OOTD - Shopping/Lunch Trip

Finally, an outfit of the day for you all. It's been a while, mostly because I've had to wear a lot of clothes suitable for the absolutely freezing weather we've had (and are still having).

I went into town yesterday with my friend for some food and shopping and this is what I wore:

Dress - TKMaxx

Cardigan - Exhibit

Boots - George at Asda

Necklaces - Shabby Chic Boutique and Pacsun

Then to keep me warm I had to add more. (boo!)

Coat - H&M

Scarf - Forever 21

Bag - Juicy Couture

Hope you're all having a lovely day!

Tag - Confessions Of A Blogger

I was tagged in this post almost two weeks ago by one of my absolute favourite bloggers, Jessica at The Mod Mermaid and I'm only just getting around to actually doing the tag! I love doing these so much as I love seeing everyone's answers to the questions, and then getting to write my own. Hope you all enjoy!

When did you start your blog?
My very first blog post was on Wednesday 4th April 2012. If I remember correctly it was quite late at night too, and I got so excited by it I had to write my second post straight away. Then I kept refreshing the page to see if anyone had read it yet!

Have you had any past online presence before (Other blog, YouTube)?

No, this is my first. I have a YouTube account, but it's only for watching videos, not for making them. Although I do have a YouTube account with some videos from uni, but we'll not get into that...

Why did you start a blog?

 I'm the type of person who thoroughly researches any product I want before I buy it, and after doing it for so long, I decided it was about time I started being one of the people who does this. I've found I'm quite influential at getting other people to buy things, so they should be able to read why I love the products I get them to buy so much!

When did you become serious about starting a blog?

I had wanted to make a blog for a few months before I actually decided to start one (and it's almost my first birthday!) and I'm not completely sure when I decided to be serious about it. I had thought about a few ideas in my head, and gathered a few products that I knew I could write about easily, all I had to do was do it.

What was your first post?

Just a very silly little post saying what I was going to be writing about. There was really no need for it at all! You can read it here if you want to! My first proper post was for a Lush product (of course), and it was for The Hair Doctor (which you can read here).

What has been your biggest challenge about blogging?

Not having enough time! I always have plenty of ideas of things I want to write about, but then I don't have the time to actually do it, then sometimes they're relevant to the time of year, and the time passes. I have photos of cupcakes I made at Halloween that I wanted to blog about and then never got the chance! Maybe next time...

Where do you see your blog in one year?

By the way I've been blogging at the minute, my biggest concern is that I'll by back on track at actually writing my posts. I've been quite ridiculous over the past three weeks or so! I just hope I'm still writing about what I love, and have found even more products to write about.

What is the most rewarding thing to you about blogging?

Completely agree with Jessica on this one, the comments. I absolutely love when I get an email when I'm in work, or waking up in the morning to see that someone has taken the time to read what I've posted, and then commented on it! It really does just make my day so much better and I love it.

What is the most discouraging thing that happens to you?

As above, no comments! Whenever I first started blogging I never got any comments on my posts and it was so disheartening and I felt like no one wanted to read any of my posts and didn't really care what I had to say.

What's your lasting inspiration or motivation?

Other bloggers. I just love coming on here and reading other peoples posts and finding new products to try. Even when I don't come on here, I still see people posting on Twitter and Instagram, it's everywhere! 

I hope you all enjoyed this post and that I didn't bore you too much. This wasn't really a post for photos, so it's a bit too much writing, and so I apologise. I tag everyone to do this if you'd like to, and leave a comment below to let me know if you have so I can go and read it!

Nivea Lip Butter - Raspberry Rose Review

Finally, a blog post after two long weeks! I've been wanting to write this review for ages but haven't had the time to get on my laptop and do anything at all. I can't believe it's March already, time is definitely flying in. I'll have to get my February favourites sorted soon!

Anyway, on to the review. After I read quite a few times how popular these were starting to get in America, I obviously had to buy one for myself since apparently the UK had had them for ages. I bought mine in Superdrug for only £1.49, which is pretty cheap for a lip balm in my opinion.

There are three flavours available in the UK. I choose to buy the Raspberry Rose one, but there is also Caramel and Original. The original was out of stock when I was in store, but the caramel one was there, but I personally found it a bit too sickening for a lip butter, so decided on this one instead.

 

As you can see, the lip butter comes in a little round tin, about the same size as Vaseline. The lip butter itself is a pale pink colour, and the smell is gorgeous, it reminds me of petit flous! Unlike a lot of other flavoured lip balms, it doesn't have much of a taste to it, but that hasn't bothered me too much.

The texture reminds me of hair wax, as it seems very sticky. This isn't a bad thing however, as it makes it really easy to apply to the lips, and it stays on for quite a while.

The colour is one I'm not too fond of. When applied, it comes out the same colour as it is in the tin, and looks too pale for my lips. I've found I have to really rub it in if I'm putting it on in public or else it just looks very strange. It has been good however for a base under lipsticks.

Most importantly, it does its job for moisturising. It's not the most amazing lip product I've ever tried, and I wouldn't go around recommending it to everyone if they want to combat dry lips, but it's been better than a lot of others so I would probably purchase it again if I just wanted something inexpensive.

All in all, I do like this product, it has it's pro's and con's, but it's definitely not beating my Maybelline Baby Lips!

If you'd like to purchase this product online, you can do so at the Superdrug website by clicking here.

Have you tried any of the Nivea Lip Butters? If so, what do you think?

Lush - The Kiss Lip Gloss Review

Of course, a new Lush review for you all! I've been testing this out for a week, and I have to say, I love it. Before I go any further though, I'd like to point out that this is a lip gloss, not a lip balm. When I bought it I thought that it was, and after applying it the same amount as I would any regular lip balm I was very confused as to why my lips have been super dry. I thought I'd came across my first Lush product which wasn't working for me! However, this is not the case.

The Kiss is one of Lush's first lip glosses, and has a new, whipped texture from their balms. I had read about this online, and hadn't actually intended on buying it until I got to the checkout.

Firstly, the texture. It was surprisingly soft and it is super smooth when applied to your lips.

I'm combining the scent, and the taste in one, and they are amazing. The scent is absolutely glorious, and the taste is devine. It tastes like drumsticks lollies, or love hearts sweets. I have to resist licking it off straight away.

The colour is also very pretty and subtle. It is a light shimmery pink, and looks perfect by itself, or over a lip colour if that's what you desire.

Pros: 

• Taste, scent, taste, scent!
• Subtle colour for those who like to remain natural.
• Not overly expensive for a lip gloss, £5.50 for the tin.
• Appearance, really cute and simple.
• Easy to carry around as it is such a small tin it fits easily into your pocket.

Cons:

• For me, not overly moisturising. This may be however because I've went the last week thinking it was a balm....
• Depending on you, it's a bit unhygienic for me. I have to wash my hands before I can use it.

Overall, such a lovely product which I would buy again despite my confusion. I'm going to keep mentioning this as it has literally taken me to open up this post to realise that it was a lip gloss, I still can't believe it!

If you'd like to try this product, you can buy it in store or online for £5.50 by clicking here.

Have you tried any of Lush's lipbalms before, or this product? If so, what did you think?

Lush - Grease Lightning Review

Another Lush review for you all. I've been saving this for a while so I could give it a few uses to see how I really felt about it. I bought this product just after Christmas, around the same time as I picked up my Lush Breath of Fresh Air which I have reviewed here.

Grease Lightning is one of Lush's spot treatments, and I'd been wanting to try this for a while. I have never tried a spot treatment before, so I can't compare this to any other products. I've always just left my skin alone in that way, but decided I should just give it a try and see if it helped.

To use, simply clean your face as normal, following your normal skin routine. Then using just one pump (I actually try just to use a half one) apply to affected areas. I usually apply the pump to the back of my hand and then put it where I think it's needed. I also apply it to any areas where I think a spot might pop up, just to try and stop it in advance.

For ingredients, it has some great ones for tackling problem skin. There is tea tree oil which is a great antiseptic to clean out any infection. Witch hazel is included which helps in shrinking any spots so they are less visible. Another big ingredient is Aloe Vera, which is very soothing for the skin.

I've really loved this product as I've found it's really helped in getting rid of spots, and stopping me from getting anymore. I apply this quite sparingly over my skin, and it hasn't dried it out at all, which was one of my biggest concerns.

Pros : 

• Not too expensive, £5.95 for a 45g bottle.
• Long lasting.
• Doesn't dry out skin.
• Instantly calming.
• Helps combat spots in advance.

Cons :

• None

I highly recommend this product, so you should definitely check it out! A little question for you all, do you apply your spot treatment before or after moisturising? I've been doing it before, but I just wanted to check if anyone does this differently.

If you'd like to buy this product, you can do so online by clicking here.

Have you tried Grease Lightning? What are your thoughts?

Nails Of The Day - OPI Teenage Dream

Time to change up my nails! I had a hard time deciding what colour to paint my nails last night (#whitegirlproblems) and rediscovered OPI's Teenage Dream. I bought this last Summer and absolutely loved it, and somehow managed to forget about it. I had originally painted one hand yellow, but then I decided it was much too bright and would be more suitable for Summer so I took it off again.

I first applied Essie's Sugar Daddy which is a super pale pink, which would be perfect if you want to do a french manicure. I only applied one coat of this as it isn't that noticeable anyway but I just like how it looks underneath.

Next, the main attration! Teenage Dream is a lovely pale pink polish with glitter speckled through it, and I absolutely love it. It makes me feel like I have princess nails. I applied only one coat of this last night as I didn't want it to be noticeable, but I've decided I'm going to apply another coat tonight because I want it super glittery.

Teenage Dream is from OPI's Katy Perry collection and I wish I'd had a chance to look at more of the polishes, as this is such a pretty polish and the photographs don't do it justice!

What's currently on your nails? Hope you're all having a great day!

Lush - Breath Of Fresh Air Review

As I've been promising for the past week or so, here is my review on one of my latest Lush purchases, Breath of Fresh Air. I bought this in their Boxing Day sale as it was 50% off, so I ended up paying around £3.70 for it instead of the usual £7.25. I will admit, if it wasn't on sale, I probably never would have bought it. However, I'm very glad I did!

Breath of Fresh Air is a toner water, but is also good at giving your skin a little refresher if you need it. It contains Aloe Vera which makes it great for locking in moisture, and helping if you have suffered from sunburn (not that you would in this weather, but maybe if we actually get some sun in the Summer!). The bottle also states that it's perfect if you travel a lot, or on a long haul flight, as it gives your skin some life again.

To use, you can either spray directly on to your skin, and then wipe off with a cotton pad. Or, you can spritz on to the cotton pad and and then gently wipe it across your face. I personally, do the second. I use about three sprays, but my sister only uses two, so it's really up to you. This should follow your normal make up removal, as it helps to remove any excess make up and dirt.

Pros :

• Inexpensive, only £3.95 for the smallest bottle, or £7.25 for the 250g bottle.
• Excellent at removing any dirt or make up left on skin.
• Doesn't remove any moisture from the skin, and instead, locks it in.
• Soothes sunburn.
• Can be transferred to a smaller bottle for travel purposes.
• Can be used as a pick me up at any time of the day.

Cons :

• Honestly, I still haven't came across any!

I really love this product, and I will most definitely be repurchasing once mine runs out. I've used this since I bought it on boxing day, which means it's been a month tomorrow, and it doesn't seem to have went down much. Once you see the excess make up that comes off your face, you won't want to be without it! I'd hate to think how much I leave on my face when I think it's clean.

If you'd like to purchase this product, you can do so by clicking here.

Have you tried this before or any of the other toner waters? What are your thoughts?

Blogmas Day 20 - Outfit Of The Night

Another outfit of the day (but actually night) for you all as I went out for my GB Christmas dinner last night. It wasn't somewhere overly fancy but I love this dress and I love my wedges so I thought I would wear them.

Dress - H&M

Tank top (underneath) - H&M

Tights - Asda

Wedges - New Look

Necklace - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Belt - H&M

Bracelet - Pandora

Then some little out takes from my sister trying to figure out how to take photographs on my camera. Then a photo bomb from my sister who was going out for dinner too.

Do you like these types of posts? I was thinking that my blog isn't as personal as it could be in that there isn't too many photographs of me and I think I could do with doing some more outfits of the day. Let me know!