Author: Nina Louise

BEAUTY

PRIMARK ‘NUDES’ MAKEUP RANGE – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 2, 2018
18 Comments on PRIMARK ‘NUDES’ MAKEUP RANGE – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Hey you,

I’m back with another review of course but first can we just talk about this bloody weather? Why has it decided to snow all of a sudden? I was so excited about the sun coming out and now the Beast from the East has well and truly arrived. Nottingham has seen pretty much non-stop snow over the past few days and I think we’re all over it. Especially when I live at the top of a hill and need to get to uni most days. Anyway, with that rant over let’s get on with the review. Today, I’m going to be talking about one of Primark’s (many) new makeup ranges. I’ve always been a fan of their low priced clothing and great value for money homeware but they have only just started paying close attention to the trends within the beauty community. They’re just so on the ball with keeping up with the latest thing, I honestly don’t know how they do it and how they churn out so many products so fast! I popped into my local store last week and I was so impressed with how much their makeup ranges have improved.

I spotted their “Nudes” range straight away. Does it remind you of anything? Yep, there are some serious KKW/Yeezy S6 vibes up in here. If Primark are trying to dupe those ridiculously pricey products, I think it’s definitely worth taking a closer look as these could save us a lot of money! Who doesn’t want to save money when it comes to makeup? In terms of the packaging, they’ve ticked every box in my opinion. These nude and pinky tones are everywhere at the moment too so they did a pretty good job picking up on that. My bedroom at home is a mixture of pink and grey so anything nude fits right in – I’m super excited to add these bits to my collection.

2 x BLENDER SPONGES – £2

I have tried Primark’s beauty blenders/sponges before and I was so disappointed. It was kind of like smacking small rocks against your face which wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for. I noticed that there were some included within the “Nudes” range and I thought I would give them another shot. I was pleasantly surprised, I absolutely love these! They feel expensive – I know this sounds strange but they feel firm and well made (pretty much exactly like my actual Beauty Blender). I think these are such great value too at £2. I would happily pay £1 for a beauty blender every time I needed one as my usual sponges cost a fair bit to replace. I simply hold these under the tap and squeeze out any excess water before applying my foundation with them – they work just fine! I will definitely be buying more of these.

EYELASH CURLER £1.50

I’ve always kind of thought these things are a myth or a gimmick. Growing up, my best friend always used one every single day and swore by it but I just never really thought it would make a difference. You’ll have to excuse the state of my eyebrow but I just thought it was worth showing you the results. I’ve always had long eyelashes but they literally do NOTHING and it makes me want to cry, they just stay straight no matter what product I’m using. So somehow, my brain started working properly and I realised that eyelash curlers were the solution. These worked wonders on my lashes and actually made them do something for once. I’ve been using these every day since I bought them! Also, my lashes are still curled when I wake up so these must be doing a good job!

2 x TWEEZERS – £1.50

I know this is pretty boring but I was in dire need of some new tweezers. Last year I started using false eyelashes and I would use my regular tweezers to apply them and after a while they just got a bit sticky and clumpy and so they couldn’t be very accurate when I needed to sort my brows out (as you can see from above photo of my face hahah) I like that this pack includes average sized tweezers but also some more narrow-headed ones for more precision. Plus they’re pink and my old ones were boring and grey so yay!

MATTE LIQUID LIPSTICK & LIP LINER – THRILL SEEKER £3

NOPE. Straight up this disappointed me SO much. First of all, it’s super drying and it literally made my lips look and feel like shrivelled up prunes. Secondly, the lip liner broke off as soon as I got it out to swatch it, so I had to hold the tiny nib in my hand to try and get anything from it. Thirdly, I do not rate lip liners that aren’t pencils as you basically get zero product and if it breaks like mine did, there’s literally nothing you can do about it. Finally, the liquid lipstick dried a kind of brown/coral nude and not the pinky toned nude that it looked like it would be. It made me look so washed out. Also, it smelt of chemicals and didn’t have that typical toffee smell that most liquid lipsticks have. Overall, I’m very disappointed and Primark definitely need to work on the formulas of their lip kits.

MATTE EYE SHADOW PALETTE – £4

I was so impressed with this palette given it only retails at £4. It’s so beautifully packaged – very similar style to the Kylie Cosmetics 9 pan palettes. The colours are really pretty and elegant and they work well together, especially for Spring. I think the pigmentation of these shadows is so good, I didn’t have a single problem with blending them out and none of them were patchy. The only thing I will mention, is that the final shade I swatched (bottom right of palette) is supposed to be a purple, but no matter how many photos I took, the brown undertones took the limelight. I would really recommend trying this palette out as it’s not that different to those that I’ve spent more money on from higher-end brands. Well done Primark!

METALLIC EYE CREAM – ENCHANTED – £2

I love a good cream eyeshadow and I rarely find ones that I love, I tend to use Kiko’s cream shadows. However, I was really pleased with how this turned out. It’s pigmented, it’s creamy and easy to blend and it’s available in a few gorgeous shades. I love using this as a base for when I do halos or cut creases. I can’t wait to use this on holiday – it will look so pretty when it catches the light. I really recommend trying these out as they’re fab quality but also great size for your makeup bag.

BODY SHIMMER DUST – £4

YES. I am loving this product. It’s pretty much a luminous powder that blends out to add a gorgeous glow to your skin. It makes me look so much healthier and polished and I am obsessed with it. The packaging is so sleek and luxe too, it looks so much more expensive than it actually is. I also really love the little sponge/pad that it comes with as it’s so soft and works so well with the powder. You also get a huge amount (11g to be precise) of powder which will go A LONG way. I can’t wait for summer when I want to add a natural glow/shimmer. I absolutely recommend this product, it’s so gorgeous and it blends out so easily to add a stunning natural glow. 10/10.

Overall, I think this range is brilliant. Although the liquid lipstick was an absolute no from me, the rest of the products were all great and barely cost anything. I think they’re onto something here and they’re certainly giving Kim K something to panic about when it comes to price tags. Let me know if you want me to review any of the other Primark make up ranges as there are a few that have caught my eye. I hope you enjoyed this review even though it’s quite lengthy. I wanted to go all out with this as I tried reading some reviews myself and they didn’t include that many of the products. Let me know what you guys think of this range and whether or not you’ve tried or want to try any of the products included.

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblogger, Budget, England, Haul, Makeup, palette, Photography, Photos, Primark, Review, Shopping, Swatches

BEAUTY

MAKEUP REVOLUTION STROBE HIGHLIGHTER – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 27, 2018
6 Comments on MAKEUP REVOLUTION STROBE HIGHLIGHTER – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Hey you,

Tam Beauty are the company that own Freedom, Makeup Revolution and I Heart Makeup. They’re cruelty free and are based in Britain. You’ll most likely spot their products in your local Superdrug* store. I own a fair amount of their products but I’m always looking at their new ranges in my local drugstore! I’m just so impressed with how far they’ve come and how they manage to keep up with the latest trends in the beauty community whilst keeping their products affordable! I’ve reviewed some of their other products (just search makeup revolution on my home page and they should all be there). Today, we’re going to be looking at Makeup Revolution‘s strobe highlighters! I have always loved the formula of this brand’s highlighters, in fact I use the Ultra Pro Glow palette almost every day.

When I saw these at £3 each, I had to try them out! Although the packaging is pretty basic and plain, I like that it isn’t too clunky as I hate makeup that takes up unnecessary space in my drawers. I also like that you can see the colour of the highlighter too as it adds a nice luxe look to my collection.

There’s a variety of highlighters available in this range, so there’s something for everyone. I chose these two as I tend to wear more caramel coloured highlighters rather than those really intense white/pink iridescent ones. On the left we have Rejuvenate* and on the right is Gold Addict*.

Without Flash (normal daylight) Left – Rejuvenate* / Right – Gold Addict*

With Flash (they changed position because this was taken on a different day – you aren’t going mad) Left – Gold Addict* / Right – Rejuvenate*

As you can see, both are incredibly pigmented, considering they’re only drugstore highlighters. I have to say, I wasn’t expecting either of them to be this gorgeous or for them to swatch this well! Apologies for how different the photos look from each other, I wanted to include a flash and non-flash shot so the lighting was completely different. They highlighters aren’t chalky or powdery and they’re super creamy and easy to blend out which I find is a must when it comes to highlighters. I like my highlight to be natural looking – I don’t suit the blinding look as well as some do, I find it doesn’t sit nicely on top of my makeup and eventually I just look like a shiny lightbulb (no thank you). They’re both buildable and can be applied wet/dry. I’ve tried using setting spray with both of these highlighters and it enhances the pigmentation SO much! Gold addict is a highlighter that I would wear every day and Rejuvenate is probably a shade I would use for a shimmery bronze look during summer or on holiday.

Overall, I think these highlighters are amazing. They cost just £3 each and yet they’re giving my high-end products a run for their money! I love the fact that you can apply them wet or dry and they still look just as flattering on the skin. The formula makes them blend beautifully and this means that they can easily build if you want a more intense look.I strongly recommend trying these out if you’re looking for a new glow but you don’t want to spend your life savings. You can get these on Tam Beauty’s website (Gold Addict/Rejuvenate) or online at Superdrug (Gold addict/Rejuvenate). Let me know what you think of these or if you’ve tried any!

N xxxx

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*Anything marked with an “*” are either sponsored or affiliate links, however all opinions are my own

Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblog, Makeup, MakeupRevolution, Photography, Review, TamBeauty

BEAUTY

MY CURRENT TOP 5 FRAGRANCES

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 23, 2018
5 Comments on MY CURRENT TOP 5 FRAGRANCES

Hey you,

I wouldn’t say I’m an avid collector of perfumes or fragrances but I definitely have some favourites and these tend to chop and change throughout the year. Today I’m going to be sharing my current favourites with you! I went for a selection of sprays and perfumes and although it doesn’t look it, it’s a coincidence that they’re all pink!

Victoria’s Secret Fragrance Mist – Temptation – £17.72 (Currently £6.89)

I was originally obsessed with the Victoria’s Secret’s (now sadly discontinued) Strawberries and Champagne fragrance. I decided to take the plunge and try a new one and to my surprise I fell in love with another! Temptation is such a gorgeous scent, with fresh apple and saguaro flower. This spray embodies the best fruity floral combo I have come across. I really recommend testing this one out, it’s just too good to miss out on! You can get it here*. Also, it’s worth checking your local Superdrug* stores as they often have offers on these sprays!

BUY TEMPTATION HERE*

Primark Fragrance Mist – Crème Brulee

I actually love Primark fragrances. I was so impressed when they released lots more last summer – I particularly loved their mango and papaya scent (SO GOOD) which I think they still have in some stores. This spray was something I came across when browsing through their new in fragrances and I’m so glad I did. Firstly, I love the packaging. The cute little handwritten-style font and the pretty nude coloured bottle immediately caught my eye. I then noticed that it was labelled “Crème Brulee” which is one of my favourite desserts and flavours. This fragrance is definitely for those that prefer sweeter and more sugary based scents, as it contains hints of French Vanilla and White Musk. (Sorry I couldn’t include a price because I can’t find it anywhere, but it will definitely be under £5)

Soap and Glory Body Spray – Sugar Crush – £4

I really enjoy using products by Soap and Glory. I love their packaging, their branding (quirky phrases and names) and the quality of their products is always fantastic. If you want to see what my faves are, check out my post, where I review lots of Soap and Glory bits and pieces! This scent is by far my favourite in their entire collection, it’s sweet with a fruity lime twist. It features lemon oil and Elemi oil whilst also including vanilla, sweet lime, ginger and smashed brown sugar. It’s definitely a fragrance for those that like something zingy and refreshing! It lasts so long too, so you don’t have to worry about topping up if you’ve got a busy day ahead of you. This is also the travel mini, so it’s perfect to keep in my bag for on the go spritzing!

BUY THE SUGAR CRUSH SPRAY HERE

Zoella Fragranced Body mist – Let’s Spritz* – RRP £8.

This is a new favourite of mine. I bought this body mist for the first time towards the end of last year and since then I’ve bought a few bottles, to make sure there’s one wherever I go! It’s definitely up there with my favourite fragrances ever. I love the packaging with the gorgeous lace design on the back and the metallic blue polka dot lid. It’s just so pretty to have on my dressing table. This spray features Raspberry and Cassis making it a gorgeous fresh and fruity spritz. I am a lover of all things berry scented so I was immediately drawn to this after testing it out. It’s so long lasting, I find I can still smell it on me right at the end of the day when I sprayed it ten hours before. Very impressed! I usually buy mine from Superdrug.

BUY LET’S SPRITZ HERE*

Nina Ricci – Nina – RRP £46 (50ml)

This is my ultimate fave. I’ve been wearing this since I was a little girl. My mum gave it to me as a gift before we went on holiday and I was just so excited that I had a perfume with my name on it (cringe but who doesn’t want that as a little girl?!) It was my first proper perfume and I wore it all the time and it was just so special to me. It’s one of those scents that really takes me back every time that I smell it. The ornate apple-shaped bottle is absolutely gorgeous and it looks stunning wherever you put it! It’s another sweet and fruity fragrance (noticing a pattern here?) with top notes of lemon and lime. It’s strongest notes are praline, vanilla, red toffee apple (omg) and peony. It also includes cotton and cedar. Although you wouldn’t necessarily put these ingredients together, they work so beautifully in this perfect little bottle. It’s definitely for those that prefer a sweeter, fruity and floral fragrance. There’s a few others in the collection but this is the only one that I am obsessed with.

BUY NINA HERE

I hope you guys enjoyed reading about my favourite fragrances at the moment. They do tend to change a lot throughout the year, so I reckon I’ll be doing another one of these posts over Summer too! Let me know what your favourites are too as I’m always looking for new fragrances to try.

N xxxx

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*Any links marked with an “*” are either paid/sponsored/affiliate, however all opinions are my own

Tags BEAUTY, Favourites, Fragrance, Lifestyle, NinaRicci, Perfume, Primark, Soapandglory, VictoriasSecret, Zoella, ZoellaBeauty

BEAUTY

URBAN DECAY NAKED ILLUMINATED POWDERS: REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 20, 2018
2 Comments on URBAN DECAY NAKED ILLUMINATED POWDERS: REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Hey you,

I hope you’re all doing well. Today I’m back with another review for you! I am all about highlighters at the moment, I just love how much healthier and more awake I look with a little bit of a glow! I’ve been trying out lots of different ones recently so I hope you don’t mind (I know I wouldn’t – I’m a tad obsessed) highlighter spam over the next couple of weeks.

Today, we’re going to be talking about Urban Decay’s Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powders. I’ve heard so many great things about these and I’ve been dying to try them for so long. I’ve also read a lot of negative reviews saying that these were bad “highlighters” and that they lacked pigment or that it was too glittery – it’s worth keeping in mind that these are shimmering powders that are designed to illuminate and not necessarily be used just as a highlighter. I’m extremely fussy when it comes to shimmers and highlights as I prefer more natural shades as opposed to the extreme ones (blue and green?!).

I like the idea that these are more stripped back and delicate, as any powder products with a heavy consistency just aren’t for me. If you buy this expecting a highlighter, you might not get what you’re hoping for so keep that in mind! They retail at £24 each. Of course, in true Urban Decay style, the packaging is gorgeous and features a nude camo-print which I LOVE. I’m a huge fan of brands that put a lot of work into their packaging, because I’m someone that is drawn to more luxe and pretty looking products.

The powder comes in a rose-gold box and it includes a generously sized mirror as well as a dome-shaped flat brush (you have to open a separate compartment underneath the powder – amazing use of space) I applied the powder with this brush and I have to say I missed using my usual fluffy highlighter brush. I reckon I would use this when travelling because it would save space but it’s also the perfect sized brush for when you want to apply product in a specific area.

URBAN DECAY – NAKED ILLUMINATED SHIMMERING POWDER – AURA – £24

The first shimmering powder that I chose is called Aura. I went for this shade because it has a pink-bronze tone to it, which I reckon will look so nice during the summer months or for when I’m on holiday. This powder is smooth and silky and gives my skin such a healthy and beautiful glow. It’s definitely a more natural glow but that’s what I was expecting and hoping for when I bought it. Although this is technically a powder, there’s still a colour payoff and it’s so easy to work into the skin. I saw some comments saying it left a layer of glitter but I found that it was super easy to blend in and it looked so natural!

BUY IT HERE!

URBAN DECAY – NAKED ILLUMINATED SHIMMERING POWDER – LUMINOUS – £24

Luminous is a gorgeous champagne shade which I love as it’s slightly lighter than Aura, so it can act as more of a highlight for my skin tone. This powder has the same soft and silky texture to it and gives off an equal amount of shimmer and sparkle as the others in the range. I cannot wait to use this when the sun comes out more and I can blind people with the light reflecting particles on my cheekbones (hands down the nerdiest thing I’ve ever said). Its just so light and easy to wear and it’s velvety texture is just SO freaking good.

BUY IT HERE

Overall, I really like both of these products. I’m so excited to use these during summer when I’m wearing more natural makeup looks or when I’m on holiday and don’t fancy making much effort. I purchased these fully expecting a shimmering powder, hence why I wasn’t disappointed when neither provided me with a crazy intense highlight. Saying that however, it’s definitely buildable but if you’re looking for something intense from the off, this probably isn’t for you. If you are looking for something like this, check out the Urban Decay website for more info! Let me know what you guys think of these and whether or not you’ve tried them, I’d love to know! I also reviewed the Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette – so click here if you’re interested!

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, blogger, highlight, highlighter, Makeup, naked, Photography, Review, urban decay

LIFE

MY VALENTINES DAY

Hey you,

I was originally going to do a Valentines makeup look but I never got round to doing it in time, so I thought I would show you what I got and did instead! Valentines Day isn’t something I’ve ever done anything crazy for, I usually just like to give a card and a present and keep it simple. I tend to save the bigger presents for birthdays and Christmas.

Firstly, my boyfriend gave me an adorable card with a sausage dog on it (my absolute fave dog breed so he was winning from the start). He also gave me this gorgeous Yankee Candle gift set. If you know me, you’ll know I bloody LOVE candles. I think I have a problem, I am obsessed with them! I absolutely love Yankee Candle, they always have such gorgeous scents and lovely packaging too. This set includes three of their fab candles: Peony, Rose and Raspberry. Peony and Rose are votives and Raspberry is a small jar candle. I think this is such a cute combination of scents as they’re all fresh and fruity and I think they work well together! They’re all pink/red as well so they look gorgeous on my dressing table. If you’re also obsessed with candles too, check out my Autumn and Winter candle posts, there will be a spring one coming soon too – eek!

We also went out for dinner at Prezzo which is our favourite Italian restaurant and they had a deal which meant we could get three courses for £20 each – YES! I’ve always enjoyed sitting in busy restaurants because there’s so many opportunities to people watch which is one of my favourite things to do! However, I did witness the poor lad next to me, on what seemed like his first date, find out that his vouchers didn’t work and he couldn’t pay for the meal in the way he had planned (this was painful to watch). Anyway, we stuffed our faces and enjoyed the evening before coming back and cracking on with coursework (sad but true). He also brought me a Costa hot chocolate, my favourite interior design magazine and some flowers too which absolutely made my day! Not to mention a Krispy Kreme donut too (I think it’s the biscoff one – my fave)

I know this was quite a simple post but I had a few friends and people over on Twitter asking me what I got up to on Valentine’s Day, so I thought I would do a short and sweet post on my blog for you! Let me know if any of you guys did anything special for the day, I would love to know.

N xxxx

Tags Candles, Flowers, Gift, Lifestyle, Meal, Photography, Present, Roses, ValentinesDay, YankeeCandle

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG JANUARY 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 16, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG JANUARY 2018: REVIEW

Ohh Deer, a company I have SO much love for, was founded in order to allow illustrators and artists to showcase their work and find people that would be interested in buying their designs. The company sells the most amazing quirky and arty products – I simply can’t get enough. I love the fact that Ohh Deer offers artists the opportunity to get noticed and therefore get something back for all their hard work that otherwise we might not have seen. Some of their clients include Paperchase, ASOS, John Lewis and Oliver Bonas (my all-time favourite shop) and some of their collections have been specifically designed for the Tate Galleries and the Science Museum!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

Ohh Deer decided to create a monthly subscription service for stationery addicts, such as myself called, Papergang! Each month you will receive a box filled with brilliant papery goodies and desk accessories. Some examples are notebooks, greeting cards, wrapping paper and art prints. It costs £10.95 and then a £2.95 for shipping which in my opinion, after receiving their boxes, is a great deal. Every box has a different design and theme by a different artist and for every 4 boxes, 1 tree is planted in partnership with the fantastic charity, Tree aid. To find out more about their connection with this charity here.

I am a huge stationary addict and this subscription box is probably my favourite out of the many I am a part of. I always look forward to opening my box every month and using all my new bits and pieces! Most of the products you receive are exclusive the Papergang subscribers for a while before they get sold in Ohh Deer’s shop.

This month’s artist Jacqueline Colley, brings us adorable doodles of Cadillacs, dinosaurs, cactuses and more in her Palm Springs range. Her use of bright and feminine colours are perhaps influenced by her background in women’s fashion. Jacqueline travelled to Palm Springs in 2016 and was inspired by the architecture and the cacti varieties – you can tell just from glancing at her prints!

Follow Jacqueline –

Insta – @Jacquelinecolley

Website – Jacquelinecolley.co.uk

Every month Papergang provides us with a little monthly calendar card. I absolutely love these as I stick them in a frame and they’re the perfect size for my desk! This month’s calendar features more illustrations from Jacqueline Colley, but with a succulent theme which I LOVE.

1 x A4 Deskpad – £7.95

I absolutely love desk organisers, I find them so helpful! I’m so much more productive when my tasks and notes are all laid out in front of me on something pretty and patterned compared to when I scribble them down on a post-it that is nowhere to be found a day later. These deskpads help me prioritise what tasks I need to complete and when I need to do them – a much needed service to my student self! I also love the doodles section as I am constantly doodling on notebooks and in margins so now I have o excuse to vandalise anything but this little section every week!

1 x Washi Tape – £2.50

I have quite the collection of wash tapes (check out my January Favourites post to see a few!) so I was super happy to find one of these in this month’s box! Jacqueline’s doodles are featured on this tape, including a flamingo pool float, a dinosaur and a variety of cacti! I use washing tape to make my notes stand out, to decorate scrapbook pages and to make my bullet journal pretty!

1 x Pack of Stickers – £3.95

I’ve always loved stickers, as a little girl I used to put them on EVERYTHING. My walls, my drawers and even my bed frame! Now, I’m quite picky with them. However, these are ADORABLE. I absolutely love the warm toned illustrations on these and they make my bullet journal look so pretty and colourful. I’ve found myself using these more than I thought I would too! I’ve received sticker sheets in a few of my Papergang boxes and I’m yet to be disappointed!

1 x Pencil – £5.95

Back at home, we’ve always had those wind-up style pencils and I’ve always thought they looked a bit ugly and mechanical. I mean, they do the job but they don’t look pretty on my desk (haha yes, it’s the small things in life for me, I’m wild aren’t I?). I also tend to write with a finaliser or a black biro, however when I need to sketch, I need to use something that can be erased asap (my skills are next to none when it comes to drawing). I was delighted to find this pretty little pencil in this month’s box (might have something to do with the whole pink and rose gold design…). I also love the phrase engraved on it too! This idea of quirky messages on the sides of pens and pencils seems to be trending and I’m loving it! Last month’s box also had a set of three pens with little messages on too – check out my review here!

1 x Enamel Pin – £5.95

I’ve been meaning to stick some pins on my denim jacket for quite some time now and this made me actually do it. I was so excited when I saw this pin inside my January box, I literally went and stuck it on straight away! I think pins add a sense of identity and quirkiness to your clothes, especially if you want to make something look slightly different and more your own.

There wasn’t a single item in this month’s box that I was unsure about, I love everything. I also adore Jacqueline Colley’s illustrations and I’m more than happy to have them on my desk now! This box values at £21.30 and considering I paid £13.90 (monthly subscription fee and postage) That’s pretty awesome value!

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer, click here!

N xxxx

Tags Art, blog, Design, England, Inspiration, January, Lifestyle, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Review, Stationery, Subscription

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2018: BEAUTY THROUGH THE DECADES – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 13, 2018
No Comments on BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2018: BEAUTY THROUGH THE DECADES – REVIEW

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 any contracts, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month! You can edit your beauty profile on their site in order to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for over a year now and I look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve received 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 older boxes to store makeup in too as the designs are too pretty to throw away!

Check out my review of last month’s box here!

We were given a choice between a 70s, 80s or 90s and I have to say it a was a tricky decision, they all looked so good! I opted for the 70s design, so my box is a real throwback with a gorgeous retro floral print. Beauty is about the classic tips and tricks as well as trying out the latest trends so I’m loving this combination! I will definitely be keeping and re-using this box as it’s just too pretty to throw out.

This month’s box has a good mixture of products including two full-sized makeup items, skincare and hair care too! I love when there’s a good variety of products to try out, so I was really happy when I saw the contents of my February box.

(FULL SIZE) The Beauty Crop Eyeshadow Trio – Love You So Latte – RRP £7

I love eyeshadow – I’m sure you’re aware of this by now, but I could honestly buy palettes every day if I had the funds! So when I saw this I was so excited to try it out. The trio includes two shimmers and one matte so it’s perfect for creating smokey and defined looks. I love how there’s a variety of shades in this little compact, as it means you can travel with it and still create a few different looks. The shadows are rich in caffeine and are packed with antioxidants to help brighten and tighten the skin, keeping your eyes bright and awake! I reckon these are flattering for any skin tone and eye colour too which is an added bonus to any product in the beauty community! These shadows are also vegan and cruelty-free with no sulphates or parabens too! It’s a shame the compact is so tiny but then again bigger palettes are harder to take on the go! The shimmer shadows were super pretty and creamy so they blended out well, however the matte brown shade was a bit harder to blend and swatched a little bit patchy.

(FULL SIZE) ModelCo® – Crème Rouge – RRP £14

I love cream products. I use a dewy foundation so products with creamy formulas blend so nicely on top. I often use a cream contour, blusher and so this was immediately something I was interested in. This 2-in-1 formula can add a pop of pink to your cheeks and your lips. It’s so easy and creamy to blend so it adds a healthy and natural-looking tint and doesn’t look too heavy on the skin (my swatch was to test how pigmented it was, I obviously wouldn’t rock about with that much product on my face!). I like that you can choose exactly how much product you want too, depending on whether or not you want a brighter pop of red or a more subtle hint.

Percy & Reed – Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish – RRP £10.

I’ve always liked Percy and Reed products, I think they’re really luxurious and also so beautifully presented and packaged. I was intrigued by this product as it claims to be a leave in polish, which isn’t something I would normally go for. However, the ends of my hair could definitely do with a bit of shine. The polish is packed with horse chestnut extract and sunflower wax to give soft and flexible hold whilst also hydrating your locks!

UPDATE – I tried this today and I absolutely loved how it made my hair feel. It smelt amazing and didn’t leave my hair feeling sticky or oily. I could definitely feel that something was there but it wasn’t noticeable at all! It made my hair look more alive and healthy which are the main things that I look for in hair products and treatments. I’ve received a lot of Percy and Reed stuff over time so if you would like a review let me know as I can definitely do one for you!

Luseta Beauty – Coconut Milk Hair Mask – RRP £26

I hadn’t heard of this brand before I received this month’s box so I was excited to try this product out! I have quite damaged hair as I tend to use a lot of heat-based tools (oops) and I’m always looking for something to revive it! This mask helps to restructure hair back to it’s original and healthy state. The coconut milk, rich in vitamins C, E, B1, B5 AND B6 adds moisture and conditions the hair to tackle any dryness. This mask is sulfate, phosphate, & paraben free too! I will keep you updated with this as I will be doing a hair pampering evening soon!

Balance Me – Wonder Eye Cream – RRP £20

As a student, I don’t tend to get many full nights of sleep so any product that helps to disguise this is a godsend! This eye cream has a 3-in-1 formula smooths, softens and brightens (yes please) and it’s packed with chamomile, lemon, cucumber oil, witch hazel (one of my faves), anti-oxidant spruce knot, virgin coconut, reship oil and carrot oil (is there anything that isn’t in this product?!). My skin practically drinks this stuff up instantly and it leaves my eyes looking so much brighter!

Overall, I am really impressed with this month’s box. I love receiving boxes with a variety of products as after all, that is why I signed up for Birchbox in the first place! I really love that there was two full-sized products too as we usually only get one (which is still fab). Let me know if you are subscribed to Birchbox and what you thought of this box or if you are subscribed to any other beauty boxes, I would love to know!

Go ahead and use my link (here) to subscribe and you will get £5 off your first Birchbox!

Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblog, BIRCHBOX, blog, blogger, Lifestyle, Makeup, Photography, Product Review, Review

LIFE

MY TOP REVISION TIPS

Hey Everyone!

I hope you’re all doing well! I have survived school (GCSEs and A Levels) and one and half years of university (ish), so I would like to think I can give some decent advice when it comes to revision. However, everybody’s different and this means we all learn differently so what could work for me may be useless for you – don’t feel that you HAVE to do any of these, they’re just some things that have got me through those icky study periods.

START MAKING NOTES EARLY

For most of my exams (we’re talking GCSEs A levels and University) I have written my notes out early on in the term. I come home and write what I learned that day and that way it’s out of the way and you’ve gone over it at the same time. Two birds one stone right? I am also a bit of a perfectionist (when I say a bit I mean hours can go by and I still won’t think it’s neat enough) so starting early gives me time to be fussy and obsessive with colour coding and highlighting. I’ve definitely learned from leaving my notes until last minute and I would waste so much time making them look pretty that I barely had time to learn them! I like to use these packs of revision cards for all of my notes!

REMOVE PHONE/LAPTOP/TABLETS ETC NO TV OR MUSIC

I know this is such an obvious one but it’s true. I remember scowling as my parents and teachers lectured my year group about putting phones away but my God it makes a difference. I’m so much more productive without constant reminders that so and so favourited a tweet or that someone’s typing on snapchat – you’d have thought I didn’t need to figure this one out the hard way but hey ho. If you like to study with music, I would definitely recommend listening to instrumentals or music without actual lyrics because I have found myself writing down the lyrics to Thinking Out Loud as opposed to Freud’s Oedipus Complex, so cheers Ed, but not right now pal.

STICKY NOTES

I started using these last year as the amount I had to learn for first year was HUGE. I made maps on my wall using sticky notes and colour coded them to make it clear where everything was. I found this super helpful for learning dates! In the exam I was able to visualise the map and so the facts were easy for me to remember as I could still see them in my head! I love to use these post-it notes for my revision!

LEARNING IN CATEGORIES

With most of my modules or subjects there’s lots of tiny topics within these and sometimes it can be overwhelming when trying to get it all down and in one place. I recommend grabbing some small clear plastic wallets, (I use these) and using one per subject, that way everything is in sections and is organised. I find this really helps with making things easier to learn in chunks rather than as a huge great big pile of information.

COLOUR CODING

I learn from colour and I always have done, I’m not sure why but that seems to be how I work. I tend to colour code certain things, for example if I’m learning a theory, I will write it all in blue and then a different theory in red. This way, it seems clear to me what is associated with what and this stops me getting things muddled in exams which can be easily done if you’re stressed or panicking. I use a variety of pens but my favourites are the Maped Assorted Fineliners, Staedler Fineliners and Crayola Supertips!

HIGHLIGHTING

I remember when I thought revising meant writing the whole page out from a textbook. DON’T DO THIS! It wastes so much time, you won’t be able to take it all in and it’s more than likely you only need a fraction of it actually written down. This is where highlighters come in super handy. You can write as much as you need to and still highlight the key points so they stand out to you on the page. I personally like to use the Stabilo Boss Original Highlighters and also their pastel range of highlighters.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANYONE NOT DOING ANYTHING – PARENTS/FLATMATES/BROTHERS/SISTERS/ANYONE

Last year I was in a flat of 6 people so I was asking everyone to test me which helped loads. I also absolutely rinsed my dad during my study weeks. We would sit down for hours going over the same stuff to the point where he knew it too so he could help me revise. I would learn some of my revision cards and then give them to him to ask me about. This helped so much and we wouldn’t give up until I knew everything.

WASHI TAPE

I love using these to decorate my work, bullet journal and scrapbook pages. They’re so cheap and easy to get hold of too. I tend to buy mine from Etsy or Amazon but I’ve found a few in craft shops and stationery shops too! There’s also a photo (scroll up) where you can see I’ve put tape at the top of my revision cards. I find this helps with colour coding everything and keeping organised as well as making it all look nice too!

EAT PROPERLY

I honestly didn’t think much of this until last year. The difference in my productivity and motivation between when I was bingeing on snacks and crisps and eating proper meals everyday was HUGE. I was able to concentrate for longer and I didn’t crave any snacks. I also noticed that I lost weight too when I wasn’t snacking constantly (surprise). A great alternative so salty snacks are edamame beans! You can get them in little pots ready to fry up – they’re one of my faves!

Did you find these tips helpful? What helps you with revision? Let me know in the comments! I hope this post helped some of you that are preparing for exams, I know I will be working hard over the next few months as exams are fast approaching (no thanks). If any of you have exams soon, good luck and let me know how they went!

N xxxx

Tags Advice, Art, blog, blogger, Exam, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Photography, Revision, School, Student, Tips, University

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG DECEMBER 2017: JADE WALSH REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 15, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG DECEMBER 2017: JADE WALSH REVIEW

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

This month’s box, created by Jade Walsh, combines two trends; tropical leaves and primary colours. I am LOVING tropical leaves designs at the moment. There’s something relaxing about them and they look good in any room. The main reason that this trend has come about, is due to he famous banana leaf wallpaper by Don Loper, for the Beverly Hills Hotel. Primary colours return every Spring, which makes for a refreshing start to a new year after the darkness of December! I’ve always loved bright and colourful stationery so I was thrilled to discover that this would be a main theme in this month’s Papergang box!

Every month Papergang provides us with a little monthly calendar card. I absolutely love these as I stick them in a frame and they’re the perfect size for my desk every month! The patterns are also so cute too.

1 x 2 Pack A5 Notebooks – £5.95

I love a notebook and I get through at least one a month – especially now that I’m blogging more regularly as I need to plan posts in advance (I try to anyway). The designs on these are so cool – they remind me of painting in school with all of the really bright coloured poster paints. One is plain paged (left) and one has gridded paper – maths book style (right).

3 x Pack of Pens – £7.95

I have an ever-growing collection of biros however I can never seem to find any – can someone tell me where all the biros get to? They’re like hair bands they just seem disappear… I was really excited about these as I am currently lacking black ink pens – somehow a pink highlighter just wouldn’t do for writing revision notes. These pens all look so pretty too which as I’m more likely to take care of them (hopefully they’ll stick around for longer too)

1 x A6 Notepad – £3.95

This might be my favourite item from this month’s box. I constantly need lists and things like this make it so much easier and they also encourage me to be far more organised. The pad consists of 60 pages which allows for a fair bit of list making! It’s a great sized pad for travelling with as it fits perfectly in my bag!

1 x Greeting Card – £2.50

The design is the same as one of the notebooks – a colourful tropical print. I love receiving cards in my Papergang boxes as it means I always have a stock of cards to choose from when needed, I rarely have a last minute panic anymore as these boxes ensure that I’m always prepared!

As usual, this box really impressed me. These products are all really lovely and are of high quality too so I feel like I got my money’s worth for sure. I also love the theme of this month as I definitely need some more colour in my life right now. Let me know what you guys think of these products and whether or not you would enjoy using them!

If you want to grab this month’s box click here.

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer as a company, click here!

N xxxx

Tags 2018, Art, Bullet Journal, Design, England, Inspiration, January, Lifestyle, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Product Review, Review, Shopping, Stationery

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX JANUARY 2018: OHH DEER – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 12, 2018
26 Comments on BIRCHBOX JANUARY 2018: OHH DEER – REVIEW

If you want to see last month’s review, click here!

This month’s beautiful box is in collaboration with the British stationery gods over at ‘Ohh Deer‘. I absolutely bloody love this company – I’m even subscribed to their stationary subscription service too (click here for my November Papergang box review).

The January Birchbox is a pretty good mixture of skincare and makeup. This month seemed to have less well known brands than some of the other months, but the products are still all lovely. We were also given a cute little sheet of stickers too which I’m loving as they’re perfect for putting in my bullet journal/blog planner.

(FULL SIZE) Lord & Berry – Blusher Crayon in Peach : RRP £8

First up we have a crayon blusher. I picked this last month in advance (Birchbox usually offers this for every box – you can pick one of two products) because I knew it would be a good colour for more summery makeup looks. At first I was a bit terrified when I swatched this because I’d gotten so used to wearing dark coloured makeup over the Winter months but I reckon it’ll be an easy transition once Spring arrives (asap please because I’m fed up of it getting dark by 4 o’clock). I also like that it’s super creamy in it’s consistency so it’s easy apply and to blend in. I wasn’t sure about the whole ‘crayon’ idea however it’s meant I’ve been able to put the blusher exactly where I want it. I use a dewy foundation anyway so I prefer makeup that glides onto my face rather than putting something powdery or dry on top of it. I’ve also always loved using peachy/coral coloured lip and cheek products during Summer so I will definitely be keeping this around to test whilst I’m on holiday! It will definitely save me some space in my makeup bag as I won’t need to carry a whole compact and a brush. If this product takes your fancy, get yourself one here.

Marcelle – Waterproof Eyeliner in Charcoal : RRP £10.99

I always forget how much of a difference eyeliner makes. I keep thinking ” Something doesn’t look right, what’s missing ?” and it’s always eyeliner! This product really excited me as it’s waterproof. I hate getting panda eyes a few hours into my day or after a sobbing through an episode of Grey’s Anatomy so I tend to look for waterproof products – especially when it comes to eye makeup. This eyeliner stays put and doesn’t budge for a good few hours, I only had to touch it up once in a whole day – very impressed! Grab one here!

Thermaliv – Night Cream : £21

I have always loved night creams, masks and treatments as they’re so simple and easy to use. Just plonk them on and all you have to do is go to sleep to wake up feeling fresh faced and ready to go. This product contains sea chamomile and vitamin E which leaved the skin feeling nourished and plump. It is quite pricey though so I’m not sure if I would buy the full sized version once this sample has run out. However, if this sounds like something you’d be interested, you can get yourself one here!

Paul & Joe Beauty – Moisturising Foundation Primer in 01 Dragee : RRP £24

I’ve recently started using primers and I’ve really noticed a differenced in how my makeup applies once it’s on. It makes such a good base for my foundation so I was super pleased to see this product in this month’s box. This primer is enriched with botanical extracts providing extra moisture for your skin as well as having a subtle gold shimmer that creates a healthy and dewy look which I am all about. I really recommend this product, so if you want to check it out, you can do so here!

Afterspa – Amazing Makeup Remover : RRP £5.50

I cannot get over how unbelievably soft this product is. It removes any kind of makeup including mascara and waterproof eyeliner – SAY WHAT? It isn’t necessarily as easy as a makeup wipe but it certainly saves you some dosh given it apparently lasts up to 1,000 washes! All you have to do is soak it in warm/hot water and you’re ready to go. It’s a great idea plus it also is a great option for people that have sensitive skin. Grab it here if you want to check it out for yourself!

Overall I think this box is great value for money. One of the products is full sized and it costs £15 – whereas the box itself costs £10. I think there was a good mixture of skincare and makeup in this month’s box

Let me know if you are subscribed to Birchbox and what you thought of this box or if you are subscribed to any other beauty boxes, I would love to know!

Go ahead and use my link (here) to subscribe and you will get £5 off your first Birchbox!

Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblog, BIRCHBOX, blog, blogger, Bullet Journal, Design, January, Lifestyle, Lord and berry, Makeup, Marcelle, Ohhdeer, Photography, Product Review, Review, Skincare, Spring

BEAUTY

LUSH: “THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” BOX REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 10, 2018
No Comments on LUSH: “THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” BOX REVIEW

Hey you!

Today I’m back with another Lush review except this time we’re going to be talking about their “The Night Before Christmas” box. I’ve always been a huge fan of Lush’s Christmas ranges, particularly the Snow Fairy collection, which I reviewed the other day! Check that out here. I also love Lush’s stance on animal testing which you can read more about here.

“Slip into a bath before Christmas and summon some well-deserved peace and tranquility.”

The packaging for this is just so gorgeous! I love the dark purple and the gold aesthetic plus I also love the moon and stars design. It makes me feel warm and cosy just looking at it! I feel like Lush are absolute pros when it comes to vibrant and colourful packaging – it’s partly why I look forward to any seasonal ranges.

This box includes two products; the Shoot For The Stars bath bomb (my fave) and the Christmas Eve bubble bar. I love that they both match with their deep blue colour and astrology theme.

SHOOT FOR THE STARS BATH BOMB – 200g

“Honey-scented sparkles of Brazilian orange and bergamot waltz in a swirling, cobalt sky.”

This is my absolute favourite bath bomb that Lush sells. I love the smell, I love the look and I LOVE how it makes my skin feel after I’ve had a bath. I love launching this one into the tub and waiting for the water to turn a gorgeous shimmery turquoise. The little gold stars smell like a mixture of toffee and honey and they release the most gorgeous shimmer into the water, making it perfect to sink into before bed. It’s such a warm and comforting scent to get you relaxed and cosy on a cold Winter’s night! I usually get a few of these in stock before they disappear after Christmas. I wish it was an all year round product! I really recommend trying this one out if you haven’t already.

CHRISTMAS EVE BUBBLE BAR – 100g

“Bubbles piled high smell lovely and bright. Uplifting ylang ylang puts moods just right.”

This was a new product for me, I’d never seen it before I opened this set, however it came out every year between 2009 and 2014 and was one of Lush’s most popular Christmas products. It was revamped and brought back, much to many people’s delight, last year! I usually crumble a small bit of the bubble bar under running water (or I just hold it under for a while) until soft fluffy bubbles begin to fill the tub! The scent of Christmas Eve is super relaxing and comforting, as it features both jasmine and ylang ylang. It’s more floral then I would typically go for as I am usually a more buttery/vanilla kind of girl – but I still enjoyed using this! I would recommend this if you enjoy floral, clean and fresh scents in particular.

This is definitely a lovely box to give or receive for Christmas as it contains two really lovely products and they are packaged so beautifully too. I really recommend buying Lush’s gift sets after Christmas when they are on sale as they’re obviously cheaper but you can also get a lot more for your money. I usually get a few in stock before they’re unavailable and then I can enjoy these products and scents all year round until they’re back again (thank god). Let me know what you thought of this set or whether you love or hate these products in the comments.

N xxxx

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Beautyblog, blogger, Christmas, December, January, Lush, Luxury, Pamper, Photography, Product Review, Review

BEAUTY

LUSH: SNOW FAIRY COLLECTION REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 8, 2018
36 Comments on LUSH: SNOW FAIRY COLLECTION REVIEW

Lush are one of my favourite companies for beauty and skincare. I love the quality of their products, the huge range that they offer and also where they stand on animal testing (read about it here). They always impress me with their seasonal ranges but also with their more permanent products too like the Fluff Ease hair treatment, which I mentioned in my December 2017 Favourites post! If you didn’t know already, the Lush Snow Fairy scent is my all time favourite bath and shower range EVER. I also mentioned their shower gel in my December Favourites post too, so as you can probably tell, I’m a huge fan! They bring their Christmas goodies out in October/November and it’s literally like Christmas coming early every time for me. This year, they introduced some new bits in the Snow Fairy collection. I know these aren’t available online anymore but they are disappearing fast in their stores as they are on sale after Christmas. I have managed to accumulate a fair amount of their bits and pieces as you can see, so let’s take a look….

‘SNOW FAIRY BODY CONDITIONER’

I used this body conditioner for the first time last year, and I was SO happy that it was available again this year. It leaves my skin feeling so soft and hydrated and also smelling of candyfloss which is a massive yes from me. It’s made with a fruity cherry infusion, moisturising mango and avocado butters which makes it perfect for tackling dry skin (which I get during Winter). All you have to do is smooth this over your skin in the bath or shower and wash it off for fabulous results.

‘SNOW FAIRY COLD PRESSED SOAP’

This smells bloody amazing plus it’s loaded with organic cocoa butter and almond oil. The soap lathers so nicely and it’s really softening too. It’s got the same candy and bubblegum scent which leaves your hands smelling fab for hours. Lush reassured us that no fairies were harmed in the pressing of this soap (finally I’ll be able to sleep now).

‘SNOW FAIRY JELLY BOMB’

For the first time ever, I actually didn’t like this Lush bath bomb. The smell was incredible however the ‘jelly’ aspect definitely isn’t for me. It dissolved as normal and then it created a sort of jelly-like layer on the surface of the water. All was well until these little jelly lumps started sticking to my body and all over the tub. I couldn’t get them off easily so I had to rub and scrub which wasn’t the most relaxing experience. I also found that I missed some of them too so when I got out to dry, they stained my towel. It’s such a shame that I didn’t enjoy this because this is my favourite range and I absolutely love a bath bomb. I would love to know whether you guys experienced this too or if you actually loved it!

‘MMMELTING MARSHMALLOW MOMENT’ BATH OIL

I’ve been buying these for a while now as they seem to be on sale all year round. They only cost £2.50 which is a complete and utter bargain. I place these in my bath and leave them to melt in the hot water. These make my skin feel SO bloody soft, I’ve never known anything like it. They contain cocoa butter and coconut oil which are super hydrating – perfect for any dry skin days. Of course, they smell like cotton candy which is too good for me to turn down. They have loads of different bath melts/oils available so I would really recommend checking them out!

‘MAGIC WAND’ BUBBLE BAR

This might be one of my favourite products. It’s so easy to use and it makes such a difference. I hold this under the tap as my bath is filling up for the most amazing bubbles. It smells like the typical cotton-candy scent that the Snow Fairy collection has too which only adds to my already amazing smelling bath! The best bit about this product is that it lasts so long as well so not only do you get lots and lots of bubble baths but you also get what you pay for! I would definitely suggest leaving it to dry in a dry place – sometimes when my shower hits it slightly it’ll use it up whilst I’m not paying attention! Also, if you aren’t a fan of glitter, this may not be for you…

SNOW FAIRY SHOWER GEL

I absolutely LOVE using this. It makes me feel super soft and smelling like sweet vanilla and candy floss. I use this very sparingly and I still smell and feel amazing afterwards. It lathers up really easily too, so a little bit goes a long way! There are different sizes available so if you want one to travel with they have a baby size and if you’re like me and practically live on this stuff, they have bigger bottles available too. It has a tiny bit of shimmer to it too, which makes my skin look so much more alive as opposed to it’s normal dull self.

This collection is my absolutely favourite. I buy it every year and it’s always something that I look forward too. I was disappointed by the bath bomb however if there had been some sort of alternative bath bomb available that would’ve been great! I know that most Lush stores have sold their Snow Fairy collections in the Christmas sales but there’s a couple of bits still available online if you’re interested. I’m sure that Lush will come out with it again next year (if not I may cry) and that there will be some new additions too. Let me know if you liked this Lush review as I’m always trying things out by them and I would be happy to share more of my thoughts with you! I would also love to know what you guys thought of the Snow Fairy collection this year – go ahead and comment your opinions!

N xxxx

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Beautyblog, Christmas, England, Gifts, Lifestyle, Lush, Luxury, Pamper, Photography, Review, Shopping, Snow Fairy

BEAUTY

THE BODY SHOP: CHRISTMAS SALE PICKS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 5, 2018
12 Comments on THE BODY SHOP: CHRISTMAS SALE PICKS

Hey guys,

Of course, your girl has been exploring the Christmas sales. I recently posted a few of my finds from Zoella Beauty and KIKO too if you’re interested! I haven’t been looking in The Body Shop that much actually, I used to love their products and somehow I just forgot about them. I went in for a snoop around when I went to Bath (here’s my post on that too) and I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve always loved how great their products are and where they stand on animal testing (here’s their page on being cruelty free). They have SO many products and there’s absolutely loads of different scents too. They now sell cosmetics and skincare as well as bath and shower goodies. I have heard amazing things about their makeup so I may have to test these out for myself! Let’s take a look at what I did pick up from their Christmas sale.

No, I didn’t go crazy, but I did get some amazing goodies and they were on sale so it would’ve been rude to walk away empty handed! Can we talk about these scents too? Frosted Berries is my kind of scent for Christmas. I absolutely love anything that smells fruity or like berries so this was an immediate yes from me. I’ve never known anything to be Vanilla Chai scented before so I was definitely curious about this one. It smells HEAVENLY. Even if you aren’t going to buy this, please just go and give it a sniff because my GOD it’s just too good!

Okay so this was £2.50. WHAT?! Yep that’s right, it really was that cheap. The Frosted Berries Shower Gel comes in a 250ml plastic bottle and has a gorgeous little wreath design on it too (festive points are to be given for this, it’s so cute). This shower gel smells absolutely unreal. It’s fragranced with Red Berries, Vanilla and Cranberry so it’s super rich and fresh smelling. I love how it leaves my skin feeling soft and smelling amazing for hours. You can get it here!

Of course, I couldn’t resist getting my hands on the Frosted Berries Hand Cream too. This also smells incredible and you get 30ml of product, perfectly sized for your handbag! This also only cost £2.50 which is such a bargain. At first I was worried it was going to be one of those metal tubes that look like scrunched up tissue after the first use but it’s actually made of plastic so it won’t look gross. It’s also fragranced with Vanilla and Red Berries, but it’s especially enriched with Cranberry Seed Oil from North America. It’s a gel-cream formula so it really keeps your hands hydrated and soft. It doesn’t leave my hands feeling greasy either which is a yes from me. I love it! Grab it here if you’re interested.

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The Vanilla Chai Shower Gel also comes in a 250ml plastic bottle and has another cute little wreath design on it, I’m loving the festive vibes from these products. This is also priced at an extremely reasonable £2.50. It’s enriched with Vanilla extract and is fragranced with Vanilla (surprise surprise) and spiced up with Cardamon and Star Anise. I love the scent of this as it combines a buttery sweet fragrance with spices which I think is so perfect for the Winter months! Again, this shower gel lathers beautifully and leaves my skin feeling so soft. I really recommend this one, you can get it here!

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Guess what I picked up next? Yep, the matching hand cream. If you know me you’ll know I like sets so this was impossible to resist. If I love the shower gel, I’m obviously going to love the same scent for on the go use right? The Vanilla Chai Hand Cream comes in a 250ml squeezy tube, ideal for travelling with. Ten points if you can guess the price of this one too…yep, £2.50! The smell of this just makes me feel warm and cosy, do you know what I mean? It reminds me of being under a throw on the sofa with a warm drink. It’s also made from vanilla and spices so it’s the perfect festive scent in my opinion! It’s the same gel formula as the other hand cream, meaning it leaves your hands feeling super soft and hydrated and of course, smelling bloody great too. If you like the sound of this, you can grab it here!

The Body Shop had lots of products on sale and another scent in the Christmas range that caught my attention was called Frosted Plum, which you can check out here. Their Christmas range is still available on their website here, and I’m sure is still available in some stores around the country too. Let me know what you guys think of The Body Shop or if any of you have tried their Christmas products out too!

N xxxx

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Beautyblog, Christmas, England, Festive, January, Pamper, Photography, Review, Sales, Shopping, Shower, Skincare, The Body Shop

BEAUTY

KIKO ARCTIC HOLIDAY BAKED BLUSH {REVIEW, PHOTO & SWATCHES}

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 4, 2018
27 Comments on KIKO ARCTIC HOLIDAY BAKED BLUSH {REVIEW, PHOTO & SWATCHES}

I only started using KIKO products in the last couple of years. I was drawn in by a sale (surprise surprise) during summer a couple of years ago and I haven’t looked back since! I have purchased so many things, from eyeshadow palettes to cream shadows, from foundations to metallic lipsticks and I am yet to have a negative experience with any of their products. I have to say, I think KIKO is very underrated, I don’t hear that much about them in terms of reviews etc and I’m not sure why that is as they are a great company! KIKO have been around for 20 years, with over 1,000 stores in 20 countries. It’s influenced by modern Italy, focusing on art, fashion and design. KIKO offer over 1,400 products ranging from makeup, skincare, brushes and beauty sponges. I really recommend checking them out.

Whilst I was in Bath (read about my trip here), I was delighted to find a nice and spacious KIKO store. I had to restrain myself as there was so many things that caught my eye! One thing that I did pick up was their Arctic Holiday Baked Blush in 01 Marmoreal Biscuit. This product particularly caught my eye because of it’s stunning golden chrome/holographic packaging, perfect for the frozen theme of the collection. I think it looks pretty high end actually. It is priced at £16.90 but it is currently on sale at £11.80

I was surprised when I found that the blush came in a little silver bag. It made the product seem so luxury and fancy, again, reminding me of high end brands. Also it’s perfect for travelling with as I recently went away and I opened my makeup bag to find that my blush had smashed and in the process had covered all my other things, so this little bag will come in very handy!

So the blush comes in a silver, mirror-style plastic packaging which I think looks very sleek and elegant and it was designed by Ross Lovegrove. I also think it matches pretty well with the icy/glacial vibes that seems to be going on.

I love the fact that there is a mirror included, again, making it brilliant to travel with. I am usually super fussy with blushes. I tend to run away from anything bright or baby pink and I typically go for more muted and musky. I really liked the shade as soon as I saw it, as it’s what I would usually go for. I also liked that it’s a baked blush with a metallic finish. I’m so used to seeing plain old matte ones and I feel like they can be quite harsh on my face (I might just be crap at blending) so I was keen to try out a different type. The blush is described to have a fragrance of “ginger and spices” which I’m not so sure about. It definitely has a subtle but pleasant scent, however ginger and spices didn’t come to mind when I first sniffed it. The smell disappears when applied to the face as well so I’m not fussed.

As you can see, this is super pigmented (this was one swatch). It has the most gorgeous creamy texture to it, which makes it so easy to blend out for a more natural look. It gives the cheeks the perfect glow and brightens up my whole complexion. I wear a dewy foundation so this blush enhances that by adding a healthy dash of colour to my face. It wears for hours and I have received so many compliments so I will definitely be keeping this in my makeup bag!

I absolutely love this baked blush. It’s basically everything I want in one – a dash of pink, a healthy sheen and a creamy texture! It’s also priced very reasonably given the immediate colour payoff and also the quality of the product in how it applies and also how it’s presented in it’s gorgeous holographic packaging. I feel like KIKO doesn’t fit into the drugstore category nor does it fit into the high end category either so it’s sort of in the middle, so I kind of expect to pay a tad more than I would from a drugstore brand. The quality of their products is always high and their packaging is always very nice too. If you like the look of this blush it’s also available in two other shades! There’s also loads more in this collection so click here if you fancy taking a look at what else is available. Everything in the Arctic Holiday collection seems to be on sale to so go go go!

I would love to know if any of you have tried this blush out or anything else in their Christmas collection. Also, let me know what you think of KIKO in general as I don’t hear that much about them and would love to know if you guys enjoy their products too.

N xxxx

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Blush, Christmas, December, Kiko, Kiko Milano, Makeup, Photography, Review, Shopping

BEAUTY

ZOELLA BEAUTY: SNOW’ELLA 2017 CHRISTMAS RANGE REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 3, 2018
9 Comments on ZOELLA BEAUTY: SNOW’ELLA 2017 CHRISTMAS RANGE REVIEW

Hello lovelies!

I have been a Zoella lover since I was around 13/14 years old. I used to read her blog and then I got really into her Youtube videos. I used to watch them religiously every day, some even twice! I have always admired her approach to mental health and her bubbly personality always cheers me up. Find her blog here, and click here for her Youtube channel! When I found out a couple of years ago that she was starting a beauty range (as well as a fab lifestyle range too) I was SO excited.

Her collections have been pun-tastic and if you know Zoe Sugg, you’ll know she loves a good old pun in all areas of life, so I wasn’t surprised to find that the 2017 Christmas range was called ‘Snowella’! I was extremely excited for this range. I remember watching her video where she introduced all of the products (you can watch it here) and I literally wanted everything that I saw. I was so tempted throughout most of December to grab these bits however I knew it would be available after Christmas too (when the sales hit), so I waited. I hate to be that person but I honestly can’t resist a bargain and there’s something way more satisfying about waiting to buy a product and when you finally get to, it’s cheaper than it was originally! So without further ado, let’s take a look…

1. You’re Cracking Giftset– £14*

*£4.99 in Superdrug now

I immediately wanted this because of the packaging, I mean it’s a flipping giant cracker with copper writing on it – come on?! Zoe definitely knew what she was doing with the packaging in this range actually, as it’s all so pretty and matching and it definitely makes you want it all so many marketing points to her for that one! First in the set, is the Snow Silky Body Lotion (100ml) and the Snow Fresh Body Wash (100ml) which both contain softening Peony, brightening Winter Cranberry and soothing Mint (similar to most of the products in the range). I like the packaging for these two, they have a matte finish plus there’s copper involved as well so I mean… Finally we’ve got the Winter Wonder Hand Handcream (90ml), which I originally thought was in a metal tube (like the body shop ones I already own) so I was kind of dreading using it as it would resemble a dried prune after the first squeeze. It turned out to be a plastic tube with a copper finish so I no longer have to lose any sleep over damaging the packaging (yes I am that sad). My skin is also as dry as sand paper during Winter so I do love a good handbag sized handcream and this is idea for on the go moisturising.

2. Snow Relaxed Bath Fizzers – £6*

*£1.99 in Superdrug now or £4 at Feel Unique

MORE COPPER PACKAGING – YES PLEASE. Within this set, you get two giant bath fizzers with giant snowflakes on them. These are filled with blue iridescent glitter so they look stunning in the bath and on your skin when you get out! The fizzers are loaded with Cocoa Butter, softening Peony, brightening Winter Cranberry and soothing Mint. They smell so fresh so I love using them for baths in the morning to wake me up.

3. Snow’ella Body Mist 100ml – £14*

*£4.99 in Superdrug now

I included the miniature body mist too, which comes as part of the All Four You giftset (I got this for my birthday). The larger bottle is available on it’s own with a gorgeous white pom pom attached. It’s definitely a bottle to have on show as it looks so luxe and delicate. I’m dreading the day this runs out! It’s the same scent as the rest of the products in the range, Winter Cranberry, Mint and Peony. Also, the reindeer is from Tiger for anyone eyeing him up.

4. Merry & Bright Bubble Bath – £10*

*£2.99 in Superdrug now

The Merry & Bright Bubble Bath comes in a huge 490ml glass bottle. You get SO much product plus it’s absolutely beautiful and looks so pretty on the side in my bathroom. The bubble bath has a slight shimmer to it which I love and it also creates the best bubbles for a relaxing pamper night in! It comes with a pom pom hair tie, which I actually use if I want my hair out my face in the bath or when I’m using a face mask. I will definitely be reusing this bottle after I’m finished with the product! This is also in the Snow’ella scent.

5. Brew Me A Bath Bath Teabags & Splash Of Milk Bath Milk Powder – £12*

*£3.99 in Superdrug now or £8.40 on Feel Unique

So up first we have the Brew Me A Bath Bath Tea Bags, which I was most excited about, I think bath tea bags are such a cool concept. You get 8 x 20g bags which I think is great value for money (eight baths worth). The teabags look like they’re real, except they are filled with pink powder and there’s a cute little Z on the tag. I leave them under the tap and the powder dissolves, adding some moisture to the water but also creating some bubbles.

The Splash Of Milk Bath Milk Powder contains four 40g sachets of powder. I wish it contained more as I absolutely love this product! Empty your sachet under warm running water for a milky white moisturising bath.

SPA’RRY SPA’RRY NIGHT – £11*

*£2.99 in Superdrug now or

I love this set as it comes with two products that are perfect for pampering yourself.

First, we have the Snow Polished Body Polish (100ml). I have to admit, I don’t actually use body polishes anywhere near the amount that I should. When I do use them, my skin feels incredible and always smells so lovely for hours afterwards. I like the fact that this body polish is foaming too, so it doesn’t feel to harsh on the skin like some of the others I have tried.

Snow Smooth Body Butter (100ml) I absolutely love this product. My skin also loves it too as it’s just so moisturising and I smell amazing for hours!

WINTER WONDER HAND HAND CREAM – £6.00*

*£1.99 in Superdrug now or £4.80 from Feel Unique

I picked up one of these even though it also came in the You’re Cracking set because during Winter I get through hand cream like it’s air so I thought I would stock up before I have to say goodbye to this range.

This range is absolutely gorgeous, the packaging ticks all the aesthetic boxes for me with lots of copper, grey and pink (matching everything in my bedroom to be honest) and I just love the wide range of products. This is definitely my favourite range so far, I’m super impressed. I have to say though, some of these products were quite pricey to begin with (those are the prices I’ve written by every product above) and had there not been a sale, I probably wouldn’t have bought them. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t good products or aren’t worth trying out, it just depends on your budget I guess. Let me know what you guys think of these products if you have tried them!

N xxxx

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*Anything marked with an “*” are either sponsored or affiliate links, however all opinions are my own

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Beautyblog, Christmas, England, Photography, Review, Shopping, Superdrug, Zoella, ZoellaBeauty

LIFE PLACES

VISITING THE CITY OF BATH

Hello! I hope you all had a fab Christmas – I definitely ate my fair share (and more) of Twiglets and pigs in blankets! I also managed to win a game of Pointless with my apparently extensive knowledge on the different types of potato (feel free to clap).

This year, my boyfriend and I decided to give each other city breaks for Christmas! I took him to Edinburgh and he took me to Bath. I wrote a post about our trip to Edinburgh so take a look if ya fancy! I’ve been to Bath before, with my mum and dad when I was younger for a day trip and I remember loving it. It was so lively and full of shops and things to do.

The hotel, Combe Grove, is a beautiful 18th Century Manor House on a hilltop on the outskirts of Bath, away from the busy city life below. At first we wondered where on earth these tiny winding roads were leading us but then the hotel emerged and we were gobsmacked. It had a slight Downton Abbey feel to it with it’s endless amount of gardens and grand country manor aesthetic. I’ve always loved Georgian architecture, especially when it’s later been transformed into a hotel or a living space, as the history behind it is still there. We were warmly greeted and immediately offered a WiFi code (free of charge – yay!) and shown to our room. My boyfriend had booked a front facing room in the Manor House itself, as they were described to have breath-taking views. When we walked in I was stunned, the bedroom was gorgeous. The window caught my eye in particular – it was absolutely massive! The views from the hotel were incredible, especially the one from our bedroom in the morning!

There’s something special about staying somewhere old and full of character that makes a weekend away so much more enjoyable. We looked forward to getting back in for a nice glass of wine in the bar downstairs, before having a nice relaxing bath and sinking into our lovely luxury sized bed (do excuse how badly placed the throw is, that gap is really bugging me).

Breakfast was incredible. I chose the Homewood Halloumi served on a spinach flatbread with black beans, avocado and a perfect poached egg. It was SO good, I could eat this all day every day. I’ll almost always order anything with avocado involved. There was also a breakfast table with a plate of fresh fruit, granola, yoghurt, toasted breads, croissants and a fabulous array of fruit juices and jams. We also had the loveliest view of the grounds whilst we ate.

Although I did a fair amount of shopping in the sales (many blog posts are to come as a result) however we did get some time to take a look around the historical parts of Bath. The abbey looked so beautiful in the sunshine, even if it has been standing since 1499! I remember visiting the abbey as a little girl with my dad, and we went into listen to a choir rehearsal and as a result got the chance to meet Sir Willard White!

We decided it wouldn’t be a trip to Bath without visiting The Roman Baths. We originally wanted to go in the morning, but there had been a very long queue so we had to keep coming back and eventually there was only a small group in line! We practically sprinted and we were in the building within five minutes! The standard adult ticket would’ve cost us £15.50 each but as we’re students, we only had to pay £13.75 each. We were offered free audioguides (one by Bill Bryson was available?!) but we decided to just read the signs as we went along.

The first view we had of the baths was from the Terrace. There were Victorian statues of Roman Emperors lining the Terrace, dating back to 1894 and were designed for the opening of the Roman Baths in 1897. Below, was the Great Bath and although huge, apparently it makes up less than a quarter of the entire site. It was lovely to be out in the fresh air and also still able to view this fantastic historical site (from above).

Then, we looked at The Sacred Spring, at the very centre of the Roman Baths site. For thousands of years, the naturally hot water (46°C) has been rising there every day! (If you’re wondering why on earth I have applied a weird fuzzy filter over my photos, it’s actually just the steam rising from the water). It was once believed that the ancient gods were responsible for this. Many also believed that this water had healing powers and some would travel for miles and miles just to drink it or bathe here!

Part of the East Baths, this would have been a hot room for people clean up before using the baths (pretty much like modern day spas now) where they could receive massages or sit in saunas.

There were lots of objects recovered from the Baths which we found particularly fascinating. It really brings the place to life when you can see real objects from hundreds of years ago.

My favourite part of our tour was being able to look at the curses. These were messages written on lead or pewter, before being folded up and thrown into the Spring. It was believed that the spirit of the goddess dwelt within the waters and would hear their messages.

There was even a Roman skeleton in one area of the exhibition, including the coffin too. This was definitely another fascinating reminder that all of this really happened and that these people really existed.

Finally, we got to view the Great Bath up close. The bath is 1.6 metres deep with steps leading down to it on all sides. The niches around the bath were for people to sit on to talk or would have held drinks and snacks. You can sort of see in the back right of the photo, a large flat slab of stone, which is known today as the diving stone.

Just before we set off for home, we stopped at a quirky little coffee shop called SOHO coffee. It gave off strong Pret vibes but it had a very different menu. I opted for an avocado caesar baguette and a fruit pot and wait for it… a Rocky Road hot chocolate. This was the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had, generously topped with marshmallows and cream too! I would really recommend stopping by, as it’s a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by whilst recovering from lots of walking and shopping!

I had the best time in Bath, it’s such a beautiful and lively city. It’s brilliant for shopping and also sightseeing which I think makes for the perfect city break. I know I mostly focused on the hotel and The Roman Baths in this post, however the shopping will come later on! I’m saving some things back for other posts to share with you! I would love to know if any of you have visited Bath or if there’s anywhere you would recommend going to stay as we want to go on some more city breaks in 2018!

Also – Happy New Year!

N xxxx

Tags Bath, December, England, History, Holiday, Lifestyle, Photography, Roman Baths, Shopping, Tourism, Travel, Winter

2017 BLOGMAS LIFE

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE

BLOGMAS DAY 24

So, we have reached the end of my first ever Blogmas! I’m so so so glad that I took part as it’s taught me so much about the world of blogging but also about myself. I’ve learned that I actually have a lot more confidence than I thought I had.

I started this blog in September and I didn’t share it with anyone at first – the thought terrified me. I was scared I would be judged or laughed. Writing the post about my brother (it’s here if you want to give it a read) taught me to be true to myself and not to be afraid of being judged by other people. The support that I received in response was so overwhelming. In my first ever blog post, I talked about how blogs and youtube channels have helped me in dark and difficult times in my life and that I was hoping to achieve something similar in my own writing, so I was incredibly moved by how many people said that it had helped them.

This little world that I have created also helps me too. I’ve always loved writing and expressing my opinion and being able to do this whenever I want to, about whatever I choose makes me super happy. I’m so glad so many of you have enjoyed my posts and that it continues to help and entertain all you lovely people out there! Your support honestly means the world to me.

To my girl tribe back at uni, thank you all so much for being avid readers and for even sharing them with your friends and family! Benjamin, you absolute star – thank you so much for putting up with my blogging breakdowns and typing tantrums and for helping me plan my posts and for being so supportive with everything that I do!

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas a very happy New Year and that you get to spend lots of time with people that you love. Speaking of which I can sense a growing panic in the kitchen as dinner is nearly ready, so I should probably go and assist my parents!

Lots and lots of love N xxxx

Tags BLOGMAS, Blogmas2017, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, December, Family, Friends, Holiday, Lifestyle, Support

2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

I HEART REVOLUTION: MINT CHOCOLATE PALETTE – REVIEW SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 23, 2017
25 Comments on I HEART REVOLUTION: MINT CHOCOLATE PALETTE – REVIEW SWATCHES & PHOTOS

BLOGMAS DAY 23:

You guys seemed to enjoy reading my review of Tam Beauty’s I Heart Revolution Golden Bar palette so I thought I would take a look at another in the collection. If you don’t already know about Tam Beauty, I’ve written about them before in some other reviews that I will link below! Long story short they’re cruelty free and based in the UK. They’re kind of an umbrella brand for Makeup Revolution, I Heart Makeup, Freedom and some others too. Today I’m testing out the Mint Chocolate palette, also from Tam Beauty’s I Heart Makeup brand. Enjoy!

READ MY SOPH X PALETTE REVIEW

READ MY GOLDEN BAR PALETTE REVIEW

The Mint Chocolate palette, like the others in the collection, features the amazing chocolate bar packaging, this time with a fluorescent light green and a dark brown base. Immediately this was a throwback for me! As a little girl I always used to get mint choc chip ice cream, it was my absolute favourite – the colours are spot on. It will cost you £8.99 – or in other words, a bargain.

A lot of people have said this palette is very similar to the Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture palette (I’ve also reviewed this) with it’s autumnal selection of shades, oranges, coppers and reds galore! I wish I had been using this through October/November as the colours are perfect for that time of year. The palette is mainly muted and warm however, there’s also some pops of colour, a bright yellow and a shimmery green. The palette includes 9 foils/shimmers and 7 mattes. I think it’s such a unique combination of colours which makes me even more excited to mess around with it. It seems there was an attempt to make it smell of peppermint but it actually kind of smells medicinal. Don’t worry though, it’s not really strong it’s just when you stick your nose in up close.

So here’s the first row…

Sugarcoated: A light champagne-gold foil/shimmer – Perfect for halo looks or inner corners. It’s super creamy but it takes a couple of goes to pick up a lot of pigment.
Engaged: A prosecco meets brown foil/shimmer – Super pretty and pigmented. It was easy to pick this one up and swatch it. I reckon this would look lovely all over the lid.
Tea: A pink-brown matte – I use this as a transition shade as it’s so simple and blends beautifully. It’s creamy and although subtle, it’s buildable.
Lust: A blue to brown foil/shimmer – This might be my favourite shade in the palette, it’s so unique and I’ve never owned a shadow like this (it really reminds me of the shade ‘Petrol‘ in the Soph x Palette which I reviewed a couple of days ago if you fancy having a peek)
Poison Ivy: A dark forest green matte – This is the shade I’m most disappointed with. It’s very patchy (you can see if you look closely in the photo) and I struggled to swatch it let alone blend it on my lids. It’s definitely buildable you just have to put some more work into this one.

The second row…

Secret: A rich warm brown matte – I love this shade, it’s really creamy feeling and it is great for warm smokey eye looks which I do all the time.
Worlds Apart: A red matte with pink and purple undertones – This one felt slightly more chalky but it still swatched well after I applied a couple of layers. I would most likely use this for autumnal looks but probably for festive ones too as it’s so rich and warm.
Distorted: A copper foil/shimmer with orange undertones – I am a sucker for anything gold or copper and this immediately lured me in. The quality of this shade, keeping in mind it’s in a palette sold in drugstores, is INSANE. It’s so pigmented and gorgeously creamy.
Rivals: An emerald green foil/shimmer – This shadow isn’t as creamy as Distorted and it’s slightly chalky/powdery feeling but it’s so pigmented and it still applies and blends really well. It’s the perfect shimmery green for festive makeup looks as there’s definitely some flecks of gold in it too!
Interupted: A cup of tea brown/nude matte – (Yes it’s spelt without a double ‘r’ so I’m not sure if this is a typo on the palette or intentional) So far I’ve used this as a transition shade in the crease or as a base for other shadows. It’s very soft and creamy feeling and it’s buildable too if you want it to stand out a little bit more. It’s just a bit too similar to my skin tone so it doesn’t show up that much on me.

Compromise: A brown foil/shimmer – At first I didn’t find this to be that pigmented but after another layer it was gorgeous. The texture was creamy as well which I love as it just makes applying and blending so much easier. I like that this is a warm toned shimmer too – right up my street!

The third and final row…

Awaken: A dark chocolate brown matte – Just like Poison Ivy I found this to be quite patchy but after a little bit more work it was okay. It’s warm toned too which I’m all about.
Disturbance: A bright yellow-gold foil/shimmer – Super pigmented and such a cool unique shade, I’ve never owned a bright yellow before either so I’m going to enjoy experimenting with this.
Commotion: A turquoise blue foil/shimmer – Turquoise is my favourite colour anyway so I immediately fell in love with this shade when I saw it.
High Standards: A champagne-pink nude foil/shimmer – Another pigmented shadow, perfect for halo looks and inner corner highlights. It’s so delicate and pretty looking.

Confession: A pinky-white matte – I’ve been using this as a base after I apply primer/concealer to my lid as it just doesn’t show up that well on me. However, it definitely brightens up my eyes no matter what I’m using it for.

In conclusion, it’s a great palette for the amount that you pay. No, not all of the shades are perfect in one swatch but it is after all, £8.99 so I can understand why this isn’t the case. However, every shade is buildable and can be as intense as you want it to be which makes up for any initial patchiness or lack of immediate pigment. I love the mix of shimmers and mattes which means I can take this palette anywhere and use it for a whole look on it’s own and the inclusion of a massive mirror helps with making it really travel-friendly too. I would recommend this palette to anyone looking to experiment with some coloured eyeshadows or if you would use this kind of palette every day. It’s only £8.99 so if you reckon it’s your kind of thing it’s not a terrifyingly priced product. If you already have this or are planning on buying it, let me know where you stand as I would love to know.

READ MY SOPH X PALETTE REVIEW

READ MY GOLDEN BAR PALETTE REVIEW

N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, BLOGMAS, Blogmas2017, Eyeshadow Palette Review, I Heart Makeup, Makeup, MakeupRevolution, Mint Chocolate Palette, palette, Review, Superdrug, TamBeauty

2017 BLOGMAS LIFE

THE CHRISTMAS TAG

BLOGMAS DAY 22

I’ve always loved reading people’s tag posts because I think they tell you a lot about a person and they’re always fun to read. I thought I would take part as I’ve never done one before so here you are, enjoy!

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?

I hate to be extremely predictable, but it’s got to be Love, Actually. I bloody love this film, it hits all the emotions and it’s such a feel good film. I don’t feel like it’s Christmas without watching it. Gotta love a bit of Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson – not to mention Alan Rickman too.

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

We like to save the excitement for Christmas Day! I don’t think I’ve ever opened a present on Christmas Eve, it felt like there was a rule that shouldn’t be broken. I can remember being little and waking up in the middle of the night to find my stocking at the end of my bed, the temptation was unbearable. I remember poking my presents, trying to figure out what they were.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

I remember sleeping in my brother’s room in a sleeping bag on his bedroom floor (our first sleepover) and in the morning we were opening our stockings and I got some little desks and lockers for my Barbie dolls. I’d wanted to play ‘schools’ with my dolls and now I could! – It’s the small things for 6 year old Nina haha!

4. Favourite festive food?

I’m aware these are around all year however there’s nothing like scoffing a box of Lindt chocolate truffles on Christmas Day – alone (no sharing whatsoever thank you). I’ve always loved pigs in blankets though, my mouth is watering just thinking about them. Recently I’ve also started enjoying festive inspired crisps. If you’re wondering what I’m on about, check out M&S for some very interesting combinations.

5. Favourite Christmas gift?

I have a few. First I have to say my Playmobil Hospital. I picked this with my parents and they hid it upstairs and I remember sitting in front of it every night and staring at it – I was so unbelievably excited. Another doll-related gift, I received a boy Bratz doll and I was over the moon. It was so difficult finding boy dolls anywhere so this was a groundbreaking moment for Nina’s doll collection. Another fond memory I have, I must’ve been pretty young, I was given a ‘Grease’ (as in the musical) handbag which I took everywhere with me as I was obsessed with the film. OBSESSED. I used to watch it every morning and pause it before school only to come back home and continue watching it from that point. My poor family probably didn’t fancy listening to ‘Summer Nights’ that frequently. Soz guys x

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

It’s got to be peppermint. I know it’s not particularly traditional but I’m loving it at the moment, it reminds me of candy canes! I find the traditional Christmas spice scent quite overpowering so I don’t tend to buy anything that smells of it. I have a couple of posts where I talk about my favourite festive candles so check them out here and here if you’re interested!

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

We usually have something yummy to eat and we watch whatever festive shows that the BBC has to offer or we tune into a Christmas classic. At some point we usually watch something animated (Dreamworks or Pixar). Shrek the Halls is one of my favourites actually.

8. What tops your tree?

My brother made a little purple angel made from paper with a photo of his face on it when he was at school so it’s usually that. We have two trees and the other one doesn’t do a great job of supporting a star so I try and distract with lots of decorations instead.

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

I don’t really remember asking for anything too nuts but I’m sure when I was really little and I thought anything was possible – I probably asked for all sorts.

10. What’s the best part about Christmas for you?

Cringey I know, but I’ve always loved giving people presents. My mum always gave me lots of little bits to open on birthdays and for Christmas as opposed to one or two big things. I always thought this was better and more exciting, I still do. So I enjoy all of the shopping and buying presents for friends and family. I feel like that little kid from the John Lewis advert haha! Another fab part of Christmas is of course, the huge sales. NEW CLOTHES AND MAKEUP YAY!

Feel free to answer these questions yourselves as I would love to hear about your Christmas traditions and favourites!

Tags BLOGMAS, Blogmas2017, Candles, Christmas, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, England, Family, Gifts, Lifestyle, Memories, Presents, TheChristmasTag

2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

MAKEUP REVOLUTION SOPH X PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 21, 2017
2 Comments on MAKEUP REVOLUTION SOPH X PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

BLOGMAS DAY 21

Tam Beauty are the company that own Freedom, Makeup Revolution and I Heart Makeup. They’re cruelty free and are based in Britain. You’ll most likely spot their products in your local Superdrug store. I’ve reviewed their Golden Bar palette if you fancy taking a look. When I heard that Soph was collaborating with Tam Beauty’s brand Makeup Revolution to create a palette, I nearly passed out. I have watched Sophie’s videos for years now and she’s come so far I’m so proud to be a subscriber of hers. She is a Youtuber who is known as ‘Sophdoesnails’. She’s extremely down to earth and she’s soooo good at eye makeup looks. She also reviews the latest products in the beauty world, trying out all kinds of brands – affordable and expensive. I highly recommend that you go and check out her channel here. She also made an announcement video where she goes through each of the shades and explains her choices and reasoning behind the names and colours.

I’ve only just managed to get my hands on this palette so I thought a review was well overdue.

Let’s talk about this packaging. It’s a super pretty pastel pink colour that Soph actually designed herself. She’s very artistic (and extremely talented) and she actually painted the watercolour design that features on the packaging. I am loving the rose gold splatters and writing on it too (right up my street as you probably know). I will definitely be keeping the palette in it’s box as it’s just too pretty to throw away.

The actual palette itself is a matte nude, pastel peach colour with more rose gold lettering on it. It’s slim and lightweight and it’s also got a very generously sized mirror making it a brilliant palette to travel with or for on the go use.

Upon opening the palette you are greeted by 24 pans, 14 of which are matte shadows and 10 are shimmers. As you can see the palette includes a fantastic mix of shades giving you so many options when it comes to creating looks for every day or even looks for all out glam. There’s rich shimmers, bright pops of colour and even a matte black! What more could you need?! The shadows are all pigmented and buildable so you can be more subtle or go full on. I use a primer to ensure they wear all day long so I would recommend doing the same as you really get the most out of the shades. I would also recommend that you do your eyes before doing the rest of your face as I never learn and get a heavy dusting of shimmer all over my foundation covered cheeks – No thanks.

Penguin: A matte white – Quite powdery but is super pigmented for a white shadow.
Pancakes: A light neutral beige- Pretty accurate name for the colour actually, it’s a fab transition shade as well.
Fairy Lights: A white-gold shimmer – It’s not the most intense shadow in the palette but it’s still buildable and looks lovely for inner corner highlights or on the brown bone.
Pink Champagne: A pale pink shimmer – Again this isn’t very intense but it’s certainly buildable and looks so pretty on the inner part of the lid or even all over it.
Iced Coffee: A matte warm tan/neutral – Another perfect name. It really does look like the colour of iced coffee. I love using this to warm up the crease as a transition shade.
Cuppa Tea: A medium matte warm brown – I also love using this shade to warm up my eyeshadow looks.

Grow Old: A coppery-gold shimmer – This is so beautifully pigmented, I love it! I use this shadow all the time, it’s so warm and pretty.
Sparks Fly: A gold shimmer – The perfect gold shadow, it’s a must in any collection. It’s so pigmented and looks so gorgeous on the lids when the light catches it. I love using this for halo looks too.
Smokey Bronze: A dark smokey bronze metallic shimmer – You know me, I love anything bronze so I really enjoy using this shade. It’s great for smoking out shimmery looks.
Mixed Berries: A purple berry-toned shimmer – I’ve always loved using fun and bold colours within my every day makeup looks, so I was so happy to see this shade included in the palette. It’s also super pigmented too!
Tiramisu: A neutral matte medium brown – Again a great shadow for the crease as a transition shade. I also enjoy using this for more natural makeup looks too as it’s not too intense and can be blended out very easily.
Peaches: A warm matte peach – This is so creamy and pigmented. I love how rich and warm this shade is too. I can’t wait to use this in summer when I’m creating more orangey/gold looks.

Cloudberry: A matte light orange – This definitely has some subtle shimmer to it. It’s so pigmented and gorgeous I’m so happy this shade was included! Again, this will be perfect for warm toned looks in summer. I love that she named this because of the Moomin books too!

Pumpkin: A matte orange with red undertones – This shade surprised me so much when I swatched it. It’s so creamy and it’s extremely pigmented, I barely had to press on the pan to pick up what I did.

Pine Tree: An emerald green metallic shimmer – I can’t get over this shade. I am a lover of all things green and khaki as it’s a colour that seems compliment my skin tone so I was so excited about this colour being in the palette. It’s so unique and different from anything else that I have. I have really enjoyed using this for festive looks as it’s the perfect Christmas green in my opinion. It was the tiniest bit chalky to swatch but this didn’t cause any issues when applying.

Petrol: An iridescent metallic blue shimmer with brown undertones – I was really intrigued by this shade as I originally thought it was a blue shimmer. It’s actually a blue to brown shimmer. I was so surprised at how creamy feeling this shadow was. This is so unique, I’ve never owned an eyeshadow like this before!

Pug: A matte grey-brown taupe – Another shade that’s perfect for using in the crease or as a transition shade.

Danger: A red matte – I am a sucker for warm toned shadows so this is right up my street.

Strawberry Sweets: A matte warm strawberry pink – This is such a stunning shade. I like using this for my more bold coloured looks.
Festive Flame: Metallic red with orange undertones – Again this is a shade that’s so perfect for festive makeup looks.
Copper Coin: A true copper metallic shimmer with orange undertones – I LOVE THIS SHADE. It’s absolutely gorgeous and so pigmented for a drugstore shadow. Yes Soph!
Mugcake: A dark neutral matte brown – I have been using this to darken my outer v and it works a treat. It’s also warm toned which I am all about.
Rosewood: A dark cool toned brown with pink and purple undertones – I enjoy using this when I want a more cool toned but dark look.

Nightmare: A matte black – Finally a black shadow included in a colourful palette! It’s so fab for adding some drama to my eye looks. Perfect for a dark and dramatic smokey eye.

In conclusion, this palette is absolutely worth buying. For the price and the range of shades it’s just such good value. There’s so many different shades for every kind of look that you could wish to create and because there’s a mixture of mattes and shimmers you can create looks using only this palette. Some of the shades require a couple of layers to build up the colour payoff but of course, this is more than okay for a drugstore palette that only costs £10. I am so impressed that this was created by Soph and it’s the first thing she’s created – what an achievement! You can get the palette from Superdrug in stores and online and on Tam Beauty’s website.

I will be reviewing her highlighter palette soon so keep an eye out for that! If you’ve tried either of Soph’s products I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Blogmas2017, Christmas, December, eyeshadow, Eyeshadow Palette Review, Makeup, MakeupRevolution, Photography, Review, Shopping, Sophdoesnails, Sophx, TamBeauty