Review: Maybelline Baby Lips (Peach Kiss, Cherry Me, Pink Punch)

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm £2.99

 I was dubious when I read the early reviews of these lip balms, I didn't believe that a £2.99 high street lip product could give my lips that sumptuously soft feeling and kind of thought they would be just oily and sit on my lips without ever really sinking in...

From left: Peach Kiss, Cherry Me and Pink Punch

But, I was pleasantly surprised! Although I'm a massive fan of the Nuxe Rêve De Miel balm and have never really strayed, I had to try these after the hype I was seeing on Twitter and on YouTube. Maybelline boasts 8 hour hydration, however, I would say I experienced maybe half of this.

These balms also offer SPF 20 in every shade, which I love! these would be ideal for when on holiday and hitting the beach, you should never forget to protect every inch of your skin. They don't feel heavy or tacky like some SPF lip products i've tried before, each application gives a lovely light and refreshing dose of hydration.

I actually stocked up on these three balms in the Boots 3for2 offer, I mean, they were already bagainous at £2.99 but it was the perfect excuse to try a few different shades. I went for Peach Kiss - a barely there nude with plenty of shimmer, Cherry Me - a luscious glacier cherry red and Pink Punch - a bubblegum pink. Each shade has a sheer application as they are a balm after all but what surprised me most was the colour pay off from Cherry me and Pink Punch... I've swatced them above, the lighting wasn't great but hopefully you can see the pigmentation.

From left: Peach Kiss, Cherry Me, Pink Punch

Cherry Me is my favourite of the three and I think it's really on trend for S/S14 with the added benefit of giving your lips some much needed TLC! They all smell and taste great - not that i've been licking them off my lips, y'know... x

My S/S14 Swimwear Picks

My love for swimwear somehow grows year on year yet how could it not with the amount of new glam, sophisticated and sometimes outrageous sexy designs that keep hitting the shelf! Below are my absolute faves for summer 2014 and although I won't be buying them all (sigh, I do have expensive tastes...) I shall certainly be investing in one or two key pieces for my jollies this year so I need your help deciding which is worthy of packing in my suitcase!

In no particular order....

Seafolly is one of my favourite go-to brands for fun and playful swimwear. This year, I'm loving the retro floral print bandeau and bottoms; so feminine and pretty. I couldn't find them listed for sale anywhere yet so the name and price is currently unknown. I think I will definitely purchase the 90's style zig zag 'Mod Club Slide Tri (£90 for the set) as I'm obsessed with anything with a bit of neon yellow/green of late!

Naughty but nice swimwear is one of my life's littles vices... I only look to one place if i'm after something sexy; Agent Provocateur, of course. Styles like the new 'Tricja' bikini (£495) with detachable neck and waist chains verges on obscene, but I love it.

This sparkly little number is again from AP. The 'Zonia' bikini (£235) is in the most classic of shapes, the triangle, and one of the most revealing. I can just imagine how much this would glitter on the poolside in full glare of the sun. Innocent bystanders will need their sunnies fixed firmly on!

Ahhh, the Agent Provocater Mazzy bikini (£195)... Still going strong after it was first intro ducted in S/S12 with the orange and black shades when sports luxe swimwear was all the rage. I cannot get enough, each new shade they bring out tempts me beyond belief although if I had to pick one that I wasn't too mad about, it's the newest pink and black. It's almost looks like the monochrome version that I already own, the pink is too washed out. The neon one above though is far from being mute, it's so in your face bright it's almost crass but not quite. It's most certainly not for everyone, and it's grown on me. I've seen it so many times in people's holiday pics and they just look perfection on a tanned bod by the beach. It gives incredible cleavage too, even for modest boobage!

I only discovered Melissa Odabash swimwear last year and i've never looked back. She designs the most sophisticated and feminine swimwear and the quality of the fabrics is unrivalled. The fit, the feel... nothing comes quite so close. Undeniably some of the most comfortable swimwear I have ever worn and style isn't compromised at all. I've got my eye on the sporty monochrome 'Ponza' bikini set (£172) and the 'Cali Top' (£115).

I usually never EVER wear anything animal print, but i'd make an exception for the below 'Palm Zebra' set (£172). Not at all tacky, just wild and beautiful.

 

The Barrie cover up dress (£220) looks so delicate and chic, I just fall in love when I see it.

I am so sad that I only discovered Triangl swimwear as of last week... I've been seeing loads of pics featuring this pretty contrast bikini in both the above orange colour and a bright pink and I was dead set on buying it until I realised it was no longer for sale, literally anywhere :( I'm not so sure it would have been so flattering on me as it looks pretty full cupped and I would look so flat chested but still... swoon!

Now all I need is that beach body! ;) Roll on summer 2014....

Primark Armcandy

Primark Neon Shoulder Bag £8

I'm known for being a bit of a bag snob but when I saw this little neon yellow shoulder strap bag in Primark yesterday there was no doubt about it; it was coming home with me! It's strange as its been ages since I've found anything I liked in the accessory aisles in Primark but I actually ended up walking out with 2 little bags and a clutch!

From left: cream satchel £6, neon shoulder bag £8, Pink clutch £6

I've been waiting for a bright yellow bag just like this to pop up but I wasn't expecting to find it in Primark - I've seen quite a few dotted around the high street that weren't quite right and were LOTS more expensive.... This to me is my perfect little spring bag and I love the pop of colour against my outfits.

As you can see, it's quite dinky, so i'm not going to be tempted to over fill and give myself neck and shoulder ache as I do with some of my larger bags. BUT, there isa till penny of space for all the everyday essentials in there and an inner zipped compartment for any loose bits you might carry about.

I love this playful little bag, it looks super fun and quirky but I know it's not to everyone's tastes. These seem to be quite new on the shelves, so if you love it as much as me, get yourself down to Primark pronto! x

Sunday's OOTD

Dorothy Perkins' Bejewelled Peter Pan Collar Dress 

This is the first peter pan collar item of clothing i've ever purchased - I've always steered away from them as I thought they didn't suit me but I must have been just trying on the wrong stuff before now as I adore this one! I got it from Dorothy Perkins for £28. It's very cutesy with the bejewelled collar and fit and flare style. It makes me feel like i'm wearing a school dress kinda but I like it.

Apologies for the dusty mirror shots... As you can see, this dress is quite short but most things are on me as I'm pretty tall. I like wearing it with opaque tights if it's mega cold and windy like it is right now. I love DP's fit and flare dresses, so floaty and feminine. I wore this dress out a catchup with a friend recently and paired it with my Alexander Wang Rocco, though i wish I'd taken the Mulberry Lily out instead, I think any cute little shoulder bag would probably go much better than a hefty thing like the Rocco.

Bisous x

Style Steal: Primark Cobalt Blue Lace Dress

Primark Cobalt Blue Lace Dress £3 

I couldn't believe my luck when I found this beautiful blue dress in the sale racks at Primark! I bagged it for just £3.00 reduced from £15.00, practically giving it away. I first saw it on a friend on a night out and I'm not one for usually buying the same stuff (how bad would an outfit clash be?!) but this was too good to miss :) There was only a size 10 and some 6's left so i risked a 10 without even trying it on but thankfully is fits, if maybe a little tight around the chest

I've got a thing for electric blues; so vibrant and eye catching. I love the lacey bit around the neck, very pretty. I have to be careful not to snag it with my nails which will eventually happen. 

My full length shot of this dress shows that's it quite a figure hugging dress and shows your curves off. There's also a red and green version of this dress and all in the sales currently so if you can get down to Primark, get going quick because they're flying!

xoxo

Review: Sampar So Much to Dew Midnight Mask

Sampar's "Midnight Mask" Review Winter skin doesn't have to be dull and dry when you use the right products to keep it looking and feeling plump and hydrated. That's where Sampar's "Midnight Mask" comes in... I've tried lots of masks for all types of skin problems, intact, i'd go as far as to say i'm a bit of a mask junkie; I can't get enough. But if I had to narrow my beauty products down, this mask would definitely still be in my cosmetic cupboard! This mask is designed to be applied in the evening and worn over-night whilst you sleep so that it can really get to work at replenishing your skins moisture barriers.  It is paraben and fragrance free making it super skin friendly and is aimed at all ages and skin types so as universal as it gets.

The brush applicator is so soft and makes applying the "Midnight Mask" a real treat, it doesn't irritate and smoothes out the product around the entire face evenly and in no time. You may want to clean it after use so that it feels just as soft and lovely when applying the next time but as long as you put the lid back on it should be fine for a few applications before it needs cleansing like any other of your makeup brushes.

The mask itself is just the right texture and consistency for me - not too thick and gloopy as I first expected such a moisturising mask to be. It sinks quite quickly into the skin and if you have oily areas like me, it doesn't just sit on top and add to the greasiness which I always look for in a moisturising product. So you apply a generous layer, wait a few mins whilst the majority sinks in (you don't want to waste it all on the pillows...) and then get some beauty sleep so you look extra gorgeous when you wake in the morning! After I washed the mask off in the morning for the first time, I could definitely feel the difference in my skin - it felt more comfortable and I noticed it did look a little more plump than usual. Nothing major as I don't think my skin needs plumping at this stage in my life but that chapped rough feeling the cold winds and central heating usually give my skin were all drastically improved after using this product. My skin is happy again :)

You can buy this skin saviour from MarksandSpencer.com for £34.00

Review: Elizabeth Arden - Ceramide Daily Youth Restoring Serum Capsules

Prevention is better than the cure...Some of you may be wondering why i'm using 'youth restoring serum' when I'm only 25... truth is, our skin is steadily declining in elasticity and firmness from our mid twenties so really, I should have been on the ball long before now! I have dabbled with using anti-ageing lotions and potions specifically for younger skin before but never really stuck to any routine where I used them daily. They can often be too heavy and oily as quite a lot are for mature skin which is lacking in moisture but at my age, I just need something to help prevent wrinkles and keep my skin feeling soft and supple.

I would have never thought of using Elizabeth Arden's ceramide capsules if it wasn't for having one of the cosmetic assistant's in John Lewis catch me as I walked by and got me to try one on the back of my hand. I was dubious, as the serum was squeezed out it looked slick and greasy but after massaging in and leaving for a few minutes, it had literally sank straight into my skin with no tacky/oily residue! 

I really was dumfounded, nothing in the title even hints at it being suitable for younger skin but this was a product that would really work for me, so not long after I found a bargainous deal on AllBeauty.com and decided to implement the capsules into my daily skincare routine.My skin feels so soft and totally nurtured after applying, they really are my favourite anti ageing serum so far. Each capsule has enough for one application for face and décolletage - the only downside for me as I don;t particularly like using creams or serums on my neck area so each capsule has just a little too much in it for me. The capsules look so luxe and are quite novel, a little more fussy than having it ready to squeeze out of a tube for example but I like them. They can be a bit fiddly to open if you rip the teat too low it could spill out if you're not careful. The lid on the tube doesn't stay put very well either so i've had lots of capsules scattering all over my floor and makeup bag whilst carting them around (too risky to just carry one around in case it gets squished!) but maybe it was just my jar that's kaput.

They are currently £21.75 on AllBeauty.com and retail at £37.00 for 30 on Debenhams.com