New Summer Product Releases

Some many new products have launched recently so I thought I would share with you a few highstreet products that have caught my eye that are perfect for summer!

Maybelline Baby Lips 
£2.99 Boots here

Yes, they have finally landed in the UK! With a range of tinted and clear SPF20 Lip Balms in bright tubes these are ideal for summer. From swatches online I need Peach Kiss and Pink Punch in my life at the very least!

Invisibobble Traceless Hair Ring x 3

£3.75 Feel Unique here  

A few weeks ago I mentioned my love of the elastic hair ties that don't damage or dent the hair here and this new product named the Invisibobble follows the same principal but actually goes one step further by also being concealed within the hair! These do look a little crazy but I am dying to see how well they work as they are just so different.

 

Nivea Protect & Refresh Invisible Cooling Mist SPF50 
£8.49 (half price) Boots here 
Finally the UK have embraced invisible sunscreens that come in spray bottles/aerosols! Granted, cream sunscreens are much lighter these days however having to rub in a white cream is quite an effort and you do have to be careful to not get any on your clothes. Which is why I've been converted to using dry oil sunscreens for the past 2/3 years. But thankfully L'Oreal, Piz Buin, Nivea and Garnier all have spray oils out this summer. The only drawback with a spray bottle is you can't spray it at any angle and it can be harder to spray if you get the oil onto your hands or the bottle so I'm really wanting to try out this Nivea SPF mist... plus it also has a cooling effect - amazing!

Korres Minis 
£2-3 from Waitrose 
I'm not 100% sure if these are new but last week I spotted a range of Korres minis on the beauty aisle at Waitrose. The range consists of mini soap and 50ml shampoos and body butters from what I could see, all costing around £2-3. These are of course great for travelling with but also trying out different scents and products before purchasing the more expensive full sized product. Really excited to try a few of these out! 

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturisers
£4.99 Boots here 
These has been out a few weeks now and I'm more than eager to pick one up as I'm very in to my time saving body products. The aerosol moisturisers come in - Aloe Fresh, Cocoa Moisture and Essential Moisture. I can imagine this aerosol style moisturiser being great for spraying over the entire body after getting out of the shower.


Which new products are you eager to try out? 

Fee xo.

My Favourite Uplifting Quotes

A slightly different extra post today. One for myself and for anyone else that is maybe feeling demotivated or lacking self belief.

I sometimes feel my default setting is that of pessimism. Even when things turn out fine I doesn't prove to me I should try to be a 'glass half full' type of girl.  

However I am aware that as an adult I have become easily stressed by things and would rather think I need to do better than sometimes pat myself on the back. So now when I realise I'm being a little too harsh on myself I go to a folder on my desktop where I keep all my favourite quotes and just browse through each one, but really reading them and believing them. 

So I thought I would share 10 of my most favourite uplifting quotes that are all very true! I especially love the quote from the wonderful Roald Dahl, below.

Fee xo. 

Favourite Neom Candle - Serenity Travel Candle

I've reviewed many Neom candles in the past on Makeup Savvy and feel I have finally found my signature candle - the one for me. 

All of Neom's candles give off more than just a scent, the essential oils can really create an atmosphere and can change your mood to whatever you desire; relaxed, inspired, uplifted and so on. 

So if you do love your essential oil organic candles then finding that one candle that is just perfect for what you want is amazing. For me I have been searching for a candle that makes me feel totally relaxed without a hint of lavender and I have finally found it with Serenity.

The scent of the candle is Vanilla & Sandalwood. With the vanilla being warming and comforting and the sandalwood being a very calming scent in the background. This isn't one of Neom's strongest candles but for me this is ideal, I want something I can burn whilst I sit and read or take a bath that doesn't become too heady or essential oil smelling. Plus it of course burns clean being organic - no smoke or soot being released into the air.

I'm not one to have tried aroma therapy before and couldn't imagine how much a scent could change my mood, but with this scent I can totally understand how aroma therapy works as this just relaxes me on another level.

I of course really enjoy the scent as the vanilla is warm and yummy and mixed with the sandalwood there is a hint of orange chocolate, which I love! But the scent really does make me breath in a more relaxed way and I feel like I am really inhaling the essentials oils that just evoke this feeling of calm. 

 Neom candles are pricey but I feel the travel sized ones won't break the bank and can be moved from room to room. This little one is currently burning in my bedroom but it's also been in the living room and the bathroom. You can find this specific candle on Look Fantastic for £15 free p&p here.

I'm so pleased to have finally found the candle that is right for me. I really wouldn't alter the scent in any way, even if I could.

Just perfect! 

Fee xo.

NOTD - Essie Bikini So Teeny

A quickie manicure to start of the week! 

I finally got around to trying out Essie Bikini So Teeny, which I purchased from Fragrance Direct for only £1.99 here. Plus added some tiny polka dots to add a bit of interest. 

I really can't believe it took me so long to try out Bikini So Teeny after purchasing it a few months ago. This wonderful blue shade really is a mix of a pastel and a bright that looks great against pale or dark skin. Also the formula and finish is spot on due to it being an Essie nail polish. 

As for the tiny polka dots I used Color Club Blue-Ming which is favourite of mine and taking my smallest Dotting Tool (the set of 5 I use is from eBay for only £1.89 - here) dotted on small dots in a polka dot fashion. I always make sure to place the dots down the centre of the nail first and then work left and right of that dotted central line. I then finished off with a single coat of my trust Seche Vite for a glossy finish. 

A really simple but pretty manicure to start off the week! 

What nail polish are you currently wearing? 

Fee xo.

Montagne Jeunesse Pamper Set Giveaway - 3 Winners!

 

To celebrate the launch of Montagne Jeunesse's 'Monday's For Me' Facebook App I have a lovely set of pampering products to give away for three UK readers. 

You can find out more about the app and enter the giveaway below!

The new 'Monday's For You' Facebook App is ideal for starting off the week. You simply apply a Montagne Jeunesse face mask and then can go on the MJ facebook page to relax and pass the time by watching or reading articles that suit you, whilst the timer counts down for you!

To make use of the new app all you need to do is visit the Facebook page here -

www.Facebook.com/MontagneJeunesse and click on the 'Monday's For Me' icon.

 

If you read Makeup Savvy fairly often you will probably know I do love my face masks and have many reviews of the Montagne Jeunesse face masks. This is because the sachet masks are great for different skin fixes (for me I go for the hydrating or mud/clay ones for oily skin) and can really improve the skin when used weekly. Also unlike other sachet masks they only include natural ingredients and don't test on animals.

My favourite Montage Jeunesse face masks are mainly the creamy non-drying masks that are just cooling and relaxing on the skin. I especially like the Chocolate Masque as it's just like melted milk chocolate in both texture and smell and also the Strawberry Souffle mask, which you can find on the Montagne Jeunesse website here for £1.09 per sachet. 

On to the giveaway! 

Three winners will win the above products which include a selection of Montagne Jeunesse face masks, a set of Nails Inc nail polishes, a lovely candle from Lily Flame and a hair/head band. This will all be nicely presented in a gift box! 

All you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter form below and I will contact the 3 winners and announce them on this post at the end of the giveaway. 

*The giveaway will end on Sunday 4th August and I will personally contact the winner within 24 hours - please UK residents only*  

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good Luck!

Fee xo.

Savvy Sunday Skincare - 3 High End Cleansers

For me cleansing properly and with the right products is the key to clear skin. So I personally prefer to spend on higher end cleansers with the right ingredients and save on products such as moisturiser and face masks. 

For my morning skincare routine I wash my face with a mild foaming wash from Organic Surge but at night I make sure to thoroughly remove all my makeup and cleanse my skin with something that really cuts it. Below is an cleansing oil (that I sometimes use as a pre-cleanse) and two cream cleansers that I highly recommend for all skin types.

This was my first step in to the world of cream cleansers many years ago and the one that convinced me how important cleansing was. At the time my skin was prone to breakouts but as I repeatedly used it every night with the provided muslin cloth I soon saw my skin have less and less breakouts and feeling a lot less congested. I now realise this is partly down the ingredients but also because I started to thoroughly cleanse. Now the Liz Earle C&P is my staple cleanser that I use quite frequently, especially with my Clarisonic. 

I personally think all good quality cream cleansers are suitable for all skin types but benefit certain skin types slightly more and the Cleanse & Polish is definitely suited to combination/blemish prone skin. This is just a reliable cleanser that I know will cater to however my skin is and also thoroughly cleanse it. 

You can purchase the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Starter Kit 100ml from John Lewis for £14.75 here

As I mentioned above I sometimes use this as a pre-cleanse/it will be the first product I use when double cleansing. Though I do also use it on it's own when I'm not wearing that much makeup or just want to quickly cleanse. 

The reason why I use this as my first cleanser when double cleansing is that the oil is lovely to massage into the skin and really dissolves makeup (including eye makeup) as you do so. I actually find this a relaxing product to use and sometimes massage this around my face for longer than I actually need to. Then taking a hot flannel I remove the oil. Afterwards my face feels quite plumped up and not at all stripped which is why I like to use it before double cleansing with a cream cleanser. 

As the name of the product claims this really is a perfect cleansing oil and will work with all skin types as it's mild but affective. 

You can purchase the Nude Perfect Cleansing Oil 100ml from Feel Unique for £28.00 here

 

Much like the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish this is another lovely cream cleanser but actually more creamy and enjoyable to use than Liz Earle's C+P... so I use this when I want to relax and remove my makeup slowly. Like most higher priced cream cleansers this is super effective at removing all makeup including eye makeup and leaves the skin looking bright and feeling clean.

As you can see this is marketed as an anti-ageing cleanser which I'm sure would put someone in their 20's off purchasing it but I actually think as it's such a lovely mild creamy cleanser it's suitable for all ages and skin types... with anyone with normal/dry/lack luster skin benefiting the most. 

If you are looking for an effective but mild cleanser then this would be the one I'd recommend as I couldn't see this breaking out any skin type or drying out the skin. 

You can purchase the Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser 150ml from Amazon for £21.15 here

What is your favourite night time cleanser? 

Fee xo.

eBay Holiday Essentials - Under £5!

When it comes to packing for a holiday whether it's in this country or abroad I enjoy hunting down my holiday essentials a head of time. I actually create a little holiday box a few months before which I add to with travel minis (you can see the holiday box I created for my holiday last year here). 

I of course pick up a few travel minis from Tesco and Asda but I've found the best place to pick up holiday essentials is eBay. So here are some great bargains I've found so far... 

Makeup Bag - Chains Ahoy 

£4.29 free p&p here

 When it comes to makeup bags I am a bit fussy on the design, but then I think there are so many horrible ones out there! So I was really impressed when I came across this nautical themed one. A perfect design for holidays and it's also a good size at 30 x 21cm. Also come in a fun robot print as well! 

Tigi 5pcs Air Tight Travel Kit 

£2.99 free p&p here 

Travel bottles are essential for minizing space and weight in your suitcase. This set is not only cheap but contains 3 good sized bottles for shampoo, conditioner and fake tan or de-tangling spray (a must if you're going to be going swimming!). Then the two pots would be great for foundation and moisturiser. It also comes with a handy clear bag that is good in case anything leaks. I will definitely be snapping this up.

 

EcoTools Bamboo Makeup Brush Kit 

£2.89 free p&p here 

Now I'm not 100% sure on the authenticity of this brush set but having purchased the bigger sized set I know the quality of the brushes is really great. A travel set like this along with a few of your favourite brushes is really all you need. Also how cheap?!

 

Portable Power Battery for iPhone 3GS/4/4S 

£3.95 free p&p here 

I'm sure if you're a fellow iPhone user then you will agree when I say that the battery life totally sucks! Most days my phone will be dead by the afternoon so this for me is something I may just have to get. However this is more for if you are travelling within the UK really and may be taking more videos or photos and staying out all day. Just pop this on to the port at the bottom of the phone and you can instantly bring your phone back to life for up to 6 hours!

 

Refillable Perfume Atomiser 

99p + 54p p&p here     

Self explanatory really - think the Travelo but cheaper! This cuts down on having to take heavy perfumes with you on holiday and also means you can take it on the flight with you (as it's under the liquid limit). I will be making sure to purchase at least two of these for my upcoming holiday and fill them with my favourite fragrances.

 

Seche Vite Top Coat Mini 3.6ml 

£2.45 free p&p here

Seche Vite is my new favourite top coat however there is no way I would take a full bottle of it with me on holiday. But a top coat over manicures is 100% needed on holiday, with going swimming, going to the beach and being in the sun. So this mini bottle is absolutely perfect! So pleased I came across this. 

 

CND Solar Cuticle Oil Mini 3.7ml 

£2.85 free p&p here 

Another lucky find! This is the cuticle oil that all the top nail artists use so for me this is a great way to try it out without purchasing it full price. But again a great size for taking on holiday to keep your nails and cuticles in perfect condition. 

 

Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitiser Gel 

£2.84 free p&p here   

I feel I've mentioned these so much in the past month but hand sanitiser is without a doubt needed when travelling and on holiday. But these cute little anti-bac gels come in so many different scents to suit your tastes and the holiday you are going on. 

I also spotted something I'd never even heard of - Paper Soap Leaves, £2.46 here! These a thin paper like discs that are actually soap. They come in all different fruity scents and look ideal for keeping in your handbag and travelling with. I decided to purchase the cherry ones so I'm sure I will be writing a post on them soon enough. 

Fee xo.

 

NOTD - Sally Hansen Pink Punch & Models Own Gold Finger

Today I wanted to show you a new nail polish buy from Poundland that I'm so pleased with and think could be my new nail polish obsession - once I find a range I really like I like to build up a little collection you see! 

 

Last week I picked up Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Colour in Pink Punch for only £1.00 which is an absolutely perfect hot pink for summer!

I love Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure range (I now own over 10 from the range) so have never really thought to try out any other SH ranges. However the amazing glossy finish and long wearing formula of the Xtreme Wear polish has really impressed me.

 

I now have a list of 9 summer shades that I'd love from the range! That I hope to pick up from Pound shops and on eBay as they are seem to be around £2-3. 

I also added an accent nail to my manicure just to jazz it up a bit with Models Own Gold Finger (£5 - Boots or MO website) which is easily my favourite gold glitter nail polish. This only needs 2 coats for an opaque finish which is quite hard to find with glitter nail polishes. 

 I'm so glad I have discovered Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polishes now! 

What are you wearing on your nails right now? 

Fee xo.

July 2013 Glossybox - Seaside Splash Box!

For me the fun of having a beauty box subscription comes to play most in summer and at Christmas. At these times the products in box seem especially great and are very focused on that season/holiday. So I was more than excited when I saw a preview of the July Glossybox and the amazing coral reef inspired box. 

I am really pleased with what I received in my box but know the other variations of this box are even better with Essie Nail Wraps, Sleek Pout Paints and Spot Fix from Nip & Fab! So if you are tempted by what I received you probably won't be disappointed if you purchase the box.

 You can sign up for a basic monthy contract to receive this specific box (which you can even cancel straight away to receive no future boxes... though I'm sure August will be another good box month) for £12.95 here.

What I received in the  Seaside Splash Edition box...

Alterna Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousled Texture Mist 25ml size (full size - 125ml for £23.00)

Coola Mineral Face SPF 20 Unscented 7ml (full size - 50ml for £29.99)

Inecto Pure Coconut Refreshing Dry Shampoo 150ml (full size - 150ml for £2.49

ILA Spa Face Oil 1.75ml (full size - 30ml for £75.00)

Ciate Paint Pot in Mistress 13.5ml (full size 13.5ml - £9.00)

Favourite products from the box...

Firstly I know I will try out all of the products in the box - always good! But the ones I can see myself getting a lot of use from and really enjoying is the Ciate Paint Pot which is a lovely summery bright red (this will be going on my toes ASAP). Also the Coconut Dry Shampoo as it smells lovely and I'm really impressed with the price of it and the Texture Mist is something I have been tempted to buy in the past few weeks as I want to be able to curl my hair slightly and spritz it in to give a more beachy feel that won't turn frizzy. 

Also the Mineral Face SPF 20 even though pretty tiny will be going into my handbag in case of emergencies. Least loved product would be the ILA Face Oil as it's not really a summer product and is very pricey full-size. 

   

Overall this is a perfect box for summer that I'm thoroughly pleased with! 

Fee xo.

Easy Summer Festival Nail Art

With summer festivals such as V and Creamfields and many others yet to come I thought I would create some mix and match festival nails today! 

I love mix and match nail art as they are fun to create and look really good! However I've also added an idea for more easier nails that will literally withstand anything and last right through your festival experience without chipping. 

Firstly to create the watercolour/marble base I used this technique here that I like to call No Mess Watercolour Nails. Here I have gone for more pastel tones, whereas in the tutorial you can see I used much brighter colours - this is totally up to you! 

Then as these are festival nails I added a coat of Seche Vite (£5.48 - Amazon here) to really give them lasting power. Then left them to fully dry... though with Seche Vite that doesn't take any time at all... I really do get the hype of this top coat now! 

Next using the Nail Art Tattoos (full review post here) which are £5.99 for 60 stickers from Boots or Urban Outfitters, I added a few to various nails. These are so easy to use and just need to be sealed onto the nail with another coat of Seche Vite or top coat.

For my middle finger I added four Nail Art Crystals from Girls With Attitude that cost £3.00 and can be found in various Top Shop & River Island stores. Also for my little finger I decided to apply a top coat of L'Oreal Color Riche Coffetti Top Coat which can pick up in Boots, Superdrug and most supermarkets for £4.99. You can see lots more ways to use the confetti top coat here - I really do love it!

As for my other nails and ring finger on the mix and match nails I used 2-3 coats of Color Club Magic Attraction which is my favourite holographic nail polish. You can find similar from China Glaze & Nubar or for a cheaper option look at Gosh or SEVENTEEN on the high street. 

If you are looking for long lasting nails that will last you over the weekend or more I highly recommend a glitter or holographic nail polish with two coats of a good top coat. Also make sure to seal the tip of the nail with the top coat as well to really prevent chipping. 

Really hope you like these nails! 

Fee xo.

Five Ways to Treat Sunburn & Sun Safety Facts

  As the weather has been hot, hot, hot recently I thought it would be a great time to address the issue of sun burn and sun safety. 

Here are my 5 tips on how to best treat sunburn along with some interesting facts at the end. 

1.Medicate with Ibuprofen 
As soon as you notice you are burnt start taking Ibuprofen and keep doing so for the next 48 hours. This may seem a little drastic when you don't feel you are badly burnt but taking Ibuprofen will reduce the redness and swelling that can occur. It may even prevent some long-term skin damage if the sun burn is severe. Paracetamol can also be taken to treat pain and reduce fever.

2. Moisturise with Aloe Vera 
An organic Aloe Vera gel is the best after sun product you can apply to sunburn. If the sunburn is severe you may have broken skin from blisters so you want a product that is organic. Also Aloe Vera helps to repair the skin whilst also being very soothing. You can even place it in the fridge to get the maximum cooling effects from it! A great product is Dr Organic Aloe Vera Gel 200ml from Holland & Barret - £5.19 here

3. Hydrate! 
As sun burnt skin wants hydration, the body draws fluid to the surface of the skin and away from the rest of the body. So to prevent possible dehydration it's important to keep up your fluids (especially at night when sweating) and avoid alcohol.

4. Cool Down 
Sun burn can definitely make you feel unwell or at the very least hot. So taking a cool shower or bath that brings down your temperature will relieve some symptoms you may be experiencing. You can also apply a cold flannel to the worst affected areas to cool the skin and use a water spray... however I would recommend a thermal water spray such as the one by Avene as a lot of aerosol water sprays contain quite a lot of chemicals. Another tip to cool down your body temperature is to run your pulse points on the insides of your wrists under a cold running tap until they feel very cool.

5.  Cover up & Stay out of the Sun 
This may be an obvious one but it is so important that the burnt skin doesn't become exposed to sun as it will be so much more likely to burn even more as it's damaged skin. Wear loose fitting clothes so not to aggravate the sun burn and cover all areas where you are sun burnt. If you're on holiday and still want to sit outside make sure it's in the shade and under a parasol.

Interesting information on why protecting your skin from UV rays is important!

I have a bit of an interest with anything to do with sun damage and keeping sun safe so I have looked at many sun advice infographics and found quite a few points that I don't think are shared enough!

• Reflected UV light can cause the most damage as you a receiving a double hit from both the sky and the reflective surface - Water reflects up to 100%, snow and ice reflects up to 85% and dry sand reflects up to 25%. 
• You should always go for sunglasses with both UVA and UVB protection (Total UV Protection) to prevent eye damage now and in later life, such as Cataract and cancer of the eye. 
• Indoor tanning (going on a sun bed!) before you're 35 increases your risk of melanoma by 75% 
• A child that is under 2 that receives sun damage is 200% more likely to develop skin cancer in later life 
• Seek shade when the sun is at it's highest mid-day. Remember the rule - "Watch your shadow - No shadow, Seek shade!" 
• Since the mid-1970s in Great Britain, malignant melanoma incidence rates have increased more rapidly than any of the current ten most common cancers in males and females. 
• Highest percentage distribution of malignant melanoma diagnosed on the body for males is the trunk (41%) (mainly back). For females it is mainly legs (39%). Between 2008-2010.

Hope you have found this informative! Especially if you are suffering from sunburn or are going on holiday this summer. 

Fee xo. 

PS. Remember to always wear a minimum of SPF 30 when in the sun!

Savvy Sunday Skincare - The Skincare Tag

Since I've been getting back in to skincare recently I thought it would be a good time to do the Skincare Tag that Mademoiselle Lala tagged me to do. You can read her answers here. 

Describe your skincare routine in 5 words
SLS-free, simple, gentle, thorough, hydrating 
 
  What's your skin type?
Oily/Combination that needs hydration 
 
  What's your favourite skincare product?
I am tempted to say my new Clarisonic because as long as it isn't overuse it gives amazing results.... however I've only had it a short while. So a more long standing favourite product would be the Amie Cooling Clay Mask (found in Boots - review post here) as I truly love to use it and it's great for oily, blemish-prone skin. 

Top blemish zapper
I swear by Origins Super Spot Remover Gel (review post here). It is a little pricey for such a small product but then you need so little of it. The gel really does reduce spots over night and will actually remove them within 2-3 days. 

Face wipes yay or nay? 

I did use to be particle to a face wipe or two when feeling lazy but now I know they do more harm than good to the skin. So on lazy nights when makeup removal seems like too much of a chore I opt for the L'Oreal Micellar Solution (review post here) on a cotton pad, then I just make sure I do a thorough double cleanse in the morning. Though this doesn't happen often though as I like to remove makeup way before getting in to bed when I have the energy to do it!

  Toner yay or nay? 
The new type of toner 'the exfoliating toner' is all the rage at the moment and even though I have yet to hop on the bandwagon I can see the benefits and appeal of a non-manual exfoliate. However with my Clarisonic (which I won't be casting aside any time soon) and Ginvera Marvel Gel (review post here)... that is pretty much a non-manual exfoliate I feel my skin doesn't need anymore exfoliating.  But yay or nay for the more standard toner I would be inclined to say nay. I think a lot of high street toners can either be too stripping (when targeted at blemish prone skin/blackheads) or not actually do much at all.  

  High end skincare or high end make up?
I truly believe that with good quality skincare that is right for your skin you can make low cost/high street makeup look flawless. So I would always go for high end skincare over high end makeup. However just because someone spends a lot on high end skincare doesn't mean they will have good skin.... a lot of the high end skincare brands still include ingredients you should be avoiding so I think you need a good amount of knowledge about your own skin type and skincare ingredients in general to get the most out of high end skincare.
 
  What's the most unusual skincare product you've tried? 
That would have to be Snail Cream?! Yes, I have actually applied snail slime to my face! Earlier this year Rachel from Blush and Brunch sent me a very lovely and generous package containing a range of Korean beauty products (you can see what she sent me here) which also included a sachet of Tony Moly Intense Care Snail Cream that was actually 70% snail slime! Snail creams are pretty much old hat in Korean... they really are everywhere, however it was very odd knowing I was applying the slime of a disgusting creature to my face! 

You're in a French pharmacy and can only pick one item - what is it? 
With the Escentual website stocking so many french skincare brands I really wouldn't be sure what to pick up in a French Pharmacy. So I will have to be boring and say I'd probably end up picking something that seemed like a totally different product to try out, maybe some kind of under eye mask or aerosol face mask. 
 
Tell us your top skincare tip 
It would be to never underestimate the power of cleansing thoroughly if you have blemish prone skin. Using the right cleansers (always SLS-free when going for a facial wash and a cream cleanser in the evening) and double cleansing at night (with a flannel to gently exfoliate), you really can improve your skin. 

If you enjoyed reading my answers and also write a blog, feel free to carry on the tag! 

You can read the rest of my Savvy Sunday Skincare posts here. 

Fee xo.
 

Summer Wishlist

Summer is most definitely here and with that comes a whole list of things I feel I need. From more neon nail polishes, a new dry oil SPF to try out and purchasing a few books to leisurely read in the garden. 

 So here are my wish list items that I know I will get a lot of use out of this summer...

Cheap 'Twistband' Hair Ties x 24 

eBay £4.39 - here

If you tie your hair up these are truly a god send! I received two in a beauty box months ago and have been totally converted. They hold the hair in a pony tail or bun and don't create kinks in the hair when you put it down again. Also as they are so soft they are much better for the hair. Need to buy these ASAP as they will be so handy... also you get 24 which is a total bargain!

  

Models Own Beach Party & Balearic Cool 

Models Own or Boots £5 each

 Models Own do some amazing shades and when my friend Maxi  (from The Lipstick Blog) asked me what nail polish brand I would recommend for some good neon nail polishes it was without a doubt MO. I do own many neon shades by the brand but Beach Party and Balearic Cool are firmly on my summer wish list to complete my Models Own neon collection. Balearic Cool is such an amazing neon vivid blue that I know will be my go-to nail colour when I go on holiday later on in the year.

  

Une Healthy Sun BB Cream Bronzer 

Fragrance Direct £3.99 - here  

I own so many compact powder bronzers that I contour with but I don't own a single cream bronzer so this one from Une really appeals to me. I love the appeal of applying this with my fingers to the areas of my face I feel it's needed then blending it out with a buffing or contour brush for a really natural non-powdery finish.

 

 

ASOS Sale Dresses 

 I absolutely love ASOS for their sales that they do, you can pick up so many bargains. Which is why they are my go-to online store. I'm currently wanting the River Island Pinny Bib Dress £10.50 here as I love the whole 90's dungarees trend but feel this would look more feminine and also be more practical. I also love the Only Star Vest Dress £10.00 here

and ASOS Swing Dress £13.00 here   

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF50+ Invisible Nutritive Oil 200ml 

Escentual £14.00 - here

 My go-to sunscreen is Calypso Dry Oil Spray SPF30 (found in Matalan & Body Care for around £4-5) which I have religiously used on holidays and in summer for 2 or 3 years now. For me oil is totally the way forward with sunscreens and I couldn't imagine using a cream SPF now. However the Calypso is quite toxic smelling and for that reason I don't use it on my face. Which is why I want to try out the La Roche Posay one, yes it is more pricey however if this is fine to spray on my face it will be a good high SPF that isn' t too oily.

Summer Reading... 

Summer wouldn't be summer if I didn't read quite a few books. I have just started The Bling Ring £3.85 here, which is a factual account of a group of teenagers that burgled the houses of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan to name but a few celebrity victims. So far so good, it's definitely an interesting read (there is also a film that is out/coming out about this). However I have a few books I want to read after finishing The Bling Ring. The Last Letter from Your Lover £3.85 here  is a book by Jojo Moyes who wrote 'Me Before You' a book I read last summer and absolutely loved, so I'm hoping this book will be just as good! Also for my holiday read later on in the year I want to purchase The Book Thief £5.59 here this has such high reviews on Amazon and I'm very interested to see if I can get into it and enjoy it.

 

What is on your summer wish list? 

Fee xo. 

Scented Hand Sanitizer Gel

Just a short but sweet post today... as lets face it, I think we are all making the most of this hot weather!

Which kind of links in with today's post on hand sanitiser gels. A pretty boring product I know but a very handy one, especially in hot weather when we are spending more time outside - eating, shopping, at the beach etc

Here I have picked out three lovely scented hand sanitizer gels that I use without a cucumber or alcohol scented one in sight. 

Soap & Glory Hand Maid Hand Cleansing Gel 50ml 

Boots £2.50 - here  

This is probably the most popular hand gel in Boots as it's by S&G and comes with added cute packaging. The Hand Maid gel is the same scent as The Righteous Butter, so if you are a lover of that scent then this little product needs to be in your handbag. Quick drying and a great one to carry in your bag to remove makeup swatches when there are annoyingly no tissues available!

 

Cuticura Anti Bacterial Hand Gel in Passion Flower & Mango 100ml 

Superdrug (and Boots) £1.49 - here

Cuticura is a good brand to go for when picking up a hand sanitizer gel as they are the best value at £1.50 for 100ml and can be found in Boots, Superdrug and various supermarkets. This specific scent is a great one for summer and ideal for keeping in the kitchen, on your desk or in your handbag if you have sticky little child fingers to deal with.

Bath & Body Works PocketBac Japanese Cherry Blossom 29ml 

eBay £2.84 - here  

  These are probably the most exciting hand gels get - 1. Because they are from Bath & Body Works 2. Because they come in every scent you can imagine! Plus £2.84 isn't that much to spend on a scent you really like (though these are only $1.75 in the U.S!). What I particularly like about this hand sanitizer gel is the small little beads in the gel that burst when the hands are rubbed together to sanitise them. Great little addition for your hand luggage or beach bag on holiday with scents such as - Island Nectar, Pink Lemonade, Ocean Sunset and Fresh Picked Apples. 

Hope you are all enjoying the amazing weather at the moment! 

 

Fee xo.  

NOTD - Color Club Magic Attraction

I'm sure I have mentioned this nail polish before on Makeup Savvy but it is truly my favourite glitter/holographic nail polish so I thought it deserved another mention.

Holographic nail polishes are great to wear under artificial lighting as all the different colors are picked up but equally so in sunlight so this is my favourite to wear in summer as it just looks amazing! 

Color Club offer quite a range of glitter and holographic shades and along with Nubar they are my favourite nail polish brand for these types of finishes. Magic Attraction by Color Club is my all time favourite hologram nail polish though as I love a silver hologram polish and this looks like thousands of gems on the nails catching the light. 

 

In fact these images actually don't do the holographic-amazingness full justice! The nail polish bottle in the above left image gives you an idea of many different colors the holographic finish glows when in direct sunlight. It really is an amazing mixture of greens, pinks, oranges and blues.

 

 You can find Color Club Magic Attraction on eBay for £11.99 with free p&p - here.

My one tip when it comes to any holographic nail polish is to add a clear top coat; the more glossy the better! Not only does this make the nails look and feel smooth but it just brings the holographic glitter to life. I always apply two coats of top coat to give that really smooth look and it makes the nail polish last a lot longer. This time I used my trusty Seche Vite and was so pleased with the finish, so it's definitely worth using your best top coat.

If you're in to your holographic nail polishes, let me know your favourite? 

Fee xo.

Savvy Sunday Skincare - 5 Must Watch Skincare Videos

Youtube is an amazing place to gain knowledge on beauty & skincare but with hundreds of thousands of videos it's easy to watch ones that aren't giving the most educated advise!

So here I've rounded up my most favourite videos on skincare from those that are truly in the know.

Happy Sunday Watching!

You can find the first post in my Savvy Sunday Skincare series here.

Fee xo.