My Holiday Essentials

As I sit down to write this post, I'm filled with a serious case of the holiday blues. Incase you didn't already know, I recently returned from a sunny week in Italy. I thought that the perfect way to get back into blogging was to share with you all some of my holiday essentials.

Makeup
When I'm on holiday, I usually prefer to stay fresh faced during the day, with just minimal makeup in the evenings if I want to look a little more done up. This year I packed the Bourjois CC Cream which provides lightweight coverage with a luminous finish, the Bourjois Cream Blush for a pop of colour on the cheeks, and the Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss in the shade 'glorious grapefruit'.

Sun Protection
A decent sunscreen is essential to ensure that the skin is fully protected against both the short and long term effects of sun exposure. This year, I used the Ambre Solaire 12 Hour Moisturising Protection Spray. The SPF 30 helped to prevent any nasty sunburn, and the spray top was perfect for fuss-free reapplication throughout the day. Alongside this, I used Benefit Dream Screen on my face and Nivea Hydro Lip Care to protect my lips. 

Hair Oil
One of my biggest holiday essentials this year was AVON's Moroccan Argan Oil. I applied a small amount of product to the ends of my hair when it was damp, and it really helped to keep my hair soft and nourished in the sun. If you're in the market for a hair oil, but don't want to take out a bank loan for one of the higher end versions, I would definitely recommend giving this more budget friendly option a try.    

Travel Size Toiletries
Whenever I'm planning to travel somewhere abroad, I always like to stock up on minis of my favourite toiletries. This means that I don't need to worry about making space in my suitcase for the full size versions, and leaves me with enough room to squeeze in as many clothes and shoes as possible. This year, I picked up the TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Shampoo and Conditioner. This lightweight combination was perfect for adding extra volume and bounce to my hair. I also packed a mini Gillette Satin Care Shaving Gel, and decanted some of my Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash into a smaller bottle. 

Sunglasses
If you're jetting off somewhere with plenty of sunshine, sunglasses are essential. Not only do they protect your eyes from harmful rays, but they are also perfect for hiding any dark under eye circles which may have been caused through jet lag or lack of sleep. I picked up my aviator style sunglasses from River Island last summer, but I found an almost identical pair here.

Let me know in the comments if you're going anywhere exciting this summer, I'd love to know what your holiday essentials are. 

Benefit Dream Screen | Review

Whilst I know how important it is that we protect our skin from sun exposure, I'm the first person to admit that I can be both lazy and forgetful when it comes to applying a facial sunscreen. When I spotted Benefit Dream Screen in the Feel Unique sale a couple of weeks ago, I decided that it was time to implement an SPF into my morning skincare routine.

Benefit Dream Screen contains SPF 45 and has a PA+++ rating. This means that it protects the skin against both UVA rays (which cause long term skin damage and ageing) and UVB rays (which cause burning). The consistency of the sunscreen itself is quite watery, but dries quickly into a silky-matte finish upon application. It feels light and comfortable on the skin, and the oil-free formula means that I'm not left looking like a greasy monster throughout the day. Unlike more traditional sunscreens, Benefit Dream Screen is completely invisible, which makes it the perfect base for makeup application. The pale blue and cork packaging matches the rest of Benefit's B.Right Skincare range, and the tiny bottle is the perfect size for throwing in your handbag for top ups throughout the day.

The bottle contains 45ml of product and you can buy it for £25 here.  

WOMF #1 | Everyday Summer Makeup

Now that we are finally starting to see some sunshine, I've been ditching the heavy coverage foundations in favour of lighter base products. The Bourjois CC Cream provides a lightweight coverage with a beautiful, luminous finish. The oil free formula means that it doesn’t look greasy on the skin, and the addition of an SPF 15 makes it the perfect base for the warmer months. To hide any blemishes and dark under eye circles, I like to use the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade vanilla. This provides medium-full coverage, but doesn't cake or crease throughout the day. I then apply a light dusting of the Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot to my t-zone. This translucent powder is perfect for setting my base makeup and helping to keep shine at bay. To add some warmth to my complexion, I've been reaching for the Body Shop Honey Bronzer. I usually shy away from bronzers in fear of resembling an Oompa-Loompa, but this one is much more buildable and less orange toned than some of the others that I’ve tried. For a pop of colour on the cheeks, the Bourjois Cream Blushes have become a staple in my summer makeup routine. 01 is a pretty peachy shade, with a cream to powder finish. Finally, to help me mimic that summer glow, I always like to apply a highlighter to the high points of my face. Benefit High Beam is a liquid highlighter which provides the most beautiful pearlescent glow, without the addition of any shimmer. 

For my eyes, I've been keeping things pretty simple with just a wash of MAC Woodwinked across the lid. I like to apply this warm gold shade with a MAC 239 brush, and then blend out the edges with a MAC 217 for a softer look. I then add plenty of the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara to my top lashes, and the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara to my bottom lashes. Finally, I like to fill in my brows with a small amount of MAC Charcoal Brown Eyeshadow for a soft, natural look.

Lips are probably the part of my makeup routine that I change up the most, but recently I've been getting a lot of wear out of the Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss in the shade Glorious Grapefruit. This peachy pink gloss is super hydrating, and doesn't feel sticky on the lips.

How have you been wearing your makeup this summer?

Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Range

After opting for a well overdue hair update a couple of months back, I wanted to find a shampoo and conditioner that would help me to mimic the appearance of thicker and more voluminous hair, without breaking the bank. Having already tried some products from the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce range before, I decided that it was worth giving the shampoo and conditioner a whirl as well. I've been using these products for a good few months now, and thought that it was time that I shared my thoughts with you all.

Texturising Spray | £6.99 
There has been a great deal of hype surrounding this product recently, with many people claiming that it is a great dupe for the Oribe Dry Texturising Spray. Whilst I was intrigued by the concept of a texturising spray, I had no intention of ever spending £39 on a hair product, so you can imagine my excitement when I spotted this more purse-friendly offering in Boots. Over the past few months, this product has become a staple in my hair styling routine. I like to apply it after I've finished styling my hair, close to the roots, but on the underneath layers. I then use my fingers to work the product in, which adds volume and texture quickly. It can also be applied to the lengths and ends of the hair to create an even more textured finish. Overall, I think that this texturising spray is perfect for achieving volume and texture effortlessly, but I have found that applying too much product can sometimes leave the hair looking a little crispy.

Body Booster Mousse | £5.99
I don't use a hair mousse on a daily basis, but if I want to achieve lasting volume and hold, I find that using a mousse really helps with this. I apply this product to towel dried hair, dispersing it evenly from the roots to the ends. I then blow dry my hair, tipping it upside down when it's almost dry for added volume at the roots.

Shampoo and Conditioner | £5.99 each 
I begin by evenly distributing the shampoo through my hair, and massaging it into the roots to ensure that my hair is as clean and voluminous as possible. I then apply a small amount of conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of my hair, which leaves it feeling super soft and nourished, but not heavy like some conditioners. Although I was a little unsure about what to expect from this product at first, I've seen a noticeable difference in the way that my hair looks and feels when I revert back to a different shampoo and conditioner. When used together, these products help me to easily achieve thicker and more voluminous hair.

Overall, I think that these purse-friendly products are perfect for achieving added volume and texture. They are widely available at most Boots stores, or you can buy them online here. Have you tried anything from the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce range?  

Top Five Summer Lip Products

Hello everyone, and welcome back to my blog! I finally finished my degree a couple of weeks ago, and after taking a short break from staring at my laptop screen all day, I'm so happy to be back blogging again. With the weather starting to get warmer and holiday season fast approaching, I thought that this would be the perfect time to introduce you all to some of my favourite summer lip products.

Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss | Glorious Grapefruit
This has been a staple in my makeup bag ever since I impulse purchased it from Boots a couple of months back. I've been wearing this peachy pink gloss with a neutral eye and a tiny bit of cream blush for a quick and easy, everyday makeup look. This is a really beautiful product which adds a pop of colour and doesn't feel sticky on the lips.

MAC Lipstick | Crosswires 
MAC Crosswires is a pinky coral shade which brightens up the complexion without being overly intense. The cremesheen formula means that it feels hydrating and comfortable on the lips, whilst also providing a slightly glossy finish.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine | #16 Orange Impertinent
This is actually the most recent addition to my lipstick collection, but I already know that I'm going to be reaching for this shade a lot throughout the summer months. A YSL lipstick has been at the top of my wishlist ever since I started reading beauty blogs, but I've never been able to justify spending so much money on a lip product. After finally collecting enough Boots points, and doing plenty of research and swatching, I finally decided to pick up the shade #16 orange impertinent. This is a beautiful, medium orange coral shade which really flatters my complexion. As the name suggests, the formula provides a high shine finish, and leaves the lips feeling soft and nourished. 

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon | Peach on the Beach
It wasn't until yesterday when I swatched them next to one another that I realised how similar the colour pay off of this product is to the Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss. Another peachy pink shade, this lip crayon provides a glossy finish which feels light and comfortable on the lips. Bourjois claim that it has a lasting power of up to ten hours, and although I don't entirely agree with this, it doesn't really bother me as it can be reapplied so easily on the go (even without a mirror). This product is also waterproof and contains SPF 15, which makes it even more perfect for the summer months. 

L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick | 201 Rose Symphony
Although this is marketed as a liquid lipstick, the formula reminds me much more of a gloss/balm. Rose Symphony is a bright rosy pink shade which works perfectly for adding a pop of colour to an otherwise simple makeup look. The fusion of luxurious oils means that it feels extremely moisturising on the lips, whilst also providing a beautiful glossy finish. 

Which lip products will you be reaching for this summer? I'd love to hear your recommendations. 

Spring Makeup Haul

With the weather finally getting warmer and the nights becoming lighter, I'm ditching the full coverage foundations and the berry hues in favour of lighter products more suited to spring. Boots recently had a 3 for 2 offer across all of their beauty products, so I took the opportunity to pick up a few things that I had been lusting after for a while. 

The first thing that I picked up from Boots was the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream in the shade ivory. I've never tried a base product from Bourjois before, but I'd read a lot of positive reviews about their new CC cream online. The term 'CC' stands for 'colour correction', and it contains three different colour pigments: apricot for anti-fatigue, green for anti-redness, and white for anti-dark spots. I tried this for the first time the other day, and I was really impressed with the results. It felt lightweight on the skin, and left my complexion looking healthy and luminous. The only thing that lets this product down is the limited shade selection, but if you can find one to match your skin tone, I would definitely recommend checking out.

I also decided to try the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Eye Concealer. For me, the best thing about this concealer is the silicone applicator. It makes the product really easy to apply, and doesn't drag on the delicate skin underneath the eye. 

Whilst browsing the Bourjois stand, I finally decided to pick up a tub of their Magic Nail Polish Remover. I've been wanting to try this product for a while, but I was a little unsure about the concept. I've used it a couple of times since I bought it, and I can completely understand why it gets so much hype. I just stick my nails in the foam, wiggle them around a little, and it completely removes all traces of the nail polish. After discovering this super quick and easy method of removing nail polish, I don't think that I will ever buy a bottle of traditional nail polish remover again. 

I'm a huge fan of the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks. The formula is super moisturising, and they have a slightly glossy finish so the colour doesn't cling to any dry patches on the lips. I picked up the shade in love with ginger which is a really beautiful, vibrant orange-red. 

I've had my eye on the L'oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks for a while, but after reading mixed reviews about them online, I wasn't sure whether they were worth picking up or not. L'oreal say that these apply like a lip gloss, have the colour intensity of a lipstick, and feel soft like a balm. With them being part of the 3 for 2 offer in Boots, I decided to try out Rose Symphony which is a pretty pink shade. 

Now that we're getting into spring/summer, highlighters are becoming a staple in my makeup routine again. I had a No7 voucher collecting dust in my purse, so I decided to put it to good use and pick up their Instant Radiance Highlighter. I've tried quite a few different highlighters, but I've never owned one like this before. It's like a big, wind up chubby stick in a gorgeous champagne shade. This is a fantastic product if you're looking for a fool proof highlighter that you can apply in a rush, and then throw in your handbag. 

During my early teens, I was literally obsessed with lip gloss. I used to walk around with lips that looked like they had been smothered in grease, whilst reapplying my clear lip gloss at every opportunity. It's been years since I've bought a lip gloss, but these have a none sticky formula and feel really light on the lips. I chose the Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss in the shade glorious grapefruit, and the Maybelline Colour Sensational Cream Gloss in the shade cashmere rose.

What are your favourite beauty products for spring?

Spring Nail Polish Picks

I know that it sounds like such a blogger cliché, but I seriously cannot believe that it's already March. It feels like only last week that I was digging out my cosy winter coat and putting up my Christmas decorations. The sudden burst of sunshine that we have been experiencing over the past week has left me feeling inspired to gather up all of my favourite spring beauty products. Today, I thought that I would share with you all my top nail polish picks for spring.   

Ciate Kiss Chase
Possibly my favourite nail polish of them all, this is a gorgeous, candy pink shade. Whilst this is quite a bright pink, it's also very wearable and not too garish. I know that I will get a lot of wear out of this shade throughout spring, and I think that it will transition perfectly into the summer as well. 

Ciate Sugar Plum
Whenever I'm shopping for a new nail polish, I'm always drawn towards the softer and more girly shades. I think that they are better suited to my personality, and I often prefer to wear something a little more subtle on my nails. My nail polish collection is full of pinks and peaches, but I think that this pretty, pastel lilac shade is the perfect alternative for spring. 

Ciate Ferris Wheel
This is the perfect, baby blue shade. I have to admit, I wasn't too sure about the formula of this nail polish when I first tried it. It's quite a difficult colour to work with, but I find that applying three coats gives the perfect, non-streaky finish. 

Ciate Ivory Queen
This is a pretty, pinky nude shade with a hint of shimmer running through it. I reached for this shade quite often during the colder months, but I know that I will get a lot of wear out of it throughout spring as well. This is the perfect nail polish if you're looking for something that's wearable and low maintenance. 

Barry M Mint Green
In my opinion, Barry M make some of the best nail polishes on the high street. They are excellent quality, good value for money, and widely available in a range of shades and finishes. As the name suggests, this one is a mint green colour. It's a little outside of my usual comfort zone, but it's a really lovely shade and always rakes in the compliments. 

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Papaya
As far as nail polish formulas go, the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine range is up there amongst my favourites. Designed to mimic the appearance of a gel manicure, these leave the nails with a high-shine, glossy finish. This beautiful, peachy coral shade would be the perfect addition to any spring nail polish collection.

What are your favourite spring nail polishes?

Origins GinZing Moisturiser

I don't know if it's just me, but I often find shopping for moisturisers to be a difficult and stressful experience. There are so many different products on the market, and I'm never quite sure what is going to work for my skin. After months of research and sampling, I think that I have finally found my perfect day time moisturiser - Origins GinZing. This moisturiser currently retails at £23 for 50ml. Whilst this may seem pretty pricey for a moisturiser, a tiny amount of product goes a long way and I know that the tub will last me a really long time. 

The first thing that I noticed about this moisturiser was the beautiful, refreshing citrusy scent. It's infused with skin boosting ingredients such as Panax Ginseng and Coffee Bean which leave the skin looking healthy and radiant, without the addition of any artificial shimmer. The lightweight, gel consistency of this moisturiser means that it sinks into the skin quickly, making it the perfect base for makeup. I also really like the oil-free formula as my face isn't left looking greasy or shiny after application. Origins say that this moisturiser can be used on a morning and an evening, but I personally prefer to use a thicker, richer cream before bed.

Overall, I think that this moisturiser is perfect for my combination skin. Whilst I haven't been using it long enough to comment on the long term results, I have been seriously impressed with this moisturiser so far. If you're unsure about spending £23 on a moisturiser, I would definitely recommend visiting an Origins counter and testing the product out for yourself. The sales assistants are helpful, honest and will be able to help you decide whether the GinZing moisturiser is right for your skin type. 

Have you tried the Origins GinZing Moisturiser? What did you think of it? 

My Most Used Makeup Brushes

Over the past year or so, I've built up quite the collection of makeup brushes. After trialling brushes from numerous different brands, I've finally found a set that I think make a real difference to my makeup application. Whilst I do incorporate other brushes into my routine, I would consider these six to be staples in my makeup collection.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
If you are a regular reader of beauty blogs, I'm sure that you will have heard of the Real Techniques brushes. They are excellent quality, reasonably priced and readily available. This is one of my favourite brushes from the collection, and defiantly the best foundation brush that I've ever tried. This brush is the perfect tool for applying and blending liquid foundation. There is a lot of hype surrounding the Real Techniques Buffing Brush (available as part of the core collection here), but I much prefer this option as it's firmer and more dense. 

Real Techniques Powder Brush
This large, soft and fluffy brush is ideal for using with a setting powder. After applying the rest of my base products, I like to use this brush to lightly buff a powder onto my skin, focusing mainly on the areas where my makeup tends to disappear throughout the day. I also find that this brush works well with a bronzer if I feel like adding some warmth to my complexion.

Real Techniques Blush Brush

This soft, medium sized blusher brush is perfect for adding a natural flush of colour to the cheeks. The tapered head also makes it the ideal tool for contouring, but I personally prefer to use the Real Techniques Contour Brush for this step.

The Body Shop Slanted Brush
I picked this brush up one day whilst wandering around The Body Shop with a 50% off voucher. I had been in search of a brush that I could use to fill in my eyebrows with powder products, but I didn't want to spend a fortune on one. Whilst I don't think that this brush is anything particularly special, it's pretty good quality and does the job well.

MAC 217 Blending Brush
This dense, yet soft and fluffy brush is super versatile. I like to use this brush mainly for blending eye shadow through the crease, but it can also be used for all over application and shading. If you are looking to purchase a new eye shadow brush, I would definitely recommend investing in this one. It's excellent quality and the perfect multitasker. 

MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
I debated over whether or not to buy this brush for the longest time, but I'm so pleased that I finally decided to bite the bullet and pick it up. In my opinion, this brush works perfectly when used alongside the MAC 217. I tend to reach for this brush when I want to apply a wash of colour to the entire lid, or if I want to build up the colour more intensely on the outer corners of my eyes. The flat shape of the brush also makes it the perfect tool for applying shadow underneath the eye.

What are your favourite makeup brushes? 

Origins Clear Improvement Mask

Over the past couple of months, I've been suffering from quite a few nasty breakouts. I'm not sure if it's stress related, hormone related, or down to the amount of overindulging that I did whilst I was at home over the Christmas holidays. One of the products that I have been relying on to try and restore some balance to my skin is the Origins Clear Improvement Mask, which I was lucky enough to receive as part of a gift set for Christmas.

This deep cleansing, natural charcoal mask is designed to draw out pore-cloggers and reveal a more radiant complexion. As described by Origins, White China Clay absorbs environmental pollutants, whilst Lecithin dissolves any impurities in the skin. 

As recommended by Origins, I have been using this product once a week since Christmas. Before applying the mask, I like to open my pores by covering my face with a warm flannel. I then layer the mask onto dry skin, making sure that I use enough product to cover my entire face. I leave it to dry for around ten to fifteen minuets, and then wash it off using warm water. I find that the thick consistency of the mask makes this step a little bit of a nuisance, but after some serious scrubbing, my face feels instantly cleaner, softer and more refreshed. Since I started using this product, my complexion has become noticeably clearer and more radiant.  

Overall, I've been really impressed with this face mask and would highly recommend it (especially if you have combination skin or suffer from breakouts like me). I can't wait to try out some more Origins skin care, I've got my eye on their GinZing moisturiser at the moment.

What's your favourite face mask? Have you tried the Origins Clear Improvement Mask?

Valentines Day Makeup Look

With Valentines Day just around the corner, I thought that this would be the perfect time to try and inspire you all with an evening makeup look. I think that this look would be perfect if you are going out for dinner or drinks, but you could always tone it down if you are planning something a little bit more casual. 

On my eyes, I used the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. I began by applying Half Baked to the entire lid, and then added Busted to the outer corners and blended it into the crease. To create a more intense smokey eye, I blended a tiny amount of Blackout over Busted, and then took it underneath the eye to add some extra definition. I teamed this with a pretty, pinky nude lipstick which I think compliments the smokey eye beautifully and is perfect for Valentines Day. 

I'm still trying to figure out how to use my new camera properly, and unfortunately it hasn't picked up some of the makeup on my face as well as I would have liked. Here's a full list of the products that I used to create this makeup look:

Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation, Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Concealer, Bare Minerals Ready Touch Up Veil, Bourjois Cream Blush, Benefit High Beam, Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, MAC Charcoal Brown Eyeshadow, Maybelline The Falsies Mascara, Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, L'Oreal Superliner Eyeliner, Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick - Let's Get Naked.

Do you have any plans for valentines day? How will you be wearing your makeup?

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Before I started reading beauty blogs and watching youtube videos, my skincare routine shamefully consisted of face wipes, hot water and the occasional face mask. To be honest, I wasn't aware of how many products were on the market to suit different skin types and budgets. Whilst in search of my perfect cleanser, I recently discovered the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. I've been using this cleanser twice daily since November and have been really impressed with the results.

This lightweight cleansing balm retails at £21 for 125ml. Whilst this may seem pretty pricey, it's actually fairly reasonably priced in comparison to other high end cleansing balms. A small amount of product is enough to cleanse the whole face, and after two months use, my tub is still over half full. It's suitable for all skin types, fragrance free and doesn't contain anything which may irritate sensitive skin. I take a small amount of cleanser from the tub, warm it up in my fingertips, and then massage it onto dry skin using circular motions. This transforms the balm into a silky oil, which dissolves all of my eye and face makeup. I then use hot water and a flannel to remove the balm from my face. On an evening, I like to use this once to remove my makeup, and then again to ensure that there is no dirt, grime or oil left on my face.

This cleansing balm seems to be quite difficult to get hold of at the moment, but if you manage to spot it online or in store, I would defiantly recommend picking it up. It leaves my combination skin feeling soft, refreshed and totally clean.

What's your favourite cleanser? Have you tried the Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm by Clinique?

My MAC Quad

With an endless shade selection, available in almost every finish imaginable, it really is no surprise that MAC eye shadows are so hyped up in the beauty world. For me, the most appealing thing about MAC eye shadows is the fact that you can build a personalised palette of 2, 4 or 15 shades. For a while, I was torn between filling a quad with a selection of my favourite shades, or splashing out on a 15 pan palette. Whilst I would love to expand my collection one day, these four shades are perfect for creating a range of beautiful makeup looks.

Naked Lunch: A shimmery, peachy champagne shade with a frost finish. This looks beautiful swept across the entire lid for a natural, pretty day time look. It also looks amazing when paired with a contrasting shade, which I like to apply to the outer corners and blend into the crease.

Satin Taupe: Possibly my favourite eye shadow ever, this is a beautiful taupe shade with a frost finish. This shimmery eye shadow can be used to create the perfect, subtle smokey eye. It is a very wearable and versatile shade which can applied lightly during the day, or more intensely for an evening look.

Woodwinked: An extremely wearable, golden brown shade. This veluxe pearl eye shadow has the most incredible, pearly metallic finish. I get a great deal of use out of this shade as it's perfect for daytime wear.

Cranberry: A gorgeous, rusty berry shade with a frost finish. Whilst this isn't a shade that I would usually go for, when I swatched it in MAC, it was love at first sight. This has been the perfect eye shadow for stepping outside of my neutrals comfort zone, and adding some colour to my eyes during the autumn/winter months.

MAC eye shadows are excellent quality, and although they do lean towards the slightly pricier end of the spectrum, I would defiantly recommend them. They are long lasting, super pigmented and apply beautifully. Do you own any MAC eye shadows? What are your favourite shades?

Pamper Evening Essentials

With all of my university deadlines swiftly following the chaos of Christmas and new year, I feel like I haven't had much time to relax over the past few weeks. This morning I finally submitted my last assignment for the semester, so I will be spending the next few days treating myself to a well earned rest before all of the hard work is due to start again. I thought that I would take this opportunity to share with you all the products that I like to use when I feel like I need to take some time out to relax and pamper myself. 

The first thing that I like to do on a pamper evening is run a hot bubble bath. At the moment, I'm really enjoying using the Soap and Glory Calm One Calm All Bubble Bath. If you are familiar with the Soap and Glory products then you will know how beautiful they smell, and how reasonably priced they are. I also like to add some of my Laura Mercier Créme Brulee bath salts, which I recently picked up in the Space NK online sale. These aren't sold separately, and as far as I'm aware, the body and bath duet is sold out online. However, if you manage to spot them at a Laura Mercier counter, I would defenatly recommend picking them up. I've recently being using the Soap and Glory Foam Call Bath and Shower Wash, and the Tony and Guy shampoo and conditioner for brunette hair. In my opinion, a girly pamper evening is not complete without a face mask. The Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask is perfect for dry, dehydrated skin. The cold, winter weather has really taken its toll on my complexion, and this mask has worked wonders for injecting some moisture back into my skin.

To finish off an evening of relaxation and pampering, I like to moisturise my skin using a body cream or butter. The Laura Mercier Crème Brulee Soufflé Body Crème is the most beautiful, luxurious body care product that I have ever purchased. It's an extremely rich, whipped crème, with the most incredible, sweet crème brulee scent. 

How do you like to relax? I would love to know what your pampering evening essentials are.

Mini Festive Lush Haul

Whilst doing some Christmas shopping the other day, I popped into Lush to have a browse at their Christmas collection. They had a beautiful range of bath goodies and gift sets that would make perfect Christmas presents. I couldn't resist picking up a few things for myself, so I thought that I would share with you all what I bought.

This Magic Wand Bubble Bar is a solid version of the best selling Snow Fairy Shower Gel. It has a gorgeous, sweet scent that Lush describe as smelling 'just like an old fashioned sweet shop - with a scent of candy floss and pear drops.' This reusable bubble bar is designed to be swirled around in the bath to create lots of pink, Snow Fairy bubbles.



When I spotted this Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb, I was instantly drawn to the pretty pastel shades. This festive bath bomb has a soothing and calming lavender scent which makes it the perfect product for whenever you feel like you need to relax.

I also picked up one of the Cinders Bath Bombs. The combination of almond oil, orange and cinnamon gives a beautiful festive, citrus scent with a hint of spice. The layer of popping candy is designed to lightly crackle in the bath, creating the illusion of sitting by a burning fire on a cold winters evening. 

The final thing that I picked up was the Candy Mountain Bubble Bar, which is by far my favourite product from the Lush Christmas Collection. It has the most beautiful, pearly white and pink pattern, and has been made with vanilla absolute (the highest concentrate of vanilla aroma) and a sparkling snowflake lustre. Just like the Magic Wand Bubble Bar, it has a gorgeous sweet shop scent. This product can be crumbled into the bath to create creamy, foaming bubbles.

I would love to know what your favourite Lush products are. Do you have any Christmassy recommendations?