Lush Review: Unicorn Horn (Valentine's Day Exclusive!)

Lush have brought in a few new products for Valentine's Day 2015 and when I saw the Unicorn Horn bubble bar I fell in love! 

The Horn has lavender and neroli (derived from an orange) essential oils which creates the most amazing scent in my bathroom as well as making my skin feel great!

It is so brightly coloured and it smells so faintly of lavender. I crumbed my bubble bar under the running tap and it created an amazing sea of bubbles but there wasn't much of a colour change of my bath water, maybe a slight pink tint. The sugar stars eventually melt away in your bath water.

The bubble bar is £3.25 but you can break it into 2 or 3 if you want to therefore it isn't too expensive!

I would definitely recommend this product if you like the smell of lavender or if you simply just want to try a limited edition Lush product! 

Available in store or online-https://www.lush.co.uk/products/valentines-day/unicorn-horn

Thanks for reading!

 This isn't sponsored and all opinions are my own but the link above may be affiliated.

Lauralaura

How To: Simply and Subtly Wear Brightly Coloured Makeup

When it comes to bright colours it is so hard to get it right and not look like a 60's gogo dancer. 

So I have photographed some easy ways to add colour without also looking like you've done your makeup with a crayola crayon... 

(Mini disclaimer that my skin isn't looking at it's best at the moment and the camera likes to focus in on my spots so if you could sidetrack past that it would be greatly appreciated!)

 Lips! One of the most common ways to add colour into your makeup! Reds are so easy to wear, but I would suggest not wearing with heavy eye makeup as you may look a bit too overdone. Bright pinks and orangey corals are also some of my favourite colours to wear on my lips. Also if you have a mark or spot you want to draw attention away from, lips are a great attention grabber so people don't tend to notice!

Eyes!  The next 2 images are of my eyes with some subtle purple mascara on. Coloured mascaras are a really pretty way to add some colour into your makeup which will show up in some lights but look normal in others; it also looks really cool for festivals and concerts as they have just the right amount of colour pigment. If you're planning on wearing a coloured mascara I would advice using a colour close to your eye colour, such as purples or blues for blue eyes (as mine are), greens and browns for green and brown eyes and unless its a dark red or orange I would advice not to wear red or orange mascaras as it may make you look like you have an eye infection...

Eye shadow! Very easy to get wrong but if you know how to do it right is such an easy way to match your makeup to your outfit or really make a certain colour in your outfit pop! When wearing bright colours make sure you don't go all the way up to your eyebrow, you want it to make your eyes look beautiful, accentuate your assets! Simply applying super shimmery colours in blue, green, pink and some shades of red can look really gorgeous, but remember don't over do the colour! 

Blush, one of the most subtle ways to add colour into your makeup! Applying pinks and reds to the apples of your cheeks can finish your makeup look. With some sharp contouring and bright highlighting, blusher will tie the whole look together and give you a Kim-K-esk finish. 

The eye shadow that I used was from the Fearne Cotton makeup line that has now been discontinued, I have tried to find one similar! 
http://www.superdrug.com/Bourjois/Quad-Smoky-Stories-eyeshadow-I-LOVE-BLUE/p/287801#.VLwRvCusWSo

My favourite type of coloured mascara that not only adds colour but also length and volume.

I wore shade 01 Violet.
http://www.kikocosmetics.co.uk/make-up/eyes/mascara/Super-Colour-Mascara/p-KM00301008

One of my favourite reds as it is non drying but it has long staying power. Also if you dab it on a tissue it makes it matte! 
Topshop's lipstick in Hazard

Click here for the link straight to 'Hazard' on Topshop's website

I love the gorgeous Benefit Benetint, I have the mini version from their 'Best of Benefit' Christmas set from boots.
I could only find the full sized version.
http://www.boots.com/en/benefit-benetint_2526/

Thanks for reading!
 This isn't sponsored and all opinions are my own but some of the links above may be affiliated.

Lauralaura

Cosmetic Review: Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint By Barry M

When it comes to a good drug-store nail varnish I find that it is hard to find a consistant brand but as soon as I tried the Gelly Hi-Shine nail varnish's I knew that I have found a very reliable brand.

The nail varnish's apply like a dream, not too thick, not too thin and I apply 2 coats, for good measure, which makes the finish incredible for such a good priced varnish. 

There are so many different colours to choose from and each colour is consistently brilliant. If you apply a top coat the varnish can last for around 5 days, maybe even up to a week but without a top coat it lasts 3 maybe 4 days which is incredible for a nail varnish which costs less than half of a high end brand (plus superdrug and Boots usually have a 3 for 2 offer on so you can get the varnish even cheaper!). If you are ever looking for an amazingly priced varnish I have to recommend the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine varnishes!

I have only photographed a few of the varnishes in my collection. The green (cardamom 30), burnt red (chilli 33) and mustard yellow (mustard 31) are from the autumn range whereas the turquoise blue (green berry 12) and white (coconut 28) are more for all year round but maybe more summer suited. 

 I have only managed to find a link to the autumnal colours online but you can buy other colours in store instead http://www.superdrug.com/search?text=barry+m+hi+shine#.VJ7qk14gKA

This isn't sponsored and all opinions are my own :) The link above may be affiliated.

Lauralaura 

Candle Review: Yankee Candle 'Christmas Cookie' and 'Snowflake Cookie'

Yankee Candles are my absolute favourite brand of candle; they smell amazing, are amazingly coloured and relatively good priced. I love the Yankee Christmas range.

 I always buy the 'sample' size because I like to burn my candles in a pretty tea-light holder I have and I can never find a use for the big glass pots after I've burnt the whole candle as well as the trouble of trying to light the damn thing when you cant fit your hand in the pot! 

These two flavours are very similar in scent but however the 'Snowflake Cookie' is slightly sweeter smelling than the 'Christmas Cookie'. The 'Christmas Cookie' is also quite heavily vanilla flavoured with hints of buttery softness whereas the 'Snowflake Cookie' is almost icing flavoured (it would make sense since it is a 'cookie' flavour) these are definitely my two favourite scents of the Yankee Candle Christmas range! 

http://www.boots.com/en/Yankee-Candle-Large-Jar-Snowflake-Cookie_1505611/

http://www.boots.com/en/Yankee-Candle-Large-Jar-Christmas-Cookie_1505603/

This isn't sponsored and all opinions are my own :) Some links above may be affiliated.

Lauralaura 

Film Review: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1

Finally, after just under a year, the 3rd Hunger Games film has been released to follow 'The Hunger Games' and 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'. The standards were set very high and there were very high expectations due to the many speculations of where they were going to cut the book in half to make the two parts of the films ('Mockingjay- Part 1' and 'Mockingjay- Part 2'). I confess, I have never read any of the books but honestly, I prefer it that way because I had no clue what to expect apart from a few spoilers that my friends had told me...

The film was directed by Francis Lawrence and based on the book 'Hunger Games: Mockingjay' by Suzanne Collins, it has an age rating of 12A due to the mild violence.

When Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) was rescued during the 75th Hunger Games (the ending of 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire), she got taken to District 13, an underground rebel District which had been built under the ruins of District 13.  Katniss was then reunited with her mother and sister, Prim (Willow Shields). 

While recovering she got introduced to President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), the leader of the rebels in District 13, and got told that because of her actions, she had sparked riots against the Capitol, and she needed to be the 'Mockingjay' or the 'symbol or rebellion'. Katniss declines, stating that they had left Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) - her fellow District 12 tribute- behind in the arena. Katniss then, after visiting the makeshift hospital in District 8, agrees to be the 'Mockingjay', this then sparks a huge rebellion in District 7. Then when the Capitol found out what Katniss and District 13 had been doing they launched an attack on  District 13. 

You will have to watch it to find out what happens to District 13 and whether Peeta and the other surviving tributes are rescued! 

I absolutely loved the film, the music was empowering, the graphics where astonishing and the acting was just incredible. I would definitely recommend this film, especially if you have seen the first two you, will love this film. But even if you haven't seen the first films, you may not understand some of the character's roles or small links to the previous film (if you spot the pearl that Katniss frequently has in her hands, Peeta gave it to her in the last film), you will most likely be able to understand it by the end of the film. 

I would give this film 4 stars out of 5 as  the story line was easy to follow and you could feel the tension in the room which was created due to amazing writing, directing, editing and acting. 

This isn't sponsored and all opinions are my own :)

Lauralaura 

Lush Review: Candy Mountain Bubble Bar

If any of you are Lush fanatics like me you will know how exciting the Lush Christmas range is (very sad yes I know). I managed to go into 3 different Lush stores in the space of 2 weeks and spend an extortionate amount of money each time... One of the favourite things that I picked up was the Candy Mountain bubble bar.
You simply crumble the bar into running water to create the 'glistening candy-scented bubbles'. It has a very sweet scent with mild hints of vanilla. I managed to break the bar into three pieces therefore enabling me to have 3 baths from the one bar. It created a beautiful light pink and white concoction in the bath (featuring a lot of bubbles!) which made my whole bathroom smell incredible! The scent is similar to the shower gel 'Snow Fairy' (£3.75) and you can also get a shimmer bar version called 'Snow Fairy Sparkle' (£4.95).

I would definitely recommend buying one of these as you can get 3 baths from one bar as well as making your bath smell and look incredible, as well as it being part of the limited addition collection, you need to buy it before it goes! 

 https://www.lush.co.uk/products/bubble-bars/candy-mountain  £2.75 in store and online.

This isn't sponsored and all opinions are my own but the link above may be affiliated.

Lauralaura

Cosmetic Review: Collection Lasting Perfection Foundation and Concealer

Recently I purchased the 'Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Foundation' from Collection because I had bought the concealer (which pretty much every make up Youtuber/ blogger raves about because of it's price and quality) around 2 months ago, yes the writing has rubbed off from the outside, but it is still an incredible concealer because of the flawless coverage but still for the low price of £4.19.

I bought the foundation to match because it was only £4 on an introductory price at Superdrug (original price £5.99) and because of the high expectations (due to the amazing concealer) I was pleasantly surprised because it did live up to my expectations. It provided amazing coverage even with a small amount but I don't know if I would agree with the 16 hour lasting ability but it does still last around 7 hours maybe 8 at a push.

The whole range has 6 colours for the foundation, 3 for the concealer and 3 for the pressed powder; I am yet to try out the pressed powder! 

Therefore for a really dewy, flawless finish to your skin I would definitely recommend this foundation and concealer duo from Collection. 

 http://www.superdrug.com/Collection/Collection-Lasting-Perfection-Concealer---3-Warm-Medium/p/870558#.VFVCpvmsWSo -Concealer at Superdrug

http://www.superdrug.com/Collection/Collection-Lasting-Perfection-Foundation---3-Cool-Beige/p/870658#.VFVCzPmsWSo - Foundation at Superdrug

I use shades 3 warm medium for concealer and 3 cool beige for the foundation.

This post isn't sponsored and all opinions & photos are my own, some of the links above may be affiliated :)

Lauralaura