Review | The Body Shop Aqua Boost Sorbet

Information

Brand | The Body Shop
Product | Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet
Size | 50ml
Price | £12
Purchased From | The Body Shop [Store]
Made In | UK
Description | Cooling facial moisturiser
Would I re-purchase | Yes

Ingredients 

Aqua/Water (Solvent), Glycerin (Humectant), Dimethicone (Skin Conditioning Agent), Alcohol Denat. (Solvent), Silica (Absorbent), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter (Skin Conditioning Agent - Emollient), Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2 (Absorbent), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Crosspolymer (Film Former), Ammonium Polyacrylolydimethyl Taurate (Emulsifier), Polysorbate 20 (Emulsifier), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil/Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil (Emollient), Glycine Soja Oil/Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil (Emollient/Skin Conditioner), Caprylyl Glycol (Skin Conditioning Agent), Xanthan Gum (Viscosity Modifier), Parfum/Fragrance (Fragrance), Menthol (Fragrance/Cooling Agent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), C12-13 Pareth-23 (Surfactant), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), C12-13 Pareth-3 (Emulsifier), Menthoxypropanediol (Flavour), t-Butyl Alcohol (Denaturant), Benzyl Salicylate (Fragrance Ingredient), Geraniol (Fragrance Ingredient), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), CI 14700/Red 4 (Colorant).

This delicious little sorbet comes in a frosted glass pot that makes this product feel so much more expensive than it actually is. It has an ultra light formula that just smells amazing. Its so fresh and clean and absoloutley lovely.

On application it feels so soft and silky. The texture though is a little bit 'fluffy' and can feel a little [soft]gritty, which I can see as bit of a turn off for some as it is not what I would consider the norm when faced with other gel-like moisturisers.

It has a soft cooling sensation which  is amplified by a little fanning of the face and I found ideal when I was on my recent holiday in Lanzarote. But one thing I will say is that it did not travel well.

I put it in my luggage with all of my other beauty supplies, and while unpacking I noticed all my other products felt wet and smelt like my aqua boost sorbet. Needless to say there had been a little explosion and my sorbet had leaked everywhere causing a loss of about a quarter of my jar! Which, I won't lie, left me a little devastated! My fiance believes its due an altitude reaction between the plastic lid and glass jar. So if you take it abroad airborne, wrap it up!

The Sorbet is easily absorbed in to skin leaving it feeling clean and hydrated. Once absorbed you are left with a soft matte finish, ideal for a makeup base.

Its great for all skin types and packed full of lovely ingredients such as Soya Oil, that is Community Fair Trade Organic, Vitamin E and Wheatgerm Oil, which all aid in keeping the skin soft, hydrated and help fight skin damage and wrinkles. To add to that its also Paraben Free, and at the time of my purchase I was told that it also rivals some of the more high end products as the same technology/formulas are used with in them!
A win I say!

I really do enjoy using this product and will defiantly go back for more! I currently use it as a day cream as now we are edging in to autumn/winter I like a heavier/thicker cream for night time.

Hope you've enjoyed this review! Let me know your thoughts in the comment section!

Jen x

Elf's Kitchen | Chocolate Raw Bars

I go through healthy eating phases. Where I try to be as good as possible, cut out crisps and sweets and try to fill my belly with healthier fruits and vegetables. But as much as I love a handful of blueberries I still crave chocolate. Hands up all chocoholics out there!
So today I'm sharing with you a tasty recipe for Chocolate Raw Bars that are completely guilt free and taste just like chocolate brownies, yummo!

So here are your ingredients:

1 Cup    | Pitted Dates (approx: 128g)

1/2 Cup | Ground Almonds (approx: 64g)

1/3 Cup | Dried Cranberries (approx: 43g)

1/4 Cup | Cocoa Powder (approx: 32g)

1/2 tbsp | Coconut Oil

1/2 tsp   | Vanilla Flavouring

1/4 tsp   | Sea Salt

additional ingredient Almond Milk.

Start by blending your dates up in a food processor. This is the trickiest bit as the dates are super sticky. I blend them up a few at a time.

Once the dates are as blended as you can get them add in the coconut oil and vanilla flavouring. Blend a bit more then add in the remaining ingredients except for the cranberries. As you go you will need to add in a splash here and a splash there of almond milk to loosen up the mixture. 

Transfer you mixture into a bowl. You may need to stab at it with a spoon and combine the ingredients a bit more, if you have a good blender, you probably won't have to but I have a pants one so I have to.

 Then add in the cranberries and combine. Transfer the mixture into a Tupperware box lined with grease proof paper and using your fingers (trust me on this) pat down your mixture. Pop your box in the fridge and allow to set for half hour.

Once chilled you want to remove from the fridge and slice up. Its up to you how you cut them I like to do long bar like bars! Then simply wrap in cling film and store in the fridge. 

They are so yummy and its good to know there is no added sugar! 

The cocoa is much better for you than milk chocolate, the dates give you that stickyness and the cranberries add a nice sweetness. The almond milk acts as an extra glue and as its almond milk not cows milk it won't go off in your bag.

Hope you give this ago, I normally get about 7-8 bars, enough for a week.

Ciao Bella's!

Jen x

Review | Rimmel Wonder'full Mascara

Today I'll be sharing my thoughts on Rimmel's Wonder'full Mascara, and its just that. Wonderful!

Information |

Brand | Rimmel London
Product | Wonder'full Mascara
Size | 12ml
Price | £7.99
Purchased From | Wilkinsons for £5.99 offer
Made in | UK
Would I Re-purchase | Definitely!

Ingredients |

AQUA/WATER/EAU, PARAFFIN, GLYCERYL STEARATE, COPERNICIA CERIFERA CERA/ COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX/CIRE DE CARNAUBA,PVP, CERA ALBA/BEESWAX/CIRE D’ABEILLE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, TRIBEHENIN, POLYSORBATE 20, STEARIC ACID, AMMONIUM ACRYLATES COPOLYMER,PANTHENOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, TALC,ACRYLATES/CARBAMATE COPOLYMER, ASCORBYL GLUCOSIDE, GOSSYPIUM HERBACEUM (COTTON) POWDER, SERICA POWDER/SILK POWDER/POUDREDE SOIE, RETINYL PALMITATE, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, GLYCERIN, COLLAGEN,HYDROGENATED OLIVE OIL, OLEAEUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL, HYDROLYZED KERATIN, PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) KERNEL OIL, SODIUM SULFATE, CERAMIDE 2, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL UNSAPONIFIABLES, POTASSIUM SORBATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA LEAF EXTRACT, SODIUM BENZOATE, TOCOPHEROL. [May Contain/Peut Contenir/+/-: IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), FERRICFERROCYANIDE (CI 77510), CARMINE (CI 75470), CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN (CI 77289), CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS (CI 77288), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007), MICA].

The mascara comes in this shiny copper/bronze packaging that's got a slight angled look/feel to it, I don't know how else to describe it! It has a really thick, full, silicone brush that has lots of thin spokes that pick up each lash and easily distributes the product over the lashes.

"The Secret Weapon to full volume without clumps. The new formula with Argan Oil feels incredibly lightweight, soft and flexible for wonder’full volume that won’t weigh you down."

The key ingredient that makes Rimmel's Wonder'full mascara so wonderful is the Argan oil. Its the only mascara I have ever used that has felt truly lightweight on my lashes. They are full, light and fluttery.  I haven't experienced any clumping and my lashes just look so beautiful and natural.

These pictures really do not do the mascara justice, but I think you get the general idea. Its really build-able if you want a heavier darker lash but you won't get the clumps and the lash separation is amazing.

When it comes to taking it off at the end of the day its a dream, other mascara's really stick to your lashes but not this one! If comes off so easily and there is not scrubbing needed!

It has very quickly become a favourite and a definite re-purchase is on the cards! 

Hope you've enjoyed the review! Have a great day!

Jen x

The Power of Makeup | My 'Makeup Story'

I must of been about 11 or 12 when I got my first 'box' of makeup for Christmas from one of my aunts. It was one of those sets you would find in Boots back in the early naughties. Big fold out plastic thing full of brown eyeshadows, red sticky lipsticks and red blushers. (There is even a photo of me holding it!) I remember thinking 'Makeup? What do I do with that?' needless to say I wasn't too excited about but like all girls I had a play around with it but wasn't really that 'into' it at the time.

A bit like this but far less awesome!

Fast forward a few years to the age of 14 and a half and another Christmas with another makeup set. This time it was cream eyeshadows in a bubble like container. Now I was starting to get interested. The colours were pretty cool and I freaking loved that set. I remember there being a bright metallic blue and a shimmery green and my favourite the metallic purple. I used to wear it all over my lid and under my lash line with a generous helping of mascara, both top and bottom with black khol liner on my waterline. Sounds bad but I didn't care I felt good and I really loved it!

Between this age and about 16 was my experimental ages where I was more daring with my eye makeup, bringing the colour up towards my eyebrows and highlighting underneath said brows with white shadow. Sounds worse than it was, but also with my makeup experiments came harsh 'boy comments'.

I remember one distinct one from a boy in my class while we were waiting to go in to our science class. I was proud of my makeup that day. It was light and shimmery and blue and looked quite pretty and I remember him saying to me: 'I don't think your eyeshadow is meant to go up to your eyebrows', in that tone that idiot boys have! I immediately felt embarrassed and ashamed, the worse thing was, this was a boy I didn't even talk to at school, he was a 'popular kid' and I was an 'inbetweener' but I found myself rubbing at my eyes to get it off. I knew what he had said was just to be mean but it really affected me. I was just a shy 15 year old and the comment of a popular kid was 'important' back then.
Needless to say the popular boys words stayed with me for a long time and my eye makeup became less and less daring.

By the time 6th form rolled around I wore nothing but mascara and foundation. Maybe a lip gloss if I felt like pushing the boat out. And that was pretty much how I rolled for years.

Its only been in the last few years, 10 years on and in my mid 20's ( and after my makeup tutorial video discovery on youtube, I mean really what had I been doing all that time, I though youtube was just funny cats ) that I have slowly begun to find my love for makeup again.

Learning to 'master' the art of eyeliner, (I still get it wrong some days) to being brave enough to put on a bright pink lipstick (feel naked with out now) and walk out the door has been amazing!
There are days when I wear very little makeup and I can also walk out the door with out any on. I don't need makeup but I find that these are the days I feel like I'm missing something. I don't feel ugly, I just don't feel confident.

When I apply a great eyeshadow look or a flawless kitty flick and put one of my favourite lipsticks, I feel good, I feel powerful and confident. Like I could take on the world! Well sorta.

The same thing could be said for my mum. She's just about to turn 50 and this last year she's found her love for makeup. Every morning she loves putting it on and loves how it makes her feel. That feeling is priceless. And if something as simple as putting on a red lipstick can do that, then I'm in!

My bare face photo isn't the most flattering of angles I look so nosey! I almost only posted the 'done up' picture, But I think this showcases The Power Of Makeup not only in the way that I look but my confidence in front of the camera clearly increases whether that's subconscious or not I don't know!

One of my favourite youtubers gets so many harsh comments about her makeup looks and I feel that its just not on. There's no need. Her looks are stunning and inspirational and make her feel good. Who cares if you don't like the ways she contours or there's too much bronzer.
Life's to short to worry about what other people are doing to there faces, think about your own one!

If I've taken one thing away from taking a look back at my makeup story and if you take anything away from this post its NEVER listen to anybody (unless its about serious shit). If wearing 'lots' of makeup makes you feel good and gives you that Va Va Voom, just do it! Because you could end up like me! Loosing out on prime makeup experimental years because some 16 year old dickhead said you didn't look cool.

And this also can go the other way too, next time you see a girl (or guy) with a full face of makeup and you think 'jeeze layer-cake much!' just stop for 3 seconds and think that maybe that makeup gives them confidence.

At the end of the day you can wash it off and wear less or none at all. Its just makeup but its potential to do great things is exponential.

Thanks for reading!

Jen x

DIY | Rosemary Conditioner

Recently I've been loving this really easy to make DIY conditioner. The main 'active' ingredient is Rosemary Oil. Why rosemary oil? Because it has a whole host of benefits for your hair and it smells amazing too! Its been keeping my hair soft and manageable and the scent is so minty and refreshing!

Some of the top benefits of rosemary oil is it can be used as a hair growth enabler,it  helps with unexplained hair fallout and aids in repairing damaged hair bringing back its bounce and shine!
It also targets the bacteria that clogs the hair follicle.

But today I am focusing on 'repairing damage' and keeping my hair looking healthy with a simple leave in conditioner.

Start off by filling your clean spray bottle with water and then pouring it in to a jug. Microwave in high heat for 1 minute, it should be boiling.

Add 10-15 drops of rosemary oil into your boiling water and give it a good stir.

This part is optional but I like to add in a teaspoon of conditioner and again give it a good stir.

Wait for your rosemary conditioner to be fully cooled before transferring it in to your spray bottle.

I like to use this after I've gotten out of the shower on wet/damp hair and as a morning refresh for day 2 hair!

This conditioner is so easy and quick to make and smells great so give it ago and let me know what you think!

I plan to do a little more research on applying rosemary oil to the scalp as a massage oil and find out which would be the best carrier oil for it, I'm thinking Castor Oil? If you already know let me know!

Thanks for reading!

Have a great day!

Jen x

Whats In My Carry On | Travel Outfit

After a long day of packing I think I'm pretty much set! So I'm able to share with you what will be in my carry on and my travel outfit! 

Can you believe I forgot my purse!

So first up, as my carry on hand luggage I'm taking a rucksack. It fits more stuff in it comfortably and I can sling it on my back and forget its there! This one I picked up from #PRIMARK for about £8. Its got that distressed traveler vibe as some of the thread work is unraveling so that's pretty cool I can pretend I'm a seasoned traveling pro or something

I'm a book worm so I'm packing two books, LA Candy and Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad, they are new to me so cross fingers I like them otherwise I'm screwed for the week!

I'm forever forgetting my sunglasses so I spend most of my time shuffling around like a mole on ground level, so I thought I'd best pack my sunnies in my hand luggage, that way I have them to hand on landing and they don't get squashed! I picked these up from a stall in my local mall for £15.

My iphone. Sadly it has become my life line. Its my phone, camera and ipod in one! And to go with it I'm packing my earbuds.

Comfy cosy socks as the air-con on the plane is too much for my tootsies and they have this un-attractive habit of turning a mottled blue colour!

Passport, 'cause I'm gonna need that to get out of the country!

My trusty wide tooth comb as I'll travel with my hair down and I'll probably want to brush it at least once!

My Radley mirror to check how bad my face looks at 5 am.

Nivea Lip balm because I would die with out it, well not die but I get sore, dry lips very quickly because I've spent my whole life sucking them...sexy.

And a magazine to flick through and look at the pictures when I get bored of reading.

...Obviously my purse will be in my bag too as that holds my cash-moolars!

My travel outfit is all about being comfortable. We've already checked out my rucksack so what am I wearing?

Pale pink, loose knit jumper with lace trim from #FOREVER21 £15. Its loose and comfy, and warm but not too warm, what more do I need?!

H&M silver key necklace (old) to bring it all together (aww)

Primark light wash destroyed boyfriend jeans (£10? £15? Can't remember) These are like my version of sweat pants. I don't do leggins unless the go under a dress or tunic, I LOVE skinny jeans but boy are then uncomfortable for sitting around in for long periods of time! So I'm wearing these. They are a very loose fit and perfect for my long wait (we are getting to the airport about 1am and our flight isn't until 5:35am!) and 4 hour plane journey.

White vest from George @ Asda to go under my jumper.

Slip on shoes from Primark £4. For the simple ease of slipping them on and off when going through check and they are comfy, job done!

So what do you take in-flight with you and what is your ideal traveling outfit? I'd love to know! 

Have a great day and I'll see you when I get back!

Ciao!

Jen x

My Holiday Essentials!

I am so excited! On Friday I'll be taking a 4 hour plane journey across Europe to one of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote! This will be my first out-of-country holiday in 4 years!

So I thought I'd share with you my holiday essentials!

Lets start with makeup!

When traveling the last thing you want taking up lots of weight in your luggage is your makeup, so I've scaled down my makeup bag to what I consider my 'essentials'.

~ Skin79 Hot Pink BB cream | Why a BB cream, because its awesome! This particular one has SPF 30 UV protection, it also has great coverage and as its colour adapting as I tan I won't need to worry about my face not matching my body.

~ Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Warm Medium 3 | I've been loving this concealer, it has great coverage and will help disguise any blemish that appears on my holiday.

~ NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny | This matt bronzing powder is perfect for adding holiday glow before the holiday glow gets on your face!

~ MUA Pro-Brow Kit | Dual purpose as I can use the matt brown shades as eye-shadows for the evenings.

~ Natural Collection Cream Blush in Rosy Pink | Perfect for giving a very natural flush to the cheeks.

~ Benefit Instant Brow Pencil in Medium | My main product for filling in my brows, so a total must!

~ Natural Collection Lash Care Mascara in Clear | I use this as the first step in my brow routine as a way to treat and tame them.

~ Maybelline NY Brow Drama in Dark Blond | Another eyebrow product! Think I'll have to do an eyebrow routine soon!

~ Miss Sporty Studio Lash Mascara in Black | My current favourite mascara as I have found there to be minimal smudging!

~ Assorted Lipsticks/Glosses: MUA Lipgloss in Sienna, Rimmel Londa Kate Lipstick in Kiss of Life, Boujois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipgloss in Ole Flamingo! Miss Sporty Perfect Colour Lipstick in On Fire! And a Primark £1 Lipstick in Pink | Not going to lie, I love a bright pout, so for me it was a must to pack some colourful lippies!

~ NYX Sharpener | To sharpen my eyebrow pencil!

Not everything is pictured here so the other bits I will list below as well!

~ Homemade Rosemary Leave-in Conditioner | When on holiday your hair will kind of go through the wars a little bit, so to soften the blow I'm taking a home made leave in conditioner with me to spray through my barnet after dips in the pool and the sea. I'll do a post on how to make it when I get back, but any leave in conditioner would definitely be advantageous!

~ Mitchum Advanced Oxygen Antiperspirant and Deodorant | A good deodorant in life is a great thing to have anyway! And I'm really loving this one, its the most effective deodorant/antiperspirant I have found!

~ Wide Tooth Comb | My most essential hair tool ever! Its the best thing for combing through damp hair, detangleing knots in dry hair and if your rocking some beachy waves or loose curls, combing through with a wide tooth comb with make the look fuller and fluffier without destroying your 'do!

~ Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray | This little beaut is a multi-functional product! Not only is it moisturising but mozzies hate the stuff (used by the British Army don't you know!) So spritzing this on before heading out in the evening is a great idea!

~ After Bite | For when your not so lucky! It contains 3.5% Vol of Ammonia, so it stinks to high hell, but it really works on bites and stings! So this is a must!

~ St. Ives Cleansing Wipes | I'm not packing all of my usual cleansing products with me so a decent cleansing wipe is a good start for removing makeup and dirt, plus this packet has 35 wipes in, more than the usual ones I buy!

~ Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet | Although I suffer with oily skin, it does tend to dry out a bit on holiday so a nice moisturiser is key, plus this one has a cooling effect, perfect in the event of having too much sun!

~ Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner | No matter what your hair care routine is at home, on holiday its bound to involve a lot more washes thanks to sun, sweat and dips in the pool. So I'll be using these two. Both free from Parabens and Sulfates which can be drying and harsh on the hair and scalp, to keep my hair looking and feeling happy abroad.

~ Razor | Well you don't want to be a hairy gorilla in a bikini! I've already epilated my legs so I'm packing a razor to maintain, other areas of my ape like body...

~ OGX Penetrating Argan Oil | I LOVE this stuff! Like I've said, a holiday can be harsh on your hair so to keep it nourished I'll be using this renewing oil. Rub a 10p sized blob through the ends of your hair morning and night to keep it feeling nourished! That goes for when your at home too!

~ Schwarzkopf got2b Beach Matt Spray | For beachy texture! I have naturally pretty straight hair so for when I want a little texture I simply spritz this through my length and braid two bunches or do two little buns and allow to set! For curly haired girls, spritz and scrunch! This will be in my beach bag!

Essentials not pictured |

Sunblock factor 30/50

Aftersun

SPF Lipbalm

Travel size face wash

Cotton buds

Cotton balls

Pure Witch hazel (part of my everyday skincare, perfect for those of us who are acne prone)

Tweezers

Mani scissors

Hair ties & bobby pins

Straighteners 

1 Perfume

Makeup Brushes |

Domed Bronzer Brush

Fluffy Shadow Brush

Angled Brush

I don't think I have forgotten to list anything else...

Sorry its a lot of reading and not many pictures! Hope you've found this interesting, I'd love to know what your holiday essentials are! Is this loads to take away? 

Hopefully time permitting tomorrow I may be able to do a post on what will be in my hand luggage and my travel outfit! But no promises :( I have a day of packing, errands and grandparents to visit and work all day Thursday, but cross fingers I will get it done!

Have a great day!

Jen x