MINI CHRISTMAS LUSH HAUL

I always get extremely excited about The Lush Christmas Range, more so about the shower gel's than the bath bombs just because I shower a lot more than I bath generally I stick to what I know and just get a large Snow Fairy, so this year I decided I would get a little adventurous and try something new.

The first thing that caught my eye was the So White bath bomb, it was the only neutral coloured item in the collection, when I smelt it I instantly knew I had to have it, it has an apple scent which is really delicate, crisp and refreshing and I cant wait to use it and have my bathroom smelling of this almost edible scent.

 When the associate told me the same scent was also in a shower gel I got so excited I think I was more excited about this than I was about Snow Fairy this year. 

I keep forgetting to use it though so I finally remembered this morning and it is actually amazing I think So White is my new found favourite shower gel from the lush range. It left my skin smelling of the delicious apple scent as well as the bathroom I can't get enough I will be repurchasing before they sell out so i don't run out and regret it.

The next thing I got was the Snow Angel bath melt it smells delicious as well, it reminded me of marzipan or Amaretto it has a yummy almond scent and I'm so tempted to take a bite to see if it tastes as good as it smells. 

Like I said previously I'm more into showers but I feel like when I do bath as its getting colder I may as well go all out and use a bath bomb and a bath melt to make the experience that much nicer. 

I picked up the Snow Angel and instantly it started melting and felt so moisturising and I loved the shimmer it left behind, you can never go wrong with a little shimmer during the festive period.

  

I couldn't leave without getting my hands on a bottle of Snow Fairy, Its probably one of those items all Lush fans wish wasn't just limited to Christmas. Every time I smell it I have to remind myself it isn't edible, it smells good enough to eat. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to sweeten up their showers a little this Christmas.

   

Lastly I got the Dirty Springwash which wasn't part of the christmas range.

This shower gel had a spearmint scent to it, which leaves you feeling minty fresh after using it, and I love it because its amazing for when you have a cold and really clears your nose right up and it also really good for headaches.

Lush as a whole has an extremely overpowering scent so thats why I tend to go more for the shower gels, I feel like they are a lot cleaner to handle and as much as I love lush I generally get sidetracked my everything so when I go there I plan to just get shower gels and leave which almost never happens but it doesn't hurt to try.  

What are your favourite Lush products and what will you be treating yourself to this Christmas?

Until next time xx

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ILLAMASQUA RICH LIQUID FOUNDATION REVIEW

For ages I have been trying to find a foundation that was full coverage but didn't look too heavy once applied and it's safe to say I've found it.!
Illamasqua's Rich Liquid foundation is absolutely amazing just like it stated in the name it is Rich in pigment, texture and moisture and since finding this product I use it religiously, I am so hooked I refuse to let it run out and always have two and three spares in my make up collection.

Like everyone I have imperfections that I want covered and I have tried several different brands but couldn't find a product with the desired coverage and the perfect finish I wanted all in one product until I came across Illamasqua one day I was at a photo shoot. The make up artist was using Illamasqua on the models so I tried a bit of the foundation on my tattoo I have on my wrist, thats generally where I test my foundation to see how pigmented they actually are, I took the smallest amount thinking it would only cover a section of the tattoo and it covered the whole thing. You couldn't even tell I had a tattoo to begin with and from that moment I was sold. I searched for an Illamasqua store and went the following day to get colour matched and I haven't looked back ever since.

I have tried several foundations and this one has to be the fullest coverage foundation I have come across, it has a creamy paste like consistency, from my experience using it I have found that if I apply a pea sized amount on the back of my hand and warm it up slightly I end up using less but still get that perfectly defined coverage. I generally use my fingers once its warm to get it on and then blend it in with a Real Techniques stippling brush and when I'm done a still have a reasonable amount left over.
In the photo above I have done a swatch of both the colours I have and I took the smallest blob of each. I used this wrist because I have pigmentation and I wanted to show you just how good the coverage is.
In the photo below I blended the two colours together and as you can see the pigmentation is totally covered you wouldn't even know it's there

The foundation comes in transparent plastic packaging that helps you see when you're about to run out which I love, it has a tiny nozzle, which makes it easy to use you don't squeeze out too much and it's more hygienic compared to other foundations that open fully and it comes with a black screw on lid which keeps the nozzle clean and it helps you to stand the foundation up nozzle downwards so you don't need to shake the foundation before use its ready to squeeze.  

The finish is semi-matte which is perfect for all skin types and because it is so moisturising you don't need to worry about you're skin drying out like you would with other full coverage foundations I have tried in the past.

I recommend this foundation to everyone because it literally comes in every shade and if they can't find your shade they show you how to mix to find your perfect shade, which is what they did for me because my shade was sold old because it is such a popular colour this is why I have two shades pictured above at the time when I was colour matched they were out of stock of my colour so I got matched with two shades and I stuck with it, mostly due to the fact that during the winter I'm lighter so I use more of the light shade than the darker one, and then in the summer I'm obviously darker so I vary it according to the seasons.

For those who are a little weary of the full coverage foundations I will be doing a review of the Light Liquid Foundation very soon.
Thanks for reading, let me know if you've tried any of the Illamasqua foundations and what you think of them...

Until next time xx

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THE LIEBSTER AWARD

 I was nominated to do the Liebster Award by Grace make sure to check out her blog.

The Rules 

Mention the person who nominated you with a link to their blog.

Post eleven facts about yourself

Answer the eleven questions provided by the blogger who nominated you

choose five to eleven blogs to nominate and link them in the post

create eleven of your own questions for them to answer

Let the bloggers know you have nominated them - No tag backs

Nominate blogs with under 200 followers

 now we've got that out of the way lets get started.

Eleven facts about me:

1.When I was little I wanted to be a figure skater, mostly because they were so graceful and elegant and I was really awkward and clumsy and tripped over my own feet.

2. If I could I would eat nutella with every meal.

3. If it were up to me i'd stay in bed all day watching youtube videos.

4. I spend money quicker than I earn it, I then regret my purchases and start thinking of things that are wrong with it and why I shouldn't keep it.

5. Clueless is my all time favourite movie I can watch it over and over again.

6. I love smell of coffee way more than I like the taste.

7. I love winter because I get to wear knitted jumpers and cardigans, snuggle up under a duvet and drink tea while watching movies.

8. I either want a Pomeranian or a french bulldog.

9. If I had to eat one thing for the rest of my life it would have to be chips.

10. I'm probably still just as clumsy as I was when I was little but I just hide it better now.

11. I can never just watch one episode of a Tv show I have to watch it all.  

Grace's Questions:

1. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I would be a Giraffe because their amazingly tall and I was just as awkward as a Giraffe baby when I was small.

2. Sweet or Savoury?

Definitely savoury, you can eat as much as you like without feeling like your teeth are going to fall out.

3. What inspired you to start blogging?

I've always read other peoples blogs and watched youtube channels and it's been something i've wanted to do for a while but I never got round to it until now.

4. What drives you to carry on blogging?

Blogging gives me an excuse to do what I love, shopping and eating and I also get to document it which makes it even more enjoyable and the face that others enjoy reading about it is what drives me to continue.

5. Favourite place in the world?

Cape Town, Id love to live there, it would be amazing.

6. Do you have a nickname?

My friends call me Angie or Ang and relatives call me Leens or Lena.

7. what is your favourite animal?

A Giraffe Just incase you didn't know.

8. Flats or heels?

Flats, heels are so much effort and as much as they make your legs look longer mine are already long so I'm good. 

9. Favourite bloggers? 

Essie Button, Paledivision and Angelica Blick

10. What are your pet peeves?

People who have body odour in the winter, how is that even humanly possible its cold outside!

11. What makes you smile? 

When I have an amazing meal after being hungry for so long.

I nominate Only the brave blog, Paisley-may says, Kate Elizabeth, Not your average style blog, Charlie-Rhianne, Peppermint and Panda Eyes, Bethany's Bling , Too Primadonna For you and Isabelmary. 

My Questions are:

1. What is your favourite season?

2. Tea or Coffee?

3. If you could travel anywhere in the would where would you go?

4. Favourite song right now?

5. Mornings or Nights?

7. What is your favourite meal of the day?

8. Favourite blogger?

9. What made you start blogging?

10. What is your biggest fear?

11. If you were stuck on a desert island and could only bring three things what would they be?

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you think and if you've been nominated in the comments below.

xx

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BONE DADDIES RAMEN BAR

Bone Daddies is without a doubt my first choice for ramen, it's actually my only choice lol, mostly because it's so good, usually I'd opt for ramen when I'm ill or extremely cold but with Bone Daddies you're going for ramen and it's so worth it.
We went on a Tuesday night after work and I assumed it would be quiet because usually theres a queue outside but I was wrong. We queued for about 25 minutes before getting a table but to be honest even though 10 of those 25 minutes were outside in the cold it was well worth it, they had a shelter from the rain which was well appreciated, the weather was disgusting.

To drink I went for the soft cocktail, which was watermelon, apple calpico and lime and it was so good, I do love watermelon so when its cold and out of season drinking it rather than eating it is just as good to me.

The first few times I went I stuck to the same thing because I enjoyed it that much, I'd get the Tantanmen, which is a sesame based chicken bone broth with chilli, pork mince and bok choy but this time round I thought I would try something different and went for the Tonkotsu Ramen, this one is a creamy 20 hour pork bone broth with spring onions, chashu pork and of course both came with an egg you cant have ramen without eggs.

As a side I got the soft shell crab which comes with a green chilli, lime and ginger sauce. OH EM GEE! This is literally the best thing I have ever tasted, the crab legs are crispy but as you bite into the flesh its so soft and juicy and the sauce is delicious and by the time I'm done with the crab I want to eat the rest of the sauce just so the goodness doesn't go to waist. As you can probably tell I'm a real foodie I love love my food and I'm a grumpy little so and so when I'm not fed my life motto is keep me fed keep me smiling!

Ive also heard that Bone daddies do an amazing black sesame soft serve ice cream but I'm never there when they have it on the menu, the last two times I've been they had the ginger biscuit ice cream, which I really want to try but I was way to full to attempt it.
Next time you're in Soho and feeling hungry give Bone Daddies a go, it's reasonably priced and extremely tasty.

Until next time xx

MAKEUP BAG ESSENTIALS

After doing my make up each morning I always need a few items through out the day to maintain that fresh faced look firstly I always have: 

1. MAC Studio finish skin corrector pallet in the shades Light peach and Deep brown because you never really know what's going to happen through out the day so this corrector pallet is good for those mini breakouts you may get I like that there is 2 shades for mixing my own colour and it covers everything in an instant.  
   
   
2. Studio fix powder plus foundation in shade C8 just to get rid of the shine I tend to get through out the day, it generally happens on warmer days but there are times at work when the lights are beaming on me and I end up becoming shiny a lot quicker than usual so this powder stops that.  
   
   
3. Clarins instant light natural lip perfecter in shade 01 rose shimmer some days I don't feel like putting much on my lips and just opt for my clarins lip perfecter because it has a little colour and just the right amount of shine to give me that slight nude lip look, it smells amazing too its almost like a sweet buttery smell and I always want to lick my lips when I wear it. The one I have pictured are the mini ones that come in their christmas gift sets, I did want to put the big one in there but I conveniently misplaced it after using it last night.
   
   
4. Estee Lauder Double Wear Mascara again another miniature I was given this mascara to try while buying a few of the Estee Lauder eyeshadows and I keep it in my make up bag because I don't always remember to do my lashes while doing my make up, so when I have those days I just use this one which might I say is pretty good, it lengthens my lashes and it doesn't clump or flake which I love.
   
   
5. Illamasqua Matte Lipstick in Encounter which is always in my make up bag due to me having to wear a red lipstick at work, it's one of those lipsticks that you can wear on a daily basis because it doesn't dry out your lips like others I have tried.
   
   
6. Mac Amplified Creme Lipstick in Fast Play has become my favourite, its for those cheat days at work when I don't want to wear red but still want to have a colour on my lips, when I first brought this lipstick I actually went out to buy a red but while looking I saw this colour and tried it on and I never looked back.
   
   
7. Neutrogena 6 Hour Protection Balm is a product I've only recently started using again, as its getting colder my lips tend to be the first place to suffer and this balm is amazing it keeps my lips moisturised and stops them cracking, its also amazing put under matte lipstick as is just keeps your lips hydrated and soft without the need to re-apply.
   
   
8. Carmex vanilla is probably my favourite carmex flavour, its safe to say I've tried them all and I don't no if its because I'm such a big fan of everything vanilla but I just love how this smells and feels on my lips and I especially like that when I haven't had anything on my lips for a while and I put carmex on them it slightly tingles. It is also one of those items that I loose on a daily basis or I'll take it to work with me and leave it there and have to buy another one. What are your makeup bag essentials?  

Until next time xx

ASOS WINTER WISHLIST

1. Native Rose Kimono Coatigan in Brushed KnitI've been seeing loads of longline cardigans lately and I'm absolutely loving them, this kimono one caught my eye because of the print it looks so casually cute and you can wear it with anything from a crop top and high waisted jeans to leggings and a tee. priced at £72 its a little steep but its one of those items i'd live in over the winter period.

2. Vero Moda Mesh Insert Hem Dress Work requires I wear all black all the time and for ages I've been looking for a black midi body-con dress with long sleeves, but up to now I haven't found the appropriate one. So this Vero Moda dress will have to do until I find exactly what i'm looking for. Its not quite midi but what made me want it was the mesh inserts it just made it look less basic. This dress is £35 which I think is a pretty good investment for a LBD (Little black dress).

       

3. ASOS Debutant Full Midi Dress  Another LBD, my theory is you can never have enough black dresses in your wardrobe. This one is a Midi skater style dress, which I Love it's tight and fitted in the top but looser at the waist and is a classic item that can be worn to a last minute event that you haven't planned, this dress will make it look like you've made more effort than you actually have which is always a good thing. This dress is £42 and well worth every penny.

4. ASOS Coat with Waterfall Front in Brushed Wool Recently, I've seen a lot of coats in this style but up to now i've not seen one in this colour. They have a camel coloured one at Zara and a Black one in the same style in Bershka, but the grey is amazing. As much as I'm a fan of the camel colour this season I feel grey is more me and it will go with absolutely everything I own and it's a must have this winter.

5. Grafea Hari Backpack in Black I am a fan of backpacks, especially leather ones which this one is, i feel like you can never go wrong with a good backpack and it'll literally go with everything from casual to smart. This one is £180 which is a little on the pricy side for an ASOS product but baring in mind that it is a genuine leather item it will only get better with age.

6. Dr Martens Kensington Flora Burgundy Chelsea Boots I love chelsea boots, but when you get the cheaper ones the heels always wear out and and you have to get them reheeled and that ends up costing you so much money so why not get a paid or Dr Martens chelsea boots the soles literally last forever. I've got a pair of classic Dr Martens and I'm sure I've had them for over 3 years and they look like they haven't touched a pavement their the best boots ever so i NEED these chelsea boots just for that reason.

 

7. ASOS Longline Cardigan with Mohair Last but certainly not least, I couldn't end the wishlist with out throwing in a camel coloured long line cardigan, i'd literally wear it as pictured with some jeans and converses and it will keep me warm on these extremely cold days were having. 

I could literally go on and on, ASOS is one of those sites that have me hooked they have everything in one place. What are you liking from the list?

Until next time xx