Body Shop Beautifying Oil Review

 

I wanted to take the time to write and review this dry oil from the Body Shop, I bought this in the scent "Morninga" as it's one of my favourites from the Body Shop. It smells just like the other products from the range, which is a beautiful, flowery, fresh and sweet scent. Very feminine and just down-right gorgeous. 

I've been using this oil in my hair, I run it through the ends of my hair before I sleep and leave it in overnight. After washing my hair the next morning I can really feel the difference, it really leaves my hair feeling smooth and super shiny! I try to only do this once a week so my hair doesn't get addicted!

I've also been using this on my legs and arms as in London the water is "hard water" and is drying out my skin, using this is a great way to give my skin the intense moisture it need. Again I only use it before bed because it being an oil it does take a long time to sink in and I just can't be dealing with that in the mornings! On the plus side my bedding smells great too!

Another way I use this is adding it to my evening skincare routine when I feel my face needs that bit of extra moisture. I will first dot my evening moisturiser (a little less generously than usual) on to my face and then get a few drops of the oil in my hands and massage both products into my face. By using both the oil and the moisturiser I feel it's more effective for my skin, doesn't overdo it by just using the oil and I feel it also helps the oil to sink in. I love doing this at the moment, feels like a real treat and my skin in the morning is so soft.

Overall I think this product is great, really moisturising, smells amazing and very multi-purpose! Thumbs up from me!

What products are you loving at the moment? Let me know in the comments!

Becky xox

Feelunique Haul and Mini Reviews

Hello you!

I really felt recently that my skincare routine needed a bit of an update, what better way to do it than splashing out on a feelunique order?

I LOVE feelunique and I thought this little extra touch in the packaging was really lovely so had to show you guys. They always have great offers on and there was a 'pay day 10% off' when I went on so how could I resist? The products were all securely kept together under wrapping film so none of the products moved around in the box and wouldn't get damaged. Delivery was also super quick so thank you feelunique!

From left to right I bought;

Caudalie Beauty Elixir £11.50
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water £4.70
Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre £13.35
Garnier Skin Naturals Caffeine Eye Roll-On £10.20

Firstly the Caudalie Elixir - it smells weird. Sorry but it does, I'm not exactly a fan of the smell but it isn't unbearable and despite this, it feels great on the skin. Really refreshing and I love using it before moisturiser, it feels like it helps my moisturiser sink in.

La Roche-Posay Thermal Water I have only used once so far but it felt lovely, really refreshing and hydrating for my skin. I feel slightly like I've given into a bit of a gimmick-y product but you don't try you don't know eh!

The Embryolisse moisturiser I haven't actually used yet as I still have to finish my current Body Shop moisturiser but I will update you!

My favourite of the lot so far... Garnier Eye Roll-On, this feels incredible. I have been on placement since January and these early mornings aren't only making me miss uni, but are making my under-eyes look darker. I thought this would be a nice little step to add to my routine and boy am I glad I got this, it feels so refreshing and cooling. I can't see a difference in my under-eyes yet but I am hopeful and am very much enjoying using this product.

Hope you enjoyed reading this, what skincare pieces have you purchased recently?

Becky xox

Breville Blend-Active Review and delicious healthy smoothie recipe!

Hi guys!

If you read my last post - ‘I am going on a journey’ - you will see I have been trying to be healthier, I bought the Breville blender as I thought it would be a great way to gets loads of fruit and veg into my diet so easily! Ordered it off Amazon and a few days later it arrived, I have been hooked ever since and used it everyday! Keep reading and you can see a delicious recipe...

My review of the Blend-Active blender;

The design is very aesthetically pleasing, it is lightweight and dynamic, the colour is also a lovely fresh green so will go nicely in any kitchen. It is very simple to use and everything it claims to do, it does! It has no problem blending ice and frozen fruit/yoghurt, blends in seconds and is so easy to clean! The only thing I would say is you do have to break the fruit and veg into small pieces for it to blend quickly, or if you're lazy like me you have to blend it for longer but that's such a first world problem eh! At £20.00 I couldnt be happier with the purchase.

Delicious and healthy green smoothie;
Ingredients:
- an apple
- almond milk
- a banana
- frozen blueberries
- half an avocado
- spinach
- frozen yoghurt

So I started with the fruit and frozen yoghurt (just a full fat Activia yoghurt I had in the freezer, I use full fat as your body knows how to break down real fat better than it knows how to break down the fake stuff used in "0% fat" yoghurts) and threw it all in with the almond milk. Adding the liquid first helps it all blend easily.

Blended that all together and got this:

Added the spinach and avocado and VOILA! An incredibly healthy and delicious smoothie jam packed with nutrients and vitamins. In case you were wondering, the veg flavour is not powerful at all, the yoghurt and fruit make it delicious but you get the secret power of veg without even knowing it!

The perfect post gym treat!

Hope you enjoyed reading this and if you have any healthy smoothie recipes you love, please let me know!

Becky xox

I am going on a journey.

Hello lovely readers,

I have recently decided to change (or try my best to change) my lifestyle. I have been doing lots of research and speaking to my Auntie - who is a yoga and nutritional goddess - to gain more knowledge on what i'm eating and what is and isn't good for my body. My body is a temple and all right? I am also going to be trying way harder at the gym, I have always enjoyed the gym but recently feel like i'm in a gym 'rut'. I will be trying new and more difficult exercises and really pushing myself.

This isn't going to be a long post but I wanted to mark my decision and motivation so that maybe one day I can look back and thank myself or look back and regain motivation to carry on. Here are some of the aspects of my life I want to change:

- reduce my processed sugar intake, untill doing more research I never realised how bad for your body processed sugar is and when you find out, you can't help but
want to make changes!

- reduce my wheat intake, generally aiming at bread and pasta as these are very processed foods.

- eat more fruit and veg, the standard one, we all know we should but I am going to make a conscious effort to do this from now on.

- massively reduce/cut out the fatty foods I eat (except for good fats, i'm talking to you avocado)

- work harder at the gym.

Maybe writing these down will create some kind of self promise, some affirmation of what I want to do.

Let me know if you are trying a similar journey or have completed it! Any tips would be much appreciated!

Becky xox

Arabian Adventure

I recently went travelling to the Middle East, which is an area I would never have thought of visiting however I currently have family over there and the opportunity arose so I couldn't say no! Here are a few photos from my adventure, hope you enjoy!

Kuwait

Camels crossing the road! *insert crossing road joke here*

Delicious food!

I got henna and loved it, all faded now though :(

 Oman

Lobby of the hotel we stayed in <3

"Arabian Nandos" lunch on the floor

The 'banana village' with my momma

Lifts have mirrors for selfies, right?

 Dubai

My future car outside Dubai Mall

Amazing aquarium!

Burj Khalifa

Dancing waterfountain

View from the top of the Burj Khalifa

On this trip I met amazing people, ate delicious food and saw incredible things. So grateful I have had the opportunity to visit this part of the world and get a different perspective on the cultures I saw, there really are beautiful people and things all over the world.

Becky xox

Get Voluminous Hair

I recently saw a picture of myself from behind, oh dear, was not happy with how my hair looked at all! So recently have been working to get more voluminous hair, focusing especially on the roots. Here are the products that have been working for me!

Here is the Schwarzkopf (that took waaayyy too long to type) styling extra volume mousse and the Label.M resurrection style dust, these products have been giving me the lift and volume I want!

I apply the mousse to wet hair and focus around the roots and higher parts of the hair, I then blow dry my hair and tease the roots as I go. The mousse leaves your hair feeling really natural, as if no product is there which I love! I could leave it here but to ensure the volume lasts all day I throw a bit of that magical dust on there too. 

With this product I just lift up the top layers of hair and sprinkle a tiny amount on to the root and ruffle up that hair 'till I'm 2 inches taller! 

What tips and tricks do you have for voluminous hair? Let me know! 

Becky xox

Get that fresh face feeling!

We all have those times when our face feels groggy, cloggy and just not clean! These three products are the perfect solution.

First up is the Neutrogena visibly clear exfoliating wash. This has tiny blue particles that exfoliate the skin gently and leave the skin feeling smooth and clean, it is my current daily face wash as the exfoliating particles are so gentle.
Next is the No. 7 beautiful skin hot cloth cleanser. I got this as I wanted to find an alternative to the Liz Earl cleanser, it came with a muslin cloth however now I use face cloths from Primark which work just as well! Now this product is truly lovely, it is so smooth when you rub it onto your face and when you rest a warm cloth over your face it feels so relaxing, I thoroughly enjoy using this product in the morning and evening when I want a really clean and fresh face. P.s my skin doesn't feel tight after use yet slightly moisturised - win!
Lastly is my Super Facialist by Una Brennan brighten and refine facial scrub from the rose hydrate range, these exfoliating particles are a lot rougher but perform their job perfectly, the smell of this is unreal (in a good way) and I use it when I feel my skin really needs a good scrub!

Sometimes I use all three together when I'm going for it but any product on their own still makes my skin feel great!

Hope you enjoyed the post and let me know how you get your fresh faced feeling.

Becky xox

My 'Go To' Summer Make Up - Make It Up

Hi guys!

This is the first post in my 'Make It Up' segment, you know how everyone has WOMF or 'Whats On My Face', well I wanted to switch it up a bit and with help off friends have created the name 'Make It Up' - let me know in the comments if you like it!

So the other day I wore this look for a day out with the boyf and thought I'd show you how I made it up ;)

Here is the finished look!

Finished look with flash.

 

Here is my base finished.

Ta da! All done.

Showing off my flicks

Okay so here are the products I used:
-Bourjois healthy mix foundation radiance reveal in 53 - with a Real Techniques buffing brush
-Shu Uemura concealer in medium beige - with a Real Techniques contour brush
-17 brow pencil in natural brown
-My now brown, clear mascara from MUA to brush through my brows.
-Shu Uemura lash curlers
-Rimmel glam eyes professional liquid liner in black
-L'Oreal false lash telescopic waterproof in black
-I contoured with Bourjois 'chocolate' bronzer in 52 - using a Real Techniques blush brush
-Rimmel stay matte powder in translucent - with a brush from with unknown origin....
-Finally for lips Revlon matte lipstick in 003 mauve it over (love that name)

Hope you enjoyed the first of the segment and seeing what products I used! Let me know in the comments what you thought and what's your summer essential make up?

Becky xox

Garnier Moisture Match Review

I was going to wait till I finished my current moisturiser, I swear, but obviously I got too excited and bought a new one! Recently I've noticed oilier skin in the t-zone area so thought I would try out the mattifying fresh cream by Garnier.

Firstly the packaging, its pretty standard, I like the colour and its easy to use so can't complain. Unfortunately thats as far as my praise goes, don't get me wrong it's not bad, it's just not great either! The texture is lovely and the product sinks into the skin well but it just isn't very moisturising or mattifying! Overall I would say it's a nice product and I will finish the tube but don't think it will be repurchased!

Have you tried this and what do you think? Would love to hear!

Becky xox

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Solution

Yes, I do realise you will have read and heard about this a million times already but I just wanted to join the party and have a little rave about my new best friend. I have forever been a 'make up wipes do just fine' kind of gal, but I saw this on offer and couldn't refuse, now I will never go back!
It takes four cotton pads to completely remove all traces of make up and does so with such ease its just fab! The feeling it leaves on my skin is so clean and fresh, I have been using it in the mornings too just to clear my skin before I cleanse.
Admittedly it doesn't remove waterproof make up like a piece of cake, but then it never claims to be able to remove waterproof products so nothing wrong there! When I've been wearing waterproof mascara I've used it in conjunction with No.7's waterproof eye make up remover and have been happy as Larry. Though I doubt Larry wears make up.
All in all I would highly recommend this product and well done to L'Oreal for provided something that can finally compete with Bioderma's micellar solution!

Have you tried this and what do you think? Let me know!

Becky xox

Currently Loving

Hey guys! Just wanted to show you a couple of items I've been loving recently, they've been great in these summer months and all available from drugstores in the UK!

 

From L-R: Bourjois Delice de Poudre (i.e chocolate bronzer) in shade 52, Avon Moroccan Argan Oil leave-in treatment, Garnier Moisture Match for normal skin, Aussie Miracle Moist conditioner, Collection Extreme 24 hour felt tip liner, L'Oreal Paris Telescopic waterproof mascara and finally Real Techniques Blush brush.

 

Here is the dream team! This is my favourite bronzer because its the perfect shade and is matte so doesn't make your face look all glittery! The blush brush allows me to faintly contour and add colour and shape to my face. Love. It.

 



 

This oil has been a saviour while on holiday, after a day at the pool or the beach my hair is very dried out at the ends, after showering this provides the perfect kick of moisture my ends need!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed reading and don't forget to follow us on Bloglovin'!

What products have you been loving recently?

 

Becky xox



Inside My Makeup Bag: The Essentials

Hello! I think I should introduce myself again since I’ve been away for so long. I’m Sarah and you might remember me from our first blog ‘Get to know us’ from a while back. I’ve been naughty and neglected our blog while Becky has been holding the fort but now I’m back and here to stay. I promise!

The best place to start is with an introduction to my makeup bag which might be the first of a series of ‘Inside My Makeup Bag’ posts (I haven’t decided yet!) So today you can have a sneak peek into my daily essentials, the main products I couldn’t go a day without. Picking my makeup favourites is so difficult, they’re all like my babies and I love them equally but I’ve forced myself to choose three.

(Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes mascara, Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer in 51 Eclat Clair and Clinique Superbalanced foundation in Alabaster)

So there you have it. I just had to get my makeup bag in the photo too as I absolutely love it and want the world to know!

I tend to have a few basics in there that I don’t switch around much, like the Clinique Superbalanced foundation. After going through a phase of trying a different foundation every month or so to find the perfect one, I eventually settled on this one. I do believe that finding the Mr. Right of foundations is a lifelong task but for now, I’m happy. The formula of this foundation is beautifully smooth with great moderate coverage and it does exactly what it sets out to do – it balances! My skin can be a bit of a nightmare, calling it ‘combination skin’ would be an understatement, with oily and dry patches everywhere. So for me, Clinique’s superbalanced is the answer.

Staying with the theme of problem skin, another thing I use without fail on a daily basis is Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer in the lightest shade. This product is something I’ll even wear sometimes when I’m ‘not wearing makeup’ around the house or on the beach. It works miracles in covering up even the angriest of blemishes and it's quite soothing. The only trouble with this one is that it can be drying, which is great for healing spots but not so much on dry patches or under the eyes.

Last but not least, every girl’s favourite makeup essential – mascara. I love trying new mascaras as often as I can and this is the first Lancôme mascara I’ve tried. I’m using Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes mascara at the moment and I’m fairly impressed, but probably wouldn’t buy it again. The brush is thick on one end and tapers into a point which is ideal for bottom lashes, so it creates quite a fluttery-eyed look after a couple of coats. The downside is that it didn’t really hold up my curled lashes or do anything special enough to make me fall in love. Oh, but the packaging is so pretty and it even smells like roses which makes it even harder to give up!

I hope you enjoyed the introduction to me and my makeup bag. Let me know what your essentials are and if you’ve tried any of mine. Which product couldn’t you live without?

Sarah x

Essie Nail Polish Review

Hey!

So here's a confession, this is my first ever Essie polish (where has it been all my life?) but yes, what a way to start off! So I finally found myself in Birmingham where the Superdrug has loads more brands than the local one I have and made my way to the Essie stand that was calling my name. I'd longed for Essie's Fiji for ages and it is easily now one of my favourite colours of all time!

The colour is a very pale off-white pink and perfect for spring/summer time, the formula is amazing, two coats and you have the prettiest opaque colour! The brush is large and makes it easy to apply and finally it rarely chips and lasts very well on my nails. So it is a massive winner for me.

Commence the long list of Essie colours I now most definitely need!

Let me know what you think of Fiji and what other colours you have or want.

Becky xox

I go 'balmy' for lip balm!

Hi guys!

First of all, who loved the pun? 

Today I thought I’d write a blog about lip balm, thatessential item every girl has wherever she goes. When I was younger before Idiscovered my love for lipstick, lip balm was my go to product but even now Ibelieve behind every good pair of lips is a good lip balm!

Firstly I have had a revelation… Wearing a thick lip balm atnight is the perfect remedy for chapped winter lips! I have found myselfreligiously piling on my ‘Strawberry Crush’ lip balm by Rose & Co everynight over the last month and each morning I wake up with soft, smooth lips. Ibought this years ago from House of Fraser and it’s been rather unloved as it’sso thick it lasts on the lips forever and doesn’t seem to ever sink in, that’swhy I began to use it at night which allows the time for it to work its magic!I love the packaging and it smells lovely and fruity so it gets a thumbs upfrom me!

Next is trusty Vaseline! I indulged in the cocoa butteredition as it just smells so delicious! However I am unpleasantly surprised (boo)because it just doesn’t seem to do anything for me! The texture is very oilyand thin so instead of sinking into the lips I feel it just rests on top ofthem, doing nothing… So it doesn’t hydrate my lips but I think I’ll get use outof it on those days when I don’t wear any other lip products.

Finally is a Body Shop lip product, I’ve kind of cheated as it's actually a lip butter so I plead guilty before you set the beauty police on me, it smells amazing first of all! It’s a trademark Body Shop smell as it’s very sweet and girly, it's really soft and nice on the lips and the colour appears more as a sheen than a white.

Let me know what you guys think if you have any of these and what your holy grail lip product is!
Becky xox

Beauty Haul #1

Hello there!

I actually purchased all these things quite a while ago but it took me ages to upload but here it is! These are all high street/drugstore products so I got them from Superdrug and Boots :)

I'll just run through them quickly for you:

Fudge Urban Sea Salt spray which smells lovely of coconuts!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable balm stain in Honey and Crush.

Essie nail lacquer in Fiji which I've lusted after for ages.

Barry M Gelly nail paint in Watermelon.

Revlon Colorstay quad in Addictive (been loving this!)

Collection Illuminating Touch brightening concealer in Natural 2.

Rimmel Scandaleyes waterproof eyeliner in Nude (for the waterline)

Barry M Kohl Pencil eyeliner in colour 28 which is a really nice bronze colour for summer!

Here's a close up of the quad, the darkest brown is matte but the other three colours have a slight sparkle in them!

The Revlon stains last for ages and the colours are really beautiful, it also smells of peppermint which may not suit everyone's tastes but I really enjoy it!

As I say I have had these for a while now so be expecting product reviews very soon!

Hope you enjoyed this and let me know if you have or want any of these.

Becky xox

Sushi!

Hellooo!

Wanted to talk about a bit of food today and at the weekend I went to a sushi bar in Birmingham for lunch and thought I'd show you guys what it's like!
The restaurant is called Shogun in The Mailbox here's the link if you want to check it out: http://www.mailboxlife.com/tentant/shogun/

So here is one of the dishes that I tucked into, inside it has mango, lettuce, avacado (which I always take out), crab and a bit of raw salmon - yumm! We also ordered green tea which I think is delicious and in the top right you can see some cut up ginger soaking in soy sauce which complements the sushi perfectly.




















This is how the sushi is served, on a conveyer belt which I find super fun, the staff are really lovely and its such good value because it's an 'all you can eat' restaurant which is a winner for me.
Hope you enjoyed seeing what my tummy has been up to, comment and share if you love food!

Becky xox