No7 Gradual Body Tan

Hello ladies!

Today I am going to do a review on the Boots No7 Gradual Body Tan, I am a lover of my gradual tanners as I'm not too keen on the orangey/streaky look you get from some fake tans, but I am looking to start using fake tans more.

Cost: This retails at £9.25 for 200ml and comes in a bottle with a handy pump.

Application: I like to use two pumps of product per limb, so 2 on my legs, 2 on my arms, 2 on my torso etc.  It feels moisturising on the skin, but not too heavy so quite nice for the spring/summer months.  It rubs in easily, but it is advised that you leave to dry for a few minutes prior to dressing to prevent colour rub off.

Smell: Eek! Yes, it does come with the weird biscuity smell of fake tanners, I don't notice this at first, but about half an hour later I can smell it.

Colour: I have been using this for approximately one week on a nightly basis and have noticed some colour change on my skin, this is quite gradual (as suggested by the name...!)  but not streaky.

Overall, this is quite a good product for this time of year, although nothing spectacular!  I may repurchase with a No7 till spit, maybe not.

Do you fake it all at once, gradually or not at all?

Any reccomendations for fake tans/gradual tanners?

Love Always,

Louise xxxx

Nail Extensions

Okay, I have no self control! I was trying to regain strength in my nails after wearing acrylics and pulling them off myself (I know, I know).   When its winter and hands are in gloves 24/7 I didn't feel toooooo guilty about the short hideous length of my nails, but now as its summer, the acrylics are back!

I had them applied at Handstanned in Leeds, by the lovely Gemma.  The process took around an hour and a quarter including removal of polish, prep of nails, new polish and drying time.  It cost me £36 (after student discount).

I chose to go for natural tips with a "squoval" shape, with a coral polish: TropicalCoral #521 by CND.

My hands.....

Pic taken 5 days after, will paint again soon :)

I am pleased with the results, and will continue use the SolarOil by CND every day to keep my cuticles in good condition.  Shall update before my infills scheduled for 3 weeks time.

Love Always,
Louise xxxx

Wow... June!

White Rabbits... Its June!

Where the hell has 2010 gone? I finish my 2nd year on Friday, now that is some scary stuff. After that I am free to my blog away :)

Plus the summer job money is always a bonus to fund the habits!

Posts in the pipeline...
•Nails! New extensions.
•May favourites
•Recent haul
•Gradual tanners - loves and hates

X X X X

Diet Coke and Nails Inc

So I guess everybody is fed up of hearing about the fabulous Nails Inc and Diet Coke promotion... If you have been living under a rock then if you go into Boots and buy 2 bottles of Diet Coke then you can pick up one of the 4 specially created limited edition bottles of nail polish for FREE...

In L-R above we have:

• London, a on-trend beige, gorgeous for those nude nails.
• Paris, a deep purple inspired by the Parisian sunsets.
• New York, such a girlie fushia pink.
• Milan, a classic red inspired by the fiery Italian nature.

So far I have got my hands on London and Paris.  But after too much wearing of acrylic nails, my natural nails are in desperate need of repair, so I am currently going without colour.  When they get  abit longer and in better condition the nude London will be the perfect colour.  Paris is currently on my toes, but I will spare you the pictures of my in-need-of-a-pedicure hooves.

New York is next on my list, and hey why not Milan just to have the full collection!

What have you picked up? Any miracle products to get my talons in tip top condition again?

Love Always,

Louise xxxx

Morning Skincare Regime

Now that it is nearly study leave time from univeristy, I will no doubt be spending more time on the computer and more time at home to post blogs as I really hope to have this in full flow come the end of summer :)

Today I am going to do a quick overview on what I am currently using skincare-wise in the morning.

First off... I have normal-combination skin tending towards dry in the winter and oily in the summer.  Also as I wear contact lenses I have quite sensitive eyes and I am always quite pinickity over what I use in that area.

I have recently finished using two thirds of the Clinique 3 Step System: The facial soap and toner are all finished, but I still have some of the Dramatically Different Moisturiser left.  I really like this as it provides me with a good base for my make up and makes my face feel all smooth.  I am undecided on the facial soap and toner still - I may go back and try these at a later date but for now I am going to see if the moisturiser combined with the other products I'm using is still as effective.

But before I use my moisturiser, I cleanse and tone my face using Garnier Fresh Essentials. 

Above is the complete cleansing milk, I do not use this to remove my make up but to cleanse my skin from the dirt overnight and the dead skin cells. 

...And this is the invigorating toner.  From the bottle you can see that it does not contain any alcohol - this is a bit of a difference in comparison to the Clinique I was using previously which seemed to have a drying effect on my skin.  These two products really help to refresh and revitalise my face in the morning.  I also find the smell and cool texture (especially of the toner) help to wake me up in the morning.

Around my eyes I am using the Simple Kind to Eyes Balm.  I find this really effective in soothing the eyes.  It retails around the £4 mark which is very very reasonable.  As I am only 20 I don't need an anti ageing eye cream yet, just something to soothe the odd bit of puffiness I get.  This does work wonders!

Pic taken from superdrug.com

Thats it!

My daytime skincare is very simple but (in my eyes) effective.

Love Always,

Louise xxxx

Vote!

So if you're in the UK, you will know today is the General Election. I just want to pass of the message to vote, no preaching on who to vote for, but please do, be part of society!

Women died to gve furutre generations of women a vote, so please don't waste it. If only for their sake.



Love Always,
Louise xxxx

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic

Hello, Happy Wednesday :)

One of the items I bought last week was a lush fresh face mask called Catastrophe Cosmetic, having used it this Sunday during my looong pamper session I thought I would review it on here.

"When disaster looms, Catastrophe Cosmetic calms and cleanses the skin"



I have shocking photography skills. Apologies.

As an avid lover of Lush, I have tried a couple of their face masks for when my skin is extremely dry or oily depending on the season (I have bizarre skin!), but never this one. This wonderful lilac coloured mask has the key ingredient of blueberries (you can see the pieces in it) which are supposed to reduce inflammation and also have an antiseptic effect as a result of the anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals found in the berries. Other key ingredients include Chamomile, Calamine, Irish Moss and Almond Oil to soothe and gently cleanse the skin.

After leaving this on for about ten minutes whilst having a lovely relax in the bath, I rinsed it away using warm water and a muslim cloth. On the skin it felt on the whole soft but as it was rinsed off I could feel a slight exfoliating motion due to the blueberry pieces left in the mix. I could see an immediate difference in my skin looking brighter and clearer, and during the following few days I noticed a reduction in redness on my cheeks and chin.

This pot cost me £4.95 for 75g and Lush recommend you can get 4 uses out of it, I would agree with this having found the amount I used was too much as I was wasting some (boo hoo). My slight reservation with the product is that it has a 3 week use by date and I generally like to rotate my face masks so that I can get the benefits of all that I use. I would purchase again, especially when my skin needs a refresh and a detox.

Love Always,
Louise xxx