MY CURRENT FAVOURITES

Originally this was intended to be for my June favourites but I had a stage of not really feeling like blogging and then as we got further into the month it just seemed too late to post, so here we have it my current favourites instead as I couldn't ignore these products that have been doing me so well recently.

My absolute essential product over the summer months is self tan. With everyone jetting away and coming back so tanned, I just feel like I have to be tanned too. I can embrace the lighter natural skin during the winter but when I'm showing more skin I feel better when it's tanned. I recently posted my tanning routine which you can read if you want more detail, 'here'. I absolutely love Lauren's Way. I love all of the ones that I've tried but I discovered the spray formula during June and think that is makes the application much easier and quicker and doesn't feel heavy or sticky on the skin. I love the Rapid tan as it develops quickly, you don't need to make sue you've got over 8 hours for it to develop every time you want to apply self tan. Full review here.

Of course, with beautiful tanned skin, come the chore of exfoliating a lot!I can't believe during all of these years of wearing fake tan I have never bought exfoliating gloves; they're amazing! I bought these from Primark and I don't think they were more than a couple pound if that.

My next favourite is the Make Up Revolution Iconic Blush Bronze and Brighten palette in Smoulder. I recently did a post showing all four shades of this palettes but Smoulder is my absolute favourite and I have used it pretty much everyday this month. The other day I found MAC Peaches, which I loved last year, I tried wearing it and just didn't like how it made my make up look at all, I needed the pretty pink in Smoulder. I love the highlight in this palette too as it's just so pretty. I even got complimented on it from a very unlikely source at work - who knew men notice that pretty thing on your cheekbones?!

For ease in the mornings I always tend to opt for easy neutral brown eye shadows, but recently I have been branching out a little and I mean a little as it's only a small extension of the usual brown family. I've been enjoying using slight plum/purple toned shadows, like Quarry from MAC and the Naked 3 palette from Urban Decay. It obviously still looks very neutral but it's a nice little change and I feel that the colours really brighten up my eyes and emphasis the green in them.

My go to lipstick lately has been MAC's Kinda Sexy; it's a gorgeous neutral nude shade, which leans more on the peachy tone making it really flattering and I find that is such an easy shade to pair with most make up looks.

Onto jewellery now. I always love the look of lots of cool and simple jewellery but I'm pretty rubbish at buying any. My money normally goes on make up then clothes and maybe shoes. I then struggle to justify more on jewellery and bags etc. While I was in Forever 21 a month or so ago I decided that I was definitely going to make the effort to chose a necklace that would go with lots of outfits and just make them look more stylish and like I've made more effort. I love how you can just wear very plain clothes but with the right accessories it looks so much more stylish. I picked up about five different necklaces as they were only a few pounds each, so hardly broke the bank. They are all gold, very simple and some quite unique and I've loved incorporating them into my outfits. 

A recent discovery, which I am blaming my mum for as she bought me it first is the Sweet & Salty Poshcorn. It seems a little odd really raving about a pop corn so much, but it's the best that I have ever had. It's the perfect combination between sweet and salty and is just so addictive!

My final addiction favourite recently has been the TV show Desperate Housewives. I watched the later seasons when they were originally on the TV and a couple of years ago I think they were all on Netflix, so I watched them all then. They have recently come onto the Sky boxsets so I've been watching them like crazy as they just don't ever get old. I've even managed to get my boyfriend Jamie into them, which is really funny as he was sure he wouldn't like it at first but now he sits and watches, asks questions and moans when he doesn't like certain characters. 

Those are all of the things that I have been loving recently, what have you been enjoying lately?

MY SELF TAN ROUTINE | LAUREN'S WAY GLAM TAN

 I used to apply self tan all year round and worry that I still looked pale - apparently a common symptom of a fake tan addiction. Last autumn/winter I decided to embrace my natural skin colour as there isn't really any need to be tanned when the temperatures are freezing outside. I also moved in with my boyfriend last year and it became less acceptable to walk around the house and to go to bed with a very unnaturally dark skin tone and smelling of biscuits. It was a joy not having to worry about ever having patchy skin, where your fake tan is starting to look less than perfect, or making time during the cold months to apply self tan and remove it! As the summer months loomed, I knew I would be turning to the self tan again as it was fine avoiding it during the winter months but once everyone starts getting real tans and showing more skin, I couldn't just sit there as pale as Snow White. 

As we all know exfoliation is key when it comes to applying self tan, so first I exfoliate my skin. My favourite lately is the LUSH Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub; it smells gorgeous and leaves the skin so smooth. I've recently bought some exfoliating gloves which are so quick and easy to use and are extra useful if you ever have stubborn fake tan that needs removing. I used a few different Lauren's Way self tans last year and really liked them, although they were the best ones that I have used, they did still have the usual biscuit smell and stinky/uncomfortable texture until you washed them off. I recently tried the Lauren's Way Glam Tan Darker Than Dark Spray formula and it has fast become my favourite self tan. I didn't know how I would feel about this one as I have never used a spray formula before. The application was really easy and seemed to work into the skin easier and quicker than the lotions or mousse formulas that I've used, I think because it's a lot more light weight. It also felt a lot better on the skin and I didn't feel like I was wearing self tan all day while waiting for it to develop. The colour was a really nice natural tanned look and it lasted and faded nicely once it had been on a week and didn't go patchy like most seem to. 

I like to use a gradual tan, like the Dove Summer Glow lotion if I feel like I need to top up my tan or if I'm short for time and don't want to have to apply the Lauren's Way. It's really nice, doesn't streak at all and gives a very good colour for a gradual tan. To make sure my skin is hydrated while wearing self tan I like to apply a really rich moisturiser, like The Body Shop body butters. The one that I am using at the moment is the Chocomania scent, which is gorgeous. I normally feel  like I need to apply more self tan once a week and the whole exfoliating process starts again! It does take a lot less time just embracing being pale, but I can't help but want to be tanned, especially during the summer months, or after watching The Kardashians... and these products make it as easy as it can be. 

I may have already bought two more back ups of the Lauren's Way self tan as they are currently 1/3 off at Superdrug - go go go! What are your favourite self tans?

JUNE FAVOURITES

You knew it was coming... but we are now over half way through the year!

I'm quite glad to be on this half of the year now; the weather's nicer and I've got a few things that I'm now looking forward to, like holidays, my friends wedding and the thought of not having to do uni work come September is pretty amazing!

I originally was deliberating over whether to actually do a favourites this month, as lately I've been being pretty good and not buying much make up at all. I say that like it's a big achievement, but I've just remembered that May included a haul post and considering it's only one month since then, maybe I haven't been doing so well... hmm. 

Anyway, I had a look around and there actually has been quite a few products, mostly old, that I have been regularly using and loving this month. First up, Lauren's Way Solution 60, which you can read a full review of 'here.' I like to keep up a tan all year round, however as it's now pretty warm outside - if you're in the UK, hopefully I've picked one of the warm days/hours to post this and not a torrential rainfall day. I've been reaching for this product due to it's quick developing time and it gives a gorgeous colour too.

 Next, to go along with the bronzed look, is the Bare Minerals Ready Color Boost, in The Beach is Waiting and the fan brush. They  came as a set, called The First Resort,  with a lipgloss included, which I like but I don't love as much as these two products. Originally, I looked at the set and thought, I don't really want the lipgloss, I don't ever use shimmer bronzers so really I don't need this. However, I really wanted the fan brush and I'd seen Casey Holmes and Amanda Ensing mention this in one of their youtube videos and well, I just needed it. As I work in a department store, on one of the make up counters, I also get a pretty okay discount, along with my points card, meant I only paid £17 for a lipgloss, brush and bronzer, now who wouldn't turn that down? The packaging is a gorgeous reflective bronze colour, the brush is so soft and works amazing when applying the shimmer/highlighter shades to the cheekbones, to give a really healthy glowy look. 

Speaking about the glowy look, that leads me on to the next product, MAC's Skin Base Visage. You can read the full review 'here.' I bought this last year some time and used it religiously for months, but for some reason stopped this year and have only just found it again. It has shimmer particles in it, which give a gorgeous fresh glow to the skin which under make up are very pretty and subtle. If you've read my 'Skincare Saviours' post, you'll know that my skin has just been doing whatever the hell it wants to lately and for the first time in 21 years it feels slightly dry. The Skin Base Visage is so hydrating that I've been constantly reaching for it. On the topic of dry skin, I've been constantly using The Body Shop's Moringa Body Butter, as it's so nourishing on the skin. My boyfriend bought me a Moringa Body Butter last year and as he chose it, it's now one of those special scents to me as I know he likes it. It's also such a summery scent that I love using it this time of year. Obviously this isn't the same pot, but every time it runs out I just have to repurchase. 

The MAC Prep + Prime highlighter in Radiant Rose, has been a staple of mine every month since buying it last year. I'm surprised it still seems to be going strong, as I use it all the time. It's amazing for brightening the under eye, I keep trying to not use it, to be quicker and use less products but I always look at my under eye and think, no I have to use it, it's just so good!

I've always loved false eye lashes and have been trying to wear them successfully and failing quite often for so many years. I think it's only this year that I've been able to successfully apply all of my eye make up and then add the lashes and actually have them stay on and not mess up my make up. I think the Duo eyelash adhesive has had a lot to do with that. It works really well and keeps the lashes in place all day. I think I may just get the white version next time as it dries clear anyway, as sometimes the black can get a little messy. My favourite lashes lately have been the Ardell Demi Wispies as they're fairly natural looking but so full and long, they're really lightweight and comfortable to wear. When I haven't been wearing false lashes, I've been reaching for the L'oreal False Lash Flutter mascara. It's a great mascara for both length and volume and works great on the lower lashes too. It's not my holy grail but it's my favourite out of the ones I've currently got on the go.

I hope you all had a great June! What were your favourite products?

REVIEW: LAUREN'S WAY SOLUTION 60 RAPID MOUSSE

I seem to have some kind of immunity against self tans; for some reason even the darkest do not show up much on me at all. I've been using self tan for around 8 years (omg... that's pretty insane). I thought maybe because I'm so used to being fairly tanned all the time, I may have turned into some kind of 'tanorexic' who doesn't notice that I'm tanned... but, last year my suspicions were confirmed. I had a spray tan for my boyfriend's mum's wedding and used the second darkest tan level and still my boyfriend's mum admitted that I still didn't look very tanned, especially considering it was supposed to be very dark and I'd just had it done the day before. 

Enough with the rambling, my point is that even the dark tans by Sienna x, St Tropez, Xen tan... don't look very dark on me at all. I'd heard so many good reviews about Lauren's Way but then again there were just as many great reviews about the other tans I had tried, which didn't live up to my expectations. The 'darker than dark' range appealed to me as it seemed exactly what I was looking for and it was, it's the best tan I've used and really does give a long lasting dark colour. When Lauren's Way released their new Solution 60 tan, I knew I needed to try it. I bought it when there was 20% off, so it was a lot cheaper than other tans.

The tan claims to develop within 1- 2 hours for a medium bronzed glow and 3 for a deeper bronzed colour. It is a mousse formula and therefore very easy to apply. It immediately gives a dark colour to the skin and I think darker than the 'darker than dark' tan did, which shows it's quickness in developing. 

I was a little naughty the first time I applied the tan and instead of the recommend 3 hours I left it on all day. The colour developed amazingly and very dark but a natural dark, so not orange and it wasn't streaky at all. Even I, who normally can't even notice that I'm wearing a 'dark' fake tan, can see that this is a dark tan. The next time I tried it I played by the rules and left it on for the 3 hours. It developed just as well and left a beautiful dark colour, only slightly lighter than before. If you don't want such a dark colour, I would definitely stick to the 1-2 hours, as you can tell that it does what it says and develops very quickly. I've read a few reviews that have moaned about it drying too fast and therefore, finding it hard to rub into the skin. I didn't notice any difference from the usual Lauren's Way tan and found it very easy to apply with a mitt. The tan lasts longer than any of the other brands I have tried and fades well, so you're not left with horrible patches. 

Overall I adore this tan and I'm so happy that I finally feel like I've found an amazing brand. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a quick medium - dark, to very dark tan and who wants it quick! I love that you can leave it longer for an even deeper colour but also, you don't need to wait the normal 8 + hours, as often I don't get 8 hours sleep so I normally find that I don't sleep long enough for the tan to develop in time, from when I apply it, go to bed and then have to get up and wash it off. 

Have you tried Lauren's Way Solution 60? You can order online 'here' and it's also stocked in some Debenhams stores, I would order online and wait for a sale, so to get an even better bargain! 

"IT JUST HAPPENED"... MAC, TANYA BURR, KIEHL'S, NARS, LUSH, LAUREN'S WAY...

I had been pretty good at not spending much lately and using up products I already had, so I hadn't really bought much for a few months. This month I ran out of a few things and succumbed to the hype and needed to try a few other products and didn't really realise it was all adding up so much, not horrendously for most but more than I expected so it's safe to say I'll be going back to the boring world of saving money.

First, Lauren's Way had a 20% off weekend. I'm not exactly running low on fake tan but it's become the only one that really works for me so I thought I'd take advantage as I will eventually need it. I decided to try the new Rapid 60 minute tan and the Glam Tan Darker than Dark. I've only ever had the Darker than Dark foam tan before so I hope both of these are just as good if not better.

My skin has completely flipped lately and started to go from normal and very pleasant to blemish prone, sensitive and dry. I think I had some kind of reaction but I have no idea what from but it caused the skin around my eyes to go very sore and dry and the rest of my face very sensitive (eeww)? I decided to try the Kiehl's avocado eye cream as it's got such good reviews and the avocado makes it sound so soothing and nourishing, which I needed.  Luckily House of Fraser were having 10% off and I also got an extra 10% off with unidays, so I had to also order NARS Sheer Glow - obviously. I've been wanting to try it for a while now and the discounts brought it down to around £24 which seemed a tiny bit more reasonable than its normal price tag! I also got an eyeshadow from MAC called plumage, a dark green blue colour, as I'd also wanted it for a while and definitely don't have anything like it, plus I needed to spend a little more to get free postage - I'm a sucker for free postage.

Next was Superdrug. As Tanya Burr's range were 3 for 2, I had completely run out of reasons not to try them. I bought Picnic in the Park, Chic and Exotic Island for lip glosses and New York Night, Bright and Early and Peaches and Cream for nail varnishes. I'll definitely be posting a separate post showing them properly and reviewing them, so if you're interested, keep your eyes peeled! I also picked up some Ardell lashes as they were also on offer... such a bargain hunter! I was running out of moisturiser, after forcing myself to use up the hundreds that I already had, so I bought the Dove one. It smells good but I wont be repurchasing it as it has parabens in, which may or may not be bad but I'm not going to take the risk! Likewise, the Ponds cream also does, so maybe I just need to check ingredients more!

Speaking of parabens, Lush have now started to re formulate some of their products which did contain parabens, without them, yey! I really liked the Mask of Magnaminty but when I realised it contained parabens it really put me off and I wasn't going to repurchase but as it's now self preserving I just had to. I also bought the Tender is the night massage balm, which with some sniffs smells a little like old women, like really floral and not too great but in others it's quite nice... Probably would have preferred a different scent, but it's a good shape and when you're in lush you have no idea what you're actually smelling!

Are we done?! I think so.

I'm not going to do any more shopping for a while (I make no promises). Overall I saved a lot as everything I bought was on offer, apart from the Lush bits, so there's my justification.

I'll most likely be reviewing a lot of the products mentioned individually. Have you tried any of these, or different colours, scents etc?