SOCIAL MEDIA

Joma Jewellery A Little Happy As Can Bee Bracelet

Saturday 30 November 2019

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I was feeling pretty fed up a few weeks ago, and so I went for a walk into my little town, and popped into a little boutique gift type of shop. I picked up a couple of bath bombs and whilst at the till I noticed a little stand of bracelets. They were by a brand called Joma Jewellery, which I hadn't come across before.
There were lots of different options to choose from, all varying in price, and I chose the Joma Jewellery A Little Happy As Can Bee Bracelet. The 'A Little' range is an amazing gifting collection of bracelets that come on little cards and can include sentiments such as A Little Wish, A Little Good Luck and so on. They have bracelets to cover pretty much most events and milestones in life.
The Happy As Can Bee Bracelet is made from silver plated brass, and the bracelet itself comprises of lots of tiny balls on a strong elastic bracelet. It then has the Joma Jewellery logo charm and then a rose gold coloured bumble bee. I chose the bee for two reasons, firstly because I do tend to wear more gold-toned and rose gold-toned jewellery and second for the many people who were killed and injured in the Manchester Arena attack, which means a lot to me for various reasons.
The bracelet was then popped into a lovely little gift box, complete with ribbon and gift tag, so this would make such a gorgeous gift, whether for Christmas, or one of the other many events Joma Jewellery covers. The Happy As Can Bee bracelet costs £16.50, which I personally find very reasonable, especially for something that can be sentimental and the recipient can keep for many years to come.
You can find Joma Jewellery online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Mila Simone Azzura Essence Vitamin C Serum + Hyaluronic Acid Review

Friday 29 November 2019

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I adore trying new skincare out, and when Mila Simone recently got in contact to ask whether I would like to try out the Mila Simone Azzura Essence Vitamin C Serum + Hyaluronic Acid, I jumped at the chance!
First up, I love the packaging! The white matte glass bottle and gold accents make the brand look very clean and classy. As sad as this sounds, it is one of the nicest skincare bottles I have had. The Azzura Essence is a serum which contains a powerful blend of antioxidants that work together to improve the overall appearance and feel of the skin.
The formula is lightweight and oil-free, so it doesn't feel greasy on the skin and I find it very comfortable to wear. The Azzura Essence is suitable for all skin types, targeting dull and dehydrated skin, restoring youthful elasticity whilst reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes.

Key ingredients include Vitamin C for superior antioxidant protection and collagen production, as well as Hyaluronic Acid which locks in moisture, enabling long-lasting hydration. The serum also contains a botanical blend of Pomegranate, Aloe and Papaya which gives the skin extra nourishment throughout the day. The Azzura Essence can be used twice a day, both morning and night and all you need to do is use the glass dropper to apply a few drops to cleansed skin and press gently into the skin, allowing it to sink in. 
This can be used to help reduce dark circles under the eyes, which I do suffer from, but personally I prefer to use a more targeted eye product and so I didn't try it around my eye area. I found that my skin was definitely plumper and smoother, and my foundation applies much better on days when I have been using this serum. If you are looking for a new serum, I would definitely recommend the Mila Simone Azzura Essence Vitamin C Serum + Hyaluronic Acid as it works amazingly well at smoothing and protecting the skin, as well as locking in moisture.
The Mila Simone Azzura Essence Vitamin C Serum + Hyaluronic Acid costs £20.00 for 20ml, which I think is a very fair price for a serum, as some can cost a heck of a lot more. You can find it online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*This item was gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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Ralph By Ralph Lauren Eau De Toilette Review

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Can you remember your first ever fragrance? I aren't 100% sure, but I definitely remember the Ralph By Ralph Lauren Eau De Toilette being one of the first. I went through quite a few bottles at the time and it is one of those scents that takes me right back down memory lane.
Whilst in Boots a short while ago, they had quite a few perfumes on clearance, and the Ralph By Ralph Lauren Eau De Toilette 30ml was on sale for £8.75. I quickly looked on the Boots website whilst in store and saw that it was still selling on there for £33.50! What a bloody bargain! Baring in mind I had £18.00 of Boots Advantage Card points to use, I got a £33.50 bottle of fragrance for free, essentially.
Ralph By Ralph Lauren comes in a clear and turquoise blue glass bottle, which adds a pop of colour to your dressing table. The fragrance itself is quite a light, floral scent, which isn't so much my go-to anymore, but it is still great for everyday. I normally go for something quite woody and spicy now, but for everyday, it is always nice to go for something a little lighter and fresher like the Ralph.
Ralph by Ralph Lauren has top notes of Apple Tree Leaves, Yellow Freesia and Italian Mandarin, heart notes of Japanese Osmanthus, Magnolia, Linden Blossom, Freesia and Boronia, and base notes of Musk and White Orris. I wouldn't say it was a particularly Spring or Summer scent, because I have no doubt you could wear this all year round.

You can find the Ralph by Ralph Lauren Eau De Toilette online at Boots here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Laura Mercier Cheek Canvas Soft Cheek Palette Review + Swatches

Thursday 28 November 2019

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Laura Mercier is one of my all-time favourite makeup brands, but due to there not being a Laura Mercier concession stand near where I live, and sometimes quite higher-end prices, it isn't a brand I frequently buy from. However, I recently treated myself to the Laura Mercier Cheek Canvas Soft Cheek Palette and wanted to share my thoughts on it.
First up, the packaging is stunning. The Laura Mercier Cheek Canvas Soft Cheek Palette arrives in a pink outer-carton and the palette itself has the most beautiful illustration on the front of it. I thought perhaps it was a collaboration with an artist, but I can't seem to find any information on that. This is definitely one of those items that screams to be displayed.
The palette is quite weighty, and the rest of it is chrome rose gold, opening up to reveal a mirror on the inside of the lid, and then six good-sized pans of product. This is a Limited Edition product by the way, so if you love the look of it, I would definitely recommend snapping it up whilst you can.
The Laura Mercier Cheek Canvas Soft Cheek Palette contains six limited edition stunning cheek colours, including bold blushes and shimmering highlighters. I think this would suit the majority of skin tones, as you can go as light or as full with application as you desire. The shades included within the palette are...
Top Row:
* Rose Glow - A pinky rose gold shimmer
* Strawberry - A bright medium pink matte
* Nude Glow - A champagne shimmer
Bottom Row:
* Fresco - A nude base with micro glitter
* Pink Glow - A soft pink shimmer
* Peach - A coral glow
As well as using these shades as blushes and highlights, you can of course use them as eyeshadows, and the Fresco shade would work really well as a bronzer or lighter skin tones. They are all superbly pigmented and I think this would make an amazing year-round palette due to it being so versatile.
The Laura Mercier Cheek Canvas Soft Cheek Palette costs £45.00 and you can find it at Harvey Nichols online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Mavala Nail Polish Autumn/Winter 2019 Shades

Wednesday 27 November 2019

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I used to always get gel polish on my nails, but at £20.00 a time, it does work out expensive and this year I just haven't had the spare money. So I have been loving trying out new nail polishes and colours this year, and of course with regular nail polish, you can swap and change as much as you like. I was recently sent a beautiful collection of Mavala nail polishes to try out.
Mavala celebrated their 60th birthday this year, and throughout their existence, the brand has stood for quality, thanks to its specific and high performing care and beauty products, all of which have been developed in Mavala scientific laboratories based in Geneva, Switzerland, concentrating their efforts on innovation and search for perfection.
Purple Dynamite, Violet Night, Blue Bird

Each Mavala nail polish contains 5ml of product, which I think is a really good size, as I have never finished a full bottle of nail polish, and at just £5.20 a bottle, you are getting a premium product without paying double for a larger bottle.
Red Vinyl, Fuchsia Wave, Pink Rock

The most recent collection is filled with pinks, reds, purples and blues, and I have six of the shades here to show you. The shades are;
57 Red Vinyl - A classic rich red
60 Purple Dynamite - A beautiful lighter purple, almost lavender
70 Fuchsia Wave - A warm fuchsia purple
76 Pink Rock - A magenta pink
73 Violet Night - A deep purple
77 Blue Bird - A deep indigo blue
The consistency is amazing, and in some of the shades I found one coat was plentiful to show off the colour. Once dried down, the nail polish has a creamy, glossy finish and definitely rivals that of a salon manicure. My favourites are definitely Purple Dynamite as it is such a unique shade, and Blue Bird, as again it is also a shade different to other blue polishes I have come across. Then, of course you can't beat Red Vinyl for a classic red this festive season.

You can find Mavala Nail Polish online at Look Fantastic here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*These items were gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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Barry M Nail Shot Nail & Cuticle Oils Review

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Something else I picked up whilst in my local Superdrug recently is the Barry M Nail Shot Nail & Cuticle Oils, and they are just so pretty I had to share them with you. Especially during the colder months, I get pretty dry, irritable cuticles, and so I thought this would be the perfect product to combat that.
The Barry M Nail Shot Nail & Cuticle Oil comes in three different colour and ingredient options, Grape, Avocado and Argan. Each bottle has three parts to it, which looks super pretty in the bottle, but you do need to give them a quick shake, so that all the goodness mixes together, before applying to the nails and cuticles.

The Barry M Grape Nail Shot, is the pink and orange formula and contains Glycerin, Grape Seed and Sweet Almond Oils to fully nourish and treat the nails and cuticles. It even has a fruity raspberry and grape fragrance which I love, as I am a sucker for anything grape-scented or flavoured.
Next up, we have the Barry M Avocado Nail Shot, which is coloured green and blue. This Nail Shot contains Glycerin, Avocado and Sweet Almond Oils and has a refreshing mint scent to it. I think overall, it is just the colour and/or scent that is different between them all, so I would recommend choosing the fragrance you like the most.
Finally, we have the Barry M Argan Nail Shot, which is yellow and lilac in colour. As with the other two, this also contains Glycerin and Sweet Almond Oil as well as Argan Oil to condition the nails and cuticles. Fragrance-wise, this one produces a flowery violet scent, so great for those who prefer something more floral.
The Barry M Nail Shot Nail & Cuticle Oils have a brush applicator just like the Nail Polishes, and so application is a doddle and I have found it super quick and easy to input this little treatment into my daily routine. They cost £3.99 each, which I find very reasonable and you can find them in-store and online at Superdrug here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Personalised Initial Stocking Fillers At Superdrug

Tuesday 26 November 2019

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Whilst recently browsing my local Superdrug last week, I saw a little stand full of stocking fillers that featured every letter of the alphabet. I love anything personalised or anything with my initial on it, which I think stems from the fact that as a child, I could never find anything with Kathryn on it.
Superdrug's Initial range features a Hand Cream, a Lip Balm and a Bath Fizzer, all of which I picked up, but they also have mugs and little makeup bags available too. They are all in different colours and patterns, and my initial, K comes in pinks and oranges, which I love. Each of these three items costs just £2.00, which I think is a great price point for stocking fillers and Secret Santa gifts.
You could easily pop these in a gift bag or basket along with some chocolate and a little bottle of wine, and you have a pamper package right there for under £10. All three items are cruelty free, and suitable for vegans, so good on you, Superdrug!
You receive 60ml of the Hand Cream and 20g of the Lip Balm, and so you are getting good-value sizes here. The Lip Balm has a Peppermint scent to it, so it keeps your lips feeling and smelling soft and fresh. The Bath Fizzer features a gold version of the initial on it, and even though it isn't an all-singing, all-dancing bath bomb like you would find at Lush, it still does the job and is much, much cheaper.
You can find the Superdrug Personalised Stocking Fillers in-store and online at Superdrug here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Jane Scrivner Rose Gold Ultimate Facial Serum Review

Monday 25 November 2019

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A lot of people often shy away from facial oils, but they really can work wonders for your skin. I have recently been trying the Jane Scrivner Rose Gold Ultimate Facial Serum, and wanted to fill you guys and gals in about it.
The Jane Scrivner Rose Gold Ultimate Facial Serum is one of four prescriptive oils that the skincare brand produce and is a real treat for the skin. It is a facial oil which is especially good for sensitive or more experienced skin, featuring Jojoba Oil to promote the production of collagen and elastin, whilst also balancing out all skin types and fortifying and replenishing the barrier function. 
It gives both a tonic and astringent effect, and the Jane Scrivner Rose Gold Ultimate Facial Serum works to soothe, moisturise and reduce any redness on the skin which may be caused by thread veins. If you have oily skin, this serum will balance out sebum production so that the skin is producing less oil, and if you have dry skin, the added Vitamins A, B, D and E are going to work deep into the skin to keep it thoroughly moisturised and nourished.

The Jane Scrivner Rose Gold Ultimate Facial Serum comes stunningly packaged and the bottle itself has a pretty rose gold and white colour theme. There is a fragrance within this serum, which is very uplifting and reminds me of being in a spa, and so I find it very relaxing to use. The bottle is really easy to use, and you just press down to release a single pump of the serum onto your fingertips, warm it up and gently press it into the skin. After application, Jane Scrivner recommends cupping your hands together, holding them over your nose and inhaling the gorgeous essence slowly and deeply.
My skin feels like silk whenever I use this serum, and I would recommend using it both morning and night time, and I also recommend never replacing your moisturiser with a serum, you should use both products, letting one sink in to the skin before using the other. Each bottle contains 30ml of serum, and as you need just one pump per application, this is going to last you a long time, ensuring value for money.

The Jane Scrivner Rose Gold Ultimate Facial Serum costs £33.00 and you can find it online at Jane Scrivner here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*This item was gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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Lorac Alter Ego Lipgloss Review + Swatches

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I have been sharing quite a few of the beauty bargains I have found at Beauty Outlets this year, and one of my most recent is this trio of Lorac Alter Ego Lipglosses. One of my favourite You Tubers Tati Westbrook often talks about Lorac, but it isn't a brand we see a lot of here in the UK, so I was thrilled to see them in my local Beauty Outlet.
There were quite a lot of shades to choose from, but I went for these three nude shades, as I think you can't really go wrong with a nude. In America, these glosses retail for $17.00, which works out around £13.00 at the time of writing this post. However, I paid just £2.99 each. Thank you, once again Beauty Outlets!
The three shades I opted for are Angel, a very pale nude with a slight iridescent shimmer, Beach Babe, a pink-toned nude, and Visionary, a warmer nude. Each tube is of a good size, and the product and packaging feels good quality. The gloss itself has a pleasant vanilla scent to it, and the applicator is a slightly slanted sponge tip, so application is a doddle.
The formula of the Lorac Alter Ego Lip Glosses is not sticky whatsoever, and it contains antioxidants such as Acai berry, Pomegranate, Grape Seed Extract and Vitamins C and E so that the lips are nourished, moisturised and protected throughout the day. Before I even knew it had these kinds of ingredients in the formula, I already felt how moisturising the formula is.
Even though these glosses are nude, and have a nourishing formula, they are really well-pigmented and I would definitely pay full price for them, although of course I love the fact they are just £2.99! You can find Beauty Outlets online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Biore Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Cooling Cleanser + Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips Review

Sunday 24 November 2019

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Earlier this month I attended the Glamour Beauty Festival and after a skin consultation, I was reminded of my enlarged pores and how clogged up they are. So, when I was asked if I would like to try the new Biore Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Cooling Cleanser and Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, I jumped at the chance.
The Biore Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Cooling Cleanser contains Witch Hazel and Salicylic Acid as the main ingredients. Salicylic Acid is great for getting deep into pores and dissolving grime and dirt, so that they get cleared out. This refreshing cooling formula works to deep clean and can remove over 99% of blemishes which cause dirt and oil on the skin. Witch Hazel has been a key skincare ingredient for years as it has anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties, so is therefore really good for heavily blemished skin. As a gentle astringent, it is believed to help purify and refresh the skin, as well as minimise the appearance of pores. So this product is firstly going to remove the dirt and oil trapped in your pores, and then help to make them look smaller. The Biore Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Cooling Cleanser is super easy to include into your skincare routine, as you simply wet the skin, and then pump a small amount of the Cleanser into your hands, and massage over the face and neck, and then rinse clean. I always use a cleanser both morning and night, and if you continue to do so with this product, you will be on top of those pesky pores. You get 200ml for £5.99, and so you will get plenty of uses out of this one bottle alone.
Even at 35 years old, I still get blackheads around my nose area, and I find nothing more satisfying than using a nose strip. The Biore Witch Hazel Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips contain both Witch Hazel and Tea Tree Oil to treat and soothe the skin, with the Witch Hazel refining the pores like in the Cleanser. With Japanese technology, the Biore Witch Hazel Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips work like a magnet to remove twice the amount of dirt from clogged-up pores to give you the deepest clean possible. These strips lock onto and remove deep-down dirt, oil and blackheads, and the Tea Tree Oil will help to soothe the skin afterwards. Each pack contains four nose strips, and I like to do one every couple of weeks, although it is completely up to you how often you use nose strips, I just wouldn't make it too often. I like to apply mine whilst I am in the bath, so I just remove the strip from the pouch, and thoroughly wet my nose, as the strip needs water to stick to the skin. You apply the strip to the nose and let it dry for around 10-15 minutes, in which time it will become pretty stiff, this then means it is ready to be removed. I won't lie, it does make my eyes water slightly if I have left it on too long, but it is over within seconds and leaves my pores fresh and clean. The box of four strips costs £5.99, working out at around £1.25 per strip.
You can find the Biore Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Cooling Cleanser and Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips online at Boots here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*These items have been gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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Beauty Blender All That Glitters Blend & Defend Kit Review

Saturday 23 November 2019

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I have tried other beauty sponges, but I always come back to my trusty Beauty Blender. I have, no joke, gone through not far off 20 Beauty Blenders, and have been using them ever since I remember them first coming out. Even my Nanna used to use them, before she sadly passed away this year, and she used to rave about them too. I recently picked up the Beauty Blender All That Glitters Blend & Defend Kit and wanted to share this deal with you.
The Beauty Blender All That Glitters Blend & Defend Kit costs £30.00 and you receive two Beauty Blender sponges, a mini Blendercleanser sample and the Blender Defender Glitter Protective Case. Individually, a Beauty Blender costs £17.00, and so for the two you are already saving £4.00, plus then the Blender Defender and the sample, and of course the gorgeous packaging.
The Beauty Blenders you receive are the Original, which is the bright pink sponge, and the Chill, which is that pretty bright green sponge. I have never had a Blender Defender before, but as someone who travels quite a bit, as my family live in Northampton, this is perfect for me. The Blender Defender is a silicone protective case that keeps your sponge in shape, but also prevents foundation rubbing on to your makeup bag. This particular one has lots of multi-coloured glitter on, so I just love that!
You will see holes in the Blender Defender, this is so that the sponges can get proper air circulation and so that they can dry properly and due to the size, you can fit two damp Beauty Blenders inside it. I honestly should have bought a Blender Defender years ago! Whilst this makes a lovely gift for Christmas, I have bought this for myself, and taken advantage of the savings I have made on the sponges and of course getting those two bonus items free too.
The Beauty Blender All That Glitters Blend & Defend Kit costs £30.00 and you can find it at Harvey Nichols here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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