Wednesday 26 February 2014

February Favourites 2014

It's coming up to the end of February, Spring is right around the corner and finally there is a bit of sun! This month I've been loving:

Nivea Daily Essentials Light Moisturising Day Cream For Normal to Combination Skin SPF15 50ml, £3.99, here

I hadn't used Nivea for a long time when I got this as a gift last month, and I've been using it every other day since. The gift came with a couple of other Nivea products and all of them have been really good for my skin, not too drying and really subtle smelling. The moisturiser is perfect for carrying about in my bag, meaning I can top up if I feel like I need a little freshen up. It applies really well and quickly absorbs into the skin.

label.m Hold & Gloss Spray, £11.95, here

I've been using a lot of spray in my hair this month, trying to combat the air conditioning fly-aways! This is my go to, a fantastic non-aerosol hair spray that leaves my hair frizz free and shiny. It works especially well after I've straightened my hair, as it's a light spray and stops my hair looking too flat.

Collection 2000 Eye Definition 6ml Ebony, £2.99, here

I am somewhat of a drugstore eyeliner expert. I have found so many eyeliners that work well for up to a month and then just become disappointing. I figured I might as well just get a cheap one and was really surprised that, actually, it's really good! The formula has lasted and is a really lovely jet black. The brush is brilliant for application and doesn't drag, so it's great for experimenting with new eyeliner styles. Just a really decent all rounder!

Barry M Nail Paint Rose Quartz Glitter, £2.99, here

I know a lot of people aren't keen on Barry M but I think they're fab little pick-me-ups. I always find them really easy and reliable nail varnishes to apply and if you take good care of them they last ages. I got this lovely glittery number because I love anything that sparkles and it's a lovely colour of gold with hints of dusky pink. It looks great on it's own with just a couple of coats, but I'm really looking forward to playing about with it as a sealant on bright colours for spring.

White Musk® Eau De Parfum, £13.00, here

White Musk is one of those scents that always brings me back to my childhood, especially the long rolling summers playing dress up in the garden with sunglasses and scarves. I bought this little bottle to carry in my bag, it's a perfect size and it smells so lovely! It's a really good day perfume for spring.

Friday 21 February 2014

Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere

I love doing my own projects, but for a long time I have had way too much on to do any! Today I found some left over material, strips of beautiful unused cashmere from Johnstons of Elgin. It feels so amazingly soft, the company really produces the most luxurious wools. So I have been inspired to create some home furnishings! I will hopefully get two cushion covers out of it, I'll keep you posted with the results!

Sunday 16 February 2014

Birchbox UK | February 2014

Birchbox - February 2014 Edition

My February Birchbox arrived this weekend and though I've not had a chance to sample the products fully, here is a round-up of my box opening:

Beauty Protector | Protect & Oil

Newly launched, this hair oil is suitable for all hair types and protects against UV rays and heat damage. I'm hoping this will be a lovely light product to use as an alternative to my heat spray, it smells amazing and promises to be light so I should still be able to style my hair in up-dos. I'm really excited to try it!

Eyeko | Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

I have used Eyeko products before but I always felt like it was a brand I grew out of because the packaging was really focussed on tweenies. Now they've grown up and updated. The new face of the brand is Alexa Chung, a really fantastic spokeswoman as she is really expert at eyeliner flicks. I love winged eyes and it's a look I regularly do so I'll definitely get the use out of this product.

Urbanveda | Radiance Exfoliating Facial Polish

I love the facial exfoliators you get from birchbox as they are usually really high end and fun to sample. This one smells amazing, ayurvedic turmeric with an infusion of marigold, papaya and coriander, it's a deeply luxurious smell but fresh and light too. The brands focus is natural skincare, so that means no SLS, no parabens and no GM ingredients, and approval from the vegetarian society which is always brilliant to see. I have a feeling this is going to be my favourite product to sample this month!

Gilchrist & Soames | The London Collection Shower Gel

A lovely enough product boasting antioxidant-rich botanicals of red tea, soy, ginkgo biloba, grape seed and milk thistle. It smells very sweet and I'm hoping the scent lasts and the formula (another cruelty free brand containing no parabens or phthalate) leaves my skin feeling moisturised.

Leighton Denny | Nail Colour

I love a good nail varnish and this shade is just gorgeous, a pale pink that will be perfect for the spring tones coming in this season. It couldn't have come at a better time! There were a few shades available in the boxes this month, but I'm in love with this colour, it came just in time for valentines day. The name "mine's a rosé" suits me to a t!

Green & Black's | Dark 70% Chocolate

The lifestyle extra this month was a chocolate sample from Green & Black's. Fair trade and organic, it's a fab sample of a sweet treat. Pretty sure this won't last very long!

This was actually one of my favourite boxes, there were so many different samples, two were full sized and the products were thoughtful and catered to me really well. The theme, 'love style', focussed on fashion week and was also quite influenced by Valentines day which I thought was cute. I loved the cards with inspirational quotes that came with the magazine, I've saved a couple and I'm thinking I might frame them! Birchbox have partnered with Lulu Guinness for the March box, I can't wait to see what they come up with.

You can subscribe to Birchbox for £10 per month (plus £2.95 for P&P). You receive 5-6 beauty samples to try each month, and makes a great present for family and friends, or just a monthly treat for yourself!

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Primark/ Semi-Chem Haul

As today was my day off, I made a mini shopping date with my sister Lou. I managed to pick up some bargains and also some necessities that I've been meaning to get for a while.

Firstly, Primark. I picked up this top for a mere £3, it will be perfect for work where I like to wear thinner layers I can build up. I love the bow detail on the back, and the colour is a gorgeous grey-lilac shade that will see me through to summer. I bought cotton pads (no more ruining face cloths!) and exfoliating gloves because they were bright and I really needed a pair. I've not used fake eyelashes from Primark before, but for a pound I'm willing to try them out.

At Semi-Chem I got this gorgeous nail varnish which is guilty of having the worst/ funniest name I've ever heard (district-ly come dancing). I love this colour, it's bold and bright and will hopefully go really well with my gold rings. The shampoo I got as an experiment. I've been dying my hair recently so it's a little lighter and sometimes it has reddish undertones, so I'm trying to neutralise it. Hopefully it will reduce the brassiness.

Have you tried the PRO:VOKE hair care range? If you have any tips or tricks on toning your hair I'd love to hear them!

Tuesday 11 February 2014

Valentines Day Outfit & Date Ideas

(Red flared dress, £35.99, Zara. Scuba drop hem dress, £46.00, Topshop. Isabella floral velvet skater skirt, £12.00, boohoo.com. Pink knitted jumper, £14.99, H&M. Red cami slip dress, £22.00, ASOS.)

For those finding it difficult to plan that perfect Valentines day, I've come up with some cute outfit and date ideas to inspire the romantic in you!

CINEMA DATE

Sci-fi/ romance film 'Her' is set to be released this Valentines day. Directed by Spike Jonze and starring Joaquin Phoenix and the voice of Scarlett Johansson, it's a clever film exploring concepts of technology and relationships, perfect for indie-arty types. This bright red dress from Zara (1), a little sexy without being too obvious, would look gorgeous teamed with some boyish brogues and a decent sized clutch for an edgy look that isn't trying too hard.

ICESKATING

An excellent date if you fancy trying something a bit more adventurous than cuddling in front of TV. This dress from Topshop (2) has long sleeves and decent bum coverage (in case you do fall!) and would look so cute with a beanie hat and cosy tights!

WALK IN THE PARK

Sometimes just a walk together, somewhere far away from your troubles, is the best way to make your favourite person feel special. Catching up with each other with no interruptions is the best way to reconnect and to remember why you are so happy together. Since the weather is still quite drab, why not shake it up a bit with clashing colours and bright patterns? This pretty skirt (3) with bold red roses is fun and flirty, and the bright pink jumper (4) will hopefully keep you cosy. Wear your favourite trainers and get two coffees to go.

A NIGHT IN

Firstly, make sure you prompt your other half if you want spoiled on a night in. It doesn't mean sitting around doing the same old. Hopefully they'll take cue and be an old romantic - flowers, a cute card, candles, dinner (or takeaway) and a massage. This sexy slip (5) will let them know they've done a half decent job!

Friday 7 February 2014

Argania Spinosa Special Treatment Masque Review

The winter blues have really taken their toll on my hair. Between hot air conditioning and straightening it for nights out, it's been feeling dry and in need of a little pampering. I was really looking for a bargain as I'm saving my pennies at the moment and I was so pleased to find this argania spinosa special treatment masque. I love how moisturising the Argan oil is, it's left my hair feeling so much more silky. I've been using the masque with every other wash and you don't need to use that much so it should last me a while. It also smells sweet, a really deep, luxurious musk smell. I'm really impressed, it's been the perfect perk-me-up.

http://www.arganiaspinosa.co.uk/