My Top Lipsticks & Lipglosses

Hi and welcome back to my blog!

This week I've decided to do something a little on trend recently with my blog and that is another favourites post! This time I have picked out my current top 10 favourite lip products.

So if you too like me love a good lipgloss, lipstick, lipstain or lipbalm than read on :)

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula LipBalm - This is my favourite lipbalm of all time. I try others but always seem to draw back to this one. It gives a lovely smooth clear layer on the lips and my lips always feel super soft after using this. It's a steal at £1.99 also!

Mac Lipstick Cremesheen in Sunny Seoul - This has got to be my favourite Mac shade of all time. I only actually got this in 2014 but it has quickly become a favourite. It gives a gorgeous pinky finish with a hint of peach tones. I would say the shade is more suited for Spring/Summer time but honestly I wear it all year round.

Mac Lipstick Chemesheen in Modesty - This is the perfect brown/nude shade from Mac and I believe is their most sold shade (this could have changed now though). Like all Mac lipsticks it gives a gorgeous and highly pigmented finish and as this is such a universal shade it suits all skin tones! :)

Avon Long Lasting Lipstick in Vintage Pink - I tried this lipstick as a test for our wedding in 2013. I wanted something that would last all day and would give a lovely natural rosy finish. I love the shade of this lipstick and it does last a good few hours without having to be reapplied. My only issue with it is that it can be a little drying if you're using it day after day so I would use it every other day if you were keen on the shade.

Dior Addict Lipstick in Beige Perfection -This is a gorgeous shade, its a mix of beige and pink with a slight shimmer. I love wearing this for big nights out. If I could buy any lipstick for the rest of my life I think this would be the one I would choose. Plus the packaging is just gorgeous!

Mac Lipgloss Lustreglass Morning Glory - This is a lovely lipgloss from Mac. The shade is a clear pinky finish with lots of glitter and shimmer. It's gorgeous to pair with your favourite lipstick for nights out. My only issue with it is that it can be a little sticky, but honestly I love the finish so it wouldn't stop me from wearing it :)

NYX Lipgloss in Tiramisu - This one is a lovely brown/nude shade and is perfect for everyday wear. It also smells gorgeous so every time you put it on it feels like a treat. I love the smooth texture of this product, it glides on without being sticky which is great for those windy days!

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in Reflect -This is a lovely deep pink/red shade that I find it perfect for the cooler months, especially around Christmas. Like all Dior lipsticks and glosses it has a smooth and soft finish while providing the perfect full colour, lovely!

Tanya Burr Lipgloss in Aurora - Tanya has created this gorgeous pink shade that is perfect for everyday wear. The gloss is smooth and non sticky and it smells like candy. Do I need to say more? ;)

Barry M Lipgloss in Shade 2 -Similar to the Tanya Burr, this is a non sticky formula but in a gorgeous everyday nude shade. I love the fact that this has no shimmer to it so it just gives a lovely gloss of colour to your lips without being too much. It also smells of chocolate... that's just an amazing bonus! :)

I hope you enjoyed this week's post, what are your current favourite lip products?

Thanks for reading!
Jess xox

November Mini Haul with Reviews

So it's that time again, monthly haul time! I'm not sure how many more of these I'll have so this month I did treat myself to some goodies.

Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover - This stuff is magic, just leave it on your cuticles for a minute or two and just like that your cuticles are gone! This stuff is £3.50 and as you only use a small potion at a time it's something that will last you a long time. I love using this as an extra step when doing my nails, I feel as if I've had a proper pamper treat.

Essie Nail Polish in After Sex - Excuse the name of this nail polish but this colour is gorgeous. It's a stunning red with a strong festive feel. I love Essie nail polishes as they always last well on my nails and they're so easy to apply. Just please Essie, can you reduce the price? £7.99 for a nail polish is quite steep (I just tell myself as I do my own nails I'm saving on manicures, haha!).

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lip Colour in Nude-ist - Now where do I start with this. This looks like a lipgloss but it's finish is more of a lipstick but acts as a lip stain. Confused? Yes, me too! It is the most amazing lip product I've tried all year. You put it on in the morning and even by late afternoon it will stay on my lips, through drinks and food too! The colour is a gorgeous brown/nude shade that has a hint of red - lovely for this time of year but also throughout the year too. I must buy more of these, they are simply beautiful and so long lasting without being too drying! A new favourite product!!

Zoella Soap Opera Bath Soak & Shower Cream - Well if you know me you will know that I love watching my YouTubers, one being Zoella. She is a beautiful, confident young lady who started her YouTube channel as a hobby but has made it into her career. She has now launched her own beauty range as well as bringing out a book and all at the age of 24! Yes, she is wonder woman! Now, I wasn't sure if the Bath Soak would live up to my high expectations but amazingly it did, it's got a gorgeous clean and fresh scent and a little goes a long way. I also love the packaging of the product, one I'll be happy to show off in the bathroom for other beauty fans to appreciate. All in all, lovely product, and I'm so proud to see how far this lady has come. I may not know her personally but I think it's incredible on the things she has done and at such a young age! Zoella you're a great inspiration for all ladies and young ladies out there, be proud!

Mac Lipstick in Cremesheen Hot Gossip - Yes I visited the Mac counter again... This time after doing my favourite Mac lipsticks blog post I realised how little colours I had that were deep and darker shades for the colder months. I went out to try and find two shades that were slightly out of my comfort zone so I could wear them this Autumn and Winter. I decided on two shades, Hot Gossip and New York Apple. Hot Gossip is a gorgeous deep purple/pink shade that would suit all year round, but especially in the cooler months. I've been wearing this to work, around the house (as a treat), as well as just out and about. It's just an all-round lipstick you can wear for any occasion.

Mac Lipstick in Frost New York Apple - This shade is a lot more daring for me. It's a deep red shade with a strong frosty shimmer. Simply put it's very festive and matches the Essie nail polish I bought perfectly. This is a very buildable colour that you can have just one application of it for a subtle finish, or go all out and build it up to a full blown deep red lipstick, lovely!

Tanya Burr Everyday Flutter Lashes - Tanya is another YouTuber that has launched her own beauty range, I have already tried her lipglosses but as of recently she has also launched some false lashes. I don't usually wear false lashes but thought I would give the Everyday Flutter lashes a go as the finish looked gorgeous and very wearable for the everyday (even though I would still only wear them for special occassions). These are gorgeous, so easy to apply and lightweight so you can barely tell you're wearing them. The finish they give is so natural I just feel as if I'm a different person having these on. I will definitly be getting some more of these at some point, love love love!! :)

So that is it for this month's haul, short and sweet but with a few extra special goodies.

Did you ladies get yourself anything special this month? Is there anything you think I should try myself? :)

Thanks again for reading!
Jess xox

My Favourite Autumn Nailpolish's

So this week I thought I would carry on with the Autumn theme and show you my favourite Autumn nail polishes. This post was actually requested by Joanne, so thank you Joanne!

Now I have a fair few nail polishes to say the least, I have always enjoyed doing my nails and picking out the new shades on the high street. To keep this post from being too long I've picked my top 10 autumn nail polishes.

Avon Gel Finish Polish in Mauvelous - This is a recent addition, the colour glides on so easily and is highly pigmented so you can get away with only one coat.

Barry M Nail Paint in Berry Cosmo - I love the deep purple shade of this polish. Barry M polishes are brilliant as they have great consistency and the brushes make it easy to paint your nails.

Barry M Nail Paint in Raspberry - This is a gorgeous light red/purple shade. Perfect for the cooler, dark evenings in Autumn.

Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in Pomegrante - This is a more vibrant red, defiantly one to pick if you're after getting your hands noticed.

Barry M Nail Paint in Red Glitter - This is my favourite nail polish for Christmas, it's sharp red shade and glitter sums up the season perfectly.

Barry M Matte Nail Paint in Crush- I bought this shade thinking it would be a little more red than brown, but have been surprised with the outcome. It's a deep brown shade but the matte finish gives it a real classic finish, lovely! :)

No 7 Stay Perfect Polish in Damson Dream - I bought this nail polish years ago but around this time of year I love to get it out and show the world it's glory. It's a beautiful deep, red shade with a slight shimmer too.

Models Own Polish in Bettlejuice Purple Blue - This is a daring polish, it's a little funky as it changes colour in the light. It has hints of green, blue and purple making your eyes always take a peak at your nails. I love wearing this one for nights out.

Maxfactor Nail Polish in Fantasy Fire - This is a slightly brighter shade for Autumn, a light purple. I love that this too has flecks of other shades that shine through. My only problem with the polish is the brush, it's just too small making it time consuming to apply.

Barry M Nail Paint in Bright Purple - Another slightly brighter shade for Autumn, but this time a darker purple. Lovely for a bit of a brighter shade this time of year.

Here are some little swatches of each shade so you can get a good idea on what the colours are like on :)

I hope you enjoyed my post, do you have any Autumn favourites?

Jess xox

October Haul with Reviews

I'm a little later than usual posting this but I wanted to have a proper view of all products before posting.

I have quite a mix of goodies this time and a lot of them are from my little cheeky Avon order :)

To mark the change in seasons I have bought a couple of Autumn/Winter treats in this haul also. I hope you enjoy!

Primark Cinnamon and Maple Candle
This little treasure was 80p in Primark. Thinking it may not be any good I only bought one but after about 3/4 hours of burning it I'm not even half way through. It smells amazing too, very Christmassy but not too overpowering either. If you like warm and spicy candles this is one to try out! I'm definitely going to be picking up another!

Avon Luck Parfam for Her
This perfume is just gorgeous. I'm not very good with explaining scents but the smell reminds me of a warm Summer's evening. It's a classic and classy scent, but with a cheeky uplifting hint also. A pre-warning though - this smell is highly addictive! I could sniff it all day long. The only negative part of this perfume is that it's hard to smell past about 5 hours of wear. It's great for evenings out but if you're hoping for an all day perfume I suggest topping up around lunchtime. With this perfume I also got some freebies thrown in, both the body spray and the moisturiser. I haven't yet used either, but I'm sure as per their usual sprays and creams they will impress me :)

Body Shop Body Sorbet Moisturiser in Satsuma
I heard about this product through Essie Button's vlogs and thought it sounded so lovely and refreshing that I would give it a try. I usually don't buy too much from the Body Shop as I tend to think it's a little overpriced, but this little baby was only £3 (on offer at the time). I love the scent of this product, it's very light and fresh, yet it's not too strong after it has dried. The product itself I'm not overly keen on, first of all the texture of the product and the colouring makes it look better suited as a shower gel than a moisturiser, and when you apply the product it tends to take a lot of working into the skin to avoid looking like you just wiped fresh fruit over your skin. It's a real shame but due to this I wouldn't be buying this one again, it was nice to try something new and something from the Body Shop but this one just didn't cut it for me.

Avon Gel Finish Nail Polish in Mauvelous
I haven't bought a nail polish from Avon for some time now but looking at this shade online it just looked too gorgeous to miss. It's the perfect Autumn shade, brown with a hint of red. The formula of this polish also allows it to glide on the nail perfectly and the gel finish has seemed to live up to it's name. 3 days without a top coat and not one chip so far! I would definitely recommend these! Such a good little polish, oh and the brush is the perfect size too - means only a couple of strokes and the nail is covered. 

Bourjois Shine Lipstick, Number 26
I picked up this little number as I wanted a nice nude with a small touch of shimmer to give a glossy effect. After many, many swatches in Boots (and about 20 minutes of my time) I managed to find it. Number 26! It was a little pricey, at £6.99 but compared to other lipsticks with similar staying power it was reasonable. I love the shade of this one, it's the perfect everyday, all year round shade and it just gives your lips that touch of colour and shimmer without being obvious. This I have worn pretty much the whole way through October :)

What did you ladies treat yourself to in October?

Jess xox

Day at the Spa with Josie

It's not too often we go to the Spa, but this has been a long time coming! In fact, this was Josie's first visit to a spa so was a pretty big deal! 

We went to the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton. They have a glorious ESPA spa there with a pool, sauna, steam and wet room facilities also. 

We got there around 10.30am in the morning to make the most of our girls day out. First of all we went for a dip in the pool. The pool and some parts of the hotel have recently been refurbished, it was gorgeous. The new sauna is a vision with beautiful tiling and much larger than the outdated sauna that was there previously.

After a good swim we had a little rest in the sauna (I dipped my legs in) and then grabbed a magazine and sat and read while the rest of the world went by.

Soon enough it was time for our lunch and we'd ordered some nice healthy lunches to match our day of relaxation and cleansing. I went for a brown bread roll with mature chedder and chunty, alongside a side salad (mmm!) and Josie went for a pork salad... equally as scrummy!

We then headed off for our treatments. I had a lovely neck and back massage, while Josie went for a facial. Both were super relaxing and honestly by the end of it we both felt as if we were floating on a cloud of tranquility.

After some final relaxation in the spa we headed out to the busy streets of Southampton. We finished off our girls day in the best form possible - Primark, Lush and Boots. Amazingly even with the busy crowds we still felt completely relaxed and at ease, swanning from store to store. We treated ourselves to some goodies and finished off our day with a nice long chat on our journey home.

It was a lovely day, one of which I hope to do again soon. Thanks for your lovely company as always Josie! :)

Jess xox

Autumn Lush Haul

It's my favourite time of the year, Autumn.. well close.. my favourite time is Christmas but as the nights are getting cooler and darker it reminds me of the festivities we have to come! :)

It also means that Lush have brought out there Halloween and Christmas range, much to my excitement! The first weekend it hit our shops I was there grabbing as much as my wallet would let me.

My choices so far:

Father Christmas Bath Bomb - This has the signature Lush Christmas scent of Snow Fairy (mmm!). It's a very sweet yet warming scent. I cannot wait to use this one!

Shoot for the Stars Bath Bomb - This one smells like a perfect warm winter's night. It's festive, yet spicy and not too sweet. This one is meant to create a little show when you pop it in the water! :)

Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar - How could I resist this bubble bar? It's glittery and smells divine! It's winter wrapped up in a lovely little bubble bar. I'm sure this will be a mess to clean up but I'm looking forward to the lovely glittery soak! :)

Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb - Now this is my all time favourite bath bomb from Lush. It's the perfect Christmas scent. It smells of cinnamon and warm winter spices.. ahh I wish I could have this all year round! I have a feeling I'm going to need to buy more of these! :)

(These next few are not from Lush's Seasonal range, but are a few of my favourites)
Twilight Bath Bomb - This was actually featured in my Lush Favourites, but yep here it is again! With a lavender and calming scent this one is always a part of my collection.

Comforter Bubble Bar - Another product that was in my Lush Favourites, this is very sweet smelling but lasts for several baths. I love how it turns the bath pink too!! :)

Brightside Bubble Bar - Oops, yet another that was in my favourites. This one is similar to the comforter but it's citrus smelling so is great to wake you up before a big day/night ahead.

You've Been Mangoed Bath Melt - This is the last one in my little haul. It's a bath melt, now I don't get these too often as they only last one bath but I love that this has such a strong citrus mango scent and it leaves your skin feeling like silk. This one is for when I want an extra treat for myself :)

So what are your favourite Lush products, will you be getting anything from their seasonal range?

Jess xox

Liz Earle Haul

It's that time of the year again where I stock up on my Liz Earle skincare. I have to buy replacement cleansers, etc about every 2-3 months depending on the size of the cleanser I get. This time I went for the monthly offer as it had my favourite body cream included complimentary.

Included in my Liz Earle October Offer is...

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser
Pack of 2 Muslin Clothes
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic
Liz Earle Moisturiser in Light (Combination/Oily Skin)
Liz Earle Botanical Body Cream

Not bad for £45 with free delivery. That leaves me covered now until Christmas :)

I love how these come packaged too - it always feels like I'm getting a little gift!

 Do you guys buy anything from Liz Earle and if so what are your favourites?

Jess xox

My MAC Lipstick Collection

I love Mac for their lipsticks and although pricey I tend to buy one every 6 months as a treat. These I've collected over years now and still I have plenty of wear left in each one.

So which one's have I decided are for me? Now I have a fair complexion so I'm careful about which shades I choose. With dark hair and pale skin I tend to favour and suit pink and brown shades.

Without further adue.. here is my Mac lipstick collection!!

Please Me in Matte - Gorgeous matte muted pink shade

Lovelorn in Lustre - Creamy in texture, light in colour - the perfect pink

Chatterbox in Amplified - Bright pink shade and is highly pigmented - great for nights out

Sunny Seoul in Cremesheen - My Summer favourite - pinky peach shade - perfect for everyday

Fabby in Frost - Great pink for the cooler months - hint of shimmer in there for the festive season

Modesty in Cremesheen - A must have lipstick - suits everyone and can be worn all year round

Peach Blossom in Cremesheen - Another great everyday lipstick but more of a peachy shade this time

I hope you enjoyed, have you any suggestions on which shade I should try next?

Jess xox

My Favourite Lush Products

Hello again!!

This week I've decided to show you my all time Lush favourites. 

From top left clockwise...

The Comforter - £4.75

This has quickly become one of my favourite bubble bars. A bubble bar you can crumble a little off and it will make your bath into a gorgeous bubble bath. This one also gives off a lovely pink shade and a sweet scent. I usually get about 4 uses out of these bars as I like to have a lot of bubbles. 

Brightside - £4.75

This one is again a bubble bar but has a citrus scent. This is perfect to help you get ready for a night out as it wakes you up while you soak in the tub. I'm loving this one as a great alternative to the Comforter.

Twilight - £3.35

This bathbomb is my absolute favourite at the moment. I have tried a few and I also like Sex Bomb but this I always go back to. It's a warming and relaxing lavender scent and it just makes you want to stay in your bath for hours and hours. It creates a little spa away from the dramas of everyday life in your bathroom - just perfect!

Soft Coeur - £4.95

This is a massage bar from Lush and is a sweet cocoa butter scent which leaves you smelling of chocolate after using it. It also leaves your skin silky smooth and a little goes a long way with this little fella. I've had this one for months now and I still have lots of wear left, so it's great value for money too!

I'm sure in time mine will change, but at the moment these are my go to products! :)

Anyway, what are your favourite Lush products?

Jess xox

25 Things I Love

Here for something a little different.. 25 things I love!

Now before I get started, I'm not going to list the obvious here, husband, family, pets, friends, etc. I'm going to list all those things I love that are to some people, just small everyday things...

1. Spas!! How could you not love a spa?!
2. Holidays, especially somewhere hot or the USA
3. Food.. yes.. food! The healthy and the not so healthy... yummy!!
4. Cocktails with my girls.. feels so SATC ;)
5. The first time you use a new lipstick/lipgloss - the smell, texture.. it's all in the experience (or is that just me?) ;)
6. Watching rubbish TV
7. My iPad mini, it's so cute and little. Great for watching YouTube too! :)
8. Getting my haircut.. I always feel so fancy after a haircut
9. Essie nail polish - who needs manicures when there is Essie!
10. Listening to the birds sing on a quiet Summer's day
11. All things classic.. cars, music, men (men with manners and well dressed), etc
12. Filling a bath full of Lush products...mmm :)
13. Fresh bedsheets
14. Cuddles & hugs
15. Baby animals!!!!
16. Smell of petrol, it reminds me of old cars
17. Seeing baby's smile - doesn't it just melt your heart?!
18. Winter evenings with the fire lit, mugs of hot chocolate, blankets and a candle lit... perfection!
19. Washing your face after a long day
20. Duvet days!!
21. Playing Sims on lazy days.. it's such a fab little game!
22. Afternoon tea
23. Going for a shopping spree online and then feeling like they're little presents when they arrive in the post :)
24. Most things in pink... I used to hate pink haha
25. Getting in your PJ's the second you get home - most days!! Haha

How about you guys, what are some of your favourite things?

Jess xox

July Haul with Reviews

Hello everyone & welcome back to my blog! :)

This week I thought I would share my latest beauty haul with you all.

I popped into Boots for a couple of items and came out with quite a few more... oops! (Liz Earle product was purchased online through the Liz Earle website though) :)

So without any delay... This month's beauty haul!

Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder in Shade 51
I bought this bronzing powder mainly down to the fact its known to smell like chocolate. I know, I know, me and my scents!! Anyway, it's lovely. Shade 51 is perfect for my skin tone (fair) as it leaves a lovely soft sun kissed glow rather than anything to heavy. Yes, it smells of chocolate too, such a good reason to purchase an item if you ask me. Also as Boots were offering 3 for 2 I got a couple of other items from Bourjois :)

Garnier Micellar Water Solution
I bought this as I'd run out of my L'Oreal Micellar Water and wanted to try another to compare the two. This seems to be a like for like and offers the same things as L'Oreal. The main difference I noticed was the price was far more competitive as the bottle is larger you get more for your money. If you're new to micellar solutions I would recommend giving this one a shot as it's so kind to your skin and helps make you feel that extra fresh in the mornings.

Real Techniques Foundation Face Brush
This brush works wonders! I have the standard foundation brush from Real Techniques but this is something else! I'm not sure if its how I'm using it but the standard foundation brush I can't get on with. It seems to leave streaks of foundation on my face and I'm left having to blend it by hand. With this brush I use a circular motion to blend my foundation into my skin and it works wonders! For £9.99 you really can't go wrong and its saving me getting my fingertips dirty, bonus!

Liz Earle Brightening Eye Lotion
I got this lotion as a 'freebie' from Liz Earle with my order. The formula is similar to the toner, kind to your skin, gentle on the eyes - no tears and a nice neutral scent. I use this when I feel that I need an extra boost in my morning routine to get my eyes looking more awake and ready for the day ahead. I can't say I've noticed a massive difference as yet, but it feels very refreshing on my eyes and feels as if it soothes them from any 'puffiness'. All in all, I'm happy with the product but I would probably repurchase using cheaper channels as I'm not sure it's worth the full RRP of  £10.75.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Shade 51
This foundation is amazing, its so dewy and blendable. It just works with your skin. My only flaw with this is I picked up the wrong shade and I think it's a tad off from my usual shade - but that is purely my error. It's a gorgeous formula and has a lovely fruity scent to it too which is a nice little extra when applying your makeup. I would say this is a more dewy option rather than my other foundations which I think is lovely for Summer and helping give you that 'healthy glow' as suggested by the name. Worth a try and I will definitely be repurchasing this one! :)

Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen in Black
This has been a new wonder product for me. It's made putting on my eyeliner so much easier and quicker in the mornings. It's a felt tip end that obviously if you left without the lid on, it would dry out. I have used this for a few weeks now and I can't see it feeling or looking any dryer so think this should last a while. I may be able to now do cat eyes too! Ah the excitement is all too much!!

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Shade Peach and the Beach
I got this lipstick as my freebie in the 3 for 2 offer in Boots. Unsure on what to expect I wasn't sure if I would like it or not but to my surprise the shade was gorgeous and it was really moisturizing. As it promised long wear I was expecting it to feel dry, but it was glossy and lasted well on my lips. It promises 10 hour wear, I would say it may do this if you don't eat but for me it came off as I ate. It did last well through drinks though and didn't transfer too much on my mug, bonus!

Miss Sporty Lasting Colour Nail Polish in Shade 4148
I saw this gorgeous pink nail polish and bought it to see if it would be a dupe for the Hot Pink Shellac I had done a year ago. I've taken a picture below to show the final finish with two coats. I would say the shellac is a tad darker and deeper in colour, but for a dupe this was perfect. It was only £2.99 too which is much better price! I think next time I may try 3 coats and see if the colour is a little closer, but yes gorgeous colour and finish, lasted pretty well and the brush was nice and thick which made applying the nail polish easy and precise.

Here is the outcome, to the left is this nailpolish and to the right is the shellac hot pink.What do you guys think?

I hope you enjoyed this month's beauty haul. Did you guys head to Boots also for their 3 for 1 deals?

As always, thanks for visiting! xox

What Games Do I Play?

Hi All,

I'm sorry it's been so long... things have been manic and I haven't had a chance to catch up on my blog posts. Don't worry, I haven't disappeared and now things have calmed down a little I can get back to doing the things I love, blogging!! :)

So for this post I thought I would do something a little different; What Games Do I Play?

Now I'm no way going to call myself a 'gamer' but I have always loved the playstation and apart for a few years ago, I have always been playing!

When I was younger my brother and I used to play the now retro Playstation 1 with Bugs Bunny, PacMan, Crash Bandicoot, Destruction Derby and Gran Turismo. My oh my how games have changed!

So, what do I play now I hear you ask... well here is a quick pic and list for you :)

GTA V - This is by far my favourite as it pretty much never leaves the playstation. I love the fact that its so interactive and that you can roam in an open world setting doing as you please, but also with the option of going into a story or mission.

My personal rating = 5/5

Lego Marvel Super Heroes - I have always loved the Lego playstation games, I've had Indiana Jones, Star Wars I, II & Sega and couldn't wait for the Marvel addition. As expected it hasn't let me down, there is so much attention to detail and its great fun to play, even for adults! I still haven't managed to finish this as it was a longer game than I first thought haha.

My personal rating = 4/5

South Park Stick of Truth - I love the detail made into making this game, its so much like the cartoon you get lost in an amazing world of being a South Park character. I have since sold this game due to two frustations... 1. You couldn't have a female South Park character (what?!) 2. The fighting was a little slow for me, a sort of everyone takes their own turn (I know there is a gaming name for this but I can't remember it haha!). I just like to be able to get on and in the action.

My personal rating = 2/5

Ridge Racer Unbounded - I love a good racing game and this is no different. My favourite part about this racing game in particular is that you can crash through objects and still keep going. The Destruction Derby inside of me loves it! Great for a bit of silly racing and fun. If you love crashing things and don't mind taking the racing part of it too seriously than this is worth looking into!

My personal rating = 3/5

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 - I have always loved playing Tekken. I haven't yet managed to learn any true moves, instead I'm a bit of a 'button masher' - sorry!! It's just great fun, especially with a group of friends. We had a gaming night with some close friends of ours and this was a big hit!

My personal rating = 4/5

Sleeping Dogs - My hubby bought be this as I'm a massive fan of GTA. This is basically GTA based in Hong Kong. It's more interactive on the fighting but its very similar. I still have to give this game some more of my time to get into it properly but first impressions were great - can't wait to give this another go!!

My personal rating = 4/5

Anyway I hope that you may have found this interesting, even if gaming isn't your sort of thing I always think it's interesting to see what crazy hobbies people have outside of blogging :)

Thanks for reading,
Jess xox

April Haul with Reviews

Hello again and welcome back to my blog!

This month I have left it a little later to post my haul so I can trial run all products for a little longer before giving you my thoughts and reviews.

This month I got a few new goodies and a couple of old favourites, lets get started!

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Shade Translucent
This is a repurchase for me, as I just love it. It's so cheap yet perfect to help set my makeup. As I have an oily t-zone I always carry this around with me, just to help me touch up any oily patches throughout the day. This is a great little powder and just does what it says on the erm.. tin? :-)

Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation
This was a brave new purchase for me as at the beginning of the year I tried two new foundations and neither worked well for me. I was nervous that this would be the same but after hearing good things I thought I would give it a go, plus being a highstreet brand the price was reasonable (£8.99). This foundation claims to be a lot of things, it claims to improve your skin as well as offer great coverage and longwear use. It also has SPF 20 in it, which for me is an extra bonus as I really wanted a foundation that would help protect my skin from the sun.

Now first is first, does it improve your skin? Well I have used it almost a month now and I haven't seen any improvement to my skin, but honestly I find it hard to believe that any makeup is good for your skin and it isn't the reason I purchased it.

Does it offer great coverage? Yes! It's fabulous at covering any redness and dark circles.

And most importantly does it stay put? Yes, it does! This is the most important for me as due to my oily areas. Most foundations move about on me, but this stays all day without the need of touching up!

All in all, I love it and I think this is now the foundation I will be using the most. In the Summer I may switch to my Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation or mix the two together - this will help make it a little lighter and breathable for those hot Summer days.

Sienna X Gradual Glowing Self Tan
I'm always nervous about self tanning products as I seem to mess them up and get streaks and/or get darker elbows and knees. Sienna X's Tanning range promises no streaks and an idiot free way to tan. I used this for about 2 weeks straight and not once did I get any streaks. I did at one point get darker elbows but that was my doing as I forgot to moisturise before applying the tan. It's a lovely scent too as it smells like sunscreen and reminds me of the holidays. The tan it provides is a gorgeous and a natural finish; not a nasty orange that a lot of the self tanning products give you. The only downside to this product is the price, it's £15.95 per bottle, but I can see as long as I use this for special occasions to take away to edge of my naturally pale skin this should last me some time. I will repurchase this, but I hope it will be a while until I need to!

Maybelline Falsies Volume Express Mascara
This is another repurchase for me as I love, love, love this mascara! It's so reasonable and it makes my eyelashes so much longer and fuller. If I had to pick one item to take with me when I'm away, this would be it! For £7.99 give it a try, you won't regret it!

Barry M Lipgloss in Shade No 2
This is the first Barry M lipgloss I've purchased but I must say it's lovely. It's non sticky formula is perfect and they all have scents which was a nice surprise. This one smells of chocolate (does it get any better?!) - I was in heaven!! The Shade No 2 is a light brown/pink nude that is perfect for everyday wear. As Summer is approaching I wanted a lipgloss that was minimal to match my minimal makeup - this is perfect. I'm looking forward to trying some of the other shades out soon (as well as their scents!!).

Gillette Venue Olay Refillable Razor & Razor Pack
I love this razor, there is no more need for shaving cream as the Olay Gel does this for you, plus it smells divine (think coco butter). I would say this is great value for money as a razor alone, but the refillables are quite pricey and unfortunately don't last long. I'm almost needing to replace mine after only using it 3 weeks. Still, its lovely to use, does its job as it offers a nice close shave and smells amazing. I will be buying this again, I don't see myself going back to ever using shaving cream and a standard razor now! :-)

What did you guys get this month?

Thanks again for reading!
Jess xox

My Skincare Routine

Hi again and thanks for visiting my blog!

This week I have decided to show you my current skincare routine (face only). I'm a big fan of Liz Earle products, so a lot of what I use is Liz Earle however I do use a few others. Anyway, lets get started!

My products on choice are currently...

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish
I love this cleanser, it's rich and moisturising and removes all traces of makeup, even tough waterproof mascaras. It's very gentle so it's good for most skin types. I have normal/combination skin with my t-zone being a little more oily than the rest of my face. I also love that after only a week of using this it left my face feeling silky smooth. I have been using it now for about a year and don't think I will be changing any time soon!

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic (Toner)
This is the toner that comes with the Liz Earle 3 Step Routine. I love the smell of this toner, its light and refreshing. I always feel that if I skip this step my face doesn't quite feel as refreshed as it does when I use it.

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser (Normal/Combination)
This moisturiser again comes with the 3 Step Routine, but I don't find it too oily for my skin. In the Summer I find it helps hydrate my skin perfectly and not leaving me with any oily patches, however in the Winter it can make it a little more oily - seems a bit backwards if you ask me! I think this Winter I may switch the lighter moisturiser from Liz Earle and see if this helps.

Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair
I got this little bad boy as a complimentary gift from Liz Earle and although I'm sure long term it helps my eyes its hard to see an instant improvement. I don't think it helps conceal my dark circles, but I do feel it helps hydrate the skin around my eyes. I like this but I don't think I will repurchase as I just like to see more results from my eye cream.

Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator
This exfoliator is amazing, it's so gentle to my skin and doesn't cause any breakouts after I use it. I tend to exfoliate once a week to help keep my skin smooth and clear. There is a subtle yet warming smell to this too because of the cocoa butter in it. I won't be moving away from this one for some time, defiantly a favourite!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
This I use if I have a breakout. It recommends to use it daily but I'm not usually prone to breakouts and so I use it as and when I have any problem areas. I bought this after seeing Ruth from A Model Recommends saying it was amazing and her go to product. I can't say I would say otherwise, it really does what it says on the tube! It helps clear any breakouts and I feel it just stops them in their tracks and reduces the swelling. If you haven't tried it I would say sign up to their website and you can get a free sample to see what I mean.

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask
This face mask from Lush contains blueberries to help soothe your skin and any blemishes. I use it as I find it so refreshing on my skin and it calms down any redness. I use this about once a week as a part of my weekly pamper ;-) You can buy this at any Lush store for £6.49, however as its made from fresh ingredients you need to make sure you use it within 3 weeks of purchase.

Decleor Paris Life Radiance Face Mask
I use this face mask if I'm feeling fancy and want that extra pick me up. It's very expensive but it always leaves my skin glowing as if I've just had a facial. I bought this as a little Christmas treat to myself after having it used on my face at my hen do about 6 months earlier. If you're looking to get yourself something a little special that will make your face glow I would defiantly recommend this. I use this about once a month.. in fact I think it's about time to use it again, whoopy! :-)

L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution
I use this cleanser if I'm in a rush and don't have time to do my 3 steps with my Liz Earle routine. It is very gentle and you can use it on your eyes as well as the rest of your face. It doesn't have any scent either and in fact I can see why everyone is raving about these 'water' like solutions. For something that feels like water, but removes all makeup and unlike toner doesn't dry out your skin! As you can see I've used quite a bit of this, and I will be buying another soon! At only £2.48 in Superdrug defiantly worth a try and much better for your skin than face wipes!

So that's my current routine, what do you guys use at home? Do you have any recommendations or anything you would like to me to try out and review?

Jess xox

25 Random Facts About Me

Hey all,

I  thought this week I would add a completely new post for you so you can know a little more about me, the lady behind the beauty addiction.

I've listed 25 facts about myself to give you an idea, some quite useful, some completely random.

I hope you enjoy!

1. I live in Hampshire - close to the New Forest & some small local beaches - I'm a lucky girl :-)
2. I'm 25, going on 30
3. I got married last year to the love of my life, Mike. He is my everything <3
4. I'm a cat person, but honestly I love dogs too
5. I'm a rocker and a bit of a metalhead (rawwwrrr! It's always the quiet ones!)
6. At school my nickname by my closest friends was 'Lipgloss Queen' as I had more lipglosses in my pencil case than pens.
7. My favourite years so far are, 2005 (traveled), 2010 (met my man) & 2013 (got married)
8. Although I'm girly, I have always been a bit of a tomboy. Having lots of guy friends, loving a lot of male dominated hobbies too...
9. Now I'm 25 I've realized that my Mum was right.. about everything!
10. My favourite concert was seeing Green Day at Milton Keynes in 2005 (close runners up are... Rage Against the Machine at Download Festival 2010 & The Prodigy tour 2010)
11. I take being called 'weird' as a compliment
12. I love all things 50's.. in fact I strongly believe I was born in the wrong era...
13. My favourite items in my wardrobe is my swing coat & rocker leather boots - odd combination!
14. I love to travel and see new places, but I tend to get homesick if I'm away too long - 2-4 weeks maximum I think!
15. I'm a busy bee, I can't keep still for too long!
16. I used to have a blog when I was 16, but can't find it online so started a new one
17. My go to drink is red wine or a good cocktail - depending on the occasion
18. I miss my popcorn scented gel pen from school - those were the days!
19. I love photography - it's a continuous lesson
20. I'm organised, everything needs a list!
21. iPhone vs Android... iPhone - sorry I love Apple! ;-)
22. I used to do a lot of dance and acting during school. I'd love to perform on stage in front of a big crowd.. even though I was quite shy at school.
23. My favourite holiday so far was New York. It's just an amazing city, full of amazing people!
24. I loveee my food but I don't eat any seafood.
25. I was in a rock band for about a month, but quit as I was too nervous to sing in front of anyone haha!

Thanks again for visiting my blog.

Let me know what you would like me to post about next time. I love to hear your ideas and what you would like to read about.

Jess xox

March Haul - Beauty & Otherwise (with Reviews)

Hi there lovelies!

I'm back with yet another haul... I'm sure you've figured by now I love my beauty finds! :)

This month I had a lot of items to buy and what a perfect excuse to show you my goodies and what I think so far.

Soap and Glory, Breakfast Body Scrub
I lovvveee Soap and Glory products (I have a few things from them this month!). This body scrub is amazing, not only is it kind to the skin yet removes those horrible dead skin cells, but it also smells heavenly. This one smells like cookies, sugary naughty cookies... and who doesn't want to smell like baked cookies while having silky, smooth skin?

Soap and Glory, Smoothie Star Body Milk
This is a body moisturiser and is lovely. Although the formula is a little more runny than I'm used to, it moisturises well and of course, smells divine. This scent has got to be my favourite out of all three. It's very sweet smelling, and to me smells like popcorn. I love the fact that the scent calms down when soaked into your skin but you still get a hint of it still on you - perfection for me, but this may not be to everyone's liking.

Soap and Glory, Sugar Crush Body Wash
I started to run low on my Sugar Fairy body wash from Lush and wanted something sweet but refreshing. I haven't used this one yet as waiting to use my Sugar Fairy up, but it smells amazing. It's scent is sharp and fruity yet with a slight sweet touch. I'm looking forward to using this one!

Soap and Glory, Righteous Butter Body Cream
Now this body cream I've been using for some time and I love it's refreshing scent. It's also got a thicker constancy than the milk (as the name would suggest), meaning it's better for very dry skin or to give your skin that extra boost of moisture :)

Loreal Elvive Fibrology Thickening Mask
I love this hair mask - I'd heard good things since it's launch this month (here in the UK) so just knew I wanted to pick it up. Plus Boots were having a 3 for 2 offer, it was just rude if I didn't ;-) This mask is not only great for dry ends, but it also helps your hair feel thicker. This made such an impression that even a good friend of mine noticed and made a comment, without me even saying I'd used anything different! Well worth an investment if you have thinner hair and at £5.09 it's a bargain (currently on sale in Boots at £2.54 too!)

GHD Straighteners (Version 4.2)
I'd sold my GHD's a couple of months ago as I didn't tend to use them but my hair has grown so much in the past few months that now I can see how useful they would be to have (sort out my hair's natural and messy curls at the ends - not cute!). I got these on eBay, but being jet black I thought they looked super sleek. As per usual GHD hasn't let me down - I love, love, love my GHD's! Never again will I betray you!!

NYX Blusher in Pinched
This blusher is a great dupe for Nars' Blusher in Orgasm. It's a gorgeous mix of peach and shimmer, perfect for Spring & Summer makeup looks. I've been using this daily since purchasing. It was also only £6.99, compared to the Nars version RRP £20.25.

Sleek 'Oh So Special' Eyeshadow Pallet
This eyeshadow pallet is stunning, the shades are beautiful romantic shades that are so pigmented  that even using the brushes in the pallet they glide on in one stroke. The only frustration I have is I'm getting a crease in my eyelids when using this eyeshadow. I'm going to try it with another eyeshadow primer and brush and see if this does the trick. At £7.99 a pallet and such a range of gorgeous pallet's they are, defiantly worth a look! :-)

Paper Chase Cupcake Journal with Pens
Now this is my one non-beauty or hair purchase for the haul. I love having a journal and I'm a bit of an an organize freak so when I saw this cute cupcake journal from Paper Chase I knew I couldn't leave without it. It's been a great place to write my thoughts, ideas for blogs as well as memento's from days out.

I hope you enjoyed this haul, let me know what you guys treated yourself to this month also. I would love to hear your recommendations!

Jess xox

Liebster Award

Hi Everyone,

I was nominated by the lovely and talented Dee Hickey for the Liebster Award, check out her blog here. Thanks Dee! :)

So, the trick is that I have to answer 11 questions about myself that Dee gave me. I then return the favour by nominating 11 bloggers & also giving them 11 questions to answer! Very exciting, so here we go... 

My Questions:

1. What is your favourite blog?
Goodness, this is a hard one to answer, I would say it would have to be Louise's SprinkleofGlitter. I love the fact that she mixes being a mum with beauty and fashion. I never get bored of reading her posts! :)

2. What is your favourite place you've visited?
Weirdly enough, I was thinking about this yesterday... honestly it's a tough one as I love to travel. I would say at the moment... for a city it would be New York, a beach holiday Cancun & a mixture of both and throwing in some culture, Barcelona. All amazing places, but I have so many more I want/need to see!!

3. If you could be somebody else, who would it be?
An astronaut, I love the idea of being able to see our planet & new worlds. See a theme here? Also, I have a strong interest in both Space and flying.

4. What is your best joke?
Hmm.. I'm not good with jokes... 

5. What is your party piece?
Heels, always heels! If I go to a party and I'm not in heels it just doesn't feel right haha!

6. Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter? and Why?
Summer, always. What is there not to like? Gorgeous weather, pretty clothes, happier people, going to the beach, holidays... the list is endless!

7. What brings you the most happiness?
Cuddles with my man, kitties & friends :) I'm a very cuddly person..

8. Whats your most used word or phrase?
Not sure on a phrase, but I know I add smileys to everything! :) ;)

9. Why did you choose your blog name?
Thought it sounded cool, plus couldn't see anyone else with it so the choice was pretty easy :)

10. Coke or Pepsi?
Coke, although I'm not sure why... 

11. Favourite ice-cream?
Ben & Jerry's Half Baked.. mmm.. It has cookie dough & brownie.. need I say more? ;)

I nominate:
SmallFishBigPond
LovelyGirlieBits
OfZoe
OhSoChicandFabulous
StephEllis  
TheBeautyLocker

Your Questions:

1. What are your top 5 must have makeup items?
2. What is your favourite film?
3. What made you want to start a blog?
4. Tea or Coffee?
5. What do you enjoy more, watching films or reading?
6. Do you dye your hair?
7. What is your happiest memory?
8. Where was your favourite holiday?
9. What is your favourite drugstore/highstreet makeup brand?
10. What is your favourite colour?
11. Music festivals or art shows?
 
Hope you have fun, thanks for reading! :)
Jess xx

February's Beauty Haul with Reviews 2014

Hi everyone,

I just want to say a quick thank you to those of you who are now following my blog! It's very exciting to see that there are some of you who enjoy reading my reviews and updates as much as I enjoy writing them. Anyway, enough touchy feely stuff.. onto my February haul and reviews!

In February I was trying to behave and not buy too much but I did get some exciting new products.

Loreal Paris Skin Perfection, 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution
This stuff is amazing. Now I still use my Liz Earle, but I wanted something that I could use if I'm feeling lazy and don't want to do my usual full routine but on the same token I don't want to use a face wipe. This stuff is so gentle and easy to use, it's like water but shifts all trace of my makeup in just one wipe. If you're looking for something as a quick fix for when you're not feeling yourself than this stuff is perfect.  The bonus is that's it's only £4.99!

Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique
Now this stuff has been a life saver, it's a little pricey but I only use a 20p size blob on my towel dried hair, focusing on the ends. After blow drying my hair the ends are no longer dry and tangled but instead I have what looks like salon, glossy hair. The one downside of the product is the smell, it's a strange mix between melon and mouldy fruit, not the nicest but thankfully this disappears after you dry your hair. I will defiantly be repurchasing this!

TIGI S Factor Flat Iron Shine Spray Heat Defender
I got this as I was running low on my current heat spray and after reading great reviews on this one I thought I would give it a try. On first impressions I wasn't sure of the packaging, for the price tag I think the packaging could be prettier but the results are great. I haven't had any new split ends since using this on my hair with my irons (quite unusual!) & the smell is amazing! It smells of strawberry sundae - almost an excuse to buy it anyway! I think it's safe to say that this one will be replacing the top spot for me on my heat protector - wahooo more mornings with gorgeous strawberry sprays!

Maybelline Anti-Age Instant Eraser
I thought it was time I tried a new concealer and I'd seen this one used on a makeup tutorial and thought it had great results. First things first, packaging - it's simple, small and cute looking, I love the little sponge on the top - it makes applying it so much nicer. I can't say I've noticed any scent in the product either, which I think is a plus, I'm never sure on makeup with scents. I think the results are very good too, but I don't think it will replace my love for the Collection 2000 concealer. I didn't like the fact that also I bought this in Ivory as I have a fair complexion, however this is a tad too dark for my skin tone. I would like to see more colours available for these concealers. All in all, worth a try but I don't think I will be repurchasing this one.

Thanks again for visiting my blog, and I will be posting more soon!
Jess x

My First Beauty Haul - January 2014 (with reviews!)

Firstly welcome to my blog, this is my first official blog post of hopefully many, many more.

As the New Year came in on 2014 I decided I would like to start a blog and to me this started with a traditional beauty haul.

Tanya Burr Lip gloss in Afternoon Tea
Of course, like many of us I follow Tanya's blog & YouTube channel so when Tanya announced her line of lip glosses & nail polishes I just had to get involved. I bought one of her lip glosses in shade, Afternoon Tea. The colour & formula is highly pigmented, it glides on perfectly without being sticky and tends to last well on the lips. My favourite thing about the formula is that when the lip gloss fades it does so slowly and quietly, looking beautiful to the very end. I will be purchasing many more soon!

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation
I wanted to try out a new foundation as I've stuck to my Maxfactor Lasting Performance foundation. I bought this Benefit foundation in shade Believe in Me, Ivory. I usually love Benefit products and as this had such great reviews of a promised weightless feel and flawless finish I couldn't wait to purchase it. On first applying it, the foundation looked great - great and consistent cover with a beautiful matt finish. Unfortunately after a few hours of wearing it the foundation started shifting on my face. I have combination skin, with an oily t-zone and it seems that this foundation just couldn't handle my t-zone. I ended up getting rid of it in the end as it just wouldn't suit my skin well. I would suggest using this foundation if you have dry or combination skin without any oily patches.

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm
These lip balms are amazing, I have these in a few shades but this time I bought it in Peach Kiss, it's a lovely neutral peach shade meaning it's the perfect everyday lip balm. I find these lip balms moisturising and so nourishing. If you haven't tried them, give them a go soon! I hope to get all the shades.

Benefit Naked 3 Pallet
I couldn't wait for this pallet, I have the Naked 1 pallet, missed the 2nd as I wasn't sure my skin tone would suit the cooler shades, however this one with it's pinker tones looked perfect. I must say this pallet has become a must have in my collection, it's pinker shades and tones suit my skin tone as well as my personality. The colours are so pigmented and blendable, if you haven't gone out to get this already make sure you do soon, it's defiantly worth the hype!

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge 
I wanted to try a blending sponge and almost bought the famous Beauty Blender, but I decided to go for the Real Techniques version after seeing great reviews on it. I love this sponge and although I can't compare it against the Beauty Blender, I can say that I think the shape of this blender is much better. I love the flat surface and the point at the end as it means I can get to every curve and inch of my face. I don't tend to have a problem blending but this sure does make it easier and quicker to apply my makeup and I know then every time I use this my makeup will be well blended & I will be ready for the day's adventures.

NYX Butter Gloss Lip Gloss
These lip glosses are amazing, I haven't bought a lip gloss in some time but in January I ended up buying three! I bought two of these in shades, Tiramisu & Vanilla Cream Pie. Tiramisu is a gorgeous browny, pink shade that is perfect for every day wear & Vanilla Cream Pie is a light pink that adds just enough pink for the daytime or evening wear. Both smell amazing and as the shade describes. They are a little sticky but not overly, you soon look past this as they glide on so smoothly and last well throughout the day. I will defiantly be repurchasing these!

I hope you enjoyed this, please leave your thoughts and comments below and I will upload my February haul soon.

Jess x