Lush Haul

So Lush is officially my new favourite place. For some reason I’ve never gone out and bought their products before, however I shall now be spending every last penny I earn there!

I walked into Lush this morning aiming to buy their Cosmetic Warrior face mask. I’ve been reading really good reviews about it all week and thought it would give my skin the vital boost it needs to deal with all the stress I’ve been putting it through lately!

I got talking to one of the sales assistances in Lush and she recommended I used the ‘Mask Of Magnaminty‘ instead, this mask is predominately made with peppermint oil and helps to combat troublesome skin, whilst also acting as an exfoliant! It costs slightly less than the other fresh face masks and also lasts longer as well, which is a win win. I have literally just used the product and I have to say  I already think it is amazing!!!!! The peppermint has a cooling effect on your skin which feels really nice and my skin already appears less red and more healthy from just one 10 minute mask. I’m very excited to see the long-term effect this has on my skin. It is £5.50 for 125g and I am guessing I will get around 8 uses (maybe more) from the pot, which I think is excellent value! Here is the link: https://www.lush.co.uk/products/masks/mask-magnaminty

The next thing I bought today was ‘Ultrabland‘, I had never heard of this before, but the sales assistant swore by it. It’s a cleanser that really works, I have just used it to remove my makeup and I shocked by what came off on the cloth, it really proves how much face wipes and other standard removers leave behind on your skin, even some of the high-end ones! The only slight downside to this is that it is on the oily side, but don’t let this put you off, it really does work and leaves your skin feeling soft and extremely clean. I just wiped my face over with my normal toner afterwards. Used with the Mask of Magnaminty it is meant to be the complete skin boosting and spot zapping package. The mask is £7.25 for 45g, which I guess is slightly pricey for the size but it is the best makeup remover I’ve ever used! Find it here: https://www.lush.co.uk/products/ultrabland

As I bought two products the lovely sales assistant (who is now my new best friend) gave me a bath bomb for free!!!  I chose the Dragon’s Egg bath bomb (middle), as I’ve read really good reviews about it and it smelled like sherbet. Can’t wait to try it out!! It normally retails at £3.35, find it here: https://www.lush.co.uk/products/dragons-egg

She also gave me a 2nd free bath bomb #bestdayever called Luxury Lush Pud (left), I think this is a christmas themed bath bomb? According to Lush’s website it is full of relaxing lavender oils and leaves your bath bright pink! Which sounds very exciting. It’s £3.50 normally and here is the link: https://www.lush.co.uk/products/bath-bombs/luxury-lush-pud

The other two items, I didn’t actually buy today but I thought I would included them on this blog as I bought them pretty recently. The first is Rub, Rub, Rub, I absolutely adore this product! It is an exfoliating shower scrub that you can use all over your body and can even wash your hair with (though I’m still undecided if I like using it as a shampoo or not). It is £8.75 for 330g, and it leaves your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. I would definitely recommend rub, rub, rub, don’t be put off by its bright blue colour, its full of natural ingredients such as sea salt and leaves your smelling and feeling lovely.  Find it here: https://www.lush.co.uk/products/rub-rub-rub 

The last bath bomb I got to try is the Avobath, I usually hate avocado anything, but the smell of this is amazing. It’s also got lemon grass it in and apparently hydrates and uplifts your skin. It’s £3.35 and here is the link: https://www.lush.co.uk/products/avobath

I would also like to quickly mention another bath bomb (yes, I know I’m sounding a little obsessed), which I used the other day the Fizzbanger (£3.35, here: https://www.lush.co.uk/products/fizzbanger). I can’t really describe the smell of this but it was lovely, it smells fizzy (I know that makes no sense). It’s yellow on the outside, so it really surprised me when I dropped it into the bath and found it had a blue centre! It turned my bath the most amazing bright green colour, I came out feeling so relaxed and my skin felt amazingly soft. This picture doesn’t really do the colour justice, but you get the point:

Please note: This blog is full of my own opinions and all products were purchased with my own money! 

Hope you enjoyed this post and let me know your favourite lush products.

Also don’t forget to like and follow!

Rosa Jane

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Vanilla Biscuits |Autumn Baking|

These biscuits take a little time to make but taste amazing! They are loved by kids and grownups alike and are great if you fancy doing a bit of decoration or just eaten on their own.

You will need:

• 1 Egg
• 200g Unsalted Butter
• 200g Caster Sugar
• 400g Plain White Flour
• 2tsp’s of Vanilla Extract or essence
• A set of cookie cutters (optional)

Step by Step:

1. Beat together the butter and sugar, until it reaches a soft and creamy consistency.  Tip: I always find it easier to soften the butter first, either leave it out the fridge for a while before you begin or heat for a few seconds.
2. Add in the vanilla extract, I like to put in two teaspoons which gives the biscuits a lovely vanilla flavour (which you can actually taste). Feel free to add in less or more depending on your personal preference.
3. Beat in the egg.
4. Once everything is mixed together, add in the flour bit by bit. The dough will appear very hard and dry at this point (but don’t worry you’re doing it right!), so I tend to use my hands to mix in the last bits.
5. Gather the dough into a ball and press in the last little crumbly bits. Then wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for 1 hour (this part is important so be patient). 
6. TEA BREAK! (Use this time to get our your baking sheet and line/grease if needed, I like to use a non stick baking sheet which I got in TK Maxx for a few pounds)
7. Take the dough out of the fridge and lightly spread flour over a clean surface, then begin to roll out your dough and use your cutters or free style cut your dough into any shape you like. (Try not to make the biscuits too thick as they will take longer to bake and may not bake evenly).
8. Transfer all of your cut out biscuits onto your baking sheet/tray and return to the fridge for another 30 mins.  (Tip: If you wish to make your biscuits look a bit fancier, you can use a fork to make a pattern on them). 
9. TEA BREAK No.2 (This is a good time to pre-heat your oven to 180″c)
10. Take the biscuits out the fridge and transfer them to the oven!! It’s baking time!! I like to cook mine for around 8 minuets, until the edges are golden brown. I then move them onto a wire cooling rack to cool until they are ready to eat!

When they’re finished they will look at little bit like this: (I made these to decorate so they look a bit plain/boring here, but taste amazing!!)

If you feel like getting creative, grab some icing/sweets/decorations and see what you can design, these were created by my lovely cousins:

Hope you enjoyed this post and let me know if you make them and how you get on!

Please note: I am not a professional, this is just a home recipe I use and love, also I apologise for the quality of my photos, they are all taken on my phone which clearly is not very good!! 

Rosa Jane

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Collection Makeup Review

So about a week ago, or nearly two now! I ventured out into the big wide world and found myself at the Collection makeup counter in Boots. As the entire range was on sale for £4 and under!! I decided to pick up a few things and give them a try.

Please note: Prices on this post are the current prices on http://www.boots.com as of 05/11/14: I bought these items whilst on offer, which I believe has now ended 😥

Collection Work the Colour Eyebrow Kit (£3.99)

As I had never used a powder for my eyebrows before, I thought I would give this a try. My first impressions of this kit were pretty good, it comes with a two ended brush and a clear brow mascara to hold your brows in place. Unfortunately, I found the dark brown too dark for my brows and the medium brown too light for my brows! However, after a little mixing I found I could get a colour which I was more or less happy with. At £4 this kit is most definitely a bargain, but it does require a little skill and time to get nicely shaped brows, which I have struggled with on several occasions!

Collection Work the Colour Eye Palette – Nude (£3.99)

Although I had my reservations about buying this set whilst in Boots, I’m really glad I did! I absolutely love these colours, they blend really easily, are long wearing and create a really lovely light smokey eye effect when blended together. The set comes with a tiny eyeshadow brush, which isn’t too great (but you can’t have everything for £4!). It also includes a highlighter, as can be seen in the top middle circle, however this a cream highlighter which is poor quality, so I would avoid using that part of the kit. Overall, I would recommend picking one of these sets up, if you are on a budget the colours work really well together for all sorts of looks and the set also comes in three different colours (smokey, purple and blue).

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (£4.19)

After reading amazing reviews about this concealer I definitely wanted to give this a try and so bought it in No.3 Warm Medium. I am still slightly undecided as to whether this shade is slightly too dark for my current skin tone, so I shall soon be purchasing the lighter shade No.2. Cool Medium. I have to say that the reviews do not lie, this concealer is great!!! I have now taken to wearing just this and powder, rather than using foundation. I blot this concealer straight onto any blemishes, red areas and under my eyes and then use my concealer brush to blend it in. It really is lasting perfection, I can go a full shift at work without the need for any touchups and once blended I really love how well it covers up any problems areas! I 110% recommend this go out and buy one now! ❤

Collection Blush (£2.99)

As I couldn’t find the Sleek Blusher I wanted and this was on sale I decided to try it out. Personally I didn’t like this blush very much, although it is a nice colour in the pot, once on the brush it is very powdery and doesn’t transfer onto your face or blend very well. I guess for a very cheap blush you can’t expect too much, but I won’t be buying it again.

Here is a photo of me after applying all the makeup I’ve just mentioned above (plus some powder, bronzer and mascara). As I was off to work I only used the very lightest of the eye shadows but will try get a picture up of the smokey eye look soon. Just wanted to show you guys how good the concealer is as my skin is having a lot of issues at the moment!!

Rosa Jane

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Liebster Award!

Good evening,

I would like to say a big Thank You to both Amy (http://blushingbeautea.blogspot.co.uk) and Pearlyn (http://modmaquillage.blogspot.sg) for nominating my blog for the Liebster Award. They are both fellow blogging newbies and I really think you should check out their awesome blogs right now… !!

THE RULES:

• Acknowledge the blog who nominated you and display the award
• Answer the 11 questions given to you from the blogger
• Give 11 facts about yourself
• Nominate 11 blogs you think are deserving of the award (less than 200 followers)
• Let the bloggers know you have nominated them
• Give 11 questions to them to answer

AMY’S QUESTIONS:

1. What’s your favourite brand of skincare or makeup products?

My favourite skincare brand would have to be ‘Simple’, as I can rely on all their products to be kind to my skin, and I also know they will be ethically and sustainably sourced (which is very important to me!)

2. What’s your favourite treat?

Crisps!! I love crisps.

3. Tea or coffee?

Tea all the way. Can’t live without tea! 

4. Lipstick or lipgloss?

I actually prefer the felt-tip pen type ones (I’m not sure what they are called!! – I’ll get back to you on that). I’m not great at applying lipstick, though I’m getting better and lipgloss I find a bit too sticky. 

5. Favourite mythical creature?

Dobby the House Elf 

6. Pizza or macaroni cheese?

Ahh! This is a real hard one, both are probably my favourite foods! I think it might have to be pizza, but it’s very very close one! 

7. What’s your favourite book?

Harry Potter (Never going to change!)

8. Do you have normal, dry, oily or combination skin – and how do you care for it?

I would say normal-dry, I like to use a lot of simple skin care products, and I should hopefully have some Pixi Glow Tonic on its way soon (very excited for that!)

9. Favourite drugstore product?

At the moment my new collection concealer, its amaze! 

10. What’s the best lip balm you own?

Blistex Mango, it’s so yummy. 

11. What’s your favourite hair product?

A Touch of Silver shampoo and conditioner, its savour for anyone with dyed blond hair!! 

PEARLYN’S QUESTIONS:

1. One skincare/makeup product that you can’t live without?

Foundation powder, if I’ve only got 5 mins to leave the house I know I can quickly brush some powder on and look slightly better than I did when I woke up!

2. Favorite film or television series?

Nashville 

3. Celebrity crush?

I’ve never really been into celebs, I’ll have to get back to you on that one! 

4. What are your wardrobe staples?

Jeans and converse! Not very glamorous but practical and comfortable! 

5. Your favorite fashion brand?

Not sure if it’s a brand but I really like ASOS it’s affordable and I get free next day delivery! 

6. What’s your greatest fear?

Trying new foods! I have a really stupid phobia of food I haven’t eaten or tried before.

7. A place/country you would like to visit?

Maldives 

8. What’s your horoscope?

Scorpio

9. Favourite YouTubers?

I’ve only been watching YouTube vlogging for the last couple of weeks, but I like Zoella’s makeup tutorials 

10. If you can be anyone or anything for a day, what would it be?

If I could be anyone, I think I’d like to be Cara Delevingne. Anything, then probably a bird 🙂 

11. Favourite food?

Probably cheese and tomato pizza! Yum. 

11 FACTS ABOUT ME:

1. I take way too many photos of my dogs!
2. My dogs mean the world to me ❤
3. It’s my birthday on Wednesday! woo! Slightly scared of being 23 though…
4. I love reading
5. I’ve been to Sierra Leone twice!
6. I wrote my dissertation on female fighters in Sierra Leone – & got a first class degree! 🙂
7. I spent 3 months solo traveling East Asia (there’s a reoccurring theme here)
8. I have a massive Italian family who I love unconditionally
9. I would eat pizza or/and pasta everyday of the week if I could
10. I would love to my skilled/patient enough to write a book
11. I’m really hungry right now…

NOMINATIONS:

http://thecheltenhamgirl.blogspot.co.uk

http://fallenforthecurls.blogspot.co.uk/

https://alicewonderland17.wordpress.com

http://rymzbeauty.wordpress.com

http://sophiejoanbeauty.wordpress.com

MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What’s your favourite high street makeup product?
3. What’s your favourite high end makeup product?
4. What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon?
5. Favourite mascara? (I know that’s a hard one!)
6. If you could only wear mascara or foundation for the rest of your life, which would you choose and why?
7. Where would your dream holiday be to?
8. If you had to order a takeaway right now, what would it be?
9. What sort of blogs do you like to read?
10. Dogs or cats?
11. If you could only wear one colour, everyday, which would you choose?

Rosa Jane

❤

My next purchases

So after doing some research over the last few days, I have come up with a list of the next products I shall be purchasing… as soon as my bank account allows me!  These products are all highly rated, affordable and most of them can be picked up on the high street!

First on my list (and most importantly I feel) is the Zoeva Rose Golden Luxury Brush Set.

These are absolutely gorgeous!! The set comes extremely high rated and has been raved about by numerous beauty bloggers. Included in the set are 8 brushes – 5 face brushes and 3 eye brushes. They also come with a stylish faux leather pouch to store your beautiful new brushes in!

Face:
106 Powder: Apply loose and pressed powder
102 Silk Finish: Apply and blend foundation
110 Face Shape: Contour the face shape with cream and powder products
127 Luxe Sheer Cheek: Apply powder blush
142 Concealer Buffer: Apply and blend concealer

Eyes:
227 Soft Definer: Softly blend and smooth eyeshadow
231 Petit Crease: Accentuating and blending in the crease
317 Wing Liner: Detailed eyeliner strokes and a perfect wing

The only (minor) downside to this set is that they are a German make so therefore they are not yet widely stocked in the UK. However they can be ordered directly from the Zoeva website (https://www.zoeva-shop.de/en/rose-golden-luxury-set/a-8000382/) or from LoveMakeup (https://www.love-makeup.co.uk/zoeva-rose-golden-luxury-brush-p-6023.html). With p&p they come to around £57, around £7 per brush! Which considering the price of most other quality makeup brushes is really quite a good deal! I can barely contain how excited I am to order these and try them out!! 🙂

Second on my list is something I feel my skin will greatly appreciate me for – Pixi Glow Tonic.

Although this seems a bit pricy at £18, (I’m starting to think I may have lied at the beginning of this post!!). As someone who constantly forgets to exfoliate, this product is a much needed addition to my daily skin care routine. It can be used everyday, on pretty much any skin type (please check it’s suitable for you) and contains aloe vera and ginseng for healthier skin. I will definitely be ordering some from: http://www.pixibeauty.co.uk/glow-tonic. If anyone knows of anywhere else I can get this from please leave me a comment below! 

Third on my list is a product with surprisingly amazing reviews – Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer.

This product is currently on sale in Boots at £3.99, making it an affordable and easy to get hold of concealer. Blended in with a concealer brush it is perfect for blemishes, red areas or under-eye dark circles. I shall be picking this up as soon as I next go to the high street.

Next on my list is another affordable option and something that I have never really worn much of before – Sleek Makeup Blush.

However, after watching endless makeup tutorials I have discovered that blusher is a very important part of achieving a natural and healthy look, so I’m willing to give it a try! Sleek describe their blusher as high pigmented and long-lasting, which at £4.49 (in Boots) definitely seems worth a try!

Finally (yes, I’m nearly finished!) after doing a little bit of research I’ve decided to give an eyebrow kit a try. I always struggle with my eyebrows and they are my most hated part of my makeup routine! There are two kits which I am currently looking at – The Body Shop Brow and Liner Kit £10 and Collection Work the Colour Eyebrow Kit £3.99 in Boots.

                                          

Both kits contain blendable powders, to achieve the right shade for you and (hopefully) easily fill in and shape your brows. The Collection kit also comes with a Clear Brow Mascara to set your brows and ‘lock them in place’. As I usually use brow pencils, I’m interested to see what results I will get from using a powder (I’m hoping for a more natural and blended look, fingers crossed!) 

So there you go, my list of products I shall hopefully be purchasing in the very near future, let me know what you think about these or if you’ve tried any of them yourselves!

Rosa Jane

❤

Welcome

Welcome to my blog!… I’m pretty new at this so apologies if I do it all wrong. 

Recently I have started peering into the online world of blogs and websites on makeup/beauty/hair/style/life tutorials and guidance, and let me tell you that I have learnt a lot!! My new hobby has also given me the inspiration and courage to go out and try some of these new makeup/styles/life/etc ideas that I have been reading all about. So I thought I’d create my very own blog, to jot down my thoughts and experiences for the journey ahead. Everything from here on forward will be trial and error, as I have no particular skills in any of the above areas! However, I do have a new positive attitude and I’m determined to search out and try out any tips or tricks for making everyday life a little bit better.

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