Author: Nina Louise

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2019 BEAUTY BLOGMAS MAKEUP

URBAN DECAY- NAKED HONEY PALETTE – REVIEW & SWATCHES

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 3! Over the years, Urban Decay have launched many a palette. In more recent years, we were treated to the Naked Heat (2017) and the Naked Cherry (2018), both of which practically caused the beauty community to lose their minds with excitement and hysteria. This summer, they released The Naked Honey Palette, the latest and permanent addition to the series! I near enough collapsed when I saw how beautiful that this palette was. I’ve had it in my makeup collection since September but I wanted to save my review for Blogmas as I feel like it would make the perfect Christmas gift!

*This post contains affiliate links

PACKAGING & PRICE

With a glossy plastic exterior, the packaging is the same as the other palettes in the Naked range. It’s not made from flimsy or cheap plastic either, it feels study, heavy and luxurious! The design is stunning, with what seems like a pool of honey on the front, behind gorgeous gold font. It’s simple, yet effective. How much is it? The Naked Honey Palette retails at £42. Which is their most expensive palette , given that it contains less product per pan than most of Urban Decay’s palettes, I’m expecting great things…Where can you buy it? You can get hold of the palette from Urban Decay’s website itself, or through various other retailers such as John Lewis, Look Fantastic and Feel Unique.

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Inside the palette, there are 12 eyeshadows: including mattes, shimmers and metallics, as well as a generously sized mirror! Sticking with the honey theme, each shade has it’s own name – my favourite being “Golden”! In terms of the colour scheme, the palette features a variety of neutral shades, including “classic golds, warm ambers and rich chocolate browns”. It’s the perfect palette to create some natural glam as well as bold, statement looks.

First six shades swatched (Flyby – Golden)

SWATCHES

Flyby – Pale beige with satin finish – This formula is absolute goals. It’s literally the perfect base shade for me; it’s slightly shimmery but still has great coverage.

Sweet – Peachy matte – This is another great versatile neutral shade. I can see myself using this to transition into darker shades a lot. It doesn’t have the sheen as “Flyby” but the formula is still beautifully soft.

Swarm – Light orange with yellow undertones and matte finish– This is the kind of shade that I wear on a daily basis. They can be used to create simple and natural looks as well as warm-toned glam. It’s very pigmented and really easy to blend too.

Amber – Rich amber/copper with metallic finish- This is one of those magical shades that can take a look from daytime to night-time in seconds. It adds such a gorgeous sparkle to my makeup. Amber is super pigmented yet it’s a total dream to blend. It doesn’t fade quickly either!

Keeper – Light-medium brown with orange undertones and matte finishh – This is another daily must-have shade for me. I love creating natural warm-toned looks so I know I’ll get plenty of use use out of Keeper. It has the same fluffy and smooth texture as Sweet and Swarm.

Golden – Bright, warm gold with metallic finish– Good grief. This is by far, my favourite shade in this palette. If I could bathe in it, I actually would. I’ve never known pigmentation quite like it and it has the most beautiful, sparkling finish to it. It barely takes a swipe for your lids to be glistening! There’s the tiniest bit of fallout but quite frankly, I couldn’t care less. It’s my new go-to!

Last six shades swatched (Honey – Sting)

SWATCHES

Honey – Bright gold with yellow undertones and metallic finish – This shade isn’t as outrageous as Golden, but it’s still gorgeous. It has a slightly firmer texture to it, however it does still apply smoothly and there is very little fallout. It’s perfect for anyone that prefers to use a cooler-toned gold on their eyes.

Queen – Medium brown with gold and bronze reflects – I like that this shade isn’t just a brown (it’s an M&S brown…such a dad joke I’m sorry) it has some olive undertones and some flecks of gold in it that make it more interesting. As you can see the pigmentation is fabulous!

Hive – Medium warm brown with warm undertones and matte finish – Another daily shade for me. I use shades like this all the time in my crease and along my lower lashline. The formula is really soft and easy to blend.

Drip – Medium brown with red undertones and matte finish – This shade looks so good when blended with some lighter shades like Hive or Swarm. I can imagine this will be a really popular shade for creating looks with this Autumn.

Hbic – Medium copper with warm undertones and a metallic finish – I just feel good when I’m wearing this shade. It’s not as intense as “Golden” but it still packs a lot of punch and it looks a lot brighter when applied with a wet brush.

Sting – Dark brown with warm, purple undertones – This matte was the tiniest bit patchy but then again, that could be down to my poor swatching skills. It adds some dark drama to my eye looks, which is perfect for nights out. I like that it’s easy to blend as I don’t suit the panda look.

WHAT DO I THINK?

This has got to be my favourite palette from Urban Decay so far. Yes it’s pricey but in my opinion, it’s worth it for the quality of the shades inside. I love the colour scheme, it’s a great palette if you’re needing some warm-toned shades in your collection. It’s going to be so popular during Autumn, I can’t wait to see what people create with this palette! There’s a great variety of shades too, I like that I can play it safe or go all out with them. In terms of formula, they’ve nailed it. I was quite literally gobsmacked when I swatched “Golden”, it took me a few minutes to recover. I’ve received so many compliments when I wear that shade – I feel good wearing this palette! The packaging looks so luxurious, it definitely stands out in my collection. I absolutely recommend trying this palette!

Get the Urban Decay Naked Honey Palette here

Let me know what you think of this palette in the comments! Don’t forget to follow my socials – come and say hey!

N xxxx

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2019 BLOGMAS LIFE

MY FAVOURITE FESTIVE CANDLES

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 2! Today’s post is all about my favourite festive candles. I look for any excuse to buy candles all year round but when they start getting christmassy and seasonal – I cannot resist. It’s the perfect time of year to get cosy and have the house smelling like Santa’s grotto – what better way to do it than with candles? I thought I would share some of my latest finds with you from Homesense!

*This post contains affiliate links

DW Home – Peppermint Bark

I discovered this candle this year and I am so glad that I did! I’ve actually bought back ups because I don’t want to run out (call me crazy but I am NOT risking it). The scent takes me back to my childhood! When I was younger, I used to go to the park with my dad and get an ice cream and I would always choose mint-choc-chip! It’s such a yummy smell and is perfect for making the house smell fresh and sweet!

Yankee Candle – Cinnamon Stick

It just doesn’t feel right to celebrate Christmas without some cinnamon scented candles! This is one of my absolutely favourites from Yankee Candle. It smells absolutely flipping amazing. It features Cinnamon (obviously), Clove, Cardamom and Cedar-wood. It literally smells like Christmas in a jar and it always makes me feel so festive!

DW Home – Christmas Morning

The DW Home Christmas Morning candle has been a festive must-have of mine for a couple of years now! I always have one of these prepared for Christmas as it’s possibly my favourite scent ever… It smells of sweet roasted coffee with hints of vanilla. It’s basically like walking into a cosy coffee shop!

Vila Hermanos – Christmas Spice

My best friend actually gave me this for my birthday, she knows me too well! It smells like a combination of the typical Christmas spice ingredients (cinnamon, ginger etc.) and something smokey. I can’t quite put my finger on it but it smells SO GOOD. It’s the perfect candle to light on a cosy movie night in!

DW Home – Sweet Peppermint

I couldn’t find the exact one, so the link above is for something really similar by DW Home! For some reason, I have a bit of a thing for all things peppermint at this time of year. I think it’s because they remind me of candy canes and all the festive sweet treats that emerge during the holidays. Also, the packaging is adorable! I will definitely be keeping the jar once I’ve finished with the candle!

DW Home – Gingerbread Cookie

This literally smells like I’ve been transported to a gingerbread village. It smells like Christmas baking and warm cookies! I’m actually giving this one as a gift this year so I will definitely have to get my hands on one for myself now that I’ve fallen in love with it! Annoyingly, I can’t find it online but so many places are selling gingerbread candles at this time of year so have a good old browse and see what you can find.

I hope you enjoyed my festive candle favourites! If you have any recommendations of favourites of your own, I would love to hear all about them in the comments. I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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2019 BLOGMAS

THE CHRISTMAS DAY TAG

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 1! I’m so excited to share all of my Christmas content with you up until Christmas Eve! Before we get stuck in, I have a something exciting to share with you!

Not only have my blogging bestie Becca and I got some more Christmas blog content for you this year, but we’re also doing a photo challenge over on Instagram called “#xmas12in12”. We will be posting a festive photo every day for the first 12 days of December and we would absolutely love you to join in! Check out my instagram post to see the twelve themes that we’ll be following each day! Don’t forget to use our hashtag and tag us in all of your photos if you participate – we don’t want to miss them!

Now, onto today’s blog post! Becca and I have created another tag; The Christmas Day Tag! It features 10 questions all about the big day and we would LOVE it if you could answer them too! If you do decide to take part, make sure you link us and send it to us so that we can have a look! If you fancy, you can also take part in our other tag; The Cracking Christmas Tag too! Let’s get stuck in, shall we?

What time do you wake up?

I used to get up at the crack of dawn to attack my stocking first thing in the morning. Now, I still get up reasonably early but that’s usually because I’m so excited to give everyone my presents. I do my Christmas shopping really on in the year so it feels like I have to wait forever to be able to give them! I can honestly relate to that little boy in the John Lewis Christmas ad! I’ll probably be up and ready to go at about 8:30/9 o’clock.

Where will you be spending the day?

I try to alternate where I spend it each year! I’ll either be at my mum’s, my dad’s or my boyfriend’s. This year, I’ll be spending it at home with my mum!

What will you be wearing?

I will definitely be wearing something comfy and cosy. Last year I bought the softest onesie on the planet so I’m planning on being as fluffy as possible from head to toe on Christmas Day! Also, I feel that it’s compulsory to be wearing a pair of fluffy socks. It’s a must.

What games will you be playing?

For me, the gaming will officially begin on Boxing Day at my boyfriend’s as his family seem to have every game under the sun! We usually play Monopoly at some point and I’m sure there will be another chance for me to read the correct clues during Cluedo this year… last time, believe it or not, I spent an hour or so reading clues from the wrong page so when I confidently announced “it was the monkey with the pipe”, I didn’t get the congratulations that I was expecting – given there wasn’t supposed to be a monkey or a pipe involved in the scenario whatsoever…

What will you be eating?

We’ve never really done a big Christmas meal at home. I tend to have lots of snacks and nibbles throughout the day instead. I’m sure I will be stuffing my face with all of the savouries; lots of Pringles, cheese, crackers and of course pigs in blankets. I’m sure I will devour some sweet treats too and there has to be some Lindt chocolate in there somewhere. Also, I’ve only just fallen in love with Terry’s Chocolate oranges and now I’m totally hooked so I will absolutely be noshing on one of those, that’s one of my 5 a day sorted…

What will you be drinking?

I don’t really drink alcohol anymore so I definitely won’t be getting wonky on the day. However I might treat myself to a glass of white with dinner (I’m absolutely wild, I know). There’s no doubt that I will probably manage to consume about ten cups of tea throughout the day – not to mention at least one hot chocolate with all of the trimmings. I’ve actually purchased a candy cane flavoured syrup to add to my concoctions which I am buzzing to use!

What will you be watching?

Just before Christmas Eve, we like to flick through the festive edition of the RadioTimes (could we get any more British?!) and highlight anything we want to watch! On Christmas Day we’ll most likely be watching whatever the TV schedule is treating us to! Also, OBVIOUSLY I will be watching the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special because there is no way I’m missing out on that. I’m so flipping excited for it!

What do you hope to find under the tree on Christmas Day?

I’ve never done the whole “Christmas list” thing so I don’t usually hope for anything specific each year! I quite like having no expectations as then everything is a surprise and it’s also fun to see what people give you with no hints or clues! However, it’s always lovely to receive bits for pamper nights at home as I get through bubble bath and bath bombs like there’s no tomorrow!

Who will you be spending the day with?

I’m spending Christmas Day with my mum this year!

When will you be opening your presents?

We don’t tend to have a “present opening” time on Christmas Day. It’s usually when we can manage to find a gap in the TV schedule so we don’t miss any Christmas specials or movies! We also like to make our present opening last all day so it’s not over really quickly. Sometimes we even save some back for Boxing Day to keep the festivities going!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY GLOSSYBOX

GLOSSYBOX NOVEMBER 2019: WINTER WARMERS – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I hope you’re all having a great month so far! It’s already been a busy one for me. I’ve already celebrated my own birthday as well as three others and we’re only three weeks in! Since I received last months Glossybox, I’ve been so excited for November’s edit. I cannot wait to show you everything! Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Glossybox actually is, how much it costs and all that jazz below! If you already know all of this, feel free to carry on scrolling. 

*This post contains affiliate links

About Glossybox:

Glossybox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beautifully wrapped boxes containing 5 surprise beauty products. Every box will feature brand new products as well as some cult favourites. Glossybox is fantastic for being able to discover and find out more about new brand and products. There are also lots of benefits from being a member of the Glossyboz community. For example, by participating in suverys and referring friends, subscribers can earn GLOSSYCREDITS to spend on beauty treats. The Glossybox monthly subscription plans start from £10 and there are 3, 6 and 12 month options to choose from. You can create and edit your beauty profile to ensure that you receive products that are best suited to your skin/hair type and perosnal preferences. The boxes are beautifully packagaed, it’s genuinely like receieving a present in the post.

Sign up to Glossybox here (affiliate link)

This month’s edit is all about getting snuggled up and celebrating the beginning of “cosy nights in” season – my favourite! This box is full of goodies to keep us feeling warm and wonderful throughout November. At this time of year, I tend to have lots more bubble baths and pamper nights so this box couldn’t have had a better theme!

Mudmasky – Leave-Me-On Winter Mask – RRP £43.50

This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. This is a full sized product worth £43.50. “Blown away” doesn’t even cover it. I really did not expect a product of this value to be included in an £11.75 beauty subscription box! Thank you, GlossyBox! I always feel like my skin needs a real boost during the colder seasons and thanks to MudMasky Winter Mask that’s exactly what it got. According to Glossybox, this stuff creates an invisible shield on the surface of your complexion to keep it protected from the cold. It also helps to nourish and hydrate your skin – yes please! I like to use this before I go outside to keep my skin feeling healthy and moisturised despite what the weather is throwing at it.

Rituals – The Ritual of Ayurveda Soothing Hand Balm – RRP £9

I flipping love this luxurious little hand balm from Rituals. The word “Balm” immediately had me intrigued about the texture of the product. It doesn’t leave my hands feeling sticky or wet but it does leave a my hands feeling silky (a balm-like texture funnily enough) which I don’t mind at all. It’s at this time of year that I start doing everything I can to prevent dry and cracked hands. This product couldn’t have come into my life at a better time – it’s a must for this season! My hands have never felt so soft and smooth! Featuring, Indian rose and sweet almond oil, it smells absolutely incredible. I am very tempted to stock up on a few more tubes of this magical stuff!

Cetaphil – Gentle Skin Cleanser – RRP £1.10 (Deluxe mini 29ml) / £8.99 (Full-size)

I’ve seen a lot about this brand and their skincare so I was actually really keen to put the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser to the test! It’s a real multitasker as it removes makeup, dirt and impurities without stripping your skin of the oils and the pH levels that it needs! In terms of scent, there’s quite literally nothing there. In terms of results, I have definitely noticed a difference. This cleanser has managed to banish a few blemishes as well as keep my skin looking fresh and hydrated! It’s not drying whatsoever and that’s exactly what I want during Winter.

Kandi Cosmetics – Glow Up Primer and Setting Spray – RRP £20

Well hello there setting spray of dreams. I’ve been wanting to try one of these sprays for such a long time! I’m sure you can imagine my squeal of delight as I spotted the Kandi Cosmettics Glow Up Spray inside this box. This is another multitasker! First of all, it can be used as a primer for a natural and glowing base. It can also be used as a setting spray to provide an extra layer of glam! Who would have thought that it could even be used as a body spray to give you a gorgeous subtle shimmer? I love how this product can be used in different ways, I think it will be a big hit with a lot of subscribers! I don’t leave the house without a spritz of this stuff – it makes such a difference!

Hask Exotics – Argan Hair Oil – RRP £2.49

I’ve only just started appreciating the power of Argan oil. It works wonders for my hair so I was extremely excited to receive a sample of the Hask Exotics Argan Hair Oil! I use a lot of heated styling tools so I’m always looking for products containing Argan oil to keep it looking healthy and hydrated. I’ve been applying the product to my hair whilst it was damp and left it to work its magic. My hair already looks in better condition! I love that it doesn’t leave an oily residue too – I really hate that feeling! I will absolutely be purchasing some more of this stuff!

Offblak – Fruit Tea – RRP £0.84 (Extra Treats) / £9.98 (Full-size)

I just LOVE that Glossybox send us lovely extra treats in our boxes. I already have a lot of love for Offblak and their adorable packaging. Their quirky flavours are also amazing so I cannot wait to try Brighten Up and You’re Golden. They couldn’t have picked better flavours for getting warm and cosy during Winter!

Overall, I’m so happy with the November box! First of all, we received four full-size beauty products as well as two extra little treats. Most noteworthy, one product was worth a whopping £43.50! The total value of the products together, is £77.83 – wow! Not only were there a real variety of bits included but they all work really well with the season! As usual, I’m very impressed with Glossybox! Are you subscribed to Glossybox or any other beauty boxes? Let me know in the comments!

Sign up to Glossybox here (affiliate link)

N xxxx

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BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX NOVEMBER 2019: FROZEN II – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! It’s been a busy month for me! I’ve been planning all of my Blogmas content for this year and I cannot wait for you to see it. The November Birchbox only encouraged the festive fun to continue, just wait until you see the box! Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much it costs and all that jazz below! If you already know all of this, feel free to carry on scrolling. 

Read my review of the October box here

*This post contains affiliate links

About Birchbox:

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for years and I still look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve been sent because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too!

Get £5 off your first Birchbox with this link or just use the code: “Nina Louise” at checkout! (affiliate link)

This month’s box is in collaboration with Disney, who they also teamed up with last November for the release of The Nutcracker and The Four Realms (read that review here). However, this time we’re celebrating the well anticipated sequel, Frozen II. As a Disney lover, I think this is a fabulous festive design! I can also see why it was chosen, as female characters from Frozen represent strength and beauty – very fitting for a beauty subscription box! However, for those that don’t particularly love Disney, I can imagine this probably felt a little too childish and may struggle to relate to the theme. It’s probably going to be fairly hit and miss with the subscribers. That doesn’t mean that the contents should be dismissed though as there some lovely products in this box! Let’s take a look at what’s inside, shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

Lise Watier – Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in “Gingerbread” – RRP £23

Although the sample is tiny, I am a big fan of the Lise Watier Rouge Gourmand lipstick! During the colder months, I tend to search high and low for hydrating lip products that aren’t glosses as the wind and my hair tend to clash with that. This lipstick offers hydration without the stickiness and that’s exactly what I’m looking for! It contains castor seed oil which apparently means it will never settle into fine lines. I hate when my lips are dry and a lipstick only makes them look worse so fingers crossed, this one will come to the rescue and keep them looking moisturised throughout Winter! It’s also worth mentioning that this also actually plumps the lips too – yes please!

Bodyography – Lip Pencil in “Heatherberry” (Full Size) – RRP £11

I think I have a slight addiction when it comes to lip liners! I seem to get through so many of them. In my opinion, they really complete a makeup look and they completely transform the appearance of my lips! The Bodyography Lip Pencil has such a beautifully soft formula. I hate when lip liners are dry and this one seems to simply glide on. It’s so easy to outline and fill in my lips with and so far, I haven’t noticed any feathering or bleeding which is always a good sign. I can definitely see this becoming a new staple of mine. I’d also never come across Bodyography before, who believe in “beauty with a conscience” and are actually cruelty-free, paraben-free and sulphate-free!

INC.redible – Flower Power Hydrating Sheet Mask (Full Size) – RRP £5

I blooming (pardon the pun) love the INC.redible Flower Power Hydrating Sheet Mask! This is exactly what my skin needs a this time of year; nourishment and hydration! A real multitasker, the mask also smoothes, refreshes and protects the skin too. It’s packed with goodness featuring ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen and vitamin E! After giving it 15 minutes, I was thoroughly impressed with the results. My skin felt absolutely amazing. I didn’t personally experience any negative reactions but if you have sensitive skin or if you feel any tingling, Birchbox have advised you to remove the mask immediately!

Sebamed – Clear Face Cleasing Bar – RRP £4.69

I am a huge fan of this brand and their blemish busting skincare. It would’ve been nice to have been sent a full sample of the Sebamed Cleansing Bar as the sample is tiny! However, I still enjoyed using it and I am definitely considering purchasing the full sized version. The bar contains lots of ingredients to combat pimples and blackheads which help to reduce breakouts and keep skin clear. This couldn’t have come into my life at a better time as my skin seems to be going through a rough patch at the moment. I’m currently putting this to the test and I want to give it a little more time so I’ll keep you updated. So far so good though!

Number 4 – Jour d’automne Blow Dry Lotion – RRP £26

I’ve received a few samples from this brand through Birchbox before and so far, I’ve loved everything! However, I don’t actually blow dry my hair very often so I doubt that I will get much use out of the Jour d’automne Blow Dry Lotion. For the sake of the review, I did still give it a whirl and I was pleasantly surprised! Not only did it offer thermal protection but it also helped my hair to dry so much faster. I have long and thick hair so getting it to dry is usually a fairly lengthy and frustrating task. Anything to make that process quicker gets a yes from me! On the occasions that I do decide to pick up the hairdryer, I will definitely be picking this product up too.

I really enjoyed the November box. In my opinion, the design is gorgeous and I think it will be a big hit with the Disney fans among the Birchbox subscribers. I also loved the products! I know I will use a majority of them and I can see myself repurchasing some too! However, I do think that Birchbox could have been slightly more generous with the sample sizes. That being said, we still got to try out £69.69 worth of beauty products that we otherwise may not have come across! Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beauty boxes? Let me know in the comments. 

Get £5 off your first Birchbox with this link or just use the code: “Nina Louise” at checkout! (affiliate link). You can also get a free Pixi Glow Mist with the code: “MIST” at checkout!

N xxxx

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LIFE

STAYING IN FOR HALLOWEEN

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! After three years of finding any excuse to celebrate just about anything at university, it’s safe to say that my days of going out-out for Halloween are well and truly over. In all honesty, I think I found myself tagging along mainly to please others and to avoid being called “boring”. I’m actually so much happier hosting a cosy movie night with some pals (squad ghouls am I right? Sorry, I had to) involving lots of sweets, snacks and spooky decor. There’s no hurried pre-drinks, no sweaty crowds and there’s certainly no queueing for the toilet! I thought I would share my top tips and must haves for the perfect Halloween night in-in.

SNACKS

It’s just not Halloween without snacks now, is it? So be sure to grab some bags of sweet treats for you and your pals. Most supermarkets and places like Home Bargains and Wilko etc. start selling spooky themed goodies during the build up to Halloween. I like to buy a mixture of sweets and chocolate just so that there’s something for everyone! Another nice ideas is a popcorn bar. You can fill trick or treat buckets with different flavours of popcorn and your pals can choose their favourite to snack on during the movies. You can do the same with crisps and dips too! Obviously don’t go filling a whole bucket with salsa unless you want to sweat your way through Annabelle more than the average person. If you have a little hunt around the shops you can usually find some quirky flavours as well as the traditional ones! I risked it and went for Toffee Apple and Cinnamon popcorn and have no regrets whatsoever – it was delicious!

CANDLES

Candles can completely change the atmosphere in any space. I light them all year round but when it gets to Autumn, the scents that start coming out are impossible to resist. I usually have a browse in my local Homesense to pick out a few that I can use throughout the season as well as for Halloween! This year I went for a Candy Corn candle and a Caramel Apple candle, both from DW Home (my absolute favourite brand) and they made the house smell incredible. I believe that the two of them together cost me less than £10 too and they’re pretty chunky! Candles always make me feel really cosy, so they’re perfect for a movie night. If you don’t like using candles (can’t relate) you can always buy some fake battery operated ones so that you still get that warm lighting without the scent or flame!

DECORATIONS

The decorations are probably my favourite part about all festive occasions. I just love putting little bits and pieces around the house to give it those extra touches! You can find so much in craft shops and bargain shops – you don’t have to spend a fortune. I’d recommend getting some plastic spiders, fake cobwebs and other little props to spread around. The great thing about most of these pieces is that you can use them over and over again! I would also recommend purchasing some big bowls or trick or treating buckets to pop the snacks into. I also like to provide something for people to throw wrappers into (unless you want your bin in the room with you). This saves you having to give everyone plates or bowls as they can just grab on the go. It also means you have less cleaning up to do afterwards! This year I used a few letter boards to display some Halloween themed quotes around the house!

MOVIES & BLANKETS

I know scary movies aren’t for everyone. Some people prefer actually being able to sleep at night which is totally understandable. However, I’m personally an eager member of team terrified. I do think it’s important to include something for everyone though. Go for a combination! Something tame like The Nightmare Before Christmas (still pretty creepy actually) usually goes down really well. You can then switch it up to Sinister (bloody terrifying) which will leave you unable to go anywhere in the dark alone for at least a week! Why do we do this to ourselves?! So that you can prepare, it might be a good idea to ask your pals if there’s anything people really want to watch or avoid. Blankets are an essential! Not only might you need something to hide behind but they make for a really comfy set-up. Pop some throws and cushions around so that people can make themselves at home and get cosy! I hosted a Halloween gathering a couple of years ago and I put a basket of blankets by the door so people could grab one on the way in!

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

If you’re looking to turn your movie night into something more special you can always include some sleepover essentials or girls night must haves. I like to offer my pals a face mask as that always makes them feel pampered and relaxed. Even if we’re going to be jumping out of our skin for all evening! You don’t have to spend a fortune on these bits. You get cheap masks in sachets from drugstores or go for something in a tube that everyone can use. If your friends are staying round, consider leaving some essentials out like toothbrushes and toothpaste, moisturisers or chocolate! I would also recommend plugging in some phone chargers so that nobody has to ask and you don’t have to go searching! It can also help to have your Wifi password written down somewhere. I like to use my letter boards for this! Of course you don’t have to do any of these things but I personally enjoy going the extra mile!

Do you prefer going out-out or staying in-in, like me? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY MAKEUP

MAKEUP REVOLUTION: FOREVER FLAWLESS HAUNTED HOUSE PALETTE REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m back with another review of a product in Makeup Revolution’s Forever Flawless range; the Haunted House Palette! As soon as I saw that this was being released, I practically threw myself into Superdrug to get my hands on it! I love Halloween so a spooky themed palette is just too good to resist. Let’s see what I thought of it shall we?

Read my review of the Forever Flawless Optimum Palette here!

PACKAGING & PRICE

Made from tin, the packaging is the same as the other palettes in the Forever Flawless range. I just love the design with the creepy mansion and the moon, it looks amazing. I also love the raised metallic red font on the front too! How much is it? The Haunted House Palette retails at £10 which is a great price for 18 eyeshadows! Where can you buy it? You can get hold of the Optimum Palette from Makeup Revolution’s website itself or through Superdrug (which does student discount and has a point system too).

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Inside the palette, there are 18 eyeshadows: including mattes, shimmers and pressed glitter, as well as a generously sized mirror. One of my favourite things about these palettes is that every shade is individually named INSIDE the palette, with no flimsy plastic sheet in sight! It makes life so much easier when writing reviews and recommending shades to people. In terms of the colour scheme, the palette features lots of warm toned hues to create smoky eye looks for some Autumn and Halloween glam. There’s such a variety of shades from pops of bright red and orange to dark and rich browns – not forgetting the beautiful golds and coppers that this palette has to offer!

1ST ROW SWATCHES

Attic – Pink-gold duochrome pressed glitter – This shade looked as if it was going to be a blinding shimmer but it’s actually a pressed glitter. It does take a little bit of work to get an intense colour payoff but it’s totally worth it. It works better when applied over a primer. I like to use this on top of the shade “Motel” as it blends so beautifully

Motel – Matte bright pink – I wasn’t expecting to see a bright pop of pink in this palette and I wasn’t sure if it worked with the theme. However, as it turns out it’s one of my favourite shades that they’ve done. Ever! It’s so pigmented, just look at that swatch! It’s also so easy to blend, the formula is honestly giving high-end brands a reason to get back in the labs.

Decrepit – Matte grey/brown with a hint of purple – This shade was so hard to explain hence the length of my description! It’s such a unique shade, I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it before. It has a beautiful mixture of grey, brown and purple hues. The formula is also beautifully buttery, it’s so easy to blend. I can see myself using this to create a lot of smoky eye looks.

Peril – Matte pastel pink – This shade is so flipping dreamy. This is the perfect pink for me and it works so well when layered with “Attic” or “Demonic”. It’s like working with velvet, it’s so easy to blend. It’s a huge yes from me!

Survival – Matte mulberry/wine purple – Another triumph! I’ve been using this shade a lot. It’s a formula that I hope Makeup Revolution sticks to as it’s just the right amount of pigmentation yet the shadows are still really easy to blend. I’ve been using this in my crease along with “Peril” – a combination I fully recommend!

Demonic – Pink/copper shimmer – Dude. This shade is on another level. It’s blindingly good! I barely have to touch it to pick up the pigment and colour payoff is unreal! I don’t mean to be dramatic but this has got to be one of the best shimmers that they’ve done. It has a foil-like texture in that it feels so silky smooth and almost looks wet when applied. I would buy this shade as a single over and over again!

2nd Row Swatches

Petrify – Matte brown with purple undertones – This shade is another quirky one. It’s not quite a purple and it’s not quite a brown, it’s somewhere in-between! It works perfectly in this palette and can definitely be used to create smoky eye looks. It works so beautifully with “Demonic” and “Phobia”.

Phobia – Purple-red duochrome pressed glitter – Here we have another gorgeous pressed glitter! Don’t expect it to be immediately blinding, it will take some patience to build up on its own. I personally think it’s much easier to work with pressed glitters on top of a primer and other eyeshadows. I love that when it catches the light, the red really shows. It’s such a great shade for this time of year.

Creepy – Silver shimmer – This is another unbelievably pigmented shimmer shade. It’s absolutely gorgeous! Imagine this being at the centre of a halo eye look. Good grief.

Monster – Burnt orange – This is the perfect autumnal shade. It’s serving me all kinds of orange/red eye makeup look inspiration! I have absolutely loved using this as one of my day-to-day eyeshadows over the last few of weeks. I have green eyes so anything orange makes them pop! It’s a pressed pigment so the formula is slightly more stubborn to work with compared to the rest of the mattes in the palette. This isn’t an issue for me as it’s still so easy to build and blend.

Phantom – Pearly white shimmer – I thought this was going to be a pressed glitter when I touched it as it just didn’t feel as smooth and buttery as the other shadows in the palette. It turns out that it’s not! It’s actually a shimmer and it’s super pigmented! This is another shade that will look beautiful as an inner corner highlight!

Creak – Copper brown shimmer – Another perfect shade for this season! I can imagine all of the gorgeous soft glam looks that people will be creating with this shade! It’s literally Autumn in a square. If you love the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette, this shade will be right up your street!

3RD ROW SWATCHES

Nightmare – Matte black – Excuse me Makeup Revolution, since when did you nail the matte black formula? I cannot believe how pigmented this shade is! I’m so used to swatching black eyeshadows only to find them really patchy or chalky. This is such a staple for a Halloween palette. I can see lots of people using it to create dramatic smoky looks too! I’ve been wearing it along my lower lash-line and my eyes have never looked bigger or brighter!

Psycho – Silver shimmer – Mindblown! This is such an amazing shade. Everybody needs a pigmented gold shimmer in their collection and here you have the perfect example! It’s not too orange and not too cool-toned . – it’s perfect. This is another shade that I would stock up on if it was available as a single pan!

Terror – Matte warm chocolate brown – This is another staple for any makeup lover. So many looks can be created using a chocolate brown shade; soft glam, smoky eyes, natural every day looks – the list goes on! It’s smooth, pigmented and goes so well with so many other shades in the palette.

Lucifer – Matte bright orange – The perfect pumpkin orange! Despite how bright it is, this shade really works with the theme of the palette. It’s the perfect transition shade to use with “Terror” or “Monster”. It has the same velvety formula as the other mattes in the palette.

Undead – Light brown shimmer – I love this shade! It’s not warm-toned like most of the other shimmers in the palette so it transitions nicely into some silvers and whites like “Creepy” and “Phantom”. It’s nice to see some less “in your face” shimmers here too because not everyone wants to go crazy with their lids!

Buried Alive – Red-copper shimmer – This shade is out of this world. The pigmentation of it literally made me gasp out loud. I’m so impressed with this one! I’ve been wearing this in the outer corners of my eyes with “Terror” and “Monster” and it never fails to impress! So many people have asked me what I’m wearing and it’s this marvellous creation right here!

WHAT DO I THINK?

I can’t actually think of anything that I dislike about this palette. Firstly, for £10 you’re getting a palette that looks and feels at twice the price. I love the colour scheme. At first the bright pops of colour didn’t make sense but after swatching them, I can imagine people creating some incredible Halloween makeup looks with them. The rest of the palette is absolutely perfect for Autumn too, there’s every shade you could possibly need to create a warm smoky eye. If you’re into your reds, browns and purples this is definitely the palette for you. The formula of the matte shades has absolutely blown me away. I was not expecting them to be so pigmented. Honestly, it feels like I’m working with a high-end palette. The shimmers and the duochromes are equally as beautiful and they work even better with a good primer and a wet brush. The packaging is gorgeous too. The design is so original and I think it will be really popular amongst the Halloween lovers! It also feels like a high quality palette as it’s not made from cheap and flimsy plastic.

Get the Makeup Revolution Forever Flawless Haunted House Palette here

Let me know what you think of this palette in the comments! Don’t forget to follow my socials – come and say hey!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY GLOSSYBOX

GLOSSYBOX OCTOBER 2019: DEVIL – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! The weeks are flying by – I don’t know whether to feel excited or stressed about that?! Either way, it means that it’s time for another Glossybox review! Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Glossybox actually is, how much it costs and all that jazz below! If you already know all of this, feel free to carry on scrolling. 

*This post contains affiliate links

About Glossybox:

Glossybox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beautifully wrapped boxes containing 5 surprise beauty products. Every box will feature brand new products as well as some cult favourites. Glossybox is fantastic for being able to discover and find out more about new brand and products. There are also lots of benefits from being a member of the Glossyboz community. For example, by participating in suverys and referring friends, subscribers can earn GLOSSYCREDITS to spend on beauty treats. The Glossybox monthly subscription plans start from £10 and there are 3, 6 and 12 month options to choose from. You can create and edit your beauty profile to ensure that you receive products that are best suited to your skin/hair type and perosnal preferences. The boxes are beautifully packagaed, it’s genuinely like receieving a present in the post.

Sign up to Glossybox here (affiliate link)

This month’s box is all about embracing both our angellic and devillish sides. I receieved the ‘Devil’ edit and I couldn’t be happier about it. The sassy packaging and the darker makeup is right up my street. I have dark features so they usually tend to suit me more than pastels and lighter shades do. All of the items in this month’s box are full size which I love. Also, the box itself looks incredible. It was literally like opening a present! I really feel like I’m getting my money’s worth wiht Glossybox.

STYLondon – Velvet Touch Devil Palette – RRP £15

The Devil Palette from STYLondon is basically Autumn in a grid. These colours are absolutely perfect for this time of year. I’ve actually never heard of this brand before, but they’re cruelty free which is always great! The formula of the powders was something I was really impressed with. All of the shades were beautifully soft and easy to apply. They were silky smootth and velvet to the touch (clue’s in the name I guess). I was also extremely impressed how pigmented this palette was. The one thing that I’m not a huge fan of is the packaging. It looks a bit basic and cheap. It has the potential to look absolutely gorgeous but right now I’m just not feeling it. I know it’s mostly what’s inside that counts but sometimes the packaging can really make a difference to the overall feel of a product.

Lord & Berry – Maximatte Lipstick Crayon “Devil Red” – RRP £15

I’ve receieved a lot of Lord & Berry products in various beauty subscription boxes and I’ve only got positive things to say! I was delighted to find the Maximatte Lipstick Crayon in the shade “Devil Red”. It’s at this time of year that I star whipping out all the darker shades in my lipstick collection. I just feel like you can’t go wrong with some red lippy throughout Autumn and Winter. This is such a beautiful rich shade of red. I love that the finish is matte. I actually only trust red lipstick with a matte finishes, otherwise throughout the day they’re justs so high maintenance. Not to mention after a sip of coffee, I look like an extra from The Vampire Diaries. I love that I can also use this lippy as a liner too! It means I don’tt have to carry multiple products around at once. Yes please!

Bubble T Cosmetics – Devil’s Dust Foaming Bath Powder – RRP £4.99

Now I love anything that can make my bath experience that little bit more extra and luxurious. That’s why I practically squealed when I saw the Bubble T Cosmetics Foaming Bath Powder in the October Glossybox. Scented with hibiscus & acai berry tea, this powder smells like absolutely amazing. The whole bathroom smelt like a fruit smoothie and my skin was left smelling even better. I did notice that although it claims to have a foaming formula, I didn’t see many bubbles appearing after I’d poured it into the tub. However, just because the scent was unreal, I will definitetly be purchasing some more sachets of this stuff!

MCoBeauty – Black Eye Define Crayon Liner – RRP £15

This is another brand that I’ve never heard of but I’m glad to have discovered them through Glossybox. They’re actually working with Love Island Australia, which I’m completetly hooked on at the moment. Anyone else? The Black Eye Define Crayon Liner is perfect for me as I flipping love gel forumulas. They’re so velvety and easy to work with! This liner is so beautifully creamy and easy to apply. The pigment is also out of this world, we don’t want patchy liner over here thank you very much. Can we also talk about the fact that it’s got an in-built sharpener? Why is this not a thing that all brands are doing? I think that’s such a fabulous idea. I’m quite a perfectionist when it comes to lining my eyes so I love how precise I can be with this product.

Que Bella Beauty – Plumping Gold Peel off Mask – RRP £2.49

So we all know that here on Nina Louise Law, face masks are something of an obsession. I just can’t get enough of them! Obviously I was over the moon to find the Que Bella Beauty Plumping Gold Peel off Mask inside my October Glossybox! I love skincare that offers plumping and brightening results. This mask is moisutirsing and conditioning because it’s enriched with sodium hyaluronate and organic rose water. It also contains real gold powder – not sure what this does but it makes me feel fancy so I’m cool with that. I like the fact that it’s peel off too. I really feel like that helps to remove dead skin cells and leaves my skin looking and feeling fresh! I will absolutely be purchasing some more of these.

Whittard of Chelsea – Sticky Toffee Pudding White Hot Chocolate

As an extra treat, us Glossies receieved a sachet of Whittard of Chelsea’s Sticky Toffee Pudding White Hot Chocolate. I cannot even begin to explain how good this stuff was, I was actually in shock for a while after my first sip. I didn’t even know flavours like this existed? Upon doing some research, I also found that they do some other crazy flavours; Peanut Butter, Raspberry Ripple and Rocky Road – no you aren’t dreaming. I will definitely be making an order very soon as I simply have to give some of those a try.

Overall, I’m really pleased with this month’s box! We received five full size beauty products that, together, are worth £54.48 which I think is pretty good value. I’ve known beauty boxes have a higher value than that but at the same time, Glossybox go the extra mile. For a beautifully packaged box that contains five products, all of which are full size plus a special treat, that’s already worth a lot to me! Are you subscribed to Glossybox or any other beauty boxes? Let me know in the comments!

Sign up to Glossybox here (affiliate link)

N xxxx

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BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX OCTOBER 2019: REACH FOR THE STARS – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’ve been at my boyfriend’s for the last few days and we’ve been absolutely hooked on Prison Break. I cannot believe I’ve never watched it before! Apparently I’m not allowed to watch it unless we’re together so it’s going to be a while until my next hit. However, I came back home to a lovely little Birchbox which I am definitely allowed to enjoy by myself! I cannot wait to share this one with you as it might just be one of my favourite boxes. Ever. Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much it costs and all that jazz below! If you already know all of this, feel free to carry on scrolling. 

*This post contains affiliate links

About Birchbox:

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for years and I still look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve been sent because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too!

Get £5 off your first Birchbox with this link or just use the code: “Nina Louise” at checkout! (affiliate link)

This month’s box is about pushing yourself you be the best version of yourself. Since coming back from university I have felt like I’m stuck in a bit of a rut. I feel like I’m disappointing people because I haven’t gone straight into a swanky new job and I just miss university life and the routine that came with it. I’ve written all about graduation and post-graduation, so check out this post if you want to know more about my experience. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve really been trying to push myself to achieve something every day, big or small. It’s like this month’s theme was made for me! The packaging is beautiful. I absolutely love the glossy gold stars and moons against the dark blue background. I think this will be a really popular box design with the Birchbox subscribers. Let’s take a look at what’s inside, shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

Ciaté London – Fierce Flicks Eyeliner – RRP £15

I go through phases with black eyeliner and I’m currently obsessed with it. I’ve been absolutely rinsing my stash so I was actually on the lookout for a new one. I normally go for paintbrush style liners but The Fierce Flicks Eyeliner is more of a felt tip style – which is also a style that I’ve used before. The first time I wore this I was absolutely stunned – it literally did not budge. I tried smudging it with my fingers and still, nothing! I have to admit, I do prefer to use something slightly finer but that’s just my preference. It is still possible to create fine lines if you just use the tip of the pen. It’s also jet-black and ultra pigmented so it doesn’t look patchy whatsoever and I don’t have to layer it up. Overall, I think this is a really great eyeliner and I will use it, I just think I’m quite picky when it comes to the style of liner that I use.

Vitamasques – Evening Goggle Eye Mask – RRP £5.99

Now, I flipping love a mask of any kind so I was buzzing to find The Vitamaques Evening Goggle Eye Mask inside my October box. My job means that I spend most days staring at a screen and sometimes that can really take its toll. I’ll end up with aching eyes or migraines in the evenings and that’s where this mask has been a game changer. It contains centella (apparently an amazing healer), amino acids (to strengthen skin) and hylauronic acid (deep hydration). I put this on whilst I was in the bath and it made such a difference. It was very relaxing and my eyes felt better than ever afterwards. I think it just helped to relieve the stress and tension that had clearly been building for a long time. I am a huge fan of this product!

This Works – In Transit Camera Close-Up – RRP £32

I already have a lot of love for this brand and own a lot of their products, but nevertheless, I still enjoy receiving things from them in my Birchbox every now and again. The In Transit Camera Close-Up is a real multi-tasker. It can be used as either as a mask, moisturiser and a primer. Three in one! I tried this out as a primer and within minutes, any redness was reduced and my face looked fresh and bright. There was definitely an airbrushing effect after I’d used it. I love the idea of a product being designed for close-up inspection, not today pores! I’m not the biggest fan of the price tag but then again, the clue is in the name, this stuff works.

GLOV – Moon Pad – RRP £8.90

I was extremely excited to see this inside my October Birchbox. Personally, I barely ever used cotton pads anyway as I tend to use reusable cloths instead. Throughout the year, lots of brands have launched reusable makeup remover pads, which I think is an amazing idea! The reason they’re doing this is that most cotton pads are not biodegradable and are terrible for the environment. One Moon Pad replaces over 400 single-use cotton pads. GLOV also chose some powerful words on their packaging “It’s just 1 pack of cotton pads. Said 7 billion people.” Imagine if everyone were to start using these? It still gets rid of all of my makeup and any dirt or impurities and yet it’s miles better for the environment. Also, you get 5 in a pack for £8.90 which is amazing value! It’s a big yes from me.

Philip Kingsley – Body Building Volumising Shampoo – £19.50

I’ve been using the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer for years and I love it so I had high hopes for the Body Building Volumising Shampoo! It contains cellulose and keratin proteins to help strengthen and condition hair. It even thickens the appearance of each strand! I can imagine that this will be popular with people who have thin or thinning hair. After I used this, my hair was left feeling beautifully soft and smelling amazing. It also gave me some great volume too which is what I was hoping for. My hair looked much fuller and healthier – both of which are always what I’m after when it comes to haircare.

I’m so happy with this box. I think this has got to be my favourite so far! The design is beautiful, the theme is perfect and the products are all fabulous! The value of the products inside the box, altogether, comes to £81.39. I think thats great value! Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beauty boxes? Let me know in the comments. 

Get £5 off your first Birchbox with this link or just use the code: “Nina Louise” at checkout! (affiliate link). You can also get a free MAC mascara with the code: “MAC” at checkout!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY HAIR

MY CURRENT FAVOURITE HAIR PRODUCTS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today’s post is all about hair products. I have to admit, up until halfway through university I pretty much ignored the whole haircare thing. Obviously, I washed it regularly and occasionally spritzed it with heat protectant when I remembered. Other than that, I barely knew anything about how to look after it properly and I very rarely invested in new hair products. One afternoon I was doing my usual lap of my local TK Maxx when I realised that they weren’t just selling shampoos and conditioner. There were hundreds of serums, masks, sprays and treatments too! I grabbed a few bits to get me started and since then, I’ve never looked back!

I thought it would be a nice idea to share my current favourite hair products with you! As usual, if you have any suggestions, go ahead and tell me in the comments – I love hearing about your favourites too! I’ve also written a post about some of my favourite face masks – check that out too!

*This post contains gifted products and affiliate links

Herbal Essences – Daily Detox Conditioners

I usually try be as sensible as possible with shampoo and conditioner and go for products that actually work and don’t just smell good . These do both! They smell absolutely incredible and they keep my hair really healthy. The Crimson Orange & Mint conditioner works on making your hair look fuller whilst the Golden Raspberry & Mint conditioner works on giving your hair a deep cleanse. I also use the shampoos in the range too and my hair has never looked or felt better!

This hair mask was gifted to me

Lee Stafford – Cactus Crush MUCHo Moisture Mask*

I love a hair mask but this has got to be one of the best that I’ve tried. The Lee Stafford MUCHo Moisture Mask provides “instant and long lasting hydration to quench hair’s thirst”. I like to curl and straighten my hair a lot which means the ends of my hair can often feel quite dry. This mask has not only helped my split ends but it has made all of my hair look glossy and healthy again! It’s the perfect mask for anyone that wants to give their hair the moisture boost that it needs.

Schwarzkopf – Gliss Shine Tonic

The Schwarzkopf Shine Tonic has been one of my favourite hair products for a couple of years now. It’s basically a spray that adds a shimmering shine to your hair in just one spritz. I like to use it right after I’ve straightened my hair to give it a sleek and shiny finish. It literally completes the look for me. I don’t go anywhere without this stuff! Also, it smells amazing too.

Pantene: Repair and Protect

The Panetene Repair and Protect Dry Oil was something I discovered earlier this year. I’d heard a bit about hair oils before, but I just couldn’t shake the whole greasy strands thing from my mind (thanks but no thanks). That was certainly enough to put me off for a while. However, after I’d done some research, I realised that some oils don’t actually leave any residue. I decided to invest in this little bottle of goodness and I’m so glad I did! I apply three pumps of oil to the middle of my hair down to my roots. It dries without a trace! No stickiness whatsoever! My hair looks so much healthier which is absolutely down to this stuff.

This spray was gifted to me

Lee Stafford – Cactus Crush THirsty SPRay

The Lee Stafford THirsty SPRay has been a real saviour for my hair. As I’ve mentioned, I use a lot of heated tools so I’m always looking for products to keep the ends of my hair hydrated. This spray contains cactus, wild lime and kalahari melon oil to give hair a moisture boost and that, it absolutely does! My hair no longer looks dehydrated thanks to this stuff. It made for the perfect holiday companion after my hair had been exposed to a lot of chlorine and sunshine. It’s also really lightweight and can be applied to wet hair – no oiliness. It also smells absolutely flipping delicious. You know those products that you can still smell hours later? This is one of those!

What are your favourite hair products? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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Categories
LIFE

3 PODCASTS TO MAKE YOU LAUGH OUT LOUD

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Since I’ve come back from university, I’ve been struggling a bit with figuring out how best to spend my time. I’ve got a LOT of tidying and organising to do, I need to build on my social life a bit more and also keep my blog and social media up and running. When I think about everything that I need to do, it’s hard to stay motivated so I’ve been looking for ways to keep upbeat and motivated whilst I’m tackling these tasks. I’ve always enjoyed listening to podcasts whilst I go about my day as they can be playing in the background and I can crack on with other things in the meantime. I’ve been particularly loving and appreciating the funnier podcasts out there recently and I thought I would share a list of my favourites with you!

I’ve actually written a post about some of my favourite podcasts here if you’re interested!

Image Source: http://www.mydadwroteaporno.com

My Dad Wrote a Porno

Oh my god this is so funny. I don’t think I’d ever experienced a full on laughing fit on my own before I’d listened to this. It often has me wheezing in public and crying with laughter on public transport. It’s just flipping brilliant. I’ve actually already mentioned this particular podcast before on my blog (here) which has in fact (claim to fame) been praised by the porno author himself! The podcast features a guy called Jamie Morton, who’s father (pen name being Rocky Flintstone) happens to have written a porno series called Belinda Blinked (totally normal). He sits down with his friends Alice Levine and James Cooper and they read and analyse a chapter of the porno every week. The writing itself is hilariously bad, but the content will have you in pain from laughing so hard. They often have celebrities as guests on the podcast, including Elijah Wood, Daisy Ridley and Michael Sheen. Take my word for it, it’s the funniest podcast out there.

Image Source: https://chrisramseycomedy.com/podcast

Sh**ged, Married, Annoyed

This is just brilliant and I’m actually listening to it whilst I’m writing this! It features Chris and Rosie Ramsey, the most down to earth couple ever. Every week, they discuss the things that they find most annoying about each other, the pains of parenting and they answer questions from the public and from celebrities too! It’s just so human and relatable. This podcast is my favourite thing to listen to when I’m cleaning or when I’m getting things done around the house. It’s SO good and has me laughing like a weirdo to myself every week. They both have those kind of laughs that are incredibly contagious and you cannot help but start cackling along too. Chris is currently on Strictly Come Dancing too!

Image Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com

No Such Thing as a Fish

If you love the comedy show Qi, you will absolutely LOVE this podcast. Every week, the writers from the show all sit down together to share the best facts they’ve found out. Of course, just like the show, there’s no shortage of witty banter here. Not only do I love this podcast because it’s funny but I love that I actually learn something from each episode! I doubt I can use most of these facts in daily conversation but that’s besides the point… you never know when you’ll need to let someone know that in the time it takes to listen to the Proclaimers’ I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), the International Space Station travels 500 miles, then 500 more. Pub quizzes I’m coming for you…

What podcasts do you listen to? Have you listened to any of these before? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY SKINCARE

FOREVER LIVING – SONYA DAILY SKINCARE SYSTEM*

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Over the last couple of days I’ve been having a. massive sort out of my bedroom so I’m currently perched in the tiniest square of space left on my bed (the rest is beneath piles of clothes and god knows what). I was kindly gifted the Sonya Daily Skincare Kit from Forever Living UK which launched last year so I’m really excited to share the products with you and tell you what I think!

*This post contains gifted products

The Forever UK Sonya Daily Skincare System, retailing at £82.84, was designed specifically for those with combination skin, even claiming that “combination skin has met its match”. I would say that I have combination skin as it doesn’t ever seem to fit into a specific category so I was immediately keen to see how this system would work for me. The bag includes four products; a gel cleanser, a soothing gel moisturiser, an illuminating gel and a refining gel mask, all of which contain a high concentration of Aloe and other moisturising ingredients. I’ve always liked gel products as they often feel lightweight and refreshing on the skin. Aloe Vera is known and used for its ability to moisturise and soothe the skin. During these summer months, I like to keep my skin hydrated so anything with those properties appeals to me a lot at this time of year!

Sonya Refreshing Gel Cleanser

The Sonya Refreshing Gel Cleanser features Aloe Vera and Baobab oil to moisturise and soothe skin. It also contains apple amino acids to support combination skin and acacia concinna fruit extract to wash away dead cells, dirt and makeup. It doesn’t have a particularly pleasant scent, it just smells very clean and fresh. The cleanser itself is so gentle on the skin, my skin is always left feeling very soft. I like using this first thing in the morning as it really wakes me up and preps my skin for the day.

Sonya Illuminating Gel

The Sonya Illuminating Gel was immediately the product that I was the most excited about. It ultimately helps to keep skin looking younger, more even and radiant – yes please! It features liquorice root and algae to even skin tone and reduce the appearance of age spots, red clover flower extract reduces the appearance of pores and five Asian botanicals to even out skin tone by softening and smoothing the complexion. Again, the scent is nothing special but seems to be slightly stronger than the cleanser. I was worried that it would leave my skin feeling tacky or sticky but it’s actually really quick-absorbing! Although I haven’t noticed anything particularly more “even” in my skin’s overall appearance, it definitely leaves me glowing.I like to use this before I apply my makeup as it gives my skin a lovely and natural radiance that provides the perfect base for my foundation. 

Sonya Refining Gel Mask

The Sonya Refining Gel Mask is an overnight mask (I love these) thats controls oil, moisturises and brightens the appearance of the skin – all whilst you sleep! It’s infused with carrot seed oil, basil oil, artemisia pallens flower oil and soybean oil (all the oils!) and also features apple fruit extract and clover flower extract which both moisturise the skin. Finally, it contains  Korean bamboo extract and liquorice root extract, which together, help the skin to soften and glow. A miracle in a tube? I have definitely noticed that my skin doesn’t look as dull since I started using this mask. I like the fact that it absorbs quickly as I hate going to bed feeling like my face is going to stick to my pillow! I really like this product and I can see myself using it every week for the rest of summer! 

Sonya Soothing Gel Moisturiser

The Sonya Soothing Gel Moisturiser uses powerful and moisturising ingredients to hydrate and soften the skin. I’ve been using this every evening and I have definitely noticed a difference when I wake up in the morning. My skin feels so fresh and so much softer! I like that it dries quickly as I really don’t like it when products leave my skin feeling greasy or oily. It gives me that “dewy” look that I love during the summer months. Overall, my skin looks healthier after using it.

Have you tried any of the Forever Living Products? What did you think? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY SKINCARE

BEAUTY PAPIER: DAISY TONER

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Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m just about ready to relax this weekend after a really busy week. I’ve been blogging all day every day and I finally feel much more on top of things now! I’m back with another review and this time I’m reviewing one of the coolest skincare products that I’ve ever seen; Beauty Papier’s Daisy Toner.

Beauty Papier, are a fairly new-ish brand that uses lots of natural ingredients to bring luxurious products to our skin. They currently only have two products available to purchase on their website; the Daisy Toner and Blotting paper so I’m really excited to see what else they come up with!

The Daisy Toner (200g) retails at £25, which is rather pricey, especially for what could potentially be a daily product. However, it is fancier than your average toner and it definitely feels more luxurious. Inspired by traditional herbal medicine, the Daisy Toner is infused with real chrysanthemum flowers. I love how you can literally see the ingredients floating around inside the bottle, it looks so natural and delicate. The petals have infused the toner with the most gorgeous and refreshing scent – it literally smells like a breath of fresh air in there.

The Daisy Toner purifies, hydrates and softens skin without having any drying effects. I hate skincare that dries out my skin so this product quickly became a favourite of mine. The toner can be used both morning and evening, however, I like to use mine first thing as it really wakes me up and preps my skin for the day. It’s also alcohol and paraben free.

Let’s talk results because I have definitely noticed a big difference. My skin looks brighter and feels softer. I’m currently doing everything I can to keep my skin hydrated, especially since we’re transitioning into a colder season. I don’t want my tan to go anywhere fast either! This toner has helped so much when it comes to hydration. It’s kept my skin glowing for weeks! It’s not just me that’s noticing a difference either, I’ve even received a few compliments about how good my skin looks. I will definitely be using this more often!

CHECK OUT THE TONER HERE

Overall, I think this is a great toner. It hydrates, it brightens and it softens the skin all whilst smelling incredible too. It’s very natural and free from alcohol and parabens. The only issue I have is with the price. However, I understand that it’s a rather quirky and luxurious product so I wouldn’t expect it to be cheap. If you have the budget for it, it’s worth trying! If not, there are so many different toners out there that you can also put to the test. My current favourite is the infamous Pixi Glow Tonic, which I’ve reviewed here! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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MONTHLY FAVOURITES

AUGUST 2019 FAVOURITES

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m still stunned that summer is almost over. It feels like it took forever to get here and now it’s already coming to an end! Since moving back home, I’ve been working hard on lots of new content for my blog and for instagram – don’t forget to follow me over there too! You can find all my social media linked at the end of every blog post. I’m back with another favourites post for you and I’ve included a real variety of things this month – makeup, clothes, skincare, a game (I know) and a TV series. Let’s take a look at what I’ve included, shall we?

*This post contains affiliate links and gifted items

Reflex Light Palette – Pixi

I’ve already written about this palette here, so I won’t go into too much detail. This palette is amazing! At first I wasn’t sure about an entire palette of just shimmer shades, and then I swatched them. These are potentially the most pigmented shimmers I’ve ever used. This is the kind of product that makes you do a double take when you use it. Also, when I wear any of the shades, people always ask me what I’ve got on my eyes so I can’t be the only one that’s mindblown by them. I cannot recommend this palette enough.

CYCLING-STYLE SHORTS

I honestly never thought I would jump on the whole cycling shorts bandwagon but here I am. In fact I’ve leapt and I am now fully on board and here’s why. I’m a baggy t-shirt kind of girl and these shorts go perfectly with anything oversized, longline or baggy. They’re so comfy and given that they’re also black, they go with just about everything. I’ve paired them with crop tops too and they actually look really cute! On a more nerdy note, they’re actually really practical (don’t laugh at me). When my boyfriend and I went to Paris during that ungodly heatwave in July, I literally wore cycling shorts every day. I even wore them to Disneyland because I knew they would be the comfiest option plus they kept me cool! I highly recommend grabbing a pair if you’re unsure. These were £1.50 in Primark!

P.S. I’ve written an entire post about this entire outfit as part of my new “Updating My Wardrobe” series here!

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask – The Body Shop

Since going on holiday, my skin has improved a lot and I feel a lot more confident without makeup. However, this doesn’t mean that I’m not still battling with the occasional blemish. The trouble with a lot of anti-blemish skincare is that it can be quite drying and during the summer, that is not something that my skin needs. This tea tree mask is amazing at targeting spots whilst also not drying my skin out – the perfect combination! It stops my spots getting angry or irritated and usually they’re gone the next day.

Bye-Bye Miss American Dry Moisturiser – Anatomicals

I’ve spent a lot of time in the sun this summer, particularly when I went to Paris during their record breaking heatwave (it reached the mid 40s) and then again in Spain where of course, it was also very scorchio (The Fast Show should have taught you that reference). Since arriving back in the UK, I’m doing my best to keep my skin hydrated and moisturised at all times as firstly, I need this tan for as long as possible and secondly, it definitely needs some TLC after catching all of those rays. This moisturiser from Anatomicals is one of my absolute favourite body care products. It smells of cherries (one of my favourite scents) but it also sinks in really quickly without leaving me feeling sticky for the rest of the day. You also get a lot (200ml) in one tube so it lasts such a long time!

Disney Magic Kingdoms

Yes I might be 21 and sharing a game in my monthly favourites but I’m okay with that! I went to Disneyland last month with my boyfriend and once we’d come home, it felt like I’d just dreamt it all and none of it had actually happened. In an attempt to stop the withdrawal symptoms, I downloaded the Disney Magic Kingdoms game and have been totally addicted ever since. When I say “addicted” I mean I spend hours on it! Basically the aim is to create your own little park by unlocking characters and completing quests. It’s surprisingly entertaining!

Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser – Superdrug

I’ve already written a blog post on this skincare range (check it out here) so I’ll keep it short and sweet. This is one of the best cleansers I own. It smells like a spa day, it feels soft and gentle and it takes my makeup off in seconds. I don’t use makeup wipes because they just made my skin worse and they’re also terrible for the environment as they’re not biodegradable. I switched to using cleansers and it’s been a total game changer. My skin barely has any breakouts anymore and it looks so much better than it did before I started using this product. I’ve been using it a lot this summer as it’s so hydrating and literally leaves my skin glowing. I love it!

Image source: Netflix.com

13 Reasons Why – Season 3

I know this is a controversial series. Some say it’s too triggering and some say it needs to be seen and heard. I actually agree with the latter. Personally, there’s a lot in this series that I can relate to and that makes some scenes quite difficult to view but I think I would rather see a TV series exploring these issues than ignoring them. The series always has trigger warnings and they’ve even created a website where viewers can find local resources and helplines. They even have a mini series called “Beyond The Reasons” which allows the cast and the team behind the series to explain why they made certain creative decisions as well as discussing their own feelings on the themes explored within the show. I’m really enjoying it and I think they’ve made a lot of effort to keep a very important conversation going, as well as remaining sensitive and responsible with their content.

The cast are incredible, given that most of them are young adults playing extremely intense roles. When they’re being interviewed, you can see just how invested they are in their roles. Some of them deliver such powerful and convincing performances that, as a viewer, I often wonder if they have actually been through something similar to their character. It’s just a very real and gritty series that I think lots of people needed. I’m just so impressed with the whole thing.

What have your favourite things been this month? I’d love to hear about them so let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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"UPDATING MY WARDROBE" SERIES FASHION

UPDATING MY WARDROBE: CYCLING SHORTS & DALMATIAN PRINT

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Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m back with a new fashion post today and I’m finally confessing my love for cycling shorts as well as sharing a new animal print favourite with you!

*This post contains gifted items and affiliate links

When I finally invested in some of those cycling-style shorts (Primark, £1.50 not see through, thank me later) that every influencer and their mum is successfully styling out – I started to panic. What tops I could wear with them? I didn’t want to whip out my sports bra and crop tops and look like an extra for the Call On Me video. I’m not a huge fan of flashing the old groin out in public (under clothes, obviously) – I don’t think I’m cool enough to pull off that crop top and cycling shorts gym girl look, you know? Anyway, so I was about to return the shorts when I remembered the other 90% of my wardrobe (oversized t-shirts and sweatshirts) were also options worth considering. Problem solved! These shorts go so well with longline t-shirts and jumpers – the perfect summer to autumn transition outfit. Whack on a pair of chunky trainers and you’re good to go! Also, because Primark don’t sell their clothes online, I’ve tagged similar ones below!

I Saw It First – Black Cycling Shorts // Boohoo High – Rise Cycling Shorts // Stradivarius Legging Short

I’ve already written about my love for oversized t-shirts in my previous “Updating My Wardrobe” post but this one is different. Look at the print! I didn’t even think Dalmatian print had made it into the fashion world but I was so wrong. Apparently its been a thing for ages and I’ve just been living under a rock. I flipping LOVE it! it’s like polka dots but more satisfying. I love how well it goes with bright colours too (hence all of the red in this outfit). This particular top end gifted to me from I Saw it First and is currently £5 in the sale so, go and grab it whilst you can! It’s also available in black, grey, nude, white and sand. I’ve tagged them all below!

Dalmatian // Black // Grey // Nude // White // Sand

What do you think about the whole cycling short trend? Is Dalmatian print for you? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX AUGUST 2019: SUMMER LOVIN’ – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m currently enjoying my last day in Spain before coming back home and I know the holiday blues are waiting for me back at Gatwick. However, as much as I’ve had the nicest time relaxing, I’m also ready to get back to work and start blogging! Speaking of which, today I have a lovely new Birchbox review for you. Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much is costs and all that jazz below! If you already know all of this, feel free to carry on scrolling. 

About Birchbox –

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for years and I still look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve been sent because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too!

Get your Birchbox now! (affiliate link)

This month’s box is about all things summer; the warmth, the longer days and the contagious breezy cheeriness that comes with it. They couldn’t have picked a better design for this box, it really captures the vibrance of the season. It also gives me some strong Camden Market vibes, I love it! I’m glad we’ve gone back to the usual drawer design as I was not a fan of last month’s… I tend to find that summer beauty boxes can be quite hit and miss. For example, sometimes you can be sent something like fake tan (I don’t use it) or a garish shade of nail varnish that you’d rather burn than use. However, I thought I’d still give it a go so let’s see what’s inside shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

ModelCo – Mermaid Glow Highlighter (Full Size) – RRP £10

We’ve received a few ModelCo products and I’ve loved them all so far. I’m aware that they’re also becoming a bigger and better brand by the minute, frequently collaborating with supermodels and fashion icons such as Hailey Baldwin and Karl Lagerfeld. I did have high hopes for this product when I opened up my August box however, I’m not sure if it lives up to those expectations. I’m all for colourful makeup, but I’m just not feeling a rainbow highlighter. I would have preferred a single colour rather than this bold combination. In the swatches, you can see how it has a very cool undertone to it and I just think it looks really strange on the cheekbones. I don’t fancy looking a sickly shade of green all day nor do I want to look freezing cold and blue.

NUXE – Detoxifying and Glow Mask – RRP £19.50

I absolutely love NUXE as a brand. I’ve been using their skincare for years and I’m yet to be disappointed by anything. These guys create eco-friendly jars for their products to reduce their impact on the environment which spares almost 1,500 trees per year! We need more brands doing things like this please! I have a bit of a thing for face masks too – I’ve actually written a post called “5 Face Masks You Need in Your Life” so check that out if you’re mask obsessed like me! This Detoxifying and Glow mask from NUXE promises to purify and illuminate the skin. It features an interesting combination of rose and charcoal. I like to apply this when my skin is looking dull and lifeless to give it the boost that it needs. It leaves my skin looking smoother and brighter. It’s a yes from me!

Balance Me – Hyaluronic Plumping Mist – RRP £18

Balance Me are one of my favourite brands to use when I really want to treat myself – especially my skin! I didn’t even know this product existed in their range so I was really pleased to find it in my August Birchbox! This mist contains hyaluronic acid, which is known for its hydrating and reviving properties. It can be used under or over makeup (love that), leaving your skin looking brighter and healthier. I’ve definitely noticed a difference in how my skin looks, it’s plumper and so much more hydrated! I’ve been giving myself a spritz on holiday and it’s helped to cool my skin down and soothe it after days spent in the sun.

Anatomicals – Scrub Tropicana Coconut Body Scrub – RRP £1.50 (Full Size)

I’ve always had a bit of an obsession with Anatomicals. I’ve actually featured them in quite a few posts, most recently in my August Favourites! I love their packaging, I love their witty sense of humour and I love the scents of their products. This Coconut scrub is gentle but also effective in exfoliating and removing dead skin. It’s also really hydrating! My skin felt so soft and smooth after I used this for the first time, I will absolutely be purchasing this once I’ve run out!

Spectrum Collections – Marble Small Fan Brush MA10 (Full Size) – RRP £4.99

Firstly, I love Spectrum Collections, their brushes are pretty, fabulous and affordable. Now, I appreciate that our boxes are quite small and there are limits as to what will and won’t fit inside. There’s nothing wrong with the brush, it’s just I prefer normal sizes. Even on holiday, I’ve brought my normal makeup brushes with me and ironically left the “travel-friendly” ones back at home. Maybe I’m just being ultra-fussy but I’m just not a fan (pun unintended). Either way, the brush is still high quality and very pretty to look at. It’s great for applying highlighter precisely as it doesn’t pick up too much product. Yes, I would’ve preferred a bigger product but I can’t actually fault the brush itself!

Overall, I’m happy with the August box! I definitely would change the highlighter if possible and I would have gone for a larger makeup brush but when it comes to a subscription box – you never know what you’re going to get! I’m always prepared to receive something that I’m not a huge fan of. I do, however, love everything else! The skincare pieces are definitely the strongest products this month, especially when NUXE and Balance Me are involved! I know I will get lots of use out of these products and I will definitely be repurchasing some of them too. I was also impressed that we received 3 full size products this month! The value of the products inside the box, altogether comes to £53.99. We received a lot of budget-friendly things this month which explains why the total value is lower than usual. Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beaut boxes? Let me know in the comments. 

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box! Also, get a FREE full-size dusky pink Ofra Liquid Lipstick (worth £16!) with your box. Use code LAGUNA.

N xxxx

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LIFE

GRADUATION & LEAVING UNIVERSITY

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m still not quite over the fact that I’m officially a graduate now…how on earth did I manage that? I thought it would be a nice idea to document my experience with graduation and ultimately, leaving university life behind.

My final term at university seems like one big panicked blur now, as I look back on it. In total, I had 7 assessments including a presentation, my dissertation (gag) and three exams. Keeping it real here, that period of my life was such a low for me, it was extremely stressful. You know when you’ve been doing something for so long you don’t know what you used to do before that? Eat, sleep, work, repeat! The days kept slipping away and the deadlines loomed closer until finally, it was all go and it was time for the exams. Have you ever come out of an exam totally convinced that you’ve failed? One of mine went so badly that I actually started laughing halfway through it! There was no doubt in my mind that I had completely screwed it up. I remember coming out of university to meet my dad and my best friends and all I could do was cry and panic. I proceeded to get very drunk and tried not to think too much about how I was probably going to be repeating the year again…but apparently I thought wrong!

(Blog meet Katie, Katie meet Blog)

Weeks later, drunk in the back of a taxi, (classy, I know) I got my results and I had absolutely smashed it! I got a 2:1 in Psychology with Criminology and I had completed my degree. The relief that I felt that night was enough to make me dizzy (that could have been all of the gin too) and I remember crying my eyes out on the phone to my dad at 1am telling him that I would be graduating a few weeks later. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so proud of myself – I was on top of the world!

I woke up feeling sick with nerves for graduation, which is strange when you think about it…we were literally gathering to celebrate our achievements – why were nerves involved? To be honest I think a lot of it was to do with the thought of me tripping over on stage, which thankfully didn’t happen. I’ve actually written about my day over on my pal Becca’s blog if you fancy having a look. So once we’d tottered to campus in our heels, we collected our robes and I had to get that god awful monopoly board of a hat fitted onto my tiny pea head. Speaking of which, I had a spot on my forehead (the kind that deserves it’s own postcode) and so I asked if it could be adjusted a tiny bit so my concealer would not be disturbed. When I said “a tiny bit”, I don’t think they heard as they proceeded to scrape my fringe back and make it look as though I had a five-head. Cheers guys!

Typical Trent spoiling all the fun with that sign in the background

Everyone on my course sat together in the University Hall, cheering each other on and getting some last minute mortarboard faffing done. We were ushered row by row to go downstairs before walking on stage to shake hands with the vice chancellor. I panicked so much before I went on stage that instead of saying “thank you” all I could think of was “sorry” which was rather unfortunate but at least it gave us something to laugh about. I did manage to avoid stacking it or wobbling in my heels so I’m pretty chuffed with that! We all went to grab some Prosecco afterwards and said our final goodbyes to some pals and to some of our tutors and lecturers. My favourite part of the day was definitely getting lots of photos with my friends and family – especially trying to explain the concept of a boomerang to my Dad…

It’s not graduation without a few outtakes, is it?

Leaving university was bittersweet. On the one hand, I couldn’t wait to get out into the world and leave behind the stress of academic life but on the other hand, it was so sad to say goodbye to a city that I love and a home that I had made my own over the last two years. Despite struggling a lot at university, I’m actually really going to miss student life. I’ll miss my friends and being able to just go to the pub or go for a coffee whenever we wanted. I will definitely miss the spontaneity of everything, random nights out and plans made at the very last minute. I’ll miss living with my boyfriend and seeing him every day, as we’ve been living together for three years now! I’ll miss the hustle and bustle of city life and all of the shops and the restaurants.

It felt like I spent years dreaming of the day I would finally go to university and now, I’m finished with it and I’m back home in my bedroom reflecting upon it all. What now? I know that it’s totally normal to experience feeling a little lost and slightly empty after such a big life change, some even describe it as “post-university depression”. I don’t really know who I am when I’m not in education, working with a timetable towards deadlines. I’ve kind of forgotten how to live like a normal person doing normal things! I’m doing my best to figure it all out slowly and I’m taking each day as it comes. For now, I’m working really hard on my blog and on my social media.

Have you recently graduated? Are you about to start university? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi! Also, for those of you that are about to start university or you’re moving into a flat, look no further, I have a post featuring all of the bedroom essentials that you will need!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY SKINCARE

THE PIXI VITAMIN C RANGE*

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’ve been a busy little volunteering bee over the last few days so it was so lovely to come home one day to another gorgeous little package from the lovely Pixi Beauty! They kindly gifted me some of their latest releases from their new Vitamin C range. I can’t wait to show you everything and share my thoughts! If incase you’re Pixi crazy like me, you can read my review of their Glow range here!

*This post contains gifted products and affiliate links

I have to admit, until I tried this range, I had no idea how important Vitamin C was for our skin! Not only does it brighten our complexion but it softens and it boosts luminosity, leaving skin looking beautifully radiant! The range also claims to provide antioxidant protection and strengthening probiotics!

Vitamin-C Juice Cleanser (£18)

The Pixi Vitamin-C Juice Cleanser is so refreshing I can’t get enough of it. It promises to brighten and cleanse “with stable Vitamin C for potent antioxidant effect”. The texture of it is quite similar to their toners. It’s very watery so I definitely wouldn’t use it to remove my makeup as it doesn’t lather whatsoever. However, it’s perfect for a quick morning cleanse! I like to use this first thing as it makes my skin look so much more alive and ready for the day! I reckon this bottle will be completely empty by the end of summer…

Vitamin-C Tonic (£10)

Now we all know and love the Pixi toners, but the Vitamin-C Tonic has something new to bring to the table! It features probiotics to strengthen the skin’s barrier and willow bark and fruit extracts to gently exfoliate. It also corrects dark spots by brightening and balancing the complexion! I use this straight after the Vitamin-C Juice Cleanser and my skin has never loved me more for that winning combination! I look so much more energised and I have a glow that lasts all day, even underneath my makeup. It’s also nice to use this after cleansing in the evening to exfoliate my skin before bed and I no longer wake up with dull and lifeless skin. Yes please!

Vitamin-C Serum (£26)

The Vitamin-C Serum might just be my favourite product in the range! As well as containing Vitamin C, it also features ferulic acid. This amazing stuff helps to reduce the effects of sun damage, evening skin tone and refining texture – not to mention correcting dark spots too! I can see this being a real summer skincare staple. I’m taking no chances with my skin this year as I’m going on holiday soon and I want it to be as healthy and damage-free as possible! It will definitely be travelling with me. I love how lightweight the formula is! It’s not sticky and doesn’t leave my skin feeling tacky or gooey. I like to use this after cleansing and toning with my other Vitamin-C goodies first thing in the morning. My skin definitely looks much brighter and more balanced since using this serum. I will definitely be repurchasing!

Vitamin-C Lotion (£24)

The Vitamin-C Lotion is a moisturiser that aims to brighten and hydrate the skin to encourage a natural radiant glow. The lightweight and fast-absorbing formula is perfect for the hot weather as it’s easy and comfortable to wear. No stickiness or greasiness whatsoever! My skin always looks so much brighter after using this magical stuff. I’ve actually been wearing this on its own with no makeup and so many people have told me I’m glowing!

Vitamin-C Caviar Balm (£24)

The Vitamin-C Caviar Balm was the product that had me the most intrigued! The leave-on mask promises to “promote healthy collagen synthesis” and “enhance a lit-from within glow”. It’s also packed with antioxidants and amino acids to help keep skin hydrated and radiant, which sounds dreamy to me. On those days where my skin has needed a real moisture hit, this product gives it much needed boost. I’ve been using this on the days where my skin feels a bit hot from the sun and it works a charm. It’s so refreshing and cooling! This is definitely another summer skincare staple!

Overall, I really like the Pixi Vitamin C range. I think the Vitamin C range is absolutely perfect for summer as it keeps our skin moisturised and hydrated, as well as protected and balanced. Since I started using these products, my skin definitely looks much brighter. I’ve also found that this range has been really healing for my skin too. My blemishes are healing much quicker and I’m sure that’s down to the exfoliation that the tonic provides. It’s been so lovely using this on really hot days so there’s no doubt that these goodies will be going straight in my travel bag for when I go on holiday. I’m really pleased that they’re continuing to expand their skincare ranges as now, there’s something for everyone! I’m excited to see what they will bring out next…

What are your favourites? Have you tried this range yet? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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MAKEUP REVOLUTION: WILD ANIMAL COURAGE PALETTE REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’ve been doing a lot of volunteering over the last couple of weeks so I’ve been a busy bee but nothing can stop me throwing myself at a new Makeup Revolution launch! Today, I’m reviewing the Courage palette from the Wild Animal range. These really caught my eye because the packaging looks amazing but also the variety of shades included is amazing! I just knew I would get a lot out of these palettes so I may have purchased them all… at least that means you guys have three new reviews to read! I’ve included lots of photos and swatches to help you make your mind cup – be sure to let me know what you think in the comments!

*Some links in this post are affiliate links

PACKAGING & PRICE

This packaging for this palette is just gorgeous. It’s similar to their usual plastic style casing however it does feel very weighty and luxurious which I love. It just feels like a good quality palette and that’s before I’ve even opened it and seen the shades! Given that leopard print has made a comeback this year, it feels very fitting to have a whole palette kitted out in such a bold design. How much is it? The Courage Palette retails at £10 which such a great price for 18 eyeshadows. Where can you buy it? You can get hold of the Courage Palette from Makeup Revolution’s website itself or through Superdrug (which does student discount and has a point system too) or Beauty Bay!

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Makeup Revolution treated us to 13 shimmers and 5 mattes, as well as a massive mirror that takes up the other half of the palette! I’m kind of disappointed that the shades don’t have names as it makes life a whole lot easier, particularly as a blogger when it comes to reviewing and recommending shades. In terms of the colour scheme, this is the dreamiest of warm, bronze and golden palettes. I know it’s July but imagine using this in Autumn! It’s just so damn pretty. I’m a warm-toned kind of girl too so I can see myself using all of these shades – even that khaki one too!

1ST ROW SWATCHES

Given that the shades aren’t named (sigh), I can’t really talk you through them all in my usual style. However, I do have some favourites that I’ve just got to mention! In this row, the shimmer shades are so soft and smooth. The mattes are also very pigmented and easy to blend. I really like this formula. My favourites from this row are the second, third and fourth shades!

2ND ROW SWATCHES

This is definitely my favourite row in the palette, it’s like Autumn in six shades. The first four are mind-blowing, particularly that red/cherry one. It’s so pigmented it’s unbelievable. I cannot believe this is included in a £10 palette! The matte shade second from the bottom was ever so slightly patchy but I expect with a bit of bending and building it will look fine. The last gold shade is also absolutely gorgeous and it feels so buttery!

3RD ROW SWATCHES

This row is probably my least favourite. The matte shades are so pigmented, especially that first one! It’s a proper chocolatey brown and I really enjoy using shades like this to smoke out my makeup looks. It also looks makes such a difference when I apply this along the waterline too! My eyes look so much wider and greener. The third shade is gorgeous, it’s quite unique too as it’s a cool toned bronze with silver flecks in it and I don’t think I have a shade like it in my collection. I love the khaki shade here too as I really want to start using more greens in my makeup looks! I feel like khaki is a safe place to start as it’s not too in your face and I reckon I might be able to pull it off!

WHAT DO I THINK?

I think this is a great palette. It only costs £10 and you get 18 shades to play with. A majority of the shades included are shimmers but I’m glad they’ve included some mattes in there too as it means full looks can be created from just using the one palette and if you like to travel light, that makes a huge difference. If you’re into browns, coppers and burgundies, this is a palette that I’m sure you will enjoy. The formula of the shimmer shades is absolute madness – I honestly don’t know how they do it but I’m more than happy to pay this kind of price instead of the £40-£50 that some brands are asking for! The packaging hasn’t let me down either, it’s their usual style but the design and the gold exterior makes it look and feel so luxurious. There’s also a huge mirror included which always comes in handy.

In terms of what I don’t like, I have very little to say. I think one or two of the mattes could do with being a little less patchy but overall, they’re easy to build and blend so I’m not too bothered. I also would have liked the shades to have names as I find that easier as a blogger but also it’s just an extra detail that I often enjoy about palettes (maybe I’m weird).

Get the Makeup Revolution Wild Animal Courage Palette

Let me know what you think of this palette in the comments! Don’t forget to follow my socials – come and say hey!

N xxxx

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TESTING PRIMARK’S – ‘HYDRATE’ SETTING SPRAY

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! My review; “Testing Primark’s “Glow’ Setting Spray” has quickly become one of my most popular blog posts and so I figured I’d give the people what they want! Today, I’m going to be sharing my thoughts on their Hydrate setting spray. I’ve also reviewed their ‘Nudes‘ makeup range if you’re interested in seeing how their makeup performs too…

Since I put the Primark Glow spray to the test, I am a setting spray convert. I never used to believe in them, I thought they were more of a gimmick than anything else. Since then, I haven’t gone a day (when I’m wearing makeup) without giving my mug a spritz. In this new range, there’s three sprays to choose from; glow, hydrate and matte. This time, we’re giving Hydrate a closer look!

According to Primark, Hydrate is a setting spray infused with Rose Water, Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera. I don’t have dry skin so I wouldn’t say I need a really intense hydrating setting spray in my life, but then again, I cannot stand when my makeup goes cakey or looks dull. This spray sounds like the perfect combination – it’s not too much, it’s just enough. It claims to hold your makeup in place, whilst leaving your skin looking refreshed and hydrated. It retails at £4 for a 110ml bottle, which is amazing value. Unlike when I use some high-end setting sprays, I won’t have to worry about using it on a daily basis, as it’s not expensive to repurchase and replace. Again, the packaging is really simple, this time the bottle is an aqua green. It’s not glitz and glam but I mean, it was only £4. It’s still serving me some NARS vibes with that font though.

So, what do I think? I LOVE it! Firstly, it dries pretty quickly and my skin doesn’t feel sticky or look too shiny. My makeup looks so much more fresh and flawless because I think it absorbs any excess powder and gives my face the hydration that it needs. It smells so good too! It smells like sugar and sweets which is a lot nicer than those sprays that smell like chemicals. A little goes a long way as a lot of product is released with each pump. You definitely won’t need heaps and heaps which makes it perfect for those mornings where you need to spritz and sprint! Also, this is the perfect spray for those days where the weather is particularly drying. If I have to brace the cold winds outside, I always make sure I have this spray on me to give myself a pick me up once I’m back inside! I reckon it will also be extremely refreshing on a really hot day too, especially if you’re feeling all clammy and flustered (we’ve all been there don’t judge). I’m so glad that I picked this spray up because it’s just amazing. I’m going to have to stock up on it before it gets discontinued (please god no) or people read this and go and buy it all…

I can no longer justify spending nearly £20 on a bottle of setting spray when this one, priced at only £4, ticks every box for me. If I didn’t know where it was from, I’d have guessed a high-end brand, never Primark! I’m so impressed with it. It’s totally worth giving it a try and if it’s not for you, don’t forget there’s also two other sprays in the range; glow and matte. If you’d like me to review the matte spray, let me know and I’ll test it out! What do you think of setting sprays? Do you have any favourites? Have you tried Primark’s new range? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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