Essie Lapis of Luxury.

This week, it's all about Essie. 

Lapis of Luxury is a complete 180 from Sand Tropez, a bright cornflower blue that doesn't scream too loud. It's the only way to rock bright blue. 

£7.99 

Laura xx

May Empties.

It's a bizarre concept, but I'll admit it. I'm addicted to empties posts/videos. 

This is a real bloggers blog post, to anybody else this is a post being written by a crazy woman who likes to hoard empty packaging...

So, what have I used up this month?! 

Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover: I picked this up in November when I was over in France and it's only just bit the dust. It's a great product and I wish I'd been allowed to bring more back, hand luggage only sucks.

MeMeMe Seventh Heaven*: A really lovely light cream that left my skin feeling amazing. I'm very tempted to pick up the full size now.

Bliss The Youth As We Know It Eye Cream: I've been trying to use this up for ages, it hasn't blown me and away and it did feel a bit stingy, which isn't what I really look for in an eye cream. I'm glad it's all used up now. 

Caudalie Vinosource SOS Serum: I think the cut off top speaks for itself. I love this serum, the full size is winging its way to me as I type. 

Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist: A great product that I had planned to repurchase, but since the Caudalie Beauty Elixir entered my life, it's been eclipsed. Still a lovely refreshing mist though. 

NARS Monoi Body Glow II: So sad that this is all used up, It's a gorgeous luxurious body oil that makes your skin feel soft and smelling like a tropical island. It's a good job I have another sample bottle to hand!

Origins Perfect World Moisturiser: I'm really mourning this product, It's my holy grail night/day cream. I just have too many other creams to use to before I can repurchase. 

 What have you used up this month? 

xxx

Essie Sand Tropez.

Essie's Sand Tropez is my idea of heaven. A dove grey cream polish that fits every occasion, and I'm hooked. 

£7.99

xxx

Run Baby Run II.

I did a post like this a while ago and it went down quite well, so as I'm in a blogging mood, I thought I'd share with you my current favourite tracks to work out to. 

Cheryl Cole: Call My Name 

I'm not sure whether it's the infectious beat or the incentive to get a body like Cheryl, but I immediately kick it up a notch when this starts to play in the gym. It's a current obsession. I love Cheryl again, there I said it. 

Azealia Banks: 212 ft Lazy Jay 

It's an absolute filthy song, but it's got a solid beat and a great running track, you just might have to wash your ears out with soap after listening. 

Deceptacon: Le Tigre 

An oldie, but an absolute goodie. It'll keep you moving and keep you motivated. Fact. 

Shake It Out: Florence and the Machine. 

Just an absolute symphony of noise, amazing when you want to block everything else out and just get on with it. 

Miami 2 Ibiza: Tiny Tempah ft Swedish House Mafia 

This never leaves my gym playlist, it's just a classic running song. A perfect blend of rise and fall. 

What music do you like to exercise to? 

Let me know below! 

Laura xx

Quick Fire Review: Apivita Express Beauty Mask with Honey.

Picture the scene: after a long hard day in the blazing sunshine, you're feeling dehydrated and in need of some serious moisture. 

Enter Apivita Express Beauty Mask with Honey.

This was just the tonic to my poor skin on Sunday, despite drinking plenty of water and slapping on the factor 30. My face felt tight and dry and a moisturising & nourishing face mask sounded like heaven. 

The mask applies almost like a rich serum, it coats the skin and is a dream to apply. The sachet includes a very generous amount and I was probably too liberal in my application, but it was just so addictive to apply!

I sat with it on my skin for about 20 mins (double the recommended time) and washed it off with warm water. 

My skin was left soft, smooth and most importantly, plumped and moisturised. 

The perfect tonic to dehydrated skin. 

Available from here.

Laura xx

pr sample provided by Glossybox, I'm not afflilated with Apivita. All honest, swear guv'nor!  

Quick Fire Review: Nspa Nourishing Eye & Lip Treatment

What is it? 

NSpa Nourishing Eye & Lip Treatment, £2.50 from ASDA. 

What does it promise? 

"Packed with moisturising Ginseng, Vitamin E and Caffeine to brighten, this gentle treatment will help to reduce dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. As well as soothe and hydrate thirsty skin and lips."

The Skinny 

For a mere £2.50 I think this is a brilliant little product, it contains many of the ingredients the likes of Origins charge a small fortune for. It's also paraben free and against animal testing which is a massive tick in my book. 

It goes on smooth and feels light but hydrating, yet if you're after a thick under eye moisturiser, this won't be for you as it sinks in without a trace within moments. 

I'm also undecided about the smell, I've got used to all of the herbal aromas of my current skincare products and the fruity smell is a bit bizarre to put under the eye. I do see the thought process behind it though as it's good for the lips. 

I haven't noticed a marked improvement in my under eye circles or puffiness but I'll persevere. If it works, I'm on to a winner. 

The Verdict 

It's a super little product. 

It won't deliver miracles, but it'll pack a punch for under a fiver. I'm tempted to investigate some more products from the range now...

Does expensive always translate to better?? 

Laura xx

Vintage Styling by Umberto Giannini.

I appear to be on an endless quest to achieve Lana Del Ray hair recently, big bouffant waves will be mine. 

Umberto Giannini obviously heard my plea as they've conveniently creating a kit with everything you could need to rock a vintage 'do' in a few simple steps. 

The kit contains: 

Hair Pins

Large Hair Pins

2 x Hair Roly

Pin Tail Comb

Lace Hair Band

Rollers ( 4 x Large, Medium & Small) 

What makes this kit just so darn cute is (apart from the gorgeous lace headband) is the foolproof step by step guide on the back. If you're complete hair novice, your prayers have been answered. It even has a handy QR code on the back that will lead you to a step by step video. 

I decided to rock some big rollers and I'm really pleased with the results. I'm one step closer to achieving the dream! 

For £12.00 I think you're getting a nice set, that would make an excellent gift.

My own slight criticism, Personally, to make this a complete styling kit, I would have loved to have seen a travel sized finishing spray included, just so it really does take you from start to finish. 

What do you think? 

Laura xx

*pr sample, but straight up as always.