Luscious Lashes* || With Falseeyelashes.co.uk

I have a confession to make. I'm a false lashes virgin! I know a lot of women, including many of my female friends, wear them but I have never. To be honest with you, I've never felt the need as I have exceptionally long eyelashes already. I'm often complimented on them and, fun story, the ultrasound technicians gendered me as male during a scan because they could see the long eyelashes which are typically a male thing. I was going to be called Joe and my mum was devastated because she wanted a girl. It all worked out in the end though, 'cos surprise, I was a girl! And I can't deny I haven't been intrigued by false lashes in the past. So I decided to give Ardell Professional Magnetic Lashes from Falseeyelashes.co.uk* a try. Just because I already have long lashes, doesn't mean I can't wear false ones!

Birthday Haul Post!

I always preface these posts with an explanation as to why I share them and a request that they not be taken as boastful. But why should I? This is my blog. Where I can share what I like. And if it's not to your taste; so what? So if you want to find out what I got for my birthday this year, read on. And if you don't, skip this post and come back on Friday for something new!

I asked for the Harry Potter 8-Film Collection as, despite being a huge Harry Potter fan, I didn't own a single one of the Harry Potter films! Well, in my opinion, the books are better. But I do enjoy the films too and it's nice to have the option to watch them whenever.

These were all presents from friends who know me so, so well! I was totally overwhelmed to be honest. My best friend showed up at my door on my birthday evening, laden down with presents she'd been collecting all day to bring to me. It was so lovely. I think it's safe to say unicorns featured heavily in my birthday presents this year, right?

Our cat always buys me a small birthday present. Well, I am his mummy after all! This year, he got me the new Stephen King book, The Institute, which he knew I had my eye on. It wouldn't be my birthday without at least one book. 

The boy done good. I did ask for this, but I didn't know if I would receive it as a) it sold out so quickly upon release and b) it was rather expensive. But I woke up on my birthday morning to the Lego Friends set, a gift from my hubby. We spent one rainy Sunday a few weeks later putting it together, and the final result is now on the top of my bookshelf in the living room; proudly on display!

My grandparents got me tickets to see Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone In Concert at The Forum in Bath. I went with my granddad, and I bought his ticket for his birthday. Harry Potter has always been something my granddad and I shared. He would always buy me the books on release. He got advance tickets to the first film. We watched the films together. So it was exciting to attend this event together. It was a fantastic evening; a live orchestra playing the soundtrack alongside the film as it played out on a projector.

The rest of my family gave me money for my birthday, and I decided to put that money towards a new phone. I've been lusting after an iPhone for a while and the iPhone 11 was released the week after my birthday. So I upgraded my contract and put my birthday money towards the upfront cost of the phone. No regrets!

Do you like to see what people got for their birthday? 

Woo Woo Intimate Care*

Woo Woo. Lady Garden. Vajayjay. Faj. Muff. Foof. What do you call it? 

Whatever you call it, our intimate area is a part of our body that is finally being given more attention when it comes to how we care for down there. From intimate washes to freshening wipes, hair removal creams to soothing balms, the intimate care market is a rapidly growing one. And new on the scene are Woo Woo*.

Back to Me Routine – How to Show Yourself Some Tender Loving Care || Guest Post

Nowadays, it is way too easy to get sucked into stress, exhaustion and basically doing things for others which we don’t want to do, with the excuse that we can’t be selfish. Go ahead, be a little selfish! Take a day off, take a vacation even. Show yourself some tender loving care by making things about you for once, and don’t you dare feel guilty about it.

How To Keep Your Skin Glowing During Winter || Guest Post

Winter is an uncomfortable time for your skin. For starters, the cold and dry air attacking your skin constantly makes it dry, itchy and flaky. The wool clothes that keep us so warm and look so good irritate when worn directly on the skin. It seems like skin just can't catch a break during the cold season. But not all hope is lost. Here are some measures you can take to keep your skin looking refreshed in this stressful time of the year.

End of Summer Skincare Tips || Guest Post

We’re well into the second half of August and with September lurking around the corner waiting its turn, it’s time to get our summer affairs in order and get ready to say goodbye. Soon enough we’ll be sitting in front of our wardrobes, packing up our gorgeous summer outfits and busting out our transition pieces. The gist is pretty much the same when it comes to skincare. It’s time to say farewell to the light moisturizers, tinted creams, and glittery body lotions to make room in your bathroom cabinets and vanities for the new members that will comprise your skincare arsenal. To that end, we are here with some more than helpful tips on how to prep your skin so autumn doesn’t catch it off guard.

Chemist 4 U* || With Chemist 4 U

I am all about making life easier, in any way possible to be honest. So when I heard about Chemist 4 U*, the lazy girl inside me rejoiced. Finally, a way to fill your prescriptions and buy all your drug-store products without even leaving the house! 

Cruelty Free Hair Care* || With Organic Shop

For more years than I care to mention, I've been using Herbal Essences to shampoo and condition my hair. And in doing some research for this post, I've come to learn that although Herbal Essences claim to be cruelty free, their parent company do test some products on animals. I am shook. Anyway, long-term Herbal Essences fan, now a total convert to a new range of hair and body care products that are 100% cruelty free.

Getting A Natural Look With Confidence || Guest Post

With all the photoshopped images that we are bombarded on the daily basis it is hard to feel confident about our look. More and more women feel obliged to plaster on tons of makeup and even spend time contouring just to go to the store or the gym. One of the more popular trends on Instagram  is celebrities taking pictures ‘makeup free’, and apart from the brave few most have been filtered so many times it is hard to believe that any woman actually looks like that early in the morning.

So how are we expected to let our natural beauty shine, and feel good about it. Well the answer is a lot easier than you might think.

How To Winter-Proof Your Makeup

Winter might be the merriest of the seasons due to holidays, celebrations, and the beauty of snow landscapes, but the truth is that low temperatures, cold wind, and dry air can take a toll on your skin and, consequently, ruin your makeup. Flaky skin popping beneath your foundation, chapped lips messing up your matte lipstick, and cold wind that makes you cry thus smudging off your mascara – those are only some of the problems makeup addicts face during winter. Here’s how to prevent them and make your makeup winter-proof.

Winter Beauty Preparation || Guest Post

Winter is coming, so it’s high time you started with your winter beauty preparation. The same way you change your style with every change of season, you have to make some adjustments to your beauty routine as well. In order to help you, we’ve prepared a list of advice on how to achieve this efficiently.

Autumn Skincare Tips || Guest Post

Autumn is finally here, and that means one thing – it’s about time you upgraded your skincare routine and adapted it for this magnificent season. If you don’t really know how to make that happen, don’t worry – just stay with us and keep on reading. Here are 4 amazing tips on how to accomplish that like a pro and give your skin what it needs and deserves!

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder* || With SENSSE

If you recognise the name SENSSE, that's because I, fairly recently, reviewed another of their wonderful beauty gadgets. The Hot and Cool Facial Bar added another dimension to my daily skincare, so you can well imagine how excited I was to receive SENSSE's Eye Massager* in the mail. 

Back when I was fourteen/fifteen, I remember buying a very expensive, rollerball eye serum. It was probably by L'oreal, or similar, and promised to reduce puffiness and the appearance of bags under your eyes. Looking back on it now, I know that at fourteen years old I definitely did not have bags under my eyes. But I thought I did. How naïve was I. Now I have bags under my eyes, so I've been counting on the SENSSE Eye Massager to solve that problem.

In my review of the Hot and Cool Facial Bar, it's safe to say I was disappointed by the packaging. The external box looked as though it had been fairly battered about, and none of the packaging seemed to fit with such an expensive, high-end beauty gadget. However, with the Eye Massager, I was pleasantly surprised. Packaged in a lovely, much less battered box; the Eye Massager came stored inside a little pouch which, I thought, was a nice touch. 

My biggest complaint with the Hot and Cool Facial Bar has to be that it requires a USB connection to charge. This means I have to remember to bring the gadget downstairs with me and plug it into my laptop to charge. The charging port is also not particularly sturdy, and the slightest knock sends the Facial Bar flying off. So far, not so practical. Really, I'd have much preferred a battery operated device. And that's exactly what the Eye Massager is.

The product looks expensive, and I guess it kind of is. At £39.99* the product is a little on the pricey side. So, is it worth it? I think so. Remember me saying, before I started waffling on, that teenage me spent a lot of money on a rollerball eye serum? Well, that product probably set me back at least a tenner. And it wasn't reusable. Once the serum ran out, you'd have to spend another tenner, and so on. The beauty of the SENSSE Eye Massager is, you can use it again and again. And the only cost, besides the initial outlay, is a new AAA battery from time to time. Invest in a decent battery, Duracell or similar, and you'll find you won't have to change it that often! 

But, crucially, does it work? I've been using this product for well over a month now in my daily skincare routine, and I've definitely noticed an improvement around my eyes. What's really great about this Eye Massager is that, despite it's name, it can be used anywhere on the face. I use it around my mouth and nose, as well as all around my eyes. I don't have many wrinkles yet (I know, aren't I lucky?!) but the bags under my eyes more than make up for my lack of wrinkles. And after a month of using the Eye Massager, my bags are no more. Well, they are still there after a particularly rough night (like the night I only got five hours sleep, thanks toothache, you're a star!) But most mornings, I wake up looking younger and more refreshed than I ever feel. On the odd occasion where I've had a bad night's sleep, I use the Eye Massager in the morning to help ease the puffiness and general tired look haunting my eyes.

I think this product is a definite must-have in your beauty gadget collection. It's a worthwhile investment with long-lasting effects. I'm pretty certain this will come in more than helpful when I do start developing wrinkles! As with the SENSSE Hot and Cool Facial Bar, you can use any of your usual creams with the product. If you're looking for a salon style eye product that you can use easily in your own home, I'd highly recommend the SENSSE Eye Massager, available on Amazon. 

What beauty gadgets do you use? 

*This product was sent to me in exchange for a review. All words and opinions are my own.

**Prices correct at time of posting.

Getting Lippy* || With MUA and WOW Free Stuff

When someone says free stuff, I say where do I sign up? We all love a freebie, or a bargain, don't we? Which is why I'm here with a public service announcement about how you can bag yourself a totally free MUA Lipstick*! Interested? Then read on...

I've spoken before about Wow Free Stuff, so I won't go into too much detail here. I'd only be repeating myself. Besides, today's post is all about the MUA Lipstick you could win from Wow Free Stuff, and what I thought of it! 

Summer Sales Haul!

I've had this post sitting in my drafts for some time now, and decided it was probably about time I posted it. Before Summer turns into Autumn... Although I think it may already have done that, judging by the windy, rainy days we've had recently! Anyway, here's what I picked up in the Summer sales. 

I didn't think Lush did sales...but I was charged £5 less for Dad's Garden Lemon Tree Body Spray, so maybe they do? I picked up the It's Raining Men shower gel whilst I was in Lush for my mum, as part of her birthday present.

Haul Post!

I know I post a lot of these haul posts. That's because I shop, a lot. I'm aware that I am very lucky to be able to afford to shop as much as I do, and I know that many people are not in the same situation. I don't take it for granted. In writing up these haul posts, I'm not trying to show off, and I hope it never comes across as that! Right, now let's move on to some of my recent purchases!

Did I say recent? Haha! These photos appear to date back to around April/May time. The chocolates above I actually picked up on sale just after Easter. The Kinder mini eggs? Divine! I can't seem to resist a bargain book from the supermarkets whenever I'm grocery shopping, either!

A Gentle Toning Face Massage* || With SENSSE

Can we just take a minute to appreciate how Instagrammable this Ultrasonic Facial Bar is? White, with rose gold detailing, it's every blogger's dream. And it looks so good sitting out on a dressing table, or chest of drawers. It's a product you'll want to show off! But, if you're anything like me, you might be wondering what on earth the SENSSE Hot and Cool Ultrasonic Facial Bar actually is? Besides gorgeous, of course. Well, let me tell you!

Haul Post (Part Two)

I know that in my last haul post I said that there would be a second part. Which is what I'm bringing to the table today. But there's likely going to be a third, fourth, and fifth part, because I still have so much new stuff to share with you. I shouldn't have to disclaim this, but I will; I don't write these posts to brag about the stuff I buy. I write these posts because I love looking back on some of my recent purchases, and because I know that lots of you enjoy reading them. I know that I am lucky to be able to afford to indulge in my favourite activity, shopping, often. So just know that my intentions are good in writing these posts. And keep an eye out for a few more haul posts coming up over the next month, or two.

Lush have shaken up my daily skincare routine with these products. Actually, they've given me a daily skincare routine, because before this I didn't have one! Let me tell you though, the Flopsy Face Wash Jelly is really hard to use. But that rosewater toner water? To die for! So cooling, refreshing, plus it smells gorgeous.

Haul Post (Part Two!)

In my last haul post, I explained that I'd been splashing the cash, perhaps, a little bit too much recently. So I split my latest haul post into two parts, and today I bring you Part Two!

New Look are fast becoming my favourite store, guys. First, they released all kinds of cute unicorn homeware and now they've released the BEST tee-shirts! And they're only £7!

I think this design is my favourite, although I'm a little in love with both of them! It's true guys; cats really are forever!

A Therapeutic Kiss* || With Oyster

There's no easy way to say this, so here goes. I'm getting old! Shocking, I know, but it's the truth. And as I'm getting older, I'm looking for new skincare products to introduce into my regime, to help keep me looking younger and youthful for longer! And that's where Oyster comes in, with their brand new Brightening Eye Serum*!