THE TIPS I SWEAR BY TO SAVE TIME IN THE MORNING | BEAUTY + LIFESTYLE

Hello everyone! So the majority of us as human beings (especially those of us who have to get up early in the morning) more often than none, struggle to get up and end up pressing snooze one too many times. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you another "tips i swear by" post, which if you didn't catch the first one it was all about self-love (post link). That being said this time i thought why not share my favourite tips to save time in the morning. By using these beauty and lifestyle hacks can save you so much time everyday/week, to either get more done in the day or if you simple want to hit that snooze button one more time...

1. prepare your breakfast the night before

The key step to saving time in the morning is by simply doing a lot of your prep the night before, including your breakfast. Breakfast is obviously one of the most important meals of the day, as it simply fuels you up and keeps your energy levels up to help you get things done. One of my personal favourites for this is overnight-oats. It is quick to make in the evening, nutritious/healthy, fills you up until lunch and most importantly tastes so good!

| my favourite overnight-oats recipe | 

mason jar with lid | 40 grams porridge oats | 80 millilitres unsweetened almond milk | 15 grams mixed dried fruit | 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon | yogurt (optional) i prefer it without |

2. pick out your outfit/s the night before or for the week

Another night before trick is to pick your outfit out ready including your shoes and accessories, making sure they are ironed/crease-free. By doing this it allows you to simply just put your clothes on and head out of the door, not be faffing around with the ironing board or not knowing what to wear. If you are feeling super organised, plan your outfits out for the week ahead on a Sunday evening (just make sure you check the weather forecast for the week ahead before and keep an umbrella or jacket always in your mind).

3. keep your beauty products down to the bare essentials

If you are just going about your day to day and aren't going to any special event, keep your makeup/beauty routine down to the bare essentials. This can cut at least 30-40 minutes off of your morning routine, especially if you have thoroughly cleansed/moisturised your face/body the night before. You can also use a product in a multi-purpose way, such as bronzer as an eyeshadow, a multi-purpose oil for face/body and hair or a lip tint as a blush.

 | my quick + easy everyday makeup for spring post is coming soon |

4. stay away from your phone

Always stay away from your phone whilst you are getting ready in the morning, i always leave mine on the other side of the room and have Spotify playing on my TV instead. By doing this you aren't tempted to keep picking your phone up and browsing through social media, emails and messages (also keep it on silent or do not disturb).

5. wash your hair/have a shower in the evening

Wash, dry/style your hair in the evenings this saves so much time, especially if you have long hair or it takes forever to dry. This can also allow you an extra 30+ minutes in the morning and you aren't left running around like an idiot because you are late, we have all been there right? If you were unable to wash your hair the night before, but it is in good need of a wash and you don't have the time then dry shampoo once again is going to be your BFF!

6. keep everything you need inside your bag

Finally, always keep everything you will need during the day or when you are out and about, inside your bag (with the exception of your phone of course). By doing this you aren't going to forget the things you need, especially money because there is no worse feeling than getting to the checkout in the shops and realising you have left your purse at home. I also like to keep duplicates of certain things in my bag never taking them out at the end of the day, such as headphones and duplicates of my favourite lip products. 

Catch up on my previous blog post HERE...
xo.

MY GO-TO HAIR PRODUCTS FOR SLEEK STRAIGHT HAIR | 2018

Hello everyone! For the past couple of months i have noticed that my current hair-care routine/product combination seems to be working in my favour, when it comes to achieving and maintaining sleek straight hair (as i naturally have frizzy/wavy hair). With that in mind and seeing has it has been about a year since i last did a hair routine post, i thought it was about time for an updated post.

1. ultimate blends coconut water dry hair shampoo + conditioner

So i first started using this shampoo/conditioner duo back in the summer time and i must admit i have switched up my shampoo from time to time, but i just keep going back to this combination as it works so well for my hair. As my hair type is frizzy/wavy it tends to get dry quite quickly so i often need all the help i can get for keeping both situations under control. Check out my first impression/review post on the Garnier Ultimate Blends shampoo and conditioner here. Whilst on the subject of shampoo i do only wash my hair between 2-3 times a week, as i find by not over washing it your hair benefits for it in the long run and looks healthier for longer.

2. l'Oréal professionel mythic oil masque
Every once in a while i like to go in with a hair masque or treatment, just to really nourish my hair and give it an extra shine. What i will do is apply to the ends of my hair, leave it in for about an hour before rinsing in the shower and then going in with my shampoo duo. By doing a hair masque every now and again can also simply cheer you up, by making you feel a little pampered. This particular one is a favourite of mine, as it really works well for my hair and out of every hair masque i have tried this one definitely has that "salon" quality finish to it.

3. ogx renewing moroccan argan oil

This product has been a hair saviour for me for so many years now, as it is truly that one product that will always protect and control the frizz. Just by adding a small amount of this and running it through the ends of my hair once towel dried, helps keep my hair soft yet manageable as well as protecting my hair against UV damage. Even though this product is an oil it doesn't leave your hair feeling full of product or "greasy" looking in the slightest, hence why it is always best to only apply leave-in products and conditioners to the lengths of your hair and not the root. The only thing i ever apply to my roots is shampoo or dry-shampoo on a non-hair washing day.

4. l'Oréal elvive dream lengths no haircut cream

This is actually a new product that i have been reaching for this month and one that i am really enjoying using, as i have noticed an instant change in my hair and it looks so much more healthy and has literally reduced the appearance of any hair breakage. Just like the argan oil i also apply a small amount of this to the ends of my hair before blow drying, which is where a lot of damage can come from not only from the heat but also from any breakage hair brushes can cause.

5. ultimate blends oat milk heat protection spray

Protecting your hair from heat is such an important step to keeping your hair looking and feeling healthy, as heat can be the worst thing when it comes to hair damage. This is a step i never skip before either straightening or curling my hair, at the moment this is my go-to heat protection spray as i picked it up whilst Ultimate Blends products were on offer for 3 for 2. I also figure that if oat milk tastes amazing in coffee then surely it is going to be good for your hair right? I also find ever since using this/the other combination of products together, my hair stays straighter for longer and i don't have to use as much heat on it as i would of had to before.

6. mark hill miracOILous nourishing hairspray
The final step to my sleek straight hair is always a small amount of hairspray, just to help tame any fly away hairs as well as adding more of a shine. I used to be super fussy with my hairspray but now i just tend to pick up which ever is on offer at the time, that being said this particular one from Mark Hill is a favourite of mine because it always tends to give a better finish to the hair and it doesn't leave any crunch/crisp to the hair like some brands of hairsprays can yet it still does the job.

the hair tools i use for blow-drying + straightening my hair:
| tangle teezer original pink fizz | ghd air hairdryer set | tangle teezer blow styling smoothing tool half paddle | ghd pink blush platinum styler |

xo.

WHAT'S ON MY BEAUTY CHRISTMAS WISHLIST

Hello everyone! With Christmas Day only being one week away, i thought it was about time that i shared what has been written on my beauty Christmas wishlist to Santa this year. Obviously now that i am older i don't post a letter off to the North Pole, instead i tend to drop "subtle" hints on what i would like instead.

1. | jouer cosmetics powder highlight trio gift set | £35 |

If you have read quite a few of my posts then first of all you will know how obsessed with highlighters i am, second of all you will know the shade Topaz from Jouer is one of my favourites. That being said mine is actually broken so it now proves difficult to use it, so i would love to get my hands on this trio of the highlighters this Christmas as i would not only have a new Topaz but also the other two shades from the range.

2. | bobbi brown luxe lip colour lipstick | £27 |

If anyone is stuck on what to get me for Christmas, the safe option is a lipstick and more specifically a nude lipstick and i am obsessed with how beautiful and perfect this new Bobbi Brown luxe lip colour lipstick is, from being the perfect nude/pink shade to its equally beautiful packaging.

3. | zoeva matte eyeshadow palette | £18 |

When it comes to eyeshadows i am all about the warm tones and the warm neutrals to be more specific. so when i spotted this new eyeshadow palette from Zoeva i instantly fell in love and it is perfect as recently i am obsessed with a warm matte eye look.

4. | zoeva aristo blush palette | £13 |

I have mentioned several of these little trio "blush" palettes from Zoeva, as they are some of my favourite things out of my whole collection. The quality/formula of the powders are simply beautiful and not to mention super easy to travel with, as they are so compact. The thing that attracts me to this new one the most, is the highlight shade as it looks stunning!

5. | bareMinerals gold obsession chandelight glow illuminator | £32 |

Talking of highlighters and yet another one that i am lusting over, is one from bareMinerals which is a brand i have become obsessed with this year and i use their bronzer every single day. This is such an amazing gift to give/receive as it is not only boxed beautifully but it is also limited edition for Christmas time only.

6. | gucci bloom eau de parfum | £52-£99 |

Who doesn't love to receive perfume for Christmas/Birthday's? because i know i do, as perfume can be expensive and who wants to spend that themselves right? I actually have my eye on a couple of perfumes that i love the scent of, this new one by Gucci is one of them (i love the fresh scent and packaging) and i also love the lancome la vie est belle too.

7. | ghd white platinum styler | £165 |

Finally we have something on my wishlist that should probably be at the top, as it is the thing i am most desperate for and that is a new pair of straighteners. I have honestly had mine for so long now and i can tell they are on their way out now, so that makes me desperate as i can't live without one. I have always used GHD ones, as they just work the best with my hair. Even though it is the most expensive gift on the wishlist, it is the thing that would get the most use.

Catch up on last week's blog post instalments...

| current non-beauty favourites | christmas pinterest diy inspiration | my favourites picks from my beautybay (30% off black friday) order |

xo.