Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipsticks

For those of you that follow me on Instagram you will know that recently I won a competition where I won the whole collection of Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipsticks. I was thrilled as I have been looking to expand my lipstick collection which consisted of around 15 lipsticks before hand. To some people that still may seem like a lot however most of them are pink/red shades as I like to play it safe! In fact I had to pick up a new lipstick holder from Amazon to accommodate this growth in my collection! FYI If you're looking for a lipstick holder check out this clear acrylic 24 Lipstick holder. I have two of them and they look fantastic on my vanity. For £2.47 and free delivery you can't complain!

Anyway I digress. So rather than reviewing each shade of lipstick individually on this post I thought I would split up the posts into individual ones. Over the next few weeks I will be featuring the different shades available in the collection. I will then update this posts with links to each post to make life easier! That way I can provide lip swatches of each lipstick for you all!

Each of these posts will focus on the colour of the lipstick and my thoughts on the shade. Below I will be reviewing the actual formula of the collection. I've been wanting to do a series like this for a while so I hope you all enjoy it! Here are the names of each different shades. Check back here for updated links to each post on each lipstick!

Cranberry

Candy Mist

Apple Blossom

Sorbet

Cedar

Caramel

Berry Sorbet

Biscuit

Pink Orchid

Crimson

Fig Leaf

Berry Blush

Heather

Hazelnut

Pink Mallow

Autumn Glow

Rose Bud

Raspberry

Coral Shimmer

Sweet Pea

So what do I think of the Moisture Shine collection?

The formula is fantastic. One thing I hate about some lipsticks is that they can be awfully drying however, as the name would suggest, the Moisture Shine Collection is really moisturising for the lips and doesn't dry them out whilst you're wearing it. 

They are also surprisingly pigmented. For £1.99 I really wasn't expecting such pigmentation. Again, as the name would suggest, the Natural Collection lipsticks are all very natural shades which is great for someone like me who is a lipstick novice and looking to see what suits them without breaking the bank!

The lipsticks themselves last a few hours. I've found they last longer with a lip liner underneath as a base. However any sign of food or drink and these lipsticks will be gone and need to be topped up, so bare that in mind. Overall I really love the formula of them!

Have you tried the Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipsticks or anything from Natural Collection? Let me know in the comments below! 

 

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Sensationail Dotted Nail Art

Since I've been off for summer I've been loving pulling out the Sensational kit and doing my nails. Usually I pick up my Sensationail polishes from Boots however recently I actually ordered from the Sensationail website. The good thing about ordering from the Sensationail website is that you can actually get some freebies with the nail polishes you order and they are slightly cheaper! I chose a nail file and a dotting tool whilst placing my order.

I used White Lilly (the white polish) and Midnight Rendezvous (the black polish) alongside the free dotting tool I received to create this look. I really love the simplicity of this look. It was very easy to create and quick to do. 

What nail art have you been creating lately? Do you have any favourite nail polish/Sensationail shades? Let me know in the comments below!

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Batiste XXL Stylist - Review

A few weeks ago on twitter I expressed my upset at the fact that Boots will no longer be stocking the Batiste XXL Dry Shampoo. It is my go to Dry Shampoo. I use it every day on my hair as my hair is so thick that it doesn't get much volume as it is so weighed down. That and I don't wash my hair every day - I wash it every 3rd to 4th day if I can to maintain its healthy condition - so I am pretty reliant on good old dry shampoo.

Anyway to carry on, I was pretty gutted. I checked all my local Boots to see if they had any leftover Boots XXL Dry Shampoo but no luck - so I actually ordered a bulk amount from Superdrug whilst they still had it on their site. 

When I was back and forth tweeting Boots/Batiste over this they informed me that they had released the Batiste XXL Stylist which is essentially the same thing but without the dry shampoo element. It essentially is just for adding volume. I will admit that it continues to do this fantastically so if you;re after volume but no dry shampoo in it then this is perfect. The powder is still white so, if you're like me and have dark hair, you have to make sure it is blended in well.

The smell of this powder though... I have to mention it. I'm not the biggest fan and the powder seems so thick that it really makes me cough when I use it. Not to mention it makes my vanity very, very dusty! Would I buy this again? Probably just because it is as close to the original as I can get. But my heart belongs to the original formula I'm afraid and I'm really sad that they seem to have discontinued it.

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Lush - Granny Takes A Dip Bath Bomb - Review

There are some bath bombs from Lush that are infamous for being favourites or 'blogger favourites' if you will. Granny Takes A Dip is one of those bath bombs. I like to purchase bath bombs that are a little bit different and put on a bit of a show as I  put bath bombs in the bath with Gaz watching too as he loves to watch them dissolving and the patterns they make! Can you tell we don't have Sky TV?

I had a bit of bad luck with my bath bomb as a bit of the edge broke off as I was taking it out of the bag to photograph and use so ignore the little break! This bath bomb is pretty large and does take a while to dissolve which is great value for money. I'm sure you could break this bath bomb in to two if you really wanted to get the most out of your money but I think the novelty of this bath bomb really comes from using the full thing!

The second you drop the bath bomb into your bath colour instantly takes over the bath. Each colour begins to dissolve separately and the force of the dissolving bath bomb forces the bath bomb to move around the bath leaving a little trail behind. The scent is fresh with citrus undertones and lingers for a good amount of time.

You can really tell from this photo the way the bath bomb shoots around the bath and does its own little thing leaving a gorgeous pattern. 

You can really tell why this bath bomb is a blogger favourite. It is just so gorgeous to photograph and watch. Myself, and even Gaz, had such lovely photos of this bath bomb. It  has definitely made it into my favourites. I must apologise for the phone camera photos however. I still don't have the confidence to dangle my actual camera over the bath. Knowing me I would drop it in there!

This is how your bath is left at the end of it all. I love how it is mostly purple with little pockets of colour left over. It is such a beautiful bath bomb and I highly recommend you pick this bath bomb up if you have the chance!

Have you tried Granny Takes A Dip? What Lush bath bomb would you recommend to me? Let me know in the comments below!

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Wilko Fruits Range: Strawberry & Pomegranate Soap and Scrub - Review

Oh I love a good bargain. Everything seems to be getting so expensive so I love picking up things I go through like water for a good price! One range I am particularly happy with is the Wilkinsons Fruits range. It is an affordable range of everyday bath/shower essentials. They have a variety of scents available but one of my particular favourites is Strawberry & Pomegranate - I am absolutely in love with it. I could eat it it smells so nice... but I'll try not to. It's probably for the best.

The body scrub is actually a really good exfoliator. I use it each week to keep on top of exfoliating which means I'm not using a harsh exfoliator each week on my skin. I save the likes of St Ives exfoliators for when my skin needs them. It also doesn't leave annoying little exfoliating pieces all over your bath/shower when your done that you have to rinse out. Just that quality alone makes me love this scrub!

The soap is a standard soap bar but with the added strawberry and pomegranate scent. Okay so there is nothing special about it but it is nice to occasionally pick one of these up amidst the boring day to day soap for a little change. Also, the scent, my gosh have I talked about how nice the scent is?

You can check out the body scrub here for an amazing 95p as well as the soap here for the same price!

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Simply Home: Yankee Candle Peach Smoothie - Review

It has been a while since I have written a candle review up! I promise I've been burning more than my fare share of candles lately! I like to have a few candles dotted around my fireplace to burn, particularly when I'm blogging and taking photos. One of the candles I currently have is called Peach Smoothie and is from the Yankee Candle Simply Home range.

As you can expect by the name, peach smoothie, this candle smells exactly like the fresh scent of peach. The scent is noticeable but not too harsh. I've also noticed that the scent lingers well long after the actual candle has been blown out. The throw of the candle is pretty good. It manages to reach my kitchen from the living room pretty well!

This candle has been one of my favourites to burn this summer. You can check out the votive here or the medium jar here.

   

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W7 In The City Palette - Review

W7 In The City Palette

Last week I reviewed the W7 In The Mood palette. It was an absolute hit for me so I thought I would continue to share the love of W7 and discuss their In The City palette which I am as equally in love with! The quality of these eye shadows is just as fantastic as the previous W7 palette I reviewed. The shades stick well, blend well and don't crease. Amazing!

W7 In The City Palette

Once again we have the same idea with this palette. A small tin containing 6 gorgeous shades. They are very similar to the shades in the In The Mood palette however they are much warmer toned. Depending on your preference to warmer/cooler tones you may only want to pick up one of these palettes or you may fall for both like I did!

W7 In The City Palette

Wigwam, Troy & Brass

Wigwam: Wigwam is the first shade in the palette and is your classic brow highlight shade. It is very warm toned so it is great for those that don't necessarily want to highlight the brow bone but want to add definition. It also makes a fantastic base for coloured shades.

Troy: Troy is a lovely light brown shade. It is perfect for an all over the lid colour.

Brass: Brass is a darker brown shade that is great for blending out colours in this palette. It is great for a subtle smoky eye.

W7 In The City Palette

Touch, Autumn & Andrea

Touch: These next three shades are much deeper than the first three and really show the warmth behind the shades in these palettes. Touch is a deeper version of Brass in my opinion. Great for a daring smoky eye.

Autumn: Autumn is similar to Touch but has a hint of the shade range we saw from Troy which makes it slightly different. I tend to choose between Touch or Autumn when creating a look as they are similar.

Andrea: Of course what would a palette be without the classic black shade. A staple and a very strong black shade.

Once again another W7 palette I have fallen in love with. I can't get over the fact that W7 and these palettes haven't received as much attention as they deserve! For £3.91 on Amazon this palette is an absolute steal! Have you joined the neutral palettes craze or are you all about the daring and bold shades? Let me know in the comments!

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Book Review: Trouble by Non Pratt

Trouble by Non Pratt

Recently I set a goal to read twenty books before the end of the year. A modest goal but I am trying to encourage myself to get back into my reading cycle. Trouble by Non Pratt has gotten me back on the book bandwagon so to speak.

I don't want to call this an 'easy read' because I think that sounds patronising! But it definitely was an engaging book that I could pick up and put down amongst doing work and housework. This was the style of book I needed to get me out of my reading slump.

The storyline is actually one I haven't heard of before which made it fresh and new. Rather than a stereotypical boy meets girl love story we have something very different here. Hannah finds herself in the position of being fifteen and pregnant. Aaron is the new boy at Hannah's school and finds himself stepping in to be the father to Hannah's baby without actually being the father. I loved that this book embraced the troubles and issues that teen parents face without being critical.

Aaron has a past he'd sooner hide, which is revealed to us later in the book. Hannah too also has a history which has led her to be in the situation she finds herself in today. The story is told from the points of view of both Hannah and Aaron. Their dialogue entries are often short and bounce very well between each other which makes the story engaging. It is also pretty easy to end reading on a characters passage and pick it up again without being lost.

As always I won't give too much away on the story as I hate revealing spoilers. It was a compelling read that kept me coming back. I had finished the book in two days. I was very happy with the end resolution however I wish there was a second follow up book as I believe there is so much character development that both Hannah and Aaron could continue with in another book!

I picked up Trouble by Non Pratt from Amazon for £5.99 here. Have you read Trouble or any other of Non Pratt's books? Let me know in the comments below!

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My Postgraduate Graduation at Staffordshire University - Completing DTLLS (Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Sector)

Gosh this post has been a long time coming! About three weeks ago I had my second graduation for my post graduate degree. YAY! After two hard years of studying and training I finally gained my qualified teacher status. Something which, at times, I thought I would never be able to do. I graduated at Staffordshire University and I have to say it was the better of my two graduations. It was a gorgeous day and the actually setting was stunning as you will be able to tell from the photos I have included.

I haven't included every photo as there was in excess of 100! I was snapping away as I wanted to capture the day. Above is me and Gaz at Trentham Estate in the Italianate Gardens. This is where the ceremony was held. It was absolutely stunning. My dad is an avid gardener so he really enjoyed the walk up to the graduation venue.

If you're wondering what I wore for the day:

Cardigan: George at Asda

Dress: Primark

Leggings: Warehouse

Sandals: New Look

Here is a lovely family shot of us all. The staff/student volunteers in the gardens were amazing. They were dotted around the grounds for if you had any questions or wanted photos taken which is perfect to make sure you get everyone in your photos! 

Can we just talk about how gorgeous the gardens are? They were absolutely stunning.

Again another stunning photo. I didn't get a photo but there were so many baby ducks and even swans on the grounds.

After we got to the grounds themselves I went to collect my gown and we started snapping away and getting some photos! I think this one of me and Gaz is funny as my gown looks like I'm about to fly away! It was windy that day but very, very warm!

Here is one of me with my mum and dad!

Again we had a lovely member of staff who took this photo for us . I wish I could remember his name as he was the loveliest man ever! Very funny and upbeat! So thank you nameless photographer! 

Here is one of me in the actual venue where we graduated. Gaz ran up to the very front where I was sat to get a few photos. I was actually second row from the front as I was graduating with the third highest qualification that day!

You can see just how beautiful the venue and graduation stage was that day. It was absolutely stunning. It was so well decorated.

Of course you can't graduate without getting a graduation selfie can you? I had recently gotten brown highlights in my hair as I am hoping to go back to brunette soon! I think you can see them very well in this photo!

Of course I had to put this amazing picture of Gaz as the last photo! Really my success is not just my own. It is Gaz's, my mums, my dads, my friends and everyone elses who has supported me. This qualification is just as much theirs as it is is mine.

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