Shine Bright Like A Diamond | Birchbox

One of the highlights of my month has to be the arrival of my Birchbox. February's box - Shine Bright Like a Diamond - focused on positive vibes & self love with a combination of beauty, skin & hair products.

Content:

1. Derm Eyes Make-up Remover Wipes - £9.50 [x]

2. Korres 3 in 1 Cleanser - £15.00 [x]

3. Love Of Colour Shadow Stick in Shade "Champagne Problems" - £8.00 [x]

4. The Balm Blush in shade "Frat Boy" - £15.50 [x]

5. Lumiere D'Hiver "Super Comb & Protect" Leave in Conditioner - £20.00 [x]

6. Spectrum Tulip Powder Brush - £8.99 [x]

Although a few of the samples received this month were a little on the small-side, as soon as I spotted Spectrum's Powder Brush I knew no amount of tiny products could ruin February's Birchbox for me. Spectrum is a collection I've had my eye on for a while now, so this an item that I was very excited to receive (if you're interested, click here to read a full review). 

Other products that have caught my eye include the "Super Comb & Protect" Leave in Conditioner (fingers crossed this will help nurse my bleached locks back to health) & LOC Eye-shadow Stick.. which is something that I feel would look stunning for evening looks. 

Have you tried any of the products that were featured in February's Birchbox?

If so, what are your thoughts?

xxx

Healthy Snacking with Nakd Bars*

Now that the lighter evenings have finally started, the countdown to summer has officially began. However - as happy as the thought of eventual warmer weather make me, I can safely say that after months of over-indulging I am in no way ready for skimpy-summer fashion *sobs*.

One of the biggest struggles I face when trying to be healthy is snacking & knowing which are the right snacks to eat. So whilst hunting around my local supermarket I found myself repeatedly glancing towards Nakd Bars* & wondering if they'd be able to satisfy my ever-growing cravings without leaving me guilt ridden.

For those who don't know, Nakd Bars* are made of a combination of raw fruits & nuts however - unlike most "healthy" snacks on the market, they contain no added sugar or syrup. They are also made of 100% natural ingredients that are wheat, dairy & gluten free - perfect for those with allergies or following specific diet plans. 

I find these chewy yet soft bars perfect for snacking on between meals when I fancy a little something extra. The selection of flavours - including Ginger Bread, Cashew Cookie & Bakewell Tart - feel like a treat without any of those added "naughty" ingredients. A personal favourite of mine has to be the Cocoa Delight bar which I find myself reaching for when sugar cravings hit around mid-afternoon. 

If you're looking for a healthier alternative to snacking yet still want something that is enjoyable to eat, I'd definitely recommend picking up the Nakd Bars*. Bonus - most of the range count towards one of your five a day. Something that always makes me feel slightly proud of myself.. even as a twenty-something-year-old. 

Be sure to check out the Gym Motivation tips from Natural Balance Foods (creators of the Nakd Bar) if - like me - you're attempting to be a little healthier! 

Have you ever tried Nakd bars?

What are your thoughts?
xxx

24th Birthday Haul

If you follow any of my social media accounts, you may have noticed me mention a certain special occasion - my 24th Birthday! Birthday's are always something I get very excited about as I love the excuse to celebrate & spend time with loved ones.

As usual my family, friends & boyfriend all spoilt me rotten and I was extremely lucky to receive some lovely gifts. This gave me the perfect opportunity to put together a little "24th Birthday Haul" post to share here on my blog.

I've linked everything I can below - however there a few items I couldn't track down online.

1. "Moments" chocolates - Thorntons - [x]

2. "Hunger Games" T-shirt - Primark 

3. "Alice in Wonderland" mug - Disney Store - [x]

4. "Looking for Alaska" by John Green - [x]

5. Delicate Bow Ring - Pandora - [x]

6. "Milk-Tray" chocolates - Cadbury - [x]
7. "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner - [x]

8. "Happy Bathday" Gift Set - Lush - [x]

9. "Star Wars" DVD set
10. "Marie" Mug - Disney Store - [x]
11. "Happy Pamper" Gift Set - Soap and Glory - [x]

12. Flower Earrings - Pia Jewellery - [x]

Alongside these lovely gifts I was also given some money/gift vouchers, however I felt that was a little weird to photograph. After opening presents I was treated to not one, but two birthday meals (thanks very much to my parents for one and to Ollie for the other - yum!) & also spent an evening enjoying one or two (cough.. a few) drinks with friends. 

I hope you've enjoyed reading this little birthday haul. Of course *disclaimer alert* this is in no way bragging or showing off.. I just love having a good nose at posts like this. 

Have you used any of the above products?
What are your thoughts? 

xxx 

Max Factor Glossfinity | Review

If there's one thing I love, it's freshly painted nails.. but if there's one thing I hate, it's chipped nail varnish. So when I stumbled across Max Factor's Glossfinity - a product that claims to provide glossy nails for up to seven days - I simply couldn't resist putting it to the test.

Shade:

Of course the first thing draws us to a new nail varnish is the shade.. So being the typical girly-girl I am, I couldn't resist picking up the bright & gorgeous shade known as "Just Cheerful". I personally love this colour & find it to be a great alternative to the berry-tones that are usually used throughout the gloomy winter months.

Finish:

As the product name suggests, this polish leaves a gorgeous "gloss" once dried. Whilst nothing to crazy - don't worry this isn't up there with glitter top coats - it does reflect light beautifully, leaving nails looking perfectly polished. *side note - no top coat has been used here*. 

Lasting Power:

Whilst Max Factor clearly promises "up to seven days" wear with this product, I can't say this was something I really believed.. So after application I made sure the next week consisted of many varnish-chipping activities (think office work, hair washing & trips to the gym) to really put this product to the test. By the end of day seven it's true that the varnish was in no way manicure perfect (a small amount of fading along the tips of nails) but I'm both surprised & happy to report that it actually didn't chip once... *excited squeal*. 

Price:

Max Factor's Glossfinity range currently retails at £5.99 per polish. Whilst not the cheapest option on the high-street, I personally find this price to be very reasonable for such a long lasting product.

After putting this to the test, it's safe to say that I have definitely found a new favourite product & I can't wait to test out more shades..

Have you tried any shades from the Glossfinity range?
What are your thoughts?
xxx

Valentines Wishlist

Oh Valentines day.. The one day a year where it's perfectly acceptable to be over-the-top romantic & (dare I say it) even a little cheesy. Whether in a relationship fit for a Disney princess or simply spending time with friends, Valentines offers the perfect opportunity to show a little extra love to someone special.

In honour of this special day, I've decided to put together a wishlist of the items that - I think - are a great way to show the special female just how much you love them (yourself included - of course). *edit - any males that take a fancy to the below - please feel free to be included!*.

1. "Titsy Totsy" Bath Bomb - Lush - £3.50 [x]

2. Minnie & Mickey Mouse Mason Jar - Disney Store - £6.95 [x]

3. Endless Love Lipstick - Kiko - £5.90 [x]

4. "What I Love About You" book - Not On The Highstreet - £8.00 [x]

5. "Wild Hearts" Charm - Pandora - £35.00 [x]

6. LED Heart Light - New Look - £9.99 [x]

I personally find each of these items adorable & would be over the moon to receive any as a gift from a loved one this Valentines Day. Imagine relaxing in the bath with Lush's "Titsy Totsy" bath bomb, whilst sipping Prosecco from the Disney mason jar & day dreaming about Kiko's "Endless Love" lipstick (which - side note - is actually shaped like a heart!). 

Did you purchase or receive any gifts this Valentines Day?

I'd love to know in the comments. 

xxx

Spectrum Flawless Finish | Brush Review

Popular for their beautiful & edgy designs, Spectrum is a brand that has received a lot of attention from beauty lovers. Since I first spotted these on an Instagram post some time ago, I knew this was a brand that I needed within my beauty collection. 

So after what felt like hours of staring longingly at all the different brushes on offer, the first to make its way into my collection was the C03 "flawless finish" brush, designed to give flawless precision of both powder & cream products.

Whilst I know it's not right to judge a book by it's cover, the thing that first stood out to me here had to be the stunning design. There's just no denying that the combination of baby pink, blue & purple instantly set this brush aside from other simple (aka slightly boring) designs. I mean, who wouldn't love to look at this on their dressing table?! 

However - don't be fooled! There is a lot more to this brush than simply looking beautiful.. another great design point of the C03 is the gorgeously soft synthetic hairs (which are both vegan & animal friendly - yay!). This - combined with the tapered & medium sized design -  creates an effortless application for blush, bronzer & highlighters alike. 

Retailing at £8.99 I'd highly recommend the Spectrum C03 if you're looking for a brush to help add the finishing touches to any look, whilst still looking gorgeous within your brush collection. 

Have you tried this or any other brushes from the Spectrum range?
What are your thoughts?

xxx

Bra Dilemmas with ThirdLove*

If there's one thing I hate - it has to be bra dilemmas. As if us girls don't go through enough already, why should we be punished simply for having boobs?! So when I discovered ThirdLove* & their thoughts around "bra dilemmas" I knew this was something I could easily discuss.

ThirdLove is a San Francisco based company that understands how frustrating/awkward the whole process of finding the right bra can be. Therefore ThirdLove & aim to create every bra with the customer in mind - resulting in both comfort & a perfect fit.

As many bra dilemmas come from issues surrounding fit, I've included a handy guide form ThirdLove which offers simple solutions to fix some of the many problems that could come from an ill-fitting bra.

After personally suffering with more than a few of these bra dilemmas (I'm looking at you gaping cups & digging in straps!) it's always great to find simple & effective ways to relieve them & any discomfort!

If you'd like more information or help on finding the perfect bra, be sure to check out ThirdLove's collection of gorgeous bras.

If you've ever experienced the above problems - or even ones that aren't mentioned

above, be sure to comment below! 

xxx

A Fashion & Beauty Haul

As the title of this post suggest, January may have been a month of treating myself to a few new Fashion & Beauty items.. Whilst it's safe to say I don't technically need any of these, picking them up definitely helped beat those lingering January blues.

Top: Primark - £10.00

Burgundy Heels - New Look - £14.00 reduced from £27.99 [x]

Jeans - Primark - £7.00 each

Nike Roche Runs - Foot Asylum - £24.99 reduced from £49.99 [x]

Invisibobbles - Primark - £1.00

Make-up Revolution "I Heart Chocolate" Palette - £7.99 [x]

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation - £7.99 [x]

Ariana Grande Viva Glam Lipstick - MAC - £15.50 [x]

Sanctuary Spa "Little Tin of Treats" - Boots - £4.00 reduced from £8.00 [x]

Rimmel Brow This Way clear Gel - £3.99 [x]

Fashion:

At the start of the month I was lucky enough to pick up something I've been lusting after for at least a year now - Nike Roche Runs. For women, these trainers usually retail at around £70.00 - however I recently noticed that in Foot Asylum children's sizes extend all the way to a UK 5.5 (perfect for UK size 4 me) & are therefore retail for much cheaper. Of course the added bonus of a sale meant these went straight into my basket ready to become my own. I've found that these trainers are perfect for both day-to-day & gym wear & are honestly the comfiest shoes I have ever owned. 

The next pieces I picked up were ones I was lucky enough to find whilst on sale. These include the gorgeous burgundy chunky heels from New Look & the Sanctuary Spa gift set. Both of which were picked up for much less than the original retail price. I also *accidentally* made a quick stop into Primark where - whilst purchased full priced - I managed to pick up a few bits for very reasonable prices (who could say no to £7.00 jeans?!). 

Beauty: 

The first beauty product I picked up was a a tried & tested favourite (Rimmel's Lasting Perfection Foundation) which was quickly followed by a few new items that caught my eye. These included the Ariana Grande Viva Glam Lipstick from Mac (click here to read a full review) & Brow This Way clear Gel.. Something I'm hoping will help tame those pesky fly-away hairs. 

Next I picked up something I've had my eye on for a while now.. The Make-up Revolution "I Heart Chocolate" palette. Whilst this is a clear dupe of the  Too Faced "Chocolate Bar" palette, the shades are gorgeous (plus it retails for a fraction of the price). 

I honestly love each of the items that I picked up this month & am so happy with the offers/dupes I managed to find. Although it's safe to say I'm hoping for "no-spend February" to follow! 

I hope you liked this little haul post.. If you've tried any of the products/items mentioned above, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xxx