Current evening skincare

I posted about my evening routine a while back (find it here), and as things have changed quite a lot since then, here's an update!

Currently, I'm still using the Clinique take the day off make up remover if I've been wearing a lot on my eyes or lips to get a majority of it off. I like it, but it is pretty greasy, so I wouldn't use it by itself. I use the Nivea double effective make up remover and the Nivea refreshing cleansing lotion to take everything off otherwise. I picked them up in an emergency buy at home, and I've fallen in love with them, especially the cleansing lotion. My skin dries out really easily, so having something as creamy and nourishing as this helps prevent that.

I'll then go in with Lush celestial moisturiser, which my skin really loves, and leaves my skin hydrated for the next morning. I'm a strong believer in eye creams, so currently I'm using the Simple kind to eyes soothing balm. I can get quite dry patches under my eyes when I'm not sleeping well, but since I've been using this I've barely had one in sight. The last thing that I use is the Avon clear emergency spot treatment, as I've got some real beauties coming out recently thanks to stress. I've never found anything that clears up my spots so fast, I'd be lost without it!

I really like my skincare routine at the moment, and my skin seems to be pretty happy with it too!

What's your routine at the moment? Do you like to switch things up much?

n xx

ELLE Insider | Vanessa Bruno event

ELLE Insider

As part of being a subscriber to ELLE, there's loads of extra goodies and discounts you can find through the ELLE Insider website. There's also a competitions page, which I always keep up to date with! I enter every competition I can (I even entered one that was for wedding dress shopping... it's free, after all), and last week I was lucky enough to win my first one!

The event was at Vanessa Bruno in London, and as I got two tickets, I went for a day out in London with my best friend Ania. We had such a lovely day, and we got to visit my two favourite buildings in London too- St Paul's Cathedral and Liberty.

The clothes at Vanessa Bruno were also a total dream to see. I'd definitely look at investing in some pieces from there in the future! Keep an eye on their A/W collection if you're looking for some super versatile pieces for your wardrobe. 

Are you an ELLE subscriber?

n xx

Being proud of your achievements

It's getting into results season, and the one question people have been asking me for months is this; when do you get your uni results? Today, I received an official letter from my university to tell me my final results for my degree. When people find that out, I'm pretty sure that 90% of the time the next question will be; what did you get?

I know a lot of people aren't asking that with the intention of upsetting or offending me, and even that a lot of people won't mind being asked that question, but it's something that's bothered me for quite a few years. The thing that matters to me the most is that I'm happy with my results, and that I know I worked hard for what I achieved. So what if I got a First, or a Pass, or a Third? I am happy with what I achieved, and my grade is what I need to move into the career and future that I want. To me, that's all that matters.

Whatever you're studying, I hope that you're happy and proud with what you achieve. Not everyone is born to be a doctor or theoretical physicist. That doesn't mean you aren't clever. Sometimes it takes longer to find the things that you're better at, because they cannot be represented by an A in English, or a First in a History degree. 

There are hundreds, probably more, of careers that I could not stand to do, or even understand, and I have endless respect for the people who do. Every time I hear someone mentioning that they have received their results, my first thought is that I hope you're happy and proud, and I hope they lead you to a bright and hopeful future.

Peace and love ♥ 

n xx

Review | Rimmel wake me up wonderfull mascara

wake me up wonderfull

I picked this up in a Boots dash, not realising it was a new launch (or that I actually have about 20 mascaras hidden in a drawer, whoops). Though I play around with a lot of different mascaras, I'm really specific in the ones I choose, so I thought I'd put up my thoughts on this one! Especially because I think I'm in love with the packaging. It's just so green.

One of the main things that is mentioned in the campaign is that it has vitamins and cucumber in the formula, aimed at doing the whole revitalised-full-night-sleep thing. The main thing I've noticed about the additions is that the formula actually smells of cucumbers, though not overpoweringly so. It was actually the wand that drew me into buying this; it has a size to rival Soap and Glory's Thick and Fast mascara. It's also got the whole double bobble shape, aimed at giving a more even covering.

So far I've gotten on really well with this. I like the shape, because it makes it easier to get to corner lashes, and the bristles apply things evenly enough without clumping. It also layers really well, which for me, is a must have. One layer just doesn't cut it. Though I can't say that this mascara makes me look more awake and such more than others, I really like the formula and would definitely look at repurchasing!

Have you tried this out yet?

n xx

Review | Soap & Glory Hand Dream

Hand Dream

100ml £7

I mentioned a while ago in my post about my nail care current favourites that I've been using this Soap and Glory hand cream, so I thought I'd post about why I've been loving it! I've been a fan of hand food for a couple of years, and when this came in a S&G set I got at Christmas I assumed it was just a repackaged version. Where as Hand Food is just a hydrating hand cream, Hand Dream goes a little further and is a super intensive 5-in-1 formula.

"AHAs and botanicals stimulate cell renewal and target age spots, while ultra-nourishing oils and a clinically proven moisture complex help to seriously soften skin, making even the most Saharan-like-palms feel silky smooth and flake-free. Intensive. An all-rounder. THE hand cream of your dreams."

It has the same classic S&G smell as Hand Food, but has a slightly different after-smell (as in, once it's rubbed in) and is a slightly thinner consistency. I think the main difference is in how long they sit on your skin; because Hand Food is a bit thicker, it soaks in faster and instantly feels a lot more nourishing. Hand Dream, on the other hand (oh snap) is slightly, for want of a better word, greasier. I don't mean that in a bad way, though, because I actually find it incredibly nourishing for my eczema, and it isn't a long-lasting thing that you would notice unless you were testing one out on either hand, like I currently am.

Overall, I really love both, and to be honest, there's not an awful lot of difference between them. If I had to choose, I think I'd stick with Hand Food, but that's just because it suits my skin better. If you've tried them both, I'd love to know what you think!

What's your favourite hand cream?

n xx  

Review | Herbal Essences hello hydration mask

Hello Hydration intensive mask 

£4.61 - 200ml

This got lost in the great move home from university, but I re-found it and used it this morning and remembered why I bought it. I love the smell, which is coconut, but with something extra. I can't put my finger on what it is, but it's one of those products that you could just inhale all day. It's an intensive deep treatment mask aimed at dry and damaged hair, which my hair ticks both boxes for. 

It recommends that you use it once a week, and leave it on for 5 minutes. I'm pretty generous with applying it, and make sure it's really worked in all over. I think my favourite thing about this is being able to just feel the difference in my hair after I've washed it; as soon as my hair is dry, it just feels silkier, lighter and just generally healthier. It's been so long since I've used a mask that's left my hair feeling so much better!

Since I've been using it, I've noticed my hair is looking better even on washes where I've not used it. I've been using other Herbal Essences products with it (review here). If you've never used this and your hair needs a bit of TLC, you seriously need to look at this!

What's your favourite way to give your hair plenty of love?

n xx

Essie collection

blanc • ballet slippers

sole mate • no more film • lady godiva

exotic liras • forever yummy

stylenomics • mint candy apple

I've loved Essie from the first shade I bought (ballet slippers, if you're wondering), and it's been an on-going affair since then. Not only are the colours gorgeous, but the brush is the perfect size, and on my nails they usually last a week. What more could a girl ask for?

forever yummy - I'd class this as my go to statement red. It really compliments my pale skin and just looks perfect.

sole mate - I'm not normally fond of purples, but there's something about this that is just pinky/red enough that makes me love it.

mint candy apple - just about every blogger knows this shade, right? I jumped onto the hype, and it reminds me of the kind of colour Tinkerbell would wear.

no more film - this is a more recent addition, but I'm starting to really love blue granny nails at the moment.

lady godiva - I think I bought this when I was attempting owl nail art... it's not that I don't like it, but brown is a pretty, well, distinct nail colour. It doesn't get used much.

blanc - Essie have so many of 'my perfect' shades, and this is another one. Every girl needs the perfect white for a french manicure, right?

stylenomics - though it looks black unless the light is right, this is the perfect forest green for me. It's got that perfect dark but not black kind of feel.

exotic liras - I think this is one of my favourite summer colours, and it always makes me re-love pink nails whenever I wear it.

ballet slippers - by far my favourite shade, not just from Essie, but ever. If I could only ever wear one colour, it would be this nude nearly-there. Plus the name is super cute.

What's your favourite Essie colour?

n xx

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

 I Capture the Castle

I've not done a book review in a while, but then I've not done a lot of reading in a while! I picked up I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith around Christmas, not really knowing what to expect. The book is in three parts, written by Cassandra, who is a young girl living in a crumbling castle with her brother, sister, father and step-mother. Her life changes dramatically when she meets two brothers, her poverish life colliding with their completely different world not restricted by money.

Though it was quite a young read, I still loved it, but I think 14-year-old Nikki would have loved it a lot more- though Waterstones have marked it under 'not just for teens' on their website. It didn't have the ending I expected, but it was my favourite kind: not chiche, but realistic and still happy. It's quite a long book too, so if you're not much of a reader, but looking for something to get stuck into, maybe look at this!

ps- did you know that Dodie Smith also wrote 101 Dalmatians?!

Follow what I'm reading:
goodreads

n xx

Life lately #17

Today, I plan to be surgically attached to my laptop, marathoning Once Upon a Time (series three, if you're wondering) and blogging. The last month has been absolutely exhausting, but the last week has absolutely topped it all, and moving is not on today's agenda.

Things I'm currently grateful for

♥ having a job that I'm loving- because of the amazing and hilarious people I'm lucky enough to work with

♥ the Harry Potter books

♥ being able to finally relax in my room after a month plus of unpacking university boxes

♥ my boyfriend. Even though he is currently having fun (without me, sob) in America.

♥ marathoning disney films

♥ coffee. I'll keep saying it until it's a thing: imagine a caramel macchiato in an IV drip.

What are you doing with your Sunday?

n xx

Currently wearing | Barry M blue grape

The other day I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to paint my nails blue, and this was the blue that I went for. It's just so blue. I've yet to find a Barry M colour that I don't like, and I particularly like the finish of the Gelly Hi-Shine range. It has that little extra shine to the finish, and on my nails they last a bit longer. It's also pretty opaque, so if you're not a two coat/ always in a rush kind of person, it still looks nice!

What's your favourite blue?

find it here

n xx

Re-find | Collection lasting perfection concealer

Collection lasting perfection concealer in fair

£4.19

Remember when this was bigger and less expensive?! Alas it isn't anymore, but I still love it just as much as the first time round. I was obsessed with this a while ago, but recently I've been using more of MAC pro longwear concealer (review here). I picked this up recently just for a switch up, and I've fallen back in love with it. It gives such good coverage where I need it that I don't feel like I have to wear foundation with it, so quite often I won't.

It blends really easily- I use my Real Techniques setting brush to give it a flawless finish. It also really does last all day, even on my oily t-zone. I'm not sure about 16 hours, but when I put it on at half 7 in the morning, it's still there when I take my make up off the second I get home from work at half 6. The creamy formula means I only have to apply one layer, except under my eyes, but if anyone can find me a concealer that doesn't need two layers to cover my eye bags, I'd be seriously impressed!

Have you ever tried this out?

n xx