Recent Beauty Buys

I have bought lots of new beauty items over the past few weeks, so I thought I would show you guys what I have been buying! You can expect to see reviews of these coming up on the blog soon.

• Avon True Colour Eyeshadow Duo in Healthy Glow
• Collection Deluxe Lipstick in Tallulah
• Nars One Night Stand Blush Palette
• Nars Orgasm Illuminator Mini (Free with Nars Palette)
• MUA Luxe Velvet Lips in Criminal and Atomic
• Revlon Colour Stay Concealer
• Little White Lie Tanning Mousse 
• Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil
• MUA Eye Tint in A Girl Like Me
• Revlon Color Stay Liquid Lipstick
• Technic Clear Mascara (I bought it for my brows)
• L'Oreal True Match Foundation
• Max Factor Wild Mega Volume Mascara
• Avon SuperShock Gel Eyeliner
• Perfect 10 Nail Art Stickers

Is there anything here you would like to see a review on? 

What have you bought recently? 

Gem x

PS I have a giveaway running where you could win your favorite photo turned into a canvas, enter here!

CanvasDesign.co.uk Review + Giveaway

I was recently given the chance by the lovely people at Canvas Design to turn one of my favorite pictures into a Canvas. (They are also very kindly giving one of my readers the chance to win too, so see the end of this post!)

You may know that in January I visited Disneyland Paris with my family. (We had an amazing week and if you would like a little look at some pictures, see this post.) I knew what picture I would like turned into a canvas, we had a lovely one as a family taken outside of the castle.

Delivery of the canvas was great and hassle free, I wish every parcel delivery I receive is like this one! I was text a couple of days before to let me know the date of delivery and given the option to change this. Then on the day of delivery I was text again with an hour slot when my delivery would arrive, again with the option to change the day or deliver to a neighbor.

I was so impressed with my canvas, it was even better than I was expecting. It is truly such great quality and the colours are so vibrant it looks amazing on my wall.

I would thoroughly recommend Canvas Design as not only do they offer great quality products, the price is great too with free 48hr delivery.

I have a great discount to share with you all too, so you will be getting even better value. Use the code BLOG15 and you will receive 15% off the price of a canvas.

**GIVEAWAY**WIN A CANVAS UP TO 40X40**UK ONLY**

Canvas Design are giving one of my lucky readers the chance to win their own canvas in any size they would like up to 40x40. Enter in the widget below. Please note that this is for the UK only! Rules are listed below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**UK Only**

**No False entries**

**Winner will be contacted by email supplied**

**Winner will be announced here and on twitter if applicable** 

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] | Review | First Impressions |

Effaclar [+] has all the benefits of the original with added bonus of fading acne marks. I suffer from acne and my skin is very prone to acne scarring. It makes my skin look a lot worse than it actually is as the marks are very red.

I have been using La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] * For a little over a week now so I thought I would share my first impressions.

It is very much like the original in packaging, scent, consistency, and feel. It is almost gel like and is quite soothing on the skin.

After a weeks use I have noticed a distinct improvement in my skin. I was suffering from a cystic breakout before using this and it has cleared it right up. My scarring has reduced a little and on the whole my skin looks so much better.

I am looking forward to contunuing using this and will update you with the results after a few months of use.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] is available from Escentual here.


Gem x

Juice to U 3 Day Detox Review

If you are a regular reader you may be aware of my attempt to live a healthy lifestyle and loose weight.
I saw on twitter that Juice To U were looking for bloggers to review their three day detox so I put myself forward and I was very luckily chosen.

It is believed that there are many benefits to detoxing which include weight loss, healthy skin, and clarity of mind. I wanted to try it to see if it could boost my weight loss, and the added benefits would be great too.

A little about Juice To U taken from their website www.Juicetou.com

Juice To U is a totally natural and fantastic prepared juice detox service using fresh, local produce and is delivered to your door. The Juice To U detox programe consists of 4 juices per day with a 3 hour period in-between juices.

The Juice To U 3 day detox or 5 day detox will leave you feeling fully revitalised, refreshed, rejuvenated and invigorated. Your mind and skin will be left clear and not forgetting the weight loss!

The Juice To U team have masterminded the juices which ooze with vitamins, minerals, nutrients and that goodness your body requires for a healthy body and mind.

Our delivery day is Tuesday between 8am and 6pm, please refrigerate your juices immediately ready to begin your detox on Wednesday. Please note, we recommend at least 2 litres of water per day. You can drink fruit tea however, green tea is not allowed as it contains caffeine. We strongly advise no exercise during your detox due to energy levels been low.

The feeling of tiredness, nausea, sickness and headaches are to be expected when you are detoxing, this is due to your body releasing the toxins within your system.

I tried out the three day detox so I had twelve juices delivered; four for each day of the detox. They came by courier and were nicely packaged with ice packs so were still nice and cold when they arrived. They had even included two lemons to add to your daily water (2 litres a day is advised). 

There was three different variations of juice to be drank four times a day; Clean Green at 9am, Lets Glow at 12pm, Clean Green at 3pm, and Berry Good at 6pm. Clean Green was my least favorite, it didn't taste nice but it wasn't disgusting. 

I found the first day the hardest. I was struggling with my hunger and by 2pm I was very hungry indeed. I felt a little weak and had a niggling headache for most of the day but I persevered. I decided to go to bed at around 8.30pm, partly due to the fact I was very tired, but mostly it was to stop myself heading to the biscuit cuboid and ruining it. 

The second day I woke up feeling quite sick and the hunger had subsided. I could hardly stomach the first juice of the day but after that they went down a little easier. By 6pm I was really hungry and the sickness had worn off. Again I was feeling tired and went to bed at 9 which is unusual for me.

On the third day I woke up feeling OK, still not great and I don't think I had any increased energy levels. I noticed that my stomach was a lot less bloated and I could feel that I had already lost some weight. The juices went down fine and I had a lot of motivation as I knew this was the last day.

At the end of the detox I weighed myself and I had lost 6lbs. My stomach was a lot less bloated and my skin did look a little more radiant.

I think that the Juice to U three day detox would be great for someone who is looking for a boost with loosing weight, or if  they have a special occasion coming up or a holiday as it really helps with bloating. Its not easy and it does take a lot of willpower, but it is only three days and there are significant results. 

The detox costs £79 for three days, if you would like to find out more visit the Juice to U website here

Have you ever tried a detox before?

Gem x

Valentine Nail Art

Combat the Cold | Guest Post

Combat the Cold without Feeling the Pinch

There’s no denying that this winter has been a particularly cold one. We’re still battling the elements and feeling the cold and that’s without even looking at the devastating floods and storms that we’ve had to deal with, too. If you’d prefer to stay indoors during the grim weather, nobody could blame you! However, the more time we spend indoors, the more we will end up spending on our heating if we’re not a little savvy about it, our gas bills always end up soaring. Here are some ways in which you can keep costs low without compromising on your warmth and comfort though, so that you don’t have to feel the pinch as much as you might think.

Wrap up warm

Rather than reaching for the thermostat as soon as you feel a little cold, reach for a onesie, a blanket or an extra layer instead. If you don’t have one already, a George onesie is a great item to have stashed away for the nippy days, leaving you warm, snug and feeling fab.

Decreasing the temperature on your thermostat by 1 degree can help to save a fortune on your gas bill, and while the winter months aren’t the best time to do this, if you wrap up warm, there’s no reason why you can’t.

Keep windows and doors closed

There’s no point trying to warm your home if you’re going to open the windows, because the residual heat will escape and you’ll waste money in the process. Keep your windows and doors closed when you have the heating on and you will feel the warmth sooner.

Keeping your curtains drawn will also help to retain the heat so that you’ll hardly notice the one degree drop on your thermostat!

Eat well

The winter months are the perfect time to pull out the slow cooker to make some delicious winter warmers. Make in bulk and freeze some of the meal and you will have better value for money, too. Slow cookers are a fantastic contraption for busy lives, and with plenty of recipes for scrumptious warming grub online and in cookery books, you’ll be able to try something different if you fancy it, too!

Eat plenty of carbs that are full of energy, and start your day with a warming bowl of porridge. Stews and soups are also great options for the colder months.

Keep your socks on

You can lose a lot of body heat through your toes, so when you’re curled up on the sofa underneath your blanket, keep your socks on and you’ll stay warmer.

Use a hot water bottle

Rather than spending money on using your electric blanket, boil the kettle and fill up a hot water bottle instead. It won’t cost you as much, and it’ll feel just as wonderful tucked up in bed with it.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on keeping your home warm; stay cosy in other ways so that you won’t have to feel the shock of an expensive gas bill this winter.
 

High End Wishlist

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eye Palette £39.50 (Debenhams) | Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow £15 (Cult Beauty) | Lime Crime Lipstick £12.50 (Cutecosmetics) | Nars Adult Content Blush Palette £30

If you are a regular reader you will know that I am more highstreet than highend. Probably due to circumstance more than choice, but luckily there are some great products available on the highstreet.

Everyone deserves a treat now and then so I am going to treat myself to something nice. I am torn between these products, but I think the Nars palette may win as I don't own too many blushes.

I am absolutely in love with the Too Faced palette, but I have eyeshadow palettes coming out of my ears.

Have you tried any of these products?

Gem x

Disneyland Paris January 2014

On the 6th of January I was extremely lucky to spend the week in my favorite place on earth; Disneyland. I had such a great trip and actually, if it wasn't for this blog I doubt I would have been able to go. 

If you are a regular reader, you may remember that in the Summer I won Money Supermarkets Beauty and The Beach competition. I was super lucky and won £1500. Well, some of that money I used for this trip and I am so glad I did as my family and I had a fantastic time.

I thought I would share some of my pictures with you, I know I love to see things like this. We went to Disneyland Paris and stayed at the Santa Fe. It was the end of the Christmas Season but we were lucky that the Christmas decorations were still up. It just feels more magical with the decorations, personally I think they should keep them all year round!

Enough rambling, here are some pictures:

Review and Demo Pics: L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara

I love a good mascara and I must admit I bought into the hype of L'Oreal Miss Manga. I had seen the advert on TV and some blogs reviewing and  raving about it. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it so went out and bought it right away.

I must say I am a little disappointed by Miss Manga. Its not a terrible mascara by any means but it just doesn't work for my eyelashes. It seems to clump them together and there is no separation at all. It does give some length and volume, but the over all clumpy-ness ruins it for me.

The pictures speak for themselves really. My lashes look all clumped together and I really don't like the effect. unfortunately it wasn't a hit for me, but its not to say it wouldn't work for you!

Have you tried Miss Manga?

Gem x

Guest Post* | Fashion or Function

Fashion or Function?

When it comes to footwear we usually have to make a choice: fashion or function? High heels have long been our friend and our enemy, settling their stiletto-skinny points on that thin line between love and hate. We all want to inject a bit of glamour into a night out and heels have long been the obvious choice for making an outfit scream 'Wow'! That is until it's 3am and you're waiting for a kebab with your heels in your handbag.

When it comes to function, we all want footwear that is comfortable and wearable. Trainers, flip-flops, your 10 year old pair of boots and the ballerina pumps that are more Billy Elliot's dad down the coal mines than The Royal Ballet all take pride of place in your shoe rack. We're all screaming for a shoe that brings fashion and function together without us having to traipse round the high street, rummaging and trying on endless amounts of footwear. We simply want something that will look fabulous and fit well.

FitFlop's ethos lies in making shoes that are scientifically and technologically flawless, achieving a great fit for everyone. But haven't we heard this all before? Many other shoe brands have guaranteed us ergonomic perfection only for us to find out it's all a big marketing ploy. FitFlop are changing the way shoes work. The company's creators include an entrepreneurial mum and two biomechanists. We all know how hard mums' feet work so we're taking this lady's word for gospel! With two scientists on the team, it seems that FitFlop may have designed what we've all been waiting for.

Over the last 6 years, the company have grown stronger, developing their ranges for both men and women. There is a lot on offer with all different types of shoes, designs, materials and sizes. With beautiful designs and a fit Cinderella would be jealous of, FitFlop is succeeding in stamping its mark on the footwear market. Their website boasts of amazing testimonials from their customers, with love and happiness screaming from the reviews. It seems FitFlop have finally won the fashion/function war!

FitFlop shoes can be found in a range of shops in the United Kingdom, as well as internationally. They also have a great online shop where you can browse their designs and search for your nearest outlet.

Avon Ultra Colour Lipstick in Red 2000

I received this lipstick as part of a Christmas gift. I regularly order from Avon but have never tried any of their lipsticks.

It's from the Ultra Colour range and I absolutely love it. The colour is the perfect red for my complexion and its really moisturizing and comfortable on the lips.

When used over the top of a lip liner, the lasting power is great. I just used a £1 MUA lip liner: It does the job and is a great match in terms of colour.

I used to stay away from reds as I didn't think they suited me, but this lipstick has totally changed my mind. Its all about finding the right shade of red for you. I am really excited about the MAC Viva Glam Rihanna now, to me it looks quite similar to this colour.

Whats your favorite red lipstick?

Gem x