April Favourites

So I'm aware I'm like, over a week late and we're in to May but I figured I'd do this anyway as it's a monthly edition I'd like to begin. Better late then never eh?

Okay so beauty wise...
 The Body Shop Tea Tree facial wash and Facial brush - I am so pleased with this and I couldn't love it any more right now. It's helping my skin and for the first time in years I'm actually keen and enjoying washing my face. At first the tea tree smell was a bit overbearing because it's quite strong and such a particular smell, but now I'm used to it and it doen't phase me at all. My sister borrowed mine to try and has ended up purchasing it too and no complaints from her either. The facial brush I also raved about here.
Body shop Lip butter in Mango - another product from the body shop. This smells pretty and my lips are usually so cruddy and flake all the time but this has majorly helped. I keep it on me at work as well because of the air conditioning affects me badly. 
L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Lotion - this is by no means a small bottle but I still insist on carrying it everywhere with me. It contains shea butter so it smells lovely and I currently use this as a facial moisturiser and it's been the best thing I've ever used for my face.
Barry M Gelly Hi Shine in GreenBerry -  this is a pretty colour and I love the way it looks. It's bright and uplifting which is great for this spring, and the high shine effect is just something special.
MUA eyeshadow palette in Heaven and Earth - When I bought this I was like 'ehhhh, good price but I never wear nudes'. SO glad I got it anyway. I've used this constantly through April as it's so versatile and is perfect for me to wear for work and keep my make up toned down. 
Comforter Bubble Bar from Lush - I've been obsessed with this, and as you can see I only had the remnants to take a photo of.... I love the smell, the bubbles and the colour it turns the water. It makes me feel all giggly inside when I use it, which sounds weird.... but I can't think of any other way to explain it. Anyway I have a jar full of bubble bars but this is the one I've reached for each and every time, it's gorgeous.

Now this one is a bit different but I've been obsessed with these throughout April so I figured it's only right that I include them, and that is MAOAM Maomix. If you can't tell the packet in the photo is empty because although I was trying to save half the packet for a photo SOMEONE ATE THEM! Hey I just couldn't resist. I go for the Maomix as I like a bit of everything, apart from the cola pinball things as they taste good at first then taste like crap. 

Movie of the Month - 
Iron Man 3

Song of the Month - 
Justin TimberLake ft. Jay Z - Suit & Tie

If it's budget beauty you're into like I've posted on my favourites this week, there's a post including some of the great affordable beauty brands over at this post

Garnier Make-up remover review

Garnier Simply Essentials Soothing 2 in 1 make-up remover

So my sister had been using this product for a while and was converted but I was still happy with my convenient face wipes. Gradually I saw comments on blogs about how bad wipes were but never any in-depth explanation as to why so I just passed this by. Apparently there was a big thing about face wipes in the beauty world that I managed to miss. The main thing I picked up was they caused premature wrinkling caused by the tugging motion needed with wipes and they also contain many chemicals in them which are harmful (I dread to think how many chemicals were in the cheap own brand ones I used to use). So this basic information combined with my running out of face wipes, I decided to grab a liquid make-up remover. It is gentle and so ideal for sensitive skin, and it is capable of removable waterproof make up. Now I don't often wear waterproof make-up, but I figured better to be prepared rather than have stubborn make-up glued to my face (especially after a good night out). 

This product works wonders for me, removing make-up much quicker and efficiently than wipes ever did. I tested the difference one night by removing make up with wipes first, and then going over the top with the liquid remover and the amount of dirt and make-up still coming off onto the cotton pad was unreal!
It does leave a slight greasy feeling behind after because of the oily base, which feels quite hydrating actually. And I usually wash my face fairly soon after using this anyway so this is no problem for me. You have to shake the bottle to combine the liquid and oil which sometimes when I'm very very sleepy seems like such a chore, but it isn't exactly difficult.

I'll definitely be repurchasing this when I eventually run out. I've been using this since February and I've only used a 1/3 of the solution. Therefore also way more cost effective than face wipes too!
The only time I'll be reaching for a face wipe is if this isn't around and wipes are the only option. 


Ashley x

Outfit of the Day - Bank Holiday Monday

Bank holidays are pretty much the only time my boyfriend and I get to spend time quality time together as we work alternate days. This bank holiday, we spent it on a day out with his family. It was such good weather that we had to take advantage and took a trip to the beach, we didn't actually go ON the beach much, but it was just nice to be beside the seaside (oh wahey, that sounds like the song! Completely unintentional).

This is my first outfit post, so let's see how it goes!

Hello white legs!

This was after a day at the seaside, I do not tan well...

Anyway, outfit:

Sunglasses - eBay - here

Cardigan - New Look - here

Top - Republic 

Shorts - Miss Selfridge

Frilly Socks - eBay - here

Converse 'Lo' shoes - Schuh - here 

Some of the items are no longer available from the stores listed. 

The shoes are actually my boyfriends, I bought them for him as a present last Christmas but I've SOMEHOW misplaced my hi tops so I borrowed his lo tops even if they were a bit big.

Ashley x

Wish List #2

I'm basically going to buy all these things eventually. The more time I spend on this post the more and more I have a niggling little voice at me going "get themmmmm". As you do.

1. Floral Crop Top - New Look £9.99

2. Paisley Dress - Motel £32.00

3. Matte Make-up Base - No7 at Boots £10.50

4. Black Lace Trim Denim Shorts - Missguided £24.99

5. Real Techniques Core Collection - Boots £21.99

All prices are correct at time of publishing. Prices may vary with time.

I've been lusting over the shorts for ages, patiently waiting for Missguided to get them back in stock in my size. HURRY UP PLEASE! 

And I'm going to buy the Real Techniques brushes but I'm not sure whether to buy the Starter set for eyes (found here) as well... Considering this just makes my brain hurt. 

Ashley x

Home Edit #1

I'm always looking at homely stuff. I'm in the very slow process of updating my bedroom and also collecting a hoard of things for when I eventually move out, and just generally getting idea's.

1. Dream Sweet Dream Sign - Ebay £2.75

2. Fleur Placemats - Dunelm Mill £3.99

3. Vintage Glass Barrel Jar - Dunelm Mill from £3.99

4. Vintage Rose Storage Boxes (set of 3) - ASDA £10.00

5. Damask Shower Curtain - Argos £7.99

All prices are correct at time of publishing. Prices may vary with time. 


Ashley x

The Body Shop Facial Haul

As mentioned in a previous post, I am a Body Shop Love Your Body member and for a limited time they were offering 20% off their products, including products on 3 for 2 skincare promotions.

I went straight to the skincare range and was approached by a very enthusiastic employee asking if I needed help, and apparently the lady who had approached me was the make up and skincare expert - so was the ideal person to assist me! I told her which of their products I already used (Tea Tree facial wash and Tea Tree toner) and she spoke through what else I could do to help my skin. She suggested to get additional products in the Seaweed range as it balances all skin types - controls the oily parts and hydrates the dry bits, and the Tea Tree range can be drying. She also tried out the Tea Tree oil on my spots so I could see it's effect during the rest of the day, but I did not want to purchase this product on the day as I'm still torn between this or the Origins Super Spot Remover.

So onto what I bought....

Seaweed Purifying Facial Cleanser
RRP £8.00
I always knew you had to cleanse, tone, moisturise, but I didn't realise cleanse and wash were different things. I find this cleanser hydrates quite well but if I don't tone quick enough after I feel my skin getting fairly oily. I was initially concerned it might have a strong smell but its actually a gentle scent, and not too bad... It's quite a fresh smell and a little goes a long way. I've continued to use it and my skin is behaving quite well and I've noticed my skin hasn't been getting as oily as the day goes on like it used to. I'm definitely going to continue using it.

Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask
RRP £12.00

The mask is again is a fresh smell. I only applied to my T zone and chin as these are my oiliest parts and thought it might dry my cheeks out which are usually quite normal skin type. The product goes on easy and dries quickly even when I used it in the bath. I can't say I've noticed a dramatic difference in my skin, but face masks are good and this one will last for aaaages!

Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator
RRP £9.00

I have used scrubs for many years but find the gritty stuff is great on your hand, but you lose that "scrub" feeling once you apply the product to the face. This doesn't happen with this one, I really like that with this scrub I could actually feel the gritty bits on my face. However this is not in a way that it's too harsh on the skin, it feels quite gentle still. Once face is dry it did feel a little tight, and the next day I noticed my nose peeling quite unattractively which I'm quite disappointed about. Even after using a facial buffer, which helped a little but not as much as I would have liked, and I continued to peel throughout the day. However I'm not sure whether my peeling was connected or just a bad coincidence, so I'll have to try again and see.

Facial Brush with Lid
RRP £4.00
I really really really like this little product! The woman in the shop recommended this and I'm glad I got it. My face feels fresher and cleaner after compared to just using my fingers. The bristles flex well to get into the curves and areas I want it to, but I do still find it tricky to use around my nose area and end up flicking soapiness toward my eyes, but practice makes perfect and all that.


Ashley x

Glossybox April 2013 - First ever!

I'd been looking at beauty boxes for a while now after seeing them all across the blogger world, but I was unsure which to try between Glossybox and Birchbox, and eventually settled on Glossybox because the products I'd seen included in previous boxes seemed more appealing to me. 

I ordered my box before this month's were released so I would be surprised. 

I was at work when the box was delivered and I had completely forgotten it was due, so when I got home I was so chuffed and desperately excited. 

I absolutely loved the packaging which was like a pass-the-parcel, box in a box with a booklet on top of layers of tissue tied up with ribbon. Even my boyfriend was getting excited because of all the layers and he had no idea what 'Glossybox' was, but needless to say he was much less interested once I finally reached my beauty goodies. 

So here's the ever so pretty box for this month, absolutely loving the design and like a lot of others have said I will be stashing the box to use for something else (looks a darn site better than the shoe boxes I end up using!).

Inside: My Goodies

Product Opinions

A-DERMA - Intense Repair Lip Balm

Firstly, the packaging of the product was frustrating in that the text on the box had one line in English, and the whole leaflet contained in the box was not in English at all. This bothered me as products that have leaflets included usually have them included for a reason but yet I don't know what it says. I always read the leaflets that come with stuff.... don't really know why.

The product itself is very gentle and it isn't sticky at all, and I can feel it lasting on my lips for a while after application. It is unscented which is good as it keeps everything natural, but personally I quite like scented lip balms. I struggle with my lips flaking but I can see this would help and has helped keep it at bay so far (though the weather hasn't been too bad since I received it). It doesn't have SPF which is a shame, with the £7.95 price tag I would have thought so, and especially with it being included in a spring box when the sun's starting to show itself. I probably wouldn't purchase this as I know I can get similar products with SPF included.

 

Sleek - Blusher in 'Flamingo

Very bright colour which I'm not sure I'll be using on a daily basis. As with all sleek products, the blush is very pigmented. I have tried this out and I actually liked this product more than I thought, it IS a very bright pink, and it is very strong when first applied but with a decent amount of blending I liked the result. I probably wouldn't purchase this particular colour again, but I did like how the blusher applied so I probably would buy a sleek blusher in an alternative shade.

Essie - Nail Lacquer in Sugar Daddy

This is such a pretty colour! It's definitely an ideal colour to be included in a Spring beauty box as it's a very pretty pastel pink. I have never had an Essie nail polish, and so once I have tried and tested it I'll do a review. I haven't swatched it on my nails yet as I got my nails 'French Manicured' by Nails Inc. at the weekend, but above is a photo of it on a nail wheel, and once I redo my nails and try it out, I'll show you. It is a very sheer colour whereas I prefer something a bit more noticeable, but I can see myself wearing it now and again. 

Nip + Fab - Dry Skin Fix Body Butter in Coconut Latte

I do like the smell of this, but for myself I would have preferred one of the other scents (mango or pistachio would have been interesting). It is a decent size for a sample pot and a little goes a long way. The product is very light on the skin and spreads well, it soaks in easily and doesn't feel greasy. The scent also lingers on the skin for ages after applying it. I'm really happy with the effect of this body butter as it is doing just what it should! 

Yves ROCHER - Eau de parfum in So Elixir Purple

I really like the design of the sample bottle, and there's a decent amount to sample the product.

I like the smell, but I think it's something I would rather smell on my mum as it's a little heavy for me. 

Ashley x

Wishlist #1

So these are my finds of the week which I love. 

All the things I've included are things I would (and probably will) buy myself and use.

This means nothing included is too pricey or unobtainable. 

1. Dress - Topshop £15 reduced from £27

2. Bikini Top - River Island £15 (bottoms also available for £10)

3. Top - Boohoo £12

4. Boots - New Look £24.99

5. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey - £7.99

All prices are correct at time of publishing. Prices may vary with time. 

Ashley x

The Beginning...

And so this is where it begins, the long ramblings of a youngster enveloped in the fashion world with no one to listen to her. This, my children, is her indulgence.