beauty sales haul, but no sale items...

Although I've named this post 'sales haul', absolutely none of these items were in a sale at all (sadly), but it seemed an applicable-ish name. 

When I tried my Origins intensive over night mask, I knew I NEEDED more products, so I begged my sister to take me to my nearest Boots that sells the product, might as well stock up on advantage points whilst I'm there! After a long time searching at home, I knew what products I was looking for so it was easy enough for me. 

I bought Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner and United State Balancing Tonic, and I couldn't resist picking up a couple of samples along the way! The lovely lady made me feel very comfortable and offered to give me some samples, so I got ones that went alongside my purchased products and got the Balanced Diet lotion and the Zero Oil lotion. 

I nipped into Debenhams and of course, bumped into yet another Origins stall (oops!). On another, longer glance, I got offered even more testers (why not?), so I went with Modern Friction, which is an exfoliater you use before using a mask, and the Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask which I'm SO excited to use! Yet another lovely woman again. I managed to get myself booked in for a free 30 minute skincare treatment session where they'll give me a lovely facial and we'll discuss my skincare routine and offer me solutions. Very looking forward to this!

In a rush, I was desperate to spend my well earned Boots Advantage Points. I was pretty certain I wanted to try something from Benefit, I've never tried anything from their range and heard so much about it. I knew I wanted to get some kind of kit so I could try a couple of products. I thought I wanted to try the They're Real mascara, but it's so much for something I wasn't sure on, I couldn't do it. I then found this brilliant kit that contains the infamous POREfessional balm, Hello Flawless foundation, Hello Flawless powder and (what I think...) is a concealer/highlighter/under-eye corrector palette called Boi-ing 01 and 02. If anyone can give me a heads up on that product, I'd appreciate it! On purchasing my product, the Benefit counter girl offered me a free make-up session where they'll give me tips on certain make up looks I find difficult. I'm already sure on what I'm asking for help with! 

Look out for my reviews on these products. Have you tried them? What are your views on Origins and Benefit? I hope you've had a lovely Christmas, everyone, take care!

merry christmas, everyone! upcoming posts to keep an eye for

Hey everyone! Hope you're keeping well. Sorry posts have been few and far between lately, but with the Christmas period, well, you know how it is! I just wanted to wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope you're all well.

I've got some very exciting posts coming up soon including my first ever Origins products, an insight into my Christmas presents, another Lush product and an empties post. So many ideas, such little time!

So, take care everyone, don't get too drunk ;).

Love Hayley xxx

perfect stocking fillers for beauty addicts MUA style!

I think you can't go wrong with MUA's make up range, they're ridiculously affordable they'd be incredible stocking fillers, that I know I'd be happy to receive!

I've used their nail varnish before and loved the shade. It wasn't very pigmented but after three layers was beautiful. I'm loving this navy blue pictured above, as if I don't own enough blues as it is!
I would never think of buying a person foundation, if you get a wrong shade, it's pretty much a waste of money. But with there only being a few shades in BB creams, it's worth a shot! You can pretty much guess, or if you're good friends, sneak a look at their latest shades? I still haven't got a BB cream even after all the hype!
I haven't tried their cream blushers, but I'm so eager too! I have, however, used their powder blush and I adore it! Luckily, it's pretty easy to choose blush so no worries!
This palette looks amazing, with a selection of shadows, blush, contours and highlighters it's a face in a box...ish! This would be perfect for a younger girl, or if you want to experiment with contours/highlights. I may have to buy this when it comes into my local store.


So just a short post today, my sister had to go to hospital yesterday so I have a lot on my mind with work as well, it's just getting a bit hectic! No doubt after Christmas I'll be back to before.


Don't forget about my giveaway! Keep an eye out, ladies, it's coming soon!

Take care :)

h&m antique gold nail polish

First off IGNORE MY GRIMY NAILS. I'm so embarrassed to have them cut so short and ugly, but they were so brittle I thought I best cut them down now and have fresh, (hopefully) nice nails ready for Christmas.

When I nipped into h&m today, not planning on buying anything, I saw their amazing sale, especially on jewellery, then I saw these gorgeous varnishes on top of the stand and I HAD to buy this shade. In the photo, it looks, well, gold, but really it has a lovely pine green tinge to it which is what sold me! It's very shimmery, which fits perfectly for this season. Unlike most shimmer varnishes I own, you can't feel the glitter at all, the finish is incredibly smooth rather than bitty like I find with Barry M shimmers, so much so that I don't feel it needs a top coat which is brilliant because I've ran out!
It's quite thin, I used three layers to get the opaque finish I wanted, but maybe this means it will take longer to go gloopy? You could definitely get away with only two layers though.

Pair these nails with your LBD and neutral lipstick and you've got a perfect Christmas party outfit. I'm definitely going to plan my festive outfits around this shade because I can't get over how pretty it is, especially on longer, non-ugly nails like mine hahaha!

What do you guys think to this colour? Do you have any favourites at the moment?
I'd love to get talking to you guys so feel free to comment, it makes my day!


Take care everyone, and wrap up warm!

the christmas tag!

I'm so excited for Christmas this year, this is my second Christmas post in the past 2 weeks! 

What is your favourite thing about Christmas?

What's NOT my favourite thing!? Spending time with family, romance, gifts, everything :)

What is your favourite make up look for the festive season?

Red lippy, simple eyes, festive yet not too much :)

Real tree or fake tree?

We have fake, I'd LOVE a real tree but my parents object after having one before and still finding needles in the floor!

Giving presents or receiving presents?

Without sounding spoiled, receiving! I'm not too good at buying for people so unless I'm well impressed with what I've bought them, it's giving haha :)

Do you open your Christmas presents morning or evening?

Morning :). We open them all and then around 1ish, our whole family gathers at my nan's and we spoil the kids, have a drink, and then go back home for dinner!

Handmade Christmas cards or bought?

I don't really do Christmas cards. I love getting them, but rarely do, so I guess it'd be bought. 

What is your favourite Christmas film?

The Home Alone's without a doubt!  

What is your favourite Christmas food?

Pigs in blankets!!! And chocolate coins, mmmm :)))

Let me know if you do this! I'd love to see your answers :)

Hope you're all looking forward and getting ready for it, I know I am!

Take care,

it's christmas time, time to reminisce!

Since the Christmas lights were switched on this weekend throughout Sheffield, there's definitely been a buzzing atmosphere. The town has come alive with festive lights, stalls and some fairly out of the ordinary decorations. Nevertheless, the card shops are getting busier and busier, and people are rushing through town frantically trying to buy some early gifts for loved ones.
My city has definitely stepped up a level with their decorations this year. The Winter Gardens (first image above) looks more like a secret garden, and the Peace Gardens looking like a child's imagination with Dr Who's famous police box and some The Doctor's most feared rivals waiting outside. There's even a pirate ship with plenty of pirates working the ship and going through the water fountains. It's truly a kids haven.
The High Street is over-flowing with Christmas markets, heated bars serving mulled wine and roasted chestnut stalls. I can't wait to have a rummage through and see what original gifts I can discover.

Christmas has always been my favourite time of year, filled with family gatherings, eating chocolate coins for breakfast and having my Nan fall asleep on the sofa every ten minutes! This year it's going to be quite different, with my Nan now being in a care home, we'll be bringing the fun to her.
Not only is it a great family occasion, it brings me a few days closer to mine and Mike's first year anniversary! This time of year is filled with amazing memories of my relationship growing and getting to know each other better, staying up talking till 3am on Boxing day and feeling happier than ever.


Do you have any Christmas memories or family traditions? I would love to hear some! Leave me a comment below.

Take care everyone!

my week in photos #2

| 1. It's officially Christmas now the Coca-Cola ad is on our screens!| 2. My cat gets very paranoid over the length of his toenails, he's a little vain.| 3. Star Wars with my beautiful(ish) boyfriend!| 4. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...| 5. Louis enjoys laying in the kitchen sink with the scourer whilst he's alone.| 6. Sent my Christmas list to Michael.| 7. I'm going to London with my best friend!| 8. We bought the cats new beds, cuties.| 9. I made a chocolate cake!|



I've had quite a good week! I had my first day at College being an English Language mentor and it went really well, I'm excited to go back on Tuesday, not looking forward to the interview! I've hardly worked at Mind last week though which is kind of sad! I love working there, but it's difficult volunteering at two places now, I really need some kind of paid job. I have an interview at River Island in a couple of weeks though, so any advice would be so good! Especially with an outfit, I've been told to wear what I think represents the company, anyone got any outfit ideas?
Me and my mum got a load of Christmas shopping done on Saturday, which meant loads of perfume testers and a very uncomfortable bus journey.
I went to Mike's on Thursday, stayed over on Friday till Saturday and it was so nice, I really enjoy spending proper time with him. We'll see each other occasionally after work but we're both tired and drained. As much as I love sleeping with him, I do NOT love when he wakes me up going through boxes and rambling like Pitbull. Definitely want to video him though, I reckon he'd find it so funny.
My cat is the biggest poser ever, he's a right menace!

So yeah, I have another busy week ahead too, I'm hoping to do some more posts, hopefully they will be better quality, I'm just really struggling, I have loads of products I'd love to talk about but struggling to say what I want, bloggers block?


Link me to your week in pictures, I can be a right nosy mare sometimes.. Take care and have a beautiful week!

top five fragrances - perfect pressies!

Anyone who knows me, knows I never leave the house without perfume, and these are my go-to fragrances. You can find links to the products below.

Diesel Fuel For Life Denim
This smells slightly masculine, yet floral, but it so nice and long wearing. The main reason I love this is the packaging! It looks gorgeous on my perfume stand. It's not as cheap as the others, but I got this in the Christmas sales last year for a fraction of the price and I'm only half way through the bottle!
.
Paco Rabanne Black XS
This is pretty much my all time favourite fragrance, it's sweet, recognizable and incredibly long wearing. I get so many compliments when I wear this, but it is at the end of it's bottle now, sadly. Some people might find it over-powering and a bit sickly, but I love it.

DKNY Golden Delicious 
I lose count of how many people compliment me on this perfume. Again, another that's at the end of it's life, but I have another DKNY apple fragrance on my list. It really does smell like a Golden Delicious apple, not too artificial. I usually wear this on a night out/meal, something I have to look nice for and it really makes my outfit.

Versace Red Jeans
This is very strong, fruity, I don't find it lasts me all day, but seeing as the bottle is so big and is pretty cheap, I tend to wear this almost every day. Another one similar to this is the Tommy Hilfiger fragrance which got re-merchandised last Christmas.

Kate Moss Kate
Another floral/fruity fragrance that I'd wear every day. It's fairly subtle, but you can still smell it well. Quite good for someone aged 15+ I think because it's quite fresh. I find some perfumes can be too old for people, is that just me?! I bought it for my cousin for Christmas this year so let's see how it goes!



Sorry it's not much of a post, it's been a pretty hectic day Christmas shopping and I'm absolutely knackered. Hope this gives you some ideas for presents though, or even for yourself! If you have any questions about them, just ask me below.




PS. I'm looking for some new winter boots/shoes. Anyone got any favourites?! I'd love to hear, my feet are cold. Thank you! xxx

perfect presents for the guys!

Hi! A couple of weeks ago, some of you will have seen my post 'perfect presents for the ladies' which you can find here. I promised I'd do a list for the guys as well, but never realised how hard it would be! But here is my compilation so far.

1. Fight Club 2 Disc Edition.
Every guy, whether they've seen Fight Club or not, would LOVE to receive this in their stocking.
It's a classic film and priced at £5.48 from play.com you can't go wrong. Perfect for teenage brothers, uncles etc. However, the first rule of Fight Club is not to talk about Fight Club...

2. Vivienne Westwood Neptune Watch VV021GDBK
I found this on ASOS and at £175, you want to make sure you chose the right person for this. Perhaps you have a boyfriend or brother that loves designer gear? If my boyfriend wore watches (and I won the lottery) he would definitely be getting this. Including Vivienne Westwood's iconic symbol, the orb, on the second hand, this present is the one for your cherished one!

3. Paul Smith Extreme for Men Eau de Toilette 
£16.09 for a 30ml fragrance is brilliant. I often buy Paul Smith fragrances for family members around Christmas and I have never been disappointed. The fragrance fit most age groups, they don't smell to old to buy for your cousins. The packaging is a simple glass bottle which I think is lovely. The way a fragrance is presented to me has a big influence on whether I'm likely to buy it (just me?), and I'm sure this is going to be one I buy for the family this year. 

4. Illuminated Marco Polo Globe Antique 300mm
I bought a globe for my boyfriend on his birthday, and I have to say it was one of my favourite presents to give him. £22.99 is a decent price for a present that can fit in anywhere and often interests people visiting. This would be a great present for dad's or travelers, and it really looks like you put some thought into their present. 



I hope you like my ideas. I've been doing this post for over an hour, guys are so difficult! 
Do you have any suggestions? I'm going shopping soon and could really use some help!

perfect presents for the ladies!

Hello lovelies! I'm really sorry that it's been a few days, but I've been struggling lately to get any ideas for posts. I don't have any money to buy new products and anything I do have, I'm saving for birthday/christmas presents, so I thought this would be the perfect post!
This post is going to be specifically on ladies presents, but one for the guys will be coming along soon!

1. I don't think you can go wrong with Lush products. Recently these have come very much into the limelight, even outdoing the popular Body Shop brand and I certainly think these would make a fab present. I personally wouldn't buy anything for the face or any masks as you never know if your friend/family member is going to react to any ingredients, and you don't want your present to be at blame, so I'd play it safely. I think the Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub product would be really good for a smallish present, for a sister, or a friend. It's affordable at £7.95 and it's quite a big tub! I would also buy their Bubblegum Lip Scrub for maybe a younger sibling as a lovely stocking filler. It's fun, sweet and edible (always a plus!). I've used this product and was very, very impressed by it. It left my lips tingling, soft and smooth.

2. This Gorgio Armani Miniature Female Fragrance Gift Set is an amazing buy and is definitely on my Christmas list! I like miniature fragrance sets, because there's always at least one you like in it, but you then have so many to choose from and I'm sure you get a lot for your money. At £24.99 I'd buy this for my Mum, Aunt or a good friend. Of course with it being designer, it has a lot more wow factor than if you gave someone four Ted Baker fragrances (not that there's anything wrong with them! I think they smell lovely) and it will definitely seem like you put a lot of thought and effort into the gift (which of course you did, didn't you!) .
3. As a cheaper gift for your girls, why not treat them to some all-time great Rom-Coms! I chose The Notebook which is on Amazon for £3.69, but I'm sure you can find it elsewhere for cheaper! I picked this one because I've never seen it, but I'm sure other films such as PS, I Love You, or Dear John would go down a treat too. Everyone loves a Rom-Com, whether they admit to it or not and I really think this would be such a cute present. You can even sit and watch it together with some chocolates and a nice mug of hot choc!

4. Finally, I'm a big lover of small trinkets and I think this Bistro Bleu Heart Chalkboard for £8.00 is super sweet. You could even open it and leave a sweet message, especially if you're giving this as a gift to a girlfriend!



So like I said, there's one for the guys coming soon! I'm struggling finding any, boyfriends and dads are so difficult, aren't they?! So, if you have any ideas, leave me a comment and let me know! Help out all the other bloggers you lovely people.

christmas is coming!

Anyone that claims they are not excited for the Christmas season is telling lies!
What is there NOT to love about this time of year? Festive films, big, warm jumpers, watching the snow fall from the night sky, going Christmas shopping and getting a bag of hot, roasted chestnuts to warm your insides! Sounds perfect to me.
It's about time I started putting together a small wishlist to sneakily hand to the boyfriend!

First off, something I've wanted for longer than I remember!

I absolutely love Jeffery Campbells, but they are so, so expensive and working voluntary in a charity shop, I'm never going to get the funds to buy a pair of these. After searching for similar shoes, I came across these which you can find here. I think these ones are just as lovely as the originals they are based on. I would love to be able to wear some of the pastel coloured, suede pairs you can find on the Chockers website, however I definitely think I'd struggle to pull them off and find something nice to wear them with!


I'm a massive lover of perfume, I have more bottles than is normal but I would love so many more!

After reading loads of different reviews and opinions on Lady Gaga's 'Fame' perfume, I decided I had to try it myself, so popped down to the nearest Superdrug and got myself a tester. I was very pleasantly surprised when I tried it! It was sweet, fresh and lasted a lot longer than I expected which I thought was very impressive considering the inexpensive price tag of £29.99. Although I appreciate everyone has different tastes, I definitely recommend people give this fragrance a try!