THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU WANT A LITTLE BREAK FROM THE INTERNET

Hello everyone! The majority of us human beings now spend more time in the day on the internet than we do sleeping at night, me included. Obviously when your job revolved around the internet/social-media you are spending a lot of time online, as well as spending time online "off-duty" so to speak. With that in mind as much as we all love the internet, it is still nice to take a step back and have a little break from it for a while (even if it is just an hour). For today's post i thought i would share with you some great things to, when you need to escape and take that break (trust me it will do you good from time to time).

1. read a book, whether that be a paperback/hard back or kindle.

2. watch your favourite feel-good movie, or a new movie you haven't seen before.

3. go to the cinema with your friend/loved one.

4. listen to music.

5. give yourself a manicure/pedicure, i like to do this and listen to music.

6. go for a walk, whether that be simply down the street or in the woods/park.

7. give your wardrobe a clear-out/re-organise.

8. re-organise your makeup collection.

9. try out different hairstyles/makeup looks for fun.

10. binge-watch your favourite tv show/a new tv show.

11. have a gathering with friends/family with great food or drink and company.

12. read your favourite magazine.

13. write a journal, whether that be for work ideas or personal goals.

14. go on an adventure with someone to somewhere you are yet to visit.

15. bake or cook something.

16. have a relaxing bath with a bath bomb and light your favourite candle.

17. do a face mask.

18. colouring in an adult colouring book.

19. go grab a coffee from your favourite coffee shop.

20. take a nap (i mean we need to catch up on the sleep we miss from being online).

21. read a cookbook and take notes on what recipes you want to try.

22. go out for a few drinks with a friend and have a good gossip.

23. look through old pictures/create a new picture album.

24. have a family/friends board game night.

25. make a playlist filled with your favourite songs (technically this requires going on the internet but try to stray from spotify, iTunes or amazon ha ha). 

FAVOURITES FROM THE WEEK

Hello everyone! So a while back now rather than doing a monthly favourites post, i shared my favourites from the week and seeing as yet again i didn't do the traditional favourites from the month post, i thought why not do another favourites from the week style post. Some of these products were new to me last week and some have been favourites for longer than a week, but that being said i still can't stop reaching for them all week long.

 l'oréal paris hydra genius aloe water for normal/dry skin

So L'Oréal recently launched some new skincare pieces in the UK, this product being one of them and i was super intrigued to give it a go as soon as i saw it. I believe the concept of this product is suppose to be "duped" to the Lancome Engergie de Vie, as it is also a super liquid-like moisturiser. I fell in love with this product from the first use, as it is super hydrating/fresh on the skin yet still super lightweight feeling. This product comes out almost like a water texture and a tiny bit goes a long way, i find that one small pump is more than enough to cover the whole face/neck area and i have been applying this both morning and night. 

 barryM mist and fix dewy makeup setting spray

This is a product i have been using for a few weeks now, as i have actually been trying out one or two different setting sprays and in all honesty this one is my absolute favourite out of them all. I have really found myself getting into using them on an everyday basis now, especially now the weather is warming up and we need that face to stay on all day long without slipping around. As i am all about that glow/dewy finish that is the formula finish i went for, but this product also comes in a matte version and a primer water, which i am also intrigued to give a go as primer waters have also been something i have been loving for a little while now. 

soap & glory clean on me mini shower gel

I have used this particular shower gel on and off for years now and is probably my favourite soap and glory product, which i mentioned in a five shower gels you need in your shower for under £5 post a couple of months ago. That being said i picked one of the mini travel sizes up again for when i was travelling and now i can't stop reaching for it, so i am thinking i will be purchasing the full size of it again pretty soon.

barryM gelly hi shine nail paint in the shade peanut butter

I actually mentioned this particular nail polish in a post last week, as it has probably over taken all my other favourite nude polishes for first place prize (yes over barrym's winning streak and essie's spin the bottle). This shade peanut butter has been on both my finger and toe nails over and over again for about a month now, i just can't get enough of it. It is the most beautiful almost caramel/peach-y toned nude and has the classic hi shine gel finish to it, i love this particular formula as it lasts on my nails for so long without chipping. 

 topshop glow pot highlighter in the shade gleam

I have not been able to stop reaching for this product all week, in fact since the weekend when i finally picked one up. I have seen so many people use/rave about this cream highlighter pot from Topshop for a while now and seeing as i have been into using more cream style products recently, i thought i need to give this ago and oh my oh my it is stunning. I picked up the shade gleam which is a gorgeous golden/slightly rose golden cream highlighter, which is super pigmented yet easy to blend and leaves you glowing to the gods.

♥

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.  

♥

GET "UNREADY" WITH ME: WEEKEND EDITION

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you are up to and happy monday! So yesterday was sunday...obviously and for today's post i thought i would share with you my get unready beauty/pamper routine...

First things first you've got to get rid of that makeup and just lately i have been loving this combination of products. Firstly i take the Estée Lauder Eye Makeup Remover onto two cotton pads and i remove all of my eye makeup, then taking a small amount of the Estée Lauder Take It Away Lotion on my fingers and rubbing it all over the rest of my face and rinse with water. Next up is a facial exfoliator and i am loving this one from L'Oreal it is the Skin Perfection Radiance Revealing one, i just apply some of the product onto my fingers and then massage it all over my face before rinsing it away with a damp face cloth. 

 Bathroom pamper time, i decided to use this Candy Mountain Bubble Bar from Lush what i had still in my little Lush product stash along with the limited edition valentine's Prince Charming Shower Gel... which i am obsessed with (not as much as snow fairy though i must add). I also used some of the Scrub of your Life from Soap & Glory.

Seeing as my face is all squeaky clean and makeup free, it's time for some skincare. Firstly i like to apply some of the L'Oreal Skin Perfection Advanced Correcting Serum to my face and also my neck, next i also apply some of the Estée Lauder Advance Night Repair Serum mainly concentrating that around my eye area. Next up is moisturizer and i follow up using the L'Oreal Skin Perfection Anti Fatigue Perk-Up Cream, i also apply this all over my face and neck just as i did the Serum. Finally i apply some of the Estée Lauder Advanced Time Zone Eye Cream.

I had almost forgotten this step, you've got to take care of them lips just as much as your skin. I love this Bubblegum Lip Scrub from Lush as it just removes any dryness that has built up on your lips, whether that's from wearing lipstick all day, the cold weather or even a combination of the two.

It is almost time to put them pyjamas on (who else agrees that is the best part of the day?) but firstly i like to apply some of the Daily Smooth Body Butter from Soap & Glory to keep all of my skin feeling super silky smooth and soft.

And when all the beauty/pampering things are done it is time for the entertainment. Last tuesday i purchased this months new copy of Glamour magazine for the soul purpose that Jamie Dornan is on the cover *man crush alert* but i only just got around to reading it. Words can't describe how excited i am about going to watch the movie at the weekend. After some light reading and drooling at how gorgeous that man is it is time for some TV and the show i am hooked on right now is The Mysteries of Laura, which if you haven't heard or seen anything about the show, it is a police comedy/drama series starring Debra Messing who is fricking hilarious in general.

♥

JANUARY FAVOURITES

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you are up to! What the actual hell it is already the end of January, i swear it was only Christmas last week! I have actually had a pretty jam packed month and had lots of fun, but putting all that a side i have been loving a lot of new products as well as some old favourites in there. So here it is my January favourites...

Soap & Glory The Daily Smooth Body Butter -

I mentioned this a few posts back now in my "soap & glory favourites" and said how it was probably one of my favourite body butters of all time and this month it definitely has been. I can't quiet put my finger on how i can't find another as good as this one is, i love everything about it the smell, the way it leaves my skin feeling... just everything!

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Serum - 

In my last post i mentioned this product for the first time and how it had replaced my previous favourite serum which was the HydraQuench bi-serum by Clarins. I am so glad i gave this product a try because along with the matching moisturizer they make a perfect couple.

L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in the shade JLO's Nude -

I can't really say much about this lipstick as it is pretty much self explanatory as another nude lipstick... but a girl can never have too many nude lipsticks right? I have pretty much been wearing this on my lips everyday, perfect nude ever!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in the shade Soft and Gentle -

This product has always been a favourite go to highlighter of mine but until recently i had thought i had lost it and very almost went out and got another one. Then by magic when i decided to actually try and sort out my makeup collection, it appeared..phew! So ever since then it has been placed firmly where i can seen it.

Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner -

This product was recommended to me by my sister as she swears by it as it really helps when coming to brush and de-tangle her hair. This product has done wonders for my hair because i don't know if this has ever happened to anyone but if you have long hair and you are wearing a coat mainly ones with a hood attached, your hair can get very tangled and full of knots - which is not fun!

Zoeva Blush in the shade Shy Beauty-
This is possible the most stunningly beautiful blush i have ever worn (besides my favourite rose gold blush by sleek), it is one of them blushes that just looks like your old regular standard peachy shade blush but when you apply it just wow! I really can't put into words how beautiful it is.

Rimmel Brow This Way in the shade Dark Brown-
I have mentioned this in a couple of previous posts now, i am one of them people that is very fussy when it comes to brow products, i have to find that perfect shade of dark brown that doesn't come across red and make my eyebrows look ginger as my eyebrows are that dark but black is way too dark. I like to mix the powder side and wax side together and it creates the perfect shade for me. Another great thing about this product is how affordable it is!

Too Face Beauty Wishes and Sweet Kisses Palette-
I received this for Christmas and it had been on my wishlist since i first caught eyes with it when it was first released. It is such a go-to everyday palette when you are in a hurry as the majority of your makeup is in one place, eyeshadows, bronzer, blush, highlight and lip gloss. I must make a confession though my favourite thing about this palette is not only the cute packaging but how it smells of chocolate and who doesn't love chocolate?

♥

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.

♥

MY CURRENT TOP 5 FAVOURITE PALETTES

Hey guys, i hope you all had a great weekend and Happy Monday! So for today's post i thought i would give you a quick run down of my "current top 5 favourite palettes". Palettes are one of my favourite things about collecting makeup unlike individual shadows you can create several different looks from one place, which makes it so much easier...

1. W7 In The Buff eye shadow palette.

This eye shadow palette is my go to palette for either a neutral shades or browns and bronzes. The palette is super affordable, great quality pigmentation wise and is a really good dupe for the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette.

2. Urban Decay Naked 3 eye shadow palette.

 This is the perfect palette if you love your pink shades with a range of shadows from light to deep pinks/neutrals. I love that is has the perfect ratio of matte and shimmer eye shadows included. If any of you know that have tried Urban Decay shadows before you know that they have amazing staying power and are really easy to blend out.

3. The Balm Nude 'Tude eye shadow palette. 

I did a review a couple of months ago on this palette saying how crazy pigmented these shadows are and you literally only need to dab your brush on and off and tap off the excess. The colours in this palette are so versatile so you can create many different looks with it. I find myself going to this palette so much mainly for two shades "sassy" which is a perfect inner corner/brow bone highlight shade and "stand-offish" as it's the most beautiful champagne pink colour which looks great alone if you are in a hurry and want a shade that really opens up your eyes.

4. Soap & Glory Powder Trip bronze and blush palette.

I purchased this palette just after Christmas last year for half price in Boots which i think i got a complete bargain for it as the products are £11ish each and the palette only cost me only £10. Even thought palette appears quiet large it is very slimline and lightweight so it is still easy to travel with and you have your contour/blush/highlight in one place. 

5. Urban Decay Naked Basics eye shadow palette.

This palette would be great for you if you are either just starting out with make up or if you don't like to wear anything too crazy. I like to use this palette on the days where i don't want any colour on my lids but the shadows make your eyelids look like yours but better and then i use the black shade to create a cat winged liner effect.  

♥

GOODBYE JUNE, HELLO JULY

Hey guys, i hope you are all having a great day! Here we are again at the start of a new month, they just seem to keep coming quicker each time around. I have been loving so many different products this month, so without further a do here are my favourites from the month of June...

I have been loving so many new eyeshadow palettes this month and i have been switching between them all but my custom MAC palette is probably my favourite because i mean what beauty lover doesn't love MAC? This is a custom eyeshadow quad that i created myself  the shadows are:

Top Left - All That Glitters

Top Right - Satin Taupe

Bottom Left - Mythology 

Bottom Right - Espresso 

At the beginning of June i finally discovered that i could get my hands on the brand Essence from Wilko's of all places and i did a haul blog post on the items i bought here:

http://katiebeautyshake.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/makeup-monday-essence-haul.html

I bought two lip liners from the brand to try out and they are really nice lip liners, super pigmented and not drying on your lips. I loved them that much i had to go back and get a couple more and for 99p you really can't go wrong can you? The shades i have are:

06 Satin Mauve (My Favourite)

07 Cute Pink

11 In The Nude

12 Wish Me A Rose

Since i purchased this item i hadn't really tried it out much but then i ran out of my usual primer (L'Oreal Lumi Magique Base) and i reached for this. I love how soft this makes my skin feel as well as it minimizing the size of my pores which is what it's job is suppose to do. I don't think i would wear this product on itself but as a primer it does an amazing job.

As i have mentioned in a couple of previous blog post's i had fallen back in love with Soap & Glory products. I used to use this scrub religiously a while back and then my sister got me this as well as a Scrub of your Life for part of my birthday present and i am hooked again. This stuff leaves your skin feeling so soft afterwards as well as smelling amazing!!

Another body product i have been using everyday in June is The Body Shop Coconut Body Milk. Firstly this stuff smells so so so good (coconut always reminds me of holiday time), secondly it leaves your skin feeling really moisturized but it doesn't sit heavy on the skin it just sinks right in quickly and thirdly as it has a spray top it is super easy to apply.

If you have been reading my posts for while you will probably know that the Nivea face wipes were my go to favourite facial wipes well... that has now changed! Whilst i was in Wilko's buying the Essence items i thought i would pick up some more Nivea wipes then i noticed these and thought it couldn't hurt to try them. They remove your eye makeup so easily as well as them being really moisturizing on your skin, they have a really nice scent to them and you could get 4 packets of these for the price of one pack of Nivea at 75p for 25 wipes BARGAIN! 

Last up for my favourites is this Beauticology Vanilla Frosting hand and body lotion. I have bought this in a set just after Christmas in the sale and had completely forgotten about it, so i dug it out and decided to try it out. I have mainly just been using this as a hand cream, it is quiet a runny consistency and a little goes a long way but it is super hydrating and smells so good like cake.

Random Favourites:

TV Show: This is an obvious one seeing as Pretty Little Liars has started back, such a great show. I am so happy it has been picked up for two more seasons after this one.

Food: Not so much food but i have been obsessed with Starbucks Soy Coconut Mocha Frappuccino.

Music: This month i have been listening to "Change Your Mind" by Trey Songz pretty much everyday and more than once a day i am obsessed.

What is your favourite product of this month?

    

MAY EMPTIES

Hey guys, hope you are all having a great day whatever you are up to! So for the past few months now i have been sharing with you some of the products that i have actually all used up. Some of the items are recurring favourites and some are of things that i either liked but wouldn't try again and some i would never use again...

Tresemmé Keratin Smooth 60 second treatment.

I mentioned this product in my last empties blog post as well as a couple of other favourite's blog posts, i use this 60 second treatment once a week after my normal shampoo and conditioning routine. I keep stocking up on them as they are so inexpensive.

Tresemmé Keratin Smooth restore and control shampoo.

I purchased this travel size version of my current shampoo to take away with me whilst travelling. I just can't give enough credit to Tresemmé for their Keratin range, they have changed my hairs life! I have also recently started using the Keratin 7 day heat activated treatment which i am going to talk more about in a separate blog post coming soon.

Collection 16 Hour Lasting Perfection concealer in Light.

I have used this up to the point where it looks like there is still some product yet you can't get any out. This is one of those well loved concealers (as you can tell by the state of the packaging) that one will always be in my makeup collection as it is such good coverage.

Boots Botanics Cleansing face wipes.

For the longest time i have been sticking to the Nivea facial wipes and i really wanted to try something different, these were on offer at Boots for around £1.70ish i think and they are usually £3.49. I really didn't like anything about these which is a disappointment as the Botanics range is usually pretty good, i found the wipes to be really drying, didn't really remove any makeup off and they didn't smell that great. In the end i just used these for wiping any makeup i got on my hands, i wouldn't repurchase these again.

T-Zone Nose Pore strips.

I don't think i have ever really spoken about pore strips in a post before, the T-Zone ones are the only ones that i have ever tried that i can actually tell a difference afterwards with. So i never bother trying out any other brands but this one as i know i will be disappointed. Another bonus is they are so inexpensive at not even £2 for 6 nose strips.

Clarins HydraQuench moisturizing cream.  

I have mentioned previously that i wanted to change up my skincare products so i had been trying out the Clarins HydraQuench Introductory Collection which had smaller sized products in so i could just give them a try without spending too much money on something in case i didn't like it. I love this moisturizer so much and i am so sad that it has all gone, i just don't know whether it is worth spending the £35 for the full sized when i have also been enjoying a Clinique one also.

The Body Shop satsuma shower gel.

If i could marry a shower gel (which i have just realized sounds really creepy) then i would marry this shower gel, in fact all of The Body Shop shower gels, they all just smell so great!

Soap and Glory scrub of your life.

Previously i was a huge fan of Soap and Glory and then i got back into using The Body Shop products but just lately i have fell back in love with Soap and Glory. I have about 6 of these smaller sized body scrubs in my possession left from gift sets at Christmas, so i have yet to buy a full sized one. I love everything about it the smell, the way it leaves your skin feeling super soft and a great exfoliate before fake tanning.

Hope you all have an amazing weekend, whatever you have planned!