Cause sometimes we all need a little bit of finger candy

Me and fashion don't exactly go hand in hand. I'm a bit of a fashion-phobe, but I do love a good piece of metal to brighten an outfit up.
Now as my wrists are filled to the brim with festival brands, material keep-sakes and charity bands, I leave the jewellry to my chipolata fingers and chubby neck, delightful.

"How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh? TENTACLES" The joke promptly made by my boyfriend as I showed him the Octopus Ring* from Online Rings. 
I'm quite selective with my jewellry choices, I don't wanna waste my money on a bit of tat, but I've literally fallen in love with every item on Online Rings - they're all very on trend and look so much more expensive than they are. With the Octopus ring coming in at a mere £4.49, it's hardly breaking the bank, and I really prefer it to other pieces I've seen in Topshop and River Island at the moment.

It's really good quality I think - Yes the band has gone a little copper toned and leaves a mangy green mark around my finger, what ring doesn't?! Plus, this is easily fixed by slicking a layer of clear varnish all over it. The diamantes don't look tacky at all either, and after a little wiggle, they all seem set in place.
I've had this nearly a week and I've received SO many compliments it's untrue. Such an unusual, statement ring.

I seriously recommend you having a long look through there store, here's the link again if you missed it, but also have a natter with them via twitter, they're seriously lovely people! They're also holding a giveaway! So make sure to check that out on their page :)

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER 

The LDN Haul!

Yep, you read right, a haul post! It's not often I do this - it's very rare I "splurge" over a few days. I tend to pick up a couple of things then feel awful. But on Monday the 15th me and my Sister went down to London for a few days, so I'd saved like a bitch and thought what the hell, treat yourself! This post is SO late, but I was hoping to make it a YouTube video first but now my camera isn't working - shame! But here you have it.

So I didn't go too crazy, but for me, this is pretty mega.. This tidy sum came in at just under £100 which I think is pretty good for the quality of the products!
As you can see, I got the Silk Creme Foundation after MONTHS of choosing between that and Nars Sheer Glow.
Bioderma is in the UK, yaaay! If you're wondering where I picked this badboi up, I got it from Zest on Broadwick Street, like, across the road from Space NK. What lovely staff they were at Space NK! Giving me a couple of samples and having a lovely long chat.

Anyway, I'll more than likely be doing reviews of all these products - I've already tried some out and there's a couple I cannot WAIT to tell you about. Very exciting.

Next up is my birthday! I signed for my present from my Boyfriend on Thursday, not impressed I had to get up at half 7 to get the delivery but I am SO excited to see what goodies I've got :). When I was in the big smoke, I picked up my first MAC lipstick in Rebel which I've not used and gave straight to Mike for my birthday. So grateful for absolutely everything :).
Theeen I'll be going to Manchester on the 13th, something like that, where I hope to buy myself something nice once my paycheck has come through!

Lordy, it's all a'go with me isn't it! I'm thinking of starting a new series/feature of "Lifestyle Updates" so I can give you a sneek peek into what's going dooooooown.

Hope you're all taking good care of yourselfs, much love!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER

Guest Post: Fashion Taboos You SHOULD Break

When it comes to what to wear and what not to wear, there have been certain rules and taboos long instilled into our subconscious. But in recent years fashion has become a lot more daring and even designers are beginning to challenge long standing no-no’s and saying yes to things that really shouldn’t go together, but do! Here are some of our favourite fashion rules that were just made to be broken:

Taboo: Don’t Clash

Ever been told not to mix certain colours, like pink and red or blue and green? Well throw all that out of the window, as contrary to popular belief those colours were made for mixing! When you forget about the little voice in your head telling you not to and actually go for it, pink and red and other common colour ‘clashes’ actually look great together! Even the designers in recent years have set off colour clash trends to get us out of our funk, matching bright jeans with vibrant tees.

And the clash taboo doesn’t end with colours. We have also been taught that more than one pattern will clash. Well you can forget all you know about that as well, because mixing patterns is just another way of challenging this taboo. Pair a loud blouse with some patterned trousers or a skirt and you have a clash made in heaven.

Taboo: Gold and Silver Don’t Mix

This commonly refers to wearing gold and silver jewellery, but with recent metallic trends this could also refer to clothing items. Don’t listen to what you hear about only wearing gold or silver jewellery at one time, never the two together, because in today’s trends gold and silver often come together on one piece of jewellery or an accessory!

With quirky London Boutiques crammed full of stunning old and new treasures, why only wear them one at a time? Grab as many as you can and layer up your jewellery, mixing gold, silver, bronze and any other colours and materials you can find. When it comes to the latest accessories trends, more is always better, with catwalks and high street models sporting arms stacked high with bangles and two or three chains at once.

Taboo: Visible Bras Under Tops are a No-No

This taboo was a big one back when underwear wasn’t meant to be seen outside of a lady’s bedroom and at the time underwear wasn’t all that spectacular to look at anyway! Well now things have changed, with see through blouses and shirts, and vests with cut outs at the sides, all paving way for bras to be chosen to be seen. It’s young and sexy, and is no longer considered to be untoward or unlady like (not by the younger generations anyway!). Why else would they make such pretty lingerie if it wasn’t meant to be seen?


London Boutiques allows you to buy from amazing designers such as Tom Ford, Alexander Wang, Victoria Beckham and many more from just one website! Have a quick whizz around their site - you never know what you might come across!

www.london-boutiques.com 

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER

Hair Removal - AKA The Bane of EVERYONE'S Life

This is gonna be a slightly personal post, but hey, we're all ladies here! I think I can speak for the majority when I say I can think of better ways to bide my time than doing a big shave, however the thought of going au natural sends shivers down my spine. So here are the most popular methods to rid yourself of the body hair leaving yourself beach ready in no time... Well, about an hour.

The most popular and obvious is shaving. This is the method I use to de-fuzz as it's the least time consuming and most practical. I've been loving the Gilette Satin Care Shaving Gel for a while as it does the job perfectly and at £3.39 it's really inexpensive. Naughty, but I reach for disposable razors and I pay for that in plenty of cuts and shaving burns... Ouch.

Another inexpensive way is a hair removal cream such as Nair and Veet. These offer longer lasting results to shaving by dissolving the hair above and slightly below the skin rather than slicing the hair only above skin. To me, hair removal creams are a territory I try and steer away from - I find them irritating and often I don't get even results. If anything's worse than hairy legs, it's PATCHY hairy legs.

If you're like me and cannot bare the thought of waxing, perhaps you should consider Laser Hair Removal. A safe and virtually painless way of removing unwanted hair. The laser damages the base of the hair follicle meaning the rate of hair growth will be significantly decreased. Although it takes minimum 6 treatments, the results will be SO worth it. For more information on Laser Hair Removal and to book a consultation at your nearest Sk:n Clinic, click this link and have a good read! You won't regret it!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER

*Please note, this is sponsored content. All opinions above are my own*

The 100 follower giveaway has a winner & lots of exciting things to say!

Well done, Courtney at daisy--meadow.blogspot.co.uk for winning and thank you everybody for entering!

During the giveaway, I managed to hit 200 followers and really saw my blog take off, so to you guys, I am eternally grateful :)

Sorry that my posts have been a bit few and far between lately, but lots of exciting stuff has happened that I can't wait to tell you all about! Sadly it's going to be like this until mid-may, but hopefully you'll bare with me :-)

Thanks again for entering, you're all bloody lovely!

My Best and Worst Beauty Buy

I'm currently loving the Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel - coming in at £12.50, it isn't going to break the bank however it can be a tricky one to get hold of - your best bet is online. You need to smallest amount of this rosy gel to brighten your complexion. I love to dot this high on my cheek bones for a more sculpted look however it looks brilliant on the apples for a chic, girly flush. Whatever you do, blend it well - I find it easier to use a Real Techniques Contour Brush to blend the product in, however it works just as well with some light handed fingers. This sheer shade is going to look perfect and natural this Spring/Summer and will be a staple in my makeup bag.

A product that I definitely regret buying is the MaxFactor 2000 Calorie Waterproof Mascara. The size of this wand is just ridiculous, I can't see how it will ever give lashes such volume. For me, this coated my lashes and did nothing else - no length, no curl, definitely no volume or definition - it just left me disappointed. High street mascaras are something I love and will never give up on, but this went down the wrong road. At £7.99, I would have expected a little more, but this will remain at the back of my makeup collection for a while or perhaps used as a bottom lash mascara. MaxFactor, well done on a bunch of other products, but I'm afraid this one is a no-go.

What are your favourite and worst products? Have you had a better experience with this MaxFactor menace than I have? Let me know! 

Iconic Fragrances from JO LOVES Part Two

If you read my post yesterday, you will have seen the first of my three part installment on the absolutely incredible, JO LOVES fragrance collection. I wanted to split it up so it wasn't such a hefty post, and so I could give you a little bit more information about the company.

Jo is inspired by the scents all around her, as her website says "Everyday I’m struck by different smells which evoke emotions or memories that inspire me to be creative. The scent of my husband’s cologne, freshly washed linens, hot Moroccan mint tea, the smell of a horse’s saddle and New York in the rain are a few of my favourites but the list continues to go on and on" This makes her fragrances incredibly unique and so attractive.

So lets get on with more of the fragrances! I'll be doing the two larger samples in a separate post once they've had a little wear. 


Orange Tulle
Notes:
Top: Orange Flower, Mandarin
Heart: Mint Leaves, Neroli
Base: Petitgrain, Musk

This fragrance is so beautiful, and strangely smells like I've just walked into Lush and all the Orange smelling products are out. It even smells kind of fizzy, if that makes sense.. The mint makes a slight appearance, but is not over powering at all and the zestyness is dulled down by the Musk which makes it really, really gorgeous.


Gardenia
Notes:

Top: Italian Bergamot, Gardenia Leaves
Heart: Ylang Ylang, Gardenia Blossom, White Narcissus, Sambac Jasmine, Coumarin
Base: Heliotrope, Musk

Wow. I'm not one for a floral scent but this smells incredible! It reminds me of going on holiday with my parents to Greece and walking, surrounded by plants. It's the amazing realistic, fresh, warm scent that just excites me! Probably not one to wear in the Summer, unless you're okay with getting a literal bee hive!

Pomelo

Notes:

Top: Pink Pomelo, Rose
Heart: Clove, Vetiver
Base: Suede, Patchouli

Another floral scent, this time less garden center, more grand bouquet. It's a really subtle floral scent with a bit of heat from the Clove. I think I'd prefer this more as a candle or a room fragrance as it's really fresh and clean, just not something I'd usually wear. Again, perhaps one for a mature lady, going for an afternoon gin and tonic with the ladies (oh, matron!) 

Obviously, I'm no expert when it comes to fragrances so I would really recommend getting some samples of these. At £95/100ml, this is not one that you want to get wrong. How perfect are the little samples though? They still smell amazing nearly a week after getting them. I'm planning on saving them and using them as room fresheners when I move out!

I can't wait to tell you all about my bigger samples. They packaging is caaa-ute! 

Which one sounds like your favourite? Any you're desperate to try? 

Iconic Fragrances from JO LOVES Part One

When I came across JO LOVES, I just KNEW I needed to give all the scents available a massive sniff, so when the opportunity came to be able to sample some of the fragrances, I jumped for the chance.
Now before we start, Jo makes it very clear that JO LOVES is NOT a subsidiary company or an associated business of Jo Malone Ltd. I can see why people would think such things as the range of surprising fragrances are much like Jo Malone creations.

This is going to have to be a two-post kinda thaaang. There's just so many it'd be cruel to make you read such a lengthy post, so I'll split it up into three fragrances this time, three next and give you a little bit more information about the company itself. 
Onto the fragrances!

Mango Nectar
Notes: 
Top: Bitter Orange, Pink Grapefruit, Mango Leaf
Heart: Mango Nectar, Apricot Blossom
Base: Jasmine, Musk

This is a really fresh scent, with the creaminess of Mango and the sharpness of the Bitter Orange and Pink Grapefruit. There's a little sweetness in there from the Apricot and the base note of Jasmine comes out in those last couple of sniffs you take. The three scents that stand out to me in this are the Mango, Apricot and Grapefruit.

A Shot of Thai Lime over Mango

Notes:

Top: Mango, Kaffir Lime, Black Pepper
Heart: Freesia, Mint Leaves
Base: White Thyme Absolute, Vetiver

Zesty and Peppery without getting caught up your nose, an incredibly oriental, clean scent. You still get the slightly creamy smell from the Mango but the Lime and Pepper are the real contenders here. Kiiiind of masculine, but still feminine enough for a woman to wear, I get the impression these are very uni-sex fragrances. 

Pink Vetiver

Notes:

Top: Pink Crushed Peppercorns, Juniper Berries, Cardamom
Heart: Cumin, Nutmeg, Ginger, Angelica
Base: Vetiver and Amber

Probably one of my least favourites, it kind of reminds me of when I'd have a bath and use my Mum's bath soaks. Quite floral yet really spicy from the Peppercorns, Cumin, Nutmeg and Ginger, saying that, I wouldn't have been able to identify the spices unless I read the notes. Without sounding like a troublesome youth, this is probably one for the more mature lady..

So this is part one of a two, perhaps three part series, so keep an eye out tomorrow for the next installment with more fragrances, and a little bit more about JO LOVES.

What do you think to these fragrances? Sound like something you'd like to try? Leave me a comment with your favourite!

Revlon Nearly Naked and some pretty dodgy lipstick application..

Can I start off by saying, lord knows what happened with my lipstick, I obviously did it with my eyes closed because I've completely missed out half of my upper lip. Anyway, now I've got that out...

I've been using the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation for probably around a month now, as you can see from the wear and tear of the bottle, and I'm really falling in love with it! It creates a smooth base and covers up most redness I have, be it a blemish or red marks on my cheeks. I was SO surprised by this as all reviews I've read advertise it as a light foundation. I find the foundation really brightens my complexion as well, I just feel my skin has more of a glow.

The formula is gorgeous, it has a gel like consistency and really reminds me of the YSL Touche Eclait foundation by the way it feels and applies. I do find it very easy to use too much of this, not only because of the bottle, but I always seem to think I need more than I actually do, but when I use more it applies horribly and just doesn't blend. It is quite buildable though, if I feel I need a little more coverage, I'll dip the end of an eye brush into the lid and pick up a tiny bit of the product and just apply and blend where I need it.

It lasts well! After about 6 hours I feel the need to top up, but only slightly and in certain areas such as my nose and where any redness occurs. As everyone has pointed out, the pumpless bottle is a downside, but it's nothing I can't cope with! I use shade 120 Vanilla and I find this is a surprisingly good match for my skin, I think there's one shade lighter, but I think it's more the tone of that one that is different, but don't quote me on that! It was a long time ago I got this.

Have you used this foundation? How did you get on with it? :)

Please check out my giveaway! Lots of nice things for you to win :)

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

My boyfriend loves Emma Stone, I want to be Emma Stone, so it's only right I use the same foundation and lip product she uses, right?

I've been absolutely loving the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains lately, my favourite shade being Crush. This pinky, purpley, red (perhaps I need to learn how to describe better..) is a shade I usually go for, but I find myself wearing this one SO much more often. It never feels too dressed up or too casual so it's great for an every day bold lip.

To say it's a balm, I don't find it very hydrating at all, but this is easily fixed by applying a slick of Carmex on top. It's last blooming ages! I can wear it for around 4/5 hours and it's only just beginning to look a little worse for wear however it's really easy to reapply. I often find that lipsticks tend to roll up on my lips whenever I really apply them, but I don't have that problem with this what so ever. It's not even really necessary to reapply as the stain it leaves behind it a really gorgeous pink - a shade I'd never dare to wear.

I'd love to pick up Rendezvous sometime soon, but I'm not too sure if I dare to wear it!
What are your favourite shades?

No balm stains in my giveaway I'm afraid, but here's what you can win!

PS, my URL has CHANGED. I'm now at hayleylovesxo.blogspot.co.uk! 

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER

Is High End Makeup REALLY Worth It?

A question I've been asking myself a lot lately, is whether high end make up is really worth it? The high street brands have really upped their game recently, with holy grail status foundations from Bourjois, an incredible concealer for just £4.19 and YSL "dupes" from Rimmel. But who can deny the love of the luxurious packaging you get from Estee Lauder and the buzz you get handing over £30 for a foundation we all dream of owning? I know I can't.

When it comes to foundation, I really believe you get what you pay for. Not only do I find the quality much better, the whole experience is tailor-made to your needs and wants and you're able to sample the products to ensure you aren't wasting your money. There are many more shades available which you will get matched too, meaning you won't be stood in front of a L'Oreal stand for 20 minutes, with security on your back, trying to find your "True Match". However with Maybelline's recent Fit Me range, they've giving the public the ability to try and find the perfect shade with the help required.

I find it difficult to fork out £20 for a mascara when I think the quality of high street ones are amazing these days. I often find myself reaching for my tube of Rimmel and L'Oreal mascaras rather than my Benefit and Estee Lauder tubes because I think they do an equal, if not better job.
We have recently seen brands such as Dainty Doll and Essie being sold online for a fraction of the price which really makes me question how they can sell a product for £1.99 when it retails at £8 or more? Where is our money REALLY going?

To be honest, I don't think I'll ever stop shopping for high end products, some may think it's a waste of money but I just feel I have much more trust in the product and brand. But I'll never stop buying high street items either. It really is just a case of try, try and try again until you find the product perfect for you.

I have a giveaway running where you can find a mix of high end and high street, so check that out!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER

The Sunday Post: I'm one lucky girl!

 I have the best friends, and what's better than a good gossip and a mid-day drinking session? This Douwe Egberts Delicate Vanilla flavour coffee is almost as good - we all need a little luxury! I picked up this shirt for just £3.50! I look awful in this picture, but it's a red satin shirt with a dog-tooth print (I think that's what you call it..). A week late - but I really don't mind - my Easter treats from my boyfriend and his family. I also got a little more from his family, but I shared those with Mike this weekend. Can't wait to settle down with the Ferrero Roche's and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I'd love to read the book!

The highlights of my week had to be receiving this card from the vets who dealt with Louis. How lovely of them, and so unexpected! I love the little note in the bottom corner. I was VERY happy when this little package dropped through my letterbox on Friday morning! I'll be writing a post about these very soon, and I can't wait!

Favourite Book: 48 Hours by J Jackson Bentley - Free on iTunes


I'm hoping to start doing these posts a lot more often, but I'm so shoddy on keeping up with taking pictures!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Lots of lovely things to win :)

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER

Dehydrated skin disaster, I need you!

I went over to my favourite salon, The Relaxation Den, yesterday for a Spring clean of my skin care and was told and shown some utterly shocking and pretty gross results from my skin scan.

The skin scan is basically a UV light (I think!) that shows up the condition of your skin - the more purple an area is, the more dehydrated your skin is, any white flecks show dead skin cells.
I only had a couple of white flecks but jeeeesus, I looked like Violet Beauregard!
By the side of my mouth, the skin is quite plump and fairly okay condition. In complete contrast, my eyes were showing up as incredibly dehydrated, the rest of my skin only slightly more hydrated than my eyes.

I knew I had dehydrated skin, but I never realised just how much so, and my recent breakout/sensitivity has really got me worried, especially since I'm not sure if it's down to stress or what. So I'm going on a bear hunt. Not exactly a bear, but I'm on the look out for skin care products that will hydrate and bring my skin back to the condition it should be in. And that's where you come in!

I'm looking for your favourite products to combat dehydrated skin. For each product I buy, I'll put up a full review and guide you through my skin care journey in a hope to help others going through the same nightmare. So leave me a quick comment below and help me out, please!


If you have dry skin, perhaps the Trilogy Rosehip Oil will help you out? You can win it in my giveaway if you click here!

university wishlist - clothing

Now I ain't no fashionista, I hardly know my Chiffon from my Crepe but I like what I like and although it was difficult, I popped onto ASOS and I actually found some pretty nice items I'd like to add to my collection.

I'm really fussy when it comes to clothing, but I really love kind of floaty tops, ones that are baggyish but fit nicely at the top but have kind of long arms to cover my bingowings. I really don't know hahah. But this Smock Dress is beautiful! It's casual enough to wear with the Studded Black Ankle Boots but you can really dress this up with a thin belt around the waist and a pair of black heels.
I've been enjoying adding colour to my outfits lately, and the Roll Cuff Striped Jumper just adds a splash of colour to what could be a dull outfit. I'd prefer it if the blue was a little more vibrant, but you get what you're given!

For some reason, I don't own a cardigan or anything like it, only jackets and coats, which in summer just are NOT practical. I really love this Wine coloured Cardigan with a dip-hem. Burgandy is always on trend, so I never have to worry about a new one when winter comes back around.
I'm an avid wearer of shorts. I wear them come rain or shine, winter or summer, you can't take those bad boys of my legs and these Shorts with a Ruched Waistband would be no different. They're super cute and I love a good high-waist.
I've always wanted a nice pair of Cords but I can never find a pair that I really love. That's until I came across these Leggings in Velvet Cord! Just for something to go to uni in, I could even dress them up a little bit for a night out, these would be ideal.


My giveaway is still underway - seems like it has been for ages! Find out what you can win here!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER 

my latest empty products

Most people do a monthly empties post, now, I don't know how the hell you get through so many products, that's crazy (but I love reading them so please, don't stop.) so this is more of a collective empty products post.
Also, can I just apologise, I don't know why the second picture is so bright, how peculiar..

I know everyone is going to judge me for using baby wipes, but they're just so convenient! I use these to remove my make up before cleansing and the rest of the shabang. These are lovely and gentle, don't make my face go red at all so yeah, a product I will always repurchase, unless Huggies are on offer, they're my faves.

Potentially my favourite cleanser in the world that I repurchase time after time, Lush Angels on Bare Skin. This is incredibly gentle as it's packed with essential oils, particularly Lavender Oil so it's really, really soothing. There is ground almonds and lavender seeds in there so it gives a really nice exfoliation that's really gentle on the skin. What more can I say? It's a gentle product haha!
The MUA Primer is one from their original range. This cost me £4 and I don't regret buying it, but I don't think it made a whole lot of difference to be honest. It was strangely kind of drying but it did smooth my skin for a short while however it had no impact on staying power.

I bought Superdrugs Little Green Tin simply because it was there. I didn't need it but why the hell not spend money you don't have?! This was aaaaaawful. I never use anything like this or Vaseline on my lips, but I use it on dry skin, particularly if my feet could do with a little more (mmm.). Whereas a tin of Vaseline can last me a month or two, this probably lasted me about 4 applications because I had to keep applying more as it just dried up and did nothing.
I got the Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash in a magazine a while ago and I really liked it! It removed every trace of my make up and didn't leave me with that squeeky clean feel. I'm not sure if I'd repurchase, I do prefer a cream or balm cleanser, but if I ever fancy a change, I'll go for this one.

Lastly, a product that isn't even empty, just so awful I don't want it or want to give it to someone else. The Vaseline Aloe Fresh body lotion left me feeling SO greasy, to the point I'd be removing my tights at the end of a day and they would still be stuck to them. It made no difference on the condition of my skin or anything.

So the next empties post will probably come sometime in the next century, so keep your eyes peeled!

Lucky you, you won't find the Vaseline Body Lotion in my giveaway! But click here to find what you could win!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER.