My 'Simple' Skincare

Hey Guys! 

On Wednesday I did a post reviewing the Simple Water Boost Micellar Water and Hydrating Boost, so this week I wanted to show you guys how I incorporate these two products into my skincare routine along with the two other Simple cleansing products I use ♡ 

For the products I use on my face I don't use all Simple as I'm still making my way through a big tub of Nivea Face Cream and Primark Oil Balancing wipes, so I'll only be mentioning Simple products that I use on in my skincare routine.

Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water

I only use micellar water when I've been wearing make up and I'm wanting to remove it all before I cleanse by face. Previously I've always used Garnier Micellar Water but as I described in my previous post I wanted to try out Simple's Micellar Water so that I can see which one is better for my skin. I take an oval shaped cotton pad, apply the micellar water and then go around my face dissolving all the make up. I tend to repeat this step as most of the time I'll need to take a separate cotton pad to remove my eye make up as it is a little tougher to remove! 

Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash

I like to mix up by face wash depending how my skin is feeling on the day so I rotate between Simple Foaming Face Cleanser (which I left at my house up in Newcastle), Nivea Daily Essentials Exfoliating Face Scrub and the Simple Moisturising Face Scrub, but most of the time I use this face wash as it is really gentle on my skin. It is great in the morning for brightening my complexion after just waking up and also great for dissolving left over make up that the micellar water hasn't fully broken down. I like that it lathers up really quickly and is gentle enough for me to put around my eye area ♡ 

Simple Kind To Skin Soothing Facial Toner

I don't use the Simple toner all the time as occasionally my skin is really dry and the toner can make it worse by making my skin feel really tight and uncomfortable, so I only use it every now and then. But it has become a great product for ensuring after cleansing my face all traces of make up have gone and I'm prepped for my moisturiser!

Simple Water Boost Hydrating Booster

My skin is a combination with a mix of dry skin and an oily t-zone but recently due to cold weather my skin has been horrendously dry! However since picking up the Hydrating Booster my skin has been so much better! With the Hydrating Booster you can use it three different ways, so for me I use it as a primer after I've cleansed by face and I'm prepping my skin for make up or moisturiser, so I put a bean sized dollop on my hand and apply that all over my skin rubbing it in. But sometimes if my skin needs some extra hydration I also use another method Simple suggest and add a pea sized amount to my moisturiser, mix it in and then apply it like I usually would and that leaves my skin feeling hydrated and glowing ♡

What is your favourite Simple product? Let me know in the comments below!

I've linked all the products I've mentioned so you can check them out too :)

See you on Wednesday my lovelies! ♡ 

Amy xx 

Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water & Hydrating Booster Review

Hey Guys!

After running out and in desperate need of a make up remover I popped down to my local Boots and normally I would have just grabbed my usual choice of micellar water the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water for sensitive skin, but I saw that Simple was on offer so I decided to give their new Water Boost skincare range a try!

I've used a few different micellar cleansing water products now, some having oil bases and some just been specifically for delicate and sensitive skin so I'm always open to try different brand's line of cleansing products. For ages people have raved about Simple's Water Boost cleansing line and at lot of YouTuber's I watch, like Sophia Chang and Jenn Im have been partnering up with Simple to showcase and review their new range. So from watching them and reading many other reviews and impressions on the micellar water and hydrating boost I thought I would give it a try for myself! 

Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water 

One thing I notice every time I use the product to take off my eye make up is it doesn't make my eyes sting. I've had some occasions when using Garnier Micellar Water when I've put too much product on the cotton pad and when I go to wipe my mascara and eyeliner it leaks into my eye and stings like crazy! Where as, so far I've not experienced any stinging or burning to my eyes which is great! Other than not stinging my eye it is also great at breaking down my tough eye makeup like my mascara. Normally it takes a while to get my mascara and eyeliner to budge but with the Water Boost Micellar Water it lifts really quick so I don't have to keep rubbing my eyes and making them inflamed and irritated :) 

When I've finished removing all my make up my skin is left feeling soft! Sometimes after wearing make up my skin can be quite dry but every time I've used this micellar water my skin is left feeling hydrated and not stripped. Other than the hydrating aspects of the product the smell is also something I always think about because if it doesn't have any perfume or fragrant smell it tends to be better for my skin, and this micellar water has no smell to it, it is very neutral which proves they are true to their claim of not having any artificial perfume or colour in their products!

So far I'm really liking this product and it has helped keep my skin, especially when I've been wearing make up all day, bright and hydrated :) I just wish they did a smaller version for travelling as the bottle is quite heavy and big, so if they did a small bottle like Garnier I would be even more sold on the product! 

Simple Water Boost Hydrating Booster

I've never seen a brand do a product similar to a primer, but specially for hydration. It is definitely something new so I was excited to give it a try and see if it would do anything for my skin. They give three suggestions of how to use it: 

1. As a hydrating primer layer 
2. Add to your moisturiser for a booster 
3. Apply directly to the really dry areas before applying moisturiser. 

I've been using it as a hydrating primer layer then occasionally as a booster and adding it to my Nivea moisturiser. I didn't notice a big difference straight away but that can be quite normal for most skincare products because it takes time for them to make a difference. After a few more days of using it in my skincare routine both in the morning and evening I started to notice a difference to the dry patches on my face, such as around my temples, on my cheeks and around my eyebrows. You only need a little bit for it to go a long way, I've been using around a bean sized dollop and and with just a small amount it covers my entire face and dries quickly. One thing I like is that it doesn't have a sticky consistency, so it doesn't go tacky or anything it absorbs into the skin very fast! I dislike products that go really sticky and tacky as it just makes products that I'm putting on top look odd and then it sits weirdly. 

It is a very lightweight product that doesn't feel heavy on the skin and it does make my skin look much brighter and when put into my moisturiser my skin has a fresher look, kind of a dewy glow. Similar to the micellar water it doesn't have any fragrance or perfume scent and it has a pure clear appearance so they haven't added any unnecessary colours either! From looking at the packaging I like that they explain why the minerals benefit your skin for hydration and how the plant extracts are used to maintain hydration and is a natural ingredients that is great for the skin! 

I would recommend if anyone has dry skin, especially since it has been very cold in the UK at the moment, to try out Simple's new Water Boost range, as I have noticed a different with using the hydrating boost! For the price I paid I was very happy (but it was on offer the time I brought it so it was inexpensive). 

What is your skin type? Let me know in the comments below!

See you on Sunday my lovelies! ❤ 

Amy xx

My DIY Halloween Outfit and Make Up

Hey Guys!

As I'm a university student we are expected to dress up for a lot of occasions and one of those occasions does happen to be Halloween. Last year I wasn't really bothered about going out or really celebrating Halloween, but this year I'm trying to make the most of the festive occasion! Halloween is very soon and I got invited to a Halloween birthday themed party: SPOOKFEST! So, I wanted to share with you guys a simple DIY Halloween outfit that you can put together with clothes and accessories from your own wardrobe and also a very simple make up look. I'm no make up artist and pretty terrible with make up so I went for something very easy and simple!

Outfit

Crop Top: Primark

Skirt: BHS

Socks: Primark

Boots: River Island

Choker: Primark

Hoop Earrings: Borrowed

I went as a classic vampire for this Halloween themed birthday party as I didn't have time to go out and buy a costume, also being a student means funds can be quite limited as well so you have to end up working with what you've already got. I could of easily been Veronica from Riverdale as well so these pieces can easily be mixed with other items to appear as another character. All the items I wore were from my wardrobe and I only needed to borrow some silver hoop earrings from my friend and my outfit was complete. If you don't have any of these pieces you can always go to Primark or a thrift shop. There are so many characters and people you can dress up as for Halloween, people at the party were Bananas in Pyjamas, Batman, Ned Flanders, a mermaid, a nurse etc! 

Make Up

Primer: Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Pro Multi Action Make Up Primer | 002

Foundation: Bourjois Paris Healthy Mix Fond De Teint Anti-Fatigue Foundation | No. 52 Vanilla

Concealer: Rimmel London Wake Me Up Anti Fatigue Effect + Radiant Glow Concealer | 020 True Ivory

Powder: Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder | 003 Peach Glow 

Eyebrow Pencil: Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil | 002 Hazel

Eye Shadow: SEVENTEEN Easy On The Eye | The Big Smoke

 For my eye shadow I wanted to create a very dark bold eye to compliment the bold red lips. I put Warm Ivory all over my eye lids to create a plain base, I then took Slate Grey and placed it around the inner crease of my eye and on 2/3 of my eyelid as a base to put my creme silver eye shadow on the top. I then took Wild Khaki and with a small angled brush I placed it in the outer corner of my eye and swept it inwards towards where I'd placed Slate Grey. Getting a blending brush I then buffed it out as it is quite a dark shade and buffed it towards my brow bone and outwards where I would later apply my eyeliner wing. After buffing it out and both Slate Grey and Wild Khaki were combined I then took Cool Aluminium, a very silver creme eye shadow, and with my middle finger I dabbed it on top of Slate Grey all the way towards the inner crease of my eye, avoiding my outer crease where I had just buffed out Wild Khaki. Getting a small eye shadow brush that comes in the palette I then took some more of Cool Aluminium and  tapped some more around the middle of my eye and the corners. I then placed some of Wild Khaki on my water line, joining it with some Cool Aluminium so it reflected my actual eye lid. Then I applied my eyeliner. 

Eyeliner: Natural Collection Eye Liner 

Mascara: Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Reloaded | 001 Black 

Contour/Bronze: Maybelline New York Contour Palette | 01 Light Medium

Blush: Bourjois Paris Blush | 33 Golden Lilac

Lip Stick: Rimmel London Moisture Renew | 500 Diva Red

Highlighter: Soap & Glory The Perfect Ten Shadow Palette | Gold Coast 

I actually used an eye shadow for highlighter as it works better and is really pigmented, great for the cheekbones. 

Hair

I decided to leave my hair pretty simple so I just used my Remington Straightener 210 along with some dry hair shampoo in my roots for a little more volume so my hair didn't appear so limp :)

Who are you going as this Halloween? Let me know in the comments below!

See you on Wednesday my lovelies! ❤ 

Amy xx

YSL New All Hours Foundation Review

Hey Guys!

I recently received a sample of YSL's New All Hour Foundation. I get sent a lot of samples in the post due to being signed up to Latest Free Stuff, who give out samples, voucher codes and free goodies, which I love because I get sent some really cool stuff! 

It was nice to receive something I know I would use this time! I love trying out new foundations and face products as my face is very hit and miss a lot of the time. I want to try and find all of the best products for my skin so trial and error is the best method haha!

On the packaging it claims: Up to 24 long-wear, flawless matte, full coverage, all hours foundation so I wanted to see if it really delivered on what it claimed. 

Application

When I opened the mini sample bottle I was surprised to see that it came with an applicator attached to the lid so you could apply it straight to your face directly. I thought this was a great touch to a sample! The application was really easy, I used the applicator to dot the foundation around my face and then used a beauty blender to move and blend all of the product. It was so easy to move and blend around the contours of my face and it doesn't dry really quickly like a lot of products do so I could work with it slowly and keep buffing it. It just blends so nicely around my face and even my problem areas like my nose and above my lip where I have some dry skin it didn't clump or break up, it applied so smoothly and creamy. One thing I did notice as well is that a lot of product went a long way to cover all areas of my face!

Coverage

I'd say the coverage is about medium coverage and is easily build-able. I normally start with a small amount and then build it up depending on how inflamed by problem areas are and if I have any blemishes. The first few times I tried it I applied about two layers and that was the perfect coverage for me as  I have a few spots and scars on my chin and jar line at the moment and they were hidden really well even without using any concealer! I'd say if you wanted to go for a natural make up look you would only need one layer, with a small amount and you'd get a really good natural coverage and if you have break outs or inflamed skin just put a slight amount on those areas and it covers them great! I'm used to a light to medium cover foundation so it was nice being able to see flawless skin and a naturally toned face with no patches visible anywhere.

Finish

After I finish blending I apply concealer to my under eyes, chin and the contours around my nose where I get redness, then I set my under eyes with powder and apply loose powder to the rest of my face so I get a matte finish. Because I get a very oily face throughout the day I like to have a matte finish, if I leave it looking dewy chance is I'll look like I'm dripping in sweat two or three hours later haha! Once I've finished all of my make up and applied everything, such as contour, blush and highlight the finished look does look good! It doesn't look much different from when I use my regular Bourjoir foundation, the only difference I would say is that this foundation looks slightly darker than my regular foundation, it appears to have more orange undertones. So, I'd say the finished look doesn't look much different from a drug store foundation product, but I wanted to try it to see how it looked 6 hours later after an excessive amount of oil, as my regular foundation does break up a lot throughout the day around my cheeks and nose. 

6-8 Hours Later

I have oily prone skin so obviously a few hours later I was going to get some oily patches around my nose, forehead and cheeks but I was expecting that as it happens no matter what products I use or how often I touch up my make up. But other than the oily residue expected there was no sign of it going cakey or going really patchy like some foundations. In fact even though my face had become oily and dewy and its a matte finish foundation it still looked really good after going out to uni and spending my time in hot lecture halls and seminar rooms. Also, I tried using this foundation when I went out clubbing throughout most of September and it is so good for that particular occasion. When clubbing it obviously gets really hot and sweaty, there is a lot of dancing and when I drink I do tend to get a lot more red and oily, so this foundation proved to be great coverage as it stayed on the whole time I was out! I even had drinks spilt on me, was moved around and it still looked great when I got home :) 

Overall Thoughts

Overall I wouldn't say its a 24 hour long wear foundation, throughout the day our face goes through a lot which causes our foundation to get either really dry and break away or gets really oily and wears away. I think it depends on each individuals type of skin but for me this would not last 24 hours! By hour 12 it will have started to wear away around my cheeks, nose, forehead and chin thanks to the excessive oil production on my face! It does say flawless which I would agree with, when it is applied and the finished look is complete it looks really well blended and flawless so that is a claim I would agree with as it has great build-able coverage! It is also very matte once setting and loose powder is applied, I would agree with that claim, however after about 3 or 4 hours it isn't matte anymore and becomes more dewy around my nose and forehead, so I would say the matte finish doesn't last very long if you have oily skin like me. But for someone with normal skin it might be perfect! I think overall it is a great product, it does have great coverage, it does deliver a matte finish and it does blend perfectly to a flawless finish! It is one of the high-end foundations that would be worth the money! 

What is your favourite high-end foundation?

See you on Sunday lovelies! ❤ 

Amy xx

My Night Time Summer Skincare Routine | 2017

Hey Guys!

Over the past couple of months I have switched up my night time skin care routine
 a bit as I began to notice my skin gradually getting dry around my eyebrows and cheeks. I had also collected a few more products to give a try so I worked them into my skin care routine to see if they would work with the condition of my skin. 

Lets get started!

#1 Micellar Water

I've used Garnier's micellar water products before so I knew they would work out for me when removing my make up, especially stubborn products like mascara and eyeliner. I love that it is so pure and basic but is perfect at removing all the impurities, oil and make up I've worn all day. It is definetley a go to product! I even buy the cute little travel version when I go on holiday as its just so convenient! 

Sometimes if I just need to focus a little more on the removal of my eye make up because my eye shadow or eyeliner is a little stubborn I use the Nivea Daily Essentials Extra Gentle Make Up Remover. But the only thing I don't particularly like with this make up remover is that sometimes it stings and makes my eyes really sore, which doesn't seem right if it is suppose to be a product focusing on your eye area and states that it is 'extra gentle'. It isn't every time but it has happened to catch me out and basically blind me for a few seconds! But it works when I need it to so I'll continue to use it haha!

#2 Cleaner/ Scrub

In the evening I use my Simple Foam Cleanser as its great at removing the rest of my make up that was missed in the previous step. It is really gentle and soft, which is perfect as I tend not to use a really harsh scrub before applying a detox face mask and its been doing great wonders for my skin. Since using this product my skin has started to get much softer and brighter. When I wake up in the morning my skin isn't as patchy and I don't have any red inflammation which I used to experience when using other face scrubs and cleansers. At the moment I'm trying to be more delicate with my skin and treat it better so a gentle cleanser is always a good product to turn to ♡ 

#3 Face Mask

I've mentioned this face mask a few times now on my blog and it is still an amazing product! I don't use it every time I cleanse my face, only three times a week as using it every time would stress my skin out a bit too much and I don't want to use it excessively. As you might be able to tell I've finished all of it and will need to look for another face mask to use next, but I highly recommend the Pure Clay Purity Mask for it has helped clear my acne prone areas like my cheeks and jaw line. It does run out quite quickly though considering you are suppose to use it three times a week! 

#4 Serum/ Treatment Oil

I've been using this Serum for the longest time and I've always loved the results so I've never bothered trying anything new or a different brand. I probably will in the future when I'm in the experimenting mood but at the moment I'm happy with what it does for me! I like using a serum as it retains more moisture which is great for my dry skin. And it has anti-wrinkle remedies in it, and I know I'm only 19 but prevention is key and I have terrible terrible frown lines on my forehead so anything that will help reduce those I try haha!

#5 Night Cream

I've used this night cream for a while now and it is quite a thick night cream which some people aren't a fan of as it takes a lot longer to soak in and be absorbed by the skin, but for the evening I tend to put on a thicker cream so that my skin can absorb a greater amount of moisture while I sleep. They do say that between 10pm and 2am your skin is at its best healing point and so that is the time you should be applying products to be absorbed and getting a good night sleep. I'm not sure how true it is but I don't mind going to sleep a bit earlier now that I actually have things to do this summer :) 

#6 Eye Cream

This is one of the new products I had picked up and wanted to try! I have been using a few Lacura products for a while now, especially their serum. So, considering  this is a product from the same range I thought I'd see if it worked for me. So, after incorporating it into my skincare routine for around two weeks now I've began to really like it. It is a gel so it has a very sticky texture but after application give it about two minutes and it is fully absorbed and doesn't leave a sticky residue around the eye. You only need a really small amount as well so this small tub should last me a while! 

When it is officially Autumn I'll probably end up switching my skincare routine up again as my skin will probably get a lot of dry patches so I'll have to tailor what products I use to deal with that problem! Is anybody else looking forward to Autumn already?

What is your go to product when you get really dry patches on your skin? Let me know in the comments below!

See you tomorrow lovelies! ♡ 

Amy xx

Hair Issues and Solutions | Lanzarote 2017

Hey Guys!

While I was on holiday I thought my hair would be fine with just shampoo and the normal hair products I use on a day to day basis but the heat, sun exposure and constant contact with water caused my hair to become very brittle and dry on the ends. My hair in general was not in the best condition, so I thought I'd look for something that would help bring the moisture back to my hair and help protect it from the amount of sun exposure it was dealing with everyday. So, we went and browsed through all the hair products in all the supermarkets, which was quite difficult because it was all in Spanish, therefore I had no idea which product did what! Eventually, we found a hair product that made sense in English/Spanish that we hoped would help return my hair back to its best. So for €4.10 we bought a hair mask that would repair the ends, hydrate and return some of the lost vitamins to my roots  💕 

It was frustrating having such dry hair and with it looking so lifeless and limp, so finding an easy solution was reassuring! I've never used a hair mask before because I just tend to stick to shampoo, conditioner, heat protect spray and oils so I was pretty excited to try something new! 😊 I always get this thrill when it comes to experimenting with new products! I used the hair mask the following night before going out for evening drinks and it worked a dream! I washed my hair as usual - shampooo etc., then added the hair mask to my hair, from roots to ends and leaving it for 5 minutes while it worked its magic. I dried the ends slightly with my towel and then let it dry naturally instead of applying any heat and making it worse! Obviously I couldn't tell if it had worked straight away but later on both myself and my mum had noticed how my hair was feeling softer and much healthier ❣️

The consistency was very thick and was similar to a jelly based product so I didn't have to use much to coat my hair thankfully! By the tub is quite large and contains 400ml of product, so I have no doubt it will last me a while! After using that several times while on holiday my hair was restored to its former health! If you are struggling with some hair issues while on holiday like I did I highly recommend a hair mask that hydrates and protects from sun exposure! It works wonders and its affordable and easy to find in any supermarket! 

What is your favourite brand for hair masks? 

See you on Wednesday my lovelies! ❤️ 

Amy xx 

Simple Kind To Skin: Vital Vitamin Foaming Cleanser | First Impression

Hey Guys!

In a previous post I spoke about a recent Boots haul and how I was planning on doing a few first impression posts to see if any of the products I bought were as good as I would hope, so here we are!

 Recently I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos where Simple have been discussing their products and how they #makeup4makeup, so after not using any Simple skin care for a while I thought it was about time I tried them out again and see if my skin has changed. Around four years ago I was using their sensitive skin moisturiser when I had an allergic reaction on my cheek and neck, so since then I was really put off and any Simple product I refused to buy but I'm willing to give them a go again! And it was on offer in Boots, so I can't complain! ❣ 

I've never used a foaming cleanser before as I've always stuck to both face scrubs and face gels from Nivea or Garnier, so I got a bit excited when it came to washing my face. I love face washes that have a pump as its just much cleaner and easier to dispense and the product doesn't get all around the cap :) So I undertook my usual night time cleansing routine and then it came to using my new face cleanser. 

The first thing I noticed was the pump lets out a lot of product. On the bottle it said to use two pumps each time, but when I did exactly that a lot was dispensed and a bit too much for me. I only need a small amount to cleanse my face as I've already removed all my make up with wipes and micellar water. Therefore, I don't think next time I'l need to use two pumps worth, I think even half a pump would be enough, so least now I know to be a little less generous and be stricter on the amount I use. 

I really liked how the product lathered up in my hands before applying to my face, some products I've used in the past like the Nivea Gel Face Wash doesn't lather up that great so most of the product just slips off your hand, but this was great! No product went to waste ❣ 

It doesn't have a strong fragrance and it seemed unscented to me, which is good for a sensitive skin care range as I know a large quantity of scented skin care products react with the skin. It appears to be a very gentle face cleanser and isn't harsh on the sensitive areas of my face neither drying out my nose or forehead. 

My skin felt very smooth afterwards and appeared to be thoroughly cleansed! It wasn't a very stubborn product to wash off either. I know some face scrubs can be really hard to wash off which leads to the skin getting very aggravated but  because this is a foam cleansing face wash it comes off so easily and doesn't take much effort :) 

After completing my night time cleansing routine I went to sleep and the next day my skin looked a lot brighter which hopefully was due to this new face wash! 

Overall, I'm impressed with how well a foaming cleanser works better than a gel type face wash :) I'm glad I picked this up instead of the usual face cleansers I buy! Simple have won me back :)

 What is your favourite face cleanser? ❣ 

See you on Wednesday my lovelies!

Amy xx

Boots Beauty and Vitamin Haul

Hey Guys!

On Sunday I went to Boots to replace some products that were now empty but I brought more than I should have haha! I only went for foundation and a new face wash but I came out with some vitamins and micellar water as well ♡ There were some great deals in Boots, so if your wanting to save some money there are some offers worth going in for! 

Simple Kind To Skin: Vital Vitamin Foaming Cleanser

I haven't used any Simple products for ages as I had a weird allergic reaction to their sensitive moisturiser, hence I was put off and moved on to Nivea and Garnier, but after a few years and a great deal in Boots I thought it was time to try their products out again. So I picked up their foaming cleanser to try something new :) Most face wash products I use are a gel type consistency or scrub so I look forward to trying it ♡ 

Multivitamins With Iron

This was an unplanned purchase but I'm glad I was able to find the right type of vitamins after thinking about it for a while. Me and my mum have been discussing different types of multivitamins to take as I'm determined to become healthier and taking some supplements will help support my diet and help with my iron, B12 and Vitamin C intake :) So after looking at the various amounts of different supplements and combinations I was able to find one that will hopefully work for me :)

Garnier Skin Active: Micellar Cleansing Water 

I've used Garnier's Micellar Water for so long and have always had great results with my skin, so when it was on offer for £1 in Boots it was a must buy! I love their Micellar Water as its the best I've tried for removing both my base and eye make up ♡ and it doesn't leave a greasy or sticky feeling afterwards! For £1 who is gonna say no haha :p

Bourjois Paris: Healthy Mix Anti- Fatigue Foundation

I've used a few of Bourjois foundations and have loved all of them! The Anti-Fatigue formula I haven't tried before, so when I couldn't find the one I've been using the past year I thought I'd give this one a go :) I look forward to trying it as I've never been disappointed with any Bourjois's foundations! One thing I love about their formula is that they have great coverage and it lasts for so long ♡ 

I might do a few first impression posts for you guys in the next coming weeks! So look out for them :)

See you on Wednesday my lovelies! ♡ 

Amy xx

Rituals...Happy Buddha|Sweet Orange & Cedar Wood|First Impressions

 Hey Guys!

Around two weeks ago my friend left to go back to Holland for summer now that our first year of uni is over and she gave me this shower gel to try out as she couldn't take it back with her. When she gave it to me she claimed how good of a product it was and that the amount of product in the bottle will go a long way, more than a usual shower gel and that it would smell amazing! Well today I tried it out for the first time and first impressions are good ❤ 

The first thing I noticed was the smell, damn! Normally, I don't like orange scented body care but it wasn't overpowering and obvious, it was subtle and I like it, and unlike some body washes the scent actually remained on my skin when I was out of the shower and getting dressed. When the product came out of the pump it was a clear translucent type gel but then within seconds it started to expand in my hand, becoming foam. It didn't expand so quickly that it was wasted by falling off my hand but it gave me time to start lathering the product over my body. With just two or three pumps I didn't have to use anymore as that was the perfect amount, I love products that lather up loads so this was perfect! 

Another factor I noticed is that it didn't dry my skin out, most body washes I have used start to dry my skin out and so areas around my legs and shoulders start to get really dry and flaky. Whereas, I noticed with Rituals my skin has still retained the moisture and leaves a nice smooth feeling. It wouldn't be a good exfoliate or scrub as it has no beads or exfoliating properties, but its great for a long lasting smell and the quality of the gel. Considering its £8.50 on their website I would hope the product lasted a long time, was high quality and didn't feel cheap on my skin so I would say the price definitely reflects the quality. I enjoyed using this product and will be adding it to my favourite shower products! 

If the product had a stronger orange scent and ran out quickly I probably would not be impressed and wouldn't bother with it again but I'm pleasantly surprised!

I'm not sure I'll be splashing out the £8.50 myself when the product eventually runs out, but its nice to use for a treat at the moment. Thank you Jenn! ❤ 

What products have you been using recently and what are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below :)

See you on Wednesday my lovelies!❤ 

Amy xx 

April Favourites | 2017

Hey Guys!

I haven't done a favourites post since February so I thought another one was due to be posted! I'm always buying the same things and not really experimenting with new products but this month I brought a few new products that I haven't used before, so I thought I would share what I've been loving! I also watched a lot of films this month while I was back home for Easter break which I was loving, you'll find out which ones are my favourite below ❤ 

Lacura Caviar Illumination: Day Cream SPF 15

While on holiday in Cornwall in the Easter break I decided not to wear make up so that I could give my face a break and seeing as it was great weather it would help detox my skin and give it some Vitamin D, but stupidly on the Thursday I forgot to put on sun cream and while we were sat in a beer garden soaking up the sun I burnt my entire forehead! But only my forehead and the bridge of my nose, nowhere else haha! So I looked ridiculous for a couple of days. Then I realised that when I wear my foundation it has SPF in the formula so I'm covered but when I'm having no make up days and have a bare face I'm not protecting my skin enough from the sun rays. So, I mentioned this to my dad and when we got back home he was able to find this range of products that has Caviar extract in the formula which is great for regenerating the skin, and also great for reducing signs of anti-ageing which would help heal my damaged skin! But the best part of this range is that the day moisturiser had SPF in the ingredients so when I'm having a bare face day and just applying moisturiser I'm still covered against the suns rays! Which has been a lifesaver :) I do have normal sun cream but I find it makes my face even more greasy than it is and if I use it for a base under my make up the foundation and concealer don't sit properly and it just ends up becoming a layer of oil haha! So thankfully now I have a daily moisturiser that I can wear with or without my make up and I'll be protected from the unpredictable weather we have here in the UK! ♡ 

I love that this day cream isn't really thick that its too hard to apply around my face but isn't really watery so that it just makes my oily complexion worse! It appears to be the best consistency and only a small amount is needed for the best coverage!

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I've used this sponge for as long as I can remember and it has always given me a flawless finish and my foundation application is so much easier using a sponge instead of a brush! So after my last beauty blender unfortunately needed throwing away it was time to repurchase another one :) Even though there are other brands out there I will always go back to Real Techniques, I have never once been disappointed in any of their products and seeing as they do the best job at blending out my base make up I don't need to try out any other products! This sponge has been my lifesaver and has never let me down so I thought I should include it in my favourites at least once ♡ 

Boots Essentials Lip Salve| Original SPF 15

While I was on holiday in Cornwall with my parents and Billy I was suffering with cracked lips a lot and I was picking at all the dry skin forming which obviously made my lips bleed. At the moment I'm always biting my lips or picking at the dry skin (it must be something related to stress or something like that!). So, while we were in Bude strolling around the shops I thought it would be best if I brought a lip-balm I could keep in my pocket or in my bag so whenever I was picking at the dry skin I could moisturise them :) Luckily with this lip-balm it has SPF formula as well which was an added bonus considering I managed to burn my face while we were in Cornwall! Least my lips were protected I guess haha :p Ever since getting back from my holiday and coming back to uni I've been using it every day and its currently a bedside table essential and part of my make up routine ♡ 

The formula is so creamy and moisturising without leaving your lips and mouth looking greasy. Some lip-balms I've used are good but they only moisturise my lips for a short period of time and so my lips end up getting dry again and then I give up at that point but thankfully this lip-balm is very long lasting and even though I have still been picking at my lips and breaking the skin it is helping make some improvements slowly! But I love how the formula isn't greasy and I'm not having to top up or re-apply every 10 minutes. Another bonus to this product as well is that the applicator is a stick roll on lip balm ♡ It wasn't expensive and does the job! Just shows not all branded products are the best, sometimes the own brand products work better!

Allied 

I saw the trailer for Allied ages ago and I wanted to go see it in cinema but was so busy with uni work that I never got chance so finally when we had our Easter break I had the opportunity to watch a bunch of films I'd been dying to see! Allied was on the top of my list and seeing as I love war period films I watched a few other films similar like Birdsong, and The Atonement. 

Seeing as Brad Pitt featured in the film I expected it to be great but it excelled by expectations! It was a lot more dramatic and action packed than I thought it would be and I loved how it wasn't just all based on fighting in the war but also the lives of those living in England during the Blitz. The ending was so unexpected as well (I don't want to give any spoilers away) but there are many plot twists that you would't think of! Brad Pitt is a great actor for war period films, especially in Fury, Inglorious Bastards and now Allied ❤ 

Pearl Harbour

Pearl Harbor has been on my list for so long and finally I had the chance to watch it when I went back home! It is a very long film so you have to have a lot of spare time but it is the best film I have seen based on World War 2 other than Fury and Saving Private Ryan! Its a very emotional film and tears were shed but it is just so overwhelming and Ben Affleck does not disappoint in his protagonist role! Considering this film was based on true facts and history it makes you appreciate the film a whole lot more and realise the disastrous outcomes of the bombing of Pearl Habor! If you like history and films based on events in the war this film is for you!

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

I'm always including Korean dramas in my favourite posts but recently there have been some great shows being produced! Some kdramas can be really slow and take a while to get interesting and get to the point of the story line but the last couple of dramas I've been watching have been great! Strong Woman Do Bong Soon has been very popular, highly rated and it has not disappointed! The plot of the story is very action packed and there is always something new and exciting happening which is why none of the episodes are lacking or boring! 

Some of the characters have great personalities and I love that its has a mix of humour, mystery and seriousness through the series. Some dramas are too serious and don't add a bright side which is why I love that in this drama they have a comical side, especially with the character 'Gristle'! ❤ 

Guardians of The Galaxy: Vol. 2

My flat mates and I went to the midnight release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 and it was the best decision ever! It was amazing and obviously I don't want to give any spoilers away to any of those who haven't seen it yet but you won't be disappointed and the soundtrack is such a great selection of songs ❤ If you loved the first movie you will not be disappointed! Baby Groot was my favourite :)

Rumor |  K.A.R.D

By now you will know that I like a lot of K.A.R.D's music and its always on one of my playlists and in my favourites list, so it isn't a surprise that another one of their songs is mentioned in my favourites post haha! So far they have realised three singles; Oh Na Na, Don't Recall and now Rumor so they haven't released any mini albums or anything yet but they are definitely doing well with the three singles they have released! They are different style of K-pop that I love ❤ they aren't like a lot of other groups that I listen to and I like that the group is mixed so you get a mix of vocals! They are also great at incorporating rap into their tracks and it fits in without sounding abnormal :) What I love most about their songs is that they are all really upbeat and stimulating so you always feel the need to move along to the track ❤ This track is a little different to their first two singles as they have incorporated a lot more rap into this ensemble where as the other two had mainly vocals but its still great!

Blue Moon | Hyolyn x Changmo

Hopefully it will be summer soon here in England and everyone loves a good summer tune to add to the playlist and this is definetley one of those songs! When you listen to it you get into such a happy, bright mood and reminds you of the days when it was actually sunny here in the UK haha! Hyolyn has always released good songs whether solo or with Sistar! If you like upbeat summery tunes for your playlist give this song a listen! ❤ 

Really Really | WINNER

I've never really been into Winner and always preferred other boy groups but now that they are four members and have re-debuted as a four member group there music is awesome! 'Really Really' is a very summery and upbeat track that has a great dancing beat ❣ it has been very popular and the jolly tune and choreography is very contagious! There other track 'Fool' is great too but it isn't as upbeat as this track! 

Girl on The Train | Paula Hawkins

I haven't finished the book yet, I'm about half way through but it has been great so far! I haven't seen the film yet as I want to read the book before seeing it! The first half has been very uneventful as its setting the foundations of the story but I love the way the story is narrated from different characters perspectives and you see the whole rounded story not just one side! The plot line as well is great, always leaving you in the dark so you have to read on to understand :) its the type where there are little hints and clues but you will never get the full story until the end and I love books like that, always making you ask questions and try and come to a conclusion yourself ❤

What have been your favourites this month? Let me know ❣ 

See you on Wednesday my lovelies!

Amy xx