Lifestyle Blog: Day in London

Unfortunately my new tan hasn't arrived in time for me to trial and test it for you guys but  I thought I would do a lifestyle blog because I haven't done one for ages. On Friday I went to London for the day and took my mum to see the Musical wicked as I have always wanted to see it. We went shopping in Sloane Sqaure- I picked up some amazing bargains in Zara and bought a beautiful black dress for work in Hobbs.

We then went to an amazing burger bar called the Big Easy on Kings Road- the food was absolutely delicious and the atmosphere was great. It kind of had an old american feel and the decorations were really cool! I had a burger which was absolutely massive but worth every bite. I would definitely recommend this restaurant as the food was delicious. There is another one in Covent Garden so if you are near then its worth a visit!

We then went onto see Wicked in Victoria- this show was absolutely AMAZING, the costumes and stage setting were beautiful and had, had so much thought put into it. Everything about the show was breathtaking and I would 100% go back and see it again. If you get the chance to see it then you won't regret it, it's one of the best productions I have ever seen!

I hope you enjoyed this post and I'm hoping to have my fake tan review up for next week!

Steph XXX

Hair Care reviews

Finding the right products for your hair is essential to its look and feel , its very personal and I think you have to pick the right products that suit you. I used to have very long hair, but recently had a lot cut off into a long shoulder length bob and I absolutely love it- however my hair is quite thin and dry through colouring. For me the perfect hair care combination leaves me hair feeling soft, smooth and shiny, I don't like it to look to styled or as if I have put in a lot of products. Recently I have been trying the combination shown above (L'Oreal Sulfate free shampoo and conditioner and Herbal Essences Bee strong leave in conditioner) and have used it for about 2 weeks. I was a bit sceptical of the Sulfate free shampoo initially as its something I never considered in my hair routine, but having read so many rave reviews about it on other beauty blogs I thought I would try it (better late than never)

L'Oreal nourishing shampoo and conditioner- I'm glad I persisted with these products because initially I wasn't sure if I was going to like them! The main difference is that they are supposed to be better/more organic for your hair because  some say sulfate can take some of the natural oil out of your hair. The first thing I noticed straight away is the the shampoo doesn't lather as much which is what a sulfate agent is meant for, therefore it needs slightly more working into the scalp. I love the smell and I love the fact it leaves your hair feeling so clean, more so than normal shampoo's. The conditioner is very creamy and I noticed  difference straight away is the feel and silkiness of my hair when it was dry rather than when it was wet. Onec my hair was dry I thought it looked really nice and was really easy to style, it gave me hair volume and shine. I would defently recommend these products, althogh they take some time gettign used to they really are worth it when you get the hang of them!

Bee Strong leave in conditioner- I have always loved this range from Herbal Essence, I can't think of a better all round shampoo and conditioner and have wanted to try the leave in conditioner for ages . It's literally amazing, all you need is a quick spritiz on the ends of your hair after you get out of the shower before you blow dry and the ends feel, look and smell amazing. Get this products straight away!

I am going to do a fake tan review next week with a new product and I can't wait to try it!

See you next week

Steph xxx

Real Obession

Ever since the Real Techniques brushes were launched by Samantha Chapman (sister to one of my favourite you tubers Jim Chapman) I have been in LOVE with them! They are easily the best makeup brushes I have ever used. I would say I was slightly obsessed with them as I nearly have all the brushers in her collection. I'm going to review 3 of my favourite brushes below and the ones I think you would find most helpful to transform how you makeup looks.  The main reason I like these brushes is because they are so soft and feel amazing on the skin, it even makes applying foundation less of a chore! Starting from the left:

1. Expert Face Brush- This brush is AMAZING for applying foundation, its really soft but the bristles are very short so its very solid, meaning that when you apply foundation the bristles stay together and create a perfect buffing brush. I also really like the fact that its quite small so it ensures you don't use to much product and you can get into the small areas of the face.

2.Blush Brush- The best thing about this brush is that its bigger than most blusher brushes so you can really apply the product to the apple of the cheeks and build up quite a lot of colour. I use there smaller brush to apply highlighter to my cheeks after.

3.  The powder Brush- This is the newest brush to my collection and has to be my favourite, for no other reason then its so soft and the biggest in the collection and I love powdering my face with it!

The brushes are also very reasonable in price, the are slightly more expensive than high street brands but cheaper (and just as good if not better) than luxury brushes. Another great thing about these brushes is that Samantha has also posted online tutorials to go with each and every brush you always know how to use them! 

I really would recommend any of these brushes, they really do make a difference to the application and look of the brushes.

I'm going to do some hair care reviews next week so watch out for them!

Until next time xxx

2013 Top 4 Products

I have been debating what post I was going to do today- I was torn between my top products of 2013 and the products  I'm looking forward to using in 2014. But I thought it would make sense for you guys to see the products I loved in 2013 which will be staples in my makeup bag for 2014. I hope you enjoy it  . . . . . 

1. Rimmel Wake me Up Foundation: This foundation is AMAZING, I've spent so long using really expensive foundation, which are very good but they come at a price. I would easily say this foundation matches up to these- it has medium coverage, lasts all day and blends really nicely. I use the colour soft beige which has great pigmentation and works all year round. I'm feeling quite pale at the moment so I have been mixing it with my Chanel Vita Lumiere foundation or my Mac foundation which are both slightly lighter colours and this works really well. I have recommend this foundation to so many people and would really recommend it to you.

2. Clinique Iced Lotus Blusher- I love this blusher, I would even say its the best blusher I have ever used. The pigmentation is amazing and it really has a iced shimmery effect meaning that not only does it colour the cheeks it also illuminates. It looks great with bronzer and I sometimes wear it on top of other blushers just a highlighter. I love the packaging as it easy and compact and I carry it around with me all the time, it also lasts for ever and well worth the money (£22)

3. Maybeline Gel Eyeliner- I have never really got on well with pencil eyeliner- I only ever use it to line the bottom of my lashes when I go out just underneath my water line, so for me a gel liner is the perfect product. I love the matte finished it gives as I don't like shiny eyeliner. I also love the way it glides on and really frames the eye, I have always worn brown eyeliner as I find black is a little to dark for me and brown compliments my blue eyes and blonde hair. It is quite hard to apply and you need to have a good eyeliner brush (I use the real techniques eyeliner brush as I don't think the one it comes with is small enough) and you really have to work hard on perfecting the line. Practice is key with eyeliner. In the day time I wear a nude eye shadower and a liner on my eyes and in the evening I usually do a smokey eye and again line with eye liner.

4. Collection 2000 lasting Perfection Concealer- If you regularly read beauty blogs you will see that all bloggers rave about this product, its literally brilliant. It's the best concealer I have ever used a the smallest price (something like £2.99), the pigment is amazing and it covers blemishes and redness like no other! I use it everyday and the bottle lasts forever, once its on the face it also doesn't budge!

These 4 products will be in my makeup bag throughout all of 2014- they are so essential. If you need to change one thing in your make up bag make it one of these. I'll be uploading my 2014 must haves next week! Until then . . .  Xxxxx

New Year, New Plans

Towards the end of 2013 after finishing University I started a new job and found that my life took a complete change (as expected), although I am loving my new job and life- my blog took a bit of a back seat. Soooo . . .  I hope your all happy to hear that now I have settled into my new job I'm back to blogging and wanted to share my new years resolutions with you all and get back into it.

1. Blog once a week: I'm going to try and make this on a Thursday and I'm going to do more lifestyle bits as well, I really want to share with you the things I have been up to as well as the products I have been using.

2. Be less anxious and go with the flow- I can sometimes be quite anxious and get stuck in a rut, so this year I really want to try and be more spontaneous and say yes to things more often.

3. Embrace the weekends and fill them with fun things- I am now used of the structure of working Monday to Friday and am finally getting used to planning for the weekend and having less spare time in the week.

I really wanted to make my New Years Resolutions achievable and I really think these things are, I'm looking forward to the adventures 2014 will bring, I hope you all had a great new years and have set some new years resolutions!

xxxxx