PRETTY YOUNG THING

*sponsored post

* This is a pr sample, I have not been paid for this blog post. The opinions are honest and my own.

With spring on the way it's time to refresh your skincare. I thought i'd put together a Luxury skincare wishlist and share a few bits and pieces that i'd love to add to my skincare regime.

I have put together a selection of different products and brands and will share what they do and why I would love to have them in my collection.

Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence is an oil free moisturiser. Full of natural hyaluronic acid and retains moisture to keep even dry skin feeling soft and nourished. The Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil is a daily use treatment oil that solves dryness and dehydration and leaves skin looking healthy and luminous.
I thought i'd include a lip balm, I always hear rave reviews about the By Terry Baume De Rose!
Sunday Riley, Luna Sleeping Night Oil, is another product that i've seen thoughout the blogger world. I'm currently using the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Oil concentrate before bed but would love to give this a try.
I really need to try the Pixi Double Cleanse, i'm not a huge fan of the Pixi Glow Tonic but I think a Solid Oil and gentle cream formula sound right up my street! These Anne Semonin Express Radiance Ice Cubes sound so intriguing, to be used fresh from the freezer the cold temperature calms, de-puffs, tightens, lifts and brightens the eye area.
Blue Moon Cleansing Balm by Sunday Riley is another product that i've seen raved by beauty bloggers and I would love to try it. I am a fan of Cleansing Balms so when my current one runs out I may purchase this. The Omorovicza Ultramoor mudmask contains natural acids to detoxify and cleanse the skin to leave your conplexion clear and bright.

This is a luxury skincare wishlist so the products are quite expensive but they are all products that have amazing reviews and are raved about throughout the beauty industry. Do you have any favourite luxury skincare products? Whats your favourite skincare brand?














*Sponsored post

I've been wearing so much black and grey recently, I just seem to feel more comfortable. I've been wearing roll necks alot recently aswell, I finally found some that fit nicely. I've also become a fan of really long cardigans. I got this from the New Look Sale for £9! It's a little too long (because im so short) but with my Public Desire Boots its fine. I also picked up another pair of Black Skinny Jeans from New Look over Christmas, as i've been living in mine, They are just such comfy jeans.
I took these photos yesterday it was a proactive day, I woke up and had breakfast, got ready and took these outfit photos and then went to tesco to get something for lunch. And did some blogging before I went to the gym later. I'm gonna do a little blog post about what healthy foods i've been eating this week.

OUTFIT DETAILS:
ROLL NECK: F&F AT TESCO // CARDIGAN: NEW LOOK // JEANS: NEW LOOK // BOOTS: PUBLIC DESIRE.

I've been using this Clarins foundation alot recently, I have kindly been sent a few pieces from the A/W14 collection to try including this True Radiance Foundation which was launched a few weeks ago!

I don't tend to use the same foundation every single day so i've been using this in between the latest YSL Fusion Ink Foundation ( read my review here YSL FUSION INK)

First of all the packaging - I love love love Clarins packaging, its so fancy! The iconic red box, the gold detailing. You can see where your money goes with Clarins. I love that the foundation has a pump which makes it easy to use. I pop a few pumps onto my hand and apply with a buffing brush.

I find I only need about 3 or 4 pumps depending on how i'm building up my coverage. As I said I use my buffing brush to apply and base and then apply more to my problem areas, (chin, cheeks and nose) for more coverage. Its easy to build up. I do find the formula is quite wet so I leave it to soak in before applying blusher or powder, I usually apply my eye make up now and go back to the rest of my base.

Once it's soaked in,  this doesn't take long maybe 5 minutes I apply my blusher, bronzer and powder. I find a setting powder works well to create a more matte finish. The foundation leaves the skin looking radiant and fresh. The foundation leaves the skin feeling full of hydration, this lasts all day. Even when i'm taking my make up off before bed my skin is still full of hydration and radiance.

For a more dewy, radiant finish I don't apply a setting powder all over just to my problem areas to stop it looking shiny.

I think you get a decent size bottle for £27.00 and a very good quality product. The coverage is light but build-able and easy to apply and it lasts all day leaving the skin full of moisture. With spf 15 its perfect for everyday wear!

I have been testing a few products from The Body Shop recently. I was kindly sent a few products from their wild Argan oil range. I am a big Argan oil fan, I use it in my hair the most. Today i'm talking about this body lotion. I don't normally like reviewing creams and lotions however this is an exception.

I'm not a massive fan of body butters I would rather use a lotion so I was very excited to give this ago! It's a lovely light product that absorbs into the skin very easily! It's very moisturising and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy. It smells amazing!! I love the smell so much that I keep applying this to my arms even when I don't need to just because it smells so nice!

It's £8.00 for a generous 250ml bottle which is fab! I just think this is a lovely lotion, it has a pump for ease.

The argan oil in this lotion leaves the skin feeling smoother and softer! It's just such a lovely product, I would definitely buy it again!

I am also testing some other The Body Shop's wild argan oil products such as the radiant oil and the miracle solid oil for body and hair.

So i've been given the fabulous opportunity to review this lovely foundation. I have tried a few samples of YSL foundations before and I have tried a few of their products before. I have to say it's a very luxurious brand that does appeal to me however sometimes the prices tend to put me off. However this is a product I will be buying again!

The packaging is gorgeous, a lovely glass bottle with an iconic gold lid. The box is gold aswell making it very desirable in the shops! The bottle has a little applicator that I use to pop a small amount of product onto my hand to work with. I then use a buffing brush to apply. I find a little goes a long way so don't put loads onto your hand. The texture is so smooth and soft, it gives flawless coverage and feels so light. It's so easy to apply and manageable.

The finish is a matte effect which I love, I feel really fresh and flawless once i've applied my foundation. I don't even need to wear a powder over the top because the finish is so nice. It lasts all day long and has great staying power! I worked a 12 hour day and it still looked perfect by the end of the day!

I have to say i'm so impressed with this product and I will buy it again, I'm off to Turkey next month so i'm hoping to stock up in Duty Free! I have been wearing this product for about a month now and i'm still in love with it!

You can buy it now exclusively in store and online at Debenhams and it's out everywhere from the 20th August!!  






*I have been sent this product to review for a magazine and I am not obliged to review this product on my blog, all views and opinions above are my own!

Hello people! I haven't blogged for a few days as things have been pretty manic! I'm currently working two jobs aswell as doing a bit of voluntary work helping at some art classes to get some classroom experience. So pretty please bear with me, I'm going to hopefully do some blogging tomorrow night. I tried to get some done tonight however once I had checked and replied to emails the night has got away from me again.

Anyway today I wanted to share a lovely pair of sandals I was recently sent by Cloggs.co.uk
When I first saw Birkenstocks I will admit I was one of those people that swore I wouldn't get on the Ugly sandal bandwagon but here I am with a pair of Birkenstocks. First of all they are not that Ugly in real life and once i'd saw a pair in the shops I became more of a fan. The style is quite simple which makes them a good value for money because the classic style won't go out of fashion.

I got a trusty black pair however they come in lots of different colours. I have a matte pair but they also come in patent.  They are really comfy shoes, I wear mine to work alot! I'm on my feet for 8-9 hours a day and they don't hurt me at all. About 5 people at my work own a pair (kat has about 10 pairs haha) They are just fab for everyday. I like to wear mine with midi-skirts and cute dresses because they give an outfit a boho style. Honestly at first I didn't think they were that comfy but once i'd worn them in now they are amazing, they are now shaped to my feet.

They are easy to keep clean, you can just give them a little wipe over with a baby wipe. They are a great quality, very sturdy and firm. They are well worth the money, you know they are going to last you a long time.  I have my eyes on a white pair which I think will be perfect for my upcoming holiday to Turkey, I will be doing loads of walking so a comfy pair of sandals is a must have!

Do you have a pair of Birkenstocks?

I'm a massive fan of  Neal and Wolf, I've tried a few of their products and I haven't been disappointed yet! This is their intensive care treatment, its a intensive conditioner for your hair. You use it after you have shampoo'd your hair and you would use it weekly like you would any intensive treatment. I have found it really easy to apply, it's a nice creamy formula. I like to comb through my hair before I go in the bath/shower and then shampoo and follow with the treatment. I then run my fingers carefully through my hair to ensure the treatment is even to the ends, I don't really apply it to my roots as I find conditioners make my roots greasy. It has that amazing Neal and Wolf scent that I love so so much and it lingers so your hair smells fab! I love how Neal and Wolf products are both luxurious and kind to your hair with no sulfates or parabens you know its the best care for your hair. I like the squeezy bottle and find it easy to use. Its £13.50 which I think its realistic for a product like this, it leaves your hair soft and silky but manageable.
You only need to use this treatment like once a week so the 200ml bottle should last quite a long time it also comes it a very generous 950ml bottle aswell, which is more of a salon size bottle however for only £27.50 its a good buy.

I use the heat protection spray after whilst I blowdry and straighten my hair, I have reviewed this here Neal and Wolf Heat Protection Spray

 I picked this up last week in TkMaxx and it was such a bargain at only £6.99 and it retails at £33 ! I had no idea how much it retailed for but i knew it was a bargain and snapped it up. I also picked up a Rituals salt scrub which I will review soon. I've been dying to try out Nuxe for awhile. It's always hyped up by bloggers and i've heard some great things. I've been using this for about a week now and i'm loving it! It's a nice light moisturiser and doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy or oily, it dries into the skin fast. As it's for combination skin its perfect for me and I don't find it dries the skin out. It leaves the skin feeling moisturised and smooth.
It also has primer qualities about it, it de-stresses the skin and relaxes, smoothes out wrinkles and mattifies the skin. It's a lovely product, I have noticed a difference to the lines on my forehead and found they appear less visible. I have found it works well with the foundation i'm using right now and it has good staying power. I've found my skin starts to get oily towards the end of the day but I find this with alot of products I use as I have such oily skin.

I've spotted this on the Marks and Spencers website

I'm a huge fan of ecoTOOLS make up brushes and have quite a few in my collection. Heres a couple of reviews Six Piece Starter Set and Bamboo Buffing and Concealer Brush.

I think they are such an amazing value for money. I tend to buy real techniques or ecoTOOLS.

The actual brush roll is really nice, its lightweight and rolls up really easily, I havent used a brush roll before but its so nice to have all of my brushes in one place. These are the ones I use the most.
The roll has words which you can use to pop particular brushes away so they are easy to find. This is a great idea if you use say a buffing brush for foundation and then another brush for blusher but you use the same brush this way you wont accidently pick up the wrong one.

I've been popping this in my bag when I stop at clints and it's not bulky at all, its a great way to store my favourites.

The brush that comes with the roll is a multi-tasking face brush which you could use to build up coverage or just for a light base. Its such a lovely brush. The bristles are so soft and nice on the skin.

The brushes vary in price but are about £8 so here your getting the brush and brush roll for only £12 which is a bargain. It's such a great value for money. I'd say its great for people starting out as mua's who don't really want to spend alot on a brush roll or if your doing someones make up for a wedding or an occasion, its a great way to store all your brushes and they are easy to get to.

You can buy ecoTOOLS brushes in store at Boots and Superdrug.

I've been using REN Mayblossom T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel for a while now. I've been very keen to try out some REN products so I went into Space NK and left with this in my hands.

I have quite an oily T-Zone and chin and try to combat this using control products however i've found nothing really works. I still end up very oily and the end of the day.

This cleansing gel is a nice light formula that you rub gently into your hands and apply to the face then rinse. I've found it's very gentle on my skin and doesn't irritate it or leave it feeling dry.

I like to use this after Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish which I use first to remove my make up and then follow with this cleansing gel. I've found the cleansing gel isn't great for removing eye make-up as it stings. So I use this as a second cleanse and try to concentrate on areas that are more oily.

I haven't found that this product has made any difference to the oilyness of my skin and it hasn't combatted any oily areas. I still have a very oily T-zone and i'm still on the lookout for products that could help.

I did however like the smell and formula of this cleanser and have still continued to use it as part of my regime. I would like to try more REN products and see if i'm still happy with REN as a brand.

MMMMmm I love this lipstick !! I have to say i'm not a massive fan of matte lipsticks but Lipstick Queen have converted me! I love this formula! The lipstick glides on so effortlessly and leaves your lips looking amazing. I really love this red! It's so versatile and it's a very vintage red like a Marilyn red.

The lipstick lasts ages, and your lips are left feeling full and soft all day. The vitamins in the lipstick stop the lips from drying out.

I have to say i'm so impressed with this lipstick its gorgeous, the packaging is so pretty and you just want to keep taking it out of your bag because it looks so special and expensive.

My only negative about this product is the £35!!! price tag ouchh! But yout paying for the awesome Lipstick Queen name and you get an amazing quality product for that price. I'm very tempted to try more from Lipstick Queen.

Buy now at SpaceNK or Visit LipstickQueen.com for more Information.

I was kindly sent these cupcake wrappers to review so thought i'd make some cakes to try them out! My cakes didn't rise as much as i'd hoped though :( But I think they look cute still.

Paper Themes is a one stop shop for wedding stationary, invitations, place cards and wedding advice!
Although they so specialise in weddings that doesn't mean you can only order if your getting married you could buy things as presents or even just for a birthday or special occasion!
You can personalise things to make them that bit more special and personal!

The cupcake wrappers are really pretty and you can choose from loads of different designs from floral ones to polka dot ones. They are made out of a really good quality cardboard which means they are really sturdy and don't feel cheap at all. They are a great way to add a bit more elegance to a cupcake!

Like I said above these are not only for weddings - you personalise the text so you can make it say what ever you like and the patterns are lovely and very versatile so can be used for any occasion.

If you are looking for a wedding style cupcake wrapper then these are perfect because Paper Themes have so many styles to choose from and you can personalise them for your special day. They have loads of colours so you will be able to find one that fits your day perfectly! Cupcakes are a great idea for a wedding cake because it means no cutting up your gorgeous, expensive wedding cake for the guests ! You can give these out easily and without spending ages cutting the cake. You can also look at the selection of cake boxes available on the Paper Themes website too!

I think the Paper Themes cupcake wrappers are so unique and such a fabulous idea! This year i'm celebrating my 21st Birthday and these will be ideal for my party - I LOVE CUPCAKES and my guests will be able to enjoy my birthday cupcakes in style !

The Cupcake Wrappers come flat like in the first picture so they are easy to deliver and easy to store.

Head on over to the Paper Themes website here to look at the different styles of Cupcake Wrappers for your event, Party or wedding.

http://www.paperthemes.co.uk/wedding-accessories/wedding-cake-accessories/personalised-cupcake-wrappers/#brands=0&pn=0



*this is a sponsored post *