My Current Beauty Essentials.

As much as I love the aspects of beauty, every aspect to be fair, I've recently come to notice that at certain times (like after a shower) or just doing my everyday makeup, I grab for the same few things each and every day.

First up, The Body Shop's Virgin Mojito Body Sorbet (£8.00) has been my go-to body moisturiser for the past month or so. I like to slather this stuff on after every bath or shower to add moisture back into my skin. The sorbets' aren't your typical body moisturiser - they're not thick and creamy in consistency, but quite light and frosty. The scent of the Virgin Mojito range is delicious, very carribean-esque and leaves you smelling like mint and lime.

Another from The Body Shop is their Vitamin E Lip Care (£5.00). The best lip balm I've come across on the high street, I use this every night before bed and it leaves my lips feeling baby soft and flake free. Pricey for a lip balm, but worth it if you suffer from dry lips.

As I stated in my previous post here, Essie's Angora Cardi (£7.99) hasn't left my talons for the past week. A lovely, dusty-rose shade that's perfect for the fast approaching autumn and a good nude for everyday wear.

You should know by now that this girl can't live without her contour/highlight and my new favourite comes in the form of Maybelline's Master Sculpt (£6.99). The contour shade works wonderfully for my complexion and the highlight gives a subtle glow to the face. A truly amazing find for drugstore.

Last up is my favourite drugstore lipstick and one that I literally grab for everyday - Essence's Cool Nude (£2.30). A Kylie Jenner mauvey-pink that looks great on all complexions and skintones. The price is more than reasonable and it lasts for ages. I love it.

Lauren

xo

The Body Shop's New (& Amazeballs) Scent...

I'd been dying to sniff The Body Shop's new scent for a couple of weeks now, ever since I'd heard of it's launch. 

This is definitely one of my favourite scents that they've released - it's beaten Vanilla Brulee but is a pretty close second to my all time favourite, Moringa. 

Virgin Mojito is one of those fragrances that transports you to somewhere a little more desirable - courtesy of it's lime and mint extracts straight from the Caribbean. 

 Along with purchasing the body butter I also picked up the Virgin Mojito Body Sorbet (£8.00) - they're actually amazing. It's described as a light and frosty moisturiser and I'd definitely agree with that. It's instantly cooling on the skin (which in this current weather situation is much appreciated), it sinks in quickly and a little goes a long way. 

The body sorbets have become my new favourite body moisturiser, I'm obsessed with them. I'll definitely be picking up a few more scents on my next visit, especially for such a reasonable price.

Lauren

xo

My Beauty Obsessions.

Like most beauty bloggers, there are certain aspects of the beauty world that I don't think I could ever part with. Either because they make me feel better, look sharper or because I just like the whole application process.  

I like to call these my beauty obsessions.

Hand Cream

I'll admit, hand cream is a slight mania of mine - I need to always have one with me, along with a hand sanitizer. I'm not a weird germophobe who refuses to touch door handles or anything but ever since working in retail I've appreciated the fact that people can be, well, disgusting. Not to mention my hands get super dry handling hangers, opening crates and de-tagging clothes all day. My favourites are the ones from The Body Shop (Moringa obviously), their convenient size and shape make travelling with them easy.

Nail Polish

There was a time during my college years when the colour black would never be seen off my talons. To my 16 year old self, nothing went with anything better. As I've gotten older (and wiser) I've started to appreciate the different colours of nail polish and how they can instantly add a little something else to your ensemble. I've always called it the 'Unexpected Accessory'. I love anything by Essie.

Dry Shampoo

I honestly don't know where I'd be without Dry Shampoo. It's my all time can't-live-without beauty product. Not only does it give second and third day hair a feeling of cleanliness (albeit on the dry side) it acts as a root volumniser too. You can't go wrong with Batiste - they have tons of different scents so there's one for everybody.

Lipstick

Last up is lipstick. When I was younger (again, during my college years) I never really saw the point of wearing lipstick if it wasn't a bold colour. Nowadays, I can fully value the nude lip. These days, I'm rarely seen without some shade of lipstick on - and not just a pillarbox red or a vampiric purple. MAC have some great shade choices and I love their formulas.

Everyone has different beauty things that they'd considered can't-live-without. Yours might be that wear-to-death blush colour or a repurchased brow powder that you've hit pan on several times. 

I always love finding out what others (friends and family alike) categorise as 'Holy Grail' and see if it matches any of mine.

After all, that's the beauty of Beauty. 

Lauren

xo

The Body Shop's best scent...

Anyone can ask me what my favourite scent is from The Body Shop and I'll tell you the same one every time - Moringa.

I absolutely adore the scent. 

I'd describe it as a really delicate floral scent - it's sweet but not overpowering in the slightest. It's just one of those scents that once you smell it, you have to unscrew the lid again just to take a second whiff. 

I've already spoken about my love for the Moringa Body Butter (£13.00). A thick, creamy body lotion that leaves my skin feeling silky for days and smelling lovely. I love that it doesn't have too strong a scent that it distracts from perfume or anything too. 

My second fave is the Moringa Hand Cream (£3.50), because these guys are so travel and pocket friendly I tend to pick up a couple so I can keep one with me in my bag and one at home. The same floral-y scent that leaves my hand soft, not sticky.

The Moringa Shower Gel (£4.00) is a firm favourite in my shower of late. A more recent addition to my Moringa collection but loved just as much as the rest. You get a fair amount of product for £4.00 and it makes every shower that much more enjoyable.

Lastly is their Moringa Body Mist (£7.50), I can't even get over how delicious this smells, it smells so fresh and clean. I'm continuously spritzing myself with this stuff. Combined with my body butter, it's safe to say I'm smelling of Moringa all day, every day. 

I love The Body Shop, it's my favourite store on the high street for bodycare. I can always rely on their products to work wonders for my skin.

Lauren

xo

2 Steps to Super Soft Summer Skin.

As we all know by now, I'm a very strong advocate for fake tan. I love a good golden glow in Summer - especially if it comes from a bottle. 

In order to get my fake tan looking tip-top, it has to be applied to soft skin (fake tan looks awful if you've applied it to rough, dry skin and that's why it goes patchy and uneven), and the duo I've been using in recent weeks has come up trumps.

Soap & Glory's The Breakfast Scrub (£8.00) is something that I've used before but never picked up again after my first foray with it. I didn't dislike it so I wonder why I never repurchased it - I think it's because I found the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Scrub and that one's much cheaper. 

I love everything about this scrub.

The smell is heavenly and it does a damn good job of getting rid of any dry patches on my body without feeling like I've removed several layers and leaves it super soft at the end.

After a shower, I've been obsessed with The Body Shop's Moringa Body Butter (£13.00) - see this post here for more. Not only does it moisturise my skin like no other but it adds a lovely floral scent to my body that smells delightful but not overpowering. The body butters sink in straight away so you're not walking around feeling sticky and useless. 

Obviously, Summer is the time to break out the dresses and the shorts and it's always nice to have silky soft pins to showcase. I 100% recommend these two for doing just that.

Lauren

xo

My 3 Step Routine for Blemish-Free Skin.

I know it isn't just me that loathes getting spots.

They are literally my biggest pet peeve!

Usually because they choose to show up when you're depending on clear skin for graduation, a night out or a first date - typical. 

I understand that it's just a pimple, and most people get them, but I can't help but let it ruin my day sometimes - your makeup just doesn't look half as good when you're trying to cover a blemish!

Anyway, I'd had enough of them constantly setting up camp on my complexion and decided to consciously do something about it. In the past I'd always let them run their course and thought 'everyone gets them, they'll eventually go' - which is true, they did, but then another one would appear. 

I seem to have the kind of skin where I either have none at all or a face full - there was no happy medium.

I've recently added a few things into my nightly skincare routine and I've suffered from hardly any breakouts since. 

Firstly is I've been washing my face morning and evening with The Body Shop's Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash (£5.00). A refreshingly calming face wash that leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean after every use. I'm already on my third tube of the stuff, it's definitely reaching holy grail for me. If you suffer from bad breakouts I recommend this, it aids in getting your skin squeaky clean without leaving it feeling dry and stripped.

After I've done that, I've been misting my face with the Boots Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz (£5.99). It's a 100% organic toning water that cleanses impurities whilst simultaneously tightening pores and refreshing the complexion. I've noticed a huge difference since incorporating this into my nightly routine. I never used to use toner - I always figured it was a pointless step - but I can never be without this stuff now.

Lastly is my moisturiser of choice and that's the Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturiser (£2.19). This oil free formula moisturises my skin without leaving a greasy residue and helps prevent spots and blemishes. Another product I recommend to anyone with acne or blemishes - you can't beat the price and it actually works. 

An honourable mention goes out to the St. Ives Blemish Fighting Apricot Scrub (£4.19) which I use during every shower. I've used it for years and swear by it. 

 I love that I've managed to find blemish-busting products that work for me and my skin and don't cost an arm and a leg. It's always satisfying when you find something in the drugstore that works just as well as any high-end product (though despite it's hefty price tag, I am in need of a new Origins Super Spot Remover). 

Lauren

xo

My Must-Haves from The Body Shop.

The Body Shop is quite literally, amazing.

Their reliable, reasonably priced products cater for every skin type whether that be oily, dry, sensitive or a combination of all three.

Whenever I go shopping I can't help but wander in - same goes for online shopping, plus they usual have some amazing offer on so it's hard to say no.

Truly, I don't think anyone can go wrong with one of their Body Butters. Their thick formulas add hours of hydration to my skin. I'm obsessed with the Moringa Body Butter (£13.00) at the moment - it's got a lovely floral-y sort of scent to it. I love to slap this on after a shower or bath and it leaves my skin lovely and soft until my next one. I'm not too fussed about which scent I have of these since there's a fair few I'm in love with - the strawberry one is to die for - so long as I have one on the go, I'm happy. 

Secondly is one of the best makeup removers I've ever tried - the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil (£10.00). A really mild cleanser that removes even the toughest of makeup - even waterproof mascara is no match for it. My skin feels silky smooth and most importantly, clean after I've used this. A repurchase is definitely needed of this - as you can probably tell from the above picture, I'm almost out. 

An honourable mention goes out to the Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter (£12.00) - love that stuff too.

Last up is a product that I've actually repurchased three times already - I swear by it and that's their Tea tree Cool & Creamy Wash (£5.00). Clinically proven to improve skin's appearance from week one, it's a must for anyone who suffers from blemish-prone skin. It's such a nice wash to use morning and evening and it keeps those pesky spots at bay.

I think The Body Shop truly do the best skincare/bodycare on the high street. It's hard to justify spending your extra pennies on high end skincare when TBS probably do something very similar for a more affordable price.

Lauren

xo

April Favourites.

I know I said the next time I'd do a 'monthly favourites' post I'd be 22 - I'm not 22 yet (Wednesday 29th), but I've just got so much to do over the next few days I didn't want to miss posting it before April was out.

I figured today was as good a day as any to get it up on the blog -  and I've just finished work for a well deserved week off.

My first April fave has been the Bourjois Silk Edition Powder (£9.99). I thought I'd never find a drugstore powder I loved more than their Healthy Balance but this is definitely a strong contender. It's pretty much the same as the Healthy Balance in that it sets everything in place and keeps your oils at bay but just in a much lighter formula. Seriously, it's hard to tell you've even got powder on your face. 

The Body Shop's Vitamin E Lip Care (£4.50) has been a saviour to my lips this month - they've just been so bloody dry! I like to pop this on before bed and let the Vitamin E really work it's magic. Results? I wake up with baby soft lips and not a dry patch in sight. 

My brows have been loving the Essence Make Me Brow (£2.50) all throughout April - and so have I! It makes my most arduous makeup task a complete doddle. I've just been wearing this on it's own most days. It provides just enough colour and texture to get away with.

Lastly has been a TV (or Netflix) favourite and that's Once Upon A Time. I am completely, ridiculously, embarrassingly hooked on this show. I mentioned it in a previous post and a couple of days later decided to give it a proper go - I've never looked back since. If you're into fairytales and stories with a twist then you need to give this one a watch - and Robert Carlyle is outstanding as Rumplestiltskin. 

It's been a relatively quiet month this one - well, until this weekend when things are probably going to go slightly downhill on the quiet front. 

Happy Birthday to me! 

Lauren

xo

My Sunny Day Essentials.

The weather has been glorious in Manchester these past couple of weeks, so much so I've left the house sans coat on a few occasions (wahey!) so I thought now would be as good a time as any to let you in on my hot day necessities. 

We all know by now about my OSS (oily skin syndrome) so a mattifying primer and a mattifying foundation are (usually) musts for me on sunny days. I lived in the Bourjois Happy Light Matte Serum Primer (£10.99) all of last year and I plan to break it out again this Summer. It makes my foundation last and keeps me from looking overly shiny throughout the day. Base-wise, the Loreal Infallible 24hr-matte Foundation (£6.99) is right up my street - I've been loving this foundation recently and it's going to come in handy in the fast approaching warmer months. Easily one of the best drugstore foundations I've come across in a long while. 

To set all that in place, a girl needs her powder. Bourjois' Silk Edition Powder (£9.99) has been my favourite these past few weeks. A non-cakey formula that sets everything in place with a light dusting, and keeps my face looking matte for ages. 

Lip balm is a must for me all year round, but one containing SPF is essential for Summer. The Body Shop's Vitamin E Lip Care (£4.50) is perfect for such days - it contains an SPF of 15 whilst the Vitamin E works to soften dry lips. I love it. 

My fragrance of choice any time of the year is Emporio Armani Diamonds (£39.50 for 30ml). I love the scent of this (but I can't describe it), it just smells sophisticated. I love it so much I have the 30ml for my handbag and the 100ml to keep at home. 

Lastly is, of course, a pair of Sunnies. These ones (£5.99) are from H&M and are still available now. Sunglasses are my weakness, I just love them. I think it's because so many styles suit my face shape that I find it hard to go wrong when buying a pair. I've still yet to purchase a pair of Raybans (I'm terrified I'd lose them or break them) but for now, pretty ones that don't cost an arm and a leg will do.

I tend to have a love/hate relationship with Summer. As much as I love fake tan and sunglasses, being sweaty and unable to wear snuggly jumpers makes me sad.

Lauren

xo

My New Lip Saviour.

I've had a serious love/hate relationship with my pout recently. I've bought a handful of new lipsticks but I've been unable to wear any of them due to the awful state my lips have been in.

I've suffered from dry lips in the past but nothing like what it's been like recently, the only thing I've been able to wear on a daily basis has been lip balm. Usually, I'll just dab a little Carmex on them before I go to bed and in the morning they'll be right as rain...but for some reason my holy grail lip balm hasn't been doing the job of late.

I was in The Body Shop the other day when I came across this - their Vitamin E Lip Care (£4.50). I've previously stated how much I love their Vitamin E Moisture Cream because it leaves my skin feeling so plump and hydrated, I figured this would do the same for my lips.

And I was right.

I've been wearing this to bed and I've been waking up with uber soft lips and the best part? they're actually staying that way!

If you suffer from chapped lips, give this one ago. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Lauren

xo

My Current Face.

So recently I've been back on the foundation hype and it's because I've fell in love with the new Loreal Infallible 24hr-Matte foundation. From what I've heard and read, this base has been a bit of a marmite product - you either love it or you hate it. I love it. It's probably the best foundation I've used that has actually kept my skin looking matte for more than a couple of hours - and I'm so pleased it's come from the drugstore. I'll definitely be picking up the primer version of this at some point. 

Until I pick that up I've been using The Body Shop's Instablur to keep my makeup in place and my oily skin at bay. I do love this primer but it is a pain to apply, especially when it literally crumbles...argh. It's good at keeping me shine-free throughout the day though so I can't complain too much. A new concealer love of mine has been the Rimmel Match Perfection 2 in 1 Concealer and Highlighter. It works well for covering redness, blemishes and bringing light to my face. 

Since hitting pan considerably on my Bourjois Healthy Balance powder and always forgetting to pick up another, I've been using the Rimmel Stay Matte powder - not as good as the Bourjois one but it does the job well enough.

To add colour back into my complexion, contour has come to me in the form of Benefit's Hoola. I just love this bronzer for contouring, it blends well and gives me the Cara Delevingne cheekbones I so crave. Makeup Revolution's Vivid Blush Lacquer in Rush has been my blush of choice lately, I like to apply it with a small stippling brush and the tiniest amount gives a lovely flush to the cheeks. For adding a sheen it's been nothing but Makeup Revolution's Radiant Light in Exhale - a gorgeous, pearly highlighter that adds illumination and radiance to the face. 

For eyes and eyebrows, Urban Decay's Naked Basics Palette has been my go-to for both. The Shade Naked 2 is the perfect ashy brown for a blonde girl's brows and it also makes for an everyday matte brown eye. However, I've majorly hit pan on it now and I'm pretty sure Urban Decay don't do it as a single eyeshadow. Boo. 

Of course, Makeup Revolution's Viper Mascara has been my mascara of the moment. I love this product and I'm so happy it's only £3.00. Countless re-purchases will be made for this. 

I've only just realised after coming to the end of this post that I didn't include a lip option - idiot. I've mainly been wearing lip balm as my lips have been as dry as the Sahara in recent weeks - in the words of Summer Roberts...ew. Oh, I do love The O.C.

Lauren

xo

Shower Time Body Care.

I think the shower is a place where people usually skimp on the skincare front. Customarily, showers are reserved for deep thought and self reflection - but there's no harm in making one of those profound contemplations about in-shower body care. 

Now I love a good body scrub. They're great for getting rid of any rough patches and come Summer, are a permanent fixture in my shower due to copious amounts of self-tan. The Body Shop's scrubs are the bomb diggity but sometimes it's hard to justify spending £13.00 on one, so I prefer to go a little cheaper. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Cocoa Body Scrub is great at getting rid of dry skin and costs £4.99, but it's usually on some sort of offer at Boots or Superdrug. 

Soap & Glory is my favourite brand when it comes to body washes. Their body washes are creamy and delicious and most of them tend to have built in moisturisers too. What's not to love?

The Clean Girls Body Wash has been my shower gel of choice lately. It softens the skin whilst simultaneously making you smell like a cupcake and you get a huge bottle for £6.50. Soap & Glory is amazing value for money. 

To look after my face I like to use anti blemish products as my skin can be rather spot prone due to it's oily nature. Nightmare, I know. The St. Ives Blemish Fighting Apricot Scrub has been my go-to face scrub for ages now. It works well, smoothing my skin and reducing spots and it's cheap. 

To finish off, The Body Shop's Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash helps keep my skin squeaky clean whilst invigorating and refreshing my complexion. I've really noticed a different in the amount of spots I've been getting since using this. For only £5.00, I'll definitely be repurchasing this. 

Lauren

xo