My Summer Nail Polish Picks

Whilst the weather here in the UK is far from summery at the moment, the colours on my nails are! I always love to wear brighter shades during the summer time, and this year i have a few new favourites. Nail polishes are an affordable and quick way to update your summer wardrobe too.

Models Own 'Fuzzy Peach' 

This is my favourite drugstore nail polish for the summer. The bright coral shade compliments a tan perfectly, and looks equally good on both fingers and toes. I was also very impressed with the formula for the price that it was. It did require about three coats for an opaque, even finish, but with a topcoat it lasted on my nails for a whole week with minimal chipping! I think that's a great achievement, as most of my high end nail polishes only last for around five days. I love the shade and the formula was great for a drugstore brand.

Dior 'St.Tropez' 

This is a gorgeous shade for the summer, and the formula is perfect. Dior's St.Tropez was released with their summer 2012 collection and inspired by the French Riviera. The colour is a beautiful aqua blue, with a creamy high-gloss finish- very similar to the iconic tiffany blue shade. With the new wider brush, application is very easy and it takes just two coats for an opaque finish. This colour just screams summer to me, and again, would look great with a tan!

Colour Club 'Modern Pink'

I've just discovered this american nail brand, and picked up a few colours from an online store. 'Modern Pink' is a true Barbie, bubblegum pink! Although these polishes are inexpensive, the formula is very nice. Whilst the brushes aren't amazing, the formula itself is very opaque and smooth.

Colour Club 'Wham!Pow!' 

Another great colour from Colour Club is 'Wham!Pow!' which is a very bright neon orange. Be warned, it is a very bright neon colour! It looks amazing on fingers and toes, and i'm going to say it again, especially with a summer tan! Whenever i wear this i always get compliments from my friends and even the cashier at my local supermarket! It's such an eye-catching, neon shade that's just perfect for the summer time, especially with the neon trend this season. This is the brightest neon shade i've come across, and one that has quickly become my summer staple.

Essie 'Fiji' 
I'm sure you've all heard a lot about this colour, and the rave reviews are well deserved. It's a beautiful light milky-pink, with an opaque finish after two to three coats. It's such a universal colour that will go with any outfit, and is more work appropriate than the brighter summer colours. Not only does it make your hands look more tanned, it also makes your nails look very clean and well groomed. The formula isn't the easiest to work with- the first application is quite streaky, but after the third layer it's much more even and opaque. Although i love my bright neon shades, it's always nice to have some everyday colours for the summer time too.

Love, Claudia xo

Products I've Used Up #1

This seems to be a popular post at the moment, so i thought you might like to see the beauty products that i've recently emptied! I try a lot of different products, and i think its always interesting to see what someone has completely used up, that way, you can give a very accurate review. 

St Tropez Tanning Mousse

I recently purchased the Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe, and before i opened it, i wanted to use this up first. It is a good self tanning product, and was one of my favourites, but after trying Xen Tan i don't think i will be repurchasing this again. Whilst the application was nice and easy, and the colour lasted pretty well, i found the formula quite drying and it left my skin feeling a little scaly. I prefer the paraben-free and moisturising formula of Xen Tan which doesn't dry my skin out, and consequently looks much more natural. I also prefer the natural olive colour of Xen Tan, as opposed to the orange tones in St Tropez. 

L'Oreal Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

This product i have really enjoyed using! I've already purchased a second bottle, and can't see myself using anything else in the future. It's super cheap at £2.50 but most importantly, it works very well. The formula doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes, yet it still removes my eye makeup, quickly and effectively without leaving an oily residue. I can't rave about this product enough, and it's definitely just as good- if not better- than some of the high end alternatives i've tried!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation

This is another favourite of mine, and again i'm already onto my second tube! This foundation seems to work really well with my oily but sensitive skin type. It's fragrance and oil free, which doesn't seem to cause any irritation. It's also very long lasting on my oily t-zone, meaning that i don't even need to use a powder. The medium coverage conceals any redness or acne scarring, and it works very well with my beauty blender sponge to create a natural, even finish.

L'Occitane Verbena Shower Gel

I really enjoyed the refreshing scent of this product, but thats about it really! It does contain sulphates and other chemicals, and now that i'm exploring more health conscious beauty products, i don't think that i would repurchase this one. At the moment, i've been loving the natural and organic products that i purchased from Greenscape. 

Biosilk Hair Serum

I was very impressed with this serum! I managed to find this in a kit from TKMAXX, for a great price and i was very surprised with how much i loved it! This made my hair feel extremely soft and healthy, and most importantly it provided my hair with a very impressive amount of shine! I would definitely repurchase this product as it did just what i wanted, without weighing my hair down. I do however, want to try the Kerastase Elixir Ultime hair oil, so i will most likely purchase that one next. 

Mark Hill De-Frizz Shine Serum

This was a really nice, affordable serum from the drugstore. It definitely did the job and left my hair soft, shiny and easy to style. The formula was lightweight and didn't leave my hair feeling weighed down or greasy, which some hair serums can easily do. If your looking for a quick-fix, drugstore serum then i would definitely recommend this one. 

Dove Maximum Protection Deodorant 

This was a disappointment for me. I don't often talk about deodorants, but this one was very over hyped on some beauty blogs. Firstly, i wasn't too keen on the scent that i chose- this will sound strange, but to me, it smelt like the artificial, cheap air fresheners that you often find in public toilets! I also disliked how long it took to dry, and as a result i often ended up with annoying white marks on my clothes. It also seemed to run out quickly too, and for £5.00 i've tried other deodorants that are much better than this. 

Love, Claudia xo

My Summer Beauty Essentials

I always have certain products that i love to use throughout different seasons. In the summer time, i love to experiment with brighter colours and of course, find the perfect bronzer! So far, i've found myself reaching for these products the most.

I always like to have a good self-tanner on standby during the summer time. With our unpredictable weather, its a must for me to have a quick and easy product that will provide fast results. I love the Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe as the moisturising formula doesn't dry out my skin. The colour is a very natural, deep olive tan and is very easy to use. It lasts for just under a week, with no streaking or patchiness. It is expensive, but oh so worth it. To prep my skin for tanning, i love my Spongeables! The shower-gel-in-a-sponge not only cleanses your skin, but exfoliates and tones too- providing a smooth base for tanning products. 

I always reach for bronzer during the summer, and this year i've been loving my Dior Skin Nude Tan healthy glow powder in 002 'Sunlight'. It's a fabulous multipurpose product- a cross between a highlighting powder and a bronzer. The matte tan colours are great for contouring the face, and the light pinky tones can be used as a blush or highlight shade. The multipurpose nature of this product is great for quick, natural makeup looks and of course, travel. I also love using a turquoise eyeliner through my lower lash line, and Dior's waterproof liner in 'Turquoise' is perfect. Another favourite of mine, is to wear coral/peach lip products. I love Dior's 'Palace' lipstick which is a nude-y peach shade. The formula is also very hydrating and lightweight. Bright nail colours are a must for me, and this year i've been reaching for 'St.Tropez' by, once again, Dior! It's a perfect turquoise/aqua blue and the long-lasting formula is so easy to work with. 

I have a lot of summery fragrances, but one that i continue to repurchase each summer, is Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess. It is the most perfect summer fragrance if you like coconut, beach-y scents. To me, it truly is 'summer in a bottle' and reminds me of days spent at the beach! 

It goes without saying, that sun protection is always essential during the summer. I love the Elizabeth Arden 8 hour sun protection range and their Sun Defence SPF50 Stick is a great option for on-the-go. The small stick is great for keeping in your beach bag and can be used all over the body- lips, nose and even the tops of your ears! I love the hydrating properties too, and the fact that it's oil-free and water resistant. 

So, these are the products that i reach for most during the summer time. It seems as though the Dior Summer 2012 collection has made quite an impression on me! I would love to know what products you can't live without during this time of the year. 

Love, Claudia xo

June Beauty Favourites

Greenscape Organic Cocoa Butter Shower Gel & Lotion

I've been loving my new Greenscape shower products this month. After venturing into natural beauty products, i discovered their bath range which is all free from petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens, glycols and synthetic colours. The shower gel is kind to the skin and non-drying. The lotion has a quick-absorbing and hydrating formula, allowing you to get dressed straight away which i love. I hate waiting around for greasy/sticky lotions to sink in! The Cocoa Butter scent is delicious, yet not too overpowering either. They are also very affordable at £7.00, which is great for organic and natural products. 

Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe

Although the weather has been hit and miss this month, i did have a few days where this tanning product came in very handy! I found the formula very easy to work with, and the colour was perfect- a very natural looking, deep olive tan. The paraben-free lotion also contained more moisturising ingredients than your average tanning product, which led to a more natural finish and did not leave my skin feeling tight or dry like some tanners do. Although it is pricey, i definitely think its worth it if your looking for a 'sophisticated' tan! There are no risks of looking streaky or tangoed with this product! 

L'Oreal Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

This product has been the most impressive for me this month. At £2.50 i didn't have high hopes for the product, but how mistaken i was! For the price, it's an amazing eye makeup remover. The formula is very gentle, even suitable for contact lens wearers, and highly effective. It effortlessly removed all of my eye makeup, without leaving an oily residue. After trying this, i will never purchase a high end eye makeup remover again! This worked just as well, and in some cases better, than the high-end eye makeup removers i've tried. 

Benefit Coralista Blusher

This is a long term favourite of mine, and one that i should really rave about more. It's one of my staple blush colours that i reach for on a regular day-to-day basis. I find the pinky-peach colour very flattering on my skin tone, and the finely milled golden sheen gives a beautiful glow, that really enhances my complexion. The powder is smooth and easy to blend, and the pigmentation is just right too. 

FAB Facial Radiance Pads

FAB was a new brand for me this month, and one that i'm very impressed with. I've been loving their Facial Radiance pads which are saturated in Lactic and Glycolic acids, to promote skin renewal. They worked very well for controlling my blemishes, and over time, i think that they will improve scarring too. My skin always looks brighter and feels much smoother, the day after i've used these. I love the fact that they're free of harsh chemicals and colourants, and are also alcohol-free which is ideal for my sensitive skin.

Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid 

You all know how much i love Lanolips, and this month i've fallen in love with their lemon-aid lip balm/exfoliator. It does exactly what it says on the tube- hydrates my lips wonderfully, and exfoliates them too. It leaves my lips feeling smooth, soft and it smells amazing! Best of all, over 97% of the ingredients are naturally derived, and it contains only the finest grade of Lanolin. 

Spongeables

Once again, these are also long-term favourites for me and ones that i should really mention more! Each of the sponges are infused with skin cleansers and essential oils, which is perfect for travelling. You don't need to use any additional products alongside these- they do everything that you need. The sponge works great for exfoliating and smoothing the skin, and of course the infusion of cleansers acts as your shower gel. All of the scents are great, and i love the Pedi-Scrubs for at home pedicures! The shower-gel-in-a-sponge, is great for using before tanning products to prep the skin. 

Last but not least, i also have two favourite books. I really enjoyed reading The Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson, which is very different to what the cover would suggest! Without giving anything away, it's a story of friendship and trust as two girls are haunted by a previous crime. I loved the way it was written, jumping between the past and the present and using the perspectives of different characters. Im now a third of the way through Netherwood by Jane Sanderson, which i'm really enjoying. The period drama is perfect for fans of Downton Abbey like me! The characters are very similar to those of Downton and i love the whole era of this book. I definitely recommend both of these titles!

Love, Claudia xo

Boots & SpaceNK Beauty Haul

Today i popped into my local Boots and SpaceNK stores, to pick up a few beauty items that have been on my wish-list for a while. I have the next couple of days off from college, and so i decided to do some makeup shopping (much more interesting than a day at college!). 

Firstly, I picked up two items in SpaceNK. Laura Merciers' blusher in 'Lush Nectarine' had been on my list for a while, and after swatching it in-store today, i knew i had to try it! I love peachy-pink blushers and this one makes a great addition to my collection. I haven't tried this yet, but i will be sure to review it as soon as i do. On first impressions, the pigmentation is great and the texture is very silky and smooth- which is always a good sign. It's a true peachy-apricot shade which i always love to wear during the summer. I also picked up a new, sensitive brush head for my Clarisonic Mia. It's best to replace them every three months or so, to maintain its effectiveness. I had previously tried the Deep Pore Cleansing brush head which over time, i found it to be too harsh, and it irritated my skin. So i went back to the trusty sensitive option today, and i'm really looking forward to using my Clarisonic again, now that i have the suitable brush head for my skin type.

From Boots, i picked up another wish-list product, as well as some everyday essentials. I had tried a deluxe sample of the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum a few months ago, and it really helped with fading my acne scars, and treating any blemishes. I've been putting it off for a while, but today i finally bit the bullet and picked up the full size 50ml bottle. It was expensive at £54, but it really seemed to work well for my skin and i'm prepared to invest in products that work. Now my blemishes are starting to improve, i really want to focus on nourishing my skin and improving the scars which have been left behind. I also picked up a new deodorant, as i wasn't too impressed with the new Dove Maximum Protection which i tried recently. I've always heard good things about Mitchum, so i decided to give their 48 Hour protection a go. I'm sure you've seen the new Bourjois 1 Second nail polish remover everywhere recently! It seems to have swept across the beauty community like wildfire! I've heard great things, and wanted to give it a try myself. I'm always interested in products designed around convenience, and this looks perfect for fuss-free polish removal. 

Love, Claudia xo

Amazing Shower Products: Spongeables!

I don't think I've reviewed sponges on my blog before, but i just had to share these 'Spongeabales' with you! The concept is amazing, and they're perfect if your going away this summer. I had heard about these cool shower products through you tube, and although their primarily sold at Ulta in the States, i managed to find some at my local TKMAXX store. Over the past couple of months, I've tried most of the products in the Spongeabale range, and i have thoroughly enjoyed using all of them and repurchased many along the way. 

'Spongeabales' offer a wide range of body sponges, each with a different use. I love the body wash sponges, and foot buffers in particular. The unique thing about Spongeables, is that each of the sponges are already infused with cleansers and skincare ingredients, making them very travel friendly and extremely economical. There is no need to use any other products alongside these. The sponges cleanse, exfoliate and massage the skin, and the included cleansers act as your shower gel. I think this concept is so cool! Why has no one else ever thought of this before?

I love the Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffers, which are fantastic for at-home pedicures, or general feet maintenance! The Lavender-Tea Tree Oil scent is my personal favourite, and works great at exfoliating my feet. This is my must-have product for the summer, to keep my feet in tip top condition. It's a much gentler option than a foot file, yet still very effective. The sponge is infused with Shea Butter, Tea Tree Oil and Olive Oil, which lathers very well, and thoroughly cleanses the feet.  As the packaging accurately states, each sponge provides around 20 uses which is ideal for taking on holiday. 

I also love their shower gel sponges. The range is very broad, offering sponges infused with caffeine, aimed at cellulite reduction, calming lavender for relaxation and rejuvenating pink grapefruit. There really is a product for everyone, with a great range of scents and purposes. The body sponges are fantastic at exfoliating the skin whilst you wash, and are particularly great during the summer, when i tend to use more tanning products. They're a lightweight, leak-proof alternative to bulky bottles and jars when travelling. I also love the fact that all products are dermatologist tested, and the anti-microbial sponge is much more hygienic than a loofah. The no-fuss convenience of these, makes them a pleasure to use and they definitely make my showers more luxurious! 

I couldn't recommend these products enough! They're fantastic for travel, and very convenient as they both cleanse and exfoliate the skin in one go. Not to mention the gorgeous scents, and hygienic concept. 

Love, Claudia xo

Review: Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe

Whilst I'm not a regular user of fake-tan, i always like to have a stand-by product for the days when i want to wear shorts or dresses. I've used products from the likes of St Tropez in the past, but i recently decided to branch out and try the infamous Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe. I decided on this product, due to the great reviews online and it's moisturising formula. After a couple of uses, i have to say that I'm very impressed with this! It was an expensive purchase at £40.00 from SpaceNK, however, after trying this out, I'm now a firm believer that you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to tanning products. The quality, definitely reflects the price point. 

The overall formula of this product is great. Unlike the St Tropez tanning mousse, this did not dry my skin out at all. I found the formula to be hydrating, yet still long-lasting too. The hydrating formula, which contains ingredients such as shea butter, also helped to avoid any patchy areas of skin, resulting in  a very natural and even finish. I also love the fact that its paraben free, which is a rare feature for most self tanners. 

Most importantly, i love the natural colour that this tanner provides. It has an natural olive undertone, which worked very well for my warm skin tone. The instant colour is a very dark golden bronze, but once you have washed the guide colour off, it leaves you with a deep olive tan that still looks very natural.

I found the application to be very easy indeed, and definitely suitable for beginners. The moisturising formula buffed into my skin effortlessly, leaving an even and natural finish. As with all tanning products, i highly suggest using a tanning mitt, which makes all the difference to the application. A tanning mitt will avoid those tell-tale orange palms, and most importantly, any streaks.  In terms of the scent, during the application it has a pleasant toffee/vanilla scent, however, as with most self tanners, it does have the 'biscuit-y' scent when it dries. I always apply mine at night, allowing it to 'set' whilst i sleep, then in the morning i wash off the guide colour, along with any biscuit smells! It's not as strong as some self tanners, but just note that it's still there. To be fair, i am yet to try any tanning products that do not smell at all. On me, this tan lasted for about five days, which i think, is pretty good. I would suggesting prepping your skin with an exfoliator and moisturiser the day before using this, to make your tan look and last the best that it can. You can also 'top-up' this tan with extra layers, to prolong its staying power as it begins to fade. 

Overall, i'm really impressed with this product. Although it is expensive, i'm prepared to pay a little extra for a tan that doesn't dry out my skin (which most do), and also provides me with a dark but natural colour. The moisturising ingredients definitely make a difference, as they avoid any patchy/scaly skin which i hate! I highly recommend this product if your willing to invest in a tan that will look very classy and natural, is easy to use, and will not dry out your skin. With Kate Middleton and The Saturdays as fans, it's a tan that you can rely on to provide high-quality results. 

Love, Claudia xo

Lanolips Lemonaid Exfoliating Lip Balm

After trying the Lanolips 101 Lip Ointment, i had to go back into Boots and give this one a try! I picked up the Lemonaid Lip Aid which uses organic lemon oil and lanolin to both treat, and exfoliate the lips. It's different to the original lip balm, because not only does it treat the lips with lanolin, it also uses lemon oil to exfoliate the lips. Lemon, is mother natures' natural exfoliant, and works great for chapped or dry lips. As a regular user of lipstick, it's vital for me to have smooth, silky lips- an even base, will provide perfect application. So, i really wanted to give this one a try, and already i'm very impressed! 

As with all of the Lanolips products, it contains Ultra Pure Grade lanolin, and over 97% naturally derived ingredients which is amazing! It's also paraben free, and animal cruelty free. The brand's philosophy is fantastic, and as i'm becoming more interested in natural beauty products, i'm really impressed with this brand in particular. 

This product is amazing at moisturising the lips, whilst the citric acid exfoliates. Even after one application of this, my lips were smoother and very hydrated. The scent is also delicious! It has a very natural, sweet lemon scent which feels clean and fresh on my lips. It also has a slight golden shimmer, which makes my lips look plump, glossy and healthy. You can even wear it over the top of a lipstick for added shine, moisture and of course, an intense treatment. It's a very versatile product, in the sense that it's not just a lip treatment. It's a product that you can use every day, all day, and provides a multitude of benefits- hydration, exfoliation, shine and a sweet scent! You can even use it on your cuticles. It's very smooth and creamy- not sticky at all, making it the perfect everyday lip treatment.

I highly recommend this product, and it's definitely my favourite Lanolips lip treatment that i've tried. I love the fact that it works so well, yet it's very gentle and contains only high-quality natural ingredients. The scent is gorgeous, and it looks great on the lips. I think the whole range is very affordable too, with the Lemonaid lip treatment priced at £9.18 for a generous, 12.5g of product. You can find Lanolips products at Boots in the UK, or for my international readers, i have put the links to online stores below.

Love, Claudia xo

www.victoriahealth.com

www.zuneta.com

Christian Louboutin Exhibition & Tea at Laduree

I had a great time in London yesterday, as i visited the Christian Louboutin exhibition at the Design Museum, and also enjoyed some tea and macaroons at Laduree. 

The exhibition was amazing! It was full of beautiful shoes, each with an equally beautiful history behind their creation. The iconic red soles were brought to life with theatrical carousels, swings and hula-hoops. It's a must see for any Loubie-lover, as it showcases not only the iconic shoe designs, but also the inspirational story behind Christian Louboutins' rise to fame. With 3D holograms featuring Dita Von Teese, short films and hundreds of gorgeous shoes, it's a fabulous insight into the world of Louboutin. I just wish i could of taken them all home with me! Photography was not allowed inside the exhibition, but i did manage to take a few pictures of the entrance. 

We payed a visit to the beautiful Goring Hotel, where Kate Middleton stayed before the Royal Wedding last year. It's a lovely, traditional English hotel, and a great place to visit for cocktails. 

For lunch, we went to the Cheyne Walk Brasserie in Chelsea, and the food was delicious! Afterwards, we went to the The Phene pub, where we spotted Hugo Taylor from Made In Chelsea. The outdoor seating was lovely, especially when the sun finally made an appearance!

Of course, we couldn't visit London without stopping by at Laduree! I just love Laduree at Harrods- the setting, the decor and the delicious macaroons. This time i decided to try the Rose and Raspberry Ispahan which was very nice. Almost too pretty to eat!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend,

Love, Claudia xo

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Lip Stain #18

I love YSL lip products, and one my favourites in particular, is the Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Lip Stain in #18. These came out a few months ago, and although i've only tried one shade so far, i'm really impressed with them. 

Firstly, i love the concept. They combine the staying power of a lip stain, with the high shine and smooth texture, of a lip gloss. I'm not usually a fan of lip stains, due to the typically drying texture, but YSL's new offering is a different story! The non-sticky formula is very creamy and glossy, and looks just like your wearing a pigmented lipgloss. However, unlike a lipgloss, it has the staying power of a lip stain without the dry texture. The staying power is great, and shade #18 lasts on my lips for about 3 hours. When the glossy shine begins to fade, the pigment still remains on your lips, acting very much like a stain. They don't stay on during eating/drinking, which to be honest, i wouldn't expect them to. 

The unique applicator works perfectly with this product. The doe-foot/sponge distributes the product well and allows you to apply numerous layers with accuracy. I usually apply two layers, and wait about five minutes in between. I think that you do need to wait for each layer to 'dry' before applying the next. I also think that it's best not to rub your lips together with this product- when i did this, it made the appearance less smooth/even. I would also recommend only using this when your lips are hydrated- it won't work with chapped or dry lips. It works best when applied over a light lip balm. 

The pigmentation is great, and it's very easy to increase the intensity of the pigment to your preferance. The shade that i have, #18 Rose Pastelle, is a light milky-pink which is perfect for light-medium skin tones. It's very much a 'Kim K' lip colour, and works perfectly with a smokey eye look which i often wear. I would not recommend this colour if you have tanned or olive skin- it's best suited to lighter skin tones (I'm roughly NW20). This colour did not work for my mum, who has darker, more olive-toned skin than me, so #18 is not a universal colour. But the range consists of many beautiful shades, so there's a great selection for all skin tones to choose from. 

At £22.50 i don't think that the price is too bad. Whilst the packaging may appear small, it does contain 6ml of product which is the same as the average tube of lipgloss. Plus, due to the great staying power, you don't have to reapply this as often as the typical lipgloss, thus saving you money! The packaging is beautiful too. I also love the sweet scent, and the fact that they're formulated without; parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs and Triclosan! I think that's very impressive for a high-end brand, and i rarely find paraben-free cosmetics from the likes of YSL. 

I also have my eyes on #19 and #12, which are both beautiful shades. Let me know if you have tried these yet, and whether you have any favourite shades!

Love, Claudia xo

Review: L'Oreal Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

I was in the need of some more eye makeup remover, and being the product junkie that i am, i decided to try something new and different to my usual favourites. I picked up L'Oreals Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, and surprisingly i really like this product! 

I was instantly attracted to the pro-vitamin formula, which is suitable for both sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Whenever I'm looking for a new eye makeup remover, i always look out for these features. Usually, if something is gentle enough for contact lens wearers, it will be gentle enough for everyone. That's certainly true with this product- it didn't irritate or sting my eyes at all. But besides being gentle, it also did a great job at removing my eye makeup. I don't wear waterproof mascara, so i can't comment on its performance in that area. But with regular mascara, this product worked really well at removing my eye makeup quickly, and gently. It didn't leave an oily residue either.

I highly recommend this eye makeup remover, if your looking for an affordable, drugstore option. I purchased mine from Boots for roughly £2.50, where it was also included in a 3 for 2 offer across all skincare brands. For the price, this eye makeup remover is great! I can't believe how effective and gentle it is for under £5. The performance of this eye makeup remover, has impressed me more than some of the high-end brands. I'm really pleased that i decided to give this product a try, as i've spent lots of money on disappointing high-end makeup removers in the past. I think this might be my new favourite eye makeup remover from the drugstore!

Love, Claudia xo

Greenscape Bath Products: Organic & Natural

As i mentioned in my previous post, i've been really interested in natural and organic beauty products recently. I want to be more conscious of the ingredients that are in my everyday products, as so many of them are loaded with potentially harmful chemicals. I was so excited to stumble across the brand Greenscape when browsing in the beauty department at John Lewis. I was attracted to the organic ingredients, and the fact that all of their products are free from; petrochemicals, sulphates, parabens, glycols and synthetic colours.

 They had a great range of scents, but being a coconut lover, i chose the Organic Cocoa Butter scent which is divine! The scents are not too overpowering, so you can use them in the morning and they won't interfere or clash with the perfume you choose to wear that day. Perfect! The shower gel is lovely- it smells great and leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft. Most importantly, it's completely organic and kind to the body. The body lotion is also lovely- it moisturises the skin well, and sinks in very quickly. It's not greasy or thick at all, meaning that you can get dressed instantly. I also love the convenient pump, allowing fuss free application. 

I'm really impressed with this brand, and so glad that i decided to try out their products. Not only do they smell delicious and work very well, they are organic and free from many nasties. Not to mention the affordable price range. If you like to use natural ingredients, or are simply after some new bath products, i highly recommend the Greenscape line. 

Click here to visit the Greenscape website.

Love, Claudia xo

Natural beauty with Lanolips

I discovered the wonderful products of Lanolips last winter, when i purchased their Rose Balm Intense for dry hands and nails. I recently purchased their 101 Lip Ointment too, as i've been looking into natural beauty products. After some research, I'm trying to use more natural, health-friendly beauty products that are free from man-made mineral oils and petrolatum. Both ingredients have been linked to cancer, and as a product junkie, i want to make my beauty products as natural and safe as i can. Of course, it's hard to switch all of your everyday products, but where you can make changes, its a good idea to. So, thats where Lanolips comes in! I love the brands philosophy, history and of course, their natural products.

All of the products are:

-100% pure

-100% natural

-100% fragrance free

-100% colour free

-Vegetarian and baby friendly

-Animal cruelty free

Lanolips 101 Ointment for Lips £11.22

The Lanolips 101 Lip Ointment is the best lip balm that i have ever used, and the the healthiest too! Their infamous lip balm has been given numerous awards from magazines such as InStyle, Woman & Home and Marie Claire. The lip balm is made from 100% Ultra Pure Medical Grade Lanolin, and can be used not only for chapped lips, but any areas of dry skin such as cuticles. This multipurpose ointment is highly effective, and uses natures greatest moisturiser to soothe and treat dry skin. The formula is non-sticky and non-greasy, so it makes a perfect everyday lip balm, even under lipsticks. I highly recommend this product- it works wonders and contains only natural, pure ingredients. Love this!

Lanolips Rose Balm Intense £9.18

Another great product from Lanolips, is their Rose Balm Intense for very dry hands and nails. This rich balm contains shea butter, cocoa seed butter, rose oil, vitamin E and antioxidants. It provides an intense treatment for dry hands, feet, cuticles and elbows. It's an amazing multi-purpose product, and one that i find myself using most during the harsh winter months. 

I highly recommend the Lanolips products to everyone- they provide multipurpose benefits to all family members. I love the brands' natural and pure philosophy, and the effective yet affordable range of products. Lanolips can be found at larger Boots stores, and are currently included in the 3 for 2 offer. 

Click here to visit the Lanolips website.

Love, Claudia xo

NOTD: Essie Fiji

Essie's Fiji has quickly become one of my staple, must-have nail polishes. Ever since i purchased Fiji last summer, i always reach for it when I'm not sure what colour to wear or if i want something a little more versatile for co-ordinating with outfits. It's a beautiful, light milky-pink with an opaque finish. The colour could pass for both a bright white, or a light pink. I particularly love it during the summer time, as it compliments a tan wonderfully. Even if you don't have tanned skin, it still creates the illusion that you do! The colour also makes nails look very well groomed and clean, which is great for all occasions. It's such a complementary colour on all skin tones and very easy to wear. Whilst i do love neon's and brights, it's nice to have a good selection of everyday classics, and Fiji is perfect. 

The formula isn't the easiest to work with- the first coat always tends to be streaky. You need to apply three coats to achieve an even and opaque finish, but the end result is definitely worth it! A base coat, my favourite is Seche Vite, also helps with the application. The finish is very creamy and glossy. 

I highly recommend this colour for all skin-tones and all summer wardrobes. It's such a flattering and versatile shade- i think this may be the first bottle of nail polish that i actually finish! 

Love, Claudia xo