nspa – Amazing Budget Skincare

I recently discovered this skincare range from Asda called nspa. It’s created by the Nirvana Spa and is all paraben free. I decided to start with the Beauty Box (£10.00) which contains sample sizes (50ml) of their 4 step system – 1 Cleanse (Melting Cleansing Gel), 2 Exfoliate (Hot Cloth Polish), 3 Treat (Illuminating Beauty Serum) and 4 Moisturise (Brightening Day Cream SPF15).

Having got the Beauty Box I instantly decided that I wanted to keep the sample size cleansers for when I travel! As the full size products are mostly 2 for £8 I got the Melting Cleansing Gel, Hot Cloth Polish, Skin Renewal Gel, Deep Hydrating Facial Oil and as a little extra the Nourishing Eye and Lip Treatment (£3).

I totally adore these products. They feel and smell expensive, have loads of natural oils including essential oils and really have improved my skin in the last few weeks of using them.

My favourites so far are the Skin Renewal Gel which uses fruit acids to exfoliate your skin. I genuinely feel like this has improved the texture of my skin and faded some of my scars. My next favourite is the Melting Cleansing Gel. The gel turns to milk once mixed with water which is quite cool! It takes all my makeup off easily and doesnt leave my skin feeling dry or tight. Finally I have to say that the Deep Hydrating Facial Oil and the Illuminating Beauty Serum are gorgeous.

I then got some of the products from the nspa bath range including the warming salt scrub (£3.95 on offer for £3), bath milk (£3.95 on offer for £1.50) and drench sponge (£1.59). I also couldn’t resist the scented candle (£3.95). All are scented with Jojoba and White Vanilla. The salt scrub is particularly lovely and smells heavenly.

I really can’t believe the quality of these products at those prices. I am sure I will be re-purchasing quite a few items from this range and even trying some new ones!

Sinful Colors

I popped into Boots and found these nail polishes by Sinful Colors for £1.99 each. I loved the range of colours and textures (they come in glitter, pearl, shimmer, cream and matte).

After much deliberation I settled for these five – from left to right above: Verbena (cream), Savage (matte), Exotic Green (cream), Let’s Meet (shimmer) and Boogie Nights (Cream). The quality isn’t amazing but the brushes are pretty good and 2 coats gives pretty good cover (see below).

Gap Dress

I dont usually shop in Gap as I am not really a “Gap girl” if you know what I mean! However, a few weeks ago I was just mooching around the shops and wandered into Gap on a whim and stumbled (not literally) into this little number in the sale no less! It was £39.99 reduced to £14.99. I love the shape (reminds me of Victoria Beckham dresses). The colours are lovely and flattering and the length is just perfect for summer.

Worn above with my Whistles boots (again!).

H&M Haul

As I have said before I love H&M. I almost always find something in there that just stands out and is so chic.

So these are some purchases I have made over the last 8 weeks or so.

First up are these lovely black and white printed cropped trousers (£19.99) from the H&M Conscious Collection. The trousers are perfectly cut to wear with both heels and flats which is not an easy feat! I also really like the pattern – very summery but also hits the monochrome trend. Worn below with my Clarks Anika Kendra and a t-shirt from Primark.

I also picked up the beautiful sheer white blouse (£24.99). I thought this top was so pretty and versatile. I love the devore (burnt out) pattern. Worn below with same shoes and New Look jeans.

Next I got this midi striped dress for £14.99. Its quite see through so I am wearing a slip underneath.

Lastly for clothes I got this knit cardigan in flecked cream for £24.99. I love the heavier texture and the colour. It’s really versatile and very useful in the summer when you don’t want to wear a jacket.

On another shopping trip I spotted this necklace also from the Conscious Collection for £7.99. I love the flash of neon and to be honest have barely taken off since!

Finally I got this little nail set for £1.99. I don’t really know why I was drawn to this but I was! I just love the “dinkyness” of it all! Its perfect for travelling or just adding to your everyday nail grooming kit (which I have!).

Spring/Summer Evening Jacket

I spotted this jacket in Zara and tried it on a few times before deciding that I loved it and had to have it! I think this jacket is great for both the warmer days and cooler evenings. I have been wearing it with everything from dresses, skirts, trousers and jeans. I love the way it hangs, the deep pockets and three quarter sleeves. It is a sort of devore material with a grey and black subtle print. It was £89.99 which I think is quite pricey for Zara but I rightly guessed I would wear it a lot.

I am wearing it above with my Asos Monoclash dress (nails in Electric Blue from Kiko) and my Whistles boots. Below (top) I am wearing it with a Forever 21 skirt (old) and Whistles boots again; below (bottom) with a H&M blouse and New Look jeans.

Spring & Summer Lip Butter Colours

These are some of the latest Revlon Lip Butter colours – Sorbet (left) and Wild Watermelon (right).

The lipsticks are as always beautifully sheer with build-able colour. I love these new colours for Spring/Summer.

 

Wild Watermelon

Sorbet

If you fancy nominating my blog I would be very very grateful!! http://www.next.co.uk/cosmo-blog-awards/

Summer Party Dress

I found this gorgeous dress on the ground floor of the Regent Street Topshop where they stock loads of other brands including Miwa which is where this dress is from.

I absolutely love the colours and the draping. It’s such a flattering cut and makes me feel very summery! It was £68 which is quite expensive but given how unique it is I was convinced it was worth it! And yes I am wearing my Whistles boots again!!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush

I have been reading a lot about the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushers and finally decided to get one from Ebay. I got Natural Beauty which as you can see is quite a reddish pink. The consistency is liked a baked powder so very little fall out which is great. Although the colour looks really strong it actually goes on quite light and builds well. I really like it although I would say that it doesn’t last 12 hours on me!

Revlon – not the best experience!

I  was in Boots and noticed there was a 3 for 2 offer on Revlon and as there were two new products on offer I couldn’t resist. Firstly I noticed the new Skinlights Face Illuminator. I love highlighters and have too many to count but somehow always feel like I am looking for the holy grail of highlighters! I went for the Pink Light one instead of the Bronze as I wanted something light and pretty. This is OK it isn’t the holy grail but its not too bad. I do have use quite a lot to get a good result but it is quite nice. I have to say though that for £11.99 I would expect better.

Next up I saw these ColorStay Ultimate Suede lipsticks.

I swatched them in the shop and thought they were lovely. The colours were just the right strength and glided on beautifully. So I got two – 097 Designer (on top) and 060 It Girl (on bottom).

I was wrong. These go on perfectly but then suddenly dry out and turn into a horrible lip cracking stain that highlights every imperfection and makes your lips feel like they are going to split! I am quite disappointed having spent £8.99 on each (well one because I got one free in the 3 for 2 but still!!). I am still trying to work out how I can use them – I am thinking a very very thick balm underneath may help but am not holding out much hope.

So this time I have to say I am not so impressed with Revlon. This was definitely a case of bad impulse buying!

Shellac – Rosebud and Zillionaire

Decided that its time to start trying out some summery shades for upcoming weddings and parties! This was my first choice – Rosebud and Zillionaire. I absolutely love the soft pink with a hint of glitter on top!