models own eyelash curlers

 

A good pair of eyelash curlers are essential to my beauty regime. I find that they make my eyes look so much more bright and awake. I used to use a very old pair of boots own brand curlers which never really did anything other than cut my eyelids to shreds *shiver.*

 

I bought the Models Own Eyelash Curler up from Boots for £6.00 a few months ago, and I never really expected much as I was used to the crappy one I was currently using. But I actually love these so much more than I ever thought I would! The handle is engineered to be easy to hold and steady your hand to create fuller and more defined lashes. I also really like that it is pink, but I guess that doesn't really matter!

 

I find that I can get quite close to the root of my lashes very comfortably, and just a few pumps gives me lovely curled lashes! Just see the photos below!

 

((Left: natural lashes --- Right: using the Models Own Eyelash Curler))

 

I've read a few reviews of people not liking these, but I really do. I find them comfortable and easy to use, and they also deliver awesome results. You also get a spare white soft cushion which is good too, and my eyelashes stayed crimped almost all day! Overall: much love for this nifty product.

 

Have you tried these curlers before?

 

Liv xox

l'oreal telescopic mascara

My favourite mascara of the moment! L'oreal Telescopic has a thin, plastic brush that clings to the lashes and coats them in the product to deliver super long and thick peepers. The "innovative" lengthening fibre formula is designed to build intensity and elongate lashes.

I found that this mascara got better the older it got, if that makes sense? At first, this was way too wet and sticky and just make my lashes droop down. However, once it began to get a little bit drier, it was a lot easier to work with. The first coat goes on very smoothly, and then any additional layers really begin to build up the eyelashes and create that "false lash" effect which I love!

I really like the packaging of this mascara, too. The wand is very easy to hold and manoeuvre as you apply it. The flat base also means you can stand it easily which is quite handy!

This has got a plastic brush, which some people don't like but I find them easier to work with then wands with bristles. Be careful not to poke yourself in the eye with this one though as it is a killer! You can buy this for £10.99 from Boots, but always check for offers first as they are on quite frequently!

Have you tried this mascara before??

Liv xox

things i've used up no.1

1. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritz

I love the normal version of this toner, but I think the spritzer version is so much nicer! It comes with the signature earthy-floral Liz Earle scent which I actually find relaxing, but don't worry about the fragrance as I've found that it doesn't break you out or feel heavy or drying. I find this super refreshing to use on a morning and it really soothes, brightens and wakes up my skin. It feels very gentle yet revitalising on my sensitive skin and it is also alcohol free which is great! You can get the 200ml spritz version for just £13.50 from the Liz Earle website, I think this is excellent value for money as this bottle has lasted my just over a year and I use it every single day! I will definitely be repurchasing this! 

2. Blistex Relief Cream

I don't know about you but I suffer from incredibly sore lips even during Summer. It can get very painful and looks generally unappealing. The Blistex Relief Cream is a thick, white cream that soothes and conditions. This stuff is incredible and is packed full of active ingredients such as Camphor to soothe, Lanolin to protect and Peppermint Oil for a touch of freshness. I use this for my dry, sore lips but it can also be used on cold sores as it has ammonia and phenol which help to relieve pain and kill germs! I didn't realise that this is actually listed on the NHS Official Website, which just shows how loved and trusted this is! It's just £2.59 from Superdrug -  a complete staple in my lip care routine! 

3. L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil Face & Eyes

When I bought this, I had just run out of my current cleanser and was looking for something different. When I picked this up, I was drawn in by the claim that is "instantly dissolves make-up, even waterproof." And I have to say that this really does work! It is hard working yet light-weight, luxuriously oily yet not greasy at all. It re-balances and purifies for healthy looking skin that feels perfectly clean without feeling stripped, dehydrated or tight. The texture of my skin feels so much better and smoother and looks incredibly radiant. It retails for £7.99 but is currently on offer for £5.33 at Boots!

4. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

This anti-blemish cream is specifically formulated to target oil and blemish-prone skin. My skin isn't oily, in fact it is very, very dry but I was hoping that this product would really help with my spots. It is described as being clinically proven to correct the appearance of blemishes, unclog pores and refine the look of skin texture. I found that this didn't irritate my sensitive skin and it felt lovely and velvety to apply. Unfortunately, however, this didn't really help my skin in terms of spots and blemishes. If anything, it seemed to make them worse. I don't know why this didn't work for me, as I have heard many raving reviews of this "wonder" product and my friends really like this too. You can find it on the La Roche Posay website.

5. Bioderma Crealine H20

If you haven't heard of this product then you must've been hiding under a rock somewhere. This has been super hyped up over the past few months in the world of beauty. Everyone has tried it and seems to love it, much like the Effaclar Duo. But again (surprise, surprise!!) I didn't love this as much as I had hoped This micellar water is designed to cleanse skin, remove impurities and wipe away make up on sensitive, normal and dry skin. This did clean my skin but I found that I had to tug at my eyelids to remove any mascara or eyeliner, and my skin felt slightly stripped. Maybe it's just me and my weird skin but paying £17 for a make up remover, I expect it to be mind blowing! Just goes to show that not everything is worth the hype. It is now a little bit easier to get in the UK, and you can order it from Escentual or eBay!

6. Origins Clear Improvement Face Mask

I am so sad that I have used all of this mask up! The Clear Improvement Face Mask helps to clear out all the pollution, dirt and debris from under your skin to stop pores getting jammed and clogged. My skin always looks and feels so much clearer and fresher after I have used this, and I really can feel that it has been deeply cleansed. The activated Charcoal within this thick, grey mask acts like a magnet to draw out pore-cloggers, White China Clay absorbs environmental pollutants and Lecithin dissolves impurities. This is great for keeping spots at bay and also soothing angry blemishes even after they rear their ugly head! This is available for £22.00 from Boots.

7. Versace Red Jeans Eau de Toilette

This was the first perfume that I ever used, and it is still a firm favourite in my collection. Red Jeans is very sweet but has a unique touch, and it meant for the young-at-heart. I find this to be very fruity with notes of Peach, Blackcurrent Apricot and Freesia. But it is also quite floral due to the Violet, Rose and Lily of the Valley, with base notes of Sandalwood, Vanilla and Musk. I would highly recommend this fragrance, it is super easy to wear to still makes an impact. The packaging is also beautiful and will forever remain a great memory for me. You can buy this for a mere £12 from Superdrug, but it is usually on offer online!

no7 revitalising hand saviour

 

As I write this the rain is pouring out of the sky and the wind is blowing so hard I think my house might blow away to Oz. In Winter time, my hands end up dry and horrible due to the cold and other extreme weather, so I like to treat them once a week to a nice scrub like this one.

 

The No7 Revitalising Hand Saviour is a very moisturising but exfoliating scrub that sticks to your hands nicely so it doesn't go everywhere and make a mess. I got this product in a gift set at Christmas, but you can buy the 75ml for £11.50 from a Boots store or online.

 

Described as an "all-in-one treat," this product contains salt crystals to gently smooth and renew the skin on your hands. What I love about this product is that although it gives good exfoliation, it is also super moisturising and kind on dry palms. With a nourishing blend of almond and grapeseed oil, hands feel soft and silky. The added touch of Brazilian cupuacu butter, an intense moisturiser, helps to naturally boost the skin's moisture levels.

 

Although it may not be a flattering photo, I wanted to show what the product actually looked like. You can see just how packed full of beads and natural oils it is! Shake up the tube, squeeze some out and rub your hand together as it you were washing them under the tap. I also like to take this opportunity to rub the oils into my cuticles and push them back slightly, the results are amazing! You then simply rinse under warm water and pat dry to reveal gorgeously fresh hands!

 

Overall, I really love this product. I find it does wonders for my skin and my hands feel so bright and well treat afterwards! A must have, in my opinion!

 

Liv xox

palmer's cocoa butter formula lip balm in dark choc & mint

 

During the colder months, my lips usually have a total breakdown and cause me quite a lot of trouble. The mix of freezing temperatures and central heating (and maybe the lack of water - oops)

make my lips dry, flaky and just downright painful.

 

I used Vaseline for many years but found that they never really helped my lips in the long run, it just provided temporary relief until I slicked another layer on a few hours later. I already know that the Palmer's Cocoa Butter range was great for dry skin, so when I saw this little balm I decided it would probably deliver the same good results!

 

 

I was right! This product comes in a twist up tube and smells absolutely delicious, seriously. A lovely scent of chocolate mixed with a touch of mint, it is almost good enough to eat. I wouldn't recommend that though. When applied to the lips it provides relief from any discomfort for a good 2-3 hours before you may want to reapply. What I like most about this product is the fact that it actually feels like it is helping my lips stay moisturised for longer on days where I don't feel like wearing this. My lips are in much better condition than they were a few weeks ago before I started using this.

 

I've already recommended this to some of my friends because I really, really like it. It retails for around £1.99 in Boots, and I would advise anyone who suffers from the same dry lips as me to buy this 100%.

 

Liv xox

let's talk boots

 

I have a very strong belief that every girl should have a good selection of boots. They can be worn all times of the year and look amazing with everything. Team a floaty dress with chunky boots in Summer, then cosy up in a jumper, jeans and lace up boots combo in Winter.

 

I'm going to talk you through my favourite items from my collection!

 

The Statement Boot:

 

A statement boot can really bring an outfit together. These oxblood coloured Chelsea boots from New Look go amazing with an all black ensemble. They have quite a bit of a grunge touch to them, but the little heel brings them back from the realm of darkness to a world of toughened up feminine chic.

 

The Work Boot:

 

A nice pair of work boots are a must have. This tan pair from Office get a lot of wear out of me and look amazing with a nice dress and tights. I think the tan colour, simple design and little heel make things look just that little bit put together and formal, which makes a pair like these really good for office days.

 

The Everyday Boot:

 

By far, these are my most worn boots. Simple yet stylish, a black pair of Chelsea boots get a thumbs up every time! These ones are from Next but you can get your hands on something similar from almost anywhere now. These look great with everything: dresses, skirt, jeans, trousers.. You name it, these will do it!

 

Liv xox

tierry mulger alien edp

 

Almost every Christmas my boyfriend buys me a new perfume. It's like our little tradition! This year he bought me the Tierry Mulger Alien Eau de Parfum. This is the non refillable 30ml version which retails for around £40+ depending on where you shop. It's at Boots currently for £43.50, whereas the refillable it around £60+ so there is are different versions for different budgets.

 

First of all, I really like the packaging of this perfume. An exquisite deep amethyst purple glass bottle with shimmering gold details made to look like a jewel, this looks lovely on every dressing table! It stands up very well and doesn't roll or fall over, something which really annoys me when buying expensive perfumes... What's the point if your can't stand it up to show it off?!

 

 

This fragrance is inspired by an amethyst, which symbolises calmness and serenity. It is a very distinct yet mysterious scent which I also find quite soft and comforting. It is described as conveying "passion, sensuality and the essence of absolute femininity. A scent like no other, it is irresistibly appealing and totally out of this world." Nice! I would say that it is very unique, I used to be able to smell this everywhere but could never work out what it was until one day I ended up just asking a complete stranger what perfume they were wearing as I just couldn't get it out of my head!

 

It is quite a rich floral yet woody smell at the same time, containing jasmine sambac, cashmeran wood and white amber. It smells absolutely divine, a lovely spritz of this on a night out is a sure fire winner!

 

Have you tried this fragrance before?

 

Liv xox