Valentine's Day Movie Night In With Prezzybox

If a trip to the cinema or a 3-course meal isn’t what you fancy for Valentine’s Day, then you can get creative and jazz up a movie night with these lovely gifts from Prezzybox.

Their Smartphone Projector is a quirky way to watch your favourite rom-com. You could use your phone to stream from Netflix or even take some blankets and go outside, using a white sheet as a screen. I just love that it’s portable and easy to use!

I can’t watch any movie without snacks! Prezzybox’s Popcorn Maker and Movie Night In set, which contains two plastic straw cups and a popcorn bucket. You could even add toppings like caramel or chocolate sauce to your warm popcorn to make it even more delicious.

Don’t forget some blankets to make your sofa snuggling even cosier! I 100% recommend a Will Smith film for a Valentine’s Day movie night in. If you want something heart-warming, opt for The Pursuit of Happiness or Seven Pounds, you need some tissues for those two. For a comedy, I’d pick Hitch, it’s a real feel-good film. If your partner is into action films, I’d recommend After Earth or Hannock.

What will you be doing this Valentine’s Day?

*PR samples

Roaccutane - 4 Month Update

Month 4 was the first month without ANY blemishes appearing, which I am over the moon about! I’ve now had 1 introductory month at 30mg and 3 months at the full dose of 60mg.

The latest dermatologist I have been to see, (I’ve seen 3 different ones over my treatment), thinks that month 5 will be my last. This is providing that I have no huge breakouts.

I have adapted to work with my side effects to make the treatment more manageable. My morning starts with eye drops, I wake up with the driest eyes which need soothing immediately. I just use some Optrex eye drops and make sure I carry it with me to work. Working at a computer means I need to keep them hydrated throughout the day.

I’ve been cleansing my face with the Pixi Cleansing Balm, which is ultra-rich and thick. I have to apply moisturiser straight away, even though the cleanser is moisturising. I’m still reaching for the Cetaphil Rich Lotion and Origins Eye Doctor.

I’ve switched from the Blistex Intensive Moisturiser Hydrating Lip Cream, which leaves a less than attractive white cast over your lips, to the Burt’s Bees Lip Balm. It seems to have improved the condition of my lips tenfold!

I’ve just returned from a mini break in Paris, the weather has really affected the condition of my skin. I found the eczema on my hand flared up and it was incredibly painful. My lips started flaking too, I had to reapply lip balm every half an hour.

I am really happy that month 5 could be the last of my treatment. I’ll of course keep you updated on my follow up appointment and when my course of treatment is complete, I’ll do a before and after post.

If you’d like to chat about Roaccutane you can always tweet me any questions you have! 

Charlotte Tilbury 5 Minute Makeup Look Quick ‘N’ Easy Natural Glowing Look Set Review

When Charlotte Tilbury filmed a video tutorial using her new ‘Quick ‘N’ Easy Natural Glowing Look Set’ and the model looked effortless yet flawless, I was sold in 10 seconds flat.

The ‘5 Minute Makeup Look’ sets are available in four looks, ‘Red Carpet Red’, ‘Smokey Eye Evening’, ‘Daytime Chic’ and ‘Natural Glowing’, which is the one I picked up.

My set contains a 15ml sample of Wonderglow, a mini Legendary Lashes Mascara, full size Beach Stick in Moon Beach, a Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Stick in Amber Haze and a Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria. Having three full size products and two minis makes this set excellent value for money and a great way to try the brand if you haven’t already.

The product I was most excited about was Wonderglow, now my skin is dry, it looks a little grey, so I was hoping it would perk up my skin. It’s a light, shimmery fluid, which when blended out gives a beautiful sheen to the skin. It can be applied as a primer or base, mixed into foundation or added over the top as a subtle highlight. I’m really enjoying using this as a base, after moisturiser, at the moment.

The product I was unsure of was the Beach Stick; it’s a cream blusher, which I wouldn’t normally opt for. However, when I did give this a go, I really liked the slight gloss it gave to my cheeks, bringing them to life. The one tip I have for this product is to swipe and dab gently, otherwise you can pull some of your foundation off.

Everyone raves about the Legendary Lashes Mascara, I do like it but it takes some work. You need to apply thin layers to build up length and volume. Once applied the mascara doesn’t leave your lashes feeling crispy.

I already own a Colour Chameleon in Bronzed Garnet, a bronzed brown with a red undertone. This set contains the shade Amber Haze; it’s a classic brown with a hint of gold, suitable for any eye colour. These sticks make eyeshadow application effortless; you just need to blend the edges with a fluffy brush.

I already own Amazing Grace and Glastonberry lipsticks from the Matte Revolution range.  Charlotte’s mattes are comfortable to wear and are never drying. Very Victoria, featured in this set, is a very wearable and on trend brown toned pink. I love it as an everyday shade.

I’m so happy I purchased this set, I love the shades Charlotte has chosen and the quality is amazing. I have a trip to Paris this Sunday and I’ll be packing this. You do need to add in other items such as foundation, concealer and brows but this gives you the majority of your look in minutes.

I’m tempted to purchase one of the other options from this line, as well as the Instant Look in a Palette. I’m well and truly hooked on Charlotte Tilbury!

Hogwarts in the Snow - Harry Potter Tour

My mum was the one who original got me into Harry Potter, she used to read the first two books to me before bed when I was younger. Gripped by the wizarding world, I continued to read the series of books and my love was further continued by the release of the films.

After some not so subtle hinting, my sister gifted me a ticket to the Warner Brother’s Harry Potter Tour – I was over the moon, I’d wanted to go for years! We went on Saturday 7^th of January, which meant that the ‘Hogwarts in the Snow’ event was still on. All the sets and props had extra Christmassy touches, which made it even more special.

We spent around 4 hours in total looking around the sets and reading about the props. It’s huge and there is so much to see! I’d go again and I’m sure I’d discover more the second time around.

I took hundreds of photos but I picked my favourites to give you a taste. These pictures don’t even show a quarter of the things to see.

The tour is well worth the ticket price for any Harry Potter fan and I’d love to go again in future!

January Nights

January just makes me want to stay in, cold and dark weather is perfect for cozying up at home. First thing I do is get into my comfy clothes. I would recommend Jack Wills’ Women’s Joggers for the feeling of ultimate comfort, they are just super soft and they have an elasticated waist (this means more room for my food baby).

I next I make myself a hot chocolate, my mum bought me a Whittards set for Christmas. My current favourite is the mint option, tastes like you are drinking After Eight Mints! I always go overboard with the marshmallows too, I scoop them off the top once melted. Anyone else do this?

Now I’m ready to get comfy on the sofa, I reach for a snuggly blanket and light some candles for that ‘hygge’ effect. My go to candle is the Soft Blanket from Yankee Candle, it smells like baby powder and clean cotton sheets.

I usually scroll through Netflix for half an hour, undecided on what to watch, anyone else guilty of this? If you like nitty gritty drama I can recommend Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror and Luther. If you’d like something a bit more light-hearted, I love Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Ru Paul’s Drag Race and Gossip Girl.

A quick pamper routine will accompany my lazy evening in, I’ll opt for products that are nourishing and soothing, keeping things minimal. I’ll remove my makeup with the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleanser, following that up with the Pixi Hydrating Mist. I’d finish the simple routine off with the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, which is heavenly on the skin.

By this point, I’ve probably fallen asleep on the sofa or I’d be ready for bed, a few spritz of the This Works Pillow Spray and it's off to the land of nod!

How do you have a cosy night in?

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My Iconic Makeup Picks for 2016

Inspired by Sali Hughes’ wonderful  book, Pretty Iconic, I decided to round up my ‘iconic’ makeup items of 2016. Some of my choices are featured in the book, but some are little know and I believe they deserve a cult status in the beauty world.

BASE

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My skin has dramatically changed over the course of 2016, thanks to Roaccutane it’s switched from extremely oily to very dry. My foundation picks are opposite ends of the spectrum.

Starting with Urban Decay’s All Nighter Foundation, I have to say this is my favourite foundation launch of 2016. It trumped Estee Lauder’s classic Double Wear Foundation; you can see my comparison here. It’s the ultimate heavy coverage foundation in my eyes.

A quick mention to L’Oreal’s Infallible 24 Hour Matte Foundation, everyone adored this foundation when it launched, but the hype seems to have died down. It’s an affordable drugstore foundation that does what it says on the tin!

A late entry into the list is Laura Mercier’s Silk Crème Moisturising Photo Edition Foundation. Anyone on Roaccutane, I urge you to buy this foundation, well anyone with dry skin for that matter. It gives a brilliant luminosity to the skin and doesn’t cake around dry patches.

Now to the products at aid the foundation routine. Now that I have dry skin my face loves the Too Faced Hangover Primer. I will forever repurchase because it leaves my skin feeling nourished.

The Body Shop Lightening Shade Adjusting Drops need to be in everyone’s collection. Being fair in skin tone I used to struggle with base products being too orange, but this adjusts the colour without changing the formula.

A big shout out to Collection’s Lasting Perfection Concealer – affordable and covers the darkest of eye circles, what more would you need?

CHEEKS

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Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze and Glow has been a firm favourite all year, only to compete with Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer (which I can’t believe I only tried towards the end of this year). The highlight makes you look so radiant and doesn’t make you resemble the Tin Man.

A rediscovery comes in the form of NARS Orgasm Blush; this shade goes with every makeup look and makes the face look youthful.

EYES

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My mascaras of choice have to be the much raved about Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara. Fluttery but thick lashes are achieved with the Too Faced one and the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara is the only product that doesn’t flake or smudge on my bottom lashes.

Another well-loved product to be featured is the Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil Eyeliner, I cannot find anything as black and long wearing as this.

For brows I have used the same product without fail all year, it’s the Soap and Glory Archery Pencil. There are different versions of this, but I love the thin nib and spoolie on this one, it’s very similar to the ABH option.

My eye makeup has been less smoky and more natural over the course of 2016. My top pick for eyeshadow has to be Charlotte Tilbury’s Eyes to Mesmerise in Jean. A wash of this shimmery champagne colour makes your eyes look so much more awake.

LIPS

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2016 was the year that Kat von D came to the UK and everyone rejoiced. I adore the Liquid Lipstick in Bow and Arrow, it’s the perfect nude shade and lasts all day without flaking.

A much raved about lip liner also became my favourite, Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk gives you a fuller pout in seconds. Your lips never look dreadfully over drawn with this shade either.

I couldn’t not feature MAC’s Velvet Teddy Lipstick in this round up. Every blogger and their mum has this shade after Kylie Jenner named it her fave. I adore the 90s grunge lip look it creates.

A lesser known favourite of mine is the L’Oreal Mega Gloss in I Got The Power. It’s described as a cream formula, it glides on and isn’t sticky, it’s the only gloss I’ll wear.

I’d love to know your favourite makeup picks from 2017. Leave them in a comment below.