AMAZON'S CHOICE MUST-TRY BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Hello everyone! So Amazon is that place you can go to and pretty much find anything/everything, from books/dvd's, homeware, DIY, electronic products and of course beauty products. Amazon have a bunch of different makeup/beauty items which are sold directly from them and not other seller's, so you know you aren't going to be getting someone's already opened or over-priced unwanted purchases. Amazon also have a wide range of "Amazon's Choice" products, which are all products that come highly recommended. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of my personal favourite must-try beauty products, that are available under Amazon's Choice with free delivery on orders over £20 and selected subscribe and save items... 

l'Oréal paris infallible pro-glow foundation

So first up we have one of my favourite foundations of the year, which is in-fact an Amazon exclusive in the UK and it is the only official site that stocks the product. I did a first impression/review post which you can find all about the foundation in detail here.

maybelline fit me matte + poreless foundation

Sticking with the foundation theme and another favourite of mine, this time my all time favourite foundation. I always used to pick mine up from either Boots or Superdrug, but that was until i realised it was well over £1 cheaper on Amazon...so now i bulk buy and i always have some in stock!

sleek makeup highlighting palette

If you are an avid YouTube watcher, then you will probably already know how these Sleek highlighter palettes are always highly spoken about. Not only do they have super luxurious metal packaging, they are also super pigmented and come with a mixture or super lightweight powder and cream highlighters.  

rimmel london 60 seconds super shine nail polish

So Amazon's choice for nail polish is also a huge favourite of mine and i always opt for these colours when i am not in the mood to wait for over an hour for my polish to dry, as they are the only "quick dry" polishes that i actually think work as they say they should. Not only are they quick to apply, they are super affordable, come in a wide shade range and are long-lasting without chipping. My personal favourite is the shade Let's Get Nude.

l'Oréal sublime bronze self-tan summer glow lotion

I am one of those people that much prefers to opt for gradual tan lotions when it comes to my tanning routine, as it is super easy and quick to do. I definitely have tried my fair share of gradual tan from different brands and this one is definitely in my top three, along side the st moriz gradual tan which you can also pick up on Amazon.

palmer's coconut oil formula leave-in conditioner

I am obsessed with anything with a coconut fragrance and i have used this particular leave-in conditioner summer after summer, as it not only helps keep frizz at bay but it also leaves your hair smelling like summer holiday's. Leave-in conditioners are perfect if you are in a rush, or if you simply struggle with tangled hair once you have washed it. You can also pick up other item's from the range, as well as other drugstore brands.

real techniques miracle complexion sponge x2

This particular Amazon's choice selection is not only an accurate choice but also a complete bargain, as they stock a two pack of the sponge for just £6.66 rather than £10.99 or more. I use this sponge pretty much every time i do my makeup and i couldn't be without it, as you get a flawless and even finish. 

prodigueux by Nuxe Shower Oil with Golden Shimmer

So for the final item that is definitely more of a splurge but definitely a must-try product, is this shower gel from Nuxe. My go-to facial oil is the multi dry oil from the brand, which i use every single day both morning and night. That being said i had only tried that one thing from the brand and wanted to give something else a try. This shower oil has the same scent as the oil, that leaves you with a slight golden shimmer but nothing too major and is perfect for summer. The fact that you can also pick up higher end brands from Amazon, makes ordering so much easier.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

xo.

SUMMER BEAUTY HACKS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Hello everyone! Let's be honest Summer is pretty much the best season there is, right? I mean there is no better than feeling the sun/warm on your skin. That being said the warm weather can make your skin not be happy, leaving you looking like a sweaty mess when wearing your regular makeup, hair or skincare routine. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite Summer beauty hacks, that actually make a huge difference...

 1. switch out your winter favourites, replacing them with summer favourites

Ditch the super heavy smoky eye looks, replacing them with something light/simple like a shimmery gold eye look or a simple neutral shade blended out. Step away from the vamp-y lip shades, replacing them with a simple nude/glossy lip or tinted balm. Natural glowing skin, is a summer must.

2. how to stop your eyelids from creasing

I know for me something i do struggle with when the weather is warm is eyeshadow creasing, which never happens during the winter months. This is where a good eyeshadow primer does come in handy, such as the Urban Decay Primer Potion as nothing will budge if you are wearing this. 

3. how to stop your mascara from transferring

This is such a simple hack but an extremely effective one to stop your mascara from transferring onto your under-eye area or eye lids, which is to switch out your regular go-to mascara for the waterproof version. I know waterproof mascara can be a pain to get off at the end of the day, but with the right eye-makeup remover you will be mascara free in seconds.

4. use the foundation you know works well for you

If you are opting for foundation or a tinted moisturiser in the summer, make sure it is one that you know is going to last in the heat or one that is specifically designed to last the duration. Some of my favourites are the Maybelline Fit Me, Estée Lauder Double Wear or Double Wear Nude.

5. exfoliate/moisturise regularly

When it comes to summer taking care of your skin especially your legs, as you are obviously going to be shaving/removing hair more often than you probably would in winter. Exfoliating your skin is super important as it reduces the chances of getting ingrown hairs, as well as any dead skin. Moisturise your skin straight after shaving, that is going to drastically reduce any irritation.

6. argan oil/oil's will be your best friend

Humidity can be a pain, especially on certain hair types (mine included) you can do your hair perfectly straight until you step out into the heat, then you look more like Simba from the Lion King. A simple trick to prevent/ease frizz is by adding Argan Oil to the lengths of your hair after washing and before styling. Argan Oil is really good for also keeping your skin super hydrated.

7. keep your feet feeling/looking fresh

Obviously in summer you are wearing sandals/having your feet on display a lot more than you would during winter. So keeping your feet and heels, looking/feeling fresh is a must and an easy way to keep the cracked heels away is to simply apply either vaseline or foot cream to your feet every night before bed.

 8. invest in a setting spray

Another great way of keeping your makeup in place all day long, is to invest in a good setting spray. You can apply a small amount before and after applying makeup to help lock it into place, as well as applying more through-out the day to freshen/re-hydrate your skin. Setting spray is a great way of avoiding applying layers and layers of powders, when touching up.

9. use more cream/liquid form products rather than powders

During summer wearing too many powder form products can feel super heavy on the skin, just like i mentioned with the whole using setting spray over powder for touch-ups. The products you can switch from powder to cream/liquid form are blush, contour and highlighter. Cream/liquid products once blended out, also look a lot more natural unlike some powders.

10. disguising those tan lines

Hate wearing a certain outfit that shows off a different outfits/swimsuits awkward tine lines? You can disguise/cover them instantly simply by applying a little moisturiser to the white line areas before applying a little self-tan to the same areas, making sure you blend it out of course to make it look as natural as possible.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

PRODUCTS I SWEAR BY FOR DRY SKIN

Hello everyone! So we all have different skin types, whether that be normal, normal to dry, oily or normal to oily skin and if you are like me mainly dry skin. Having dry skin can be such a pain at times, but with the products i use on a everyday basis it is pretty easy to keep your skin hydrated. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you, the products i swear by for keeping dry skin hydrated from face to body products.

soap and glory scrub of your life

I have used scrub of your life for years and it is the only body scrub i reach for now, i have tried so many in the past but non live up to the results of this one. I always use this to remove my fake tan/exfoliate my skin ready for a fresh application, doing this makes sure no tan clings to any dry patches you might have. 

mac cosmetics studio moisture cream

So i have been using this moisturiser since around November of last year, as it is probably one of the best moisturisers i have ever tried and i can't believe how well it works for me. It is a super rich formulated moisturiser but it doesn't sit heavy on the skin or leaves your skin looking greasy and the best part of the product is how hydrated it leaves your skin. This is one of those moisturisers perfect for using right before makeup application, as it sinks into the skin pretty fast, locking in the moisture.

the body shop coconut lip butter 

This lip butter from the body shop is one of those products that i have reached for again and again over the years, as it is amazing for that instant lip hydration fix. Having chapped lips is probably the worst forms of dry skin to have, whether it is down to cold/hot weather or even liquid lipsticks that dry your lips out but this lip butter always fixes the issue and my favourite flavour to get is obviously the coconut one. 

manuka doctor brightening facial oil

If you read my posts often then you will have probably already seen my talk about this facial oil on several occasions, in fact it is pretty much something i reach for every single day since getting it and now i am onto my second bottle. Facial oil will change your skin completely if you are a dry skin sufferer like i am and i shared my favourite little beauty hack that will change your foundation application game forever here.

lush cosmetics salted coconut hand scrub

Ever since i have been using this product i haven't suffered from dry hands at all, which also cut the amount of hand cream i used to go through right down. I always use this right before i give myself a manicure, rubbing it into my hands before rinsing away with warm water and then you are left with super soft feeling hands. 

palmer's coconut oil body lotion

Yet again another coconut scented product ironically and another product that i pretty much only reach for in terms of body lotion, as it is my favourite. I love how easy this body lotion sinks into the skin, locking in the moisture and isn't greasy feeling in the slightest. My favourite perk of the product putting the hydration factor aside, is how long the scent lasts for as a lot of body lotions scents disappears too quickly.  

♥

DESERT ISLAND: BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you are up to and happy march! I am so excited that spring is on it's way and fingers crossed it brings some warmer weather with it, as i am getting fed up of this cold now. Talking of warmer weather, when faced with the challenge of only choosing a handful or so beauty items you could take with you onto a dessert island, what do you choose? Do you go down the oh so practical route such as mosquito sprays and anti-histamines? or do you go down the sun kissed glow goddess route? or even a mixture of both? It is such a hard decision to make when usually when taking a vacation or trip, you can just throw it all in one massive bag. Saying that after thinking about it carefully i put together a mixture of essential items that i would take with me, which has a mixture of practical and some holy grail items...

1. Garnier Ambre Solaire Dry Mist SPF 50 -

I put this at the top of the list as it is probably the most practical product in the mix, seeing as it is a desert island it is probably going to be incredibly hot and very sunny. You should always protect your skin from the sun by wearing a SPF a) so you don't burn and b) will help protect your skin from getting sun damage, which can be very harmful! 

2. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Miraculous Recovery Intense Masque -
Humidity and my hair will forever be enemies, if i step out in heat for a second without using some sort of frizz-ease product to prevent me from looking like Simba from The Lion King. This Intense Masque from the range is definitely one of my favourites to help keep that frizz at bay.

3. Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue in Cool -
This is hands down my favourite lip balm at the moment, it is super hydrating which you would need for your lips in such weather and it also adds a really pretty shine. So in my opinion that covers both the practical and non practical sides in one!

4. Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in Light -
Another amazing holy grail product for me by Maybelline ,this is my favourite concealer ever it's super brightening under the eyes and is very long lasting without creasing. One of the amazing things about this concealer is that it's a really good coverage without being a thick consistency.

5. Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara in Extreme Black -
For me if i had to choose out of eyeshadow and mascara, mascara would win by a mile. Mascara just completely changes the way any makeup look appears and i would feel/look naked without it. In a more practical sense you would probably want to adapt to a waterproof version.

6. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle -
This product is just one of those i couldn't possibly leave behind because i love it too much. I own a wide range of highlighting powders but none of them make the cut like this one does, it's just stunning and would look even more amazing with a killer tan.

7. Extras -
If even after all of those products you could sneak in a few more obvious essentials i would go for it and take items such as, shower gel, razor, shampoo and a good body moisturizer.

I would love to know if you have ever really sat down and thought what items you would take with you onto a "desert island"?
♥

SOAP AND GLORY FAVOURITES

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you are up to! Many of us all know Soap and Glory is probably the most loved drugstore brand when it comes to all things shower/bath and pampering related. So for today's post i thought i would share with you my favourite products and a little little bit about why i love them as much as i do...

The Daily Smooth Body Butter - £9

I decided to start off with this body butter as it is hands down the winner of them all for me. I have tried out so many different brands of body lotions/butters but none of them do it for me like this one does. I love everything about it the incredible softness it leaves my skin feeling as well as its heavenly scent of rosehip seed oil and cocoa butter, with the famous mist you madly scent. 

Scrub 'Em and Leave 'Em Body Buff - £8

This product is also scented with the mist you madly scent as well as babassu oil, sea salt, jojoba and mandarin oils. Whenever i unscrew the lid i have to take in a good smell it smells that good. Like every soap and glory product does it leaves your skin feeling ultra soft and smelling delicious. I do prefer this over the "scrub of your life" (which i will get onto next) but it's only downside as it isn't a very shower friendly product unlike a squeezy tube is.

The Scrub of Your Life - £7

This is definitely the perfect exfoliater for the shower as it is easier to use with the way its packaged unlike trying to struggle to open and close a tub with wet hands. I also like that when you rinse the product off it just washes away straight away unlike some other brand products can take some rinsing off. The scent of this scrub is their original Pink fragrance and is very fresh smelling.

Hand Food Hand and Nail Cream - £2.50 (Travel Size)

Hands down the best hand cream i have ever tried and that is probably why i have found myself having around 5 or 6 back up ones. I always buy the the travel size ones as they are perfect handbag size and i always have one permanently living in my bag. This is also their Pink Fragrance as well as being infused with shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow. The soul purpose of this being the best hand cream is not only it's amazing scent but also the fact it is a non-greasy formula.

♥

SHOWER POWER (MORNING ROUTINE)

Hey guys, i hope you are all having a great day whatever you are up to! So we all know what it can be like when it comes to morning time. Getting out of bed early many of us (including me) are partial to pressing the snooze button on the alarm more than once and then everything becomes a rush. For today's post i thought i would share with you the products i use in my "morning routine" for when i am in a hurry and have barely any time for a good pamper session...

First things first i like to step into the shower and i actually apply my conditioner first, at the moment i am using the John Freida Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery masque and i leave that on the ends of my hair for about five minutes whilst i am getting on with everything else. 

Whilst the conditioner is on i like to wash my body/shave my legs etc and at the moment i am using this Wild Argan Oil Shower Gel from The Body Shop which i did a blog post on earlier this week. 

After i have done that i just rinse off the hair masque and then it's time for shampoo which i mostly concentrate it to the top and underneath of my hair, this week i starting using this particular one by Galvin & Galvin which i picked up at the supermarket. As you might already know i am not one to commit to shampoo's but this stuff is amazing, if you are looking for a deep cleaning shampoo to get rid of product build up or just as a pick me up for your hair then i definitely recommend trying this out!

Once out of the shower and i am all dried off it's all about the body lotion. I am currently using the matching body lotion to the shower gel which again is from the Wild Argan Oil Range from The Body Shop. I really prefer their body lotions over the butters now as i think the butters are a little bit too thick in consistency for my liking. So i just apply this all over my body and then it's time to move onto my skincare.

Firstly i like to wash my face, i always use the Elemis Skin Glow Face Wash which is an exfoliating face wash. I just apply to my face and neck then remove it afterwards using a damp face cloth. 

After my face is all clean it's time for the last part, moisturizing! First i apply the Clarins Bi-Sérum all over my face and then i take the Sanctuary Spa Night Concentrate Cream, even though it says night concentrate i use it morning or night and i only apply it around my eye area. Finally i apply my moisturizer and at the moment i am using the Olay 2in1 hydration+primer in one.

♥ 

TRIED IT OUT TUESDAY: EMPTIES

There is always something satisfying about finishing a product, whether it is because you loved the product so much that you can't wait to repurchase or you are just glad to have used it up.
Here are some of the products that i have used up recently...

Batiste Dry Shampoo in the floral and flirty blush scent.

Batiste is definitely the dry shampoo of choice for me as it really does the job well but i don't think i would repurchase this particular scent again, when i bought this particular one it was because they didn't have my favourite scent (oriental).

Clean & Clear morning energy daily facial scrub.

I love love loved this facial scrub and i have already repurchased this item. I like to use it in the morning time as it really does as it says makes me feel awake and refreshed.

NSPA nourishing eye and lip treatment.

I have a love/hate relationship with this lip balm, it says it can be used under the eyes but i never used it for that, i just used it as a lip balm. It really did its job by re-hydrating my lips but i hated the consistency. I don't think i would re purchase this item as i feel there is so many better quality products available.

Nivea gentle facial cleansing wipes in dry and sensitive skin.

I always purchase different facial wipes but then go back to these as i never like any other brands as much as these. They smell great, remove makeup well and doesn't dry my skin out. I have already repurchased.

L'Oreal gentle eye makeup remover.

This is the third or forth time i had repurchased this eye makeup remover as for a long time it was my go to holy grail item but i had found a better remover which i preferred over this one. I don't think i will repurchase this one anymore.

Impulse body spray in into glamour.

I love impulse body sprays and the majority of them smell really nice but i would have to say this is my favourite scent hands down and i will continue to repurchase this one over and over.

The Body Shop vitamin e cream cleanser.

I mentioned this cream cleanser in my February Favourites blog post previously, i got this small size in a gift with purchase set from The Body Shop and i am obsessed with it. So if you are looking for a really great cleanser i definitely recommend this one. I have already purchased the full size.

L'Oreal mega volume collagene 24hr mascara in black smoke.

I have mentioned this mascara in so many blog posts previously, i am obsessed with this mascara. It doesn't only just give volume to my lashes it really gives them length, i just love everything about it. I have a couple of other mascaras to use up first and then i am going to repurchase this one without a doubt.

What products have you been using up lately?

Katie♥