An Unexpected Mascara Love (That's Under £3)

I've been trying a few products out from budget friendly brand Essence recently (I've got a full first impressions post coming up in the next couple of weeks) and whilst I was excited to try out a few things from the brand, I didn't expect to fall in love.

Oh how wrong I was.

It takes a lot for a mascara to impress me. I won't settle for just volume or length, I want both, dramatically thick and fluttery lashes, and I want it to last all day, not flake, and feel comfortable too. 

Meet the Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara, a steal at £2.80 and my new favourite mascara. It's got cutesy packaging, and it's a good size too, it's got a lot of product inside, and a blacker than black, quite wet formula that lasts really well throughout the day.

But the winner for me is the brush. It's really similar to the L'Oreal Miss Manga, it's tapered with natural bristles, that are a little more densely packed than the L'Oreal offering. It really gets every lash and coats it in product, giving length AND volume, in a dramatic sort of way. The photo above is the difference just one coat makes, and I think it's pretty impressive. It takes a few minutes to completely dry, but once it does it doesn't budge all day. It's comfortable too, I don't want to rub my eyes after one too many hours wearing makeup.

I would honestly pay high end prices for this mascara, but the £2.80 price tag just makes this a dream purchase!

What mascaras are you loving right now? 

Thoughts On: My Fitbit Flex

I've been using my Fitbit Flex for about six weeks now, and I figured it was about time I shared a few thoughts because, well, I love it.

I'd been umming and ahhing about ordering some kind of fitness band for ages, everyone else in my family has Nike Fuelbands and they love them, and it seems that half the population is using some kind of band to track their activity these days. At the beginning of the year I ordered an UP! Jawbone, but I sent it back when I realised that all it really does is track steps, which my phone does anyway.

Back in September though, Con ended up buying me a Fitbit Flex and whilst I had reservations as to whether it would really make a difference to my activity levels, I've ended up falling in love with it. 

The wristband itself doesn't show any information other than how close you are to hitting your goal for the day. I have my goal set at 10,000 steps which is the standard setting, but you can change it depending on your lifestyle. It then connects via bluetooth to an app on your phone. I'm really pleased with the app from a technical point of view, it's not buggy at all, it's simple and straightforward to use, and it just works (cough  cough, unlike bloglovin'). 

You don't have to leave your bluetooth on all the time either, which was a concern for me since I power through my phone battery anyway. You just flick your bluetooth on for a thirty seconds when you open the app, and it'll fetch all the information.

So in the app it tracks your movement and sleep. I like that it shows steps and km, it kinda puts how far you've walked into a tangible figure (cause who really knows what 10,000 steps is). The sleep tracker is really interesting, it shows how often you were restless and how many times you woke up during the night. It was quite eye opening for me because I'm a bad sleeper, and it made me realise how little deep sleep I was actually getting. I've been trying different techniques to get a better night's sleep, and it's interesting to look at the data in the morning to see what worked and what didn't, not just basing it off how I feel in the morning (which is always tired and grumpy because ugh who likes getting out of bed).

The app also has built in capabilities so you can input your food and water intake, as well as any exercise you do. For me this is far more practical than using a food diary, because I can input the data in a few seconds whilst on the train, or before bed, at the same time as I check the other data. You can enter your weight and your goal weight, and it'll give you a calorie intake and activity goal to reach, which is handy if you're looking to lose weight.

Whilst I can't say that wearing my Fitbit has inspired me to eat healthier or hit the gym, it has opened my eyes to how little I move around in the day, and has given me the motivation to get out and move a bit more, particularly when I spend all day sat at my desk. If it gets to 8pm and I still haven't hit my goal, I'll pull on my coat and go outside for a walk, just to hit my goal, which I wouldn't have done previously. I've been hitting my goal at least 5 days a week, and my first week with it I didn't even get halfway to my goal once. 

It's inconspicuous too, I went for the pink one, but they have a massive range of shades, and they're quite slimline. It doesn't feel bulky at all, I got used to wearing it even at night very quickly.

So the Fitbit Flex gets a thumbs up from me! It's also worth noting that if you have a CEX local to you, they often stock unopened, new Fitbits for only £40, which is a bit of a bargain! 

Friday Night Facial

By the end of last week my skin was feeling a little worse for wear, congested, tight, and dehydrated. I gave myself a mini facial and my skin just drank it up, and felt AMAZING the next day!

I started by giving my skin a deep cleanse with The Body Shop's Camomile Cleansing Butter, I used this twice to make sure my skin was thoroughly cleansed. I used my Lush Santa's Lip Scrub to give my poor chapped lips a little TLC, this stuff tastes like cola bottles, it's delicious! I then went in with the Soap and Glory No Clogs Allowed mask, which works double duty as a scrub and warming deep cleansing mask. I used a thick soft flannel to get every scrap of this off.

I spritzed my skin with the La Roche Posay Serozinc, and then once it all absorbed, I applied a liberal layer of the Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask, which my skin just adores. It smells like orange peel, and gives my skin the most intense boost of hydration I can imagine.

My skin felt so good the next day, I had to stop myself from repeating this routine every night! 

When was the last time you gave your skin a pamper?

Autumn Leaves

This is my favourite time of year fashion wise - and right now I'm really enjoying experimenting with different outfits than my usual go to. I'm always guilty of ending up in jeans, leggings and hoodies when the weather gets colder, so I've been trying to mix it up a little recently.

This suede skirt from Hollister has become a total staple for me this month, and I've been mixing up what I've been pairing it with a lot. I love this combo of the silky shirt and suede skirt, I find the textures of these fabrics super pleasing. 

 I love wondering the streets of London at the moment, everything looks so much more beautiful at this time of year. I've taken so many photos of trees, it's getting a bit weird! Why are leaves so much prettier when they are dying?

 SHIRT - H&M // SKIRT - HOLLISTER // SOCKS - PRIMARK // BOOTS - PRIMARK // COAT - ZARA /// GLASSES - RALPH LAUREN // BAG - PULL AND BEAR

Missing From Your Makeup Bag

I talk a lot about the next must have lipstick, or the new foundation that's blowing my mind, so today we're talking about the stand out must haves that aren't new or particularly exciting, but they are daily staples that will change your makeup routine. 

A peachy under eye corrector: to cancel out dark circles under the eyes, you need a peachy, salmon toned product that you can layer under your usual concealer. Nothing will brighten up the undereyes more, and it'll make you look awake even if you only got a few hours sleep.

My pick - The Benefit Erase Paste.

An iridescent setting powder: to give you glow any time, even when you're looking pasty, or wearing a seriously high coverage foundation. A good, finely milled face powder with a hint of sheen to it can make you look glowy and healthy, I particularly like to set my under eyes with one to add life and brightness.

My pick - MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade.

Natural False Lashes: to give a little more lash in a natural way. False lashes doesn't have to mean fake looking lashes, a more subtle pick can give you length, volume and flutter, whilst looking all natural.

My pick - Eyelure Simply Fleur Lashes.

An intensely hydrating tinted lip balm: most of us have lip balms coming out of our ears, but usually they fall into one of two categories, hydrating or tinted. Come the colder weather, it's nice to have one on hand that does both, so you can have soft and smooth lips, as well as a little colour.

My pick - Fresh Sugar Petal Lip Treatment.

The perfect base brush: something that makes applying any foundation a total dream. Something with densely packed bristles, that's easy to manouvre, something small enough to fit into every corner of the face, but big enough that it doesn't take forever.

My pick - Sephora Pro Flawless Airbrush Foundation Brush no 56.

What are your makeup bag must haves?

Candles For Autumn

It's no secret that Autumn is my favourite time of the year. I love everything from crispy leaves to pumpkin spiced lattes, and autumnal candles are no exception.

My most recent find is the Midnight Magic Wild Honey and Nectar Candle, a deliciously fragrance that smells like opening a jar of honey. I found this in Homesense, and I'm so glad I picked it up, it completely fills the room with it's delicious scent, and it's autumnal without being overtly autumnal.

A splurgey but worth it option, the Diptyque Pomander Candle, a spiced orange scent that makes my heart all of a flutter. This is my all time favourite candle, it smells like holiday season in a jar!

The yearly Space NK Christmas drop always includes the Shimmering Spice Candle, which is just like Pomander, but with a bit more of a woody undertone. I always stock up on these in the sale!

And lastly, the cutest damn candle I ever did see, this candle in a teacup. Aside from being adorable, this also fills the room with a gorgeous vanilla scent that just makes me want to cosy up with a mug of coffee and a good book.

What are your favourite autumnal candles?

Hot Spiced Apple at Home

 Last year, I was totally hooked on the Costa Hot Spiced Apple drinks, and this year, I've been loving the new Starbucks Mulled Spiced Apple drink, which is becoming problematic (you know that emoji of the flying wads of cash? Yeah, that), so I decided to have a little kitchen experimentation to come up with my own.

Turns out these kind of drinks are SO easy to make! And you can swap out ingredients as you please, so you're almost guaranteed to find a version you like.

You need:-

An apple drink: Bog standard apple juice is what I've used here and it works a treat, but I like this even more with cloudy apple juice. If you fancy a little tipple, you can also use apple cider, but I'd recommend dumping in a few extra teaspoons of brown sugar, because otherwise it'll be quite bitter. I've also tried this with a fruity white wine before, and that was delicious too!

Sweetner: I like to use Agave Nectar, but honey works, and brown sugar gives it a really lovely taste. You only need a teaspoon or two depending on your personal taste, but it really pulls the drink together.

Spices: You'll definitely want cinnamon sticks and star anise. I also found some Mulled Wine Spice bags that are a bit like tea bags, which are totally delicious in this too. I've also added Vanilla Chai teabags and that was awesome as well!

Fresh fruit: Apples are the obvious choice here, but oranges work really well too for some reason! 

It's literally as simple as dumping everything in a pan and heating it on a medium heat for 10-15 minutes. I like to drop the Star Anise in close to the end otherwise I find it a bit too strong, but you can go off your personal taste!

I think I'm hooked!

Getting Scrubby

I love a good scrubbing sesh, I love the way my skin feels post-scrub down, like it's made of silk. I'm not normally too fussy when it comes to scrubs, but right now I've got a three step scrub routine which is making me really rather happy. And soft. 

The Arran Aromatics Seaweed and Mineral Salt Scrub is a good mix of coarse chunky scrub, finely milled gritty scrub, and hydrating oils. It's got an incredibly fresh scent and a little goes a long way, which is handy when you're five foot ten like me and have legs that go on for days. This stuff feels like something you'd use in a spa, from the texture down to the smell, and it looks pretty good on the side of my bath.

The Lush Let The Good Times Roll Cleanser can be used on the body as well as the face, but I prefer it for the face. It's an incredibly gentle, finely milled scrub, that smells incredibly of sweet toffee popcorn. This stuff is the perfect manual exfoliant, it's scrubby enough to get rid of dead skin, but also gentle and hydrating enough to not strip the skin or leave it feeling sore or aggravated.

I always thought lip scrubs were a bit of a con, until last year when my lips pretty much fell apart in the bitter November cold. Now I always stock up on the Lush Santa's Lip Scrub when Christmas rolls around, so I can have super soft lips that taste of Cola Bottles.

What are your go to scrubs?

The Hold-All Makeup Bag

I've got makeup bags coming out of my ears but what I didn't have, until now, is one makeup bag that can hold heaven and earth, or whatever I want it to.

I recently got my mitts on this makeup bag from I Just Love It, and I swear to god this thing is the Mary Poppins bag of the beauty world. This cute vintage inspired makeup bag is perfect for long trips home, or vacations where you don't want to scrimp on product packing. You can easily fit a full skincare routine in here, along with enough makeup to satisfy even the most dedicated beauty junkies.

Aside from being handily huge, and so darn cute, this bag is also made of a wipe clean fabric, so basically it's got everything going for it.

Yay for no more micro packing!

What's your favourite makeup bag for big trips?

3 Years in London

When I moved to London three years ago, I couldn't imagine a time when I'd want to leave. I threw myself wholeheartedly into London life, attending launch parties and pop ups and fashion week. I ate out in instagrammable bars, I felt cool riding the tube into central, and back out to my little studio flat. And I absorbed London. I walked the Thames at night, I explored museums and I loved it all.

Three years down the line, and I seem to keep forgetting that feeling. I go into central when I have to, I tut and huff at tourists, and then I go home to my flat in Zone Four, and I swear that I'll leave London soon.

But sometimes, I do something that reminds me that London hasn't lost it's magic. Finishing up dinner with friends and taking a stroll across the river, seeing the London skyline lit up. Heading out to explore something new, and falling in love with a whole new part of the city I didn't even know existed. Walking through central on a drizzly afternoon, stopping to admire the flowers outside Liberty's and watching street performers. A date night that ends in a stroll through Covent Garden, admiring art installations, people watching, and absorbing the vibe of the city. Discovering a new Zara store that is better than any other you've stepped in previously.

Sometimes I need to step out of my little comfort zone of work - home - netflix, to remember why I love this city. Because I won't get to live here forever, and when the time comes for me to move on, I want to feel like I grabbed every possible second, and took every opportunity. Because London is an incredible place to live, and I'm so lucky that I'm having this experience.

43/52 - A Good Food Week

Happy Sunday! This week has been a busy one, but I've enjoyed it because I've been spending a lot of time with my friends, and that can only be a good thing, right?

I've still been feeling a bit iffy this week, but a lot of that may have been caused by the immense hangover I had Thursday. I spent most of the day in bed complaining about how much my head hurt. But it was worth it because I'm a total granny and I never go out but I had the bloody best time and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Plus I think I amused everyone with my drunk ramblings.

Other than that it's been a busy week of work, I'm feeling really motivated and exciting about blogging at the moment, and I've been loving dedicating a lot of time to it.

Happy things!

1. Evening walks with Con. We've been trying to make an effort to get out and go for a walk everyday, and it's one of the few times we get to chat without distraction. It's nice to spend quality time together and I actually look forward to bundling up in my coat and scarf in the evenings to get some fresh air, and have a walk.

2. Experimenting with hot drinks recipes. When we come in from our evening walks, we've been cooking up all sorts of delicious goodness to warm us back up! There's another recipe post coming your way next week!

3. Presents from Daphne, bought all the way from Poland. Yay for Bath & Bodyworks and Sephora goodies! 

4. HAPPY HOUR! I may have indulged in one too many drinks on a fun night out with my girl Katy this week, but who can blame us when they were half price! We enjoyed a delicious bottle of Prosecco at Gem Bar in Soho, and headed for delicious after dinner cocktails at Dirty Martini. I had the best night and just didn't want it to end. 

5. FINALLY getting into Flat Iron. After trying to get a table multiple times since we moved to London, Katy and I managed to miraculously get in with only an hours wait (when the bottle of prosecco was consumed!). I can hands down say that it was the best meal I've ever eaten, and I'm excited to get back there soon.

6. Daphne turning up with headache pills while I was hungover. Babe. And then ordering me pizza. Double babe.

7. A dinner date with my favourite people, Daphne and Connor back at The Bohemia. Dirty dogs and curly fries are the way forward. 

8. The cutest little pumpkin I ever did see. It's called a munchkin pumpkin, have you ever heard anything so adorable?

9. My new Bath and Bodyworks Warm Vanilla Sugar Candle. It smells delicious and if I could smell like that I think I would.

10. Finally getting to catch up with my mama, who is finally back off holiday, and came to London for the weekend. I miss home so much but getting to see my mum makes it easier! We hit up Wagamama (as per usual) and I ordered one of the new specials, the Beef Massaman Curry, and it was bloody delicious.

What are your happy things this week? x

Skin Hydration Line Up

Around this time of year, my skin begins to require a little more TLC than usual, basically, it starts to beg for a moisture boost. As the weather changes it strips my skin of every drop of moisture, until it feels tight and uncomfortable.

This year, I'm getting in early with a combative moisture boosting routine, so I don't have to feel like that at all. I've got some seriously awesome products in this line up, products that deserve a little spotlight!

Let's start with body, I've never quite fallen in love with a body butter like I have with The Body Shop's Spa of the World Japanese Camellia Cream. It's got a thick, whipped texture, so despite being really rich, it sinks into the skin really quickly. It smells delicious, it's fresh, clean and lightly floral, and it does the job of intensely hydrating the skin, and feels pretty luxurious too.

My hands are really feeling the brunt of the cold weather, so I've been toting the Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream around everywhere. This stuff is the bomb, it's lightly fragranced of sweet grape, and it's nourishing without being greasy or oily. I don't like hand creams that leave a residue on your skin, but this sinks straight in without a trace. Good stuff.

For my face, I've got a two step product line up that does just the trick. On a daily basis I'm treating my skin with the Trilogy Rosehip Oil, which hydrates and nourishes my skin, whilst keeping it clear. I'm topping that up with twice-weekly treatments with the Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask, which gives my skin an instant boost of moisture. 

And lastly, it doesn't get better than the Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm for soft and supple lips. I slather this on before bed and wake up with soft lips ready to tackle the world. Good stuff.

What are your favourite hydration boosters?

The Best Of Face Masks

I'm something of a face mask fiend, I love nothing more than treating my skin to a little R&R after a long day, and slathering it in something I know it'll love. Because of that, I've tried a lot of face masks over the last few years, but I now go back time and time again to my firm favourites. 

For moisture, there's nothing better than the Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask, a supercharged thirst quencher for the skin. I reach for this when my skin feels tight or dehydrated, it's probably my most used mask because I notice an immediate difference in my skin when I use this.

Another Origins pick, when my skin is feeling troubled I reach for the Origins Clear Improvement Mask, a charcoal based treatment that helps draw out impurities, leaving the skin clear. This is a great one for hormonal breakouts, or what I call 'pizza face'.

I keep blackheads at bay using Soap and Glory's No Clogs Allowed Mask, which scrubs away dead skin and warms up to draw out any nasties from the skin. This isn't a miracle fix, but rather a good product to use once a week or so to maintain clear skin - it's budget friendly too.

If my skin feels aggravated or in need of a little TLC, I love using the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Fix Oatmeal Mask. The soothing oats really allow my skin to repair, and feel good as new. 

And lastly, I love using the Sephora Sheet Masks as a little treat. They're great to take when you're travelling as they don't take up much room, and they're single use so you can ditch them once you've used them and free up bag space for shopping. I love using the avocado mask to nourish my skin, and the pomegranate one when my skin is looking a little lacklustre.

What are your favourite face masks?

Lovely Things #5

:: Sweater Weather :: 

Is there anything better than cosying up in chunky knitwear when it's chilly out? I think not. I love being snuggled up in big jumpers, and scarves, it's my favourite fashion time of year!

:: The Perfect Berry Lipstick :: 

I was always scared of berry lipsticks but I've fallen head over heels for Charlotte Tilbury's Love Liberty lipstick. I just want to wear it all the time, plus the packaging makes me feel like a princess.

:: The Perfect Everyday Bag ::

I've been on the hunt for the perfect bag for every day for the longest time. Not too big but not too small, an over the shoulder option and goes with everything. I think I've found the perfect thing with this little number from Pull and Bear. I'm in love.

:: Delicious Halloween Snacks ::

Because surely the only thing better than Jaffa Cakes is spooky Jaffa Cakes? The best thing about holiday season is holiday snacks I think! 

An Unexpected Lipstick Love

 I have never been a bold lipstick lover, quite the opposite in fact, I always used to be scared of bolder shades. This season though, I seem to have had a total change of heart, and I've been falling head over heels for deep berry lips.

The one I've fallen hardest for? Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution Lipstick in Love Liberty. It's a dark berry with rosy pink undertones that keep it super wearable. Despite being a matte formula, this applies smoothly, doesn't cling to dry patches and it feels slightly hydrating, whilst still having a matte finish and longwearing formula. I love the shape of the lipstick too, it's really easy to create precise lines with it.

The packaging is on point too, I love the matte berry box, and the rose gold bullet makes my heart flutter. I definitely want to try more of these lipsticks, next on my list is Walk of Shame! 

I'm embracing the berry and it feels good! Are you a berry lipstick fan?

Easy Gingerbread Chai Lattes

 I like a pumpkin spice latte as much as the next girl, but my real weakness is Chai lattes. Thick, creamy, spicy and topped with whipped cream, preferrably. This time of year a chai latte habit gets expensive, so I've found the most simple way to create delicious chai lattes at home (you knew it'd be simple because I'm not a good chef!).

The key to this drink is the Drink Me Spiced Chai Powder, which you can pick up for a couple of pounds in most supermarkets (I got mine in Tesco) or on Amazon. This stuff makes much nicer lattes than just a chai teabag does, and it's got the perfect balance of spices!

Now I'm allergic to dairy, so I use a dairy substitute, but I often make this for the boyfriend using normal semi skimmed cows milk and it works just fine. I usually make this for myself with almond milk, but I use soy milk when I want a decadant treat, something about soy milk makes it extra creamy!

You want to fill your chosen cup just over halfway with your chosen milk, and then pour that into a saucepan, and gently bring to the boil on a low heat. While that's simmering, boil the kettle, and add three teaspoons of Drink Me Chai to your mug. Pour the boiled water into the mug, up to just under halfway, and stir until all the powder has dissolved. Take two or three teaspoons of Gingerbread Syrup (I like this one from Monin, which again you can get on Amazon or in supermarkets) and stir that into the milk, before pouring the milk into the mug. Give it all a good stir!

Then top with whipped cream (fellow dairy-free friends, or vegan friends, I like the Soyatoo Spray Cream), and cinnamon powder! It's also good topped with caramel drizzle, chocolate shavings and marshmallows, take your pick!

Autumn perfection!