Breast Cancer Awareness Month + Giveaway
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
1. Estee Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness Dream Sold Perfume Compact (£60), 2. Creme de la Mer Limited Edition Hand Treatment (£38), 3. Aveda Breast Cancer Awareness Hand Relief (£19), 4. Astley Clarke Breast Cancer Charity Bracelet (£110), 5. Pandora Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon Charm (£35), 6. Forever21 Heart Sponges (£2.50), 7. Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Lip Balm (£3), 8. Warehouse Two Tone Floral Lace Top (£12, sale), 9. Pink Heart Mug (£7.95), 10. Sewlomax Raspberry Pop Pouch (£25), 11. Pink Tutu (£5)
Breast cancer is a topic that is quite personal to me as some of my family and friends have had breast cancer so if you can donate, fund raise, promote awareness or buy a breast cancer awareness product that would be amazing! Here are my picks from the breast cancer awareness products on the market right now - some are fairly expensive but there are more affordable options so you can donate with any of these items (a percentage or all of the money from the sale of these items goes to breast cancer charities). Let me know in the comments if you have bought any of these products!
I also have a little giveaway of pink makeup products including a Stila Breast Cancer Awareness set that I bought with my own money. The other products in the giveaway include: Essence Colour Flash Pink Mascara, Makeup Revolution Pink Gloss, Yves Rocher Mini Pink Nail Polish and a Collection Pink Lip Butter. The giveaway is UK only because shipping makeup overseas is very restricted! To enter you must be following my blog (via GFC or bloglovin) and my twitter (@ofbeautyand) account, then enter the rafflecopter form below. There will be one winner. Good luck!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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The Body Shop Blogger Evening
I was asked by the lovely Lucy from Pretty Little Things & The Cotton City (check out here blog, here) if I wanted to go to The Body Shop event at the Trafford Centre on the 16th September, I obviously said yes! Who doesn't love The Body Shop! I have a few new Body Shop items on my autumn/winter wish list such as the camomile cleansing butter, eyeshadows and the BB cream...
I met up with Lucy and we went over to The Body Shop where we were greeted by the lovely staff as well as drinks and snacks. While Lucy had her nails painted with the new Body Shop polishes, I had a skin consultation with Alicia (skin consultations are free in store). She went through all of the skin care ranges and said that the aloe range would be the best for my sensitive, eczema prone skin. She used the Camomile cleansing butter, aloe toner, aloe day cream and the new youth enhancing powder duo (the drops of youth) on my skin - all of the products were amazing on first use! Although it was quite nerve wracking having all of my makeup taken off in the store, although my skin has been behaving itself *praise the skin care gods*!
I then had a makeover by Alicia, she used the Body Shop All in One BB Cream on me in the lightest shade which was surprisingly a pretty good match for my very pale skin. She also used three of the Body Shop shadows on me (golden cinnamon, coco deluxe and a golden shade). I didn't think that I could really pull off cranberry shades but it looked amazing, I wasn't too sure at first but I loved the way it looked in the end! I definitely need to look into cranberry, autumnal shades as they did make the green in my eyes stand out. Alicia based my makeup on AW14 makeup trends and autumnal shades. She also used the new InstaBlur Eye as well as the new Smoky 2 in 1 Eyeliner which can also be used on the brows - it was nice a liner but not so great for the brows in my opinion!
Overall, it was a great little event and I was able to see how the new makeup and skincare products would work on me as well as discovering a new autumnal eyeshadow look. Thanks to Lucy and The Body Shop, I definitely need a Body Shop haul soon!
Review: Alexi Accessories Circle Necklace
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
Back in august I became an Alexi Accessories affiliate, you may have noticed the button on my blog sidebar. I was kindly allowed to pick an item to review and as I have a little...massive obsession with rose gold, I had to pick a gorgeous rose gold necklace! For more information about Alexi Accessories, click here.
I have the *Alexi Accessories Hollow Circle Rose Gold Necklace (£46.50) which is made of sterling silver with a 24 carat rose gold vermeil plating and micro set cubic zirconia. The necklace came gorgeously packages in a gift box with a ribbon, it would make a pretty Christmas present (yes, I used the C word in October!).
I love the little details such as the beautiful contrast in colour between the stones and the rose gold circle and chain; also the tag on the chain has Alexi embossed on it which looks so cute. I love the hollow circle design, it is unique and feminine as well as being simple and elegant. I have been wearing it casually with skater dresses or skinny jeans, jumpers and boots. It adds a understated sparkle to casual outfits. It would also work well with formal dresses. The necklace is light weight, comfortable and it feels well made and durable despite the fairly delicate chain/design. My rating: ★★★★★, 5/5!
Overall, I love this rose gold necklace from Alexi Accessories, I have been wearing so much! The design is unique and timeless and would suit many ages/styles in my opinion. They make equally as pretty silver and gold jewellery. Alexi Accessories have a large range of stunning rose gold jewellery, I have quite a few pieces on my Christmas wish list such as the maxi solitaire stud earrings and maxi solitaire ring!
Have you bought anything from Alexi Accessories? What do you think of this necklace?
Review: Breo Lustre Grey + Rose Gold Watch
Monday, October 06, 2014
A few weeks ago I was very kindly sent a watch from the brand Breo. Breo is a UK based watch and sunglasses brand that focuses on design and unique ideas. The brands motto seems to be 'kiss bland goodbye' and this certainly resonates with their products! They offer free UK delivery and they ship worldwide. The watch was beautifully packaged when it arrived so it would make a fantastic present (yes, I am already thinking about Christmas). Here are my thoughts!
I have the *Breo Lustre Watch (Grey/Rose Gold, £30) which is water resistant to 30 ATM, it has a brushed metallic dial and buckle and it features a soft rubber strap. The watch comes in six colours combinations and I fell in love with the grey/rose gold version instantly! I love rose gold jewellery/accessories anyway but combined with the soft dove grey, it is a match made in heaven!
I have tiny wrists but this watch fits so well, it has multiple holes for the buckle so it will fit the majority of people, in my opinion. The best thing (apart from the gorgeous design/shades) is that it is so comfortable to wear all day and it doesn't rub at all. The watch is so easy to wear, it goes with a lot of my current autumnal wardrobe of chunky sweaters, rose gold necklaces (I need more rose gold in my life), skinny jeans and boots. The watch feels durable and high quality, in my opinion. The face of the watch is so eye catching, it is easy to see the time at a glance and it is easy to adjust the time if needed.
Overall, I am so happy with the Breo lustre watch! I adore the design/style, the colour combination is divine, it is very comfortable and fits my tiny wrists. The packaging and presentation of the watch is fantastic so in my opinion it would make a gorgeous Christmas/birthday present! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5!
I have tiny wrists but this watch fits so well, it has multiple holes for the buckle so it will fit the majority of people, in my opinion. The best thing (apart from the gorgeous design/shades) is that it is so comfortable to wear all day and it doesn't rub at all. The watch is so easy to wear, it goes with a lot of my current autumnal wardrobe of chunky sweaters, rose gold necklaces (I need more rose gold in my life), skinny jeans and boots. The watch feels durable and high quality, in my opinion. The face of the watch is so eye catching, it is easy to see the time at a glance and it is easy to adjust the time if needed.
Overall, I am so happy with the Breo lustre watch! I adore the design/style, the colour combination is divine, it is very comfortable and fits my tiny wrists. The packaging and presentation of the watch is fantastic so in my opinion it would make a gorgeous Christmas/birthday present! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5!
Have you bought anything from Breo? What do you this of this watch?
Review: Burts Bees Sensitive Skincare
Saturday, October 04, 2014
As well as the Burts Bees lip products I was kindly sent, I also received four full size products from the Burts Bees Sensitive Skin Range and I have been testing throughout September. I have already reviewed their lip products (which are pretty amazing), here. The sensitive range contains cotton extract and the packaging is gorgeous.
*Burts Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser (£9.99): I have been using this cleanser for just over one month now and I kind of love it. I think that it is a creamy version of the REN Hydracalm (now Evercalm) cleansing gel which I adore. The cleanser massages into the skin nicely and leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh but comfortable. I find the cleanser to be non irritating, as all of the range is, and very effective as a second cleanse after using Bioderma. Also all of this range is 99% natural. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.
*Burts Bees Sensitive Daily Moisturising Cream (£14.99): Firstly, I love the packaging for this product as it comes with a pump dispenser! The cream itself is very light, it feels refreshing and comfortable on the skin. It provides a good amount of moisture without being heavy or greasy at all. During the winter I think this moisturiser will not be as moisturising as I need it to be though. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.
*Burts Bees Sensitive Night Cream (£14.99): This night cream comes in a heavy plastic tub which does make it look and feel quite fancy but I don't like tub containers for facial skincare as I think they are not as hygienic as tubes, rant over. I think this moisturiser is fantastic, even though it is a night cream and it is more hydrating that the day cream, it still manages to feel light and fresh on the skin. It provides hydration without being heavy or greasy, it also doesn't irritate my skin. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.
*Burts Bees Sensitive Eye Cream (£14.99): I have used quite a few eye creams over the past couple of years but none of them have really wowed me and this one is similar. It is nothing ground breaking but it is an effective, non-irritating, moisturising eye cream. I love the packaging, it has a small nozzle so I am able to dispense a tiny amount of product which is fantastic. It absorbs quickly, doesn't leave the skin feeling heavy or greasy and it simply works well. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.
*Burts Bees Sensitive Daily Moisturising Cream (£14.99): Firstly, I love the packaging for this product as it comes with a pump dispenser! The cream itself is very light, it feels refreshing and comfortable on the skin. It provides a good amount of moisture without being heavy or greasy at all. During the winter I think this moisturiser will not be as moisturising as I need it to be though. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.
*Burts Bees Sensitive Night Cream (£14.99): This night cream comes in a heavy plastic tub which does make it look and feel quite fancy but I don't like tub containers for facial skincare as I think they are not as hygienic as tubes, rant over. I think this moisturiser is fantastic, even though it is a night cream and it is more hydrating that the day cream, it still manages to feel light and fresh on the skin. It provides hydration without being heavy or greasy, it also doesn't irritate my skin. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.
*Burts Bees Sensitive Eye Cream (£14.99): I have used quite a few eye creams over the past couple of years but none of them have really wowed me and this one is similar. It is nothing ground breaking but it is an effective, non-irritating, moisturising eye cream. I love the packaging, it has a small nozzle so I am able to dispense a tiny amount of product which is fantastic. It absorbs quickly, doesn't leave the skin feeling heavy or greasy and it simply works well. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.
Overall, after using this range for one month I am very happy with it, I love the eye cream and cleanser, as well as the packaging and the brands natural ethos. I would definitely recommend this range if you have sensitive skin/occasional eczema as I do.
Have you tried this range? If so what did you think of it?
Month in Photos: September
Wednesday, October 01, 2014
Well September has been a very busy month! I have been to four blogger events, helped my auntie move house, redecorated my bedroom, visited Ikea 5 times, had breakfast/lunch at Sugar Junction twice, attended my first press day, testing/testing/testing and I went to the races!
The blogger events: the first blogger event was an amazing day at St Leger's Ladies Race Day in Doncaster with Ladbrokes, Branded3 and one of my BF's Yasmin which was fantastic, it was the first race day I have ever been to - it was very fancy in the premium suite! The second blogger event was at The Body Shop in the Trafford Centre with Lucy (click here to check out her blog) and I discovered the gorgeousness of coppery eyeshadows. The third blogger event was the #fightcancerwithfashion event with Lucy at Allotment bar. The final blogger event of September was the AX Paris press day last Saturday which was a great event, I met up with the lovely Hayley (click here to check out her blog) and we received the most amazing goodie bag!
I have been really busy helping redecorate my sisters bedroom and my bedroom this month - we have been to Ikea five times! We have been building wardrobes, storage, painting, wallpapering. I didn't know I had so much stuff, I had two large boxes just for makeup...I may have a problem. I love the way my room looks now though, very clean and organised, click here to see my room makeover post. Also one of my aunties moved house in September which was quite emotional as since I was a baby I have been going to that house every week or two weeks and for Christmas/Easter so it was a bit upsetting when we were moving all of the stuff out.
Other news this month is that I have found a gorgeous new cafe/restaurant in Manchester called Sugar Junction which is on Tib Street. The field mushroom slice is heavenly and the sticky toffee pudding is to die for! Check out my instagram and twitter for more photos. Also this month I have been practising halloween makeup looks (I am super excited for halloween and christmas - especially the Boots Christmas gifts that are in stores now, I may have made a little order today!) and I have been testing so many new products! Oh and at the AX Paris event I had henna done for the first time and I LOVE it!
Just a little note: October is breast cancer awareness month so stay tuned as I will have a post all about the products you can buy which donate to breast cancer charities.. As well as a pink themed makeup giveaway ft. Stila, Essence, Yves Rocher, Collection and Makeup Revolution!
I hope everyone had a great September! Blog posts for September will include even more reviews, new product releases, halloween makeup looks, autumnal baking, blogger event posts and early christmas gift guides/wish lists!