Current Hand & Nails Loves!

Hi Ladies,

When the weather gets a little bit colder, for some reason I tend to take more care of my hands and nails.

I thought I'd share my hand and nail loves with you all. As you know, I'm obsessed with hand cream so quite a few will be mentioned!

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector:

I love love love this hand cream! It's really thick and great when applied to the hands in the winter months. Soaks in immediately and lasts a long time before you have to reapply.Great value too!

Soap & Glory Hand Food:

You've probably all heard about this! It smells delicious, it's really moisturising and is light on the skin. I keep this on my desk at work and need to reapply 2-3 times per day. Great for conditioning nails too and lasts a long time.

Clarins Creme Jeunesse Des Mains:

Hand on heart, this is my favourite hand cream of all time. Smells lovely, really smooth and moisturising. This strengthens my nails and is the one that I always go back to.

Estee Lauder Treatment Base Coat:

Vitamin-rich treatment for nails, enhances growth, diminishes discolouration and forms a smooth base for varnish. Can be worn alone too and still looks polished and pretty.

For my cuticles I usually use By Terry Baume De Rose, Number 7 Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Treatment or The Body Shop Almond Cuticle Oil (smells yummy!) I'm also trying OPI Nail Envy (Matte) so I'll let you know what I think.

What are your Autumn/Fall varnish recommendations? I'm absolutely loving the old favourite OPI Lincoln Park After Dark and Chanel Frenzy!

Thank you for reading.

Lots of love,
Amy
xxx

What I Do When I Feel 'Blah'

Hi Ladies,

I hope that you’re having a good day.

With the nights drawing in and everyone feeling so cold and ‘blah’, I wanted to write about what I do when I’m feeling a little bit rubbish and either need to relax or need perking up!

Firstly, I go home and put the heating on. Then I run a hot bath and light some candles (any from Yankee or Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir.) When this is running, I’ll grab my trusted Tangle Teezer and brush through my hair for a minute or two then take off my nail varnish on fingers and toes. At this stage, sometimes I’ll add a pre shampoo hair mask. I really like Organix Self Heating Coconut Oil and pure unrefined coconut oil for this. I’ll apply to my hair and put in a turban or hair band.

After this, in the bath, I’ll thoroughly cleanse my face with Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (I’ll double cleanse if I’m really pushing the out) then apply Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose In It to my t-zone. Sometimes I leave this on for a few minutes as a mask.

I’ll scrub my skin with whichever scrub is lying around. I really like the Soap & Glory Flake Away scrub, used with exfoliating mitts, as it smells delicious and leaves a lovely moisturised sheen to the skin.

I’ll move from the bath to the shower to rinse of the residue of the body scrub and the pre-shampoo  away. I’ll follow with the current shampoo and conditioner of choice (at the moment it’s Herbal Essences) then I’ll apply Palmers Protein Pack to my hair.

Leaving the bathroom now in a fluffy robe/dressing gown, I’ll usually make a cup of tea, catch up with blogs or watch some trash on TV (usually Keeping Up With The Kardashians) while the Protein Pack works its magic. After an hour or so, I’ll rinse the hair mask away, detangle with my Tangle Teezer, apply either Moroccan Oil or Organix Argan Oil along with Aussie Lucious Long Leave In Conditioner, then brush through again.

Hair will be left to dry partly naturally and nails will be cut, filed, cuticle cream will be added (loving Number 7 at the moment) then Estee Lauder Base coat will be applied.

I’ll blow dry my hair in sections then will usually run my straighters over the hair (GHD’s)

Eyebrows will be tidied using Tweezerman Tweezers and Liz Earle Tonic will be used on the face with a cotton pad followed a spritz of Caudalie Beauty Elixir then a moisturiser, mask (Origins Drink Up Overnight Intensive) or face oil (Clarins Blue Orchid.)

OPI Nail Envy will be used and nails will either be left natural at this stage or painted (loving Chanel Frenzy and Nails Inc Baker Street polish at the moment.)

I’ll slather myself in Xen Tan in Dark and pop off to bed, quickly shower in the morning and use a lovely body moisturiser such as Bath & Body Works Winder Wonderland, Laura Mercier in Fig or The Body Shop Body Butter in Coconut, Satsuma or Mango.

I hope that you enjoyed reading!

Lots of love,

Amy

Must Have Repurchases!

Hi Ladies,

I hope that you're all keeping well.

I felt inspired to write this post today. What would you repurchase straight away if your make up/beauty essentials were stolen and you had to start ALL OVER AGAIN?!

Now, we can't be too excessive here, we need to keep moderately sensible. The items I've mentioned below are products that I use most days, if not every day. Now with some of them I will sound like a broken record, but you know me!

So here goes....

Foundation/Tinted Moisturiser - Chantecaille Tinted Moisturiser in Glow

I just love this little beauty. You only need a tiny amount for your whole face. I use my Real Techniques Buffing Brush to stipple in to my skin. On bad skin days or when I feel I need a little more more coverage, I mix with a tiny bit of Mac Pro Longwear. Worth the price tag of £57? The jury is still out.

Corrector/Concealer - Bobbi Brown Corrector/Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer

It would have to my my trusty Bobbi Brown corrector. This makes a massive difference to my under eyes especially after a late night. For reference, I'm shade Light To Medium Bisque. I always follow with Mac Studio Sculpt concealer then use a little around my nose and on my chin too.

Bronzer - The Body Shop Honey Bronze Gel

I've tried every bronzer in the whole world. Literally. You name it, I have tried it. For some reason though, whenever I want to look a little more glowy and natural, I always pick this up. I use a tiny amount and dab on my head, nose and top of the cheeks. Highly recommended if you haven't tried.

Lip Balm - By Terry Baume De Rose

For me, this is heaven in a perfect little pot. I use it every single day and wouldn't even think of picking up another balm now. I use for my cuticles too. Worth the £35 price tag? ABSOLUTELY.

Mascara/Mascara Primer Dior Maximiser Primer and Benefit They're Real Mascara

Useless apart, heavenly together! Being really honest, I haven't noticed a difference to the condition or length of my lashes since using the primer but with the mascara it just WORKS. I wouldn't dream of putting mascara on without using this first.

Highlighter - Dior Amber Diamond

Just beautiful. And cost effective! I have had the same product for two years now and there is hardly any sign of usage!

Blusher - Laura Mercier Lush Nectarine

Without question, this is my ALL TIME favourite blusher. All the Mac and Chanel blushers have been left in the drawer. I honestly think I'll use this for the rest of my life.

Lipstick - Mac Politely Pink

I love this lipstick. It looks so polished and pretty for day time. I do find it kind of moisturising in a weird way too. Looks lovely for the day with a little By Terry Baume De Rose dabbed over it, or with a gloss.

What wouldn't you repurchase if you had to go back to basics?

Thank you for reading.

Lots of love,
Amy

xxxx

By Terry - Baume De Rose

Hi Ladies!!

I'm so glad to be back! I know, I've completely neglected you all and I'm sorry!

It feels so strange to actually be back writing. I hope that you've all been ok.

I'm sure that you've all heard about this product but I wanted to justify to you all that THIS PRODUCT IS WORTH THE MONEY!

I am, of cause, talking about By Terry's Baume De Rose. The blurb on the By Terry website describes the little beauty as "this melt-away balm, which has become the must-have of Hollywood stars, BY TERRY's über-cult product, is a real ultra-glamorous SOS treatment to repair, nourish, regenerate and lastingly protect the lips.

This ultra-rich product is also a precious salve to care for and strengthen the cuticles.
Its creamy and delicately rose-scented texture, which is shiny without being sticky, coats the lips in an incredibly natural glossy finish.

In an instant, the lips are lastingly smoothed, plumped up, supple and protected!"

if that doesn't make you want to put your debit/credit card in the machine and hastily punching in your pin number, then I don’t know what would!

I’ll admit, spending £35 on a lipbalm did make me feel a but guilty when you can buy a Chapstick for 99p but then my Client justified it like this: “Well, according to reviews, it lasts a year. You’ll use it a few times a day for 365 days so it’s actually CHEAP! And you only have five layers of skin on your lips so you have to look after them!” I was sold!

So I’ve had it a week now. Do I want my £35 back? No way Jose!

And as we are all like magpies, LOOK how pretty it is!!!!!!!

Thank GOD it is Friday. Tonight will consist of wrapping myself up in a huge blanket away from all this horrible weather, eating too many carbs, watching trash TV and reading MORE 50 Shades Of Grey! Unsociable, me? Never!

What are your number one products at the moment?

Thanks for reading and for being so patient with me. 

Lots of love,
Amy

xxx

I'll Be Back Soon!

Hi Ladies,

I hope that you're all ok and you're looking forward to the Bank Holiday!

I wanted to let you all know the reason for my lack of posts recently....I'm in the middle of moving house at the moment and as you can imagine, it's pretty manic!

I have LOTS to update you on and TOO MANY products to tell you about!

Products that are worth a mention though:

• Number 7 Eyebrow Pencil
• Barry M Peach Melba Nail Varnish
• Mac Indianwood Paintpot
• Diorshow Maximizer (followed by Benefit They're Real Mascara)
• Lush Angels On Bare Skin

See you all soon.

Lots of love,
Amy
xxxxxx

Lea's Tag!

Hi Ladies,

I hope that you’re all having a good day.

So, I noticed this tag on the lovely Lea’s blog and thought I’d have a go too! If you haven’t seen her blog, it’s amazing. Beautifully put together with regular posts covering various topics. Plus, she is gorgeous!

Makeup:

- Blush or Bronzer – This is a hard one! I love to use bronzer as a contour and to give me a little bit of colour but some faces can look ‘flat’ without a bit of blusher. Can’t I have both?! I’ll go with bronzer (Nars Laguna) as I could always dab a little lipstick/lipstain on my cheeks I guess

- Lip Gloss or Lipstick - Lipstick, I love MAC Myth to tone down my lips for the day then maybe add a balm to keep things natural for the daytime

- Eye liner or Mascara – Mascara!! At the moment I’m using Dior Diorshow Maximizer as a primer with Benefit They’re Real mascara over the top and I love the look

- Foundation or Concealer – Foundation. Speaking of foundation, if anyone knows where Jemma Kidd Light As Air Foundation in Light/Medium 03 is in stock, PLEASE let me know!

- Neutral or colour eye shadow - Neutral, 100%

- Pressed or loose eye shadows - Pressed, the last thing that ANYONE needs is eyeshadow all over their face!

- Brushes or Sponges - Brushes, I don't own a sponge.

Nails:

- OPI or China Glaze - OPI

- Long or short – I change my mind all the time so lets say inbetween!

- Acrylic or natural – Natural. Acrylic nails can look nice but they RUIN your nails

- Brights or Darks - Depends on how I’m feeling. At the moment I have a bright coral on my fingers and toes

Flower or no flower - No flower, too Gypsy Wedding for me, thanks

Body:

- Perfume or body splash – Perfume, I’m wearing Jo Malone today

- Lotion or Body Butter - Body butter at night, lotion in the day

- Body wash or soap - Body wash, soaps tend to dry my skin out

-  Lush or other bath company - Lush. I'm loving Lush at the moment

Fashion:

- Jeans or sweat pants - Jeans

- Long sleeve of short - normally short.

-  Dresses or skirts - Dresses

- Stripes or plaid – Ummm, stripes I suppose?

- Flip flops or sandals - sandals, I At the moment I’m wearing Black Havianas so I’ll say flip flops. Love sandals too though

-  Scarves or hats - scarves, again, most hats give me a headache (weird, I know)

- Studs or dangly earrings - dangly earrings definitely.

- Necklaces or Bracelets – Necklace, I love my Dogeared Karma necklace at the moment

- Heels or flats - Heels

- Cowboy boots or Riding Boots – Neither, riding I suppose

- Jacket or Hoodie – Jacket usually. Hoodie if I just want to be comfy

- Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe - Forever 21

- Abercombie or Hollister Abercrombie, it seems like everyone has Hollister on at the moment

- Saks 5th or Nordstrom - I'd have to go with Nordstrom

Hair:

- Curly or straight - Curly

- Bun or ponytail - Ponytail

- Bobby pins or butterfly clips - Bobby pins

- Hair Spray or gel - Hair spray sometimes

-  Long or short – Long. What a long and painful process too!

- Light or dark – Can I say inbetween?

- Side sweep bangs or full bangs - Side

-  Up or down – Down when I have time, up when I don’t!

Random:

- Rain or shine – Shine! We don’t have enough sun in the UK

- Summer or winter - Both

- Autumn or Spring - Spring

- Chocolate or vanilla - Vanilla, I love the scent

North or South – North, of course!

If you decide that you want to do this post, or you have already done it, please post the link in the comments box as I'd love to read!

Make sure you take a look at Lea's blog too!

Thank you for reading.

Lots of love,

Amy

xxx

Current Ins & Outs!

Hi Ladies,

I'm back with an Ins & Out's post! I love reading others so please post links to yours in the comment box below.

Ins:

• Caudalie Beauty Elixir
• Candles 
• Getting my car valeted
• Strawberries
• Lush
• Tea
• Chocolate Cake
• Coconut Oil
• Eyebrow tints and shapes (makes SUCH a difference to your face!)
• Music
• FOOD!
• French Skincare
• Natalie Joel (Made In Chelsea)
• Flowers
• Sleep
• Body Moisturisers
• Shellac
• Beyonce & Jay Z together
• YouTube (in particular TessChristine123, ViviannaDoesMakeUp & DulceCandy87)
• Jennifer Lopez (could this woman be any more perfect)
• Made In Chelsea (Francis in on a horse in the desert literally made me laugh out loud!)
• Time off work

Outs:

• Paperwork!
• Speeding fines
• The cost of EVERYTHING!
• Short weekends
• Losers that hurt my friends
• Nail varnish that chips within a day
• Going back to work after a week off

Lots of love,
Amy
xxx