Makeup Revolution Ultra Blush Palate

Note to self: when you're desperately awaiting payday, do NOT look at the Makeup Revolution website. They've recently released some new makeup brushes and reviews I've read so far are very positive indeed. I figured rather than focusing on a product I don't have, I could review a product I do have. This time being the Makeup Revolution Ultra Blush palate. Back in October I bought this for my sisters birthday and she really loved it. I was so close to keeping it for myself because I liked it so much. Thankfully, my willpower stayed in tact and I was lucky enough to receive it myself from Santa this Christmas. I've used it countless times since then and can say I'm impressed.

I should probably state that I'm not a big blusher person, so for me having a range of colours all in one place like this is great to go with all my make up looks. First of all, all of Makeup revolution products sport the same super sleek black casing. It looks great in my makeup bag and other than getting a little dirty with fingerprints, retains it's clean appearance. Secondly, the range of colours in this palate go from bright corals to delicate pinks, none of which can be seen from my crappy photos, I cannot wait for January to be over! Anywho, hatred for dull January aside, it covers all colour bases so if like me, you're a novice to blushers, this little set will be great for you. They've also added in some shimmers for luck but I prefer my Sleek shimmer and so haven't used these enough to really comment as of yet.

The quality is fairly good although the pigmentation isn't all that powerful. That being said, from blushers I prefer them to be more buildable, anything to avoid looking like a clown! There's also a nifty little mirror included so you can see your whole face whilst applying them. Overall, a nice little set and as always with makeup revolution, reasonably priced! Have you tried it yet? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Laura.

Sinful Cuticle Oil

Hello all, review time again. I've recently returned from a trip to Cardiff for my friends birthday and I had such a good time. Since university, I've always had a soft spot for Wales so having an excuse to go back was perfect for me. We did a tad shopping (understatement), had some food and then went to hers to get ready. Despite it being a Sunday, it was such a good night out. It was as busy as any Saturday night and the atmosphere was amazing. Plus, we went to a cocktail bar called Mocha lounge and the drinks, whilst expensive, were amazing. So tasty and looked sensational. I was sad indeed to come back on the train yesterday, especially knowing I'm back in work today. Nonetheless, I had a fantastic time and I'm definitely wanting to go again!

As I am in work today (boo), I thought I'd kick of the day with a good review. As I mentioned before, I've been having shellac treatments on my nails and following the treatment, they apply a cuticle oil. I'd never noticed the skin around my nails feeling so smooth and healthy. My sister already owned the same brand and said I could try it (just once of course) and I loved it. Well recently she picked me up a bottle (thankyou Emily, what a babe!) and I knew I had to share such a fantastic product with you all.

Sinful do many different types of cuticle oils, for example my sister's oil is citrus scented. This cuticle oil is the regular version but still smells like watermelon, delicious. My main problem with nail oils in the past was how messy they were. You always got oil just about everywhere but your nails. This bottle is great because it comes with a tiny applicator so you can pop the tiniest drop on your nails and just rub it in. No fuss and no mess. It's perfect for night time application before you go to bed although as it does apply such a small amount you can use it in the daytime.

As for it's moisturizing qualities, my nails feel so soft and smooth after using this. It really does work. I've also noticed that using nail oils helps speed up nail growth, which for me is absolutely ideal. Overall, I'm so incredibly pleased with Sinful Cuticle oil and can't recommend it to others enough! Such a simple product for such good results. Thanks for reading as always!

Laura.  

Mac Fix +

Hello all, I'm finally getting around to reviewing the much talked about product that is Mac Fix Plus. I can't even tell you how many beauty "How-to" videos on Youtube there are that rave about how great this is. Naturally, with such great reviews, comes great expectations. I first heard about it from my beloved Carli Bybel (Youtube Vlogger, here) when she suggested dipping your make up brushes into it before applying eyeshadows.

As it turns out, there are multiple ways it can be used. A product that has lots of different uses and works hard for your money is okay with me. And work it does. So far I've been very happy indeed. It can be misted over your face before or after makeup application and, as Carli suggested, dipping your brush in before eyeshadow application. Misting it before make up feels a little redundant to me as I prefer to stick to just my primer before any application. However, dipping in your brush before applying eyeshadow really works. The pigmentation of even cheap eyeshadows is greatly improved.

I've also tried misting it over my makeup after I'm completely done before a night out and similar to Urban Decay's All Nighter Spray, this fixes it in place for a lot longer than if I hadn't used it. I actually thought about doing before and after shots but felt that photographs couldn't really capture the differences. So unfortunately, you're going to have to take my word for it!

As it stands, I already have a very good foundation, so I don't tend to use the misting option. I've found the most value in dipping my eyeshadow brushes before application and I can say that it's become a permanent resident in my everyday routine. So to sum up an already long post, I've been pleasantly surprised that a product has met up to the hype. I know I usually put a link to the product but as it was a gift I don't want to know the price, I'll only link the Mac website here. If you've tried it, let me know in the comments below! Thanks as always lovely readers.

Laura.

Book Review: Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

Hello lovely readers, it's my favourite time of the month, Book Review! This month, it's all about "Girl Online" by Zoe Sugg, better known as Youtube sensation Zoella. I first talked about this book in my "what I got for Christmas" post here. As I mentioned, my mom has a knack for just knowing what I want and this book was one of them. So as you can imagine, I started reading it there and then. I've actually just finished it and thought I'd pop on the old blog and talk about it before I go to work as I'm super excited.

I think i'm always a little anxious when reading things by people who aren't usually writers. I feel like there's more pressure on them for it to be good and as a result can lead them to unfair criticism. I've been a huge fan of Zoella for some time now and desperately wanted to love this book because of her but knew I couldn't let that cloud my judgement. When I first started reading it, I was unsure. The writing style is simply written, no fancy words or hidden meanings which I think works well with this type of story.

It centres around Penny, a young girl suffering from anxiety and blogging about her life anonymously online. This, as we all know, is something Zoella herself has come to terms with. The fact that she's following the old "write what you know" gives the book a real sense of what anxiety is actually like. In the beginning of the book, I was a little dubious and felt that I was waiting for something to happen, and then it did. Penny meets Noah, a mysterious boy from brooklyn and the story just takes off. I'm a sucker for a love story and while their tale is a little cliche, it's exactly what we the reader, wants to happen.

I'm embarrassed to say that I figured I'd got this book all sussed out and that I'd predicted the ending. And then something magic happened. It completely went another way. I've read a lot of books and it's not often a book throws me off the way this one has. During the turbulent chapters, I actually felt for Penny like she was a real person, something I hadn't realised was happening. During these chapters, it also built a really realistic feel for how the online world works, and how easily it can turn on you.

 I tried to put my love for Zoella aside whilst reviewing this book as I wanted this to be an honest review for people thinking about buying it. My verdict? Go out and buy it already. If you're expecting a novel written like Wuthering Heights, you'll be disappointed. But, if you're wanting a somewhat lighthearted read with morals and romance thrown in, look no further. I can confidently say that my love for Zoella has only heightened since reading this. As to all the rumours that she didn't write it herself, I feel that's rubbish. Have you read Zoella's new novel? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below! 

Laura.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Hair Reconstructor

Hello all, I hope you've had a lovely day! Can I just start by saying that winter, whilst a great excuse to find new products, is seriously not a bloggers friend. I've struggled  to get some decent daylight and this is the best I could get. So on that note, apologies for the rubbish photo quality in this (and my last) post. Summer 2015, please hurry up! Anywho, on to the topic on hand, the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Hair Reconstructor. In my last post, I reviewed the Miracle Moist shampoo and conditioner. Whilst buying those, I also saw this and as I have quite long hair, I always tend to pick up more conditioner as I go through the stuff in no time. If you've read my last post, you'll know that I wasn't too keen on the Miracle Moist, but decided I'd review this seperately and here's why.

We all know winter is super drying for the hair and I always like to give my hair an extra oompf once a week with a hair mask. Firstly, the lid on this is huge, meaning you can dispense a large amount in one go, great for saving time on long hair like mine. Secondly, this smells amazing and having nice scented hair is a major plus for me. As for the product itself, it does what it says on the tin. After the first use, my hair felt silky right to the ends. With other products, the ends would become dry again after a few days but the moisture has lasted with the Aussie reconstructor. I've since ran out and even noticed that it's still not dry on the ends and actually great condition.

As fore-mentioned, I've now ran out but I will be picking up another which is always a testament to how much I like a product. Have you tried it, and what do you think? As always let me know below! 

Laura. 

Aussie Miracle Moist shampoo and Conditioner

Good evening all, I've had an exahusting day and thought I'd get all my thoughts on Aussie Miracle Moist off my mind. Following summer, my hair was dry at the ends, oily and the roots and generally in bad shape. I did a bit of researching to find a product that had good reviews and that could rid me of the dreaded 'dry ends'. After many searches, I came upon these badboys over and over again. Obviously, I decided too try it out. Here's what I thought.

First of all, the packaging is nice and simple which is always a plus for me. The second thing is how sassy the description is. I know I make no sense but, on the front of the bottle they say "It's a miracle (well kind of). Not like child birth or solar eclipse..." For me, a company that has a sense of humour instantly stands out from the crowd. I was instantly draw to this product from then onwards. Sadly, the love affair was not to last.

After first using the shampoo and conditioner for about two weeks, my dry ends were a thing of the past and I was chuffed. However, I noticed a large build up of dandruff (ew, right?). As time went on, the more there was which was a concern as in all of my life, I have never had dandruff. Not even following harsh procedures on my hair, i.e bleach bath.

I thought, as i'd introduced no new hair care products into my routine, it had to be this product and sadly I was right. I've stopped using them and noticed the dandruff completely clear up after just one wash with my usual TRESemme. I'm quite gutted, the original impression was so promising but sadly it's not the one. 

As for this product, would I recommend it for others to use? Yes, because despite it not being a match for me, others may find it doesn't cause dandruff and after all, it did give my locks some moisture. You can buy the shampoo here and the conditioner here, both from. Have you used this product? Let me know what you think in the comments below! 

Laura.

Vaseline Healthy Hands Hand Cream

Hello all, Christmas is already over, boo! I've had an absolutely lovely couple of days and feel so blessed by the people I have around me! Cheesy but true! Yesterday was a dream and watching my family open the presents I'd spent lots of time on really made the day for me. My sister Emily has been talking about Cards Against Humanity and she had no idea I'd surprised her to them. We played them after dinner and they are outrageous and hilarious in equal measures! I was also blown away by the gifts they brought me, they were all so thoughtful and 100% me. My sister Sophie even made me lipgloss, that's right, she made it. And what's more is it's a delicious pink and really good quality. I will be putting up a 'What I got for Christmas' post hopefully tomorrow so keep your eyes peeled.

Anywho, I thought I'd get my butt in gear and do a review today as I feel I've neglected my little old blog lately. I know that it's a part of life that we don't get as much time for our hobbies as we'd like but it still makes me feel a little guilty. Nonetheless, I thought my review of Vaseline Healthy Hands Hand Cream was perfect for this time as year as I think everyone is suffering from dry hands. Since starting my new job, I've noticed it a lot and decided to pick up this little package during my break.

I was drawn by a)The cute pink packaging (what a nerd) and b)The 'Stronger Nails' claim plastered on the front. Lately i've been trying to grow my nails so it was important for me. First of all, the smell of this hand cream is lovely and I can't imagine it being a scent that will offend anyone. Secondly, this product just works. You rub in a pea sized amount and you're good to go. It leaves the hands a little greasy for two minutes but after that your hands are moisturised for the rest of the day. As i'm in particuarily dry conditions, I keep it in my pocket and reapply throughout the day but I love it for the cuticles.

Overall for a quick purchase I'm happy it does the job it says on the tin. As for stronger nails, I've had multiple products in effect so can't say that it is 100% down to this cream that they are stronger. Nonetheless, I think it's a good product anyway. If you fancy giving it a try, you can pick up this little travel bottle from Boots for £3.29 here  or invest in the larger bottle, which I now also own, for £5.39 here also from boots. Hope you've all had a lovely Christmas! Love you all.

Laura.

Book of the Month: Gone Girl

Hello all, I went out for my birthday last night and today I am definitely feeling worse for wear, so I decided it had to be book review time! This time around, it's all about 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, the electric new read on every ones lips. I first heard the buzz around this book when the film was released and decided that I just had to read it. When I went in Sainsburys to buy my dinner, I spotted the book and knew it had to come home with me.

Upon reaching the counter, the cashier mentioned the book and that her daughter loved it. That part was absolutely fine, the fact she then went on the tell me the ending and thus ruining the book for me, less okay. I stood there thinking "what the hell, Spoliers!!" Despite the cashiers blunder, I decided to buy the book anyway and I'm glad I did.

The story centres around Nick, who early on learns his wife, Amy, has been kidnapped. The police become involved and shortly after, begin to suspect him. The story centres around his journey and finding out the truth as to what happened to her. The story is broken up by entries from Amy's diary, which gives insight into both of the characters.

Overall, despite being a slightly unsettling read, it was a gripping read that I couldn't put down. Gillian's style of writing is clever and keeps you guessing right to the end. Plus, Nick and Amy are such believable and interesting characters to read about. As of yet, I haven't seen the film but would very much like to as the book has met expectations. The only thing I didn't like was the ending as I would have preferred a different outcome, but that is just me wanting it my way which can't be helped!

If you're interested in reading this book, you can pick it up from Amazon Here in multiple formats. I give it the thumbs up. Have you read it and if so what do you think? Let me know in the comments below! Please be aware that if people do comment discussing the book there may be spoilers so read with caution! Thanks for reading and lots of love!

Laura.

Rimmel Moisture Renew In Vintage Pink

Hello all, review time again, this time round it's for (another) lipstick. I had previously owned this lipstick in my 'non-adventurous' lip days where anything other than a nice nude sent me running for the hills. Now i'm older, and a little braver, I  decided to re-start my relationship with this little beaut.

Autumn Winter is all about dark lips. None more so than the classic plum lip. This plum, like the name suggests, is still a pink shade, but comes out quite dark on the lips. As with all Moisture Renew lipsticks they're very moisturising, which in the colder months is essential to avoid those horrid flaky lips. Overall, I really like this shade and I think it will go with all skin shades, especially paler skin tones. Pair it with winged eyeliner  and you have a classic Autumn-Winter make-up look.

As with all Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks, you can pick them up for just £6.49 Here. Unfortunately, this lip shade seems to be a little too popular as since writing this post it has completely gone out of stock on the Boots website. Alternatively, you can try it from Amazon here. Thankyou as always for reading, until next time!

Laura.

Book of the Month: I am Number Four

Good afternoon all, I'm finally getting around to doing something I've been itching to do for ages. If you don't already know this about me, I love books. From a young age, my mom would read books like the faraway tree to make my sisters and I fall asleep and since then, I've started a full blown love affair with books. I have a library local to me and since a young age, I would pop in there and leave with my arms absolutely full of heavy books. Because of this, I've churned through many books in my life and I love to discuss them and suggest them to people I think would enjoy them. So with this in mind, I decided that I would do a 'Book of the Month' post every month (obviously) and tell you a little about the book itself (spoilers alert) and what I think of it.

So to kick of my series, I thought I'd start with a book I've just finished reading and that is I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (how cool is his name?) The story begins detailing the night that number three is killed, and from there it explains that the world Lorien was attacked by a race called the Mogadorians. Just nine people from Lorien survived and escaped to earth where they remained hidden. A spell was cast on them before they left that they could only be killed in the correct order, meaning the Mogadorians would have to track them down one by one and in the correct order, to be able to kill them. Thus begins the story of number four, the main character, and his 'protector' Henry, and their story on how they avoid detection by moving from town to town. The story really kicks off when they move to Paradise and it's where you really get to know the main character, who is both sincere and likable .

I will say that at first, I was convinced that this book was aimed at teenage boys, but later on in the book there is a little romance with a character named Sarah which means there is something for the girls too. I wont discuss any more of the storyline from now on, as I don't want to give anything else away. As for the writing style, Pittacus Lore writes in a way that is straightforward in the sense that it gets straight to the point, no waffle, but still engages the reader and builds a good picture. Overall, I really liked his writing style and the way the story plays out.

This book is part of a series and after reading this first book, I will be seeking out the second one to read. You may have also heard that there is a film of this book, starring Alex Pettyfer (yum) and Glee's Dianna Agron. It's a pretty good version of the book, missing few details although I will always vouch for the book over any film. If you feel like giving it a read, you can pick it up from Amazon Here. Well that concludes my first ever book review, I hope it was a good review and you'll think of picking this up. Also apologies that I don't have a picture of the actual book, I read a library copy that I had to take back and couldn't find a good picture of the book online anywhere. Anyway, that's all from me, let me know what you think in the comments below! 

Laura.

My Favourite Autumn Lip Colours

Afternoon all, It's all about lips today. I love using Autumn-Winter as an excuse to opt for adventurous lip colours during the daytime. I tend to wear always grab for the same lip colours at the moment so I decided I'd share with you my top five. Prepare yourself, they're good.

Kate Moss 03 Here
I love Miss Moss for her gift to Rimmel with these lip colours. I already own a great deal of her collection (there's two alone in this collection!) but I have to say that number 03 is probably my all time favourite lip colour... ever. I know right, that's big. The reason I love it is because it goes with every makeup look, dark eyes, light eyes, dark cheeks, you name it and it will go. Not just that, it also goes with pretty much every skin tone. It is the definition of wearable.

Satin Collection in Silky Beige Here
Okay so this one is a little unfair as it's discontinued BUT still. This colour is my tied all time favourite lip colour (I know that's cheating, I don't care). It's a deep golden brown, with a hit or burnt orange, do I even make sense? It hasn't captured well on this image but it's literally the most gorgeous shade around. Plus this suits my skin pale or tanned.

Collection Privee in Blake's red Here
We all agree on one thing, Blake Lively is a goddess. Is this red particuarily different to any other red? Not really. But that being said, it has a great consistency, it stays on really well and it's well... Blake's. I'm all over it, does that mean I can date Ryan Renolds too? Oh...

Mac in Russian Red Here
Mac Mac Mac. I love it and I think if you're reading this, you probably love it too. This is a deeper shade of red compared to Blake's which makes it the perfect daytime red. I just feel fantastic putting anything Mac on my mouth (that sounds odd) and it stays on like no other. Plus the lovely boyfriend bought me this (it was my first ever Mac) and so I'll love it forever.

Kate Moss 107 Here
Again another red, I just can't help myself. My makeup bag is just full of red lipsticks, virtually all the same shade. But that being said, you put on a red lipstick and your day is 100% better! This shade is a little darker than the other colours, more a plum than a red. I actually have a burgundy jumper that matches this exactly (yes I'm that sad) so whenever I put them on together, I feel like a winner. Okay so it's a great lipstick and I've reached new levels of sadness. Now is the time to stop.

What do you think of my lipstick choices? Have you got any that you recommend? Let me know in the comments below. As ever, thanks for listening to my beauty rambles, until next time!

Laura.

The Cheapest Perfume ever?!

Evening all, I hope you've had a better few days than I have. Yesterday I woke up feeling like I'd drank my body weight in alcohol when in reality, I'd been at work and not had a drop. Throughout the day, I progressively got worse until I had to call in work in tears saying I couldn't come in. The worst part was that I was so hungry and couldn't even keep water down (ew) but I'm happy to say i'm feeling a little better today (though sadly not much). So to cheer myself up I decided to pop on my laptop and rave about a new perfume I've found.

Now I know what you're thinking, this is a post about a cheap perfume so why the hell is Lady Million in this picture. Well, I've been a big fan of Lady Million and every time I get a wiff of it, it takes me back to my holiday last year as I practically bathed in the stuff. But by any means, it is not a fragrance that I'd consider cheap. You can pick 50ml of this badboy up for £50.00, so no pocket money purchase in my eyes.

So, what if I told you that there was a perfume out there that smells pretty much exactly the same and costs a tenth of the price? Well, this is the part where I introduce my most valuable beauty find to date, what is it you ask? Let me introduce you to Golddigger Ladies perfume. If I'm being honest, anything "Golddigger" is enough to send me running for the hills trying to avoid memories of my high school "Chav" days. But alas, this little badboy is worth it. Not only does it smell exactly the same as Lady million, it costs £5 for 100Ml. I know right, what the hell! I wear this badboy and I honestly get complimented on it all day. Every time I put it on, I feel feminine and quite honestly a million bucks.

So do you pay £50.00 for 50ml of Lady Million or £5.00 for 100ml of Golddigger, well I think this one's a no brainer. Plus, for £5.00 you can buy it just to try it out as it's hardly a lot to loose if you don't. If you do feel like giving this badboy a go, it's currently on sale in Savers (my new stop for bargain beauty buys). Have you tried Lady Million or Golddigger, let me know in the comments below! 

Laura. 

EOS Sweet Mint Lip Balm

I am never one to rush out and buy a beauty product as soon as I see it on TV (that's a lie). Okay, well I didn't do it with these EOS lip balms, because if i'm honest, I hadn't heard of them until I saw Miley Cyrus using one in her "We Can't Stop" music video. That being said, I have well and truly missed the hype bandwagon. So much so, the ship hasn't just sailed, it's already reached it's destination. Why it has taken me so long to discover, I don't know.

All of that aside, this little gem is fantastic. I am a lover of all things mint. Ice cream, handwash, chewing gum, sauces and even mints (yes those too).  So when I was waiting in Urban Outfitters for my friend Lizzie to buy a bag (it truly was a fabulous bag) I spotted this little gem in the queuing isle. By this point, I'd already gotten into a spending frenzy and didn't know what hit me till I'd purchased it and was walking out the shop, story of my life. Anywho, I'm glad I did and here's why...

Firstly, the packaging this balm comes in is uber cute and quite frankly, I've never seen anything like it. It's super comfortable to hold in your hand and easy to chuck in your bag for those dry lip days. Next, and probably most importantly, the product itself. It does what it says on the packaging and gives my lips a burst of moisture. Best of all, it is 95% organic, 100% natural and paraben and petrolatum free. After use, my lips feel smooth and moisturised which is perfect for the winter months ahead. 

These little beauties also come in flavours such as Strawberry Sorbet (yum), Pomegranate and Raspberry, Lemon Drop, Blueberry and Acai and Summer Fruit. All of which can be bought for a respectable £6.50 from Selfidges Here. What do you think of EOS, let me know below! As always it's been a pleasure!

Laura. 

Monday Must Haves

 

Hello all, we're in October! I just love this time of year (if you haven't guessed already) and I just want to run around with Costa Hot chocolate in big boots and chunky jumpers. That being said, first you have to buy those chunky jumpers and boots (the ones I have already don't count) so I've put together what I plan to buy on payday (oh dear). I finally found the one in terms of coats and so I've styled everything else around it so I can mix and match, not just a pretty face eh?

Roll neck sweater dress £45.00

I always dressed very preppy in college and university but I want to change my style to something a little more grown up and this jumper dress is just it. It looks cosy, flattering, smart and chucked on with some black tights and boots will look amazing.

 Black Wedge Chelsea boots £35.00

With me, ankle boots have always been a hit. They make your legs look longer, look amazing but most importantly, they are actual practical shoes in Autumn-winter. These plain beauties will go with everything and make you look super long too, double wammy!

Blue Chiffon Check long sleeve shirt £19.99

Okay so chiffon isn't really winter friendly but when it's this cute who cares. This little badboy checks all the criteria, it has navy and black to match the coat, can be thrown on with jeans and it's check print so is very on trend too. 

Black Zip Treggings £9.99

Plain black jeans and trousers are something I've really got into lately. I think they flatten your figure and slim down your legs. Plus they go with just about anything and make it look smart!

Coat with a pile collar £59.99

Oh my. This coat is literally everything I want all wrapped into one. It's super warm and cosy (I've already tried it on in three stores, I know sad), it has leather look sleeves so is bang on trend and it combines black and navy so will go with a bunch of things in my wardrobe. What is not to love!

Cream Colour Block Winged tote bag £45.00

I think if I'm being honest, I don't really need to buy a new bag as I probably have many that would work with this lot but hey, when do we ever really need the clothes we buy?

Shell Pink Textured Necklace Trim Shell top £12.99

Again, not winter friendly. Again, not bothered. I'll shove on a coat and feel a million bucks. Plus it's cheap and us bargain hunters can't really argue with that.

Navy Skinny Jeans £19.99

They're blue jeans and theyll go with everything. I don't really think I need more of an excuse than that to be honest.

Rib crop top £26.00

I went and tried on this little beauty the other day and absolutely loved it. I actually paired it with a leather look skirt and it made one hell of an outfit. That being said, it was also super expensive for the two so I found a cheaper alternative listed below..

Tinsel wrap mini skirt £32.00

Said cheaper alternative and with the wrap and glitter style it checks so many trends I can't keep count. Plus you could shove it with anything and it would make a new outfit. I mean when an item works this hard in your wardrobe it would be rude not to get it.

Well ten items and a dozen excuses later that just about wraps up my Monday Must-Haves. I don't really need them all but we all know that these gems are going to end up in my wardrobe. What's more is that they'll probably be a few others that sneak in too. I just can't help myself. So what do you think of my choices? Let me know in the comments below! As always, it's been a pleasure! 

Laura.

Supermarket Superstar Coats

Hello all, I'm back from my holiday (photo's coming soon!) and miserable so I'm trying to think of positive things whilst the cold creeps in, sob. For me, Autumn-Winter is all about the coat, I just love them. I mentioned in my Autumn Look Book (Here) that despite buying a parka last Autumn, I want a new coat because literally everyone has one and while that's fine, I don't want to look exactly the same as everyone else. So, it's got to go! I've been looking online and couldn't find any decent coats anywhere and found myself turning to the supermarkets and i've been blown away by their coat collections. They're gorgeous and not one over £50! So here's my selection of the supermarket superhero coats (from top to bottom and left to right).

Sainsburys Fur Collar Coat £40/ Here
This coat is a blend of the cranberry trend and the 'Oversized Boyfriend style', I actually think it looks pretty naff in this picture (great start) but seeing the model wear it, it looks considerably better. One of those coats you need to see on to appreciate it. Plus it has the removable fur collar to change up the look.

F & F Teddy Lined Quilted sleeved coat £48/ Here
Leather look sleeves were all in last year as an added twist to the kaki parka. This coat is a little bit different again as it sports the cranberry hue which is everywhere. I really really like this one, thrown on with black jeans and a cream jumper and you've got a lovely little outfit, yum.

F & F Faux Fur Trim Duffle Coat £48/ Here
My favourite of all the selection. I love duffle coats, they're practical, warm and look really smart. To me the fur hood on this makes me just want to rub my face in it (anyone else, nope. Just me then).

G21 Faux Fur Trim Coat £30/ Here
I was horrifed to find that when looking for the link to put above, this beauty has SOLD OUT. The horror. It's absolutely gorgeous and with the fur collar, a twist on the smart coat. I love the navy and generally everything about this coat. So cute! Whoever has bought this and made it go out of stock, touche'. 

Asda Formal Duffle Coat £36/ Here
Another little beauty, this time in tan. Tan goes with just about everything, so this beauty will work hard to match everything in your wardrobe. All you need is a nice satchel and you've got a perfect winter injection to your wardrobe.

So thus ends another coat post, obsessed much? I really need to just buy a new coat so I stop banging on about it. Apologies, but I can't promise I wont do it again. Until next time my loves! 

Laura. 

Nail Wax Strips With Argan Oil

Evening all! I'm back from my holiday (*sigh*) with a review, this time it's for Nair's new wax strips enriched with Argan Oil. As far as I'm concerned, stick argan oil in anything and I want it, hair products, moisturisers and now wax strips of all things.

Let me tell you, that I have never been one for waxing my legs... like ever. That being said, the BF and I finally  booked a holiday (I know, about time!) so i've got my mind working overtime thinking of all the things I need. I decided to invest in some wax strips because I hate shaving my legs while I'm on holiday. I want my break to be relaxed as far as beauty is concerned so I picked these badboys up.

When I tell you that I'm a complete novice when it comes to waxing, believe me. I've never used them as I've always been too scared of the pain. But I reasoned that they couldn't be that bad or else no one would do it! With this kit, it comes with "pre-wax" wipes and "post-wax" wipes, which I'm not sure is a regular occurrence with other waxing kits but a nice surprise nonetheless.

I began by reading and re-reading the instructions which advise you to begin washing your legs, followed by the wipe. Then warm the wax strips between your hands and wax away. Considering the pain I'd built myself up for, the pain wasn't anywhere near as bad as I was expecting. My leg hairs were around 1.5mm which the pack said it could still remove but I found there were still a few hairs not picked up. You can however re-use the strips to get all the little hairs you missed. In total I used 4 strips for both legs (1 strip parts into 2 halves, so 8 in total). There were still 6 strips in the box so you can use each box for hair removals on the legs.

My legs did go very red afterwards but looking at them now (some 5 hours later) they're absolutely fine and show no evidence of the torture they endured. Overall, I'm very happy with these wax strips. To top it off, the post-wax wipes felt really moisturising so a great touch to the set. I bought these for just £2.99 from Savers so would say they are well worth the money. If you've tried them, let me know in the comments below!

Wilkinson's, the new stop for beauty?

You can imagine my surprise when I walked into Wilkinson's to buy my usual Shampoo to find a whole new beauty section. Needless to say, I was attracted to it like a Bee to flowers so I buzzed over there right away. Among the various eyelash curlers and assorted goodies, Wilkinsons has brought out what I can only assume is supposed to be a dupe of the Real Tecniques brushes (as shown in my first picture) which on first glance look pretty good. I've had my brushes for a few months and I still stand by them and say to anyone who will listen that they are worth the money. But, when these dupes are just £3 they're worth trying out and after a quick feel, they feel like the real thing too. 

Now as I mentioned, I already own the RT brushes so there was no point me buying the dupes. But, being the makeup lover I am I couldn't walk away without anything, so I picked up this lovely little makeup sponge. I am not too proud to say that I haven't got the first clue about makeup sponges. I've never used one before so it was all very new to me. After watching a few YT vids, I decided to get stuck in.

In my last post, I mentioned my Estee Lauder foundation (which I still adore) and I'm pleased to say that with my foundation, this sponge works a dream! I simply wet it with a little water till it grows in size, squeeze out the excess and then just put a blob (very technical) on the sponge and swipe it all over my face. Its amazing how different a finish you can achieve just by using a brush or a sponge. My RT brush provides an even all over cover but is a heavier application. The sponge gives a very light layer of foundation and once set with powder, I don't feel like I have any on but everything is still covered nicely. The sponge itself feels amazing and is so refreshing to apply makeup in the morning. 

Overall, I am VERY impressed with this little sponge. Is it potentially a dupe of the Beauty Blender? Who knows, and frankly who cares when this one is this good. And it costs a laughable £3. I can guarentee I will be returning to wilkinsons to try out some other goodies soon. Is it the new stop for beauty? Well, you're going to have to go and explore and see for yourself but for me, colour me impressed. Until next time lovelies!