May Favourites

Nearly 6 months into the year, WHAT? Where has the time gone?! As usual, I have a selection of products that I have been using and liking enough for them to make my monthly favourites!

1. MAC Brush Cleanser- I have been using this to clean the brushes I use daily, daily! And I think that is part of why my skin has cleared up! I'm not using dirty brushes to apply my makeup, and my skin is thanking me for it!

RRP- £8.50

2. Tigi Bed Head Superstar Volumising Hairspray- I brought this a few weeks ago from TKMaxx and have loved it ever since! I use the rest of the Superstar range, along with it, and my hair really does feel thicker and more volumised! Its also adds a lot of shine to my hair.

RRP- not really sure of the original price, but I paid £4.99

3. Technic High Beam- I've really been getting into highlighting recently, and have been using this everyday. I apply this with my Real Techniques Stippling Brush, and I honestly cant tell the difference between this and Benefit High Beam (owning them both) only the fact that this is a little thinner on application, but they are both stunning on the cheek bones. A real bargain if you ask me!

RRP- £1.99

4. Max Factor Max Effects Nail Polish in Graffiti- Theres not much I need to say about this, I have a review here. It really is one of the most beautiful nail polishes I've come across! I have it on my toes all the time, and usually find an excuse to wear it on my fingers, instead of using one of my other colours! I much prefer this to the hyped up Fantasy Fire. Review here.

RRP- £3.99

5. The Body Shop Dreams Unlimited Perfume- I'm really enjoying using this as a spring perfume. Its light, and not too sweet. My best friend can always tell when I'm wearing it, as it has a very distinctive smell, and it lasts all day!

RRP- £15

6. Urban Decay Naked Palette- Sin

I should really have my Naked Palette in every favourites post, but in particular this month, I've been loving wearing Sin. It is so beautiful on the lids, and so easy to wear every day! I might to a video tutorial on how I wear it, what do you think?

RRP- For the palette, £32

7. The Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter- My poor legs have had a bit of a battering recently, they have been burned from the sun, and been really dry. So this body butter has been my saviour. Not only does it smell absolutely divine, it is so moisturising! A win, win situation!

RRP- £5

Hope you had a nice month!

E

xox

My Week in Photos #12

My new favourite snack- Dried Cranberries and Dried Mangoes

Wrapped my Best Friend Presents- youtube video here

Her card, with a lovely picture of Josh Hutcherson on the back!

Bobby enjoying the sun

And Tommy enjoying being cool inside

Yummy fishcakes in my local pub

Saw the Olympic Torch! Vlog here

Made my Best Friend a giant Cupcake

Used her new OPI

In the shade Extra-Va-Vaganza

The beautiful sun we watched set

Hope you enjoyed your week and made the most of the sun!

E

xox

I've Started Yotube!

Hey everyone, so this post is just a little update.

About 2 years ago, I started watching beauty youtube videos, and always wanted to do it for myself, but never worked up the courage, therefore, I started a blog. I've really been enjoying blogging, and thought now would be a good time to start youtube as well. Ive got loads of amazing things happening this year, as well as some great videos planned.

The link to my new channel is here.

I've done a vlog of when the Olympic Torch came to my home town, and made a video of what I brought my friend for her birthday. Which is today, so wish Alex a happy birthday by following her blog!!

I hope you enjoy my new channel, and it would mean the world if you could subscribe and leave feedback!

E

xox

Review: Max Factor Max Effects Mini Nail Polish in Fantasy Fire

When I was in Superdrug, I took advantage of the 3 for 2 offer and brought a few bits. But I'm not going to show you a lot of the things I've been buying over the past few weeks, as I have a collective haul planned once me and my friend have gone on our Cardiff shopping trip!

But I will let slip that I brought two of the Max Factor Nail Polishes that have taken the beauty world by storm. I've seen countless pictures and reviews and couldn't resist getting my hands on some! The second shade I brought was Fantasy Fire- a shimmering purple with blue and rose gold undertones.

The first shade I brought was Graffiti, review here.

Like with the last review, the colour looks a little different in each photo- the beauty of nail polish effects!

With the shade Graffiti, I couldnt rave highly enough about it, but I found this shade disapointingly sheer. I have it layered on top of Orly Be Iconic in the pictures above.

The colour is simply gorgous though, I only wish it was a little more pigmented!

They are really reasonably priced to- they are £3.99.

Have you tried any of the range? What are your thoughts?

E

xox

My Week In Photos #11

Tried to have a face mask, as my skin isn't in great condition, and found one of my favourites had dried up! *sobs*

The Body Shop Ionic Seaweed Face Mask

I usually don't have that much of a makeup collection to warrant doing a 'Shopping The Stash' but I came across these products which I forgot about, and will start using again:

Sample of L'oreal Lumi Magnique Foundation

Benefit Posietint

The Body Shop Metallic Eye Kohl in Brilliant Blue

No7 Blue Liquid Eyeliner

Our beautiful Lillies

My Pasta Masterpiece!

My package from Coleyyyful but you'll have to wait for the collective haul to see what I bought!

Tried out my Max Factor Nail Varnish in Fantasy Fire. Review coming soon

Had a Lush Comforter Bath

Had a Justin Timberlake Fest- Friends With Benefits (So funny! A MUST see)! and Bad Teacher

Tommy wearing his neckerchief!

Hope you had a lovely week!

E

xox



Review: The Body Shop Beautifying Oil

Now, I wont lie, this was actually brought by my Mum at the weekend, but when I tried it, I fell in love with it, and knew I had to tell you guys about it!

Mum told me that the lovely guy that works in our Body Shop was raving about this, and it was on 25% off; so a bit of a no-brainer!

The scent she chose was Moringa.

What The Body Shop says about it:

Beautifying Oil is pure beauty in a bottle. Made with a lightweight blend of nut oils including Community Fair Trade marula oil, it gives instant hydration and a shimmering finish. This one has a delicate white floral scent.

Body Oils are a fairly new concept for me, but I can see it becoming a summer staple!

You only need a tiny amount, as a little drop covers your whole leg. And instantly, it transforms dry legs!

If, like me, you find yourself being a bit reluctant to use Body Butter. All that rubbing, and having greasy legs for ages, but this- being a dry oil, just feels like normal legs, only softer!

The scent of this one is not too overpowering, just lightly floral.

Price wise, it is currently on 25% off, so available for £6.25 instead of £9.

What do you think? Will you be buying one?

E

xox

Recipe: Oreo Butt Cakes

In my 'Week in Photos' post, you may have seen a picture of the Oreo Butt Cakes I made; originally seen on Blair Fowler's (JuicyStar07) vlog. As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to make them- and believe me, they are so worth the effort! The few I shared with my friends went down a storm and I've lost count on how many my Dad has consumed!

Its basically a Vanilla Cupcake Recipe, and I've already done a recipe post on that- but I'll do it again, as it was a while ago!

Makes 20

You will need:

Cakes:

20 Oreos

120g Plain Flour

140g Caster Sugar

1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

A Pinch of Salt

40g Unsalted Butter, at Room Temperature

120ml Whole Milk

1 Egg

1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

20 Paper Cases

Icing:

250g Icing Sugar, sifted

80g Unsalted Butter, at room temperature

25ml Whole Milk

A Couple of Drops of Vanilla Extract

Cake Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F) Gas 3.

Put the paper cases in the baking tray, and place a whole Oreo in each case.

Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on a slow speed until you get a sandy consistency and everything is combined. Gradually pour in half the milk and beat until the milk is just incorporated.

Whisk the egg, vanilla extract and remaining milk together in a separate bowl for a few seconds, then pour into the flour mixture and continue beating until just incorporated (scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula). Continue mixing for a couple more minutes until the mixture is smooth. Do not over mix.

Spoon the mixture into the paper cases, on top of the Oreos, and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until light golden and the sponge bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean. Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

When the cupcakes are cold, spoon the Vanilla Frosting on top, and decorate with your choice of decorations.

Vanilla Frosting Instructions:

Beat the icing sugar and butter together in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) on a medium-slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed. Turn the mixture down to slow speed. Combine the milk and vanilla extract in a separate bowl, then add to the butter mixture a couple of tablespoons at a time. Once all the milk has been incorporated, turn the mixer up to high speed. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy, at least 5 minutes. The longer the frosting is beaten, the fluffier it becomes.

And this is the finished result! They are truly delicious, and I think I have eaten my fair share of them!

Hope you try them for yourself!

E

xox

xox



My Week in Photos #10

Watched Pearl Harbour on Monday- why did I put myself through it? So sad!

And had afternoon tea whilst watching it!

Doesn't look very appetising- but Rhubarb Crumble with Ben & Jerrys Fish Food!

Whats left of Herman the German Friendship Cake!

Finished the first Hunger Games for the second time in about 4 days!

Did you watch The Vampire Diaries this month?! I cried so much!

Yummy Friday Night Tea!

Oreo Butt Cakes- inspired by Blair Fowler or JuicyStar07

My attempt at Pecan Pie

Custard Slice in Dunhelm Cafe

And a Cookies and Cream Frappe

Tommy in him 'pram' on the back of Dad's bike!

Phew! I've been pretty busy this month! But all I have seemed to have done is cry and eat?

And also...

A huge congratulations to Ashleigh and Pudsey who won Britain's Got Talent! I love this photo!

Hope you had a lovely week!

E

xox



Review: Max Factor Max Effects Mini Nail Polish in Graffiti

Yesterday when I was in Superdrug, I took advantage of the 3 for 2 offer and brought a few bits. But I'm not going to show you a lot of the things I've been buying over the past few weeks, as I have a collective haul planned once me and my friend have gone on our Cardiff shopping trip!

But I will let slip that I brought two of the Max Factor Nail Polishes that have taken the beauty world by storm. I've seen countless pictures and reviews and couldn't resist getting my hands on some! The first colour I picked up was Graffiti- a beautiful shimmery teal.

In each photo, it looks a different colour depending on how the light hits it! Apologies for the photos, they don't really pay it justice!

With Flash

Without Flash

Its just so pretty! I'm walking around, and finding myself moving my hand around, just so I can see all the different reflects in the polish!

I absolutely love it and cant wait to try more! They are really reasonably priced to- they are £3.99.

You'll see the other colour I brought when I do the next post! (Oooh, suspension)!!

Have you tried any of them?

E

xox



Getting into the Jubilee Spirit!

 With the Jubilee coming up fast, whilst browsing online, I came across a few things that would be perfect for the big day!

Nail Rock Union Flag Nail Wraps from Topshop & Asos

All Union Flag Vests from Newlook

Union Flag Bandeau from Newlook

Limited Edition Jubilee Nails Inc Polish

Union Flag Crown Tights from Topshop

Everywhere is going bad for things brilliantly British, and these are just a handful of things I like the look of! New look and Primark are really great examples of places where they have them!

Is there anything on the list you like? What will you be wearing to get into the Jubilee Spirit?

E

xox

My Week in Photos #9

My finished portrait of Liam Payne from One Direction

Finished The Time Travellers Wife- Man did I cry!

Had my lovely Lush bath

A little obsessed with the Bedhead Superstar Range!

Me and my very photogenic dog- Tommy!

Ben & Jerrys Core Ice Cream didn't live up to expectations!

My Caviar Nails

Hope you had a lovely week, and enjoy Bank Holiday Monday!

E

xox

FOTD: Winged Eyeliner & Red Lips

Ah, winged eyeliner and red lips. The timeless, classic look that never dates. Here I have a toned down version of the look, that is quite often worn when going out. This look is nice for spring and summer, whilst not too heavy that you look like you've tried to hard during the day!

Face:

Murad Skin Perfecting Primer

Chanel Vitalumier Aqua Foundation

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Topshop Cream Blusher in Flush

Eyes:

MUA Proffesional Eye Primer

Collection 2000 Fast Stroke Eyeliner

L'Oreal Paris Telescopic False Lash Mascara

Lips:

Benefit Benetint

Barry M Red Lip Gloss (Sorry, it has no name)!

Will you be trying this look?

E

xox



Review: Lush Butterball

Every time I go to Lush, I pick up a ballistic, and have got into the habit of reviewing each one! I've done quite a few now!

This is probably the ballistic that I've brought the most, I love it! The smell, the way if leaves my legs so soft and how it leaves cocoa butter in your bath!

The scent of the Ballistic is Vanilla and Musk Perfume, and it leaves your legs so soft, it unreal! It has little bit of cocoa butter inside, that melt in the hot water and moisturise your skin. The scent lingers on your skin for ages as well!

The price for this ballistic is £2.40.

Have you tried it? Whats your favourite Ballistic?

E

xox



OFOTD & My Attempt at Caviar Nails!

Okay, I'll admit it, posts have been lacking recently, but today, on this quiet Sunday before Bank Holiday Monday, I will bombard you with posts! Hooray!

This is the outfit I put together for a trip to town yesterday, (I did buy a few bits, but I'm going to save them for a Collective Haul, seeing as me and my friend have a big shopping trip planned in the near future!

Shorts- Topshop

Collared Top- Primark

Cardigan- Topshop

And here is my attempt at the caviar nail effect that has taken the blogging scene by storm. I didn't have any tiny beads, so I made do with hundreds and thousands!

I only did the Caviar Effect on one nail, as I wasn't expecting them to last long! And I was right, after about 5 hours, they had peeled off! I guess using beads is the better option! (My nails are painted with Barry M Shocking Pink).

What do you think?

E

xox

April Favourites

Its May already! Oh my god, I cant believe how fast the year is going by! Here are my April favourites:

1. Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake- I'm not going to talk much about these, as I've done reviews, (as has every other beauty blogger on the face of the earth)! But they have defiantly lived up to their expectations, and I for one love them! Especially this shade, it is so gorgeous and easy to wear!

RRP: £7.99

2. Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie- Same as above really, a lovely colour that is really wearable!

RRP: £7.99

3. MUA Professional Eye Primer- I brought this to replace my Urban Decay Primer Potion, not really expecting it to be half as near as good, but a good alternative. How wrong I was! I love it! I defiantly think it rivals the UDPP, my eyeshadow doesn't crease and with only slight fading around the 10 hour mark! A result if you ask me! And you really cant argue with the cost!

RRP: £2.50

4. Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes- I've had this a while, and use it now and then, but it never became a staple item for me. This spring, brows are big, so I've been using the matt brown shade in this palette to fill in my brows. Its a pretty good match for me, and doesn't make me look like I have a scousbrow! I do think about buying BrowZings, but I dont know if its just a bit dark for my brows.

RRP: £24.50

5. Miss Sporty Just Clear Mascara- This product and the one above kind of go hand in hand. Once I have filled in my brows, I use this to set them. And honestly, it sets them perfectly, and they don't budge all day! I've had it for ages, and nearly threw it out, but now I have a good use for it!

RRP: £1.99

6. Real Techniques Stippling Brush- This was a gift from my best friend, and I have used it every single day! It makes my skin look flawless, and is the best brush for blending. Its so soft and basically, the best brush in the world!

E

xox