Not Another Lush Haul?!

Okay, so... another Lush haul. Whoops. I just can't seem to keep away lately. Everything looks so cute and I want it all. I popped in to my local Lush recently and told myself I would allow myself to buy ONE thing. Just. One. I don't need any more bath products I told myself, I have storage full to the brim of the stuff. Alas, I managed to pop more than one item in my basket, naughty Zoe.

Just look at this little cutie, I couldn't leave him there could I?! The Baa Bar Bubble Bar is perfect for just before bedtime, it is a lavender scented one and creates a really soothing atmosphere, and makes quite a good few bubbles too. I also bought the Mum Bath Bomb in pink, but silly me forgot to photograph it and I used it pretty much as soon as I got home from shopping that day. It is a really nice one and super affordable too. The Mum Bath Bomb created a lovely pink bath and smelt a mixture of lemon and roses.

Just. Look. At. Her. Elsie the Giraffe (You're Havin' a Bath) Reusable Bubble Bar is probably the most adorable product I have ever seen in Lush. This creates a fair amount of bubbles and smells of lemons and limes; a zesty scent lovers dream. The lovely sales assistant that was helping me that day told me she had got ten uses out of hers. I didn't really believe her, I've never managed to get more than four uses out of any Lush bubble bar, even the wands. BUT she was right and I was so, so wrong to dismiss it because I've had ELEVEN - yes, eleven uses out of mine so far and still have a tiny bit left. Well worth the money in my opinion. Note to self: always listen to Lush employees!

My main reason for going into Lush that day was because I wanted to have a sniff of the Yummy Mummy shower gel. I decided it wasn't the scent for me and got distracted by the Plum Rain Shower Gel as it smells beautiful and I kind-of want to shower in this forever. Okay that is a bit of an exaggeration but take my word for it, it smells lovely. The scent is a strong fresh plum, sadly the scent doesn't seem to linger on the skin for very long afterwards, but I still really like it and will more than likely buy it again.
I am the ultimate impulse buyer and I always manage to pick something up when I'm stood by the till: this is one of those purchases. I have tonnes of lip balms and certainly do not need to buy any more for at least a Year, but I am a bit of a magpie when it comes to zesty scented products so this Key Lime Pie Lip Balm came home with me. As lip balms go, I think this is a pretty expensive one. I've only used it a couple of times so far but it seems to keep my lips moisturised and smells of lime so in my eyes it is amazing.

Have you picked anything up from Lush recently? Is there anything you really want to try?

Stocking Stuffers For Beauty Lovers

Are you looking for stocking fillers for someone that loves their beauty? I have it covered. I've found a few little goodies which would make the perfect stocking contents for any beauty fan. Don't forget to add the chocolate coins!

Everyone loves a lip balm, don't they? These super cute Jelly Belly Lip Balms* make great little gifts. There are a range of flavours to choose from (my fave is Coconut!). These super cute lip balms are available in store at Claires. Jelly Belly also stock some pretty cute little gift sets too such as this Merry Kissmas Set, which would be a lovely little gift to open on Christmas Morning.

If you know a girl who loves their contour and highlight, you can't really go wrong with the Sleek Strobing Souffle*. Designed to add a gorgeous glow to the complexion, this is perfect for parties and nights out. This new product from Sleek's Rockstars Collection is one you don't want to miss out on.

I always carry a little mirror in my handbag for lipstick touch ups, and I think this Cath Kidston Pocket Mirror in the Rose Paisley print makes a great little gift for pretty much any girly girl really. It is both useful and super pretty!

I'm a big fan of Lush's Christmas goodies, but only recently discovered this amazing product which is the Lush Buche De Noel Fresh Cleanser. The scent is a real treat, not to mention it being an amazing cleanser which brightens and hydrates the skin. I think this would make a great gift for someone that enjoys their skincare, or maybe someone wanting to try a fresh cleanser for the first time, as this is a great product to introduce someone to fresh skincare.

I picked up these PS PRO Premium False Nails in the White Aurora Design from Primark for my Sisters stocking. This design is so pretty and perfect for Christmas festivities, and they only cost £3!

Festival Makeup Ready

Festival season has already begun, and there still some great festivals coming up with some fantastic line ups... I love music so festivals have always been something that excites me!
Whether you are camping it up, or just coming down for the day (and staying in a nice, warm hotel...) a natural makeup look is perfect for a festival. We all know Natural Collection; available online or in-store at Boots, is affordable and good quality, and is perfect for a natural and pretty beauty look. With all their products costing only £1.99, it is ideal for any budget.
 A pretty nail colour like this one from Natural Collection; which is the Nail Colour in Hibiscus is a perfect bright pink would look great for a festival I think, nice and bright and colourful!
You want to keep makeup nice and simple if you are camping out I imagine, so a cover up stick would be ideal for me to just hide those naughty blemishes and a waterproof mascara (cause we all know Britain is known for its rain...) so it will stay in place all day! Lastly, a pretty tinted lip balm like this one in Caribbean Crush is perfect to add a pop of colour while still keeping your lips soft and hydrated is ideal to pop in your rucksack.

What is your go - to festival makeup look?

Sweet Lip Balms Treats

I am a huge lip balm fan... I have quite the growing collection and can't help but pick up another when I see one; especially if they are scented. I love my sweet treats so these tasty lip balms that are sweet and drink inspired, are just perfect to have get that sweet taste without the calories! 

These super - hydrating lip balms from Pepsi and Jelly Belly are perfect to pop in your handbag, pencil case or in the car for on the go. The Jelly Belly lip balm in Very Cherry flavour smells and tastes amazing - as well as giving a little tint to the lips, and the Pepsi lip balm gives you that sweet Pepsi taste as well as keeping my lips soft and un-chapped.

I love these fun lip balms - they make me feel very nostalgic and it is lovely to have those sweet treats back in my life without the calorie intake!

Both lip balms, amongst other delicious flavours, are available from £3.50 at Claires. Why not go for a pick - n mix and choose a few of your favourite flavours!

*PR sample*

2015 Make Up Favourites

I haven't written a favourite's post in a while, so as we have just seen in the New Year I couldn't think of anything more fitting than writing my round up of all of my favourite beauty products from the last Year. I scuttled around the house collecting all my favourites; and I managed to choose one eye shadow product, one mascara, one base product and two lip products. 

First up we have my most reached for eye shadow palette, which is the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. I use this palette most days. I find it perfect for just an every day look but also a great palette to have as you can create so many different looks with it. The mascara I have enjoyed using the most has been the Clinique High Impact Mascara. This gives good length and thickens the lashes, without looking clumpy. I am quite fussy when it comes to mascara but this is a great every day mascara. I couldn't decide on just one lip product so I had to include two; the first being Soap and Glory's A Great Kisser Lip Balm. I'm not sure if S&G still stock this, as I haven't been able to find it, so I am guessing not. This is a really nice lip balm which gives a little shimmer to the lips, keeps them coated and smells of peaches. I use this on top of matte lipsticks to give a more glossy look. I have a back up tin of this, I am so glad as it doesn't look like I will be able to buy it again! Anyone that has known me for a while knows I have always been a big fan of Cheryl's makeup looks. I bought the L'oreal Paris Color Riche Collection Exclusive Nudes in Cheryl's Nude in hope that I could recreate her lovely nude lip; unfortunately I did not transform into Cheryl overnight (!) but this lipstick is a beautiful nude and one I have reached for the most this Year.

I tried the Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation for the first time this Year, and I really love it. After being a huge fan of Rimmels Match Perfection foundation for as long as I can remember, it is great to see they stock another good foundation which is a good match for my skin tone and gives a good medium coverage. 

What are you favourite beauty products from 2015? Any recommendations to share?

Dr. PawPaw Original Balm

I love a good lip balm - I have one at my desk, one at my bedside table and probably around 3 in each handbag I own. Lip balm is an essential item for me - I don't like having chapped, dry, sore lips.
I recently starting using the Dr. PawPaw Original Balm, which retails for a reasonable price of £6.95. It has been on my must-try wishlist for a while now, I had heard nothing but fantastic reviews about it and was expecting good things.
Dr PawPaw Orginal Balm is made from a variety of natural ingredients. The main ingredient is fermented Pawpaw; the fruit of the plant Carica Papaya. Pawpaw is said to have natural healing qualities.

I have been using the product every day for a few Weeks now and it has been a complete game-changer for me . This is all I have been using! It works a treat, my lips feel soft and smooth and they haven't felt dry or sore at all. It actually feels like it is working and doing my lips some good, and I am not just coating my lips in product. I also really like the shine it gives when applied over a lipstick, I am now looking at trying their tinted lip balms.
It isn't every day I give a glowing report on a lip balm product, as I do think that a lot of lip balms out there don't really moisturize the lips, but this does. I just think this ticks all the boxes for me and it works so well.
Not only is this a brilliant lip balm, it is a multi-purpose product too which you can use on sun burn; on skin irritations, on the hair, on the skin, as a nappy cream.... the list is endless. I have used the balm as a moisturizer which leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. I have also used the balm on dry skin which seems to have helped clear it up quite a lot. I've even tried applying the product to my eyebrows after grooming them, I really like it for this - so fantastic results all round.
Dr PawPaw Original Balm is stocked in Harvey Nichols, Urban Outfitters and Asos.

Have you tried Dr PawPaw balms before?

*PR sample*

Carmex Love

Are you a fan of Carmex? I am a big fan of their popular lip balms. I own the lip balm in Mint, Cherry and ofcourse the classic original. A must - have in your hand-bag, Carmex are great for on the go. They moisturise the lips as well as smoothing out cracked lips. As a really reasonably priced lip balm you can pick up from pretty much any Boots or Superdrug, you can't really go wrong. I love the scented Carmex, but the classic is definitely my favourite. A complete staple for any beauty lover!

Nivea Lip Products

I am a huge lip balm fiend, and am constantly hoarding any lip balm product I can get my hands on. I recently was looking through my stash and realized I have quite the collection of Nivea lip balms. I am a huge Nivea fan, so of course their lip balms are one of my favourites.
I previously featured one of my fave lip balms of theirs in 'milk and Honey' on a seperate blog post, which you can view here. Now, onto these four!

The Essential Care lip balm is great for every day wear, and helps to prevent dry and cracked lips. Pearly Shine and Soft Rose are tinted lip balms which have the same effect as a lip balm, with an added hint of colour. Pearly Shine is slightly sheer and is a 'my lips but better' shade. Soft Rose is my favourite of the too, leaving a light pink subtle hint of colour to the lips. Soothe & Protect contains an SPF 15 which is fantastic for the Summer Months and Holidays coming up. 

All four of these lip balms are truly great products that help to prevent sore and dry lips. The best thing about Nivea products? The price. These are really inexpensive, and are available at most supermarkets. They are definitely worth picking up if you are a lip balm lover like me...

Poundland Bargains

Beauty Bargains from Poundland

Being a complete bargain hunter and magpie to anything beauty related, I thought I would share these gems I found in my local Poundland recently. 

I have heard great things about the Eylure Pre - Glued Lashes, but false lashes aren't something I wear often enough to justify spending over £5 for. I was happy to see them in Poundland, and am looking forward to putting these pre - glued lashes to the test, and seeing if they are easier to apply than using glue.

I also spotted some Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm, and being a complete lip balm fiend I just had to pick one up. I already own two of these and I really do like them. Admittedly I did not need any more lip balms and these are a little over - hyped but I couldn't believe what a great bargain it was to find them for one single British pound coin - I couldn't leave it on the shelf. The packaging is clearly different, but the product is exactly the same as the ones I already own, so I definitely recommend picking one of these up if you see them in your local store. 

Have you spotted any beauty bargains in your local Pound Shops recently?

Maybelline Baby Lips - Worth The Hype?

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm in Peach Kiss



The Baby Lips hit the UK just a few Months ago and everyone seemed to go absolutely crazy for them! I had managed to get my hands on one before they were released in the UK as I won a competition. I featured this in a favourite post back in February but wanted to wait until they were released here in the UK before I wrote about it. I forgot to write about it, then wasn't sure if there really needed to be another blog post about the ever so hyped tinted lip balm, but I thought hey why not?

The lip balm I own is in Peach Kiss, which as you can see is a very muted peach which gives just the tinest amount of sheer tint. It is effectively just a lip balm with a small sheen to it, I would not say it is highly pigmented in colour, but for me, a great product to pop into your hand bag. I didn't feel it necessary to include swatch photos of the lip product on the lips as it gives only the tiniest hint of colour which would not be noticable on a photograph.

I have read many blog posts about these lip balms and I have to say I was surprised a lot of people weren't bowled over by it. I think they are a great product as it leaves my lips feeling moisturised, but it is just a lip balm and is a little overrated for what i is - but hey- it does the job! I do think they are over-hyped but I do really like the product. I wouldn't go out and buy the entire collection as I really don't need another lip balm (!) but it is a great staple if you are on the go and need just a little something on your lips, or perhaps if you aren't too kean on a bright lip or lip stick, this is a subtle touch of colour.

Have you tried any of the Maybelline Baby Lips?

Glamour Latest In Beauty Box

Glamour Beauty Box!

Latest In Beauty

Beauty boxes aren't usually my thing. I hate surprises and I would rather spend £12-15 on something I really want, rather than spending it on a box full of contents I know nothing about, I am very boring I know. When I saw this deal though I had to snap it up! Latest in Beauty have joined up with Glamour Magazine to create a box full of party must haves! It is a one off beauty box where you are shown before purchase what is inside - just wait to see what it has to offer! 

For just £14.99 (plus p+p) you get 6 products!

The products included are:

Eyeko Lash Curler

Benefit They're Real Mascara Mini

Maybelline Baby Lips

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil

Philip Kingsley One More Day Dry Shampoo

Toni & Guy Glamour Firm Hold Hairspray

HD Brows Eye and Brow Palette

I think there are some fab products in this box, especially the brow palette which retails from £18 alone!

All of this for under £20? Fancy it?

Buy it here!

Nivea Lip Balm in Milk & Honey

Nivea Milk & Honey

If you have read my blog for a while, you will know I blog about everything and anything. I ramble a lot here on my blog (and in real life, to, for the record) and if I like something, however random it may be, I like to share it.

Lip balms are something I own a lot of. I always have sore, chapped lips, and whenever a Brand brags about their new lip balms, I have to have it.

This lip balm is by Nivea, a brand I never stop going on about as I love it so much. This is the Nivea Pure Natural Lip Balm in Milk & Honey. The smell and taste of this lip balm is gorgeous, I cannot help but keep licking my lips. The lip balm is very soothing and moistursing, if you tend to get very sore dry lips like me this is a great product for you.

This is a really affordable product too, costing only £1.99 from Superdrug.

Are you a lip balm fiend like me? What is your favourite lip balm?

Nivea Lip Butters in Caramel Cream and Raspberry Rose

Its no secret that I am a huge lip balm fan. I have so many I am sure I am backed up for life. Anyway, when I heard a few months back Nivea were bringing out some lip butter balms, I couldn't wait to try them. And coincidently I had entered a give away and luckily received both the Raspberry Rose and Caramel Cream Lip Butters!

Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose and Caramel Cream  £2.25* each

Available at Boots and Superdrug

As you can see, these Nivea Lip Butters are packaged in extremely cute little screw tin pots which are very slim and easy to travel with. Unlike most lip balms stored in metal tins, these are really easy to open! They are scented and they both smell beautiful. My favourite is caramel cream, it smells delicious and I am constantly licking it off my lips. Raspberry Rose smells quite floral and sweet, just like raspberries, whereas caramel cream smells.. well just like caramel! They are both moisturising on the lips, but I find caramel cream much more moisturising out of the two. Both of these products are sheer just like the majority of lip balms. The lip balms last a good 8 hours with my lips still feeling very moisturised and soft. 

I would buy these in future as I find them really moisturising and worth the hype.

Have you tried any of the Nivea Lip Butters?

Make Up Collection Part One: Lip Balms

Hi lovelies, I am going to do a series of blog posts on my make-up collection, as it has been requested. As I haven't got a humongous collection, I thought I would split it into sections.

As you can see, this is the lip balm collection post. Most people would wonder why on earth you have a collection of lip balms? But I am a self-confessed lip balm hoarder and tend to pick up lip balms everywhere I go. 

The storage I use to store the majority of my make-up is a desk organiser from WH Smith. This is a single draw which stores the majority of my lip balms. I do have a few random lip balms on-top of these hiding in my room somewhere, but I can't find them!

Firstly, I have three Nivea Pearly Shine lip balms. These are one of my favourite lip balms, as they are slightly pink tinted, and are really affordable and they smell lovely. I have another of these in my handbag also, I am a little obsessed! I also have the Nivea Essential Care lip balm, which is a clear, standard lip balm. I get my Nivea lip balms from Superdrug and Boots, but I have seen the Essential Care lip balm in Poundland, so very inexpensive.

Next, I have the blogger's holy grail lip balms. They are raved about a lot on beauty blogs, and I must admit they are a love of mine too. I have used Carmex for years, and this Cherry flavoured lip balm is no exception. It smells and tastes just like cherries, is very moisturising on the lips, and also has SPF 15 which is good in the Summer months. I am not the biggest fan of the tube applicator, and much prefer the tub, but I couldn't find the Cherry carmex in tub form when I brought it.

As well as Carmex, I have the well loved Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula. I am not the biggest fan of the consistentancy, as I find it a little 'bitty' - but it is very moisturising.

You can get these products from most Grocery Stores and Drugstores.

These two little cuties were feautured on my blog recently, which you can see here. They are lovely little lip balms which are slightly scented, which I picked up from Home Bargains for a bargainalicious price tag of 49p each! 

Here are the two current tub lip balms I have, which are Superdrug's Little Pink Tin (which I obviously brought for the colour pink :D) and The I love... Strawberries & Milkshake Glossy Lip Balm. 

I have a love//hate relationship with these tins. They are basically Superdrug's own 'Vaseline' tubs. I love that it is SPF 15, and love that it can be used on skin and hair, but my only hate is that I can never open the tin!! 

I keep it at home with the tin constantly open, because I had it for about 3 months without being able to get into it.

I'll be honest, I only brought the second tub because of the gorgeous scent! It is surprisingly absolutely lovely on the lips too, and looks great with or without lipstick. I picked mine up from Superdrug, but I am sure you can get these products from Grocery Stores and other drugstores.

I think every girl loves a Lip Smackers lip balm, and with Primark, Topshop and Claires Accessories selling them from as little as £1 each, there is more reason to pick one up at the counter. I have the original Coca Cola lip balm, along with Fanta Orange and Sprite. They are slightly scented, and do just the job for the price. The Fanta balm, especially tastes very sweet and tangy! I've noticed they have started selling the Dr Pepper lip balm which I am yet to try! They also sell different varieties of Coca Cola and Fanta flavours such as cherry and vanilla, and have also started selling sets of lip balms and lip glosses in these 'drink' flavours, so I'm sure I will pick some up soon.

My lovely mother brought me this set of 5 'sweetie' lip balms a while back, which you can see above. They are all very scented and just lovely to have in your bag, my favourite is the Refreshers lip balm, it reminds me of being at School! I'm not sure where you can pick these up from as they were a gift, I'm afraid.

A lot of people don't understand why I get so excited with lip balms, and I'm not sure why either, I just love them. I know my collection may seem small to some, or way too much to others, but lip balms are an essential item I use several times daily, so I do get good use out of them, and they don't really break the bank.

What is your favourite lip balm?

What lip balm would you suggest me trying?

xxxxxxx

Bargain of the week: Pepsi Lip Balms

Now, pottering around Home Bargains early morning before work today, with my fellow bargain -loving friend (She will happily rummage through junk in 'cheap' shops with me to find a good bargain - a trait which is hard to find in a friend) I picked up my usual bottle of pop and mints, then helped my friend pick out some baskets she liked. At the till, I noticed on the side there were loads of little tiny lip balms shaped in the size of tiny cans! So cute! There were hundreds (OK, not literally hundreds, but there were a lot) of Mountain Dew ones, and I spotted only one of each of the Pepsi lip balms I picked out, which were Wild Cherry and Vanilla. 

They looked really cute and intriguing, and I thought, for 49 pence (yes, only a mere 49p for a cute lip balm!) I'll give it a wizz. 

I didn't buy the Moutain Dew lip balm because quite frankly, I hate the stuff. I'm sure the lip balm would be lovely, but even the site of the logo gives me flashbacks of drinking the (in my opinion) vile drink. 

So, here are the photos of the cute little lip balms.

They are typical lip balms, you take off the 'lid' of the 'can' (I've found the paper around the top lid isn't very secure on the 'can' but not really anything to moan about for 49p!), and then twist the bottom of the 'can' to increase or decrease the amount of balm. 

The balms themselves are quite nice. Nothing to write home about, but they are generally lovely little lip balms, which are slightly scented. They smell and tatse a little like cola bottle sweets, and , off course, the cherry balm smells slightly of cherries, the same with the vanilla balm.

I'm quite impressed with these little bargains, so definitely have a look out for these beauties if you are lip balm hoarder lover like me! :) 

Zoe xxx