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.

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.

BEST OF BEAUTY: COCONUT

Hello everyone! So when it comes to summer well not just summer but more so in summer, i always seem to want to cover myself from head to toe in anything and everything coconut scented. It is in fact one of my favourite scents of all time, but it also has so many other great beneficial purposes and i have tried my fair share of coconut scented/infused products over the years. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you the best of beauty: coconut products, everything from hair to body and nails.

1. barryM coconut infusion nail paint polishes

I am a huge fan of barryM nail polishes in general but when they released this special formula which happens to be coconut infused, i was even more in love. These polishes bring some serious summer vibes to your nails, as well as keeping them hydrated and nourished. When they were first released i did a "mani monday" type of post with my favourite shade called Surfboard, which you can catch here.

2. lush cosmetics salted coconut hand scrub

Whilst on the topic of nails/hands, this is one Lush product that happens to be coconut themed and i can't live without it in my life. It is simply better than any hand cream you could buy, all you have to do it rub it into your hands and rinse under a warm tap, as easy as that you have super soft and hydrated hands that smell delicious. Even though some Lush products can be a little steep in price, a little of this goes a long way!

3. ogx nourishing coconut oil hydrating mist

Moving onto hair and something that needs some serious loving a lot more in the summer time, as i battle with keeping frizz at bay. By putting a little of this through the length of my hair once i have washed it, before i blow dry it really helps to keep the frizz away. This product really proves that coconut can help so many different problem areas in so many ways.

4. the body shop coconut shower cream

There are around 1000+ coconut fragrance shower gels/creams available from pretty much every brand, but to me there is nothing that beats The Body Shop's coconut formula/scent. At one point this is the only brand of shower gel i would ever use, which obviously means it is good. Another great coconut infused shower gel from The Body Shop is the summer limited edition Pinita Colada shower gel.  

5. the body shop coconut lip butter

Whilst we are talking about The Body Shop, this coconut lip butter is probably the only lip balm that i ever reach for now because it just does the job so well for me (along side the Lush lip scrub of course). This is a product that i reach for more than once a day every single day, it honestly does such an amazing job at keeping them chap-free and moisturised. If coconut isn't for you, you can get these in so many different scents.

6. sister & co cold pressed raw 100% coconut oil

If you want one of those one coconut product works for all products, then you can't get much closer to that than this. You can get 100% raw coconut oil from pretty much anywhere, but this sister & co cold pressed raw coconut oil has to be my favourite. You can use this on anything and everything from your hair, skin, face and you can even cook with it. My favourite way to use it personally besides to cook with, definitely has to be as a hair mask. I always do this around once or twice a month and i apply it all over and leave it for around 20-30 minutes before rinsing out.

7. ogx weightless hydration coconut water shampoo

I first mentioned this product in a tropical trends style post last month, which you can catch here if you didn't do so already. I said how i had recently started to give this a try and i was really enjoying it, as it literally adds so much moisture back into your hair. As you can probably tell coconut style products really help me out in my dry hair-type/skin-type situation.  

8. palmer's coconut formula body lotion

Finally, saving probably the best until last and yet another product i can't live without and one that i use every single day. This palmer's coconut formula body lotion has been my go-to for probably over a year now, i just love every single thing about it from the scent, how fast absorbing it is, helps keep your fake tan looking fresher for longer and most of all keeping that moisture locked in and hydrated for so long.

♥

TROPICAL TREND FOR SUMMER

Hello everyone! Now that we are well into spring and summer is just around the corner, i have found myself literally living for the whole "tropical" theme/vibe and i have noticed there are so many amazing pieces available at the moment. With that in mind for today's post, i thought why not share with you some of my favourite tropical themed finds from homeware, beauty and even phone cases.

1. skinny dip antigua makeup bag (£14)
If you have read quite a few of my posts, then you will probably already know that i am obsessed with skinnydip makeup bags and they are pretty much the only brand of makeup bag that i buy. I love how much you can fit in them, they come in cool prints just like this tropical print one and you can still see what product you are reaching for. I am going away soon so if you want to see an updated "what's in my travel makeup bag" post just like this one here, let me know on twitter.

2. bath and body works summer pocket bac hand sanitizer (£3.25)
I didn't know until recently you can actually pick up bath and body works famous pocket bac's up from eBay super easily, they have so many different scents, including their summer range. This particular scent is vanilla and warm amber, which combined is just as delicious smelling as a typical summer coconut scent.

3. ogx coconut water weightless hydration (£6.99 each)
Whilst on the subject of coconut, i actually recently started using this shampoo from ogx and i am really enjoying the way it smells/leaves my hair feeling. This particular formula of shampoo is designed to add a ton of moisture to your hair without weighing it down/leave it feeling heavy.

4. skinny dip flamingo print tangle teezer (£13.50)
On any normal day i will reach for a tangle teezer, as it is such a hair savoir for my long locks and i usually just use the regular plain pink one. That being said skinnydip have teamed up with tangle teezer with this super cool summery flamingo print brush, which would look amazing as part of your summer holiday wash-bag.

 5. skinnydip smoothie iphone case (£14)
Yet another skinnydip product and a brand i always go to for phone cases, as well as makeup bags because they also are always bringing out super cool designs. On their website at the moment, they have so many cool tropical/summery phone cases but this fruity smoothie case is probably my favourite, just as the peachy phone case/makeup bag is.

6. h&m mint green weave cushion cover (£8.99)
Moving on to more homeware style pieces, even more so this cushion cover by h&m (one of my favourite homeware places at the moment). If something was going to scream tropical trend to me, then this definitely would be it and it would look great paired with another block colour cushion or simply alone.

7. new look gold pineapple leaf plant (£5.99)
As well as the typical palm leaf print, anything pineapple themed always seems just as tropical and this artificial pineapple leaf plant with gold detailed vase is perfect to add just a touch of tropical vibes, in case you just wanted to add a little something without going too over the top.

8. village candle large frozen margarita jar (£14.95)
As some of you might know already that i am obsessed with candles and more specifically yankee candles, so of course i had to throw a candle into the mix. I am yet to try a candle from village candle, but i have heard some really great things about them and this frozen margarita scent really caught my eye, as what could be more summery than sipping a frozen margarita on a beach somewhere?

9. oliver bonas palm tree bottle opener (£14)
Another great homeware item to add just a touch of tropical vibes, in the form of a pineapple tree shaped bottle opener. This would look great on display at a summer bbq, party or get together, as well as being handy to open drinks with of course.

10. h&m palm leaf printed porcelain mug (£3.99)
Another h&m homeware item and one that comes in more than just mug form, as i actually already own the bowls and plates. I love the subtle gold leaf detailing on the tableware, as it is cool yet still quite classic looking. There particular mugs really remind me of the kind you get coffee in at a fancy restaurant or french café.

11. asos x ohh deer tropical palm agenda (£9.95)

Finally we have a more stationary/office homeware style piece, in the form of a agenda/diary book with this cool tropical palm print design. I love every single thing from the asos x ohh deer collection, as it is a stationary addicts dream and i also shared a similar notebook in a recent office/stationary decor finds post. 

♥