Garnier Oil-infused micellar water

As a firm favourite amongst the blogging-world, it wont come as a surprise when I say how much I love Garnier's Micellar Water. With it's simple yet effective way of removing make-up, it's every beauty-lovers dream product. So when I spotted Garnier's new Oil-infused Micellar Water sitting on the shelf at my local Boots, I knew instantly that this was a product I needed to try for myself.

With a simple twist on the classic formula - yep you guessed it, oil! - the new Micellar Water claims to remove both waterproof and long-wear make-up whilst remaining gentle enough for use on dry/sensitive skin. Garnier claims this is possible thanks to the combination of oils that work to dissolve tough make-up whilst leaving skin feeling well cleansed & nourished.

As someone that has always suffered with dry & sensitive skin, I was both excited & sceptical about this product. I was longing for something to leave my skin feeling soothed & soft, but was also a little concerned that the adding oils into my skincare routine would result in an unwanted breakout. However I decided to bite the bullet & test the new Micellar Water to see if it really would make a difference to my skin.

After testing for a few weeks I'm extremely happy to announce I have fallen in love with this product. Not only does it quickly & effectively remove make-up - it also leaves my skin feeling well moisturised & soft (no break-outs in sight.. yay!). I also love to use this product as part of my morning routine as I find it instantly awakens my skin whilst creating a perfect, soft base for foundation.

I personally either love to use this product by itself on days when not wearing much make-up (on full make-up days I tend to use my classic Micellar Water followed by a cream cleanser) or as a morning cleanser to ensure my skin is squeaky clean first thing.

If you love Garnier's Micellar Water & have dry and/or sensitive skin, I honestly couldn't recommend this product enough. Currently retailing for £5.99 from either Boots or Superdrug this is a budget friendly cleanser has quickly become my go-to Micellar Water.

Have you tried the Oil Infused Micellar Water?

If so what are your thoughts?

xxx

Urban Decay - Alice Through The Looking Glass

Everyone who knows me will vouch for my Disney obsession.. So as I hear about a collaboration of any sorts - from Primark to MAC - I simply have to pick something up for myself. A particular favourite film of mine has to be Alice in Wonderland, so when Urban Decay recently announced they'd be collaborating with Disney to celebrate the release of Alice Through The Looking Glass, I know this would be something I'd be very interested in adding to my collection.  

Image source: x  x 

The first thing to catch  my eye was the very impressive eye-shadow palette. Made up of twenty shades that range from neutral matte pinks to sparkly deep teals make this perfect for any occasion. Bonus each eye-shadow is aptly named after various elements from the film - my favourites including; Gone Mad, Reflection & Heads Will Roll. Besides the eye-shadows themselves, the key part of this product has to be the packaging. The "pop-up" themed packaging combined with the bright kaleidoscope print not only looks gorgeous, but also fits perfectly with the theme of the film Urban Decay have completely outdone themselves with this palette & I'm sure it would look stunning on any dressing table. 

The next element to the collaboration is the collection of lipsticks. Similar to the palette, these lipsticks contain a range of nude to bright shades that are in keeping with the theme of the film. Whether you're a lover of neutral pinks (Alice is the shade for you) or bold purples (try Mad Hatter) there's a lipstick here for every look. I personally would love to get my hands on at least three of these shades including Alice, Mirana (the dark purple) & Iracebeth (the classic bright red). 

I've seen a few different dates stated throughout the beauty world, it seems the collection will be available online sometime in early May.. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled. However after some research I have found that the eye-shadow palette is rumoured to be retailing at around £45.00 & the lipsticks at around £16.00 each. Whilst this may seem a little on the pricey side compared so other products available, I personally feel a collection like this is worth the extra pennies. 

What are your thoughts on this collection?
xxx

Harry Potter Studio Tours

If you read my Christmas Gift post or follow my social media accounts, you'll know that I recently took a trip to the Harry Potter Studio Tours in London. As huge fans of both the books & films, it would be an understatement to say that Ollie & I were very excited.

 Of course I took literally hundreds of photos & couldn't resist sharing a few of my favourites. 

If you're a fan of Harry Potter I really couldn't recommend the Studio Tours enough. When booking tickets you chose an allocated time slot to start the tour, but besides that you are free to wander around the tour at your own pace (recommended around 3-4 hours..). Whilst the ticket price isn't too pricey (currently retailing at £35.00 each) the gift shop & snacks are a little on the pricey side so I'd recommend taking a packed lunch & saving the pennies for presents/photos.

Overall - this was an amazing day & I will definitely be looking to head back again. Although next up on my bucket-list is definitely Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

For anyone who's interested, tickets purchased on the day or from the Warner Brothers Studio Tours website in advance.

Have you been to the Harry Potter Studio Tours? 

If so, what are your thoughts? 

xxx

Magnificently Manicured - Ted Baker

If there's one thing I love, it's freshly painted nails. In my opinion nail varnish really puts the finishing touch to an outfit. So when I received the Magnificently Manicure gift set from Ted Baker, I was completely over the moon.

To start, I have to mention just how beautiful the packaging is here. In true Ted Baker style, the box really is stunning... Baby pink & gold? Yes please! I'll definitely be using this as a storage box as it's just too pretty to throw out.

Packaging aside - I also love the polishes themselves. Not only are they long-wearing (I'd recommend two coats to ensure it stays put) the set also comes with four gorgeous shades including; a beige nude, a pink nude, a dark purple & a pink/purple toned glitter. As I type I'm wearing the pink-nude as a base combined with the glitter shade on both ring fingers to create a simple yet feminine look.

Another great thing about this set is the fact that it can be used all year round. Whether it be a pretty pink-nude for the summer - think garden parties & summer weddings - or the dark purple with a hint of glitter for a Christmas party. What more could you ask for?

As I was gifted this a few months back, I'm really struggling to find this set online as I have a feeling it was limited addition around Christmas. However a quick search of either Amazon or eBay will bring this exact set amongst many others.

Have you tried any of the Ted Baker nail varnishes?

What are your thoughts? 

xxx

Simple Spring Make-up

Anyone in the UK will know that warm weather is not something we experience all to often. However now the sun seems to finally made a slight appearance, I'm very excited to dust of my Spring make-up & start creating a few lighter/brighter looks.

Below is a something I put together before heading off for a pub lunch - very stereotypically British, I know - & as it's my first real spring make-up look of 2016 I thought I'd share it here.

For the base of my make-up I decided to go with Rimmel's BB Cream. I love this as an alternative to foundation as it offers good coverage without feeling to heavy on the skin - perfect for the warmer weather. As foundation (or BB Creams) rarely cover all imperfections I opted for Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer - a cult favourite within the beauty world - to cover any remaining blemishes/red marks. I then dusted a light layer of Max Factors Translucent Setting Powder. A loose powder that feels beautifully lightweight on the skin & is a great way to set make-up without leaving the skin feeling at all cakey. 

When it came to bronzer, I decided to opt for Rimmel's Natural Bronzer. A natural looking bronzer that is perfect for adding a little warmth back to my face again. I then complimented this by using Make-up Revolution's Baked Highlighter "Golden Lights". Not only does the slight shimmer in this product make it perfect for highlighting those cheekbones, it also looks gorgeous when the light bounces off of it. The third & final product I used on my skin was a peach-tones blush from Make-up Revolution called Treat. This is a pretty peach-toned blush that creates just the right glow (although this doesn't seem to show too well in photos..oops). 

For brows I opted for a much-loved product of mine - Soap & Glory's Archery. Not only is the tiny-tapered pencil perfect for a creating fine/hair-like strokes, the attached spoolie is also great for blending any excess product (click here to read a full review). To set this I then used Rimmel's Brow This Way in clear - a styling gel designed to keep any unruly hairs in place throughout the day. 

Next - came mascara. Something I wanted to keep relativity natural & therefore opted for Benefit's They're Real Tinted Primer. Although designed to be used underneath the They're Real Mascara, I find this to be a perfect product for a daytime look as it adds length & definition without being too dramatic. 

The last product I used to create this look was an Estee Lauder Lipstick in the shade Wildly Pink A gorgeous shade with a creamy formulae that can either be used lightly to create a subtle pink colour (similar to above) or built up for a more dramatic, statement look. (Side note - the packaging in the link seems to have changed but the shade is still the same). 

I personally love this look & the products used as I find it looks like I've made an effort without feeling to heavy on the skin. Perfect for the warmer Spring months. 

What are your favourite make-up products

to use during Spring? 

xxx

Spring Homeware Wishlist

As much as I love my cosy winter decorations, it's safe to say that I'm very ready for introduce some bright & floral items back into my home. Plus - what better excuse for a home-themed shopping spree than a change in season?! *not that you need an excuse of course*

1. "Good Vibes Only" Light up frame - Primark - £8.00 [x]

2. Faux Flower Display - Marks & Spencer - £35.00 [x]

3. "Here Comes the Sun" Cushion Cover - H&M - £6.99 [x]

4. Floral Mason Jar - New Look - £6.99 [x]

5. Birdcage Tea Light Holder - Matalan - £8.00 [x]

6. Wood & Lace Photo Frame - Not On The High Street - £4.25 [x]

I absolutely love each of the above & think they would look so cute dotted around the house throughout the spring/summer months. My favourites have to include the floral mason jar - perfect for sipping home-made cocktails - & the adorable lace photo frame. 

Have you spotted any nice spring home-ware?
I'm always on the look-out for new items.
xxx

Skinny Dip Rose Gold Kitty Headphones

Anyone who knows me will agree that I am a self-confessed crazy cat lady. Whether it my adorable ball of fur Fizz or cute kitty-themed items, I simple love cats. So when I spotted the Rose Gold Kitty Headphones from Skinny Dip London, I knew straight away this was an accessory I needed in my life.

Of course, the main reason I adore these headphones has to be the little cat ears which look so cute when worn. I also love that they are rose gold coloured - something that attracts pretty much every blogger! 

However - I honestly did pick these up for a important reasons besides them being cat themed (although of course this was the main reason). The first responsible reason I picked these up is for when I go to the gym as there really is nothing more annoying than earphones falling out mid-run. The second reason is that I tend to find that in-ear headphones can give me a ear/headache. Especially when worn over long periods of time.  So - with their padded, over-ear design - I thought these would be a perfect way to beat any problems either in gym or when travelling.

Besides comfort I also found the sound quality of these headphones to be pretty great. Not only is it crisp, but the sound is also louder then apple headphones - something that is perfect for listening to things in a noisy environment. Another great element of this product is that the speakers themselves can be rotated - meaning they can easily be turned flat for easy storage. 

The only slight downside to these headphones is the frame itself does feel a little flimsy - so I wouldn't recommend throwing them into a handbag or suitcase. However popping them into the protective bag should help keep scratch-free & safe. 

Since purchasing these have quickly become one of my favourite accessories & I can't wait to test them out on long journeys in the not-to-distant future.  If you're interested in picking a pair up for yourself - these currently retail for £35.00 & can be picked up from either the Skinny Dip website or from Urban Outfitters. 

What are your thoughts on the

 Rose Gold Kitty Headphones? 

xxx

Friday Night Drinks

This Friday marked one of my best friend's birthdays & a night out sipping cocktails. As most of my outfits usually consist of either gym or work-ware, a night out finally provided a perfect opportunity to make a little extra effort & glam myself up.

Dress: Boohoo - £10.00 [x]

Boots: Lily Lulu Fashion - £25.00 [x]

Lipstick: Model Co's shade Smitten - £17.00 [x]

Hair Styling: Babyliss Curling Wand - £25.00 [x]

The main element of this outfit is a pair of over-the-knee boots from Lily Lulu made from faux suede material with a chunky heel/platform sole. Not only do I find these boots stunning. they're a perfect alternative to normal heels or wedges.  As these boots are quite a statement item, I chose to pair them with a simple black skater dress, something I find perfect for covering any lumps/bumps (especially after a week of eating Easter Eggs!).

When it came to styling my hair for the evening I opted for a lose wave/curl - to achieve this I loosely wrapped sections of hair around my trusty Babyliss curling wand. I find myself reaching for this styling tool most days as it's quick & easy to create a range of looks from loose waves (like above) or a defined ringlets depending on how tightly the hair is wrapped around the barrel. 

Finally to add a pop of colour to my look, I used a Model Co lipstick in the shade "smitten". This is a deep red shade that I think looks gorgeous paired with a simple black outfit. Before heading out the door I also threw on my faux leather jacket (spring time is still chilly here in the UK) & a small clutch-style bags containing my essentials for the evening. 

As much as I  love wearing over-sized jumpers & leggings, there's nothing better than twirling around in a little dress.. so I'll definitely be on the look out for more opportunities to dress myself up soon! 

What are your thoughts 

on this look?

xxx