SECHE VITE FAST DRY TOP COAT

As top coats go, the Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat is the mother of all nail colour sealers. Everyone and their mother has tried out this product, and rightly so!

It's been a long time coming, me purchasing the cult product, I used to be addicted to applying nail varnish - in one night I would apply a colour, remove it, apply, remove, apply until I was completely happy with it, so my nails are still absolutely wrecked. Through all the obsession though I never used a base or top coat, I didn't really find it a necessity but I would constantly complain that my nail paints chipped like crazy.
Anyway, I finally caved and picked it up in a blog sale and jeeeesus, I cannot believe how amazing it actually is. It leaves the most beautiful shine (to the point I can read my phone screen clearly in my nails reflection - CRAZY) and smooth finish and dries within a couple of minutes meaning I can do all the things I suddenly need to do once I've painted my nails such as go to the toilet, feed the cats, pull my trousers up, you get the gist...

It definitely makes my nail colours last a couple of days longer than they usually would however I find that it doesn't really tend to chip, the colour will just peel off my nail. That sounds disgusting, but I'd rather have a couple of chips on my nail than just one finger without nail varnish, non?

It's fairly easy to pick up Seche Vite, you can buy it online at Cult Beauty, Feel Unique or from some Boots stores. I've also seen it in John Lewis! I definitely recommend giving it a go, it's a little pricey but well worth it.

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SUMMER BEAUTY BOX SWAP

I recently put my name down to do a summer beauty box swap that Kat was organising and got paired with the lovely Albertine (who said she was a huge fan of my blog - instantly scored brownie points in my book!).
We soon got emailing and discussing what we like and it ended up we were both pretttyy similar, so I decided to get her some of my favourite products. If you'd like to see what I picked up for Albertine, click here!

One of the things I mentioned was that I'd love to try something from Sleek, and lucky me received two products! The i-Divine Storm Palette and a matte True Colour Lipstick in Papaya Punch. First off, how beautiful is that palette?! As you can see, I got a little finger happy and left my prints in the product, woops... I'm yet to try them out but they swatched beautifully, so pigmented and amazing quality! The lipstick is such a beautiful colour, too!

I really love the Gelly Nail Paints from Barry M and I couldn't resist popping this one on my nails straight away. It's in the shade Pomegranate and has already gained compliments from my mother! I've never tried the Superdrug face masks before but I'm very much looking forward to giving myself a little pamper soon with these! A self-heating face mask? Interesting...


I am considering holding a box swap soon and I'd love to see how you guys felt about it? If you're interested, stick your email below and let's get this thing a-going! 

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THE BODY SHOP HONEY BRONZE COLLECTION

The Body Shop aren't a brand I usually go for - I find some of their body things very over-powering with the scent and so I never found myself venturing into store. Their make up, however, I've really started to become a LOT more interested in. After trying out the blusher featured in this post (that I STILL haven't put down) I was so won over I wanted to have a little look further. I then got sent the press release for their Honey Bronze collection... Oh lordy...

The Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil* is so, so luxurious. It's incredibly lightweight and offers a sun kissed glow to the skin. If you're considering this as an alternative to a give a tan then you're best off looking else where as this doesn't exactly offer any "bronzing" qualities, simply gives your skin a healthy glow. I think it has the potential to look a little like you've poured golden glitter on yourself, so my best advice is to tip a couple of drops into your palm, warm it up a little then really work it into the skin - I use this method and have no problems what so ever!

I love to add this to my shoulders/collarbones when wearing a dress as it really catches the light beautifully! I've heard it looks nice when applied LIGHTLY to the tips of your hair. I can't imagine it doing a load for hydration at all, but I bet it looks gorgeous, especially on blonde, beach waved hair.
The scent is absolutely incredible! It's like holidays in a bottle and reminds me quite a lot of the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess.

To see the full collection, visit here or pop into your local store. Two other products that I can't wait to get my hands on are the Brilliance Powder and the Bronzing Powder which looks amazing for contouring! Is there anything you can't wait to get your hands on?! I'm in love with this collection.

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THE STAPLE #1

Do you want leathery, lined, aged looking skin? No. Neither do I, and it wasn't until I really read up on how important it is to use an SPF that I realised just how important it was that I got myself one and included it religiously in my routine.

Now I can hear some of you moaning and groaning about it being just another layer to make your skin feel clogged in the heat (when we get some), but honestly, if you shop around and do your research then that won't be the case, so no excuses! When this gem from Daniele de Winter* popped through my letter box around a month ago it became a staple in my skincare routine, whether I'm applying make up or not, going to the shop or going to work, the sun will always be there and so must this.

I was a little scared with it being SPF 50+ and a thick cream that I'd have a nightmare with it, but I couldn't be more wrong. It sinks in quickly, doesn't leave too much of a tacky feel and is SUPER hydrating. My foundation applies like a dream over this. It's not greasy, which again, I slightly anticipated and doesn't feel heavy at all during the day. I have fairly sensitive skin and have no problem at all using this, it isn't scented at all, so don't worry!

Something that probably shouldn't bother me but does - and I'm sure it will other people - is the packaging.. It's really not nice and feels very cheap. I definitely think plain black with gold or something would look much more chic, non? Especially for the price... I will use my bottles sparingly!

I think the next SPF's on my list will have to be the Keihls one aaaaand La Roche Posay, but if you have any firm faves, do let me know!

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THE GLOW INDUCERS

When it comes to make up finish, I love a glowing, healthy look. Not only does it make your skin look much more awake it seems to blur blemishes, which lets face it, we all want! These are my top five glow inducers that help me achieve a healthy base.

Laura Mercier, as always, hit the top spot for me - and not only in make up, there candles are to dieeee for! If I'm after a full on, mega-watt glow then a sweep of the Radiance Primer followed by a thin layer of Silk Creme wins hands down. Although Silk Creme is super pigmented, the Radiance Primer still manages to shine through perfectly. If I'm going for something a little more subtle, then Silk Creme alone gives you that second skin luminosity we all desire.

The RMK Creamy Foundation* has become a bit of a staple in my stash for those days that I want an effortless glow. It can occasionally look a little too much but a dusting of powder sorts that out. I know, the colour looks super dark, but do check out my review here and find out what's going down!

Origins VitaZing Moisturiser doesn't quite fall into the tinted moisturiser category, but is definitely a little bit more than a moisturiser. Who cares what it is, layered over my DHC Pore Milk* and under the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation it gives colour and warmth to my skin. It has potential to look a little orange, so I wouldn't wear it alone unlike the Radiance Primer or the next product...

Everyone seemed to pick this up in last months Red magazine, and I don't blame anyone. Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm (mouthful...) is simply beautiful. Subtle, but blurs any imperfections and leaves me skin looking really healthy. I don't really understand this "Flash Balm" malarky - I tried the Clarins one as well and just don't get it, so if anyone can fill me in, holla! I'm unaware if there are any skincare benefits to advertise it as "anti-ageing", but I think any illuminating product would make something look anti-ageing, non?


So there's my top picks for a glowy, dewy base! Do let me know what you think of these, or if you have any recommendations!

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PRETTY IN PINK

If you told me six months ago that I'd do a post all about our rose shaded sticks and fuchsia flushes, I'd have laughed in your face and sworn that a pink blush and lip would be the last thing to enter my collection. Lately my inner Barbie has been released and I've been dipping my toes into the pink lagoon...

The newest and fast favourite of mine is the Clarins Illuminating Cheek Colour in Miami Pink which gives a subtle, skin like blush to the cheeks. It looks incredibly natural and blends so perfectly. NARS Orgasm, as infamous as it is, is one that doesn't get applied nearly as often as it should. Perfect for summer as it reduces the need to use a highlighter but still gives a sunkissed glow thanks to the golden infused shimmer. A very, very pink shade that slightly gives be the heebejeebies is Body Shop's All In One Blusher in Guava*. You need not worry though, as pink as it looks, a bit of blending ensures a sheer, incredibly natural wash of colour to your cheeks. It's shimmer free, so those of you who prefer a matte look, this one is for you. It holds skincare benefits as it includes Vitamin E and Marula Oil however I'm yet to see the effects - nevertheless, this has been a staple these past few weeks. Love love love.

Pink lips is probably my biggest fear, it genuinely scares me! I find the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Roomiest Rose to be SO stunning though, faultless to apply in it's crayon form and after about 3 hours of wear it fades beautifully to a natural lip colour - go to. The Revlon Lip Butters are perfect for trying out new shades, and my favourite pinky, shimmery shade from the lot is Berry Smoothie. Sometimes I find it difficult to wear, but when it suits, it suits.

Are you a pink lover, or a bit scared like me? Let me know what your favourite rose shades are!

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BEAUTY HAUL

So, it's been a while huh?! If you check out my last post, you'll see why, but I've been so eager to get back into blogging that I thought I'd show you a mini beauty haul, just some things I've picked up over the past couple of weeks. So, without further ado...

Getting my nail varnish to stay put is a task I'm constantly battling with and after seeing Seche Vite in a blog sale I picked it up instantly. I've used it a few times and to be honest, I'm not blown away.. My nail varnish rarely chips anymore, instead it all peels off. It does give amaaaazing shine though and sets very well and quickly!
I didn't really know whether to feature the Ciate Manicure Nails in this post or not, but what the hell. The mushroom shade, Shooting Star is BEAUTIFUL and the caviar pearls in Cookies and Cream are really nice! Quite excited to give it a go.

From MAC I got one of the paint pots in Ground Work, quite a muddy brown shade that looks really beautiful on the lid. It's really effortless, blends perfectly and sets for the day without creasing, big thumbs up from me! Another cream shadow to enter my collection is the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in the infamous On and On Bronze. Lord knows why it's taken me so long to pick it up, but I LOVE it. Really quick and easy to use and looks like you've put a lot more effort into your makeup than you really have - always a plus for me!

The last two products dropped through my postbox just this morning and they're the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, a Caroline Hirons and Gh0stparties influenced buy that I KNOW I'm going to love. Finally the most beautiful item in my collection, the Clarins Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour in Miami Pink. Seriously, how beautiful is this?! I cannot waaaait to give it a go.


I'm still getting my blogging mojo back into swing, but I thiiiink I'm back for good! What are your favourite products? Have you had a cheeky spend?

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Life Updates #1 - Where I've Been and a Pretty Sad Story

Hello lovelies! It's been a while, huh? This is going to sound ridiculous, but in the week or so that I haven't blogged, it's felt more like a month and I've been so worried that people would get let down by me not posting but then I thought stuff it.

May has been a pretty rollercoaster month - with my birthday at the beginning, a trip to Manchester with my boyfriend where I spent far too much money and the sun finally making a come through, that all seems like a loooong time ago. Unfortunately my Nan passed away on the 25th quite suddenly. She was in hospital for dehydration and fatigue, but I've definitely seen her in much worse states. On Friday, she was making a Christmas list (I was getting a jumper, apparently!) and on Saturday afternoon she was very sleepy, so me and my sister sat with her whilst she had a good ol' rest. That evening she was the same with my parents, they left with the Doctors approval and said they'd give the ward a ring later on that night. So 9pm came around, Mum called them aaaand we were told to come straight in, we pulled my sister away from her party and we went to see what they had to say. Unfortunately, she'd passed around 30 minutes before we'd got there (so pretty much straight after we called), she went peacefully in her sleep and after trying to resuscitate her, they realised it was her time to leave us and join her husband, my Grandad Fred.

My parents, me and Jess - my sister - were very much involved in her life. My Grandad passed away a year before Jess was born, so me and her have always been a blessing to my Nan - we came at a time when she most needed to take care of someone and pour her love into someone else, and we were the lucky ones. When I was young, me and Jess would stay at hers and we'd have a ham sandwich for supper then get tucked up in her bed. Jess would sneak out and go to sit with Nannan for a couple more hours until one night  I got wise to these goings on and showed them what I was made of!

I needed this time for myself and my family, to help arrange the funeral, her home and I'm afraid I couldn't muster up the motivation to write a post when my heart wasn't really in it. I don't want to give you guys stuff that's not worth reading, so I stepped back and realised that you'll understand!
The funeral was yesterday (Friday the 7th) and it was beautiful - the weather was gorgeous and she would have adored it. It was a small affair but she was very loved by everyone who attended, and of course my Great Auntie Betty who was unable to come due to an illness riddled family :(.
Unfortunately, all my family are hanging on by the final strings at the moment and I'm sure this won't be my only funeral for now, but lets hope it's not too soon.

So I'm verrryyy sorry for being a little AWOL lately, but I hope you understand, and I will be back soon with more posts and maybe a haul post for you!

Much love guys!