Make Your Own Lip Scrub | The DIY

 Everybody has done one of these types of posts and I'm a little late on the bandwagon but I thought I'd show you how I make a lip scrub - it's quick, easy and you only need 2 things. I always make one application as I find I don't use it if it goes in a pot and then I find a sticky mixture in my bathroom cabinet 3 weeks later *sorry mum!*.

I start with 1/s a teaspoon of honey (you could use olive oil if your prefer but it would be a little runnier) and put that in a little pot. I then use 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar (any kind but salt works for a harsher scrub) and mix that in. It should look something like this:

Then take a good amount on your fingers and massage into your lips - repeat if you have super flakey lips and then follow up with a lip balm. Silky smooth lips for brighter shades, here we come!

How do you make lip scrubs? Have you tried any branded ones (ie Lush)?

Love, Lizzie x

Maybelline Baby Lips UK Review and Swatches | The New Thing

 It seems like everyone and their mother now has baby lips after about 3 weeks of waiting for them to hit the shelves. I've now had mine for a few weeks and can honestly say I really like them but do I think they're worth the hype?

The shades I purchased were the original 'Hydrate' clear one, the hot pink 'Pink Punch' and a nude called 'Peach Kiss'. One thing that did strike me at first was the amazing scent. I don't recall any lucky American bloggers mentioning the gorgeous smells but if you do get some, give 'em a whiff as they're divine! 

Peach Kiss is very sheer and the perfect pale, slightly shimmery nude shade that looks extremely natural but what do you expect from a tinted lip balm in a shade lighter than most people's natural lip colour? Pink Punch is the star shade for me as it can be left as a sheer baby pink or can be built up to a vivid bright, almost neon, pink. The staying power isn't amazing but then they are lip balms!

They're moisturising, smooth on the lips and the packaging is so super cute! They live up to my expectations fully however, for they hype they did recieve, at the end of the day they are just lip balms and aren't much different to the common offerings from Miss Sporty or plain old Carmex. 

Have you tried Baby Lips? What do you think?

Love, Lizzie

August Favourites 2013! | Products I've Been Loving Recently!

 I'm back to school on Wednesday *sobs* but I'll be keeping with my regular every-other-day posting schedule and there's a new timetable - that post's up tomorrow! I've loved a few gems this month so let's get started!

First up is a new toner - I prefer exfoliating with a muslin cloth or acid toner now and this one from boots botanics is really good with similar results to the pixi glow tonic but with alcohol :(

 After saying I prefer non gritty exfoliators this one from St Ives was great when my skin became clogged and feeling a bit congested - an old faithful. And a newly re discovered love is this Herbal Essences Fresh Balance Clarifying Shampoo - it leaves my hair reallllly clean and removes build up. 

With that shampoo I love to use this Dove conditioning treatment - ohhh it smells so good and leaves my hair nourished and super soft!

 For makeup my Garnier Perfect Blur has been a staple and feels like you're rubbing air onto your skin - my mum even purchased her own! NYC sunny has always been a fave but this month it has been used a lot in competition with my new une bb cream bronzer (reviewed earlier this month) - a fab way of looking naturally tanned. Elf's candid coral blush was never a favourite shade it it's been used a lot these past few weeks and I love it! And after hunting for a good under eye concealer maybelline's fit me found its home and is now used everyday!

My maybelline colour tattoos have all been used a lot but permanent taupe is an everyday shade. Baby lips were worn daily with the NYC apple lip balm in blueberry and the natural collection fondant lip gloss. Telescopic waterproof, need I say more x

What are your faves?

Love, Lizzie x

A New Blog Design Courtesy of Sinead from Fashion and Beauty Tribes | Thanks!

A change has been made...

Sinead from Fashion and Beauty Tribes designed and made my amazing new blog design for her new blog design shop. I'd been thinking about purchasing a blog design for a while and jumped at the chance of having one of my favourite bloggers make it for me! 

It's exactly what I wanted - Sinead was on the ball with emailing even when I wasn't and replied to messages minutes after them being sent. She was really easy to understand and that made choosing what I wanted very simple. With a few ideas but mostly free reign, Sinead completed my blog design in two days! 

I cannot recommend Sinead's service enough - she was (is) fabulous! Her shop will always be linked at the right hand side of my blog if you're ever interested!

My blog is now so much brighter and fresher - I am so thrilled! Being a technology noob and not knowing too much about blog designing this was fabby!

Thanks so much Sinead!

Sinead's Links

blog:  http://fashionandbeautytribes.blogspot.co.uk/

twitter: https://twitter.com/FandBTribes

bloglovin' : http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/3737002

shop:  http://fashionandbeautytribes.bigcartel.com/

Empties/Products I've Used Up #3 | August 2013

A few empties this time - strangely, after photographing these I found about 10 more empty products around the house! Another will be coming soon x

 I'm always using tissues up - 3 boxes in 3 months!

 I use wipes as a quick fix - the primark ones are good in a hurry but I wouldn't dare put them near my eyes! Botanics wipes are my favourites but only when on offer or as a 'special treat' (what sort of crazy lady treats herself to wipes?). No7 are good too but for £7 are not worth it. These simple ones were a travel pack for a night away but were actually very nice and I will be repurchasing.

 I spoke about this shampoo and conditioner in my haircare routine and although they were very nice I'll be trying different things. The hair mask from Herbal Essences was lovely but nothing particularly amazing.

 This dry shampoo from superdrug did nothing for my hair but smelt good. Dove deodorants were my go-to but I'm a Mitchum convert *no sweat* This sample of the Percy and Reid No Oil Oil didn't really do much - I have quite thick hair and this was targeted at finer hair so maybe it worked for you? A body butter from soap and glory was lush and this cooling mist was great in the hot weather.

 Peaches and Clean *wails "why why did you have to run out!!!" I LOVE IT and have to repurchase even though they did change the packaging though not the formula. NEED THIS!!!!!!! No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser was okay but I've moved on - Boots Botanics balm, baby! This Mudd Mask is amazing at removing blemishes and leaving skin really clean though could also work for answering the door on October 31st! MUA Setting Spray was good and will be repurhasing when others are finished. Hand gel - always a must.

My Mum added an empty - the 17 Beehive lipstick that she love. I even managed to scrape way more out of it as the bullet is an extra 2cm deep! my elf concealer has been out for a while and is perfect for naturally covering dark circles. Natural collection clear mascara - I keep forgetting to repurchase but I need tp - remind me, someone? Last is a bit of a cheat but I must share my favourite drink - M&S Pink Cranberry Lemonade - it is to die for!

What have your used up recently?

Love, Lizzie x

What's In My Travel Makeup Bag? #2 | Summer 2013

Posting from a hotel in the dark so may not be the best quality as photo was taken in the dark too! Had to get a post up today though so bad quality will have to do - back to good posts on Thursday!

On my trip to Southampton I packed light - one base, concealer and a few extras.

First up is my Avon SPF as it was sunny and I don't want to get burned! For a light base for the evening I took my revlon bb cream as it doesn't last too long and I'd only be wearing it for a couple of hours. Powder and concealer were the revlon nearly naked and maybelline fit me. My blush choices were 2 - elf candid coral and max factor soft pink. For eyes I chose the colour tattoo in bronze as it primes and adds a nice hint of colour x for mascara, you guessed loreal telescopic! Lips was just baby lips in pink punch and rimmel lip gloss in peach fusion.

Sorry for the crap post but stay tuned til thurs for a better blog x

Love, Lizzie xxx

Wishlist #3 | August 2013

indeed labs sampler set £12.99 (boots)

seche vite top coat £5.85 (amazon)

 Knitted Angora Cable Cardi £48.00 (topshop)

4 drawer storage tower £17.93 (homebase)

bourjois rouge edition shine lipstick (boots)

I really want to try hydraluron and other things from this brand so though it best to test with this 3 part kit - is it just an online thing as I can't find the set instore. After hearing raves about seche vite I hope it lives up to the hype! I really want a big slouchy cardi for winter and this one seems appropriate - anyone seen someting similar but cheaper? Bathroom storage for my everygrowing collection of skin, body and hair care is needed. I'm not a big bourjois lover but these lipsticks have been swatched and are needed!

Love, Lizzie x