LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub | Review

LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub - 25g

Until recently I was a lip exfoliator virgin. I'd never really had any problems with cracked or dry lips, but recently I noticed my lips getting chapped and flakey even though I moisturise them every day and night. I'd heard tricks about using a toothbrush to exfoliate the lips, but I wanted something a bit more practical. That's when I came across the lip scrub range from LUSH! 

LUSH offer these lip scrubs in three different flavours - Mint Julips, Bubblegum and Popcorn at a price of £5.50 for 25g. I've heard lots of reviews and praise over the bubblegum flavour, however the bright pink colour of it did put me off a little, which is why I went for the more subtle coloured 'Mint Julips'.

Mint Julips is a handmade lip scrub made out of natural ingredients, with its main ingredient being castor sugar! I use this before I go to bed and also before I apply any lip balms or colours. The castor sugar gently scrubs away any dead skin and leaves your lips feeling smooth and soft - ideal if you want to get that lipstick perfect! Not only does it leave your lips feelings amazing but it also tastes great too - yes, you can lick it off your lips afterwards! 

This product I feel, even though I have used it every day since I bought it will last me a very long time. You don't need tons of the product on your finger - a little goes a long way! Even though I can't compare it to other products as it is my first lip scrub, I feel like LUSH are onto a winner with these cute little pots of yummy lip care.

Have you tried any lip scrubs from LUSH? 

January Overview

Cancun & vegetable heart pictures taken from Pinterest

The first month of January... some might say the most productive of the months due to the famous 'New Years resolutions'. For me, I think this month has flown by and here is a summary of what I have been up to in January!

1. The one month anniversary of this blog since I started posting! I am so grateful for even having any followers. I didn't even think i'd have any this early on my blogging journey! So thank you for following me and I hope you stick around.

2. I started my dissertation! For those of you who don't know what a dissertation is, it is basically a horrendously long research paper (12,000 words) which you normally complete in the last year at University. I had mulled over a couple of ideas on what to research, but I finally decided on a topic. I had my first meeting with my tutor to discuss everything and any concerns I may have. I've chosen to do a library based research paper, which means many many hours of me trawling through books looking for relevant information. The thought of it scares me a little as I only have about 3 months left to complete it.

3. I worked with my first publishing company through Bloggers Required. I got sent two books to review for my blog and also to feature in a giveaway. I have already posted and reviewed about one book (check it out here and don't forget to enter the giveaway), and hopefully I will post the second book review in the next month or so (it would be earlier but Uni. work is getting in the way :().

4. I got the results back from the only two assignments I have currently submitted to my final year and i've passed both with A's! This was such a shock to me as one was a presentation and I get really nervous about talking to large groups of people knowing all eyes are on me. However this has given me the confidence knowing that I can in fact do it. Anxiety will not get the better of me!

5. I booked my flights back from Cancun. You might be thinking 'back from Cancun?', well I after my summer working in America I plan to go to Cancun for a bit of a holiday with my best friend, and the cheapest way I could do it was to book a return even though I am only using the flight back home to England! Free ticket one-way ticket to Cancun anyone?

6. I've become more of an experimental cook... This is quite a revolution for me as I never really wanted to spend more time in the kitchen than was necessary. However, with this new 'healthy lifestyle' I had tried to promise myself, I got myself fresh ingredients and found myself going through pages and pages of recipe websites. I made quite a few 'delicious', if I do say so myself, meals! Even though I know half of them aren't as 'healthy' as i'd first aimed for (oreo cheesecake, peanut butter cookies...) I think it's a step in the right direction and I really do enjoy making my meals now from scratch!


I feel like this month has been quite a productive month for me and I really hope its a sign of what the future months of 2014 have to come.

What have you been up to this January?

Nando's | What's Your Order?

If you don't know what Nando's is, i'm going to assume you've been living under a rock for the past few years. For me, I think Nando's first came to my attention a couple of years ago due to One Direction and their constant tweeting about it. Since then I feel like it has boomed in popularity and I have been hooked. 

'Nando's is a South African casual dining restaurant group originating from the Mozambican–Portuguese community with a Portuguese/Mozambiquan theme.'

My usual order would consist of a lemon and herb chicken burger with cheese, a side of halloumi cheese, chips with peri-peri salt and a bottomless drink (yum!).

What is your standard Nando's order? or do you think it is over-rated? Let me know your thoughts!

Youtube

With beauty and make-up blogger Stephanie

The world of Youtube can be a scary place, which is why i've never really thought about doing videos until now. The thought of anyone being able to watch your videos and those dreaded internet trolls fills me with fear! However I think it's a great way to interact with followers so i've decided I may give it a go...

Would you like to see videos to compliment my blog? What type of videos would you like to see?

I've made a Youtube channel for if I brave it, so if you want you can subscribe to my new channel here

Barry M - Matte Nail Paint | Review

Barry M Matte Nail Paint MNP 2 Crush 345 (left) - Barry M Matte Nail Paint MNP 1 Espresso 331 (right)

The classic Barry M mate nail paints come in five different warm, wintery colours. The colours are 'coffee shop' colours and are a perfect compliment to most outfits and are also great for wearing at the office! I think they are subtle and really stylish. I know matte nails aren't to everyones taste, but you could always add a shiny top coat if you wanted the shade of polish but aren't so keen on a matte finish.

The examples shown have two coats of nail polish on them. Personally I think two coats are needed with this nail polish to give it that 'perfect' finished look. The matte takes full effect one the paint is fully dried.

'Crush' is a warm berry shade and I think it is perfect for the Autumn/Winter months.
'Espresso' is a simple black nail polish. I think everyone should own a good black nail polish!

You can buy the matte nail paints online or at drugstores such as Superdrug and Boots. They currently retail at £3.99 which I think is a bargain for the look and quality of the product.

What do you think of the matte nail polishes?

My Simple Facial Skin-Care Routine

One of my new years resolutions was to keep to a skin care routine. Last year I found it hard to stick to a skin care routine... excuses I know but I have been a very busy lady! So, this year I have told myself I will try to stick to a routine as much as possible and hopefully see an improvement in my skin.

For those of you who read my last post, I am a loyal user to the brand Simple and constantly go back to their products. Why you may ask? Well, Simple were the first skincare brand in the UK to use only the purest possible ingredients, including adding vitamins and no perfume or colour. I like how they are suitable for sensitive skin and are also budget friendly!

Daily 

Hydrating Light Moisturiser (left) -  Purifying Cleansing Lotion (centre) - Soothing Facial Toner (right)

Simple Kind to Skin Purifying Cleansing Lotion 200ml - I use this product with a cotton wool cosmetic pad. It takes any make-up off that I may have missed with a make-up wipe. It is great for drier skin as it keeps it smooth and softened.

Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner 200ml - I use this after I have used the cleanser. I also apply this with  a cotton wool pad. I like how this product contains chamomile, witch hazel and allantoin which are great for the skin and it is also alcohol free.

Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser 125ml - I use this after I have cleansed and toned my skin. It keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day. I always moisturise my skin every single day even if I don't have time to do step 1 & 2!

Nighttime

Simple Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream 50ml - I normally use this if my face is in need of moisturisation as the cream works overnight. It glides on really well and is quite thick (because it is a night cream), but it blends very easily. It claims to 'restore and replenish' throughout the night and is great for sensitive skin.

Breakout

Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser (left) - Spotless Skin Rapid Action Spot Zapper (right)

These are the products that I use if my skin is having a bad day.

Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser 75ml - This product features in my last post (here), so I won't write to much about it, but I have found it to really help control shine. I will use this instead of the moisturiser mentioned above if my skin needs it.

Simple Spotless Skin Rapid Action Spot Zapper 15ml - This is probably my current favourite spot stick at the moment. It claims to reduce spots in just 4 hours, and I think it does that! I normally apply this at night and can usually see a difference when I wake up in the morning. The application is a roll on so it is very easy and clean to use.




You can buy Simple products at any good drug store such as Boots and Superdrug or even at supermarkets such as Asda and Tesco.
Have you ever used, or do you currently use any Simple products? What are your thoughts?

January Favourites 2014 | Beauty

January 2014, what a perfect time to start my first ever monthly favourites post! Here are a selection of the beauty products i've been loving this month.

Products featured: Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser 75ml, Rimmel London BB Cream SPF 25 (Light) 30ml, Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer 7ml (010 Ivory), e.l.f. Studio Blush (Candid Coral), Classic Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm 7.5g, Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara 12ml

Face

• Rimmel London BB Cream SPF 25 (Light) 30ml - This is the first BB cream I have tried so I can't really compare it to others, but it now seems to be my 'go-to' face cover-up! I normally wear this on days where I don't want a heavy, full coverage (my normal foundation is Estee Lauder Double Wear). Right now this product works for me but if I purchase any other BB creams in the future I will be sure to let you know if I change my mind!

• Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser 75ml - I have a constant battle between having dry and oily skin (yay for combination skin...) and I have tried countless moisturisers trying to over come this. Simple are a brand that I go back to again and again and when I saw they had this product I just had to try it. I have noticed my skin looks less oily, however I still have the same dry patch on my nose... I may have to get some stronger moisturiser for that stubborn dry area. However I think this is a great product and I love wearing it as a base before I put my makeup on. It has a perfect blend of active ingredients and Zinc PCA to eliminate shine and maintain moisture levels. I am absolutely loving this at the moment and it doesn't break the bank either! Definitely worth a purchase if you suffer from shine.

• Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer (010 Ivory) 7ml - My past concealers have mostly been sticks not liquid. However I found that with my combination skin it would look dry and flaky. So, recently I got this concealer as I had heard good things about the 'Wake Me Up' range and it hasn't disappointed! For me this gives an excellent coverage and is probably one of the best concealers i've used!

• e.l.f. Studio Blush (Candid Coral) -  This product was featured on my recent e.l.f. haul (here). I think this is such a lovely colour and I will definitely be purchasing more of their blushes. 

Eyes

• Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara 12ml - I'm all about big, voluminous eyelashes so I picked up this mascara as it claims to do just that! I can say it is my current favourite mascara and makes my eyes pop! It has a thick, wavy brush to give that 'fullness'. 

Lips

• Classic Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm 7.5g - This is hands down one of my favourite lip balms, however I am prone to keep losing them as they're only tiny but I keep repurchasing it's that good! I love the tingly feel it has on your lips and I quite enjoy the smell of them... Perfect for if you have dry, chapped lips. Definitely a must have for me!

• Sleek True Colour Matte Lipstick (Vamp 786) - I am absolutely in love with this colour! Perfect for the winter months. I normally wear this when I go out as it is quite a dark colour. Recently I have bought the 'Sleek Lipliner' in 'Ruby' to team with this lipstick to hopefully give me a full and longer lasting wear out of it. 

Would you like to see more monthly favourites? Let me know!

What beauty products have you been loving this month? 

If you've done a blog post on it, leave the link in the comments below and i'll check it out!