MY FIRST EVER EMPTIES POST!!

I absolutely love reading empties post and I have quite a collection of empty/used products building up so I thought I would round off the week with my first ever empties post.

Empties posts are a great way of reviewing products and sharing with others recommendations and things that can maybe be avoided. I love reading other peoples because it gives me a great idea of what to try next and what not to bother with. So here are my opinions on 9 products that I have recently finished…

1.     Aussie “Luscious Long’ leave inconditioner – My hair can get quite knotty because I am always scraping it up in a bun and then taking it down and then putting it back up, so I have really enjoyed using this as its made my hair far less knotty. Half way through this bottle I cut my hair and so wouldn’t classify myself as having ‘long hair’ anymore but the product still worked great. I apply it straight after the shower on damp hair and then brush it through and dry it. I would repurchase, but I am going to check out similar products that they have to try. Would recommend for people with long/knotty hair and retails at £4.69 and it also smells incredible which is always an added bonus.

2.  Good Things ‘Manuka Honey’Creamy Cleanser – This cleanser has been a Godsend to me and I love it. I am drawn to products that have honey in them because I find that it really helps with my dry skin. I was drawn to the Good Things brand because their products contain no mineral oils, petrochemicals, parabens, sodium laureth sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate. It’s only made of natural ingrediants and I really love the idea of using natures best on my face. It has been really effective for me and has kept my skin, breakout free and looking healthy and radiant. It’s really affordable and retails at £4.99, so it’s really reasonable for a daily cleanser. I would really recommend and I am excited to try other products in their range.

3.     Soap and Glory ‘Off Your Face’make-up wipes – Now before I start I just want to make it clear that I DO NOT use makeup wipes to take of my makeup at the end of the day…but I do like to have some in the house for those emergency moments. I usually take them if I am staying at someone’s house and I always keep some in my gym bag. So I am completely aware that they are not enough to take makeup off. Phew now that’s over…I have to say I wasn’t a massive fan of these. They have a kind of menthol scent to them which is really refreshing but that’s about the only good thing I can think of. They didn’t really seem to do there job at all and would find myself using a couple of wipes just to try and get a teeny bit of my makeup off. I probably wouldn’t buy these again and they aren’t something I would shout about.

4.     St Ives ‘Apricot Scrub’ – I have been using the St Ives facial exfoliator for years and I really like it. I buy the dry/sensitive range as I suffer from both dry and sensitive skin and I have never had a problem with it. It’s just so gentle but at the same time it does its job really well and keeps my skin baby soft. I don’t use it every day but I think it is gentle enough for everyday use. Also can I just mention how it smells absolutely incredible! It is smells like an apricot yogurt, so I do rather enjoy lathering it onto my face. Retails at around £4.19.

5.     Dove Go fresh ‘Cucumber andGreen Tea’ deodorant – I always use a roll on deodorant because I am really funny about using an aerosol can under my arms. I don’t really know why but I am, so thank you very much for roll ons. I always buy Dove because as I have already mentioned a thousand times I am always on the look out for products that are good with sensitive skin. I also love there campaign for real beauty and feel I am doing by bit by purchasing even though I am not really doing anything. Anyway, I normally always by the Dove go fresh ‘Lemongrass and Grapefruit’ because I absolutely love the scent and it leaves me feeling fresh and clean but Boots had run out so I picked up the ‘Cucumber and Green Tea’ to try. Gotta say, it does the exact same job but now I feel like I smell like a salad. Will continue to buy Dove go fresh but not in this scent. Retails at around £2.30.

6.     Nivea ‘Express HydrationPrimer’ – This has changed my life. I have purchased and repurchased this product numerous times and I love it. It’s a really moisturizing primer that is applied before makeup. Instead of putting on moisturizer before my makeup I apply this and the sometimes add another primer on my eyelids and dry skin patches but this product is fine on its own. It really hydrates my face and keeps my foundation from going cakey looking throughout the day – which would be a complete disaster. It’s really soft and gentle and allows my makeup to stay looking fresh for hours. I would really recommend this and they do a normal skin version and a version for dry and sensitive skin, which is perfect. I love Nivea because I just feel there products are really handy. It’s also really reasonable and retails at £4.99. Honestly go try it!

7.     Urban Decay ‘Chill MakeupSetting Spray’ – Perfection in a bottle. I always apply this after I have applied my makeup and then carry the travel version with me in my handbag for a pick me up spritz during the day and it’s amazing. It adds a really nice dewy glow to my skin and keeps my makeup looking fresh and hydrated during the day. I was searching for a setting spray for ages and this one has been great; it really keeps my makeup in place and even stops my eye makeup from smudging! Will be great for warm days at work in the Summer…I’d recommend buying the travel size first to see if you like it. Retail at around £21.00/£9.00

8.     M.A.C ‘Mineralize Skinfinish Natural’ – I am sure most people are in love with this product as am I, so I won’t go on too much about it. The packaging has changed since this, as I have now purchased two more and they have different packaging, but the product is still the same. I always apply after my foundation and concealer and it just really ties it all together and makes it sit really well. It’s great as well because it doesn’t come off on your clothes if you accidentally rub your sleeve on your face. Retails at £23.00.

9.     Soap and Glory ‘Orangeasm’ bodywash – I was given this in a Soap and Glory gift box at Christmas and it smells incredible. It has a really citrusy smell to it and I love that because I think citrus is a really fresh scent and just leaves me feeling really clean. I really loved this product but I am not really fussy what brand of body wash I use as I just buy for the scent and what’s on offer For me, its quite pricey at £6.50 for a body wash, but it did last me a really long time so swings and roundabouts! I would repurchase if I was having a bit of a Boots splurge and wanted a little treat.

Would seem that I have quite a lot of positive things to say about the above products and I have quite a lot of repurchasing to do. Have any of you tried these products or can recommend something similar?

Thanks so much for reading.

Much love

MY MAY FAVOURITES!!

Well we are nearing the end of May and leaving Spring behind and heading straight into Summer. Eeek super exciting, and even though I am a self professed winter gal I am really looking forward to some warmer weather and picnics outside! So that aside I thought I would do this post on my May favourites as I absolutely love to read (and watch) what other people have been loving, as that’s where I get my inspiration from when planning my next shopping spree. So lets get started…

1.     Clarins ‘flash beauty balm’ – Love love love this. I actually ‘borrowed’ this from my mum, but it has now taken a permanent residence in my make-up bag and I am totally fine with that. I have quite dry skin and I find this really gives me the pick me up I need when I am giving my skin a breather from a full make up look. It really lives up to its name because it brightens and tightens my skin in seconds and has me ready to go. Perfect for mornings when you over sleep and don’t have time to apply much make-up. Occasionally I will use it as a primer before applying foundation and it really helps to radiate my face and keep my foundation looking fresh.

2.   Benefit ‘Hoola bronzing powder’ – I am quite a creature of habit and so when I find a product that works, I work it for a long time! I received this in a Benefit beauty box at Christmas and have not gone back since. I love using this to contour with and find it really accentuates my cheekbones; the brush it comes with is really useful to get that angled shape of the cheekbone. It’s really buildable and that’s why it is perfect for contouring with. I am not a fan of shimmery bronzers, as I like to define with a separate highlighter so this is perfect for me.

3.    Barry M ‘super soft eye crayon’ – I have been repurchasing this product for around three years and will continue to do so for many more. It is the perfect eyeliner for the water line of your eyes. It’s really easy to apply and leaves the eyes looking so clear and defined in seconds. A great product to have on the go with you. I like to buy the black matte colour.

4.    L’Oréal‘super liner’ – I am not really that great at applying eyeliner to my eyelids. In fact in the past I have been known to be quite disastrous but this product has made it so much easier for me. It glides on really easily and with a bit of practice it’s really easy to accomplish that cat eye look I’ve always wanted. I buy this in matte black and would really recommend to eyeliner beginners!

5.    Clarins ‘instant smooth perfecting touch’ – Well wowza, I love this product. I got a free tester pot when I made a purchase from Clarins and it was the best freebie I’ve had. As soon as it runs out I shall repurchase. It’s used as a skin primer, but I really love using it as a base for eye shadow and for any patches of dry skin I may have before applying my make up and it’s amazing! It has the softest texture I’ve ever used and spreads straight onto my skin, leaving it looking  even and flawless.

6.     Benefit ‘they’re real mascara’ –I received this in the same benefit beauty box that I discussed above and it’s the same story. I haven’t had to use fake lashes since I got this, it makes my lashes look long and luscious (great alliteration there!). Its’ not waterproof so in a busy day it can smudge but that’s not something that cant be dealt with. Really love it and will continue to buy!

7.    Ciara daily ‘my hero foundation brush’ – I was lucky to attend a beauty event at the beginning of the year and found Ciara daily make up. This has become one of my favourite brushes. The bristles are really soft and glide onto my face perfectly. I like to use it to set powder and it does the job really well. Definitely worth checking them out.

8.    Tangle teezer – I have had this brush for ages but I couldn’t not include it in my first ever favorites. This brush comes everywhere with me and it still amazes me how it can get through any knot in my hair with out the aggravated hair tugging that you get with other brushes. Perfect.

9.  Blistex 'daily lip conditioner'– I really cannot give this product enough praise. Without a doubt the best lip care product I have ever used. It keeps my lips super moisturised and gives them an extra plump. I like to use it as a lipstick base before I apply lip liner or lipstick as it keeps my lipstick on for hours!

10.   L’Oréal colour riche ‘Fairest Nude’ 800 – I am sure as time progresses you will get to know that there is nothing that I love more than a perfect nude lip and this is just it! I have been searching for this colour for ages, literally months and it turns out that I had to order it from the USA, but it is well worth it. It is the perfect shade of nude. Its from the colour riche range so it has Omega-3 oils and Vitamin E which keeps your lips from drying out and as I am prone to getting dry lips this is great and it keeps my lips really full and defined. Would definitely recommend.

Thanks for reading. What have been your May favorites, do you have any products that’s you are looking forward to trying in June?

Much Love

**This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.

MY BEAUTY SECRET - YVES SAINT LAURENT TOUCHÉ ÉCLAT

Happy Friday afternoon everyone! I am sure we are all counting down the last few hours until our second May bank holiday commences! Whether your going out on a night on the town or have a beautiful day out planned I want to share with you one of my Holy Grail beauty secrets.

I am sure that those of you who are reading who have an ounce of beauty interest will have already heard of the Yves Saint Laurent Touché Éclat but I just want to reiterate its excellence.

It is quite literally one of my favorite make-up products and is one of my all time ‘go-to’ beauty belonging. It is defined as both a concealer and a highlighter, but really, it is so much more than that! It adds just pure radiance and brilliance to my face.

I am somewhat of an insomniac and I come to life at night time, meaning that I quite often loose out on my precious beauty sleep and rise with heavy bags and dark circles. But fear not, with Touché Éclat that’s not something that I have to worry about. When applying my make up in the morning I like to apply it in a triangle under my eye and dot it across my brow bone underneath my eyebrows. The colouring within the product is perfect for covering dark circles and bags and allows me to fake that good and restful nights sleep!

But that’s not all! For those who know me, know that I am obsessed with cheekbones and love contouring and highlighting to accentuate that perfect cheekbone for pictures and nights out. This product is perfect for that, I like to add it just above my cheekbone and blend it with some bronzer to give that foolproof definition to my face. Furthermore, adding it to my cupids bow at the top of my lips (the indent above your lips), gives my lips a much plumper and fuller effect. This is one of my favourite looks with a bold red lip for a night out and gives that perfect Kylie Jenner look without the ‘cup challenge’. Finally, the Touché Éclat acts as an amazing primer for eye shadow, applying to my eyelids easily evens out my skin tone and allows eye shadow to stay on all day and night and every girl wants this!

If you cant already tell from the above, I really do love this product and it is just so handy. The packaging is great and its slim line, meaning it easily fits into my make bag so I can take it on the go with me when I need a bit of brightening during the day. I love the applicator and it means you don’t need to use any other brushes and it perfectly glides on to your face with ease and you can use your fingertips to dab it in to smaller creases.

It really is impossible not to love this product. As a high end designer brand it retails at around £25.00, which is a little pricey, but it really is one product that can do it all.  I would absolutely recommend it to anyone. Have any of you tried it or can recommend something similar? What are your Holy Grail products? 

Thanks for reading.

Much love

P.S I found this amazing photo on google which shows where to apply the Touché Éclat, hope it helps!

This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.

A SUNDAY AT TWICKENHAM!!

Happy Monday everyone!! I hope you had a lovely weekend. I thought I would start of the week with a lifestyle post to tell you about my weekend. I was really lucky to be able to go to the final of the London Sevens on Sunday and had an AMAZING time and wanted to share the experience with you all.

I love ruby, I love everything about it (well not playing it because that would be going a bit too far for me). I have been going to rugby games since before I can remember as my Dad was an avid rugby player so its something we always did as a family. One of my favorite shirts as a kid was my England rugby shirt and even these days, when I want to feel cozy and nostalgic I go put one on.

Rugby reminds me of autumn and winter as this is when our season is really at its best and it helps that these are also my favorite seasons! I love standing on the sidelines, wrapped up warm with a hot chocolate watching a game, but sevens was a whole new experience and I loved it.

First off I have never watched a rugby game in the warm spring sunshine, where my thin shirt and jeans were far too hot! Normally I’m reaching for an extra layer and a hot toddy but this time I enjoyed sunglasses and a lovely chilled cider.

For those of you who don’t follow sevens (and I didn’t until yesterday), it’s a day of short burst rugby games lasting 14 minutes and there is only 7 of them on the team rather than the usual 15. Loads of different countries join in and we were lucky to see Fiji, USA, Australia, Kenya, England, New Zealand and many more.  I was amazed at the amount of tries that were scored when half the team was missing! In between matches there was various entertainment, competitions and general chitchat with whoever was sitting around you!

I would really recommend for anyone to go, even if your not a rugby fan or have no clue what the game is about, because the thing that I enjoyed the most was the atmosphere…being sat next to people who were supporting a completely different team and there being no animosity, just a happy handshake at the end - regardless of any of the results. The entertainment between matches was great and it was just a lovely way to spend a Sunday.

Have any of you been to a sevens game or can recommend something similar?

Much love and thanks for reading