JULY FAVOURITES

I can't believe that's yet another month of 2015 over and we're now well over halfway through. This month has been a busy one. It was my birthday on the 14th and we had planned to go camping but those plans were scrapped when my car broke down, but instead we went on a last minute city break to Cardiff which was lovely. This month I have a few new products, some were birthday presents and some are just things I've bought for myself.

Lush Vanilla Dee Lite Body Lotion

This was a birthday present but something that I'd had my eye on for a long time. It smells delicious and effortlessly glides onto the skin without leaving any residue behind. It leaves skin feeling silky smooth and is really gentle on sensitive & eczema prone skin. Read my full review on this here.

Sephora Lip Balm

This was also a birthday gift but one sent over from my family in Canada! I love the EOS lip balms but already have lots so my cousin sent me a similar thing from Sephora. It's very similar to the EOS ones but without the different scents, this has more of a vanilla sort of scent. It leaves lips feeling soft and keeps them hydrated through out the day. It's perfect to just throw in your handbag and is super easy to use on the go. 

Collection Bronzing Powder

When it comes to bronzer I'm not usually a huge fan but recently I've grown to like it more. I like to apply just a small amount to warm up my make up. I particularly like this one as it's matte, I think the main reason why I steer clear of bronzers usually is because they have too much shimmer for my liking. It's easy to blend and adds the perfect warmth to any look. 

Mii Intensifying Lash Lover

A full review on this is coming soon so I won't say too much but this is one of the best mascaras I've used! I have tiny lashes it gives them great volume and length. It really helps to open up my eyes and make me look like I actually have eyelashes! It's black but adds lots of depth and definition to my eyes. 

Accessorize Necklace

I have SO many necklaces I would hate to even think how many but I can't stop adding to my collection. They're such an easy way to bring together the simplest of outfits. I love this as it has a touch of colour but not too much. The colours are really easy to style with any outfit, and the shape is simple yet adds a nice detail. 

What have you been loving throughout July?

LETS TALK HAIR REMOVAL*

(Picture taken from Google images)

Hearing about sk:n laser hair removal treatments got me thinking about different methods of hair removal and which one I think works the best and most effective. Everybody has different preferences and these days there's an awful lot of ways to remove unwanted hair.

Shaving

Shaving is more or less pain free, by running a razor across your skin you're cutting off what sticks out of the skin. However underneath the bulb of the hair is still there, meaning it will grow back pretty quick. Depending on what your skin is like, shaving has it's pros and cons. It's a great, quick way to remove hair but can sometimes cause irritation, the hair also tends to grow back much thicker and more noticeable. 

Waxing

Waxing is another very popular method of hair removal, it's much more painful than just shaving but the results are so much better. Hair can be removed using 2 different types of wax, one known as strip wax or warm wax and the other known as hot wax. Warm wax is applied to the area and then removed using a wax strip, this is usually done on larger areas as it's great for removing a lot of hair at once. Hot wax is much thicker and is applied to the skin using a spatula, it sets and shrink wraps around the hairs so when it's removed it removes the tiny hairs too, leaving a smoother finish. This method is used on smaller areas such as underarms, bikini area and facial waxing. Waxing can come across as being expensive but if you get into the cycle of regular waxing eventually your hair will grow back much softer and more sparse. 

Hair Removal Cream 

This is a completely pain free method but from my experience it can have some nasty after effects. It contains chemical ingredients that work to dissolve the hair at the root. It's easy to do and hair grows back much softer than shaving, but it can be messy and the creams often smell bad. If you have sensitive skin, I wouldn't recommend this. I tried it once and although it removed the hair, I experienced a burning sensation that felt like my skin was being removed at the same time!!

Laser hair removal

Although I have never had this done, I have a good understanding of it and it's definitely something I'd consider having done in future. It's a a safe & pretty much painless method of removing unwanted hair. It works by focusing a laser beam at the base of the hair follicle which stops the hair growth. This can be done on any part of the body. Many professionals and celebrities choose laser hair removal as it is considered to be the most safe and effective way to remove unwanted hair. 

Personally I prefer waxing as it's quick and the results are great! It's sometimes a pain having to let the hair grow back in between waxes but I think it's worth it. Which method do you prefer?

*This is a sponsored post*

PINTEREST INSPIRATIONS: TRAVEL

The world fascinates me, how there is so many different cultures and countries out there and so many beautiful things to see. If money was no option I'd be off, experiencing as much as I can because when you put things in perspective, life is short.I have a 'Travel' board on Pinterest and that's where I pin all of the countries I'd love to visit most, here's just a small few but you can see the rest here.

01. Amalfi Coast

Italy is such a beautiful country, I've never been there myself but from pictures and stories I've heard from people that have it looks amazing. The Amalfi Coast appeals to me the most as it looks so picturesque, and looks like it would be one of those places with so many little nooks and crannies to explore. 

02. Dubrovnik 

Croatia is a country that doesn't first spring to mind when I think of exploring the world. However once I saw this picture it just looks amazing, like the Amalfi Coast, it looks like there would be so many little streets to explore. My grandparents also used to visit Croatia a lot, in particular Dubrovnik so I'd like to go there and bring the stories they've told me to life.

03. Cape Town

Although I've been here once before and done lots of sightseeing around Cape Town, I think there is still so much more that I haven't seen. South Africa is a country I'm completely in love with, for many different reasons but mainly because of the people. When I visited before we were on a college project, so we went into the townships and met the locals. They were living in awful conditions with the absolute basics but one thing they did have was the biggest and warmest hearts you could imagine. They had absolutely nothing, but wanted to give us everything they could. As well as the people the scenery is simply beautiful, it's breathtaking and something you can only appreciate fully if you see it through your own eyes. 

MY 3 FAVOURITE LIPSTICKS

I've never been a huge lipstick wearer mainly because I have tiny lips and don't like to make them a big feature. As I've got older and experimented more I've grown to love lipstick a little more, I don't wear it everyday but I like to sometimes to give my make-up a bit of a different twist.

01. MAC Frost Lipstick in Angel

I bought this in a bit of a rush, I was looking for a nude colour that would be suitable for everyday wear. After a quick swatch on my hand I thought 'yep, that'll do!' and bought it. When I actually applied it properly it came out a lot more pink than I thought it would be, the colour grew on me and I actually really like it now. I love the finish it gives, it's not too shiny and it's not matte, it has a nice moisturising feel and gives a natural shine. It effortlessly glides onto the lips and doesn't go to feel sticky or dry like some lipsticks can. We all know that no lipstick will perfectly last all day, so you do need a few reapplications of this, but it does fade gradually and doesn't go patchy.

02. Benefit lipstick in Skinny dip

This was my first ever expensive lipstick, my cousin bought it for me when she was over here from Canada and it felt like all of my Christmas' had come at once. At the time I didn't really appreciate or understand different brands and qualities but as soon as I did I loved this even more. The colour is perfect, it's a pink/peach toned nude colour and is very similar to the MAC one. It has a nice silky feel once applied and doesn't have too much shine. It's nice and nourishing and keeps my lips feeling soft all day long. (This has ran out I just don't want to throw it away!!

03. MAC lipstick in 'M.A.C Red'

MAC do a great thing where if you collect 6 empties you get a free lipstick. I decided that I wanted to try something different as it was free, so that if I didn't like it I wouldn't have wasted money on it. I've always liked the idea of wearing red lipstick however I never thought it would suit me, but after speaking to the lady on the counter I changed my mind. This is a different consistency to the other two, it's still easy to apply but it has a ticker feel to it. The colour is amazing, it's very pigmented and really makes my blue eyes pop. It does fade throughout the day so I don't tend to wear this if I'm going to be out for a while, as you do have to be hot on touching it up but it's great for an evening/night out look. 

What's your favourite lipstick? 

REVIEW: LUSH VANILLA DEE LITE BODY LOTION

Since finding out about my allergy to preservative ingredients I've been on the hunt for a body lotion that does what it says on the bottle. I looked many places but once again Lush was the place I found what I wanted.

I love the smell of vanilla but at first I wasn't keen on the sound of a vanilla scented body lotion. However this is completley different to what I expected. The vanilla scent in this is natural, subtle and doesn't smell fake. Combined with coconut oil and fruity extracts it really does smell delicious. The thing I like most about the scent is that you get bursts of it throughout the day, I've never found this with any other body lotion.

It has quite a thin consistency that glides effortlessly onto the skin. At first it felt wet on my skin and didn't sink in easily, but after a few uses I realised that I was putting too much on which was causing it to sit on the skin. Now I apply a thin layer that sinks into my skin immediately, leaving no oily residue behind.

I did think the bottle was a little small for the price (£12.95), but after realising you don't need to use a lot I think this will last me a while. 

It's a vegan product so is really kind to the skin and causes no irritation what so ever. It's great for dry, eczema prone skin as it smooths over any dry patches and nourishes the skin really well.

If you also have eczema prone/very dry skin, Lush Rock Star soap is a great product for you! Read my recent review here.

SNAPS OF MY BEDROOM

I spend an awful lot of my time in my bedroom, either on my laptop or watching rubbish TV. Over the 14 years I've lived in this house my bedroom has been a rainbow of colours, purely because I get bored of things so easily. I finally drew the line at crazy colours and went for all walls neutral, with one wall wallpapered. I love the decor in my room, it gives a clean yet cosy feel.

Over time, I've collected different bits from places I've been, I've used these to add some life to the walls of my bedroom so each part has a meaning or a story behind it. This is why I love being in my bedroom so much, everywhere I look I am reminded of a happy memory.

This pin board was really cheap. On here I've put tickets from many concerts I've been to. The heart fairy lights were from B&M bargains. The back of my door looked plain and boring, I also don't like the colour so I decided to cover it in photos and a few other bits and bobs. 

This shelf is from Ikea and was originally black but I got creative and painted it the same colour as my walls. 

Next to my bed is a collage of the Challenge South Africa trip I went on with college. The trip was the best experience of my life and is full of many memories, this is probably my favourite part of my room. 

So as you can see I haven't actually spent a lot on creating a personal space for myself, it's amazing what you can do with photographs, concert tickets and those random little things you hang on to. 

MY 19TH BIRTHDAY WISHLIST

Today is my 19th birthday! It's flown around and when people started asking me what I'd like for my birthday I had no idea. As I'm getting older I'm becoming less and less bothered about making a birthday list so I've just noted down a few things I'd like. 

Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Scrub

If you haven't smelt the Frangipani range by Elemis you must!! It's an incredibly relaxing scent that also has great nourishing benefits for the skin. The salt scrub is quite smooth, obviously it still has the salt grains in it but it isn't harsh on the skin. This is pretty expensive so it's not something I'd buy for myself but I'd like it as a treat to keep my skin smooth throughout the summer. 

Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk bath

This product also has a gorgeous scent, but the main reason why this is on my wishlist is because it has great benefits for eczema prone skin. It says it in the name that it's skin nourishing so I think this would be perfect to keep my dry skin at bay. It's also a good sized bottle so I think this would last a while. 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

I already have the first & second palette so I'd love this to complete my collection. I absolutely love the 2 that I have, they're both essentials for me so I can't see any reason why I wouldn't love the 3rd one.

ChloBo Small Heart Noodle Bracelet

I absolutely love this bracelet and it's something I've wanted for a long time. I love silver jewellery and I just love the design of this one. I have very thin wrists so it's difficult for me to find bracelets that fit me and don't look ridiculously big on me. I've been into the shop and tried this on and I love it, it's the perfect size for my wrist and looks really nice on.

Cath Kidston iPhone 5 Case

I go through phone cases like I don't know what, I've tried all kinds of designs yet they all seem to crack eventually. I love the design of the Cath Kidston ones & I've also heard they're good quality.

MY FAVOURITE IPHONE APPS

Like many people these days I go nowhere without my phone. There's thousands and thousands of apps on the market and there's definitely something for everyone. I only actually use a select few on my phone but today I'll be sharing my 6 favourite. 

1. Deezer

This is a music subscription app. It works in the same way as Spotify, so you pay a certain amount a month and can download & listen to as much music as you like within the app. I pay £9.99 and the service is faultless, there's hundreds of songs on there & it's super easy to download & create playlists with your music. 

2. VSCOCam

This is what I use to edit my Instagram posts. It's really simple to use and there's a wide variety of filters to choose from. You can change the intensity of the filter so that you can create the perfect Instagram post. 

3. Green Flag

This is quite random, but I use the Green Flag for breakdown cover. Although I've never had to call them to rescue me, I've used their app many times! They have a handy route planner which is great to get step by step directions from. You can also get traffic updates on there so it's really handy to quickly check it before you set off.

4. Hootsuite

As I work full time, it's difficult to constantly keep on top of Twitter. I absolutely love this app, it's so handy to be able to schedule my tweets & plan ahead for posts.

5. Pinterest

As you can probably tell I love Pinterest. I never actually go on it on my laptop, it's always on their app on my iPhone. If I ever have to kill time I'll always do it on Pinterest. I find so much inspiration from there and am always pinning new things! (usually dreaming of what my future home will be like!)

6. Instagram

Finally, one that we're all familiar with but one that I couldn't leave out. Instagram is definitely my favourite social media site. I just love seeing pictures and snippets of peoples lives. As well as Pinterest, I take a lot of inspiration from Instagram. 

MY HAIRCARE ROUTINE

Over the years my hair care routine has changed many times. From about age 14 onwards I was desperate for my hair to grow and not stop. 4 years later my hair was almost touching my bum and I grew to hate it. A few weeks ago I got my hair cut much shorter and I'm so glad I did. With the hair change came another routine change. I'm now all for using minimal products on my hair but I do find I have to use a little more heat.

I start by washing my hair, I wet it through and then shampoo all over. I like to spent a good 2-3 minutes doing this to make sure I get every inch of my hair. I have more or less always stuck to Tresemme but I particularly like the all naturals one. It's made up of natural ingredients and has a nice fresh smell to it. It leaves my hair feeling really clean & lightweight, and doesn't tend to make it look oily like some shampoos sometimes can.

After washing my hair, I leave it in a towel for a good half an hour. I then take it out and brush it through with my Tangle Teezer. This brush is amazing, you don't feel any pull at all so it's really gentle and doesn't snap your hair. 

Once brushed, I spray through my Loreal Leave in Conditioner, concentrating on the ends and underneath. I haven't been using a conditioner in the shower lately as I found it was making my hair that soft I couldn't do anything with it. The leave in conditioner keeps my hair feeling soft and tangle free yet still manageable to style. You can read a full review on it here.

If I'm going to be using heat on my hair I will spritz a little of the Vo5 plump it up spray through my hair, concentrating on the ends. This protects my hair from heat but also helps to add a little body and volume to my hair style. 

Finally once my hair is dry, whether I'm going to stlye it or not I will run some of the Schwartzkopf souffle through it. This helps to keep my hair soft and frizz free throughout the day, but also holds a style in place much better than hairspray does. It also smells amazing!! 

THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY #4

Pictures taken from my Instagram!

01. Heatwave 

This week saw the hottest day of the year so far and I'm pretty sure it would have broke other records for July. I saw it hit 32 degrees celsius, which is the highest I've seen it in the UK from what I can remember. It's been so nice to wear summer clothes and be able to relax in the garden. It also stayed in the mid 20's overnight so it was amazing to still be sat outside at 10:30pm. 

02. Shopping

By coincidence the heatwave hit on the day me & my mum had planned to go shopping. We went to Liverpool and ended up at Cheshire Oaks, I've finally brought my wardrobe up to date and managed to find some bargains in the sales!

03. July

I can't believe we're now in July, we're over halfway through the year and closer to Christmas this year than we are to last years!! July is my favourite month, it's my birthday on the 14th and I have lots of exiting things planned.

Have a wonderful July! What's made you happy this week?

PINTEREST INSPIRATIONS: MAKE UP

Like I've mentioned in previous posts, I always take to Pinterest for inspiration. Usually I like to keep my make-up pretty neutral but sometimes I get bored of that.

Lately I've been loving more of a dewy/bronzed look rather than matte. I think it makes my skin look healthier & is good for the summer. Usually I steer clear of bronzer as in the past I've found that it can make me look orange. However lately I've found it seems to look different on me, and with the correct application I actually like the way it looks. 

I always struggle to do my make-up on days that I'm going to wear my glasses. I tend to avoid heavy eye make up as I find it can make my eyes look small and dark. Through Pinterest I've learnt lots of tips & tricks on applying make-up with glasses. 

18 THINGS IN 18 YEARS

So in a few weeks I turn 19, the thought of being in my last teenage year already terrifies me. Over the past few years an awful lot has changed in my life, the majority of it being for the better. It's been a huge learning curve for me and I have to say I'm pretty happy with the way things are today. Along with up and downs I've learnt some important life lessons & some of those are what I'm sharing with you today. 

01. Not everybody is your friend

02. When one door closes another one always opens 

03. You don't need to use 83745 different lotions and potions to have good skin

04. Being yourself is the best thing you can be

05. Nothing is impossible if you try hard enough

06. Time doesn't make things easier

07. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

08. Nothing will ever be gained with a bad attitude

09. A little kindness towards others goes a long way

10. People are too quick to complain

11. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is

12. It's okay to not know what you want to do with your life

13. 13 is my unlucky number 

14. Memories mean everything when somebody is no longer here

15. Worrying about things you can't change just isn't worth it

16. Always be grateful for what you have there is always somebody worse off than yourself

17. Coffee is an essential 

18. Life really is too short

JUNE FAVOURITES

It's that time again, I can't believe we're at the end of another month. I love July though, it's my birthday on the 14th so I have lots planned. This month, my favourites are beauty based as always but there's a few new things for a change.

01. Nivea roll on deodorant

Me and spray deodorants just don't get on, I've tried all kinds of brands but all have caused irritation. I'm not overly keen on the normal kind of roll on as they feel quite wet for a while after applying. This has more of a cream formula, it's much kinder to my skin and really does what it should. I also like how you can see how much is left as you roll it up, there's nothing worse than unexpectedly running out of deodorant!

02. Ralph Lauren perfume

I received this as a present for my 18th birthday and was obsessed with it at the time. Eventually I got sick of it because I wore it literally everyday. After a while of not using this I've found my love for it again. The scent is hard to describe, it's quite a sweet smell but one that isn't too overpowering. The scent lasts and doesn't go 'stale' after a while which is always a bonus.

03. Lush Cream Candy Bubble Bar

Due to an allergy that I have I can't use fancy bubble bath or bath bombs anymore but I was over the moon when I discovered that this bubble bar doesn't contain the preservative that I'm allergic to. It contains coconut oil and vanilla so it still has a yummy scent but is very kind to my skin. It creates so many bubbles and actually has a more luxurious feel to just a normal bubble bath. 

04. Lush Rock Star soap

Usually I don't like bars of soap as they can be very drying on the skin. This one is the opposite its very nourishing and kind to sensitive/eczema prone skin. I've done a full review on this product which you can read here.

05. Bare Minerals Bare Skin foundation

This is by far my favourite product of the month, probably the year so far too. You can read my full review on this here. It's an amazing all round foundation, the coverage can be built up easily but it still feels nice & light on the skin. It's super easy to apply and the colour is perfect for my pale skin.

What have you been loving this month?