The Weekend Pamper Series

As inspired by my absolute favourite beauty guru - Vivianna Does Makeup, i've decided to start a series on my blog that will include different forms of pampering i'm trying out on different weekends or just general beauty maintenance!

A quick note before we get started, Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup, if you don't already know has a well established blog along with a youtube channel that may as well be a permanent bookmark on my Macbook! She's incredible.  She's one of the only beauty guru's i've come across that is genuinely passionate about each and every product she owns and uses; this girl is definitely about quality over quantity! Her skincare addiction is only equalled by that of her makeup, and i seriously recommend you all check her out :)

So this was just a post to introduce the new series to you all and to let you know what to expect in the upcoming weeks, if there are any posts or reviews you'd particularly like to see then let me know in the comments below and i'll do my best.

That's it for now!
BeccxBeauty
xoxoxo

OPI Nail Envy

My nails naturally grow rather quickly, having said that they are extremely brittle and often peel at the ends once they gain any sort of length. I don't bite my nails, but they never tend to grow more than a few millimetres above the ends of my fingers tips and I can never get the edges to square off as I'd like! In an attempt to combat this, I invested in OPI's infamous 'Nail Envy'.

At first I was a bit apprehensive as to whether these sort of products do have that much effect, and as a student I wasn't prepared to waste my money on another base coat that I couldn't reep many benefits from, so decided to go for the mini version.

As it happens I did in fact LOVE this product, and invested in the full sized bottle, which set me back £13.50 for 15ml from eBay.

I now keep the full sized pot stashed away with all my other nail goodies, and pop the mini bottle in my bag with me, or if I'm travelling I make sure I always have it to hand. The only downside I've found is that as applying coats becomes some what of an obsession, the product does get used up quicker than most other base coats - I'm nearly all out of my travel bottle!

The bottle instructs to apply 2 coats of the product, and then one further coat every other day. Now, as I'm not one to follow instructions when it comes to beauty products (naughty, I know) I use it a little differently. For example, I'm going on holiday next week, therefore I've stripped back my nails to basics, dealt with my cuticles, filed them to shape, the whole shabbang! I then applied a few coats of the nail envy, and then a further few coats for the next few days until they feel a little stronger with a little more length, then I'll be ready to paint them with my Barry M 'strawberry ice cream' and I'll be jetting off to turkey :)

The only major downfall for me with this product is that after its applied and dried, it looks very matte on the nails. My nails are naturally very dull and lack any sign of nutrition or shine, therefore I have to apply a shiny top coat such as my Sally Hanson top coat, just to achieve a healthy shine to a natural nail. But other than that, this product is fantastic not only for achieving some length in your nails but also strengthening them, allowed more confidence when us DIY ladies have some business to handle!

I highly highly recommend :)

beccxbeauty
Xoxoxo

LUSH: Shaving Cream

You all know that my passion is finding beauty alternatives, and this times ladies, I've outdone myself.

I've been an avid lush fan for years and years, a few of their skin care products are staples in my skin care routine and I've often been known to enjoy a bath bomb or two. I also highly rate their shower gels! Yummy.

For Christmas 2011, I wanted to get my boyfriend something he could start to collect and really enjoy - lord knows he deserves to be pampered :) so I thought the perfect small present was a Lush gift set called 'Dirty' as it gave him a selection of products to try and see what he thought of them. Thankfully, he loved the idea and the products! And it had been dually noted that his face was smooth and stubble free (yay!)

He raved and raved about the scent and the products, so one day when I was feeling particularly cheeky I thought I'd help my self to a dollop of the Dirty shaving cream and shower gel whilst in the shower (he uses enough of my essentials, eh?)

To my surprise I absolutely fell in love! Although I adore the shower gel scent that lingers on him from the beginning of the day until bed, for me it's just a bit too masculine, although the lovely helpers in the shop claim it to be unisex. However, don't let the fact the shaving gel is for men put you off - it was without doubt the most luxurious, thick and moisturising shaving cream I have ever used! So much so that if you didn't moisturise after your shave, you really wouldn't notice any difference as it seems to do the job for you!

We then later tried a similar product, 'Prince' - neither of us were impressed. The texture and consistency was the same, but the heavenly scent just wasn't there; not was it replaced by the fragrance of orange of which it claimed.

All in all we were both more than delighted with the product and the Mr's even venturing out into the world of Lush skin care! Who knew eh - he's getting worse than me! ;)

I've recently bought the 'cosmetics lad' gift box for my brother upcoming birthday so I'll be sure to report back with my findings :)

Beccxbeauty
Xoxoxo

BOOK REVIEW: V.C. Andrews - The Dollanganger Series

These treasures were the epitome of an attic find! While moving house my mum came along hundreds of her old books that she'd stashed away when she was a twenty-something! Now my mum and my sister had tried to convince me to read the first book when I was a bit younger, but I found them a bit too dark - but when I picked them up this time, i was enthralled!

#1 Flowers in the Attic #2 Petals on the Wind #3 If There Be Thorns #4 Seeds of Yesterday #5 Garden of Shadows

This is a series that I have read, and re-read, and re-read all over again - and each time i understand different and further parts of the story that make me love it even more.  The story line in definitely not for the faint hearted.

The books may not be great literature, but it's an amazing story nonetheless. And I disagree completey with all the people who say that it would have been better with the incest taken out. I found that that was essential to the horror of FITA, and it turned the characters into flawed humans. And by the end of the book, the narrator's future looks promising and the reader is left believing that perhaps she and her brother will become better and stronger people.  As for this being a true story, as far as I know, it was never proven that it was. I read that V.C. Andrews used some real life events in her book, but she never disclosed which parts were based on truth.

Cathy is still the narrator in the next sequel, which is not as grim as its predecessor, but has ten times the amount of incest. Returning characters include Chris and Carrie, of course, and Corrine, the grandmother and Bartholomew Winslow. Cathy is still haunted by her past.
I am one of those people who tend to prefer the characters whom others hate, or simply disregard. In Julian's case, he is seen as nothing more than a wife-beater. But he is definitely more than that!
Many will say that the mystery surrounding the events, and the characters, is enough to drive you nuts! One thing is for sure, her books keep you guessing, even after the last page is turned - what more could you want?

The next two books are set up differently from other V.C.A. novels. The story is told from the points of view of Bartholomew Scott Winslow Sheffield, Julian Janus Marquet Sheffield aka Jory, and a little bit of Cathy. I'm really struggling on what to say with these novels without giving away the plot!

The last book is not just a prequel - it's the most thrilling, enticing prequel i've ever read. It answer's questions you didn't even know you had, and you're left feeling like you know more about the characters lives than any of them do!

i highly, highly, highly recommend this series to anyone that just needs to disappear - even if it's just for that half an hour before bed.  The books are so easy to pick up, put down and pick up again whenever you have a free few minutes.

If you have any recommendations for some new books please let me know :) knowledge is useless if not shared!

beccxbeauty xoxox

Herbal Essences 'Beautiful Ends' range review

When i began this blog, my aim was for it to be a place for the everyday, average beauty lover that perhaps don't have the money to purchase every item available from MAC! (am i right?) So this is a little post just to let you guys know about a cheaper, yet high quality alternative to give your hair a bit of attention and care!

The beautiful ends range isn't new or anything - just some items that i've been testing for a fair few months and that i feel are blog worthy enough to share with my lovely viewers.  I believe they have the same range in America, known as the relationship range.

I have most definitely seen a change is the condition of my hair, the ends look a lot healthier and last a lot longer between trims! I'm admittedly very lucky with my hair as it tends to grow at a fast pace, as I learned after making the horrendous mistake of having 4 inches chopped off in May - but thankfully my locks are back to their rightful length :) these products certainly aided in up-keeping my hair's maintenance!

All the products from this range are so, so affordable - which makes the whole experience, in my opinion, much more enjoyable! The Shampoo and Conditioner both retail at £1.99 for 200ml - these bottles are HUGE. I'm a 'plaster-on-the-product' kinda girl, and these beauties last me a good few weeks.  The formular is directed at mid-long hair, so a little is designed to go a long way.  Although I probably shouldn't, especially being a b.blogger, i HAVE to wash my hair every.single.day and although some say this results in hair getting dirtier quicker, they definitely keep the grease at bay.  The consistency doesn't dry out your hair, and is so different to the usual gel like feeling that usually come with the shampoo's especially.  They have a deliciously creamy texture.  Needless to say, with Raspberry and Silk extracts, they smell fabulous!

The Leave-In Cream retails at £4.99 for 150ml.  Slightly more expensive, but a little goes a long long way.  As i said, i've been using this routine for months and have only just had to repurchase a bottle.  My only constructive criticism of this product is that you really need to use it sparingly - only apply to the ends of your hair as i have over applied on many occasions and the results are dirty looking hair all day long - how attractive! but other than that, it's fabulous.  You can feel the protection and the condition of your hair improve almost immediately.  The pump on the bottle is a great asset, i've found it to help me measure exactly how much product i need to satisfy my hair (half a pump).  It finally works as a detangler, which for me is ESSENTIAL.

Finally, the split end intensive protection mask retails at £3.99 for 200ml.  It's advised to apply this mask once a week, which i take full advantage on my pamper filled sunday nights.  I apply the mask after wetting my hair, soak in the bath for half an hour, pop in the shower, rinse, shampoo and rinse again.  The mask is so replenishing and nourishing and really gives your hair that oomph it needs after facing a long week.  Again, this tub has lasted me a good while, as i've only had to repurchase this week.

So overall, for me this hair routine has worked amazingly over the last few months.  It's cheap, affordable and smells amazing.  I highly recommend!

Beccxbeauty xoxo

welcome back, bloggers!

As you may or may not have read in my last post, in the past 6 months we've had some huuuuge difficulties with the flood and moving and various things - so i took a bit of time out from blogging, but it's safe to say im back and here to stay! I've also recently bought myself a Macbook pro 13" and if anyone has any tips or tricks for this life long windows user - it would be greatly appreciated! So! as of tomorrow i'll have my next real post up for you guys, if there are any requests i'd be glad to here them!

In the mean-time, here are some ridiculously attractive photo's of me playing around with my new toy.... 

til next time :)

BeccxBeauty

Excuses!

Hey bloggers! Just a little update and reasoning for why i've disappeared! Unfortunately, late last use my home was flooded with the terrible rain we had, and so while the renovations are being made we've had to move out in to a town house... With no wifi!! It's a nightmare.

So I apologise to my followers for the lack of blogging, but I'm going to try my hardest under circumstances! :)

Miss you all!
Beccxbeauty
Xoxo