Jess Loves XO: August 2013

Saturday 31 August 2013

REVIEW - Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser

Simple are one of those skincare brands that I find myself going back to time and time again because their products just suit my sensitive skin so well. I purchased this moisturiser last weekend and have been using it everyday since, its part of their new Kind to Skin range which are all packed with vitamins to keep sensitive skin happy. Although I suffer from sensitive skin, I do get some very dry areas as well around my T-zone and since I have been using this moisturiser my dryness has gone down significantly. I apply this after I have cleansed and before I put my make up on. I do find that its quite greasy on the skin and a little goes a long way but it soaks into my skin fairly quickly and leaves it feeling soft and smooth. I love that its in a bottle & not a pot so its very hygienic and clean.

Its safe to say I am loving this moisturiser and I might even throw the words *holy grail* out there!

You can pick up this moisturiser and any of the other Simple skincare products from Boots - prices start as low as £1.50!

xxx

Tuesday 27 August 2013

Kimono Lovin'

Hello! I am properly back after a few days off from blogging, had a bit of the old uninspired bug; I hate it! But ive finally gone & bagged myself a new job as a care worker so I am super excited and proud of myself for achieving that. With that in mind, I thought I would reward myself with a little blog post to write... I have been loving Kimono's. I don't actually own one because the majority seem a tad expensive :( however, I have managed to find a couple more affordable ones from the ever so reliable Missguided! I love the way they fall, the prints they have on them, and I love the ones that have all that fringing! Here are some of my favourites...

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

The middle kimono is my absolute fav (asos)! I love the colours and the smudgy print. Obviously I couldn't pass up a leopard print kimono (missguided) because I am a massive animal print lover?! The kimono in the top right (motel) caught my eye because I love that Japanese kind of floral print and I thought this looked quite like that. I also love the red against the black. As for the tie dye (Topshop) & the floral (missguided) kimonos... I just couldn't resist the fringing! I've also seen the tie dye one at work and it such a nice material I've been tempted many times to bag it! I think I will be purchasing one of these for my holiday, 27 days and counting!!!

xxx

Monday 26 August 2013

Photo Diary #12

This week I ate pie & mash; yummy <3 // enjoyed an Oreo Krushem // selfie // drunk on milk // my new case from Etsy finally came! // selfie // taking a break from studying // my winnings from roulette night!

So this week I've been a bit distant, the boyfriend has family over from Australia so my last week has been spent round his house nearly every night. I do have a few posts planned so I should be back into schedule soon! But I can't help sometimes feel that I have no motivation to blog; I know everyone must go through it but I don't know how to get over it? Anyways, its been quite a quiet week, not much done except spending time with the boyfriend and his family, I went to the pub on Thursday night to celebrate a friends birthday which was a nice chilled evening. On Friday night I played roulette for the first time round my boyfriends and won big time! It was such a good night and plenty of alcohol was drunk haha. Yesterday we had a BBQ party with all of his family round which was a lovely day, again many vodkas were had and it was so nice to have the sun shining all day!

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend and are enjoying you're bank holiday! I'm off to work soon :(

xxx

Monday 19 August 2013

Photo Diary #11

I don't usually buy Company magazine but couldn't resist the eyeliner freebie! // pastel nails // anniversary flowers from the boyfriend // anniversary make up // cheesy nacho goodness // haagen dazs ice cream for dessert // love a rainbow // mirror selfie // 99 flake without the flake... chocolate sauce & sprinkles <3

I've been a bit quiet this week, not really feeling the urge to blog much so if someone can give me some advice in how to get over this hurdle I will appreciate it! So, Tuesday of last week was mine & my boyfriends 6 year anniversary! We decided to head into London (Leicester Square) and go to the steak house because lets be honest, everyone loves a steak house! I don't actually eat steak so I had chicken but it was still delicious. Once we had eaten we took a wonder around Leicester Square; had a bit of a mooch into m&m world and got some haagen dazs ice cream which was so delicious! We then stopped to see some street performers, they were break dancers and when they were introducing themselves at the beginning and asking people to give donations at the end we thought they would be really crap, however they were amazing! They had such talent, spinning on their head and all sorts of madness!

Ive also been keeping up to date with the #augustphotochallenge so if you would like to follow me on instagram please do so; @jessicullxo

Hope you've all had a pleasant weekend :)

xxx

Monday 12 August 2013

REVIEW - Real Techniques Core Collection

L-R: contour brush, pointed foundation brush, detailer brush & buffing brush.

A couple of months ago I decided to jump on a massive blogger bandwagon and purchase the core collection of Real Techniques brushes. Created by Sam Chapman, one of the sisters of Pixiwoo, the brushes are hand-cut and 100% cruelty free. The Core Collection comes with a 2-in-1 case and stand which is very handy for travelling, I've actually taken mine out and put them in my brush pot but the 4 brushes will definitely be going back in their case when I am off on my holiday!

I'm guessing most of the beauty bloggers out there will know what brushes are included in this set but for the ones who don't let me tell you... you get one Detailer Brush which is to use for your concealer or lipstick. The Pointed Foundation Brush is to be used for liquid foundation. The Buffing Brush (which is my favourite!) is to be used with powder or mineral foundation. Lastly, the Contour Brush which, yep you guessed it, is to be used for contouring, highlighting and blusher.

As I said, the buffing brush is actually my favourite brush out of the 4 and I use it everyday to create my base. I use it to apply my concealer, foundation & powder! It literally gives such a flawless base I don't know how I ever survived without it! I have used the detailer brush to blend my concealer but I found it didn't buff it into my skin enough. I feel the same about the pointed foundation brush; its good but leaves my foundation looking a bit streaky. The contour brush I have been using to just apply some blusher on the apples of my cheeks. it grabs the product well and doesn't make me look to 'done'. I cant wait to use it on holiday to contour my cheeks properly.

I have definitely got my eyes on the Starter Kit next which is all the brushes you need for your eyes!

You can pick up the Real Techniques brushes from FeelUnique.com or any Boots stores. The sets are £20.99 and the individual brushes are around £10 each.

xxx

Sunday 11 August 2013

Photo Diary #10

This week I celebrated my uncles birthday (last weekend, actually) with some family // went to my dads for dinner & had strawberries & ice cream for dessert, nom // went bowling with my boyfriend & some friends // finally got my upgrade! // selfie // enjoyed a cupcake & milkshake in Brent Cross with my mum.

I haven't really had an eventful week. The picture of me, my boyfriend & my dad was actually taken last Saturday but it wasn't included in my last photo diary so thought id put it into this one, I think its such a lovely picture :) Wednesday night I went out bowling, it was really fun but I lost, boo! We did actually go out to Top Golf but the waiting time was ridiculous so we decided on bowling instead! I fiiinally got my upgrade, ive been waiting months because my iPhone 4 was just crap and falling apart but I am completely in love with my new phone, its so pretty. Yesterday I went over to Brent Cross with my mum as I had a bracelet I got for my birthday which I needed to change for a smaller size, turns out they didn't have that bracelet so instead they sent it off for me to be shortened. As we were leaving we spotted a pop up Lola's cupcakes stand and decided to have a cupcake & a drink. The oreo cupcake was delicious; the milkshake not so much... which was disappointing but we had a nice wander round.

Hope you've all enjoyed your weekend & I'm so happy the sun has got his hat on after a cloudy couple of days in the week!

xxx

Friday 9 August 2013

REVIEW - Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Rose Bud

Natural Collection has never been one of my favourite make up brands but a couple of months back I decided to have a browse on the Natural Collection stand in Boots and come across the Moisture Shine lipsticks. I have never been a lover of pink lipsticks but I was on the lookout for a pinky-nude colour and I came across Rose Bud. The Natural Collection Moisture Shine lipsticks aim to be really moisturising. Any lipstick I wear is always really drying on my lips for some reason so I always apply a slick of lip balm underneath. The lasting time of this lipstick is actually really great. It stains the lips so even after 2 or 3 hours wear you can still significantly see the colour. The colour is definitely one of those 'my lips but better' pinks and I think its a really perfect shade for Summer.

I've definitely got my eye on all the colours they stock and for £1.99 you can't really go wrong!

You can pick the moisture shine lipsticks up from any Boots store.

xxx

Sunday 4 August 2013

Photo Diary #9

Went to TGIs with the work girls // popcorn brownie & oreo desserts // koppaberg is the perfect sunshine drink // fish // ootd // garden jenga // my bestest buds // laying in bed next to my sicky boyfriend :( // scrambled eggs - perfect Sunday food <3

I haven't really had an exciting week, the beginning of the week saw one of my bestest friends at work leave us for a better job so we said goodbye to her at TGI's with loooads of food & yummy desserts. I cant remember what day it was that decided to randomly be 30 degrees but I headed straight to the pub after work with some friends; as I was the designated driver I made 1 koppaberg last and it was delicious. Ive been taking part in the #AugustPhotoChallenge on Instagram so the picture of my fish & the collage of my friends are part of that. If you want to see if I can continue through the whole month follow me on Instagram @jessicullxo

Yesterday it was my uncles 60th birthday so I put on my party dress and headed over to Aylesbury where it absolutely hammered it down with rain as soon as we arrived, there was a BBQ, kids running around, funny chats with my cousin & boyfriend, and GARDEN JENGA - amazing!

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend :)

xxx