Bath Time Essentials

My must have products for the ultimate bath time experience...

When it comes to it nothing is quite as relaxing as a hot bath especially one filled with fragrant luxurious bubbles, I love the Lush bubble bars as they not only fill the bath with a mountain of bubbles but they leave the skin feeling super soft and moisturised afterwards. Two new bubble bars I have been trying are from the Lush Christmas collection, first up is Holy Golightly - shaped like a Christmas pudding and covered in silver glitter this is perfect for a festive pamper evening, this bubble bar is packed with spicy Christmas scents like clove leaf oil, cinnamon leaf oil and sweet orange oil. Another Lush bar I love is Candy Mountain, this sweet bath treat is packed with comforting vanilla scent and turns the bath water a beautiful shade of pink. 

The Body Shop's Honeymania Bubble Bath Melt is also another bath time favourite, the perfect mixture of honey and wildflower give this bath melt a gorgeous fragrance, the creamy bubbles leave a rich layer of moisture on the skin. My final bath time must have is The Body Shop's Early Harvest Raspberry Body Scrub, this stuff smells incredible and the seed like texture lifts away dead skin helping to improve the body's circulation.

What are your favourite bathtime products? Have you tried anthing from the Lush Christmas range yet?

Disclaimer: Although I work for The Body Shop, this is no way effects my opinion.

Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter

Dressing for Autumn is a lot easier than Summer, the jeans can come out in full force along with all those cosy winter layers, here is an outfit I put together for a lazy Sunday afternoon, details below...

I treated myself to a new pair of classic black jeans for this Autumn, I first saw the Asos Ridley Jeans on Alix from I Covet Thee, she wore them in a recent blog post with a checked shirt and I just loved the rips and the fit of them, they are high waisted and super comfy so I can definitely see myself getting a lot of wear out of these! The Iron Maiden tee was an absolute steal from To Be Worn Again in Brighton, I love the black on black look of this outfit, a leather jacket would really toughen this look up, and also add that all important extra layer now it has started to get a little chilly in England. 

What are your favourite pieces for Autumn? 

Iron Maiden Top - To Be Worn Again, Brighton 

Jeans - Asos Ridley Jeans 

Shoes - H&M

Hat - Asos

Sunglasses - Brick Lane Vintage Shop

Necklace - Native Wolf

Autumn Style Essentials

Autumn layers, stripes and tartan...

With the weather slowly transitioning from the warm Indian summer we have been enjoying into the cold, wet weather of recent it was time for me to add a few extra layers to my usual attire, this stripped Topshop dress with the dropped hem is so easy to dress up or down, I paired it with my beloved leather jacket, I love this bomber style, I purchased this years ago from New Look and added a few studs onto the collar, another New Look find is the tartan scarf, I think Tartan will be big this Autumn/Winter.

Hat - H&M

Dress - Topshop

Scarf - New Look

Jacket - New Look

Bracelet - Camden market

Shoes - Primark

What are your favourite trends for the colder months?

Colour Crush Nail Polish by The Body Shop

Disclaimer: Although I work for The Body Shop, my views and opinions are 100% honest and my own. 

The Body Shop's new nail polish collection has landed - details below...

When I first found out the The Body Shop were planning to release a nail polish collection I was pretty excited, I am forever painting my nails and can never say no to the idea of a shiny new lacquer lining my bathroom cupboard. The range is packed with some seriously stunning colours, one my favourites being Mint Cream, this shade is super pretty and looks great with tribal jewellery. Meet Me At Dusk is also a favourite, its a gorgeous vintage pink that is a great transitional summer to autumn shade.

Most of these shades require just two coats for a super glossy opaque finish, they are also very long lasting especially if you apply the top coat over your desired colour - this adds extra shine too for that salon style glass like appearance. Application wise the brush is somewhere between an Essie brush and a Barry M brush so if your not a fan of a super wide brush or a very thin brush then you will love these.

What shades have you picked up from the new collection?

Day to Night

Subtle styling changes can take a pretty floral dress from day to night...

I picked up this dress from Bershka a couple of weeks ago, it has a super pretty floral print that is easy to dress up or down, for a more casual event such as lunch with friends I paired this dress with a Topshop leather jacket and my H&M black heels, the leather adds another dimension to the outfit giving it a tougher edge. For the evening look I wore the dress with my vintage fur wrap and a pretty clutch from a charity shop, I also went for a dark lip to keep with the old Hollywood glamour theme.

Dress - Bershka

Jacket - Topshop

Bag - Charity Shop

Fur Wrap - Vintage

Shoes - H&M

Earrings - Brighton Laines 

Lipstick - Rimmel 107

Nails - The Body Shop Minty Amour

How would you style this dress?

Current Make Up Picks

Disclaimer: Although I work for The Body Shop this in no way effects my opinion. 

The products that have made the cut into my everyday routine, The brief? - fresh faced long lasting foundation, a golden glow and a touch of shimmer, the products used? read on...

As the weather has taken an autumnal turn the need for a super lightweight base is no more, and when it comes to foundations offering that little bit of extra coverage no one does it quite like Vichy, their Dermablend foundation is medium to full coverage and gives a slightly velvety finish without being too matte, a little also goes an incredibly long way so less is definitely more when applying.

For contouring I have been using a combination of my two favourite bronzers, the first is one of my most loved make up products - Nars Laguna, this just gives a very natural looking contour without looking muddy or too warm, I like to use my Real Techniques Contour Brush to apply this into the hollows of my cheeks and my temples etc, after I like to use a Kabuki brush to apply another matte bronzer - The Body Shop's Honey Bronzer in 03, the combination of the two create a subtle warmth to the skin and give that much needed definition of the cheekbone area.

The shimmer mentioned in the brief? Well look no further than The Body Shop's Shimmer Cubes, incredibly pigmented and bursting with shimmer these little squares of pure beauty goodness are perfect for creating all number of eye looks whether you want a light natural wash of colour on the lids or you want to go for a full on dramatic smoky eye. I have the Spring Bronze quad, this is packed with warm earthy tones that are very flattering.

To keep things in place and lasting all day I like to use a setting spray, The Body Shop's Vitamin E Face Mist is perfect for adding a little moisture as well as holding your make up in place - perfect if you have gone a tad overboard on the powder front and need to get things looking a little less cakey. This lightweight spray contains rosewater and is very refreshing, it is great for carry round in your handbag for on the go touch ups.

Let me know if you have tried any of these in the comments below:)

The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Picks

Disclaimer: Although I work for The Body Shop this is no way effects my opinion.

See what my favourites are from The Body Shop's new Wild Argan Oil Range...

Argan Oil is an ingredient that I have been familiar with for a while now, the essential oil's moisturising properties mean that using a hair oil has become a staple in many girls hair routines. So I was rather excited when I heard that The Body Shop were bringing out a body care range packed with new exciting products. The Organic Community Fair Trade Argan Oil comes all the way from the remote Atlas Mountains of Morocco where the nuts are hand picked, hand cracked and slowly pressed to get the purest oil. The Body Shop's trade is helping provide women from six Targanine Co-operatives with a regular income.

My favourites from the range include the Wild Argan Oil Bubbling Bath -  a wonderfully fragrant bath must have that creates rich, indulgent bubbles. This leaves skin feeling supple and moisturised. For super dry skin in need of a little extra hydrating boost I like to use the Wild Argan Oil Miracle Solid Oil, this multi-purpose product can be used on hair and body. I love applying this to the ends of my hair as a finishing styling product to tame flyaway hair and improve the hairs texture if it is looking a little dry. This solid oil is 70% oil so is incredibly moisturising - it is perfect for especially dry areas like heels, elbows and knees.

Have you tried anything from the Wild Argan Range?

The Nourishing Duo

After colouring my hair I knew I needed a shampoo and conditioner duo that was man enough for the job, nothing has compared to Garnier's Ultimate Blends Nourishing Repairer shampoo and conditioner...

I decided to go a little lighter with my hair recently so after a trip to the salon and a little bleach later I had a new do'. As nice as having your hair coloured is, it can often leave your hair feeling a little battered. Garnier's Ultimate Blends Shampoo and Conditioner with European avocado oil and African shea butter are specially formulated for dry and damaged hair. The duo leave hair feeling instantly smooth and soft and the lightweight conditioner means you are left with bouncy voloumous hair.

After using these for a few weeks the results are really starting to show, my hair is starting to feel restored from root to tip and is looking and feeling a lot more healthy, as well as being easier to brush! There is also a one minute treatment in the range which I am looking forward to trying out.

Have you tried these yet? What are your favourite products to use for damaged hair?

New Skincare and Haircare Additions

Disclaimer - Although I work for The Body Shop this in no way effects my opinion. 

Recent purchases that made it to the top of the favourites list.

When it comes to cleansers I have tried a fair few, oil cleansers however have never appealed to me mainly because my skin is oily and putting and oil based product onto my skin feels like a big no no, that being said however Kate from Gh0stparties recently revised the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil from The Body Shop and loved it so I thought it must be worth a try, and I have to say I am now fully converted to oil cleansers. Of course it is a common misconception that an oil based product will increase the skins own oil production, this particular oil cleanser is gentle and effective and removes dirt and make up in an instant, I apply this onto dry skin and then add water to emulsify the product which produces a rich, soapy lather. Then using a warm muslin cloth I remove the product to reveal a nice cleansed face, If I am in a hurry however I will use The Body Shop's Vitamin E Cleansing Facial Bar which effectively removes dirt and impurities whilst providing the skin with hydration.

Another moisturising product on my list is the Origins Overnight Drink Up Intensive Mask, this is perfect if my skin is feeling dehydrated, I just pop this on right before bed and wake up to thirst quenched skin. The last product on my list is in the hair care

category, something not often mentioned on my blog as it takes a real backseat in my entire beauty regime, this product however deserves a mention, the NSPA Hair and Scalp Miracle Mask  is the perfect hair treatment, I was looking for a rescue and repair product that would not weigh down my roots and mid lengths but that would still be rich and hydrating enough for my ends, I had previously tried masks that direct users to apply only to the ends so as not to weigh down the roots, my hair however is incredibly hard to brush post hair wash so ideally I needed a product that would smooth and condition all my hair - not just the ends, that is why I love this mask, it is super hydrating at the same time it is great for my roots as it is so lightweight. As directed I apply this after my usual shampoo and conditioner routine, I massage this into my scalp working it right through the lengths of my hair to the very ends. I leave this on for around five minutes and rinse thoroughly.  I do this once or twice a week depending on how in need of a treatment my hair is.

That is it for my most recent additions, I am sure it won't be long until my next haul post... I may have made a few cheeky purchases already... Stay tuned.

Beach

"There is nothing quite as romantic as a stroll along the beach hand in hand whilst the suns sets"

Having always lived by the sea it is hard to imagine not having the beach at my doorstep. The weather has been wonderful recently and Luca and I have been trying to make the most of it, I want to do lots of things outdoors this summer, I really love going for picnics so I am currently on the look out for a hamper.

Here in Worthing the beach has a Pier, it isn't the nicest and up until recently it has been a little neglected. At the moment though it is looking a lot more loved - the restaurant on the very end has been re done with a real 1930's vibe, very Boardwalk Empire style even down to the background music, I love coming here in the day for lunch, the Club sandwich is to die for if you are ever down this way not to mention the incredible cakes!

What are some of your favourite things to do in the Summer evenings? Let me know in the comments below!

Pampering Must Haves

Find yourself with an evening to spare? Grab a pen and paper and add these must haves to your evening pamper list...

Since I started working at The Body Shop I have definitely been inspired to spend more time on body care, I used to dread the thought of coming home, exfoliating etc but now I have turned it into a more luxurious end to the day and it is something I really look forward to. So if you are looking to shake up your routine then read on...

The Body Shop Mango Body Scrub - This sugar scrub removes dead skin cells and improves skins circulation, it contains mango seed oil so it has a real fruity scent, I like using this with exfoliating gloves or a mitt. As well as leaving my skin feeling super soft it is also perfect for removing fake tan.
Next up is the Korres Vanilla and Cinnamon Body Milk - I think the main reason I love using this so much is because it smells delicious, the vanilla and cinnamon scents combine to create a really yummy smell.. almost pudding like. This is packed with skin loving ingredients like almond oil, aloe and Shea butter that combine to hydrate the skin. If I am looking to moisturise in a hurry I always turn to the Satsuma Body Sorbet from The Body Shop, this is super hydrating leaving the skin feeling moisturised, the sorbet texture sinks into the skin quickly as it is so lightweight, it also is very cooling on the skin.

I am always looking to add products to my pamper regime so let me know in the comments your current favourites.

The Brightening Exfoliator

Not sure what exfoliator to go for if you have sensitive skin? Prone to redness, eczema or acne? I may have found the solution... 

As a girl with sensitive skin, choosing the right exfoliator can be tricky, I want something gentle that still removes dead skin cells and brightens the skin without causing it to flare up. Pai Skincare offers a gentle approach to exfoliation - the Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator is perfect for a more sensitive skin type, unlike other exfoliators that can irritate skin this has a micro-sphere system which protects the skin as it polishes. These Jojoba beads gently roll over the skin lifting away impurities and dead skin revealing a brighter complexion. It is also packed with high concentrations of Omega 3 & 6 and Vitamins A, D and E which instantly provide hydration and help to soften the skin.

I apply this to dry, clean skin and massage in using gentle circular motions and then rinse and polish with a warm muslin cloth, this helps to polish the skin and reveal a more youthful, radiant complexion.

Have you tried this beauty yet? What are your tips for problem/sensitive skin?

Skincare Additions

Rediscovering an old favourite and trying out something new...

I have been through two bottles of the Dr Jart V7 Balancing Toner and I still love it, it is one of those products that has been a staple in my routine ever since purchasing my first bottle. This product is packed with ingredients that improve the skins appearance including witch hazel and nutgall which help to control sebum production, which is perfect if your skin is more on the oily/combination side. This toner is also perfect for sensitive skin and it provides high levels of moisturisation. I apply this to my skin post cleanser with a cotton pad both day and night to keep my skin in check.

To remove make up recently I have been reaching for the Eucerin Dermo Purifyer* - this cleanser is super gentle to the skin and again perfect for more oily skinned gals out there as this is great at keeping shine at bay. I wet my face and then massage this into the skin and use a muslin cloth to remove, this way my skin gets a little exfoliation/polish from the cloth and all my make up is removed. I have also been sampling the Eucerin Even Brighter Day and Night Creams* I apply these respectively after my morning/nighttime routines and my skin has been loving them. The day cream which contains SPF 30 is perfect for wearing underneath make up, it moisturises the skin without feeling too heavy and it helps to brighten and even out the skins pigmentation. Like the day cream the night cream also reduces the skins uneven skin tone, it also contains Glycyrrhetinic Acid which helps to repair cell damage caused by the sun. These two creams claim that after four weeks your skin should look visibly brighter, I am really happy with the results so far but stay tuned and I will keep you updated!

What are your current skincare favourites? Any new additions?

*These items have been sent to me for review, this in no way effects my opinion.

Heartbreaker

Just a little outfit post for you today, I was heading up to London yesterday and needed an outfit that I wouldn't get too hot in during the day but that would keep me warm enough to watch the football in the evening, I chose my Asos floral skirt and Asos Heartbreaker tee which is such a nice fit, and paired it with black tights and H&M lace pumps. I took my trust Pull & Bear jacket, it's so lightweight you can just chuck it in your bag but at the same time it keeps you super cosy. My jewellery is from Snoppers Attic in Brighton lanes. I have been loving Asos recently, there is so much to choose from including lots of high street brands.

Are you an Asos fan?