50% this - 50% that, 100% Actibalm.

I got this lip balm for free from a rep at work and didn't think much of it. I toddled home and popped it into my makeup bag and almost forgot about it. 

I re-discovered it (on a day when I grabbed any old lip balm on my way out) and I was thoroughly amazed at the quality and consistency of this balm.

It's literally what it says - 50% Manuka honey and 50% petroleum jelly. Heavenly. It's very thick and dark brown in colour, very much like treacle. If you've ever tasted Manuka honey you'll know just how lovely it really is!

It leaves a glossy clear shimmer on your lips and leaves them feeling super soft and smooth.

I am really really impressed with this balm and seriously happy that I re-discovered it!

You can purchase this lip balm from Amazon for around £4. Bargain. 

What is your favourite lip balm? 

Lindsey xx

Goodstock - the charity shop with a difference

The other week I went to a lovely event in the heart of Manchester to a charity shop with a difference. 

This store has a lovely warehouse feel and striked me as a trendy boutique-like-shop, which is refreshing to see from a charity store.

Goodstock prides itself in selling good quality items that just need a loving home - they sell both female and male - clothing, shoes and accessories. The money from the sales goes to a lovely charity called vINSPIRED. vINSPIRED help and train people aged between 18-25 to get jobs by allowing them to gain experience through volunteering in the store.

One arrival I was given a £20 gift voucher to spend on finding an outfit which was a great touch. I couldn't find an outfit so I picked two separate pieces that I thought would last the year. I found a metallic grey top originally from F&F and a pair of pretty patterned navy trousers originally from Zara.

As well as this there was a nail bar where I had the prettiest mint green and white coloured pattern painted on my nails. 

Goodstock also had a little sewing corner were you could get buttons etc put onto your new purchases which I thought was a great idea!

Have you visited Goodstock?

Lindsey xx

What every blonde needs

I have been having my hair dyed blonde for a couple of years now and I hate the period in between where it just doesn't look the same colour as it was dyed. It just doesn't look it's usual blonde self, instead I tend to feel a darker shade of dull - not good!

I have been using Pro-voke daily brightening shampoo and conditioner for a while and love the quality and the smell - especially the smell! But I just wanted that added extra that something that would give me longer lasting shine and colour. 

I started using the twice a week brightening shampoo and conditioner for around a month now and I am that impressed I had to feature it. To start it has the same beautiful smell its just a teeny bit darker looking in colour than the daily ones. I also feel as though I can last a lot longer in between colours which is fantastic for a poor student like me! 

As I was loving the twice a week products so much I thought I would try out more from the range. So I have also got the hairspray, dry shampoo and dry conditioner. 

The hair spray is great, long lasting hold and doesn't darken the appearance of the hair when sprayed on like many other hair-sprays do. The dry shampoo is a winner! Its just perfect and you don't have to apply much at all, unlike some others and it is really easy to brush in. 

The dry conditioner however I was really unsure about as I have really oily hair, and rarely use conditioner anywhere but the tips of my hair. I thought I would give it a go anyhow, and I am quite impressed it works in between washes to brighten the ends of your hair that become dull through blow drying etc and gives your hair a lovely shine!

I will definitely be purchasing more from the Pro-voke range in the near future! 

What are your favourite hair products?

Lindsey xx

Finding the right hand cream

Some of you may or may not know that I am a student nurse - which is thoroughly rewarding but does result in my hands being constantly dry and cracked from repeatedly washing my hands and using sanitising gel. 

Since I started my training I have been looking for the best hand cream to re-hydrate my hands without leaving them feeling sticky or greasy.
Here are my top five with number one being my top choice. 

5. Lush 'Charity pot' hand and body cream - this cream is light and smooth on the skin and does not leave your skin feeling oily, the only downfall is the smell - it's just to perfume-y for me. I find my self constantly wondering what the smell is when I forget I have applied it - not good.

4. L'Occitane lavender hand cream - it smells amazing, and the consistency is again light and smooth. The only trouble is, I find I have to re-apply this cream more often than any of the others. When I'm busy and on the go I want a hand cream with more staying power. 

3. Body Shop 'Honeymania' hand cream - this is one of those steal buys you can't help to love. It's smooth, light and smells pretty darn good. 

2. Soap and Glory hand food - this cream certainly differs from the rest as it has a much thicker consistency. This cream is perfect hand cream to apply first thing in the morning and last thing at night - anything in between and I feel as though I have a layer of film on my hands. It takes longer to dry than any of the others however when I apply this cream I love the smell, and the overall quality. It leaves my hands feeling pampered and silky soft.

1. No7 'Protect and Perfect' day cream -  this is my ultimate go-to hand cream - I love it. No oily feel, no film like feel, no waiting for the cream to dry for ages before I touch anything in my vicinity. It has that lovely No7 smell - you all know it! Did I mention that I love this hand cream? 

What's your favourite go-to hand cream? 

Lindsey xx

Naked 3 review

I have always wanted a Naked pallet and the only thing that put me off buying any of the previous ones is the amount of really dark shades, which would not look flattering on my pale skin. When the naked pallet 3 came out I knew it was much more suited to my skin tone and all the shades are wearable for me which is a total bonus!

Before purchasing this pallet I read a few reviews from fellow bloggers' and from the online shopping sites and many of those reviewing this product seemed to not be as impressed with this pallet as they were with the original or naked 2. I have not tried the others but I am very impressed with this product and would go as far to say that this is my favourite eye shadow product ever - I use it almost everyday.

The staying power of the shadows are incredible, there is no need to top up my lids throughout the day. Many of the reviews have also stated that the colours are not very pigmented and I would totally disagree, I don't know whether this is because of my pale skin tone? But they really do seem to hold out.

I also love love love the double sided brush I think its fantastic for blending and also getting that perfect smoky eye look.

The set also comes with some sachets of eye shadow primer which I have not yet had the need to try - amazing.

Well done Urban Decay!

What is your favourite eye shadow pallet?

Lindsey xx

What I am looking forward to most in 2015

Usually I head into new years without any long term plans/goals as I am normally a last minute kind of girl. So at the start of this year I reflected on 2014 and thought, what do I have to look forward to or what would I like to do this new year - what is going to make 2015 a year to remember? 

Here's my top 5 things I have to look forward to in 2015.

5. Go on holiday - my holiday is all booked and I'm really excited to be going to somewhere I have never been before. I am going to be jetting of to Egypt this May and I'm looking forward to experiencing a new place and exploring what the country has to offer.

4. Getting older - I know this sounds silly but I am really looking forward to what life has to throw at me. 

3. My last year at university - even though it is going to be super stressful I am going to take in every last moment until I have to enter the big wide world of work!

2. Graduation/getting my registration. Even though I will be waiting right until the end of 2015 to throw my cap in the air it is still something I feel will make 2015 that little bit more special.

1. Starting my first job! Some of you may or may not know that I am training to become a nurse. I have been offered a post for when I finish uni in August. So I am really looking forward to start! 

What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

Lindsey xx

The brow kit everyone should know about.

I first encountered Chelsea's Beautique whilst I was at pro beauty in Manchester a couple of months back, I had never heard of the brand nor did I know such a brow kit existed - my life is know miles easier and putting my make-up on now seems a lot more 'exciting'. 

The lovely sales assistant asked if I would like to have a try, obviously I had to try it. At first the sales assistant believed my brows where the dark brown shade - to which we both found out very quickly was NOT may shade, this was however quickly rectified. We agreed that my shade was natural and we went ahead and tried again. 

Its so so simple; you pick your stencil, place it over your eyebrow, pop some powder onto your brush and apply. Wait two minutes and your brows are intact for the day! No more last minute brow tinting for your holidays! It comes off surprisingly easy to - which is a bonus.

Stupidly I 'umd and ahhd' about this set so much that I did not purchase it at pro beauty, which I regretted as soon as I got home - So I popped it onto my Christmas list, and Santa didn't fail me. 

I was over the moon to receive this at Christmas and I haven't used any other product on my brows since. 

I received the 'Brows kit' off my lovely parents which includes:

- smudge free powder

- double sided brow brush

- 6 differently shaped stencils

- tweezers

- velvet travel case

(all for £35!!)

If you want perfect, smudge free brows then look no further!

http://chelseabeautique.com/

What are your favourite brow products?

Lindsey xx

(I use the 'naturale' stencil and minimal powder)