Get Ready With Me / Christmas Edition!!

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...

Check out Beauty Bay to buy these products

What I used:
L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation - 110 Warm Ivory
L'Oreal  Lumi Magique Stylo Touch Pen - 1 Light
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - 001 Transparent
Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Bronzing Veil - Tropical Days
Bourjois Blush - 95 Rose De Jaspe
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Be A Bombshell Liquid Liner - Onyx
Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara
Eylure Naturalites Evening Wear Lashes
Lipstick Queen Red Sinner Lipstick

xoxo
Anna

Why I Love Coconut Oil / Its Many Uses & Benefits

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?

xoxo

Anna

Christmas Gift Ideas For Her 2013

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...

Buy your gifts at Sigma, Space NK, Beauty Bay and Whitening Lightning!!

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!!

xoxo

Anna

Top 10 Products Under £10 / Favourite Drugstore Buys

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...

Buy the products mentioned at Beauty Bay!!

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?

xoxo

Anna

Get Ready With Me: For Work

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!

Products Used:

Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer in 030 Classic Beige

Laura Mercier Foundation Powder 

The Body Shop Bronzer in Shade 01

Revlon Powder Blush 090 Smoky Rose

Trish McEvoy Deluxe Refillable Double-Decker Compact Palette

MAC 'Omega' Eyeshadow

Max Factor Wild Mega Volume Mascara

L'Oreal Collection Privee Lipstick by Doutzen

xoxo

Anna

Collective Winter Haul

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...

Check out REN and Nude at Space NK

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?

xoxo

Anna

November Favourites 2013 / Beauty, Fashion + Random!!

It's time for November favourites! I can't believe December is approaching and Christmas is almost here. How exciting is that!? But let's move on to my favourite products for this month and there's definitely a few...

Buy Kiehls & Kevyn Aucoin at Space NK

Let's start with some beauty favourites, one of which is the Bourjois Happy Light Foundation. It has been my go-to foundation of choice if I decide to wear makeup that day. It's so easy to apply in the morning and it always seems to look great. I don't have to worry about it sliding down my face in the middle of the day or going patchy. I get a natural/matte finish with buildable medium coverage so it's perfect for everyday! Check out my full review here

I've also been enjoying the Kevyn Aucoin Eyeshadow Duo in #207. It's a handy little palette and you guys know how much I love my neutral eyeshadows! The lighter colour is a pearly golden beige, which I've been using as my base and highlight; and the dark chocolate brown is a nice matte shade making it perfect for contouring and crease work. It's a minimal product but oh so useful! 

My favourite nail polish this month is the Revlon 'Gold Coast', which I bought absolutely ages ago. I couldn't find a good way to use this nail colour because it's a very unusual golden yellow. If you just wear it by itself, it almost looks like you have discoloured yellow nails, so my secret is to wear it over another colour. This can be your colour of choice as it really doesn't matter; I've been wearing it over pastel purple, pink, nude and even taupy grey. This Revlon nail polish gives a gorgeous iridescent glow and makes any colour you wear look special. I must add that it's rather sheer, so it won't cover the base colour completely. So don't be afraid and give this unusual nail colour a go!

My skincare product of the month has to be the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate. My previous post was all about it, so have a read to find out why I love it so much! I truly feel like it has  transformed my skin and I couldn't be happier with the way it looks now. It's so much more smooth and radiant, plus it helps a great deal with my acne and stops those nasty spots from surfacing. So it's definitely a miracle product that I would recommend to anyone who has any kind of issues with their skin.

I love hair with that messy beachy wave and the product that helps me achieve this hairstyle is the Percy & Reed Texturizing Spray. It's similar to a salt spray but has a little more hold and texture to it. I just spray it onto damp hair, scrunch it up and leave it to dry naturally; and in the morning 'voila', you have perfect beachy waves. It's been saving me a lot of time actually, as I only need to use 1 hair product and no hair dryer. Give it a go if you like a similar sort of hairstyle!

My fashion favourite is a scarf from Zara, which I bought last year so I doubt they sell it any more. It's a lovely deep purple/navy colour with a butterfly design. It brightens up any outfit and goes with all my coats, so I've been wearing it non-stop. My random favourite for November is Coconut Oil from Lucy Bee. It's 100% Extra Virgin Organic and certified fair trade. There are so many uses for coconut oil and I'm glad I finally bought myself a tub! I've been eating it in my porridge for breakfast, I also use it as a face/body moisturizer plus it makes a great hair mask for dry and damaged hair. I think I might do a separate blog post about this oil and it's many uses; I'm sure everyone can benefit from such a simple yet amazing product! Would you like to see that?

What are your favourites for this month? Have you tried any of the mentioned products?

xoxo

Anna

Miracle Product That Transformed My Skin // Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate Review

 

Today I will be talking about one of my all time favourite skincare products. It's my holy grail and I can't believe I only discovered it 4 months ago. It has completely transformed my skin and it's never looked better! It is the one and only Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate...

Like the name suggests, this is an overnight treatment in the form of an oil. It is supposed to do all it's work during the night and recover your skin by morning. Many people use it by itself as their evening moisturizer/serum, but I like to mix a few drops into my regular moisturizer and apply it that way. Even though my skin is combination/dry, it is known for not absorbing oils very well, so 2-3 drops is enough for my skin. Having said that though, this product is suitable for all skin types from super oily to dry. I know some people are quite funny with oils and they don't like the feeling on their skin, but this is one of the very few oils that actually goes into the skin, so you're not left with that greasy feeling all night. Even those of you with oily skin need to moisturize to keep your skin in good condition, and to convince your skin that it doesn't actually need to produce all the oils. So the more you moisturize the less oils your skin will produce naturally.

Apart from the obvious hydration, the Kiehls Midnight recovery Concentrate targets a few other skin issues. It is quite a powerful anti-aging product even though it's not marketed as one. The deep hydration will obviously plump up your wrinkles and give you more of a healthy young appearance, but all the essential oils will also work deeper and help to reduce lines in the long run. It will take longer to see visible results as there are no ingredients like retinol in here that will give you more of an instant lift.

It is also great at evening out the skin tone and texture. If you have any scarring left from acne, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, pores and blackheads, this product will help to balance that out. It has an overall smoothing effect and gives your skin a lovely even texture. I've also personally noticed that the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate is amazing at controlling acne breakouts. It helps to stop any new spots from appearing and heals any active breakout you may have. Because it is so calming, I find that my acne is less red and inflamed after using this product. And because it is healing the acne scarring as well, it's a double treatment in one bottle. If you've tried all sorts of topical treatments for your acne and nothing has worked, then I would highly suggest you give this a go! 

So if you can't already tell, I am absolutely in love with this miracle product. Personally, my skin looks amazing in the morning after I apply this overnight. I've been using the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate every day for about 4 months now and I don't think I will ever stop to be honest. My skin just looks so healthy and radiant in the morning! I can't praise it enough and I'm sure that once you try it for yourself, you will be hooked.

£36.00 at Space NK

What are your experiences with the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate? Have you tried it yet? 

xoxo

Anna

Common White Girl Tag

Everyone seems to be doing this tag at the moment, so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and do it myself! I had great fun answering all the questions, so check out my video or keep reading this post to find out my answers...

1. Favourite Starbucks drink?

 I would have to say a white hot chocolate. I can't stand coffee so that rules out pretty much all drinks      at Starbucks, and I find the regular hot chocolate too bitter so I always choose the white one!

2. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Not that long at all! If I'm not doing anything that day, then 5 minutes; and if I'm getting ready for work then 10-15 minutes maximum. How some girls can take hours to get ready is beyond me!

3. How many selfies do you take on a daily basis?

I never really got the whole 'taking pictures of yourself' thing, so I would have to say none. I think I look weird in photos, so I don't like others taking pictures of me let alone doing it myself!

4. How many IG followers and pics do you have?

I don't have Instagram so none.

5. Do you ever say 'LOL' or 'OMG' out loud?

No! These are not proper words so I don't see why you would say them out loud. I do say 'Oh My God' quite a lot, which I need to stop doing, but apart from that no. I also say 'that's funny' quite often without actually laughing; is that weird?

6. Do you wear the same clothing item more than once?

Of course! Unless you've been exercising or rolling around in dirt, I don't see why not. Especially if it's a chunky cardigan or a coat, you just can't afford to wash them all the time!

7. Are you racist?

No. Why is this even a question?

8. How many tweets do you have?

I just checked and it's 190. I thought I had less than that since I don't tweet that much. But it's still not too excessive...I think?

9. Instagram, Twitter or Tumblr?

Twitter because I don't have Instagram or Tumblr.

10. What do you spend most of your time doing?

Working! How depressing is that. I also spend way too much time on my laptop, on youtube, on blogs and just on the internet in general; watching TV and reading books too.

11. Who are your favourite youtubers?

This is a tricky one since my favourites change every month! But someone who I've been watching for as long as I can remember is Anna Saccone. She is probably my favourite of all time, plus I love their daily vlogs as well! Maybe it's because we're both called Anna? I don't know! But my recent favourite has been Beautyzombiee. She was also doing daily vlogs in October and I was a little addicted to those! 

12. How often do you do your nails?

It used to be every 3-4 days, but I just couldn't keep up with it, so now it's more like once a week. It's such a pain doing my nails and I'm too impatient to wait for them to dry. So I usually wait until they are chipping like crazy and only then will I paint them again.

13. Are you a shopaholic?

Not really. There are definitely some things that I buy more than others, like bags and makeup obviously! But in terms of clothes, no not so much.

14. How many times have you watched Mean Girls?

I've seen the full movie about 3 times, but I'm always catching little snippets and episodes from the movie. So if you add all that up, it will probably end up being way more. But I'm not one of those girls who can quote every single line from Mean Girls even though most of my friends can!

15. Do you own a lot of clothes?

To be honest, I think I do. There is just so much that I don't wear, which annoys me a little. I have a little drawer with clothes that I actually wear, and the rest just takes up all my space and I don't even wear any of it. I really need to do something about that!

16. Do you take pictures of your food before you eat it?

No... I think unless you have a food blog, it's a little weird to take pictures of your food. It's not a very healthy sign, so I don't plan to start any time soon. 

17. Do you wear makeup everyday?

It depends on what you mean by makeup. I sometimes leave the house with a bare face, but most of the time I wear some foundation powder and mascara as my absolute minimum.

18. What are you average grades in school?

I was a really good student! I got all A's in my A-levels and I can't remember ever getting a C or anything lower.

19. How do you usually style your hair?

It's mostly up in a bun, or a side plait or a neat french braid. I like having my hair away from my face when I'm working, so these are the hairstyles that I normally wear. My hair is only ever down when I film videos for you guys!

20. Do you always look presentable?

I should hope so! I'm probably not the best person to answer this question, you better ask the people that see me everyday and see what they say!

I tag all of you guys so let me know your answers to these questions! Or have you done this tag already?

xoxo

Anna

Does Dairy Cause Acne?? :. Dairy Free Diet :. My Experience

Ever since I can remember, I always struggled with acne whether it was a few spots or a full on breakout. So I would always go online and try to find research that would link my diet, hormones, vitamin deficiency, etc. to acne. One of the things I came across was dairy; I found so many articles from doctors and scientists that claimed dairy was the cause of acne in some people, and that completely cutting out all dairy products from one's diet can give you clear skin. What can I say? I was intrigued! Read on to hear about my experience ...

This was a few years ago when my skin was at it's worst, so I was really excited to start this dairy free diet. I honestly felt like it would make a difference since there is so much research to suggest there is link between dairy and acne. Probably the main reason is hormones, which can be found in both organic produce and your regular dairy. The organic products will have slightly less hormones and they will be natural, whereas the regular dairy will come from cows that are pumped full of artificial hormones to make them produce more milk. Either way, these hormones are not intended for human consumption but are only useful to baby calves. There are also theories that dairy can cause excess sebum production and can also glue dead skin cells together, all of which can block pores and lead to acne breakouts. You might also be lactose intolerant, so your body will reject any type of dairy and cause all sorts of reactions including spots and other skin problems.

So after reading all of this I was obviously intrigued and decided to give the dairy free diet a go. At first I cut out milk and then I excluded all dairy products from my diet. I must admit it was difficult at first, especially all the yoghurt, cheese and ice cream which I eat on a daily basis! You would also be surprised how much hidden dairy there is in all the processed foods such as cakes, biscuits, sweets, etc. Milk didn't bother me that much as I found some great alternatives like soy, coconut and almond milk. There is a lot of controversy about soy products as well, and my experience definitely wasn't the best, so let me know if you would like to see a similar post on soy products!

Anyway, I went through with it for about a year; I can't remember exactly how long because it was a while ago. And it all boils down to this: I didn't see any improvement in my skin whatsoever and if anything it got worse. Now I don't know if that was due to soy, as that also contains hormones, or if my body just needs dairy to be healthy. Either way, my skin freaked out and decided to bless me with even more spots than I had before. How disappointed I was! I was not expecting my diet to fail so badly after a whole year of excluding all dairy produce. But then on the other hand, I realised that I could go back to eating all the foods I love without any damage to my skin! So it probably turned out for the best.

I don't wan't to deter you guys from trying this diet for yourself because it didn't work for me. I have a few friends who also went dairy free and they saw a massive improvement in their skin. So it is obviously very individual, and what works for one person will not necessarily work for another. Hence, I would highly recommend trying the dairy free diet as it might be the answer to your skin problems. Do continue with it for at least 2-3 months, as it takes a while to eliminate all traces of dairy from your system. Let me know how you get on and if you see any improvements in your skin! Or have you tried this diet already? Did it work for you?

xoxo

Anna

Made From Earth Review :. Natural Organic Skincare Brand

If you haven't yet heard of a natural skincare brand called Made From Earth, then you're missing out big time! I was recently sent some of their products for review and I've had some amazing results, so I had to share them with you guys. Made From Earth products are made using organic ingredients; plus you will never find any parabens, pthalates, SLS, mineral oil, urea or cosmetic fragrance. I am a true believer in natural cosmetics and I always try to buy organic products when possible, so obviously this brand really caught my attention as their values are close to my own.

The first product that I tried was the Three Berry Face Serum, which smells absolutely divine! It can be used regularly under your moisturizer or even over makeup; I tried both and it worked great each time. It is lightly hydrating and soothing, but the best results were in the brightness of my skin. Because this serum has such a high concentration of Vitamin C, it really adds a glow to the skin and gives it a nice healthy boost. 

I was also sent the Pure Aloe Vera Skin Treatment, which is an ultra rich face and body cream. I've been using it mostly on any dry patches and just anyplace where I felt my skin was lacking hydration. The aloe vera is extra soothing and calming on the skin, plus it aids the healing process, making this cream perfect for scars, acne and dry cracked skin. It has a light herbal scent to it, so it won't irritate the most sensitive of skins.

The Rooibos Tea Face Scrub was also one of my favourites! I love how it has a moisturizing cream base making it perfect for my dry/combination skin; the jojoba beads are gentle enough to use even on sensitive skin, whilst still providing enough exfoliation to get rid of any dead skin cells. My face felt smooth and radiant after I used this scrub, so I would highly recommend it to you guys!

I also received the Aloe & Jojoba Creme Therapy body lotion. It's great for dry skin and is perfect for after sunbathing due to the soothing aloe vera. My skin can get pretty tight and dry after the shower, and this cream definitely takes care of that! I love the light texture, as it absorbs quickly but still gives enough hydration; plus the jojoba nut oil is great for stretch marks and uneven skin tone.

So if you can't tell already, I'm super impressed with Made From Earth as a brand and their lovely products. I will definitely be purchasing some more of their skincare; I'm sure I will love it and the prices are very affordable for such a natural organic brand. I highly suggest you guys give their products a go, so check them out here and let me know how you get on! 

xoxo

Anna

10 Things I Will Repurchase :. My Holy Grail Beauty Products

Today I will be talking about my holy grail products, which I will always repurchase when they run out. I chose my top 10 and here they are...

Buy all the items mentioned at Feelunique

Starting with face products, I have the L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Powder. My face has been craving powder foundations recently and I have no idea why! Maybe it's the cold windy weather or perhaps my skin is trying to tell me something? Either way, this is the product I've been loving recently and I've been using it pretty much every day since I bought it. I talked about it more in my haul video or check out my blog post.

Another product which I will definitely be buying again is The Body Shop Bronzer. I actually discovered it in one of my makeup bags and what a great surprise that was! I completely forgot what an amazing bronzer this is and how gorgeous it looks on my skin. It gives me a deep glow, yet still looks natural; plus it lasts all day on my skin which is impressive, since my skin seems to eat up any other bronzer I apply. I would highly recommend it if you're looking for a new bronzer and the packaging is stunning!

I had to mention my Sigma brushes as they are my all time favourites. I chose the F80 and F84, which are from the 5 piece synthetic kabuki brush set. The F80 is my favourite brush for applying foundation, as it gives me that airbrushed finish without leaving any streaks; and the F84 I also love to use for foundation but it also works great for powder, bronzer and blush. The whole set would make a great investment as the brushes are such good quality and not too expensive; they are easy to look after and don't shed at all. Check them out here and get 10% off your entire order with code NOV2013

My must have concealer is the Rimmel Wake Me Up, which I'm sure you guys know is my absolute favourite. Just like the foundation, it has that lovely glow and seems to highlight my under eye are really well. It has full coverage, so it's perfect for using on the face as well to cover any blemishes, scars, etc. I love how it's a drugstore one, so it's affordable and lasts for absolutely ages.

My favourite serum/oil at the moment is the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I will be very sad when it runs out, as it's quite pricey but I love it so much! I don't think people talk about it enough; it's such a great product and it's done wonders for my skin. I just put a few drops into my evening moisturizer and in the morning my skin looks healthy, glowing, radiant and just all round gorgeous! I can't rave enough about this product, it's a must have for any beauty junkie out there.

Moving on to the eyes, I had to mention the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, which has been my holy grail product for years. If you're looking for that perfect black eyeliner then this is definitely the one for you. It's creamy and super easy to use unlike the other gel eyeliners out there; it never cracks and it's lasted me for absolutely ages!

The MAC 'Omega' eyeshadow is one of those products that I wouldn't be able to live without. As dramatic as that sounds, it's absolutely true. I use it every single day to fill in my eyebrows and I would be totally lost without it. If your hair is anywhere from light blonde to medium brown, then I suggest you give this colour a go; it makes the perfect eyebrow shade as it has that natural ashy undertone. I could probably write a whole blog post just talking about this eyeshadow, so I think I might stop myself here.

I also thought I would include a nail polish which I would most definitely repurchase even though I don't talk about it much. It's the Ciate nail polish in the colour 107 Pocket Money. The reason why I love it so much is because it's probably the only nail polish out there that actually lasts on my nails. Pretty much everything else I've tried comes off the next day; I have no idea what's wrong with my nails! This one from Ciate lasts for at least 5-6 days, which is an absolute miracle! Having said that, I haven't tried any other colours from this brand so I wouldn't know if they would work as well.

Moving on to skincare, my staple face cleanser is the Garnier Fresh Essentials Refreshing Cleansing Lotion. No matter what I use to cleanse my face(oil, balm, hot cloth cleanser), this is always my second step. Even though it's for combination skin, it's surprisingly hydrating; my skin feels soft, smooth and very confortable. I don't think I will ever stop using this product, plus it's only £2.99! I highly suggest you try it if you like the feel of a lotion and want something to gently remove all your makeup.

Last but definitely not least is my Raspberry Body Butter from The Body Shop. If you've tried this product yourself then you will know just how divine it smells. It almost reminds me of ice cream or maybe a delicious yoghurt? This body butter is for normal skin, so it's a little lighter than their usual ones and I like how fast it absorbs into my skin. Which body butter is your favourite from The Body Shop?

So what products will you repurchase? Have you tried any of the ones I mentioned?

xoxo

Anna

Bourjois Happy Light Foundation Review

Here is the long awaited review on the new Happy Light foundation from Bourjois. What's funny is that it was actually a last minute purchase while I was browsing in Boots; I wasn't planning on buying it at all! I'm glad I did though, as it's quickly becoming one of my favourites and I've been wearing it non-stop. I think Bourjois wanted to launch a lighter version of the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation and this is their finished product. They definitely got it right with their new launch; it's a great foundation for the autumn/winter season and I'm sure many of you will love it!

Colour: 52 Light Beige is a great match for my skin, but having said that, I do find this range to be quite orange. Apart from the lightest colour which has a pink undertone, the darker you go the more orange the colours become. It's a shame unless you like that fake tanned look!
Finish: Natural/Semi Matte.
Skin Type: All skin types except for very dry, as it does cling to dry patches a little. It also sets rather quickly, so you need to work fast with the product to avoid patches.
Texture: It's a classic liquid foundation but a little on the thick side. It won't run down your had but it's not quite a cream texture either. Very similar to the original Healthy Mix foundation.
Coverage: Very light/possibly buildable to medium.
Longevity: It lasts all day on me with a little pressed powder. My skin is combination/dry, so for very oily skin you might need to reapply throughout the day; whereas dry skins can get away with no powder at all.
Application: I found using my fingers to be the best method due to the nature of the product and the whole concept of a 'light' foundation. There is no point in using brushes when you're going for that light natural finish, which is best achieved using your fingers.
Scent: Fruity/Peachy with a slight fake tan smell, which is very bizarre! Maybe that's just me though!

Have you tried this new foundation yet? What did you think?

xoxo

Anna

Collective Fall Haul: Fashion & Beauty

Here's my collective haul full of items I picked up over the past few weeks. I've been getting ready for autumn/winter so I good coat is an absolute must! I'm so excited about this one I found in Zara! It's so cosy and comfortable it feels like wearing a duvet! The lining is like a polar bear and the outside almost feels like suede; it's an over-sized baggy fit so I can wear as many jumpers underneath as I want. What do you guys think? Have you found that perfect coat yet?

Buy all the products mentioned at Feelunique

Moving on to beauty, I bought some new hair products. I'm really impressed with the John Freeda Sheer Blonde Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Since I dyed my hair I thought it would be appropriate to buy something hydrating and this has been working great so far. I don't think I've ever tried a John Frieda product that I didn't like, so no surprises there!

I always see people raving about the Moroccan Rose range from REN, so I finally decided to try the shower gel which I'm rather enjoying at the moment. I wouldn't say it's particularly hydrating but it definitely gives you that squeeky clean feeling. I love how it's a natural product with no parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, silicones, etc.

I also purchased my favourite cleanser at the moment and that is the Eve Lom Balm Cleanser. It works like a dream at removing all my makeup and leaves my skin feeling clean yet soft and moisturized. If you haven't tried this cleanser yet, then I would highly recommend it to everyone! Let me know if you would like to see a more detailed review on it as well.

Another product which everyone is currently talking about is the Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm. I bought the 'Pink Punch' version, which has a hint of colour to it; and isn't the packaging super cute! I can't wait to try it and see what I think.

What have you purchased recently? Have you tried any of the items mentioned above?

xoxo

Anna

October Favourites

It's that time of month again! I can't believe October is almost over; I'm really not looking forward to winter and the cold weather. How depressing! But let's focus on this months' favourites and all the lovely products that have been keeping me company. I talk about more of my favourites including Fashion and Random in my video, but here's all the beauty bits...

You can buy all the products at Feelunique

Need I mention how much I love the Clairol Nice N' Easy Hair Dye? It's my main favourite this month; I'm super impressed with the colour and condition of my hair, so check out my full review here.

My go to mascara this month has been the Max Factor Wild Mega Volume Mascara. If you're into big/bold/jet black lashes, then this is definitely the mascara for you! It has a big fluffy brush which holds a lot of the product; yet surprisingly, it doesn't clump or stick your eyelashes together. The price is not too high, so it's quickly becoming one of my favourite drugstore mascaras.

I found this Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Moisturizer at the back of my cupboard a few weeks ago, and I can't believe I forgot about such a great product! It smells heavenly and leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated. I love how it instantly absorbs into the skin even though it's a gorgeous thick texture; for those of you looking for a rich fall/winter lotion, this would be a great choice!

My friend gave me this orange sponge recently, which she claims is the best for cleansing the face and she is most certainly right! My skin has never felt so soft and smooth after cleansing. I don't feel the need to use any scrubs for my skin, as the sponge gives a gentle daily exfoliation and I can use it with any cleanser I like. So if you can get your hands on this product, then give it a go and you won't be disappointed!

The new L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation has also been my favourite this month. I did a review on it recently just because it's been working so great for my skin. It's a light velvety texture with light and virtually undetectable coverage. I love how my skin feels comfortable throughout the day and I don't get that cakey foundation look. Read the full review here

Have you tried any of these products? What are your favourites this month? 

xoxo

Anna

Get Ready With Me: Turquoise & Nudes

As you know, I recently bought the By Terry Ombre Blackstar cream eyeshadow in a gorgeous turquoise colour (8 Paradise Island) and I've been dying to use it in a makeup tutorial! So here's the look that I came up with; it's very simple but looks quite striking because of the bold blue colour. I also went for a glowing complexion with little coverage and some nude lips.

You can buy all the products mentioned at Feelunique

Let me know what you think! Do you like this look??

xoxo

Anna

Review: L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation

                  

So here's the highly requested review on the new L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation. I've been a little obsessed with it recently to be honest! It works so well for everyday without looking cakey or too obvious on the skin. You get the most amazing finish with light coverage and a healthy glow to your skin.

Colour: 110 Warm Ivory is a nice yellow toned colour so it goes well with my skintone. I would like it a little bit darker, but unfortunately the next colour up is way too dark. There seems to be a huge gap between shades which is a shame! They changed the naming system as well, so I couldn't get my usual W3.

Finish: Natural/Matte

Texture: Smooth/Liquid texture; it glides on the skin and is very easy to blend.

Coverage: very light; best for those with good skin as it wouldn't cover blemishes/scars very well.

Skin Type: all skin types except for super dry because of the slightly matte finish. Having said that, I didn't have any problems with my combination/dry skin. It didn't cling to any dry patches and my T-Zone wasn't overly oily.

Longevity: It lasts all day on me with a little setting powder. People with normal/dry skin could get away with wearing the foundation on its own.

Application: They suggest using your fingers to apply the foundation, which works great. I also tried a classic foundation brush, a flat top kabuki and a duo-fibre brush with great results.

Scent: Slight alcohol scent but nothing too major, so people with sensitive/irritable skin shouldn't have a problem.

Feel: Non-sticky/breathable. My skin felt comfortable and I felt like I could touch it throughout the day without smudging foundation everywhere.

What do you guys think? Have you tried the new L'Oreal Eau De Teint foundation?

xoxo

Anna

New Hair!! + Clairol Nice 'N Easy Hair Dye Review

I was getting bored with my bleach blonde hair, so I decided to dye it and this is the result!! What do you guys think? I'm really happy with how it turned out; it's a nice change plus it's more appropriate for autumn/winter. I used the Clairol Nice 'N Easy 103A Natural Medium Blonde and here is my little review...

Colour: I think it's ashy blonde rather than natural, but my roots are definitely more warm/honey blonde. I have no brassy/yellow undertones, which is amazing!

Developing Time: I left it on for 45 minutes even though it says 25 in the instructions. I wanted to make sure I got the right colour, plus there's less chance of brassy undertones the longer you leave the hair dye on your hair.

Hair Condition: My hair feel the same as it did before I dyed it. No damage/split ends; my hair feels soft and glossy especially after using the conditioner.

Scent: This hair dye has ammonia so the smell is pretty strong. It's one of the strongest out there, so definitely keep that in mind if you have a sensitive scalp. My eyes were a little watery and I felt a bit lightheaded, but then my bathroom isn't ventilated so that's the reason why!

Lasting Power: From my past experience, the Clairol Nice 'N Easy hair dyes stay in the hair for a while and the colour doesn't change too much. So when you need to dye your hair again will only depend on how fast your roots grow out.

So overall I am super impressed with this hair dye! I would recommend it to anyone from light blonde to medium brown. Give it a go and let me know how you get on!

xoxo

Anna

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation Review

The Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation is one of my favourites for everyday, so I thought I would do a review and tell you guys why I love it so much!

Check out my video review here

Colour: 103 True Ivory is a good match overall but is a little too pink. My skin has a strong yellow undertone though so I doubt most people will have the same issue.

Texture: light mousse texture; feels light on the skin and is easy to blend.

Skin Type: all skin types except oily.

Longevity: lasts all day on me if I set it with a little powder; my skin is dry/combination.

Scent: one of very few foundations that smells nice; fruity/citrusy so nice and refreshing to apply in the morning.

Look: natural/dewy, which is why it's a NO NO for those with oily skin. If your skin is dry then this would hydrate your skin all day.

Coverage: medium to full; easily buildable and doesn't look cakey.

Feel: comfortable/like second skin; not sticky at all even without powder.

Price: £7.99 at Feelunique

Have you tried this foundation? What did you think?

xoxo

Anna

New In Beauty!!

Buy all the products here

There have been quite a few new launches this season and here are some things that I picked up recently. I'm super impressed with all of the products so here goes my little review...

 Check out my video review here

I was most excited to buy these 2 foundations as I'm a huge fan of both L'Oreal and Bourjois. Well they definitely didn't disappoint this time!! The new Eau De Teint is a lovely light texture, which goes on smoothly and is absolutely undetectable. The Happy Light also gives a natural light coverage, and I think it was designed as the lighter version of the Healthy Mix foundation.

This new Beauty Oil from Garnier is absolutely divine. It smells heavenly and leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated. And I'm definitely a fan of the new Collection Privee by L'Oreal! They released a whole collection of nudy pink lipsticks for all different skin tones. I got the one by Doutzen and it's my favourite everyday lipstick at the moment!

What can I say? I went on a bit of a L'Oreal binge. Here's their nude BB Cream, which gives a lovely dewy glow, and makes your skin look radiant and healthy. It comes out as a white liquid but soon adjusts to your skin tone; the Light colour is a great match for me.

The same product in compact form however, I had to get in Medium which is bizarre! Recently I've been really enjoying wearing foundation powders with a bit of concealer over the top; and this one from L'Oreal is already my favourite. It almost has a creamy texture, which makes it easer to apply and you don't get that ''powdery'' look.  

 

I like this new MaxFactor Wild Mega Volume mascara more and more every day. The more it dries up the better it gets! You know I love my big bold lashes and this seems to do the job!

   

And last but definitely not least is this gorgeous turquoise cream eyeshadow from By Terry. I'm seriously in love with this colour, so a makeup tutorial is on it's way!

What do you guys think? Have you tried any of these new products yet?

xoxo

Anna