Top 5 Face Masks Under £15 To Try This Season

Now is the time for self care, in a bid to keep our spirits up with the current situation. I think that taking a few minutes to pamper yourself by using a face mask is a great way to not just look better but also feel better inside and out. Which is why I have put together this Top 5 Must Try Face Masks for this season, all under £15 each.

Botanical Lab Rose Overnight Hydrating Mask: this face mask helps soothe and hydrate the skin thanks to hyaluronic acid, rose flower oil, vitamin E. It also includes pore refining clay. 

Superdrug Vitamin C Revitalising Jam Face Mask: it combines sugar, kakadu plum and goji berry extracts to exfoliate, purify and brighten skin. 

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Overnight Peel: this lightweight gel peel uses kiwi and mulberry extracts along glycolic acid to refine and retexturise the skin for a more youthful complexion. 

L'Oreal Paris Pure Clay Soothing Mask: it combines 3 types of clay (oil absorbing kaolin, and mineral rich montmorillonite and ghassoul clays) with mallow flower extract to gently cleanse and soothe sensitive skin.

Sanctuary Spa Beauty Sleep Recovery Mask: a balmy texture that sinks into the skin to make it more revitalised and youthful thanks to the use Chronogen tetrapeptide and calming orange and lavender oils.

Will you be trying any of these masks?

xo

New In: March 2020

Haven't been shopping much, however last month I got a Simply Pure Serum and a Vitamin E eye cream from Superdrug. 

Dot got me a lounge wear dress and Disney Pjs from Primark. From H&M I got a red dress to wear as soon as it starts getting hot. 

When I see a sample offer, I order it, and I received a Givenchy L'Interdit perfume along with some of their Le Rouge Lipstick samples. 

For mother's day we got my mother in law some goodies from Boots, and I got to keep the freebies that came with them. 

And last but not least, even more samples (surprise!). These are a Crabtree & Evelyn Soft Touch Face Foam and the Rituals Namaste Serum and Rituals Namaste Night Cream.

Also Dot spoiled me and got me the Animal Crossing New Horizons game for my Nintendo Switch (a must have during self isolation!).

Did you get anything nice last month?

xo

Easter 2020

Hope you had a nice Easter weekend. These are the gifts I received this year: a chocolate egg, a Lindt 90% cacao and Tesco Orange Chocolate bars, as well as a rabbit planter with a yellow kalanchoe. 

In Mexico, a mainly catholic country, Easter is celebrated by going to church for mass and before that people have Lent or a 40 day red meat fast, however as we weren't that religious growing up we rarely did any of that (except for the period of our lives when we went to a religious school and were made to attend mass, amongst other activities, ha!).

So even though I knew about the Easter bunny and chocolate eggs, I hadn't actually received or eaten one before I moved to the UK. 

How do you celebrate Easter?

xo

Animal Crossing New Horizons: The Must Have Game During Quarantine

The release of Animal Crossing New Horizons couldn't have come at a better time - with the uncertainty about when we'll be able to go out as normal everybody could use a relaxing, slow paced video game such as this one. 

This version of Animal Crossing is actually the first one I've ever played (Dot got it for me when it came out), and I wasn't completely sure what it was about but thought the characters looked cute. On this game you go to a deserted island along with 2 other animals and you get to design the whole place to your liking. 

Inviting more animals to live on your island along the way and decorating your house by building  and customising furniture with materials you collect, using recipes you learn is also part of the game. Grow fruit trees and beautiful flowers, which you can cross breed to unlock new colours. Collect fossils, bugs and fish to donate to your island museum, buy and design your own clothes and visit your friends' islands to see how they've developed theirs!

There's no bosses to defeat and to timed tasks, just a whole island to improve and design just the way you want. If you'd like me to visit yours let me know your Dodo Code in the comments or send me a message on Instagram!

Find Animal Crossing on Nintendo, Currys, Argos and Game.

xo

Olay Lightweight Sensitive Day Lotion

Even when you are spending most of the time indoors, you still need protection from UV rays that come in through the windows (if you want to prevent wrinkles and sun spots, that is).

This Olay Lightweight Day Lotion Sensitive is actually a repurchase but the product has been reformulated and I noticed that because the packaging has also changed. Previously it had a different illustration on the box and bottle (which I personally preferred) and now it depicts a picture of the bottle, which only features plain text. 

Reading through the ingredients, they still contain the classic Glycerin, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Camomile and Aloe extracts, but in a different order, meaning their proportions have changed. 

However I was pleasantly surprised to find out the texture is a bit less runny, it also feels a bit less oily and looks less shiny once applied. It still has the same SPF 15 and lightweight moisturising ability, which combined with the vitamins, soothing plant extracts and affordable price (especially when on offer) means it is still a great basic to have in your skincare bag.

Find the Olay Lightweight Day Lotion (RRP £6.99) at Superdrug. 

xo

Get Smoother Skin Overnight With These 4 Products

Who doesn't want to have baby soft skin that looks smooth, plump and even? With the colder months wreaking havoc on our skin, it's time to do something about it!

If your skin has been feeling a bit rough and your normal moisturiser isn't cutting it anymore then you might be in need of a deep exfoliation, though exfoliating the skin can sometimes make it sensitive, red and inflamed. So here is what I did to get super soft skin overnight: I used four different products, each targeting one skin concern and then some. 

First, after washing my face, I used The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, which sloughs off dead skin cells, helping skin look and feel smoother and more even, while also helping diminish breakouts. Read my full review on this product here.

Next, after rinsing off the mask, I applied a couple of drops of the Me+ Acacia Collagen Booster all over my face. This lightweight texture serum is designed to plump the skin while also hydrating it. Full review here.

To help calm skin down after the intense exfoliation, I used the Simply Pure Hydrating Serum on top. The hyaluronic acid and ceramides in this formula help hydrate the skin, making it supple. Plus it also has a couple of gentle spot fighting ingredients, which are always a welcome addition. Full review here. 

And last but not least, I sealed everything off with the Naturally Radiant Renewing Night Cream. The natural fruit extracts in this rich night cream help refine texture and brighten the skin while moisturising at the same time. Full review here.

Having used these products on their own has always given me good results, but after using them in conjunction for the first time last night their effects were maximised and I woke up to super smooth, supple and plump skin. I can not recommend you try these products enough. The four of them together will set you back only under £25, so it is great way of achieving amazing results that won't break the bank.

Let me know if you try this routine in the comments below!

xo

The Body Shop 20% Off + Free Face Mask & Delivery Secret Code

Milk & Honey Hand Cream £5 // Japanese Cherry Strawberry Set £12 

Sweet Strawberry Gift Set £10 

British Rose Gift Set £14 // Vanilla EDT £9

The Body Shop sent me a code to get 20% off plus free delivery AND a free Himalayan Charcoal face mask when you spend over £15. The face masks gets added to your basket automatically when you enter the code below. 

Cashmere And Pearls

I Love... Chocolate Fudge Cake Bath & Shower Creme

I Love Cosmetics products are a collection of affordable body care including bath & shower cremes, bar soap and body butter.

Because I love all chocolate scented beauty products, I had to try the I Love... Chocolate Fudge Cake Bath & Shower Creme.

On the front it mentions "smell delicious, feel delicious" and can confirm that it does indeed smell very delicious: sweet and chocolatey, and with a thick and creamy consistency. Be sure not to get confused and try to taste it!

It has moisturising and softening Glycerin, Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and fruit extracts of Strawberry, Blackcurrant, Raspberry and Cranberry.

It cleanses skin well with a light lather and leaves it feeling very soft and smelling of chocolate cake. What more can you want?

Find the I Love... Chocolate Fudge Cake Bath & Shower Creme on Luxplus.com

xo

High End Hair Care Ingredients For Under £2

Yesterday we went to do our weekly shop amidst the supermarket crisis, and in need of a new shampoo and conditioner I picked up the My Hair Matters Smooth & Shine Conditioner by Sainsbury's. 

It was one of the Herbal Essences conditioners that I actually had my eye on, however it was nowhere to be seen, so decided on the Sainsbury's option which I was also considering. 

The My Hair Matters Smooth & Shine Conditioner is infused with cashmere and offers frizz control and a shine boost. On the back it also mentions that it's a moisturising conditioner for dull and unruly hair, and has pro vitamin B5 and cashmere to help hydrate hair and control frizz, leaving hair that "looks shiny and feels silky smooth". 

The packaging is kept quite simple, with a copper toned bottle and a shiny rose gold accent on the front. The purple on the text and lid provide a nice contrast. 

I used it this morning and I wouldn't be writing about it within only one use if I wasn't actually impressed. Only noticing the "cashmere" bit after getting home, decided to look it up in the ingredients and turns out it is the Hydrolized Keratin, it also contains Hydrolized Wheat Protein, and of course, Panthenol or Vitamin B5.

As I was rinsing it off I was very surprised at how soft and smooth my hair was feeling, and as the day went on I realised that indeed frizz was kept to a minimum after my usual leave in conditioner and heat protecting spray I use for blow drying.

The only thing that I'm not sure about is the moisture claim, however I did start using a new shampoo today as well. And the smell is not very sophisticated but that is to be expected from a £1.50 conditioner.

The only other hair conditioner with cashmere keratin I could find was the 3 More Inches one, which also includes Panthenol and Hydrolized Wheat Protein, but retails at £54.50 for 1 litre, or there is also a mini 75 ml version for £8. However, if you want to save some money then I recommend you try the Sainsbury's offering as it is only £1.50 for 400 ml.

Find the My Hair Matters Smooth & Shine Conditioner in Sainsbury's.

Will you trying this product?

xo

Sample Sessions 03

Long time no sample! ha. Here is the latest instalment of my first impressions on some new-ish products:

Rituals Balancing Body Cream: This has a rich texture that isn't heavy, and a gorgeous warm rose scent which unfortunately doesn't linger. It has a combination of Himalayan honey to soften the skin and Indian rose oil to create a relaxing effect on mind and body. It also has glycerin, shea butter, sunflower oil, vitamin E and cocoa seed butter. I really liked this body cream because of the scent and  how it leaves skin soft and smooth but never sticky.

Caudalie Vinosource SOS Intense Moisturising Cream: this is a super nourishing cream with a medium consistency. The ingredients feature glycerin, squalane, borage seed oil, grape fruit and seed extracts and hyaluronic acid. It has a lovely fruity and slightly fresh scent that I enjoyed very much, however it was a bit too heavy for me so for that reason I wouldn't recommend it unless you have dry skin. 

Simple Daily Skin Detox SOS Clearing: another SOS-in-the-name-product (coincidentally). This product is designed to get rid of oily skin and soothe localised blemishes while reducing their redness. The clear, unscented gel feels ever so slightly tacky when applying, however it dries to a more matte look and feel. I feel like it can be a bit drying as it does contain 10% witch hazel, though it appears to have reduced the frequency of blemishes thanks to the use of thyme and zinc, plus niacinamide (a favourite of mine). The addition of glycerin, allantoin and panthenol help soothe and soften the skin. I would probably purchase this product to use under my daily moisturiser.

Have you tried any of these products?

xo

Braun Silk Epil 9 Flex

Mother's Day Gift Ideas Under £50

Charlotte Tilbury Exaggereyes Palette £40 // The Body Shop British Rose Set £21

Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Eau So Sweet £45 // ASOS Leather Mini Satchel £35

L'Occitane Soothing Skincare Collection £20

Mother's Day will be here in less than 2 weeks so here is my indispensable gift guide for cute and affordable ideas to spoil your mum, all under £50 as always.

xo

Women's Day Sale at Dresslily

In celebration of International Women's Day, Dresslily is offering a 25% off code for orders over $30!

Miniso Green Tea Moisturising Serum

First of all, the packaging is really cute. I love the sturdy frosted glass bottle and the wooden look of the dropper. Also the card tag wrapped around the neck of the bottle, combined with the colours of the packaging make it very visually appealing.

To get the product out, you twist the top of the dropper to the open position then push down, following that you can then take the dropper out of the bottle and dispense the product onto your hands. Unfortunately the dropper can be a bit moody and sometimes not enough product gets into the glass tube.

On to the actual product inside the bottle: this Miniso Green Tea Moisturising Serum is enriched with green tea essence and promises to deeply moisturise and hydrate skin, boost radiance, clarify and even skin tone.

The ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid, Alpha Arbutin, Tea Tree Oil, Tranexamic Acid, Green Tea Extract, Glycerin and Green Tea Seed Oil. These ingredients are helpful in hydrating and calming skin as well as diminishing dark spots.

My use of this serum has been sporadic at times so haven't noticed much of a difference, however the light consistency/fast absorption and reassurance in the ingredients' properties will see me using it until the last drop. That and the extremely affordable price of $79 MXN means I will definitely repurchase (probably even stock up) when I visit Mexico again soon.

Have you tried this serum?

xo

PS. If you're intrigued about Green Tea in skincare read more about it on my previous post. 

Superdrug £10 Off Voucher Code

Superdrug emailed me a not-so-secret-now code that can get you a £10 discount when you spend £60 or more, just in time for payday and to get your Mother's Day gift sorted. But be quick as it ends at midnight on Monday 1st of March 2020.

On Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day Dotcito spoiled me and got me some flowers, a card (not pictured), skincare and a new pair of trainers.

He selected a couple of items from Cult Beauty, including the Inkey List Retinol that I really wanted to try, The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc serum that I can't be without and 2 fresh items, within them the Soy Cleanser and the lip balm from my Valentine's Gift Guide (spoiler alert: it's a really good lip balm).

Dot, as I mentioned before, also kindly got me a new pair of trainers since these were on my wishlist and hadn't gotten new ones in a few years. These are the Fila Disruptors with hearts on the tongue, back and insoles ♥.

xo

The Tiny Bag Edit

M&S Leather Cross Body £40 // Topshop Micro Tote Bag £18

Fjallraven Kanken Sling Bag $65 // ASOS Satin Green Bag £16 // Mango Micro Cross Body £18 UO Pollianna Cross Body $34 // Topshop Pearl Handle Bag £18

You might know that I am a big fan of bags and also happen to love tiny things because of the added cute factor. Luckily for me, tiny bags are in, and they're an adorable accessory that you do not want to be without (even when you won't be able to fit a lot in them). Above are my high street picks of tiny bags. Enjoy!

xo

New In: January 2020

Last month didn't do a lot of shopping, however I did find a couple of things in the sale: a wool and alpaca blend jumper from H&M that was only £5 (£25 originally) and 2 packs of sticky notes for £1 at flying tiger.

Dot got me a set of Pokemon pyjamas from Choice - they're actually my first ever Pokemon apparel item despite becoming a fan of it around the age of 12.

And last but not least, I was in need of a new face wash so I got the Simple Regeneration Age Resisting Face Wash, which I've been trying out so expect a review coming soon.

xo

Meet Me In China Town

For some reason I just love this photograph I took in China Town when we went to see the Christmas Lights in London in December 2017. 

The glowing neon lights and the contrast of the Chinese writing in the middle, plus the colouring and depth of field are something that really caught my attention. That and the fact that the busker started playing Space Oddity as I turned around the corner to this sight, it's like that's the place I was meant to be at that exact moment ha.

You can find this photo to purchase on prints, homeware, stationery and t-shirts on my Red Bubble shop.

xo

Fur and Pearls

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser

Last year Dot gifted me the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser, and it's only until now that I'm about to finish it up so I thought I'd write about it ha.

This cleanser promises to boost hydration while leaving skin soft thanks to the hyaluronic acid and hydrating agents. It also mentions that it dissolves oil and makeup without leaving residue and makes skin refreshingly clean and supple. 

I like the lightweight consistency of this cleanser, it lathers very gently and leaves my skin feeling very soft. Also the mild soapy scent is something I enjoy as it has a nostalgic 'public toilet hand wash' smell but in the best possible way. 

The second ingredient in the formula is glycerin, and it also contains some vitamin E, as well as the main selling point ingredient, hyaluronic acid. The use of these ingredients help improve the suppleness of skin. 

Another thing I like about the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser is the practical packaging, as you won't end up squeezing too much product out compared to a tube. Maybe they could consider selling refill bottles without the pump to save on cost for both company and consumer, but it won't put me off buying this product again as I have enjoyed using it.

Have you tried this Neutrogena cleanser? 

Find Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser on Amazon and Boots.

xo

Me+ Acacia Collagen Booster

One of the gifts Dot got me for Christmas included the Me+ Acacia Collagen Booster, and I've been using it ever since I received it. 

This serum promises to help plump the skin with the help of a plant derived collagen substitute in a formula that hydrates, nourishes and improves skin condition. 

It says to use it 2 - 3 times a week, so to try and maximise the efficiency of this serum I've been using it 3 times a week, applying 3 drops and massaging them onto my face. 

The consistency is quite runny but it has some slip to it, almost like a very lightweight oil. The Me+ Acacia Collagen Booster has no discernible scent or colour to the formula.

It feels moisturising upon application and I believe it has been making my skin look more plump and it's starting to even out some of the texture. Also the morning after using it (I apply it during my night time skincare routine) my skin feels very soft.

What I like about this range is the simple packaging and formulas, as well as the accessible price points, and even though I haven't used more products from this range I would be open to trying them out. 

Find the Me+ Acacia Collagen Booster in Superdrug.

xo

Radley Valentine's Collection Top Picks

Pink Cake Crossbody Bag £149 // Navy Crossbody Bag £109

Red Heart Zip Purse £39 // Pink Round Bag £169

Pink Enamel Key-ring £15 // Navy Coin Purse £39

You might already know that I am a massive bag fan - it's probably my favourite accessory and I love the mystery that surrounds its secret contents as well as the fact that it can completely change the way an outfit looks, all while carrying your most essential items.

Radley released a new Valentine's collection and my favourite items are shown above. I'm just obsessed with the look of buttery soft leather, cute designs and all the heart accents. 

Will you be treating yourself?

xo

PS. Don't forget to check out my Valentine's Gift Guide with everything under £50.

Video: Winter Lights at Canary Wharf

Last week we went to see the Winter Lights exhibition at Canary Wharf in London, which was an art installation comprised of over 20 different pieces that used lights, sound and water.

There's also a blog post with pictures from the event and if you like them, take a look at my Redbubble shop where you can purchase stationery, apparel and prints with my pictures.

xo

Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose

Two of my favourite beauty items will always be hand creams and lip balms: I feel like my lips and hands need to be moisturised constantly and thus end up trying a myriad of these products, it's almost like a hobby, ha!

This time it's the turn of Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose: packaged in a little round pot, it's practical because of the size and sturdy as it's made of recyclable aluminium. Although it contains 

a bit less product than its Vaseline counterpart (3.3 grams to be exact) it still is more product than you would normally get in a 4 g tube. 

The Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose has a faint strawberry milkshake tone to it, however when applied it looks like it would leave a whitish cast on the lips but this vanishes in moments as it melts onto the lips and feels very moisturising thanks to the use of Shea Butter, Castor Seed Oil, Almond Oil and Glycerin (there's a new formula that leaves out the last 2, as well as the mineral oil and petrolatum, using Shea instead as the main ingredient, and adds avocado and jojoba oils too).

Another aspect that I really enjoy about this lip balm is the scent, it's sweet and fruity and it feels nostalgic as it reminds me of something I can't quite put my finger on. Application is not my favourite as you need to dip your finger in it (not unhygienic unless you don't wash your hands first) because it can be a bit messy and it's not ideal for on the go. 

However it's all forgiven because of the lovely scent and amazing moisturising properties - it makes my lips feel very soft and gets rid of any dry skin. I normally use it before bed and wake up to moisturised and smooth lips which is ideal.

I'd recommend this lip balm if you are looking for a smoothing and softening lip product that is affordable and smells amazing too.

Find Nivea Lip Butters at Superdrug.

xo

Winter Lights At Canary Wharf

Up to 50% Off RedBubble Discount Code

RedBubble is a print on demand website where you can find thousands of different designs printed onto a variety of items such as mugs, t-shirts, stickers, cushions and notebooks, which can make perfect gifts for any person and occasion, while supporting independent artists. 

They have plenty of sale events throughout the year and this time you can get up to 50% off your order with the code YESTO2050. 

So check out my store and see if there's anything that tickles your fancy. Thanks for your support!

xo

Valentine's Gift Ideas Under £50

M&S Lace Bralette Top £16 // Mor Marshmallow Soy Candle £28

Fresh Tinted Lip Balm £19.50

Asos 90s Leather Bag £28 // Lacoste L1212 Sparkling 30ml Gift Set £20

Asos Leather Card Holder £10 // Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Pour Lui EDT 50ml £35

L'occitane Cade After Shave Balm £25

Tache Tamers Toolbox £14.50 // Casio Digital Watch £23

Valentine's Day is exactly 4 weeks away, so here are some ideas, all under £50 as always, to help you find something to treat that special someone - or even yourself (go on, I won't tell).

xo

Life Lessons

What makes people think that when treating someone consistently a certain way that they do not like  to be treated they'll never grow resentful or reach breaking point and snap back?

Probably the story of my life: always letting people walk all over me, laugh at me, treat me disrespectfully. I've taken a lot of that, which is my own fault, really. But every time I get to the point where I will not allow it any more, suddenly I'm the horrible one. 

This is the way that some people like to take advantage of others they see as weak - I've felt small and scared in many situations, letting people dictate my actions or bully me - it dates all the way back from primary school, through secondary and even my high school years. 

It finally stopped in university but it wasn't for good: at one of my first jobs here in the UK I was also bullied by a colleague around 7 years younger than me. And I let them carry on with it, so it got progressively worse until I got falsely accused of something very serious at work, which is when I decided it was time to report their abuse and make it stop. 

That's what I've learned over the years: I have allowed things like that to happen out of fear of speaking up. I've always been "a good girl" that just does what she's told, afraid of what could happen if I don't, when everyone else gets away with pretty much anything you can think of - even the things I get wrongly accused of doing.

One of my general "rules" in life is to treat people the way they treat me, it's what I've done since I can remember. How I treat people I get along with (family, friends, classmates, co-workers, etc) is what I believe to be a reflection of their treatment towards me. 

Granted, I never mentioned I was perfect, however if someone thinks I have turned into a despicable version of what I used to be, they should have a think about how they treated me in the past. They might realise that they prefer me weak, quiet and submissive so they can bring me down but they need to know that I am not condoning this type of behaviour anymore.

New in: December 2019

Passionflower In Full Bloom

I took this picture a couple of months ago (in September to be exact) of a hypnotising passionflower from the garden out the back of the house. If you are equally mesmerised by flowers as am I, take a look at the products available with this picture in my RedBubble shop (just scroll down to see the full item list).

xo

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year 2020!

May you achieve the goals you set yourself. I wish you prosperity, new meaningful friendships and that you can make a living out of the things you love doing! Not just for this year, but also this new decade and beyond.

xo