Tag: Review

PAPERGANG AUGUST 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date August 17, 2018
2 Comments on PAPERGANG AUGUST 2018: REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! How quickly has this summer gone by? I’m fed up of blinking and finding that another week has gone by! Either way, one of the perks of the time passing by is that I got my August Papergang box in the post and it might be one of my favourites! I always include a little bit of info about Papergang and what they’re all about so if you just want to see the review, keep scrolling until you see some photos!

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 stationery 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.

Like the sound of it and want to subscribe to Papergang? Click here to use my invite!

Just look at that design! This box was created by Iraville, a wonderful artist based in Munich! She creates the most beautiful watercolour illustrations and I absolutely love her work. How perfect is this design for Autumn? The browns and oranges are gorgeous together and I can’t wait to whip out the matching stationery when the leaves are turning the same colour outside (call me a weirdo, but seasonal stationery updates is a must)

Follow Iraville –

Insta – @iraville

Every month we receive a printed calendar as a bonus item and I really love them as they’re perfect for keeping on my desk in a cute little frame! I can’t bring myself to throw them out so by the end of the year I’ll be swimming in them. I love the little tree illustrations – again, perfect for Autumn!

A5 (ish) NOTEBOOK – £9.95

I love a notebook so I’ll never complain when one turns up in my Papergang box. You can never have too many right? To be honest, if I can’t fit anymore into my drawers, I can give them to friends and family as gifts instead! This one is particularly lovely though, and I’ll definitely be using it for planning my Autumn content! The cover is soft but I can tell it’s still high quality. I always get stressed when there’s a blank space on the cover a notebook, just incase I can’t write neatly enough on it! The book is filled alternating blank and lined pages which I find handy for notes and sketches.

3 x PENCILS – £3.95

As sad as it sounds, I was so excited to receive these. I’m a collector at heart and one of the things that I love about Papergang is that a lot of the items are the same but with different designs on them, so I’ve managed to collect quite a few of these pencils and they all just look so good together. I did warn you, I’m a weirdo. If ever things start to spiral out of control, at least my desk has got it’s shit together and I’ll have a lovely pot of pretty pencils there to support me. I always use them to write up my blog statistics, as they change every day so this means I can edit them easily! I love all of the little illustrations featured on them too – so cute!

WASHI TAPE – £2.50

Well, you should all know by now, that I have a stupidly large collection of Washi Tape. I apparently keep justifying buying more and more but hey I could be collecting worse. I love using these tapes in my bullet journal and scrapbooks. I love the illustrations on this one and I reckon I’ll be using it a lot during October and November in my notebooks. I tend to look on Pinterest for washi tape ideas and there seems to be hundreds of different ways to use them!As usual, they’ve been incredibly generous with the tape size – it’s 10m long!

GREETING CARD – £2.50

How gorgeous is this design? I always seem to have a stash of cards ready for any special occasions thanks to Papergang! It’s always nice to be prepared and the cards are always such lovely quality that I genuinely look forward to sending them! I might sound fairly old school but I love receiving cards from people, it’s sometimes nicer than receiving a text.

In conclusion, this was another great Papergang box. I love everything that I received and I know I will use everything too! I like that this box was seasonally themed too, which makes it easier to imagine myself using all of the wonderful products inside when Autumn comes! The box values at £18.90 and considering that I pay £13.90 per month, that still works out at great value. You really do get your money’s worth, and usually a bit more too! I love that every month is a total surprise and each time, the products are always amazing.

I really hope you enjoyed this post and I’ve linked all of my social media down below so go and give me a follow and come and say hi!

N xxxx

Want to subscribe to Papergang? Click here to use my invite!

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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Tags Art, blogger, Bullet Journal, Design, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Notebook, Ohh Deer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Photos, Review, School, Stationery, Student

BEAUTY

GET GLOWING: SUPERDRUG’S NATURALLY RADIANT RANGE

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date August 3, 2018
32 Comments on GET GLOWING: SUPERDRUG’S NATURALLY RADIANT RANGE

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today’s review is about Superdrug’s Naturally Radiant skincare range. Your girl has been a busy bee over the last couple of months, as I’ve been trying out these products for you. I’m super excited to share my thoughts with you!

So, it turns out that my favourite place to look for affordable and effective skincare is Superdrug. I don’t really fancy paying my life savings for a pot of moisturiser small enough to store a jelly bean in it. I’ll admit, some of those high end products are fantastic and they smell like a luxury spa weekend, however if I can get something equally as good for a quarter of the price, I am DOWN! If you’re anything like me in that respect, keep reading as this could be the skincare range for you.

The Naturally Radiant range features a variety of products, all of which are infused with plant extracts and focus on awakening the skin’s natural glow. I always find that whilst on holiday, my skin gets this amazing glow and that only lasts a little while after I’ve returned back home. I bought this range hoping that I can keep that glow a little longer! What were the results?

*This post contains affiliate links

Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser – £5.99

“Enriched with nourishing Cocoa Butter, this rich and creamy formulation melts into the skin and cleanses away make-up and impurities, whilst also providing gentle exfoliation, leaving skin feeling renewed, soft and ultra clean.”

For quite some time, I’ve been admiring those who have their life together enough to be using the famous Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser (I am not one of those goddesses). I’ve also been wondering how on earth I’m going to afford to have that as one of my regular products and the answer is – forget it unless you sell one of your kidneys… so, I was THRILLED to discover this little beauty! I’ve been using this every single night to help remove my makeup and it does a fab job! It smells absolutely divine and the formula is so creamy that you barely have to put in any effort! It gently exfoliates too, leaving my skin feeling super soft and smooth. Plus, it comes with one of those fancy cloths!

CHECK OUT THE HOT CLOTH CLEANSER HERE

Refreshing Complete Cleanser – £5.99

“Formulated with a unique energising complex and infused with Kiwi Fruit and Mulberry extracts to help revive skin’s radiance. The creamy formula is designed to gently but effectively remove impurities, excess oil and melt away make-up leaving skin feeling clean, refreshed and comforted.”

I LOVE this product! It’s the most amazing cleanser and yet it’s so affordable – I just can’t get my head around it. You know those cleansears that lather up beautifully? This is one of those! Whenever I can’t be bothered to tackle the tedium of wiping my makeup off I use this bad boy and it does the job. I also use this first thing in the morning and I look so much healthier for doing so! This is a must if you’re looking for a new face wash or cleanser – it’s so good.

CHECK OUT THE CLEANSER HERE

Glycolic Tonic 5% Glycolic Acid – £5.99

“Highly concentrated in Glycolic Acid, a powerful Alpha Hydroxy Acid, the refreshing tonic also refines pores, retexturises the skin’s surface and smoothes fine lines, providing a brighter, healthier and more youthful complexion.”

This stuff is the BOMB. After a couple of days, my skin looked softer, brighter and much healthier. Every morning and evening, after cleansing, I apply it with a cotton pad and wipe over my face before moisturising and it works wonders! If you have any spots, be warned that it feels like a tiny flame has been taken to them for a brief few seconds but it actually seems to help them heal faster (no pain no gain).

CHECK OUT THE GLYCOLIC TONIC HERE

Glycolic Overnight Peel – £5.99

“The refreshing gel formula also refines and retexturises the skin’s surface, providing a brighter, more youthful complexion.”

Okay so this is my favourite product in the range. It’s one of those products that literally work overnight and the results are immediately noticeable – what more could you want? I apply a tiny amount to my face after cleansing, leave it to get to work overnight and I was it off first thing in the morning. I can’t even begin to explain how soft my skin feels – this stuff is addictive! I’ve received so many compliments about my skin since I started using this, I can’t imagine not having it as part of my routine. I haven’t worn make-up for ages and it’s down to this little tube of goodness. I HIGHLY recommend trying it out! 10/10!

CHECK OUT THE PEEL HERE

Renewing Night Cream – £5.99

“Enriched with nourishing Sugar Beet extract and skin renewing Fruit Acids, this intensive formulation delivers rich and long-lasting moisturisation, whilst helping to refine skin’s texture as you sleep, leaving skin feeling smoother and looking more youthful”

I love the idea of overnight skincare. Who doesn’t want to have amazing products getting to work whilst you literally get your beauty sleep? It’s such a simple way of waking up with radiant and glowing skin – barely any effort required! If I need my makeup to go particularly well the next day, I always use this cream the night before, that way, I wake up and my skin is super smooth and soft, ready for my foundation etc. I really recommend this to anyone that doesn’t enjoy waiting for moisturisers to get to work, you’ll be asleep for this and when you wake up it’ll be done!

CHECK OUT THE NIGHT CREAM HERE

Brightening Day Cream – £5.99

“Enriched with nourishing Sugar Beet extract, this lightweight formulation provides all day moisturisation, helping to smooth and soften skin’s texture, whilst also protecting against UV rays to keep skin looking youthful.”

I’m now on my third pot of this stuff – it’s SO good. It’s the only moisturiser that I would keep buying again and again and I recommend it to everyone! I apply this every morning before I put on my makeup and it makes for the perfect base. I love that it’s also SPF15 just for extra protection during the day – it was great on holiday! If you’re looking for a great moisturiser, this is a product really worth trying. I’ve noticed that my skin tone looks so much more even and refined, any discolouration is long gone and any scarring has healed!

CHECK OUT THE DAY CREAM HERE

Moisturiser and Serum – £5.99

“Enriched with nourishing Fruit Acids, this rich velvety formula delivers long-lastings moisturisation, whilst also helping to refine skin’s texture and clarity for a smoother, more radiant complexion.”

I like using this product on the days where my skin is particularly dry. During the Winter months, the skin around my nose gets particularly dry and irritated and I can tell that this will be an amazing product to keep me moisturised! I love the formula too, it’s silky soft, almost gel-like! Again, I’ve noticed my skin is able to maintain a healthy glow for much longer, since I started using this product.

CHECK OUT THE MOISTURISER AND SERUM HERE

Brightening Radiance Balm – £5.99

“Enriched with Sugar Beet extract and light reflecting pearls, this lightweight formulation instantly illuminates the skin, whilst also delivering rich and long-lasting moisturisation for a more supple, smooth and intensely luminous complexion.”

My second favourite product within the range. On days where my skin is clear and I’m feeling confident to go make-up free, I just put this on! My skin looks so pretty and healthy it’s like a magic trick. My skin has never looked this good before, I can’t believe it’s down to such an affordable product?! Before you apply the balm, look at the product in your hand – you can literally see the shimmer!

CHECK OUT THE RADIANCE BALM HERE

Brightening Eye Cream – £5.99

“Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream is formulated with a naturally revitalising blend of ingredients and infused with Mulberry and Kiwi extracts to help brighten and smooth the eye area and help reduce signs of fatigue.”

Okay so you know those gross lines that your foundation can sometimes sit in beneath your eyes? No thank you! Since using this eye cream, they’ve completely disappeared. Also don’t you hate those mornings where you wake up and your eyes are puffy? Fear no more! Dark circles? Got it covered! It does everything it claims to do. No – it’s not too good to be true. I can’t explain how good this is other than “it’s good, buy it and try it!”

CHECK OUT THE EYE CREAM HERE

So, what’s the verdict?

This range is absolutely amazing. The packaging, the quality and the pricing, it’s all amazing. As a blogger I see heaps and heaps of expensive skincare all over my social media channels and all I can think about is “how can I afford to use that?”. I used to think that good skincare was only for those that could afford the crazy price tags however this demonstrates that that isn’t the case! Quite often, these products are on offer (half price/buy one get one free) so you end up saving a lot more than if you were investing in some pricier skincare on a regular basis.

If you have fairly oily skin and you don’t want it getting any oilier, I wouldn’t recommend using this range as it’s so moisturising and hydrating that it probably wouldn’t help. However, if you have dry skin or you’re looking for something to help fade any scarring and give your skin a natural glow for an affordable price – this is your calling! It’s super easy to get your hands on too either in store or online! Superdrug are really changing the game with their skincare and I’m desperate to try some of their other ranges.

What should I try next?

N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blogger, Cleanser, Moisturiser, Natural, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare, Superdrug

BEAUTY

MOPBOX: AUGUST 2018 – FESTIVAL FEVER*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 27, 2018
2 Comments on MOPBOX: AUGUST 2018 – FESTIVAL FEVER*

Hey Everyone,

Today’s post is super exciting as it’s in collaboration with MOPBOX, a new makeup-only subscription box, here in the UK! You know how much I love makeup so this is a dream come true for me! Each box is shipped on the 26th of every month via a ‘signed for’ postal service. You can choose from a monthly subscription, a 3 month subscription or a 6 month subscription – whatever suits you! I’d personally go for the monthly subscription and this only costs £24 per month, which I think is amazing value for what you get. Each box features a stylised makeup-look to create and it also includes the makeup, tools and brushes to help you do it! There’s also a magazine inside, with a step-by-step guide showing you exactly what to do. I think these boxes will be so inspiring for any budding makeup artists or for anyone looking to boost their confidence in order to express themselves with makeup! It stands out from other beauty subscriptions and I think it will be really popular!

*Paid AD & Gifted Items

CHECK OUT MOPBOX HERE

Look at all these goodies! This box was created with a festival look in mind which is perfect for this summer – especially with all of this gorgeous weather that we’ve been having! This month, we were sent makeup, tools, a makeup bag AND glitter – I’m already thinking that this is a winner given that it only costs £24 and you get £62.94 worth of products!

I really love that the boxes include a little magazine with information about the products, a step-by-step guide and a sneak preview of next month’s theme! It makes you feel part of a community as well as giving you lots of tips and tricks. I think it shows how much thought and effort goes into this beauty subscription box compared to some other well known ones.

Lord & Berry – Scuba Pro Mascara – RRP £16.00

I am a huge fan of Lord & Berry products, so I was delighted to find this mascara inside my box! I feel like mascara is such a must for a festival – even though my lashes are extremely straight and boring, it makes a huge difference believe it or not! It’s such a quick and easy fix for tired eyes and at a festival I can imagine this would be a really popular product for on-the-go top-ups PLUS it’s waterproof so it’ll protect you from those unpredictable showers that the UK is known for!

So Susan – Liquid Powder Eyeshadow Palette – RRP £11.50

You know how much I love my eyeshadow so of course I was glad to find this beauty tucked into my box! This palette features eight gorgeous shadows, hot-poured and solidified to form a creamy firm powder. It’s also cruelty-free! I absolutely love warm/berry toned eye looks and this palette is perfect for creating those type of makeup looks! I think summer is the perfect time to experiment with colour and this palette allows me to do just that. I’ve never heard of So Susan before so it goes to show that MOPBOX want to showcase some less well-known brands which I think is a really nice idea.

Model Co – Rose Glow – RRP £14.95

This has got to be my favourite product in this month’s box! I love highlighters so much, I think they’re your perfect summer companion and they just make such a difference to my makeup looks. Not to be dramatic, but I can’t imagine my life without them – they’re an essential! I already own quite a few products by Model Co, so I know that they’re a great brand and that their makeup is always fantastic quality! I like that this highlighter is a collaboration with Hailey Baldwin too as she’s becoming increasingly popular as the months go by which shows that MOPBOX are keen to stay on trend. I tend to go for a dewy look most of the time so cream highlighters are my best friend, they’re super easy to apply and blend out and you’re totally in control of where it goes and how much you use! This highlighter in particular is pigmented and creamy and it’s got a rose-gold tint to it to give you the healthiest glow you ever did see!

The Glitter Army – Glitter Bag (6g) – RRP £4.50

This summer has made me a bit glitter-crazy which is so strange because this time last year I couldn’t stand it! I think it grows in popularity during the festival season, when our Instagram feeds are packed with creativity, colour and glitter. I wouldn’t have known what to do with it if I hadn’t seen the countless tutorials that have come out this year. I’m starting to love it more and more, it allows me to be creative and the possibilities are endless! This bag is packed with gorgeous silver glitter and as I’m sure most of you are well aware, a little bit goes a LONG way so it’ll last ages!

Curlers

I mentioned earlier that I have the most boring lashes ever. I’m lucky in that they’re quite long but I literally can’t get them to do anything and they’re determined to stay dead straight. That’s where curlers come in super handy! I was glad to see a pair in this box because they really do help me out when I’m trying to stop my lashes being so stubborn. I always find that after I’ve curled my lashes I look so much more awake which is a must if you’re pulling all-nighters at a festival!

MOPBOX – Small Blending Brush – RRP £8.99

In my opinion, you can never have too many makeup brushes and on those days where I can’t be bothered to wash them, I’m glad that I have an extensive (and growing) collection as there’s usually a clean one to use! Blending is so important when it comes to eyeshadow as without it you might look like you’ve been punched in the face which isn’t the best look for a festival. Blending allows you to create effortless and beautiful looks and that’s exactly what this brush is designed for! It’s always good to have a stash of blending brushes as they come in so handy!

Overall, I think that this box was amazing. The quality, size and type of products is fantastic for the price. I think it will be such a popular subscription and I think there’s definitely a gap in the market for something like this. I often feel like I don’t know what to do with all of the things I get sent by some other subscription services, whereas with MOPBOX, I’m told exactly what each product is for and I’m also given a stgep-by-step guide and a look to create so nothing can go to waste! I love that they stay on trend and I think this will appeal to so many different audiences. I also love that they included a makeup bag too and it’s little things like this that make you feel like a valued customer. I really recommend giving this a try if you’re anything like me and you love makeup! What do you think of these products? Do you have any suggestions for how they could improve or anything that you really love? Let me know in the comments! I’ve included all of my social media below so be sure to come and say hey!

CHECK OUT MOPBOX HERE

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N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Cosmetics, Festivals, Glitter, Makeup, MOPBOX, Photography, Photos, Review, Subscription, Tutorial

INTERIORS LIFE

INTERIOR EDIT: FANTASTIC FLAMINGOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 24, 2018
No Comments on INTERIOR EDIT: FANTASTIC FLAMINGOS

Hey Everyone,

I haven’t written a post about interior design in such a long time so I’m super keen to be back with another one for you! Today’s post is all about the summer trend of flamingos – they are EVERYWHERE! I’ve chosen a few favourites to share with you from bedding to candles so keep scrolling for some goodies! I’ve included links to everything so you can have a look for yourself if anything takes your fancy!

This post contains affiliate links

John Lewis – Sara Miller – Thermal Flask

How freaking cute is this? I love using flasks during the winter at university. It makes those 9ams so much easier when I have a nice hot tea with me! I love the print, it’s so quirky and different! With the cold weather on it’s way, grab yourself one of these to keep cosy!

CHECK OUT THE FLASK HERE

Amazon – Final Touch Flamingo Wine Glass Markers

You’d be surprised at how handy these things are! Whenever we have lots of people round for dinner and drinks, I always stick these on everyones glasses so people know which belongs to them! I hate putting a drink down and not knowing which one it is an hour later. Plus they’re cute and quirky!

CHECK OUT THE GLASS MARKERS HERE

Argos – Pieridae Flamingo Bedding Set

How gorgeous is this bedding? I hadn’t bought any bedding from Argos before so I was slightly worried that it wouldn’t be much good. However, I ordered some a while back and I have zero regrets! It’s so comfy and affordable, it’s perfect if you’re going to uni and you want some fun bedding to brighten up your new room!

CHECK OUT THE BEDDING HERE

Sass & Belle – Ziggy The Chevron Tropical Flamingo Mug

If you didn’t know already, I own far too many mugs. For some reason, I keep buying them and I can’t stop. I always go for the bigger ones so then I can have a huge cup of tea! I particulalry love the look of this one, I mean look at the handle, it’s too cute to miss out on. I love Sass & Belle and I’ve bought lots of things from them before! If you’re interested in homeware then definitely check out their website, they have some amazing bits and pieces. They’re also amazing when it comes to looking for gifts!

CHECK OUT THE MUG HERE

John Lewis – Fenella Smith Flamingo and Pineapple Ring Plate

I really love using plates like this to keep all of my trinkets and bits and pieces in one place. I have one on my bedside table to put my earrings and rings in before I go to sleep and I have a few on my desk to hold paperclips etc. They come in so handy – particularly at uni! They stop all of those little bits going missing under the bed or behind your drawers. I love the little illustration is as well – adorable!

CHECK OUT THE RING PLATE HERE

John Lewis – Sanderson Flamingos Wallpaper

Bathroom GOALS! Look at how pretty this wallpaper is! It’s like my dream design to have in my future bathroom. I’ve always liked the idea of having a feature wall in each room, this would make a great one right? I’m one of those people that can’t manage to get themselves together on a daily basis but somehow has planned their future home out – in depth. Is anyone else like that? I blame Pinterest.

CHECK OUT THE WALLPAPER HERE

If you read my other tropical themed interior post, then you’ll know how much I love flamingos and all things summer. I just love the pop of colour and the idea that you can make a room feel different with just the addition of a little pink bird! It’s strange how suddenly it started trending but I think the idea of a tropical interior is becoming much more popular as the years go by. I’m excited to see what next summer brings! This year we’ve had cactuses, flamingos and pineapples – who knows what is to come!

What do you think of this trend?

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

N xxxx

Tags blogger, Decor, Design, Favourites, Flamingos, Furniture, Interior, Interior Design, Lifestyle, Photography, Photos, Review, Summer, Tropical

BEAUTY

HOW TO GET A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP WITH FEATHER AND DOWN*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 20, 2018
19 Comments on HOW TO GET A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP WITH FEATHER AND DOWN*

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Is anyone else finding it difficult to get anything done in this heat? I’m literally melting away as I’m typing this. Either way, I have some lovely bits and pieces to share with you! I was kindly gifted these by Feather and Down, however all thoughts, of course, are my own! If something takes your fancy, you can buy it in Boots, however I’l also include links to everything so you can order them too!

* Unpaid AD & Affiliate Links

Today, I’m going to be reviewing some of the Feather and Down Sweet Dreams range! After finishing my second year at university, I have never valued relaxation and wellbeing more. With the stress of deadlines and exams, I decided I needed to spend much more time concentrating on my health and one way that I did this was through using products containing lavender. Not only does it help me sleep but it keeps me calm and collected – particularly the night before an exam. I absolutely love the packagaing, it looks so elegant and luxurious – perfect for a pamper evening!

All Purpose Sleep Balm – £7.00

I’ve used sleep balms before and I’ve found them so helpful when I’m trying to drift off. This particular balm contains Lavender and Chamomile essential oils (it smells unreal) to keep you calm and relaxed. It’s not sticky either so don’t worry about getting stuck to your pillow! Apparently, massaging it onto your pulse points (temples, neck and wrists) makes it last longer due to your heartbeat! I apply this just before I get into bed and I have the best night’s sleep as a result!

CHECK OUT THE BALM HERE

Melting Shower Cream – £6.00

In summer, I prefer to have showers as baths are just too hot for me at this time of year! This shower cream is amazing! Not only does it keep you clean and fresh, it also melts into an oil when you massage it onto wet skin, leaving you feeling soft and silky. I used to hate using oily products until I realised how good they were for my skin. I’ve started putting oils into my bath too, to help me relax and also to keep my skin moisturised and nourished. This shower cream smells incredible too, featuring lavender and chamomile – perfect for bedtime. If you take a shower before bed, the warm water actually causes your body to relax and eases any tension built up throughout a long and stressful day!

CHECK OUT THE SHOWER CREAM HERE

Pillow Spray – £7.00

I’ve been using this product for a while now. It was so helpful when I was extremely anxious about my exams late at night (there’s a theme here) and I couldn’t get to sleep. I simply sprayed this onto my pillow and I was able to calm down and drift off! Lavender and chamomile actually help to reduce anxiety in order to experience a better night’s sleep. In fact, lavender increases the brain waves that are associated with relaxation, so as you can probably tell, this pillow spray contains all the right ingredients!

CHECK OUT THE PILLOW SPRAY HERE

I absolutely love these products and I can’t find a single thing wrong with them. They’re not only beautiful to look at but they’re a joy to use! I’ve never found anything that works this well at helping me drift off. I will definitely be using these around exam time next year when I’m going to need all of the sleep that I can get! I feel so pampered and relaxed after using these products and I can’t see myself not using them now as they’re part of my night-time routine. Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products before as I’d love to hear your thoughts! What do you use to help you sleep?

I’ve linked all of my social media so come and say hi!

I’ll be back soon with another post!

N xxxx

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, blogger, Chamomile, Lavender, Lifestyle, Mindfulness, Photography, Photos, Relaxation, Review, Shower, Sleep

LIFE PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG JULY 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 17, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG JULY 2018: REVIEW

Hey Guys,

I hope you’re all doing well and you’re not melting in this heat. I hate to be that ungrateful Brit but I just can’t cope when my room feels like a sauna all day. I just want it to rain and cool down a bit, plus the grass currently looks like straw so I reckon it’s hoping for the same! I always include a little bit of info about Papergang and what they’re all about so if you just want to see there review, keep scrolling until you see some photos!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

This month’s box was designed by the wonderful John Bond, one of my favourite illustrators. His doodles of dogs are just adorable! I love the colour and design of this box, it’s definitely making me want to go travelling! I particularly love that little elephant. John suggests that he illustrates as a form of therapy, which I think is really interesting. I love that his work is always fun and quirky and I’ve never seen anything like it before.

Follow John –

Insta – @iamjohnbond

Every month we receive a printed calendar as a bonus item and I really love them as they’re perfect for keeping on my desk in a cute little frame! I can’t bring myself to throw them out so by the end of the year I’ll be swimming in them. I particularly like how this one has space for any important dates as I have a few coming up that I’ll need to make a note of!

A5 TRAVEL JOURNAL – £12.95

You know me, I love a notebook so I was more than happy to add to my collection with this gorgeous journal. It’s one of those notebooks that feels expensive if that makes sense. The first page is a gorgeous little map featuring some of John’s cute little illustrations. I like the fact that the elastic on the front is in a different place to usual and I love the compass design too. I’ve never owned a travel journal and since starting university, I’ve been visiting lots of new places in my holidays and I think it’ll be really fun to record those trips in this book!

3 x POSTCARDS – £2.25

Since starting my blog, I’ve really started to appreciate how handy postcards are when it comes to props! I love using them in my flatlays and they work a treat! Obviously, I was thrilled to be sent three more and I can’t wait to use them – keep an eye out for my instagrams as I’m sure they will feature soon!

AEROPLANE PAPERCLIPS – £3.95

These are just adorable. Paperclips are those things that I always say I won’t need until I’m desperately searching the house for some! I just love that these are in the shape of tiny planes, it makes a change from the usual style. Even my dad wanted some when he spotted them on the table. I know these will definitely come in handy when I’m trying to irganise my life during third year!

GIFTWRAP – £1.75

This giftwrap features the same illustrations as the box – which I love! I really like receiving samples of wrapping paper in my Papergang boxes. I don’t just use them for wrapping gifts either! I love using them as backgrounds for my scrapbook pages and as props in my photos. There’s so many uses for these so keep them coming please Papergang!

I really loved this month’s box. I can see myself using all of these products and I don’t have any issues with anything included. I like the fact that travel was the main theme as it’s made me so excited to go on holiday and explore some new places this year, with my travel journal in hand! If anyone is looking for a surprise every month, I cannot recommend Papergang enough. It’s the best thing ever when you’re feeling a bit rubbish and then suddenly one of their beautiful boxes arrives and you have absolutely no idea what will be included. This box values at £20.90 when you add all of the bits and pieces together. Considering each box costs only £10.95 plus £2.95 for delivery, that’s such good value!

I really hope you enjoyed this post and I’ve linked all of my social media down below so go and give me a follow and come and say hi!

N xxxx

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

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

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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Tags 2018, Art, Design, Holiday, Illustration, July, Lifestyle, PAPERGANG, Photography, Photos, Review, Stationery, Subscription, Travel

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX JULY 2018: SAY YES TO ADVENTURE – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 13, 2018
4 Comments on BIRCHBOX JULY 2018: SAY YES TO ADVENTURE – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I’m back! I’ve been very busy recently as I’m committed to jury service (last week and this week) so I haven’t been able to post as frequently as I’d like to. I hope you can bear with me as I’m doing my best to keep up with everything! I post regularly on my instagram (pretty much every day) so go ahead and give me a follow as I’m always active over there – @ninalouiselaw. Today, I’m unboxing and reviewing the July Birchbox! I love these posts because discovering new beauty products is my favourite thing to do and I know lots of you enjoy doing that too! Anyway, below I’ll include some info all about Birchbox, who they are and that they do, so if you just want to see the review – keep scrolling!

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!

CLICK HERE TO READ MY JUNE BIRCHBOX REVIEW!

*RRPs correspond to full-size items in the Birchbox shop!

This month’s box is absolutely beautiful! Instead of the usual drawer-like boxes that we receive, this one came with a lid which I love as I can use it as storage in my bedroom! I love the abstract watercolour design too, it’s so pretty and summery. It also happens to match the colours in my room too so I’m very happy about this!

This month is all about being bold and trying something new – which I am all for! I really enjoy stepping outside my beauty comfort zone and experimenting with new products. This month I’ve been pushing myself in all kinds of ways, whether that’s academically, with my blog, with my makeup or with my anxiety, so this box came at a great time! As usual, we were sent a variety of products including skincare and cosmetics.

Manna Kadar – Long-Wear Powder “Trifecta” – £15

I’ve mentioned before that I have received lots of Manna Kadar products and I love all of them! They have a lot of multi-tasking products that often come as a “2-in-1” or a “3-in-1” which I absolutely LOVE. It means you can carry less makeup and still have everything you need at the same time. This powder is a 3-in-1 brow, eye and cheek product (wow, as it can act as a bronzer, eyeshadow or brow filler. I was so surprised at how buttery and smooth it felt when I was swatching it – it was so easy to apply. I love that it adds a pop of colour wherever I need it which is perfect for the summery warm makeup looks I like to create at this time of year!

CHECK OUT THE POWDER HERE

Browcote – Waterproof Brow Gel – £6.99

I’ve been using a lot more brow products to get the look that I want and recently, I’ve been investing in brow gels and brow mascaras! I really like how they can make it look as if you have nothing in your brows and it’s also so much quicker to do if you’re in a hurry. This award-winning brow gel keeps your brows in place all day as well as being waterproof! One of my pet peeves is a brow gel that leaves your brows feeling cripsy and crunchy and you’ll be pleased to know that this one doesn’t do that! It doesn’t clump up any powder or pencil that I’ve used before it either.

CHECK OUT THE BROW GEL HERE

What’s in it for Me? – Shower Scrub – £7

I’m a shower girl when it comes to summer so I’m always looking for scrubs to keep my skin smooth and exfoliated! This scrub smells incredible! It features walnut shell, almond oil, orange and jasmine flower extracts – WOW. It’s such an uplifting and energising scent, it’s perfect for those early morning showers to wake you up. I love using this before I go in the sun, to scrub away any dead skin cells so that my tan can sit on fresh skin plus this will make it last longer!

CHECK OUT THE SHOWER SCRUB HERE

Merci Hand – Hand Cream in ‘Cherie Cherry’ – £4.90

This packaging is so dreamy! It reminds me of a lollipop or an old fashioned diner – not sure if anyone will know what I mean by that?! I absolutely love having a tube of hand cream in my bag at all times and I get through lots of them throughout the year. The first thing I noticed about this product was the amazing scent – it’s honestly divine. It’s the perfect fruity floral fragrance for summer! I also noticed how quickly it skins in, as I hate hand creams that leave a sticky residue behind and this one doesn’t! I really recommend getting one of those for on-the-go moisturising, plus it’s currently on sale and it’s going for £1.96!

CHECK OUT THE HAND CREAM HERE

Balance Me – Congested Skin Serum – £16

This is my favourite product in the July box! I love skincare but particularly things that keep my skin clear and blemish free! I’ve used some of Balance Me’s cleansers and face washes before and they are fantastic. This serum contains Chamomile, anti-bacterial may chang, calming lavender and eucalyptus which together, make the ultimate spot-fighting team. It smells like one of those really expensive and luxury spa treatments! It’s also non-drying which is great as that’s quite common when it comes to spot treating skincare. Another product that I really recommend!

CHECK OUT THE SERUM HERE

I was really pleased with this month’s box and I know that I’ll be using all of these products over the summer period. As usual, all of the products are fantastic quality as well as some being award-winning! I’ll definitely be keeping the beautiful little box to keep bits an pieces in! What do you think of this box? Would you be happy with it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments as usual, I love to hear from you! I’ve linked all my social media below so come and say hi!

N xxxx

CHECK OUT LAST MONTH’S BIRCHBOX REVIEW

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*RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop

Tags BEAUTY, BIRCHBOX, blog, Cosmetics, Lifestyle, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare, Subscription, Trends

BEAUTY

TAMMI X REVOLUTION PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 10, 2018
7 Comments on TAMMI X REVOLUTION PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’ve been doing a ridiculous amount of summer sales shopping this week and I’m feeling no regrets about it! Where have you been doing your summer shopping? This post is looking at the Tammi x Revolution collaboration palette, called Tropical Paradise and as usual, there’s going to be a full review including photos and swatches!

Revolution have been bringing us some amazing collaborations recently and this has to be one of my favourites! Tammi Clarke (makeupbytammi) is a youtuber who creates some of the most gorgeous makeup looks. She experiments a lot with colour and it always turns out beautifully! I knew her palette would be bright and vibrant and it’s exactly that and more…

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The packagaing is beautiful, apparently inspired by the carribean where Tammi’s hometown is! I just love the mixture of reds and oranges – it makes me feel warm to look at! I love that the font is a beautiful rose gold shade (you know how much I love that colour). The palette itself, is rose gold and reflective, much like Soph’s Extra Spice palette. It looks pretty and all but it just seems a tad plain to me. It would be nice if each of the collaborations had a really different look to them when it came to the palettes themselves.

Tammi, as a woman of colour, designed a palette to suit women of a similar skin tone to her – hence the amazing colourful and pigmented shades, however, I think there’s something for everyone included! Here it is in all of it’s glory, just look at those shades (dribbling emoji) Does anything scream “summer” more to you than this? I think not! The Tropical Paradise palette retails at £10 and it include includes 23 beautiful shadows, 11 shimmers and 12 mattes. We have a mixture of the bold and bright as well as some neutral shades, so there is plenty to play around with! I was expecting a layout similar to Soph’s and many other palettes, however, I was happy to discover that more has been packed into this one! It separates the more vibrant shades from the basic neutrals which makes the palette nice and simply to use. I always find that when shades are separated into categories, I can plan my look much quicker!

Pina Colada – A white/yellow shimmer – I love using this in the corner of my eye! I look so much more awake afterwards.
Queen Lou – A pink prosecco Shimmer – Pinky/prosecco shade and it’s just so pretty! I like using this to create a pink/purple smokey eye! It’s a great shade to put on the inner part of the lid.
Tropical – A warm orange Matte – I love using this to create warm makeup looks so it’s been an amazing shade for summer!
Coraline – A pinky purple Matte – Such a beautiful colour, I can’t wait to use this during autumn, it makes me think of the colour of the leaves!
Exotic – A cool gold (if that makes sense) – I love shades like this, they’re my go to for an everyday bit of glam!
Caribbean – A flirty pink shimmer – This shade is just so pretty! I love it – it’s the perfect pink. It’s so pigmented and easy to apply.
Purpy Purps – A rich purple matte – This is pretty much Vimto in the form of a shadow, plus I am obsessed with the name! It applied slightly patchy whilst I was swatching however I reckon it’s buildable.
Treasure – A copper shimmer – Again, shades like this are a must for me. Anything remotely gold or copper is right up my street! Look at that pigment too!
Adventure – A warm chocolatey brown matte – Everyone needs a shade like this for basic smokey eye looks!
Rich Soil – A grey/brown matte – Another great shade for adding some drama to a natural look.

Moonlight – A bright white shimmer – The perfect white to illuminate any look! It’s so pigmented too!
Enchanting – A chocolate brown shimmer – This shadow is so rich and pigmented, a little bit goes a long way!
Burning Heat – A pumpkin spice shimmer – This reminds me of everything Halloween – I’m excited to see what I can do with this during Autumn. It’s super pigmented!
Majestic – A grape purple matte – I’m slightly disappointed with this shade. Don’t get me wrong, it’s pigmented and beautiful however it’s very similar to Coraline and Purpy Purps. I just wish we’d been given another colour! Maybe a shimmery blue instead?
Paradise – An emerald green shimmer – This is BEAUTIFUL! It’s like a christmas green shimmer and it’s so pigmented that it blew my mind. I only needed to touch it once and that was my swatch complete! Really stunning shade.
Carnival – A Purple shimmer – I really love how rich in pigment this shade is. My eyes are green, so shades like this make the colour really pop! Imagine a look with Carnival and Caribbean
Golden Sands – A true gold shimmer – This reminds me of a brick of gold! It’s literally the perfect gold shimmer shadow – I use this pretty much every day. It just adds so much glam to my look, I can’t resist.
Rainforest – Deep green matte – It’s pigmented and smooth to apply however I probably won’t get much use out of it unless I’m being super creative!
Waterfall – A Yale blue matte – I don’t own a shade like this so I was happy to see it! It’s EXTREMELY pigmented and it practically glides onto the skin.
Midnight Stroll – A black matte – Everyone needs one of these in their life! When Halloween comes around you’ll be rinsing these shades! I always find a use for them, even if it’s just running it along my lower lashline as it adds some definition and makes me look so much more awake! (I somehow forgot to swatch this, but it looks as you would expect)

Coconut Cream – A pale cream matte – The perfect base shade! I use this every day. It’s also super creamy and easy to apply.
Nutmeg – A caramel matte brown – I love using this as a transition shade, it’s a must in my routine!
Isle of Spice – A cinnamon brown matte – I love using this to warm up my makeup looks, it’s another great transition shade but also works for a simple and natural look too.

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?

Okay, so I absolutely love this palette! I think it’s a real reflection ot Tammi’s style and if you like her makeup looks, you’re going to love this! She often posts little tutorials on her instagram that demonstrate how to use the palette, so if you’re unsure of where to start, check it out. The shimmer shades are absolutely BOMB and there are none that I think need improving. The quality is amazing, considering they easily beat some of my higher end palettes! Most of the matte shades are highly pigmented but they may need a tiny bit of work to build them up! I like that this palette is different from the basic ones that come out all the time, it’s clear that thought and creativity went into it!

IS IT WORTH THE MONEY?

You’re paying £10 for a palette that is pigmented, well designed and great quality! I think that’s a fantastic deal if you ask me. Some high end palettes cost £40 and for a fraction of the price, you’re getting the same high quality – yes please? If you like being creative and colourful with your makeup, this is definitely the palette for you, however if you prefer a more natural look, I’d say put your £10 towards a different palette with some nmore natural shades in it.

I hope you enjoyed this review! I always enjoy writing about Makeup Revolution as I think they’re such a fantastic brand! It’s nice that they’ve been able to combine affordable prices with great quality makeup so that more people can afford it! People of all age groups are buying from them and I think that’s such a positive thing. I used to think that I had to spend a huge amount to have really good makeup but that isn’t the case anymore! Go ahead and check out my socials below, I’d love to hear from you!

READ MY SOPH X REVOLUTION REVIEW

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N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blogger, eyeshadow, Makeup, Makeup Revolution, palette, Photography, Photos, Review, Revolution, Swatches, Tammi Clarke

BEAUTY

ZOELLA BEAUTY: SPLASH BOTANICS – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 3, 2018
23 Comments on ZOELLA BEAUTY: SPLASH BOTANICS – REVIEW

Hey Guys,

I’m so excited about this post! I’ve been waiting so long for this range to drop and now I can finally review it for you – plus I need an excuse to buy it all anyway. I’m too excited to ramble any further so let’s get straight into the post!

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Zoella has launched her new summer beauty range, Splash Botanics, which consists of seven brand new products. This range is absolutely beautiful, the packaging is amazing and the scents are to die for. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know how tropical print mad I am. I literally live and breathe for some banana leaves, succulents and all things fruity so this range immediately appealed to me. Not only does it appeal to me but it will certainly appeal to many as tropical prints are everywhere right now so hats off to the branding team for this range! The prices are all very reasonable too which I think is great as so many of her audience are students who will no doubt be on a budget (I abso-frickin-lutely am). As usual, it seems like so much thought went into this range and every individual product has been well thought out and planned to perfection. I think this is, hands down, Zoella Beauty’s best range yet.

Botanic’eau – Body Mist

I have been loving and using all of Zoe’s fragrances all year round (particularly Let’s Spritz) so I was extremely excited to get my hands on this! I’ve used all of her fragrances so far and I love them all! They’re all so lovely and because Zoe releases them with seasons in mind, there’s always one that’s perfect for you at any point in the year.

Firstly, this packaging is unreal – I love that you can see the beautiful tropical print through the bottle – this definitely reflects how creative Zoe and her team have been with this range in particular. The bottle looks so elegant and expensive that it could definitely pass as something other than a drugstore fragrance. It also happens to smell pretty damn good too, with a green, water and floral scent, featuring freesia and iris flours. It’s perfect for hot summer days as it feels so lightweight and fresh. It’s a fragrance for all occasions, I would wear it during the day as well as on a night out. It’s also only priced at £8 which is amazing vaue, given that it contains 45ml and a little bit goes a long way.

CHECK OUT THE BODY MIST HERE

So Soft – Lip Oil

This might be my favourite thing in the range and given I’ve never really enjoyed using lip oils, that’s saying something! It’s cherry scented (my absolute favourite) and it’s enriched with almond, jojoba and argan oils so it’s super hydrating and moisturising. It doesn’t oily or sticky at all and it’s extremely lightweight – I don’t feel like I’m wearing anything when I have it on. After a few days of applying this product I’m already noticing a huge difference as my lips feel so much more nourished and soft. Zoe mentioned that she had been trying to make this perfect for so long and you can definitely tell by the formula as well as the packaging. I love having this in my handbag for on-the-go use as it’s very travel friendly too! It’s priced at £5 which I think is really great for such a nice quality product.

CHECK OUT THE LIP OIL HERE

Lagoon Love – Bath Milk Powder

I loved the bath milk powder that Zoe bought out in the Snowella range so I knew this would be just as good, if not better! For a beautifully moisturising soak, simply empty the sachet under warm running water and swish it around until completely dissolved. It features hydrating coconut water and radiance-boosting lychee so obviously it smells fantastic! It’s priced at £3 per sachet.

CHECK OUT THE BATH MILK POWDER HERE

Make A Splash – Moisturising Body Wash

This is such an amazing product! It feels so thick and luxurious on the skin and the formula leaves me feeling fresh and moisturised! It’s so creamy too which I didn’t expect from a drugstore body wash. I tend to use this for shaving my legs as it lathers so nicely and it keeps my skin feeling silky soft afterwards. It’s also great for a morning shower as the fragrance is so refreshing and energising! Again, it features coconut water and lychee so the fragrance is the same as most of the other products in this range. It’s priced at £6 which is pretty good for a big bottle of product.

CHECK OUT THE BODY WASH HERE

Quench Me – Body Sorbet

I was so intrigued by the whole “sorbet” aspect as I’m always looking for new products to keep my skin moisturised all year round but I can’t say I’ve ever tried a “sorbet”. I genuinely love this product! The gel-like formula is so lightweight and fluffy and my skin absorbs it almost instantly. I absolutely hate applying thick and greasy moisturisers during summer so it was a relief to find something that’s almost like applying fluffy whipped cream to your skin. It practically glides on and I’ve been using A LOT at once. Very very impressed!

CHECK OUT THE BODY SORBET HERE

“Beautiful” – Cosmetic Bag

I seem to collect makeup bags. I don’t even travel that much and yet I have a drawer overflowing with them. However, that didn’t stop me purchasing this one! Look at that gorgeous tropical print! Even the zip is in the shap of a tiny leaf – what more could you want? It’s a great size too so I’ll definitely be taking this on holiday with me as I think I could fit a fair amount into it. It’s also really lovely quality which I think is why it’s priced at £10 – I would happily pay this for something that keeps more than £10 worth of products protected!

CHECK OUT THE COSMETIC BAG HERE

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it! I think this whole range is fantastic and there isn’t a single product that I don’t love or use regularly. The scent is also to die for, let alone the beautiful tropial packaging. Let me know what you think of this range in the comments! I’ve linked all of my social media below so come and say hi!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

N xxxx

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, blogger, Photography, Photos, Review, Summer, Tropical, Zoella, Zoella Beauty

MONTHLY FAVOURITES

JUNE 2018 FAVOURITES

Hey Guys,

Somehow June has been and gone and what a month it’s been! What have you all been up to? I finished my exams, I’ve moved back home for the summer and I’ve already been on a mini break to Manchester all in the space of a few weeks! I feel so refreshed and ready to produce some good content! I’ve been working so hard on my photography and I hope some of you have picked up on that – it’s mainly because the lighting is ten times better now that the sun is out and I have much more time on my hands. Anyway, here are the things that I have been loving over June!

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Soph X Revolution – Extra Spice Palette

I’ve reviewed it already so I’ll keep this short – “obsessed” doesn’t cover how much I love this palette! It’s fantastic and the quality is unreal. Pretty much every shade is super pigmented and it’s so affordably priced – I’m extremely impressed with it, plus I love Soph as a creator and I’m more than happy to support her. Click below to read my review where I have lots of photos and swatches!

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW HERE

CHECK OUT THE PALETTE HERE

Zoella Beauty – Let’s Spritz – Body Mist

I’ve raved about this multiple times on my blog but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t my favourite fragrance ever! I wear it every single day and it smells incredible. I must have been through at least five bottles of this since the start of this year! It features Raspberry and Cassis, making it a gorgeous fresh and fruity spritz. 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!

CHECK OUT THE BODY MIST HERE

Natural Collection – Hydrating & Radiance Primer

I discovered this a while ago and I’m so glad I did! If you’ve read my June Birchbox review, you’ll know that I wasn’t a fan of how pricey Benefit’s POREfessional: Pearl Primer is, I’m all for treating yourself to great products however when it comes to every day use, it can become very expensive. That’s where this bad boy comes in, as it also focuses on illuminating the skin, which I find to be perfect for summer when I want my skin to be glowing.

CHECK OUT THE PRIMER HERE

Beautanics Beauty – Fill + Tame Brow Gel

I’ve always been a powder girl when it comes to filling in my brows but recently I’ve been loving and using this brow gel. It gives me a much more natural look and it’s just so easy to apply. I tend to do a few strokes in each brow and if there are any gaps, I’ll go over with a tiny bit of powder and I’m good to go. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to tame those brows, I really recommend giving this product a try! It’s also a really great colour for me too – I use the shade brunette.

CHECK OUT THE BROW GEL HERE

BlanX PRO – Glossy White – Toothpaste

I’ve been using this every day for a while now and I’ve noticed a HUGE difference! It’s rare that a toothpaste with whitening properties kicks in as quickly as this but honestly it’s amazing! I’d really recommend checking these guys out if you want to blind everyone when you flash your nashers!

CHECK OUT THE TOOTHPASTE HERE

Image Credit – Netflix

Netflix- The Staircase

Oh my goodness. This is one of the best things that I’ve ever watched. I can’t even explain how good it is. As a criminology student, I love anything that focuses on crime or murder as it’s something that I’m really interested in. This series gives a very very real insight into a very very real case and you’re there throughout the whole thing. You get to go to the hearings, you get to hear the verdict, you get to see the crime scene photos – it’s just so moving and gripping. I’m actually sad that I’ve finished it! I’m still in two minds about what actually happened that night.

What have you been loving this month? Let me know in the comments! I hope you’ve all been enjoying this lovely weather and any fellow students are loving freedom from university just as much as I am. I’ve put links to all of my social media below so come and say hi as I love to hear from you!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Cosmetics, Favourites, June, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Products, Review, Skincare, Summer

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

CAPTIVATED BY CASEAPP*

Hey Guys,

If you didn’t already know, I am a tad obsessed with phone and laptop cases. I know it sounds weird but I just love the idea of chopping and changing what they look like! I’ve always had about ten different cases on the go but I think I’ve found the best place to go when I need some replacements! Today’s post is in collaboration with Caseapp, a brand who offer hundreds of different designs for cases but also allow you to make your own custom cases. They kindly gifted me two lovely acccessories however all opinions are completely my own!

*Unpaid AD & Gifted Items

The homepage is so straightforward and it’s super easy to navigate your way around the site. I love the idea of being able to customise your own laptop and phone cases as well as being able to choose from hundreds of pre-made designs! CaseApp have accessories for Iphones, Androids, Macbooks, Ipads – there’s just so much choice.

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Here’s a mini selection of my favourites – look how gorgeous these designs are! There’s literally pages and pages of different designs to choose from (this is just a tiny amount of the iphone cases available) so you’re bound to find something that is perfect for you.

I even tried designing my own case too which didn’t turn out too badly if I may say so myself. It was SO quick and easy. I just uploaded a photo that I loved and then bam it was made into a phone case ready to order!

I ended up going for the “Banana Leaf” Iphone 8 case and the “Green is Mean” Macbook skin. I have a thing for all things tropical print so this was a no brainer for me! There’s so many other prints available and yet I was immediately drawn to these.

How pretty are these?! I am obsessed! The laptop skin was so easy to stick onto my Macbook, it literally took less than a minute and it’s there to stay! The phone case protects my phone whilst also looking 10/10 so what more could you want? I really really recommend checking these guys out as they have so much to offer and I reckon you will love them. Their products don’t just look good, they’re really well made and will definitely do a great job at keeping those screens protected!

If you decide to order some goodies, go ahead and use my discount code NINALOUISELAW20 for 20% off

CHECK OUT CASEAPP HERE

What do you think of these cases? Which ones would you choose? Let me know in the comments! I’ve linked all of my social media below so come and say hi as I love to hear from you! I’ll be back on Friday at 6 o’clock with my June favourites post, I hope you’ll be there too!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

N xxxx

Tags blogger, Design, Iphone, June, Lifestyle, Photography, Photos, Review, Summer, Technology, Tropical

BEAUTY

MY FAVOURITE SUMMER FRAGRANCES*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date June 22, 2018
2 Comments on MY FAVOURITE SUMMER FRAGRANCES*

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! A while ago I wrote a post about some of my favourite fragrances (click here to read that) and it was really popular so I thought I would do another one. I also thought I would make it summer themed as I feel like my fragrances change every season (anyone else?) and it’s time for an update. However, some of the following are the same as I definitely have some favourites that are here to stay! Therefore, I’ve kept a couple of the descriptions the same but there are new ones too.

*Paid AD and Affiliate Links

Today’s post is in collaboration with Clive Christian who have the most gorgeous range fragrances! Some of their collections, particularly their Twist Discovery Set, feature the perfect summer perfumes*, with lots of citrus and floral based scents. I really recommend checking out their website, as they have created so many different fragrances and I’m sure lots of you will find one that you love the sound of! One that I particularly love, is their fruity floral fragrance with dark plum, which also features bergamot, black pepper and frankincense – amazing!

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.

UPDATE – I wear this almost every day and I can’t imagine not using this! It’s my go-to fragrance at the moment and I absolutely love it!

CHECK OUT LET’S SPRITZ HERE

Soap and Glory Body Spray – Mist You Madly– RRP £4

I have been loving and using Soap and Glory products for a long time now and their fragrances are to blame for my addiction! I really love this scent, it’s so invigorating and it’s so perfect for a quick spritz during summer! It features bergamot, mandarin and caramon which makes such a beautiful fresh and flirty combo. It also features musk, sandalwood and vanilla which gives it a soft and sweet twist.

CHECK OUT ‘MIST YOU MADLY’ HERE

Zoella Fragranced Body mist – Gelat’eau– RRP £8

This is just SO GOOD! Firstly, the packaging is so cute and it has it’s own little space on my dressing table. It features Elderflower and Pomegranite which makes for the best fruity fragrance ever! I always seem to go for fruity scents during Summer because it’s around this time of year that I eat lots more fruit and I also want to smell like a fruit salad too. I really recommend grabbing some of this as it’s just so good that my description will not do it justice – you need to sniff it for yourselves!

CHECK OUT GELAT-EAU HERE

Shay and Blue – Blood Oranges – £25

This is a new one for me! I love how simple and minimalistic the packaging is, I think it looks so delicate and classy. This beautiful fragrance features an immediate fesh burst of bloog orange segments and juice whilst also blending with hot napa leather, charred woods and amber (WOW). I think the reason that I love this is because it’s so beautifully unique. I’ve never smelt anything like it before and the citrus notes are fantastic for summer! It’s so refreshing and energising, I’m been absolutely loving it at the moment!

CHECK OUT ‘BLOOD ORANGES‘ HERE

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!

CHECK OUT SUGAR CRUSH HERE

I hope you guys enjoyed reading about my current favourite fragrances! I’ll definitely be writing these posts every season so keep a look out for more when Autumn hits. What are your favourite summer fragrances? Let me know in the comments! I’ve also linked all of my social media below so come and say hi!

N xxxx

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

Anything marked with an “*” are sponsored links, which means I earn commission through every click, however all opinions are my own!

Tags Favourites, Fragrance, June, Perfume, Photography, Photos, Review, Soap and Glory, Summer, Zoella, Zoella Beauty

LIFE PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG JUNE 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date June 19, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG JUNE 2018: REVIEW

Hey Guys,

Somehow, it’s time for the June Papergang review! I hope you’re all doing well and that you’re enjoying the nice weather that the UK has blessed us with over the last couple of days. I always include a little bit of info about Papergang and what they’re all about so if you just want to see there review, keep scrolling until you see some photos!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

This month’s box was designed by a green fingered goddess, Maddy Gale, a photographer and a gardener, which totally explains the beautiful floral packaging. Although the base of the design is quite dark, it’s brightened up with pretty little flowers and petals. It’s like a dark and less pastel version of Cath Kidston patterns.

Follow Maddy Gale–

Insta – @SoWedgier

A4 (ish) NOTEBOOK – £4.95

This notebook features the same design that the box features (which is also my phone background thanks to Papergang’s downloadable wallpapers!) Inside it’s much more of a diary as every other page features a task list, space for a date, appointments and doodles, whilst the other pages are lined for notes.

A6 NOTEPAD – £3.95

I get through HEAPS of these! I can get through one a month if I’m super busy. I just find them so useful for having around the house and I love that there’s space for a whole list because if you’re anything like me and leave everything until last minute, you’ll be needing a whole page at a time! I was very happy to find this little goodie in my June Papergang box!

WOODEN RULER – £3.50

I actually really like this! One month, we receievd a fleuorescent pink plastic ruler and I just wasn’t a fan – read that review here – however this one seems much more girl-boss and it gives me “I am currently adulting” vibes which occasionally I’m going to need believe it or not! Even though it’s wood, it’s very light and could easily pop into your pencil case plus it only goes up to 13cm so it’s perfect for a spot of bullet journal editing etc.

BRASS PEN – £5.50

Okay, so as most of you know, I am a huge gold and rose gold addict, so first glance I thought I would love this however I’m still unsure. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful and it’s clearly a very high quality pen, but the design absolutely bamboozles me. Maybe I’m just a simple being but every time I pick it up, I can’t figure out where to open it! I spend more time trying to get the pen to show itself than I do using it which is a bit annoying. I’m sure there are lots of people out there fully able to use it properly but unfortunately I don’t seem to be one of them! When I finally get the lid off, it works just fine, it just seems a bit of a faff to me! I do appreciate that it’s much prettier than my current selection of pens though!

GIFTWRAP – £1.75

The design is the same as is featured on the box and the notebook which is a shame as I would’ve loved to see something different. However, I really love getting giftwrap in Papergang boxes! Not only does it come in super handy, but it’s also nice to wrap gifts in beautiful designs like this! I like to go all out with my wrapping, particularly at christmas so this is going straight into my pile of wrapping paper waiting for December to arrive again!

Overall, I did like this box! I had a few teeny tiny issues with some things but I appreciate that not every Papergang box can please everyone. All of these items are clearly created with high quality in mind as usual and I know that I’ll use all of them on a regular basis! i love the design, I would’ve liked to see some more though. This box values at £19.65 and considering I paid £10.95 plus £2.95, I think that’s pretty good value! I’ve linked all of my social media down below so go and give me a follow and come and say hi!

N xxxx

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

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

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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Tags Art, blogger, Design, Floral, Lifestyle, Ohh Deer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Photos, Review, Stationery, Subscription

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2018: 5TH BIRTHDAY – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date June 15, 2018
4 Comments on BIRCHBOX JUNE 2018: 5TH BIRTHDAY – REVIEW

This post contains affiliate links

Hey Everyone,

June is flying by and that means another Birchbox review is coming your way! I’m enjoying the freedom from exams now and I feel much more like myself again. I keep catching myself watching TV or lying on the sofa and suddenly panicking, thinking I should be doing revision instead! I get my results in a couple of weeks so I just want time to move a little faster so I can find out and put those horrible exams behind me. Does anyone else feel like the exams aren’t quite over until the results are in? Anyway, below I’ll include some info all about Birchbox, who they are and that they do, so if you just want to see the review – keep scrolling!

CLICK HERE TO READ MY MAY BIRCHBOX REVIEW!

*RRPs correspond to full-size items in the Birchbox shop!

You may have noticed, June’s box came in a tin. I’m so used to our cute little drawer-like boxes that this came as a bit of a surprise when I first saw it but I actually quite like it. I’ve already got it displayed on a shelf in my room because it’s just so cute! It reminds me of the biscuit tins I would find in my Grandma’s kitchen if you know what I mean?!

This box is all about Birchbox’s 5th birthday! I love the British tea party vibes, perfect for some summer evening shindig inspiration. As usual there’s a great variety of productsincluded in this box (there’s actually 6 this month). We have some makeup, haircare and even tea bags!

Ella Eden – Compact Eyeshadow “Julia” – £12.99

I am a sucker for a shimmer shadow so I was super excited to receive this! As usual, we were offered a choice between two products and in this case it was between the shades “Faith” or “Julia”. I usually wear something light and shimmery on my lid so I chose the shade “Julia” just because I can see myelf wearing this a lot! It’s so easy to apply and it’s extremely pigmented which means it hardly takes any effort at all. Not only is the colour-pay-off incredible but it’s also really long-lasting and stays put all day. I’ve been applying it with a wet brush and it’s just mindblowingly sparkly as a result. It’s also cruelty-free!

CHECK OUT THE EYESHADOW HERE

Benefit – POREfessional Pearl Primer – £27.50

Right so let’s get it out in the open, I’m not sure about this primer. It’s not that it doesn’t work or that it isn’t a good, product but the price is just far too much for me. I have found drugstore primers do just as well if not better so I just can’t justify spending that much. However, receiving it as a sample was a lovely treat! It’s pretty much the same as the original POREfessional primer, except it contains pink pigment to brighten the skin. I’m all for a dewy look so I’m totally down for this primer however the price is a real put off for me. If you’re looking for a dupe, check out the Natural Collection Hydrating and Radiance Primer (it costs £2.99 plus you get more product so you can’t go wrong really).

CHECK OUT THE POREFESSIONAL PEARL PRIMER HERE

Number 4 – Jour d’automme Smoothing Balm – £24.50

You know that episode of Friends where Monica’s hair goes absolutely nuts due to the heat? Well, that’s usually me in summer so this product was a winner in my eyes before I’d even tried it! This balm targets frizz by restoring softness and by protecting against humidity and heat damage. It’s like my dream hair mask! It works a treat during the warmer and muggy weather – speaking of muggy is anyone else finding Love Island really dull this year?! I’ve been watching the Australian one (traitor I know) and it’s actually really good! Anyway, I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a frizz free summer!

CHECK OUT THE SMOOTHING BALM HERE

Polaar – Velvety Sun Fluid Face & Body – £25

I think I’ve always used the highest factor of suncream possible on holiday because there ain’t no way this girl is gonna burn thank you very much (I also want to take care of my skin). Seeing as this sunscreen is pretty high at 30, I’m definitely willing to give it a shot – probably on the really hot days we have here in the UK (if we ever get any again). It offers high UVA and UVB protection, it fights sunburn and premature ageing as well as being super moisturising for the skin which is exactly what you want when you’re spending a day in the sun. It was definitely a good idea to include this in the June box as I’m sure lots of people are getting ready to go on holiday and will need some sunscreen in their travel bag!

CHECK OUT THE SUN FLUID HERE

Amika – Bombshell Blowout Spray – £14.99

I already absolutely love Amika and their products as they smell freaking AMAZING and the packaging is gorgeous to (plus they actually work of course). This spray works on damp and dry hair and BOOM you’ve got yourself some volume as well as heat protection, which I definitely need! It’s so lightweight and easy to apply that it’s super easy to add it into your usual routine. I won’t even attempt to describe how good this smells but all I can say is that it’s extremely good!

CHECK OUT THE SPRAY HERE

Whittard of Chelsea – Teabags

This month we were treated to these lovely goodies from Whittard of Chelsea! I am a tea drinker through and through and I probably spend hours every week just sitting and sipping so there are perfect for me! The three flavours included are; Earl Grey, Mango & Bergamot and Lemon & Ginger. I’m actually a lover of Earl Grey and I’ve been drinking it since I was little, I just find it helps me relax and it makes me feel all cosy and chilled out. I love fruity teas during summer too so I’m really looking forward to trying these!

CHECK OUT THE TEA HERE

I was really happy with this month’s box and I reckon I’ll be using all of these products within a couple of weeks. I would have liked to see some more skincare in this box but then again we can’t have everything every month so I’m not too fussed. However, I do love that they included another gift in this box and switched things up a little to celebrate! I’ll definitely be keeping the gorgeous little tin and I think I’ll fill it with my polaroids from summer. What do you think of this box? Would you be happy with it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments as usual, I love to hear from you! I’ve linked all my social media below so come and say hi!

N xxxx

CHECK OUT LAST MONTH’S BIRCHBOX REVIEW

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*RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop

Tags 2018, BEAUTY, BIRCHBOX, blogger, Cosmetics, Hair, Holiday, June, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare, Summer, Tea

BEAUTY MAKEUP

SOPH X REVOLUTION: EXTRA SPICE PALETTE & LIPSTICKS – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date June 12, 2018
26 Comments on SOPH X REVOLUTION: EXTRA SPICE PALETTE & LIPSTICKS – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Hey Everyone,

I’m super excited for this post as I’m reviewing the new Soph X Revolution palette and her new lipsticks! I ordered them as soon as they were released as I just knew they would all be amazing. I’m also a huge fan of Sophie and her channel so I was more than happy to support her with this! Some of you may have read my review of her first palette but if you haven’t you can read that here. Either way, I’m too excited to keep talking any longer so bring on the review!

*This post contains affiliate links

The packaging is pretty much a the opposite version of her first palete, this time with the case being rose gold and the palette itself being a matte nude/pink shade. It retails at £10 (wow) The lipsticks are also a new addition to this collaboration – I totally wasn’t expecting these! There are three in total, all creamy satin nudes and they retail at £4 each.

This packaging, as you probably know is just SO ME! I absolutely love anything rose gold, so I’m considering framing it to be honest. It’s so pretty and sleek looking that I can’t wait to put it on my dressing table so I can see it every day! I love that she’s been able to create a second palette and I would honestly keep buying them if she brought out another ten. Soph said she wanted to create something that could be the “extra spice” in someone’s makeup collection and I reckon she’s done just that. I can see myself using this palette every day and it just stands out from everything else I own.

So this palette features 18 shades and JUST LOOK AT THEM – I cannot get over how stunning these colours are and there’s such a great variety! Soph picked every shade and named them herself! I love that each shade means something different to her and that the whole palette is a reflection of her personality. There’s a mixture of 6 shimmers and 12 mattes in this palette so there’s plenty to choose from! Compared to her previous palette, it’s definitely a bit more bold and vibrant however it still has a very generously sized mirror! Can we also talk about that fact that she definitely took on board our feedback and added labels to each shade within the palette! I love that, as I’m forever losing those plastic sheets that come with the names on.

Every Day – A duo-chrome pale purple with a white/iridescent shift – Super pigmented and creamy
Running Late – A matte orange with a light brown undertone – My kind of transition shade
Infinity – A silver/metallic shimmer – WOW, this is so pigmented and buttery
Cheesecake – A matte chesnut brown with red undertones – A great shade for a smokey eye
Cookie Dough – A matte soft/light brown – Another good one for transitioning
Dreams – A warm copper shimmer – So creamy and smooth, extremely pigmented

Vitamin C – A bright matte yellow – The only shade I’m disappointed with, I just found this was too patchy and the colour pay off wasn’t great
Sweet n Sour – A warm matte orange – I can’t wait to use this for summery makeup looks
Twenty One – A cherry pink with red undertones – I’ve never used a more pigmented pink/red, this is incredible
Romance – A rich burgundy shimmer with a pink shift – I think I’m in love, this might well be my favourite shade in the palette
Enchanted – A matte purple with red wine-type undertones – This is such an interesting shade, it kind of reminds me of “Rowdy” in the Subculture palette!
Lakes – A matte olive/khaki green – Given that 90% of my wardrobe is khaki this is bound to come in handy

Brownies – A very deep brown with purple undertones – Again, this was a tad patchy but with a few layers it builds up
Chocolate Orange – A warm brown with red undertones – I love shades like this for every day simple looks
Mulled Wine – A matte Ribena Purple – This shade is so vibrant and bright, it’s such a great shade for anyone into bold looks (aka me most of the time)
LA Sun – A bright gold shimmer – Bloomin’ heck these shimmers are all just incredible, this one in particular is something else!
Aurora – An olive/khaki shimmer – It’s like shrek met a disco ball, I am loving this shade however it wasn’t as creamy as the other shimmers in the palette, it took a few swatches
Reputation – A matte charcoal black – I’m so glad she included a matte black shade again as I don’t own one and I always seem to end up needing it! It’s also great for really dramatic looks too!

Soph x Revolution Lipstick Review, Swatches & Photos

So, there’s three gorgeous nude shades in this collection. From top to bottom we have, Syrup, Fudge and Cake. Below, I’ve reviewed them all separately so keep scrolling!

Syrup – This is the kind of nude that most people could pull off. It’s a very simple brown nude, which typically I would run away from but I because of the creamy satin texture and finish, I’m absolutely loving it! I love that it’s so soft and silky on the lips too, as I hate anything drying and sometimes pale nudes can have “foundation lip” look to them which is a no from me but this bad boy is a 10/10 on that front.

Check out the shade Syrup here

Soph x Revolution Fudge Lipstick Review, Swatches & Photos

Fudge – This is a darker nude to Syrup and I was originally kind of terrified of this shade as it looked so so dark. However, upon trying it on it didn’t swatch that way whatsoever! It actually came up on me as a kind of dark orange nude which I really like! I’d suggest swatching it before buying it just to double check it’s what you think it is as it will probably look very different on different skintones! Either way I love it and I reckon I will be wearing this shade A LOT during Autumn.

Check out the shade Fudge here

Soph x Revolution Cake Lipstick Review, Swatches & Photos

Cake – This is by FAR my absolute favourite lipstick in the collection. It’s pretty much your basic pink nude. I can tell this will be an everyday product for me and I actually prefer it to a majority of my high-end lipsticks which is crazy considering I only paid £4 for it?! It’s kind of giving me Velvet Teddy vibes, anyone else?

Check out the shade Cake here

Overall, I am EXTREMELY impressed with this collection. Soph has given us another fantastic palette along with three beautiful nude lippies. Firstly, the palette is an absolute dream. There are some things that I would change however, like the pigmentation of Vitamin C and Aurora as I think they could both be even better. That being said, the other 16 shades are honestly very very good. The quality of the packaging is also amazing. The shimmers are so buttery and creamy and the mattes are super easy to blend out. I would easily pay £20 for this palette let alone the £10 that it actually retails at (wowza). The lipsticks are equally as fabulous too. I don’t know what they used to make them but I’ve never used anything that buttery or creamy before and there’s just no going back now! It’s safe to say that I am now a brown lippie convert. I would really recommend trying these out!

I really hope you enjoyed this review and found it helpful as I know lots of people are deciding what they want to order from this collection!

N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, blogger, Cosmetics, eyeshadow, Lipstick, Makeup Revolution, palette, Photography, Photos, Review, Soph x, Sophdoesnails, Swatches

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

ENLIGHTENED BY STUDIO ARNTZEN*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date June 8, 2018
No Comments on ENLIGHTENED BY STUDIO ARNTZEN*

Hey Guys,

I hope you’re all doing well. I’m officially free from university life for another few months and I couldn’t be happier about it! Second year was incredibly challenging for so many reasons so I’m relieved to have a break to recharge before my final year.

*Paid AD

Today’s post is in collaboration with Studio Arntzen, which is run by an incredible lighting designer, Paula Arntzen. Studio Arntzen caught my eye because Paula has combined a mixture of technology with design and the outcome is just so breathtaking and unique that these products need to be talked about! Not only is the lighting incredible but the website itself is so quirky and creative and it really reflects the style of Studio Arntzen. Lots of you might be thinking okay so why are you talking to us about lighting on your blog Nina? Lots of you will know about my brother Ben and for those that don’t he was disabled and this meant that anything stimulating for his senses was really important. We were always buying him bright coloured lights and toys and most of the facilities that he had access to (schools and playgrounds etc.) had lots of these objects too. These were enviroments that were so rich in sensory stimulation that you felt happy as soon as you walked in. There would be music playing, fiber optic lights, bubble tubes and ball pits and these environments became part of our lifestyle. As a result of this, it’s always been important to me to surround myself with colour and light and Studio Arntzen offers just that! I know that I would’ve practically jumped for joy if I’d discovered this a few years ago and I definitely would have invested in something like this for Ben as it would have made him so happy.

“Pleasure begins as soon as you enter the light- filled space”

Paula’s Paper Process is a series that really caught my eye. Inspired by fireworks, these handmade lights are created with fluorescent paint and exposed with black light which causes the whole thing to light up as opposed to just the light bulb. I really like that Paula studied paper and its characteristics in order to create this collection, it shows how much thought goes into her lighting design.The colours are just breathtaking and I love the way that they make an ordinary space seem to magical and vibrant. It definitely makes a change from the simple yellow or white lighting that most people tend to go for. If I had seen these a few years ago, without a doubt, I would’ve bought them for my brother as they would have been perfect!

LA COURONNE

“La Couronne, ‘the crown’ is an airy chandelier designed from two pieces copper foil material.”

This chanedlier is designed with reflective vertical strips which allow for the colour and dimension of the lamp to be displayed. Paula chose this shape as it resembled that of chandeliers often found in palaces. There’s something so grand and elegant about this however the reflective copper strips give the design a modern twist, making it an amazing piece for home or office enviroments. It looks so different to typical lighting that is on display in stores and homes that you can’t help but be fascinated by the design. It’s the kind of thing that you could buy knowing nobody you know would have anything similar!

TRIAS

“Working within a process to create three-dimensional volumes of two-dimensional sheet material is such a beautiful and poetic process.”

These lights were designed with geometric imagery in mind and by folding strips in two places, the Trias was created! It’s a small pendant light with a triangular shape that makes for the perfect down light. I love how they were displayed in this photo – they look so unique and quirky. For those that aren’t too fused about the bright and vibrant lights that Paula has designed, these would probably be more suited to your taste!

You can buy these wonderful creations and more from the Studio Arntzen’s design light shop. It’s clear that Paula has eye for design and her lighting reflects this with style and impact. Although I usually write about beauty, lifestyle and fashion, there was a point in my life where investing in sensory stimulation was really important. In my opinion, surrounding myself with colour and light makes a huge difference to how I feel and it can really transform the space that you’re in. I really hope that you enjoyed this post and that you feel as inspired as I do by these wonderful products! Let me know in the comments what you think of Studio Arntzen and whether or not it’s your kind of thing. As usual, all my social media is linked below so come and say hi!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

N xxxx

This post is sponsored which means it contains sponsored links however all opinions, as usual, are completely my own.

Tags Art, Decor, Design, Inspiration, Interior, Lighting, Photography, Photos, Review

BEAUTY

ELIZABETH ARDEN – CREAM SHADOW “02 OVERBOARD” – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date June 8, 2018
14 Comments on ELIZABETH ARDEN – CREAM SHADOW “02 OVERBOARD” – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today’s review is slightly different but I thought it was worth a shot! Any fellow beauty nerds out there will know that this product was released four years ago, as part of the 2014 Summer Escape range! So how come I’m reviewing it now? Well anyone that knows me well, knows I absolutely love a visit to TK Maxx every now and again. They have an amazing selection of makeup and beauty products, often high-end outdated ranges. I’m always finding NARS, MAC, Too Faced and Bare Minerals bits and pieces! On one of my trips, I discovered this little gem and I simply had to buy it! I know lots of you are makeup lovers so I thought I would share my thoughts! You’re actually still able to get hold of this product via the American Elizabeth Arden website if you click here.

I was immediately drawn the the beautiful packaging! I love the nautical vibes – perfect for summer! It almost hurt to throw the box away – does anyone else hoard unnecessary amounts of packaging? I’ve never tried anything by Elizabeth Arden before so I guess this is a first impressions post as well as a review!

I really like that the pot continues to show off the gorgeous nautical print featuring a gold rope design across the navy lid. It’s also a screw cap so you don’t have to worry about the lid flying off at any point (always a bonus, nobody wants to open their makeup bag to find a jackson pollock remake). I love taking little pots like this on holiday with me because they barely take up any room and there’s still enough product inside to create some lovely looks.

Today I’m specifically looking at Overboard, a shimmery blue cream shadow. LOOK AT THAT! I fell in love with this shade – it literally looks like the ocean. I love wearing colourful eyeshadows during Summer so I knew I could be creative with this one in particular. I don’t actually own anything like this either so I’m excited to add it to my makeup collection!

I dont think I’ve ever come across anything so creamy and soft! It was a dream to apply and even easier to blend out! I layered it a couple of times for the purpose of the photo but it can be worn with just one layer for a subtle pop of blue. I was so surprised at how pigmented it was too, I was expecting it to be really sheer. The shadow also lasts really well too – I’ve worn it all day before and it hasn’t budged – even in this hot weather. I like to apply it on top of a shimmery silver shadow and then it pops even more. It’s also enriched with Aloe and Vitamin E to protect the eye area and soothe your skin.

CHECK OUT THE EYESHADOW HERE

Overall, I think this shadow is amazing. The quality, the lasting power, the packagaing – the whole lot is 10/10. I love love love it! I really recommend checking out your local TK Maxx because they have some little gems hidden amongst their makeup troughs, so get searching! Have you ever tried any Elizabeth Arden products? If so, what do you love or hate? What have you found in TK Maxx? I hope you enjoyed this post and I’ll be back soon with another!

I’ve linked all my social media below so come and say hi!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, blogger, Cosmetics, Elizabeth Arden, eyeshadow, July, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Summer

MONTHLY FAVOURITES

MAY 2018 FAVOURITES

Hey Everyone,

Somehow we’re nearly halfway through the year and so a May Favourites post is due! I swear every month goes by quicker than the last? This month has been full of exams for me and I still have one more to do and then freedom is mine. I cannot wait for summer, I am so ready! I’ve been coming home inbetween every exam to make sure I’m looking after myself so I’ve definitely had time to think of some of my favourite bits and pieces this month and I’m excited to share them with you!

Dove – DermaSpa Summer Revived Body Lotion*

This was actually recommended to me by my mum. I’ve never ever been a fake tanning kinda gal, it just looks like a disaster waiting to happen, especially with me involved and so I’ve just stuck to some good old sunbathing whenever the UK treats us to some rays. However, mid-convo with my mum I noticed that she was looking rather bronzed and I asked what on earth she was using and this was the product that she recommended! It’s so simple to apply and it smells amazing PLUS it’s not actually a fake tan, it’s pretty much a buildable self-tanning moisturiser and it’s really subtle. It’s perfect for someone like me that is too scared to experiment with fake tan. You don’t have to worry about waking up looking like a streaky wotsit or scrubbing the next day, it’s so easy! I noticed a difference after two days of using it and I’m definitely going to have to get myself a bottle now!

CHECK OUT THE LOTION HERE*

Superdrug – Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser

I will be giving this a separate review as well as some of the other bits that I’ve been loving from this range however this month it’s just been so perfect for keeping my skin looking hydrated and fresh. With exam stress, that extra brightening boost is exactly what I need! I use this every morning and it really does make such a difference. Also, whilst the weather has been really muggy and humid it’s the best way to stay feeling fresh and clean. Speaking of muggy – is anyone else unbelievably excited for Love Island?! I cannot wait!

CHECK OUT THE CLEANSER HERE*

CaseApp – Iphone and MacBook cases*

I have a post about these gorgeous cases coming up very soon, however I just have to mention them in my favourites this month! It makes me so happy to see these beautiful prints every day and I can’t recommend them enough! They offer hundreds of pre-made designs as well as the opporunity to customise your own cases and skins. If you want 20% off go ahead and use my code: NINALOUISELAW20

CHECK OUT THEIR SITE HERE

*I was sent these in exchange for a review, however all opinions are my own and I wholeheartedly recommend these products anyway! I don’t earn anything from the code or review either.

Revolution – Strobe Lighting Palette*

I reviewed this earlier on in the month however so many of you commented and messaged saying that you also loved it, it just can’t not be in my May Favourites post! I absolutely love this palette and it’s been so perfect for giving me a summer glow. I can’t wait to take this on holiday with me as it’s compact and easy to travel with plus you get three shades in one palette!

READ MY REVIEW HERE

CHECK OUT THE PALETTE HERE*

Revolution – Fast Base Foundation Stick*

I honestly cannot rave enough about this product. It’s honestly my favourite foundation and believe me I’ve tried a fair few. This is just the perfect mixture of everything I look for in a foundation PLUS it costs £5 too which is just nuts. It’s just as good if not better than the higher end foundation sticks that I’ve tried and that’s really saying something given it’s a drugstore product. I reviewed this foundation a while ago so feel free to click the link below to see what I thought of it as well as swatches.

READ MY REVIEW HERE

CHECK OUT THE FOUNDATION STICK HERE*

Natural Collection – Liquid Eyeliner*

I seem to go through phases of using eyeliner and recently I’ve definitely started digging it again. I decided to try this product out earlier on this year and it’s just so good! I love how easy it is to apply and how affordable it is too! If you’re looking for something that just does the job and doesn’t break the bank, I would strongly recommend giving this one a try! Again, I’ve reviewed this eyeliner and some other products within this range too so click the link below to give it a read.

READ MY REVIEW HERE

CHECK OUT THE EYELINER HERE*

Image Source – Project Casting

I managed to watch this in two days whilst I was supposed to be revising and I have zero regrets about it. I honestly didn’t want there to be a second series after Season 1 as I believed it would be unecessary however the way this Season 2 played out and the issues that it raised and portrayed was just so moving and it started some much needed conversations across the globe. I like that this Season focused on lots of different characters and their personal stories as well as Hannah’s trial.

Image source – Netflix

I managed to watch this in less than two days too (I’m truly wasted on blogging, maybe I should be trying to watch things in record time instead?) and again, I have no regrets. This is the best series that I’ve watched all year. Every episode unlocks a new element to the story and the acting is just incredible (I’m a HUGE Dexter fan). The series was also filmed in the village where my family live so I was spending most of my time saying “Oh look it’s that road!” or “It’s the station!”. There’s just something so cool about seeing somewhere you recognise on TV. That happened in an episode of Black Mirror and I feel like it’s my claim to fame (even though High Wycombe isn’t exactly the Crown Jewels of the UK)

I hope you’ve all had a great month and that if you’ve had exams you’re just about coping! If you want any tips for last minute revision, I’ve written a post all about that so click the link below if you’re interested! As usual, leave a comment letting me know what you’ve been loving and feel free to follow me on my social media too, come and say hi!

READ MY REVISION TIPS POST HERE

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N xxxx

Tags 2018, Cosmetics, Iphone, Macbook, May, Monthly Favourites, Netflix, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare

LIFE PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG MAY 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date May 22, 2018
4 Comments on PAPERGANG MAY 2018: REVIEW

Hey Guys,

Today is Papergang day! I absolutely love writing these reviews, they’re some of my favourite things to write about as I am a true stationery addict. This month’s items were so great and I cannot wait to share them with you. I always include a little bit of info about Papergang and what they’re all about so if you just want to see there review, keep scrolling until you see some photos!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

The packaging for the May box is so gorgeous, with the cutest little doodles covering it (that pear is just adorabe). As soon as I saw the box I was desperate to see what was inside. This month’s box was in collaboration with Hello! Lucky, a fantastic design studio based in San Francisco. It was founded by sisters Eunice and Sabrina Moyle back in 2003 and have since been recognised for their fun and quirky designs. I love anything playful and vibrant so these guys are right up my street.

Follow Hello! Lucky –

Insta – @HelloLuckyCards

Website –https://www.hellolucky.com

Every month we receive a printed calendar as a bonus item and I really love them as they’re perfect for keeping on my desk in a cute little frame! I can’t bring myself to throw them out so by the end of the year I’ll be swimming in them. Also, no, your eyes are not playing tricks on you, the print is actually slightly blurry – I promise it’s not my photography!

A5 LINEN NOTEBOOK – £12.95

You guys know what I’m like with notebooks – I have rather a few and I’m beyond addicted. Obviously, I was super pleased to find this gorgeous linen notebook in this month’s box! I love the message displayed on the cover – I need more things like that around to remind me to stay positive. If university has taught me anything, it’s that you can choose who and what you surround yourself with. Since pushing away anything that made me unhappy, I feel so so much better so this message is really important to me! It’s also really well-made and it just feels like a good notebook – you know? The cover is such a nice texture too, as it’s wrapped with a blue linen. Inside the notebook (front and back pages) there’s a collection of Hello! Lucky’s fun illustrations.

2 x STICKER SHEETS – £1.95

I LOVE stickers and I have done since I was a kid. I used to collect them and stick them all over my dresser and bed frame, I still have some of those urges to this day and Papergang is my main supplier! For some reason I just need stickers in my life, even if they do just live in a box on my desk for a while before I actually can bear to use them. I can’t wait to stick these in my scrapbooks to brighten up the pages!

SET OF 3 PATCHES – £8.95

Recently, I’ve been decorating my denim jackets with pins and patches like there’s no tomorrow, so I was so happy to see these adorable litttle goodies this month. I literally can’t wait to iron these onto the denim pieces that are waiting in my wardrobe. Patches are so great for personalising your clothes, I love doing it to old denim jackets and bags because then it really feels like they’re my own! They’re also a great way to freshen up any clothes you’re getting a bit bored of.

GREETING CARD – £2.50

I LOVE getting cards in my Papergang boxes. They’re just so fab for when someone’s got a birthday etc and when you haven’t got time to nip out and get one. I love having a little collection of cards in my room and so far I’ve not missed any important dates thank to Papergang! This card is just so adorable, I love the message and the colours and I can already think of someone that would love to open this on their Birthday!

Overall, I’m so happy with my May Papergang box. All of these items are so great and I know that I’ll get so much use out of them! I love the cute and quirky little illustrations and I will definitely go and look at Hello! Lucky’s products as I’m particularly a fan of those little fruits with faces – what more could you want? This box values at £26.35 and considering I paid £13.90 (monthly subscription fee and postage) and as usual, that’s fantastic value! I’ve linked all of my social media down below so go and give me a follow and come and say hi!

N xxxx

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

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

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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Tags Art, blogger, Design, Desk, Lifestyle, Office, Photography, Photos, Review, School, Stationery, Student, Subscription

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX MAY 2018: PALM LEAVES & WARM BREEZE – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date May 18, 2018
4 Comments on BIRCHBOX MAY 2018: PALM LEAVES & WARM BREEZE – REVIEW

Hey Guys,

I’m so nearly finished with my exams and I can’t wait for freedom! I’m really looking forward to spending some more time on my blog and being able to throw away all my revision cards (there’s quite literally hundreds). Either way, I have Birchbox looking out for me with their wonderful boxes! Below, I’ll include some info all about Birchbox, who they are and that they do, so if you just want to see the review – keep scrolling!

Click here to read my April Birchbox review!

*RRPs correspond to full-size items in the Birchbox shop!

This month, Birchbox have brought the rainforest to our doorsteps with this gorgeous tropical print packaging. I am obsessed with all things banana leaf and tropical print so this was immeidtaley a favourite of mine. I actually wrote all about my favourite tropical interior bits HERE. This box is so pretty and I will definitely be using it to store things in!

The theme for this month appears to be concentrating on the (hopefully) warmer and sunnier days ahead. It’s been so nice to have a taste of summer over the last few days and I cannot wait to enjoy the weather properly once my exams are out of the picture. This month’s box has a good variety of products which I’m like as I enjoy trying loads of different products in my spare time and it’s boxes like this one, that allow me to do that! It was also great to recieve products from brands that I hadn’t heard of as I love discovering new things within the beauty community.

Doucce – Luscious Lip Stain in “Steaming Red” – RRP £21*

I’m actually a huge fan of Doucce and I’ve been using their products for a while now so I have high expectations when I saw that this lip stain was included this month. This lipstain actually went above and beyond what I was hoping for and it’s become my new go-to lip product. It’s so pigmented that you don’t have to touch it once it’s applies which is a big bonus for me as I hate doing that. It dries matte and it dries super quickly too so you dont have to worry about sitting and waiting for it to dry whatsoever, you’re good to go almost immediately. It almost applies like a liquid lipstick except the formula is much softer and hydrating. This products smells incredible too! I will definitely be buying this again once I run out.

CHECK OUT THE LIPSTAIN HERE

Greenfrog Botanic – Geranium and Peppermint Botanical Bodywash – RRP £8.95*

This smells like a breath of fresh air, it’s honestly incredible! It’s a totally organic, cruelty-free and vegan product too which I know will win lots of people over. There’s something nice about using really natural products when it comes to skincare and this definitely ticks that box! It contains aloe vera which is so soothing and moisturing for the skin and will be perfect after days spent in the sunshine. It’s also a great product for sensitive skin, eczema and psoriasis.

CHECK OUT THE BODYWASH HERE

Native Unearthed – Activated Charcoal Natural Deodorant Balm – RRP £7.99*

I was totally intrigued by this from the minute I saw it. A deodorant balm?! It’s actually a nice alternative from using chemical-filled products to prevent body odour and it still managed to do everything you need it to. Filled with antibacterial coconut oil, soothing shea butter and sweat-absorbing arrowroot, this deodorant forms an invisible shield after you apply a pea-sized amount to your clean pits – simples (I can’t shake the image of the insurance meerkat now). It’s definitely not something I will be using everyday but when I need someting for on-the-go use, it’s super quick and easy to apply and will be perfect for my travel bag.

CHECK OUT THE DEODORANT BALM HERE

NUXE – Aquabella Micro-Exfoliating Purifying Gel – RRP £12*

I have been loving and using NUXE products for quite some time now and so I was really pleased to find this product in my May Birchbox. I mentioned in my April Favourites post that I’m using a skin treatment that dries it out so anything to help keep my skin feeling fresh is a must right now! This exfoliating gel definitely gets to work but it’s also super gentle and it leaves your skin feeling fabulous. I tend to use this every evening before bed as a cleanser and it’s been working a treat ever since I opened it!

CHECK OUT THE GEL HERE

Eyeko – Skinny Liquid Eyeliner – RRP £16*

I haven’t been wearing any liquid eyeliner for the past few weeks until I found this in my May Birchbox. I LOVE felt-tip style liners as I feel like they are much more precise than any other type and I can get a great wing whilst using them. This is so easy to use and I was able to get both eyes lined in minutes. It also lasts all day and that’s something I always look for when it comes to eye products. This is a fabulous product and I highly recommend giving it a try! It’s also a Teen Vogue winner so I can’t be the only one that rates it!

CHECK OUT THE EYELINER HERE

Overall I really enjoyed this month’s Birchbox and I was really impressed by the gorgeous packaging let alone the amazing variety of products that were included. The lip stain is probably my favourite product as I can see myself using this every day and it’s already a staple in my makeup bag! Let me know if any of you recevied this box and what your thoughts are on the products inside! Don’t forget to follow me on my social media which I’ve linked below – come and say hi!

N xxxx

CHECK OUT LAST MONTH’S BIRCHBOX REVIEW

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Click here to get your first Birchbox for £5 this May by using the code MAY5 (Offer runs from Tuesday, 22nd May to Thursday, 31st May)

*RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop

Tags BEAUTY, BIRCHBOX, blogger, Cosmetics, Design, May, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare, Subscription