Cheeky Shopping Trip

I just cant help myself. Whenever I'm bored it results in a trip to the local shopping centre and my card gets a bit of a bashing. Luckily this time I had a few Boots points to play with so my bank card was a little happier then normal. 

I'm a bit obsessed with finding the perfect foundation so I'm always picking things up left right and centre and this trip was no different. First in my basket was the Estee Lauder Double Wear, its much talked about due to its heavy coverage and long lasting abilities so I knew it was one I needed to try. Sticking on the base products I also picked up the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Stick, this one was on a bit of a whim although I'd seen a lot of people mentioning it I haven't really read too much about what its like - expect a review in the future! 

After my recent Mascara Cull I needed to pick up a couple of new mascaras to top the stash back up, after wondering around the aisle for what seemed like forever I decided on Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara which promises to lengthen and extend lashed by up to 99%, now I'm not sure about that outrageous claim but only time will tell! If you read my blog regularly you'll know I love Maybelline Great Lash as a bottom lash mascara but decided to see how it compared against Clinique's Bottom Lash Mascara and so far I only have good things to say about it!

In need of a new night cream I decided to stick with Boot Botantics and opted for the Ultra Calm Night Cream offering. I haven't yet tried this but it will soon be in rotation. The last thing I picked up in Boots was a Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss in Cashmere Rose. I've heard these are very similar to the Clarins Instant Light Perfectors and as I have been lusting after them for some time I decided to pick up the cheaper option before splashing out. 

As always I went for a wonder around Lush, I love the smell more than anything else and although I told myself I didn't need to pick anything up I left with a couple of things, a Shampoo Bar Tin and 9 to 5 Cleansing Lotion. I've got a shampoo bar from Lush but hadn't got round to using it as I wasn't sure what to do with it in between washes so when I saw this it when straight in the basket I shouldn't have picked up as I walked in! Recently Vicky from Describe the Sky had talked about her Lazy Day Skincare Routine and the 9-5 Cleansing Lotion was included, she said it was calming and quick and easy to use so I just knew it would be perfect for the evenings when I want to head to bed pronto! 

Although I love writing these posts almost as much as I love shopping I'll be cutting down now in favour of saving sigh its not my most exciting idea but it is the most practical one :( 

Have you been shopping recently? Leave your links below as I love haul posts! 

K x  

Review | Lush Sparkle Toothy Tabs

The idea of using anything other than trusty toothpaste scared me a little, could a little tablet clean my teeth and give me fresh breath? Well I was intrigued that's for sure. Lush seem to have lots of weird and wonderful things in their aroma filled paradise and I have to say this is one of the weirdest products I've come across. These small solid tabs are an alternative to regular toothpaste, they claim to clean and brighten teeth and also freshen breathe just as normal toothpaste would. 

Made with bicarbonate of soda, kaolin powder, citrus oil and pepper these little tabs are small but pretty powerful. At first I was very sceptical and even during the first use but actually it did a pretty good job! You take a tab and crush it with your front teeth and take your toothbrush and clean them as normal. Personally I hated the taste of these tabs, the citrus oils are taken over by the heavy taste of pepper. There's no minty taste in sight which did worry me but it passed the boyfriend breath test, so it must work its wonders in another way. However taste aside, these leave my teeth feeling and looking really clean. You know that feeling when you've come out of the dentist and cant stop running your tongue over your teeth? Well that's exactly what happens every time I use these tabs!

Not only are they good for my teeth they are also good for the environment as the packaging is recycled paper rather than than an aluminium or plastic toothpaste tubes. I cant say that I will indefinitely use these in place of my normal toothpaste but they will definitely be used a couple of times a week and when I'm away as they are so small and travel friendly with no chance of your clothes becoming a minty mess when a tube bursts! You can get these from your nearest Lush shop or online here for only £2.50 for 40 tabs. 

Have you tried these? How do you feel about swapping toothpaste of a more economic product? 

K x

My First Beauty Swap

 A few months back I noticed that Kat from Tales of a Pale Face was helping bloggers get together to take part in a beauty swap! Knowing that its been something I've wanted to take place since I first reading blogs I signed my self up straight away. I didnt think anything else of it until I received an email from Kat introducing me to Julie from Just Julie who I would be swapping with! We agreed a budget and chatted about the things we were interested and set a date for when we would be done by. 

I received my parcel at work, it was tempting me all day to open it but I did just about manage to wait until I got home that evening. Inside the box each item was individually wrapped so it was like my birthday had come early! There was even a little note but I had to wait until the end to open this.

As Julie knew I hadn't been sleeping so well as of late I received A French Kiss bath melt from Lush which I could smell as soon as I opened the package! I cant wait to try this whilst burning the French Lavender Yankee Candle that I also received in a very cute purple candle holder which will sit well on my dressing table when I'm done in the bathroom. 

One thing I did mention to Julie was that I was looking to get into the whole brow malarkey as I havent yet dipped my toe into that side of beauty so I was really pleased to see the Sleek Eyebrow Stylist, I've heard so many good things about this and even Julie herself uses this so I knew it must be good. I've had a little dabble with it and so far I'm liking it! I think it is going to take me a little while to get the hang of the whole brow thing but with this little baby I don't think it will take me long. 

Staying on the eye theme I also received a Rimmel 5 Pan Eyeshadow in Foggy Grey which has a good assortment of neutral colours including a black with a slight silver shimmer running through which will be great for creating a smokey eye! Next up I received a L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire liquid lipstick in the colour Fuchsia Drama which weirdly enough we both got each other, although I cant quite remember the shade I got Julie! I've used this already and I only have good things to say about this. To match the lipstick there was a Rimmel nail polish in Dont Be Shy which I know will be my go to spring/summer shade!

As Julie knew I was having a terrible time with my skin she thought Lush's Grease Lightening would be a product I needed in my life, and she wasn't wrong. I've used this already as the day I'd received the parcel my skin had broken out, it really calmed down my naughty skin and so far hasn't dried it out. Lastly I received a trio of products which I cant wait to try out, its the shampoo, conditioner and hair mask from Charles Worthington's Salon at Home Moisture Seal range which as the name suggest is designed for dry hair. I'm hoping that this will add some much needed nourishment to help soften up my dry locks. 

Overall I am so pleased with everything that Julie chose for me, I know she put a lot of thought into each and every item. I loved the little note she made which explained the reasoning for each product as it made it extra special. I have learnt a lot from my first swap swap and I cant wait to take part in another one! I even managed to tick off a 101 things in 1001 days list! Now you've seen what I received, take a look at what I got for Julie here. 

Thanks again Julie! 

K x

Review | Lush Blackberry Bath Bomb

Everyone loves a good bath bomb right? Well I know I do! The relationship between me and bath bombs has only been a short one so far but I just know we are going to be going places! For Christmas I got a lovely set from Lush, the 'Don't Knock It 'til You've Tried It' set. Its full of some really gorgeous bits but to start with I tried the Blackberry Bath Bomb. Well well well, what can I say about this lovely blue ball of goodness! First, the smell. Bergamot is the main oil along with frankincense, both helping you to relax and float your troubles away and it smells divine. What I also love about this bomb was that there was no gritty bits floating around the bath, it just made the water a gorgeous bright purple - which happens to be my favourite colour! What I did feel it was lacking was the moisturising factor that you get with Butterball but overall this was a good bath experience all round! Have you tried any Lush bath bombs? What's your favourite?