Haircare Haul

Hello :)

I feel like my hair needs a bit of zhushing up at the moment so after scouring the aisles in Boots, I picked up a new shampoo and conditioner from the Garneier Ultimate Blends Range. I opted for 'The Nourishing Repairer' which is specifically formulated for very dry/damaged hair, and after years of experimenting with various different colours and styles, my hair definitely fits under that category so I thought this would be perfect as it's key ingredients are avocado oil and shea butter. Next up I got the much talked about Loreal TXT It Tousle Wave Spray which is apparently a good dupe for the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray but at a fraction of the cost. Last but not least I picked up some hairspray for those unruly hair days when your hair just won't do as it's told and needs sticking down. I didn't know where to start with hairspray as there are so many on offer, all that promise to keep hair in place without feeling crunchy and weighed down. Remembering how much I used to love Lee Stafford, (remember Celebrity Scissorhands!) I finally decided on the Fat Flexible Hold Hairspray as I have been overlooking my old favourite brand recently. So hopefully these new products will do the trick and my hair will be bouncy and full of life again.

What are your hair saviours, any suggestions on what I should try next?

xXx

Review: Lush Big Blue Bath Bomb

Hello :)

Lush Big Blue Bath Bomb - £3.25 each

I've loved every Bath Bomb I've ever used from Lush but this is by far the best. (It makes me feel like Ariel in The Little Mermaid!) It is a gorgeous ocean blue colour and smells so nice. It has a lovely combination of lavender, lemon, sea salt and arame seaweed, perfect to soften and cleanse the skin, relax the mind and make you feel like you're somewhere hot and exotic. The bits of seaweed floating around might not be to everyone's liking but, I personally loved it. The colour of the water is so bright it instantly lifted my mood and made me feel like it was the middle of summer. The Bath Bomb itself is very large so you could easily split it in half and get two soaks out of it. 

This is definitely my top Lush product and I will be stocking up for when I need to unwind and escape to an exotic island.

xXx

Recipie: Carrot Cupcakes

Hello :)

I had a bit of a sweet tooth the other day so I thought I'd try this recipe out and as they've nearly all gone, I think they went down a treat with everyone. I'm not much of a cook but I found these really easy to make and was surprised at how yummy they turned out.

Ingredients for the Cupcakes:

225g Grated Carrots

170g Sultanas

280g Self Raising Flour

170g Caster Sugar

200g Margarine

200ml Fresh Orange Juice

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Ginger

1 tsp Nutmeg

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Pinch Of Salt

Ingredients for the Buttercream Topping:

115g Margarine

170g Icing Sugar

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 180. On a low heat simmer the carrots, sultanas, orange juice and spices for ten minutes until the carrots have softened. Meanwhile in a large mixing bowl, place the self raising flour, caster sugar and salt, then mix together. Melt the margarine in a bowl over boiling water and add to the carrot mixture. Then combine to the dry mixture and stir it all together until it is all completely combined. Spoon the mixture into muffin cases and place in the oven for 45 minutes.

Whilst the cupcakes are baking, you can make the Buttercream Topping. Cube the margarine and place in a mixing bowl, add the icing sugar and vanilla extract and mix together with an electric mixer if you have one. ( If not you can mix by hand and have an arm workout in one!)

When the cupcakes are done place them on the side and wait for them to completely cool, then top them with the Buttercream, put them on a pretty cake stand and voila, they're done.

xXx

Review: Lush Karma Bubble Bar

Hello :)

Lush Karma Bubble Bar - £3.25 each

Lush is by far one of my favourite shops to visit. It's like an aladdin's cave of bath treats. I luckily got lots of Lush goodies for Christmas and as it has been very cold and rainy recently, I thought I'd treat myself to a relaxing hot bath and chose the Karma Bubble Bar to fill it today. The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous spicy orange scent and it's lovely orange/pink swirly pattern with a hint of shimmer ( I almost didn't want to crumble it up. ) which turns the water an orangey/gold colour.  The scent is one of my favourite's from Lush. It's nice and strong but not too overpowering, I've had this in my cupboard since Christmas and every time I open the door I get a waft of this exotic scent. As this is a Bubble Bar you crumble it under running water to create a mountain of bubbles. You could break it in half and get two uses from this bar and still have a very bubbly bubble bath. On a recent trip to get a restock of my much loved Angels On Bare Skin, I was chatting to the lovely lady who served me ( Lush staff are always so friendly and helpful.) and she informed me they did a perfume of the Karma scent in spritz and solid form! I'm definitely going to have to treat myself to one very soon.

What's your favourite Lush product?

xXx

February Shopping List

Hello :)

                  

    

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - £4.99 - 400ml / Boots

Benefit They're Real Mascara - £19.50 / Boots

Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow - £17.50 / Debenhams

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Shameless - £7.99 / Boots

MuLondon Organic Rose, Rosehip & Rosemary Face Moisturiser - 60ml for £21 / MuLondon

Brown And Cream Tote Bag - £39.99 / New Look

Nars Cream Blush in Penny Lane - £21.50 / Space.NK

                                                                                                 
I've been eyeing up a lot of products this month and as it was my birthday recently, I decided I could treat myself to a few things, so I've complied a little shopping list of my top picks. I instantly fell in love with this bag as soon as I saw it. I can't wait to have it on my arm.

xXx

Review: Olay Eye Makeup Remover

Hello :)

Olay eye makeup remover - £2.99 / Superdrug

I've tried countless eye makeup removers but, have never found one I've been truly wowed by, until now. Olay is not a brand I've ever really tried before but, as it was half price, I thought I'd give it a go and I'm so glad I did. This is a thick, creamy formula with a very subtle scent. I use a pea sized amount on a cotton wool pad and gently sweep it over my eyelids, there's no need to rub as I've found I've had to with other brands, this just melts the makeup away.  I have quite sore eyes and this has not irritated them at all and has even helped with the dry patches on my eyelids. I've been thoroughly enjoying using this product and it has made removing my makeup a bit less of a chore.

I would highly recommend this product and will definitely not be overlooking Olay anymore.

xXx

Lush Wishlist

Hello :)

             
                              
                                 

From top left to right:

Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly - £3.25/100g or £6.45/ 240g

Rose Jam Shower Gel - £4.65/100g or £9.25/250g

Secret Santa Bath Bomb - £5.75 each
Star Light, Star Bright Bath Melt - £3.30 each
The Christmas Penguin Bubble Bar - £2.95 each

A French Kiss Bubble Bar - £4.25 each
The Melting Snowman Bath Melt - £2.25 each

Lush is one of my all time favourite shops. I love walking up to the shop and getting the waft of smell you know instantly is Lush. I could quite happily spend my entire wages in there. These are a few of my favourite products and some new ones that I can't wait to try out. How amazing will your bath look with the super glittery Star Light, Star Bright!

xXx