have tried highstreet liquid lipsticks before, such as the Rimmel Apocolips and I was not a fan. I picked up the shades Pink Pong and Hot Pepper and instantly fell in love with the  lipstick/lip gloss hybrid. They are crazy pigmented, long lasting and moisturising and I think the colours are perfect for summer. 

Pink Pong is a bright fuscia and has been my go to pink for the month of May. Hot Pepper is a perfect true red shade with an orange undertone: My favourite type of red. 

I am not one for using body lotions or butters but in May I found my skin to be dry and tight and in some major need of instant hydration. I have a large tub and a travel sized mini of the amazing Soap and Glory- The Righteous Butter Body Lotion and I adore this stuff. 

It contains Shea Butter, Almond Oil, Cocoa Butter and Aloe Vera, so this is extremely moisturising, yet light and soothing for the skin. 

My go to nail colour this month has been the Rimmel 60 Second nail polish in White Hot Love. I love the way white nails make you look like you have a little tan and how they can totally complete and outfit. I had a love/hate relationship with this nail polish at the start because I found it applied streaky and smudged a lot. However, I have mastered the polish and I love it. It was my most worn polish this month and I think it may be my go to colour this summer. 

I am a big fan of Topshop Beauty products and this blush has been a staple in my makeup routine since I got it. I have spoken about the Topshop Blush 'Do It Again' on GS before and I can confirm that I am still very much in love with it. I apply it with an Avon Blush brush to the apples of my cheeks and my temples and it gives a perfect peachy glow. I love this blush when I am wearing a bold lip to balance out my makeup look. 

This week I have discovered a lot of new Lush products that I love and could not reccomend enough. (Await a post on this soon) One of my favourite products that I picked up and am already obsessed with is the Imogen Rose Gorrilla Perfume. I have the 10ml Atomiser size and I have a feeling I will have to repurchase another soon because I spray this about 20 times a day. 

It smells of Turkish delight and is the most perfect rose scented perfume that I have smelled. I have never tried a Lush perfume before but I have been carrying this around with me since it was purchased. 

Have you guys got any favourites this month you think I should try? I am so glad to be back on Georgina Sparkles, hopefully you'll hear from me again soon.

Welcome to Paradise

I have been loving the Palm Tree trend that has hit the high street this season and New Look have some amazing Palm Tree inspired offerings.

I picked up this amazing monochrome jumpsuit on a huge New Look haul recently, (I went a little crazy- if you want to see a New Look Haul post, let me know) and I am in love with it. I really enjoy the slim leg and flattering shape, as I worry that some styles of jumpsuit can be unflattering.

On this occasion, I paired the jumpsuit with some really cute white cork wedges which are also from New Look and I really love this outfit.

In the day time, when I want to go a little more casual, I'll wear it with a plain white tee popped underneath and some ballet pumps.

This jumpsuit reminds me of summer and beach holidays and I am so happy that the sun is shining in Scotland and I am able to wear it out and about. (As I am posting this the weather outside my window is rain and wind! Scottish weather eh?)

My Spring Makeup Look

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder / Diorskin Nude BB Creme / Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Peach on the Beach / Dior Rosy Glow Blusher / Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara

The sun is finally shining and it is time to crack out the makeup reserved for spring time. I prefer using tinted moisturisers and BB creams in the spring and summer for a lighter and more natural makeup look. I applied the Diorskin Nude BB Creme using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. This BB cream was a 2013 favourite of mine and it gives a beautiful healthy glow.

For cheeks, I have been enjoying using The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder and then the Dior Rosy Glow Blusher. I love this combination as it gives a natural sun kissed look with a slight flush to the cheeks. The blusher looks scary in the pan but is beautiful when applied. 

The mascara I use to give myself long voluminous lashes is the Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara. This is a double ended mascara that has different wands suited to the upper and lower lashes. It is a great mascara and I would recommend it to those looking for natural looking big lashes.

Finally, the lipstick I have chosen for this spring look is the Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Peach on the Beach. This is a neon coral shade that has great pigmentation and is slightly glossy on the lips. I think it is going to be a spring and summer lipstick essential of mine.

What are your spring makeup essentials? 

The Multi-Purpose Beautifying Oil

I have talked about my love for Beauty Oils on GS before (here) and discussed my favourites and their uses. Multi-Purpose Oils are a great method of injecting moisture and nourishment into your skin, body and hair, and I wanted to dedicate this post to my current favourite and most used Beauty Oil, The Body Shop Olive Beautifying Oil. 

I have been using and loving The Body Shop Beautifying Oils for a while now and they have become one of those products that I will always repurchase. The scent I am currently loving right now is the Olive Beautifying Oil, which smells fresh and clean and perfect for the spring. I wanted to share some of the ways in which I use this Multi-purpose oil and hopefully give you some ideas. 

1. Hair

After washing my hair and towel drying it, I run a little of the oil through the damp ends to give it an extra burst of moisture and shine. The ends of my hair can be dry and frizzy sometimes and I really find this works to control this problem. 

2. Face

I have two uses for this oil when it comes to skincare. When I have had a make-up heavy day and want to remove every trace of foundation and concealer and whatever else is on my face, I use the Beautifying Oil as a pre-cleanse to cut through all the make-up. I follow the oil with a cleanser and exfoliate. 

Secondly, I like to use this as a replacement for moisturiser during the final stage in my skincare routine, when my skin is feeling dry and dehydrated. My skin seems to love beauty oils and I always wake up the next day with a glowing, healthy skin complexion. 

3. Body

Finally, I love using this beautifying oil on my body, after the shower, as a body moisturiser. The oil helps to lock in moisture and prevent dry, scabby elbows and knees. 

I also use this as an alternative to shaving foam when shaving my legs. It works wonders to prepare the area pre-shave and to moisturise post-shave. It always leaves my legs feeling smooth and wonderful... Do not be surprised when I make you feel my legs after... 

Well, those are my favourite uses for the Body Shop Olive Beautifying Oil. Have you got any tips for me?

La Roche Posey Effaclar Duo [+]

I read the blog posts and watched the YouTube reviews regarding this skincare item and I had to try it for myself. The claims that this product was life changing and gave you results within a week were exciting, so I popped down to Boots and purchased the La Roche Posey Effaclar Duo [+].

I never tried the original version so I had nothing to compare it to but I loved this from the first application. I have been using this for a month now and I am down to my last drop so I thought this would be a perfect time to let you guys know how I got on.

This is a treatment product that unclogs pores and reduces redness and imperfections. I apply this all over my face after cleansing and toning my skin but before using a moisturiser or facial oil. In the morning I buff in my foundation directly on to the Effaclar Duo [+] and use it as a primer. After a week I noticed great results, the redness around my nose fading and the general appearance of my skin looking healthier. Since then, the spots around my chin disappeared and have never returned and there is a huge reduction in the amount of blackheads on my chin. I 100% believe this product managed to control my skin problems and my skin has never looked better. My makeup even looks better on the skin and lasts longer.

I have been using this twice a day for a month and there is a little bit left but I will be repurchasing this on payday. It is on the pricier side of high street skincare at £15.50 but completely worth the price tag. I am keen to try more from the brand, is there any products you would reccomend?

No7 Pop and Glow Cream Blush and Instant Radiance Highlighter

I was really excited for the launch of the No7 Pop and Glow cream blushers and the Instant Radiance Highlighter. I am a big fan of No7 makeup and skincare so I couldn't wait to give these a try.

There are 3 blush shades in the range; Rose Blossom, Mango Sorbet and Classic Rose and the one highlight shade. I only picked up Rose Blossom but after absolutely loving the colour and formulation, I will be picking up the other two soon and after reading countless positive reviews online about the Instant Radiance Highlighter, I popped that in my basket too. 

The packaging is really cute and reminds me of a shorter, chubbier Clinique Chubby Stick and the colour on the outside matches the colour of the product inside. The product inside is domed and can be twisted up when you need more. 

Rose Blossom is a hot pink shade that can be blended in to give you a subtle flush or packed on to give a more Intense makeup look. I love to pair this with a hot pink lip to give me a super girly look.

The Instant Radiance Highlighter is a champagne warm toned highlight that looks beautiful applied on the tops of my cheekbones, on my brow bone and on my Cupid's bow. It has a slight shimmer and is lovely and creamy. 

I would definitely reccomend you pick up these two products next time you are in a Boots. They are £9.95 each but there is usually a promotion on or a money off coupon going about to help save you some pennies. 

My Topshop Beauty Collection

One of my favourite high street make-up brands is Topshop and whenever I visit a Topshop store I usually leave with a cheeky make-up purchase. The make-up is amazing quality, the colour ranges are perfect and the product range is pretty incredible for a high street brand.

I do not have a huge Topshop Beauty collection but out of all the other brands I own, I am pretty loyal to Topshop makeup.

L-R The Damned / Pillow Talk / Idol / Rio Rio

I am a big fan of Topshop Lips and yet have only four in my collection, I will be purchasing more in the future because these lipsticks are pretty special. The Damned is a berry shade which was my go to Autumn lipstick and Pillow Talk is a nudey pink shade similar to Mac Creme Cup. The Damned and Pillow Talk are creaming and highly pigmented with a hint of shine. Idol is a hot pink shade which is perfect for summer and Rio Rio is an bright orangey red (my favourite) Idol and Rio Rio are Matte formulas with incredible staying power. Are there any Topshop Lips you think I should add to my collection?

L-R Green Room / Milkshake / Boy Next Door / Razzamatazz / Beleza

Topshop Nails is one of my favourite nail polish formulas ever, they are creamy and opaque and do not chip easily. They are £5 each and there is a huge shade range. There are a few colours I have my eye on and may even pick up a few when I am in Aberdeen this weekend. 

L-R White Lies Setting Powder, Do It Again Powder Blush, Glow Highlighter in Polished, Sandcastle Bronzer

I love all these products and would highly recommend them to any beauty lover. The White Lies Setting Powder is an excellent powder yes, but I think I love it mostly for the scent. Wow. 

Next up is the Blush in Do It again. This is the latest addition to my Topshop Beauty Family and it is a beautiful peachy pink blush that gives a natural flushed glow to the skin. 

Topshop Glow in Polished is my favourite cream highlighter. I apply this to the tops of my cheek bones, under my eyebrows and on my cupids bone.

Finally, one of my favourite bronzers ever is the Topshop Bronzer in Sandcastles. It is perfect for bronzing and contouring in the summer when your have a bit of colour to your face. 

Holy Grail Status

I woke up this morning with a thought. A horrible thought. What if my favourite beauty items were discontinued. What if my Holy Grail products were unavailable from now on. Obviously there are bigger more important matters to be considered in the world right now but hypothetically, what if?

This question really made me think about what products I could not live without and what items I would buy in bulk the moment I heard a whisper of the D word. 

To be honest there are very few products I could not live without. I am not very loyal when it comes to lipstick brands and eyeshadow palettes but there are a few products that have reached HG status. These might not be the most glamorous or they might be super cliché but it is very interesting to discover which products I will always have a soft spot for. 

I will start with an easy one, my HG perfume and signature scent, The only perfume I have repurchased and will continue to repurchase till the end of time is Marc Jacobs Daisy. My friends and family all know about the love I have for this beautiful fragrance and I have been gifted this many a time. I am terrible at describing fagrances so I have done a little research on Daisy. 

Heart Notes- Violet

Top Notes- Strawberry

Base Notes- White Woods, Accord

I just know it smells wonderful and one of my friends said I smell like Parma Violets whenever I wear this perfume.

The only makeup product that I would consider a HG product and one I rely on everyday to give me perfectly filled in shaped brows is the Benefit Browzing Kit. I remember the day I started paying attention to my eyebrows, with a visit to the the Benefit Brow Bar in John Lewis, Edinburgh. A wax, tint and a cheeky purchase later, I was ready for my journey into the world of eyebrow maintenance. The compact brow kit comes with a wax, powder, tweezers and two brow brushes. I have spied and tried many a 'dupe' but nothing will come close to the result that the Benefit Browzing Kit gives. 

Next up is my favourite Nail Polish ever. I think has been featured on my blog before, perhaps a favourites post, but it is of course the Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Holiday. This is the most perfect reddy orange shade and even though the formula is a little rubbish it is definatly a nail polish that would devastate me if it were to be discontinued. My favourite colour is orange and this nail polish reminds me of summer and my holidays.

An everyday essential product that I always have on me is the Soap and Glory Hand Food. I have multiple tubes of this hand Cream in different hand bags and around my house as it is the best hand cream out there. It smells of marshmallow and leaves my hands moisturised yet not greasy and comes in a handy travel size for when I am out and about.

Another Soap and Glory product that I discovered last year but has quickly become my favourite bath product ever is the Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash. I have repurchased countless bottles of this amazing body wash and I will repurchase it for a long time to come. It smells exactly like Lemon Meringue Pie and if I could drink this stuff I would, it smells that good. There are a few more amazing products in the Sugar Crush Scent that I also adore but the body wash is my favourite. It is the perfect scent for early morning showers as it is so refreshing. 

What are your Holy Grail products? 

What I am Loving this Week #2

This week has been a blur of work and chilling watching two series of Pretty Little Liars. But there has been a few beauty favourites that I have been enjoying.

Firstly, I received this Lipgloss from the March Glamour Magazine and it is from the brand ModelCo which I had never heard of before. It is in the shade Strip Tease and is a shimmery Nude colour. For days when I don't want to wear a lipstick but feel I need a little something I have been picking up this and I have been loving it. It had a doe foot sponge applicator and smells delicious. The lipgloss itself is a little tacky when first applied but it is so beautiful on the lips I haven't been noticing it. I am keen to try out more of these lipglosses. 

Another makeup product that I have been using this week is the MUA Blush Perfection Cream Blusher in Dolly. This is a highly pigmented coral cream blusher that I always find myself reaching for when I want to have a more natural cheek colour. I love these blushers and for £2 I think I may complete my collection. I like to apply these with a stippling brush or just my fingers.

The sun has got me thinking about summer and has got me really excited for summer related products and smells. The body moisturiser I have been reaching for this week is the Boots Coconut Body Oil. It is a 100ml of a coconut balm that melts when it makes contact with your skin. When I picked this up I was under the impression it was a Virgin 100% coconut oil that could be used on skin, hair, face, cooking Ect but it actually has a lot of chemically sounding ingredients, so I have just been using on my legs and arms after a shower. It really is moisturising and is making my skin feel softer.

I have been wanting to show this in a favourites for a while but it's not very glamorous. It is the Garnier Pure Active Anti-Blackhead Deep Pore Wash and it has become a staple in my skincare routine. It is a face wash with Salicylic Acid, minerals and microbeads that all help to exfoliate and unclog pores. I have noticed a big difference in the appearance of my skin recently and I don't know for sure if it's down to this or a mix of some amazing products but I would fully reccomend this to those who have blemish prone and blackhead prone skin. 

What have you been loving?

Perfect Red Lips

My favourite makeup look is always finished off with a bright red lip... I prefer the orange toned bright reds that are perfect for spring and summer. Here are my top red lippy picks:

Topshop Lips in Rio Rio 

Kate for Rimmel Lipstick in 110

Revlon ColourBurst Matte Balm in Striking

Clinique Chubby Stick in Two Ton Tomato 

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in In Love with Ginger

Mac Lady Danger 

Is there any other bright red lipsticks you would reccomend? 

What I am Loving This Week #1

I have been an awful blogger the last couple of weeks, with zero posts and zero motivation but I am back today with a weekly favourites post. I am gonna post a weekly favourites every Thursday to make sure I post something. I love my blog but recently have had little time to dedicate myself to it.

An oldie but a goodie, I've recently re-discovered my love for the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. I love to apply this foundation with my fingers for the perfect air brushed base. I have the shade 52 Vanilla, which is one shade too dark for my skin tone but it actually gives my skin the warmth it requires to give me have a healthy glow. I have received many compliments on my skin recently and I think it is down to the foundation I have been using, although my skin in general has improved (more on that in a second) This has been my go to foundation this month and have even been mixing it with other foundations to make it last longer.

The reason for my skin improvements has been the La Roche-Posey Effaclar Duo(+). I have been using this, in place of a moisturiser, for the past two weeks and have seen some miraculous improvements. I was having a skin crisis, with a breakout around my chin that never seemed to go away and redness around my nose and cheeks and it was just getting me down. Since using this product, I my redness has disappeared and the breakouts have vanished leaving a loving clear complexion. I almost considered not wearing makeup today to show off my lovely skin.

Another product I have recently re-discovered is Benefit's Fine One One. It is a stick blush and highlighter that gives a beautiful coral glow. The product is a trio of blush colours and a highlighter with a coral, pink and champagne stripe. The packaging is rose gold and is unique among the pot and boxed blushes that I also own. I have been loving wearing this on top of the Healthy Mix Serum to create a beautiful illuminating combo. LOVE IT.

I recently posted a review on the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray so I won't go into too much detail (You can read the review here) but I am addicted to this product. I take it with me to work, to the shops and on nights out and it is the perfect volumising spray. I have had the best hair days recently and it is all down to this product and... it smells amazing.

What have you been loving?

February Beauty Haul

I have had to take the day off work as I am sick and I am currently in bed, jammys on and snuggled into my dog. So I thought I'd bring you a beauty haul from my latest trip down the Aisles of Boots. This haul was purchased during 2 seperate trips on one day! I just couldn't get enough.

This shopping trip was definetly influenced by beauty blogger hype and I went a little crazy on the 3 for 2 offer that is currently in store and online! (Check it out!!) They are having one of those Mega 3 for 2's when makeup and Skincare is on offer, and I love it.

My first purchase was the La Roche-Posey Effaclar Duo+. I have heard everyone and their dog talk about the wonders of this product and as I have acne prone skin I thought I'd give this a go. It claims to, 'correct the appearance of imperfections, unclogs pores and fight against marks'. I am still trying to work out how best to use this as I've heard some people use it as a serum before moisturising and others using it as a primer before applying foundation. If any of you have any advice, please leave a comment on this post. 

Next up is the New Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water. I have previously used the L'Oreal Skin Perfection  3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution, but was not really impressed. It ran out really quickly and dried out my skin a little. The Garnier version is double the size and around the same price and I'm gonna keep using it and I will do a review soon to update you guys on what I think.

I picked up the Garnier Moisture Match Mattifying Fresh Cream Shine Be Gone for my 3 for 2. I am forever looking for the perfect moisturiser for my skin and I still do not know if I have found it. I have tried this a couple of times and I think I may have to go for a more richer moisturiser. Anyways, there are 5 different moisturisers in the Garnier Moisture Match range that are aimed at different skin types and needs. The Shine Be Gone Moisturiser is aimed at those with oily combination skin and it contains green tea extract. It smells really fresh and the consistency is lovely and surprisingly creamy yet I need to keep using it before forming an opinion. 

My first makeup purchase is the L'Oreal True Match Foundation in N1 Ivory. I read on Liana-Beauty that this was a dupe for the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. Having never tried that foundation but hearing and reading countless reviews about how it is the foundation to beat all foundations, I had to give this highstreet alternative a try. I have not fallen in love with it yet but I have only used it twice. I'll keep you updated.

I am on a mission to find the perfect primer to keep my makeup in place and to prevent that awful orange oxidisation thing foundations do. I picked up the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer with the hope that I had found the perfect skin perfecting primer. I have only used this twice and I am really enjoying it so far so fingers crossed. Any amazing primer suggestions are more than welcome. 

Finally, I picked up the Revlon Colour Burst Matte Balm in Showy. I love The Revlon Matte Balms and I can't wait to have them all. This is the most amazing flamingo pink shade with fantastic staying power. I love how matte and hard wearing these lipsticks are, while being extremely moisturising. I wore this to work yesterday and got so many compliments on the colour. 

I am so tempted to go back to Boots for more 3 for 2 fun!

Lush Lip Scrubs

The Lush Lip Scrubs are one of my Holy Grail Products that I use multiple times a week and I could not live without these little pots of magic. I have three of the flavours: Mint Julip, Bubblegum and Popcorn and they smell and taste amazing.

All three lip scrubs are made from Caster Sugar to exfoliate and Jojoba oil to soften the lips. Each contains different essential oils to add flavour and scent and they come in cute little jars.

The Bubblegum Lip Scrub is bright pink and smells exactly like the Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel, which I personally am a big fan off. A very sweet and delicious smell which leaves the lips soft and tasting amazing all day.

My favourite of the bunch is the Mint Julips Lip Scrub. This smells exactly like After Eights and it always makes me crave minty chocolate. As well as leaving the lips soft and exfoliated, the peppermint oil within the scrub gives the lips a cooling and refreshing feel.

Finally, I have the newest edition to my Lip Scrub Collection and that is the Popcorn Lip Scrub. This contains sea salt, coconut oil and popping candy flavouring to give the scrub the salty and sweet taste of popcorn.

These have been a savour during the colder months, when my lips have been a little dry and flakey. After using the lip scrubs, I like to go in with a heavy duty lip balm to make sure they are super moisturised. I would reccomend the Body Shop Lip Butters because they are a favourite of mine.

These are available in all Lush Stores and Online, and are only £5.50.

What is your favourite flavour?

Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturising Spray

This has been doing the rounds on the beauty blogosphere recently and there have been claims that it is better than the high end Oribe Dry Texturising Spray that was a much loved product to many in 2013.

I have extremely fine hair which does not retain any curling or waving or backing combing that I put it through. My hair usually has one flat straight style which I am very tired of. When I heard some of my favourite YouTubers raving about the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray, I had to get my hands on it. 

Since purchasing this amazing hair product, it has been an everyday staple in my hair routine. I haven't used anything like it before and was actually expecting more of a dry shampoo formula but was surprised to find it is more like hair spray, holding the volume in place while adding more volume at the roots. 

I spray this underneath layers of my hair to boost volume from beneath and then run my fingers through my hair to give a little tousle to add more hight, I love the results it gives my fine hair. I am one for washing my hair everyday but it is even greater on second day hair and it makes me not want to wash my hair everyday so I can rock the desired voluminous effect.

I have recommended this to a few friends and let them try it out and they instantly fell in love. When I purchased it from Boots it was on a 2 for £8 offer so I would definetly go pick up a can. The Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray is part of their Salon at Home range and there are more products which I can not wait to try. 

Review: Elegant Touch Rapid Dry for Nails

This is one of those wonder products where you can't believe that you didn't own this sooner and you can't imagine life without it. I received the Elegant Touch Rapid Dry for Nails in a Glossy Box a couple of months ago and just kinda forgot about it.

One of my major pet hates is nail polish that has not dried. You wait, helpless, waiting and waiting and when you think, finally, you can get back to business...

Nope. You have smudged a nail and have to reaply another coat. 

I am one of those people that like to match their nails to their outfit, so I do tend to remove and reaply nail polish nearly everyday. The waiting game I play with the nail polish is not a fun game and so I rejoiced when I found this amazing miracle product.

Rapid Dry for Nails claims to dry nail polish in 60 seconds and contains vitamin E to condition cuticles. You simpy paint your nails with the nail polish of your choice and then spray on the Rapid Dry for Nails. 60 seconds later, your nails are dry and glossy and there are no impending accidents waiting to happen.

Can not reccomend this product enough and you can find it in most Boots stores for only £3.05. 

January Non-Beauty Favourites

I don't usually do a non-beauty favourites but I have been loving some amazing things this month and had to share.

Creme Eggs are back and it's barely just stopped being Christmas time, but I am not complaining. My favourite sweet treat should be around all year round for me to enjoy. I am guilty of buying like 3 Creme Eggs a day... And eating them on that day. I also found these amazing Creme Egg Biscuits that are the most delicious thing paired with a cup of tea.

I have been obsessed with TeaPigs Tea for the whole of January, especially the Popcorn Tea. Apparently not to everyone's taste, it's a green tea with puffed rice and smells exactly like rice cakes. I love it! Another TeaPigs Tea that I've been loving is the Mint and Licquorice Tea (A personal favourite of my mums) it tastes like a warm sweet dessert and is perfect for the cold winter nights. 

I've been loving drinking my tea out of my Amazing G mug. I received this for my birthday from a friend and I love it lots and lots. Anything with a big G across the front is welcome in my home.

If anyone knows me, they would know I am not one to join a gym or go for a run but recently, in the name of becoming healthy, I have been attending some classes with the intention of signing up to more. In honour of this new me, I picked up these Black and Leopard print trainers from New Look. I love the design and think they are super comfortable. One of my favourite purchases of the month.

Another fashion favourite has been my rings. I love rings with a thin gold band, I think they look amazing with beautiful pastel nails. Urban Outfitters, New Look and Topshop are great for rings right now and I can't wait to add more to my collection. 

The two films I have been loving this month could not be more opposite. Firstly, I went to see The Wolf Of Wall Street at the cinemas and fell in love with Leo all over again. This film made me laugh till I could hardly breathe yet be shocked and disgusted at the same time. I will be picking this up when it's out on DVD for sure. secondly is Disney's new Frozen, oh my god, I love this movie. The characters, the plot and the soundtrack are fantastic and I have watched this like 10 times since Wednesday.

My final favourite has been the Instagram Prints which I ordered from Firebox. They are amazing and are like little Polaroids I can stick up around my bedroom. I think that Instagram photos are my most up to date photos and love that you can get them printed of. They are amazing quality and you should definitely check out the website.

I can not wait to discover new monthly favourites in February. 

January Beauty Favourites

January has been an amazing month and an amazing start to the year. In terms of beauty it has been a month of discoveries. Discovering new products that were gifted to me over Christmas and discovering new products in the sales, and of course on the many shopping sprees I found myself on....

First up is the Advanced Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argn Oil Leave in Treatment. I have been running two pumps of the oil through my damp hair on a daily basis and have been loving the results. My hair looks and feels fantastic after using this and it is fast becoming a Holy Grail hair product.

I ran out of my beloved Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Powder and decided to switch it up and picked up the Topshop Setting Powder in White Lies. It is a great powder and sets my foundation nicely but the reason this is in my favourites is because it smells AMAZING. 

A launch I was very excited for was the Revlon Colour Burst Matte Balms. I purchased Striking as soon as they hit the shelves in Boots and have been wearing it every since. Striking is an amazing bright red shade that suits me perfectly. The formulation of these lip crayons are great, moisturising yet matte and super pigmented. I have since picked up more shades and introduced them to all my friends. 

I'm back into loving pastel nails to pair with the huge pastel S/S14 trend and my favourite for January has been Avon Nailwear Pro + Pink Creme. The perfect pastel pink shade. Check out my Pink Nails Post for other pastel pink favourites of mine. 

My Mac Pro Palette has been a very welcome addition to my eye shadow collection. I have the shades, Blackberry, Naked Lunch, Swiss Chocolate and Satin Taupe and are perfect at creating many different eye looks. It is so pretty, I just like to look at it...

Another Mac Product which I have been loving this month has been Mac Creme Cup. This lipstick colour is the perfect everyday pink and has been living in my handbag for most of the month.

Finally, I have been loving Topshops Glow Highlighter in Polish. I never used to be big on highlighters but since discovering contouring, the two have just gone together. I love the shimmer this gives to my cheekbones and I prefer the cream formula of this highlighter.

What have you been loving this month?

Avon Haul #5

I know, yet another Avon Haul. As I have said many times before I am a big fan of the Avon brand and I have been putting in little orders for myself recently.

Avon Magix Face Perfector / Avon Light Moisture Gel Refreshing Face Gel Cream / Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argon Oil Leave in Treatment / Avon True Colour Eyeshadow Duo in Warm Cashmere and Enchanted Forest / Avon Blush Brush / Avon All Over Face Brush / Avon Glimmersticks Eye Liner in Saturn Grey / Avon Ultra Colour Lipstick in Lava Love /

I have been using the Magix Face Perfector for a couple of weeks and I was very impressed to begin with. It does keep your makeup on for the full day which is an important factor in choosing a primer. However, it claims to reduce the look of pores and smooth the skin, yet I felt that this face perfector did not live up to these expectations. I still like to use this under a fuller coverage concealer because it is fantastic at prolonging makeup.

I chose the Avon Light Moisture Gel Refreshing Face Gel Cream because it was aimed at those with oily/combination skin. It contains Green Tea and Cucumber and is very cooling on this skin. After using this for a couple of weeks I have realised that you should pair this with a more moisture rich moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated.

This year I want to look into using more hair products. My hair care routine usually involves, shampoo, conditioner, towel dry and brush. As exciting as this sounds, I want to try out more products to make the most out of my blonde hair. I ordered the Advanced Techniques 360 Nourishment Maroccan Argan Oil Leave in Treatment and I have been loving it. I run it through the damp ends of my hair after a shower and then blow dry on the cool setting. I noticed a difference in my hair straight away, it looks and feels healthier and I now use this almost everyday. Finally on the hair oil bandwaggon!

I hold a special place in my heart for Avon eyeshadows and ordered the Avon True Colour Eyeshadow Duo's in Enchanted Forest and Warm Cashmere to add to my growing collection. The pigmentation of Avon eyeshadows are amazing and are buttery soft.

I love the Real Techniques Brushes but Avon had a special offer on their makeup brushes and I wanted to give them a go. I picked up the All Over Face Brush and the Blush Brush and have been enjoying using them for bronzer and blusher.

I don't really use eyeliner, as you know I am awful at applying the stuff. I will learn!! But a friend picked up the Glimmerstick Eyeliner in Saturn Grey and I thought it looked amazing on her and wanted to give it a try. My plan for this eyeliner is to apply it to the crease and blend blend blend to create a smokey eye look.

Finally, I picked up another Ultra Colour Lipstick. I love the formula of these lipsticks, very pigmented and moisturising. I have been sporting a red lip recently and picked Lava Love so that I could have an Avon offering to add to my lipstick collection.

Any Avon suggestions for me?

The Sunday Post

Sunday is my favourite day of the week, bacon rolls, cups of tea and a good old pamper session. Two of my New Years Resolutions were to make sure I took my makeup off at night and to wash my makeup brushes weekly. Both of these come into my Sunday ritual.

I begin the Pamper Session by removing my makeup and washing my face. I use the L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Water to remove my eye makeup and then follow with the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. I love this balm, it smells incredible and removes any trace of makeup. 

I discovered the Soap and Glory Scrub Atomic at the start of January and it has been a regular step in my skin care routine. I have horrid skin right now with blackheads and blemishes and this is been a skin care saviour. After my face is squeaky clean, I then apply the famous Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask. I usually watch an episode of Gossip Girl or Scandal while the Mask is drying and then remove the mask using a flannel and warm water.

Twice weekly I like to replace a moisturiser with a facial oil and my favourite is the Caudalie Devine Oil. This oil absorbs beautifully into the skin and leaves my skin feeling and looking amazing the next morning.

For lips, I love using the Lush Lip Scrubs. My personal favourite is the Mint Julips flavour which leaves my lips feeling soft and removes any dry skin. I then finish with lip balm to moisturise and my skin care routine is complete. 

Sunday Evening is also when I clean my makeup brushes. This is actually one of my favourite things to do. It is very therapeutic and rewarding and a I love the sight of all my Real Techniques lined up and looking and smelling fresh. Even typing this is giving me butterflies!

Can't wait for tonight now!

What's in my Makeup Bag?

The last time I did a 'What's in my Makeup Bag' post, it was summer and it's now that time of year where you swap tinted moisturisers for full coverage foundations and orange toned red lipsticks for the more muted nudey pinks. This is an updated edition of what makeup I've been wearing on a day to day. 

L-R / Mac Pro Palette / Bourjois Happy Light Foundation / L'Oreal Telescopic Waterproof Mascara / Topshop Bronzer in Sandcastle / Mac Creme Cup / Benefit Browzings / Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer / Bourjois Colour Edition 24HR / Natural Collection Blush in Rosy Glow / 

Starting with foundation, I have been a big fan of the Bourjois Happy Light foundation. I have wore this foundation all autumn and winter and have had to repurchase it. It is a great medium coverage foundation that gives you a natural glow.

My concealer of choice is the Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer. This is a three step system that includes two concealer shades and a setting powder. The concealers are extremely creamy and are great at covering blemishes and brightening dark circles. The setting powder is the incredible and I am going to pick up the full size Kick Ass Setting Powder on my next shopping trip.

I discovered contouring in 2013 and the product that I've been loving to give my face angles is the Topshop Bronzer in Sandcastles. It's the perfect contour shade for me and I have been wearing this everyday. I feel like my face is a just flat without it.

My everyday blusher shade is the Natural Collections Rosy Glow Blush. It gives my cheeks a natural flush and I would recommend these blushes to everyone. They are only £1.99 each and usually on a special offer in Boots.

For eyes, my go to Eye shadow base is the Bourjois Colour Edition 24HR cream to powder eye shadows. I have the bronze and the silver one (I have no idea the name of these) and these our amazing at holding eye shadows in place all day and adding a beautiful shimmer.

The palette I have been reaching for recently has been my Mac Pro Palette. I have the shades, Naked Lunch, Satin Taupe and Blackberry and have been loving making a purple smokey eye with these colours. I think these shades are easy to wear every day shades and I can not wait to get my hands on more. 

I love the L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara and I picked up the waterproof version. This is great for everyday long, voluminous lashes and it makes my lashes stay perfect all day.

My Benefit Browzings Kit is my go to eyebrow product, I find that powder gives a more natural finish than eyebrow pencils and this one is great for keeping my eyebrows full and dark throughout the day. It comes with a powder, wax, slanted brush, powder brush and tweezers so it is perfect for chucking in your handbag.

The final product is for lips. I have been loving rocking Nude lips recently after wearing brights and berry's over the Christmas period. I love Mac Creme Cup for everyday lips and this colour can be matched with a lot of makeup looks.

What do you keep in your makeup bag?