Watch me get ready for Christmas!! I went for a classic red lip with gold smokey eyes and big bold lashes. Watch my video for a step by step tutorial and here are all the products I used...
Visit the Lucy Bee website for more tips & recipes!!
It't time to talk about Coconut Oil and why I love it so much! There are so many uses for this amazing product as well as benefits, so I wanted to share them with you guys...
1. One of the main things I do is take coconut oil internally. In the morning I always put a tablespoon in my porridge; it tastes great and makes the porridge more filling. You can also put a little in your tea or even use coconut oil as an alternative to butter or olive oil. It's perfect for baking/frying and spreading! It's full of good fats which can improve the general health of all your organs, as well as make a difference in the general condition of your skin, hair and nails.
2. I also love using coconut oil as a moisturizer. In the evening I mix a few drops into my regular face cream and it almost acts like an overnight treatment/mask. It hydrates my skin and makes it lovely and soft. Try it for yourself and you will see just how gorgeous you skin feels the next morning! Coconut oil is perfect for all skin types even super oily; it will simply balance out your natural oils and give you a nice even skin tone. It obviously makes a great body oil especially for anyone with dry/flaky skin. I like to massage it into damp skin right after I take a shower; it absorbs much better and you end up using less product.
3.Coconut oil can be used as a treatment balm for lips, knees, elbows and any other dry areas on your skin. Apply a little on your nails and cuticles when having a manicure to soften the skin and look after your nails. Coconut oil has a lovely light texture so it absorbs very quickly without leaving a greasy feel.
4. It also works wonders on my hair! I often do hair masks either overnight or I just leave it in for 30 minutes and wash it out with regular shampoo. It helps to calm down those dry frizzy ends and adds a lovely shine to my hair. Massaging coconut oil into your scalp can also help your hair grow, stimulate blood flow and moisturize the skin.
5. Coconut oil can also be used for removing makeup as it breaks down all the oils and leaves you with soft clear skin. I would recommend you use another cleanser afterwards though, just to make sure you get rid of any residue.
6. Mix in some salt or sugar into your coconut oil to get a natural and cheap body scrub. It will gently exfoliate your skin and hydrate it at the same time; plus the scrub will keep for ages.
7. Coconut oil is also antibacterial so it can help heal your skin. This makes it perfect for anyone who suffers with acne as well as any other skin irritations/rashes and even burns. You can even try treating your active breakouts with coconut oil; it will keep your skin hydrated whilst gently working to help clear those nasty spots.
8. If you're a fan of shaving then coconut oil can become your best friend. The razor glides so smoothly and you get a nice close shave without needing to moisturize your legs afterwards.
9. I know some people like to use coconut oil as a natural deodorant. If you're concerned with aluminium, which can be found in pretty much all deodorants, then try coconut oil. It's antibacterial so it will neutralise any odours without clogging your sweat glands. It's a bonus if you like the smell of coconuts!
10. This is a little controversial but coconut oil has a natural SPF so it can be used for sunbathing. It is very low though(around SPF 3), so if you burn easily then I wouldn't recommend it. However if you normally use tanning oils like myself, then coconut oil can be a great alternative. I will be trying this out next summer!
11. If you're pregnant then coconut oil is definitely a must have! It can help prevent stretch marks as well as treat existing ones by bringing down pigmentation. Coconut oil helps to even out the the skin texture as well as tone, making it perfect for anyone pregnant looking for a natural treatment. If you've already had your baby then coconut oil makes a great nipple balm to help calm and soothe any irritated/dry skin.
I buy my coconut oil at Sainsbury or Tesco for £6.00 and it's a huge 300ml pot so it lasts for ages. This one is from Lucy Bee and it's 100% Extra Virgin Organic and certified Fair Trade.
Have you tried coconut oil? What was your experience?
Christmas is almost here so I wanted to share with you guys my gift ideas for her. This can be anyone female pretty much, your mother/sister/friend/daughter or anyone else close to you. There are so many different things you can buy but here are a few of my favourites this year...
One of my all time favourites is the Urban Decay Naked Palette! It makes such a perfect gift if you know someone really into their makeup. All the colours are easy neutrals so they would suit anyone and go with any skin colour/tone. Out of all the Naked palettes I would go for the original one, just because I think the packaging is more festive and special. Check it out at Beauty Bay and get 10% or even 15% OFF your order!!
Laura Mercier also do great palettes for Christmas. This year she brought out some great colourful ones as well as a few neutrals; plus I love how there's so many things to choose from. So whether you're looking for eyeshadow, lipgloss or a nice brush kit, Laura Mercier has it all! I went to Space NK the other day and they have a great selection of gifts. For someone younger I suggest brands like Stila and Too Faced. They are more affordable and the quality is great; plus the packaging is more fun and girly. Here I have one called Leopard Love and it's a lovely palette including a bronzer, blush and highlight.
If you saw my Whitening Lightning review then you already know how much I love this brand. The results I personally achieved from the whitening pens were great and they lasted for ages. I managed to get an amazing discount for you guys which I can't wait to share! You can get any 2 whitening pens for just $29 with the code Cheer. How amazing is that! You can also get 70% OFF as per usual on any purchase with code ANNA6BELLE70. Check out Whitening Lighting if you haven't already, it's a brand I would highly recommend!
Sigma products would also make a great gift for anyone who loves their makeup or brushes. Every time I visit their website, there's always something I want! I absolutely love their brushes as they are great value for the quality that you get. It's so easy to look after them and they don't shed at all. You can buy a whole set like the Mr Bunny one I have, or buy brushes individually especially since they come in lovely Christmas packaging. Get 10% off your entire order plus a free gift with code DEC2013.
If you know someone who loves their skincare then REN is the brand to go for. I love the quality of their products as well as the price! It's a nice clean brand so it would suit anyone; plus they have a great selection of products for the face and body. Check it out at Space NK, they have some gorgeous gift sets this Christmas.
I think Diptyque is a great 'gift' brand if there is such a thing. Everyone knows about it and just how luxurious their products are. Their candles would make the perfect gift for someone you don't know that well, as they are not too personal but still very special. Space NK have a great selection of candles as well as some lovely gift sets.
Do you have any great Christmas gift ideas? Do share with us all!!
This tag has been around for ages so I finally decided to do it myself! It's basically my top 10 favourite products that are under £10, so anything from the drugstore that I'm currently obsessed with. I must admit it wasn't easy, but I managed to narrow it down to 10 and here they are...
The Garnier Ultimate Beauty Oil has been my favourite ever since I bought it a few months ago. I use it pretty much every time I have a shower and sometimes I even spray a little over my body lotion. It just adds another layer of hydration and helps to keep my skin nice and smooth. Need I mention the smell? It is absolutely divine!
For the face I chose the Garnier Moisture Match Creme. They have a great range for all different skin types, so anyone can find a moisturizer to suit them. I love how they are affordable and the quality is impressive for a drugstore face cream. The one I have is for normal/dry skin and it's a great one for both day and night. It has a light refreshing smell and it's a bargain at £5.99.
I had to include the Clairol Nice 'N Easy Hair Dye in the shade 103A Natural Medium Blonde. Out of all the hair dyes that I've tried so far, this is by far my favourite. I get the exact same colour as you see on the box, and it's a lovely natural blonde without any brassy undertones. Check out my post if you want to see a full review on this amazing hair dye!
Foundation was a tough one because there are so many great ones out there, plus there's a few that are just over £10. So staying within the range, I chose the Rimmel Match Perfection foundation. It's a great all rounder and it ticks all the boxes if you're looking for a nice everyday foundation. It has a light texture that gives natural medium coverage; it's very long lasting so it's perfect for work or going out in the evening. It's definitely one of my all time favourites from Rimmel so have a look at my video review.
Barry M is well known for their nail polishes and they never disappoint! I bought these 2 colours back in summer and they are still on my favourites list. They are the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in 'Dragon' and 'Lychee'. I love how long these last on my nails; plus you get a smooth glossy finish because they are gel based. Give them a go if you haven't already! They are an absolute bargain at £3.99.
Next up is the Garnier BB Cream for Combination/Oily skin. It's a close one at £9.99 but it's totally worth it. This BB Cream is one of my staple face products, and I'm always using it on my days off when I want to give my skin a break. It covers really well for a BB cream and the texture is super light, so you don't feel it on your skin at all. I would definitely recommend this one for all skin types though, as the normal/dry one is extremely oily and just slides down your face after a few hours. Have you tried this BB cream yourself? (Watch my review video here)
If you've seen my previous 'Get Ready With Me' video then you probably know that I'm a little obsessed with the Max Factor Wild Mega Volume Mascara. It gives a boost to my eyelashes and adds loads of length and volume. It does everything a mascara should, so I'm definitely buying another one! Are there any mascaras you would recommend? I'm always on the lookout!
Bourjois is a great drugstore brand not only for foundation but also for eyeshadows. I find them to be highly pigmented and long lasting during the day. This one is from the Intense Collection in Extrait 08. It's a lovely deep red/brown; it's great for defining the crease and works well as an eyeshadow liner. I think if you wish to buy a good quality eyeshadow then it's worth investing in one from Bourjois; yes they are a little more pricey but they will last you forever.
For lipsticks I want to mention the L'Oreal Caresse Collection; they are almost like balms with not too much pigment but a lot of moisture. My lips always feel comfortable when I wear these lipsticks and they are surprisingly long lasting. The colour that I have here is 03 Lovely Rose, which is a gorgeous baby pink. I always get compliments when I wear it in my videos!
Last but not least is the L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Powder. It's a good quality/affordable product if you're looking for a powder foundation. I love how it gives just enough coverage without looking too powdery or cakey. You can also use it to add another layer over your liquid foundation; it's perfect if you wish to conceal everything and achieve a flawless comlexion. I would highly suggest you guys try this one!
I just realised that 3 out of my 10 products are from Garnier! I guess I never realised how much I love this brand. Which one is your favourite? And what are your top 10 favourite products under £10?
I decided to do another 'Get Ready With Me' post/video and tell you guys what makeup I wear to work. This is a very simple and minimal look that doesn't take me too long to do in the morning. It's a great natural look for those days when you don't feel like wearing too much makeup, but you still want to look decent and presentable. Check out my video to see me talk through all the steps!
I'm back with another haul for you guys! I've been doing way too much shopping recently and I'm not too proud of that; but I feel like I'm getting ready for Christmas and the holiday spirit has made me buy quite a few lovely things. Watch my video to see all the things I bought including some wintery fashion pieces, but here goes the beauty part...
I went to Space NK, which wasn't the best idea since I always buy products from there and it's very hard to stop! I bought the Nude Replenish Daily Moisturizer, which has Omegas 6 and 9 in there, so it's great for hydrating/healing and feeding the skin. I smelt it in the shop and it has a light almost almondy scent, which is gorgeous, so of course I couldn't resist. It has a rich texture but absorbs quite quickly, so it's great for this time of year for anyone with normal/dry skin. I'm currently using my Jurlique Replenishing Day Cream, which I absolutely love, but I can't wait to try this one from Nude!
I also bought the REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk. I've been looking for an alternative for my Garnier cream cleanser, which has been my favourite for years. I think this one from REN will be a nice change, since it's a very clean brand that doesn't use any parabens/sulphates/mineral oil, etc. It's not too pricey either and you get a huge 150ml bottle.
Of course I bought another one of my Rimmel Wake Me Up concealers in the shade 030 Classic Beige. I don't know what I would do without it! It's my go-to concealer at the moment, and it works great for concealing/brightening under the eyes, as well as hiding any blemishes or marks on my face. I highly recommend you guys try this one if you haven't already!
I was shopping in TKMaxx and I found this Protein Shampoo from Creation's Garden. I've never heard of this brand before, but it looks quite good and it's also Organic. This shampoo is for all hair types and is designed to give volume as well as stimulate follicle growth. It's made with Lime Verbena, so you can imagine how refreshing it smells! I've used it a few times already and so far so good; I will update you guys on how it goes and if I notice any significant hair growth! Have you tried any products from this brand?
Have you been doing any shopping recently? What do you think about the products I bought?
