Monday 31 March 2014

Mr Nutcase

Hey guys

I've recently come across a site where you can order a customised phone case. I've always wanted one so I took this opportunity to try it.

 
First of all, I have to say how easy the Mr Nutcase website is. Some of these customisation websites can be quite confusing at times.
I always have problems deciding on what design I wanted. I originally wanted a photo but I couldn't decide on what photo I would happily have on my phone case that I wouldn't get bored of. So I just went to good old reliable Picmonkey and created a design of my own.

Unfortunately I couldn't create a case for my Google Nexus 7 which is what I really wanted. The option was on the website but had no cases available. Hopefully they'll branch out to give more selection as it is a great service and I would love to use them again for other gadgets!

I ended up creating a design for my iPhone instead.

As I'm super paranoid about my screen cracking (I've seen too many cracked screens and I'd like to keep mine crack free) I always have cases that protect the screen which led me to choose the Executive Flip Leather Style. Now on the website, it states that one side would be white, but at the time that I was designing my case that message did not come up. So I have a case with one beautifully designed side and then one white, plain side. This is such a shame as it makes my case look incomplete.

mr nutcase phone case



mr nutcase phone case


I would recommend the Ultra Light Weight Slimline case and if I was to design my case again I would choose this type instead.

Apart from that I have no complaints and would happily recommend this service.

Have you customised your phone case? I'm always looking for design ideas so would love to see them!

Thanks for reading!


Healthy nails glass nail file review

I don't usually write about nail care but it's pretty important. There's no point having beautiful designs on damaged nails or nails not looked after properly.

I saw Healthy Nails looking for beauty bloggers to review their glass nail file and as a blogger obsessed with all things nails I jumped at this opportunity. 

Firstly, I love the packaging. When a product is well packaged, I look even more forward to seeing the product and rightly so with this one.



healthy nails glass file


This nail file is amazing! I used to use metal nail files and emery boards but I won't be using those again.
If only I knew about this glass nail file sooner! It's so easy to shape your nails with. I like to follow the round shape of my nails and this file makes it easy to. It also prevents chipping and splitting of the nails.


healthy nails glass file

The handy case makes it easily portable as I can just slip it in my handbag without worrying about any damage coming to my nail file or my nail file causing damage to other contents in my bag.


healthy nails glass file


This nail file does cost a bit more than I would usually like to pay for a nail file (RRP: £16.99) but I honestly think it's worth it. You wouldn't have to buy another one and would be worth every penny. I would highly recommend this product.

You can buy it from amazon and if you'd like to find out more you can visit their website and their YouTube channel

Have you used glass nail files before? Have you tried this one before? What do you think of them?

Thanks for reading!!

Mani monday

Hey guys

As you may or may not know, I've recently gotten into nude nail polishes. At first, I was quite hesitant but now I only want to be wearing nude polishes.

I used one of my nude polishes from Maybelline's color show 'stripped nude' range. I would recommend this range. These nude polishes are great quality, affordable (£3.99 with Superdrug/Boots always doing offers) and don't require many coats to be opaque enough.





I added a bit of black to make it a bit more interesting




If you too also love nail polishes/nail art and can direct me to designs and polishes do let me know!

Thanks for reading!





Saturday 22 March 2014

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+

Hey guys

You've probably heard loads about this product and read countless reviews but I have to say it's for good reason. I've heard a lot of good things about French pharmacy and if this product is anything to go by, I'll definitely be trying out other products.


effaclar duo+

effaclar duo+


I was sent this product to try after replying to a tweet from Escentual describing the exact kind of skin that I had. The aim of this product is that it helps to clear up your skin and I have to say it really has! It has a gel-cream texture and helps to unclog pores, correct the appearance of imperfections. It also helps to control shine, which if you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know all about my problems with oily skin! 
effaclar duo+

I have been using this product for just over a month now and I haven't had a breakout since which is remarkable considering how stressed I have been lately. When 1 or 2 spots decide they want to surface, putting this cream on them makes them disappear within the next day. 

As I have quite oily skin, I can get away with using this as a moisturiser on it's own, before using my primer. It can be used both morning and night but I only use it in the morning. 

The RRP of this is £15.50 in Boots but if you order from Escentual during March you can get 1/3 off!*
There is a money back guarantee if you see no difference after 6 weeks so you don't really have anything to lose!

Although it's a lot more than I would usually pay for essentially a moisturiser, I would highly recommend this product to anyone especially those prone to blemishes. My skin is really benefiting from this product and hopefully I'll be able to see the marks on my face also fade!

Have you tried this product? What did you think of it? Do let me know!

Thanks for reading!




*This offer just happened to be on during the time of my post. The aim of this post was to review this product not promote their offer.

Wednesday 19 March 2014

Food, Glorious Food! (#2014bloggerchallenge)

Hey guys

This #2014bloggerchallenge is all about food! It's been a while since I've written a food related post but today I thought I'd talk about baking. 

I love to cook but I also love to bake. I find it quite relaxing and eating it afterwards (when it has gone well) is definitely enjoyable and when people tell you your food tastes better than the ones they've bought in the shops, it's also flattering to hear.

While I'm at uni I barely bake as I don't really have the time, and I like to use the kitchen without being disturbed which barely happens in a uni house. However, when I'm back home, I like to bake as much as possible.

When I'm in the mood for baking, I tend to look up a recipe online for what I particularly feel like at that moment (or what my brother's request at that moment). However, sometimes, I feel like baking something that I haven't baked before. Luckily for me, my mum kindly surprised me with a recipe book for baking which helps when I'm feeling like that.



baking recipe book



I've only made one thing from this book (shortbread) so far but over the summer when I hopefully have a lot more free time I shall tackle a lot more. I'll be sure to post up the results when I do. Next on my list is red velvet cake as when that is made correctly it is delicious!


Just writing this has made me very hungry (probably doesn't help that I haven't eaten yet) so I'm off to eat.
Thank you for reading and do leave your favourite recipe recommendations and your #2014bloggerchallenge links in the comments!

Monday 17 March 2014

Mani Monday

Hey guys

It feels like ages since I've done a mani monday! 
Today, I decided to use one of Maybelline's polishes from their color show Street Artist top coat range that I picked up in my most recent superdrug haul
I'm not quite sure why I used such a dark colour because the sun seems to be making an appearance and I should be wearing beautiful bright pastel colours but for some reason I chose a darker colour.
 I used a dark blue polish as my base coat and then used the 'Alley Attitide' top coat.
I'm really loving these polishes. Such a quick and easy way to achieve great looking nails. Perfect for those times that I've feeling to lazy to create some kind of nail art design.

Maybelline color show street artist alley attiutude




Maybelline color show street artist alley attiutude



Have you guys used any of the top coats from this range? What do you think of them? Any other top coats you would recommend? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Saturday 15 March 2014

Soap & Glory- No Clogs Allowed

Hey guys

As you may or may not know, my stand out product of 2013 was Soap & Glory's 2-in-1 facial peel. Ashamedly, this was the only Soap & Glory product I had tried but I said to myself I would try more in 2014.
Boots sent me a voucher for extra points when buying a Soap and Glory product. It's like they read my blog and wanted to help me out! So of course I took this opportunity and after much pondering on which ONE item to select I finally decided on 'No Clogs Allowed'. This product is for oily/combination skin and as a girl who is constantly battling with oily skin it sounded exactly like what I needed.


soap glory no clogs allowed

 
Soap & Glory describe it as a super self heating deep pore detox mask and I would have to agree with them. It contains 1-MINUTE HOT PORECLEAR™ TECHNOLOGY which is a fast-acting, smoothing and polishing blend of micropumice, salicylic acid and hot clay, which activates with water contact. As this is the first self heating mask I've tried that worked, I found it such a a weird sensation. You put the product on and then wet your hands and scrub it until you feel it get hot and turn blue. After 5 minutes, remove it with a wet cloth. I use this once a week, normally on a Sunday night, so that I'm starting the week with a well cleansed face.

soap glory no clogs allowed

I really feel that my face is well cleansed after using this product especially as when I use my toner afterwards it slightly stings (I like to take it as the mask doing it's job properly, giving the deep cleanse that I need). When I wake up, my face still feels greatly cleansed and grease free. it has definitely helped prevent breakouts and blemishes. RRP is £11.50 from Boots but at the time I bought this, Boots were offering 1/3 off any Soap and Glory product as they tend to always be when I buy their products.  I would highly recommend this for those with oilier skin as those with dry skin may find it dries out their face.

Have you tried this product? What did you think of it? Any other Soap & Glory recommendations? Do comment below and let me know! 
Thanks for reading!

Tuesday 11 March 2014

TMI Tag :)






Hey guys! I've been tagged by the lovely Alyshia from Sincereley Alyshia (Be sure to check out her blog, it's a great one!)
It's been ages since I've done a tag and I think this is actually the first one I've actually officially been tagged to do.

Apologies for the delay as I was tagged a while ago but if you regularly read my blog you would know about y stressful period at uni which I'm still recovering from, so my apologies.
 


QUESTIONS!

 
What are you wearing? 

A black pyjama top with pink love hearts on and black jogging bottoms. 
Ever been in love? 

No not yet
Ever had a terrible breakup? 

Nope.
How tall are you?

 Around 5'4"-5'5"
How much do you weigh? 

About 60kg (in the process of losing a stone)
Any tattoos? 

No and don't intend on getting any. I'm not the biggest fan of them
Any piercings? 

Yes. I have 2. One in each ear but I'm hoping to get my tragus and cartilage pierced soon!
OTP? 

Mindy Lahiri and Casey Peerson
Favourite show? 

I struggle to pick one but gun to my head: The Mindy Project
Favourite bands? 

I don't really like bands but I loved Destiny's Child
Something you miss? 

Weirdly, school
Favorite song? 

Earthquake by Labrinth feat. Tinie Tempah
How old are you?

 21
Zodiac sign?

 Leo
Quality you look for in a partner? 

My kind of sense of humour (which can be pretty weird).
Favorite Quote?

 I definitely have more than one but right now I'd have to say: "Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do". I repeatedly find this out all the time
Favorite actor/actress 

Anne Hathaway and Sandra Bullock
Favorite color? 

It's gotta be purple!
Loud music or soft?  

Loud! I barely ever listen to soft music and when I do it doesn't last long. Which is weird as I'm a pretty quiet person.
Where do you go when you're sad? 

My room and just stay in my bed until I fall asleep
How long does it take you to shower? 

Around 15-30 minutes.
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 

Not including showering, about an hour-an hour and a half. All depends on how much effort I'm putting into my hair and makeup and whether I like the outfit I choose.
Ever been in a physical fight? 

Does fighting with my brothers count?
Turn on? 

A sense of humor, musical, clever, athletic
Turn off? 

Swearing, being mean and inconsiderate, bad fashion sense
The reason I started blogging? 

I wanted a way to 'waste' my time more productively and since I bought a lot of stuff anyway it only felt appropriate to join a community of others who do the same.
Fears? 

I hate animals and insects. No matter how much you tell me they can't hurt me, they're more scared of me than I am I will always fear them and stay as far away as possible from them!
Last thing that made you cry?

 I can't remember. I don't cry often but it was probably something I watched
Last time you said you loved someone? 

Not sure, I'm not a very emotional person... hahaha
Meaning behind your Blog Name? 

I couldn't think of anything but that I love life hahaha (super cheesy- not like me at all)
Last book you read? 

The Fault in our Stars by John Green.. I had heard so much about it and even though it's not really my kind of book, I decided to get it as it was really cheap on the google play store. I actually really enjoyed it (It finished way too soon in my opinion) and am looking forward to the movie.
The book you're currently reading? 

I've got your number by Sophie Kinsella. I'm really enjoying but it's taking me much longer than it should to finish it due to these never ending assignment.
Last show you watched? 

Revenge. 
Last person you talked to? 

One of my uni friends
The relationship between you and the person you last texted? 

Good uni friend
Favorite food? 

Chicken? Chocolate Cake? Ice-cream? The list could go on forever!
Place you want to visit? 

It would be easier to list where I don't want to visit hahaha. I would love to go to Thailand! And U.S.A (New York, Miami, California). The list is endless

Last place you were? 

Uni lecture theatre (fun times)
Do you have a crush? 

No
Last time you were insulted? I can't remember. People don't tend to insult me hahaha (to my face at least)
Favorite flavour of sweet? 

Chocolate
What instruments do you play? 

I play the guitar and piano
Favorite piece of jewellery?

 I love earrings. I love studs and dangly ones. Gold jewellery is my favourite.
Last sport you played? 

As the weather sucks and my favourite sports require playing outside, I've only really been going to the gym which doesn't really count as sport but it's exercise
Last song you sang? 

Drunk in Love ( I actually don't really like this song but it's in my head)
Favorite chat up line? 

I don't have one. All the ones I have heard make me want to cringe
Have you ever used it? 

N/A but I would never hahaha
Last time you hung out with anyone?  

Outside uni setting I would have to say Sunday. The sun decided to make an appearance and I had a great pub lunch. Was super stuffed and didn't eat anything else that day hahaha
Who should answer these questions next?
I tag...


and of course anybody else who wants to do this tag!!!


If you do this tag or have done let me know! I love reading tags as it's a way to find out a bit more about you lovely bloggers!
 Thanks for reading!!

Sunday 9 March 2014

Sugarpuss London jewellery review

Hey guys!

You may have read my previous post 'Introducing Sugarpuss London'. I mentioned that they would be sending me a piece of jewellery which I said I would post about so here it is!

I'm an avid jewellery lover! I will not leave my house without earrings. I'm the same way some people are about not leaving the house without make up on. I feel incomplete without a pair of earrings and appropriately, Sugarpuss London sent me some beautiful pearl studs.
They noticed that I had posted a picture of these in my previous post which I thought was so kind of them as they took into notice what kind of jewellery I liked.

Firstly, I have to comment on the packaging. When a product comes nicely packaged, it helps create a good impression and gets me more excited to see what is inside.

sugarpuss london jewellery box

 The box came delicately and beautifully presented with a purple (just so happens to be my favourite colour) bow.

sugarpuss london info card

 Inside the package also came an envelope with some information about the pearl studs which I thought was a great touch. 

sugarpuss london pearl studs



sugarpuss london pearl studs

These studs have been handmade from genuine pearls. The RRP of these studs is £12 which I think is a decent and affordable price considering they are designer earrings. I love studs like these as they can be worn everyday but are still beautiful. As the information card stated which a totally agree with: 'A simple and classic design that will never go out of fashion'.

My jewellery collection is seriously lacking and I'm so happy I've come across Sugarpuss London as they sell the kind of jewellery I'm looking for. I already have a few items I'm eying up (after my spending ban ends of course...). They have beautiful, unique designer jewellery and I would definitely recommend them. Check out their website 

Thanks for reading. What kind of jewellery do you like? Have you tried Sugarpuss London? Do let me know!




Wednesday 5 March 2014

#2014bloggerchallenge- nail art made easy

Hey guys

This #2014bloggerchallenge is all about nails! As a nail blogger you would think this would be an easy topic for me. However, since I regularly post about nails, I've been trying to come up with a post that isn't similar to my usual nail related posts.
So I thought I would talk about ways to make nail art easy. 

I'm a massive lover of nail art and people have said to me they don't have the time, skill or patience for it. To be totally honest I feel that way too. I've seen some intricate drawings and I definitely don't have the time, skill or patience for that. I prefer designs with shapes and stripes so I thought I would share a few ways I create my nail art:

1. Striping tape



striping tape nails



christmas mani striping tape

If you regularly read my blog you'll know that I love striping tape. Out of the techniques I'll be giving this is the 'hardest' one because it requires patience and a steady hand but apart from that I wouldn't say it's that hard. It can be of putting because of the patience required but once you get over that hurdle it's simple. You can create as many stripes as you want, with as many layers as you want. You can just go crazy with it! You can read more about it here



2. Top coat

Using a top coat is such an easy way to get an artistic effect. You just put them over the base colour of your choice and you're done! I remember the crackle top coats that I used years ago but at the moment, I'm loving Maybelline's color show street artist range. They create such cool effects, and they last! I would totally recommend them.

maybelline color show street artist

maybelline color show street artist




3. Textured nail polish

These are another simple way to jazz up your nails. They just add that little extra to a simple mani. These type of nail polishes create an effect on your nails For example, I like to use Sally Hansen's sugar coat. There are loads more out there but these are my current favourite.


sally hansen sugar coat



4. Nail brushes

These are handy to have and I quite enjoy using these when I can't be bothered with striping tape. 

nail art brushes

nail art brushes


5. Nail Stamps

I am actually yet to try nail stamps but from what I've seen they are an easy to create those intricate looking designs. As soon as I get my hands on some I'll be sure to let you guys see

6. Dotting/marbling tools

These are another set of accessories that I am yet to try but have seen some beautiful designs with. The dotting tool helps to create uniform dots and the marbling tools create a water effect.


Places to buy accessories:

Born Pretty Store sell great accessories such as nail stamps and striping tape for low prices with free worldwide shipping! I also happen to have a code giving 10% so feel free to use that as well: (ATX31)

eBay also sell great accessories but sometimes you have to search for the cheaper ones and some may come from abroad requiring a longer wait. If you're from the UK like me, there are some UK sellers, and some with free shipping! As a matter of fact, all my Sally Hansen polishes have been bought from eBay at a much cheaper price than from Superdrug or Boots.


I hope you have enjoyed this post. Sorry it's a bit longer than usual, I can talk about nail art for days...

Have you got any other suggestions for nail art? Do let me know. 
And if you've got your #2014bloggerchallenge post up, leave your link below as I would love to read them!

Thanks for reading!