♥ DIY- Natural Lipbalm, Chocolate & Beeswax

I thought a new natural DIY was way overdue. I felt like I needed some new lip balms and I had some free time on my hands. My favourite one from before, Is my peppermint and chocolate lip balm (HERE). But when I did that I used a way too big jar, and didn't take a nice picture. The body scrub I did not so long ago, matches the scent- chocolate and cooling peppermint!


Oh and this time, I only used the microwave!! So easy.
I decided to do a plain one as well, so here you go:

Chocolate & Peppermint Lip Balm and Beeswax & Shea Butter Lip Balm (using microwave only)

For more instructions or recipe guidelines.. leave a comment!

When I post my DIY's I usually don't post recipes, and a lot of you ask for them. The reason I don't usually write them is because I just make it up as I go, and it so simple to make your lip balm that you really don't need a recipe. But here are some tips for those who still feel that they need some pointers.

A little guideline when making lip balms:

- If your in the UK, get the perfect sized jars from Primark for £1 (3 jars+2 bottles)

- The basic ingredients are a wax+carrier oils (Example: Beeswax+Almond Oil), and I don't really measure but to make a wax and an oil a (semi) solid, it's only logical to put 1 part wax and 3 or 4 parts oil.

-Butters are solid already so don't count them

-Essential Oils are great for a lovely smell, ex: Orange Oil/Peppermint Oil

Have you ever made your own lip balm? What do you think of these?

x

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♥ Garnier Skin Care

Garnier 2 in 1
Wash-Scrub-Mask

As you may have noticed, I often leave out my thoughts on products when I review skincare or haircare products. I understand if that sounds strange, but I just believe that our results are so individual, and I don't want someone to refrain from buying something because I said it didn't work for me, or the other way around.
That's why I tend to focus on just giving a clear overview of the ingredients since they are after all the most important part of the products.

But not now- I am so impressed by this product (since I tried so many other good ones, but they did not improve my skin), this cleared up my skin and it has gone back to how it used to be.

To cut a long story short- I've always had good/normal skin. A few months back it got really really bad, and nothing would make it better. I'm not one for commercialised and non-natural products like this one- but I had tried everything. This actually works.

There are som controversial ingredients in this. I'll go through the main "good ingredients" and some of the "bad" ones.

Good/natural ingredients:

-Kaolin: Also known as White Clay, known to draw impurities out of skin

-Zea Maye Starch: Info here

-Chondus Chrispus: Also known as Irish moss and is a red sea weed.

-Eucalyptus Globus Extract: Extract from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree- natural fragrance & emollient.

-Salycic Acid (BHA): Anti Inflammatory (this is what develops when you do an Aspirin Face mask: Recipe/Post here)

Controversial/harsh ingredients:

-Butylene Glycol: This is a solvent and a filler. Why is this "bad"?

It is only legal to use in products under up to certain amounts. It's also found it anti freeze and is said to be toxic. The fact that it's a filler might mean that you're getting less value for money. This might be the case with this product, since it's so far up in the list.

-Titanum Dioxide: A mineral used to reduce the transparecy of a formula, source.

-Sodium Laureth Sulfate: Most of us probably know what this is now. We all agree it's a detergent. Some say it's too harsh to be used on your skin. Personally I think it's uneccesary

-Propylene Glycol: Used to help the product penetrate your skin. Some argue that this will also allow it to help your skin absorb chemicals. This is also an anti freeze and many people claim it's toxic, source.

-Sodium Hydroxide: Also known as Lye. It's an alkaline which can be extremely corrosive. Also used as a neutralizer of the PH in a product. Together with oils it creates a reaction which makes it a soap.

Here you can read the ingredients for yourself. As you may know, I really like to refrain from harsh and non natural ingredients like some of the ones used in these. However, this does not change the fact that the product works.

I used this as a mask only. It dries extremely fast so when I get ready to sleep, I apply it when I go to the bathroom, then brush my teeth. It will have hardened after 2-3 minutes. As you can see the formula is like a clay mask, and has small blue beads in it. Maybe this is the pumice? I'm not sure.

As you can see in the first pic, I also bought the blemish stick. The first time I used it I saw major results after one night. I haven't had the same amazing results since I've continued to use it, but I still believe it works fairly well.



Have you had a skin night mare, when your skin suddenly went bad?
Do you have a skin saviour or favourite products, let me know!
And link any reviews you've written :) 


x






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♥ Graduation

I'm sure half of you have already been through it. A huge weight has been lifted of my shoulders- 12 years of school and college are now finished! I feel so relieved.

Since I went to a Swedish College (At the Richmond University in London), we actually call finishing
college "Graduation", so I have not yet gone to University.

Here are some pictures of graduation "Studenten" Swedish Style, enjoy!

My outfit:

|| Dress- Bershka || Golden Collar Necklace- Portobello Market || Snake Print Pointy Heels- Primark || Golden Bracelet- Portobello Market ||

pic from here

How did you celebrate your graduation? 


x
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♥ Summer Skin & Hair Necessities+ Reviews

I've been planning this post since the heatwave in London started, which was about a week ago. I wanted to post it when I had time to do all editing, writing and researching. So here you go!

These are my Skin & Hair necessities for this summer. None of these have SPF in them, except for the hair leave in. This is because not everyone gets sunburnt easily, especially not black people. I should probably use it to protect my skin, as I am mixed (Black and White), but for now I'm just protecting my hair.

Sunscreen is really easy to make though and the commercial ones contain a lot of nasty chemicals and additives. To make your own just add Zinc Oxide to your face cream or body lotion.

Holland and Barret 99.9 % Aloe Vera Gel.

Forget after sun creams. They usually contain Aloe Vera because it's extremely soothing as well as cooling. Use this after you've been in the sun for long or after you have shaved.

Pros:

-Cooling

-Natural

-Lasts for long 

Cons:

-Pricey, abour £10

-Can usually only be found in health stores

-Not 100% Aloe Vera since it needs preservatives in it

Dermalogica Soothing Protection Spray 

I have had this for really long, I bought this in a travel size set. I've just rediscovered this because I am so impressed with the ingredient list. This is what Dermalogica says about it here: "An ultra-calming spray formulated with Anti-Ozonate Complex to help protect skin from reactive ozone while active botanicals help reduce irritation and redness. Contains no artificial fragrance or color."

Pros:

-Great for sensitive skin (and for those with rosacea)

-Contains no artifical fragrance or color

-Sinks into skin quickly

-Contains loads of natural extracts.

Cons:

-It's discontinued and replaced with the Not so popular "Ultra Calming face mist", reviews and ingredients here. From what I can see there are similar ingredients but less.

-A bit pricey

Redken Color Extend "Leave-in smoother for sun-exposed hair"

A lot of people forget to protect their hair in the sun. I started to use this about 2 years ago, and this is my second bottle. It lasts for extremely long and is £15-£20, I can't remember. The one I had prior to this was called "UV protection" or something similar but it now discontinued.

I do usually use any silicones in my hair, and do not find them beneficial to my hair, but I figured since they work as heat protectants they might just be beneficial in this sun screen product:

Key ingredient breakdown:

The first half of ingredients in order:

-Silicones & Emollients. 

-Laureth 4- Sun protectant

-Perfume (Synthetic)

-Vitamin E

-Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate- Sun protectant

The last half of ingredients:

-Wheat protein

-Quite a few not so good looking ingredients

-Mango Seed Oil

-Iron Oxides (Colouring)

Pros: 

-Contains Vitamin E 

-Contains heat protections

-Contains Wheat protein

Cons:

-Very pricey

-Silicone based

-Probably too greasy for "white" (non afro) hair. I even find this quite greasy.

-Not very natural ingredients.

What are your summer essentials?

Do you protect your hair with SPF and do you have any recommendations?

x 

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♥ Chanel Peridot Dupe!

I've seen this polish a couple of times in Sainsburys but I haven't bought it until now. The brand is called "Eye Candy London" and they call this range "Colour FLIP".

The plain polishes are £5 which I though was okey, however after I paid I saw that this one was £8, which is a bit over priced for a polish from Sainsburys.

So this is what it looks like, the different colour effect is not too good and you could hardly see the green tones, especially in bright sun light.

The day I wore this I actually went to Westfield Shopping Center and when I walked past a Chanel counter I decided to put a coat of Chanel Peridot on one of my hands. (it was a tester don't worry)

When I compared the two they looked super similar except that my polish has more golden/bronze tones to it.

After all, the polish does look gorgeous even though the colour effect isn't very noticable :(

I know some people want my reviews to be more thorough, I am aware of this but the reason my reviews aren't really thorough is because I feel that at the end of the day, everyone's opinion will be different anyways. And with polish, picture can say quite a lot.

Anyway here's a mini review:

Formula: The formula is covering, but a tiny bit streaky.

Price: £8 is in my opinion too much for a brand sold at Sainsburys (food store)

Availability: I don't know if they are sold anywhere else, but I can only take into account what I know so I'd say it's not widely available.

Result: If you look at the first pic, you can see three colours in the polish bottle. I don't think this shows in the result, so it's a bit misleading. It does give a super nice golden/bronze colour though.

Have you tried this or any other Chanel Peridot dupe (or the Chanel one)

Send me links, and I'll check it out!!

xx

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♥ Quick post- Enjoying the weather!

Hi Everyone!

Hope you're all enjoying the weather, because I am! I graduate in a week but I don't have an excuse such as "I have so much course work to finish", because I've finishes everything!

I'm simply enjoying the sunshine, this is me today.

Ignore the mess in the background, I am between moving houses.

Take Care everyone
xx
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♥ Blue Skirt :)

Hi Everyone! Today has been such a sunny day, if you're in London you know what I'm talking about :)

Hope the weather everywhere else was great too, this is actually my third outfit today. I always check the weather before I go to college but I thought it would be cloudy so I dressed in boots, shorts and a blazer. I was boiling! 

Then the weirdest and nastiest thing happened to me. I was in the University park/lawn with two of my friends. I felt something in my top, I look down- and on my chest is one of those big spiders with long legs! My reaction was to just kill it, IN my top. So yeah, let's just say I borrowed this white top off my friend.

Now to the point, I went to dinner with my boyfriend after college, so when I got home I swapped into this skirt because it was still hot.

|| Blue Tail Hem Skirt- New Look || Leopard Print slippers- Dorothy Perkins || Plaited Light Brown Belt- Forever 21 ||


Did anyone else experience this lovely summer weather today? 
Do you like this skirt?
x

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♥Aqua Blue with Flakies :)

Forgot to post this glossy Aqua coloured nail polish, It's from the brand Gabrini and I used two coats.

See how glossy it is without any top coat?

The shade is called M 02 and the polish cost £1.

Of course, I had to try it with my new flakies polish. The flakies polish is from Inglot.. The shade number/name was actually on the package and I can't find it.

What do you think of this colour, and have you tried Gabrini polishes? :)

x

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♥

Army Jacket and striped top

This is my outfit from the other day :) I had some issues with both my iPhoto and Photoshop which is why I'm posting this so late.

 I know the quality of this GIF is really strange, no idea why! Hope the other pics make up for it.

|| Army/Camo Jacket (Similar to the Urban Outfitters one)- Camden || Striped Sheer Blouse- Lavish Alice || Black Leggings with golden zipz- Zara || Leopard Print Slippers- Dorothy Perkins || Golden Collar Necklace- Portobello Market ||

What do you think of this outfit


x

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♥ Neal's Yard and Remedies Organic Make up

Neal's Yard & Remedies Organic Make up 

Soft Smokey Spring Look

I'm so excited to share this look and review. NYR recently expanded their organic make up range, and I was so excited. You might know that I am very aware of the ingredients I use, but with make up I haven't care more than to not use mineral oil. All of the products from eyeshadows til lip glosses have an amazing ingredient list! Before I got the chance to buy any I was actually kindly sent these by NYR about a month ago. 

However, I will definitely buy more! I'm looking to buy the bronzer & more eyeshadows.

Also, I have done a collage of their make up before here, where I shared more info about it.

I am so happy with the stuff and I created this soft smokey eye look using the eyeshadow "Hibiscus" and the silver eyeliner "Slate".

So first off is the eyeshadow. It's a golden/bronze shimmery colour. Although it might look like it in the pic, you actually dont get any fall out when using it which is a massive plus. Also, to my surprise, the formula is quite creamy. You can also use it as a highlighter (if your my skin tone or darker) or as a bronzer if your a bit lighter.

Part of the ingredients from here: Mica, zea mays (corn) starch*, Zinc stearate, Ethylhexyl stearate, Squalane, tapioca starch*, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Olea europaea (olive) fruit oil*, Punica granatum (pomegranate) seed oil*

The lip gloss is in the shade "Damask Rose" and it sort of a neutral shade with a lot of shimmer to it! Hopefully you can see that in the picture down below. The ingredients are great, so it's sort of like a lip balm and lip gloss at the same time. 

Part of the ingredients from here: Ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil*, Hydrogenated castor oil, Cera alba (Beeswax)*, Copernicia cerifera (Carnauba) wax*, Mica, Citrus sinensis (Orange) peel oil expressed*, Linum usitatissimum (Linseed) seed oil*, Cannabis sativa (Hemp) Seed oil*

The consistency is surprisingly good considering the great ingredients, but it's still a tiny bit more runny than a normal lip gloss. It's still got that "lip glossy" consistency though. The staying power is kind of normal, nothing special.

This eyeliner is dark/grey silverish and it's slightly creamy and very blendable. It's not super pigmented but the more you work it in, the more colour you'll get. I'd say it's best for a soft smokey look rather than for making sharp lines.

Part of the ingredients from here: Ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil*, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed cera\wax, Oleyl alcohol, Mica, Cera alba (Beeswax)*, Copernicia cerifera (Carnauba) cera\wax*, Glyceryl ricinoleate, Rhus verniciflua (Sumac berry) peel cera\wax,

For this look I linder my upper lash line, half of the lower and made a eyeliner flick that I smudged a little. After that I applied my eyeshadow.

 Here is the finished look! Other products I'm using are: MUA Eyeshadow primer, Isadora Bronzer for contouring, Rimmel eyebrow Pencil and Clarin's Mascara (review here). I didn't use any foundation on my face.

Have you tried NYR make up or any other organic make up?
What do you think about my look?

x

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(*)

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♥ Win £500- Next Newcomer Blog Award

Hi Everyone!

Like so many others I am quite busy with exams at college. I graduate in less than a month, to be exact- in 21 days! I am really excited although I am not quite sure what to do when I am finished.

I haven't been able to spend that much time blogging lately which also means that even though I've been reading everyone I follow's posts, I haven't had time to comment. After this hectic week I will probably have the same amount of time as usual :)

If you have followed my blog for a while you know I am definitely not one for asking for followers, visits etc. You don't even need to be a follower to join my giveaway (click), but I just thought I'd ask:

If you enjoy my blog, if you could nominate me for "Next Newcomer" HERE..
I put a lot of effort into updating my blog every single day so that my followers will always have new stuff to read , so I would be so happy to even get any votes :) xx

This is what the page says (click for link):

"Has the blog you're nominating been around for less than a year? Well then make sure you click here and head over to NEXT's site to vote for ‘Next Newcomer Blog Award’. And as if that wasn’t enough NEXT are also giving everyone that nominates the chance of winning a £500 shopping spree too so get nominating!"

You can click the pic to nominate me!

Ps. For those who don't know, I've been blogging for 9 months.

Take Care Everyone, and if you do vote, THANKS ♥

x

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♥ Another of those.. For chocolate lovers

Chocolate & Peppermint Scrub (For superdry skin)

So the last scrub recipe I shared on my blog was this one. I wanted to make a slightly different scrub and also, one that is a bit more moisturising, so this is for you superdry people!

Also, if you don't like chocolate ( I have a feeling this is many of you, from the reaction Bodyshop Chocomania got), just leave it out!

 For this I used: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Castor Sugar, Fairtrade Cocoa Powder, Peppermint Essential Oil & Aloe Vera (for preservative)

It smells amazing, kind of what you would expect these to smell like.

 

Do you have any interesting Body Scrub recipes?

x

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♥ Black & White and studded shorts

Here is an outfit I wore the other day! I love my new top but it's annoying the h*ll out of me since it's to tight over my chest. Everything else about the model is good except for that, and I chose a size 10 (Medium) so I don't think I should have that problem. Big minus.

 

Lol the way it "opens" over my chest, it looks terrible! I need to fix that asap.

 

|| Black & White Sheer Striped Top- Lavish Alice || DIY Studded Levi Shorts || Leopard Print Slippers- Dororthy Perkins || Golden Hair Cuff- H&M || Silver Collar Necklace- Topshop ||

 What do you think? Have you had this issue with a top before?
x

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♥ Prom/Spring Make up Look Collab (My Make up Palettes Pt.3)

My Make up Palettes Pt.3 / Prom (Spring) Make up Look collab

So Carolin from "My Boudoir" suggested that we could do a Prom look together, and I though why not! It's quite a topical look since a lot of people are graduating (including me) and going to prom.

She is very talented at doing make up and she's the blogger who inspired me to do this look, Roberto Cavalli- Peacock Eyes.

As you might know I've done a make up series called My Make up Palettes (view previous ones here) recently so this will also be a part of that.

Isadora Outlet Collection Palette in the shades "12 Heather Moore".

-I used the yellow shade (on the far left) on my lid

-I used the green shadow in the middle above my crease

-I used the purple/brown shadow in my crease and on my lower lash line 

-I used the yellow one in my tear duct and corner of my upper lash line

-I used the light pink colour on the right underneath my brow

I noticed that a couple of people were actually interested in eyeshadow ingredients. This one does not contain mineral oil, but contains quite a lot of parabens, and also Lanolin which some people mind (I don't)

I only used these three brushes. Two of them are from the Real Techniques Starter (link) set and the shading brush (the middle one) was bought individually. If you have the eyebrow brush, omg, try using it for "harder" lines or on your lower lash line. It's perfect!!

I used MUA jet black eyeliner (mentioned here), Clarin's Mascara (Reviewed here), and Rimmel's eyebrow pencil (mentioned here)

For my slightly winged eye liner I used Maybelline Gel Liner (Reviewed here) and applied it with my Fake Bobbi Brown Eyeliner Brush

Link to my Bobbi Brown Brushes
Link to the explanation about them being fake 

Sneak Peek of Carolin's Look.

Click HERE to view her post, she's really talented!

What do you think of this (these) looks?

Have you tried Isadora Eyeshadows?

x

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