A Perfect Duo: Sleek & Ciate Nails

It was only when I shopped my stash that I saw these two matching beauties - Ciate's Paint Pot in The Glossip and Sleek's Pout Paint in Lava. Both of them were from recent Glossyboxes and would make the perfect duo for last minute sunbathing on the beach. Just add a Cosmopolitan and a chunky gold necklace and you won't need much else - apart from your bikini of course!

What's your favourite lip/nail duo? xxx

Naked Brunette Radiance Shampoo & Conditioner

Although hair care isn't usually at the top of my beauty lust list, colouring my hair at home regularly means my tresses need some serious TLC. I love the look of the Naked Brunette Radiance Shampoo & Conditioner (£4.19 each) with elderberry, sage and black tea. 

The idea behind it is that every brunette is different - some are like lattes, some are like espresso, and some are like hot chocolate. Whatever your hair colour, using Naked Brunette Radiance will help to nourish your hair.

And those of you who prefer to use natural & organic products will be pleased to know the products are 97% natural and free of sulphates, parabens and petrochemicals.

These will be available online at Boots and Naked Body Care from September.

What's your favourite shampoo and conditioner? xxx 

Artdeco Colour & Art Collection

If there's one beauty brand that's underrated, it's Artdeco. I honestly don't think people know too much about the brand or where to find it, so I thought I'd show you all some staples from one of the latest drops.

I managed to get my hands on three lovely products from the new Colour & Art Collection - the Dip Eyeliner in Turquoise Green (£9.50), Blusher in Pink Juice (£10.25) and Ceramic Nail Lacquer in Green Mood (£9.50). These are all swatched below.

DIP EYELINER

First of all we have this gorgeous shimmery aqua liquid eyeliner, which has a gel texture and is paraben-free. I absolutely adore the colour of this - it's so fresh and would add a sparkle to anyone's eye.

My only issue with this product is its really fine brush, as I prefer a stronger brush for a steadier application.

BLUSHER

Then we have the powder blusher in Pink Juice, which is a lovely velvety coral. I love the texture of this blush and the colour payoff is great. It comes in a magnetic pan too, which is practical for all of you blusher fanatics out there with palettes to fill.

The only thing I would say is its pretty expensive for what you get and you could probably get some good dupes, but for what it's worth the quality is high with this one.

CERAMIC NAIL LACQUER

Although the colour of this nail lacquer could be questionable for some, it applied really well and there's two coats on my nail in the picture above. The bottles are very cute and there are some fantastic colours to choose from, so don't judge the nail polish by this example if green is not your thing.

All of the above products are available online at Debenhams and Beauty Bay.

Have you ever tried anything from Artdeco? xxx

*This post features PR samples. All views are my own

Beauty Looks A-Z: Velvet

With the launch of the Models Own Velvet Goth collection coming to us beauty lovers very soon, velvet is having its moment in the limelight again.

This week's beauty look showcases the best of velvet effect beauty for the lips, nails, eyes, face and body. Prepare to be enabled!

Here's the products:

NARS Fall Collection Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Mysterious Red (£17.50)
Dove Bath Velvet (500ml, £3.09)
Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blush in Nude Velvet (£7.99)
GOSH Velvet Touch Foundation Primer Apricot (£8.99)
Mavala Mini Colour Nail Polish in Velvet (5ml, £4.50)
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Velvet Beige (£7.19)
Shu Uemura Black Velvet Feather False Lashes (£18.50)
Veet SupremEssence Hair Removal Cream with Velvet Rose & Essential Oils (400ml, £7.99)
GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Eye Liner in Pretty Petrol (£4.99)
Revlon Colorstay Nail Polish in Velvet Rope (£7.99)
GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Line Perfector (£14.99)
Illamasqua Velvet Blush in Sleek (£18)

What do you think of this week's beauty look? xxx

A for Atomic
B for Burlesque
C for Caribbean
D for Dynamite
E for Enchantment
 F for Fantasia
G for Gatsby
H for Halo
I for Indigo
J for Jelly
K for Khaki
L for Lemon & Lime
M for Morello Cherry

N for Neverland
O for Ocean Blue

P for Pearl
Q for Quads

R for Riviera

S for Scented
T for Texture
U for Unisex

Saturday Beauty Steal #17

If there's one event on every beauty lover's mind right now, it's Feel Unique's summer sale. And with bargains like this Elemental Herbology Weekend Facial Kit for £16.48 (45% off) and free delivery to boot, is it any wonder we've been so excited?

What is it?

Elemental Herbology Weekend Facial Kit comprises three 30ml masks - the Facial Glow Radiance Peel (exfoliate, stimulate and harmonise); Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask (for spot-prone, irritable skin); and Biodynamic Facial Souffle Intensive Hydration and Repair Mask (to soothe and repair). Each product should be used once per week to shed dead skin cells and nourish the skin. The set also comes with a muslin cloth. 

What do I like about it?

Peels and masks have been the absolute antidote for my skin problems recently. I've been dedicating one day a week to facial exfoliation, so this set would be perfect for me. I love the idea of using a mask depending on what my skin needs the most - if it's dry, I can use the Facial Souffle Mask, and if it's breaking out, I can use the Detox Purifying Mask. It's the dream team of facial masks.

Why is it a steal?

When you break it down, each mask is worth £5.50 - and that's not including the muslin cloth either! Elemental Herbology is a coveted brand among skin care enthusiasts and it's definitely a brand I want to try. Why oh why is it not pay day yet?!

You can buy the Elemental Herbology Weekend Facial Kit here.

What do you think of this week's beauty steal? xxx

Love Make Up Wish List

How on earth had I never heard of Love Make Up before?! After just one visit to the home page, I clocked up a hefty wish list and am now counting down the minutes until payday.

Sugarpill Cold Chemistry Eyeshadow in Subterranean
I've never tried anything from Sugarpill before, but the colours are so vivid and deep. I love this teal-toned Subterranean eyeshadow from the new Cold Chemistry collection, which was designed with make-up artist Amelia Arsenic.

Face Atelier Ultra Blush
This is a gorgeous, natural peachy pink powder blusher. It's a product to suit every skin and is currently on sale for £10 down from £20. Result! 

 

Kryolan Black Colour Intensifier Mascara
With this one, I have to admit I'm drawn to the product's name and packaging. Having said that, I've heard great things about Kryolan and the mascara only costs £10, which is quite good for a mid-to-high end mascara. I'd definitely give it a go. 

Ben Nye Classic Translucent Face Powder
I don't even care about Kim Kardashian - this product sells itself. I've been wanting to try the Ben Nye powders for a while now, and I love that they aren't too expensive. Luxury, make-up artist cosmetics for highstreet prices is the dream for us beauty bloggers.

 

Daniel Sandler Micro Bubble Lipstick
I'm not a great neutral lipstick lover - 9 times out of 10 I will buy a bold, bright shade. This lipstick from Daniel Sandler looks like a showstopping orange and would brighten up a monochrome outfit or natural face no end.   

Lime Crime Eyeshadow Helper
The choices are endless when it comes to Lime Crime - everyone lusts over those Velvetines! But as I'm trying to be more adventurous with my eye make-up at the moment, it would be great to try this primer and see if it passes the colour intensifying test.

 

Zoeva Cream Liner in Denim Bar Jeans Blue
I love navy eyeliners a lot, and this one looks gorgeous. I've never tried Zoeva, but there's several eyeliner colours I'd love to swatch on Love Make Up. 

Bdellium Tools Pink Bambu Slanted Contour Brush
There's just something about pink brushes - they are so cute and fluffy! I haven't got a contour brush and I always find it hard to get the right angle with a normal blush brush, so this would be good to have and I'm sure I could find the time to buy a few more to match...

 

Daniel Sandler Beyond Sunset Eyeshadow Quad
This is one of the most stunning eyeshadow quads I have ever seen - the colours are beautiful and so wearable too. It really is all about quality and not quantity with Daniel Sandler, and that's what I love about him and his products.

Have you bought anything from Love Make Up recently? xxx

All About Plum: Lips, Nails & Fragrance

If there's one hue on everyone's mind in the lead up to A/W 13, it's plum. And after discovering these three beauty gems, it's safe to say I'm pretty obsessed with it too.

MAC's Rebel Satin Lipstick looks a lot darker than it is - when you put it on your lips, it actually has a really flattering pink shade to it. It's quite a matte lipstick though, so I'd make sure your lips are hydrated and flake-free to perfect your pout.

Then we have the stunning Plum Eau De Parfum by make-up artist Mary Greenwell, which I have to say is even better than Lemon. I never, ever thought I would say that, but there's something about the Plum scent that is so comforting and warm. I will definitely need to repurchase this when it runs dry.

The third and final plum product is the Mavala nail polish in Milano, which funnily enough also looks a lot darker in the bottle than it is on the nails. It's a gorgeous colour and has a lovely finish - my only bug bear is the size of the bottle!

What's your favourite plum beauty buy? xxx

Beauty Looks A-Z: Unisex

Do you live with your other half? Does he ever moan about your new beauty products and worry that you are spending too much at Boots (he doesn't understand the amazingness of the points card)? There are some products you can buy and use together, and save a bit of money every now and again. And I'm only talking essentials like shaving foam, shampoo and shower gel, not your holy grail face masks or cleansing oils (panic over).

Here's the products that will please your other half (and his bank balance):

Jergens Moisturiser Skin Firming Daily Toning Body Moisturiser (200ml, £4.99)
Baylis & Harding Black Pepper and Ginseng Hand Wash (500ml, £2)
Nivea Lemongrass & Oil Shower Gel (250ml, £1.29)
Sanex Moisturising Shower Gel (500ml, £3.09)
Boots Essentials Shaving Foam (250ml, £0.99)
Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm (40ml, £8.50)
Sensodyne Gentle Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste (75ml, £3.30)
Radox Refresh Shower Gel & Shampoo (250ml, £1.99)
Nivea Essential Care Lip Balm (£1.65)
Boots Essentials Cucumber Moisturising Cream (£0.99)
Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo (250ml, £2.69)
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (236ml, £8.99)

What do you think of this week's beauty look? xxx

A for Atomic
B for Burlesque
C for Caribbean
D for Dynamite
E for Enchantment
 F for Fantasia
G for Gatsby
H for Halo
I for Indigo
J for Jelly
K for Khaki
L for Lemon & Lime
M for Morello Cherry

N for Neverland
O for Ocean Blue

P for Pearl
Q for Quads

R for Riviera

S for Scented
T for Texture

Beauty Launches: Artdeco, Lancôme & Bobbi Brown

Artdeco Cream Rouge in Creamy Pink, £12

Artdeco Cream Rouge in Creamy Orange, £12

Lancome DreamTone Serum (Fair Skin), £69

Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Eye Palette, £39.50

Is it any wonder our bank accounts are suffering when the best beauty brands are bringing out gorgeous launches left, right and centre?

I'm especially in love with the look of the Artdeco cream-to-powder blushes for cheeks and lips and the neutral but dazzling Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate eyeshadow palette. 

Will you be buying any of these new beauties? xxx

Luxury Beauty Lust List

As per every other beauty blogger, I'm lusting after a hell of a lot of things. Whether it's skin care, make-up or hair care, I've got my purse at the ready and my bank card trembling in its broke boots.

Just so you know, all of these items are at least £10, so if you are not one for premium beauty, it might be best to turn away now!

OPI Jade Is The New Black

I love bold colours for my nails and I'm always drawn to greens, blues and reds. This one from OPI looks like a wearable, sophisticated green and I need it in my collection.

Kiehl's Midnight Concentrate

I'm really intrigued by night creams, oils and serums at the moment, as I've been using Trilogy's Rosapene night cream and have seen a difference in the appearance of my skin. I don't know if it's the pretty packaging speaking to me here, but Kiehl's Midnight Concentrate looks like a great one to try and it's always getting rave reviews on beauty blogs.

Noble Isle Rhubarb Rhubarb Hand Wash

Noble Isle is such a fantastic brand - I first came across it in a beauty box circa 2010 and thought the shower gel I received (Summer Rising) smelled fantastic and oozed English elegance. Rhubarb Rhubarb sounds fun and fruity, but it is a little expensive at £18, so it might stay on my lust list for quite a while!

Jurlique Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator

If there's one brand I can't stop lusting over, it's Jurlique. I have wanted to try a fruit enzyme exfoliator for ages and this one looks really good.

Cane + Austin Retexturizing Pads for Body

Even though these cost a bomb and a half, they look incredible. We always hear about retexturising products for facial skin, but not really for the body, so I'd love to put these to the test!

Becca Resurfacing Primer

Resurfacing primers are generally amazing - not only do they enable your make-up to last longer than usual, but also they create a fresh, even base to start off with. I saw a fab review of this the other day, so I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it.

Sacha Juan Ocean Mist

There's loads of rave reviews about this product and it looks so pretty! There's lots of buzz around salt and texturising sprays right now, and I reckon this one is at the top of the list.

Ole Henriksen Lemon Strip Flash Peel

I'm all over at-home peels at the moment - they do an amazing job on my skin! After seeing this in Selfridges a while back, I have been waiting til pay day to make a purchase.

FACE Stockholm Blush-On in Shamballa

This is the item that has caught my eye every time I've been to BeautyMART. It's such high-quality, gorgeous pink blusher and looks like a perfect cheek product for this time of year.

What's on your luxury beauty lust list? xxx

Currently Obsessed With #1 Topshop Aurora Nail Polish

It's rare you find a nail polish that ticks every box - colourful, easy to apply and chip-free - but I've found one to top them all. Aurora is so far up my beauty street that I've given it a parking space and keys to my flat. From the packaging to the polish itself, it delivers.

First of all, I love how all of Topshop's nail polishes have white tops to let the colour of the polish shine. The iconic polka dot pattern on the top also gives it character and you can instantly see it's part of the Topshop range.

Then you have what's inside the bottle. The brush applies the multi-toned gold evenly and no gloopyness can be seen. Because of this, you only need two coats before your top coat - and I would highly recommend Seche Vite, as it made my polish last so much longer than it usually would.

I think it's such an all-year-round colour and, although it's shiny, it's a great colour for wear at work, the beach and for drinks with the girls.

And all of this comes at a price of £6. You can thank me later!

What's your favourite metallic nail polish? xxx

Guest Post: My Handbag Essentials

Hey everyone! I'm Albertine and my blog is DippyWrites. A couple of days ago, Natasha sent out a tweet asking if anyone would like to do a guest post for her and I jumped at the chance.

I've decided to share my handbag essentials with you; these are the quick-fix items I always have with me when I'm on the go.

Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer 

This is the best concealer I've tried ever and I can't bare to leave the house without it. It comes with a blemish and undereye concealer, a setting powder and a tiny mirror all in one sturdy compact, making it perfect for make-up touch-ups on the go.  

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl in Nude 

You know those days when you're up early for work and you just feel and look super tired and drained? Well this eye pencil is for those days! I love having this in my bag so I can just apply a bit to my waterline, instantly making my eyes look a bit more wide awake and alert.

Revlon Crease Brush 

You're probably thinking 'ermmm why do you carry a makeup brush around with you?'. Well, it's for those days when your eyeshadow and primer really just aren't holding up. I like having this in my bag when my eyeshadow majorly creases, so I can quickly blend it again!

Hask Argan Oil 

I love to keep a little vial of this argan oil in my bag for when my hair is being particularly unruly. I just run a pea sized amount through the ends of my hair and it immediately helps to tame them, make them feel silky smooth again.

Carmex Lip Balm

I don't know how I could survive without my massive stash of lip balms! Out of all of them, Carmex lip balm is my favourite one to stash in my handbag. As well as moisturising dry lips, it also has SPF15, which is really useful for protecting your lips from the sun when you're out and about.

Avene Eau Thermale Water Spray 

I love having this in my handbag, especially when the weather's super hot (like it has been recently!). I use this to refresh my makeup throughout the day, but I also like to use it to cool my skin down when the weather is really hot.

So there's my handbag essentials! I hope you've enjoyed reading this - if you have, don't forget to pop over to my blog and have a look at the other types of posts I write.

What are your handbag essentials? xxx

 

Beauty Looks A-Z: Texture

Textures are all the rage in the beauty world right now. Everyone's talking about the latest feather effect nail polishes, velvet touch cream blushers and volumising hair salts.

This week, I've dedicated my beauty looks post to all the crazy textures that have become popular over the last year. It's an interesting one!

Here's the products that are shaking up the beauty world:

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel (125ml, £19.50)
Accessorize Sweetcheeks Cream Blush 2 Bloom (£3.95)
Bumble and Bumble Bb Texture Cream (60ml, £10)
VO5 Give Me Texture Instant Oomph Powder (£4.19)
GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Foundation Primer (£7.99)
Nicole for OPI Nail Texture Coat in Red (£7.99)
Nails Inc Leather Effect Nail Polish in Dalston (10ml, £12)
Sally Hansen Sugar Coats in Cotton Candies (£6.99)
L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique BB Blush (15ml, £7.99)
TRESemme Texture Style Backcomb Dust (£5.49)
Ciate Velvet Manicure in Berry Poncho (£14)
Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat in Sea (£6.99)

What do you think of this week's beauty look? xxx

A for Atomic
B for Burlesque
C for Caribbean
D for Dynamite
E for Enchantment
 F for Fantasia
G for Gatsby
H for Halo
I for Indigo
J for Jelly
K for Khaki
L for Lemon & Lime
M for Morello Cherry

N for Neverland
O for Ocean Blue

P for Pearl
Q for Quads

R for Riviera

S for Scented

GOSH CC Cream Foundation

When it comes to product hype, BB and CC creams have been up there with the best of them for over a year. However, when faced with one of these all singing, all dancing skin perfectors, I run a mile. I just don't see the big deal, especially when BB is being slapped onto every beauty product with a label.

But it wasn't until I tried the GOSH Cosmetics CC Cream in Sand (30ml, £8.99) that I realised what I had been missing out on. Contrary to what I believed, the coverage is quite good, and it wasn't just a tinted moisturiser pretending to be a foundation, or a day cream masked as a cover-up cosmetic. It is light alternative to foundation, with a medium coverage and smooth finish.

In terms of the packaging, I like that there's a small nozzle - it limits the amount of cream I use, as I usually end up with waste until I get used to how much I need.

Then we have the CC cream itself. At first glance, it looks a bit too dark for my skin, but it actually blends in really well. It doesn't take long to sink into the skin, and it doesn't leave it dry or patchy.

I still use a bit of powder to set it, but not half as much as usual. It lasts all day and leaves the skin dewy, but not too shiny.

All in all, I think the GOSH Cosmetics CC Cream Foundation is a great Summer base product and would highly recommend it.

What's your favourite foundation for Summer? xxx

*This post features a PR sample. All views are my own

Boots & Superdrug Haul: Face, Eyes, Body & Hair

Yes, I've been shopping again. And I'm very happy about it.

Like many shopping trips, this one was totally spontaneous. I went in wanting one thing in particular, but every beauty lover knows that the 'just one thing' rule never applies once you start scouring the shelves. Or ever. 

FACE

How cute are these 99p wash flannels? Such a bargain! In my experience, it really makes a difference to use a fresh flannel when cleansing to minimise the skin's exposure to bacteria. And let's be honest - who could say no to the cotton candy colour and sky blue shade?

EYES

Moving swiftly on to eye products, I've been eyeing up the new Scandaleyes Shadow Paints for a while, so decided to give the beautiful bronze Rich Russet a go. I've also never bought an eye primer, even though I have tonnes of gorgeous shadows to take advantage of, so I picked up Revlon's Photoready Eye Primer & Brightener and will have a review up as soon as possible. 

BODY

I know that dry body brushing is good for cellulite reduction and keeping your skin smooth and buffed, so I picked up the Botanics Detox Brush, which has a lovely organic feel to it. I will use this a couple of times a week and see if it makes any difference. Watch this space!

HAIR

Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Colour range is my go-to product for dyeing my hair at home, and it's time to top my roots again. I bought the Iced Chocolate shade, which is a lovely deep, shiny brown. I highly recommend Olia to anyone who regularly colours their hair at home.

Have you tried any of the products I bought? Leave your review links below! xxx

Botox Parties: Why They Should Be Banned

Credit: Patpitchaya, FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

What many people don't know about Botox is that it's a prescription medicine. That means it can only be administered by registered doctors, dentists and nurses. 

It cannot be shared among friends in a game of pass the parcel, and it cannot be used and thrown away like a disposable razor. Yet several clinics and salons around the UK continue to offer party packages using Botox as a centrepiece for one reason - money.

I won't beat around the wrinkle-free bush - I absolutely disagree with the entire concept of Botox parties. The bottom line is that vulnerable people are being put at risk. After all, when you strip it down, a powerful toxin is being injected into the face, which is the most visible part of the body. Pointing and shooting is not an option. 

Those thinking about having Botox are also entitled to a face-to-face, tailored consultation to see if they are suitable for treatment. However, instead of treating 'guests' case by case, Botox parties offer a group consultation, where several vulnerable women could be giving their consent for treatment under the influence of alcohol, as a result of being offered an incentive or following bouts of peer pressure. 

Put it this way - never would you see a group of diabetics sipping champagne and dancing around the insulin in their handbags, nor would you see anyone singing to a soundtrack of Roaccutane pills being popped out of a packet. Just imagine the danger that could be caused when you mix alcohol, needles and unscrupulous health professionals. It has got to stop.

And the shocking thing is, the party 'host' (who is offered a discount for his/her treatment) will receive a loyalty card to encourage further appointments. That's right, having your face injected is being likened to eating chicken at Nandos, getting your eyebrows threaded at Shavata and having your nails done at the salon round the corner.

Take it from me, there are hundreds of professional and ethical nurses and doctors out there who wouldn't touch Botox parties with a barge pole. They are not safe.

If you have serious concerns about wrinkles and have thought about having Botox, make a face-to-face appointment at the clinic or with the practitioner in question, and leave your Botox party invitation where it belongs - in the bin.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Botox parties, and I'm open to all opinions. Have you been to one?  Have you ever thought about going to one? Have you hosted one? xxx

Superdrug & Marie Curie Camomile Facial Cleansing Wipes

It's no secret that face wipes aren't my thing, but I know that many of you like to use them for a cleansing fix after a night out. And when a loved beauty brand makes a conscious effort to support those in need, it's well worth spreading the word.

On the 15th of August, Superdrug will be launching its redesigned Limited Edition 4-in-1 Camomile Facial Cleansing Wipes, which are suitable for use on all skin types. Each pack costs 99p, and 15% will go to cancer charity Marie Curie with every purchase. 

This will be Superdrug's first ever charity project, and I think you'll agree it's a fab one to start with. It is hoped that the money raised will fund 40 Marie Curie nurses, which would be an incredible achievement. So, if you like face wipes, it's well worth giving these new ones a go.

Have you tried any Superdrug skin care products? xxx

Bomb Cosmetics' Mango Unchained Body Polish

From the moment I heard that Bomb Cosmetics was launching a body polish with the word 'mango' in it, I was sold. After all, it didn't take me very long to make my way through the blackcurrant and lemongrass body polish tubs that once graced my stockpile, so I was well up for trying a new 'flavour'.

Mango Unchained is infused with pure shea butters and grapefruit & orange essential oils. As with all of the body polishes, it comes in a 365ml plastic tub with a simple but colourful design and italic branding.

For me, the best bit about Bomb Cosmetics' body polishes is how lightly grained they are. Never have I found another range of body scrubs that exfoliate and moisturise so well, and every use leaves my skin nourished and fresh.

When you first feel the scrub, it appears to be quite firm and hard to massage into the skin, but as soon as it hits the tiniest drop of water it breaks up very easily.

The one thing that disappointed me was the distinct lack of mango in the polish's scent and ingredients. Other than the creative name, the idea of an exotic fruit is what got me excited about the product in the first place. But I'll never really complain about the use of orange and grapefruit in a shower product, so it really could be worse.

You can buy the Mango Unchained Body Polish here for £7.99.

What's your favourite body scrub? xxx

*This post contains a PR sample. All views are my own.

Beauty Looks A-Z: Scented

For me, nothing beats beauty products with fruity and floral scents. In fact, I'm often drawn to them when it comes to stocking up on the latest bath & body, fragrance and hair gems. And lemon, lime and lavender will more than do.

Here's my edit of scented beauty buys for the Summer. I can almost smell them as I type!

 Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Shampoo (250ml, £16)
Sara Happ The Lip Scrub: Lavender Limited Edition (30ml, £20)
Diptyque Eucalyptus Scented Candle (£40)
Models Own Fruit Pastel Nail Polish in Apple Pie (14ml, £5)
Nivea Sunny Melon & Oil Shower Gel (250ml, £2.59)
Bic Soleil Scent Disposable Razors (£3.69)
Yardley London English Lavender Hand & Nail Cream (100ml, £3.99)
Revlon Scented Nail Enamel (Limited Edition) in Strawberry Cream (14ml, £6.49)
Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Shower Gel (500ml, £6.50)
Denman Apple-Scented Hairbrush (£9)
Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends Shampoo (400ml, £3.89)
D.L. & Co Jardins Fruitiers Boite de Pommes (£90)

What do you think of this week's beauty look? xxx

Post-Holiday Haul: Nails & Face

Shock horror - I've been shopping again! Although, I have to admit that being on a spending ban has really made me think about what I'm buying. I stopped myself buying two gorgeous blushers during the week - I think you'll find that's dedication.

But of course I found the time to invest in some gorgeous beauty buys at Boots and Superdrug. A lot of it was on offer, which I feel justifies my spending! I know you will agree.

NAILS

Firstly we have the two Revlon nail products I bought from Boots, which both had £2 off the normal price (#bargain). I wanted the Essie cuticle oil, but as it wasn't in the store I went to I opted for the gorgeous blue Revlon Cuticle Softener, which I can't wait to try. Next to that is the Valentine nail lacquer - a gorgeous all-year-round deep red.

My existing Models Own nail buffery thingy is a bit tattered, so I decided to get this one - it's so cute and is the perfect size for my handbag. I also got another set of Quickies nail polish remover pads, which I think are great and a total bargain at under £3. Each pad goes a long way, so you only need to use a maximum of 4 for both hands.

FACE

My final Boots purchase was the Real Techniques Powder Brush. I can't fault the Stippling Brush for my foundation and the Blush Brush, so I thought I would add this one to my collection. Exciting.

Then I popped into Superdrug to get a new bottle of micellar water, as mine had run out during the week! I love the Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Water by L'Oreal and it was on offer for half price, so I had to grab one. 

What do you think of my latest haul? xxx

Saturday Beauty Steal #16

I've been by the sea this week in Clacton and Brighton, and the one thing I couldn't live without was my La Roche-Posay SPF50+ gel cream. But not all of us want to spend over £15 on facial sun care when there's holidays and days out to be paid for, so Solait's SPF50 Mattifying Face Sun Fluid is a great alternative for £2.48 at Superdrug.

What is it?

Solait's SPF50 Mattifying Face Sun Fluid is a light UVA/UVB lotion made with sunscreens to protect the face, hands and chest. It also contains a complex of antioxidants proven to prevent premature ageing and fight against free radicals, and 24-hour skin hydration is provided by Aquarich.

What do I like about it?

Not only does this lotion prevent visible signs of ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines, but also it enriches the skin with antioxidants. It doesn't leave any residue and protects against both UVA and UVB, which is important when the skin is exposed to the sun and the environment in general.

Why is it a steal? 

Given that you can pay over triple the price of this product for those made by premium brands, the Mattifying Face Sun Fluid is an amazing multipurpose steal. It's rare to find an SPF face fluid that looks after the skin in more ways than one at such a bargain price.

You can buy Solait's SPF50 Mattifying Face Sun Fluid here.

What do you think of this week's beauty steal? xxx