Summer Ready Skin...

Now I'm a huge huge fan of Palmer's body lotion. But, as the weather gets warmer (well, for the UK I guess this is pretty warm!) I'm finding that I don't need such a heavy moisturiser. So, I went in search of a new one, something a little lighter and fresher.

And I found one - Superdrug’s own 'Cranberry & Pomegranate' body lotion. There are other flavour combinations available to buy, and you can view some of the collection here. Alternatively, visit your nearest store. That way you can smell all of them and decide which one you want! I always find that the fun part. However, at times I can be so indecisive so it can equally be a nightmare! After using the lotion for about two weeks I decided it was high time to do a review of it.

First Impressions...

I was quite impressed with the packaging, simple and clean looking. It's the kind of packaging/bottle that would look nice perched on a bedroom dressing table. There's no dispensing pump but that works for me as the bottle can be tipped upside down to get the remainder of the lotion out when it starts to come to an end.

A decent sized bottle (300ml) means good value for money

One thing I was slightly disappointed with was the fact that I don't think it smelt like cranberries or pomegranate, nor like the two had been mixed together. I thought it smelt more like summer fruits (think raspberries, strawberries and blackberries) mixed with candy floss. Don't get me wrong, I like the smell but I don't think it reflects what’s written on the packaging.

At £2.99 I can't fault the price. Beauty products don't have to be expensive, and I'm a big fan of 'beauty on a budget'. Plus, it earnt me some 'beauty card' points at the same time, so I left the store a very happy shopper indeed!

The simple and clean packaging looks very effective

After Use...


The lotion went on nice and smoothly, and was thus easy to apply. It was quite a thin consistency, but I found that was a plus. It sunk into my skin quickly and dried quickly. Great if you haven't got a lot of time in the morning! I also found that after application my skin wasn't sticky from the lotion, so it absorbs in very well.

It's also a light pink in colour - very girly!

    

The smell of the lotion is very sweet and it lingers long after you've applied it. I could smell it on me long after the original application, and I'm sure others could too! However, if you aren't a huge fan of sweet smells, especially because the smell will be covering the majority of your body, I'd say go for one of the other less sweet smelling flavour combinations.  

I've got sensitive skin and eczema, and it passed the 'initial' test. I had no reaction or flare up to it so it can be used by all skin types. 

My skin feels moisturised and I haven't had any dry patches even if I don't apply religiously every day. I'd say it’s moisturising enough for an even application every other day. 

Final Verdict...

- Despite the smell issue, overall, I'm very happy with this product. I'd definitely recommend this product if (like me) your after a change for summer! Or even a change in general. When I run out of this one, I've got my eye on the 'Plum & Red Cherry' version! 

- It gives good even coverage and keeps even the driest of skin hydrated so I'm going to give this product a well deserved 8/10.

Until next time lovelies x

Festival Fun...

With the Degree done (scary times!), what better way to celebrate that and the Jubilee Weekend than to go to a music festival?! That's exactly what I did! For my first ever festival I thought I'd start off small and go to a relative unknown one. 'OsFest' in Oswestry is in its 3rd year and offers music and fun in a fairly rural location. Razorlight headlined with other supporting acts including Hard-Fi, One Night Only, Dappy, Stooshe, Delilah, Ed Drewett, plus lots of other talented unsigned bands. Despite the rain I had a wicked time. Here are some pictures in case you're interested...

One Night Only

Razorlight

Benjamin Francis Leftwich



                     

With the festival season well underway I thought I'd give you my guide to festivals. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a festival virgin have a read...

Cosmetics  


There are no showers at festivals so before you go stock up on face wipes, baby wipes, deodorant & dry shampoo! Only bring the minimum amount of makeup products - it saves on packing & less to replace if lost/stolen. A nice hairband/headscarf works wonders too, as they hide greasy hair. It's also best before you go to practice putting hair into a bun, as this helps for the inevitable greasy hair dilemma that will at some point arise. Sunglasses are also a must, whatever the weather. They help hide a multitude of sins, mainly hangovers and tired eyes. 


Clothing


Be sure to wear lots of layers. That way you can cover up or strip off when necessary. Weather at festivals can be unpredictable to say the least. Always pack a good quality waterproof and some wellies so you stay dry and mud free should the heavens open! A good pair of cut off denim shorts are good to take as they can be worn with tights if it's cold or with bare legs if it's warm. Hoodies and t-shirts are good to take as they are layer-able items. Don't forget the obligatory band t-shirt too!

Me keeping the rain at bay

Music


Pick a festival where you like the line up, not just because it's a 'trendy' one to go to. If you prefer to go to a smaller, lesser known one because that suits your musical taste, then go for it! When you like the line up the whole experience is much more enjoyable. Camping in the rain will be much more bearable if you get to see your favourite acts perform live.    


Food & Drink


Both food and drink are very expensive once inside the festival arena. The campsites usually allow food and drink to be brought in, but if you're careful you can usually sneak some alcohol in! My friend got very good at sneaking her hip-flask in filled with vodka ;) We decided to buy food beforehand and then buy something hot once a day from the food stalls. Things like crisps, cereal bars, rice cakes & oatcakes are good to buy because they stay fresh. Also, do check with the festival organisers whether they allow glass bottles in at all. To be on the safe side buy cans or decant spirits into plastic bottles beforehand to prevent security confiscating you're paid for goods!
    
      
Whatever festival you're going to this summer, enjoy & have a blast! x
      

Purchase Peek...

After another busy few weeks I'm finally back on the blogging trail! Apologies again for my absence but the move back from Uni and starting the ball rolling for jobs have been taking up the majority of my time! In between all this I managed to squeeze in a trip to my first ever music festival (I will be blogging about that, so stay tuned if you are a first timer and need some advice!) and go shopping. But, of course!


A quick trip to Matalan a couple of weeks ago for some underwear turned into a mini spree... Why does that always happen??! Underwear aside, I spotted the most amazing blouse, in the sale, reduced to £9 - Bargain! I've been after an aztec print blouse for a while now so when I saw it I had to have it. Apologies if it isn't there anymore, but the High Street sells lots of just as good alternatives. I loved the colours in it, bold and very stand out. I also liked the 80's vibe to it. A print like this will see you through to autumn because as the weather turns colder, it will still be bang on trend.

    


In just a couple of weeks, this blouse has firmly become a wardrobe fave. It looks just as good dressed up or down. I've worn it to interviews tucked into my suit and to meet friends with black leggings for a more relaxed look. It looks great with gold jewellery and also red lipstick (red is set to be a big colour for a/w 2012), as that brings out the green in the blouse.

Until next time lovelies x

When Revision Takes Over...

Oh my days, it feels like I haven't blogged in ages! It's true, I've literally been so busy with revising and getting my final essays and presentations in, I haven't had much time to think of anything else! Oh the joys of being a final year Uni student. To all you who have exams/deadlines coming up, good luck and stay positive!!

First of all, a HUGE hello to all my new followers and a MASSIVE thank you for all the lovely comments you've been writing. I'm only a little blogger so the comments mean the world to me <3

So, in between revision and deadlines, what have I been doing..? Pampering myself of course! Let’s face it, revision is boring and tedious, but it has to be done in order for exam success. It's important to treat yourself during times like this. I'm talking food too! A nice bar of chocolate by your side makes learning easier, it does motivate you! Also a half hour off during a day of revision to relax can do you the world of good, because you come back to things much more refreshed than before. I've managed to make time for myself, try a few new products and here are the results...

Face

Last week I tried another 'Montagne Jeunesse' face mask, this time the dark chocolate smelling one (I noticed it can also be purchased in white chocolate too - I may do a 'chocolate series' and review this one too). It was divine but then again, I am a chocoholic! A super steal at just £1 too. It literally smelt like I was slapping Terry’s chocolate orange on my face, and I had to resist the urge to eat it! Most of all it cleansed & moisturised my face and even my exam worries melted away... (I'm sorry, that was a terrible pun!)

Verdict 

Can't afford a trip to Cadbury world? Try this 'dairy mask' instead! (Oh dear, these puns are getting worse!) 

Nails 

I've gone a bit mad with pastel & coral colours this week. Any coral or pastel can bring any outfit bang on trend, and these types of colours make outfits look much more summery (even if the weather isn't playing ball) and suit just about any skin tone. On darker skins they look bright and zingy yet on paler tones they stand out and give a nice contrast. To achieve the colour strength on the pictures I did have to add at least two coats.

Toes

This 'Barry M' shade in 'Mint Green' was kindly lent to me by my good friend Ruth. Trust me, she is the person to go to if you need to try a new nail varnish, with a box full of enough colours and shades to rival a Dulux colour chart. First impressions made me think of leprechauns due to it being so green, but as I got used to the colour I really do like it. It's a nice shade of green too; you don't look like you've got some gross type of advanced fungal nail infection.

Fingers

This Collection 2000 shade in 'Fruit Salad' I think is meant to look like the candy bars it's named after, well... Not quite. There's just not enough orange hue. But it is a bright corally pink, as opposed to being a more flamingo style pink. The wide brush means easy application and the 'fast dry' means it's a manicure in minutes! Two of my flatmates have borrowed this colour off me, and I quite fancied having it on too.

Until next time lovelies x

Dress To Impress...

It's that time of the year that I like to call the "glam season", whether you are at Uni, 6th Form or School there will be some occasion that requires you to dress up and have a ball! Proms, end of year balls & society dinners usually all call for a 'formal dress code' of some sorts. I've got what we call our 'May Ball' coming up (sadly my last one as a 3rd year) where we have bands playing, fairground rides etc. Truth be told, I'm so excited to get dressed up! But, what exactly do you wear for occasions like this? Here's a pick of a few of my High Street faves that look great, and most importantly, won't break the bank.

Notes on dresses...

- ALWAYS try them on. What looks good on the hanger may not look good on you & visa versa.

- Pick styles that play up your best assets. No good wearing a low cut dress if you don't like showing your cleavage. Or a short dress if you don't like showing lots of leg. Wear something that makes you feel good, not what fashion dictates you should be wearing.

- Good underwear makes all the difference. Invest in some Spanx or 'Magic Pants' as they hold you in & give you a much more streamlined silhouette.

New Look 
Black Dipped Hem Maxi Dress

£24.99

The LBD is a wardrobe staple. Wear to pretty much every occasion and look both classy and effortless. This dipped hem dress brings the LBD back on trend by giving it a Spring/Summer12 makeover.

Wear with? Red lips & matching nails for 'Old Hollywood' glamour.

H&M  

Floral Patterned Sleeveless Dress

£24.99

Floral patterned dresses are perfect for Spring/Summer! Cute & flirty means they are a sure fire way to look feminine and fresh. Make sure you team any dress this style with a belt, to nip your waist in & give you a 50's style figure. 

Wear with? Cork wedges & softy curled hair. This look is very 'English rose'. Don't overdo it with the accessories, the dress is printed enough, let it do the talking.

missguided.co.uk

Lottyn Bodycon Dress With Stud Detail

£24.99

The 'Rock Chick' look reigns again on the catwalk, this time it's been given a studded upgrade. I'm guessing this dress is super short, and shows a fair bit of skin. If you aren't so confident add some black tights.

Wear with? Sky high black platform heels or ankle boots, an on trend metal cuff & smoky eye makeup. The best results for smoky eyes are when you use grey eye shadows or really dark (almost verging on black) browns. Don't forget the liquid eyeliner too!

Dorothy Perkins
Purple Embellished Maxi Dress
£35

Floor length dresses are perfect for formal occasions. This purple will suit blondes, red heads & brunettes. The nipped in waist and panels on the dress means it will also flatter any type of figure.

Wear with? Sparkly silver peep toe heels and a matching bag. Style hair in a sleek bun or a French plait in order to best show off the dresses neckline & the subtle ruching on the shoulders.








Matalan 
Purple Peplum Dress
£16

Peplum dresses are another key trend for this season. This style of dress has been accused of suiting only slim girls, but the length of the ruffles on the waist has to be right in order to suit all types. Slim girls get a curve boost & curvy girls get some added volume. 

Wear with? Coral nails and multi coloured heels. Avoid belts that are too large, it takes attention away from the ruffles. The skinny belt pictured goes perfectly with this dress.   

Hard As Nails...

I've seen so many bloggers of late doing fabulous nail art designs! Sadly, I however am rubbish at any kind of art, and lack the time & patience to do intricate nail art (one of these days I may have a go though). But, I still felt inspired. For me, it’s all about doing something a little bit different. A thought came to me when I couldn't decide between two colours to paint my nails with. I'm used to painting my nails one colour, but I thought let’s do two! I decided to take inspiration from the recent nail trend of painting the third finger (ring finger) on each hand a totally different colour to the rest of your manicure. But, then I decided to add a slight more splash and thought why not paint my thumbs that colour as well?

Notes on nails...

- Below is a picture of all that I used to do this manicure. Of course, if you have nail varnish on already you'll have to remove it, and if your cuticles need pushing back do that too.

- I always do a quick file of my nails before I paint them just to keep them in check. I file mine so they are a 'square' shape, but depending on your nail shape you can file them 'oval' or 'squoval' - a mixture of the two.

- Hand & nail cream is a must! I always put some on either before or after painting my nails just to keep them soft & in good condition. Don't worry if you don't have any specific hand cream, body lotion works just as well.

- Base coat is another must! It prevents your nails from staining and becoming a yellow colour. I also find that the colour sticks much better to your nails with a base coat on first.

Before the manicure...

- I chose two completely different contrasting colours, both by 'Barry M'. Now I LOVE Barry M nail polishes, I find them great value, with fab colours to chose from, and long lasting! You can pick them up from any Boots or Superdrug store.

- The two colours I used are 'Pink Flamingo' & 'Grey'. Pink & grey are a great combo together, and I wanted the vivid pink to stand out from the more muted grey.

- I applied two coats of each colour, and left to dry while I watched Made in Chelsea!

After the manicure...

Here's the final finished product! I didn't bother with any top coat because I thought they looked okay without it. There was a good enough even coverage not to warrant it.

Overall I'm quite impressed with my experiment. Best of all this idea works with any two combinations. Make the two you choose contrasting colours to really stand out! I've had a few compliments on my nails, and I'm even planning my next two tone manicure combo! x

Face2Face...

I don't know what it is, but the other day as I looked in the mirror I saw far too many spots for my liking! Not the sort that need squeezing, but the kind of red, under the skin type. Very annoying, and probably due to the fact I'm a little bit stressed with Uni work! After a few days of them simply not shifting, no matter how much water I drank, I decided to take matters into my own hands... So I did a facemask. Not my usual 'Boots 3 Minute Clay Mask' though, I needed something a little stronger...

In the end I settled for a "Montagne Jeunesse" - Deep Cleansing, Blemish Mud Mask. Now, I like these facemasks, and often if I fancy a real pamper I do buy one. Even if you are on a budget, you can still afford to buy luxuries such as facemasks, as this one was £1 from Asda! Total steal imo! You can also buy them from other places such as Superdrug, Boots & no doubt Bodycare (and other cut-price chemists) also sell them.

Notes on facemasks...

- I always cleanse my face beforehand. Just with my usual face wash. It's best to get rid of as much dirt from your pores as possible, or you could end up doing more harm than good.
- When washing off facemasks, I tend to use warm water, nothing too hot though as you may burn your skin.


Initial Thoughts...

With soothing Aloe Vera and extracts of Witch Hazel I'm expecting this mask to get rid of my spots and give me a squeaky clean complexion. A miracle cure. Not to mention the fact it says "anti imperfection" on the front of the mask.

When I first get into the mask I'm hit with a strong, fresh & herby kind of smell. I can smell what I'm sure is tea tree oil too. It sounds nice, but after a while it was getting to be a bit too strong.

During the mask... 

It goes on smoothly, and you don't need the entire mask to get a good even coverage (enough for two applications - result). The minute I'd put the mask on, my skin started to tingle, as if the ingredients were starting to weave their magic. It dried onto my face very quickly and I felt my face getting tighter within 5minutes. But, why is it, whenever you've got a facemask on you always get an itch on your nose or chin??! Cue the next 5minutes trying my very best to ignore the itch on my facemask covered nose.

The mask started out a light green colour, but when it was fully dried it turned white. I left it on for the full 15minutes (instructions say leave for 10-15).

Taking it off however was, well, frankly... A bit of a nightmare! I really had to scrub my face with a cloth to get it off. Of all the facemask brands I've tried this has got to be the toughest, so be prepared!

After the mask...

As soon as I'd washed it off my face felt very very dry, albeit smoother than before. I had to put a hell of a lot of moisturiser on after to make that 'dry' feeling go away. 

But, success as my face did feel 'clean'. Only like it had been lightly cleansed though, and not the 'deep cleansing' the mask advertises.

The morning after my face still felt smooth and my spots, well, they hadn't completely vanished, but there was some improvement in the way they looked. I also noticed that my complexion looked a little brighter and my cheeks rosier than the day before. 

I also had no reaction/redness due to this product so that’s always a bonus! I have a sensitive skin due to eczema so I'd say this mask is gentle enough for all skin types. 

Verdict...

I'd give this particular mask a generous 6/10. It’s by no means a 'miracle' product, and I can't say that after I've used it up I'd be rushing out to buy more. I think it’s because I prefer masks that are more about 'adding moisture' to skin rather than banishing pimples.  

That said, if you're after a lightly cleansing mask that smells like a day out at the seaside, then you may want to give this product a go!

Final Final Verdict...  

A nice, inexpensive, midweek beauty treat!