Yankee Candles in Asda

Asda have been selling Yankee products for some time now so everyone must know about them, right? Well it wasn't until the other week me and my mum popped into Asda and she did not believe that they actually sold them until I pointed them out. This lead me to think, well there must be a heck of a lot more people out there who don't know about this fantastic bargain?!

Left: 'Real Yankee Wax Tart                                         Right: Yankee for Asda Wax Tart

First thing is first, the yankee packaging in Asda does look very alike the usual packaging in other stores, but I must say there are some differences you should look out for! On the Asda version there is a tiny print that indicates 'Yankee home' at the very top, a much smaller brand indicator than the original Yankee label. The larger Asda jars are also a different shape so don't be fooled (I believe they have change the shape for the Asda model as the glass is cheaper to produce). On a positive note: the candles burn exactly the same, they last just as long and have as much fragrance as the official yankee candles. The only 'true' differences are the price and packaging, nothing to get into a fuss about! 

Tarts : £1

Samplers : £1 (occasionally£2?)

Large Jars : £6.99

Admittedly the range in Asda is very limited but they have tried to cater for most people. They have sweet, fresh and floral products which I can ensure you at least one will satisfy you! They also change up the 'smells' for each season too which is a great positive.

So... If you're looking for yankee candle, but can't quiet afford the 'real deal' pop down to Asda and pick yourself up a handful of tarts, a couple of samples or even a jumbo candle for a fraction of the price! I have also spotted Yankee accessories and in some stores even 'gift sets', equalling the perfect Christmas gift for those on a smaller budget. 

Ellabella 

 ♥ ✝ ☮

Happy Light Foundation

Bourjois always hits the nail right on the head for mastering the perfect drug store foundation! Happy Light is the latest foundation released by the brand and my gosh I am super impressed. The brand claims to have created a foundation which provides 8 hours of hydration and 16 hours of wear which looks flawless in any light. Obviously by now we can confidently judge that these huge statements don't live up to expectations. However, I can say that Happy Light is very hydrating and does provide some sort of moisturizing factor. When you smell the product you do get that lotion sort of scent as opposed to a crayon like smell (which is what I usually find). As for you 16 hours of wear, mm, well sorry Bourjois... I could only say this is true for those people who pop the foundation on and sit statutory all day. In real life, when us modern girls are much more active, the claims should realistically be around 4-5 hours. Another downside I will note in this post is that the shades are not the same as other Bourjois foundations. Testing the foundation on your face before you buy this is a definite must! I tried the shade I thought I was and found that it was far too dark- so just be sure to give the shades a go before hand. 

The best bits:

• A little goes a long way- for me I can get away with one full pump for my whole face!
• Super blendable formula.
• Hydrating.
• Light texture.
• Medium coverage- Meaning that skin looks flawless as opposed to cakey.
• Gives a healthy glow without looking oily.

Happy Light is definitely my new favourite 'day time' foundation. Some may believe that this is definitely not a Autumn/Winter foundation but I believe that it is perfect for this season! Ask me for a cheap, light but effective foundation and I would definitely point you in Happy Light's direction!

Ellabella 

 ♥ ✝ ☮

Slimming World- A Stereotypical Day

First of all a confession: I have not been absolutely on plan recently and I have decided that now is the time to write myself a motivational post and get back on it. So here it is, a short snippet to show you all *and myself* what I have been eating on a 'stereotypical' day.

 Spoonsize Chocolate Weetabix and mixed berries = Healthy extra A and B.

 Pasta mixed with cabbage topped with passata, mixed vegatables and a sprinkle of cheese= 4 Sins

Chicken and Bacon salad with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar = 1 sin for dressing

Throughout the day I usually snack on fruit, yogurts and little on the go things like snack-a-jacks or cereal bars. I also work at McDonald's when I am home from university so I just tend to eat the grilled salad as it's the safest option. I found that when sticking to this sort of food plan I was dropping the pounds so easily! Sometimes I feel like it's hard and 'I can't do it anymore', buttttt, just writing this post has highlighted to me that I CAN enjoy delicious, quick, tasty food and still lose weight. 

Visual motivation is something which I highly value. Scrolling through my personal Instagram I can see that in the past I have photographed huge piles of crappy food! It honestly does not surprise me that I constantly craved rubbish when I was always visually exposed to photos of it. I find that taking photos of good, healthy food I have made (like the photographs in this post for example) it much more motivating, driving me to cook, prepare or buy the meals again. Just remember: when you stay you can't, you probably can!

Ellabella 

 ♥ ✝ ☮

Glossybox: September 2013

It's that time of the month again when thousands of females anxiously await the arrival of their Glossybox. I did have a little peak of what might be in stall for me and if I'm honest I wish I didn't! After seeing that some had received a HDbrows product I felt rather sad when I opened my box and didn't see it in there. Nevertheless, after studying the contents of my box I thought to myself, 'hey, it's not all that bad' and to be quite honest four out of five are full size. Despite me having a little moan about the contents I seriously cannot complain about the style of the box! Many aren't impressed with the style but I love how patriotic it is. The box is very glam and the colours are perfect, thank you very much Glossybox! 

Eylure- Pre-glued Lashes

I like the idea of these pre-glued lashes as I usually find myself in a mess when attempting to put normal lashes on. These lashes are perfect for a night out as they are very thick and glamorous. One of the best thing about these is that they are reusable which is a huge bonus when spending a few pounds on one pair. 

TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe - Classic Shine & Gloss Serum

This serum is limited addition, in other words: it has fancy packaging. The texture is non-greasy, light weight and the product has that professional salon scent. This is just a lovely little pocket product which can be used for those weekends away to just give your hair a little smooth and gloss. 

Elizabeth Arden - Untold 

Though this is only a sample it comes in the most beautiful packaging, both box and bottle. The fragrance is surprisingly young, very far from what I was expecting. Alike to the more popular perfume of my generation it as many sweet floral tones that doesn't over power. Untold is a pretty fragrance (that's the best way I can describe it), just pretty. I would consider purchasing this for myself or family members as it is a very unique fragrance. 

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics - Onyx Eye Liner 

This is the product I was most excited about when I first opened it. The eye liner is essentially a felt tip pen for your eyes. I'm hopeful that this lives up to it's claims and lasts all day. I must admit I have swatched the liner and was incredible impressed with how intense the colour is. Adding to that, the stuff dries rapidly and is difficult to smudge afterwards. My first impressions are high and hopeful on this product, I would recommend trying out different forms of eye liners as they all react and look different.

Rimmel - Stay Blushed Blusher 

I have seen this new Rimmel line floating around but hadn't really been swayed to buy any of the products. I'm glad I have the opportunity to test this out because I would have never of spend nearly £5 on a 14ml tube of this. Blush is something I'm pretty new to wearing on my face as I've previously had issues with red cheeks; exaggerating the redness was not a fun idea for me. Anyhow, I squeezed a little, tiny blob onto my hand and actually I am quite pleased with this. This liquid stretches, blends easily and somehow blends in with my skin tone despite how dark it appears when first out of the tube. 

The total of my September Glossybox amount to roughly: £30.57. Though at first I was a little disappointed, I've had a little test with my products and come to the conclusion that in reality this box isn't too bad, it's not the best one I've received but certainly not the worse. I believe I'll get great use out of all of these products and can't wait to see what's in October's box! 

The Union Flag was created on April 12, 1606, combining the crosses of St George of England and St Andrew of Scotland.

Lush - Snow Fairy and Bubblegum Lip Scrub

** Lush- The Return of the Snow Fairy  **

Before I break the news I would just like to apologise for the quality of the following photographs as I actually took them last December when I first began blogging. The lighting is fairly poor and last year I was a happy little editing bunny and enjoyed making my photos look aged... for some reason? Anyhow, the very important news is that the beloved Snow Fairy is returning to Lush stores this September! Yes, that's right, a source (my boyfriend out of all the people) was informed by a Lush employee that the precious soap is making a come back and will be available to buy from mid September. Now before you leap down to the store and buy yourself £50 worth of this liquid gold please keep these factors in mind:

a) Snow Fairy has a 'use by' date which is usually around a year and a half, therefore, it must be used before this date.

b) A large bottle of Snow Fairy has lasted me eight months and I shower everyday (almost)- a little goes a long way with this product.

 =So, what I am trying to say is, if this comes around once a year just buy enough for a year! I have seen so many girls purchasing bottles upon bottles of this. Snow Fairy is one of Lush's most popular Christmas products and I doubt they will discontinue it any time soon. 

Despite all of the Fairy craze craziness;  Lush is a fantastic unique brand which offers natural, fair trade and most importantly non-animal tested products all of which are handmade. The brand promotes a positive image and although their products may seem expensive it is important keep in mind why they are. When I first spied a large bottle of Snow Fairy I slightly chocked at the price of it. But I thought about the positives of my purchase, how Lush deal with my money and those little bunny rabbits I was saving from being tested and was instantly swayed. Each time I purchase from Lush (not very often I must admit) I do feel a sense of pride, knowing that my money has gone to a better cause.

What on Earth is Snow Fairy?!#

To those of you unaware Snow Fairy is a body/hair gel for use in the shower. It's a bright pink gel sprinkled with lots of blue glitter. The best and most desired part of this little beauty is the scent. This stuff smells incredible, the best way to describe it is like candy floss... (although on the label it suggests that it's actually pear drops). Have you ever smelt something good enough to eat? Well this is one of those things, though I would advise against trying to have a nibble on it. 

(Photograph taken from www.lush.co.uk)

What on Earth is Snow Fairy?!#

To those of you unaware Snow Fairy is a body/hair gel for use in the shower. It's a bright pink gel sprinkled with blue glitter. The best and most desired part of this little beauty is the scent. This stuff smells incredible, the best way to describe it is like candy floss... although on the label it suggests that it's actually pear drops. Have you ever smelt something good enough to eat? Well this is one of those things, though I would advise against trying to have a nibble on it. I must say I haven't used this on my hair but on the skin it is fabulous. It is not at all drying, foams easily and most important of all the scent lingers on your skin for a good while after showering. As I have previously stated I have had the same bottle for a whopping EIGHT months! I brought myself a large bottle thinking it would not last very long but as I used it I found that I only needed less than a 2p sized amount on a sponge/body puff to wash my entire body. 

 Lush's Bubble gum Lip Scrub isn't under the Snow Fairy label however it does come in and out of stores at the same time the Snow Fairy range does. The lip scrub is essentially sugar which you rub into your lips. It ex-foliates away dead skin cells leaving lips polished and smooth. When you've finished rubbing just lick away the excess. The taste is sensational. If it wasn't for how expensive this little pot is I would just buy it to eat. I love using this before applying dark lip colours. Sometimes a dark lip fades and gathers around dead/dry skin on my lips which isn't very attractive, the Lush Lip Scrub prevents this from happening to me. This is definitely a little gem to keep a eye our for during the colder months, especially as darker colours slip into fashion around this period. 

Ellabella

 ♥ ✝ ☮

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5!

Feel: Non-drying, leaving skin smooth and fresh

Smell: Heavenly (Candy Floss)

Use: Both products are very simple and take seconds to use.

Value for Money: Slightly on the expensive side, however, you're paying for quality and fairness.

Would I purchase again: I believe I'll be purchasing this every year until Lush gives up!

Random Fact: 92 percent of experimental drugs that are safe and effective in animals fail in human clinical trials because they are too dangerous or don’t work.

Slimming World- First Impressions

Slimming World- First Impressions

Weight loss at the end of September, are you insane? 

Yes I am insane. After suffering yet another summer feeling like a washed up whale I have decided that I have had enough. Beginning something in September makes sense for me, I always feel like September is a fresh start. If you have read my previous post on all of this business (**LINK**) you will know the real reason I have had a change of heart. Prior the Slimming world diet I was classed as obese with a shocking BMI of 32.7. At the age of just 19 this is an awful feeling. If I think of the circle of people in my life; friends, family ect I am always most definitely the largest person. I became sick of ordering clothes online and having to send it back because it didn't fit. Being a teenager and not being able to have one successful shopping trip is very depressing. My aim is to be able to go into a shop again and think, 'yeah that's my size, I'll have that', instead of pondering on whether it will suit me, what size, will it cover the lumps ect... Not only that, my health is beginning to deteriorate. My back, hips and now even my knees struggle to cope with the amount of weight I carry. Feeling tired and lazy is something which has increased over the years. I have slowly began to feel like 90 year old Grampa not a 19 year old girl. Most importantly, I don't feel good about how I look. Not feel good about myself lowers my confidence and self esteem. Overall I am fed up of feeling so depressed just because I have not been able to control my food intake, enough is enough and it's time for change. 

Out of the blue one evening I went to Slimming World with my mum (who was already a member) to sign up. Joining a Slimming club can be very intimidating but you have to remember that each and every single human in that little room is in the same position as you. Everyone has joined because they are or were unhappy with their bodies, some are young, some are old, but everyone is there for the same reason. With this in mind I try feel comfortable within the environment. Talking about your weight loss journey in front of others actually makes you feel more confident as well as others. If you've had a little nibble on something you shouldn't have, just admit, 9 times out of 10, so have all the others in the room. Admitting your weaknesses only makes you stronger. I have learnt some great recipes and food ideas by attending the meetings and listening to what others have to say. If you have a great recipe, share it, others will praise your creativity essentially boosting your confidence. 

Talk to me?

I used to think that Slimming World was just milkshakes, cereal bars and little cheese biscuits snacks; I had no idea how wrong I was. On arrival I was given a big pack of booklets which explains the whole diet plan. I follow extra easy which is, by the title, the simplest plan to follow. The majority of fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables are super free foods, which means you can consume as much as this as you like. Then, there are free foods which include things like; rice, pasta, potatoes, beans and noodles. Unlike most diets you can eat as much of these types of carbohydrates as you wish. Then there's an A and a B choice which involves one dairy and one fibre rich food- these choices are so they a healthy, balanced diet is maintained. All other foods have a syn value. Up to 15 syns can be consumed within one day and they cannot be collected or passed onto the next day. At first the diet is slightly complicated but after a few days I got my head around it. In contrast to fad diets that I have repeatedly attempted, Slimming World allows me to be in the driving seat. It's refreshing to know I don't have to be constantly counting or worrying about the weight, volume and points of the food I'm eating. 

Saying NO. 

One major concern for me was how on earth will I be able to stick to plan when I'm not in control. For example, I spend a lot of time at my boyfriend's house. Usually we cook meals which are full of syns and it's no wonder why I have piled on the pounds. However, I am very pleased to say that we have been cooking our own meals and surprisingly he likes Slimming World recipes too. Though at times my boyfriend has been like 'can we have pizza? Can we add this into our meal? Chocolate for pudding?' I just have to say no. It doesn't mean that the person who is offering can't have it. It's important to make them feel comfortable about your weight loss journey too. Another example is when I went to visit my Dad when he was having a little holiday in the seaside town of Skegness. Skegness is the home of fatty food and it was so so difficult to steer clear of the fish and chips, doughnuts, ice cream and sweets. I had to say no to lots of offerings and I did feel quite rude but at the end of the day it's ME who wants to lose the weight. Unfortunately it's true that you have to put your foot down and say no because without doing so weightless will not happen.

Overall 

I have now lost 6lb in two weeks which I am more than pleased with. Slimming world is definitely the most positive thing that I have stumbled across. Within the short space of me joining my whole mind set about food has changed. I will admit I have given in to the odd sweet or two but I just look past that and think next time I can say no. There are so many free or low syn recipes which only take minutes to make, there are also many options for takeaways, eating out and on the go meals. Slimming World cost £5 per week plus a joining fee which many deter people from signing up, however, if you're struggling with weight loss and have been for a long time (just like myself) I highly recommend giving this club a go. 

Ellabella

 ♥ ✝ ☮

Random Fact: A healthy weight loss rate is between 1lb and 2lb per week.

Glossybox: August 2013

. ~ AUGUST GLOSSYBOX 2013 ~ .

I am very proud of myself this month as I have not even had a peak at what could possibly be inside this box. Usually I surf all over the Internet, Instagram and ask friends what they have in theirs but this time -NO- it was a complete surprise. I must admit this makes Glossybox a hell of a lot more interesting but I have to say the tension before opening it is insane and it a little stressful! Anyhow, as ever I am more than pleased with my Augsut Glossybox and cannot wait to share with you what's inside! The theme is 'High Flyers' and Glossybox have tried their hardest to include products from all over the world in this little box. 

EMITE Eyelash Curlers. 

I have never really used eye lash curlers but after using these bad boys I definitely want to intergreat them into my daily beauty routine. Naturally I have long lashes which have a slight curl so you can imagine what they look like when they're curled! I really love how expensive these feel, they also came with  a couple of replacement rubber pieces so the curlers can last me forever! Super impressed with this little gift.

 ÓCEANE Makeup Remover Pen

At first this item is like, 'woah, how cool and unique is that'?! Then, slowly, with a little thought you realise it's a glorified Q-tip (cotton bud). I guess this would be rather useful to take in a travel make up bag but for everyday house hold use this thing is pretty pointless. It's lovely to be able to try something new but I don't think the British public will go mad for these, sorry  ÓCEANE!

 EUCERIN Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! Anything that has a balm/butter texture I really do adore. Glossybox tend to send a lot of these types of products to me but I have to say that I always end up using them up. This balm is apparently a craze in the USA and is used by stars such as Megan Fox. I honestly believe that the stars do use this! The balm is very soothing and hydrates dry skin within an instance. I wouldn't shy away from putting this on sunburn skin ect as I am 100% this will not sting in the slightest. Another bonus is that the balm is very versitile and can be used on almost any part of your body. AND this is available at boots for less than £10, bargain. Overall, my favourite product from this months Glossybox. 

JELLY PONG PONG 2-in-1 Liner/Shadow 

The last JELLY PONG PONG product I received in my Glossybox I became obsessed with. This new product is no exception. Although I must admit I did get a little jealous that some people were blessed with a black pencil I have grown on the colour I received and can agree with myself that this is the most perfect Autumn colour. As the pencil is fairly chunky using it as a eye liner is as easy as one swipe! To make it into a eye shadow is so simple and quick, all you do is scribble a bit on your eye and then blend it in. If you know you're one of these people who have hardly any time in the mornings this is a product definitely worth investing in.

 TRESEMME Concentrate Rinse Off Treatment

I was super please to have received a sample of this because literally the day before my Glossybox had been delivered I brought a trio of Tresemme hair care products which match this treatment. As of now I haven't used the treatment but when I move onto my Tresemme hair products I may pop this in a little review. 

Ellabella

 ♥ ✝ ☮

Random Fact: The birthstone in August is the peridot or sardonyx; the flower is the gladiolus or poppy.

Life, Ramblings, Opinions&Change

~LIFE, RAMBLINGS, OPINIONS&CHANGE~ 

First of all I would just like to apologise for the lack of posts over the last couple of months. When I finished university I moved home to complete a placement within a local Primary School. This lasted for six weeks however I decided I loved it too much and stayed on until the end of the school year (July). During this time I was also working 2-3 shifts a week at my other job. As you can imagine my schedule was fairly heavy and by the time I had dealt with all that working I did not have the motivation to sit down and write blog posts. Unlike my lazy university lifestyle I haven't had much time to trial and test products properly meaning I haven't been able to write a true review. Anyhow, now the summer is drawing to a close and it's nearly time for me to move back to university. This time I'll be living with my wonderful friends in our seven bedroomed mansion (big converted B&B) in Headingley, Leeds. Being back at university means I have plenty of time on my hands to devote to my blog so hopefully in the near future you'll be seeing a few more posts from me.  

In the meantime here is a quick life update in other words just a bunch of ramblings:

#One

This will be a long one so grab a cuppa and take a seat. Over the years I have had constant issues with my weight. From the age of nine I began to hear comments regarding my size which were very hurtful and lowered my self confidence. I cannot understand why someone can call another 'fat' or 'skinny' when all that does is make them feel crap and instantly damages their confidence. It's such a silly thing to call somebody and once said it cannot be taken back. Whatever has been said to me about my weight has always stayed in my head and honestly it does bother me though most of the time I put on a front. Despite the comments and constantly feeling sad about my weight I have not ever had the motivation and willpower to change. Until I heard the most painful comment I had ever received. My mum had told me she was worried about my health. Although she did not at all mean it in a horrible way it hit me like a tonne of bricks. To make it clearer for you, I am 5ft 1in and currently I carry a heck of a lot of weigh for someone of that height. For example, if I was 5ft 7in (an average height) I would weigh nearly 16 stone which is seriously not healthy. When a loved one says such thing it does make you think. After looking at my BMI category and confirming that those worries are true I began to feel scared. My mum encouraged me to join Slimming World with her. This was something completely spontaneous and I first I wasn't sure if it was going to work. However, I'm a week in and I have already lost 3lb which I am super pleased with. My sudden turn of thought has persuaded me to be more positive about my weight and to focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past. I am going to write a full post of my Weight and Slimming World experience as myself I find these stories quite inspiring. I want to help others just as I have been helped and I find it refreshing to track my own progress too. The forthcoming post may be on within the next week or two so watch this space if you're interested!

#Two

Drawing and colouring. As sad as many may think this is I have greatly been inspired by many Instagrammers to draw. I gave it a go one night after having a rubbish week and I could not believe how fascinated I was. I had a go at some hair, cartoon eyes and then a drawing of  the Princess from Disney's Tangled. I received quite a few compliments on my little coloured doodles which made me feel quite happy. I'm not saying I'm an artist because I am very far from that but I do believe that this is turning into quite a hobby. I have wanted a hobby for such a long time and I am so pleased I have found one. I used to spend hours during my pre-teens doodling and creating little comic strips. I look back now and think, 'why did I ever stop?' Drawing is so easy and it doesn't matter how 'good' or 'bad' you are it matters how much you enjoy doing it. I find it very calming, relaxing and positive. I think when you feel a little bored and unmotivated in life finding a hobby is one of the most positive cures. As a question to all you viewers I want to know what your hobbies are? My aim for this next year is to try new things, gain hobbies and become more positive. 

#Three

This mini ramble is completely off point but hey ho. I have also set up a new Instagram (@Ellabella1202) which corresponds to my blog. I created this as I felt I wanted a 'pretty' Instagram page which would co-inside (sort of) with my blog. Everything I post on there may not be relevant to my blog page however it does include some relevant photographs. The Instagram account also makes it easier for me to promote my blog posts without annoying my real-life friends I have on my personal account! I have the new link on my blog, please follow and I'll aim to follow you back! I want to build a quality collection of photographs on this account so admittedly I wont be posting as much as I do on my personal account. 

(Irrelevant photograph but I do feel this represents a British summer)

That's all for now! I feel as though I needed a little ramble on my blog, after all it is my little space where I can express myself. I hope you have all  have had a beautiful summer and I will look forward to writing some positive blog posts for you all! Lots of Love,

Ellabella 

xxx

Glossybox: July 2013

Holy cow just look at this box! It is beautiful! Coral and aqua blue really do compliment each other and I cannot express how much just the box makes me want to go on holiday! I have had Glossybox since March now and I don't feel as though I have been let down by any of the boxes. Sure, some months I don't enjoy each item but nevertheless I always adore at the least one product! I always feel that I get good value for money too; the items in the box amount to much greater than the actual cost. Anyway, enough rambling, lets see what's inside...

The first item is an Anatomicals 'Spray Misty for me Facial Spritz' (Full Size). This is basically one of those sprays you spritz on when you need little bit of a facial cool down. It states to be hydrating which I guess it is because my skin hasn't dried at all from it. I have to be honest and say that I don't really use face mists as I get rather scared when spraying them onto my face and find myself wincing away. However, this spray isn't too bad, I am getting used to this. It has a lavender scent, very summer, and I do find it calms my skin rapidly. It doesn't have a long absorption rate and does not feel in the slightest way sticky. I have seen some bloggers state that it does not set makeup like it claims but I feel it does work for me. Okay, so maybe it's not like the likes of Urban Decays setting sprays but it does work in some degree. For £6.00 for a 100ml bottle who can complain. This is a product I will definitely repurchase for summer.

When I first saw this I though, 'ahh summer, ooooohh festivals, mmmm neon paints?' But I was far from right! These are the Sleek Pout Paints, (Full size?). The idea is that you mix them up together to create a unique lip colour, or you can just wear them alone. Somehow I don't think blue is my colour, well anyone's colour if that! I have tried the Milkshake colour alone which is very pretty. I must say I have mixed them together and they go create a lovely deep pink/purple which would compliment smoked eyes. When I had discovered what they were for I did think well that as a little bit of a pathetic size for lip stains..? But I must say you honestly only need a tiny bead of this stuff to cover your whole lips. I find them very smooth and pigmented. Something which I will hopefully enjoy using within my makeup routine.

This little sample is the Coola Organic Suncare Collections 'Coola Mineral Face SPF 20 Unscented'. I have tried this product today and think it's pretty okay. At the end of the day this is just glorified suncream! Not much to say just that it has a good absorbtion rate, isn't sticky or dewy and my face isn't burnt so everything is alllllllllright. I don't think I will be purchasing as the full size is £29.99! I think this is a little extra to tie in with the whole 'seaside theme'. I'll only squeeze a couple of uses out of this but it's a good little item to pop in my handbag on no makeup days!

This product was the thing I was most excited about! This is the Alterna Haircare 'Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousled Texture Mist'. This works similarly to salt spray but without the weight and stickiness. I would love to say I have voluminous hair but sadly my natural hair is as straight pin and loves sticking to my scalp. This spray does help a little and as some texture to my hair. The Alterna spray does take my hair away from my head and increases the volume. To me it looks as though I have textured hair because of how straight it is normally. Overall I'm pleased with the finished look. Basically, if you're like my and have tried all sorts of products to try and umft your hair then you should just give up and try something like this or a salt spray. This spray especially has not weighed my hair down. Nor has it make it greasy as with some products, especially hairspray, this tends to happen. Though this is rather expensive at £23.00 it is a product I would consider repurchasing.

Thank you Mr and Mrs Glossy for popping a packet of these in my box! These are something which I have wanted to try for absolutely ages but just cannot justify spending £9.99 on. The issue is now, I'm at flipping work every other day so I can't do anything with my nails! As soon as I have the change to play with these I will pop a quick review of these up. First impression however are pretty good. From my understanding all of the tools required are within the packet. There are also enough for one whole set to be one and 8 extra nail stickers which I can use to add a bit of spice to basic manicure. 

Glossybox have hit the nail on the head with their July box. I feel as though the theme is totally covered with each of my items. Each item can be used for every day use through summer which I just really do love. I have enjoyed testing out all of the items (apart from the nails because I don't want to waste them) and truely cannot wait for the forthcoming summer! I have received four full size items meaning the total value of the box is a massive £34.77 which is a complete bargain in my opinion! 

Any questions about any of the items in this post or my Glossybox experience then please feel free to comment below. I would love to read some more blog posts on July's Glossybox so I can check out what others received, so if you have written one please leave a link.

Random Fact: The month of July was named after Julius Caesar.

The Foundation Test- How to Test the Base of your Foundation.

When you purchase a foundation it's not often we think about what's actually inside. I learnt this quick easy test a few years ago and I thought I'd share it with you  all.

All you have to do it pick out the foundations you want to test, grab a few glass cups and a wee bit of water. I've popped a little video on YouTube which is at the bottom of the page but if you can't really be fussed with that then I shall also explain on here.

Step One:

Fill some glass cups with water.

Step Two:

Add a few drops of foundation to one cup of water, carry on with this process which each of your foundations (adding to separate cups).

Step Three:

Mix each of the foundations with the water, I used a make-up brush to do this. 

Step Four:

Identification. If the foundation mixes in with the water this indicates that the foundation is water based. If there are lots of 'crumbs' at the bottom and a film on top of the water this indicates that the foundation is oil and or gel based. 

NuSkin, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum and MAC Studio Fix

I like to think of the water as my skin and it's an eye opener to see how the foundation actually sits. I tested my MAC Studio Fix foundation which if I don't cleanse off properly or wear for too long usually block up my pores and it's clear from the test why this happens. I have been using NuSkin foundation for those days when I need to give my skin a rest and it is completely water based and as you can see from the photograph merges perfectly with the water which is kind of how it works on the skin. 

NuSkin- A Water Based Foundation

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum- Gel/Oil Based

MAC Studio Fix -more likely oil but possibly some gel as a base.

I would recommend this test if you're having skin issues. A quick test on your current foundation could answer your question why you're having these issues. If the foundation is full of oil or gel it could be blocking your pores and causing problems. I also believe it's a good test to do on sample foundations, for example the higher end foundations. There is seriously no point in purchasing foundation that you don't know much about. if you suffer from clogged pores then testing it this way before you buy could help you decide whether it's right for you. By knowing how oily or how much gel your foundation has in you can identify how much cleansing is needed to remove the product. This is extremely helpful and can prevent future breakouts.

Comment below if you have tried this out, what on and the results? I would love to know which foundations are saints and sinners! I'm looking for a new water based foundation so if anyone finds any please let me know!

Random Fact: Dolphins sleep with one eye open.