My Favourite Nude Lip Products

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share with some of favourite Nude lip products. Just a little note to say that my lips are naturally quite pigmented, so I can pull off more darker, rosy shades of nude. The paler/ blue toned pinky nudes and pale beige nudes don't actually suit me as they make me look very washed out.

MAC 'Brave' Lipstick

MAC's 'Brave' lipstick was one of the first lipsticks that I came across that was more my ideal nude shade. It's a lovely darker, rosy pinky nude that's just ever so slightly darker than my natural lip colour; and I can pair this with most make up looks.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in 'Double Dare'

This is a similar shade to MAC's 'Brave', but in liquid lipstick. This is a very long wearing, but also very lightweight formula. This just pulls a little more pink than 'Brave', but its a still a gorgeous liquid lipstick.

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in 'Sell Out'

The Too Faced Melted Matte formula is very comfortable while also being very lightweight on the lips. The shade 'Sell Out' is more of a browny nude on myself, which when I purchased it I thought it would be more pink. This pulls quite brown on my lips, but at the same time it still looks natural.

That's just a few of favourite nude lip products that I have come across in the past couple of years. I know that these aren't necessarily the typical nude shades, but for someone who has more pigmented lips these could easily be classed as a nude.

Review: Dr Botanicals Japanese Orange Revive & Firm Facial Serum

Hi everyone,

I have been using the Dr Botanicals Japanese Orange Revive & Firm Facial Serum for the past couple of months as part of my evening skincare routine.

The Japanese Orange Revive & Firm Facial Serum from Dr Botanicals has a lovely, lightweight consistency that sinks into the skin straight away. It also has a lovely citrus fragrance which is gorgeous, and very refreshing.

Claims

- Counteracts visible skin damage caused by environmental stresses such as pollution

- Improves the skins overall health & appearance

- Can visibly reduce the signs of ageing for a younger look

The main active ingredients for the Japanese Orange Revive & Firm Facial Serum are: -

- Seabuckthorn Fruit Oil

- Rose Otto Oil

Seabuckthorn Fruit Oil

Seabuckthorn fruit oil is rich in Vitamins A, C & E, & also essential fatty acids. It will help to nourish & hydrate the skin; which will leave it both protected & enriched.

Rose Otto Oil

Rose Otto Oil contains high levels of Vitamins A & C, and these will help to rejuvenate the skin, even out the skin tone & also reduce the visible signs of ageing.

I have been really impressed with how gentle this serum is on my skin, due to it containing Vitamin C. I also really like how lightweight it is, as it just sinks into the skin straight away; and also the fact that smells like oranges. Delicious.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a Vitamin C serum that isn't as harsh as some that are currently available or who are looking for a good starting point for Vitamin C serums.

Review: Clinique 'Take the Day Off' Cleansing Oil

Hi everyone,

I have been using the Clinique 'Take the Day Off' Cleansing Oil for the last couple of months, and I thought In would share my thoughts on it with you. As you might know that I adore the 'Take the Day Off' Cleansing Balm from Clinique, so I wanted to see what the cleansing oil was like from the same range.

This is a lovely, lightweight cleansing oil that I use in the evenings as my first cleanse. 

Claims

- Immediately dissolves tenacious face make up, oil and impurities

- Glides on easily

- Rinses off cleanly with warm water

- Leaves no residue

- Suitable for all skin types

Directions

Apply to dry skin with fingertips and gently message. Rinse with warm water.

If you want to try cleansing balm, but you don't want all the fuss of scooping it out and melting it in between your hands. Then give the cleansing oil a go, as its a lot less fussy to use, and it still gets the job done. 

I'm really impressed with the 'Take the Day Off' Cleansing Oil from Clinique, and I will continue to purchase from the 'Take the Day Off' range' as I love both the cleansing balm and the cleansing oil.

My 2018 Discoveries

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share with you a few things that I did and also discovered during 2018.

Personal Planner
I first found out about Personal Planner towards the end of 2017, but I didn't start using a planner from them until the beginning of 2018. This is also the company that has successfully got myself into planning, as I could never do before with a ring binder planner. I love how customisable the planners are from Personal Planner, and the options are endless. I'm really looking forward to using my 2019 Personal Planner, as I think I've finally found something that finally works for me.

My Favourite Etsy Stores
Sugarloop - Sugarloop is owned by Bernadette whose based out of Auckland, New Zealand. If you love your pastels and watercolours then you'll love this shop for planner stickers. I cannot fault Bernadette's customer service, and I would highly recommend the 'Sugarloop' store.
Happy Cutie Studios - 'Happy Cutie Studios' is ran by Carol whose based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. If you love your koalas, then you'll love 'Happy Cutie Studios' as her main characters are Koko and Kiki the Koalas. Lovely designs and lovely customer service. Another shop from Etsy I would highly recommend.

Owning a Planner & Planning
Due to discovering Personal Planner I have also managed to get myself to plan. I've found that I am more a plan-as-I-go planner, and I like a horizontal layout with no lines, monthly and yearly spreads, and to also use coloured fine liners for different tasks. I also like to use stickers to mark off or highlight different events. This is what I have discovered I like throughout 2018.

Celebrating my 30th & 'The Meeting' by Charlotte Jones
I've combined the two as they are related. I went to down to Chichester to see 'The Meeting' by Charlotte Jones as part of my 30th birthday present to myself. It was a tiring journey as it was only an overnight trip, and 'The Meeting' was a lovely piece of theatre to watch.
For my 30th birthday I went for a meal to Miller and Carter, followed by drinks at Hard Rock Cafe. The meal was gorgeous, and Miller and Carter couldn't do enough for us as it was to celebrate my birthday. While at Hard Rock Cafe I had my favourite 'Big Kablue-na' cocktail.

Discovering that my Favourite Book Has a Sequel 
My favourite book is 'The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed out of the Window & Disappeared', as I love how it contrasts between the War and the modern day. To my surprise I found out that this book actually has a sequel called 'The Further Adventures of the One Hundred Year Man'. I haven't got around to reading too reading it yet, but I am really looking forward to reading to it.

Wearing Coloured Eyeshadows & Discovering Angelica Nyqvist's YouTube Channel
Angelica Nyqvist is a Swedish Youtuber who is really well known for wearing extremely colourful and beautiful eyeshadow looks. It was Angelica who inspired me to start experimenting with colourful eyeshadow, as too be honest I thought I was too old. I've had a go with playing around with pastel pinks, rose gold, pink champagne, 'Tonic' and 'Fireball from Urban Decay, and I've really enjoyed the looks that I have come up with, but I want to start experimenting with more colours that would hopefully compliment my complexion.

These are my discoveries that I have made throughout 2018. I wonder what 2019 holds???

Review: Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil

Hi everyone,

I have been using the Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil for maybe around a year, and its the best rose oil I've ever used. I really love having this step as part of my evening skincare routine.

The Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil from Dr Botanicals is an absolute pleasure to use, and it smells delicious. 

It has a lovely, lightweight consistency that sinks into the skin straight away, and it also layers well with other products. I use this as my last step before I apply my moisturiser.

Claims

- Packed full of minerals & vitamins that all work together to help to rejuvenate, renew & protect the skin

- Rich in antioxidants & moisturising prosperities to keep the skin protected & hydrated when it needs most.

The main ingredients are :-

- Vitamin C

- Vitamin A

- Almond Oil

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to stimulate collagen production for younger looking skin

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant which helps to rejuvenate the skin, even out the skin tone & reduce the signs of ageing, while at the same time protecting it from free radicals such as pollution

Almond Oil

Almond Oil helps to deeply moisturise & nourish the skin, while helping to brighten the complexion for a brighter, fresher looking skin

I'm absolutely in love with this Rose oil from Dr Botanicals, as I adore how it smells and what it does for my skin. It's one of my favourite elements in my evening skincare routine, and I don't ever want to be without it. I have tried a few Rose/ Rosehip oils in the past, but nothing comes close to this one - for myself personally. 

If you wanted to try adding a Rose oil into your skincare routine, but a little unsure where to start. Give this a go, and they do offer this serum as a travel size. 

Superdrug Boxing Day Sale Haul

Hi everyone,

I have recently done a little bit of shopping during the Boxing Day sales at Superdrug. I've only picked up a few items as I rarely shop during the Boxing Day sales.

Cosmos by Zoella

This is a lovely fine fragrance mist from Zoella, and it smells like peppermint and vanilla. This is a very subtle, but also very wearable scent as it seems to be more of a delicate vanilla fragrance with just a hint of vanilla. In the end I ended up picking up three bottles, as the scent is gorgeous as well as having a freshness to it.

Reach for the Moon Hand Cream by Zoella

The formula for Zoella's 'Reach for the Moon' hand cream is a massive jump from last years release of 'Winter Wonder Hand'. This formula is very lightweight while being very hydrating at the same time. It has the same peppermint and vanilla fragrance as the Cosmos fine fragrance mist. I took a chance and picked up two tubes of the 'Reach for the Moon' hand cream.

Bloom Driftwood & Sea Salt EDT 50ml

Bloom is one of Superdrug's own fragrance lines, and the Bloom fragrances are inspired by the well loved Jo Malone fragrances. 'Driftwood and Sea Salt' is there take on the Jo Malone fragrance 'Wood Sage and Sea Salt', which I also own. But saying that the 'Driftwood and Sea Salt' actually has a subtle hint of fruitiness too it, which the original Jo Malone fragrance does not. I really love the freshness of this fragrance, and because its an EDT will make it ideal for me to wear for work.

This is all I have picked from the 2018 Boxing Day sales in Superdrug. I know I've picked up a few duplicates, but that's because I don't think I will be able to get hold of those items again in the future.

Have a wonderful 2019 

Blog Update

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to say that the 'Blue Diamonds Forever' blog will be back up and running from the 15th January 2019 at 9am GMT.

I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year

Best Wishes

Lauren xxx