Easter Update

I absolutely adore Easter, not just for the obvious reason that you can stuff your face with chocolate and not feel guilty, but because it symbolises the beginning of something new. Every where is in bloom and summer is just around the corner! 

Speaking of blooms, I was chuffed to see we had a small cherry tree nestled away in the corner of the garden recently... I hadn't noticed it before as we moved in over xmas when the trees were bare but now it is just full of pretty pink blossom swaying in the spring breeze.  I took the above picture on my way to work bank holiday Friday and it really made me feel much happier just from standing beneath it for a little while before my shift.

I've always dabbled with the idea of purchasing some Diptyque candles and never actually done it until recently. I thought they were very expensive and was worried I would't get my monies worth out of them - not being anywhere near a boutique that stocked them I couldn't even whiff the various scents on offer! Space NK had an offer on recently where you got £10 off a £50 spend so I picked the 2 scents that i had managed to smell on a trip to Manchester once and remembered.  I opted for Geranium Rosa in the larger standard candle size which is a very pungent floral scent of geranium and roses funnily enough! I love it, but the partner finds it a little over powering. The smaller travel size is Feu  de Bois which is very peculiar to me and not my usual type at all but I love the woody aroma is gives off. Very soothing. They both look absolutely beautiful on my dresser, makes me almost not want to use them just yet... I did purchase a lid topper for the standard size, it's meant to keep the candle scent for longer and protects from dust etc. The Standard 190g candle price is £40 and for the smaller 70g it is £20 - the lid is £12.
I've received 1 of 2 Melissa Odabash bikinis ordered via Brand Alley - below is the classic purple Dubai style and I just love the colour and the little gold charms... I'm not feeling quite as ready for summer as I was this time last year so getting this has given me a little push to upping the intensity now to make sure I do this beautiful bikini justice! I've been trying some green juices since the beginning of the year but I don't stick to any particular routine of drinking them, just as and when. They certainly make me feel healthier even if I haven't seen that much different in weight and or skin but I wouldn't when I counteract them with the rubbish food I keep eating...

Below is a stunning semi precious amethyst necklace from Asos.com thatI am just dying to get my hands on but it isn't stocked on the site just yet - I saw it in their magazine and I'm hoping I get an alert soon to say that it is live! It looks very magical :)

 

REVIEW: Paula's Choice - Hydralight Moisturiser, Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel and Skin Balancing Toner

Paula's Choice, formulated by Paula Begoun, is a range of wonderful skincare products that aim to take 'brilliant care of your skin' that never contain colouring agents, fragrances and have never tested on animals. So far so good! What I also find quite novel about Paula's Choice is the Beautypedia - not only does Paula recommend her own products but other well known and niche brands too! I've never really seen a company do this before, which makes me feel somewhat more assured that Paula's Choice is essentially very honest and has the customer's best interests at heart.

When I start using new products, I really like to try them for a good while before I do a review on them as I really want to give a true reflection of my experience. I implemented these three products into my routine just over a month ago now and my skin has never looked more even and radiant! I'm not saying i've been left with totally new skin without any imperfections or flaws as it hasn't miraculously cured me of the odd breakout, but my skin looks a lot fresher than before I started using Paula's Choice.

In order of usage, here's what I've been using...

1. Skin Balancing Pore Reducing Toner £19.25 190ml
This is super lightweight and mildly moisturising, aimed at normal to oily skin. It's fantastic for combination skin as it doesn't feel feel greasy but at the same time it isn't making problems worse by being too astringent like most toners i've tried before seem to do. It helps provide a bit of moisture to the areas that need it and doesn't sit heavy on the areas that don't. I think the price is very reasonable for the amount you get which is 190ml. I don't totally drench a cotton pad and use just a few drops so really this will last a VERY long time.

2. Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel £23.00 100ml

If you're looking for a brighter and more even complexion, look no further!This exfoliating gel is my absolute star product from the trio. I wasn't sure how my skin would react to this as i've heard mixed reviews about using BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acids) products but thankfully i've not had any problems and I link my radiant skin these days to this little gem. It's not an exfoliator n the normal sense of the word, to me anyway, it doesn't have any gritty bits that rub against the skin to reveal new skin underneath but uses salicylic acid (2%) to help combat blemishes and redness. Basically, BHA's work inside the skin, within the pores so are great for problem skin, whereas AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) work on the outside and are better for dry skin types generally. The only thing I dislike about this product is the sticky feel on my hands and face for a minute or so after applying. It does sink in to the skin pretty quick though and the sticky residue is gone without a trace afterwards. A word of advice... you MUST make sure you wear a minimum SPF15 when using BHA products, as they make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

3. Hydralight Shine-Free Daily Mineral Complex SPF30 £25.25 60ml

Moisturisers have always been a problem for me, I've always found them a chore as I find it hard to find one that provides enough moisture for my oily skin type without making my skin feel greasy within an hour or so. This moisturiser is definitely a good choice for oily skin types like mine as it certainly is shine free and very light as the name suggests. It provides a excellent sun protection with the SPF30 and provides a really good base if you're going to be applying makeup. However, if you are not going to be wearing makeup on top of this product it could leave you looking a little washed out - this is due to the mineral spf complex. For me it's not so extreme as I look like i've seen  ghost, it just leaves me looking a little paler than before.



Overall i'm so glad i discovered Paula's Choice and i've already got my eye on a few other products to try soon. One that recently arrived is the RESIST Multi Correctional Treatment which i'm going to use on top of the BHA gel for hopefully even better results! Full review to follow in the near future...

Tea India's Charming Chai Teas..

If you're a lover of chai tea like myself, then you really need to try Tea India's wonderfully tasty blends, trust me on this! 

I was lucky enough to be sent their full range of teas recently so I had myself a little tea tasting party over the weekend. Before I was sent the teas, I had already been purchasing Tea India's Masala Chai; I saw it on the shelves in my local Sainsbury's and decided to give it a whirl. The pretty packaging really caught my eye but I wasn't expecting it to become my new fave chai blend, at all. I was hooked on Teapigs chai tea at the time, so boy am I glad that I discovered Tea India as their 40 pack chai teas are priced at £2.20 instead of £3.99 for a pack of 15 from Teapigs.... 

There is no compromise on taste,    just amazing value for money! I was also sent a beautiful Scaramanga notepad and pen to make some tea tasting notes with.

Tea India and I both have the same belief that tea is one of life's 'simple pleasures' and if you're a tea lover and you drink copious amounts of tea every day, why not invest in the best quality blends? My favourite from the teas sent to me which were Masala, Vanilla and Cardamom chai teas and a traditional black tea is still the Masala overall but their vanilla blend is so creamy and fragrant; perfect for the end of the day I find. The Cardamom blend is really different to any chai i've ever tasted, really tasty and is something that I find myself reaching for more and more. 

The black tea is lovely and rich - perfect all rounder i'd say. It is priced around £2.95 for 80 teabags, again making it nice and affordable for a quality tea.

Tea India are doing lots of sample giveaways at the moment and I believe they are teaming up with ASOS next month to give away some delicious chai teas with orders.  To find out more and discover the taste of India visit TeaIndia.co.uk!

xoxo

Review: Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist (Nude)

Pout Perfection

Of all the beauty products I own (and I own a lot!), lip products prevail in my makeup bags and cupboards. I can't get enough of them, it's hardly surprising when you come to think of all the different shades and finishes that are available to purchase these days.

It's no surprise then that I got mega excited at the launch of one of my favourite luxury skincare brands; Sisley Paris' Lip Twists which aim to 'rewrite the rules of lipstick' in the sense that it acts as both a lipstick with concentrated colour in the form of a tint but nourishing and glossy like a balm. Amaze! And you know what, i'm going to put it out there - this is my favourite lip product to date! Here's why...

The main reason I love the Phyto-Lip Twists is the colour pay off. It's perhaps the most intense i've used for a balm, EVER. The colours are all beautiful and there is no need for anymore than the 6 offered as they are just perfect and offer subtle shimmer (like the nude shade I opted for) or all out glamour (try cherry), there's a shade for everyone and every occasion. The other fab thing about this product is the amount of time it stays put - for me it's hours on end and my lips feel conditioned for the whole day after just one application. Basically, it gives me everything I want from a lipstick and balm and mixes them into one 'do it all' chubby stick! It's all I carry in my bag these days. 

The catchphrase is "twist and shine" and it really is that simple. There's no getting your fingers sticky or having to sharpen the product once you've worn it down, you just twist it slightly to renew the length and apply straight from the stick. The nude shade is classic, buildable and has lots of shimmer unlike the rest of the colours. It just looks so beautiful on, perfect for everyday and even for evening if you want to dramatise your eyes and opt for a creamy nude lip.

At £29.00 a pop, they are very expensive but i've come across nothing that can rival the Sisley Phyto-Lip Twists... I took advantage of the John Lewis 10% event recently and picked up Peach but even without a slight discount, they are so worth every penny.

Hopefully you can see below from the lip smacking swatches just how shimmery and pretty this shade is... The shimmer is gold and tiny but it certainly is eye catching and lends itself perfectly to this nude shade.

Pucker up - kissably soft lips!

Utterly butterly... love this formula!

REVIEW: Rimmel BB Cream (Matte) 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup

Rimmel BB Cream (Matte) 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup £6.99...

As i'm writing this review the sun is shining and there's not a cloud in the sky, so it's fair to say that spring has finally sprung! If you're like me, then you'll be having a bit of a spring clean of your makeup bag, or bags and cupboards in my case. I tend to try and look for lighter formulas for summer, products that give a dewy and breathable finish so as not to feel too heavy or start slipping if it's really hot. This idea is what made me want to give Rimmel's new BB cream a whirl....

I was initially impressed by this product boasting that it can give 9-in-1 skin perfecting benefits. It aims to prime, moisturise, minimise pores, conceal, cover, smooth, mattify, brighten, and help protect your skin in general from day to day stresses. Sounds pretty amazing, huh?! Yet it certainly didn't live up to these expectations, for me, personally.

I chose the 'light' shade which still looks quite warm on the swatch below but actually blends out to look quite fair in the end, still not the best match for light skins. That age old problem with BB creams! It does apply nicely, there's no tugging at the skin to spread it evenly which was nice but once applied I wasn't impressed with the finish. To say this product is oil free and is supposed to be mattifying, it was still quite shiny. I realise BB's are supposed to look dewy but there's a big difference between dewy and shiny! Not all over, but in all the places I don't like too much of a sheen - my forehead and nose area. This only got a thousand times worse throughout the day... I only managed to wear it for around 4 hours before I had to take it off. By the end of those 4 hours I looked a total mess, so shiny my skin almost looked wet to touch around my T-Zone. Therefore to me, for a Matte BB Cream, this has totally failed. I've used other BB creams that don't advertise mattifying properties and had better results!

It didn't give any kind of coverage for me, I prefer my BB creams with a bit more coverage - still light but to at least blur out any imperfections. If you have perfect skin to start with and no problem with oiliness in the first place then this product could be suitable but then why would you need to use it? Basically, I really don't like this product mat all. I do NOT recommend as it seems to be unable to do any of the benefits it boasts.

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....