Monday, 6 May 2013

Review: LUSH Henata


Would you look at that cutie! Allow me to introduce Henata, a fun little chicken with a gorgeous citrus scent. This little madam cost me a hefty £4.50, but I could easily have saved half of her for another bath. Where's the fun in that, I ask?


Not only is Henata huge and fun to look at, she also contains a teeny tiny egg-shaped bath bomb and a bunch of soap paper flowers! She is scented with mandarin, tangerine and bargamot. Heaven in a chicken for any citrus fans.


Apologies for the shoddy quality in the above photograph, but what a distinctive color dear Henata turns the bathwater! I am often put off by yellow bath bombs, but the colour pulled more orange to me at the time. This photo obviously doesn't.

LUSH advise smashing Henata at the side of the bath, but I ended up having to snap her apart in the end. I think of her as rather like a Terry's Chocolate Orange... I can't break those either!

Henata is from the Easter collection, so she is no longer available. If she's around next year I'll be snapping her up in the hopes of really smashing her!

My rating: 

Thursday, 2 May 2013

May Wishlist


China Glaze For Audrey | Bourjois Cream Blush (01 Velvet Nude) | Becky Buckle Faux Leather Jacket (Black)

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China Glaze For Audrey
This was the very China Glaze that first caught my attention. I have some glitters, some neons, and a whole bunch of reds in various finishes, but I'm yet to try a pastel from China Glaze. This is perfect for Spring. - £6.95 from Beauty Bay

Bourjois Cream Blush (01 Velvet Nude)
These new cream blushes won't be launching until May 15th, but I'll be snatching one up in Velvet Nude the moment I set my eyes on the display. Swatches online show this shade to be a coral/peach. - £7.99 from Boots/Superdug

Becky Buckle Faux Leather Jacket (Black)
I've been eyeing up faux leather jackets for what seems like forever, but it's been so cold that I just haven't bothered. I know it doesn't scream Spring, but it's too pretty to say no! I'll need to save some pennies... - £58 from Oasis

Scallop Detail Satchel Bag
The month of April proved to be a heartbreaking one. It was the month I fell for the Cambridge Satchel Company's Chelsea Collection. I can't justify £115, so I've settled on this gorgeous creature instead. - £28 from ASOS

Models Own Apple Pie 
I wasn't that bothered about the Fruit Pastel collection from Models Own at first because I just really don't see the point of the scented polish. However, after caving and buying both Strawberry Tart and Banana Split, I'm now craving this pretty mint. - £5 from Boots

Soap & Glory Clean On Me
I'm really, really into matching up all my scents right now, so I'd love to try this body wash to go with my body scrub and butter with the same Original Pink fragrance. It smells lush! - £5.50 from Boots

Blue Rolled Sleeve Distressed Denim Jacket 
I'm hoping this baby will help me to come out of my comfort zone of jeans this spring. I'd like to pair this with some cute dresses I've been eyeing up. - £35 from River Island

Sleek Face Form Contouring Kit (Light)
This kit hasn't been in stock in my local Superdrug for a while, so I may just have to order it. It comes with the lovely Rose Gold blusher (in the Fair and Light kits), so this would be killing two birds with one stone. - £9.99 from Superdrug

OPI Lights of Emerald City
This is another polish that snuck up on me! I liked the new Oz film (liked, not loved) and although I didn't think much of the OPI collection.... well. I blame this on all the swatches online! I think it looks adorable over pretty pastels and would love to add it to my collection. - £11.50 from Beauty Bay





Wednesday, 1 May 2013

April Empties


Not too bad for my first month, no?

Sure Women Cotton Dry 48h Active Anti-Perspirant - £1.99
This is a boring 'un. I'm not fussy with deodorant and generally go for whatever's on offer, but I do prefer Sure to other brands.
Repurchase? I'm using the compressed deodorants from now on.

LUSH Snow Fairy - £3.50 / £6.25 / £10.25
I can't believe I've had this hanging around for so long! I finally decided to use this up this month and I'm sad to see it go. It's such a sweet, girly smell and I love it, I do, I just don't think I could stomach it every day of the year. 
Repurchase? Yes! I'll grab a big bottle in the sale. :)

Max Factor Xperience Foundation - £9.99
This is my back-up foundation. It does the job and works well with my skin, but I think there are better options out there.
Repurchase? As mentioned above, this is a back-up only. I've got another in my stash already, but yes.

Simple Kind To Skin Soothing Facial Toner - £2.64 / £2.99
Why did I pay £2.64 for 50ml when I could have paid £2.99 for 200ml?! Regardless of my stupidity, I liked this. It's cheap and cheerful, kind to skin, and I felt like it was actually working.
Repurchase? We'll see how I get on with my Body Shop toner.

Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream - £10.20
This is a very nice product but I couldn't stand the smell! Thankfully I only had the miniature size and didn't pay a tenner for something that I wasn't comfortable with. It left my skin feeling lovely, so it is a shame.
Repurchase? No. I might like to try their Orange Essence Facial Cleanser in the future, however.

Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream - £11.99 
I'm gutted this is empty! Stinking miniature. This I do like the smell of... I wasn't sold on the gel consistency at first, but I actually found it less greasy when compared to other creams. This will be sorely missed by my poor tootsies.
Repurchase? I've got a huge tub from LUSH to try first, so it's a maybe from me.

not pictured:
Bomb Cosmetics Bluebell Bellini | Bomb Cosmetics Daisy Roots | LUSH Fluffy Egg | LUSH Romance in a Stone




Tuesday, 30 April 2013

April Favourites


Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter
I've been faithfully purchasing this butter for ages. It has the Original Pink fragrance that I know and love so well, and has such a lovely texture that sinks in to the skin really nicely. The price is affordable for me at £10.50 as you get a nice big tub, plus there's often offers in Boots.

Cowshed Wild Cow Invigorating Travel Candle
This came as part of a set from Christmas. I decided to burn this one first because it was the scent that most grabbed me, and I'm so glad. Lemongrass, ginger and rosemary are the essential oils in Wild Cow, and combine to make a really gorgeous citrus smell. My only complaint is the £30 price tag for the full size, so I'll only be buying from this brand on sale.

Benefit They're Real
I've found my holy grail mascara! I can't commend They're Real enough. It does wonders for my lashes, is packaged stylishly, and has yet to clump on me! This is love. I'm okay with the £19.50 price tag. With it being a Benefit product, I don't think it's too bad.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Pink Lemonade
I picked up two of the Lip Butters recently, but this is the shade I've been reaching for. I find it very wearable and very pretty. Just my colour, really. I'm more than happy to pay £7.99 for these.

Sinful Colors Cinderella
I got this free when Boots had their fabulous 3 for 2 offer. I liked Sinful Colors beforehand, but Cinderella completely took me by surprise. It is sheer, but it's such a pretty shade of blue with tons of pink shimmer. I can handle a few coats for this princess. At £1.99 who am I to argue?!

EOS Passion Fruit Lip Balm
Passion Fruit came in a set of two with Strawberry Sorbet which I purchased online for £8.99. These EOS balms are around £5-6 each, so this wasn't a huge saving but worth it, at least in my opinion. Both are more than fantastic, but I'm really loving Passion Fruit right now. They're so great just to throw in your bag!

Rimmel Stay Matte
This is a brilliant setting powder for foundation and concealer. Easily the best £3.99 I've ever spent!

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Album: Empty Orchestra by Honig
Film: Silver Linings Playbook
TV: Hannibal


Monday, 29 April 2013

Review: LUSH Romance in a Stone


Isn't she beautiful? This lovely lady is a Limited Edition Retro product, meaning she is now unavailable! She's a little 'un and set me back £2.95, but was she worth it?


Here she is above fizzing away. Romance in a Stone is scented with rose and orange fragrances, with the added bonus of a generous helping of rose petals to keep her looking pretty.


Now we can see where those petals went! After the fizzing, I was left with a faint green tint to the bath water and the divine citrus scent. You also get a cute sonnet, but I took the scrap of paper for rubbish and threw it in the bin in disgust! This is why I should read up on my LUSH products before using...

Personally, I'm a fan. The scent was gorgeous and anything this pretty is worth paying for in my eyes.

My rating: 


Monday, 15 April 2013

NOTD: Essie Mojito Madness

For my very first NOTD post, I have for you a right beauty from Essie. This green cream/creme is from their Summer 2012 collection - Bikini So Teeny.


I must apologize for the quality of my photos. (These are just some quick snaps using my phone.) Mojito Madness is quite a bit brighter in person.

All photos are two coats of Mojito Madness, with one coat of Save The Nail 45 Second Coat.

 

Essie Nail Colour - £7.99 from Boots/Superdrug
Save The Nail 45 Second Coat - £6.95 from Boots


Essie is definitely my go-to for green, I have to say. I managed to snag this shade from Fragrance Direct for just £1.99 - bargain! 

Personally, I'm digging this particular shade of green. I wore this over the weekend at work and have never had so many compliments on my nails in my life! Bonus. :)


Thursday, 4 April 2013

April Wishlist: Birthday Edition

Uh-huh, it's that time of the year! I'm not sure if I'm exited or terrified at the prospect of turning twenty... hm. Yep, in as little as thirteen days, I'll no longer be a teen!



Relax, Take a Bath
I'm not exaggerating when I say that LUSH is kind of a given in our family when it comes to gift giving. I'm still yet to try Twilight which is mainly why I'm lusting over this particular set. Other than that, how adorable is the Dorothy bubble bar? - £12.50 from LUSH

L'Occitane Limited Edition Happy Hands Trio Collection
I have heard amazing things about the L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream and to say that I am desperate to give this brand a go would be a huge understatement. This cute set includes Rose Petals, Mango Flower and Date Bouquet, all in 30ml. - £20 from ASOS

Hayley Denim Dress
This caught my eye in John Lewis, but I deserted it after deciding that I would never have a chance to wear it. I've since had a change of heart and now need this in my life! I'm just really digging denim right now, so I'm crossing my fingers for some decent weather some time soon! - £45 from Oasis

Philosophy Birthday Girl Beauty Gift Set
My purse hates this brand but the heart wants what the heart wants! I picked up Christmas Cookie back in January when Boots had their sale and although I've managed to ration it, I can't help but want more Philosophy. I'm keeping an eye out in TK Maxx either way. - £18 from John Lewis

Real Techniques Core Collection
I've been meaning to get a basic set of brushes for some time now but I'm having trouble parting with my money. I really fancy the look of this set and I've only heard good things so they may very well be the ones! Maybe someone will take pity on me and save me the pounds... - £21.99 from Boots

Nails Inc Bling It On Leather & Skulls
Now this is something I most certainly do not need. I'm a huge hoarder when it comes to nail polish and I cannot for the life of me say no to a gimmick. I just want it. *grabby hands* - £19 from ASOS

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire
I can just picture my mum shaking her head at me now in complete and utter despair. Yes, I do have those two Marc Jacobs to get through, and yes, I still haven't really touched my bottle of Vera Wang Glam Princess, but... look! Look how pretty. I've fallen for you, La Petite Robe Noire. - £59.50 (50ml) from The Perfume Shop

Chocolate Orange Candle
Just the thought of this candle makes me go weak at the knees. I'm a sucker for anything chocolate, as well as a firm fan of Bomb Cosmetics. I've got their Geranium and Red Poppy Glass Candle (from a local shop at a reduced price), but I rather like the look of their tins better. - £7.99 from Bomb Cosmetics

Coral Contrast Panel Structured Bag
I have to say, nothing has really caught my eye in River Island for quite some time. I tend to walk straight past in favour of Topshop. However, I stumbled upon this baby during a browse on their website. I've become quite attached to the more structured bags lately and I am just head over heels for that coral! - £37 from River Island