Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Peel Off Face Mask

I am recently loving sticking a face mask on with some music and a good book and have a good old relax. So I've been testing out quite a lot of face masks over the last few weeks to find the perfect one and this one is definitely up there with the best. 

The bottle claims that it deep cleans and tightens pores and helps remove blackheads which it really does. This is one of the few face masks were I feel my skin is noticeably cleaner after I've removed it. Peel off masks are definitely the best type of face mask they are just so fun to remove and you know when you've had it on long enough. I also definitely prefer face masks in a bottle/tub as I feel when using the sachets that I only use about three quarters and the rest goes to waste, so these are perfect. This bottle is 50ml so that's around 5-7 uses, but I've had this a while and it's still going strong. I picked this up on offer for around £2 about a month ago, it is now £2.99, here. 

Have you tried the tea tree and witch hazel range? 

Can anyone recommend any face masks for me to try? 

Em xxx

Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Glitz Blitz

So I was in town having a browse in the pound shops at the hope of finding some bargains. I picked up these Sally Hansen nail wraps and a maybelline baby lips, I was pleasantly surprised to find these as I've never seen either of these brands so cheap before.


These nail wraps are pretty amazing as they're real polish strips so they look exactly like a real manicure rather than stickers and they can last up to 10 days. They are easily removed with a wipe or two of nail polish remover, unlike if you were to paint nails with a real glitter polish like this, which would definitely be a hassle.

You get sixteen stickers, which is more than enough to find the perfect size for every nail and they are so easy to apply and you are given everything you need to apply them.

Nail Polish Strips 

Applying the strips 

Finished application 

These nail wraps were so glitzy and bright, it's just a shame I didn't have anywhere fancy to go while wearing them. They lasted around 5 days without getting too chipped and feeling like I needed to remove them. 

There are loads of other styles in the range and I will be definitely buying some more if I see them this cheap again and considering ordering them here as they're only £1.15 and definitely more than worth it.

Will you be checking these out? And can you recommend any other nail wraps? 

Em xxx

Phone Cases Wishlist

I recently got a new phone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini after a year of using a water damaged HTC it has been a welcomed change. I was excited for the chance to make it all pretty with a nice phone case. So excited that I had ordered one from eBay within an hour of making the phone order. So you can imagine my disappointment when the case I ordered arrived broken and blurry. So I headed over to Head Case Designs and they had so many cases that I really loved. 

They are all £4.95 and there's free delivery. They do a range of cases for all popular phone types. 

I ordered the top left one and the travel the world one too, which you can see above. 

They arrived within about a week I am totally in love, they are such good quality and fit perfectly. The cases are good because they aren't flat and smooth like most of the cheaper ones meaning the pattern isn't going to be easily scratched off.

What do you think of these cases? Is there any other cases you would recommend?

Emmy x

My Current Favourite Products #1

So I thought I would share some of my favourite products. I've split it into three posts; my new favourite products, my old revisited favourites and my constant favourites. 

Invisibobble (£3.75 here) - I just love these bobbles, they are kind to your hair and don't leave that annoying kink after wearing your hair up for a few hours. I have found that once they have been stretched out a bit they start to leave a bit of a kink but I had been using it constantly for around two months. Although you get three in a pack so now I've got a new one in my handbag to use whenever I don't want a kink but still use the old one for any other time. 

Cleansing Pad (£1.50) - I bought this cleansing pad recently from Primark and I think its amazing! I can really feel a difference when I wash my face with this, feel so much cleaner and refreshed. It has a suction cup on the back which is great for sticking in the shower or on the bath tiles and it also has a hoop on the back which makes it so much easier to hold and use. 

PS Love (Primark) Nail Polish Twist Pot (£1) - This is a budget alternative to the Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover and I have to say I prefer it! I don't find that either of them are super quick at removing nail polish but the primark one feels soaked in nail polish remover making it way quicker to remove stubborn polish. 

Soap and Glory Mist you Madly Mini Body Spray (£3.50, here)  - I bought this on a recent trip to Boots where I picked up this and two of the hand sanitizers on 3 for 2. It smells amazing and wouldn't think that this is only the mini version. It's the perfect size to throw in my bag for work and everyday use. I definitely regret not buying this before now. 

Soap and Glory Hand Maid Antibacterial Hand Cleansing Gel (£2.50, here) - As I said I bought two of these gels recently, they smell lush and leave your hands feeling clean but not sticky like some. These are quite expensive for antibacterial gel but are so much better than some of the cheaper ones I've used. 

Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in Rose Hip (£3.99, here) - I bought a selection of Barry M nail polishes recently from Bank as they were reduced to £1 and this is definitely my favourite of the lot, its a lovely pale pink, unlike some nude colours the pigment is really strong meaning you can get a strong colour with only two or three coats. I'm pleasantly surprised with how well this suits my pale skin.  

Batiste Dry Shampoo Blush (£2.99, here) - There is times when my hair is incredibly greasy between washing, despite washing my hair daily, so for these times this is a godsend. I've not actually tried any other dry shampoos so maybe I can't judge that fairly. 

My next post will be my old and revisited products so be sure to check that out! :) 

What do you think of these products? 

Emmy xoxx

The Reading Tag

I do love a good book so I thought I would partake in the reading tag 

1. Do you have a certain place for reading at home?

Anywhere! My bed or the sofa mostly. 

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?

At the minute I'm using a post-it note cause I couldn't find a bookmark

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or a certain number of pages?

I like to get to the end of a paragraph or chapter before I can stop reading 

4. Do you eat or drink when reading?

Sometimes

5. Do you watch TV or listen to music whilst reading?

Yeah, I have to have some kind of background noise

6. One book at a time or several at once?

One at a time 

7. Reading at home or everywhere?

Anywhere!

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?

In my head.

9. Do you ever read ahead or skip pages?

No, that would just confuse me 

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it new?

I often buy used books so breaking the spine isn't really an issue 

11. Do you write in your books?

The only books I've wrote in are the ones from my english literature a-level

12. What are you currently reading?

The time travellers wife <3

Emmy xox

Spring/Summer Wishlist: Dresses

I've been struggling to find something to wear the last week or so since the sudden change in weather, and since I received my student finance and got paid from work both in the last week I thought it would be a good time to have a browse at the summer clothes online. The next few posts will be wishlists. 

1. Blue Tile Print Tunic Dress - New Look
2. Aztec Print Tunic Dress - New Look
3. Grey Jersey Sleeveless Dress - New Look
4. Daisy Print Swing Dress - New Look
5. Dorothy Shift Abstract Print Dress - Miss Guided
6. Hansini Shift Geometric Print Dress - Miss Guided
7. Jersey Dress - H&M
8. Maxi Dress H&M
9. Daisy Print Blouson Maxi Dress Select

What do you think of these dresses? 

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What's in My Make-up Bag?

I thought I would do a what is in my make-up bag post. I don't think my make-up is particularly interesting; I only use drugstore brand make-up as it is incredibly difficult to buy high end make-up on a very poor student budget, but I find these posts interesting nonetheless. 

My make-up bag is a little piece I picked up a year or two back in the Boots after Christmas sale, I think it's French Connection but I'm not entirely sure. I think it might actually be a wash bag but it's perfect for makeup as it fits loads in and looks so pretty sat on my desk. 

So here's the make-up, brushes and other makeup-related products I use on an almost daily basis. 

First I use the Nivea Oil Free Moisturiser; which is great for dry and damaged skin. It's great for blemish-prone skin and for clearing up scarred skin. I then use the new Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer which is amazing! I use the Rimmel Perfect Match Foundation in Light Porcelain which is their lightest shade and perfectly matches my super pale skin; I apply with the  Real Techniques Foundation Brush and use the Primark Egg Makeup Sponge to blend; which is extremely good and easy to use. I follow this with the No7 Perfect Blend Trio Concealer which has three colour shades which can be blended to suit any skintone; using the Real Techniques Concealer Brush. Followed by the No7 powder, not entirely sure which one it is as I bought it a few years ago and its on its last uses now. I then use the Natural Collection Blusher in Peach Melba or Natural Collection Bronzer in Sun Shine. Followed by the Revlon Vital Radiance Brow Fill powder and Models Own Eyeliner.

What is your go-to makeup?

Newcastle

For those who don't know Newcastle is a beautiful city in the north east of England, not that far from the coast. I've lived in Newcastle for around a year and a half now, however a uni fieldtrip a few weeks back was the first time that I had actually visited the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Despite not looking at much of the art and it being a terribly miserable day weather-wise, we did get to see the amazing views across the river. Newcastle is an amazing city and I don't regret moving here for a minute. There's so many attractions like the great North Museum, the Centre for Life, the Theatre Royal and so many more that means it would make a great daytrip destination. 

 The views from the Baltic viewing area across the city. 

Thought I would include some photos last July when the sun was out and the boyfriend and I had a lovely walk along the quayside. 

Have you ever been to Newcastle or wanting to visit? 

xx

Winter Wishlist: Dresses

Now the dark nights are rolling in and my house is started to get freezing, I am lusting over so much in shops right now to keep me warm. I also want to break the rut I'm stuck in with jeans and top, which is so easy to throw on on a cold 9am start at university. So here's a collection of lovely winter proof dresses... 

Primark: 

These print tea dresses are so lovely, and bright pretty patterns to brighten up those miserable days. I love Primark clothes as they have really nice, often decent enough quality if you wash them right and are so cheap.

New Look: 

1, 2, 3

I love these dresses from New Look as I think they're all so stylish and new look has pretty good quality stuff. Its not something I'm usually a fan of, but I am especially in love with the first one. 

Do you have any winter dresses that you love in store recently? 

Winter Wishlists: Boots

So as winter approaches and shops are stocking their A/W collections there is so much in shops that I really want. So this is just the start of a collection wishlists. 

1. Brown Stud Ankle Boots, New Look 

2. Double Gusset Chelsea Boots, Barratts 

3. Madhatter Metal Trip Boots, Topshop

4. Black Leather Cut Out Boots, New Look

5. Black Gusset Ankle Boots, Dorothy Perkins 

6. Tan Block Heel Chelsea Boots, New Look

7. Messenger Pin Stud Boots, Topshop 

8. Monki Sally Tan Chelsea Boots, Asos

9. Cut Out Ankle Boots, New Look

10. Black Peekaboo Ankle Boots, Dorothy Perkins

11. Black Cut Out Ankle Boots, River Island 

12. Chocolate Strap Stud Boots, Dorothy Perkins 

13. Black Stud Boots, Dorothy Perkins 

As a student I have very little money so I'm obviously never going to buy all of these but maybe one or two. 

What do you think of my picks? 

My Skincare Routine

Ever since I was young I've suffered from acne, after trying every over-the-counter products possible and a number of prescription products from my doctors, about a year ago the nurse put me on the pill and ever since then my skin has begun, admitted slowly, to clear.

I have never been one to stick to a skin care routine, either products tend to make my skin worse or I forget after a few weeks, but recently I decided I needed a better skin care routine if I wanted to keep my skin under control. So a few months ago whilst Superdrug was having a sale on skincare and free delivery I ordered a few products that seemed to fit my skin type. And I've picked up (or found hidden in my room) a few more products, and have been able to continue a fairly consistent skincare routine.

The products (L-R):

1. Simple Radiance Brightening Eye Cream 

For as long as I can remember I have suffered from quite dark circles under my eyes, despite the right amount of sleep and drinking alot of water, I've been on the look out for an eye cream - after seeing this in my local tesco for £1.74 I couldn't resist, especially once I got home and discovered the £7.99 price tag on Boots. I tend to only use this on a night as I rarely have alot of time on a morning and this takes a short while to soak in.

2. Nivea Daily Essentials Oil Free Moisturising Day Cream 

After using a simple moisturiser for quite a while, here, I switched to this nivea moisturiser on recommendation from my nurse who said it would help get rid of acne scarring, which is starting to lightly develop since my skin has been clearing. I haven't noticed any immediately effects but it moisturisers my skin very well. I don't have any problems with the simple moisturiser and still use it from time to time. I use this at least twice a day; morning and night.

3. Garnier Clean and Soft Complete Cleansing Milk 

This is a great cleanser it has rose extracts so smells lush and makes my skin feel really clean and moisturised. I don't tend to use moisturiser after using this unless I'm putting make up on afterwards. I use this on a morning to clean my skin from the night before and then on a night to remove makeup. This is a very gentle cleanser and can remove eye make up easily without any irritation, which is always a positive for me as it means less products to carry back and forth from uni.

4. Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Peel Off Face Mask

I love this face mask, you can buy it in sachets or a small tube. It leaves my skin feeling really soft and refreshing. I tend to use this once or twice a month when I have time, which is generally only when I go home for weekends, to give it a good deeper clean.

I also use the Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It Face Scrub and Mask to also give a good deep clean but it is too harsh for my skin to use it more often than once or twice a month.

What products do you use as a daily routine?

Wishlist: Jewellery

To follow my previous wishlist post this is another wishlist post centred on jewellery. I am really in need of revamping my jewellery collection as I tend to wear the same simple necklace  my boyfriend bought me, for university and one of two slightly fancier necklaces. And then a mix of the same bracelets and watches. I like these statement necklaces as they can liven up a usually boring outfit. I love these two watches, the white aztec one is just so much more summery than the watches I currently wear and being a Geography Student who loves travelling I love the globe watch too <3 ... 

1. Mini Spike Necklace, Asos, £8

2. Peace Stretch Bracelet, New Look, £4

3. Gold Monochrome Chain Necklace, New Look £8

4. Gold and Pink Spike Peace Bracelet, New Look, £6

5. Black and Gold Spike Rose Bracelet, New Look, £5 

6. Gold Noahs Ark Bracelet, New Look, £4 

7. Bunting Necklaces, Asos, £10 

8. Moustache Bracelet, Asos, £8

9. Aztec Watch, Asos, £20 

10. Globe Watch, Asos, £20 

Hope you all have a good Easter =))

Wishlist: Clothes & Shoe

I don't know whether its just cause I have no money to spend or that the all the spring lines in stores right now are amazing but I have so many items I want right now. I'm obviously not going to buy three pairs of converses; everytime I buy a pair the never seem to fit properly, but I am still adamant to find some that are right for me. I need some new black jeans as I've almost worn through the knees of my current ones and H&M jeans fit me so well and they are great value. I also need some new pairs of New Look plimsoles for the upcoming spring/summer season, I own about 6 pairs but most I am walking through the soles as they were the only shoes I wore all summer and I just love these red dotty ones <3

           ........

1. Converse All Star Oxford White, Schuh, £45

2. Converse All Star Light Oxford White, Schuh, £45

3. Light Blue Top, New Look, £13

4. White and Blue Floral Hi-Tops, New Look, £20

5. Converse All Star Ox ii Mint-y, Schuh, £45

6. Black Skinny Jeans, H&M, £10

7. Red Polka Dot Plimsoles, New Look, £8

8. Black Low Skinny Jeans, H&M, £20 

I am so happy to be home for 4 weeks for Easter break, however that means even less money coming in, so less chance I will be able to buy anything off this :( 

What are you currenting wishing for? :) 

xx

Tangle Teezer

After much debate I decided to purchase a tangle teezer. I have fairly thick long hair and its always been a nightmare to brush especially when its wet, after seeing a number of blog posts about it and along with the fact my hairdresser has started using one whenever I go, I decided it was worth the £10.

The tangle teezer is designed by Shaun P, with the aim of creating a brush that 'gives pain-free detangling', the brush has plastic bristle of two lengths, this reaches all through my hair when wet, despite being significantly shorter than on most brushes.

From my first use I knew I loved this product. My hair felt so smooth and soft even though I hadn't washed my hair in about a day.

The only problem with this product for me is the fact you can't use it whilst blow-drying due to it being plastic, which means I have to keep my other brush for drying my hair.
Despite this, I would definitely recommend this to anyone with difficult to manage hair!

Tangle Teezer, Boots, £10.99

Lip Care Routine

I've always had really dry and chapped lips, especially in winter, for obvious reasons. I've used lip balm but it  never seems to work. When I found out about Lush Lip Scrub I had to buy it immediately. £5.25 for 25g does seem a bit steep however I know it will last a long time and be worth the price. I was between the Bubblegum and Popcorn flavours, I decided on the Popcorn as this seemed like the best choice.

I use the lip scrub once a day, or twice if my lips are surprisingly bad that day, I then wash it off as I don't like the taste enough to lick it off. This is followed by strawberry flavoured lipbalm from Bodycare, although its not very strawberry-y - followed by The Body Care 100% Natural Lip Roll-on in Orange. I got this in a gift set for christmas - it tastes and smells nice and softens my lips quite well. I have the mint one also but I don't like the tingly feeling on my lips. I also use Blistex Lip Brilliance, which is a tinted lipbalm, its difficult to wear lipgloss or lipstick when my lips are so chapped so tinted lip balm is the solution! I don't think is very moiustizing so I use it after one of my other lipbalms.

Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub £5.25 

The Body Shop Natural Lip Roll On £4 (currently 2 for £3.50 with code LIPS)

Bodycare Lipbalm, pack of 3, £1

Blistex  Lip Brilliance Blushing SPF 15 £2.50 

Do you have any favourite lip products?

Fresh Skin by Elemis

Elemis has recently brought out a 'fresh skin' range aimed at teens to mid twenties. The aim of the range is to  "nurture your skin, help prevent premature ageing and brighten tired, dull and lifeless days...not to mention the effects of those late nights!"  There is a blue and pink range which has similar products aimed at different skin types; the blue is "skin clear" aimed at clearing acne and blemish prone skin.

I fell in love with the moisturizer at clothes show live in December and regret not buying as it well below the RRP. However about a month ago my mum bought me this set from feelunique.com as it was on sale for £6 (now £8, here  if anyone is interested.) 

Included in the set is: 

Elemis FreshSkin Skin Clear Mattifying Moisturiser 15ml -> aims to reduce t-zone shine within one hour and maintain and matte finish for u to 8 hours whilst help minimising blemishes.

Elemis FreshSkin Skin Clear Purifying Face Wash 30ml -> helps to refresh and clear your complexion. It has vitamin a, zinc and iris extracts. 

Elemis FreshSkin Skin Clear Purifying Face Mask 3ml -> has a balance of natural clays, goji berry extract and frankincense oil, which aims to draw out impurities and soften and soothes. 

I love these products, they have such a great smell and apply wonderfully. The moisturiser really softens my skin and last a good few hours and the face wash is really refreshing. And I can see a visible improvement in my blemishes after use. I have yet to try the face mask as I am saving that for when my skin is particularly bad. And due to the small size of the products I have only been using them when I go home from uni at weekends so as to not use them too quickly and give my skin and good deep clean and refresh when I'm not stressed about essays and lectures. 

Has anyone tried Elemis FreshSkin Range ?

Post Christmas Wishlist

I know I haven't posted in a while but I'm going to try and be more consistent with posts in the new year. Hopefully! 
So I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I had a good time with family and Josh. 

I don't have a lot of money right now, with paying rent at uni without student finance, However I can still wish for things and I may have to treat myself at some point. 

1. Lucky Top, New Look   2. Owl and stud pumps, New Look   3. Gold and  Silver Spike Bracelet, Ebay  4. Topshop Nail Polish in Mercury Rising and Eclipse

What do you wanna buy in the sales ? : ) 

MUA Eyeshadow Palettes

I am not really an eyeshadow kind of person, I wear glasses so my eyes aren't really visible. But recently I've wanted to try and brighten up my eyes a bit and when I saw a review for the MUA Undressed Palette I knew I needed it. So I went into Superdrug today to purchase it and I got a free 24 shade palette (worth £8) free. 

The offer was when you spend £4 or more on Make-up Academy products the top palette was free. 

Despite there being a number of duplicates in the two palettes I loved the 'undressed' palette far too much to buy any other products instead. 

Anyone else already purchased the MUA eyeshadow palettes yet? Or thinking of purchasing them? 

Birthday Wshlist

My Birthday is coming up in the next few weeks so I thought I'd make a fairly realistic wishlist of what I'd like for my birthday off my family, friends and boyfriend.

 1. Owl Slippers - New Look £9.99  - Cause these are just too cute to not want

 2. Leapard and Tan bowler Bag - New Look £19.99   - Cause I really could do with a decent bag

 3. R4 Card for my 3DS   - So I don't have to buy 3DS games

 4. Leopard Print Flats (which I already have put are completely worn down to the sole) and navy dotty flats both £7.99   - Cause these are the perfect everyday shoes

 5. 2tb External Hard drive  £100   - Cause I'm gonna need one for uni mainly so I can watch Tv shows and films

 6. Lightweight and Compact Hairdryer, preferably a Revlon one £15 cause again I need one for uni

 7. Dark Red Lace Top - New Look  £13

 8. Some form of shower basket 

 9. Models Own Indian Ocean £5 

 10. Barry M Nail Polish in Mushroom and Raspberry £2.99

There's probably more than this I want but can't think of at this moment. 

Is there anything essential you think should be on my list?  :)