.♥. amelia .♥.

.Popbands | A Long Haired Girl’s Review. What on earth is...

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:04:37 +0100

.Popbands | A Long Haired Girl’s Review.

What on earth is a Popband i hear you ask. Well, Popbands are the new hair bobbles to blow your plain brown Primark multipack out the water!

‘Kind on your hair and cute on your wrst’

I’m often caught with a bobble round my wrist in case it gets too warm or my hair get’s in my face (literally), but it’s not the best look and tends to ruin a good wrist stack. Popbands are a hair bobble designed to look like a festival band or a ribbon on your wrist that don’t snag or rip your hair when you use them. Having such long and thick hair it takes a lot to keep it up so i was dubious about the strength of these pretty little numbers, but with two wrapped around my bun i’m good to go and they keep my mane secure all day long - even at the gym too! Popbands claim not to leave a dent in your hair after wearing them but i find using two still leaves a little ridge but one that’s not as big as usual so i’m happy.

They also come in a million different colours to match any outfit and mood and i just love my Milkshake Pastel* and Silver Fox* sets. The peach and pink look lovely next to my chunky rose gold watch and i’ve found myself wearing them most days. Just in time for summer, every long haired beauty needs a popband for when the sun finally starts to shine, such a simple beauty product but i love them!

Grab a pack of Popbands from their website HERE from just £4 and free delivery!

Have you tried Popbands yet? What’s your favourite colour?

Tweet us @xameliax @LoveThePopband #popbands

xax

.June Haul | xameliax. So i went a bit crazy the other week and...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:33:35 +0100

.June Haul | xameliax.

So i went a bit crazy the other week and bought all the things….let’s take a look at what i got!

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel!

xax

.HD Brows Kit in Foxy | Review. I’ve been in love with my...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:30:08 +0100

.HD Brows Kit in Foxy | Review.

I’ve been in love with my Benefit Browzings kit for a long time now - it’s perfect for my hair colour and the daddy of all eyebrow kits in my opinion, so when HD Brows* got in touch to see if i wanted to give theirs a go i was interested to see how it fared!

First of all the packaging is quite chunky but smooth and small enough to fit in your handbag, and inside it boasts a hefty sized mirror and four matte eye shadows. I’m pretty sure you could find the perfect colour for any brow by mixing these shades together and that’s what i tend to do. I mix the bottom two colours to make a warm light brown that goes really well with my hair and i apply it with the angled side of the brush that comes with the kit which is great! The beauty of this brow kit is that it doubles as a basic eye shadow palette and for that reason i keep it in my bag in case i’m ever in need of a touch up or to take a look from day to night. The shadows are all matte colours and they tend to wear really well - bonus!

Because i need to mix colours i don’t think it will be replacing my Benefit Browzings kit just yet purely for speed of application in the mornings when i’ve hit that snooze button too many times. However it has become a permanent addition to my handbag and i absolutely love it for when i’m out and about - such a great product and one i’d highly recommend for the handbag!

You can find the HD Brow Kit HERE for £19.95!

Have you tried the HD Brow Kit? How do you usually do your eyebrows?

Tweet us @xameliax @hdbrows #hdbrows

xax

.NARS Nail Polish in Madness | Swatch & Review. I’ve...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0100

.NARS Nail Polish in Madness | Swatch & Review.

I’ve never tried any NARS nail polishes before so i was excited to get swatching when this bottle of Madness* dropped though my door.

NARS describe Madness as an Electric Orange Crush and it’s certainly that - this baby is bright orange, and i mean bright, it’s quite amazing really! It’s almost a jelly-like finish so i’m considering layering it up with some gold glitter for a funky summer effect. I’ve used three coats here and it’s still not 100% opaque but you’d have to look pretty closely to see nail underneath which is fine by me. It applies really nicely and evenly with almost a semi-matte finish, but with a coat of seche vite above it’s super glossy and ready to glow!

I think i love the bottle the most - it’s really chunky with an uber-classic look, definitely one to keep on show. I adore this limited edition shade and i think the quality of the polish is worthy or it’s larger price tag so i’ll certainly be investing in a few more bottles of NARS polish, they’ve officially reeled me in!

You can pick up a bottle of this bright and beautiful polish from the HQ Hair website HERE for £14.50 - don’t forget to take a look at the whole NARS makeup range at HQ hair too!

Have you tried any NARS nail polishes before? What’s your favourite shade? Will be hunting for a bottle of Madness?

Tweet us @xameliax @narsissist #narsmadness

xax

.My Weekend in Photos. This weekend has been another truly...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:19:36 +0100

.My Weekend in Photos.

This weekend has been another truly wonderful one, even though nothing spectacular particularly happened.

This week i got the pleasure of looking for Jack for a few hours volunteering at the RSPCA - he was such a jolly little ball of fluff and a joy to be around, it certainly won’t be long before he finds himself a loving home. I then took advantage of my nails being bare and a little bit shorter than usual to pick up my guitar and have a bit of a practice. Every time i pick up that instrument i get lost for hours learning new songs and singing my little heart out. I don’t quite know what i would do without music in my life - and for those budding guitarists out there you must download the app Ultimate Guitar Tabs if you haven’t already, it’s incredible!

In the evening i was told by my idiotically wonderful best friend that she was taking me out one a date to cheer me up after a little Bridget Jones-eque wobble i had on Friday and i was instructed to dress up and be ready for 7pm. On the dot the doorbell rang and i opened it to find her dressed in a suit holding a bunch of lilies (my favourite) and box of chocolates ready for our date! Cursing her for nearly making me cry with laughter and ruining my makeup we headed out for Thai food and a good girly catch up over a few cocktails with a lot of strange stares from pretty much everyone who saw us!

I also filmed my next haul video which will be on it’s way very soon and tried out a Slendertone* for the very first time which i will be reviewing in a few weeks when i have abs like Peter Andre! Today is also Father’s Day so i showered mine with some more quality British Ales (not literally, that would have been a complete waste and rather weird) and i’m taking him out to the pub in a bit too - yes, he likes his beer!

I can’t believe how lucky i am to have such a wonderful friend as Beth to share my world with. I’ve never been one to have hundreds of friends, and at times i’ve barely even had one so i can appreciate just how amazing the close friends i have now truly are and i am grateful for them every single day - even when they’re not dressed up like a man surprising you with chocolates!

I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend too, and a big hoorah for all the dad’s out there and their retro 90’s outfits!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram too guys - @xameliax!

xax

.So I Finally Brought Myself a Kindle. I’d been...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:25:00 +0100

.So I Finally Brought Myself a Kindle.

I’d been um’ming and ah’ing over buying a kindle for quite some time and the other day i finally bit the bullet and treated myself to one! I’d gone in search of a kindle touch only to find that no-one stocked it as it’s been replaced by the new Paperwhite model at about £30 more. Being the incredibly inpatient person that i am i decided to fork out the extra cash and get one on the day and i’m so glad i did!

I wasn’t overly fussed about the back light that the paperwhite boasted but i’ve actually used it quite a bit and am now glad that i couldn’t find the original touch. It’s extremely lightweight so it hardly adds anything to my already overflowing handbag and i also managed to get a gorgeous coral coloured case half price with it to protect my new book of dreams from scratches and dents. The paperwhite holds up to 1,100 books (a number i don’t think i’ll hit for a while) and also runs a touchscreen system which makes life so much easier now we’re all used to our Iphones. It also has an 8 week battery life even with the back light shining away which is amazing although it doesn’t take long to charge at all and i’ve also found that it’s the perfect size to hold one handed and flick through the pages with your thumb.

Kindle screens still confuse me as they produce no glare even in the brightest lights, they’re like matte pixels so it makes reading so easy and you can even adjust the font size if you’re blind like me and you forget your glasses. I love my kindle and i’m so glad i finally caved and bought it! I’ve been reading so much more since buying it and have really re-found my passion for picking up a book anytime i have a spare 5 minutes. Yes you do miss the smell of a proper book, physically turning pages and that crack of the spine when you hit the halfway mark, but reading on a kindle makes everything so much easier and more accessible I’m afraid i’m a total convert and very happy about it too!

I brought mine from Ryman for £109.99 and my case was half price at £12.49!

Do you have a kindle? Which model? Has it changed your literary life?

Tweet me @xameliax #kindletime with your book recommendations!

xax

.Susan Posnick Color Essential Moisturising Lipstick...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:00:12 +0100

.Susan Posnick Color Essential Moisturising Lipstick in Shanghai | Swatch & Review.

I’m all for he bold lip these days but sometimes i don’t feel like slapping it on first thing in the morning, or if i’m just having a casual one. Sadly though i have quite pale lips, so without anything on i look like the living dead from the nose down! Normally i slap on a bit of tinted lip balm and go, but recently i’ve really been loving this ever so subtle Moisturising Lipstick by Susan Posnick*.

With a bit more oomph than a tinted balm but not as much fire power as a highly pigmented lipstick, this tube seems to do it all. It feels like a lip balm with the way is moisturises and sits on the lips but leaves behind a lovely pretty pink pigment that brightens up even the palest lips like mine without completely taking over your makeup look. It’s one of those clever colours that adapts to your skin tone giving you a perfect personal shade for your complexion. Finish-wise it’s a little shiny (like a tinted lip balm) but not glossy so it just about squeezes into my matte lippy loving books and as the colour is nice and subtle it fades evenly avoiding that nasty 90’s lip lining. It doesn’t last forever but that’s ok, because every time you reapply it gives you another moisture boost and the packaging is clever too with a magnetic lid meaning it won’t colour-in your handbag when left unattended - excellent feature Susan!

I love this lippy and it’s really pulled me over to the subtle side too. I’ll certainly be investing in some more balmy lippys for my collection over the next few weeks for those mornings when I don’t feel like being too bold in the lip department.

You can find this pretty pink Shanghai shade and others in the Color Essential range on the Susan Posnick website HERE (and HERE for the UK bods) for around £17!

Have you tried any Susan Posnick products? What do you think of her Color Essential lippys?

Tweet me @xameliax #SusanPosnick

xax

.BAA Sportswear | Review. Since i started my kickboxing a few...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:00:26 +0100

.BAA Sportswear | Review.

Since i started my kickboxing a few weeks ago i’ve been really getting into my exercise and heading to the gym a few times a week, so I decided that my old baggy exercise gear just wasn’t cutting the mustard if i was going to keep up with the gorgeous looking ladies next to me on the treadmill.

Before i was just wearing some baggy 3/4 length grey marl joggers, a vest that was just as unflattering and a sports bra that was a size too small in all directions because they were cheap and when i bought them i resented exercise as a whole! I felt awful getting into my gym kit and it really put me off going as well as making me feel completely inferior to the other exercise bunnies around me. I always avoided those skin tight leggings for fear of making my thighs look even bigger, but really by dressing myself like a bag lady i was adding pounds to my figure rather than hiding it! When BAA (Be An Athlete) contacted me and asked if i would like a sportswear makeover i jumped at the chance and got myself ready to look like a proper exerciser person type thing….

Ladies Classic Vest* (£34) - This is pricey for a vest top, especially because you’ll need more than one if you sweat as much as i do in your classes (mmm attractive), but the quality is certainly there. It’s a nice length if you’re a little self-conscious of your bottom and the racer back is quite flattering on the shoulders. The material feels great and it’s withheld a few washes already very well.

Ladies Classic Leggings* (£39) - I love these leggings so much and even though they’re tight all the way down they are incredibly flattering and the material helps squeeze you in (especially around the wobbly bottom area!). They’re made from a super soft jersey material and don’t rub no matter how many squats you do and the waistband is very comfortable. I think these are a great tight legging for beginners as they’re not as scary as Lycra but still make you look like a pro!

Ladies Classic Hoody* (£85) - A hoody is something you very often forget about until you’re getting ready and realise you look ridiculous in your gym gear and an outside coat! I have a very smelly, very baggy uni hoody that’s seen better days and that’s it, so i’m very grateful for this one. Black and simple with strong sleeves, zips and pockets, it’s expensive, but you only need to buy it once and it’s certainly going to last a long time on the quality front.

So now i’m all kitted out for the gym i can run next to the other ladies and men on the treadmills with pride finally feeling like one of the gang…next stop, a sports bra that actually fits and doesn’t squash the girls in all directions and maybe some trainers to match! There’s nothing wrong with getting fit and looking fabulous!

You can take a look at the whole BAA range on their website HERE!

Have you tried anything from BAA’s collection? What do you workout in at the gym?

Tweet me @xameliax #baasports

xax

.Melvita Rose Nectar for Face and Eyes | Review. Since using...

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:00:25 +0100

.Melvita Rose Nectar for Face and Eyes | Review.

Since using Melvita’s amazing Gradual Tanner* i’ve been a big believer in their brand and these next two products have certainly helped keep my faith. Recently i’ve been testing out their Rose Nectar Moisturiser* and Eye Gel* and have been absolutely loving them both.

I love the smell and taste of rose (please don’t eat the moisturiser kids) so these are right up my street as they smell just like Fry’s Turkish Delight and make me look forward to using them every morning. The moisturiser helps re-hydrate dry and de-hydrated skin and claims to provide 24 hour moistursation. Whilst i don’t think it lasts quite for 24 hours i certainly think it lasts all day and with this underneath my foundation i feel as if my skin is still very happy at the end of the day instead of drying up in certain areas as with other moisturisers and it hasn’t made my sensitive skin break out either - bonus!

The eye gel is super soothing (try keeping it in the fridge) on puffy and dark morning eyes. It helps combat blue tones in those bags and decongests the eye area helping you look a little more human! I do think it works, it’s not the most hydrating eye product but as it’s meant to de-puff rather than moisturise it’s perfect for the morning and again i look forward to using it.

I think both of these rosey products are reasonable for the money especially as they only form part of your morning routine so will last twice as long as others. I would certainly buy them again as they do what they say on the tin and smell gorgeous to boot!

You can find Melvita’s Moisturising Rose Nectar for £25 HERE and their Fresh Eye Contour Gel for £22 HERE!

Have you tried any of Melvita’s Rose products? What do you think?

Tweet me @xameliax #melvitarose

xax

.Bourjois Healthy Balance Face Powder | Review. Since my recent...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:00:12 +0100

.Bourjois Healthy Balance Face Powder | Review.

Since my recent foray into fake tan my once perfectly matched foundation now looks a little on the pale side compared to the rest of my body. So being the cheapskate that i am instead of re-buying my (brand new i might add) bottle of Bobbi Brown in a darker shade, i decided i would simply get a new powder to help match my face up at a fraction of the cost. Enter Bourjois’ Healthy Balance Matte Face Powder!

In order to tan up my face ever so slightly i picked up the shade #53 Light Beige and it works a treat. It’s slightly too dark for my skin tone so coupled with a spot of my new fake tan sensation* i’m a lot more even after use. The problem i have is that my cheap foundation fixing powder that was simply there to colour match has turned out to be so good i may have to go back and buy it in the right shade as well to use when i’m back to my usual ghostly tone.

I love this powder!!! It claims to leave a matte finish which lasts 10 hours on the skin and although i wouldn’t say it withstands my greasy t-zone for a whole 10 hours, it certainly gives an 8 hour working day a run for it’s money and keeps my skin looking great without the need for touch ups. I use a models own kabuki* to apply all over my face and it gives an instantly smoother finish which does mattify and perfect my skin. the packaging is super slim and makeup bag/case friendly too with a giant mirror under the lid for on the go application. I think it’s such a bargain at £8 and i’ll definitely be re-buying this one in probably more than one shade - such a great find!

You can pick up a pot of Healthy Balance from Boots for just £8.49 HERE - and don’t forget your points too!

Have you tried anything from the Healthy Balance range? What do you think of this powder?

Tweet me @xameliax #healthybalance

xax

.Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo | Review. Batiste is a complete...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:30:02 +0100

.Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo | Review.

Batiste is a complete lifesaver for us ladies and recently i’ve been using one of their special cans for a bit of extra oomph. Batiste XXL* is a dry shampoo that also adds volume to your hair - similar to root boosting powders and i love it!

You use this one a little differently to other Batiste dry shampoo as there’s no brushing after spraying it in. You simply spray it onto your hair, give it a few seconds and then rub as normal - tada! Yes it leaves a little residue in your hair and feels a bit funny at first but it really doesn’t bother me, and considering i’m a person who hates feeling like there’s things in my hair that’s a bold statement!

It gives a hefty bit of lift and volume to hair that’s teetering on the edge of shower time as well as showcasing it’s usual grease-fighting superpowers. I don’t reach for it every day but i will always have one in the bathroom for days when i need a bit of something extra - it’s such a great product and definitely worth a try!

You can pick up a can of Batiste from any good pharmacy or supermarket starting from around £2.99 - be sure to check out all the colours and scents they have on their website HERE!

Have you tried the Batiste XXL? Is it a beauty product saviour for you too?

Tweet me @xameliax #batisteXXL

xax

.Weekend in Photos. This weekend has been a lovely one although...

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 13:57:01 +0100

.Weekend in Photos.

This weekend has been a lovely one although nothing really huge has happened. Sometimes i can’t help thinking that those kind of weekends are the best as they make me incredibly content.

I officially became a volunteer for the RSPCA yesterday and spent the morning walking with some of their beautiful dogs. The work that the RSPCA do for animals is incredible and i’m so proud to be able to be a part of it and help give these pups the love they deserve until they find a new home. Walking dogs for 2 and a half hours is tough work but i enjoyed every single minute of it and i can’t wait to see them all again next weekend!

The diet went out the window for a few hours last night as i headed out with some girl friends for dinner and a glass of vino! There was Breaded Brie, Pan-Fried Pollack and the tangiest Sorbet trio i’ve ever tasted, i was a very happy bunny - good food, drink and company is one of life’s great pleasures for me!

Today i’m simply enjoying the sunshine and catching up on some emails with a face mask and a big mug of tea. I’m tempted to visit the country club later for a little swim to help work off a few glass of wine from last night too! I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend wherever you are in the world and the sun is shining for you too!

xax

.Beer Tasting with Daddy | Best of British Beer. There’s...

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:00:09 +0100

.Beer Tasting with Daddy | Best of British Beer.

There’s nothing more my Dad loves than a round of golf and a good beer, and as he’s so difficult to buy for (i’ve exhausted every single novelty golf club cover and joke golf ball there is) i’ve found the perfect present - a giant delivery of beer! These were actually sent through by a lovely company called Best Of British Beer and they sell, well, beer, but beer in every way you can imagine. Personalised, gift wrapped and even in subscription form so if you’re into your ale or know someone else who is you need to take a look at this website!

Much to Dad’s disappointment i broke the news that he wouldn’t be able to drink all of these lovely beers* to himself and he would in fact have to share some with me (for research purposes of course), so we decided to have some daddy-daughter time and bond over some beautiful British beers!

Our Thoughts:

Will Torrent and XT Brewery Chocolate Beer - This was the beer i was least looking forward to out of the bunch as i expected it to be really sweet and quite unsavoury. However i was pleasantly surprised! There is a strong chocolate vanilla scent on the nose but it translates really nicely into a dark almost Guinness tasting roast without over powering it. We couldn’t drink loads of this beer but can’t help thinking it would make an interesting alternative to a dessert wine with a dark chocolate pud - controversial!

Coach House Cheshire Blueberry Bitter - This beer smells amazing!!! Served chilled when you open it you can’t even smell the beer, just fresh blueberries disguised in a pale ale. This was such a refreshing beer to drink and is perfect for the summer, dry but fruity - a real winner.

3 Tuns Brewery Cleric’s Cure - “At first glance the dark bottle, black label and 5% strength would lead you to expect a dark winter beer. Not so, it pours a golden amber with a very subtle, malty aroma. The flavour is of sweet caramel malt with just enough hops and bitterness to give it a well balanced finish.” (Dad’s notes)…too cute.

Old Growler Lemon Head - This is my absolute favourite of the bunch. A light, refreshing beer with zesty lemon notes and a subtle undertone of ginger. Served cold this is the perfect summer drink to sit in a beer garden with enjoying the sunshine. Best of British Beer suggest trying this one with a spicy curry and i can’t help but think that that would be a fantastic idea too!

Salopian Oracle - “Pale golden beer with a floral grapefruit and elderflower nose. Initial sweetness but followed by a dry hoppy finish. At 4% a very quaffable summer beer!” (Dad’s notes)

Pheasantry Pale Ale - This pale ale is smooth and slightly citrussy with a strong hoppy flavour. Easy to drink and nice and light for a warmer day. It didn’t blow us away but it still went down rather nicely!

Best of British Beer also popped in an extra special beer* just for my daddy with it’s own personalised label - so adorable and such a nice touch! You can even add a photo and design your own label on their website HERE whichis a such a great pressie idea and i love it!

We had such a great time testing out these beers together - tough job but someone’s got to do it - and i thoroughly enjoyed myself whilst realising all over again that my dad is the cutest person on the planet! I haven’t seen dad this excited in a long long time, so i think for father’s day i might be buying him a subscription to Best of British Beers so he can have this much fun every month….and i won’t pinch any next time!

Take a look at the Best of British website HERE for some great Father’s Day ideas or even a little treat for yourself!

What are you getting your Dad for Father’s Day? Would he like a tasty beer selection?

Tweet me @xameliax #britishbeer

xax

.Fake Bake 60 Minute Tanner | Review. I’ve said it before...

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:00:21 +0100

.Fake Bake 60 Minute Tanner | Review.

I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, being super pale makes me pre-disposed to fearing any kind of fake tan product. I’ve only recently braved using a tanning mitt with my Melvita Gradual tanner* and that even felt a bit too much for me! But although i’m still in love with the natural glow my gradual tan gives, sometimes i feel in need of a bit more colour and it’s usually in a mad panic whilst getting ready to go out for drinks or somewhere important showing my ghostly pins. The only actual fake tan in my possession cost a grand total of 99p (review here) and although it works a treat it won’t do any good if you’ve made a last minute decision to go brown.

Now there are instant fake tan creams and sprays out there that give you a lovely colour right away and wash off at the end of the night, but quite frankly they strike fear into my heart! What happens if you get nudged in the ladies whilst washing your hands, or someone spills their Sauvignon Blanc down your arm?! Are you meant to wander around for the rest of the night with a giant white patch shining through for all to see? I don’t think i’m quite there yet. However when Fake Bake contacted me and asked if i’d like to try out their 60 Minute Fake Tan Mist* that gives you a perfect glow in just 1 hour that won’t wash off with a spilled cocktail i was intrigued enough to say yes and give it a whirl!

It comes in a big 236ml bottle with an attachable spray pump, pretty pink tanning mitt, a set of black application rubber gloves and instructions on how to get tanned - in short: exfoliate, moisturise your elbows and knees, spray the tanner onto the pink side of your mitt and rub it in! I nearly had a heart attack when i first pressed the pump because it actually looks like creosote!!! Luckily that’s just the guide colour so you can see where you’ve been, a fantastic feature, but one to scare all the fake tan newbies out there! It’s so easy to use and i’d done my whole body (apart from a patch on my back) within about 5 minutes.

Timer set to 1 hour, lets go.

I let the tan settle in for another 5 before putting on some loose pjs and pottering around for the 60 minutes as instructed for a light glow and then i jumped in the shower to wash it all off. Unfortunately even on my super pale skin the 60 minutes didn’t really touch me. It took the harshness of my skin tone away slightly but didn’t leave me that glowy so i took one for the team and tried again, this time leaving it on for the longest time of 3 hours before washing off. That’s more like it! A lovely subtle, natural looking tan that left me feeling like i’d been out in the garden all day catching rays, when really i’d been sat editing videos in my pjs in the comfort of my own room!

So my final verdict? This is a fantastic fake tan for pale to medium skin tones if you’re looking for a quick boost before going out on the town. It’s not quite as quick as one hour but you can have a lovely natural looking tan in as little as two and it doesn’t really smell like fake tan either; always a bonus for me. I’ll definitely be buying this again as the guide colour is really useful, it’s so easy to apply and the end result didn’t leave me looking like an oompa lumpa - well done Fake Bake!

You can grab a bottle HERE from the Fake Bake website for just £24.95 with a luxury tanning mitt and application gloves!

Have you tried Fake Bake’s 60 Minute Tan? How long did you leave yours on for? What do you think?

Tweet me @xameliax #fakebake60

xax

.VLOG | The Lion King and London Zoo with Beth. A little vlog...

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 20:09:32 +0100

.VLOG | The Lion King and London Zoo with Beth.

A little vlog from mine and Beth’s trip to London last week - you can take a look at some piccies HERE!

Don’t forget to subscribe to my youtube channel too!

xax

.NEOM Lemon & Basil Organic Hand Lotion | Review. I’m...

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:00:29 +0100

.NEOM Lemon & Basil Organic Hand Lotion | Review.

I’m constantly on the hunt for the perfect hand cream, one that smells nice, leaves your hands feeling moisturised but not oily and absorbs pretty quickly so i don’t leave greasy marks all over my keyboard or have my cup of tea slip through my fingers! I’ve tried so many in the past with only a few making the grade (Clinique’s Deep Comfort is my current handbag fave), so when John & Ginger delivered this NEOM beauty* i was really excited.

I work in an office so i go through hand cream like water which is why the first plus point of this product for me is it’s pump. It’s absolutely fantastic to pop on my desk and quickly squirt out between phone calls and meetings without having to faff around in my drawer getting lids and tubes all greasy after application. After it’s handy bottle the next thing that wows me is the smell. Sicilian Lemon and Fresh Basil, well, you can imagine it smells incredible and NEOM’S 100% pur essential oils don’t disappoint. It hits you in the face with freshness and a slight aromatherapy smell that i honestly can’t get enough of. Sometimes with strong smelling products you need to be in the right mood to use them or they become a bit overpowering, not with this one. I can’t imagine a time when i wouldn’t adore the smell of this lotion, and the ladies in the office agree!

Feel wise it’s amazing. It absorbs quickly and leaves your hands feeling extremely moisturised but not at all greasy. It’s great to use when you’ve got a busy day as i’ve found the effects last through two toilet trip hand washes so you don’t have to constantly re-apply! It’s a pricey lotion coming in around £18 but the hefty 250ml bottle and controlled pump means it should last quite a while, and as always the quality is so good i wouldn’t think twice about re-buying this when it comes to an end. I’m not about to lug this around in my handbag anytime soon - so my Clinique is safe for the time being - but for the office, where i spend most of my week, this is absolutely perfect for me.

You can buy NEOM’s Sicilian Lemon and Fresh Basil Hand Lotion* from the John & Ginger website for £18 HERE - be sure to take a look at the other NEOM scents they stock!

Have you tried any NEOM hand lotions before? What’s your favourite scent?

Tweet me @xameliax #neomrefresh

xax

.Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect Rotating Mascara | Review...

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:00:18 +0100

.Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect Rotating Mascara | Review and Swatch.

I brought this mascara after spotting it in a pixiwoo tutorial and becoming incredibly intrigued! It was only £12 so i thought i’d give it a go and see if it was just a gimmick or actually a good beauty product and i’m really impressed with it!

The lid contains a hefty little bullet shaped battery which means when you flip the switch the wand rotates to coat your lashes with mascara. The clever bit is that the wand rotates both ways so you don’t have to hold it in uncomfortable positions to do your other eye! The mascara itself is great, it adds volume, separates the lashes and adds a good length too - in fact, I don’t actually think my after picture does it enough justice. You simply place the rotating wand at the base of your lashes and let it work it’s magic, it’s great!

I really like the wand and the mascara it’self so even after the battery dies it will still be a great mascara to use. I can’t tell you how pleased i am with my new purchase and i’d certainly re-buy it - thanks pixiwoo!

I got mine from ASOS for £12 and free delivery!

Have you tried this moving mascara? What do you think? How does it compare to others in your collection?

Tweet me @xameliax #fastandperfect

xax

.Barry M Confetti Polish and New Gelly Colours | Swatches and...

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:00:15 +0100

.Barry M Confetti Polish and New Gelly Colours | Swatches and Review.

Queue fanfare…here come the Barry M new releases! With so many exciting ideas and colours i had to put them all in one post to show you just how awesome they are together! Although not the first on the feather effect train, Barry M have released their confetti range which really does rival the big dogs on a budget, and their new Gelly colours (my favourite Barry M range) are bright and simply beautiful. Time to get swatching….

Confetti Polish:

Dolly Mixture - This is one of my favourite in the collection, really pretty and probably the most ‘feather-like’ of the bunch, gorgeous over a pretty nude (Barry M’s Gelly in Lychee). It’s brilliant to just throw on over an accent nail to perk up a plain mani.

Marshmellow - Marshmellow is a pretty pink colour that reminds me of candy floss! It just looks so fluffy and girly, it’s the perfect shade for spring/summer. Here’ i have two coats over Roccocco Nail Apparel in Pink Panties.

Liquorice - My second favourite of the bunch, liquorice is a stunning black and white confetti that looks great over most colours. It’s here over Barry M’s Lychee again but i’ve also tried it over black and white and it looks amazing!

Sour Apple - I’m not normally a fan of green polish but this reminds me of peacock feathers and i think it looks really nice over Key lime one of the new gellys. It’s not a look i’d wear every day but it’s a useful one to have in the polish box!

Bubble Gum - Again i’m not overly keen on blue polishes but the conffeti effect makes them so much more wearable. I’ve shown it here over Guava and Key Lime but i think it might look good over a nude too - definitely one to experiment with!

Gelly Polish:

Blue Grape - I wasn’t a big fan of royal blue polish when i first saw the trend appear, however it’s really grown on me, so much so that when this polish came through the door i was super excited to wear it. Such a vibrant shade, Blue Grape is band on trend.

Key Lime - This isn’t called Key Lime for nothing…it’s bright! Not my usual colour choice but it looks lovely with sour apple over the top which may just have saved this one for me!

Mango - I love orange polish for the summer and this is such a wearable shade. Bright but not neon and complimentary to most skin tones i’ve been wearing it a lot since it fell through the door but i can’t help thinking it would look even better with a tan!

Passion Fruit - After Blue Grape this is my favourite colour of the new gelly collection. It’s a stunning bright red with a slight pink tint and is amazingly wearable. I don’t often wear polish these days alone without an accent or some studs but this is so beautiful i’ve been wearing it straight up and loving it!

Guava - I don’t own a colour like Guava which makes this one really interesting for me. It’s a pretty sky blue colour which would make a gorgeous background for some nail art roses, i can’t wait to have a play around with this one.

I love the new collections Barry M have released this summer and they’re so affordable too - well done Barry M, our pointers will be looking ever so pretty this summer thanks to you!

You can get your mitts on these gorgeous polishes for just £3.99 a bottle from the Barry M website HERE or in Superdrug on the 5th of June and Boots stores from the 12th!

Will you be buying any of these new releases? What’s your favourite bottle or nail art look?

Tweet us a picture of your Barry M covered nails @xameliax @barrymcosmetics #barrymnew

xax

.How to make real Iced Tea. Summer seems to be finally here in...

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0100

.How to make real Iced Tea.

Summer seems to be finally here in our lovely country so it’s time to start switching our normal hot cuppa for a cool glass of iced tea…and what better way to do that than with your favourite teapigs temple!

How to make real iced tea:

- Put a temple into a glass or a mug, use one temple per person

- Cover your temple with hot water and let it brew for 5 minutes

- Top up your glass with cold water and ice and voila!

You can try so many different combinations, i tried a lemon and ginger* teabag with elderflower cordial and it was absolutely delicious! I also Made superfruit* with ice cold lemonade to add a bit of a fizzy twist - it’s so much fun experimenting with different combinations. As always i adore the quality of teapigs tea and they taste just as yummy cold as they do hot.

You can grab yourself a box of teapigs temples from their website HERE and get experimenting with some ice!

Have you tried making real iced tea before? What’s your favourite combination?

xax

.May Favourites | xameliax. It’s that time again folks!...

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 00:53:35 +0100

.May Favourites | xameliax.

It’s that time again folks! What are your favourite products at the moment?

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel too!

xax