One Big Haul

Over the last couple of weeks my bank balance has taken quite the thrashing due to a lot of beauty purchases in an array of different stores. These stores have included Boots, Asda, The Body Shop and Lush. The Lush shopping trip was so large that I have actually saved that for a separate post!! Now let's get into the haul ...

The first place I ventured was Boots. This is obviously every beauty obsessives first stop on pay day and I am certainly no exception! The reason I actually went into Boots was to pick up the new Barry M Glitterati Nail Polishes, I had brought them a couple of weeks ago for my Sister in Law and they looked amazing so I knew I would have to pick them up for myself. I ended up with the colour 'Starlet' which is an amazing vibrant pink and 'Fashion Icon' which is a beautiful Cadbury's purple colour. I was in for some luck while purchasing my nail polishes as Boots also had a special offer on all Barry M cosmetics where you spend more than £7.00 and you get a free Barry M Showgirl Mascara! The packaging on this is so pretty, it's a really girly pink metallic colour, the brush looks nice and big too so it should give some good volume!

While in Boots I took a little look over at the Benefit stand, I don't know whether I can say it was my lucky day or my unlucky day as they had just stocked all the new Christmas gifts! Of course I had to give myself one little treat so I decided on the Sweet Tintations Gift Set. This set includes:

• Bene Balm
• Bene Tint 
• Lolli Balm 
• Lolli Tint

All of them look great, they are all very natural pinky tones. Nothing too crazy at all, I think it would make a really nice Christmas gift for anyone how likes a nice subtle make-up look.

Next I moved on to Asda which you may think is a bit of an odd place to pick up any beauty items but Supermarkets are actually fast becoming a big contender for places like Boots and Superdrug in the beauty department. They really are starting to stock more beauty products and there prices are extremely competitive. The first thing I grabbed while doing my 'big shop' was a bit of a shock to me as I really didn't except to see it in a Supermarket, it was the Real Techniques Powder Brush. I love Real Techniques brushes and this was the perfect edition to my brush collection. Next up I found myself in the hair care aisle, here I came across the new Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner. The bottle says it's for fine, flat hair and gently cleanses giving natural volume. This sounded like everything I wanted in a shampoo and conditioner! Lastly was a repurchase, the Nivea in Shower Moisturiser. This is basically the lazy persons moisturiser, all you do is coat it on in the shower like you would a shower gel and then wash it off. You then get out of the shower with silky soft skin.

Last but certainly not least I ventured into The Body Shop. This was a very specific visit, I have been waiting for the Honey Comb Bronzing Powder in Light to be back in stock for forever and finally it was my time! People have been raving about this bronzer for such a long time that I really wanted to know if it was worth the hype. I have never tried any make-up items from The Body Shop but hopefully if all goes well this won't be my last!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my long list of purchases, sorry it was so long! What have you been buying recently? Have you been on any crazy shopping spree's around the aisles of Boots?

Yasmin xoxo

Friday Favourites #3

It's that time of week again FRIDAY!! We all know what that means, it's time for another Friday Favourites to get you ready for the weekend. Let's cut right to the chase and talk about what I have loved this week. 

Primark Panda Onesie 
This week the temperature has dropped dramatically, a couple of weeks ago I could not imagine having to wear a winter coat everyday and still be cold. Due to this cold snap that we seem to be having I have been coming home from work everyday and getting straight into my Primark Panda Onesie. It is the thickest, fluffiest warmest piece of clothing in the world! I guess the only down side to it is that you do look like a giant baby but who cares when you are that warm!! 

Lush The Comforter 
Also due to the fact that I seem to be constantly cold right now I have been having a lot of baths to try and warm my bones. I have been really enjoying these baths and I think that is mostly due to the The Comforter from Lush. This is a fruity berry scented bubble bar It smells absolutely delicious and creates so many bubbles. The great thing about this too is that you only need to crumble a tiny bit off to make your bath smell amazing and get all bubbley so it can be used again and again. Definitely one of the best purchases I have made from Lush recently.  

Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush
This is a perfume that I love and I have repurchased again and again, I noticed the other day that I only had a tiny bit of it left so I decided to use what was there before Christmas. I have to say I really did forget how good this smelt and how long the scent lasts too. I have been getting compliments all week on how good I smell! This scent has notes of champagne, pink passion flower and cashmere woods, sounds weird I know but it makes for a floral yet musky scent. A must have for your Christmas list, I know it's already on mine. 

Nip + Fab Pistachio Sundae Dry Skin Fix Body Butter
This again is one of those things that I noticed I only had a small amount left so thought I would finish it up. I honestly forgot how good this body butter smells, it is by far the best smelling body butter I have ever smelt (and yes that includes the Body Shop body butters). It's so sweet but yet not sickly and the scent hangs around all day, not only that but it makes your skin so sensationally soft. I just can't get enough of it and apparently alot of people feel the same way judging by the fact that it is always (and I mean always) sold out in my local boots. I think I will definitely be buying this in bulk when I see it next. 

That's everything for this week, I hope you enjoyed reading my Friday Favourites! What have you been loving this week? Make sure you leave me a comment and let me know or better yet leave me a link to your own favourites blog post. 

Yasmin xoxo

Liebster Award

I have seen quite a few bloggers doing the Liebster Award recently but I didn't really know what it was all about, that is until I was nominated by the lovely Danny of Heart of Danny who left me a really lovely comment. Danny's blog is an amazing read, follow the link to take a look for yourself! 

So to start off with I will give you 11 facts about myself! I would just like to say now that no one ever said they had to be interesting facts!!  

• I got engaged this year! 
• Both of my little fingers have a bend in them 
• I love cheese far too much, the stronger the better
• I am extremely superstitious and I really don't know why, I refuse to cross people on the stairs and of course go around saluting magpies 
• My favourite film is Pulp Fiction, yes I love John Travolta 
• I am 24 years old
• I am absolutely obsessed with Modern Family, if you haven't watched it then you really need to
• Even though I am 24 I watch a lot of children's tv, yes Sabrina the Teenage Witch is still on 
• My newest love is Lush bath bombs, I can't get enough 
• I have never Broken a Bone 
• I have A Levels in Psychology, Sociology, English Literature and Language and Media Studies 

That's my eleven facts about me, now for my questions that were set by Danny. 

1. If you could change one moment in time what would it be?
I would not change anything because otherwise I would not be where I am today with the amazing life that I have. 

2. Who is you're number one hero in life?
I have to say my number one hero is my mum, she is a huge influence in my life and means the world to me. 

3. If you could change one thing about the world then what would it be? (i.e. no war)
I think it would be to have a peaceful world with no conflict.  

4. What is your favourite season?
My favourite season is definitely the winter. I love wrapping up in winter coats, scarves and mittens, I love it when it snows too. I think it is the prettiest season. 

5. What is your least favourite type of weather?
My favourite type of weather is snow, I think snow is so romantic and pretty. It would be a dream to get married in the snow.

6. If you could choose one thing to be extremely good at what would it be? (i.e. singing)
I wish I was exceptionally good at dancing! I am always so jealous of people who can dance, I find dancing completely mesmerising and always have from a young age. Maybe I should join a class? 

7. What type of blog is your favourite to read? (i.e. photography, fashion etc.)
Of course my favourite blog to read is Beauty, I am totally obsessed Fashion and Wedding blogs come in a close second and third though.

8. If you could choose to be any celebrity for a day who would you choose and why?
I think I would have to say Blake Lively, not only is she beautiful and talented I just think she seems like she would be a genuinely nice person too. I think it would be interesting to see if what I think is true. 

9. What is the one dream in life that you want to come true?
To be able to have a career in the beauty industry and do something that I really love doing everyday. 

10. If you were a fruit what fruit would you be?
I think I would be Grapefruit pink and girly on the outside but can either be sweet or sour on the inside depending on the day!  

11. What is you're favourite song at the moment?
It's and oldie but a goodie The Weeknd Wicked Games, I just could play it on repeat and never get bored. 

Now here are the eleven blogs that I have nominated, I will then add the rules for the Liebster Award and also my questions for them all to answer! All the blogs I have chosen are really great so make sure to go over and have a read they are all linked below: 

• Blwbell
• Medieval Fashion 
• Amy Grice 
• Sarina's Cloudland 
• Lydia Fedora
• Flowers and Threads xo 
• Lottie's Life 
• Cups of Tea and Daisies 
• Louloubella 
• Musings of a Makeup Enthusiast 
• The Beauty Storm 

The Rules 
1. Thank the blog that nominated you and link them.
2. Post eleven facts about yourself.
3. Answer the eleven questions provided by the person who nominated you and then create an eleven question set for the next group of nominees.
4. Choose eleven people to nominate and link them on the post.
5. Let your nominees know they've been tagged - and no tag backs!
6. Nominate blogs with under 200 followers. 

My Questions to You
1. Why did you start blogging?
2. Who is your beauty icon? 
3. What is your guilty pleasure?
4. What is your best beauty tip? 
5. If you could only shop in one place for a whole year where would it be?
6. What is the one thing in your handbag that you just couldn't be without?
7. What is your winter fragrance? 
8. What is the best purchase you have ever made? 
9. The one product in your skin care routine that would have to be clawed away from you? 
10. If you were stuck on a dessert island and you only had three items what would they be? 
11. What is the song that reminds you of a really good time in your life? 

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post, comment below if you have done the Liebster Award so I can read it!

Yasmin xoxo

Friday Favourites #2

So here we are, my second Friday Favourites! For those of you who are incredibly eagle eyed you will notice that I did miss a week in between, for this I do apologise but let's not dwell on the past let's just jump straight into the present with my favourite products of the week!

Herbal Essences Dry Shampoo 
This week I decided it was time that I get serious and get fit, this has now involved me running twice a week and also playing tennis at the weekend. As soon as I get back from my run I have been having a nice long relaxing bath with lots of bubbles and as you can imagine this does not involve washing my hair (don't worry though it does get washed in the morning)! To stop myself from feeling absolutely gross I have been spritzing my hair with the new Herbal Essences dry shampoo, this stuff smells great just like their shampoos and conditioners and for extra brownie points there is no white residue! It is definitely one of my new essentials.

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Spot Wand
Recently my face has been completely taken over by spots and blemishes which is very unusual for my skin, because of this I didn't actually have anything in my stash for spots. I popped into boots and headed straight for the skincare aisle trying not to get distracted! I didn't really want to spend too much money or get anything that would last a long time because as I said I don't often get spots. I saw the Boots own Tea Tree & Witch Hazel range and thought that would be perfect, the wand consists of one side for the day and one for the night. I have mostly only been using it at night but I have seen a dramatic difference in my skin already and it has only been a few days.

Montagne Tropical Peel Off
As we are on the subject of my skin issues of the week I might as well mention the face mask that I have been using, the Montagne Tropical Peel Off. As you will know from my other posts I absolutely love a face mask, I find nothing more relaxing than a glass of wine and a face mask. This week because my skin has been so bad I decided to use this peel off as I find that it really does lift out all the dirt and grime that sinks into your skin. Not only is it great for the skin it is also so quick and easy to use, it's like the lazy persons face mask. There is no having to get up and wash anything off all you have to do is peel it off once it's dry and you are done!

The Body Shop Chocomania Shower Cream 
This stuff smells amazing! It actually does smell good enough to eat, it is essentially like rubbing melted chocolate into your skin just a lot less sticky. I brought this because I was told that it was great for dry skin and it's not a lie, it really is. I have been loving this week and the only bad thing I can say about it really is that it doesn't last as long as I would like it to, other than that I have really enjoyed using it.

Soap & Glory Love at First Blush
Finally my last favourite is this Soap & Glory blush. I absolutely love a blush, I would go as far as saying I am a blush junkie, it is by far my favourite make up product. This blush is particularly pretty, it consists of five different shimmery pink shades that you can either use on there own or mix together to get different looks. I find that it is so subtle and pretty on the skin it just gives you a nice glow. This is a great product from Soap & Glory and I will definitely be giving more of their blushes a try in the future.

So that was my Friday Favourites. What products have you been loving this week?

Yasmin xoxo

Shop my Stash #1

We all know that time in the month when the purse strings need to get tighter, this for me is usually the time when I am walking around the shops and I want to buy everything within my reach! I decided to try and stop this urge and make myself feel better I would give 'shopping my stash' a go. This is essentially where you go through your make up and beauty collection and find things that you haven't used in a long time, things that you have forgotten about about or even lost! This apparently be just as satisfying and exciting as real shopping so I thought I would give it a try for myself.

The first couple of things I discovered were strangely both primers. I feel like I've never really given primers much of a chance so I thought now could be the time. The first one I picked out was the Paul & Joe Pearl Foundation Primer, this is quite possibly the most beautiful beauty product I have ever seen in all my life! From the box it comes in to the little pearls inside the bottle it just looks amazing and it kind of makes me sad that it has been tucked away in a drawer all this time. I remember when I brought this I was so excited and I thought I will use it sparingly, for best occasions but this has then lead to me forgetting about it. I have to say I'm really excited to use this again, maybe you'll see it in a Friday Favourites soon.

The other primer I picked up was the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, I got this for my birthday in February and completely forgot about it. I have heard a lot of good things about this primer and so many people love it and hopefully I will too. I think this primer will probably go more into my day to day rotation and the Paul & Joe primer will be for evening looks. Next up was another product from Laura Mercier, the Fresh Fig Body Butter. I received this in a Birchbox quite some time ago and as anyone who gets Birchbox or Glossybox will know the products do start to pile up and you tend to forget about them. I'm really glad I found this again though, it smells absolutely phenomenal so I'm excited to see how it is on the skin.

Finally I picked out a few make-up bits, this consisted of Benefits Fine One One and Ava Lip Collision Lila'lli. Again I got the Benefit Fine One One for my birthday in February, I remember being quite scared of this product and not really knowing what to do with it. To be honest I still really don't know what to do with it but now I'm determined to find out and give it a try. If anyone already knows then make sure to leave a comment below and let me know! The Ava Lip Collision was from a Birchbox if I remember rightly, on one end it has a lipstick and on the other is the matching gloss. This is a really clever idea and I have to say I'm intrigued to use it, it's a pretty pink colour that I would definitely wear I'm just not usually a fan of a gloss but I will give it a go.

So that was me 'shopping my stash' and I can quite safely say it is quite exciting! You will be surprised how many products you completely forget about. Have you ever 'shopped your own stash'? How did you find it?

Yasmin xoxo

Daily Make-Up Routine

I try and keep my daily make-up routine as minimal and quick as possible, this is mostly because I would really rather that extra 10 minutes in bed than spending it on an overly complicated facial routine. I do use quite a few products but I stick to a no faff rule with them all.

1. Rimmel Match Perfection Light Perfecting Radiance Foundation - I simply apply one pump of this onto the back of my hand and then use my fingers to blend it into the skin. This gives a medium coverage but it can be built up.

2. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer & Benefit Fake Up - I first use the collection lasting perfection concealer on any blemishes (usually around my chin) and also around my nose where I tend to get a bit of redness. I then again blend this with my fingers. I then go in under the eyes with Benefits Fake Up which is a moisturising concealer an blend that in with my ring finger.

3. Elf Pressed Powder, Elf Professional Total Face Brush, Bourjois Bronzing Powder & Real Techniques Buffing Brush - I have been finding that due to my full fringe I can get a very oily t-zone so this is where the Elf Pressed Powder comes in, it just gives a more matte finish that I know will stay that way. I apply it using the corresponding Elf Professional Total Face Brush, not the best brush i have ever used but it does the job. Once I have done a once over with the pressed powder I go in with my Bourjois Bronzing powder and just add a touch to my temples, jaw line and the hollows of my cheeks to give a bit of definition. I do this using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush, unlike the Elf Brush this is the best brush I have ever used!

4. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Precision Micro Eyeliner, Rimmel Glam'Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara & Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara - For eyes I just go in with a super fine line on my upper lases nothing to crazy that could potentially go wrong. It's every girls worst nightmare to be re-applying complex eyeliner 20 times over! I then put a coat of the Rimmel Day 2 Night mascara on my top lashes. This mascara has two applicators in one, the first is for lengthening and the second is for volume. I tend to just use the lengthening applicator for day to day wear as i find it is all i need. Then for my bttom lashes I use the Clinique Bottom Lash mascara, this is a complete novalty item that is not really needed at all as a normal mascara does the same job but it is fun and novel to use!

5. Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Blusher in Berry Jamm & Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush in 110 Make Me Blush - I always love to have a nice bright pink on my cheek for the daytime I find it gives you a nice natural flushed look. For this I use the Sexy Mother Blusher by just dabbing it onto my cheeks and then blending with my fingers, the trick with this product is to go in small and then build it up. Then finally on the lips I just use a swipe of Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush lip crayon. This can be built up for a more opaque look but I find just a swipe give you a your lips but better look.

So that is my day to day routine, extremely simple yet very effective! I would love to know the products you guys use on a daily basis and how you apply them. Let me know in the comments below. Have you used any of the products I mentioned but applied them in a different way for a different look? 

Yasmin xoxo

Bedside Table Essentials

I thought that seen as my favourite place in the world and probably where I spend most of my time was my bed it would be appropriate for me to do a post about my bedside table essentials. I like to keep a good amount of things on top of my bed side table mostly so I don't need to move when I'm all cosy and snuggled up.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Balm
If you read my Friday Favourites post you will know how much of a fan I am in general of the original eight hour cream. The lip balm came as part of a set when I brought the eight hour cream and I absolutely love it! I know a lot of people say that the eight hour cream is amazing for the lips but I find the lip balm is even better, it's so smooth and moisturising and it also doesn't have such a potent scent like the cream. I use this every night, hence why it is on my bedside table and will stay there until there is no more!

Hairbands & Bobby Pins
Every night before I go to bed I have to put my hair up. It's not like I have particularly long or thick hair or anything I just cannot seem to sleep with my hair down, I find it really irritating. Just before I go to sleep I like to scrape my hair up into a really high ponytail and then bobby pin my fringe and any stray hairs at the back of my head. I always think it's all very secure and then I wake up and I find my hairband and both bobby pins in random places in my bed. This still doesn't stop me doing the same thing every night #girlproblems.

Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
As a girl with ridiculously dry skin I can never be without a multitude of different lotions and potions to help moisturise my skin and a hand cream is just one of them. Currently on my bedside table I have the Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream. I got given this by my mum as she had accumulated about ten and just wasn't getting through them! As hand creams go it is very luxurious and has a very nice scent, it is great on my dry skin too. I would say though if you don't have extreme dry skin this might just be a bit too oily for you.

Kindle
I always have my kindle on my bedside table in the hopes that it will motivate me to get off of twitter and read a good book! I'm not going to lie this doesn't often happen, the last book I read on here was called 'Room' by Emma Donoghue and I could not put it down. The book is through the eyes of five year old who has never set foot into the outside world. I won't say any more as I don't want to ruin it for anyone who wants to read it. All I will say is it kept me away from twitter for a good week!

Yankee Candle
I absolutely love having a candle on my bedside table, not just for the beautiful scents but also for the atmosphere they create. It makes me feel so relaxed to have my bedroom lit by candles instead of having it lit by the harsh ceiling light. At the moment I am burning the last of my Yankee Candle in Sun & Sand, it's a musky natural scent that fills the whole room. It's not a scent that I would usually go for but I have to say that I have really enjoyed burning this over the past month.

Aveeno Skin Relief
The final thing I have to hand on my bedside table is a huge bottle of Aveeno Skin Relief. This is just perfect for me to pump out and then slather all over my skin before bed, it sinks into my skin so quickly I don't have that annoying damp feeling for an hour after I have applied it. It's just easy to throw on and jump into bed.

That is everything that you can see on my bedside table (apart from the giant alarm clock and before you ask no is does not have any batteries in it so is not functioning thankfully!). What do you keep at arms reach when you're in bed?

Yasmin xoxo