relaxation time

Last night I had my first bath in a long time! I do shower obviously! I have always found baths kinda boring, and I still do much prefer showers but I was really in the mood for a long soak. So thats what I did! It really was nice I put on a nice face mask before, the Neutrogena visibly clear 2-1 to clear out my pores and make my skin feel really clean. I then hopped in the bath which I filled with bath confetti from M+S and the Radox smoothie Bath soak in soul soother! This honestly smells amazing like you want to drink it! So I relaxed in the bath gave myself a body scrub and a shave! Then after a while got out and liberally applied myself with the Garnier 7 days moisturiser for extra dry skin! Then onto fake tan, using the green people self tan. This is a very light fake tan nothing too dark. It smells like essential oils and really does give you an all over bronze! My favourite product for giving me a sun-kissed glow!  I then popped the Rimmel London 60 Seconds nail polish in too cool to tango on my toes (I am still in summer mode)! Almost done now! I first put on the clarions bi-phase serum which is an amazing serum for dehydrated skin! Then I popped on the Estee Lauder Idealist serum for an even skin tone! My night was complete I felt completely relaxed and pampered and so I got myself an early night! Treating myself to a bath every once in a while makes them all the more enjoyable! 

Lots of Love, 
Beth xx 

my everyday makeup routine

Obviously I read loads of blogs and watch lots of youtube videos and so I have seen this very popular topic floating around the interwebs being the 'everyday makeup' so this is my everyday face. I don't wear makeup everyday but when I do you can bet your ass it will be very natural and simple, no bright colours, glitter or dewy face. I typically go for a semi-matte, very low coverage base with a few other bits and bobs to emphasise the more attractive areas of my face. This isn't what I wear everyday, this is just one of them, I try to switch it up a little bit but I hope it gives you ideas on how to be boring!

So first off I apply the Bourjois healthy mix serum foundation just to the centre of my face (where I need it most) with a sponge. I then go in with my Collection lasting perfection concealer on any blemishes, applying it on the back of my hand first and then using my finger to prevent bacteria in my concealer, then blend! I then put a little bit under my eyes and then over the top of that put the Body Shop lightening touch in shade 1 over the top. I then blend them both, and then powder! I dust a little bit of the Body Shop bronzer in shade 2 over the high points of my face! Using the shimmer waves in blush also from body shop as a blush my face is complete! I fill in my brows with the body shop brow and liner kit in shade 2, using a mix of the two shades! Then onto eyes! I blend a little bit of the Rimmel eyeshadow in serene all over my lids and then apply lashings of mascara! My personal favourite is the... yes you guessed it... Body Shop define and lengthen. Lips - I like to keep these pretty plain, and just a few dots of Benefits cha cha tint to perk them up a little and a bit of the Clarins instant lip perfecter to 'perfect' them. 

Speak soon, 
Beth xx

WISH LIST

As mentioned in my last blog post I am starting a wish list series with this being the first installment and so we commence on a journey of dreams...

Having now started this blog post I now realise how funny the word 'wishlist' looks. I feel like Miranda and the 'rotten' moment (comment below if you know what that means)! 

1. Mac Blush in Dame
2. Lorac Pro Palette 
3. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
4. Real Techniques Core Collection
5. Mac 219 Pencil Brush
6. Urban Decay De Slick Makeup Setting Spray
7. Origins 'Out of Trouble' Face Mask
8. Hydraluron 
9. Mac Lipstick in Plumful 
10. Nars Eyeshadow Primer

naughty haul

As I mentioned in my last post I went shopping, and I am happy to say I haven't yet broken my spending ban!! So today I thought I'd share a few of my purchases with you. 

Clarins Skincare
Not that I don't already have enough cleansers and toners I thought this would be a good purchase. My skin is combination, and so I wanted a cleanser to suit that and that wasn't excessively greasy or drying. So far I have been really loving this, it foams up lovely, and works well with my body shop facial brush. It gets the job done. Recently I have noticed that my skin has been dry in a few places, and all my other toners are suited more for blemishes and oil controlling (the seasons make my skin go crazy) and so I wanted a toner for on my dryer days. This is a really good one, and feels quite refreshing and when applied before makeup the dry patches definitely aren't as obvious.

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
I justified this purchase as 'I don't have many matte eyeshadows' but I could have gone to boots and picked up some from there, but oh well! I really like this palette I have been using it more the original naked palette (post here). I have been loving matte shades for a day to day basis and the eyeshadows are so silky and easy to apply that I have been able to create looks quickly.

Books

The perks of being a wallflower - Stephen Chbosky 
My sister lives on the mantlepiece - Annabel Pitcher
Salmon fishing in the Yemen - Paul Torday

spending ban #1

After a recent haul (the post will be up soon) I now feel that I should go on a little spending ban, and no buy anything at all that isn't completely necessary for 2 months, hopefully this should
1) Let my bank balance grow again 
2) Give me more money to spend on summer clothes when the time comes. 

I know a lot of people are on a spending ban right now as summer is looming in, and I nor my wardrobe is quite ready so hopefully I won't spend anything for that 2 months.

THIS IS THE FRAME OF MIND I NEED TO GET OUT OF

(image from; http://www.larysubero.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Shopping_cardio_color_865.jpg )

I bet it will be broken within the month :(

Spring into Step

Summer seems to be rapidly approaching, and so I'm trying to improve my general well being. I don't tend to eat much unhealthy food, however I am partial to the odd fish and chips, crisps, biscuits etc and so I am not trying to motivate to 'eat clean' and get fit. Like most others too, I am doing this to 'look fly in a swimsuit'. The usual squats and abdominal crunches have been a daily routine for me and I am noticing a difference. I have decided to do the blog post as an attempt to motivate and inspire others.

So without further or do I give you my TOP TIPS FOR GETTING FIT

1. Firstly make sure you have lots of natural sugar on your side, I am talking about fruit. Eat lots of it, because I am guessing you'll be craving it if you cut out processed sugar and this is a low calorie alternative. 
2. Mix up some veg. Use vegetables in a variety of ways, rather than just boiling them. Whip up a stir fry for you meal, and eat lots of them to replace those carbs. 
3. Pescitarian diet. I am a pescetarian and I feel a lot healthier cutting out fatty meats such as bacon and sausage. If you don't feel you could do this look for the leaner cuts of beef and chicken so that you can reduce your saturated fat intake. 
4. Pay yourself a compliment, if you feel that your legs look more toned, or your tummy is flatter say to yourself 'you go girl' this will inspire you to work harder. 
5. Use social networking to motivate you, I have recently found lots of instagram accounts created to inspire and they really have. Filled with lots of motivating quotes and pictures they really spur you on. 
6. Exercise when you can. Don't over-do it in the gym, just go as far as you think you can. You need to get your diet and your exercise working together with you to achieve your goal.
7. Finally, know your limits. Don't push yourself too hard otherwise you will just feel deflated when you don't reach that unrealistic target. 

Good luck in getting in shape for summer! 

February Favourites

So, although this is the shortest month, it has seem to have flown by, and it is crazy knowing that we are now in the 3rd month of 2013. I haven't really been branching out a lot this month, as I have been very busy and not very well but these are the products that have really stood out for me this month. 

Beauty Favourites

Makeup

This month has been much the same as usual really, I have stuck to my very basic, natural finish face as I don't have the time for glamour in the morning, but there have been a few products which I have been reaching for more than usual this month being the;

Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals Powder Foundation;
My skin has been pretty clear recently and so I have just being reaching for a pretty light, sheer coverage foundation, just to even out the skin tone. This has been perfect. I have slightly oily skin, and so powder does keep that shine at bay, but the thing I like about this powder above others is it doesn't give a too matte finish, which is exactly what I love. I hate extremely matte or extremely dewy finishes, and this is fits perfectly inbetween. I absolutely adore this foundation and will definetly be repurchasing it. 

Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer; 
I have been using this on my upper rim just to give a little bit of an omfph to my eyes. It really helps give the appearance of naturally fuller lashes, and lasts a long time. The other thing I like about it is it doesn't tend to move onto the waterline either, so it can still look as if I am not wearing eyeliner. This product is a total bargain and I love it! 

Skincare

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Range;
I usually go with the philosophy, the more expensive the skincare product, the better the effect. However in January I started to get some spots and so instantly trekked to Boots, I think the reason this brand caught my eye is because of the orange packaging which I thought was really cute. Anyway they both contain Salicylic Acid, a known effective treatment for acne. The scrub is very gentle, and not too abrasive and so you can use it everyday, although I prefer to use every other. The wash and mask is lovely, and I really feel like I have properly cleansed my skin. I now have no spots on my face whatsoever and it has seemed to reduce scarring too. They both have a very refreshing after effect on the skin, and really work as a pick me up in the morning. 

Bodycare

E45;
So the weather has been bitter here and my skin has really felt its full wrath. This has been a saviour. Not the most glamourous of products but it really does work. It is so simple and cheap but the skin on my legs has been transformed from dry and un-attractive to silky smooth. It give deep intense moisture and works wonders on the skin. 

Favourite book

I am a total book worm, and feel that they really help me relax and so this will also be a monthly feature on my blog, this month my favourite book has been - 

Miranda Hart - Is it just me? This book is funny, thought provoking and a real enjoyable light read. I am loving reading it, and so I definitely recommend it if you like her TV show as it is written in the same style.