LOW CALORIE/SYN FRIENDLY SNACKS/DESSERTS (UNDER 100 CALORIES)

Hello everyone! So in a few different food related or Motivation Monday posts, i mentioned that i switched out higher calorie/naughty snacks for things that are a lot lower in calorie. At the moment there are so many yummy and new low/lower calorie snacks, in a wide range of flavours both sweet and savoury. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite bought snacks at the moment...

1. fibre one 90 calorie chocolate brownie bars 

(87 calories, 3.0g fat, 1.8 saturated, 7.3g sugar, 0.25g salt)

I am pretty sure that these Fibre One brownie bars are the original line from the brand, as until recently you could only find the square bars. These are perfect if you are a brownie/cake lover as they aren't too big, they are under 90 calories yet they still taste as if you are being naughty. You can also pick up the square bars in Lemon Drizzle, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon and of course Chocolate Brownie which is my personal favourite.

2. fibre one 90 calorie peanut butter popcorn bar

(90 calories, 4.3g fat, 1.7g saturated, 4.2g sugar, 0.13g salt)

As i mentioned in my recent what i ate in a day post, Fibre One bars are a must-try bar and i mentioned how this particular one is my favourite out of all of them. This is perfect if you still want something dessert-like but maybe a little more savoury tasting, as it is filled with a peanut butter flavour and of course popcorn. Another good thing about these Fibre One bars is as it suggests in the title, they are filled with fibre rather than sugar and bad fats. If peanut butter isn't a favourite but popcorn is, you can also pick up these bars in a Chocolate Popcorn flavour.

3. fibre one 90 calorie carrot cake bars

(90 calories, 3.3g fat, 1.8g saturated, 5.8g sugar, 0.23g salt)

Finally from Fibre One i couldn't not mention the newest edition to the product line, which is of course the Carrot Cake bars and the Triple Choc Cake bars. These are apparently a little harder to track down but if you do come across them, i definitely recommend giving them a try as they are just as delicious. That being said personally i love the Carrot Cake bar more, as the Triple Choc Cake bar tastes very similar to the brownies.  

4. asda blueberry muffin fibre bar

(86 calories, 2.3g fat, 1.1g saturated, 7.2g sugar, 0.16g salt)

Sticking on the fibre bar theme, ASDA recently started selling their own range of fibre bars which come in this delicious Blueberry Muffin flavour, as well as their own version of the Chocolate Brownie flavour. These bars are definitely worth picking up if you are on more of a budget and the Fibre One bars are currently full price, as they are more affordable at just £1.25 for 5 bars.

5. yushoi sweet chilli + lemon pea snacks

(88 calories, 3.0g fat, 0.3g saturated, 0.9g sugar, 0.3g salt)

If you are one of those people who loves crisps as a snack or just in general but you don't want to being eating them daily as of course they are filled with fat, as well as being super high in calorie. A great alternative are these baked pea snacks by Yushoi, they give you that crunch that you are missing from a crisp as well as the savoury taste. These are also gluten free and vegan friendly, as well as being free of artificial flavourings and MSG. 

6. kettle bites mozzarella + pesto lentil curls

(97 calories, 3.1g fat, 0.5g saturated, 0.6g sugar, 0.4g salt)

Another good one and so much better for you than crisps, in fact i think i enjoy these more and that is lentil curls. You can pick these up by so many different brands now (supermarkets even stock their own brand versions) but a favourite of mine is definitely the ones by Kettle, as they have so many more unique flavours such as this Mozzarella and Pesto flavour and also my favourite Sweet Chilli. Just like the pea snacks, these are also gluten free, free of artificial flavourings and MSG.

7. skinny whip chocolate snack bars

(94 calories, 2.3g fat, 1.8g saturated, 10g sugar, 0.04g salt)

Back to something sweet/dessert-like this time something you can pick up in Home Bargains, i am pretty sure this is the only place you can get them anyway. These are just like the Fibre One bars is the way that they taste super naughty yet they are low in fat and calories. These bars are available in boxes of 5 for just £1 a box, they also come in three different flavours Double Chocolate, Toffee Chocolate and Strawberry Chocolate.

(In order to stay on track keep snacks to a minimum, such as one snack per day and of course mixed in with a healthy diet of three meals a day, never skipping breakfast) For more Motivation/Lifestyle tips, catch up on my motivation monday series > HERE <

xo.

NEW-IN | BEAUTY WISHLIST

Hello everyone! So towards the end of last month i shared a similar style of post to today's instalment, only last month's post was about all things makeup wishlist/base makeup i want to try. That being said for this month's beauty wishlist post, i thought i would share with you the list of new-in beauty products that i am finding myself lusting after from high-end to affordable/drugstore...

1. mac limited edition @jamiegenevieve lipstick | £17.50 |

I actually picked up the previous "YouTuber" limited edition MAC lipstick by Fleur DeForce, which was a stunning brown-ish nude shade but the latest limited edition release by one of my favourite YouTuber's is something else as it is literally my perfect nude shade in a tube. MAC lipsticks, more specifically MAC's nude lipstick are definitely some of my favourite lipsticks of all time so naturally i am going to need this in my life.

2. morphe continuous setting spray | £15 | currently join the waitlist |

Seeing as Morphe has disappeared from BeautyBay, it is now making a comeback to Cult Beauty which i can't wait for it to do so. Before hand i really wanted to give this setting spray a try, as it is perfect for setting/leaving your skin with a natural/even finish because of its continuous spray pump. Morphe products are re-launching soon!

3. revolution highlight opulence compact | £8 |

Revolution are back at it again with the beautiful packaging as part of their new look products/packaging, especially this beautiful almost baked multi-coloured highlighting compact. I love how the packaging is super sleek, expensive looking yet obviously affordable and of course if it is anything like the formula of the other highlighters it will have a butter-y pigmented texture. These types of powders are great for using either all together or separately.  

4. revolution blush opulence compact | £8 |

Another Revolution new-in product similar to the highlighting compact this time in blush form, which really reminds me of some of the Soap & Glory powders from way back when. If i am being completely honest i fall in and out of love when it comes to blushes, so i haven't picked one up for a while as i tend to reach for the same ones. I also believe Revolution have released an eyeshadow compact in a similar concept.

5. revolution pro the illuminator famous | £4 |

The final Revolution product of the post i swear, but i am just lusting after so many different new-in launches from the brand at the moment. This multi-usage illuminator from the Revolution Pro range has really caught my eye, especially the shade famous as i feel like it would look stunning as a lip-gloss topper. These illuminators can be used on the eyes, lips and face.  

6. estée lauder revitalizing supreme+ facial oil | £48 |

Facial oils especially super hydrating facial oils are one of my favourite types of skincare products, which i have mentioned in many a post previously and i am always looking for new ones to try out. This one by Estée Lauder recently caught my eye on the new-in section at Debenhams and i straight away thought, that is for me but the only thing that isn't for me is the price because it is super expensive at £48 for just 30ml!

7. garnier eye sheet mask | £1.99 |

Moving onto a skincare item that is definitely a lot more affordable, which is these new-in eye sheet masks by Garnier. I use the face sheet masks every single week, so of course i was going to be intrigued about giving the eye masks a try if they were launched. You can pick these up in two different formulations, one is the hyaluronic acid and orange and the other is hyaluronic and coconut. I also believe Garnier has also released a new range of the facial sheet masks also, which i will also pick some up of the next time i am in Superdrug.

8. opi infinite shine don't bossa nova me around | £14.50 |

Finally we have a nail polish from the latest shine collection by OPI, which is the most beautiful pale cool-ish toned nude polish. I haven't really picked up any new nail polishes for a while, so i think i might treat myself to a new one as i have been reaching for the same ones in my current collection over and over. OPI nail polishes are a little more price-y than your average nail polish but the quality/the length they stay chip-free for is worth it!

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

WHAT I ATE IN A DAY | TRYING SOMETHING NEW?

Hello everyone! So for today's post i am back with another what i ate in a day post, as in my previous one i mentioned how i really wanted to get back into sharing them a lot more regular again and this time i am going to try my hardest to stick to it. Ever since i have been eating super healthy, i do switch up the things i am eating a lot more regularly so that is one way to keep things interesting and not everything will be the same every post. This tip of switching things up was one of my must do things, during my motivation monday series...

7:30 AM: So on this particular day i seemed to be a little behind/running late with time, so i was around half an hour or so later having my breakfast. That being said for breakfast i had something super quick, as well as being something i had been craving and that thing was bagel more specifically cinnamon bagel. Bagels are kind of high in calorie so they aren't the best if you are on a strict deficit but the trick to beat both is bagel thins, as they are half the calories. Breakfast was Cinnamon and Raisin Bagel toasted with a teaspoon of organic pure Almond Butter and a regular tea made with one Whole Earth Stevia and Unsweetened Almond Milk. Total Calories: 166

2:30PM: For lunch i was of course later having that also, as i was running a couple of errands before hand and decided to have more of a "dinner style" meal for lunch. I picked up one of these boxes from a healthy takeout place called Crunch in my town, it was a place i had been meaning to try for a while and i am so glad i have now as it was yum! I went for one of my favourite things which is Falafel, then i also had Bulgur Wheat and "Hot Veg" which was Baby Corn and Green Beans. Total Calories: N/A

7PM: Obviously i had a larger lunch than i normally would so i opted for switching things up, trying something new and having more of a lunch dish for dinner. This is ironically the same thing i had in my previous "what i ate in a day" post but of course for lunch, which is Smashed Peas on a slice of Wholemeal Farmhouse Toast topped with Chilli Flakes. Total Calories: 163

8:15PM: In many of my Motivation Monday post's i mentioned how i kept snacking to a minimum and only had one a day, either in between lunch and dinner or after dinner/the evening. Obviously because everything was later i decided to go with an evening snack, as i was craving something sweet. If you have a sweet tooth but are trying to be good and stay on track, Fibre One is a must-try brand of bars as they have so many yummy flavours and they are all 90 calories or less. I am addicted to this Peanut Butter Popcorn flavour, which i like better than their Brownies. I also decided to have one of these Muller Light Fruitopolis Greek Style with Cherry Yogurts, which are also my current favourite. Total Calories: 155  

Catch up on my previous what i ate post HERE...

xo.

SUPERDRUG VITAMIN E SKINCARE DUO | REVIEW

Hello everyone! So for a while now i have been meaning to pick up/try out some Vitamin E formula skincare, as i have heard some really good things especially for people with normal/dry skin and skin that needs all the help in the hydration department (which i do). That being said i finally got around to picking up some new skincare bits, as i was looking to switch out/up a couple of products in my routine and i had heard good things about the Superdrug own brand Vitamin E collection...

vitamin e moisture boost facial serum

If you have been reading my posts for a while then you will know that i had been using the NUXE dry facial oil religiously both morning and night as i am so in love with it, that being said since picking this up i have been using this in the morning before applying my makeup for a specific reason. A lot of serum's can be more of a liquid consistency designed to be used as a further skincare step but i feel like this one is a little thicker than your regular serum, if i am being completely honest i don't think this is a life changer but what i will say is it does make for a great base for foundation in more of a primer role.

shop the vitamin e moisture boost facial serum on superdrug - here

vitamin e spf 15 radiance moisture cream

Ok so next up is the moisturiser, which i have a completely different opinion about and in a good way. I actually really like this moisturiser and for me it is hard for me to say that i really like one, as i am kind of fussy. What really sold me to pick up this moisturiser from the Vitamin E range also, was not only because it claims to be radiance infused and moisturising but because it contains SPF. Protecting your skin from the sun is so important and any step to can take to prevent causing any damage is a must, not only damage but also from signs of ageing. As i mentioned i need all the help i can get when it comes to hydration and i find that this does just that, it has a lightweight texture that soaks into the skin quickly and effortlessly. Out of the two products i would definitely pick up the moisturiser again but probably not the serum in a hurry, this moisturiser is a bargain at just £2.99.

shop the vitamin e radiance moisture cream on superdrug - here

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY MAKEUP BAG

Hello everyone! So back at the start of summer i first shared a drugstore beach holiday makeup post, which focused mainly on more "day/beach" makeup products and not evening time/multi purpose products. With that in mind for today's post, i thought i would put a spin on things and share with you more of a must-pack post...

1. choose wisely when picking a makeup bag

Tip number one and probably one of the most important ones is, when it comes to choosing a makeup bag to take away with you. Personally i always use the ones from Skinnydip, as you can not only fit a large amount into a compact space, you can also see what you are searching for yet the designs are still really nice.

2. save space + pack mini/travel size products

This doesn't just apply to makeup but also toiletries like shower gels, shampoos and toothpastes. Although an important one for me is mini sized skincare products, which you can picks up in sets/gift with purchases or free as a beauty counter and i like to save them for when i am travelling anywhere. This is such a great way of taking all the products you are going to need, as well as saving space and not wasting product. 

3. skincare/hydrating products

Kind of sticking with the skincare mini/travels theme, a must pack for summer holiday is your skincare and more specifically hydrating products. The reason being is as you are more likely going to be in the sun a lot, you are going to want to re-hydrate your skin and add moisture back in from what the sun has soaked up.

4. different shades of foundation

This is a must pack thing for me also and that is two different shades of foundation, as at the start of the holiday you are obviously going to be less tanned than you will be during the mid-end of your holiday and that is where the darker shade will come in. Also by having two different shades, if you are an in-between shade you can simple mix a little of the two together to create a shade that matches you.

5. opt for a liquid highlighter/more natural highlighter

Wearing a liquid/cream highlighter on holiday is much more light weight than layering multiple products, also you are probably going to want to opt for something a little more natural (especially if it is humid in the evenings) nobody wants to be a shine-y mess.

6. setting powder/setting spray

Talking of a shine-y mess, another must pack item is definitely setting powders and setting sprays. Not only will this keep your makeup from moving around during the evening, but it will also keep you shine free and this even applies to me being a normal-dry skin type (so if you are more of and oily skin type you are definitely going to want to touch up). Setting sprays will also add another layer of shine protection, as well as hydrating your skin and allow you to feel a little more refreshed.

7. multiple lip products + different shades

I am all about the nudes but when it comes to being on holiday, you are going to want to be sassy from time to time and wearing a brighter/different coloured lip. A lot of lip products are super sleek/compact packaging wise, so you can afford to pack a handful if you wanted to (as long as you have different options).

8. opt for sleek/smaller packaged products

Finally and still talking about packing multiple products, you are also want to be wise about what size of product you are going to take. Definitely ditch your bulky eyeshadow/cheek palettes for the week and opt for something sleeker or smaller, this way you are freeing up space for other key essential products.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

AUGUST MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, FOOD, MOVIES + MORE

Hello everyone and Happy August! With it being a new month means only one thing, it is time for another instalment of monthly must-buys. This month i have a good selection of must-buy items from fashion to food and even tv/movies, as well as some upcoming/things i want to pick up ASAP...

1. protein world slender blend | £31.99 (1.2KILO) |

So first up i recently decided to pick up some of the slender blend, as i had been wanting to give it a try for a while now and i thought it would be perfect for something super quick (meal replacement perfect for breakfast time) yet was full of  good stuff. I actually picked mine up whilst they had money off on the site so this huge size only cost £22.99 yet it is usually £31.99 and you get 30 servings out of it. They also come in a wide range of flavours but i decided to just try simple vanilla to begin with, although i do have my eye on chocolate mint.

2. prettylittlething tan large wooden structured clutch | £35 |

If you follow me on Instagram then you might have seen my stories earlier in the week, sharing a few of my favourite things on PLT at the moment and this bag is definitely one of them. I have mentioned in a few different style related posts about how obsessed i am with the whole wooden/wicker bag vibes right now, what makes this one different is you can also pick one up in either black or white and of course the traditional wood colour.

3. primark beauty coconut body scrub | £3 |

When it comes to shower gels, body lotions and scrubs i am all for anything and everything coconut scented, so naturally when i spotted that Primark now have a coconut body scrub i was going to be excited. The scent of this is literally giving me all of the summer holiday/beach vibes and for just £3, what a bargain must-have product to have in your shower this August.

4. boohoo basic swing cami | £5 |

I am always picking up new basic tops as you can never have enough, as they are so good for day to day wear with a pair of jeans. I had tried the cami tops like this from Boohoo before and i wasn't that much of a fan but i am pretty sure they have recently changed them, for the better! I recently picked up a couple, one in black and one in this beautiful mustard colour.

5. topshop panther quilted shoulder bag | £29 |

Ooops another bag, but i am honestly such a sucker for Topshop bags and when i saw this new-in on the site i was just instantly in love. I know we have another month or so left of summer but i think this will make a great transition into autumn bag, re-introducing my favourite a/w colour....black of course!

6. silk fred black leather biker jacket | £49.99 |

So if you have read a few of my posts recently/have been keeping up, then you will probably know that this year i have become a lot more healthy in my lifestyle choices and with that of course i have lost weight. I actually picked up a brand new leather jacket from MissGuided earlier in the year but obviously once the warm weather hit, i wasn't reaching for it anymore. That being said when i did try it on a few days ago, i couldn't believe how much bigger it was on me and i definitely need a smaller sized one. There are always so many different black leather jackets to choose from online/in-stores but at this moment in time, this Silk Fred number is definitely my favourite (well favourite one out of those you don't need a mortgage for).

7. mister tonight kindle book by Kendall Ryan | £2.99 |

Once i had finished my current read, i was browsing through the kindle book store for inspiration on what to read next and i decided to give something a go by Kendall Ryan. I have heard of the author a lot before yet i hadn't read anything buy her and ever since finishing Mister Tonight in just two nights, it definitely left me wondering why i haven't read her books before. The way her books flow, how easy they are to get into is just perfect, i am also currently reading another book by her which i will be talking about in a post coming soon...

8. passionflix | $5.99 / £4.60 per month |

I have spoken about my love for the Passionflix movie service for almost a year now ever since it launched, as it is something that i personally subscribe to also and love. The idea of Passionflix is turning romance books into movies/tv shows, which who doesn't love seeing some of their favourite books turned into film? Getting to the point in just one week, the first tv series to the site will be released (the first three episodes) and that is Driven. Driven is a book series that i have mentioned over the past couple of months, which i decided to read as i hadn't done so already before it was released on screen. I never expected this series to be one of my favourites i have ever read, which has me even more excited to binge watch on release day! 

Catch up on last month's must-buys post HERE...

xo.

TESTING PRIMARK BEAUTY

Hello everyone! Let's all be honest here, who doesn't love a little Primark spree from time to time? I mean over the years i have found some hidden gems and i also love love love their pyjama selection and homeware. That being said something i haven't really tried a lot of (except from the nails, lip liners and roller ball perfume) is their beauty/makeup range. So i decided to pick up a few beauty items that i haven't seen anyone really review/talk about already and put them to the test, some things i loved, some i didn't love so much.

private collection mandarin and basil eau de parfum

As i mentioned at the beginning of the post, i have actually tried the rose gold explosion roller ball perfume and it is one i love to keep in my handbag at all times. So whilst i was browsing through the fragrance section i saw this "private collection" range of fragrances and as soon as i smelt this particular one, i was like ok sold. This particular fragrance is quite fresh yet it has that slight "cologne" manly notes to it and i really liked about it. I also love how this particular size is perfect for your handbag also, like a roller ball and is a bargain at only £3, for quite a luxury/sleek looking product. This particular collection is available in two sizes, as well as a hand wash.

ps bronze highlighting stick

Seeing as i am completely obsessed with cream contour sticks at the moment, i thought i would pick this particular one up as it claims it is more of a "bronze" highlighting stick and that is definitely more my preference as i don't love a cool contour stick, i prefer something a little warmer. That being said once applied this is way more cool toned than it looks in the stick and once you start to blend it out it looks quite muddy/patchy looking, which is not for me at all and it also took quite a while to blend also. This bronze stick retails for £1.50 and is part of the ps bronze collection, even though this particular product didn't work for me i still want to give some more items in the collection a try, especially the body bronzer.

ps pro radiance drops

I am such a huge fan of adding facial oil/radiance liquid to my foundation, so i thought why not give this particular one from the ps pro range and i have become obsessed with it. The thing about radiance drops/facial oils, is if you are a fellow dry skin girl or just love the dewy finish to your foundation, then these are literally going to be your best friend. They add such a subtle/radiant glow to your foundation, as well as if you have a foundation that is slightly thick, you can just add in a couple of drops to thin out the consistency and what i have learned from testing out these drops is that you don't need much at all, as it is quite a thin formula. These drops retail for £5, which i think is a bargain as you can spend anything between £20-£40 for the same type of product.

ps rose gold strobing highlighter cream

Finally we have a product that i am still undecided on, whether i love it or i think it is just mediocre and that is this strobing highlighter cream. Strobing cream is one of those products that can be used in a few different ways, either as a base, mixed in with foundation or applied straight to the highest points of the face where you would normally apply highlighter. The way i like to use it is applied straight to the highest points and then blend out with a damp beauty blender, which does blend out flawlessly and looks beautiful but you do need to apply quite a large amount of product to get the desired effect. That being said you don't mind so much as this is such a bargain at only £2 and if you are looking for a natural looking glow-y highlighter, then i do definitely recommend picking one of these up to try. I also like how nice and sleek the packaging looks, with the rose gold elements. 

♥

NAIL PAMPER ROUTINE

 Hello everyone! It has been a hot minute since i last did any form of nail post, so i thought i was about time for an update/share with you my current nail pamper routine. Spending time on doing my nails is so relaxing and i usually do this about once a week or every ten days or so, all depending on how long they have held up from the time before. My favourite thing to do whilst i do my nails is either listen to music, watch youtube videos or sometimes i will stick a tv show on and i always remember to use the bathroom and grab a drink before hand, because it is no fun needing either one of those things when your nails are wet/tacky still.

step one: superdrug nail polish remover/lush coconut hand scrub

First up i always go in with some nail polish remover, to either remove the nail polish from the time before or to just makeup sure my nails have a clean base. Superdrug's own brand nail polish remover is a favourite of mine, it is super cheap and removes nail polish (including glitter) easily. Then i like to go in with some of my trust coconut hand scrub from Lush, using this just helps get rid of any dryness on your hands and also around the edges of your nails, before rinsing. Then i apply some hand cream of choice and massage into my hands. 

step two: essie apricot care cuticle oil, wah london cuticle nipper and nail file/buffer

Next up i like to go in with some cuticle oil by Essie, applying this helps to really soften/nourish the cuticles ready for tidying up/cutting away your cuticles or any excess skin around the nails with my cuticle nippers. Then i like to go in and file/buff/shine my nails into the shape/length i am wanting, i love these file and buff blocks from Primark. They are so good and i believe they were only a £1 or so for a two pack such a bargain!

step three: barry m nail polishes and essie nail polishes

Once all the nail prep is done, it is time to go in and paint them with my polish of choice. My go-to brands of choice are always Barry M or Essie, as they are the two brands that really work well for me and more often than none i will either rock a simple nude nail or glitter all over. I always apply two/three coats of polish (all depending on the polishes opacity), before going in the with Wet Set Quick Dry top coat by Barry M. A few months back i dedicated a full blog post, talking about all of my most worn nude nail polishes which you can catch up on here.

step four: ps fashion nails

If you read my beauty favourite: july edition post, then you will probably already know that i had recently been loving these stick on nails from time to time. They are just super fun maybe for a night out or a special event, or maybe you are just feeling lazy and want a quick mani look. I was so shocked at how great the quality of these nails were and whenever i wear them, i get so many compliments. On my nails these last for as long as a normal polish would, so around the seven to ten day period. These nails come in so many different shapes from square, to stiletto and even almond shaped.

♥

TIPS AND TRICKS ON HOW TO GET BEAUTY SAMPLES

Hello everyone! I am all for spending money on trying new products, but keeping that in mind there are so many different ways to get your hands on samples either for free or for a little amount of money and over the years i have learnt a trick or two. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite tips and tricks to get beauty samples, whether that is just for trying a new perfume, shampoo or to take away on a trip rather than lugging around a huge bottle of product.

1. feel unique pick 'n' mix sample service

First up is probably my favourite of them all because you can pick and choose the samples that you go for, from a selection of over 300 products and these products range from makeup, to skincare, hair and of course perfumes. I have actually previous blogged about this particular sample service a couple of times this year, so you can catch them here and here where i explain the details of the whole service in full. This will only cost you £3.95 p&p for 5 samples per month, but you will get that money back in a voucher for the following month.

2. buying magazines

Another way to pick up samples for a little amount is by buying magazines, which will probably only set you back around £1-£2 and you get some great reading material/inspiration at the same time. Some magazines will also include free gifts, which can range from deluxe sample size products or even a full sized product as well as the samples included on the advertisement pages. My personal favourite magazines for great samples are cosmopolitan (which i have bought every single month for years) and also glamour magazine.

3. free samples/gift with purchase with online orders
There are so many different brand sites that will give you a selection of free samples with purchases, whether that be if you have spent over a certain amount (which you can usually choose what sample/s you want to try) and sometimes they will simply just add samples into your order bag or box. Certain sites such as feel unique and debenhams do a free gift with purchase or if you spend over a certain amount, which will usually be a deluxe sample or full size of a certain product from the same brand. Sites that i have received the most samples from are feel unique, superdrug, asos and mac cosmetics.

4. asking in-store for samples
It can be really scary sometimes even thinking about approaching a makeup/beauty counter (especially in a department store) and you might think you will feel embarrassed asking someone if they have any free samples, but do NOT feel embarrassed as so many brands are more than happy to give you free samples. Whether you are buying something or if you are just curious about a product, a lot of sales assistants will give you the advise along side the correct sample. One time i was paying for something and the sales assistant gave me a huge bag of samples, along side a clarins beach bag (which came in super handy).

♥

NEW FAVOURITES FROM THE DRUGSTORE

Hello everyone! A few posts back as part of my july beauty favourites i mentioned that i had been trying out some newer products towards the end of the month, but i wanted to test them out more before talking about them. That being said out of those products i have some hits and misses, so for today's post i thought i would talk about the hits and they all happen to be from the drugstore, which is an added bonus.

rimmel #insta fix & go 2-in-1 primer/setting spray

I have actually featured this in my recent current everyday quick and easy makeup post and i mentioned how much i was loving this particular product, as i am all for the quick and easy spray primers and this has a bonus feature as it also sets your makeup in place as well. I love how quickly this sinks into the skin, as well as leaving your skin feeling super fresh and hydrated. Another product from the Rimmel #insta range i have already spoken about my love for, is the #insta fix & matte translucent powder as part of my all time favourite setting powders post. In-fact i have been really enjoying using a few new product releases from Rimmel, that being said if i am being completely honest i was not a fan of the new matte liquid lipsticks.

rimmel #insta contour stick in the shade medium

As i mentioned above how much i am loving the new releases from Rimmel, even more specifically the new #insta range and that includes the cream contour sticks. When i first saw these i thought how much they look like the KKW ones, as they are dual ended one side a contour shade and the other a highlight shade which has a slight shimmer to it rather than being matte - personally i love that! These contour sticks are super creamy yet easy to apply and blend out with either a brush or a damp beauty blender. In these sticks i have the shades light and then also medium, but i tend to reach for medium a lot more and i love how it isn't too cool toned or too warm toned, it is a perfect mix between the two which is rare to come by.

maybelline vivid hot lacquer in the shade tease

I have actually had a couple of shades from the Vivid Hot Lacquer range for a while now, but i was never able to get my hands on this particular shade called tease, as it was either always OFS in-store and online or the testers had been used/opened in-store. Finally i managed to get my hands on this shade and it was so worth the wait, as it is honestly the most beautiful pale nude gloss i have come across since i found my love for the bareMinerals far out nude gloss. As these are more of a pigmented gloss you can pair them simply with a nude lip liner or you could apply a tiny amount to the centre of the lips for a glossy effect, to a more matte lip colour.

l'oréal sublime bronze medium gradual self-tan
Over the years i have tried so many different tans and i always like to opt for a gradual self-tan, as it just works better for me and is more hydrating on my skin. It is quick to apply with a mitt just like you would normal tan and i leave it to develop over night. Two of my favourite tans have always been St. Moriz and then the one by Dove, but whilst in Boots i decided to give this one a try and i have become obsessed so much so it is my new favourite. I love the particular shade this tan goes on my skin as it is super golden looking, it also applies evenly leaving you streak-free and i find it lasts longer on the skin than others do.

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CURRENT "QUICK" EVERYDAY MAKEUP: ORDER OF APPLICATION

Hello everyone! Just recently when it comes to applying my makeup on a normal week-day morning, i have been loving a specific "simple/quick" makeup look and that probably takes me around 20-30 minutes (all depending on if i leave my phone alone/i don't have a little dance party to whatever music i am listening to ha). With that in mind for today's post i thought why not share with you all what i have been using/the order in which i apply the products, as i have recently had a little switch up in the order of what i do things.

rimmel #insta fix & go 2-in-1 primer/setting spray

First up is primer and i am such a spray primer kind of girl these days, as it is super quick and easy. I recently started to use this one from Rimmel and i am in love with it, as it is quick drying, locks in makeup and it doesn't smell chemically like some can do, it smells really fresh. As this is a 2-in-1 product i both start my makeup and finish it with a spritz of this, then i am good to go.

maybelline fit me matte+poreless and estée lauder double wear foundation 

Next up is foundation and at the moment i am loving this combination of a little bit of these two foundations together, it is super full coverage, flawless, long-wearing and sweat-proof. I just like to dot a little bit of each all over my face, before blending out with a damp beautyblender. 

freedom eyebrow duo and anastasia beverly hills dipbrow pomade

So once my foundation is done i actually like to move on to my eyes before doing anymore face makeup, starting with filling in my brows. For a couple of months now i have been loving using a mixture of these two products together, using the eyebrow powder duo at the front of the brow and the dipbrow pomade towards the end/arch of the brow and i use the shade dark brown in both of the products. Then before moving on-to eyeshadow i will clean my brows up/prime my eyes using a little bit of concealer and setting powder.

dose of colors baked browns eyeshadow palette

Moving onto the eyeshadow and this step is super super quick, as i literally use one shade from this palette and that is the shade called deserted, it is the perfect transition/crease/all over lid brown shade and it only takes one fluffy blending brush to do it all and then i will also apply some on my lower lash-line.

l'oréal paradise extatic mascara in the shade black

Next up i like to go in with mascara once i have curled my lashes, i recently did a first impression/review on this mascara which you can catch up on here. This mascara is amazing and gives a voluminous false-lash effect in an instant, without need for spending time on apply falsies.

maybelline fit me concealer in the shade 10 light

So once i have done my top lashes i like to go in with concealer and powder before finishing off my lower lashes, you will not be shocked to see this concealer as it is my favourite go-to mascara and it never lets me down. I just apply this in a triangle shape under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, chin and centre of my forehead before blending out with my beautyblender.

rimmel insta fix & matte translucent setting powder

As i mentioned above, after applying concealer i like to go in and just set the areas where i applied the concealer, to set that in place. Towards the end of last month i did a post dedicated to my all time favourite setting powders, which you can catch this particular powder featured in here.

urban decay 24/7 glide-on eye pencil in the shade lush

Moving back on-to the eyes and this time with an eyeliner pencil in the waterline, i always tend to opt for a brown this this sort of look as it is a lot softer and more natural looking. This particular one from urban decay is favourite, along side the master drama the nudes one from maybelline. Once that is applied all that is left to do is go back in with some mascara on my lower lashes.

makeup revolution skin kiss highlighter in the shade golden kiss

Highlighter is something i switch up the most, as it is no secret it is my favourite thing ever but when i am wearing this specific look there is just something about this highlighter that is simply beautiful, with its golden glow. I love love love applying my highlighter recently using the freedom ff103 brush it just picks up an even amount of product, allowing you to glow to out of space.

bareMinerals invisible bronzer in the shade medium

Last of all for the powder/face products is bronzer, i love to contour/bronze at the same time as i just find it a lot quicker to do and you can do that beautifully with this bronzer. I also find that if you apply this after your highlighter, it just allows the two products to fuse/tie together better and doesn't look as harsh. Once that is done i go in with my brow gel through my brows, because this just allows you to brush away any powder that might have fell into your brows during application. 

mac cosmetics pro longwear lip pencil in the shade oh honey

The final step in this makeup look is lips and i always start off by lining my lips, usually with this particular pencil from mac as it is my go-to favourite and it goes with any other nude lip product applied on top, which is such a bonus. My favourite thing about this lip liner besides the shade is the formula, as it is super creamy yet easy to work with and long-lasting.

rimmel kate lipstick in the shade nude 40

Once i have applied lip liner i like to go in with my lip product of choice and recently i have really been loving going back to basics, by using a bullet lipstick rather than a liquid lipstick. I mentioned a favourite at the moment is mac's peachstock in my july beauty favourites but i have also really been loving the rimmel kate moss lipstick in the shade 40 from her nudes collection.

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AUGUST BEAUTY FAVOURITES

Hey guys, i hope you are all having a great day whatever you are up to. Yet again here we are at the end of another month and also the end of summer is very near, so for today's blog post i thought i would share with you my beauty favourites of this month...

1. Galvin & Galvin OH! Organic Head Detox & Purify Shampoo. 

I mentioned this shampoo in one of my recent posts and how much i loved the instant results and change in my hair. You can read that post here: 

http://katiebeautyshake.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/shower-power-morning-routine.html

2. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Gel.

This has been a savior for me this month as for some reason i have been getting breakouts (which is never fun) but this product is amazing at drying out and reducing the appearance of blemishes. 

3. Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation in the shade Bone.

 I got given a sample of this foundation to try out and i'm so glad i got that sample as i've always been put off from trying it because it's a lot of money if you don't like it. Although at the back of my mind i knew it would be good as it is raved about by many. Everything about this foundation i love the way it looks/feels and the packaging is so luxurious looking. 

4. Sleek Blush in the shade Rose Gold.

To be completely honest i forgot i even had this blush in my possession but when i was digging through my collection looking for a different blush to use i came across this and i have been pretty much using it everyday since. The colour is a stunning pink with gold shimmer and this is a perfect cheaper alternative blush shade to NARS Orgasm! 

5. Wild Argan Oil Body Lotion by The Body Shop.

 I also mentioned this in a couple of previous posts recently and how amazing and luxury this makes my skin feel, i like to apply this day and night. You can read that post here:

http://katiebeautyshake.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/wild-argan-oil-by-body-shop.html

What products have been your favourite for the month of August?

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WHAT I ATE WEDNESDAY

Today i had something a little different than i have usually been having. Quaker Oats so Simple Porridge topped with Currants and Cinnamon. To drink i had a cup of tea rather than a coffee.

For lunch i had a Ciabatta Roll with Turkey and Chili Sauce, whilst on the laptop obviously.

For a mid afternoon snack i have been obsessed with having these, the Go Ahead Chocolate Thins Orange. They are so good, if you haven't tried them already you need to go ahead and do so (ha ha i made a joke).

For dinner surprise, surprise i had pasta again. This is Rigatoni with Meatballs and a Tomato Sauce, the recipe is from the Hairy Dieters book SO GOOD!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Hairy-Dieters-Love-Weight/dp/0297869051

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THROWBACK THURSDAY

Hey guys, i hope you are all having a great day whatever you are up to! For today's blog post i thought i would share a couple of throwback pictures from when i was a baby. I did a similar type of blog post a few months back and people seemed to like it. Something you may not know is that next month i am going become an Auntie for the third time and looking back through old pictures is making me even more excited for him/her to be born. Being an Auntie to me is such an amazing thing as i am super close to my nieces it's kind of like being a mum yourself but they go home at the end of the day ha ha. I am also thinking on doing a Baby Haul with some of the things i have got for my new niece/nephew, so let me know if you would like to see that!

This picture is of my two sisters, my mum and me when i'm only a few weeks old (i think). I love how my sister and my mum are looking at me and my other sister is pulling a face, too funny!

This picture is of my dad and me, my face is so funny i can't decide whether i look shocked, unimpressed or whatever ha ha. As a side note i love how i rocked the fingers in the plug socket hairstyle as a baby.

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TRIED IT OUT TUESDAY: TOP 5 FAVOURITE HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

Hey guys, i hope you are all having a great day so far! For today's post i thought i would share with you my top 5 favourite hair care products at the moment. I am one of those people who will not fully commit to a hair product, i always like to swap and change things as i always seem to think there is something that would work better for me out there. On a plus side change is always good they say... So here is my top 5 favourite hair care products that i am loving at the moment...

1. Tresemme 2804BU volume wand.

It's been a while now since i have used a curling wand, i used to have one a while back until it broke on me. I have just been using my straightener to curl my hair since then and i just don't think you get the same effect that you would if you used a wand. I got this one from Debenhams but you can pretty much get your hands on them anywhere even supermarkets sell them and they are so inexpensive at £20-£23 (prices vary from where sold). The wand itself is so good i can't actually believe for such a low price how good it is, it heats in seconds and the curls really last and even more so if you apply hairspray. My favourite kind is just to do nice waves, so i curl it away from my face using the larger end of the wand.  

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_324003004660MISC_-1

2. L'Oreal Studio Line Silk & Gloss Hot Straight Spray and Hot & Smooth Hot Curl Spray.

Obviously when it comes to using hair tools you have got to protect your hair from the heat. These two products are great because they not only protect your hair from heat but they also make your hair silky smooth and reduces frizz as well as making your hair stay either curly or straight, depending on which product you are using. 

http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Studio-Line-Silk-Gloss-Hot-Straight-Spray-200ml_1155334/

 3. Schwarzkopf got2b Oil-licious Weightless Dry Oil Mist.

While we are on the topic of frizz which is a huge problem i have with my hair type, so i'm all about taming that frizz. This is a dry oil mist so unlike a serum this doesn't leave my hair looking greasy and full of product but sorts out the frizz which a serum is suppose to also do. This stuff also smells so good which is always a bonus.

http://www.boots.com/en/Schwarzkopf-got2b-Oil-licious-Weightless-Dry-Oil-Mist-200ml_1422126/

4. John Frieda Frizz - Ease Miraculous Recovery Pot Strengthening Crème Masque.

Yet again another frizz product, but needs must. I have actually been using this product every time i wash my hair in place of conditioner and i have found that it is much more effective than using it on top of conditioner (i'm all for using less products). The Masque leaves my hair feeling super soft and topped with the other products above really helps my hair stay calm during the warm weather rather than ending up looking like Simba from the Lion King haha.

http://www.boots.com/en/John-Frieda-Frizz-Ease-Miraculous-Recovery-Pot-Strengthening-Creme-Masque_22683/

5. Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturizing Spray.

If you have been reading my posts for a while now you'll know how much i love this product and it is still a daily favourite/essential for me. As my hair is long and thick my hair can tend to be really weighed down and flat looking, so i apply this to my hair just to add the volume back into my hair. It is a great dupe for the oribe texturizing spray which is a lot more expensive than this one and it works just the same if not better in my opinion. 

http://www.boots.com/en/Charles-WorthingtonCharles-Worthington-Volume-Bounce-Texturising-Spray_1330139/

I hope you found this post helpful in some way when it comes to hair care and i'll be back with another post tomorrow. 

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