My new love: Bumble & bumble

I've kind of fallen in love with Bumble and bumble... I know, I know, have I been hiding under a rock?! I had a spur of the moment decision to just go all out and buy a few things I have been eyeing up for a while and just got over the price tag! Here are the select items I went for!

I've wanted a hair mask for a while and scoured the internet looking for all sorts... that's when I stumbled across this, the BB Creme de Coco Tropical Riche Masque. I've only used it once but my God, this stuff is amazing, it also smells incredible! It left my hair so shiny and soft and you only need to have it on for 7 minutes, which is a lot less than some other hair masks out there!

 I read about this shampoo on another blog - Nouvelle Daily - and thought, 'that is exactly what I need'. I make a thing of always washing my hair on a Sunday, making sure the end of the week leaves me feeling good about starting a new one! This ultra purifying shampoo is a cleansing concoction to leave hair super duper shiny and full of life, helping to remove all the crap build up from the week before. This shampoo manages to cleanse the hair, without stripping it, though it should really only be used once a week to avoid it making your hair dry and parched. I've only used this twice but so far so good! The most recent time I used the masque after, and that was when I think my hair has felt its best, ever.

This final product wasn't something I was planning on purchasing, but the sales woman at Boots did a good job and it somehow ended up in my basket, and thank God it did! This is the Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer, a pre-spritz  to ensure your hair is protected and stays soft and supple between washes. It also comes with a whole host of benefits, it detangles, softens, acts as a heat and UV protector and de-frizzes. A little also goes a long way, which is how I justified buying it as at £19 this is pretty pricey, but i figure it will last a long time!

Have you tried any Bumble & bumble? What's you're favourite range?

Emma xx

May Favourites

It's the end of another month and that can only mean one thing... time for another favourites post! I haven't done one of these since March but I think that's because I was just so busy in April. I feel like in the past few weeks I have found some real gems that will 100% hang around as permanent fixtures in my stash!

First up is a new perfume purchase, I've wanted this for ages, since it came out really, and when I found it on offer I couldn't resist! Dolce is a feminine, fresh fragrance and embodies the "delicate balance between timeless craftsmanship and innovation...". The heart notes feature White Amaryllis and Water Lily, and base notes include Cashmeran and Sandalwood. If you like fresh floral scents I would definitely recommend this one!

Next up is a foundation I mentioned in a previous post, the Dior Skin Forever Fluid Foundation. The more I use this the more I love it, the packaging, formulation, shade and wearability are all amazing. If you want to read more about it just click on the link above to hear about the product. I've also mentioned Roller Lash in the same post, and as per, this stuff is great, I always have fantastic things to say about this product, and nothings changed.

I know I'm a bit behind with this next product but.... Eight Hour Cream, where have you been all my life?! I have suffered from dry hands for a while, especially over winter. This stuff isn't just for hands though,  you can shape brows, revitalize shine, and smooth cuticles and nails. This award winning hand cream has also been praised by make-up artists and beauty editors for many years now and no self respecting model would be without this cult product in their make-up bag. 

Finally, a new nail colour from Mavala in Orchid Mauve. This is now my new perfect nude... I've been wearing it for weeks, back to back. It's long lasting, has a nice shine and works with any outfit. 

What are your favourite items this month?!

Emma xx

Hauling #3

This post has been a long time coming, since I've been back in England (in other words duty free) I've had a thing for premium beauty, and when there's money off I can't find an excuse not to buy it! So the mixture of Boots discount and duty free both sides of the Atlantic have resulted in some serious harm to my bank account. Some of these items are relatively new, and some literally brought this week so a review may be coming your way soon!

This haul consists of twos... two mascaras, two foundations and two lip products... Lets start with the foundations. I love a good bargain and these two were picked up at the staff shop where I work. First up is the Lancome Photogenic Lumessence in the shade 01. I've been using this this week and I can already say I'm a fan. The shade, texture and durability are all great positives, though I wouldn't quite agree with 14 hour wear, however it does come close! It also has SPF 15 so means your skin is covered against the harmful rays from the sun. The next foundation is one from Dior, Dior Skin Forever Fluid Foundation in the shade 010. I haven't used this yet but I'm very excited to, it claims to last all day, have great blendability and creates a smoother, more even complexion day after day. I also loveeee the packaging on this - I know, not something which should determine whether I buy a product or not but don't worry it wasn't the only factor which persuaded me to buy!

Next up are the mascaras, I've been waiting agessss to buy Benefit's Rollerlash in full size ever since I got my free sample in Elle, so the wait is finally over! I love the formula of this mascara, its not too dry and the curl you get with this wand is probably one of the best I've seen. The other mascara in the pipeline is Lancome's Hypnose Mascara, again, I haven't tried this yet but very excited to test it out.

Finally the lip products, I've wanted both of these for ages and I was able to get them while on holiday. First, the Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm in the shade curvy candy. This is quite a sheer pink, perfect for day to day wear and the texture and wear is really good. Then there's the Dior Addict Lip Gloss in Rose Surprise, haven't had a chance to wear this yet but I love the corally-pink shade.

So that's my premium beauty haul! Are there any premium products you have your eyes on?

Emma xx

My Long Haul Flight Essentials

I'm typing up this post just a few hours before I set off on the first leg of my journey to Mexico - the first part is just driving to Manchester as I fly tomorrow (boring!) - but I know I won't be taking my laptop so this will be the final post until I arrive home! I'm not going to lie, I'm not the biggest fan of flying, especially long haul, mainly because I hate being bored, and restricted, so I've tried to ensure my hand luggage has things to resolve these issues.

I'm going to cover the basic, non-beauty items first... So bag wise, I made sure I brought a reasonable size, within the airline restrictions size limit, but still pretty big. I've gone for a shopper from Topshop, there were a few colour available but I went for the light grey. I'll be throwing in sunglasses, my purse, kindle, phone, iPod, earphones, painkillers, tissues, sweets, John Green's Paper Towns, a sleeping mask (you never know when you'll need one of these!) and finally my passport, travel money and of course tickets! I've also been converted this year to bring along a neck/travel pillow, everyone seems to love these but I've never been too bothered, then one time Primark I found this one and I have to admit, I love it, I've even been wearing it around the house!

The standout product though has to be the This Works Deep Sleep Spray and Stress Less Rollerball. This should keep me calm and relaxed during the flight, even when I'm not! For toiletries I'm also bringing Yes To cucumber wipes, my Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist, Super Facialist Eye Cream, Estee Lauder Serum, Carex hand sanitiser, and a Tea Tree Spot Stick.

I haven't really brought a lot of make up with me, as I will have applied what I want on before the flight and when I land I really won't care what I look like, I'll just put my sunglasses on! So the very few pieces that are coming with me revolve around necessity, for instance Carmex lip balm, a tiny 5ml vile of Modern Muse and the YSL Touche Eclat just to touch up and keep me feeling at least a little presentable!

And that's it! Not too much, just the essentials plus a few extras - I told you this was the year I pack light!

Emma xx

My Holiday Make-Up Essentials

This is year is the year I pack 'light'. I've been trying for a while to whittle down my makeup choices and it's something I've been struggling with for this years sunny, tropical, bikini-clad holiday! Now the majority of the day I'll be mainly makeup free, in other words bare faced with a quick slick of mascara... waterproof of course... but in the evenings I'll ramp it up with a full face of makeup - nothing too extravagant, more like a day to day look I'd normally wear at home. When I first grabbed what I thought I wanted to take I had to seriously re-evaluate, would I really wear everything I was going to take... probably not! So this is my very basic, minimal make up collection that will be accompanying me on holiday!

I'm going to be taking a rather large selection of lip products (woops!), but in all fairness they're all different types of lip products. First up is the No7 BB Lips in the shade Blush Coral. Now I know a lot of people say not to wear paler colours on holiday... but that is because those people tan, a lot, I on the other hand don't tan a lot, therefore it's okay! The darkest shade I'm taking is another No7 product, their High Shine Lip Crayon in the shade Tropical Beach, which is a really nice pinky/coraly colour. I've also decided to bring along one of my favourite duos, MACs lipstick in Pure Zen, paired with Sexy Mother Pucker by Soap and Glory in the shade Pink Apricot... Can you see a theme here? I like nude shades! I'm also bringing along the Carmex lip balm in Jasmine and Green Tea as well as a Nivea Hydra Care Lip Balm with SPF 15.

For face I've *tried* to keep it simple; just two foundations, one with slightly more coverage - L'oreal's True Match in Rose Beige and then a much lighter alternative, Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua, both have SPF15 which is always a positive when going on holiday. For concealer I'm bringing along my trusty Maybelline's Eraser Eye Concealer. To take the shine away I've chosen MACs Mineralise Skin Finish Natural and to add definition to my cheek bones I'm bringing the Body Shop's Honey Bronzer in shade 2, and No7's Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush. I've also decided to bring a base, keeping it a light with Benefit's Porefessional, just because I want to make sure I have primed my skin before I put my makeup on, especially since I'll be covered in suncream all day.

Then for eyes, I'm trying out the No7 Stay Perfect Shade and Define shadow sticks. There are so many of these kind of products available but these are a great dupe at half the price of other options such as the By Terry Ombre Blackstick which is £29, while the No7 version is only £8! The shades I have opted for are Glistening Ray - a beautiful golden shimmery shade, Coffee Bean - a rich brown shade, and Cool Mink - a soft bronze based brown.

 

I think I'll also bring along the Naked 2 Palette just so I have some powder based alternatives. As well as these bases I'll bring along my liquid eyeliner of choice, Rimmel's Glam Eye's Liner and then Benefit's Roller Lash which I am completely obsessed with! I've also got a waterproof mascara for the day time - No7's Intense Volume.

And that's it! I swear this is a basic version for me, it was extremely difficult to cut it down and it was a lot bigger before, I promise!! Do you have anything you love to take away with you?

Emma xx

My Travel Toiletry Essentials

I'm currently in organisation overdrive - trying to plan for my holiday to Mexico in a weeks time! I'm at that stage where I'm trying to plan outfits for the week, without wearing anything I want to take on my travels. I want to make sure everything is planned before I leave, so packing next Friday should be (cross fingers) seamless and easy! I'll be doing a few posts about my upcoming holiday, so look out for them, especially if you like planning blog posts - I know I do... I'm such a snooper! So without further a do, here are my top picks for travel toiletries!

Hair:

For my hair I've decided to go for the Charles Worthington Shine Booster Shampoo and the Moisture Seal Conditioner. I find when I go on holiday my hair can become very dry due to the exposure to sun, so these two - although they aren't an original pair - are perfect, the Shine Booster should inject some gloss into my hair and the Moisture Seal should help revive it. I got these both in full size because I'm away for 11 days and I'll probably end up washing my hair most days so I'll need them to be larger than the mini travel sizes. I also picked up the Sunshine Protector Leave In Spray, also by Charles Worthington. It acts as a suncream but for your hair, to help prevent from damage, drying and fading. This is enriched with Moringa Seed Oil to help with moisture and shine, leaving hair protected, replenished and lightly scented. 

Body & Basics:

My body wash of choice is the Dove Go Fresh Body Wash in the scent Blue Fig and Orange Blossom. I love love love the smell of this, it's so fresh and exactly what I'm going to need to freshen up after being out all day in the sun. There's also a few basics like my deodorant, just a basic Soft and Gentle in Lavender and Patchouli, my razor, a Venus Spa Breeze disposable, my toothbrush, toothpaste etc!

Skincare:

I've tried to stick as close as possible to my normal skincare routine, so I've made sure I have my cleanser, eye cream, serum and moisturiser all the same as I have when I'm at home. I ordered the Bioderma Micellar Water as I really didn't want to take my 400ml Garnier version and this was the only one I knew which was small enough. I was also really intrigued to try the Bioderma version, so this small bottle is perfect. The cleanser of choice is of course my Liz Earle original cleanser, I was given this smaller size at an event at work, which is perfect for taking on holiday! The serum is my Body Shop Vitamin E Serum, it's a bit more gel-like than other serums so it's nice and cooling - perfect after a day sunning myself! Next up is my Una Brennan Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream and my Eucerin moisturiser. I'm also bringing along a small can of the Avene Thermal Spring Water, which I'll use as a toner but it'll also be handy to use in the day to cool off. Finally, I've got a small packet of the Yes to Cucumber Soothing Facial Wipes. These are more for on the plane but should be handy to have with me for whenever, they're also hypoallergenic which is good because I have very sensitive skin at times.

Sun Care:

I've switched up my sun care this year and gone for the Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration in SPF 30. I'm also bringing along my trusty Piz Buin Ultra Dry Touch Fluid, again in SPF 30 -I don't know about you but I'm really not a fan of feeling sticky so hence the dry touch suncream! I've also opted for the Dry Touch Face Fluid, this time in SPF 15, but I also have a 30 just in case. For After-sun, I've gone for another Hawaiian Tropic line, one I've used before and absolutely love, the Silk Hydration After-sun Lotion. 

So thats it, an inside look at my holiday toiletry essentials! Is there anything you like to take with you when you go away?

Emma x

The Sunglasses Edit

With summer around the corner and the good weather showing it's face over the past couple of days, I can't help scrawling through the websites looking at sunglasses, especially since I go on holiday to Mexico in two weeks!

I kind of have a thing for sunglasses at the moment, I've found my self trying them on in every shop I go to and my sister having to stop me from buying every single pair! They're a piece you must have in your bag now spring is here and whatever your budget you'll find the right pair for you - from Primark to Whistles to Topshop to Newlook, there's a great selection this year, here are a few of my favourites!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 

March Favourites!

I haven't done a favourites post for a while - but this past month has been a real good one, where I've found myself gravitating back towards the same products throughout the month. I've re-found my true love of nude lipsticks, baked blushes, brow definition and beautiful floral scents, so get ready for it - this is my collection of March favourites!

First up is an old flame - MAC's lipstick in Pure Zen, which is probably the best nude lipstick I have ever come across - so far! The formula, scent, colour and stay power are all positives and make it the perfect everyday shade. It's because of this, that I have chosen it for my favourites - I have literally worn this everyday this past month, so i think that alone makes a deserving candidate for this months favourites.

Along the same theme - the eos lip balm in passion fruit has been a God send - especially when you've got early mornings and need that extra protection for your lips in the chilly weather. I find I use this most in the morning and then apply lipstick just before I go to work, however I'll keep this in my bag so I can grab it if I ever need it.

The Max Factor Baked Blush has been such a good buy, it gives such a dewy, glowy finish to the skin so again, perfect for everyday wear. I spoke about this in my second hauling post so if you want to hear more, just click here.

Next up is the Maybelline Brow Drama - another product discussed in my hauling post from last month. I'd never used a brow wax before but I have to say - I'm quite impressed! I use this along with a liner - just to keep everything in place and it does such a great job. I don't think for a second that this fills in eyebrows well, but for sculpting and shaping on the go, it really is worth buying, and at £4.99, you can't go wrong!

Finally, my all time favourite perfume - Jo Malone's Peony & Blush Suede. I absolutely adore this fragrance, it's so feminine and sophisticated, so if you like floral scents, I would 100% recommend it. With top notes of  red apple, and heart notes of peony, this is a beautifully floral, sweet scent, which I wear for everyday use but could easily be worn simply for occasions. I think this is now my signature scent - I really want a full size bottle for my 21st - maybe in the lace edition bottle, just because that's a little bit more special... but I guess we'll have to wait and see! 

So that's it! Another month over and another favourites post up with my top 5 stand out items. Do you have any favourites this month??

Emma xx

Body Shop Beauty Gems

Body Shop are full of some amazing products, all tailored to your own personal wants and needs. They have a collection of skincare, body and beauty products, always coming out with the next best thing. They also offer up to 9 different types of skincare to suit your skin ranging from Aloe to calm, Vitamin E for sensitive, Tea Tree for blemish prone skin and Vitamin C for brightening, along with a lot more. 

I am a massive fan of the Body Shop and recently realised they have released their own beauty gems, so I thought why not show you mine?! This was a tough decision to narrow it down but I managed it -- just!

So let's begin! 

First up is the Tea Tree Oil, I brought this in a pack with the Tea Tree Pore Minimiser and they have both proved effective at tackling blemishes. The oil is great at reducing the appearance of blemishes, without over drying the skin. Another positive of the Tea Tree collection is that it is an antibacterial, so can soothe the skin, and not spread infection. I personally use the Pore Minimiser more, it's really good at dealing with pores, and with the antibacterial properties its not going to spread any dirt around. Along with this it's also a great primer which mattifies the skin, leaving it feel fresh and pure. The oil I find I use sparingly, a small amount on cotton wool will do the job, and I only use this when I'm suffering from a real bad skin day!

The Vitamin E range was the first one I came across when I discovered the Body Shop did skincare, wayyyy back when. I think the Face Mist was the first skincare product I ever brought from them. This product is perfect for so many things - after your skincare routine, morning or night, to set make up, or as a pick me up in the middle of the day. It's a refreshing light mist which moisturises and protects your skin throughout the day. It also smells gorgeous, with a delicate rosewater scent. The other product I chose as a beauty gem from the Vitamin E range is a new (ish) discovery. I have been wanting a serum for a while, trying loads of different testers and not finding quite what I wanted, until I found this - the Vitamin E Serum in Oil. This product is a bit of a game-changer... It's not just a serum, but it has the benefits of one. It claims to give 8 hours of beauty sleep and leaves your skin looking recharged, replenished and softer - all three of which I can vouch for! 

The Vitamin C Microdemabrasion came to me when I was in need a new face scrub. This product has fine micro particles and crushed garnet stones to remove dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion. You can only use this once or twice a week as it's quite an intense scrub, but you shouldn't need it much more than that. 

The Seaweed Mask is something I found last year. This mask draws out impurities and controls excess oil on the skin, so it's definitely a good buy if you suffer from oily or combination skin. The mask is also clarifying and refreshing. I find I only use it on my T-zone and I always see an improvement.

Finally, a non-skincare product - the Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder. I have the shade fair matte and it's a great match for my skin.This bronzer works well for giving a soft contouring look and a beautiful sunkissed glow. I would highly recommend it!

So that's it, they're my Body Shop Beauty Gems, do you have any favourites from the Body Shop? If you want to see their chosen Gems then just click the link here.

Emma xx

Liz Earle: 20 Years of Naturally Active Skincare

Yes, that iconic skincare brand that is Liz Earle has turned 20! They have been one of those brands which offer a classic cult favourite - the cleanse and polish - which has been re-released offering new scents in a beautiful turquoise tin. They offer the same original creamy formula loved by hundreds around the world which was introduced to me last year and was my first 'real' look into the cleansing world and all its glory. Once I came across the product I haven't looked back and have been using this since - I trust it, it's reliable and it does the job, long gone are the days of face wipes - and if you haven't tried it, what are you waiting for?!

The new scents include Rose and Lavender - great for before bed, a nice relaxing scent to soothe and comfort, Orange Flower and Chamomile - the summer scent of last year, fresh and calming, and finally Grapefruit and Patchouili - uplifting and energising, perfect for early morning routines. This tin is a great choice for any hardcore fan of the product, or even for someone who wants to try it out. Although it is still the same old formula we know and love, the scents alone make it a must have buy, but along with the beautifully adorned bottles, they're that extra special gift to yourself, or someone else, that is worth the money.

If you haven't heard of Liz Earle or the hot cloth cleanser... then have you been hiding under a rock?! The cleanse and polish product boasts a multi-award winning formula that removes the daily dirt and grime from your face (even liquid eyeliner and mascara - although I do normally use a makeup remover first) and leaves skin soft, supple and radiant. Ideal for both morning and evening skincare routines, it can be used with or without a muslin cloth, which comes with any cleanse and polish purchase on the website. Each bottle normally costs £15.50 so at £50.00 for the tin, it is a hefty price tag, and not one that offers some sort of promotional saving on the three bottles, though you do get the tin! Saying that, I also received three mini samples - a hot cloth cleanser, moisturiser and eye lotion, along with two muslin cloths, so I got a pretty good deal!

Get yourself online to bag one of these limited edition tins before they all run out!

Emma xx

Night Time Heroes!

I mentioned this on my Instagram this week and totally forgot to post it! I just wanted to round up a few of my night time heroes which are part of my routine, so without further a do...

First up is the Patchouli and Clove Hand Cream from the Florence and Anne Collection from Boots. I think these first came out over Christmas and I've had my eye on them for a while... they're very Jo Malone-esque, with fragrances, hand creams, soaps, candles, diffusers and much more on offer! I chose this scent because  for some reason I felt drawn to it... I love patchouli and with the clove it's quite a rich, intense smell. The cream itself isn't too greasy and soaks in well.

I love a good serum and the Body Shop's Vitamin E Overnight Serum is the answer to my prayers! I love the Body Shop and I know I can trust them with my skin so I had no worries trying this one out. This is no normal serum, it's a serum in oil, so a little different to other night serums in the market, but gives you benefits of both a serum and an oil. The Body Shop claims that this can give you 8 hours of beauty sleep for your skin, promises to leave your skin looking well rested, replenished and recharged, and that it is non greasy and fast absorbing. My own opinions ring true with what the Body Shop suggest -- I've really noticed a difference in my skin, it's looking more plump when I wake up, it's very fast absorbing, almost like a dry oil, and it smells amazing! What more can you want?!

When I have time I really like to spend time on my skin and I think a face mask is a great way to do this. You just slap it on and leave it to do its magic! The first one I reach for at the moment is the Una Brennan Super Facialist Rose Intense Moisture Mask. If you want to see an in depth review just click here.

Finally, the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray which was mentioned in my previous post. I love this stuff and I can't get enough of it, it really sets me off for a good nights sleep and is just sooooo relaxing! Now, I'm not an insomniac, I have no trouble getting to sleep, but getting my mind to relax is something else and this stuff really fixes that problem. I can't vouch for it enough - just go and try it for yourself!

Do you have anything you use before bed? Let me know in the comments below :)

Also don't forget to follow me on bloglovin (button on the right) and my instagram emma_l_b

Emma xx

Hauling #2

So this week I headed to Boots for some cotton wool pads, toothpaste and shower gel, however somehow I left with a lot more than that! I picked up quite a few new purchases, and  of course  the essentials mentioned above! I've also realised there are loads of new products coming out at the moment... so I'm sure another trip will be happening very soon!

I think my favourite item out of this lot has to be the Maxfactor Creme Puff Blush. This is a new product launched by the company and is said to be a really good dupe of the Hourglass version at a fraction of the cost! There are six shades to choose from - which was a very tough decision (I was standing in the aisle for ages until I decided!!), however I chose to go with Lovely Pink. Now in general me and baked blushes get on like a house on fire, and from what I've seen so far, the Maxfactor version is no exception. It's lasting power is strong and the formula is beautiful - soft, buttery and goes on perfectly.

Next up is another recent addition to Boots and many other drugstores - the Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude. This is another budget buy dupe - a water based foundation - not dissimilar to the L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint or the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. The product is air whipped with the same velvety, feather-like texture of the Dream Matte Mousse and claims to be 12 times thinner than your average foundation. It's got great buildability and offers a flawless, natural looking finish and also has SPF20 in - which isn't a bad thing!

A few repurchases included my trusty Stay Matte Powder by Rimmel in Translucent, the Maybelline Instant Anti Age Eraser and the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray from This Works. I only discovered the eye eraser this year but I absolutely love it! I'm already running low on my first tube so a repurchase was definitely necessary. As for the Deep Sleep Spray, this is another product I first purchased towards the back end of 2014 and again, fell in love and wanted to get the full size version as soon as I could. I know it's just a spray but it honestly helps me relax, so something I will be taking away with me next month, especially on the plane!

A new discovery for me -- yes, I've probably been hiding in a hole to have missed this -- is the Brow Drama from Maybelline. This 'sculpting brow mascara' has been the perfect addition to my make up bag. I have quite big eyebrows -- kind of Cara Delevingne/Tanya Burr-esque -- they're a statement piece and I use them to sculpt my face so this product is doing a good job so far for me, however I have heard negative reviews, especially over the round brush, which doesn't seem to a hit with those girls who have smaller eyebrows. So something to have in mind if you're thinking of purchasing!

Next I found Soap and Glory's Bright Here Bright Now Instant Energy Balm. I've heard mixed reviews on this so was a bit cautious to try it, but it's been a few days and I haven't seen any negative side effects! It's meant to give you a nice glow and works sort of as a moisturiser for when your skin needs that extra pick me up, like mine has this week while I've been suffering from a cold (boo!).

Finally, a little treat for my nails from Sally Hansen -- The Complete Care extra moisturising 4 in 1 nail treatment. You can use this as a ridge filling base, strengthener, growth treatment and glossy top coat. It's a little on the pricey side but for all of that I'm not going to complain!

There were of course a few other items including the bog standard cotton wool but also a few holiday products which I kind of hinted at a bit in the post... more details on that very soon!!

Emma xx

87th Annual Oscars | The best of the fashion and beauty looks

I read somewhere that the Oscars are the Superbowl of the Awards season and I don't think I could have put it better myself! The guests did not disappoint, we had everything from fancy up do's, to massive blow drys and beautiful make up choices. Keep on scrolling to see more...

Rosamund Pike

This is by far my favourite look of the night... The red lace dress with the deep thigh slit, the perfectly quiff-ed hair and the complementary makeup makes this a strong look in my book. She had perfectly groomed brows and the most natural red carpet look there was all night.

Anna Kendrick

She chose a beautiful peachy-pink dress with a statement neckline. I terms of makeup she opted for a sultry smokey eye and a pink blush and lip colour to match her dress.

Lupita Nyong'o

This stunning asymmetric dress was beautiful on Lupita and the make up complemented the simplicity of the dress. Nick Barose gave her an icy metallic eye with matching metallic copper lips.

Sienna Miller

Can you ever go wrong with a black dress?! Sienna is no stranger to red capets but she's nailed it once again. She opted for slick-back hair look with a bronze smokey eye and pink lip - with the help from Charlotte Tilbury.

Emma Stone

Emma stood out on the red carpet, with her coral lip which was paired with her beautiful Elie Saab gown. He hair was styled by Mara Roszak who used L'Oreal products to create soft waves in a low side bun.

Keira Knightly

Now thats how you look glowing when you're pregnant! This woman never has a bad day, she always looks stunning! She looked breathtakingly romantic with soft loose waves and a  barely there, nude makeup look.

What were your favourite looks of the evening?

Emma x

My Daily Skincare Routine

I have an absolute passion for skincare, however I'm also one of those people who used to really neglect my skin when I was younger. It would maybe at a push see some Clean&Clear scrubbed all over and rinsed off -- and that was a treat. Nowadays I take much better care of my skin, and I actually enjoy doing it. It's those five to ten minutes in the morning and evening where you can really pamper yourself and focus on you. Don't see it as a chore - see it as a mini spa experience!

I'll begin with a bit of a background on my skin -- as a teen I suffered from blemishes and spots, not at extreme levels, just the normal, I got slightly greasier skin and my main problem areas were my forehead and chin. Back to present day and I'm very lucky, I rarely get spots and my skin is fairly clear. However, when a spot does decide to appear, it's not just a pimple, its an angry little thing taking up residence (normally) on my chin -- so much fun! I also have quite sensitive skin, so I have to be careful when I decide which products to use as my skin can react very badly. I think having a separate skincare routine for morning and night is really good, as your skin needs different things depending on the time of day. So without further ado... here's my skincare routine!

AM:

In the morning my skin should be looking fresh after a great nights sleep, even if it is 6:15! I never have a lot of time in the week days so this may vary slightly to weekends... but normally I begin with a cleanser. My weapon of choice: REN Everclam Gentle Cleansing Gel, this is great, lightweight and is for sensitive skin. I rub one pump into slightly damp hands and gently massage over face and neck for a minute of so, I then just rinse off with warm water.

Next step, exfoliator. I use the Vitamin C Microdermabrasion scrub from the Body Shop. This is a once a week step so not exactly part of my daily skincare routine but hey ho! This is a step when you have some extra time on your hands. The product has a very light texture, it's not a heavy duty scrub and has a really fine texture. It claims to reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion and I actually think it does, so a good product to use in the morning to give you a healthy glow.

This next product is what I use for my toner - the Avene Eau Thermale Spring Water. Just one spritz of this on my face does the job. It's just a refreshing mist that kind of finishes the job of cleansing off.

I loveeeee the Una Brennan skincare range, and the Brightening Eye Cream is possibly one of the reasons I fell in love with the whole range. I just squeeze a small pea-size amount on my ring finger and dab it round my eye area. It's really good for remedying dark circles and puffiness under the eye.

Then I normally use a serum - the Vitamin E Serum from the Body Shop is a really nice lightweight one. It provides continuous hydration and protection and is a perfect pre-moisturising treatment.

Finally I use a light moisturiser - Eucerin AQUAporin Active Moisturising Cream Rich. It's a really nice lightweight moisturiser and is particularly suited for sensitive and dry skin - both characteristics of my skin, especially in winter. I only have the sample size currently as I found out about at an event at work but I'm desperate to get my hands on the full size product.

PM:

I switch things up a bit in the evening, firstly I have to take my makeup off, which wasn't needed in the morning. I have a range of products I can use for make up removal, but my all time favourite has to be the Garnier Micellar Water. I soak a cotton pad in this and start with my face then moving onto my eyes, one side of the pad for each eye. 

Next step is cleansing, in the evenings I prefer to use a richer, creamier, more indulgent cleanser so I reach for the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser. I feel like this step really ensures any left over traces of make up are gone and makes my skin feel clean and fresh. After that I use the Avene Eau Thermale again and the Una Brennan Eye Cream.

Another treatment I use is the Tea Tree Pore Minimiser from the Body Shop (can you tell I'm a bit obsessed with this brand?!). If anything this product smells amazing, it also smoothes, primes and mattifies and leaves the skin feeling fresh.

I also use La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo +, this claims to reduce redness and swelling on spots and can correct scarring issues from acne as well. I've been using this for at least a year now and I really do love this stuff, I think it does the job, although I can only speak from my own experience and I don't suffer a lot from spots or scarring, but when I do, I see a difference.

Next up is a new addition: the Body Shops Vitamin E Overnight Serum in Oil. You only need a few drops of this stuff and a little goes a long way. It's not like your normal overnight serums - it does have a very oily texture. However, the product isn't greasy, it's light weight and sinks into the skin nicely before you apply moisturiser.

Finally, the last product I use for the day is a night cream. I choose the Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme at the moment, though I do switch it around. As long as it's a rich cream then I'm there, other similar products I use are the No7 Essential Moisture Night Cream and the REN V-Cleanse Revitalizing Night Cream. All of these are super rich and really rejuvenate your skin. They smooth fine lines and can help combat the early signs of aging.

Are any of these products ones that you use? Or are there any you really want to try?

Emma x

Valentines Gift Guide

If you haven't already got that special someone a gift for Valentines, then this post may give you that strike of inspiration you need, or if you really want something this Valentines but your other half just isn't catching on, then pop this post under their nose and maybe, just maybe they will get the hint!

Heart Throb Bubble Bar | Olivia Burton Watch | Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne | Ornamental Embroidery Non Padded Bra | CharlotteTilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick | Essie in tiny wine-y | Smokey Poppy Massage Oil | Double Exposure Palette | Kate Spade I Kissed a Frog

Bleu De Chanel | Calvin Klein Low Rise Trunk | Fossil Grant Leather Strap | Silver Square Cufflinks | Ted Baker Card Holder | Ted Baker Reversible Belt | Frends Taylor Headphones in Oil Slick

Hauling #1

I thought I would share with you a few of my recent buys and make this a new regular post where I can gather my new discoveries and discuss them all with you.

I'm going to split this post into skincare and then make up, so lets begin!

1. Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Cleansing Lotion:  I've heard some very good reviews of this product and I can't wait to start using it. It claims to help "visibly eliminate and prevent blackheads... it reaches deep down to remove trapped dirt and oil from your pores"... sounds lovely doesn't it!? Now I don't suffer badly from black heads but I would love to get rid of those little pesky few that just don't want to budge. I'll hopefully be writing a review on all things pores related soon so if this does the trick you may be seeing more of this product!
   
2. Hope in a Jar - Oil free moisturiser: This was one of my many finds at work while rummaging through sale items. It's a lightweight, oil free moisturiser from Philosophy for normal to oily skin. I feel like this will be really good for the warmer months when you just want a light moisturiser, however in winter when it's freeeeeezing outside, I think that my skin needs that extra kick so I probably won't be using this in the near future, but a great find anyway.
   
3. L'Oreal Skin Perfection Miracle Cleansing Oil: I've always been put off by cleansing oils - the thought of rubbing that sticky, greasy stuff all over my face kinda makes me want to cringe but this product is something else. I'll admit I have literally only used this a few times but it really does what it says on the tin - it removes all traces of make-up and it's lightweight and non greasy without leaving the skin feeling dried out. All you have to do after is wash your face with warm water - easy!
   
4. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+: This was just a re-purchase as I'm coming to the end of my first buy. I find this stuff actually works for me - it claims to be a "corrective, unclogging, anti imperfection cream". You can use morning and night on any imperfections you may have on your skin - may that be scarring marks, spots, redness etc. I would swear by this stuff so you will definitely be seeing more of it on here.

1. Super Stay 7 days Gel Nail Colour: Another repurchase here, these nail colours are amazing - they don't chip, the colours are always really rich and pigmented and they really can stay on for 7 days. I previously had Hot Salsa and Nude Rose, but I saw these in Superdrug and couldn't help my self. The new shades are Divine Wine and Surreal. Divine Wine is a beautiful purple tinted berry shade, which I LOVEEEE for Winter and I feel I can wear it for any occasion with any outfit. Surreal i think will be a shade I get more wear out of in spring/summer as it's quite bright, but still a really nice lilac-y blue that could go with a lot of outfits.
   
2. Colour Tattoo 24 Hour Eye Shadow: I think I may have spoken about these before - so yet another re-purchase, but these are amazing, a classic, no?! If you haven't heard of these, where have you been?! And if don't have one of these get yourself down to Boots or Superdrug and get your mitts on them! The shades are great and have a range from out-there to subtle. They're super blend-able and are great for the perfect 'cheat' smokey eye. The new additions/re-purchases are Pink Gold and On and On Bronze.
   
3. YSL Volume False Lash Effect Mascara and Touch Eclat in Rose Gold: I was a little naughty in Boots the other day - I went in for oneeeee thing, and it was the Touch Eclat Radiant Touch in the rose gold packaging as i'd seen it all over the internet and I fell in love. But that wasn't where it ended... it never does in Boots does it?! There just happened to be an offer on if you brought two products where you got extra points on your Advantage card, so I couldn't say no and brought one of my all time favourite mascaras: the Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara in black... woops! The touch eclat is just like the original, but more of a highlighter than a concealer in a really pretty rose gold shade, I'll let you know more once I get more use out of it :)

Have you brought anything recently? Be it a brand new find or a much-loved re-purchase?

Emma x