Elegant Touch Envy Wraps

Hello! It's been a while, I've had my head burried under university books, and I'm currently in the middle of my four consequtive day exams....ouch I know.

Anwyays, I've never tried nail wraps before so jumped at the chance at these Elegant Touch Envy wraps. They come in many designs/colours so there's plenty to choose from! I opted for the candy sprinkle.

They come with a nail file and instructions. They are super easy to use!

Make sure the nails are dry and clean

Apply wrap according to suitable nail size

File down any excess (I had a lot of excess so used scissors and then file)

Smooth down.

They are around £5 and are available from Superdrug, Boots, and John Lewis.

Mine lasted five days before getting a little tatty around the edges but I'd been at work and had the occasional nibble (exam stress).

Definitely worth it for holidays!

| What I Wore In Barcelona |

Hey folks, tonight I got back from a lovely little two night trip to Barcelona and let me tell you, it's breathtaking.I'll be writing up a blog post with all my Barcy pictures, but as a request of Hannah, I'm doing a little and very quick outfit post on what I wore whilst I was away! 

 Hat : French connection 

Shirt : Topshop, here!

Jeans : Cheap Monday

Leather Jacket : Last year Topshop

Boots : Toshop Chelsea boots, here!

Dress : Next outlet two years ago

Boots: Topshop Chelsea boots as above.

Remember, you can follow me at Bloglovin' HERE!

Lauren x

Lily Lulu Designs!

 

 

 *What I'm wearing: hat-French connection, Pinafore -Topshop, *Blouse -LilyLuly Design, Boots-Kurt Geiger*

This is my first outfit post, don't laugh, I look nervous and unsettled I know hehe!

 

The lovely team at Lily Lulu Designs based in Manchester got in touch with me recently and ever since, I've been trawling through their Asos Marketplace. I opted for the oxblood coloured blouse with a leather studded colour. I love this colour anyway, but when contrasted with a black leather colour, it stands out even more. I recently picked up this pinafore from Topshop (yes, it looks very creased and yes, I forgot to iron it) but I reckon it looks great with this blouse. I matched it up with last years Kurt Geiger boots, one of my favourite items in my wardrobe.

Lily Lulu is a team of fashion enthusiasts who are starting up their selling platform. They have lots to offer, from dresses, coats, leather skirts and blouses and the list goes on. They are a friendly Northern company spreading it's wings, watch this space. 

You can find their Asos Marketplace HERE!

Their facebook HERE!

Their twitter HERE!

p.s. They have a FANTASTIC giveaway going on soon so keep your eyes peeled!

Magnifibre Brush-On False Lashes

 

* MAGNIFIBRE BRUSH ON FALSE MASCARA  RRP £19.50 

 Brush on false lashes? Hmph, how does that work?!

That was my first reaction too. I hate wearing false lashes, I'm that girl who spends an hour putting them on only to rip them off 20 minutes later, I'm never satisfied with how they look and I end up having more lashes and glue on my hands than on my eyes. 

When I came across 'Magnifibres' I thought it was worth me trying so I could spend less money on false lashes to then never wear them. Also, I use 7 layers of mascara and cant get it off at the end of the night.

Magnifibres is like a brush on mascara application that increases volume to your natural lashes and also increases length for those looking for lengthy glam lashes.

Step one : Apply your normal mascara

Step two : Apply Magnifibre wand to wet eyelashes but look downwards

Step three : Wait 60 seconds and apply second coating of your own mascara

I was really pleased with this product and delivered beyond my expectations. Although it may look like cobwebs on the end of a wand, It really does volumise the lashes. ( I had a compliment today!!)  Take off with your normal cleanser!

So much less hassle than false eyelashes and at £19.50 it will keep your lashes looking good all night and you don't have to worry about half your lashes crawling down your face!

You can buy at LookFantastic HERE

Lauren x 

To follow me at Bloglovin, click this! 

Ruby Red : Natural Botanical Body Cleanser

 

* RUBY RED  NATURAL BOTANICAL REVIVING BODY CLEANSER RRP £32 (500ML)

This little gem appeared in my bathroom over the festive period and it's become a firm favourite in my shower routine. Everything about it is refreshing and soothing on the body.

Ruby Red is a company based on natural botanical ingredients for sensitive skins types that are irritated by harsh chemicals in every day street brands. This cleanser is oil based and aims to revive the skin by reaching underneath it, this is what I need, something that really does great for the under layer of skin which gives you an overall healthy glow. No chemicals are used in their products and they are not animal tested!

This cleanser may seem a little steep in price, but it's worth the money if you intend to have the perfect body cleanser by your bath tub for a good few months! There's lots to it and you only need a couple of drops as it lathers perfectly! Massage into damp skin and rinse off under warm water! It smells divine, with ingredients of Aloe Vera, Coriander, Mandarin, Lime and Cedarwood, it's a perfect relaxing shower treat!

Have you tried it? Have you used Ruby Red before?

Ojon Dry Recovery Review

 

OJON DRY RECOVERY SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER 250ML RRP £18 AND £19.50

 I've recently had my hair dip dyed and I always knew that this came with the consequences of dry and brittle ends. I searched around Youtube for some hair care routines and noticed Lily Pebbles really recommended this brand. I have always been too reluctant to purchase any Ojon because of the price tag that comes with it - a hefty £18 for the shampoo and £19.50 for the conditioner (both 250ml)... OUCH!

However, with my John Lewis partnership discount, Ojon pulled my arm and persuaded me to buy the set.
To be honest with you all - I haven't seen great results, and this makes me sad.

Compared to a average high street conditioner such as L'Oreal or Tresemme, there isn't a great difference. I acknowledge that there is less chemicals and greater natural goodness in Ojon bottles such as Ojon oil, Blue Agave, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Babassu Oil but the results seem to be the same?!

I haven't tried any of their other products yet and I would love to try their hydrating masks, I hear great things about these! Maybe my hair is beyond dry and it will take a little more than a conditioner to help?

Here's where you guys come in, please link any hair care posts for dyed hair below in my comments box. Have you tried Ojon before? Have you tried their ranges/masks/oils? What did you think?

 Help me out guys!

Betrousse Beauty box review

Hello ladies,

I call myself a beauty blogger yet I have never tried a beauty box before.....HMPH! The time has never come around for me to try one out and my bank balance would certainly disagree as a student living out! The kind ladies behind 'Betrousse' offered me to review their fairy box which was sent out during the Christmas period, and I was really happy with the results.

Unlike most beauty box companies, you get full sized products, no samples (We like this!) More for our money and the products last longer than two weeks, giving it a sturdy test over time!

*£97 worth of products and only for £19 exluding p&p

Want a little sneak peek into what I got?

SKINETICA, ANTI-BLEMISH 100ML £9.99 & LABORATOIRE LDA-SOINS EXPERTS HYDRA CREAM EXPERT 50ML £34

FORTE PHARMA UK TURBOSLIM CHRONOACTIV 28 TABLETS £29.95 & CHARME D'ORIENT BODY MASSAGE CREAM 100ML £16

SAFFRON LONDON CRACKING POLISH 75P & MONTAGNE JEUNESSE DEAD SEA MUD SPA MASK £1.49

& BETROUSSE TEMP TATTOO TRANSFERS £5

I have to admit I was really chuffed with everything, I've been testing it this week and I'll be putting up the reviews in the upcoming weeks. I won't be trying the diet pills, they're not my kind of 'cosmetic'. I'm quite content with my figure/weight at the moment and don't believe in pills to make it better but as far as diet pills go, these are widely used and are promoted by magazines such as Cosmo!

So what do you think? Are you interestd to try?

Here is the link : BETROUSSE ( the next box looks amazing!)

I wish the best of luck to this French company!

Lauren xo

Adventures : Switzerland

Howdy, something different on the blog today!

What springs to mind when you think of Switzerland? Cheese? Bankers? Swiss Air? Hot chocolate ? Or maybe those snowy Alps?

Well, I am lucky enough to have a brother who lives in Zurich, so I couldn't give up the chance to go. I've been twice, once on a mini adventure and secondly to do some work experience in the university of Zurich economics research department (YES, it was scary). BUT, back to the point Lauren, you can enjoy the countryside, opt for a ski in the alps or do a little bit of city sight-seeing.

 Zurich ; is one of the richest cities in the world, you might have to break your piggy bank if you want to do a little shopping. However, there is SO much more to do there without breaking the bank. For a mini weekend away, it's perfect!

I visited Zurich initially, where I took strolls alongside the river, ( you can even travel down a few of the rivers in a doughnut ring!!) had a bite to eat just round the corner of the richest hotels and businesses, took myself off to the Zurich zoo (It's huge) and had a beautiful relaxing drink in the sunshine overlooking the city.

I took the train from Zurich station to Bern where I then caught the train to Interlaken ( the train journey is beautiful, the railway takes a route alongside the peaceful and beautiful lakes between the mountains, almost as if the railway is on the edge of the water). I then took a little train up to the mountains of Grindelwald. With snowy mountains(Mount Eiger included), wood cabins and cows with bells, this is the PERFECT romantic getaway. It's also amazing for those outdoor sports people, you can ski, snowboard, hike and take a zip wire through the mountains!!)

I stayed at a beautiful little wooden hotel overlooking Mount. Eiger, it was incredibly peaceful and the view was INCREDIBLE,one of the best I've ever seen. I remember waking up, looking out and thinking ' Is this real?' I was able to sunbathe on my balcony whilst overlooking snowy mountains, incredible. I also witnessed a few Avalanches......
I travelled toWengen which is 1,274m up into the mountains, the air is definitely fresh.
If you're feeling brave, you can head up to the Jungfrau region(4,158m) where you can stand at the highest point of Europe, also one of the Bond films was filmed up there too! It's a place of natural beauty but great happenings.

It's a truly beautiful place, and there is so much to discover, save those pennies! You can usually get cheap-ish flight with 'Swiss Air' if you book in advance!
Have you been before? Would you like to?
Any questions, feel free to leave a comment or ask me on twitter : @smokeyblush

Here are a few snaps, mostly taken with phone/little camera, so excuse the photography!

 Our beautiful hotel,  marshmellows roasting on a fire anyone?

 Love this picture, I'm so happy amongst the beautiful nature!

Kiehl's event : Liverpool

CALLING ALL BLOGGERS, STOP RIGHT THERE! 

Laura from (www.LaurasHaven.com) and I were so bored of all the beauty blogger events happening down South and we noticed there are a lot of Kiehl's events going on throughout the country, so we stopped by at our local store in Liverpool which is beautiful, a beauty bloggers paradise. The helpful lady told us if we gathered blog addresses for those bloggers who are interested we could hold an event at the store with a free pamper session and have the opportunity to sample the amazing products! 

SO, if you are from Liverpool or the North West and are interested, please let either Laura or myself know by leaving your blog address below in a comment or tweeting/direct messaging us on twitter : @Smokeyblush or @LaurasHaven


Hopefully, once we gather everyone's blog addresses we can hand them into the Kiehl's store so we can organise our little blogger meetup!

Hope you can join us in the fun!!!

Lauren and Laura 
xxx

My top 5 January Essentials

Nivea Lip Salve | RRP £1.65
 For those wintery days where your lips refuse to participate in your beauty regime. It happens to everyone, those dry cracked lips are easily fixed with a little essential salve that will turn your dull dry lips to a beaming flushed pair of smackers. I opt for the plain one, enriched with jojoba oils and shear butter to keep them moisturised in high winds and cold spells. However, there are lots of lovely little ones out there, such as the pearly pink, milk & honey or glossy ones! AND, there's even one for men, so guys, you have NO excuse. Paired with a lip scrub (pick a good one up at lush) you'll have kissable lips throughout the winter months.

NARS blush | RRP £21
 Ok, so it's that time of year to down play the bronzer and accentuate our little cheeks with a hint of rose, to of course obtaining the natural look. I opt for NARS blusher, in particular the hyped up ' orgasm'. One of the prettiest colours around. With it's hints of gold, you'll think you'll never think you needed that bronzer!

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Barm | RRP £34
 Yes, it may be a little steep to buy but you won't regret this one. The winter months can be really harsh on your skin, by keeping it cleansed and moisturised, you'll help it to look fresh and bright during the dull months. It doubles up as a rescue remedy for dry patches such as elbows/knees. It contains a little bit of greatness; Moringa Seed extract, Orange and Mandarin extract, Jasmine, Wild Sea Fennel and plenty of that vitamin E we need to keep our face glowing.

Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator | RRP £21.60
 This lovely exfoliator is incredibly soft on the face, leaving your face smooth and clean. Our pores can clog up in the summer, we slap on all sorts of moisturisers and BB creams to keep our skin glowing, but when it's time to take off the grime, this will do the job without making your skin feel abrasive. With it's Moroccan Rose oil and Jojobar beads, this is soft enough to use everyday unlike most exfoliators.

YSL Shocking Mascara | RRP £22 My favourite pick of the month! Our eyes puff up in the winter to protect themselves from the cold winds and the long dark nights that go with those long dark days. Want to beat the January blues by looking perk? This Mascara is dramatic and lengthens those lashes making eyes look bigger than ever! A cheaper version is the L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara which does great things for your making those tired eyes look a little more awake than we feel.

Winter Favourites Vlog Coming Soon! | Follower me via Twitter : @smokeyblush

Yves Saint Laurent Shocking Mascara

 YVES SAINT LAURENT SHOCKING MASCARA RRP £24 *

 Firstly, Susie; thank you for this gift.

Well am I glad to have my hands on this, it's shocking alright- shockingly good! It's really really dramatic in terms of volume and length and lets you apply as much as you like. After a few coats, it get's a little clumpy but the product is good enough that you don't need 10 coats! I apply around 3 coats on a night out and brush slowly and upwards to accentuate the length!For everyday use, it can look a little too much against natural face makeup. For night time, it's perfect!

As you can see the packing is A LITTLE TOO BEAUTIFUL. It brings a smile to my face when I spot it amongst my horrendously big dusty bag of makeup at the moment. The brush is quite thick but it's easy to apply, if there is any excess on the edge of the brush, tap it off.

It may be a little pricey, especially for this cold poor month of January, but if you're thinking of spoiling yourself, go for it. If you're looking for a cheaper version, try L'Oreal Million Lashes in Black, it;s volume isn't as great but for length, you're looking at a good competitor against the YSL mascara, and it's half the price!

Dip Dye : I did it! The Results...

Since my last post, my hair had been officially dip-dyed/ombred! And, I LOVE IT.

It took my a while to get my head round dyeing my hair, because I've kept my natural brownish hair all my life but have always wanted to do something different. 

It was the first time I'd ever been to a hairdressers for hair dye so I was a little nervous however the lady at 'Dye!Dye!Dye!' in  Liverpool couldn't have been any friendlier, reassuring me that I could control the length and colour of the dip dye, phew! All that was involved was a small trim of my dead ends, some foils and bleach and a wash through with toner and conditioner. It took an hour and cost me £40 for a cut, dip dye and a blow dry, bargain! I opted for a darkish blonde, and it turned out a honey-ish blondey because my hair took to the dye really quickly! It still looks really really natural, which is a bonus. I got a bouncy blow dry (I can never do these myself?!) and it made the colour come out even more! I think next time, I'll be a little braver and opt for a lighter colour for summer! So, here are the results, what do you think? (I've picked up two bottles of 'Ojon' goodies to keep my hair going strong...any excuse hey!

To Dip-dye or not?

 To Dip Dye?!

I may be a little late on this bandwagon (approx 2 years) however, I am THAT bored of my plain jane hair that something has to be done! And this thing is DIP DYE. I have always loved the look, I've just never had the guts to take the step.

Rather than doing it myself, I've booked an appointment at Dye!Dye!Dye! in the heart of Liverpool who know everything about the trend. I've stuck with my natural colour for years and it's time to get something a little low key yet defining. I have naturally brown hair with hints of copper, and I'm thinking of going for a subtle blonde/honey at the bottom tips. I was looking through all  the bloggers that have this going on right now, including Lily Pebbles and Zoe from London Lipgloss. However, It was Liv Purvis from from 'what Olivia did' that has made me take the big step! Her natural looking brown waves with a hint of blonde at the tips looks beautiful effortlessly!

Stay tuned for the results....

Instagram Diary #1

 

Demalogica winnings / Moose Breakfast / Liver Buildings / KiKi in a box

Party nails / Carevela Heels / Crowne Plaza makeover

Christmas Tree / Lily Chocolates / Christmas cousin / 3 years with my beautiful boyfriend

Hope you enjoy my first ever Instagram post, my picture diary from the past 3 weeks!

Lauren ox

Christmas Day Makeup Look

Happy New Year folks!

I know it's a little late, and I've been a little absent, but I will be back into the swing of things soon!

Here is a quick post on my makeup look for Christmas day! I wanted a nudeish eye so my liner and mascara stood out! And I opted for a nudey pink lip as there was lots of eating and drinking going on!

I used my new Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray for my hair too!

Hope everyone had great festive fun with loved ones!

Lauren ox