2014 Jade-Emma in review

Firstly, Merry Christmas. I hope you all had a fantastic couple of days filled with family, friends, food and very little movement. From the sofa that is. Now that Christmas is over and New Years is just around the corner, I thought I would celebrate by giving you a round up of my five most popular blog posts in 2014.

The best beauty products for blemishes - if you want to know my top picks for tackling pesky spots and blemishes, then this blog post is worth a read. I still use most of the products included, but since February I have discovered a few more. Keep your eyes peeled for an updated blemish post soon. 

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone-Correcting Shampoo - back when I had my dip-dye I was struggling to find a shampoo that tackled that horrid yellow, brassiness. You know, that awful colour that comes as a result of having your hair bleached. This product was fantastic and in fact still my go-to shampoo that I use once a week. 

Tigi The S Factor "Serious" Conditioner - turns out haircare reviews are pretty popular on Jade-Emma and there was no surprise with this one. The likes of Zoella rave about this deep conditioning treatment and I couldn't agree more. 

The Mascara Monologues: Benefit They're Real Mascara - the hype behind this product at the beginning of 2014 was crazy after receiving as a gift last Christmas, I couldn't wait to share with you guys my personal opinion. And trust me, it's an honest one...

The Mascara Monologues: Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara - probably one of the better products I have received in a Glossybox, but despite loving the idea, I was left a little disappointed. Find out why...

I love looking back at blog posts from the year, it fills me with a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of I still can't quite believe people want to read my blog. So here's to writing more blog posts and a happy, prosperous 2015. 

Homemade Christmas gifts

I've always loved the idea of making little homemade Christmas gifts. Not only are they super cute but they add a little personal touch too. This year I decided to make these cute little hot chocolate pots for two of my closest friends. 

To make this cute little gift, you will need:

One small Kilner jar (or similar)

Good quality hot chocolate

Marshmallows

Chocolate drops

Cute Christmas ribbon to decorate

Firstly, make sure you give your jar a good clean (If you're struggling to find a good jar, I purchased mine from TK Maxx - they have a good selection at a good range of prices) and let it dry. 

Pour in enough hot chocolate to fill half way and then add a layer of chocolate drops (flavour - your choice - however, I went for milk). 

Next add a layer of marshmallows. They can be any marshmallows you wish. I went for slightly larger marshmallows as they're more fun and it means you can allow for a few extra for eating on their own! 

To really give this hot chocolate a kick, I've included a little mini Bailey's Irish Cream bottle. These are super easy to buy, in fact I ordered mine from www.justminatures.co.uk but you must be 18 and over to purchase. 

Lastly, decorate your jar with some cute Christmas ribbon. I ordered mine from eBay, where you can find a huge selection of different colours, patterns and styles.

This mini jar is super cute for Christmas and you don't just have to limit yourself to hot chocolate. Why not make your own gingerbread body scrub or a Christmas cookie mix?

I would love to see your homemade Christmas gifts that you are giving this year. Leave your links below!

Christmas gift guide: your mum and nan

Christmas gift guide part one

Christmas gift guide part two

Two very important women and what better way to show them how much they mean to you with a special Christmas gift. For most of you, buying for your mum or nan is relatively easy however, for a nan who doesn't want much or a mum whose been overly spoilt, here are a few extra gifts to show how much you care...

Starting from top left to right: (1) Scuffette II Slippers (£70) Ugg Australia; (2) L'Occitane Shea Butter Delights (£10) John Lewis; (3) Pandora Moments Charm Bracelet (£55) Pandora; (4) Olivia Burton Women's Midi Date Dial Watch (£70) John Lewis; (5) Personalised Thanks Mum Print (£28) Elephant Grey; (6) Travel Candle Collection (£62) Jo Malone London. 

Keep your eyes peeled for the last instalment of my Christmas gift guide where I will be looking at those last minute gifts for super special fathers and grandads. 

Christmas gift guide: your boyfriend and brother

Christmas gift guide part one.

If your boyfriend/brother is anything like mine, then buying for them at Christmas has to be one of the most challenging tasks. Boys don't really have 'wish lists' like us girls. They like something, they buy it. Simple. So if you're struggling to find something for the special men in your life, here's a quick gift guide with some fab gift ideas

Starting from top left to right: 1. Nutri-Bullet, Selfridges (£149.95); 2. Born Idol Apollo Tee, Urban Outfitters (£28); 3. Personalised Leather Sleeve for iPad, Brit Stitch (£30); 4. Navy Reindeer Christmas Jumper, Topman (£30); 5. Men Collection Grooming Essentials, Clarins (£38); 6. Lonely Planet Instant Expert Book, ASOS (£14.99).

If you enjoyed this, keep your eyes peeled for Christmas gift guide for your mum and nan - there are some fab gifts! 

Christmas gift guide: your best friend and sister

No matter how much you love and enjoy Christmas shopping, there's still those really difficult people who we struggle to buy for. This post looks at those sisters and best friends (because let's face it, some of our best friends are our sisters) who have everything...

Starting from the top, left to right: 1. Navy Check Poncho, Accessorize (£35); 2. Make up Bag, Lola & Gilbert (£12.99); 3. Candy Cane House, Ciate (£25); 4. Black Tartan Check Reversible Scarf, New Look (£14.99); 5. Rose Golden Luxury Set, Zoeva (€65); 6. Leather Stab Stitch Bag, Ted Baker (£149). 

Keep your eyes peeled for the next installment - Christmas gifts for brothers and boyfriends. 

The best of: Autumn 2014

This autumn has been rather quiet and I am thankful for that too. I needed time to recuperate after the most hectic spring and summer of my life. So although I haven't taken many photos this autumn, here are just a few of my favourites...

For the last couple of months we have spent time catching up with friends and family and spending our weekends going on long country walks with our beloved pet pooch.

The middle top photo wasn't a recent one, but it popped up on my Timehop just after Halloween. It was a simple reminder of how much fun I had at university, especially when we had chance to dress up.

The fourth and sixth photos are of our three nieces - the most adorable, beautiful little girls you will ever meet. They brighten up a room and they are a pleasure to spend time with.

Although there wasn't many photos this autumn, I'm looking forward to the excitement, warmth and fun that comes through winter. We've got lots planned and I can't wait to share it with you lot.

I'd love to see your 'best of' blog posts. Leave your links below!

Eau Thermale Avene Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser

Facial cleansers, we have a kind of love-hate relationship. I love to use them, but they hate my skin. But all is not lost with the Eau Thermale Avene Cleanance Gel. 

This mild cleansing gel is perfect for blemish prone skin. I have been suffering from spots in and around my hairline recently of which I'm putting down to not removing make-up properly. So I figured my skin needed a little more of a helping hand to tackle these problem areas. According to Avene, the cleanser helps purify skin and regulate oil secretion - a breeding ground for blemishes and zits. 

The one thing I love about this cleanser is that although it is soapless, it still has the same consistency of a soap and cleanses just as well, if not better. The Cleanance Gel smells amazing too - not too overpowering but pleasant enough to use daily. 

Although at £11 it may seem slightly more expensive compared to other cleansers, it is worth every single penny. I picked mine up from Boots for £11/200ml. 

For more information on other Eau Thermale Avene products, visit www.avene.co.uk. 

Schwarzkopf Got2B Oil-licious Tame and Shine Styling Oil

I picked up this cute little product while doing a quick shop in Co-op, of all places, for only £4.07 (50ml). And yes, I know what you're all thinking - another styling oil! But this little product packs a pretty good punch. 

The non-greasy formula, packed with Argan Oil, is super light and offers the ability to be used in numerous ways. I personally prefer to apply to newly washed and dried hair, just before styling, but you can also use on damp hair pre-style, to the ends of freshly styled hair to set and tame any fly-aways and to hair pre-wash for extra shine. 

Another great thing about the Tame and Shine Styling Oil is that it makes a fantastic de-tangler after washing too. Considering 50ml may seem like a small amount, a little really does go a long way. 

You can pick this product up from most supermarkets that stock Schwarzkopf products or from www.got2b.schwarzkopf.co.uk.

15 things I've learnt...

Image credit: weheartit  

So, last weekend I turned 27. A relatively good age in my opinion. The wrong side of 25 some others might say. Needless to say that in twenty seven years I have learnt a lot...

 

1 Giving is so much better than receiving: it's totally okay to be more excited about Christmas shopping than the day itself. Likewise for birthdays, Mother's Day, weddings...the list goes on.

 

2 You will still make fashion disasters: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini style combat trousers didn't work for her and they didn't work for me either.

3 You will become more emotional: One Born Every Minute, Don't Tell the Bride and even Hollyoaks, shedding a tear to my much loved television programs has become more frequent than Dodger taking his top off.

4 Wine and chocolate will be best friend (sometimes): the reason being? See above.

5 Make time for those who matter: my father once told me that when I become an actual grown up, counting my best friends on one hand would be normal and right he was. But this isn't a bad thing by any means.

6 You meet some rather amazing people: as I've aged, I've developed more friendships than I ever did as an adolescent, all of which I know are lifelong.

7 Staying in is the new going out: there's no denying it, enjoying a glass of wine with the TV definitely trumps a sweaty nightclub.

8 Grown up drinks become more grown up: wine is enjoyed with dinner and not in the bottle with a straw!

9 Its okay, not to be okay.

10 You won't take BS from anyone: with age comes the ability to stand up for yourselves, be it in the workplace, out and about or sadly, over social media.

11 ...But you'll always be polite: temper tantrums and awkward arguments are a no-no.

12 It's normal to have more than three weddings in a summer: all of which will be special, exciting and magical in their own way.

13 Grown up talk turns to bills and babies: no more boys and bad nights out!

14 But you become less scared to say what you think: honesty is always the best policy.

15 It's okay to ask for help: growing up means standing on our own two feet, but sometimes we all need a helping hand and it's okay to admit it.

What about you? I'd love to hear yours?

Autumn nails

Autumn is definitely one of my favourite seasons. The night’s drawing in, fashion gets warmer and autumn nails really pop.
 

This autumn, nail trends couldn't be more, well, autumn. From fancy fuscias to dark greens – there’s a nail colour to suit every single style. Here’s a selection of a few of my favourites.

Going nude

The great thing about nude polishes is that there is a shade to suit every skin tone – from super subtle transparent hues to dark, opaque tones – there are hundreds to choose from.

This autumn I will be sticking to a slightly lighter shade with a pink hint. I find that lighter toned nudes really flatter pale skin, like my own. My favourite at the moment is Charlotte Street from Nails inc (£12)

Make like a tree...

It goes without saying that the autumn months bring out the most beautiful, natural colours so why not reflect these on your nails. Dark blues and mossy greens are right on trend this autumn and were seen on the catwalks of Julian McDonald and Burberry. 

I love British Racing Green by Butter London (£12) and Max Factor’s Prusian Blue (£3.99).

A different shade of red

Red – a classic shade that can really pop. This season, the deeper and more orange, the better! 

To really add a hint of autumn go for a slight shimmering shade like Butter London’s Sun Baker (£12) and Models Own Tropical Sun (£4.99) from the Beetlejuice collection.

Heavy metal

Need a nail colour for those dark, autumn evenings? Metal based polishes are always hit at party season and can add instant wow to a simple party outfit. This season I love Chanel in Black Pearl (£18).

For those of you who prefer simple, classic outfits, adding a metallic nail can really finish it off. Something like Essie Shifting Power (£7.99) or if you want to try something a little different, nail wraps are perfect. Rebel Nails offer a huge range of nail wraps from Bright Mirror Nail Wraps (£7.99) to 22 Carat Gold Stunning Swirl (£14.95).

 

So with plenty of choice, I know I’m definitely going to have fun with my nails this autumn.

I would love to see your autumn nails – leave links to your blogs below! 

The Mascara Monologues: bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara

So, you may have recently read one of my blog posts last month – bareMinerals a Flawless Future Collection (if not, you can have a sneak peak here). I raved about how much I loved this collection, but didn’t divulge much information about the Flawless Definition Mascara. That’s because I wanted to dedicate a whole separate post (because I loved this product ALOT!). So here goes...

When I started writing the Mascara Monologues I never imagined that I would come across a mascara that I well and truly loved. All the others have been a bit mediocre, so I came to the conclusion that maybe I just had high expectations. However, this beaut left me more than impressed.

When you look at the product from the outside, it’s not the type of product that would stand out on the shelf. Its matte black...and...that’s about it. The wand is...simple...and...that’s about it. What else is there to love? But this mascara is so god damn good!

First of all, the small 360 fine-toothed wand comb grabs and coats every single eyelash, even those hard-to-reach lashes in the corners. It covers them and gives them a dramatic lift replicating those that false eyelashes create. Lashes look full of volume and defined. The staying power is incredible too – one coat is enough to last you from day to night and it doesn’t smudge, run or disappear.

The bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara has to be my favourite mascara to date and I will definitely repurchase again and again. Or at least until another fantastic product comes along.

The bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara is available from www.bareminerals.co.uk for £16/10ml. 

What did you think of the bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara? Do you have any others you could recommend?

bareMinerals: a Flawless Future Collection

If you are regular reader of this blog then you will know how much I adore bareMinerals make-up. So imagine the squeal that left my mouth when I recently discovered a fabulous offer on Feel Unique (via Money Saving Expert).

Now, I have never purchased a ‘group’ of products like these. It has been the occasional item here and there, so the whole bulk buy is new to me and also one of those things where I will plan on using every single item, when in hindsight I won’t. Needless to say, I absolutely love them.

I won’t talk too much about the Original SPF Foundation because I have previously spoken about it here, but the other products are also great. To start with the Clear Radiance All-Over Face Colour is great for giving complexion a quick boost. During winter we start to lose our natural summer glow and this is great for giving skin a subtle hint of radiance without looking too overdone.

Secondly, the Frame & Define Brow Styler (in Universal Taupe) is just your simple eyebrow pencil. I really, really like this product and its all down to how slim the nib is. I usually use a well-known Benefit eyebrow product, but often find the brush really hard to work with, so the Brow Styler from bareMinerals is perfect, plus the colour is a very good match too – I have mousy brows so finding a colour that isn’t too dark is often quite difficult.

I’m not really a huge fan of highlighters. They’re one of those products that I know are important, yet I’m really unsure on how to use them (note to self: must YouTube) and therefore they end up sitting in a drawer until they’re ready to be thrown out. I imagine the same habit will follow with the Stroke of Light Eye Brightener. bareMinerals claim to immediately brighten and defuse dark shadows around the eye area, as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines over time. Now, as much as I want to believe this, I’m not sure I can. I thought this was what eye creams and concealers were for, but we shall see.

Now the Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss (in Go Getter) is, by far, the most impressive product in this collection. I usually HATE, and hate is a very strong word, lipgloss – they’re sticky, slippery and disappear within minutes and trust me, I have tried a fair few. I put this to the test at the weekend. I was drinking and eating and it did a real good job of staying put and I only reapplied on a couple of occasions. The colour is nice too, a subtle pink that can be worn anytime – day or night.

Now, I really don’t want to discuss the last product, Flawless Definition Mascara too much because I will be reviewing it in my Mascara Monologues series. But I will let you into a little secret – it got me more excited that the gloss. So keep your eyes peeled soon.

All of these bareMinerals products can be purchased from www.bareminerals.co.uk or www.feelunique.co.uk. Prices are below:

Original SPF Foundation £25
Clear Radiance All-Over Face Colour £19
Frame & Define Brow Styler £13
Stroke of Light Eye Brightener £22
Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss £16
Flawless Definition Mascara £16

The best of: Summer 2014

Can you believe that we're almost half way through September already? No, neither can I! But with the nights drawing in I think it's fair to say that summer is officially over.

There's only one word to describe my summer and that was BUSY! Nearly every weekend has been filled with socialising, weddings, hen parties and holidays. But as much as I have enjoyed the summer of 2014, I am definitely looking forward to sitting back and spending a few cosy nights indoors during autumn. So to celebrate this summer, here's just a few of my favourite summer snaps this year...

The start of summer was definitely one of the busiest I think we've ever had. Firstly, we saw two of our best friends tie the knot and then three days later jumped on a plane to Thailand, landing in Bangkok before heading over to Koh Samui. We created so many memories - from holding baby monkeys and riding elephants to enjoying the nightlife of Khoa San Road and eating the most delicious food we have ever had!

This summer has also been spent creating memories at Eminem's Wembley Stadium concert, seeing an old university friend marry her prince charming and spending the weekend at The Mere Resort Golf & Spa in Cheshire for relaxing pre-wedding celebrations!

I think it's fair to say, this summer has been one of the best and I can't wait to see what autumn and winter have to offer.

I'd love to see your blog posts like this one. If you have any, please leave your links below!

Toni & Guy Nourish Reconstruction Mask

You know when you impulse buy a product on a whim, well this was one of those. Naturally, I had ran out of my usual leave-in conditioner and needed a new one to replace it. I'm not quite sure what made me pick up this one, but it was a pretty good choice. 

I really don't get on with Toni & Guy shampoos and conditioners but they're styling products are pretty spot on, plus they're affordable too (and cheaper than some other haircare products that are no where near as impressive). The Nourish Reconstruction Mask, however, was really pleasant to use. Made with a deep conditioning formula, it provides advanced repair and replenishment for distressed hair, and after years of colour and heat damage, my hair needs all the help it can get. 

The Toni & Guy Nourish Reconstruction Mask is applied to freshly shampooed, damp hair and left for between 3-5 minutes before rinsing out. By leaving it in for longer than your average conditioner, it deeply penetrates the hair follicles to repair and replenish any lost moisture. I have been using it for the last couple of weeks and have definitely noticed a difference. 

Apart from its conditioning properties, the one thing that really sells this product to me is the smell. You know that smell that you only get from visiting the hairdressers? Well this hair mask has that.

If you're looking for a hair repair mask that intensely nourishes, then I would certainly recommend this one. It's affordable, at £6.29/200ml, and will last a considerable amount of time too. 

The Toni & Guy Nourish Reconstruction Mask is available from most drug stores, but you can also purchase from www.toniandguy.com. 

Dear eighteen-year-old me

So, A Level results haven’t long been announced which led me to think about what might have been going through my mind at the tender age of eighteen (most probably boys, fashion and partying – oh what a hard life I lived) and after reading Lauren Conrad’s letter, it spurred me on to write my own…

Never have any fear

There’s no doubt about it that being a teenager is tough but always try and remember to never have any fear, especially when it comes to starting university. University is a daunting process – you will leave family and friends behind – but cherish the time, the memories and the friendships that you make – these will last a lifetime. Make time to travel too as the world has so much to offer and there is so much to see outside of that small town you live in. But one of the biggest things of all – never worry about what people think of you. Those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter.

Parents know best

Despite thinking that dad knows nothing, trust me when I tell you that he knows everything and more. A problem shared is a problem halved and dad is pretty darn good at halving them. But don’t listen to him when he tells you that your hand will fall off if you wear a hair bobble around your wrist. Eight years later and both hands are still intact!

Always remove your make up before bedtime

Rolling in at 4am should never be an excuse not to remove your make up, despite how drunk or tired you are. Do it religiously now and you will reap the rewards later on. Stick with cleansing, toning and moisturising just like you did at sixteen – but don’t forget to exfoliate too. The same goes for SPF. As much as you think that using a low factor sun cream will give you a glowing tan, it won’t protect your fair English skin. Take time to look after it, you only get one chance.

So there goes, what advice would you give to your eighteen-year-old self if you had the opportunity? Leave your links below!

Four years blogging: My top ten

(Image credit)

I can't believe that I have been blogging for nearly four years!

I first started this blog back in 2010. It was my way of expressing how I felt about beauty products aimed at women my own age. At the time I was writing for a national magazine aimed at women over sixty and although I had access to the latest beauty products, I never had the opportunity to write about them and express my own personal opinion, that was until I set up this blog.

You may be thinking, four years is a long time and you don’t have many followers, well I never started this blog to have ‘followers’. I enjoyed writing for me and although it was great to see that my posts were being read, I never actively promoted it.

So as a celebration of four years, I decided to give you a run down of my favourite top ten posts that I have written over the years:

1: Bare Minerals Prime Time Brightening Primer

Reading back over my early blog posts, I often wrote in non-biased way – I tried not to give too much of an opinion, which as a blogger is key. But I put this down to my journalistic background. However, I have chosen this post because this is where my love for Bare Minerals began and I was totally won over by their fantastic products that I still use them today.

2: Bad beauty habits

I chose to put this in my top ten because it was a really different blog post for me. I often don’t like to write about myself but I actually really enjoyed it in the end. It was interesting to see that I had quite a few bad beauty habits and I loved being able to share them with you all.

3: Garnier 2-in-1 Pure Active Spot Roll-On

The Garnier 2-in-1 Pure Active Spot Roll-On is an odd blog post for me to pick. When I look back over the post, I really dislike it. The images are dreadful and I don’t really delve into too much detail. However, this is my second most read post on my blog so I felt that it deserved a place in my top ten.

4: Bare Minerals Skincare

Again, my love for Bare Minerals grows and they really smashed it out of the park with their first skincare range. I absolutely loved reviewing these products and I actually went on to re-purchase the Pure Transformation Night Treatment.

5: What’s in my handbag

My very first ‘what’s in my...’ and still one of my favourite type of posts to write. I love looking at what other bloggers store in their handbags – it makes me realise that I’m not the only person who carries a lot of crap around with them!

6: My holiday saviour

This post was named ‘My holiday saviour’ because it actually was! I’m quite fair-skinned and can burn quite easily, especially on delicate areas like my nose and ears, so this product came in super handy on a previous trip to Egypt. I still have this product and won’t go anywhere in summer without it.

7: Nail decals

This was a really exciting blog post to write because it was a slight challenge getting the decals to work. If I remember right, it took me quite a few goes to finally get them spot on, and I was so impressed with the outcome. In fact, it has spurred me on to try them again!

8: The Mascara Monologues: An introduction

The Mascara Monologues was an idea that stemmed back when I was writing for living. After speaking to the girls I was working with at the time, we all agreed that we had never come across a mascara that we truly loved. So as a sub-section to the blog, The Mascara Monologues was born.

9: No More White Bits

This is an odd choice to place in my top ten, but the reason is because is that it is actually my most read post to date. Every month I get hit upon hit and I’m never sure why. Maybe a lot of people Google ‘no more white bits’, who knows, but this one is actually about a fake tan brand.

10: The best beauty products for blemishes

I chose to include this post in my top ten because it is includes one of my favourite images that I have ever taken. My lovely boyfriend bought me a new camera for Christmas and I couldn’t wait to give it go and show off the new images on my blog!

I would love to see your top ten posts, leave your links below!

Grey is the new black

Firstly I want to apologise for using the stock image – I had the worst time trying to photograph this product. In fact, I didn’t even get as far as photographing it because I managed to smash it all over my kitchen floor, sending grey paint flying everywhere. I did, however, manage to get a sneaky shot of my nails after I had painted them. Apologies again for the lighting, it was taken just before bedtime and I wasn’t planning on using this photo at all.

Despite my mishap I still wanted to share this product with you because I absolutely adore the colour grey. I love how versatile it is and how it allows you to tone it down for daytime chic as well as mixing it up for night time glam. Either way the colour grey is hot and looks even hotter on nails too.

Maybelline’s Colour Show nail polish in Cool Touch is fantastic for wearing day and night. It has a slight blue-grey tone to it, neither looking too dark or light and will suit any skin tone too. After two coats it is fully opaque and it has a pretty good shelf life. It is safe to say that this colour has certainly made its way onto my list of summer shades, despite now having to repurchase again because of my clumsiness!

I bought Maybelline Colour Show nail polish in Cool Touch for £2.99/7ml from Boots.

Can you recommend any other grey colours that I should add to my collection? Leave your comments below!

Bad beauty habits

(image credit)

We all have a bad habit (or two) and I’m no exception, especially when it comes to the beauty side of things. So, after sitting down and contemplating this post, I soon began to realise that I have far more beauty habits that would seem necessary, so instead of dwelling on them I decided to share them with you in the hope that you would agree that they aren’t so bad after all…

Why scrub, when you can wipe…
I hate to boast but I’m pretty darn good in the mornings. Once that alarm has gone off, I’m up and ready for the day to begin. However…I am so god damn lazy, especially when it comes to my skin.

Pass me a face wipe and the moisturiser and I’m good to go. There’s no washing, water, creams or serums involved which is probably doing my skin more harm than good. But don’t panic, my skin does get some TLC at bedtime.

Little pickers wear big knickers
One of my mother’s favourite sayings when I was younger – from food to cuts and grazes, eyelashes and nails, I was always picking something and could never leave anything alone. It seems that I have carried this rather disgusting habit into my adult life too and it all comes down to one thing – nail polish! A good polish will last two days max on my nails before I scrape, scratch and pick at it until it’s virtually gone.

To get over this habit I recently tried gelish. This time it lasted a total of 7 days before it was gone…

Don’t break a bad habit
This has to be one of my most annoying habits to date. Not annoying for others, but more annoying for me. I am the most unadventurous person ever when it comes down to beauty. I often re-buy the same products, stick to the same colours and never have I ever stepped out of the house in a really daring lip colour. You want an example? Throughout most of my early twenties I was still using a foundation and moisturiser aimed at late-teenage skin. It took some persuading (by myself of course) to branch out and opt for more mature products.

Keeping it dirty
I am 100% guilty of not washing my make-up brushes regularly and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone too.

Washing make-up brushes should be an integral part of my beauty regime, however much I tell myself, it is not. Not only do they keep bristles softer for easier application but it stops them from spreading dirty, nasty germs too, which can cause niggling spots and blemishes.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post just as much as I enjoyed writing it. I would love to read your comments on whether you can relate to any of my bad habits or read your own bad beauty habit posts - put your links below!

The Mascara Monologues: Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara

If you read my last blog post (if not, then you can read it here) you may recognise this little product that I picked up in my latest beauty haul. Although more of product that I picked up on a whim, I have been rather impressed so far. 

To start with the silver packaging is quite sleek. The separate coral and turquoise branding gives the mascara more of a summer feel - turquoise being the perfect colour combination for its waterproof version, obviously. 

As for the look, I absolutely love the wand. The unique brush has been inspired by professional hair styling brushes, with spherical bristles to help coat each and every lash with the perfect amount of product, and I've got to admit it really does work. Plus, it's clump free too.

The Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara is pretty high up there on my list of perfect mascaras and at just £9.99 its affordable too. It is definitely worth the purchase, especially if you are looking for a budget high street product that gives fantastic results. 

The Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara is available from Boots £9.99/12ml. 

Post holiday beauty haul

Okay, so the holiday blues have officially set in. This time two weeks ago I was enjoying a cocktail on a sun lounger overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Humph! So in order to cheer myself up, I took a trip to Boots to buy some much needed items.

Now while I was in Thailand, I had the opportunity to try some authentic coconut oil. Although a little smelly and by this I mean not at all like coconut, I decided that I had to buy some once I was home, which is why I picked up Garnier Ultimate Blends The Sleek Perfector Oil. I’ve really been into the whole the Argan Oil thing and I’ve heard positive things about coconut oil, so I thought it was best to jump on the bandwagon before it left without me.

Now that we’re well into July and I figured what a perfect opportunity to ditch the blusher and replace with a gorgeous glowing bronzer. Problem being my dog ate my bare Minerals brush so I was after a quick replacement. After toying between Real Techniques and Eco Tools, I finally opted for the Eco Tools Domed Bronzer brush. My reason? Because it was bigger – it was that simple.

Now this is where I get to the essentials. Nivea Daily Essentials Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes, a really boring product that I re-purchase at least twice a month. Writing that has reminded me that I must find a more eco (and purse) friendly make up remover. Secondly, a new mascara. In my quest to find the perfect mascara (you can follow the Mascara Monologues here) I obviously opted for something new - Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara. More about this in the next instalment of the Mascara Monologues soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Despite not purchasing much, I came away feeling a little better that I wasn’t sat in 35 degree heat and sipping on a mango daiquiri. I guess the sunny British weather will keep me distracted for some time.

Please leave links below for your latest hauls. Or if you have any recommended products, I’d love to hear those too.

The best of: Spring

I actually stole this idea from Louise over at Sprinkle of Glitter and I thought it was such a fantastic idea. I don't share enough of my photos and in fact this might encourage me to take more. There are only a few, but they're special and capture some of the best moments from this spring. 

    

This spring has been all about celebrating special moments with some very special friends. Hen parties have been a plenty, travelling from Barcelona to York and Cambridge. We also spent a lovely weekend in Norfolk with our best friends, and the dogs of course. Beach walks in Great Yarmouth and tea in our very own cottage - it was beautiful.

I also had the pleasure of seeing one of my closest friends marry her Prince Charming. What made it much more special was that I was lucky enough to have been asked to be her bridesmaid. The bride looked beautiful and the day was incredibly special. I was ver honoured to be asked to be a part of it. 

                

I've been incredibly lucky to take part in so many special moments this spring, which makes me much more excited for summer, and I'll be sharing that with you too! 

I'd love to see your best moments of spring, please leave your links below. 

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone-Correcting Shampoo - Monthly favourite

So, due to my tardiness this month I'm incorporating two blog posts in one - a normal blog review and my monthly favourites. However, this month there is only one favourite and thats simply because I haven't really been overly impressed with any other products, and this one was just so impressive, I felt like it deserved it's own, so here goes...

If you're like me and you fake your blonde barnet, you've probably come across this same problem time and time again. Dry, course ends, frizziness and a bad yellow tinge - typical problems that can make a really good blonde look a little dishevelled. That was until I discovered this fabulous product, John Frieda's Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone-Correcting Shampoo. 

Despite having the longest product name in history, I was so happy I stumbled across this product. As much as I love my dip-dye, it can be a bit of a bugger to maintain. The golden, glowing blonde ends eventually turn into a really bad bleach job and often crying out to be renewed. 

I've never been overly convinced with colour keeping, renewing or changing, haircare products. Coloured hair will fade and I'm quite certain nothing can change that. However, this one by John Frieda did a pretty good job. The correcting formula helps counteract unwanted yellow tones to neutralisse brassiness by helping to put the sparkle back into blonde hair. And boy did it put the sparkle back. 

I must admit, I didn't purchase the conditioner because I felt like my hair didn't need it. After using the shampoo on a couple of occassions, the brassiness in my hair had practically disappeared and I'd received a few compliements on how healthy my hair was looking. That can't be bad, right?

I would, without a doubt recommend this product to any of my colour-treated blonde friends. In fact, I recently recommended to a work colleague who, very selflessly and bravely, shaved off her hair in aid of a children's brain tumour charity. She's since died it blonde and it looks incredible, but she was concerned about it turning yellow rather than staying bleach blonde, and so, I didn't think twice about recommending John Frieda's Tone-Correcting Shampoo. 

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone-Correcting Shampoo is available from Boots £5.99/250ml.

My March favourites

This month I’m keeping it short, sweet and very simple – just like the three products that I have been loving this month.

L’Oreal’s Skin Perfection Purifying Gel Wash

Recently I rediscovered my love for facial cleansers and I’m pretty sure it’s because I’ve noticed a subtle change to my skin. Since using them more frequently (rather than just a face wipe) my skin is in much better condition. This is why L’Oreal’s Skin Perfection Purifying Gel Wash made it to the top of the list.

When I’m having a particularly grubby skin day, or when I simply don’t have the time, I find myself using this product for a quick pick-me-up. The gel-like product quickly turns into foam when mixed with water and is perfect at removing everyday dirt and grime, and even stubborn eye makeup too. It is also super light and washes off easily, leaving skin feeling refreshed.

What makes this product even more appealing is the price. It’s super cheap (at only £4.49/150ml) and you don’t need much at all – just a 20p sized dollop is plenty. L’Oreal Skin Perfection Purifying Gel Wash is available from Boots £4.49/150ml.
 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

The second facial cleanser to feature in my monthly favourites is one that may not come as a surprise to you. What was once France’s best kept secret, has now found its way into British hands and by the looks of things it hasn’t let us down.

Pronounced as me-sellaire, the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water isn't as harsh as a standard face cleanser, which is why its great for sensitive skin. It also acts as a toner too, meaning that it becomes two skincare steps in one. The clever bit is the science behind it - like a magnet, the cleansing agents capture and lift away dirt from the skin meaning that you no longer have to scrub deep down to remove all of your make-up and daily dirt. 

I absolutely love this product from Garnier. It's so simple and extremely cheap to use - I picked up this one for £4.99 for 400ml in Boots. It's certainly worth the money and will last a heck of a long time too. 

Last but not least is the Stronger Nail Polish from Rimmel. 

Over the last month or so my nails have taken a bit of a battering. I have been applying, removing and reapplying nail polish like it is going out of fashion, which has meant that my nails have become really dry and brittle as a result.

Before heading out on Saturday night, I applied a layer over the top of normal polish. Although this was completely by accident (there was me thinking it was a top coat) and completely ruined my polish, I couldn’t help but notice how strong my nails were when I removed the colour. So after removing I applied it again on its own and a week later my nails are in the best condition they have been in a long time. They’re stronger and look ten times healthier, plus I’m bridesmaid for my friend on Thursday so this stuff has been a god-send. 

I wouldn’t advise applying on top of your normal polish though as it is in fact a heavy duty base coat. Enriched with calcium and Keratin, it adds strength to weak nails and helps to increase their strength against further damage. The Rimmel Stronger Nail Polish is available from most cosmetic stores (£4.49/7ml).