2018 Beauty Round-Up: My Favourite Finds

I can't believe it's already 2019! Where did that go eh? 2018 was a heck of a year. I thought I couldn't top 2017 in learning lessons and more importantly learning who and what is worth spending time on and making sure that I take a moment to relax - easier said than done. I'm still working very hard on this one and those who know me are very aware that my relaxation can only start when every inch of my house is pristine and there's nothing left on my to-do list. Anyway... enough about this, I'm writing a post on my favourite beauty finds of the year! Here they are...

1.This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle and Perfect Legs 100% Natural Scrub 

The This Works Perfect Legs range is incredible. I use the scrub once or twice a week in the shower. I often use products like this to try and target cellulite on my bum/upper thigh area, I've had it since I was about 18, we are women and this is natural! But, you can't blame me for trying to smooth it out a little and this product does just that! After a shower or if I have my legs out Perfect Legs Skin Miracle is great. This product is a tinted moisturiser that gives you a little glow. 

2. Illamasqua Colour Veil 

So this is such a handy product that comes in 5 different tones and honestly, there is one to suit everyone. It can be used as a blusher, lip jelly or eye base-I've used them for all of the above- they are absolutely fabulous! 

 3. bareMinerals Barepro

I've bought this concealer three times in a row, which is a big deal for me! I think I'll be sticking to this one for a good while - unless anyone has any other suggestions? It's one of the only concealers that doesn't dry out my skin and that's pretty hard to come by for me! 

4. Verso Hydration Serum

Winner winner chicken dinner! This Hydration Serum, whether used before work or before bed works wonders. I have very sensitive skin that is pretty bipolar in that some days it can be a dewy dream, and others dry as a desert. I usually use this serum before bed and the next day my skin is looking fab and fresh, although, on the off occasion that I wake up with a dry forehead or nose, two drops of this sorts me right out and brightens up my whole complexion. 

5. Mio Liquid Yoga 

Bath time favourite - Liquid Yoga. Mio strikes again with another fab product. I'm really loving alternating between the gym and yoga at the moment- one clears my head and the other helps me to think- but with all this exercise I do tend to get really achy muscles and this product is perfect. Plus, it smells like Deep Heat or Tiger Balm, so what's not to love!

6. Touch In Sol Non-Stop Swift Black Liner

The only liquid eyeliner that has given Kat Von D a run for her money! I treasured this product whilst I had it but alas, due to using liquid eyeliner every day for my wings I ran out pretty fast. It is only £9.50 so I should go buy another but I instead have returned to my trusty Rimmel. I will be buying this again because the precision was immaculate. Anybody who wears liquid eyeliner daily should invest in this stellar product. 

There you have it! My top Beauty products of 2018. If anybody tries these out please let me know what you think, I hope that they don't disappoint! 

Back to Blogging: Best Bits

It seems I always go through peaks and troughs when it comes to blogging. I tend to stumble over hurdles, whether its writer's block or simply being overly busy with work and seeing friends. Blogging has always been a hobby to do in my spare time, and when time runs out, unfortunately, this is the first thing that it effects. So, I managed to miss out writing anything for you guys for the whole month of October. I'd like to say loads has happened but to be honest I'm taking a whack at prioritising different things at the moment and it's making me feel a lot better. I'm glad that I've managed to muscle up the time to write a blog post because I've got a few things that I'm loving at the moment, whether its fashion, beauty of lifestyle bits. 
So here they are...

1. Feminists Don't Wear Pink 

Let's start with something I've been banging on about over and over... Feminists Don't Wear Pink and other lies by Scarlet Curtis. I urge everyone, male or female to have a read of this book. It's a collection of essays from a variety of different women about what feminism means to them. The goal of the book is to help the reader come to their own personal understanding of the word, because lord knows it's got some pretty negative connotations these days - let's not get me started! It's funny, witty, real and heartfelt. 

2. Mio Liquid Yoga 

Bath time favourite - Liquid Yoga. Mio strikes again with another fab product. I'm really loving alternating between the gym and yoga at the moment- one clears my head and the other helps me to think- but with all this exercise I do tend to get really achy muscles and this product is perfect. Plus, it smells like Deep Heat or Tiger Balm, so what's not to love!

3. OGX Orchid Oil Shampoo

Unless you haven't realised, I've really tried to go fairly natural and eco-friendly recently, whether its beauty products that I'm using, recycling a bit more, my weekly food shop or cleaning products. It is a bit of a struggle when you have certain products that are great and you just can't let go of them... BUT I have found the perfect shampoo- I say this but I often have to change shampoo every 2-3 months otherwise my hair gets used to it- alas, at the moment this is my perfect shampoo! Sulphate-free and super hydrating, this shampoo allows me to leave my hair for a few days without washing (which by the way is a pretty big deal for me). Also, a pro for anyone that's looking to use this who colours their hair, it's great for protecting colour and locking in moisture!

4. Morphe x Jaclyn Hill

I was lucky enough to get these babies through work and for now, these are FOR SURE my go-to brand for make-up brushes. They are super smooth. These professional brushes are made from a natural blend of sable and goat bristles and are 100% animal cruelty-free <3

5. Why Buddhism Is True 

So, for this one I took an image from the internet because my book is looking pretty rank right now, God knows how many tube journeys and bus routes it's been on. Now the front cover of this book doesn't do itself justice at all. People will read the front and think - ahh this is going to be a book about how we should all be calm, try meditating and seek enlightenment. Well, not quite. I'm in love with this book, and with only 80 pages left I hope Robert Wright doesn't somehow screw it up with such a short space to go. The book looks at the science and philosophy behind Buddhism from an evolutionary psychologist's perspective. Now, Robert himself looks at the paradoxical view of Buddhism and shows both pros and cons to meditation and enlightenment. This book has made me look at things in an entirely different way, the difference between feelings, emotions, essence all of which are human-made. I can't rate this book enough if I could make all my friends read it I would! 

Back To Blogging: Best Beauty Bits

I can't believe its already MAY! What have I been doing?! God knows, but I haven't posted on here since February, and that's the longest break I've had from blogging in four years. Its been good to clear my head, focus on what's important, and really have some me time, which if you saw my post New Year More Me, I'm really doing well at - aha, slightly selfish I know! I've been spending a lot of time focusing on my career, where I want to go, changing up my diet, and experimenting with what works best for me in the gym and exercise wise - I'll get into that in another post. But, I have been doing quite a bit with my skincare routine and my best beauty bits. Here goes...

SO... VERSO. What can I say about this gem? Yes, an absolute beaut of a brand that I stumbled across due to work. Pricey stuff... but worth it! The Hydration Serum, whether used before work or before bed works wonders. I have very sensitive skin that is pretty bipolar in that some days it can be a dewy dream, and others dry as a desert. I usually use this serum before bed and the next day my skin is looking fab and fresh, although, on the off-occasion that I wake up with a dry forehead or nose, two drops of this sorts me right out and brightens up my whole complexion. Now for the Reviving Eye Mask. can't say a bad word about it apart from that its so good I kind of want to use it every night so I can get rid of my dark circles and bags every day. The Retinol element must be what's making a mega difference, it puffs those bags right out and leaves your eyes looking as fresh as a four-year-old's (maybe not quite but it was super close!). My only downer on these Verso products has to be the pricing, I will not be buying these every time they run out, but I will be asking for them as a treat come my Birthday or Christmas. 

I thought I'd also treat you to this mug shot of myself using the reviving eye mask...

 

Gotta love an attractive selfie!

So here's my next little secret, although I have shouted about it on Instagram as I am in absolute awe. Baija Gommage Festin Royal Body Scrub in Caramalised Honey - yup I reeeeeallly wanna eat this, it smells so good! But, stop yourself there, as when applied to certain parts of your body, works absolute wonders. I am a little late to the party when it comes to body exfoliators, but after seeing a product pop up on my feed over and over- which looks very similar to this one- I decided to do exactly what the advertising of that product said it was great for, smoothing out your bum. So, my legs and thighs aren't perfect and I've had cellulite on the tops of my thighs/bum since I was about 15, but after applying this, and might I add only 3-4 times in the shower, I'm already seeing smooth improvements. No, you can't completely get rid of bumps, no amount of exercise and skincare products can do that, what's natural is natural, but this is making a significant difference and making me feel more comfortable and confident, and for that this is a top pick for me - even if it does make me crave sweets in the morning!

Last but not least. Magnitone's Wipeout! I can't remember how many times I've mentioned this in a blog post but I know I've for sure featured it farrrrrr too many times on insta and on my stories. But what can I say, its a keeper. I'm trying to cut down on all the nasties that I pop onto my face and this even takes off waterproof eyeliners and mascaras! Yes, you've got to put it in the wash every few days(I have two so I can alternate), but throw it in your usual wash at a low heat and it makes no difference! Its super soft and fab for sensitive skin. When mine eventually fade away I'll be grabbing another set, this will be a staple of mine for years to come.

So those are my Best Beauty Bits, hope you enjoyed. Planning on getting back into blogging from now on, so expect to see a few more of these up soon!