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Tuesday, 31 December 2013

WIWT | The day after Boxing Day






Top: New Look (Christmas present from my mum)
Blazer: Primark (very old)
Scarf: Christmas present from my sister
Lens mug: Christmas present from my dad and stepmum
Leggings: F&F at Tesco

When it comes to taking outfit posts, we all know that I'm an absolute mess. In all honesty, I have no idea what I'm doing and I shy away from the camera. Regardless of this, the day after Boxing Day, I went to Meadowhall with my dad and stepmum which was absolutely hectic! I loved my "day after Boxing Day" outfit so much that I thought; "to hell with it!" and here you have a very badly photographed WIWT. As soon as I opened this top from my mum, I knew I was going to get so much wear out of it. Not only are the colour and fit beautiful, but I'm a huge owl fan too. The scarf from my sister is definitely "me" and since opening it, I haven't taken it off - no literally, I was wearing it on Christmas Day in my pyjamas. As for the lens mug... HOW AMAZING IS IT?! It was also filled with sachets of hot chocolate. I adore it so much. But anyway, now I have my new camera, I promise I will try and get better at these things now. I am attending an SLR course in March so hopefully I'll be able to say, "forget the landscapes, teach me how to take OOTD posts." Then again, maybe not...

What did you wear around Christmas time?
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Monday, 30 December 2013

HAIR | Latest loves




This past month has been an absolute nightmare. You know when people say that third year of university is stressful? It turns out they're not lying. Despite the fact I've only had three deadlines, they've all been huge assignments and I've barely had any time to myself. But with Christmas coming to an end, I decided that it was time to sit down and write about my current haircare loves. I've really been into haircare products recently which is something that doesn't happen often. I'm much more of a skincare/make up lover so at the moment, I'm embracing all things hair.

Now this is a pricey hair mask! But you do get a massive 500ml tub. Seeing as the weather has been getting colder, I've been pampering my hair a lot as it's been drying out. This hair mask is a real luxurious treat. It contains biomimetic ingredients which aim to mimic and replace lost keratin to leave your hair feeling strong, smooth and looking shiny. There are three different masks included in the range and the Revitalising Mask is for "natural/virgin hair." I've been loving using this. It feels like a thick balm but despite this, it doesn't weigh the hair down. Instead, hair is left feeling incredibly soft and soothed and looking beautiful. It's most definitely worth the hefty price tag - my mane adores it.

Unite Volumizing Boosta Spray* - £14.85
I suffer with lacklustre hair that falls flat as soon as I step outside. But this volumising spray has been working wonders on my hair. It smells delicious - like coconut - and it reminds me of summer. It doesn't weigh the hair down but instead, injects the hair with a volume boost that gives you dreamy Chezza hair. I use this before blowdrying and straightening/curling my hair and really, I don't think I can be without the stuff. What's even better is that Boosta Spray is paraben free and 100% vegan - no nasties will be working their way into my locks.

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine Illuminating Shampoo* and Conditioner* - both £5.99
I've never believed in the whole "shampoo-for-your-hair-colour" for some reason but since using these two from John Frieda, I think I might be converted. The Liquid Shine Illuminating range aims to increase shine in natural, colour-treated or highlighted brunette hair. Both of these together leave the hair unbelievably soft - so soft that I actually can't tie my hair back which is bad for days when I'm at work. But wonderful for every other day. If I've used this wonder duo, you'll see me swishing my hair around so make sure you don't stand too close.

What hair care products have you been loving recently?
*PR Sample
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Saturday, 28 December 2013

FRAGRANCE | Britney Spears Limited Edition Fantasy







I am without a doubt one of the biggest Britney Spears' fans you'll ever meet. I have been for 15 years now and it isn't going to be changing any time soon. When I say I'm a fan, I don't just mean that I enjoy her music - my friends will tell you that I'm literally obsessed with her. She's more than a popstar to me, she's an inspiration and her strength and music has got me where I am today. But enough of the gushing, this is a beauty blog after all. And any opportunity I get to blog about Britney, I take it.

Seeing as it's been 10 years since Britney released the best selling celebrity fragrance ever, Fantasy, both her and Elizabeth Arden decided to treat fans to a special Limited Edition Anniversary bottle. Exclusive to Superdrug, the scent of the LE fragrance is the exact same as the iconic Fantasy perfume - it's the packaging that's different. The chic black and gold bottle is without a doubt stunning, with Britney's autograph it's a must-have for any fan. What truly makes this fragrance special though is the thousands of fans names on the box - including mine!! (jemma p. UK) yup, that's me. I'm so happy that I managed to get my hands on this and as it's just £17, it's an offer you can't miss out on.

You can buy the 50ml Britney Spears Limited Edition Fantasy Fragrance here for £17.00.

What's your favourite Britney fragrance?
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Thursday, 26 December 2013

HANDS | method hand wash


Hello and welcome to my kitchen, a very fitting place for today's blog post. When I was asked if I'd like to try a few things out from non-toxic, fashion-led cleaning brand method, I jumped at the chance. After browsing the website, I fell in love with the design-led packaging and settled on a couple of their hand washes. I placed one in our shared bathroom and one in our shared kitchen. I soon received questions from my housemates asking where the new beautifully packaged and deliciously smelling hand washes had come from - a win already. method's hand wash range contains only natural ingredients to moisturise and cleanse the hands. The scents have been developed by a fragrance developer who has worked at many of the top perfume houses - no wonder the products smell so incredible.

The method gel handwash in pink grapefruit* - £2.49 is a refreshing fusion of pink grapefruit, blood orange and cassis. It smells incredible and is without a doubt my favourite of the two. Although I am probably biased as anything pink immediately draws me in. The method foaming handwash in sweet water* - £2.99 instantly intrigued me - the sweet water fragrance sounded wonderful. With notes of grapefruit, lemon leaves, watery petals of star jasmine and lily of the valley it's a scent that's instantly recognisable as it's so innovative and fresh. I also absolutely adore how this foams up.

method products are available online, at Waitrose, Sainbury's, Tesco, Ocado, John Lewis, Homebase, B&Q, Co-op, Booths, Superdrug, Amazon and independent stores.

Have you tried anything from method before?
*PR Sample
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Tuesday, 24 December 2013

4 Tips For Winter Beauty Efforts

For most of the year, our beauty efforts tend to be relatively constant. People generally fall into routines that stay fairly unaffected by changing seasons and atmospheres, at least for the simple stuff. But the winter can often be the one exception, where the changing weather and cooling temperatures can have a fairly noticeable effect on our bodies, and, by extension, our everyday beauty efforts! So, with this in mind, here are 4 helpful tips for your winter beautification.

1. Find A Strong Conditioner
Perhaps the main side effect of winter weather on beauty and image is that the cold, windy weather can make hair dull, uninteresting, and haphazard. This is a particularly aggravating image issue, but fortunately it's also one of the easiest ones to avoid! Women's Health notes that a simple conditioner, ideally including silicones to retain moisture, can do the trick when applied regularly. The same article recommends Dove's "Intensive Repair Daily Treatment."

2. Keep Your Skin Moist
If anything is more bothersome than dull hair in the winter, it's dry, colourless skin. Not only does the dry winter cold lead to skin issues, but even the hot air flowing through the average home has a drying effect, which compounds the issue. There are plenty of ways to combat this problem, however, from staying hydrated, to using lotions, and even installing a humidifier. It's not normally a source one turns to for beauty, but Web MD actually has a very helpful list of skincare tips.

3. Keep Your Eyes Moist
Eyes, too, will dry out more frequently during the winter, and particularly if you wear contacts this can lead to some visible irritation, and get you rubbing your eyes a bit more than you'd like to. Acuvue has some helpful tips for which kinds of lenses can keep your eyes moist, as well as tips for lens comfort in general, and many of these can help you to be more comfortable - and therefore keep your eyes feeling best - during the winter.

4. Keep Your Skin Glowing
This goes hand in hand with dry skin, but the fact is dryness isn't the only factor that can make your skin a bit pale during the winter months. Simply being cold - or even being a bit sick - can give you a paler complexion than you'd like, but fortunately there are easy fixes. In fact, you may as well kill two birds with one stone by picking up a tinted moisturiser, to add some colour even as you keep your skin healthy and moist.

Beyond these issues that can arise from coldness and dryness, most of your everyday beauty efforts should remain relatively unchanged. And if you sufficiently battle the cold where your hair, skin and eyes are concerned, you'll be sure to look stunning no matter how harsh the season is!

What are your top tips for surviving the cold winter months?
This is a guest post
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Monday, 23 December 2013

Getting ready for Christmas!







Can you believe that Christmas is TWO days away?! What is this madness?! I swear just the other day I was 10 years old and now in a few weeks, I'll be 21. Crazy. Anyway, I'm finally back home and I'm now ridiculously excited for Christmas. With Christmas comes parties and with parties and gatherings, you're going to want to look your best. So the wonderful guys at Chapstick put together this fabulous kit to help me prep for Christmas - let the festivities begin!

I've raved about these lip balms before. The Chapstick Lipsations Shimmer* - £1.99 are perfect for Christmas. Not only do these add moisture and softness to the lips (which is perfect during the winter months) but they add a bit of gloss and shimmer, making the lips irresistible - perfect incase you find yourself under the mistletoe. My favourite flavour has to be the Berry one, it tastes absolutely beautiful. A definite must-have for me is a tan. I'm a pale gal and the Trilogy Instant Bronzing Gel* - £17.50 is perfect. Many times I've found myself going out last minute and having to wear tights to cover up my snowman legs. But this quick drying bronzing gel delivers instant colour on application that doesn't streak and applies evenly. This means that you can apply, get dressed and not worry about looking like a ghost.

I've not been a fan of nail wraps in the past. I find them a bit of a nightmare and instead of being a fun treat, they're a chore to apply. Despite the fact that the Elle MacPherson Instant Nail Wraps* - £7.49 look gorgeous, I'm afraid I'm going to be giving these ones a miss for now. I just can't get the hang of the things! But if you have any suggestions on how to apply them, please let me know in the comments. The Collection Does It All Mascara Waterproof* - £4.99 has quickly become my mascara of the moment. I'm constantly reaching for it and I think it's down to the multi-bristle brush. It's huge, don't get me wrong, and sometimes I end up with it everywhere but it separates the lashes while added volume and ensuring every lash is coated. The name says it all... this mascara really does do it all.

But if mascara doesn't do it for you then falsies will do. Quick and easy to apply the LASH Eyelashes Volume Edition #21* - £4.19 from Superdrug are perfect. They look natural but add a little something extra to your eyes and really make them pop. No look is complete without hairspray. The Pantene Volume & Body Hairspray* - £3.69 is quite frankly perfect. Not only does it oomph your hair up but it holds it and keeps it in place all night long. That's all I can say. It's wonderful, it's perfect and if you're after a new hairspray, buy this one. Now a tin of STEAMCREAM* - £13.00 is something that I've lusted over for a way. This miracle moisturiser does everything. Using raw materials this tin of wonder moisturises the face and body and is suitable for all skin types. It sinks into the skin quickly and smells delicious.

What are your must-have products to help you prepare for Christmas?
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Sunday, 22 December 2013

BATH | LUSH So White Bath Ballistic






Earlier in the week, my sister, our friend and I popped into town and ventured into LUSH. Again. I managed to persuade my darling sister to buy me a bath bomb and I decided to choose So White. With a delicate apple fragrance, this bath bomb is truly stunning. What looks like the most boring bath bomb in the world soon turns into a gorgeous treat when it hits the water. Turning the bath a rose colour and filling the room with the most delicious fragrance, this is definitely one that can't be missed. This bath bomb was also still fizzing away once the bath was filled - it's absolutely huge and next time, I'd break it into two. Delicious, delicate and juicy, this is one of LUSH's offerings that I'd definitely have a look at the next time you're in store.

You can buy So White here for £3.25. Thanks sibling! What's your favourite LUSH product?
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Saturday, 21 December 2013

BATH | LUSH Snowman Bath Ballistic





When I walked into LUSH, I couldn't resist this little guy. Isn't he just adorable?! But what really persuaded me was Miss Budget Beauty's post as she said that this bath ballistic leaves your skin feeling silky soft - something that I adore. This bath bomb is scented with the same vanilla fragrance as Butterball (one that I've never tried) and the smell is incredibly soft and pleasant. The bomb has been loaded with skin-softening cocoa butter which leaves the bath feeling nice and creamy. Once I stepped out of the bath it was almost unreal how soft and nourished my skin felt - it was wonderful! And I will definitely be picking up many of these in the sale and I'll be using Butterball all year round. A win on my behalf!

Have you tried Snowman before?
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Friday, 20 December 2013

FREE | Models Own Glitter Kit





Everybody loves a freebie. Especially around Christmas time. And especially when that freebie is a beautiful Models Own gift. It's no secret that for me, the brand have completely changed the way I view nail polishes. No more waiting around hours for polish to dry, no more having to apply five coats in order for the polish to show and no more having to re-paint your nails every other day due to chipping. Oh no, since I've discovered Models Own, my outlook on nail polish has completely changed and now, painting my nails is fun and not a chore.

Currently at Boots, Models Own are offering a free Glitter Kit* worth £10 when you purchase any two Models Own products. And with the wonderful collections they've brought out this year, you're definitely going to be spoilt for choice. Included in the kit are: a full size nail polish in a new shade Dinky Pinky, brand new premium nail glitters in festive Gold and silver and a mini 4 way nail buffer to file, buff, smooth and shine your nails. I used this kit last night and when I came downstairs this morning, the entire house was covered in glitter - bonus! But if you are going to use the glitter, I'd recommend sprinkling them over paper and not the floor like I did... big error there. But my nails look pretty and the house looks festive so who can complain?!

This gift with purchase is available until the 21st of January in Boots stores nationwide. You can browse the entire Models Own range here. You can view all of my Models Own reviews in my product directory here.

Will you be purchasing two Models Own products in order to receive this freebie?
*PR Sample
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Thursday, 19 December 2013

CHRISTMAS | Last minute gifts




Sadly, I haven't mentioned Christmas that much on Bamboozle Beauty this year. It's not because I'm not excited (I really am - I was dancing around my house this morning to Christmas songs) but it's because I've been rushed off of my feet with university deadlines. However yesterday, I handed in my final assignment of this semester so after a day filled with taking blog photos, I have a couple of beautiful gift sets to show you.

When it comes to haircare, I absolutely adore TIGI as a brand. Not only do their products look fantastic and smell delicious, they perform well and are affordable too. This gift set includes the Bed Head Candy Fixations Sugar Dust which when sprinkled into the roots, absorbs oil and gives you volume in an instant. I'm a massive fan of these texturising dusts and this one is without a doubt my favourite - it leaves behind no residue whatsoever. You also get the Bed Head Headrush Shine Spray which is a fine mist that leaves the hair looking sleek and shiny. I usually steer clear of shine sprays as I have oily hair but this one is incredibly lightweight and it doesn't weigh the hair down or leave it looking greasy. This gift set is worth £27 and it's a must-have for those hair care fanatics.

I'm most definitely a fake tan addict. Being as pale as a snowman means that during the winter, I'm constantly bringing out the fake tan to ensure I look golden and glowing. Xen-Tan is one of my favourite brands and I've been addicted to their Body Scrub since using it on holiday this year. It removes dead skin cells, tan build up and it smells delicious and minty. Also in this gift set is the Transform Luxe which gradually builds up a beautiful looking tan that illuminates the skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth. This tan is incredibly fool proof and I've had no problems with streaks and patchy areas once it's used after the Body Scrub. And of course, no fake tanning kit is complete without a mitt - the Xen-Tan Mitt is one of my favourites and unlike cheaper versions, it feels luxurious to use. This gift set is worth £44 and whether you know a fake tanning professional or a newbie, this gift set is one you should look into.

And there you have it! My last minute Christmas gift recommendations. A few other gifts I'd recommend for Christmas: KIKO Ultra Glossy Stylo Lipstick Set, Hearst Magazine Subscriptions, Too Faced Joy To The Girls Gift Set, KIKO Satin Nail Lacquer Set, Baylis & Harding Beauticology Master Chocolatier.

What are you favourite gifts that are out there this Christmas?
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Wednesday, 18 December 2013

BATH | LUSH Bombardino Bath Ballistic




I have a ridiculous amount of LUSH blog posts to get through before the Christmas stock sadly leave. I've kinda been addicted to the place recently. If you ever lose me and you're wondering where I am, follow the smell of LUSH and I'll be there stressing out over which lovely treat to buy next. Remember how I said that Cinders was my favourite LUSH Christmas product? Yeah, I kinda take it back.

Bombardino has without a doubt taken its place. Granted, it still makes the bath look like wee but oh my, it smells delicious. I'm a huge fan of lemon scents and I'm an even bigger fan of lemon meringue so you can imagine my delight when I had a little whiff of this beauty. It's practically lemon meringue in a little - cuteish - bath ballistic. I most definitely need to stock up in the Christmas sale.

I have two more LUSH posts to get up before Christmas and a further two more after Christmas. So my favourites might change. Especially because I currently have So White waiting to be used...

You can buy Bombardino here where it retails for £2.50.
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Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Bio-Oil's #BigThankYou


A couple of weeks ago I received a knock at the door and waiting for me was a huge box. The postman told me that I had flowers and quickly, I picked the box up and went back inside. I was incredibly excited - and confused, did I have a secret admirer?! - and when I opened the box, the most beautiful bouquet of flowers from Interflora and a bottle of Bio-Oil were waiting for me. When it comes to Bio-Oil, I've been on a journey with the product. I tried it when I was younger when I first started noticing scarring on my skin and I hated it. It broke me out badly and left my skin an oily mess. However, as time went by and my skin started settling down, I went back to the bottle and now, it's my night-time moisturiser; I absolutely love the stuff.

I've been supportive of the brand since starting this blog. Their campaigns are beautiful and they recognise the beauty of the skin and encourage people to embrace their flaws - what's not to love?! Their latest campaign #BigThankYou recently ended and as a thank you to me, Bio-Oil sent me the flowers and another bottle of product. I couldn't thank them enough as they've been wonderful to me. I just wanted to show the flowers in case you hadn't already seen them (seeing as I was bragging on Twitter, oops). But I also wanted to know who you would say thank you to if you could. Especially around Christmas, it's important. Let me know in the comments!

*Flowers and Bio-Oil were sent to me free of charge as a thank you
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Saturday, 14 December 2013

SKIN CARE | Green People Age Defy+ Range


When it comes to eyes, I'm known to pamper my peepers often. I know it's a bit controversial - is it worth it, does it work? - but I'm a skin care addict and that extra step makes me feel incredible preened and prepped to (almost) perfection. And you know the saying, prevention is better than cure and all that? I'd much rather get to the age of 50 and think, "well, I wasted a bit of money on eye cream" than "damn, I should've used eye cream all those years ago."

The wonderfully natural brand Green People recently launched a new collection and I managed to get my mitts on a few pieces. The Age Defy+ range is aimed at women aged 35+ and Green People claim that the products are "rich in age defying botanicals and plant stem cells for optimum skin regeneration, moisture balance and deep hydration." Although I'm not 35 (I definitely feel like it sometimes though) my skin does have signs of ageing with its nasty dark spots so I thought I'd try the range out.

First I will say that for an eye cream, the price isn't half bad. An absolute bargain if you must. The tiniest amount goes a long way with this eye serum and instantly it sinks into the skin leaving the delicate eye area feeling hydrated, soft and soothed. As a student, I'm prone to a few late nights and this eye serum works wonders the night and morning after, instantly de-puffing bags and providing the perfect base for eye make up. It's become a must-have in my routine and it's safe to say that I'm addicted to how to makes the eye area look (tightened) and feel (soothed). As far as anti-ageing goes, this serum uses Sea Holly plant stem cells, Biacalin plus extracts of Argan seed and Hibiscus flower which all help to rejuvenate the skin, increase cell renewal and firm the skin - phew. Green People claim that the skin appears firmer and plumper within 15 minutes of application and I completely agree. I haven't seen any anti-ageing benefits yet (I can't say I have fine lines around my eyes) but my skin instantly feels tightened, brightened and awake.

If you'd have told me a few years ago that I'd be addicted to slathering my face in oil I would probably have laughed in your face. As someone with combination skin, I've steered clear of oils my entire skin care adorning life but this year, I've adored using them. This facial oil is a pleasure to use - it sinks into the skin almost immediately and instantly eliminates dry patches and balances out oily patches. It leaves the skin feeling extremely soft and although this isn't something I would use during the day, I love using it at night time for an extra special pampering treat.

Another product that leaves my skin feeling beautifully soft - I'd compare it to a baby's bottom! I love serums a lot and I have way too many so sadly, I haven't used this enough to form a proper opinion on it but it evens out my skin tone and provides instant hydration.

You can view the entire Age Defy+ range here. Have you tried anything from the Age Defy+ range?
*PR Sample
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