April Beauty Favourites

I know I write this every month but I cannot believe that another month has gone by - where is 2015 going! I have a mix of favourites for april including quite a lot of new makeup finds as well as fragrance and bodycare. Jurlique, Yves Rocher, Bourjois, Essence, Benefit, Library of Fragrance and Urban Decay have been my favourite brands this month!

Let's start with my favourite topic, makeup! I received the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette this month and it is the first naked palette I've owned *shock horror* and I've been loving it even thought I thought it would be too pink toned but it's perfect for spring. Another new makeup find is the Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder which is one of the best setting powders I've tried, for once the rave reviews are actually right! I've been using it with the fan brush from the new Real Techniques Sculpting Set (the contour brush is great from this set too). 

Another new product to my makeup collection is the Essence Maximum Length Mascara which I was meant to use in my Essence Day to Night Blogger Challenge (here) but I completely forgot to use it! The mascara gives so much length, it is so black and it makes my lashes look fluttery and long. Onto brows, I have been using the Benefit Gimme Brow much more this month as I've loved the lighter, less bold brow look this month. 

Onto skincare and I have two gorgeous products from Jurlique which not only look so fancy and luxe but they are lovely to use. First up, the Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Revitalising Gel Lotion and the Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist; both products smell lovely, they are effective and don't irritate my skin. I particularly love the balancing mist as a hydrating spray before applying makeup and to refresh my skin throughout the day. I will have a full review of these products on my blog this week!

Last but not least, I have a bodycare favourite from Yves Rocher which has been in a favourites post before! The Yves Rocher Silky Cream is one of my favourite body lotions, it smells incredible and it leaves my skin SO smooth/soft. The final favourite for April is The Library of Fragrance Baby Powder Cologne, it does smell like sweet baby powder/talc which I have been loving as a linen spray. I have recently been loving the The Library of Fragrance Thunderstorm Cologne too which is very fresh and it smell like freshly cut grass to me. Both colognes are definitely more long lasting than all of the other Library of Fragrance colognes I've tried. 

What have been your beauty favourites for the month of April? Do you own any of these products, if so do you love them as much as I do?

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Personalised Gifts From Wrappz

I have a few friends birthdays in May and fathers day in the UK isn't too far away and one of the most personal, special gifts that you can give are those that are unique and personalised. I love receiving personalised gifts as to be honest, there are rarely products with the name Heather on them! The lovely people at Wrappz kindly provided me with a voucher and I chose and personalised two gift ideas which I'm pretty impressed by *if I do say so myself*

The first product I chose/made is the *Wrappz Ceramic White 11oz Mug (£7.95) and I have to admit something...I'm a mug addict! I have a slight massive obsession with mugs and I can't stop buying them. The Wrappz mug is dishwasher safe although it is advised to hash wash the mug. This mug is even more special as it has photos of our holiday to Venice printed around it! The photos are all from 2011 so the quality wasn't great to start with but they were printed well and true to colour. I made the collage on Picasa then uploaded it onto the website which was very easy. I will be giving this mug to my mum, Venice was one of our favourite places that we've been lucky enough to visit!

I also chose the *Wrappz Tea Towel (£11.45) which I made as a fathers day present (I know I'm a bit early but I love being organised and I actually love picking presents for others). The tea towel is 100% cotton and approx. 60cm x 50cm which is MASSIVE - it's almost twice the size of the tea towels we already have. The material feels really durable and long lasting. I followed on with the holiday theme and I created this collage on Picasa using photos from our holidays in Rome, Florence and Vatican City. I then used the text tool on the Wrappz website to add in the text. The photos are a little blurry but the photos are still true to colour and vivid. 

Overall, I'm so happy with both products and I think they would make fantastic, unique personalised gifts. In my opinion the prices are reasonable. They also sell personalised aprons (I'm gonna want one of those!), jewellery boxes, phone cases/skins, wall art and more!

Have you bought anything from Wrappz? Have you given/received any personalised gifts?

*Use the code FBFAN20 for 20% off any order and using the code FREESKIN will give you free personalised skins for phones*

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Month in Photos: April 2015 & Thank You

I haven't published a 'month in photos' post for SO long as I just haven't had a space in my blogging schedule, other posts just take precedence over month in photos posts. This month has consisted of baking (lots of baking), moon photos, missing amazing space/weather/moon events, exciting brand collaborations, meeting up with friends and family, spring cleaning and really bad hayfever and an eczema flare up! Also the best news, I reached over 2,000 followers on bloglovin yesterday! 

Over the past couple of months we have had a solar eclipse, the northern lights and the lyrid meteor shower - I missed ALL of them! I would have loved to see any of them and I'm so jealous of all the amazing photos that appeared on social media from Manchester/Northern England showing these amazing space/weather events *cries forever*. Although I have managed to get a few gorgeous photos of the moon and venus, if you follow me on Instagram (heathernixon4) you may have seen them already.

I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing brands this month such as House of Fraser (here), Jurlique (here), Flamingo Gifts (here) and Manuka Yoga (here) as well as others. I have a few more exciting brand collaborations soon and I'm particularly excited about a Newlook feature which may be live in May. 

My diet and healthy eating was kind of left behind this month as I've made three lemon meringue pies and I ate almost half each time...oops. They aren't super unhealthy but they are definitely not health food by any stretch of the imagination! I've also been loving fries, Quorn nuggets, Ferrero Rocher chocolates and lattes so much more this month. Healthy eating starts tomorrow...maybe. 

For me the upcoming month is going to be a little busier and exciting as I have a couple of friends birthday parties, girly catch ups and shopping trips planned. Sadly one of my best friends is moving away in May so we are having a leaving party. Also in May I will have been a vegetarian for...11 YEARS, I cannot believe it has gone by so quickly.

Just a little note: The Will of Iron triathlon week is starting on the 2nd May to 8th May but you can take part in the event all year round. It costs £25 to take part in the triathlon. Money raised all year round goes to Willow a charity that provides special days for seriously ill people aged 16 - 40. I'm not taking part this year as basicallyI have no stamina and I probably wouldn't finish - although you can take part as part of a team!

Last but not least I wanted to say thank you to everyone that reads, comments and follows my little blog. Blogging is a hobby that I love so much! When I started blogging I had no idea how much it would mean to me almost three years down the line. My blog will be 3 years old in May *cries like a proud parent* and I'm going to have a big international beauty giveaway to celebrate so stay tuned. 

What were your highlights of April? What are your looking forward to in May?

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Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Range

Jurlique is a brand that I have seen quite a lot of in the blogging community, I always read rave reviews of their products. I was very kindly sent a couple of products to test. I did have a rather massive eczema flare up before using these products so they sent me some samples of their Calendula Redness Rescue Serum and Soothing Moisturising Cream both of which were gorgeous and calming - if I was going to try more from Jurlique, I would have to pick up more from the redness rescue line. 

Can we take a moment to appreciate the gorgeous packaging of Jurlique products, I adore the frosted glass bottles/tub, the flowers on the boxes and the simple but beautiful presentation *heart eyes emoji*. 

I have the *Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Revitalising Gel-Lotion (£32, 50ml); I think the Rose Moisture Plus range is one of their newer lines. The packaging is so luxe and fancy, I think it would make a visually stunning gift! As you can tell from the name, the product smells like roses which won't be everyones cup of tea but I do like the scent on the whole. The moisturiser has such an unusual texture and consistency, it looks like a cloudy white jelly but on the skin it feels like a lotion-oil hybrid, in my opinion. You can't scoop out the product, it's too jelly like, I just dab my finger into the moisturiser to pick up the product. It feels VERY smoothing, cooling and nourishing when applied and it does almost feel like a light oil on the skin but it absorbs fairly quickly. This moisturiser keeps my skin well moisturised, smooth and it doesn't irritate my skin at all. Overall, I think it is a fantastic and very unique moisturiser! 

Next up is the *Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist (£18, 50ml) which also has the turkish delight/rose scent. I have used it a couple of times as a toner but mostly I've used it before applying my makeup - I started doing this on a whim and now I love it. The mist adds a boost of hydration and slip for the foundation; I spray the mist 2/3 times on my face and then I apply my foundation. The mist leaves my skin looking hydrated and luminous and it adds those properties to my foundation. I also think it would be great in the summer months as a refreshing facial spray. Overall, another unique but effective product. 

Overall, I loved all of the samples and products I have tried. I love the Jurlique packaging, ingredients, ethos and the actual products are not only lovely to use but they work so well for my dry, sensitive skin. I think the moisture plus range would be great for those with normal, dry or sensitive skin and the redness rescue range would be amazing for those with super sensitive skin which is what my skin is like when I have an eczema flare up. Jurlique products and even samples have the expiration date printed on the bottom of the bottle/tub which is fantastic as it's difficult to know when to should throw away a skincare product as they can last for a while. I definitely have my eye on more Jurlique products now and I think they would make gorgeous, generous gifts! Here's my mini Jurlique wish list:

Have you tried anything from Jurlique? If so, what are your favourite products?

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Quirky Gift Ideas With Flamingo Gifts

When it comes to gift giving some of the best and most exciting gifts I have received have been a bit on the quirky, unique side. I also love to give gifts that are a bit different, unique and something that the recipient probably wouldn't have or expect. I was kindly sent a few quirky and cute gifts from the lovely people at Flamingo Gifts. 

Firstly, we have a gift idea for all the stationary nerds out there *you know who you are, the people with 12 notebooks along with the need to buy more*. I have the *Happy Jackson London A5 (£7.99), this notebook is currently out of stock on the website but there are other Happy Jackson notebooks to choose from. I love the cute but simplistic design and the text on the front which reads 'Great Ideas, Cunning Plans' which I think would be a great, unisex gift. 

Another gift idea from the Happy Jackson range is the *Happy Jackson Instant Genius Glasses Case (£8.99) which again has the same bright, simple design as all the other cute Happy Jackson products have. I personally love this case and I think it will last a long time because it is a hard case and it feels really durable. The inside lining is bright yellow so the notebook and glasses case would be a great gift combo. I think this case would be a great fathers day gift (yes, I am super organised and early on it this year). 

Last but not least, the *Bring On The Bake Off Mug (£8) which I have to say is one of my favourite mugs on their website. Myself, my mum, my sister, my aunties, cousins and most of my friends are massive fans of baking and the tv show The Great British Bake Off so this would be the perfect mug for SO many people! The design is clearly printed on both sides of the mug and it just looks so darn cute!

Overall, I love the products I was kindly sent and I think they are great, unique unisex gifts! There are so many products to choose from on the Flamingo Gifts website - you will find something for everyone from cupcake flavoured toothpaste, jewellery holders, bacon soap, candles, jewellery, books, cushions, greetings cards, baking accessories and even breaking bad theme bath products as well as many many more gift ideas! I want one of the Pyro Pet Candles, I haven't seen anything like them before. Flamingo Gifts have 1p first class delivery on all orders, how amazing is that!!

I have quite a few birthdays and events coming up over the next two months as well as fathers day; here is my Flamingo Gifts wish list & other gift ideas:

Have you bought anything from Flamingo Gifts? What do you think of my gift ideas?

*I've just reached 2,000 followers on Bloglovin, thank you so much*

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Manuka Yoga Eco Luxury Yoga Mat + Block

If you follow me on twitter or instagram then you may have already seen this exciting delivery from the lovely people at Manuka Yoga. I have been starting to get into yoga properly over the past few months and I have been loving it, even though I only do it at home, I'm noticing benefits! 

I have the *Manuka Yoga Eco Luxury Yoga Mat (£38) which is the first yoga mat I've ever had and I'm wondering why I didn't pick one up before! It is eco friendly as it is made of non-toxic materials and it's free from ozone depleting materials too. The mat is bigger than I initially expected, it's approximately 63cm by 183cm and it has a thickness of 0.6cm. I love the little details of the mat including the stitched label and the ribbon tie which holds the mat rolled up and secure until it's used again. Even though the mat is fairly lightweight and thin, it makes such a difference in terms of padding and comfort while standing, sitting and especially lying down. I've been using it every time I use my at home yoga dvds and I don't know why I haven't pick up a yoga mat before; it's such a simple accessory but it is essential, in my opinion. 

I also have the *Manuka Yoga Eco Yoga Block (£10) which is something I have never thought of using but I've personally found it really useful. The block and the mat are both latex free and they are made from eco friendly materials which is always a extra positive. The block can be used three different ways - at it's tallest, one it's side and laid flat so there are three different heights. I find that some days I'm not as flexible or I'm struggling with a certain pose, the block acts as a balancing factor and because of the three different heights, I can adjust it to my needs that day. It's not something I would use on a daily basis but when I need some help or if I'm starting a new or harder pose then I can use the block for extra stability. 

Overall, I'm really happy with both products, especially the mat and I love the quality of the products as well as the eco friendly ethos of the brand. I think that both the mat and block are going to last a long time! I'm a beginner and I find these products are already so useful and I have been doing my basic yoga sequences more often as I want to use the products; morning yoga is definitely the best way to start the day - it makes me feel stretched, awake and relaxed. I will have more yoga posts on my blog next month so stay tuned. If you have any beginner tips, tricks or at home dvd recommendations then leave them in the comments section below. Here is my mini Manuka Yoga wish list:

Have you bought anything from Manuka Yoga? What are your favourite yoga/fitness accessories?

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Get Summer Ready With Yves Rocher

As you may know, Yves Rocher is one of my favourite brands! I love the makeup, fragrances, bodycare and haircare products that I have tried from Yves Rocher. I was kindly given the opportunity to try some Yves Rocher summer products from the lovely people at Baobella. 

The product that instantly caught my eye was obviously the *Yves Rocher Monoi De Tahiti Precious Dry Oil (£8.50 sale, 100ml) which is basically shimmery sunshine in a bottle! The dry oil comes in a glass bottle which isn't great for travelling but it looks and feels very luxe and pricy. The oil can be used on the body and hair to add moisture, illumination and it can emphasise a tan. The oil feels very smooth and silky and the glitter is quite fine but noticeable. The oil on the skin is a little too much in terms of shine/shimmer but when used in a very specific area it is effective and looks gorgeous - just use very sparingly. When used in the hair it looks so shiny and healthy although as with any oil, if you use too much it will make your skin/hair look very greasy. Overall rating: ✭✭✭✭✩. 

Another product from the Monoi de Tahiti range is the *Yves Rocher Monoi De Tahiti Lagoon Hair & Body Wash (£1.95 sale, 150ml). It smells slightly similar to the oil however this scent is far stronger. To me it smells like tropical flowers and very sugary sweets; it is quite summery and refreshing. I haven't used it as a shampoo but it is great as a body wash - it doesn't irritate my skin, it lathers very well and it doesn't dry out my skin. Overall rating: ✭✭✭✭✩. 

The next product is one that I have noticed a few times while browsing their website - the *Yves Rocher Radiant Rinsing Vinegar (£5.65 sale, 150ml). It's a bit of an unusual product, I haven't seen anything like it before. The product is to be used just before you rinse your hair for the last time after washing. It smells incredible, like raspberry sweets I had as a child (it doesn't smell anything like vinegar, if you were wondering). I have to apply the product directly to my hair rather than in my hands as it is very runny; it doesn't do anything when applied to the hair or when rinsed out. However when my hair is dry, it is definitely smoother, softer and shinier than normal. It doesn't make my hair look greasy or dry and it doesn't weigh my hair down at all. Overall rating: ✭✭✭✭✭. 

Lastly, the *Yves Rocher Delicate Cleansing Cream (£3.45 sale, 200ml). To be honest I didn't know what this product was when it arrived but there is actually an interesting concept behind it. This 'cleansing cream' was inspired by the 'no pow' no shampoo method in the US whereby instead of using a regular shampoo, you use one that contains cleansing agents so it is supposed to be less harsh, less stripping to the hair. This shampoo doesn't lather up at all - it doesn't contain sulphates, silicones, colourants or parabens (so no SLS which is great and probably one of the reasons it doesn't lather). It is very usual using a shampoo that doesn't lather at all, it feels like I'm using conditioner to wash my hair. The shampoo does seem to clean my hair but it also feels almost over moisturised and my hair became a little greasy quicker than normal. Overall rating: ✭✭✭✩✩. 

Overall, I love Yves Rocher products on the whole, the rinsing vinegar and precious dry oil are my favourite products from this set. While I think the cleansing cream would be fantastic for a lot of people, it wasn't as great as I expected it to be. I would definitely recommend the Yves Rocher fragrances, makeup, haircare and bodycare I've tried on the whole, it is a great affordable brand. 

Have you tried any of these products from Yves Rocher? What are your  favourites from Yves Rocher?

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Essence Day to Night Challenge

Essence is one of my favourite cheaper makeup brands since they launched in the UK back in July last year (I was very kindly invited to the launch in manchester which was amazing and I received a gigantic bag of goodies to try - best blogger event ever!). I have been challenged to create a day to night look using only Essence products as as few products as possible...as with my previous Essence challenge I did cheat a little bit!

Here is my first look, the day time look which features a shimmery nude eyeshadow, glossy pink lips, light coverage and a tonne of mascara for a bright eyed, fresh look!

Firstly, I used the Essence CC Clear & Correct Cream in the shade Natural which I believe is the lightest shade - I had to use it VERY sparingly as it is far too dark for my pale skin tone. To add coverage and to match my skin better, I cheated and used the Essence Stay All Day Concealer in 10 Natural Beige which matches my skin pretty perfectly. It's a shame that the concealers are light enough but Essence don't made foundations/CC creams in lighter shades. 

Next up the eyes, I used an Essence product that I hadn't tried before, the Essence 3D Eyeshadow in 08 Irrisistable Vanilla Latte. I used the creamy shade all over the lid, brow bone and inner corner for a light wash of shimmer and it really brightens the eyes. For mascara I used the Essence Get Big Lashes Volume Curl Mascara in Black which is amazing for definition and length, in my opinion. For brows I actually used the Essence Long-lasting Eye Pencil in 02 Hot Chocolate which is matte and when used very lightly, can be great as a brow pencil - just brush through otherwise it will look crazy!

To finish the look I used the Essence lipstick in 44 Almost Famous. You could use this shade as a creamy blush if you wanted. You could also set the makeup with the incredibly amazing Essence Fixing Powder which I will always re-purchase. Now onto my night look using the same five/six products from Essence. 

This look is great if you already have your day makeup on and you need a couple of products to transform your look quickly and easily. To change up the day look, I used the Essence Long-lasting Eye Pencil in 02 Hot Chocolate to line the lower and upper lash lines as well as the lower waterline for definition. Blend with a brush or your fingers. To finish the eyes, I add more shimmer with the peachy shade from the Essence 3D Eyeshadow. 

To finish the look I add more of the Essence Lipstick in 44 Almost Famous which is a pretty pinky red shade. It is quite glossy and it is perfect for spring/summer. Again you could top up with the Essence Fixing Powder. 

Overall, I love Essence products, they are amazing especially for the price! You can easily create a couple of day and night looks with only five/six products. I would have loved to add more products such as brow gel and contouring but you can easily create a day or night look with so few products. You can buy Essence products from select Wilkinsons stores and on the Wilkinsons website. 

What do you think of the day and night look I created? What are your favourite products from Essence? 

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Spring Cleaning + Allergy Awareness Week

Spring is finally here which means glorious sunshine, lighter evenings and the prospect of summer which is fantastic, unless you have allergies/hayfever as I do. Spring blooms, sunshine and April showers are perfect for the garden but not so great if your immune system thinks that harmless pollen particles are dangerous - in other words, if you suffer from hayfever. I have only developed hayfever over the past couple of years. I personally have a stuffy/tingling nose, headaches, irritated sinuses and sneezing. As well as hayfever/allergy tablets and nasal sprays, another way to reduce hayfever and allergy symptoms is to do a full spring clean! 

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology suggests washing bed linen in hot water once a week, hanging washing inside rather than outside as pollen may stick to it and checking your home for mould/mildew as mould can elicit similar symptoms to hayfever. Replacing or cleaning air filters/air conditioning vents and window vents as well as deep cleaning upholstery/carpets will help remove pollen and dust, in turn reducing annoying allergy symptoms. 

Keeping doors and windows open will bring pollen particles into your home, so keep them closed during peak pollen times - check your local weather forecast online as it may state the pollen count. Not only will a spring clean help reduce the amount of pollen in your home but it is great to refresh your surroundings. 

Also spring cleaning, using non-toxic products will help if you suffer from other allergies, as well as hayfever, such as dust mite allergies and asthma. Remember to wear gloves/protective clothing to prevent drying out the skin and potentially irritating the skin. I find that wearing gloves and washing my hands often can make my hands even drier so keeping the skin moisturised helps prevent dryness and tightness - the *Boots Botanics Anti-Ageing Hand Cream not only hydrates the skin but it leaves my skin smooth and soft, however it doesn't absorb as quickly as I would personally like. 

I was very kindly sent a range of spring cleaning products from Time4Sleep including the *Flash Febreze Wipes, *Mr Muscle Active Capsules, *Dettol Multipurpose Complete Clean Kitchen Cleaner, *Marigold Cleaning Gloves as well as cleaning cloths and scourers.  The wipes and kitchen cleaner smell fresh and spring like! Spring cleaning is not just about cleaning products but also making your home more homely and adding spring scents and colours which not only look pretty but also have an uplifting effect on your mood. Candles are lovely home additions, I have the *Wax Lyrical Soft Cotton Candle which smells so fresh, clean and comforting. Drawer liners and scent sachets are also great; the *Wax Lyrical Jelly Belly Toasted Marshmallow Small Room Air Fresher smells like very sweet marshmallow and it's quite strong so I think the fragrance will last for quite a while. 

Overall, if you suffer from hayfever, dust mite allergies, asthma or if you are allergic to pet dander then spring cleaning your home will definitely help reduce your symptoms. Also changing up your home decor seasonally is always uplifting and refreshing - candles, diffusers and other home fragrance is a great way of injecting some spring freshness into your home. 

The online bed retailer Time4Sleep conducted an independent survey into the nation’s cleaning habits in aid of Allergy Awareness Week. The research found that 57% of Brits are failing to take precautions against dust mites in their homes, despite their potential to cause allergic reactions - producing symptoms that are similar to hayfever. Check out the time4sleep blog for more allergy information, here.

For more information about Allergy Awareness Week (20th - 26th April), check out the Allergy UK website, here.

Do you suffer from allergies/hayfever? Are you spring cleaning your home? Do you have any allergies/spring cleaning tips & tricks? 

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Uspicy 32 Piece Brush Set

I am a bit of a makeup and makeup brush hoarder, I always need more! I have already reviewed a brush set from Uspicy (here) and I really liked it although the quality wasn't amazing; however this new set is amazing! I have the massive *Uspicy Complete 32 Piece Essential Makeup Brush Set With Travel Pouch (£39.99) and I've been loving it. 

Lets get the negatives out of the way, I personally don't like the faux crocodile effect on the pouch and the brush set contains sponge tip applicators which I am not interested in using at all and I don't find them to be useful. Also there seem to be a lot of the same types of brushes and there is only one brush that I could use for foundation in the whole set. 

In the set there are severn face brushes, three of which would be great for powder including two fan brushes - I have wanted to try a fan brush for a while and the massive fan brush in this set is fantastic for powder and contouring as it is quite thin and fits into the hollow of my cheeks well. The fan brushes are also great for removing fall down. The other three would be great for blush, powder, contouring and bronzer as they are all quite similar. The last face brush is a small, fairly dense brush which is great applying foundation to give light coverage. All of the face brushes are incredibly smooth, soft and they don't pull the skin. Unlike the previous set I have reviewed, there is no gap between the ferrel and bristles so the quality of this new set has definitely improved!

Now onto the eye brushes...there are ten brushes that I would describe as flat shadow brushes, at least four that could be eyeshadow smudging brushes, four lip brushes, two 'nose contouring' brushes and a thin liner brush. There are also two sponge applicators, a lash/brow brush and a spoolie. Yes, thats a lot of brushes and there are no fluffy blending brushes. I feel as though I will get so much use out of all the brushes, they are really smooth/soft and the quality is fantastic but there are so many brushes that are similar; I wish there were fluffy blending brushes or more liner brushes. 

Overall, I have been using the face and some of the eye brushes a lot since I received this set. The quality is so much better than the previous set I reviewed. The brushes are SO soft/smooth, easy to use, effective and so far they haven't shed but I am yet to wash them. My overall rating so far: ★★★★☆ 4/5 - one star off as a lot of the brushes are repeats/similar. 

Have you tried any brushes from Uspicy? What are your favourite brush brands?

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Summer Accessories ft. Orelia Jewellery

I am a simplistic but elegant and unique jewellery kind of girl, I am not a massive fan of big statement pieces so Orelia Jewellery is the perfect for me! All Orelia Jewellery pieces are so beautifully made and designed. I have already reviewed a couple of pieces from their Into The Light Collection, here. I was very kindly sent another couple of necklaces via EtailPR. 

I have the *Orelia Jewellery Semi Precious Bar Necklace (£20) which is composed of base metals and semi precious stones so each one is slightly different. The necklace is a little shorter than I thought it would be, it sits a couple of centimetres below my collarbone so it is a bit on the shorter side. The stone is so beautiful, I adore the colour for spring/summer and I love the combination of the gold chain and almost pastel blue marbled stone. 

I also have the *Orelia Jewellery Two Row Spear & Disc Necklace (£28) - I cannot find this necklace on the website anymore. The necklace has a fine chain with a spear/arrowhead on the end and a longer bobbly chain with a gold disc and turquoise ball on the end. I love the design, I think it is so summery! The necklace is quite long on me as I am petite. The gold disc has a hammered effect which I love, it makes it more rustic and handmade looking. 

Overall, both necklace are gold which is not usually my style but they are so summery, unique and they would be pretty paired with a white tee, skinny distressed jeans and heels or boots! Orelia Jewellery tends to be very high quality. It can be bought online, through Asos or in Topshop stores. 

Have you bought anything from Orelia Jewellery? What do you think of these necklaces?

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BellaElla 12 Piece Argan Oil Set

Argan oil has become such a popular product over the past year so when the lovely people at BellaElla asked if I wanted to try their *Complete 12 Piece Argan Oil Set (£39.99) I couldn't wait to try the products as I am a big fan of oils, particularly argan and moroccan oils. Firstly, I like the packaging, it is practical and simple although not the most attractive colour choice if I'm honest!

The first product I tried was the *Hand and Body Wash (300ml) which comes with a pump which is very handy. I've only used it as a hand wash and it is great! I love the scent, it smells fresh and fruity but it isn't too strong. It doesn't irritate my eczema and it also doesn't dry out my skin. Myself and my sister have been using it consistently and we both really like it; another product from the range that I have been using very frequently is the *Shower Cream (250ml). It has a similar scent, it is very pleasant and it lathers well although it is very runny so there is a lot of product waste unless you are careful. 

Sticking with the body care theme, the *Argan Oil Body Butter (250ml) has to be my favourite product from the range. The body butter smells different to some of the other products which is a little unusual as they are all in the same range. The body butter smells like baby powder which I personally really like as it is very fresh and clean smelling. The body butter absorbs fairly quickly and it leaves my skin hydrated and SO soft, I love it! 

Onto the haircare, I have the *Argan Oil Shampoo (250ml) and the *Argan Oil Conditioner (250ml) both of which smell fruity and fresh. The shampoo is a little thin/runny but both products work really well with my dry, frizz prone, thick hair although if I don't wash out the conditioner well enough, it can leave my hair a tiny bit greasy. The stand out hair product from this range for me is the *Hydrating Hair Mask (220ml); I love hair masks and treatments, I try to use them as often as I can as my hair is dry and also colour treated so it need more TLC. The mask, again smells really fresh an fruity, it applies so quickly and easy. I always apply hair masks/treatments to DRY hair as they are just more effective and I usually leave them on for at least one hour before washing my hair. The mask helps hydrate, tame frizz and smooth my hair - it isn't my favourite mask but it is effective and inexpensive. 

The last product in the haircare range is the *Heat Defence Leave In Spray (150ml) which I have to admit is a product I don't use very often as I don't use that much heat on my hair and when I do I usually forgot to apply heat defence sprays...oops! The product sprays fairly evenly, it is quick to use and it does't make my hair weighed down or greasy although as with all hair products if you use too much then it may do. Heat defense sprays are a bit of an unusual product as you usually can't tell if they are working.

As for the last four products, I personally haven't been able to use them so far because I had a massive and unexpected eczema flare up. So my sister has been testing out the *Cleansing Wipes which come in a pack of 30. She likes them as they are so quick and easy to use, they don't irritate her skin and they are great for on the go however they do dry out her skin. I haven't been able to test the *Night Repair Serum but my sister is currently trailing it - the benefits of having a beauty blogger as a sister! Last but not least, the *Hand and Foot Packs which are gloves and socks which contain a moisturising solution inside. You put on the gloves and socks then wait for 20 minutes, they sound fantastic and I think they would be great for travelling. My mum tried both and she loved the scent, they made her skin smooth and moisturised although she said they were very cooling, almost too much so but they would be amazing in the summer!

Overall, there are some fantastic products in this set such as the body butter (which I love) along with the hair mask and shampoo/conditioner - my sister has been using the shampoo/conditioner as well and she loves them. However the wipes and shower cream are a little bit of a miss sadly. On the whole I think it would be a great set for students moving away from home as it contains so many products and the set isn't too pricy, especially considering how many full size products you receive. I think it could also be great for new mums as a pamper pack. My sister still needs to test out the serum. I've tried the *Hair Treatment (100ml) and I really like it as it is smoothing and it comes in a pump bottle so it's quick/easy to use.

Have you tried any of these products or others from Bella Ella? What are your favourite pamper products?

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My Little Dream Box (April 2015)

My Little Box is the only subscription box I am currently subscribed to and in my opinion it is by far the best! I have received about four/five boxes from them now (they are around £13 per month) and some have been better than others but on the whole it is such a pleasant surprise to see what is inside. This months box is the best yet!

This months box is the 'dream' box and it contains three beauty items, one accessory and one lifestyle product. The My Little Boxes are always so beautifully packaged and so pinterest worthy but this one is even better! You get a magazine in the box as you always do but this time it is a pull out sheet rather than an actual magazine, I'm not a fan but that is the only negative in this box. 

The three beauty items are: My Little Beauty Repairing Hair Mask For Dry Ends (£7, 100ml), Nominoe Gentle Foam Cleanser (£21, 150ml - 50ml included) and the Loved By Lou Lesage Baume Rouge Velour which is a red tinted lip balm. I only received my box yesterday so I haven't tried any of the products but they all look great!

Now onto the accessory, it came in an adorable cloud pouch! The award for the best packaging ever definitely goes to My Little Box! Cut out a corner of the cloud and there is a gorgeous gold coin necklace with a coral cord from Delphine Parienne X My Little Box (£20) which is just adorable. I'm wearing the necklace now, it's perfect for spring/summer as it is simple and classic but it has some colour to it. It easy to wear, it is light weight and comfortable. It has 'Bonne Etoile' print on one side and the designers name on the other. 

Last but not least, my favourite item that I have ever received in a subscription box...It's a rubber stamp (£8) which has 12 different rotations such as 'made with love', 'To do', 'merci beaucoup' and more. The stamp also comes with a pad of black ink too. I cannot wait to start using it *stationary nerd*

Overall, I think this is one of the best subscription boxes I've ever received! I am so happy with everything, especially the necklace and stamp/ink which I will be using very soon. 

Have you tried My Little Box? What do you think of this months 'dream' box?

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My Trusty Sunflower Face + Body Oil

If you've been following my blog for a while, you may know that I have been loving all of the body care products that the brand My Trusty Sunflower have brought out over the past few months. I have reviewed their lavender hand cream (here) and more recently I have reviewed their body butter (here). I love both products and they have made it into monthly favourites posts, so when they released a face and body oil I had to try it! 

The *My Trusty Sunflower Face & Body Oil (£12.99, 50ml) contains so many lovely natural ingredients such as sunflower seed oil, rosemary leaf oil, grape seed oil and fruit oils. I have been using this oil both as a face and body oil, however mostly for the body. TMI alert, I have been shaving my legs a lot more recently as I'm trying out a HPL permanent hair removal system and after shaving I have been covering my legs in this oil and it has definitely helped add the moisturise to my skin and it's been reducing the irritation and flakiness. 

The oil absorbs very quickly, I was surprised at how quickly it absorbs. It also smells amazing as all of the My Trusty Sunflower products do and it is lovely to apply. The oil feels very smoothing and nourishing but it isn't heavy or greasy. The oil absorbs very effectively, so much so that I have been adding a couple of drops to my daily hand cream (the Yes! Nurse hand cream) to make it even more nourishing but I can start typing again soon after massaging it into the skin. 

I have been using it on my face as well and it doesn't irritate my eczema at all. I either use it before my moisturiser or I mix it with my moisturiser and it just adds a boost of hydration, leaving my skin smooth and moisturised. I cannot recommend this oil enough, even the packaging is great; also as with all My Trusty Sunflower products, the purchase of these products supports NHS patient care. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

Have you tried this oil? Have you tried any products from My Trusty Sunflower? 

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House of Fraser Beauty Confidential Offer

I have a confession to make...I didn't own any of the infamous Urban Decay naked palettes *bad beauty blogger* until now! The Urban Decay naked palettes have an almost cult beauty product status and following, especially in the blogging world. It is no surprise that all three Urban Decay naked palettes are included in the House of Fraser top beauty products offer! 

The *Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (£38) is the rose gold, pink toned palette of the three and it is definitely a winner for spring. The shades range from a gorgeous creamy matte highlight, shimmery pink toned champagnes and mink shades to bronze, taupe and purple shades so there is something for everyone. I have to admit, the very pink shades will not look amazing on my very fair, pink toned skin but all of the other shades are just gorgeous. The shadows are pigmented, buttery smooth and I love the inclusion of mattes which isn't always the case with eyeshadow palettes as they tend to be shimmer, shimmer, shimmer! I will have a full review with various looks on my blog within the next few weeks so stay tuned!

The palette also comes with a double ended brush which is actually very soft and useful with a flat shadow brush on one end and a fluffy blending brush on the other. It makes the palette even more travel friendly with a good range of shades for day or night, a handy brush and it is all contained in strong, durable packaging - it's the perfect package. You receive a sample sachet of four of the Urban Decay primer potions (original, sin, eden and the anti-ageing primer) in with the palette too which is a fantastic and welcome addition as I haven't tried most them before. Also the packaging is rose gold. Enough said. *heart eye emoji*

The Urban Decay naked palettes are £38 but as they are included in the Beauty Confidential offer at House of Fraser for a limited time, they will have £10 of the price when you purchase any of the 30 products in the offer for full price which is a fantastic deal. There are so many cult status and high end products in the offer which are usually not discounted including products from Bobbi Brown, Giorgio Armani, YSL, Creme de la Mer and more! Here are my picks from the Beauty Confidential offer:

Do you have any of the Urban Decay naked palettes? 

Have you purchased anything from the House of Fraser beauty confidential offer - if not, be quick as it ends on the 19th! 

*affiliate link 

Update - I don't have affiliate accounts anymore 

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Moroccan Oil Curl Control Mousse

I am a big fan of the brand Moroccan Oil, I love the hair oil as well as their anti-frizz spray. I also have quite a few of their masks/treatments and conditioners on my wish list so when this Moroccan Oil product landed on my doorstep from Hairtrade I was so excited to try it and as I have such high regard for their products I thought this one would be another hit but sadly it was far from it.

I have the *Moroccan Oil Curl Control Mousse (£14.85, 150ml) which claims to tame and define curls, fight frizz, seals in moisture and provides hold - to me it sounds too good to be true. Firstly, I love the packaging, it is bright, colourful but practical and it contains an easy to use, mess free pump dispenser. The scent of the mousse is similar to the other Moroccan Oil products I've tried, it's gorgeous and musky!

The first time I used this mousse, I washed my hair as normal and I applied a generous amount to my towel dried hair as stated on the bottle. While applying it made my hair feel a little bit tacky and sticky as though I had just sprayed hairspray into my hair but I continued and distributed the mousse into the midlengths and ends of my hair while scrunching. I always wash my hair in the evening and sleep with it damp as I don't have to use heat on my hair. When dry my hair felt damp slightly still as well as tacky, sticky and dirty as though I hadn't even washed my hair last night! 

I still need to try using this product differently, using less mousse, for example, but so far I am very disappointed especially as I have such high hopes for this brand as I love Moroccan Oil products on the whole. 

Have you tried any products from Moroccan Oil? Have you tried this curl mousse?

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1 Skirt, 3 Ways Ft. George @ Asda #LetsGetSkirty

I was over the moon when I was asked if I wanted to take part in the #LetsGetSkirty campaign with George at Asda and I obviously said yes! I was kindly allowed to pick some items to test out; I wanted to pick items that were a bit out of my comfort zone. Here are the three spring looks I created!

Outfit One

Skirt: George Asda (size 8, £6)

Tights: George Asda (size M, £3)

Watch: George Asda (£16)

Top: George Asda (size 10, £6)

Heels: Pretty Small Shoes

I love the skirt, it is very out of my comfort zone which is why I chose it. Also skirts are more feminine, spring items rather than my usual skinny jeans! The watch is also gorgeous, it is so inexpensive but simple and pretty. I think this look would be a great smart casual look for the office or a formal occasion while still being feminine. 

Outfit Two

Skirt: George Asda (size 8, £6)

Top: George Asda (size 10, £8)

Tights: George Asda (size M, £3)

Heels: Pretty Small Shoes

This look is my favourite! To me it is quite french inspired because of the red lip and stripes *I love stripes*. I also love the clash of prints and the off the shoulder Brigitte Bardot style top. To me this outfit is more of a garden party outfit. I love the fit of the skirt and top, especially for a cheaper brand. 

 Outfit Three

Skirt: George Asda (size 8, £6)

Bag: George Asda (£14)

Tights: (size M, £3)

Heels: Pretty Small Shoes

Jumper: Topshop

Last but not least, an English weather appropriate outfit as even during spring it is still fairly chilly in Manchester! I love the combination of a fluffy oversized jumper and a monochrome flowing skirt. I also love the bag, I have wanted a bucket bag for ages and this one is perfect! It is massive so I can carry around all of the unnecessary items I insist on carrying with me! 

What do you think of my three outfits? Do you shop from George at Asda?

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