review: "cupcake" facemask by lush

When I'm PMSing, I may as well be hooked up to a drip of liquid chocolate.  Apart from stuffing my face full of all of the beige food I can find (custard cream biscuits, mashed potato, crisps, fudge, peanuts, cheese, bread - or if I'm feeling extra fat, a mashed potato sandwich), chocolate is without a doubt my go-to food when my monthly friend pays a visit.  I say friend, it's anything but my friend.  It leaves me fat, spotty and miserable.

So you can only imagine my delight, when my sister brought me home a pot of Lush's chocolate "Cupcake" face mask.  Why just eat chocolate, when you can smother it all over your face too?!  This is brilliant.  Why didn't I think of this before?  

For £5.75 for a 75g pot of FRESH face mask (free of preservatives and chemical nasties), Cupcake is by far one of my favourite items from the skin care range Lush has to offer.  


I first bought it a few years ago when suffering quite badly from troublesome teenage skin, and was amazed by how much it soothed the angry red lumps and bumps.  I always liked to think that my "teenage" acne would piss off, ideally the day I turned 20.  I dreamt of the day I'd wake up with flawless dewy skin, but it's yet to happen.  In fact, it's only the other day my sister described my face as looking like a "greasy potato".  Aren't sisters great?  But no, at nearly 21 and a half years old, I am STILL suffering and work very hard to keep my skin under control.

Crammed full of ingredients which work to purify (rhassoul mud), soothe (linseed infusion), cleanse and tone  (fresh mint, spearmint oil) and moisturise (cocoa butter) all at once, Cupcake is a must have for oily skin types prone to breakouts.  


It left my skin feeling smoother and my pores looked visibly smaller, all whilst delivering a much needed moisture kick to patches on my skin which have been dried out by acne treatments.  And for a product which looks and smells like chocolate, you can indulge in it as much as you like without worrying about calorie counting!

Pros

:)  Easy to apply

:)  Soothes inflamed skin and reduces painful swelling 

:)  Great value for money!  A little goes a very long way

:)  Purifies, soothes, cleanses, tones and moisturises in one easy step

:)  IT'S MADE FROM CHOCOLATE

:)  IT SMELLS OF CHOCOLATE

:)  I LOVE CHOCOLATE

Cons

:(  Can be very messy!  Needs to be washed off as soon as it starts drying, otherwise you end up with crumbly brown bits EVERYWHERE

:(  The moisturising cocoa butter should be blended into the mixture more, instead of appearing like little chunks!  As the fresh face masks should be kept in the fridge, the lumps of cocoa butter don't melt when the mask is so cold

Who would I recommend this product to?

Girls (and boys!) with oily skin who suffer from breakouts of underlying painful boils and spots.  This product is amazing at soothing acne prone skin, especially when applied straight from the fridge, and removed by gently wiping away with a cold flannel.

Rating

5/5 (no, really, I love it that much)

Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own.  I have not been paid to advertise products- it is something I do for fun in my spare time, however endeavour to deliver honest reviews.  If you would like to use any of my original photography featured on the blog, feel free, but please link back to me and give credit where due.

valentine's, shmalentine's?

It's nearly upon us.  The one day 99% of singletons dread.  Or maybe you're not single, but you still hate it.

That's right - Valentine's day falls on the 14th of this month.  But you already knew that didn't you?  Of course you did.

It seems as though you can't escape Valentine's day, even if you want to.  What was once a card and bouquet of flowers occasion has now become a diamond necklace, kinky undies and champagne affair.  It's true - Valentine's Day is the latest victim of Americanisation, alongside Halloween.  I remember when I was a child, trick and treating for penny sweets satisfied me, but now October 31st is now all pinatas, taffy apples and pumpkin pie.

When V day comes along, shop windows are awash with sickly sweet displays of teddy bears clutching onto hearts bearing clichéd messages, stacks of ribbon-wrapped boxes of luxury chocolates, "I <3 U" balloons and mounds of annoying fluff.  Apart from making the singles amongst us feel a mixture of impending doom/jealousy/anger/nausea, it makes those in a relationship sweat, as they feel obliged to buy for their beau.  After all, if you don't get them a present, they'll think you don't love them, won't they?


I remember when I was about 11, a boy from school gave me a single white rose on Valentine's day.  I was overjoyed, I was flattered by the attention - even if he did push a note through my door the next day saying "It only cost 50 fucking pence anyway" after I told him the feelings weren't reciprocated.


The fact is, people are no longer satisfied with small gestures on Valentine's day.  If your boyfriend/girlfriend doesn't shower you with gifts it must mean they don't love you, mustn't it?


So, if we now expect presents from our other halves, why oh why do they get it so wrong when it comes to choosing something that we like?  It almost makes us doubt they see us as their "soul-mate".  For someone who you spend so much of your time with, you think they'd know you inside out.  But nope, their presents say otherwise.


Sorry, if I sound like an ungrateful bitch, but it seems as though most men are incapable of present buying.    If they're going to spend their money, they may as well buy something you'd truly appreciate.  So if you'd like your BF to buy you something you really want, leave this page accidentally-on-purpose open, hoping they'll have a read and take the hint...


N.B- Fellas, below is a simple breakdown of the mistakes you make when buying presents for Valentine's day.  If you want to be in your girlfriend's good books, take note.  It will pay off.  Yes, in that way, you dirty minded scoundrels.  

UNDERWEAR

WHAT MEN BUY US: Something lacy and racy (and maybe crotchless)

WHAT WE REALLY WANT: Pretty silk pyjamas

For some reason, men are attracted to tacky underwear like moths are attracted to light, like bluebottles are attracted to dog poo.  We've all experienced walking past an Ann Summers' window with a BF.  Their eyes are instantly glued to it, and you all of a sudden feel extremely inadequate next to the mannequins (who aren't  even real women) with  their perfect breasts and pert bottoms, all trussed up in babydolls and fuck-me pumps.


If you were a foot taller and two stone lighter, you may not feel so much hatred towards kinky bedroom attire.  The facts are, you are 5 foot nothing and enjoy chocolate far, far too much.  When you try it on, what looked like sexy enticing negligee on the hanger, ends up being a fancy bit of string which effectively cuts through your pale sun-starved flesh like you're a piece of human cheese, barely covering your nipples.


At least if you could save the thong to use as an eye-patch if you ever went out as a pirate for fancy dress?  Hmm.  Maybe not.

PERFUME

WHAT MEN BUY US: Britney Spear's "Fantasy" perfume (or any other celebrity fragrance come to that)

WHAT WE REALLY WANT: A haute-class eau de parfum

OK, I have nothing against Britney's perfume.  As far as fragrances go, it ticks all the right boxes.  Or should I say it ticks the one crucial box- it smells pleasant.  But, Febreze smells nice doesn't it?  Same goes for Fairy washing up liquid and freshly baked pies.


The truth is, what we really want is a special perfume.  One that comes in packaging so gorgeous, we refuse to throw it out.  We even refuse to throw the bottle out when it's empty just because it's so pretty.  One we can use sparingly and on special occasions - the perfect finishing touch to go with a beautiful party dress, making us feel like princesses as we waltz out the front door, like a ballerina walking on feather light clouds.


Yes, a 13 year old would be ecstatic with a bottle of Britney, but we were thinking something more along the lines of Jimmy Choo, Chanel or Viktor + Rolf.  Not the first perfume you see on the special offers stand in Boots.

CHOCOLATE

WHAT MEN BUY US: A box of Cadbury's Milk Tray

WHAT WE REALLY WANT: A gourmet selection of chocolates in cute packaging

Just like a pleasant perfume, good chocolate has one defining feature.  It should taste nice, and to us women, all chocolate tastes nice, really.  Even really cheap chocolate.  Freddos were only 10p and they tasted amazing.

But rocking up on Valentine's day with a box of Cadbury's Milk Tray, is well just, disappointing.  The one day in the year you can really spoil us, at least make the effort to find something we wouldn't normally buy for ourselves.  Because, let's be honest, we'd buy ourselves a box of Milk Tray when we're enduring PMT.   Actually, we'd probably buy ourselves a box of Thorntons.  

Push the boat out and be adventurous.  Find us a box of chocolate with exotic, unusual flavours - don't just pick up the first box you see on the section in ASDA dedicated to February 14th.  Crème-brulee, twice roasted coffee bean, champagne truffle, summer berry torte.  You get the picture.

FLOWERS

WHAT MEN BUY US: A bunch of daffodils grabbed last minute from the garage

WHAT WE REALLY WANT: A dozen red roses

The worst possible present to get your girlfriend.  

Not only does it show us you haven't put much thought into our present, it probably shows us you forgot it was even Valentine's day until your girlfriend text you "cant wait 2 c u tnite babe, happy valentines day gawjus xx".  Shit, better run to the garage.

If there's one present to give that proves romance isn't dead, is a bouquet of beautiful flowers.  Forget the wilting and sad looking arrangements in Aldi - what we'd really love is a dozen roses from Interflora.  Red.  Wrapped in pointless cellophane and tied with a red silk ribbon.  Soppy message attached.  Delivered to our house, or even to our work if you want us to feel extra smug that we have such a thoughtful, loving boyfriend.

JEWELLERY

WHAT MEN BUY US: Anything from Claire's Accessories

WHAT WE REALLY WANT: A simple, classic piece of jewellery

Perhaps the most embarrassing present to give your girlfriend.  Not only would you have looked extremely strange looking through jewellery in a shop for pre-pubescent girls, you pick something we wouldn't dream of wearing.  

Neon loops - do you think we are living in the 1980s?  Faux-silver and gold chains which go all knotty and green after the first wear, complete with chihuahua pendant - you do realise I'm 21 and not 12?  Belly button bar - I don't even have my belly button pierced!!!!

However, a dainty, inconspicuous box containing a simple piece of jewellery is sure to impress.  Even if it's a pair of gold studs, we'll be overjoyed you've taken the effort to choose something we can cherish forever.

Happy Valentine's day shopping!

Peace + love

xo

amo il gelato, i love you ice cream

So, I've been feeling a bit down in the dumps the past few days.  My mam knows when I'm not feeling good, it's like she can read my mind.  It's quite scary really...but I love that she knows me so well.  She really is my best friend in the world.

Anyway, yesterday she promised me she'd take me to perhaps my most favourite place EVER.  And I mean ever ever ever.    It's even better than my squidgy bed with two duvets, although after a I've visited this place, it usually ends up me lying in said bed, in a sugar induced half-comatose state.

Two words.  Lickety Split.  The number one destination in the North-East of England for ice cream lovers.  Situated on the coast front in the small seaside village of Seaham, about 10 minutes drive from where I live, Lickety Split is the place to be if you're in need of a sugar/feel-good fix in the form of a delicious ice cream sundae!

Growing up with ice cream playing such a huge part of my heritage (my mam's father was from the italian Minchella family, who have an ice cream business in the North-East),  I've had my fair share of gelato.  So much, I think I'm a pretty good judge of what makes an excellent ice cream.

From outside, Lickety Split doesn’t look special, but once inside it’s as if you’ve entered a genuine 1950s diner- think the sort of place which would be fit to be the hangout of the Pink Ladies and T-Birds. Every detail has been considered to offer an authentic experience- from the juke box, to kitsch neon light signs, checkered floor and red leather booths, not forgetting a smattering of vintage posters on each wall.  

My camera was playing up, so I didn't manage to get any decent photos of the interior :( but here are some moutherwateringly delightful shots of the ice cream sundaes!  (I know you'll be tempted to lick the screen, but don't, trust me - you won't be able to taste it and you'll look very strange if someone walks in whilst you're doing it).

Safe to say, my resolution for 'healthy eating' has well and truly been broken.  I think I gained half a stone just from looking at it.

My mam eventually settled on the 'Cherry Lee Lewis' (left), a concoction of chocolate ice cream and morello cherry ice cream, topped with fresh cream and pistachios, and with a filling of warmed sour cherries in syrup.  I created my own sundae (right)- bubblegum ice cream,  Hannah Montana ice cream (pink bubblegum icecream with Smarties) and banana ice cream with fresh cream, fudge chunks, mini-marshmallows and bubblegum syrup.  Safe to say mine probably contained enough E numbers to power a whole classroom full of 5-year olds for a few hours.


We ate every last drop, with my mam even dropping and smashing her sundae glass, trying to get the cherry syrup out of the bottom. CRINGE.

What's the best ice cream you've ever had?

Do you know a place which you think could rival Lickety Split?

xo

review: superdrug "chocolate brownie" dry shampoo

First and foremost, to all of my lovely new followers, welcome and thank you all for reading. I've been blogging barely a week yet, and I'm already becoming seriously addicted!

Last night I found out I had been given the Kreativ Blogger Award by the beautiful Jennifer (check out her blog here- you will not be disappointed!) And so, it is my job now to pass this award onto 10 other bloggers. I will be posting my winners later on so stay tuned to find out if you've been nominated :)

And now I have a little review for all of you lovely ladies (and gentlemen, if there is any at all reading this).

Yesterday, I was doing my usual run around all of my favourite shops for beauty buys, and came across Superdrug's own make dry shampoo. There was an offer at the front of the shop that caught my eye, buy 1 and get 2 free!  And all for the bargain price of £1.99 (usually the cost of one).  Plus the packaging looked cute.

Being a brunette, I chose "Chocolate Brownie", which is chocolate scented..obviously (and brown tinted).  Well, if I'm trying to cut down on chocolate, maybe I could replace eating it with smelling it? Actually, maybe not (I say, making my way through a Christmas selection box which has somehow miraculously survived being eaten by me, until now).  

With dry shampoo being an essential to ANY student's survival/stay clean kit, I just had to try it.  I mean, why get out of bed half an hour early just to wash your hair?  It's hard enough to get a good 8 hours in your bed, without putting boozy nights out, all-nighters to meet your deadlines, 5am bedtimes and general adolescent laziness into the equation.

So, this morning when I got up for work, I didn't wash my hair.  I was praying to god this dry shampoo actually worked, I was relying on it, as greasy lank hair is not a good look. 


And...it worked absolutely brilliantly!

The smell was really sweet, it reminded me a bit of bourbon biscuits.  Plus, the rich brown tint in the dry shampoo stopped me looking like I was greying, which other brands of dry shampoo tend to do, even the tinted brown Batiste.  And most importantly, my hair went from lank to bouncy, yummy smelling and clean looking.  

I would most definately recommend this product to dry shampoo virgins, lovers, and even the haters- because if this product won't convert you then nothing will.  

There is a whole range to choose from, however at the minute, only "Away With The Fairies" Superdrug dry shampoo is available to buy online (click here to have a spy!), but you can find the full selection in your local Superdrug store.

Pros

:)  bargain price of £1.99 versus Batiste's £2.99 (or more)

:)  on offer at the minute for buy 1 get 2 free

:)  great value for money

:)  smells good enough to eat! but please don't, that's just stupid

Cons

:(  honestly can't think of any cons! I love this product <3

Who would I recommend this product to?

Brunette haired girls, who love a quick fix in the morning, or at any other time of the day to freshen up.  I think I'll probably skip washing my hair more often just so I can use this product which smells AMAZING!

Rating

5/5

Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own.  I have not been paid to advertise products- it is something I do for fun in my spare time, however endeavour to deliver honest reviews.  If you would like to use any of my original photography featured on the blog, feel free, but please link back to me and give credit where due.

hello, 2012

I have already broke one of my new year's resolutions. I'll give you a clue. Probably nearly every ample-thighed/bottomed woman in the country, scratch that, in the world, will have made this resolution.

Yes, it is only the 2nd day of the year, and I have broke my diet (if you're reading mother, read diet as 'healthy eating plan'). It all started so well. I even decided to start this resolution one day early- on new year's eve.

I cooked a huge stir fry, you know, to line my stomach prior to the abuse I was planning to inflict upon my liver during the new year celebrations. A wholesome, healthy, cabbage and beansprout based stirfry. With sticky chinese plum sauce. And a whole packet of udon noodles. And sweet and sour chicken in batter. OK, maybe it wasn't that healthy after all. At least I tried!

But, today I well and truly messed it up. Fish and chips for tea, and toblerone afterwards. No amount of mushy peas could constitute that meal as being remotely healthy. Who am I kidding? I have zero self-control when it comes to food. Someone who chooses lettuce over chocolatey gooey goodness is quite frankly abnormal.

So I'm thinking it's probably wise to make resolutions I can actually keep. How about...I'll join the gym? It's only £100 for student membership, which entitles you to unlimited use and classes. Wow! Now that's great deal.

Upon reflection, DEFINITELY not.

I'll go once, which will be the week I join, perhaps even the day I join if I'm feeling extra optimistic. Actually, that would be really unlikely. The last time I felt remotely optimistic was when I was 5 years old.

A hazy summers evening, just chillin' on the porch with a glass of lemonade with my sister. And then we heard it.

THE ICECREAM VAN!

So I ran inside and shook a 10p piece from my piggy bank. Sprinting to the icecream van, I handed over my 10p to the young bespectacled Italian girl behind the counter, anticipating my 10p mix-up.

"A 10p mix-up please," I angelically chimed, beaming up all optimistic and rosy cheeked. I handed the girl my money, and her mother handed me my mix up in return.

The moment I opened up my goody bag, all of my optimism and faith in humanity was instantly obliterated.

Lying pitifully in the corner of the crumpled paper bag was a singular pink shrimp. I shit you not. No foam eggs, white mice, pink and blue fizzy bottles, golf-ball bubblies. Nothing. One shitty fucking pink shrimp. I paid 10p for one pink shrimp. At the age of 5, I had been conned for the first time, and I had instantly been turned into a pessimist.

I pleaded with the girl and her mother, and insisted they gave me the wrong mix-up. But in their broken English, they said they didn't understand me and refused to acknowledge me, looking over my blonde curly head as they served the older children their Magnums and Zap lollies.

And so they drove off, leaving me sobbing on the kerb. Heartbroken, with only a pink shrimp and my sister for company. I think I dropped the shrimp down the drain I was that furious.

Anyway, back to the point.

Picture this - me kitted out in brand-new gym wear (budget an extra £50 for this) feeling like a complete gym-virgin and quite frankly a huge twat in my illuminous white brand-new trainers and white wanker socks. The thought of a 20 minute stint on a running machine costing me £100 is just too painful. And sweat-smudged mascara is never a good look.

I think the most sensible, and realistic resolutions are those that are based around the things I know that have made me happier than in ever in 2011. And so here they are...

1. Never ever forget to make time for my friends. Hos before bros, sisters over misters.

2. Appreciate my family each and every day. It's surprising how many brownie points you can earn from just offering to make everyone a cuppa.

3. Get a taxi home from town when my feet start hurting. Too much alcohol + high-heel tortured feet always results in tears.

4. Tinkle the ivories at least once a week. My keyboard is probably my most prized possession (self-taught, since the age of 9), so losing the ability to play would be like losing a part of myself.

5. Never, ever give up. In all aspects of my life.

And so that's it, and that's all until next time. I'm too pooped to think of a witty way to conclude this post.

Bon nuit mes amis x