What people don't know about exfoliating!

Hey guys!
Another skin care post, I know! But lately I've really realised that there's no point having amazing make up if you don't have the perfect base.

After talking to a skin care expert, I was told I was exfoliating my skin far too much, I thought about 4-5 days a week was normal, but she then told me that was WAY too much. It's recommended you exfoliate no more than 3 times a week, anymore than this and you're stripping your skin of it's much wanted essential oils.
From that day, I only exfoliated 2-3 times a week and I have noticed such an improvement in my skin. It feels much more hydrated and I have much less redness.

Another awful thing, when I did exfoliate, I didn't exactly scrub, but I added more pressure than I would if I was simply cleansing. There's just no need. Simply rub it over your face in circular motions, perhaps pay a little more attention to dry areas but then leave it!
Put a good layer of your favourite moisturiser on and leave it to soak in.

It's crazy to think that changing this one, little thing has improved my skin so much. It definitely looks more radiant and healthier, there's much less redness and it feels so nice!

What's your skin care secret? Always on the look out for more!

my ultimate relaxation night routine

So these past few days have certainly been emotional for me - I've been all over the place and I really just needed to relax! The best way I can take my mind off of things is with a good facial.

I used Angels on Bare Skin from Lush whilst I was in the shower. I put it on like a mask whilst I let my conditioner soak in and left it on for a while to soak up all the goodness! The lavender was a God send and definitely was the best start to getting me relaxed. Find my review here.

After my shower, I used a bit of Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner on a cotton wool pad and sweeped it over my face and neck. This helped clear my pores leaving me feeling fresh and clean with the mint scent clearing my sinuses, being a breath of fresh air. Find my review here..

My favourite part of this routine - a mask! Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask is so nice to wear. With it being overnight, it let me lay down with a book and my favourite candle without worrying about having to take it off. I applied it a bit before going to bed so I didn't end up with it all over my pillow. This is great because you feel it's effects the next morning, waking up feeling soft and much, much happier and rested. I also have a review of this product here.


This much needed pamper left me feeling positive, fresh and ready for the day ahead!
Do you have a relaxation routine? Let me know what you think below!

leibster award number 5! you spoil me.

How exciting! I've managed to get myself another Leibster award, this time from Emily, and I still feel as proud as I did receiving my first. Like my last one, which you can find here, I'm only going to answer the questions I was given - I don't want to bore you guys!

My questions were -

1. What's your favourite item of clothing or jewelry?
Difficult one! My boyfriend gave me a bracelet that he made for Christmas this year, sentimentally, this is definitely my favourite piece of jewelry, so cute. Clothing.. I actually have the same top in 3 different colours from H&M. I don't think they sell it anymore, but it's basically an over sized basic t-shirt, I have it in cream and shimmer, bronze and shimmer and plain grass green.

2. What's your biggest fashion faux pas in history?
When I was in school, aged about 14-16, I used to be well into the "Scene" style. I dyed my hair jet black and wore tight band t-shirts and skinny jeans all the time which, considering my figure, looked HORRENDOUS. I also wore hair extensions and backcombed all my hair till it literally stood up straight.

3. What's your favourite skin care or cosmetic product and why?
I've been sat with my head in my make up box for 10 minutes trying to come up with an answer for this! I think it may be the YSL Touche Eclat foundation. It's just such a perfect formula for my skin and makes me feel a million dollars when I'm wearing it! There's a review here.

4. Timeless or trend?
Eeerm, I do like to stay on trend, buuut if that particular thing doesn't suit me or my figure, I'm more than happy to stick with my last season favourites that I know look good on me.

5. What is your biggest fear?
I am scared of EVERYTHING. I definitely think my biggest fear though is the unknown. I hate not knowing what's coming, whether it's not knowing how uni will be, or not knowing if something is creeping around in the middle of the dark night. Creepy!

6. What accomplishment are you most proud of? 
Honestly? This blog. I've never put so much time or effort into anything I've ever done. I love to see it pay off by people leaving the nicest comments and of course, winning these awards!

7. Water or wine?
I love both, however it would not be practical at all to be drinking wine all the time, as much as I wish it would be haha! I'll go for water.

8. Is your glass half empty or half full?
Sadly, half empty! I don't like to get my hopes up for things and I know that's such an awful way to look at it but hey, anything else is then a bonus!

9. Heels or flats?
I love a good heel, even if it's just a small one on a boot! I wish I had more opportunity to wear heels (and more pairs!) but it just isn't practical :(

10. Whose sense of style do you idolize?
Erm, I don't really think I follow any kind of style, or massively keep an eye on it! I just like what I like haha.

11. Who is the worst dressed celebrity to date?
Like I said above, I don't really have much of an idea about that kind of thing!


So there's a bigger insight into me. I really appreciate every single one of you and I really want to become friends! Leave me comments, talk to me on Twitter or find me on Facebook!

PS... THIS is my biggest fashion faux pas.. 

illamasqua highlighter in 'slay'

I'd never used a highlighter, but I was actively looking for an affordable one to try out when I came across Illamasqua's Illuminator in Slay (this product has now been discontinued). This is a silver, pearly, shimmer which applies wet, but dries quickly. Very quickly. That's a massive flaw in this product.

When doing my highlighter, I like to make sure I'm applying it in exactly the same place on each side but I'm unable to do it with this product, you have to blend it as soon as you've applied it otherwise it dries and when you try to blend it goes patchy and pulls up your foundation - disaster.

On the Illamasqua website, their 'Artist Tips' suggests that you apply this/blend this with a blending/highlighter  brush. This also didn't work for me, again it dried up and pulled my foundation. I much prefer to apply this product in small sections and press or dab it onto my cheekbones. I find this gives a much more natural sheen as you can control easier how much you apply and you're not pulling it along your skin so it won't pull off. I do find though if it does dry, if you lightly dampen your finger you can just work with it a little more to blend, but not much. In the swatch above, I didn't blend as much as I usually do so you could see the pearly colour more, but usually blended well it looks really natural and has a lovely sheen to it.

I love applying this on my cheekbones to highlight, in the corner of my eyes to make them pop, on my cupids bow when wearing lipstick to make it stand out more and a little bit down the centre of my nose to create a thinner appearance.
If I do find the shimmer is a bit too much, applying a little powder settles it down a bit, but it carries on highlighting really nicely.

Another little grumble with the product is the packaging. If you're opening and closing it so much (which you have too when applying it in small amounts) the product comes up the top when you're closing it, if that makes sense, and when it's fully closed you have product coming out the sides which is a huge waste. I've only used the about 6-7 times and you can see how much product is dried around the top. It's really annoying!
I'll be showing this product in a What I'm Wearing post soon, so keep an eye out!

What's your favourite highlighter? Since this has been discontinued I'm looking for more!

valentines gifts part two!

Part Two of my Valentines Gift guide, and this one is all for the guys! Definitely a lot more difficult than for girls, that's for sure! Find Part One here.

1. The Walking Dead Season 1, 2 or 3
I don't know anyone who isn't into Walking Dead, especially guys! I think this is such a good investment, because let's be honest, would you rather watch The Walking Dead or some Football match? ...He'd probably TiVo anyway..

2. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
My boyfriend, Mike, wasn't really a book reader, unless it was an autobiography. He couldn't concentrate on books, they were always too long and he lost interest. This is a perfect book as it's a short crime novel and most guys love Crime/Action-y things. Mike loved this book and is definitely considering getting the movie and more of Dashiell Hammett's work.

3. Lid Pen Pot
Perfect for those workaholics, or those with an office this is a fun twist on boring stationary equipment. I don't find that guys are really into the lovey stuff we usually see this time of year, so I'd much rather get Mike something more practical that he'll definitely use.

4. Space Rug Dressing Gowns
If I hadn't got my boyfriends present yet, this would be the one. If you and your boyfriend are fans of Star Wars these Space Rugs would be perrrfect to cuddle up in with a bowl of popcorn and Revenge of the Sith.

5. DVD Collection
If your partner loves watching DVD's and you have a decent idea of his collection, pop down to your local CEX or HMV, get a big box and get loads of discounted DVD's, CD's and games. CEX would be perfect as they're cheap but in fairly decent condition. This would be a perfect idea for me, but Mike's collection is pretty mega, and he has LoveFilm!


So I hope these ideas have been use to you!  Let me know what you're buying/what you get! Very exciting.
Have a lovely, lovely time and if you're single this Valentines Day, TREAT YOURSELF.

valentines gifts part one!

With Valentines day soon approaching, I can hear many singletons complaining and feeling lonely and even more guys panicking with uncertainty of what to get their other half without disappointing.  This is going to be a two-part post, this one is focusing on gifts for ladies, the next will be one for troublesome guys! Here are a few gifts I would be more than happy to receive.There's a bit of everything here from beauty to every day items so I'm sure you'll be able to find one to be inspired by.


1. Clinique Chubby Stick Intense - Roomiest Rose 
At £16, men may shy away from this "it's just a lipstick" I can hear you say. This is not 'just a lipstick'. This is a super moisturising balm that is really nicely pigmented and you will not disappoint your girlfriend AT ALL. My specific shade choice would be the best selling Roomiest Rose. This is definitely mine, and many other peoples favourite shade. It's a pink/purple/nude that is guaranteed to suit 90% of skin tones. With there being other dupes for this product such as the Revlon 'Just Bitten's, your gift receiver will really notice you going the extra mile.

2. Chloe Fragrance
The ultimate female fragrance. This distinct perfume just screams feminine and elegance. It's floral with notes of Rose, Lychee and Honey and will win over everybody. It's not too in your face, it's very effortlessly elegant. I really don't know how to explain it! You can't go wrong with Chloe though.

3. Essie Pepperoni 
If your girlfriend is a nail varnish addict, like me, get her one from Essie, probably the best quality nail varnish you're able to pick up from a drugstore chain. As perplexed as you may feel looking at the vast amount of colours, go for the occasion. Valentines Day = Red. This classic red shade will go down a treat.

4. John Lewis Heart Tealight Lantern
This is SO cute, a perfect decoration for any room. If your girlfriend isn't much of a candle person, it'd make great storage for make up brushes, stationary and any other little bits and bobs she has. This is quite a personal present, not exactly something that someone would just think up unless they'd gone searching for the perfect present.

5. Thorntons Heart Plaque
A heart chocolate plaque from Thorntons would be one of the nicest presents ever. You can personalise your messages, so if you have a special inside joke or thing between you, just go to the counter and get it written on. For me, this would be the cutest present I'd receive.

6. John Lewis Heart Slate Photo Frame
Another cute present, even better if it came with a photo. I love this because of the string allowing you to hang it off the wall, that would be perfect for me with very little space in my room. The fact it's slate is different too, perhaps you could leave sweet messages to each other?


So these are my gift ideas, perfect for Valentines Day. Keep your eyes peeled for Part 2!