July Favourites

It's been a while since I've written a July Favourites post. I suppose until recently, I hadn't been loving anything in particular. This month however, I've truly fallen in love with a few products so I thought I'd share them with you. Also, can you believe it's July?! It's almost Christmas...

Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle EDT - £52 for 50ml

I received this fragrance as a gift when I left Boots. Mine is actually 100ml which is luckily huge as I've been spraying this constantly. It smells absolutely beautiful and because I'm bad at describing scents, I'd recommend giving this a whiff next time you're in Boots. But beware, you'll probably end up purchasing it. It's quite light, fresh and girly and absolutely stunning. I'm addicted.

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Celestial - £5.99

I know, I know. Rewind to when these were first released and I couldn't express my hatred for the things enough. I tried selling it, but it just wouldn't sell so instead of throwing it away, I decided to give it another go. The problem wasn't with the formula, it was with the colour. It just didn't seem to suit me. But for some strange reason, I now think it does. It's a beautiful pink shade that's brighter than a nude, but still quite muted.

Alberto Balsam Coconut and Lychee Conditioner - £1.00

I've expressed my love for Alberto Balsam before and I think I'll continue doing so for a long time to come. They're the most affordable hair care brand out there and their products rival brands much more expensive. This conditioner is perfect for summer because it smells like coconuts, and that scent lingers in the hair throughout the day. It also helps get rid of knots and smooths the hair down.

La Roche-Posay Rosaliac CC Daily Unifying Complete Correction Cream SPF 30* - currently £15.60

I wanted a lighter base to wear on holiday and this is the one that I used. It provides medium coverage that feels lightweight on the skin. That was impressive enough. But what impressed me even more was its lasting power. Make up doesn't tend to last well on my skin but this was still intact ten hours after I'd been sweating in Rome all day. Not bad at all. 

Klorane Almond Milk Shampoo* - currently £4.80

I love Klorane's dry shampoo. It's without a doubt the best dry shampoo there is. So when I received this product, I couldn't wait to try it out. The shampoo uses Spanish almond milk which coats the hair fibre to add volume without weighing it down and also smooths and softens it. It's unreal how weightless my hair feels after using this shampoo. I don't have to bother with any volumising styling sprays as this does all of the work itself. It leaves my hair feeling incredibly soft too. I can see me repurchasing this for a long time.

Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Hoola - full size £14.50

I got a mini of this in a Benefit kit that I purchased on holiday. In all honesty, this was the product I wasn't too bothered about in the kit, but since trying it out I'm addicted. It doesn't provide a lot of colour - if any - but it does feel incredibly soft on the lips. It's almost like a balm in texture and it doesn't leave behind a horrible sticky-feeling. It looks beautiful on its own, or over a lipstick to add a hint of shine and moisture.

Weleda Citrus Refreshing Body Oil* - £13.95

It's strange thinking about how much I love oils these days. This one from Weleda is incredible and I knew it'd be a firm favourite the first time I used it. I love citrus scents, and this one proves it further. This body oil lives up to its refreshing name and leaves the skin smooth and supple with a scent that enlivens the body. It also sinks into the skin nice and quickly and leaves the skin soft for hours on ends.

Benefit They're Real! Remover* - £14.50

I was very shocked by this product when I first used it and it's made removing eye make up a complete doddle this month. For an eye make up remover it's expensive but it dissolves make up on contact. It's really easy and quick to use and doesn't sting my eyes.

What products have you been loving throughout July?

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Get your feet ready for the summer

I think it's increasingly important to look after the skin on our feet. After all, we're walking on them constantly. When it comes to summer, the last thing we want to be doing is covering up our feet because we're embarrassed by them. The excess sweat will only cause further problems. So ensuring your feet are in tip top condition throughout the summer (and winter!) months is a definite must. Recently, I've discovered quite a few foot care products that I've found an absolute pleasure to use.

HoMedics Elle Macpherson Heel Smoother* - £19.99

This is without a doubt the best electronic foot smoothing device I've ever used. It comes with two different discs - one for exfoliating and one for buffing - and both of these work perfectly together to ensure the feet are left soft and smooth. It's easy to hold, doesn't cause mess, looks pretty and is affordable too.

Weleda Foot Balm* - £9.95

Out of all of the foot creams mentioned in this post, this is definitely my favourite. It's wonderful in summer as it really does cool and refresh tired feet. The non-greasy formula sinks into the skin beautifully and leaves behind soft feet that smell delicious - if that's at all possible (it uses essential oils of lavender, rosemary, sweet orange and litsea cubeba). The Foot Balm also has a formula which helps to strengthen the skin to protect it against blisters. As someone who suffers with blisters quite badly, this is a godsend to read. 

CCS Foot Care Cream* - £7.99

I love how small and dinky this tube is, it makes it perfect for travelling. This cream uses urea, which is is the moisturiser that is found naturally in the human body. This helps to keep the skin soft and supple and the cream is lanolin free and hypo-allergenic. This is my morning foot cream as it sinks into the skin quickly and isn't scented.

Dr Organic Virgin Olive Oil Foot and Heel Cream* - £6.49

This super hydrating cream is rich in Oleic acid and combines deep moisturising and nourishing properties. It's fast acting and penetrates the skin deeply, meaning it's perfect for extremely dry cracked areas of the feet. I originally used this when my feet were in really bad condition and this helped restore them. It's now been passed over to my mum but I still highly recommend it to those with cracked feet.

What products do you use on your feet?

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New additions to the Treacle Moon family

If you're an avid reader of my blog then you'll know that I'm absolutely addicted to Treacle Moon's Bath and Shower Gels. In terms of formula, the gels can't be faulted. They lather up nicely, leave the skin feeling balanced and provide a pleasurable bathing experience. As the name suggests, the product can be used as a bubble bath, or a shower gel and the formula works perfectly for both. Recently, the brand has released three new scents to its ever growing range, and I couldn't wait to get my mitts on them.

Dusted Cocoa Dreams* is even more delicious than it sounds. It smells exactly like chocolate. I've just dried myself off after using this as a bubble bath and the scent is lingering beautifully. It reminds me of the Frijj chocolate milkshakes and it's without a doubt my favourite of the bunch.

Next up is the latest addition to the brand's Candy Jar range. Sugared Almonds* is perfect for me because I absolutely adore almonds. This shower gel is basically a cherry bakewell bottled up. It's sweet, sugary and almost good enough to eat.

Finally is Warm Apple Pie Days*. A perfectly balanced shower gel. The scent is homely and cosy and I believe it's going to be perfect in winter. The blend of sweet/sour apples with a warm pie creates the most scrumptiously scented shower gel.

These shower gels retail for the bargain price of £2.99 each. They're available to buy in Tesco now.

Have you tried these shower gels before? Will you be doing so?
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The best bronzers

Fake Bake Beauty Bronzer, glo-minerals Bronze, Sleek Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette, KIKO Essential Bronzer, KIKO Rock Attraction Bronzer, Liz Earle Natural Glow Bronzer, KIKO Colour Splash Multi-tone Bronzer, KIKO Loud Night Bronzer

Being naturally pale - even a week in the Mediterranean didn't touch me - means that in general, I find wearing bronzer a challenge. Last year, I was a complete novice. I watched countless amounts of YouTube videos in the hope that I'd perfect the sought after "contouring technique." But I had no luck. More recently though, particularly this summer, I haven't been able to step away from the stuff. Whether it's contouring, adding a glow or dusting all over my skin, I'm constantly using the product. Here are my favourites.    

Best brand:

When it comes to choosing a bronzer, the brand I always look to first is KIKO. Half the bronzers chosen for this post are from the Italian brand and it's easy to see why. The KIKO Rock Attraction Bronzer in Loud Tan* (currently on offer for £6.00) is the bronzer that I tend to use on a day-to-day basis. Despite being a powder formula, it's creamy to the touch and exceptionally easy to blend. It's completely matte so is perfect for contouring, and it's very hard to overdo this bronzer. Next up is the KIKO Essential Bronzer in Warm Melange* (currently on offer for £11.80) which is a two-tone bronzer. The pan is absolutely huge so I use this with a big fluffy brush and dust it all over my skin. The KIKO Loud Night Bronzer in Supple Satin Honey is up there in my top three. It's perfect for my pale skin tone and can be used matte to contour, or with subtle shimmer to add a glow. And finally the KIKO Colour Splash Multi-tone Bronzer in Jovial Tan comes with three different shades that are perfect for bronzing up the complexion.

Best highlight:

As a brand, I find glo-minerals underrated. Their products are of such an exceptional quality yet they're rarely raved about on blogs. The glo-minerals Bronze in Sunkiss* (£31.50) is an absolute gem. One side contains a matte bronzer and the other a beautiful golden highlight. The two shades can be swirled together or used separately and I constantly find myself reaching for the highlight side. It's stunning and makes the complexion glow. 

Best glow:

The Fake Bake Beauty Bronzer is wonderful for adding an all over glow to the skin. It's quite dark and pigmented so I tend to use this when I've tanned my skin. A light hand a big brush works best when applying this bronzer. Sadly, I can't seem to find this online anywhere. Does anyone know what's happened to Fake Bake's make up range?

Best all-rounder:

The Sleek Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette in Medium* (£9.99) comes with everything you need to truly bronze up your skin. The contour, highlight and blush-shade work together to create the most beautiful golden goddess look. Of course, the three shades can be used separately but I find them stunning when used altogether to create a bronzed look. 

Best natural:  

Liz Earle Natural Glow Bronzer - £19.50

As you can tell from the image above, this bronzer is exceptionally well loved. It has a hint of shimmer running through it but it's not over the top and still manages to look natural. There isn't a lot of pigment in this bronzer so it's perfect for pale skins to contour or use all over the skin.

I'm always on the look out to try out and find new bronzers. Let me know your favourites in the comments below.
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LIFESTYLE | Cruising around the Mediterranean

The reason my blog has been a bit lacklustre recently is because my life has become quite hectic. And that's something I never thought I say. For the past four and a half years I've managed to juggle this blog, with my education and a part time job. Yet finishing university, moving out of two houses in the space of three weeks, going on holiday and starting a new job really has gotten on top of me. Today is the first day in a while I've felt relaxed, and able to chill out and write a proper blog post.

I decided that I would focus on my holiday seeing as I promised more lifestyle posts (don't worry, the beauty will always be there)! I went on a cruise around the Mediterranean for a week with my grandparents, my mum, her partner, my sister, my auntie, uncle and cousin. It was really lovely, but I don't think you'd find me cruising anywhere in the near future as one of the nights was quite rocky and off putting. We sailed from Spain, to Italy, to France and back to Spain again and got to see many beautiful places. That's the beauty of cruising, you're not just stuck in one place for a week. This world is huge and full of fascinating cities, and I definitely want to explore every single part of it.

One place I definitely need to go back to is Italy. I've now visited Rome, Venice, Verona and Lake Garda and I've loved every inch of it. Sadly in Rome, we only spent a few minutes at the Colosseum so the next I visit, I must go inside of it. I absolutely adore historical Rome and the Romans. I also have to go to Pisa! I've only decided to show a few photos from the holiday mainly because in total, there was 700+ photos taken and I don't think Blogger, or your computers, would be very happy with me if I uploaded them all. So here are a few. Mainly on the boat, in Corsica, Rome and Cannes.

Have you been on a cruise before? What's your favourite place in the world to visit?
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MAKE UP | Benefit's They're Real range

Despite having these products for a good few weeks, it's taken me a while to gather my thoughts and opinions and write a blog post. I'm guessing by now you all know about Benefit's They're Real range? It started out with the mascara, which has been hugely successful in its own right. And because of this, Benefit decided to expand the range and launched a revolutionary eyeliner and an eye make up remover.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara* - £19.50

First up, the cult favourite. I never invested in this mascara because my eyelashes are pretty good on their own. It's lucky for me because it means that I never have to spend a fortune on my lashes as drugstore mascaras work just fine. Lots of people rave about this gem and it's easy to see why. The pigment is outstanding and the jet black mascara truly lengthens, curls, volumises, lifts and separates the lashes. It makes my lashes look out of this world, but for me, £19.50 is a lot of money to spend on a mascara. Will I splash out once mine runs out? I'm not sure. I'll see how much I need it when it happens.

Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner* - £18.50

Ooh this didn't half take me a while to get used to. It's the first gel liner in a pen to hit the market and has an innovative soft tip which is supposed to truly hug the lashline. In the photo above, I'm wearing this eyeliner and as you can see, it's barely visible. That's how close it allows you to get to the lashline meaning that thicker lashes and a natural eye look is now possible. Once set, this liner doesn't budge on the lashes but I will warn you that you have to work quickly as it dries almost instantly after application and can sometimes flake. I've definitely become a huge fan of this liner, it's easy to use and creates an array of different looks.

Benefit They're Real! Remover* - £14.50

This was the product that I didn't think I'd care about. £14.50 on an eye make up remover? No thank you! And before I used it, I wasn't convinced. You see, my Lush Ultrabland removes my They're Real liner and mascara perfectly well, so I didn't see a use for this. Until I used it the other day. It's incredible and makes removing eye make up gentle, a pleasure and simple. With Ultrabland, I'd have to rub for a few minutes however with this, eye make up is removed in an instant. It simply melts away. It's a light milky formula that immediately lifts any make up from around the eyes without leaving behind residue. Pricey, but I'm addicted.

Have you tried any products from the They're Real range before?
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His 'n' Hers kits with Korres

I'm all about cute little travel-sized beauty sets, and you might've seen a few of these products feature in my holiday packing series. Korres is a brand that I've fallen in love with over the past few years. Their products are of such exceptional quality and I haven't found a dud one yet. Currently, four of their kits have 1/3 off of them at Debenhams so whether you're travelling this summer, or just wanting to try out a few products from the brand, now is the time to snap up a kit. At just £12.67 each, they're an absolute bargain.

Men's Kit Gift Set* - currently £12.67

This kit contains the basic grooming essentials all packed up in a compact (and environmentally friendly) travel kit. The Absinthe Shave Cream is non-foaming, doesn't require a brush and has been formulated at a milder pH than standard lathering creams. The Cream is rich in essential oils and flavonoids which work together to sooth the skin, protect it from irritation and leave behind a smooth finish. The Marigold & Ginseng Aftershave Balm is a light-textured balm which improves skin tone and firmness. The antiseptic properties provide effective protection from irritation whilst the Aloe soothes any post-shave rash. The Aloe and Ditanny Shampoo promises to be a gentle shampoo that is ideal for everyday use. The Aloe is rich in proteins and aminoacids which moisturise the hair and increase its elasticity. The Dittany is a mild antiseptic which retains the scalp's balance. The Basil Lemon Showergel and the Guava Showergel first of all both smell incredible. They have a lasting moisturising effect and are rich in many different vitamins which enhances the skin's immune system. The shower gels also claim to stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis to reduce the visible signs of ageing.

Best of Korres Gift Set* - currently £12.67

This little kit is a great way to try out some of the brand's best sellers. It also has pretty much everything you'd need for a weekend away. The White Tea Fluid Gel Cleanser uses White Tea to deeply cleanse and refresh the skin, without dehydrating it. The Cleanser is easily rinsed off, but the Oat proteins leave a moisturising film on the skin to leave the skin soft and comfortable throughout the day. I've reviewed the Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturising & Brightening Cream before (which you can find here) and I stand by everything I said in that review. This Moisturising Cream is outstanding. It leaves the skin balanced and hydrated throughout the day. The Wild Rose oil also helps to repair fine lines and hyperpigmentation disorders. The Wild Rose Instant Brightening Mask promises a clear and radiant complexion and is suitable for all skin types. It has an instant brightening effect on the skin and the Wild Rose oil repairs fine lines and skin blemishes. It also promotes cell renewal and leaves the skin brightened and radiant. Both the Basil Lemon Body Milk and the Guava Body Butter, like the showergels, smell incredible and they both leave the skin hydrated and nourished.

What's your favourite Korres product? Will you be buying one of these kits?
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BEAUTYBAY The Collection Little Black Box BB Summer Style Edition

I've never been a fan of the monthly subscription boxes. I think they started off well, but have gone downhill since then. Every month I constantly find myself reading blog posts about how disappointed subscribers are. The one off beauty boxes, on the other hand, always surprise and intrigue me. When the BEAUTYBAY The Collection Little Black Box BB Summer Style Edition* (what a mouthful!) landed through my letterbox I was at first amazed. I had no idea that BEAUTYBAY had their own range. So this box is not only a fabulous way to try out new products, but also to discover a new brand.

The box contains the following:

• Blending Sponge in Fuchsia Pink - I'm yet to try this out but I'm really happy that I now have a blending sponge in my collection. I've heard wonderful things about them and this one promises flawless foundation application with no streaks and no difficultly blending.
• Lipstick in Delicate Pink - I instantly fell in love with this colour but sadly, my lipstick has no pigment whatsoever. I doubt BEAUTYBAY would put a pigment-less lipstick in the box so I do think that mine is a dud. The lipstick is supposed to be smooth, creamy and moisturising yet still have great coverage.
• Lipgloss in Coral Shimmer - I was pleasantly surprised with this lipgloss. It's moisturising and deposits a nice amount of colour on the lips. It isn't non-sticky, but it isn't overly sticky. It's just the right balance which ensures it has pretty good longevity.
• Detangling Brush Large in Hot Purple - Another standout in the box is this detangling brush. Don't get me wrong, I love my Tangle Teezer but this one has a handle which makes it even easier to use. It eliminates knots and tangles effortlessly and can be used on wet or dry hair. I'm shocked that this is just £5 when bought on its own.
• Mascara in Flawless Black - This isn't the best mascara in the world but it's welcomed in my collection. It lengthens, volumises and defines the lashes and leaves them looking natural and perfect for the day time. It also contains a blend of waxes which care for the lashes.
• Lip Brush - I'm not a big fan of lip brushes so sadly, this one won't get much use but I have tried it and the flat yet rounded tip allows you to trace the contours of your lips easily. It provides even coverage and blends the lipstick onto the lips beautifully.

So in this box there are two standout products (Blending Sponge and the Detangling Brush), three good products (Lipgloss, Mascara and Lip Brush) and one that's a complete dud (Lipstick). Now, I don't think that's bad at all. Overtime I've realised that the boxes are always going to be a bit hit and miss. But if you've wanted to try the Blending Sponge and Detangling Brush for a while now, this box is definitely worth the money as those two alone retail for £10. The box is priced at £15 (a saving of £14) with free delivery.

What's your favourite beauty box? Does this one intrigue you?
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The best oils

A few years back, I would never have dreamt of going near an oil. As someone who has combination skin and an oily scalp, I have pretty much steered clear of them for the majority of my life. But then something happened, and something changed. I tried a cleansing oil and a hair oil, and from that moment on, I've never looked back. If you're someone with oily skin, or oily hair, don't dismiss oils as they're wonderful at balancing the skin.

Superfacialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil - £10.99

The other oils in the Superfacialist range are wonderful too, but the reason why I love this one so much is because you get 200ml of product for £10.99. An absolute bargain, especially considering the range is constantly on offer. This cleansing oil completely removes and breaks down make up and leaves the skin feeling and looking refreshed, and smelling of oranges.

Moroccanoil Treatment - £13.45

When it comes to hair oils, this is the daddy of them all. I don't know anyone who has tried this product and hated it. Moroccanoil is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and protein and helps to improve the hair's manageability, control frizz, enhance shine, increase elasticity and leave the hair looking shiny and feeling soft. I use this when my hair is wet and when my hair is dry as it doesn't weigh the hair down.

L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil* - £9.99

Moroccanoil isn't cheap, so I have a bottle of this on standby for when it runs out. It's just as good but not as luxurious and doesn't have the classic Moroccanoil scent. This leaves the hair shiny, nourished, silky, soft and perfected. It smooths down flyaways all without weighing the hair down. L'Oreal also have a bottle for coloured hair and a dry mist for fine hair.

Trilogy 100% Natural Certified Organic Rosehip Oil* - £25.65

This Rosehip oil is my night time moisturiser of choice. It contains a powerful blend of natural nutrients that promote skin repair and rejuvenates cells. Once I've massaged this into my skin, my skin feels hydrated but not greasy. I've definitely seen a huge improvement in my scarring and skin tone. This also makes me wake up to glowing skin which is something that Bio-Oil doesn't do - and the reason I prefer this one.

Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Bath & Massage Body Oil* - £9.99

I'm definitely a bath lover, and I can't have a bath without pouring an oil or cream inside of it. I love this one because it uses organic argan oil to regenerate the skin. It smells absolutely delicious and coats the skin is anhydrating layer that leaves it revitalised, soft and glowing, with minimal effort. It does leave the bath slippery afterwards though so be careful when getting out.

Bio-Oil* - £8.99

I'm quite sad that at the moment, Bio-Oil has been replaced by the Trilogy oil. My Bio-Oil story has been huge. As a teenager, I hated it as it made me break out. But as I've grown older and my skin's changed, it has become a godsend to me. It helps fade scarring and leaves the skin nourished, but not greasy. It's also incredibly affordable and the bottle lasts for ages.

Weleda Citrus Refreshing Body Oil* - £13.95

If you follow me on Twitter then you might have noticed my little love-rant about this product. I'm a bit citrus lover and one whiff of this found me drenching my body in it. It uses pure almond oil to leave the skin smooth and supple, and citrus essential oils to leave a fresh scent that enlivens the body. After using this, my skin was left feeling unbelievable soft and I couldn't stop stroking my legs. I'm an addict.

Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil* - £5.10

And finally, Tea Tree Oil which is an oil that everyone should have a bottle of in their collection. Tea Tree Oil is a 100% natural antiseptic essential oil that has a variety of uses. It can be used to treat spots and acne, Athlete's Foot, cuts and burns, head lice, and can be used as a vaporizer and in aromatherapy. There are many more uses and a quick Google will show you how beneficial a bottle can be.

Do you use oils? What are your favourites?
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