Beauty Tuesday | Avobath

First of all, I’m sorry about my grumpy post the other day. It was negative, I was tired and stressed out.

I FINALLY have my day off, I have spent it all day in my pjs, catching up on Once Upon A Time and True Blood on Sky Go. And this evening consists of Snow White and Despicable Me 2. Jolly Good.

Anyway, so I’ve just come out the bath, and I thought I’d share with you the amazing bath bomb I purchased from Lush the other day. (also just realising that Mia posted about Lush last week too)

Despite having run my bath waaaay too hot (as per) and getting an odd tingly sensation up and down my body because of it. A bit like a thousand needles being prodded in? Anyone else get that? It’s either heat or me having an allergic reaction to Lush. I really hope it’s not the latter.

Sorry, getting distracted.

I bought the Avobath bath bomb as a little treat to myself. All my other bath bombs I’d been using were so out of date that the fizz had actually stopped working! They were about two years old….. I know, disgraceful!! So, back to the Avobath. It was based on Avocados, and it promised a relaxing experience and soothing properties and such.

I popped it into the tub of what was practically molten lava, and watched it bob around the bath fizzing away. The water turned green, which I know isn’t the best colour for a bathtub, but it was a nice green.

I lit my Sicilian Lemon Yankee Candle, pressed play on the “Toasty Fireside” playlist on Spotify, and got in. (After running the cold tap for a while, that is.) Looking at the water, I noticed that it had a little shimmer in it. And it most definitely did soothe. My legs were aching so bad after leg day at the gym yesterday, now they feel a lot more relaxed.

If it wasn’t for the strange sensation I mentioned above, and the water being too hot, it would have been the perfect bath.

Now, I need to get out of my towel and put on my favourite pyjamas before ending my chill day with a film fest.

Love ya,
Harri xxx

Beauty Tuesday | July Favourites

Hello! (Yet Another) Belated post here, I really need to get my self-motivation back, because I’ve been on my summer holiday since the middle of May, and I feel like I’m falling into a black hole of Netflix, Assassin’s Creed and Harry Potter. Bad, I know, but I am working on it.

So July is almost over! Where is this year going, I can’t believe it’s only five months until Christmas (I CAN’T WAIT) and I’m TWENTY-ONE in November.

Like. Whut?

I’m still nineteen in my head. I don’t want to be a grown up!

Anyway. Faves.

Skin

I am currently in love with my skin routine. I start out with the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil from The Body Shop and a hot flannel from Primark to take it off with, which adds some really gentle exfoliating action, but won’t rip your skin apart like a scrub will. I then use the Pixi Glow Tonic on a cotton pad, wiping all over my face (careful around the eyes) and attacking those pesky spots and blemishes before they sprout and take over my face. I then finish with a moisturiser, The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Moisture Cream, which I got as a free gift with a purchase at Christmas-time, and I’ve been using it since and I’m not even half way through. I would like to get a facial spray, such as the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, but it’s a little pricey for my liking. I try not to splurge on ‘high-end’ products unless there’s some kind of offer, because my little student budget will only stretch so far.

Make-up

I’ve really been loving my YSL Babydoll mascara. It is definitely not cheap, but I had a Debenhams gift card for £15 so I got this for £9.50 or something crazy, and the really lovely sales assistant gave me a free sample of the mascara, for being ‘such a lovely customer’. This is the person who will not talk to sales assistants because I either feel intimidated or feel like I’m bothering them. I digress. The product is really lovely, it doesn’t clump at all, it doesn’t make your lashes crispy, it keeps them fluttery and soft, and smells absolutely delicious, it’s really fruity and fresh. It also comes in a few different colours; brown, black, purple and navy. Available from Debenhams for £24.50

Hair

I am so lazy with my hair, because it’s so long and ugly and half of it is just split ends, and I’m actually chopping it off next week hopefully! But the one thing that I always use is my Tangle Teezer. My hair is very long and always tangles, and the Tangle Teezer is the only thing that will get through those knots with zero pain. Literally, zero pain. I used to absolutely hate other people brushing my hair because it always hurt really badly, BUT NO MORE! Available from Boots for £10.99 (also comes in different colours, so shop around)

Art

As you may or may not know, I am an animation student, and as such I really like to draw in my spare time. Today I stole some of my boyfriends Copic markers, much coveted by many poor student artists, like myself, and I accidentally fell in love with them. They are markers, that blend easily. SAY WHAT. I will show you.

 

THAT WAS ALL DONE IN A FELT TIP PEN. Too bad they are ridiculously expensive. I will have to wait for Christmas and Birthdays. *depressed emoji*

Game

I’ve recently been replaying Assassin’s Creed, and I’m currently on the second one, and It’s making me want to go back to Italy so badly. I finally finished the first Assassin’s Creed a few days ago, and the ending was just like ‘……what? That’s it?’ But it does tie-in really well with the second one, which makes soooooo much more sense to me now. But the gameplay was really refined in the second one, although Ezio still likes to jump off walls in completely the wrong direction, landing on several people. Ho hum. But my real obsession has been my second playthrough of The Last of Us. I recently found out that they’re making a movie of it, and that they want Maisie Williams (Arya Stark in Game of Thrones) to play Ellie. YES. YES. ALL OF THE YES.

So those are a few of the things I’ve been loving throughout July!

See you tomorrow!

Mia 🙂

 

Music Monday | The Last of Us

I recently finished playing The Last of Us, a post-apocolyptic survival thriller video game, for the second time, and I enjoyed it TEN TIMES MORE than the first time I played through it. The relationship between the two protagonists, Joel and Ellie, is fascinating to watch unfold, and absolutely heart-wrenching at times. But the soundtrack to this game is what I want to chat about today, because it completely makes the game.

This is one of my favourite pieces from the soundtrack, because it resonates so wonderfully with what’s going on in the game, which I won’t say because of spoilers, but it really enhances an already beautiful sequence rife in emotional tension. What I really love is that the composer, Gustavo Santaolalla used really ordinary everyday objects, such as PVC piping and made a really haunting and creepy sound with it, and it goes so organically with the game’s ‘survival’ nature, having to scavenge and improvise in your surroundings in order to survive. It is such a different kind of videogame, and one that I could play again and again and again because it is such a moving, beautiful experience.

It’s a really dissonant and unique sound, but filled with such high emotion and incredible beauty. I really recommend playing it, or watching it, or just listening to it.

You can listen to the whole soundtrack here, and it’s also on Spotify

See you tomorrow 🙂

Mia

Beauty Tuesday |Harri’s June Faves

Ok. I need to see A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, it looks amazingly and delightfully entertaining.

Here are a few of the things that I’ve been completely obsessed with this month. (I am aware that two of these items are not beauty related, but still, they make me happy……)

The Body Shop Moringa Cream Body Scrub: Ok, I’m going to be honest here with you….I bought this on an impulse. It was there, on offer for £3 or something for a tiny little tub and I just grabbed it. Honestly could not have chosen a better impulse buy. I haven’t bought anything from Body Shop in years but for some reason I walked in that day. They always seem to have the most amazing deals on, and I can feel that my bathroom is soon going to be littered with Body Shop stuff. Anyway, back to the scrub. It’s so nice! It gently scrubs your skin making it feel all smooth, and the smell is luuuuuush, stays with you all day, it does!

Benefit Smokin’ Eyes: If you can remember, I bought this in duty free when I went to Belfast (you can read it here). I was really  nervous of using this kit for a while, as someone I met used it on a daily basis, and I’m not gonna lie, but she had a bit of a chavvy panda eye look going every single day. So, as you can imagine, I was a bit dubious about whether I had waisted my precious hard-earned pennies on something that would make me look like a panda. I was proven wrong! I decided to wear it for a lovely evening with my flatmate on midsummers eve, and it goes on so smoothly. The little instruction sheet that they provide for you is an absolute godsend! The colours aren’t too dark or too smoky, it doesn’t crease and the colours last all night! What more could you want…?

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick (320 Funtime Fuchsia): I think this product has been discontinued? I just had a look on the website, and they seem to have upgraded the colours and such. There’s one that looks very similar, but obviously I can’t know for sure because I haven’t seen it in person. I didn’t actually buy this lipstick as such… I think it was accidentally donated in someone’s bag when I was volunteering down in my local Oxfam shop, and as it looked new and we’re not allowed to sell cosmetics, I asked if I could have it. So I did, and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve only recently started wearing it more, as to me its a very summery colour, and I can’t wear any lipsticks while I’m in college because it comes off on my reeds while I’m practising and makes them all mouldy. #oboeproblems. The colour is very vibrant, and it doesn’t dry out on my lips which is an issue I’ve had before with many lipsticks. It lasts all day too!

Bioderma: You put me onto this, Mia. I love it. So much. I use it as a toner after I’ve put my cleanser on, and I feel that it gets rid of the left over dirt that my cleanser didn’t quite pick up. It doesn’t dry out my skin, and it feels like water when I’m putting it on. It’s so good for sensitive skin, because sometimes I feel like products are burning my face. It’s incredible, an absolute lifesaver!

Viyella Classic Perfume: Ok, I haven’t been able to find this for sale anywhere! It was yet another Oxfam find while I was sorting out the donations. It smells amazing. Although, I think it might smell different to different people? As a friend of mine once picked it up and said “eurgh that’s disgusting” which he then followed on with “but it smells good on you though.” Hm… nice save there, mate. He’s the only one I met that hasn’t liked it, I’ve had nothing but compliments and it makes me feel special. To be honest, I feel a little naked when I don’t have it on. ALSO, it has recently changed colour… It’s gone from a yellowy perfume colour, to a lovely rose colour. Does anyone else know of perfumes that change colour? Please write in the comments if this is a common thing!!!

Sex and the City Complete Series Boxset: I know I mentioned this the other day, but I’m hooked. It’s so good! The characters are totally relatable. I personally think I’m a Charlotte, although I took the BuzzFeed quiz, and they thought I was a Miranda! Not true. Seriously though, if you ever find yourself with nothing to watch, the storylines are hilarious, they characters are great, and every single life lesson can be learned from Sex and the City.

Grimm’s Fairy Tales Calla Edition: I had been lusting after this book since January. I finally bought it. I marched straight out of my recital and treated myself. I couldn’t see it on the shelf at first, so I thought I was going to have to buy the Hans Christian Anderson Stories Calla Edition, which was in my hand ready to be taken to the till, when I stood up, and the beautiful book was just on another shelf. I squealed with delight. My word, I was so happy. The stories are just the right length if you have a few minutes to spare. Although they’re not the gruesome tales, like I had hoped, they’re the original stories before the Brothers Grimm went and twisted them. So there are happy endings, and again, they can be applied to all life situations. The illustrations are incredible too. I do not regret a single penny that I spent on this marvellously beautifully bound book of stories.

I look forward to tomorrow!

Harri xxx

 

Foodie Friday | Gabbi’s Head – A lady’s Bene-Pub

Yo yo yo Mia G, it’s been soooooooo long since I saw you 😉

I loved our few days together, so nice to spend time with my bezzie. I currently have my Sweet Potato Almond Butter Brownies in the oven, and I remembered the loooovely lunch we had in London on Wednesday.

I love Benefit make up. I can count on one hand the amount of products in my giant make-up bag is not Benefit. Such a massive fan. I actually can’t put into words how much I love this brand and all that it stands for. So where else to have lunch on a sunny afternoon in London? Gabbi’s Head.

Gabbi’s Head is a woman-only* pop up pub by Benefit Cosmetics just off Drury Lane in Covent Garden. Above the Prince of Wales, it’s basically straight ahead of you if you’re coming from Covent Garden tube station. Of course, we couldn’t find it and spent ages walking up and down the road before realising it was right in front of us the whole time. Standard us. Some things never change….

*(I say women-only… I definitely saw some of the male species while I was in there, however they did have the decency to look like they’d been dragged in by their sister/girlfriend/girl pal!!!)

We walked in and were greeted like old friends! Such a lovely welcome! 🙂 Everyone was very happy and smiley. We grabbed a bright pink corner sofa and took a look at the menu. We decided on sharing the BBQ pulled pork nachos. As a cheese lover, a bbq lover and a general nacho lover, this was a no-brainer. The portion size for the two of us was just right and I didn’t feel bloated or uncomfortably full afterwards, which is something that happens fairly often to me. (Damn you, sensitive stomach!) We also thought we’d treat ourselves to a cheeky drink of the Bene-Mojito. These were so delicious and were served in the cutest little jar-like glasses with a handle. Handy for easy holding!

I was hoping to get my eyebrows done, as there were complimentary services being offered: eyebrows, skin-care, makeovers… you name it, it was there! They asked to donate a minimum of £5 for Refuge – a domestic abuse charity. But still! £5 to get your eyebrows done! Bargain!! Unfortunately, there was a queue of girls ahead of me, and there was a half hour wait. On any other day, I would have gladly waited to be pampered and such, but we were on the way to see Wicked so we had to rush off, which was a shame. 😦

There was also plenty of opportunity to buy some of their products if you wished to after having taking advantage of the beauty services there. As well as all of this, you could sit and enjoy the footie (the tennis was on when we visited) and they organise some fabulous-sounding evenings – including stand up comedy and an 80s theme night.

Seriously, I would recommend to anyone who has any free time to pop in and visit. Even if it is just for half an hour, the atmosphere and the service makes it so worth it! I only wish I was up in London again before they disappear (13th of July) to spend some more time here.

 

 

 

 

Love you lots, see ya tomorrow!

Harri xxx

P.S. My brownies were minging. I threw them in the bin.

Beauty Tuesday | Airport Benefit Haul!

Ok so I’m currently sat on my bed trying so very hard not to give in to the chocolate cravings that my body is insisting upon, cowering from the thunderstorm that’s occurring outside AND trying desperately not to worry about my recital tomorrow. AARGH!!

I went to Belfast last week, and one of my absolute favourite things to do is to wander around duty-free and see if there are any bargains. Neither Manchester airport nor Belfast airport disappointed me! Ok, they did a little, but that was only because I was hoping to get the Urban Decay Naked Palette, which wasn’t there, but never fear!

 

I am a massive Benefit fan. Like, MASSIVE. Almost all of my make up is from there. I love the packaging, it’s so different to the usual high-end cosmetics brand. It just gives off the fun impression. And the workers are so so lovely!

Anyways, this is what I picked up in Manchester Airport.

Pretty POREfect Set – I have used the POREfessional before, and I completely adore it. It makes an amazing base for the rest of my make-up and it seems to eliminate all visible pores from the face, giving a lush flawless look.  So when I saw it there in duty-free, I simply had to get it! It has a RRP of £24.50, but without tax it came down to £19.50! THEN while I was looking at the rest of the shelf, I found this gift set, for exactly the same price!! Included is a little sample of It’s Potent! Eye Cream and That Gal primer. I haven’t had a chance to use them yet, but I’m so excited!

Boi-ing – I bought this because I needed a new concealer. I’ve been a little touch-and-go with them recently, I’m using Benefit’s Fake Up at the moment, and I’m determined to get to the end of the stick, even though I’m not completely 100% happy with it. I’ve heard some good things about this one, so I thought I’d take a chance with this one.

Smokin’ Eyes – I. Am. Addicted. To. Eye. Make. Up. I think it might be an issue. I don’t really have any shadow colours to make the smoky effect that I’ve been lusting over recently. Also, I’m pretty sure that this is going to be discontinued soon, as it’s all based on their old shadow colours, but don’t quote me on that. I may be incorrect. But I bought it with that in mind, so I thought I’d snap it up quickly!

In Belfast airport, there was a huge Benefit section, with practically every single one of their products. It was torture not to buy EVERYTHING. But I still came away with two products…

Hello Flawless Pressed Powder – I just cannot express my love for this. It’s so smooth to apply to the face, such an even covering. I use this now, and bought it because I’m going to run out in the next week or so, but if anyone is looking for a powder, then I can highly recommend this one!

World Famous Neutrals, Easiest Nudes Ever – I already have the other two World Famous Neutrals eyeshadow kits (Most Glamorous and Sexiest) and I’m not going to lie to you, I did buy this is complete the set. But I love it, although the Most Glamorous box is my favourite, with it’s gold shades, but I think this comes in a close second. I’ve only used it twice, but I love the colours, and I can’t wait to experiment and mix the sets together and try out different looks!

Although I’ve read some negative reviews about Benefit products, there are very few that I have been disappointed with. I know each of the products practically inside out and all the prices (I think I should just get a job with them now…..). It is my complete downfall. If I go out shopping for clothes, I will most likely not come back with clothes, but with Benefit. I find that when clothes fail me, and I feel disgusting and nothing seems to fit, make up is always there for me. To help me transform my face, and to give me confidence for the day.

So there you have it, my little duty-free Benefit haul!

Harri xxx

Beauty Tuesday | May Favourites!

I really like that piece of music yesterday – I need to listen to more classical music again, I miss having it in my life. I also miss playing my flute 😦

Anyway, today I am hopping on the beauty bloggers bandwagon, I’m going to share yet another list with you today, of lots of different things I’ve been loving in the month of May.

Where the hell is this year going by the way? It’s already June.

So my skincare favourite this month has definitely the Ginger Sparkle Body Butter by The Body Shop. Unfortunately, this came out at Christmas, and is no longer available, but it is absolutely stunning. It absorbs beautifully into the skin without being really greasy, and is smells divine, and it lingers aswell. When I was tucked up in bed last night I got a lovely waft of gingerbread. I also have a mini of the Clementine Body Butter, and a very long time ago I had the Pink Grapefruit version – these will always be a staple in my bathroom.

My makeup favourite is an oldie but a goodie – Urban Decay’s Naked palette. I bought this about a year and a half ago, I use it nearly every day, and I’ve barely even scratched the surface. It’s so worth shelling out the *cough 37 quid cough* because the eyeshadows are high quality, extremely blendable, and great everyday shades, and the brush that comes with it is a really lovely brush, although I wish it came with a blending brush. Definitely worth the investment.

I’m not overly into hair products, I find that if I use product in my hair it just makes it really greasy really quickly, and I have pretty oily hair to begin with, so it just turns into a bit of a nightmare. Products also knot my hair into dreadlocks, which is a whole other nightmare, but  I’ve really been liking the Dove Hair Therapy Dry Shampoo. Now, I absolutely detest dry shampoos, they just make my hair feeling really heavy and oily, but this one is quite lovely. It smells really nice, and it works really effectively as a texturising/volumizing spray. A fab little product, and really cheap too. Their Heat Defense spray is also really lovely.

Onto some more random favourites now, starting with TV shows.

There are only three words.

GAME.

OF.

THRONES.

Just watch it. Power through the first couple of episodes and the boobs will ease off. It is such a great show, and the books are even better. Just  do it. You won’t regret it.

I’ve almost finished Breaking Bad aswell – I know I was super late to that party, but it is really a very compelling show. And seeing Malcolm in the Middle’s dad cooking meth is just hilar.

Food fave? Sweet Potatoes and Halloumi. Obsessed. Sweet Potato fries. Sweet Potato brownies. Jacket Sweet Potatoes. SWEET POTATO ERRYTHANG. They are just so much tastier than normal potatoes, and a lot healthier for you. Fried halloumi is also an obsession, and I’ve even got my boyfriend obsessed. Love it.

And as my final favourite, it is Twining’s Gingerbread Green Tea. It is so delicious, and I look forward to my cup of it every morning with breakfast. It tastes like cake. Delish.

So those are some of the things I’ve been loving this month! See you tomorrow 😀

Mia 🙂

Beauty Tuesday | Watching the World

Mia, I loved those tunes you posted yesterday! I don’t often branch out and listen to new musical songs so thank you for introducing them into my life. They will both be there to stay!

When it dawned on me yesterday that my day was Beauty Tuesday, I had a little panic about what to write about. Not out of the lack of choice on what to write, but more like I’ve been enjoying so many things in my life recently I didn’t know which to choose.

So I decided to pick one, my new watch. As one who’s day is practically routined down to the minute, it was a pure wonder how I did not already own a personal clock for my very own wrist. One day, I was sat down in the refectory, scrolling my way through Pinterest (how a vast amount of my time is now spent….), and this beautifully ornate watch made an appearance. Brown leather strap, vintage looking, large face, gold hands, and a very detailed artwork of the world as the background.

(I had to use my ipad as a camera….that’s why it’s a little blurry. Sozzles)

As an avid traveller and a lover of all things worldly and mappy, I immediately needed this in my life. I clicked on the link, and found it was from Urban Outfitters! So, naturally, I hot-footed it down to my nearest store and bought it. Not too bad for £26 (and a 10% student discount….)

I didn’t realise that I needed a watch until I bought one, and I’m very happy with this one. You can find out more here.

See you on Thursday!

Harri xxx