Lately I've been loving...

...Soap and Glory's Girligo Spray-on moisturising mist and Nivea Double Effect Shower & Shave.

£6.50 for 250ml from Boots

The skin on my legs is always a bit dry and it can get quite flaky, but when it's hot, like it has been lately, I'm not too keen on slathering lots of body lotion or butter as I end up feeling tacky and generally a bit yuck. Plus after wearing sun lotion all day it's nice to have naked skin as it were. This is wear the mist comes in. It's super light and gives just enough moisture without feeling heavy. Plus it smells lovely. The bottle says 'Spritz Girligo on all-over post shower for temptingly fragrant, softer, smoother, more supple skin.' And I agree. I got this as part of a mini set at Christmas and I'd definitely consider getting the full size. It's also fab to use after shaving... which leads me on to the Nivea Shower and Shave. I got this at the 99p store and yes you could just use any creamy shower gel but I have found this one to have a lovely rich creamy lather and a little goes a long way. It leaves my skin soft and gives a really close shave. The bottle says it contains 'soothing avocado oil' with 'a delicate passion fruit scent'. It's not very passion fruity in my opinion but it does smell pleasant.

99p!

So there you have it, just some products I think deserve a mention! :D

Sea and Sun Eyes!

I decided to have a little play about with some of my MUA eyeshadow palettes the other day. I wanted a sort of tropical look with golds and blue/greens. I was relatively happy with the results, apart from my rather glittery cheeks and the fact I think it was a bit OTT for a trip to the dentists. I eventually paired it down!

I used 'Dusk til Dawn (top) and 'Glamour Days' (bottom). 'Glamour Days' is new- my sister got it free in an order and gave it to me. The other I've had for a while and just never used it! There is a good range of shades in both and overall they are fairly good quality. I do find there is a lot of fallout though as a lot of the shades are very glittery. I should have done my foundation afterwards- felt very sparkly faced! 

Out of the 'Dusk til Dawn' palette I used the turquoise and the glittery navy blue to the right of it. Turquoise on my lid and the navy in the crease.

Out of the 'Glamour Days' palette I used the top left shade, a creamy highlight all over my lid and to help blend everything at the end. I think I'll get a lot of use out of this shade. I also used the third shade on the bottom ,a beautiful gold, on the inner corners and over the eyeliner on my lower lash line. 

Looks like I haven't blended properly but I had, or at least tried, I am very cack handed!

I used Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara (which I am not too fussed about in all honesty) and a teal-y 'Fearne' (as in Fearne Cotton) eyeliner.

It looked much brighter in real life!

What I settled on in the end. More subtle.

Like I said I was relatively pleased with the results but sadly I don't think blues suit me as much as other colours! Fun to experiment though! 

Olympic Torch

Today the Olympic torch came through the town where I live. I met up with my best friend there and, complete with flags, watched the procession. Really a once in a life time experience and it was great to see everyone so excited and patriotic!

Looking a bit of a sweat but I had just come back from the dentist!

Book Review: The Single Girl's To-Do List

I'm getting through books quite quickly at the moment, what with being rather jobless and all that. I've got another two (nearly 3) to review after this one. Go me.
I loved this book by Lindsay Kelk and was a bit sad when I had finished it! I had nothing to look forward to! Sad. I find a lot of chick lit books to be predictable but on the whole this one wasn't- it was fast paced and had plenty of twists and turns it it. The characters were brilliant, especially Rachel's (the main character) best friends Emelie and Matthew. I could really visualise them. I loved Matthew though. Makes me want a gay best friend too! The story grabbed me right from the very start-vital as if a book isn't instantly engaging I'm likely to give up on it, I'm not into slow burners! Overall it was fun and easy to read- ideal for reading whilst lounging on a sunbed on holiday, I'd imagine. (Aww holidays....snap me out of my reverie please!) Lindsay Kelk is also the author of the 'I Heart' series which I had also enjoyed. Though I actually still need to read 'I Heart Vegas'.  I was confident then that I would enjoy this one also. Which I did. It's obvious that Lindsay has a 'type' in regards to men also. Dan in this story definitely reminded me somewhat of Alex from 'I Heart...' Not a bad thing at all! ;)
I got this from The Works on a 3 for a fiver deal, £1.99 on it's own. Definitely one for the summer!

Phil Smith SOS Rescue Damage- Protection Conditioner

My hair tends to be on the dry side most days. My hair's pretty long, very thick (bushy to boot) and I've got grown out highlights so it appreciates a good conditioner! I got this one from Sainsbury's whilst it was on offer. It's normally £3.99, which I think is a bit steep, but at the time it was £1.99. I've just checked the Sainsbury's website and it looks like there's a 50% off offer across the range - or some of it at least, not quite sure.
According to the packaging 'This intensive conditioner delivers top-level pampering for heat-stresed hair. Protection, repair, shine and softness-it ticks every box.' 
I'm down to the last dregs now and I have to say it's been an excellent conditioner. It has a lovely thick texture (I hate mimsy, runny ones!) smells nice and is very effective in making my hair softer and smoother. I can feel the softness straightaway as I am rinsing it off and it definately makes brushing my hair afterwards much easier. I know you are meant to use a wide tooth comb or whatever but I am really too impatient, drying it takes too long as it is! Speaking of drying, and when I can be bothered to dry it semi properly rather than just blasting it, my hair is left smoother and less frizzy and pouffy. It also contains 'provitamin B5 for frazzled, frequently-styled hair'. Whilst it does get a bit of a beating with the hair dryer my hair it isn't as frazzled as it could be, but as it's been super hot and sunny lately,and I've been spraying on sun protection oil, my hairs been left feeling fried and rather ick and I feel this has been helping.
I'm meant to be on a no buy regarding hair care but I'm so tempted to go get another tube whilst it's on offer!

Laura Factoids!

Just some facts about me!

1. I have a twin sister.She is 6 minutes older than me.
2. I adore sour sweets-the sourer the better!
3. I have a First class degree (but not a full time job atm, grr)
4. I'm a shy thing, but once you get to know me I'm really not.
5. I'm 5ft 4, or thereabouts.
6. I can't stand touching cotton wool. Cotton pads are ok. But the thought of actually pulling some apart makes me want to vom.
7. I'm also a wussy with injections and the last 2 times I have been to get vaccinations I have ended up lying on the table, clammy with a face the colour of putty.
8. I am the least sporty person ever. I don't do team games! I just make a div of myself.
9. I am a magazine fiend and devour them- faves include Cosmo, More and Glamour.
10. I buy far too much nail polish.
11. I passed my driving test on my sixth attempt. That's perseverance for you.
12. I love the Mummy movies and used to have a crush on Imhotep.
13. I can never decide who I like best. Dean or Jess. Gilmore Girls is (was) fab.
14. Getting into bed with cool, clean sheets, is one of the best feelings ever.
15. And putting on new socks is nice too.
16. I love the smell of baby powder, laundry drying on the radiator, Moschino I Love Love, Lush Sex Bomb bath bomb.
17. I really need to get my highlights redone, not feeling the mousy-ness!
18. My first pet was a goldfish called Daisy, after my nana.
19. I used to do Karate and I think got up to purple. I also used to do clarinet, gymnastics and for a short while, thankfully, viola.
20. I watch far too many food programmes. Diners, Drive In's and Dives has made me crave chicken and waffles!

Nail Polish Fiend

I love love love nail polish. I must have near 100 now but I can't seem to stop myself from buying them. I keep telling myself 'No Laura, you have enough now!'  But then I'll see a gorgeous new colour or a new range and I start to sweat like a weight watcher in a cake shop and inevitable I end up giving in to temptation. I actually think my collection could be much bigger If I had a steady full time job so really it's not too shameful!
Well firstly I'll show you my faves. It would be fair to assume that these are the colours I wear frequently but it's not always the case as I have so many that I generally like to wear different ones each times. However my faves are the ones that I put on and think 'Why don't I wear these more often?!' and spend a lot of time lovingly gazing at them like a weirdo.

1. GOSH -Misty Mauve (Special Edition) - I got this, along with the other one, on sale a while back. It's a lovely lavender creme polish. The formula is good being not too thin or thick and it applies beautifully, taking two coats for full coverage.
2. GOSH -Neon Baby (Special Edition)- This is a bright neon pink. It's what I choose when I want Barbie nails and looks delightfully princessy with a glitter topcoat! I normally apply 2 coats but you could get away with just one.
3. W7- Cosmic Purple- I got this for just £1.50 at a local market stall and it's so pretty! It takes about 3 coats to build up the gorgeous purple and blue glitter but I love the end result- so sparkly and quite the statement polish! Just seen a review of Models Own Disco Mix and this is very similar, but much cheaper!
4. Accessorize- Pink Spice- I adore this polish. Every time I wear this I catch myself looking at my nails more times than is normal! It's a lovely bronzey pink duochrome. No probs with application (2 coats) and lasts well.

1. MUA Love Hearts -U Rok- I knew I had to get this as soon as I saw it! It's a blue toned lilac/periwinkle that is perfect for spring and summer. I'm a bit gutted, it's starting to get a bit gloopy and the brush seems to have splayed :( I'll definitely be showing this one some love again soon.
2. Collection 2000 Hot Looks -BMX Bandit- A similar sort of shade to U Rok this is again a purpley blue. I love the Hot Looks range. They always have really on trend shades and they are dirt cheap at £1.79.
3. Natural Collection -Black Cherry- So cheap at £1.89 but so stunning. It's a rich vibrant cherry red with a golden shimmer. Ideal for Autumn and Winter as it's very festive.
4. 2True Glossywear Nail Polish Shade No 30- This is my go-to polish for interviews/more formal occasions. I actually wore this to my graduation :) It's a hard colour to describe. It's a nude with a slight pink shimmer that becomes more dusky the more coats you apply. Sorry that's such a bad description! Anyways it dries fast and application is a breeze.

I have also chosen some colours that I will be wearing this summer.

1. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure- Sea and Be Seen- I got this from Fragrance Direct for only £1.49. It's a beautiful shimmery blue with lilac tones which looks different depending on the lighting. Takes 4 coats on it's own so probably best layered over another polish.
2. No 7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour -Jammy- I love the name of this and it's a great pearly hot pink with fuchsia shimmer.
3. Color Club polish- I got this in a set and have no idea what the shade name is. But it's a creamy peachy orange.Very tropical for Summer.
4. Barry M Nail Paint- Blue Moon- This is a fairly new purchase and is a pale pastel blue with blue shimmer running through it. It is very sheer and I think it needed 3 coats.
5. Nails Inc -Bluebell- Everyone knows about this Instyle mag freebie! Periwinkle perfection.
6. George Quick Dry Nail Varnish -Shipwrecked- I got this last year and it's been rather neglected but I don't know why as it's a gorgeous creamy sea green colour. It's more green than what it looks like in the picture.
7. Collection 2000 Hot Looks- Swizzles- I got this as part of a pack in Poundworld. It's a bright fuchsia- sweet and very girly!

1. BeautyUK Glam Nails-Turquoise Shimmer No. 45- I love wearing this shimmery turquoise green on my toes and looks great under black crackle (if anyone is still doing that!)
2. Revlon Nail Enamel- Rock- Another Fragrance Direct bargain at £1.75. It's a creamy but vibrant violet shade- sort of grapey actually! I can't wait to wear this again. Possibly with some glitter on top too...
3. MUA Nail Varnish- Shade 15- Another lovely bright pink shade. I've only worn this once so far but I was really impressed with the formula and could have gotten away with just one coat. For a quid it's fab!

I've actually started to bore myself now haha so hope this wasn't too tedious for you and I hope my descriptions were adequate!