Easter/ Westfield Haul

Helloooo, I'm back!

This posted was supposed to be up two weeks ago, but Uni has taken over my life, and when I do have some time I just don't seem to have to energy to think of anything to write that would not bore you to sleep, and I really didn't want to put up a half-arsed post! It's now 3am, and I've just finished my prep for my second essay and really felt motivated to get this up!

This is a bit of a mixed haul, but mostly it was from a little trip to Westfield while I was at home at Easter. It was mostly an excuse to meet up with Yu, and we had a lovely time- hope she appreciated me getting up before 9, that doesn't happen too often. We started off at Pain le Quotidien (great place for breakfast/brunch and reasonable too! Definitely recommend) and discussed our mutual appreciation for runny eggs before showing her my make up bag, and being told 'ouu you're one of those', (my used lipstick takes on a sort of scooped slop, rather than being flat.) We then spent a good few hours milling round the shops, swatching, oogling at handbags through windows, and spending too much money, more me than Yu, but I had cash burning a whole in my pocket. Anywho, on to my purchases...

Good Things Miracle Mattifier Moisturiser

Continuing on with the idea of simplifying my skincare, and reducing the amount unnecessary chemicals that go on my face I picked this up. I had already picked up the night cream version which I am actually in love with and will do a full review on it soon.  After a couple weeks use, I've really enjoyed this, although next time I think I'll go for the normal version, but it works really well as a mattifier, I just find with Double Wear (my foundation of choice) my skin doesn't really need extra mattifying.

Kleenex Facial Cleansing Wipes

These were on special in Tesco, and I'd read they're quite good and 'moist' (urgh, horrible word). I like to keep some wipes at my boyfriends house just incase I forget my make up remover, and I've only used these a couple times but I'm seriously unimpressed. I feel like they just tug on my skin a lot- maybe I got a bad pack, or it just doesn't work well with Double Wear.

NARS Luster Blush

Definitely influenced by Yu's raving about it, and although I wasn't planning on picking it up when I saw her, it had been on my wishlist for ages and I decided to just go for it. And I really really love it, and will definitely do a review and hopefully face of the day!

Benefit dr feelgood Primer

Yu and I looked at this at Westfield, but I didn't actually buy it until I was back up at uni. My best friend from home used to wear this when we were younger and I was always fascinated by it. My POREfessional had nearly run out so I decided to bite the bullet. At the moment I'm a little undecided about how I feel, and will do a full review when I've used it a bit more.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir 

Totally gave in to all the blogger hype, yes it's refreshing, but no I don't notice any improvements to my skin or brightening, no wows here and it's running out ridiculously quickly. So again, I'm very torn- it's a nice enought product, but I don't think it delivers on all it's claims. But then again, I've only been using it 3 weeks.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil (for dehydrated skin)

I'm sososo glad I listened to Yu and picked this up, okay more like invested, as it's not cheap. It really deserves it's own post, gets a massive thumbs up from me! 

Topshop Innocent Lipstick

I originally wanted Infrared, but decided I don't wear my bright orange's enough so justify buying a third one, so when for a more wearable everyday pink. I had previously bought the Strawberry Shortcake Revlon lip butter, but lost it, so decided to go for something different!

Dove Nourishing Oil Conditioner

I've spoken about my love for the express treatment before, but decided to try out the normal version as well to see how it compared. I've only used it twice so far, and have really liked it, not sure if it's going to replace the express version though!


I would quickly like to wish everyone luck who's coming up to the end of year exams/assignments, or are doing them at the moment. It's really not a fun time of the year is it!?

Full reviews of some of the products above will be coming when I can squeeze them in.

Have you bought anything new lately? I love reading haul posts, so feel free to send me your links (and youtube channels).

Nic xxx

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What I've been loving lately #2

Hello all! (See there's a few new followers, so a special welcome to you, and don't be shy feel free to say hi!)

I know I've been a bit quiet on the blogging front, been back at home and we're packing up the house, looking for furniture, trying to earning some money and I'm attempting to do uni work inbetween that all, so blogging's taking a back seat. Really wanted to get a post out tonight, no matter how late it is! So without further ado, here are some products I've been loving lately.

Nars Orgasm Blush

Really been enjoying this when I want a bit of sheen in the cheeks during the day, for nights out I just build it up a bit more. Great shade with a big following and it really hasn't disappointed! You can see me wearing it on an older post here.

Chanel Pourdre Universelle Libre (Loose Powder) 30 Naturel

I've had this for a while now, and don't know why I haven't mentioned yet, I guess because wear mostly matte foundations I don't wear this all the time. Things have changed since picking up Healthy Mix I needed something to set it and remove the slightly dewy finish. This product is amazing, helps me stay matte, doesn't feel heavy or go cakey, has light reflecting properties that help to blur pores and give a smooth appearance. I also use it with my Illamasqua Rich Liquid for nights out, and I find it photographs quite well.

Bourjois Healthy Mix 53

A great, light weight foundation for days I'm not doing too much. It doesn't last as well as the claims, but it's nice enough and smells amazing. Find it leans a little pink for me, but I dust some Bare Minerals over it just to warm it up a bit.

LUSH Ocean Salt Facial Scrub

This stuff is amazing! It looks really scary in the pot, but once you add a bit of water the salt crystals dissolve as you exfoliate leaving you with quite a creamy scrub, and oooh my days, the way your skin feels afterwards is insane. I've never felt my face feel so soft before. I use it a couple times a week, it's really great. Definitely pick up a sample if you can.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Like so many others, I have totally fallen for this brush. Really makes applying foundation a breeze, and I find it works really well for a variety of foundations, I do find if I want a bit heavier coverage I still opt for my F80.

Laura Mercier Under Eye Perfector Orange/Yellow

See my full review here. Really loving this, and it really does work great when I mix it in with my foundation. 

MAC Pinch O Peach Blush (Sheertone)

Picked this up from Seanna's blog sale towards the end of Feb (she's still got a few bits left so check it out! Quite a few MAC eyeshadows. link), and have really been loving it! The name is really misleading, as I don't detect any peach at all, not even a pinch, but it's a great pink shade that adds dimension and colour to my face. It's really buildable, and despite being a sheertone it's got great pigmentation.

Rimmel Nude Delight Lipstick

A personal fav of Yu, and with simliar skin tones, I thought this would suit me. It comes with me everywhere! Perfect nude lip, can slap it on without too much thought.

MAC Fanfare (Creamsheen)

This has been my go to colour when I want something a little brighter on my lips during the day. You can see the swatch here.

LUSH Big Shampoo (not pictured)

I totally forgot to include a photo, but I've actually only got a sample pot so it's a small black one, not much to see. This honestly is the first shampoo that I've used that makes a noticeable difference to the  volume of my hair. I thought I was seeing things, so switched back to another shampoo and low and behold my hair was sitting flat on my scalp. Definitely going to buy a full size! My sample was quite sizeable so it's lasted me a good few weeks!

Dove Nourishing Oil Care Daily Treatment Conditioner (not pictured)
I looooove this conditioner. It really works for me, and the reasoning it's a current favourite is because I actually left my one at home, so when I was at uni I was finishing up some others, so when I was reunited with it for the last 2 weeks of March I remember how I loved it. The ends of my hair look fresher for longer and smells amazing. I only apply it right to the ends- it's really great and I will definitely be purchasing my 4 bottle soon!

I love seeing favourite posts, and I've really enjoyed writing this! I don't do monthly ones because often it's the same things, so it would be incredibly boring to read. So hopefully you'll enjoy this, although they're a bit more scarce. Happy Belated Easter to all :)

Nic xxx

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Winter Must Haves: Part 2

Part 2: Hair

During the winter, I hate leaving my hair to dry naturally, and it's really the only time of the year I used my hair dryer. With more heat, I like more protection! Using these products has really made a big difference in the dryness of the ends. Usually, my hair looks so ragged this long after a hair cut, but it's been nearly 3 months and I'm not anxious to get back to the hairdresser.

I try not to wash my hair too often, and rely on some dry shampoo to keep me going between washes, I wash it 2-3 times a week. 

Dove Hair Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Conditioner

I've just finished my first bottle of this, and decided to pick it up after reading about it on a few blogs. The smell, is so fruity, and lasts long enough that people have actually commented on the smell hours I've washed it. It really is nourishing, leaving my hair is silky, without being weighed down. 

Aussie Lucious Long Leave-In Conditioner

I use this on the days I've washed my hair, just a light spray all over my hair and then brush it through with my Tangle Tweezer.  Again, it smells great, just like all the Aussie products.

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment

This stuff is seriously amazing! I've been using this since July and I've definitely noticed an improvement on my ends, even before I started using the Dove conditioner.  (It probably deserves it's own post.) I apply it on wet hair and wait about 15 minutes before blow drying, and sometimes if my hair's a bit fly away, I will apply it to the dry ends to smooth it out.

Lee Stafford Heat Protection Spray

I've always been a bit skeptical if heat protection sprays actually work, but there was an amazing deal in Boots back in September, 3 products for £10 so I got it for free basically. Thought it was about time I used one. I guess, it's no worse than using nothing at all. I use it on dry hair, on the days I occasionally use my straighteners, or when I use my Tresemme hot styling brush. I don't use it straight after washing as my Aussie leave-in is supposed to protect too.

I'm not sure exactly which product has made a difference, or if it's a accumulation of all them; but I'm pretty happy with the lack of dry ends, as well as minimised breakage. I've got a rotation of shampoos on the go,  but don't think I'll be changing my conditioner, or this routine for a while.

Uni is now done for Christmas (yaaaay), so I'm hoping to get back to blogging more regularly. My fingers have been itching to blog, but I had an essay that had to take priority.

Thanks for reading!

Nic xxx

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