Today is National Book Lovers Day!

It's my birthday next week *cries* which I'm not ready for! I'm going to be 24, how did that happen, I feel like I'm 20 and still in university but sadly I'm not. I used to love birthdays but now the only things I look forward to are presents and being able to use the excuse 'it's my birthday' to eat whenever I want...

Here's my ultimate birthday book wish list and to be honest, I'm leaving quite a lot off the list as my saved for later list on Amazon is almost 150 items long, the majority of which are books...I think I have a problem...the problem being that I don't have loads of space for all of the new books I want.

I have mixed feelings about summer, on the one hand, it's sunny so blog photos look great and my birthday is in August but summer also means that I have to get my pasty pale legs out *cries*. If there is one beauty routine that I hate, it's shaving but the lovely people at Wilkinson Sword might have changed my mind.

I was sent the new *Wilkinson Sword HydroSilk Bikini 2 in 1 Razor (RRP £14.99, currently half price at Boots) to test out as well as the *Hawaiian Tropic Protective Dry Oil Spray (£9.99, 180ml). The razor has five curved blades designed specifically for curves, a disguised, waterproof and compact bikini trimmer on the opposite end and a water activated moisturising serum.

I haven't tried many razors from Wilkinson Sword and with any new razor, I aways end up cutting myself with it especially around my knees and ankles (so attractive) but even from the first use, I didn't get any cuts! It's so quick and easy to use, although it does feel bulkier than my usual razors as it is a 2 in 1 product. The moisturising serum in the strips is fantastic, I didn't even need to use my shaving soap as it was so smoothing and moisturising. Overall, I'm really happy with it and I'd definitely recommend it! I've also been challenged by Wilkinson Sword to show off my best 'lelfie', I wish I had been on a gorgeous summer cruise for this 'lelfie' but sadly no, Manchester will have to do!

I also haven't tried many products from Hawaiian Tropic before but I'm always intrigued. I'm not a fan of dry oils as they usually leave my skin feeling and looking greasy but this oil absorbs so quickly and it doesn't leave my skin greasy at all which is amazing! It also smells incredible!

Even though I hate shaving, I have found some useful tips:

• Exfoliate before hand, it will make for a much closer shave - I always use sugar scrubs as they can be the most abrasive, in my opinion 
• Use a shaving soap, I didn't have to with this razor but with others I have to and I love the John Masters shaving soap (it lasts forever)
• Shaving in the bath (sorry if any of this grosses you out!) causes less irritation and dryness 
• I always body brush the days after shaving to help prevent ingrown hairs, although they always happen *cries*
• Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! 

Essence is one of my favourite makeup brands ever so I'm always excited when I'm sent more of their fantastic products! As summer is here (all at once in the UK) then it's time for some summer festival ready makeup looks using Essence products!

I was sent a range of their eyeshadows, liners and long lasting products. I've tried their waterproof mascaras and long lasting lip products already and love them. I recently published a post about the new Essence blogger secrets range which you can check out.
I have three looks for you today, all of which were created using Essence products and they are so easy to create! I love Essence liners and shadows so these were quick and easy to create. Also all of the products are so inexpensive. PS. please excuse the dark circles and I don't know why my brows are showing up as really red in the photos! #BloggerProblems

Look One:

This first look uses the following products: *2 in 1 eyeshadow and liner waterproof in the shade 01 Go Bro'nze which is a creamy bronze eyeshadow crayon that can be used as a liner and that is how I used it. I also used the *Long Lasting Eye Pencil in 05 C'est La Vie; it's a luminous silver liner that looks so nice in contrast with the warm toned bronze shade. Lastly, I used the *All Eyes On Me Mascara. This look would be great for a festival as you don't need brushes, the products are long lasting and the look only uses three products!

Look Two:

A bit more of a colourful look now, which really isn't like me as I don't do colour but I like this one! I used another *Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil but I used the shade 12 I Have A Green which is such a pretty, deep emerald green. I applied the liner and smudged it slightly then in a 90's twist, I added a few nail stickers to the corner of my eyes - who knew you could use nail stickers like this...well probably everyone but me until now. For all three looks I created I used Eylure brow products as I don't own any Essence brow products as well as the *All Eyes On Me Mascara in Black.

Look Three:

This final look is definitely my favourite as I just love classic black winged liner! I used the *Essence Liquid Ink which is an amazing liquid liner and it doesn't dry out! For some colour I added the *Essence The Velvets Shadow in 09 Bahama-Mama which is a pretty summery pastel blue shade - even though I don't really like colourful makeup, I do love the combination of black winged liner and pastel shadows on the lower lash line.

There are so many mid-season sales on now that I have managed to spend quite a lot of money on books, homeware and randomness that I don't need but really really want! The need to spend is so high and to try and calm the spending bug, I have a wish list post *although it probably won't work, oh well*.