Spring/Summer Make Up Trends: Blue Make Up

I'm loving all the beauty trends this Spring/Summer. Orange lips, white nails, bold brows and now everything blue. The trend is often associated with the 80's and back then, it wasn't a great look. Fast forward a few decades and the look has taken on a new, modern twist. To update the trend for 2014 keep the rest of your make up super simple.

If you're not keen on rocking blue eyeshadow like they did on the Marc Jacob catwalk opt for navy blue eyeliner or apply blue mascara to the tips of your lashes for a much more subtle take on the trend. Avoid a make up colour clash by leaving your lipstick at home and going easy on the blush.  Don't want to try blue make up? Why not go for blue nails. My current favourites include Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in 'Huckleberry' and L'oreal Colour Riche in 'Nouvelle Vogue' which are both lovely pale shades perfect for spring.

Will you be rocking the blue make up trend this summer? Are you brave enough to try blue eyeshadow or will you be sticking to blue nails? 

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A Lazy Girl's Guide To Moisturisng

I'm really lazy when it comes to moisturising. It's just so boring and such a faff. I've discovered some beauty products that make this part of your beauty regime so much more easier, who doesn't want that?

Soap & Glory Spray On Moisturising Mist in Flirtingo �6.50 

I think this is quite similar to the Vaseline Spray and Go. If you're a fan of the Soap and Glory body butters this is a great alternative for the summer months as it's not a heavy and is really quick and easy to apply. Simply spray over dry skin for a gorgeous scent that lingers on the skin all day.

LUSH Therapy Massage Bar �6.50

The concept behind this massage bar is simple, just rub it on bare skin. The heat created by this technique allows the oils to melt on contact. No greasiness and no mess. 'Therapy' is an aromatic mixture of cocoa and Shea butter. It's orange and lavender scent instantly puts me in a good mood and helps me relax. I love using this after a shower when my skin is squeaky clean. If I had a boyfriend I'd make him give me a massage with this bar everyday. Maybe that's why I'm single. 

Nivea In Shower Body Moisturiser in Nourishing Cocoa �3.56

Anything new from Nivea, I am going to try. I love the concept of this product, anything that makes Moisturising quicker is already in my good books. This is like a conditioner for your skin so you use it after cleansing and rinse it off. Skin is left silky smoothed and hydrated once stepping out of the shower. You can completely skip moisturiser with this product - extra ten minutes in bed, YES!  

Hope these highstreet products help you enjoy moisturising that little bit more. Does anyone else hate it? 

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Who To Follow On Instagram - Beauty Edition

I've only had Instagram for about 6 months but I bloody love it. It's the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I check at night. Majority of the 156 people I follow are beauty-related accounts from make up artists to nail art inspiration and beauty bloggers. Here are some people you have to follow if you're beauty obsessed like me!

@adamburell

@narsissist

@bleachlondon

@gh0stparties

@rachslucas

@beautyisboring

This is only a handful of the people I like to follow on Instagram, make sure you check out who else I'm following here - I love them all! 

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Spring/Summer 2014 makeup trends: Orange Lips

Orange lips are usually popular for summer but it seems this year the trend is even BIGGER. Last summer was all about orange nails now it's turn for your lips. What I love about this particular trend is that it really does suit all skintones. Donna Karen's runway rocked a juicy tangerine, Galliano went for a matte red-orange and Peter Pilotto had his models wearing a subtle, washed out shade. Whether you're feeling bold or still on the fence about orange lips, I've got something for you.

Go hard or go home with this gorgeous shade from Rimmel's Moisture Renew range. 'In love with ginger' (pictured above) is a bright, creamy orange-y red which instantly brightens up your face. The formula for this is really smooth and hydrating so perfect if you're prone to dry lips like me. Another bold orange shade I'm loving lately comes from M&S make up brand LOLA. Their new collection of liquid lipsticks have caught my eye. The intense, full coverage formulas aren't for the faint-hearted. The pen applicator makes this lipstick easy to apply. Although this is very creamy and has a semi-matte finish, I'd suggest making sure your lips were in perfect condition before applying. That means a scrub and intensive moisturiser beforehand to avoid the lipstick going patchy. You can see what the shade 'Tangerine' looks like on me here. 

First timers who aren't to sure about this trend opt for a subtle balm or lipgloss for a little tint. This is a great way to break into the trend. Bourjois lip glosses are easily available at Boots and Superdrug and come in lots of different shades. My top spring shades in the 3D Effect Lip Glosses are 'Coral Idyllic' and 'Orange Juteuse'. Another good option if you're not a fan of gloss are lip pen balms. A lot brands have jumped on this bandwagon such as Rimmel, Seventeen and Max Factor but I still love the Revlon Kissable Balm Stains. The shade pictured above is called 'Rendezvous' and gives lips a gorgeous orange sheen. The minty scent is a pleasant plus and the smooth formula is very hydrating.

Will you be wearing orange lips this summer? 

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Pink Addiction Fragrance Exculisvely For Teenagers

When I was a teenager there was nothing out there perfume-wise targeted towards us. Impulse and Charlie body sprays were as exciting as things got. My first fragrance was actually one I'd borrowed from my Mum and  probably wasn't best suited for my age. Fear not teens of today, I have come across a fragrance that is designed specially for teenage girls. Launched last summer in Harrods, Pink Addiction is a perfume created just for teens.

This idea was thought up of when Nabila, the creator, was shopping for a fragrance for her 13 year old sister but was left disappointed when none of the shops she visited sold a fragrance designed exclusively for teens. As a result Pink Addiction was born! 

The fragrance is a sweet mixture of fruity and floral scents. Initial notes of luscious cranberry and sparkling Winter lemons give this perfume a fruity edge. This combined with bottom notes of snowy patchouli and blond wood results in a sweet but creamy soft scent. Now, this wouldn't be a proper review without the opinion of teen...

I had my intern (14 year old sister) test this out for me because I wanted to get a teens view on the fragrance. At first I deliberately made my sister smell the fragrance before seeing the packaging as I didn't want it to influence her thought on the scent. Here's how Amber got on!

"I like the scent, it's nice and sweet. It also smells quite grown up. I don't really like the packaging it's too for teenagers." At this point I had to remind Amber she was a teenager. "I mean it appeals more to young teenagers like the ones who listen to One Direction or Justin Beiber. I don't like the pink either, I'd prefer it if it looked more simple".This didn't surprise me, I knew the packaging wouldn't go down well with her but bare in mind this comes from a teen who listens to Areosmith and plays a ukulele. "I would wear this perfume and I think my friends would too". 

There you go - a review of a fragrance created exclusively for teens, by a teen. I think it's really refreshing to have a teen fragrance that isn't celebrity endorsed. The perfume industry needs to realise that not every teenager likes One Direction or Justin Beiber. It's so nice to see a fragrance that is simply for teens.

If you like to smell girly and sweet, Pink Addiction* will satisfy that need with an added air of sophistication. Available to purchase from Harrods, Pink Addiction edt retails at �19.95 for 50ml. You also get an adorable pink jute bag with each purchase.

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Packing Advice For Beauty Products

If you're following me on Twitter/Instagram you will know I've been on holiday. Apologies for the obligatory holiday photo's if you have yet to see some proper sunshine where you live. Forever in a blogging frame of mind, I thought this would be the perfect time to share with you what beauty products I took away with me, Enjoy!

Confession time, I've got a box full of cute minis either from beauty boxes, added extras from purchases or magazine freebies. I like to save them up for weekends away, festivals or holidays. I always try to stifle an audible 'aawww' when I come across travel sized miniatures, I mean come on just look at how dinky they are, SO CUTE! Here are some products I'm using to make travelling with toiletries that little bit easier.

Slim Sonic Toothbrush �19.99*
I've been an electric toothbrush convert for nearly two years now. This portable sonic toothbrush boasts 22,000 strokes a minute ensuring teeth are cleaned efficiently. The protective cap this comes with is perfect for travelling and keeps the head dry and clean. The best part? It comes in loads of different colours, too much choice!
Living Nature Skin Minis �20.39*
If you want to keep up your skincare routine whilst on holiday but don't want to bring all your hefty, full size products with you this kit would be perfect. Complete with a cleanser, toner and moisturiser in travel -friendly 30ml bottles. It's also a great introduction to the brand if you've not tried Living Nature before.
No7 Lip and Eye Screen �7.00
Don't forget to protect your lips when sun-bathing. The skin on your lips can become dry and chapped if you don't use SPF. The area around your eyes is also prone to dryness. This moisturising stick from No7 is a holiday essential, I keep in on me all day and re-apply when need.
Batiste Dry Shampoo �2.99
Hot weather = sweaty head. I couldn't resist picking up this mini Batiste, look how small it is! Other good beauty buys for travelling include the Ted Baker Body Wash, I have this in full-size so just had to pick up the mini version. Charles Worthington do a big range of travel hair care products to suit different hair types. The range is often on 3 for 2 in Boots too! Body Shop Body Butters are such a cult beauty buy, lucky for us they do them in small versions as well.

What are you tips for toiletry packing? 

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Sensationails Gel Starter Kit Review

Despite Gel nails being a huge beauty trend, I've never had mine professionally done. I've always thought of it as too expensive and I don't particularly enjoy visiting salons! I'm much more of a 'do it yourself' kinda girl when it comes to most beauty related things. If you are too, you're going to love what I have to show you today.

Sensationails is a gel nail kit you can do in the comfort of your own home. The kit comes complete with everything you need to create super glossy and durable gel nails. I found the instructions that came with the kit were really easy to follow. The process can be a little time consuming but when you think the results last around 2 weeks I don't mind spending 30 minutes doing my nails! 

I love the shade 'Raspberry Wine' which has some subtle shimmer to it and looks gorgeous on nails. 14 days after application, they are still going strong as promised. There is a slight chip on my thumb but overall I'm really impressed with the longevity of Sensationails. 

The price tag sounds a little scary (�69.99) but it's reasonable when you think how much you would pay each time at a salon for gel nails. The kit allows for 10 applications so you can assure you'll get your moneys worth. After 10 uses you can purchases an Essentials Kit (�25.00) which contains all the products you'll need,minus the LED LAMP, to create 20 more perfectly polished manicures. 

The only downside to Sensationails is the removal process. Even after following the instructions and leaving them to soak in acetone for 15 minutes, they were still a struggle to get off. It can be a bit damaging on nails so I tend to use this kit every other month or for special occasions and holidays. 

Overall, this kit is a must have if you normally get gel nails done professionally or you're just simply sick of chipped nails. This kit is well worth the price tag plus it's on offer at the minute, hooray! With most things, this does take practise so don't worry if it takes a few goes.

The Sensationails Starter Kit* retails for �69.99 but is currently of offer for �45.00 at Boots here. Let me know if you have any questions at all about this! 

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April Charity Polish

The April Charity Polish is now available at spellboundnails.com in both full size and mini bottles!!

Racing Into Our Hearts is a butterscotch colored holographic polish with midnight flakies inspired by the stunning beauty of the brindle greyhounds. A portion of every sale will be donated to Allies for Greyhounds in honor of April being National Greyhound Adoption Month.

*I apologize but my nails are in such bad shape right now! Not even my faithful Biotin can stop them from breaking so these pictures were taken while wearing fake nails. That said, I'm not all together displeased with them ... a little better sizing and some more shaping and you might be seeing fakes on me more often. They certainly make fore some pretty pictures. :)

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