SOAP AND GLORY: SIT TIGHT INTENSE XS

img taken from Google

 

 

A product that claims to work whilst I sit on my bum & relax?

 

WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT THIS?!

 

 

This revolutionary product from the makers of Glow Job, Sexy Mother Pucker and Thick and Fast Mascara claims to firm and tone up certain areas such as the thighs and buttocks whilst your sat down.. 
Sounds good, right? Let's have a look at what else the product says;

 

 Formulated for figure-conscious desk jockeys who spend most days balanced on their bottoms, this multi-action body firming serum contains our exclusive FIRMIGEN™ CAFFEINE COMPLEX; ginseng DETOXYBOOST™ TECHNOLOGY; PRESSOCAPSULAR-FIRM PLUS™ SYSTEM (with microspheres that release caffeine when you sit on them); and PUFFDRAIN 82™ – a special combination of peptides that –when massaged- can help to stimulate circulation and visually smooth out back of the leg bumps.

 

I love Soap and Glory's humourous way of writing, it makes me WANT to read all of the boring, scientific bits on the back, which is something that I never, ever do- I'll be honest!

I've read on a couple of reviews that some people don't like the fact that Soap and Glory use a lot of their exclusive ingredients in their products and I can only assume that it's because we don't actually know what they are... This doesn't bother me in the slightest.. In fact, it makes me slightly excited- I feel exclusive.. Like no other product that I'm using is gonna contain these special ingredients. But I'm a bit of a plank, so please ignore me.

 

Now, I'm sure that I don't have the worst thighs or bum in the world, but they certainly are no match for Michelle Keegan or Rosie Huntington-Whitely and I definitely need all of the help that I can get. I read on a couple of reviews that this is a wonder-product for stretch marks, so I'll be trying this in the next couple of weeks and will report back, but I've been using this to combat those pesky dimples that usually hang around the back of your thighs on just onto the bum..

 

This particular variation of the product, (as I believe that there are a few different versions), comes in a squeezy tube and has 3 metal roller balls that massage the area whilst you're rubbing the serum into the skin. I love the thought that has gone into this, as massaging the area tends to reduce cellulite as it encourages circulation. Whilst there are a number of mixed reviews circulating about this new feature, personally, I really like it! It's cool and soothing, feels very nice and it makes the product individual- I don't know any other products that offer this feature, do you?

The one thing that I don't like with the roller balls is the fact that it can be a little harsh on sensitive areas, so beware of that. I currently have a couple of bruises on my outer thigh.

Ouch!

Basically, you're meant to click the head into the 'on' position, squeeze the serum out so that there's just enough on the roller balls and then spread the serum over the area that you're looking to firm-up. It says that the more that you massage, the better it will work, so massage away to your heart's content!
It then goes on to say that this magic serum works away whilst
 

Another thing that bugs me is the fact that you're meant to feel either a slight tingle, or some warmth on the skin after application, but so far I haven't felt anything.. This makes me wary that I'm not doing it right, but after trolling through a number of blog reviews, it seems like I'm not the only one that hasn't experienced this.. Maybe it depends on the person?

 

So, for obvious reasons, there will be no before and after pictures- no one would appreciate seeing my large ass on their screen- but trust me, this is a winner. My lumps and bumps look and feel as though they have vanished, my skin looks plumper and it feels twice as soft as it ever has. Result!

 

Grab this before it sells out again here for £18

WHAT I WANT: PASTEL KITCHEN ACCESSORIES

So as most of you know, me and Luke *the boyf* have purchased our own house! You know, only a 25 year commitment, but hey!

It's so tricky arguing deciding on the colour-schemes of each room, but luckily we have learnt that comprimisation is key.. (occassionally!) One thing that he has allowed are a few pastel accents around the house and these kitchen ones are to die for. Naturally, I couldn't resist!

microwave // oven glove // milk jug* // glasses // chair // stacked mugs // scales //
 // chopsticks // cake tins // whisk //  

*was from Wilkos, now discontinued

How do you like these pretty pastels?

FIVE MINUTE MAKEUP

You know those mornings; you've woke up late, possible hangover from one glass too many the previous night, you've got to leave for work in 10 minutes. 

This happens to me more often that I'd like to admit.. But with these fail-safe products, I go from looking like complete death, to looking like slight death, but with a nice & healthy glow.

THE BASE:

1. Cleanse your face. I love this water for cleansing my face- it's gentle and soothing and doesn't dry out the skin.

2. Moisturise face and leave to sink in for 30 seconds.

3. Tip this up onto your finger and apply. I love this product as you don't need to use a brush. It's light coverage is just enough for those lazy days where you need a bit of makeup but don't need to overdo it, so this is my go-to daytime product.

THE GLOW:

1. Use a big brush like this one here and apply this Max Factor Bronzing Powder over the apples of your cheeks and over the highest points of the face e.g. chin, temples, hair line, nose. A sun-kissed glow makes you look healthy = no hangover!

2. Use your finger tips to put a pop of colour on your cheeks with a cream blusher. I like to use this Revlon Photoready Blusher as you only need the tiniest bit to get great colour pay off & it's very blendable. Perfect for those mornings when blending-time is at a minimum!

3. Highlighting your face adds to the sunkissed glow, so grab this Benefit High Beam and swipe over cheekbones, down the center of the nose and on your cupid's bow to get a healthy looking glow in no time.

BRIGHT EYES:

1. This illuminating concealer from L'Oreal immediately brightens the eye area. I like to use it all over my eye instead of bothering with eyeshadow when I'm in a rush.

*cheaper version of YSL Touche Eclat?*

2. This mascara is perfect when you've not got time to fuss with your lashes. This one adds volume and spreads the lashes out perfectly.

3. No matter how late I am, I can't go out without any brows. This is my go-to brown pen. Perfect brows everytime.

Garnier Water // S&G Moisturiser // Nude Magique

Max Factor Bronzing Powder // Revlon Cream Blusher // Benefit High Beam

L'oreal Concealer // Maybelline Mascara // Sleek Brow Pen

10 TIPS ON PREPARING FOR A NIGHT ON THE TOWN

It's Saturday, England is playing, we have good weather.. 

LET'S GO OUT AND HAVE A BLAST!

I thought that today would be a good day to put out my personal tips on preparing for a night out, so here we go.

1. Start that prep a few days before:

If you're partial to a layer of fake tan (or two), then start your exfoliating and moisturising routine at least 2 days before your night out. Patchy fake tan and dry spots are gonna ruin your look, so don't let it get the better of you.

2. Speaking of prepping a couple of days before, this goes for your outfit too.

 There's nothing worse than getting ready, doing your hair and makeup, and then looking in your wardrobe and realising that you can't decide what to wear. You'll get in a flap and ruin your makeup and we don't want that, do we?

3. Get your bag ready before you actually start getting yourself ready.

 I always get ready late, and I'll realise that I've got 10 minutes to do my hair and I've got to leave. I'll then stress about my bag and I literally always forget something. Now, I make sure that I get everything ready before hand.

4. Sort out your hair removal the day before.

 That way, when you apply your tan, it won't sink into the pores of the removed hair and you will get a much smoother look, especially on the legs. Also if you're prone to any rashes, it'll give it enough time to calm down.

5. Don't forget your nails and toenails.

 I love the Kiss stick-on nails (review here) for nights out; they're classy, match everything, elongate fingers (so that my rings don't look silly on my sausage fingers) and they last all night.. well they last all week if I'm honest! As for toenails, my current go-to is a nice pale nude or a pillar-box red, as they are elegant and simple.

6.  For me, I prefer to wash my hair either the night before I'm due to go out, or the morning of the day. Never after lunchtime. I find that if I try and style freshly washed hair, it goes completely limp, doesn't hold any kind of style and just looks flat and boring. I also prefer to have a squirt of dry shampoo on my roots as this helps to give it a boost.

7. Get your supplies the day before.

Last minute things like lashes and tights drive me crazy. I always go to get ready and realise that I forgot to get some new lashes. Then I end up having to go to the shop and rushing around like a headless chicken.

8. If you wear extensions, wash them the day before.

I don't know about you, but this is such a chore! It literally takes me hours.

9. In fear of sounding like your mum, make sure that you eat before you go out. 

This is one step that I literally always skip, and I peak far, FAR too early. If there's one thing that I'm doing before I next go out, it's getting a Mcdonalds!

10. Charge your phone/camera.

You have to have pics of the night before, so don't make the schoolboy error of having no battery in your electricals!

3 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND: MAKEUP STORAGE

imgs from Pinterest

1. MAKE YOUR MAKEUP A SPECTACLE:

I love to see pictures, like the above, where girls have all of their makeup on show. There's just something about showing off the stuff you've got that really appeals for me. I mean, after spending hundreds of pounds on the stuff, why shouldn't it be on show?! 

Ikea and Muji are the most popular places to shop for makeup storage, but you can get acrylic storage like this one off Amazon, or use door storage like this one here for a quirky way of putting it on show.

2. TAKE SOME TIME TO SORT OUT YOUR MAKEUP:

If you're anything like me, I have lipsticks from 5 years ago, bottom of the lippy box, never intended to be used again. I've got shades of eyeshadows that I've bought and hated, but still keep them 'just in case'. Well this weekend, I'm gonna sort through my numerous bags and boxes and anything that I've not used in the last 3 months is out. I'll be moving out of my family home sometime in the next two weeks, and I can't possibly imagine how I'm gonna pack it all up, so hopefully this is gonna be a big help!

3. CLEAN UP YOUR ACT:

Give everything a wipe down. Get those brushes washed, wipe down your foundations, pop your mascaras in hot water & add a couple of drops of eye makeup remover and chuck your makeup bags in the wash. 

Lovely, fresh makeup.

MY LATEST OBSESSION: PIERCINGS

imgs from Pinterest

I've always loved piercings, but just recently, getting more ear piercings is something that is so appealing!

They look super-cute and very 'boho', which is something that I'm absolutely loving at the mo & I think next pay day, I'm gonna venture out and get a new piercing. I already have my first and second piercings and also my tragus and I actually really miss my nose piercing too so I'm quite keen to get that back. I'll have a think about what I fancy, but the 4th picture with the heart is my favourite.

What do you think?

MY FAVOURITE FALSE NAILS: KISS EVERLASTING FRENCH

I often get asked; "where do you get you nails done?" or am told that my nails always look nice, and my secret? It has to be these babies.

I found out about these when I was looking for a salon that can perfect the french manicure.. Don't you find that they're either too wide, or the white tip is too long/short on the nail, and I find that they often look odd. So when I saw my trainer's nails looking perfectly even, I had to know what salon she visited. And that's when she shared with me the secret that has changed my life forever...(okay well maybe not my life, but it has made me VERY happy!)

I felt very dubious about the fact that they were only stick-on nails.. I remember trying false nails back in college and within an hour of application, PING! You'd lost two before even getting out of the door. 

Well I can safely say that these have restored my faith in false nails. 

I can apply these on a Sunday night, and the following Sunday, they are still intact. Yeah, one may have fallen off, but it's nothing major. I just make sure that I carry the pack with me so that I can replace it asap. I find that these can last me a good two/three weeks, if I just keep replacing the nails that fall off. 

Another thing that worries me about false nails is the whole; "gah, they go grotty and dingy though" or "they chip so quickly and start to look a mess" and I have to agree with these comments- with every other nail set that I've tried, they don't make it to the 3rd day without looking trashed and I have to take them off or paint over them, however these kiss nails still look perfect after two weeks of wear.

I'm very lucky as I get these from the staff shop (I work at Boots Head Office) for £2 a pop, so I probably spend £8 a month on these nails, whereas I was spending £35 on acrylics each month, but you guys can grab these from Superdrug for £8.19 here, which is still good for some quality nails.

10 REASONS WHY: YOU SHOULD DRINK MORE WATER

 

img taken from here



1. Dieting? Water is known to fill you up, so drinking a glass of water before a meal is gonna fill you up slightly, making you eat less. 

2. Drinking that extra glass of water each day is gonna flush all toxins out of your body, therefore making your insides happier. Remember; beauty is on the inside too.

3. Water is going to make your skin much clearer; flushing the toxins out of the body is gonna help clear up spots and keep them at bay.

4. It's gonna make your eyes sparkle. Bright eyes are healthy eyes after all.

5. You're gonna save so many calories by picking up that glass of water over any other bevvy.

6. It boosts your immune system. Apparently people who drink more water are less likely to get sick.

7. It's cheap.. In fact, it's free! 

8. It raises your metabolism, so you're gonna lose weight quicker. 

9. It keeps the skin plump and moisturised. Dehydrated skin? No thanks.

10. It's a natural remedy for a headache. Don't believe me? Grab a bottle of water before you help yourself to painkillers next time & find out for yourself!

COCOA BROWN 1 HOUR TAN REVIEW



img taken from here

Okay, can we all just take a moment to look at this tan and just pray that they never change the formula or discontinue it because I THINK I'VE JUST FOUND MY HOLY GRAIL FAKE TAN.

Now, I have tried 95% of tans on the market, some budget, some not-so budget (yes, I mean you Vita Liberta) and I bought this on a whim after hearing so many rave reviews about it. Heck, why haven't I purchased this before?! Being tanorexic, *note the T at the beginning of the word- I'm quite the opposite of an anorexic*, I'm constantly looking for new tanning products that tick all the boxes, and after almost 8 years of searching, I feel like my search is complete.

I don't like reading reviews that are as long as my Year 11 Romeo and Juliet essay, so here are 10 reasons why you should stop what you're doing, click this link and get yourself some of this wonder-product. NOW!

1. It smells divine. There are 100's of tans that claim to have got rid of that tell-tale biscuity smell, and this is the only one that actually does as it says! I've used this for the past week on a constant basis and NOT ONCE have I smelt like anything other that this beutiful, floral scent.

2. The colour is so deep, yet so natural. I struggle finding the balance between looking golden and looking orange, but I've had so many compliments whilst wearing this tan this week that I feel confident in saying that it's the perfect colour! Even my boyfriend, who literally detests fake tan, approves of this bad boy!

3. It doesn't cling to dry skin; for some reason, I have a dry patch on my hand that no moisturiser can budge, making my tan quite patchy. Hallelujah! This tan doesn't cling to it, but instead just glides over, leaving skin feeling silky smooth and leaving me very happy! :)

4. You have control over what shade you'd like the tan to develop at. You leave the tan for one hour if you'd like a subtle glow, for two hours if you'd like a medium shade and for three hours if you want a deeper shade. Personally, I always put my tan on before bed and leave overnight, as I get better results this way.

5. It's much better than higher-end tans that I've tried. For me, the colour is quite similar to St Tropez Dark, the consistency just like Fake Bake and the scent better than any other I've ever tried.

6. One random thing that I'm happy with is the fact that when you squirt the mousse out, it doesn't keep expanding. I find that the other mousse tans that I've tried tend to carry on squirting out of the nozzle after you've stopped pressing on it and I always end up with the spare bit going all over my bedding or something. So I was very happy when I saw that this stops when you want it too! 

7. It's affordable! Ranging from £6-10 depending on where you get this from, you can't go wrong. Even if you hate it, just remember that two frappuccinos will cost you just as much and it makes you feel slightly better!

8. It actually works on my face! I was yet to find a fake tan that actually works on my face.. I find that I apply them before I go to bed and wake up looking somewhat paler than I did before.. How is that even possible! And bonus, it doesn't seem to clog pores and cause breakouts. #winning#

9. It's fairly long-lasting; it lasts longer than most of my usual tans and it fades nice and evenly. Don't you hate it when your tan is on it's last legs and you look like you've got some crazy form of a skin disease?!

10. The packaging is nice and girly. It's a perfect size- not too big or small that you struggle to grasp it properly, and it's colour scheme is just lovely. I know that you can't judge a book by it's cover, but if it looks cheap and tacky, then it probably is!

3 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND: BRAIDS

pictures all taken from Pinterest

1. Milkmaids; the cutest, quickest way to do your hair this summer. For a simple way to achieve this look, split hair into two, plaiting each one and pin over the top of the head.. et voila! I like to use this on unwashed hair as it gets it up & out of the way, so it looks fresh and I find that unwashed hair, spritzed with dry shampoo, holds styles a lot better than freshly washed hair, so this style is gonna last all day.

2. If milkmaids aren't really your thing, then why not give a braided crown a go. If you're talented enough to already be able to french plait, go ahead and french plait across the crown. If you struggle, then why not teach yourself to braid this weekend. 

Why not watch these videos for a helping hand:

♥The Classic French Braid

♥How to Milkmaid braid

♥Braided bun

3. If you're not one for braided crowns, then maybe just throw a cheeky plait in there.. Maybe leave a few strands out of your bun, braid and wrap around, or even just a side plait, (man I've not wore one of those in years- that's my aim for this weekend!).

EMPTIES: THIS MONTHS USED UP MAKEUP

//Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation//

This is one of the most blogged-about foundations and probably one of the only products I've ever re-purchased over 3 times. It's buildable coverage and subtle shimmer really does wake up your face and it's one of those products that's low maintenance nature makes it a perfect choice for a fuss-free makeup routine.

//Bourjois Mega Liner//

I got this liner as a free gift when you spend so much on Bourjois products at Boots, but I wasn't overly impressed. Whilst I thought that it was okay, I found the formula very pigmented which is great, but it was very hard to get it my usual-perfect flick. I'm not sure if that was due to the consistency being slightly too wet, or whether it was the nib that I struggled with... I got this liner 3 weeks ago and it has almost completely dried up, making the nib very scratchy & painful on the eye.

//Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Eye Liner//

This liner is perfect for getting that precise cat-eye flick, but again, it does dry up very quickly. This is something that I'd definitely buy again, but this time I'll try storing it face down and upright so that I get the end of the product too.

//Stargazer Paint Stick Pro//

A bit of a random one here, but I got this a couple of years back and used it for highlighting and contouring as it gives the highest coverage I've ever experienced. I somewhat forgot about it until I rediscovered it a couple of weeks back and I've fallen in love with it again. I now have another couple on it's way from here and I can't wait to get my paws on them!

//MUA 3-in-1 Contour Pen//

I got this when MUA first came around in the brown shade as I wanted something that little bit more subtle for lazy makeup days, but I never really got into it.. Then one day, I was looking for something new to try on my eyebrows and figured it wouldn't hurt to try it... Typically, I realised that it was the best thing I've ever tried on my brows...

AND IT'S BEEN DISCONTINUED! ARGH.

//Loreal Volume Million Lashes Excess//

I love this mascara! Again, like the Wake Me Up, this is another one of few products that I keep re-buying. I've been using this for about 4 years now and I absolutely swear by it for seperating and volumising lashes. It's my go-to mascara!

What have you been using up this month?

NAILED IT: PRIMARK NAIL POLISH COLLECTION

Primark Nail Polish £1

I've been looking for that perfect shade of neon for a while now, and it wasn't until I'd seen someone at work wearing this colour that I even realised Primark sell nail polishes.

They retail for £1 and have a range of colours that trump most other drug store brands, but are they worth the money or are they a waste of time?

These polishes are so opaque that after the second coat, they look as good as any higher-end polish that I've tried and they seem to last for a good few days before you see the first pesky chip. The bottle is somewhat simple, which is something that I prefer. The rectangle shaped lid is very comfortable to hold and the brush is fairly wide and doesn't leave many streaks on the nail which is a definite bonus. They are also quite quick-drying when put on, which is something that I look for in a polish.

As far as I'm aware there are no shade names, but keep a beady eye out for this orange shade which is absolutely fabulous for bringing out tanned complexions and for you pale beauties, this mint green looks lovely with paler skin tones.

So what are you waiting for?
Grab your pennies and run off to Primark and pick up these fantastic polishes now!

Have you tried these?