Review: Pedikur Hand + Foot Cream

Thursday, July 31, 2014
Summer is that dreaded time to get your legs and feet out which means that they have to be prepped and looked after - something most of us forgot to do during the colder months, I do anyway! I find that using good foot creams over even a short period of time can really help and with my holiday coming up very soon I have been packaging on the foot cream! I was kindly sent the *Pedikur Herbal Hand & Foot Cream (75ml) to try out by Beauty Chamber, to check out their site, click here. Honesty as always, click here, to check out my disclaimer. 

Firstly, the packaging is a little simple and some could say boring but it is all about the product inside. This cream contains lanolin which is great to lock in moisture by providing a protective barrier. The cream also contains SLS and a couple of parabens which isn't great but it does list some natural ingredients such as: thyme, rosemary, beeswax, almonds and more. 

The cream itself is quite thick but it has a very smooth texture so it applies quickly and easily to the skin. It smells herbal but not overly so, it is a really nice scent! The cream does take quite a while to sink in so I haven't been using it during the day - I have been using it as a kind of overnight treatment with cotton gloves and cotton moisture socks. It eliminates pretty much all of the dryness and tightness overnight, leaving the skin smooth and hydrated without being greasy. 

Overall, I am really happy with this product and although there are a couple of drawbacks, I think it is a fantastic treatment almost for the feet especially - perfect for the summer months! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried this product before? Have you bought anything from Beauty Chamber?

Check out my Twitter account (ofbeautyand) for a 1,000 follower twitter giveaway! 

My Ultimate Birthday Wish List!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014
On the 15th August I will be the grand old age of 22! I am going to be on holiday with my family for my birthday (from the 9th to the 24th August) and I can't wait! Here are some of the items that are on my 22nd birthday wish list:

1. iPhone 5, 2. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette, 3. Newlook Hogwarts Jumper, 4. Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil Set, 5. Kiko Cosmetics Universal Fit Foundation, 6. Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Fragrance, 7. Kurt Geiger Vincine2 Boots. 

1. Bobbi Brown Nudes on Nude Palette, 2. Kate Spade Striped iPad Mini Case, 3. Babyliss Curl Secret, 4. Neom Boost Your Energy Regime Set, 5. Essie Paradise Collection Box. 

There you have any ultimate 22nd birthday wish list! Are any of the products on your wish list?



Review: Nourish Toning Body Shimmer

Monday, July 28, 2014

If there is a time to embrace your inner golden goddess then summer is it! I have always been very pale, I don't tan so I haven't ever really looked into tanning or body shimmer as I didn't think it could work for me. However, I was sent a body shimmer from the brand Nourish and I have been road testing it...and loving it!
I have the *Nourish Golden Glow Toning Body Shimmer (100ml, £25). Nourish is a cruelty free brand and their products contain organic ingredients - for example, this body shimmer is comprised of 77% organic ingredients which is fantastic. Some of the natural ingredients in the body shimmer include: argan kernel oil, aloe vera leaf juice powder, neroli flower oil, shea butter and more!

The body shimmer is a yellow golden lotion when dispensed (the bottle has a pump dispenser which is amazing). The shimmer is fine and not that noticeable on the skin unless you look very closely - as the photo on the far right shows. The lotion applies smoothly and evenly and creates the most gorgeous, subtle glow to the skin that doesn't look too noticeable or glittery. I have been using it on my décolleté and legs arms for a summer glow and I am probably going to take this product on holiday with me next month and mix it with my normal body lotion for an all over glow. I find it doesn't rub off on clothing, however I haven't tried it with black clothes yet. 

The best thing about this body shimmer is that it contains a nutrient rich phyto-active marine extract which tones and firms the skin - I haven't been using it long enough to notice firming effects but it sounds amazing. It also contains hyaluronic acid which is fantastic if you have dry skin as it locks in moisture. 

Overall, I adore the packaging and all of the natural, organic ingredients as well as the brand's ethos with regard to vegan and cruelly free products. The shimmer in this lotion is subtle and gorgeous and the possible toning/firming effects sound amazing. I will have to rate this product: ★★★★★, 5/5!

My £20 Fragrance Direct Holiday Haul

Sunday, July 27, 2014
Every woman has to have a Fragrance Direct shopping spree every now and again, it is a fantastic site to find a range of essentials, deals and beauty bargains - as well as discounted and discontinued products! I have been shopping on Fragrance Direct on and off for at least two years! Todays haul is a mixture of holiday items that I needed such as hair removal (disgusting and gross but necessary), makeup, haircare, skincare and nail products - including a bargainous Essie buy!

Body and Hair products: Firstly, I bought a pack of Sally Hansen wax strips (£1.99) which come in various sizes. I use them for my eyebrows, they are far easier to find than the specific eyebrow wax strips and they are usually cheaper too. I also bought the Wilkinson Quattro Razor For Women (£2.99) that comes with a handy travel case which I think will be great for my upcoming holiday. I also bought a massive bottle of the Pantene Classic Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (500ml, £2.99). So glamorous! 

Skincare: Now onto the more exciting buys! I picked up a there pack of lip balms (as I am a lip balm addict/hoarder) from Malibu (£1.99) which come in a range of flavour including vanilla, mint and mango. They contain SPF which is essential for summer holidays and I always forget to use SPF on my lips. Speaking of SPF I also bought my dad a small bottle of the Heni Lloyd SPF for men as it was only 99p and it should have been around £10. Lastly for skincare is the Hawaiian Tropic Sun Lotion SPF 15 (100ml, £2.99) which is a great price - Fragrance Direct have a lot of cheap Hawaiian Tropic products!

Nails + Makeup: I have saved the best for last, I bought the Astor Perfect Stay Transfer proof Lip Tint in the shade Nude Sweetness which was a bargain at only...99p! I cannot read 'transfer proof lip tint' and not buy it! Sadly, it isn't amazing so far. My last buy is definitely the best, in my opinion. I bought the Essie Professional Routine Mini Nail Kit (£5.99) which contains the First Base Base Coat, the Good To Go Top Coat and a polish in the shade Mademoiselle - all are minis so they are great for taking on holiday and it is just a bargain buy! Love it!

Have you bought anything from Fragrance Direct? What do you think of my £20 haul?

Review: Boden Petite Statement Ankle Skimmer

Friday, July 25, 2014
I was very kindly allowed to pick an item from Boden to review on my blog, honesty as always, click here to read my disclaimer. I picked the *Boden Petite Statement Ankle Skimmer Trousers in the 'Raven Floral' print (£55.30 sale, RRP £79). I picked a UK size 8 based on the measurements of the item on the Boden website - I love it when clothing websites have measurements for individual items! The delivery was quick, the packaging was pretty when it arrived and I received a gorgeous floral printed notebook with my trousers - I think new customers may receive one with their order but I'm not sure. 

I picked the statement trousers as I do not have any in my wardrobe but I have always wanted to try them out; however as I am tiny (4ft 10inches) I find it really difficult to find trousers to fit my short legs and fairly large hips! The trousers fit really well, they are an inch or so longer than I would like but as I said I am very tiny! I chose a UK size 8 which is great on me although I wish the waist band was a little elastic, for the days when you have a bit of a food baby!

The trousers are slightly tapered, they are dark navy and white with navy piping around the ankles and waist. There have pockets which I love as well as a concealed zip. The material feels fairly thick and very sturdy/durable. I paired the trousers with a ribbed lightweight jumper from Dorothy Perkins and my white wedges from Newlook. I know not everyone will like this look, it is a little out of my comfort zone but I love the way it turned out!

Overall, I am happy with the fit of the trousers, I love the print (even if it is a little out there for me personally) and the attention to detail makes the trousers feel very well designed. I still have to figure out other ways to style the trousers! Also I adore the cute notebook that came with the trousers. I am very pleased and surprised to see a very wide range of petite clothing on Boden's website, it is fantastic! Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. One star lost as I think the trousers would be better if they had a slightly elasticated waist band and they are a little on the pricy side but the quality is fantastic!

Have you bought anything from Boden? What do you think of these trousers? 

Review: Protest Clothing + Accessories

Thursday, July 24, 2014

I was very kindly sent a range of clothing, accessories and swimwear from the outdoor clothing brand, Protest Clothing. Protest clothing was in Holland by a group of snowboarders back in 1993. I received quite a large collection of products to test out and I am super happy with them, honesty as always, check out my disclaimer, here

*Protest Bracelet Set: I can't find this set on the website but it is a pack of five bracelets in a range of gorgeous summery, festival colours! The size can be adjusted on most, they are lightweight and easy to wear. I think they would be perfect for a festival!

*Protest Tropical Triangle Bikini (£31.99, sale, UK 12/M): Now I haven't owned a bikini, ever! I am not one for swimming (although I loved at as a child and I can swim well) as I am really body conscious so it is something I would never do now. Although I have to say the design of this bikini is just gorgeous, it is plain and easy to wear but it has gorgeous braided colourful detailing around the edges of the cups and the bikini bottoms. I have tried on the bikini and it fits so well, the straps around the top half are easily adjustable and the cups are padded which is fantastic. From a design and fit point of view I would definitely recommend this bikini set!

*Protest Pink Sunglasses: I also cannot find this product on their website. The sunglasses fit me really well, I love the colour but the sunglasses are more of a cat eye shape which doesn't suit my face shape sadly. They do fit well and they feel really comfortable and lightweight!

*Protest Medium T-Shirt (£10.49, sale, UK 12/M): The green t-shirt isn't available on the website as far as I can see but there are other really nice colours. This basic tee is so cute! It makes me think of Californian beaches and surfing. It is light weight, easy to wear and soft - great for the summer! The fit is great too and I love the design. 

*Protest Purple Beanie Hat: I am all about beanies in the winter and this one will be a staple at that time of the year for me. I love the colour, it is super super soft and has a fleecy lining. It fits well and it will keep me warm and toasty in the winter. 

From the items I have I am very impressed with the quality, design and fit of all of the items! I would definitely recommend Protest Clothing for swimwear, ski/snowboarding clothing and other outdoor clothing/accessories. I have my eye on a few of the tops and tunics, the Fernham tunic looks amazing and perfect for my holiday next month! To check out other items from Protest Clothing, click here (they currently have a sale on). Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you bought anything from Protest Clothing? What do you think of the items I received? 

Review: Laundry Boutique Nautical Jumper

Wednesday, July 23, 2014
I have been loving twitter recently for connecting with brands and I came across Laundry Boutique. Laundry Boutique kindly sent me my choice of clothing which is this stripy, nautical jumper - I do have an obsession with stripes! Click here, to check out my disclaimer.

I have the *Laundry Boutique Nautical Stripe Red Jumper (£17.50). I do adore stripy tops and dresses, but obviously I need more! I actually don't have any red striped items in my wardrobe and I love the combination of red, cream and denim! 

The top is made from a really soft material, it has red stripes in a breton style so the top section is not striped. There is also a golden zip that runs down the length of the the top which I like as it adds something extra. The top is a little long on me but I like longer tops and it has long sleeves. It is a light knit so it is still great to wear during summer evenings in England as it doesn't get very hot here. 

I have a size 10 and it is a good fit, the top is from the brand Opus London which I haven't heard of until now. The top is really easy to wear, it seems to be made to a high standard. The top is a bit reminiscent of Where's wally, if you add a stripy hat and bright blue trousers you have a costume! 

Overall, I am really happy with the top and I am definitely going to be bookmarking Laundry Boutique. They have a massive range of clothes on the website and they also have numerous stores, the main one is in Manchester I think. To find out more about Laundry Boutique, click here. Overall, ★★★★★, 5/5. 

What do you think of this top? Have you bought anything from Laundry Boutique before?

Review: Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly

Monday, July 21, 2014

I won the new Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly from their Twitter competition a couple of weeks ago and I am really happy that I won. I have been using a sampler tube of Hydraluron for weeks on and off and at first I didn't like it although I now love it (I have nearly finished up my sampler tube). The Hydraluron Moisture Jelly (£24.99) is a brand new product from Indeed labs and as I loved the Hydraluron serum which is super hydrating and non-irritating, I knew I would love this!
Firstly, the packaging is gorgeous - it is very similar to the Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Gel that I have where you push down the white section and the product comes out through a hole in the middle of the tub. The packaging gets a big thumbs up from me! The actual 'moisture jelly' is a clear...jelly, it actually looks and feels jelly like! I love the feel on it on my skin, it smoothes on so quickly and easily. This product, like the hydraluron serum, doesn't irritate my eczema prone slightly sensitive skin. 

I have been using this moisture jelly every day (I mix it with my night cream for the evenings) for about two weeks or so now and I find it does really hydrate and smooth my skin; therefore my makeup applies smoother and my skin is moisturised all day! I think I will probably get through this product fairly quickly and I am definitely considering buying it when this tub runs out. Overall, I am very happy with the product - ★★★★★, 5/5 from me!

Have you tried the Hydraluron serum? What do your think of this new Hydraluron Moisture Jelly?

Review: Divadames Aztec Cardigan

Saturday, July 19, 2014

I was kindly allowed to pick an item from the Divadames website to review on my blog, click here to read my disclaimer. Divadames is a Manchester based clothing company and I am always happy to support companies that are local to me. I chose the *Divadames Aztec Cardigan (Black, one size, £12).
Apologies for the moody poses !
I chose this cardigan as I love the print, I don't have any monochrome aztec printed items in my wardrobe and I think monochrome really goes with so many things. I love the waterfall design of the cardigan, it makes it looks a bit more structured, in my opinion. The material is fairly soft, thick knit and it would be perfect for the summer/autumn transition period as well as a cover up for summer evenings which can be fairly chilly in the UK. 

I have just paired it with my Topshop Petite Moto Blue Vintage Wash Jamie Jeans which I adore and a Primark cami. As well as my new H&M Metal Collar Necklace. It is knitted but it isn't too heavy and it is a great cover up. I am not a fan of the fringing on the hem of the cardigan but it does give the cardigan a festival feel. I think this cardigan would be great for  festival with denim shorts, a loose white tee and some boho style accessories. 

Overall, I am very happy with the cardigan, it feels well made and I love the design. It will see me through summer evenings and the awkward transitioning period between summer and autumn. Also even though I am very petite, the cardigan isn't too long on me. All of the items on Divadames is very well priced and they have free UK delivery when you spend over £50. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you bought anything from Divadames before? What do you think of this cardigan? 

Joy Sale Wish List

Friday, July 18, 2014
I haven't created a wish list for so long! As I recently became a Joy blogger (part of the Joy blogger spotlight programme), I thought it would be great to combine my love for all things Joy and a summer sale wish list. There is a good mix of summer and more autumnal items in the current Joy sale and they have just launched some of their AW14 items too which you can check out, here! Here are my sale picks!

Dresses: I adore most of the dresses from Joy and I have a couple in my sale picks. First up is the gorgeous Joy Louche Stefanie Pleated Dress (1. £20) and then the Cam Dotty Skater Dress (5. £13). The grey Sadie Stripe Dress is so cute too!

Skirts: I am not really one for skirts but recently I find myself being drawn to them constantly! The first skirt from Joy that is on my sale wish list is the Arvia Midi Skirt (8. £15) which is just gorgeous! The second and last skirt on my wish list is the Gizele Tile Print Skirt (9. £25) which I think will be gorgeous in the summer with a white tee and sandals. 

Tops + Jumpers: If you know me at all you will have figured out that I am quite obsessed with stripy tops/jumpers/dresses so it is really no surprise that three out of the four tops/jumpers in this wish list have stripes on them! The first is a cute breton style top - the Reese Stripe Jumper (6. £15) that I need in my life! Next up is a nautical number, the Napoleon Anchor Jumper (7. £15). The last stripy item sadly is the Skybow Stripe Top (4. £12). Last but not least is the Petit Sweat (3. £15).

The final item on my wish list is a sale bag, the Dusty Satchel (2. £15) - the Wandsworth bag is also gorgeous and it is in the sale also! There you have my Joy summer sale wish list!

Have you bought anything from Joy before? What do you think of the items I have picked?

My twitter account is now working! Yey! 

Review: Madam Rage Floral Skater Dress

Thursday, July 17, 2014
Madam Rage is a Yorkshire based clothing retailer, I was allowed to pick an item from their website to review - honesty as always, click here to read my disclaimer. If you shop at Newlook you may be familiar with this brand as Madam Rage is a concession on the Newlook website. I chose the *Madam Rage Floral Skater Dress (UK 8, £28)

I chose this dress as I love the print and I don't have anything in my wardrobe with this print. I also chose it as I have a slight addition to skater dresses and this one looks really unique with the crochet panelling along the chest and waist. I am a UK size 6 in Asos dresses and a UK size 8 in all other dresses with no problem at all; however this dress is a really quite tight around my chest and it sucks me in around the hips so it makes my hips looks slimmer/less curvy which may be a positive point or a negative one! If you buy this dress I would definitely recommend sizing up!

The style of the dress is very cute with short sleeves, a floral feminine print and the dress is made of a floaty silky material. The dress is dark navy and white which is a classic colour combination but it is updated with the crochet panelling and white floral print, the combination is gorgeous! I wore a navy cami from Primark under the dress but you don't have to. I paired the dress with my *Luxury Legs Oroblu Tights and Newlook heels. It is a great length on me even though I am petite. 

Overall, apart from the sizing issue, I love this dress. The print and modern cutout panelling is a great combination - it would be great in the summer with sandals but also during autumn with tights, ankle boots and a black faux leather jacket. I feel that the dress is well priced for the quality and design. Overall rating: ★★★☆, 3/5 - the only issue was the unusual sizing/fit of the dress. 

Have you bought anything from Madam Rage? What do you think of this dress? You can check out their social media, here for Facebook and twitter.


Glossybox + Birchbox: July 2014

Glossybox + Birchbox: July 2014

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Well I have a love/hate relationship with beauty boxes, I think the idea is great but I hate getting boring or repetitive products but these two boxes from Birchbox and Glossybox seemed to be better than normal...or are they?
First up I have the July Birchbox which is a special July 4th stars and stripes edition which contains all American products - four of which are full size. I received an email about this box months ago and I have been so excited for it and overall I am happy with the box but it just wasn't as exciting as I hoped it would be. 

The first product is a Carmex lip balm, it may be an American brand but it is so widely available in the UK, I thought it wasn't a great product to put in the box. The lip balm is ok but it is a bit too minty/tingly for me personally. Secondly there is a Bellapierre Lipstick in 'Ruby' which isn't a shade I will wear a lot and the packaging feels very very cheap and flimsy! The latter three products are much better. There is a full size Colorclub Nail Polish in 'Glossy Seal' which is a lovely dark teal blue shade! There is a Absolute New York Eyeshadow Primer which sounds really exciting and I can't wait to try it. The last product is from Tarte (a brand I have only tried a few pieces from but I love them) and it is the new Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara in Black which I already have in a smaller size from a Sephora order but I will use this one for holiday maybe. Overall, ★★★★☆, 4/5. 
Secondly I have the July Birchbox which is all about sun, sea and sand! The first product that really jumps to my attention is the Vita Coco Coconut Water with Lemonade which is an interesting addition to a beauty box. I have tried it and I love the lemon but the coconut creamy part is a bit sickly to me. The next product is a Laqa & Co Lip Lube... in the shade 'Bees Knees' which is a cute name and I love the packaging but it highlights dryness really badly on me and the shade doesn't suit me very well. 

Then they have included an eye cream, I don't know why beauty box manufactures always include eye creams in almost every box - it is really annoying! I received the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream which I have received in a couple of beauty boxes previously. Next up is the Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash which smells incredible - I will probably save this one to use on my holiday next month. There is also a body butter from another brand I haven't tried - Whish Lavender Body Butter which oddly doesn't actually smell like lavender on the skin. The last product is the Benefit Porefessional and I have already confessed my hatred for this product as it does nothing at all for me and my large pores so I will probably sell it or give it away. Overall, ★★☆☆☆, 2.5/5.


There are the beauty box products I received for July, I am now going to cancel both subscriptions again! Did you buy any of these beauty boxes? If so, what did you receive? 


Teapigs Matcha Green Tea Drinks + Giveaway

Sunday, July 13, 2014

I have been loving healthy eating recently in a effort to become slimmer for my summer holiday and one of the things that keeps coming up when I look for slimming and healthy eating on the net is green tea. Green tea is a favourite with a lot of celebrities. So when I was kindly sent a set of the new Matcha Green Tea Drinks from Teapigs I was over the moon! Click here, to read my disclaimer. 
I was kindly sent the *Teapigs Matcha Super Power Green Tea Drinks in the flavours: Elderflower, Apple and Grapefruit. These are the first products from Teapigs that I have tried and I adore the packaging. I think the packaging looks so cute and inviting. I received six of each flavour and I have been testing them out! 

Matcha green tea is a natural super powerful green tea that contains the health benefits of 15 cups of regular green tea! How amazing is that! One cup of the Teapigs matcha green tea contains 137 times the antioxidants of regular green tea. It also contains 9 times the beta carotene of spinach. Matcha stimulates alpha brain waves to create a state of alertness and focus, it contains natural caffeine to give you a sustained boost and matcha also increases your metabolism - so it helps you burn more calories! 

*Teapigs Matcha Green Tea Drink - Elderflower (£1.89): The elderflower flavour is by far my favourite, I could easily drink buckets of it daily! It does taste like green tea and it also contains spring water and lemon. It is such a refreshing, light, floral drink - perfect for the warmer months. I drink it at room temperate but it would be equally as nice after being refrigerated for a few minutes. I adore the taste of this green tea drink (I only drink green tea, I hate normal tea) and I am going to look into how I can bulk order this flavour as not only does it taste gorgeous but it has a lot of health benefits too. LOVE IT! It has to be ★★★★★, 5/5!

*Teapigs Matcha Green Tea Drink - Apple (£1.89): I also received six of the apple flavour and I wasn't sure if I would like this one but it is very nice - not as amazing as the elderflower flavour though. The green tea comes through a bit more with this flavour but the apple flavour makes it a bit lighter and fresher. The apple flavour isn't artificial, it is a bit sweet and has all of the same amazing health benefits as the other flavours. I prefer this one when it has been refrigerated, it contains no added sugar and there are less than 32 calories per 100ml (each carton is 330ml). ★★★★☆, 4/5.

*Teapigs Matcha Green Tea Drink - Grapefruit (£1.89): Sadly this flavour is my least favourite out of the three but it is still really nice and refreshing. I am not really a fan of grapefruit but if you are then you will love this one! Although my dad really likes this one! The packaging is just so darn cute! The green tea is a little overshadowed by the grapefruit flavour but it is handy, hydrating and great for the summer! ★★★★☆, 4/5.

Now onto the giveaway, I am giving away one of the matcha green tea drinks to one winner. This giveaway is only open to UK residents. One winner will receive one surprise 330ml carton of the Teapigs matcha green tea drink, you may get an elderflower or apple or grapefruit carton. To enter just fill out the rafflecopter below, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To find out more about Teapigs, click here. Teapigs are also running a competition to win a Mango bike and more! It ends on the 31st August, enter on the Teapigs website. Teapigs have kindly given my followers a 10% off code which is valid until the end of July, the code is not valid on kits, deals and pick & mix. The 10% off code is: beauty

Just a note: something has gone wrong with my twitter account, it is compromised - I can't login or interact on twitter. Hopefully twitter support will fix it next week and I won't have to create a new account, sorry!

Review: Zerreau Towel Off Shampoo Foam

Friday, July 11, 2014

I have dark, long, thick hair which can get quite greasy at the roots and dry shampoo has always sounded like a dream product - not for me, every dry shampoo spray I have tried has left my hair greasy, matted and grey! So when this product arrived on my doorstep I was intrigued! I was kindly sent this product by Waterless LTD, click here to read my disclaimer. 
I have the *Zerreau Beauty Towel Off Shampoo Foam in the scent Apple (180ml, £6.99). Firstly, I really like the packaging, I think it looks simple and effective, although as it is black and shiny, it isn't great to photograph! The product really intrigued me as I have never seen or even heard of a foam waterless shampoo. Basically it is a white foam that you apply to greasy hair and massage in then while the product is still soapy in your hair, you towel dry it out. It is a very unique concept in my opinion and I was excited to try it out. Also the product is not tested on animals, which is fantastic!

The foam has a sweet artificial apple scent which I actually really like! It is fairly strong but not over powering. The foam is quick and easy to dispense. Applying the foam to the hair and roots is easy and not messy at all. The foam doesn't feel sticky in the hair, it doesn't leave a white/grey cast and it doesn't make my hair very tangled. It does seems to soak up the oil and make my hair less greasy and feel like it has been washed, which is fantastic. The foam also makes my hair smell really nice too. 

The only problem I find is that the foam takes a lot of towel drying - less so than if your hair was wet but it is a little time consuming. However this may be because I have thick, long hair; also I haven't tried heat styling my hair after using this product and a hairdryer might help. I have been using it some days as a dry shampoo and while it is still damp in my hair, I brush it through and tie it up in a high ponytail which creates a polished style as the foam seems to fame flyways! Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.

Overall, I think it is a very unique product, it smells amazing and it actually seems to work on my dark hair. It is a little time consuming to towel dry out but it may work better on those with shorter and or thinner hair. It is definitely a product to try out. To check out more information on this product, click here. I have been provided with a 20% discount code for my readers: SUMMER20

Check out the latest video from Zerreau which shows the ins and outs of using Zerreau, here!

Have you tried anything from this brand before? What do you think of a foam waterless shampoo?

Review: Spectrum Brushes

Wednesday, July 09, 2014

I won a competition on twitter with Spectrum makeup brushes and I won a seven piece set from them. I am really happy to have won as I am a bit of a makeup brush addict and I always want to try more! #hoarder 

I won the Spectrum Limited Edition 7 Piece Set (£39.99, currently on sale at £23.00). I had only heard of this company because of the competition and I am so glad I entered, not just because I won but it is a great company and I LOVE the brushes! The brushes can packed really nicely. Spectrum brushes are vegan and cruelty free which is fantastic and I think all brushes should be. The brush bristles are 100% synthetic and my set comes with a great triangular hard travel case for the brushes. 

The set contains seven brushes including a foundation, concealer, powder, blush, lips, eyebrow and eyeshadow brush so you get a good mix of brushes. I have been using them consistently for the past week and I adore them. I like the design, the purple is really cute and fun; also the bristles are super soft - they are a bit softer/smoother than the real techniques brushes I own (and I own a lot of them). 

Face brushes: The foundation brush is a flat top kabuki style brush that is soft but also really dense so it is good for foundation - especially cream foundation and also cream contour/blush as the bristles are very densely packed together. The powder brush is big and very soft, it doesn't pick up too much powder and works so well! The blush brush is my favourite from the face brushes in this set as it is angled so it works really well for contouring and also bronzer, I love it and again it is incredibly smooth/soft on the skin! Finally the concealer brush, it could be used as an eyeshadow brush for packing on an all over the lid shade but it is also great for applying concealer under the eyes and on blemishes or redness. 

Eye and lip brushes: The eyeshadow brush is similar to an ecotools brush I have but this one is smoother, it applies shadow really well but as it is quite dense it isn't good for blending - you need a fluffier, less dense brush for blending eyeshadow. The lip brush is fantastic, it applies colour and lip balms evenly and smoothly. The final brush is the eyebrow brush. I have been using this for my brows as it small and precise but also as a liner brush - to apply eyeshadow as liner along the upper and lower lash line. 

Overall, I am so impressed with the design and quality of the spectrum synthetic brushes, I would highly recommend them! The case is also really nice although it isn't that easy to get all of the brushes in it and closed without squishing the bristles. To find out more about Spectrum brushes, click here. Overall, I would have to rate the company/brushes ★★★★★, 5/5!

Have you tried Spectrum brushes? What is your favourite makeup brush manufacturer?

Sewlomax Summer Sale + Discount Code!

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

You may know this if you follow me on twitter but I recently became a Sewlomax ambassador! I am so glad that I was one of the lucky few who were picked. This post is just a quick heads up about the Sewlomax summer sale which starts officially tomorrow but some items on the website are already reduced! 

The Sewlomax summer sale sounds amazing as it is up to 70% off with prices starting at £2! I have the cream lipstick pouch which I adore, I have reviewed it, here. Also Sewlomax have just launched their new I'm Sew British collection which is amazing! 

The summer sale starts officially tomorrow and will run for two weeks only! As I am an ambassador I can give my lovely followers and readers a special code that gives you an EXTRA 10% off the sale prices! The code is: AMBASSADOR10

Have you bought anything from Sewlomax? Will you be buying anything in the summer sale?

Guest Post: Yasmin's Top Chanel Picks

Monday, July 07, 2014

Hi, I'm Yasmin, I blog over at Grandads Gravy and I  have been using Chanel makeup for years! When Heather asked me to write a review I felt like it was a good opportunity  to talk about my favourite Chanel products. Here are my top five products in terms of quality and convenience. 
5. Chanel Le Blanc De Chanel (30ml, £31): This product is ranked fifth within my top five products from Chanel, as it is good but I wouldn't use it everyday. The base/primer comes with a spatula but it would be better if the bottle had a pump dispenser. It makes my skin a blank canvas so my foundation shade shows up true to colour. I find it does make my foundation last longer and my skin feels hydrated for longer. I would buy it again but I have found a better primer, the Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Primer - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5. 

4. Chanel Perfection Lumiere Long-Wear Flawless Fluid Makeup (B40, 30ml, £36): This foundation bottle has a pump which is convenient and it is easier to top up my foundation throughout the day. I use my hands to apply the foundation, it has a matte finish which lasts for up to ten hours. I have combination to oily skin so it suits my skin perfectly but when my skin is slightly dry, this foundation highlights the drier patches. Also the foundation lasts for a year even though I use it everyday, I would buy it again, it is worth the money! ★★★☆☆, 3/5. 

3. Chanel No.5 Eau Premiere (75ml, £78): This fragrance may have been discontinued as I cannot really find it online, it is not in stock on the Debenhams website. It smells like a modern version of the original Chanel No5 and has notes such as rose absolute, jasmine, neroli and ylang-ylang. It is a lighter, contemporary version, it is less strong than the original. It lasts for about four hours on the skin however it lasts a long time on clothing. ★★★☆☆, 3/5.

2. Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush (76 Frivole, £31): The shade is a deep pinky coral with no shimmer, but it has a slight iridescent sheen on the skin. The shade is suitable for everyday use as it is subtle when used with the brush that comes with it but it can be too pigmented when heavily applied. The packaging and brush are great for travel, as it is enclosed in a velvet pouch. Also the blush never smashes even though I have dropped it quite a lot! It wears off a bit throughout the day but you can still see it on the skin, I would definitely buy it again. ★★★, 4/5. 

1. Chanel Hydra Beauty Creme (50ml, £50): Where do I start! This is my favourite Chanel product out of my top five. You get a good amount for the price and it is suitable for everyday use - I do not have sensitive skin but it is perfumed so it might irritate sensitive skin types. When applied during my evening skincare routine, my skin feels radiant, plump and...juicy the next morning! It is quite light weight, moist and hydrating but it sinks in quickly and it smells amazing! I could bathe in it! ★★★★, 5/5!

There are my top five Chanel products!

Review: W7 Cosmetics

Saturday, July 05, 2014

I have heard of W7 cosmetics through the wonderful blogging world for a while but I never got round to buying anything from the brand. The products are sold on Amazon, Xtras, Fragrance Direct and other websites. I was kindly sent four products to review, honesty as always, click here to check out my disclaimer for more information. 
I have the *W7 The Bronzer Matte Compact, *W7 The Cheek Of It Blusher (baby pink), *W7 Souffle Mascara (blackest black) and the *W7 Glamorous Lipgloss (05). These are the first W7 products I have tried. I like the packaging although I think it could be updated and the products look like they are well made. 

W7 Matte Bronzer (£4.95): The bronzer in the pan looks very dark - the photograph above makes it look more orange than it is. The bronzer is actually a really nice shade on my very pale skin, although I have to be careful when applying as the bronzer is quite pigmented. The shade is a bit orange but when used lightly it looks so nice! It has a smooth texture and applies evenly to the skin. The bronzer used lightly gives a nice sun kissed glow to the skin but it doesn't have any shimmer in it, which I like. Overall, ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

W7 Blusher (Baby Pink, £4.95): The blusher has similar packaging to the bronzer, it works well and the shade is really pretty. The shade is a medium bright baby pink with very fine silver shimmer. The blusher as you can see from the swatch above is very pigmented but it can be used subtly or built up to be very strong. The blusher as with the bronzer applies very smoothly and evenly. The shade has the most gorgeous luminous glow but it doesn't look shimmery/glitter. It is almost a blusher/highlighter hybrid. Overall rating, ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

W7 Souffle Mascara (Blackest Black, £4.95): W7 has a large range of mascaras, almost as largest as the huge range of mascaras of Essence cosmetics. I like the packaging, the bristles are not plastic and it doesn't pick up too much product on the brush. With one coat it is quite natural which I love but it can definitely be built up to be very dramatic. It is not clumpy on me and it applies smoothly. Overall, ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

W7 Glamorous Lipgloss (05, £3.95): I am not that much of a lipgloss kind of girl and the shade in the tube doesn't look amazing but on the lips it just gives a gorgeous glossy luminous finish and a slight rosy/browny hue which will look differently depending on how pigmented your lips are. The gloss is really nice on its own or it could be layered within other lip products. It is not sticky, or heavy and my hair doesn't stick to it. It makes the lips looks quite full as it is sheer and has a amazing radiant finish/effect. Overall, ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Overall, I am very impressed with the products I have tried. I love the mascara, bronzer and lipgloss especially. I would definitely recommend these products and they are so inexpensive! To check out more W7 cosmetics, click here.

Have you tried W7 cosmetics? If you have, what is your favourite W7 product? 

Birchbox: June

Friday, July 04, 2014
I received an email from Birchbox (I re-subscribe with the same account every now and then) and the email said that if you subscribe and buy the June box, you will get the famous Beauty Blender in your box - this is just for new customers/subscribers which I thought was unfair sending it in a email to people who already have accounts! But I made a new account and used the code so I received the Beauty Blender in my June Birchbox - life complete?

The June Birchbox is world cup themed with a green and yellow bag, the same colours as the Brazilian flag and there is a OPI brazil collection nail polish in the box too - also some flip flop keyring thing that was thrown in the bin straight away! My first impressions are that it is a good range of products, usually beauty subscription boxes are just full of skincare samples (which really annoys me) but this was a nice mix of a nail polish, hair mask, spf and a beauty tool. 

Beauty Blender: First up, I have to talk about the famous beauty blender foundation sponge! I have wanted to try it for ages but I haven't wanted to pay the rather steep price tag for a sponge but I am so glad I was able to try it in this beauty box. I have only used it a couple of times but it has worked so well, I am definitely impressed. I have tried the Cosmopolitan version, the Mac foundation sponge and the Real Techniques one but the closest to the Beauty Blender has to be the Cosmopolitan sponge. It applies foundation so well over dry/flaky skin, I love it! It also comes with a mini soap for the sponge which is so cute. 

Silk + Honey Shea Butter Hair Mask: I have only used this mask once and as I currently have very long, thick hair, I have used up half of the tub already but it was a nice mask. I applied it to dry hair, as I do with all hair masks/treatments and it left my hair smooth and detangled. I am not that keen on the smell and I probably wouldn't buy it but it is nice. 

Caudalie Vinoperfect SPF 15 Day Fluid: I love Caudalie skincare on the whole, so I am excited to try this. I think it will work well and I have been on the hunt for a good SPF for my sensitive skin. 

Naobay Body Radiance Lotion: I do love beauty boxes for their travel size products, I however probably won't use this as I have far too many body lotions - I really don't need more but it does smell nice, quite citrus scented. I will be giving this to a friend but it seems like a nice product.  

OPI Brazil Collection Mini Nail Polish: I have the shade You're So Flippy Floppy, I believe this polish is part of he Brazil beach sandies range as it is a textured polish and looks/feels like sand on the nails. I would have preferred a more wearable shade but it is nice. 

That is my June Birchbox, I am really happy with the box, especially the beauty blender! Did you receive the June Birchbox, if so, what did you receive? 

The Throwback Tag - are you a 90's child?

Thursday, July 03, 2014
I am quite nostalgic about the 90's, as a 90's child there are always photographs on Facebook about 90's kids - it was a great decade to grow up in, in the UK. I saw this tag post on the blog, Little Law a while ago and I knew I had to do it! Who does't love a bit of 90's nostalgia!

Here are the questions! If you want to do this tag, just copy the questions below and leave the links to your throwback tag post in the comments. 

What year were you born in?

1992

Do you have any pictures of yourself from when you were younger? If you do, show them.

We have a lot of photographs of myself and my family, especially when I was a toddler. My auntie also has photographs. It is great to look back through some of them although not all of them - why did my mum think that clown like Disney leggings and Minnie Mouse sunglasses was a good combo!

What TV shows did you grow up watching?



Sabrina the teenage witch, The Simpsons, Goosebumps, Hey Arnold, Kim Possible, Scoobydoo, The wild thornberries, The Amanda Show, Recess, Lizzie McGuire, that's so raven, drake & josh, kenan & kel, saved by the bell, art attack, are you afraid of the dark, power rangers, pingu, postman pat - yeah, we watched a lot of tv! I personally loved Sabrina the teenage witch, art attack and that's so raven.

What did you want to be when you grow up and do you still want to be that?

I didn't know or even think about what I wanted to be, is that weird, it probably is....while in year 5 (about 9 years old) I wanted to be an immunologist - yeah, I was that kid, always wanting to learn and ask questions.
All images are from Google

What were your favourite toys to play with?

There were so many amazing toys when I was a child, not just the computer and gameboy we had but things like furbys, swing ball, barbies, roller skates, twister and playing curby. I also love the horrible history books. Oh and don't get me started on my tamagotchi, that was the only stresses we had as children of the 90's and it was a life and death struggle!

What was the 'cool' thing to have during your childhood?

Slap bracelets, Pokemon cards, pens in every colour, password journal, having your ears pierced and aliens, that were supposed to give birth...still waiting.

What's the most embarrassing thing that you can remember doing?

Oh gosh, there were so many moments but the main one was falling in school in front of everyone and it was down a small set of stairs.

Songs you loved to listen to as a child.

Here are some of the bands I used to love as a child - spice girls, backstreet boys, nsync, Britney Spears, hear say and any kind of Brit or euro pop! Does anyone remember the crazy frog song or the ketchup song! *goes to YouTube immediately*

What was one funny thing you dressed up as when you were younger?

I always used to dress up as Aladdin (strange for a girl I know) as my dad bought an intricate Aladdin like outfit for me from India.

Tell a funny story of something you remember happening when you were young.

Myself, my sister and some friends from our street went to see Jurassic park 3 at the Roxy cinema and when we got back home, we all started digging the garden hoping we would find fossils!

Are there any special things you've kept from when you were a child?

I have kept some of my stuffed teddies, beanie babies and little keepsakes since I was a baby which are in my memory box. Also I have a carved wooden elephant that my dad bought back from a business trip to India when I was a toddler.

What was something weird you used to do as a child?

I used to read through my books/school notes and write all of the information neatly into another notebook with diagrams and facts - as I said, I love to learn!

What's the scariest thing you remember that happened to you when you were younger?

Getting vaccinations, doing presentations in front of my class and loosing a toy in a supermarket!

How is the world now different from how it was like when you were a child?

As a child the only stresses were looking after your tamagotchi pet and deciding what crayons you were going to use. Now there are so many stresses and pressures in terms of what I'm going to do now that I have graduated from university and also body image. I loved growing up in the 90's, it was all about pop music, playing on the street with your friends, water fights, weird and wonderful toys and cheesy tv shows. Someone needs to build a time machine, stat!

Are you also a 90's child? What were your favourite things as a child? Feel free to do this tag and leave your links below.