Biba Phone Case

Hello everyone!

I'm going to start today's post by saying I'm sorry that I haven't been posting as regularly, but until May third year uni is taking over, but I'll try to post as much as poss!

Sooo, I designed my own iPhone case! I have the old iPhone 4 and it's so hard to find pretty cases for them nowadays.

This is a photo I took of a Biba drawing from the Biba and Beyond exhibition in Brighton earlier this year. I've had it as the background for my iPhone for ages so I thought it was time it took centre stage.

I went onto Vista Print where you can customise so much stuff! Some friends have used it for business cards with great results so I thought I'd try it out.

I'm really pleased with the results. It only cost £15 including delivery and because my photo is of a drawing it's slightly mottled close up, but I think if you had a regular photo (not shot through glass!), it would be even better!

What do you think!?

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

I'm currently transfixed by a terrific fantasy series by Laini Taylor! I can hardly put it down to write this post!

I had a sample of the first book 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' on my iPhone and bought the book about 3 weeks ago, and I've now nearly finished the second in the series, "Days of Blood and Starlight." Taylor has a beautiful way of writing, full of unique descriptions which bring the characters to life on the page. She uses rich metaphors and harrowing imagery to create a vivid other-world, an elsewhere...

I won't spoil the plot at all, but this is my description of the first book: A seventeen year old art student with blue hair leads a secret double life. By day she's your regular teenager living in Prague and by night she hunts down teeth for the "monsters" that are her family. When her way of life, the only one she's every known (or thinks so), is threatened, Karou is the only one who can help. 

 I love the way these books portray angels and devils, and how it becomes clear that people are not always who they seem - and monsters are not always who they seem! You truly feel pulled into another world when you're reading it, which in my eyes makes a true fantasy novel!

Have you read this series? If you have, comment me! I'd love to have someone to chat to about them! 

If you want to find out more check out the authors blog here. 

New Hot Brand: Laura Gravestock

I absolutely love silver jewellery. If you've read some of my previous posts you'll see I'm currently loving silver rings, especially ones featuring hearts! 

After seeing the ring on the top right of my selection in this months Cosmo mag, I had to check out jewellery designer, Laura Gravestock's website.

With a huge range of collections, materials and price ranges, I could have chosen so many from the site! 

I've done a little collection of my favourite rings but she also does earrings, necklaces and bracelets. 

Review: Clinique Chubby Stick

My lovely mum gave me her Clinique Chubby Stick to try last week. I was moaning about how my lips always dry out when I wear lipstick and she told me try this. Hers was a lovely neutral brown/pink shade.

It was really smooth to put on and built up the colour really naturally. After a few hours my lips still felt moisturised, but not gloopy like with lipgloss or cracked like with lipstick! Ladies and gents I think we have a winner!

I will definitely be purchasing myself one of these bad boys when I next need a top up of my tinted moisturiser. The only thing I don't know is what colour to choose! They are so many lovely ones!

Do you have a Clinique Chubby Stick? And what colour should I get? :)

Recent Purchases

Back to a fashion post today! I thought I'd post some of my recent purchases (including some birthday pressies!)

From top left (going anti-clockwise) - Floral cami top, New Look. This top is so easy to wear, floaty and summery with a gorgeous pattern that's reminiscent of a Liberty print. This has quickly become a wardrobe staple for me, I've worn it with purple jeans a couple of times and also with a blue body con skirt. 

-Black Zodiac sign dress, £28, Topshop. Love this, wore it to the Rolling Stones and I think it's going to carry over from summer to autumn. 

-Tresemme Hairspray and Tousled Wave Spray. I love Tresemme hairspray as it smells great, not like some artificial smelling sprays. I'll do a full review of this tousled wave spray, but as a quick sum up: It works well if you use it on tonged (curled) hair, however with my thick hair it didn't give me the tousled wavy look I so long for. 

- Kate Mosse Citadel book. Yet to read this, but really looking forward to it! 

- Floral skirt from the Topshop sale (only £18!). I love the autumn colours of dusky pink, burnt orange and gold. Just reminds me of fallen leaves on the pavement. Gorgeous! 

-Jack Wills Folder. "The pen is mightier than the sword" a quote I wholeheartedly agree with. I'm going to use this folder for my third year work at uni, bought in the sale for £1.50, bargain hunter! 

- Rimmel Clear Complexion Powder in Transparent. I've bought this to get rid of a bit of shine when I apply my tinted moisturiser. Review coming soon!

Review: Clinique Tinted Moisturiser and No. 7 Make up Base

Hi folks! Sorry for the lack of posting! I've been having a drought of doing anything other than work really, so not much to post about!

However, it was my birthday last week (22! scary!) so I thought I'd review some lovely products that I was given as pressies.

First up, the much longed for Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser in Shade One. This product is amazing. Soft, smooth, moisturising and a great colour coverage. This is the only foundation product I've found so far that hides blemishes and doesn't show dry patches! I'm in love.

The packaging is cute and girly, and I was given some lovely free samples (more reviews coming soon!) too. The only downside is the product is only 30ml and I can see myself going through it quite quickly. I'll let you know how long it lasts!

Next is No. 7 Beautifully Matte Make Up Base. This product acts like a primer and I was hoping it was going to stop my face looking quite so shiny when I apply tinted moisturiser. However, once I apply it it seems to act as a barrier to my Clinique which means that the product causes those irritating dry patches to reappear.

I think what I need it a soft powder to go on top of my tinted moisturiser to keep it from looking shiny, but still keep those dry patches at bay. What do you think?

Review: Ciate Nail Caviar

This months Marie Claire are giving away Ciate Caviar Pearls and nail polish.

I've been wanted to try this product for so long and I jumped at the chance of purchasing it with a magazine that I would normally buy anyway! 

The nail polish is called Cookies and Cream and is a beautiful nude colour. It's between a nude pink and a brown shade, it looks super chic with a tan! I'm definitely going to be using it a lot this summer. Two coats are needed to get the colour looking strong and shiny. 

I applied the Caviar (in Shooting Star) to my forth finger nail and it was surprisingly easy to apply. The pearls do go EVERYWHERE, so I would recommend putting a piece of paper down on the table so you can collect them easily. But the pearls do stick easily to wet nail varnish. 

The only downside would be that the colour looks mostly gold, the specks of pink, purple, green and blue can only be seen if you look closely. 

Have you tried the Ciate Caviar Pearls? 

Review: Nivea Night Cream

Today I'm reviewing Nivea Rich Regenerating Night Cream. It was on offer in Superdrug last weekend and as I am always on a quest for something to keep my dry skin at bay, I thought I'd give it a go!

It's a lovely smooth cream that smells great. I thought it would be super heavy on my skin but it's not. No greasy feeling either!

After using it for a week I have to say, my skin is so much better. Even though it is much less dry, I have noticed that I've started getting a few blemishes though, but unfortunately I think it's always the case that moisturisers block your pores.

Do you have any recommended skin products to keep dry skin or blemishes away? 

Review: Benefit They're Real! Mascara

A few days ago I asked you lovely lot to vote which sample you wanted me to review (in the mean time I have accumulated another one!). 

And you guys chose...Benefit's They're Real Mascara. 

There's been a lot of blogging about Benefit makeup, unfortunately being a student I can't really afford their products right now, so when this came free in a magazine I was pretty chuffed. 

I'm fairly happy with this mascara. I started using it instead of the Maybelline one which I wasn't very impressed with (you can read about why here).

The brush size is average. I'd prefer it was smaller as I find them easier to use (probably because I have the smallest hands ever!).

The colour is a lovely rich black and covers the lashes well.

The product doesn't smudge under the eyes or do that weird bobbly thing at the end of each lash.

The packaging is ok, a bit dull for the Benefit brand I thought. The sample size is perfect for taking on a night out though.

The only down side is that I find this mascara clumps the eye lashes together instead of giving you that gorgeous sixties full lash look. I STILL keep comparing all my mascaras to my Clinique one and they just aren't matching up! So I would say if you're going to spend some cash on a new mascara, go for Clinique!

Do you have a favourite mascara that you can't live without? 

Samples

I have waay to many samples! And I was going to work my way through reviewing them all, but I keep collecting more and it's going to take up to much time.

So, I'm asking you my lovely readers, which one you would like me to review! Vote on the comments below and I will get to it!

Here is the list:

1. Avon Glimmerstick Eyebrow Pencil
2. Avon BB Cream
3. Elemis Fresh Skin Daily Moisturiser
4. Percy & Reed Volumising No Oil Oil (I'm intrigued how this is a no oil, oil?!)
5. ESPA Lift & Firm Intensive Eye Serum
6. ESPA 24-hour Replenishing Eye Moisturiser
7. ESPA Skin Radiance Moisturiser
8. ESPA Refining Skin Polish
9. Phil Smith Argan Hair Oil
10. Benefit they're real Mascara

Vote Now :)

Review: Clinique Tinted Moisturizer

While I was packing up my uni room I came across some samples that I've never used. One of them was a Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer with SPF15. I've been thinking about trying a tinted moisturiser as an alternative to foundation; due to my dry skin, so I was really interested to see what the overall effect was. 

I have to say, I looove this product! It's smooth, soft and gives great coverage. It doesn't leave my skin with dry flaky patches and it protects against the sun. The only downside is the consistency, it's quite runny (although this could be just the tester has been sitting around in a box for a while) and could do with a brush or a sponge to be applied. 

I had the sample in the 02 Ivory shade, however, this is way too dark for me. I wore it on a night out to  the pub so it didn't matter so much, but during the day it does look like I've been fake tanning my face. I'm considering buying the full version in the lightest shade possible. It's £21.50 from Clinique, so might have to go on the birthday wishlist!  

Product Review: Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara

My sample of Clinique mascara finally ran out. It lasted for ever seeing as how it was only a sample!

So went out to look for a new mascara. I've liked the idea of flash lash effect mascara, so I thought I'd give Maybelline's Falsies mascara a whirl! I choose the waterproof one as it was really hot out today (that was a shock in itself), and I don't want my mascara to melt off in the heat!

As you can see, it does create good lash volume, and lengths them too - especially on the bottom lashes. 

Pros:

-The colour is a rich black shade, you don't need two coats for it too be a pure black.

-It lengths the bottom lashes really well.

-The hot pink packaging is lovely.

Cons:

-The brush is quite big, so when applying to your bottom lashes the product tends to smudge underneath them. 

-It does clump the lashes together slightly.

Overall, it's a good product, not a great product. It does the job. I still miss my Clinique mascara though! If you've got the cash I would definitely invest in one. 

The brush is small enough to get your bottom lashes beautifully defined, but not smudge underneath. And it individualises lashes so you don't get those unsightly clumps. It's a very natural style of mascara. 

Do you have a favourite mascara? 

MUA Nail Varnish Review

MUA Nail Varnish Review 

This nail varnish is amazing! Only £1 and in so many different colours! 

I opted for some ice-cream pastel shades, all ready for the summer. A mint green, lilac and baby pink. 

Although this nail varnish does look pigmented and slightly separated while in the bottle, for pastel colours you would expect to put on quite a few layers. 

The mint green only needed two coats, but you could put on more if you wanted a brighter green. The lilac and baby pink needed three coats to be a matte colour. 

For only £1 each I would totally recommend these nail varnishes. And the price means you buy all the shades you like, not just one! 

Revlon Baby Stick Review

This product is so cute! As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it!

I bought it in a pastel pink colour which looks lovely! It creates a soft, flushed effect and brings a bit of colour to the cheeks.

The product is incredibly soft and you have to layer it up to create a stronger colour. I would definitely recommend this as a day blusher because the effect looks natural. When you touch your face, you can feel the product but it leaves the skin feeling soft and not at all heavy like some blushers.

I've compared it to my normal MAC Powder Blusher which I've had since last May. My MAC blusher has lasted for so long! I wear it almost everyday and it still has loads left! I think I have it in the Melba shade (it's a coral-peach tone but I've had it for so long the name has rubbed away), but I think I prefer the pastel pink shade of the Revlon Baby Stick.

However, if you want a blusher to show up on a night out, then I would say choose the MAC powder and save the Revlon for the daytime.

What's your favourite blusher?

Product Review: ESPA 24-Hour Replenishing Moisturiser

If you read my last product review, I was explaining how I came about a sample of an ESPA product and was given a lovely gift voucher for the brand.

Well, this is what I chose:

ESPA 24-Hour Replenishing Moisturiser

 £17.50

I was hoping to revive the dry skin on my face with this product. This is how they described it on the website: 

"A richly hydrating face cream to help diminish early signs of ageing"

"A deeply replenishing moisturiser to nourish even sensitive skin while it helps delay the early signs of ageing. Potent Myrrh, Frankincense and Neroli stimulate cell renewal, while Vitamin E-rich Peach Kernel Oil protects against environmental aggressors. Nourishing Evening Primrose and Jojoba moisturise for soft, comforted, supple skin."

This sounded perfect! Deeply moisturising, that can deal with my sensitive skin AND prolong ageing! Perfect!

I was so excited when it arrived. I was also sent some more lovely free samples (reviews coming soon!).

So, down to the review. Like the other ESPA moisturiser I've tried, the cream is rich, thick and smooth. It does the job perfectly, making my skin feel smoother after one night. 

However, I've only ever used this product once. This is because, again, of the unpleasant smell. It is a very natural, almost wheat-like kind of smell. But it is very overpowering. Even the boyfriend noticed it! I will use it again as I think it is a really good product, but I personally don't like the smell. 

Have you tried any ESPA products and do you find the smell overpowering? 

Beauty Review: ESPA Skin Radiance Moisturiser

While at my internship, I was lucky enough to be invited to a hard hat tour of the building that is soon to become the Bedford Lodge Hotel Spa! 

The beautiful Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket is luxurious and welcoming. Before our tour, we were led into their spacious and sumptuous conferencing room to be told all about the new spa. We then headed over to the nearby mansion where the spa is under construction. 

I was pleased to see that the house is retaining lots of it's original features and you can still sense the history there (the cellar was used in WWII as a back up for the town council meetings). I can't wait to see it when it's all ready, it sounds like it's going to be an incredibly tranquil place to relax and get expert beauty treatments. 

The Spa manager Anna, explained to us that the products they are going to be using are by a company called ESPA, who I hadn't heard of before. They specialise in salons and spas, and they use natural ingredients to achieve the relaxing, refreshing environment of a salon. At the end of the tour they gave us a goodie bag with some ESPA samples, a gift card and a lavender plant (lavender is the theme of the spa)! So kind of them!

I thought I'd do a review of the moisturiser I received, and I've already spent the gift card so expect more reviews soon! 

Skin Radiance Moisturiser Review:  
Here's the lovely pink and purple packaging that the moisturiser came in, along with a refining polish that I've yet to use.

The moisturiser is lovely, it's rich and thick but extremely soft. I noticed a difference in my skin after one application. If you're a regular blog reader you'll know that I have extremely, extremely dry skin! Especially on my face and hands. This winter has not been good for my poor skin and I was in desperate need for a moisturiser that would relive my chapped complexion. 

After application to my face; the next day my cheeks were so much softer, although I think it's going to take a long time for it to be back to normal, and some sunlight would certainly help! Natural Vitamin D please!! 

The only downside to this moisturiser is the smell. It smells like you are in a salon, which I can understand as ESPA are spa products, however, for home use I would prefer something a little more floral or fruity, or even no smell at all! 

But all in all, a very good moisturiser for helping dry skin, something I think we could all do with as the spring seems nowhere in sight!