My September Favourites

Hello Again,

I'm a little bit behind with this but better late than never, this post is going to be all about my September Favourites - which there is a lot! (Like a lot a lot). But before I go ahead I would just like to thank everyone who reads my blog or who has read it, to everyone who comments and everyone who has messaged me saying that they like the content - I do hope to please. But seriously it all does really make this whole process worthwhile! Right - enough smushyness - let's get down to the favourites (like I said there is a lot so quickly grab a cuppa and a couple of biscuits, because you're going to be here for a while).

I literally don't know where to start as September has been full of new things but it flew by. I think I'll go with what I can smell just now, which is a new product from the Zoella Beauty Range, it's her Hand Cream called Wonder Hand. Now this is an extension of her first product range that she released, now as I've said over and over before, I have really bad skin on my hands and it's getting to that time of year where they really badly flare up so I have been trying this out to see if it is worthy of being one of the many hand creams that will live in my bag until about February and it has certainly made the cut! I love the smell of this and can I please add, the packaging is gorgeous!! (Rose Gold just gets me overtime - god damn it). But I also like how it is a little lid and not a big plastic one like you get on most hand creams - I think it just makes it look a bit fancier!

Also springing up in my favourites again is the Garnier Micellar Water, I find this perfect for taking off my make up and it hydrates my skin while doing so.

Next up is my Arched Powder 100 brush from the Real Techniques bold metals collection. Now this brush was really taking a back seat as I had stopped using pressed powders as I felt they were drying out my skin but since I have been using a very dewy foundation I have went back to my stay matte powder just to mattify parts of my face and I have been using this brush and it made me remember why I bought it in the first place. This brush is perfect for gently applying powders and it's super soft (after taking my photos I found myself stroking my face with it while watching TV - weirdo). It is quite pricey - especially for my budget but I've found that it washes really well so I think it'll last a good while - so I can justify the price.

I have two other beauty products from a YouTuber, and that lovely lady is Mrs (Congratulations to both you and Jim) Tanya Burr! I have been looking for that perfect autumnal nail colour and I have found it in her nail polish in the shade New York Night. This is a lovely deep plum which I think goes with everything! It's also really durable as I only have one chip and the last time I applied it was a good few days ago. Her other product that I have been loving this past month actually kind of matches the nail polish and it's one of her lip glosses in the shade Berry Picking. I love everything about this, the texture, the application, the taste, everything! It applies really well and lasts for quite a good time - not the longest but still good. I also love the packaging on both of these products - the gold detailing is on point.

A favourite thing that I did (it was actually last night so technically it should be in my October favourite, but I'm including it in September's - call me a rebel) was going to see Fall Out Boy! The 15 year old girl in me was so excited when I bought my ticket at the beginning of the year but the closer it got to the actual date I was getting nervous as I hadn't been to a concert/gig in so long. But as soon as I got there I was loving the whole experience! The reason I went was actually to accompany my little brother as he really wanted to go but didn't have anyone to go with and I didn't want him going on his own but I'm so glad I decided to go. They had 3 support acts in total, the first was a band called Charley Marley which - to be completely honest - I thought were rather rubbish, but the next act was a duo called Matt and Kim and they had so much energy I loved them. And the main support act was Professor green, he was so good too - it's not the kind of music that I listen to on a daily basis but I was singing along and bopping about. Fall Out boy themselves were awesome, I used to listen to their old stuff when I was younger so I was really happy to find them singing some of their 'classics' like Dance Dance and This ain't a scene. 10 out of 10 from me!

Next up is something that I had been eyeing up for a while, it's Mac's Face and Body Foundation and I am in the shade N1 which is the lightest one. I am always trying to achieve that Jaclyn Hill dewy look and with this little bad boy I can achieve it! It's a very water based foundation which is great for my dry skin as it's very hydrating and it's also got really good coverage scales as you can put a thin layer on or build it up to a more full coverage (please note that if you are going to use this for full coverage be prepared to use a lot of product).

Last up is a Loreal color riche eyeshadow in the shade Nude 200. When I was out shopping and saw this I just had to have it as it's totally a 'Sarah color'. I love my golds and browns so this is perfect for me. It's one of the butteriest eye shadows I've ever used plus it's super pigmented. I have been wearing this just on it's own with mascara or I've been using it as part of a smokey eye!

So that's my September favourites, what are yours? If you have done a blog post on yours please leave me a link so I can have a read!

'Till next time ...

September's Glossy Box

Hello again,

It's that time of the month again when my glossy box get's delivered to my house (I am a bit late with this but it's been sitting at Royal Mail). This months box is their Style Edition and the box is absolutely stunning this month and all 5 products are full-size! This again is really really great as it's only £10 plus postage and packaging and this months total value of the box is (drum roll please) £63.64! That's such a great deal!! So just like last month I will show you each product and give you some information on it along with the value of each product. So here we go ...

First of all like I said earlier this months box is stunning!! I love the colours they've used and they've even incorporated it inside the box with the teal/green shredded tissue paper. On the little info card inside they have said, "Our collectors Style Edition celebrates all the new season has to offer. We've taken our cue from the backstage beauty experts who have shaped the A/W 15 trends so consider this your stater kit for the new season". (Sounds great to me).

The first product that caught my eye is the brush - now I am brush obsessed (honestly, every time I'm in boots I have to literally drag myself away from the brush section) so I was very excited to see a brush in this months box. It's by a brand called Marsk, I've never heard of them before actually but once I've tried it out a few times and find to love it - I'll be looking for more. It's their eyeshadow brush pro and it's perfectly shaped to help apply eyeshadow easily. I really like the size of this brush and the weight as it's quite light but for the price of £16.70 I think the actual look of the brush could be a bit fancier as it is quite plain but non-the-less I'm still looking forward to giving it a go.

Next up is Maria Nila Luminous colour hair masque. Now this is such a decent size and can I say, it smells amazing - so fruity and sweet! This I think is going to be really good for me as I do dye my hair and if you dye your hair too you'll know that it can really weaken it so I can't wait to lather my hair with this as the head of brands has said, "Packed with nourishing, strengthening and protecting ingredients that enhance both coloured and natural hair, Swedish brand Maria Nila's amazing masque will give you the glossiest locks ever!" (now who doesn't want the glossiest locks ever?!?) This is also sulphate and paragon free as well as being 100% vegan! So that's a tick tick tick! Another great thing about this is that you apply it onto damp hair for only 3 minutes then you rinse it off. I'm really happy with that as I've found with other masques that you have to wait around for 20 minutes or so and sometimes you just don't have the time. So that's another tick from me and the price of the masque is £18.95.

Up next is the Nails Inc nail varnish in the shade Uptown which is a blush pink. Now on the info card here are two different colours, the other one being a Khaki green which I would have preferred but I'll still give the pink a go. Nails Inc is a very well known brand so I'm happy to see it in my glossy box - especially because they're £11 a pop! They have said this is a long-lasting nail varnish so I'll be putting that to the test!

Now up next is the Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in the shade Whesek (I literally have no idea how to pronounce that) which is a greyish - silver. Disappointingly the lid of this was actually open and the loose eyeshadow had covered all my other products but only a little so I gave them all a little clean. I am an eyeshadow lover but I don't actually have anything like this so that's a plus. Head of operations over at Glossy box has said, "A firm favourite amongst make up artists, Bellapierre's shimmery eyeshadow provides long-lasting colour, without smudging, fading or creasing!" Again I've not used anything by this brand yet but coming in at £12.99 each I'll defiantly be giving it a try!

And last but not least is three little grey Invisibobbles - the traceless Hair Ring! I have seen these everywhere but just never seen the fascination as I thought it would be weird to have in your hair - but boy, was I wrong! I actually opened this box at work after picking it up as I knew these were in the box and I had straightened my hair that morning and it was annoying me (does that happen to anyone else, you do your hair all nice at the beginning of the day then half way through it is never out of your face) so I tied it up and it held my hair perfectly. I got home about 4 hours later, took it out, and there was no KINK!! (That never happens with normal hair bands). So I can already say that these little spiralled beauties do exactly what they say and at £4 for 3 I will be picking up some more!

So that is September's Glossy Box, do you subscribe? If so what was your favourite product this month?

'Till next time ...

mini lush haul

Hello Again,

This Saturday's post is going to be a little lush haul - I did buy a couple of bath bombs and bubble bars a while ago but I only got to enjoy one (which was Intergalactic and it was amazing and unfortunately my lush store doesn't think they'll be able to get their hands on more) but unfortunately a little someone with very little hands poured a jug of water all over the rest of them (breathe - she's only two I have to forgive her, do I? Of course I do. Just) so I have replenished my little stock and will be adding some more over the next week or two. So here are the four things I picked up (I am also going to take note of the descriptions that they put on their labels as some of them are genius!)

First up is the Pink Flamingo Bubble Bar! I have seen this all over twitter and instagram etc so I just had to buy it! I love the fact that it's on a stick so I can swirl it around in my bath. When I took this out to take my little photos April came running over so she's a fan already - I'll share it with her as she loves bubbles in her bath.

'Birds of a feather bathe together! Slip into something more fruity with this cocktail-inspired reusable bubble bath, filled with fragrant rosewood and ylang ylang. Let the bubbly flow.'

So as described ever so well by Lush this smell so much like a fruity cocktail - and the rosewood really does come through to! (I just want to close my eyes and picture my self on a beach, in a bath with a cocktail - on a beach in a bath - strange).

Next up is the Skydancer - Far from the Madding Guns Bath Bomb which is a charity bath bomb. All profits go towards satellite tagging hen harrier chicks - which I'm happy doing my little bit! This smells so fresh and amazing with little hints of aniseed. I love the design of this too - the yellow with the blue bird in front is so captivating.

'Profits from each and every one of these soft floral and liquorice-scented bath bombs will help fund equipment to satellite tag any endangered hen harrier chicks born in the coming years. With bergamot, Sicilian lemon and cinnamon leaf oils, this bath bomb with take you under its wing and fight wildlife crime in one clean sweep.'

I'm so excited to use this and I will be using this first, hopefully when I go back next week I can pick up a couple more as they are a one off product!

The next two products are ones that I previously had but didn't get the chance to use (totally over it) so first up is the Creamy Candy Bubble bar! This smells SO DAMN GOOD, honestly good enough to eat. I am definitely a Sweet tooth girl more than a savoury girl so this is right up my street with its candy floss scent!

'Crush under running water to create vanilla candy floss scented bubbles whilst almond oil and cocoa butter moisture the skin. Smells good enough to eat (please don't though, that would be silly). Self preserving and Suitable for vegans'.

This is also so pleasing to the eye (the majority of Lush's products are) and the little candy-like flower pressed into the centre is so pretty. Can't wait to use this - I think April will also be a major fan of this.

Last but certainly not least is the Dragon Egg bath ballistic which I had previously bought too. When I have a sniff of the little bag its in I honestly smell lemon sherbet! (You know, the little multi-coloured tubes of sherbet you used to get as a kid - like that). I am very intrigued swell by the circle of colours so I'm excited to see when it's launched into the bath as i think it's going to explode and they're going to escape everywhere!

'Run yourself the perfect temperature bath, get in, then take a moment to let go of the world outside your bathroom, before launching your ballistic into the water and watch it fizz away.'

This sounds exactly what I am in need for, Ive have a very hard time at work lately and I feel so wrapped up with stress so this I'm looking forward to watching this fizz away as well as my stress.

So that is all from my little Lush Haul, like I said I am going back either this coming week or the following so there may be another haul. But for now I'm going to enjoy treating myself to these beauties. 

Have you been into your local Lush Store recently, what are your favourites?

'Till next time ...

all things autumn

Hello Again,

I'm so excited to be writing this post (I'm pretty sure I write this every other time now but it's true) as it is now coming to my favourite time of the year, Autumn!! Holy Hell this year has flown by but the time has come that there a crispness in the air and the leaves are turning a beautiful shade of orange - I'm so happy!!

Now Sam and I were actually April free this past weekend - she was away having a lovely time with her Grandma and Auntie at a caravan in Cruden Bay - she was very excited (I'm saying excited a lot - it's because I'm writing about Autumn - babbling now) so we thought we'd have a little inexpensive day out (payday - so close yet so far away) so we decided to go to Westburn Park, which is a lovely big park near the centre of Aberdeen full of big old trees and a little river, and have a little conker hunt! We did this last year with April and she had a blast but this year we thought we would go and then take her another day. Long introduction to this post but here we go, so here is my very long post about all things autumn and our little Conker Adventure! (disclaimer: there's going to be a whole lotta' orange and burgundy colours, leaves, the ever so damn beautiful Starbucks cup and well, you get my drift).

So before heading to the park we did make a little detour to Starbucks! Simply to get my hands on one of these cups! (Aren't they the most instagrammable thing ever?) We both decided to have a Venti Caramel signature hot chocolate - It was amazing!! The first hot chocolate of the year always is - it was just missing marshmallows. (By the way how cute a we with our matching cups - we were also were matching converse - we're cool like that).

So we honestly wrapped up for a chilly day but in fact it was almost like the middle of summer - there was a clear blue sky, birds singing and wasps flying about - a lot wasps! Walking through the park everyone was wearing just shirts and shorts but sam and I were in jackets and hoodies, we were melting. It was so nice just having a relaxing walk together with no stresses. We had also made a little stop at a shop to grab some tasties so we could have a little picnic, sandwiches, cheese strings and sweets! I also picked up a bag of Coconut and Caramel Poshcorn - which is fancy popcorn apparently. My thinking was I love coconut flavoured things and I love caramel so I thought it would be a hit - I was wrong, so wrong. It tasted horrible, like perfume flavour pieces of stale popcorn. (I was sooo disappointed - plus I paid £2+ for it). Yuck!

But our main reason for going to these parks was to find some Conkers! We went here last year around the same time and found about 50 plus but this year we were either too early or too late but we did find a handful! I don't know why we have this tradition but I love it - it's just nice to have such a green area in the centre of the city. I never went on conker hunts when I was little so I'm making up for it now.

We gave April some of the conkers this morning and she's been holding onto them like they're her most cherished possession, the remainder i am going to be putting them in the corners of the rooms in our house. Apparently doing this will keep spiders out - not sure if this is true but I'm going to give it a bash as I'm terrified of the eight-legged beasties!

I'm really looking forward to all the leaves changing and the nights getting darker. I'm also looking forward to doing more blog posts like this one - it's a nice change from the beauty side of it (but don't worry, there's still plenty more beauty coming - Hi my name is Sarah and I'm a Beauty Junkie).

So that was our little Autumnal Adventure. Do you have any traditions for this time of year and have you been able to find some conkers?

'Till next time ...