SPRING/SUMMER POLISH PICKS

Yay were mid spring and summers round the corner, we can get out all those lovely shades of nail polish that are to OTT for the winter. Last summer I was in love with pastel colours and judging by my picks for this spring and summer it looks like I'm still loving them. 

Here are my top picks of OPI nails polishes for this spring/summer.

Are we there yet

Your Such A Budapest

My Very First Knockwerst

Suzi Shops N Island Hops

Thats Hula-rious

French Quarter For Your Thoughts

View Post

WHY & HOW YOU SHOULD DRY BRUSH YOUR SKIN

Dry Brushing is literally brushing your skin with a dry bristle brush. Why? ... Our skin is our largest organ I for one forget this all the time. 1/3 of our body's toxins are excreted through the skin, dry brushing helps to unclog your pores and get rid of toxins that become trapped in the skin along with some added benefits....

1. Stimulates your lymphatic system

dry brushing your skin can stimulate your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system plays a major role in your body's immune system. Without going into the whole anatomy of it, stimulating your lymphatic system helps it to release toxins. For a in depth description of what your lymphatic system does for your body visit here but be sure to come back and read the rest of this post! 

2.Exfoliation

Dry brushing removes dead skin cells and lets your skin breatheeeeee

3.Increase circulation 

Dry Brushing your skin can also increase your circulation which also encourages the elimination of metabolic waste (really harmful stuff)

4.Reduce cellulite

So according to certain studies dry brushing can soften hard fat deposits below the skin while distributing fat deposits more easily and in turn help in reducing the appearance of cellulite. (If that isn't reason enough to start dry brushing I don't know what is) 

5.Stress relief

The act of dry brushing has been described as meditative. It may also reduce and muscle tension and can be seen as a light body massage.

How to Dry Brush your skin effectively 

Use a non synthetic/nylon bristle brush preferably with a long handle so you can reach your back but if not you can always ask for a helping hand.

You can dry brush your skin at any point in the day although in the morning is a good time as it has been said to boost energy and leave you feeling more energised. Also before showering is a good time to brush so you can wash of any loose dead skin cells or toxins.

Start with the soles of your feet working your way up the body using upward strokes towards your heart as this best for your circulation and lymphatic system. After doing your lower body move on to your hands and arms again working towards your heart then brush your back and abdomen using clockwise motion (to follow the movement of the colon), chest and neck.

You should avoid your face as your facial skin is much more delicate that the body's (also your bits and bobs)After brushing your skin may be pink or tingly so don't panic however its shouldn't be painful at all if so you probably brushing too hard.

Have you heard of dry brushing before? Have you tried dry brushing?

View Post

NO BAKE TASTY ENERGY BOOST BITES

This no bake energy bite recipe is super tasty and super quick! These balls are squidgy peanutbuttery deliciousness! For how good these taste you'd think they have got to be bad for you but in fact the only real naughty here are the chocolate chips, which are optional. These balls are bursting with protein, fibre and antioxidants and should give you a nice little boost. 

Okay so in the recepie I found all the ingredients were measured in Cups. For me it was okay as I have a jug that measures in cups but for most of us in the U.K cups are a nightmare to convert. BUT i measured out all the ingredients in grams and i will list them as well as the original recepie i followed.

Ingredients: 

IN GRAMS

90g of Oats

150g of Peanut Butter( I used organic 99% nuts but you can use what ever peanut butter you wish)

110g of Honey

50g of Dessicated Coconut

40g Flaxseed or Milled Chia Seed (you can use normal Chia Seeds thats up to you)

1tsp of Vanilla Extract (not a absolute must but tastes delicious)

6 Tbsp of Chocolate Chips (again not essential but just super tasty)

IN CUPS

1 Cup of Oats

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter ( I used organic 99% nuts but you can use what ever peanut butter you wish)

1/3 Cup of Honey

2/3 Cup of Dessicated Coconut 

1/2 Cup of Flax Seed or Milled Chia Seed (you can use normal Chia Seeds thats up to you)

1tsp of Vanilla Extract (not a absolute must but tastes delicious)

6 Tbsp of Chocolate chips (again not essential but just super tasty)

This makes approx 8 balls - half the ingredients for 4 balls and double for 16.

First measure out all of your ingredients (you do not have to use as many dishes as me it was for the sake of the picture, save yourself the washing up if you like and measure them out one by one) 

Then mix them all together in a bowl (this will take a few minutes to ensure all ingredients are mixed throughly)

Now pop your mix into the fridge for 20-30 mins (you do not have to do this step it is just recommended and may help to hold your mix together better)
After 20-30 mins take the mix out of the fridge and using your hands roll the mix into small roughly1inched sized balls

And finally enjoy the wonderfully tasty bites you've just created.
If you want to save some for later or the next day keep them in the fridge or in a air tight container. 

So its literally as simple as mixing all the ingredients together and rolling into balls. THATS IT! Straight after making this batch I had to make another as they lasted 2 minutes in my house!

I'd love to know if you want to or you try out this recipe and if you do please let me know what you think I'm sure you'll love them just like me and apparently everyone in my house.

View Post

TIMELESS TRUTH MASK REVIEW

Timeless Truth kindly agreed to send me out one of their masks. I chose their Bio Cellulose Bee Venom & Royal Jelly Miracle Mask. It was the Beauty Awards 2015 Gold Winner so I thought its got to be worth a try. 

Here's A little description of their mask from their website...

"Turn back the clock with this mask. Bee venom dates back to ancient times when medicines and creams containing it were used for many conditions – now it is hailed as nature’s alternative to Botox!

Together with Royal Jelly “the elixir of youth” and the nourishment of the queen bee we have a magic combination. These active ingredients help to stimulate the production of collagen and elasticity to help smooth, lift and tighten the skin. The venom also contains a compound called Melittin, which has been shown to have anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties."

SKIN TYPE: Ageing, Slack

BENEFITS: Plumps & firms skin, Stimulates the production of Collagen, Hydrates.

ALLERGY ADVICE: Contains Bee Venom. Not suitable for people allergic to bee sting.

 A letter that came with the mask that said that you could put it in the fridge or warm water prior to use for either a nice cooling tightening effect or a warm soothing effect. I chose to put it in warm water. It also said that the mask has a lot of product on it and in the sachet and to use this to your advantage and keep the excess for later applications, so when opening I kept the sachet to one side. The mask was very juicy as stated and had no smell really. The mask comes with two protective layers that you peel off before applying it to your face. The mask itself is really squidgy, soft, and slimy with product (in a good way) It has been designed to fit the contours of your face.

I would advise tying your hair up as it will get stuck to the front of the mask.

I found the mask to be very comfortable on your face. It comes with what im guessing are flaps to cover your eyes but I chose not to use them as I was mainly walking around. I thought that the mask would probably keep slipping off but it stayed on the whole time which was great as I was able to get on with things I needed to do whilst letting the mask work its magic. Alternatively you can lie back and relax.

The product didn't tingle, irritate or have any sensation on my skin at all really. When I peeled off the mask I was left with lots of product on my face, which instructed by sachet says to just massage into the skin and let sink in. 

What I liked about this product was that you put it on and peel it off. Theres no mess involved and no washing your face after and trying to get all the bits out of your hair. When washing a face mask off your face can be left dry after and needing to be moisturised, with this mask theres no washing off needed and it leaves product on your face to sink in. 

To be honest I feel id have to use this product regularly to see proper results, I cant claim that its changed my skin from one application but it did leave my face feeling hydrated and not dry at all. My experience of this first application was very pleasant. 

If you'd like to have a look or try out one of these peel off sheet masks you can visit Timeless Truth's website here or shop the mask I chose here.

View Post

QUICK FIX PRODUCTS

I have chosen some of my favourite quick fix products.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is the best quick fix if your hair is looking dull or greasy. You know those really annoying days you get up and remember that you forgot to wash your hair the night before and your in a rush to leave the house? Or you purposely tried to put off washing your hair convincing yourself you'd get away with another day before having to wash it and then hey presto you wake up a grease ball? Yeah dry shampoo's your answer. Its good for our hair if we wash it spareingly as the oils in our hair protect it and keep it healthy so by washing it we strip our hair of these natural oils. By using dry shampoo we can get more time in between washes for our hair which = healthier hair.  For me nothing beats Batiste when it comes to dry shampoo but then I haven't tried every dry shampoo out there. 

Fake Bake Airbrush Self-tanner

This Airbrush self-tan is the quickest way to apply fake tan. I use it for my face, chest and arms mainly (obviously if my legs aren't showing that day) I usually apply a layer of moisturiser to my face and neck, allow that to sink in and then spray the tan onto my skin. I then usually wait 5-10 mins for the tan to fully dry before putting on my make up.  I would advise you to use this in a bathroom if doing your whole body as there can be over spray, best thing to do is to stand in the empty bath or shower and spray away. 

Bath&Body Works Anti-Bac Hand Gel

This hand gel is perfect to keep in your handbag and use when out and about or using public transport. This gel smells amazingggg, a bit like a floral/watermelon perfume. This particular hand gel is from a store called Bath&Body Works which is actually in America but I'm sure you'd easily be able to find a fab smelling hand gel where ever you are in the world. They are super handy pun intended.

Victoria Secret Mini Noir Tease Perfume

I got this mini Victoria Secret perfume at Christmas and its another great little addition to your handbag. When ever you feel you need a little sproose this appetiser size fragrance comes in handy. I'm hoping these little loves are not just a thing they do at Christmas but all year round as it just saves bringing out you normal sized bottles of perfume which if your like me don't bother to bring out at all because you cant be bothered to carry it. This particular one smells soooooo nice, but I know they had a few others which probably all smell amazing.

Newlook Pure Colour Grey Matte Nail Varnish

This nail varnish is the a perfect quick fix for your nails I've never had a nail varnish that dries so fast! I think its something to do with it being a matte varnish. You ever go to go out and look at your chipped nails and think I cant go out with these, you really want to paint over them but you know it will take forever to dry and you'll only end up chipping them? Don't we all, well this nail varnish is perfect for a occasion like that. If you've always got chipped nails you may want to get one of these varnishes in a dark colour so any time you need to quickly paint over your chipped polish you know the colour will cover the previous colour. This particular colour is called 'Light Grey' but I'd say it was a purpleish grey colour which I love!

EBay False Eyelashes 

Obviously all fake lashes are a quick fix for getting glam eye make up look or just simply longer/thicker lashes. Well these lashes are actually from eBay and they came in a pack of 10 for £1!! these have actually been my favourite eyelashes Ive ever used as they're not too long or too thick they do have a little over hanging plastic on each end but I just cut that off with scissors I also use a different type of glue for any strip lashes I use, I either use individual lash adhesive or hair extensions glue now I am in now way advising you to try this as you may not like how strong the glue is or may be allergic to these products I'm simply telling you what I use.

Do you use any of these quick fix products?

Do you have any quick fix favourites of your own?

View Post

URBAN OUTFITTERS HOME MUST HAVES

View Post