The Benefit of having good eyebrows

Hello Beautiful!

As a lover of all things to do with beauty, I tend to become fascinated with the way people approach their own looks. And, at the moment, there has been a lot of hate over the way girls address their eyebrows. For example:

Yes, I can accept that this is ridiculous. But, I believe that eyebrows have the same effect as a bold lipstick - it makes your look and defines your face. This is why I am obsessed with my brows and took drastic actions to create my dream brows. 

Previously, I actually hated my brows. They were just horrid and I now realise that I really over-shaded them in. 

Previously

On Friday, me and my good friend Emily decided to treat ourselves to getting our eyebrows done. We thought of no place better than Benefit, and we were not disappointed!

For £11.20, I had my eyebrows trimmed, waxed, shaped, plucked and filled in. I was immediately impressed! and to finish it off, I decided to tint my brows.

I decided to use Eylure Dybrow in brown to create a natural but striking look, and for £7.49 for 6 applications - I was impressed.

My finished look

If you are a virgin to getting your eyebrows done, I totally recommend the Benefit treatment the 'Benefit Brow Arch'. The staff was so helpful and I really enjoyed being pampered.

What treatments do you enjoy?

Competition time with BeTrousse

Hello my loyal readers!

Recently, I have been going through a tough personal time - meaning lack of posts. Even when I have wanted to write a blog post, my internet has decided to play up. But no fear! I am back and with a beautiful competition!

The Original Blonde Journalist has teamed up with the beauty box company BeTrousse who are giving away  one of their beauty boxes for one lucky reader!

Similar to the Glossybox, BeTrousse delivers 4 full sized products that you may have not heard of before at a small fee.

What's in the box (sorry, It won't rotate!)

In this box, you will receive JASON Normalising shampoo, Fair Naturally mango and Safflower body moisteriser, Benta Berry Facial Cleanser and Make Believe Beauty shimmer lipgloss.

How do I enter?

Go over to the BeTrousse page and give them a like, and let me know by either writing a post on this blog or over on The Original Blonde Journalist page!

Product Review - The Body Shop Face Mask

Hello beautiful!

Before using this product, I can say that I was simply a virgin when it comes to using The Body Shop products. For my price range, I have always found it really pricy and never really wanted to try the products. However, I do admire The Body Shop for its vegan-friendly products and super gorgeous scents.

I was very lucky enough to be sent two if the new packet face masks that The Body Shop has to offer and couldn't wait to give my skin a pampering!

The other day I tested out the Tea Tree face mask (£1.50) as I know that tea tree oil has a lot of good-skin ingredients to give you that healthy, feel good skin.

The packet was very generous in its amount and gave me more that enough to cover my entire face.

According to the instructions, you are advise to leave the mask on for 10 - 15 minutes, which is a much longer time frame that I'm used to. The mask went on very well and did not sting my very sensitive skin.

The results: I am actually pretty happy with the outcome! My skin feels salty, smooth to the touch and visibly clearer! With no spots to be found!

Furthermore, I would totally recommend this mask and is available to purchase in any Body Shoo store.

Have you ever tried any of The Body Shop products?

Lauren

Disney Films - Will the next generation ever understand it?

Hello Beautiful!

This is just a short post about me rambling on about my love for Disney and the challenges it faces today!

If I was to ask any child who was born in the 90's if they've ever watched a Disney movie, the answer would be 100% yes. For me, Disney had a huge impact on my life. As the first born , you could always find me watching The Lion King, The Little Mermaid or Cinderella - all classics with very important messages.

But now, as I watch my two younger sisters grow, I can't help but feel that Disney has evolved from the old Disney that I love and cherish. Yes, it may very well be because of the ever changing times - but from own personal experience I feel that children do not care about the Classic Disney - just Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez.

I could still find me to this day snuggling in bed watching Disney films - especially The Lion King. Now, I'm unsure if it's because the film was created the year I was born; or my obsession for cats, but I cannot help but adore everything about this movie! The message 'Hakuna Matata' is something I do live by, and the idea that you can move on from even the worst of times and carry on your dreams - Well, I think this message is extremely important for children today.

However, I worry that some children do not enjoy Disney the way my generation do. Instead, they focus on the new Disney - which includes Miley Cyrus. Yes, she is an amazing young lady (and I do love the new hairdo)  but now I worry 'Is she that good of a role model now?' Maybe, maybe not.

Do you enjoy Disney? What are your thoughts?

Apology for my absence!

Hello beautiful!

I hope you've all been enjoying the sunshine, because I know I have been. This is just a short post to say sorry for the lack of post over the last 2 weeks - last week I was at work for 6 days and the other days have been filled with family catch ups and receiving come great news! On Saturday, I found out that I have passed my first year of university with a 2:1 - and I am so happy with this news! And for all my lovely followers, I will be running a competition soon in partnership with Betrousse - so stay tuned for that!

Enjoy the sun guys!

Lauren

June Favourites

Hello Darlings!

June has been a very interesting month for me; officially finishing my first year at University and it's first set of exams, having to say goodbye to some amazing ladies and working towards a promotion at work. The weather has been amazing! meaning I have changed my winter make up look, to a bronzed diva summer look. Here are a few of favourites of the June month:

Benefit's Sunbeam Highlighter

£19.50

This bronze-tinted highlighter is definitely a must for any summer look. Similar to the top-selling High Beam, I find this highlighter easily blendable and gives your face a lovely glow. I have never used highlighters before I brought this item, and I really am enjoying using it! I dot it along my jawline, nose, eyebrows and above my lip - blending it with my foundation brush. If you are looking for a cheap, alternative highlighter MUA do a lovely powder highlighter in their 'Undress Me' range.

Nanshy Face Brushes

£34.95

As detailed in my last post, I really do love these brushes! Soft but stiff, these brushes give me a flawless finish in seconds! Just remember to put on a primer before foundation to give you that extra staying power.

MAC 'Riri Woo' Lipstick

Rihanna and her lipstick 

Me wearing the lipstick 

Yes, I am a sucker for red lipsticks. However, this is my first purchase of a MAC lipstick. I am so happy with my purchase and cannot wait buy more MAC lipsticks! It is a deep red, but I do like the colour against my skin tone. It is also a semi-matt lipstick,  also a new trend in my lipstick collection. If you want something brighter than this shade, I would recommend the sister lipstick Ruby Woo. 

Bourjois BB Bronzing Cream

£9.99 from Boots

A BB cream with a hint of bronzer? Isn't this product just made for summer!? This is officially my first BB cream and I love the idea that when I go on holiday, I can still wear a touch of make up to create a gorgeous look. The only thing I have noticed that you need to moisturise well before using this product as it seem to get darker in dry places. All in all though, brilliant product!

Make up Brush Review - Nanshy Face Brush Set

Hello Beautiful,

Brushes are a common factor in any make up collection. I know I have too many blusher brushes to care, all of which serve different purposes. Over the end of last year, I have been trying to replace my make up brushes with new, quality brushes to achieve the perfect face.

I think it's fact universally acknowledged that the whole reason for face brushes is to create a somewhat natural, flawless finish. Nanshy Face Brush Set, available at Beauty Store 4 U, gives me that flawless look I desire!

Beauty Store 4 U are an independent make up retailer who specialise in delivering cosmetics and make up tools to the public. They are also official retailers of make up brands such as Coastal Scents, BH Cosmetics, Real Techniques, Nanshy, Shany Cosmetics and Sonia Kashuk. 

The Brush set

The set consists of 5 brushes (L-R); a blusher brush, a highlighting brush, a foundation brush, a cream blush brush and a contouring brush. All of the brushes are made of good quality 100% cruelty free bristles, and with them being stiff yet soft create the perfect flawless finish.

I am a huge fan of the foundation brush, as it is stiff enough to create a flawless face within seconds - which I struggle to do with a normal foundation brush. However, I am yet to try contouring brushes as I need to learn to contour properly! The brush set costs £35.95, which is a reasonable price for a set of quality brushes.

Overall, I am enjoying using these brushes and will keep you up to date on how they work out for me. However, I am thinking about doing a make up tutorial - would you like to see something like that on this blog? comment below or on the Facebook page.

What are your favourite brand for brushes?

Product Review: VIP tan by Vicky

Hello Beautiful!


If you don't know me, there's two things you should know: 1. I am completely obsessed with Geordie Shore. 2. In this last year, I have discovered a love for a glowing tan - real or not.

So when these two became combined, you could imagine my excitement. Vicky Pattison, the feisty female who is always looking a million pounds, has released her own tanning line named VIP tan. With a choice of light to extra dark shades, spray or mousse, the consumer is spoiled for choice!

Ofcourse, I was first in line to buy the product & I happily received it yesterday. I decided on the shade 'Golden Goddess' which is the medium shade, and in the mousse form as I find it a lot easier to apply.

The VIP Tan by Vicky - Mousse

So, as with all normal fake tans, I gently exfoliated my legs with an exfoliating glove and applied the mousse with a mitt. The mousse was very easy to apply and with the solution being tinted, you can make sure that the application isn't streaky.

Before and after application

As you can see with the above image, even before it's developed it has a gorgeous glow. And I couldn't wait for it to develop.

When I woke up, I was so happy with the results - as well as the face that it hasn't come off on my bedsheets. Being a pale gal, the darkness and glow of my skin was amazing and I simply cannot get enough of it.

After full development time

I really do love this fake tan - and have since applied another coat just to see how dark I can go! And with a 10% discount at the moment, I would recommend using it while it's still available.

Me, yesterday.

Will you be trying the tan? 

Website of the week: Scaramanga

Hello Beautiful!

I love finding new companies, someone who offers something different and still has quality, affordable products. When I came across the brand Scaramanga, I was amazed with the price of their items and what standards of quality they are!

Scaramanga are a company that specialise in delivering high quality leather products to their customers. Most of their items consist of furniture, bags and journals and are all beautifully crafted with the finest Leather with a lovely vintage feel.

Medium Leather Satchel - £75

Looking through the website, the brand features a great deal of leather bags - for men and children aswell as women. I actually love them! from the classic-look satchels to the leather messager bags, Scaramanga have gone the extra mile to take you back in time where a leather satchel was a timeless piece.

Large Stitched Leather Notebook - £26.50

And of course, I am a huge fan of the journals. As a budding writer, I think that the leather-bound journals would fit perfectly in my collection of writer's journals. I especially love the journal above as it has a lovely little lock which adds character to the book.

Catering to deliver worldwide, the brand has even featured on the daytime TV show '60 minute makeover' which I think is impressive since the brand is only 7 years old.

Go and check out the brand!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scaramangastore?fref=ts

Website: http://www.scaramangashop.co.uk

Clothes I am loving!

Hello Beautiful!

As a firm believer of fashion, I always seem to have items of clothings on my wishlist - even if I know I will never be able to afford them.

Being the beginning of Summer, I have a few summery pieces that I adore right now and that I am dying to pack into my wardrobe! See what you think:

Dolly V Neck Paisley Neon Kaftan Dress

BooHoo.com

In August, I'll be heading out to Turkey for 2 weeks of glorious sun and cocktails by the pool. This Kaftan is perfect for your holidays as you can look glamorous whilst hanging round the poolside. The Paisley print with hints of neon colouring makes it bang on trend, and at a fabulous price of £20, how can you not resist?

JENA WHITE PEPLUM DRESS IN WHITE
Pop Couture

Being inspired by the amazing Kate Thorne, I have been after a sexy yet sophisticated white dress that will be suitable for formal occasions and cocktail nights. And I think I have found the dress! This peplum dress with a silver belt is absolutely stunning! And I can just imagine teaming this dress up with my red Kurt Geigers. Bliss!

              Influnence Blue Denim Style Lace Trim Playsuit

                     New Look

When it comes to playsuits, I love them to have a hint of vintage. This playsuits from New Look is absolutely adorable! The lacy trim and the collar is absolutely gorgeous, and would be perfect for festivals or a walk through the British countryside. 

What are your favourite picks for summer?