My Current Bath Time Pamper Routine

The bathtub is my happy place. No matter how low I'm feeling, there's nothing a bubble bath can't fix. Sunday evenings are usually the nights I dedicate to pampering but if I can I try to slip in an extra little pampering session mid-week! After running a hot bath, lighting a few candles and grabbing a book or magazine, I always rummage around my beauty cabinet and pick out a couple of my favourite beauty products to help me unwind.

The products I take with me into the bath usually change rather frequently but I've gathered a couple of favourites over the Christmas period and I've been sticking to the same routine for the past few weeks now. With the exception of the Lush Bath Bomb, which changes with every bath of course (I have a ridiculously huge pile from the Boxing Day sales to get through!), I've been really enjoying using the same combination of products to wash, scrub and moisturise all my worries away!

A Little Beauty Haul

Even when I was really busy with University last month I still found the time to do a little bit of shopping and I've acquired quite a few random beauty bits I'm really excited to talk about! Today's haul is one full of firsts as I finally bought a toner and an eyebrow gel and I honestly don't know how I've survived all this time without these two steps in my beauty routine! I was really intrigued by Maybelline's Brow Drama which could be an amazing dupe for Benefit's Gimmie Brow, but as my eyebrows are thick and pigmented enough on their own I opted for the translucent shade so I can't really make a full comparison. Nevertheless, I can't believe the difference a brow gel can make! Even when I'm wearing hardly any make-up I always reach for Brow Drama as it tames my unruly brows perfectly and thankfully it isn't clumpy and it doesn't make my eyebrows feel hard either. And at £4.99 it's such a steal!

I've never really been interested in toner but after finding a £20 gift card for ESPA in a magazine a few months ago I decided to try the Balancing Herbal Spafresh Spritzer. I'll admit when I'm being lazy I end up missing this step out in the morning but on the days I do use a this toner my skin feels refreshed, looks more healthy and the smell really wakes you up! The toner is suited for all skin types but it's specifically aimed for oily/combination skin and I definitely notice a reduction in oil throughout the day when I use this. The toner contains a mixture of peppermint (to refine pores), witch hazel and elderflower (which combat outbreaks and blemishes). I personally love the smell and I'm currently on the look out for a small bottle so I can keep this in my bag and use it as a hydrating mist throughout the day as I've heard it works wonderfully when applied over makeup! 

After hearing so much about the amazing Tangle Teezer brushes and accepting the fact that my current brush was destroying my hair and snapping it all the time I picked up the Original Tangle Teezer in Lilac to replace my old brush. I wasn't overwhelmed when I first used this brush but after a while I realised that my hair was significantly smoother (I used to have so many knots in my hair!) I'm still not certain if I understand the hype but I'm glad I decided to pick a Tangle Teezer up! 

My next purchase is a repurchase, just in a different scent! I always have to have a Burt's Bees lip balm in my bag and after my beloved Coconut and Pear balm ran out I decided to try something a little different and picked up the Blueberry and Dark Chocolate version. The balm itself works just as wonderfully as all the other Burt's Bees balms I've tried (I really recommend them!) and it definitely hydrates my lips but I'm not a fan of the scent at all. I thought the combination would be lovely but it's just a bit odd and so overpowering.

Every season I always purchase one of the VS limited edition body sprays and I absolutely loved the one I picked up last year (which is featured in my July Favorites!) This year they released 4 limited edition scents - Escape, Paradise, Beach and Surfside - and I actually picked up the mini versions of the other scents in the VS Semi Annual sale last week! Surfside, however, was definitely my favourite. It's a refreshing mix of passion fruit and driftwood and it reminds me of the drinking cocktails on the beach! I can't stop reaching for this during the day time and it's now my go-to summer scent! 

What have you been buying recently?

Let me know if you've tried any of the above products in the comments! 

PINK | All I Want Body Mist and 2 in 1 Wash & Scrub

Every single time I look at the products I end up bursting into a terrible rendition of Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas' haha!

A couple of weeks ago, during some last minute Christmas shopping, I found myself exploring an area of PINK I've never visited before. I absolutely love the Victoria's Secret body sprays (I have about 5 now... oops!) but I've never really given a second thought to the PINK body care section. I always assumed their scents wouldn't be as 'grown up' or as flattering as the VS version but I was completely wrong. I picked up a couple of body mists as presents for my friends but when I walked past this limited edition Christmas scent I could not stop myself and I just had to buy the body mist and 2 in 1 Wash & Scrub as an early Christmas present to myself!

Even before I smelt the product I was sold just by looking at the packaging! My terrible camera really doesn't show how gorgeous and festive the design is: the shiny, foil like effect hasn't transferred that well on camera but when it catches the light the bottle sparkles and reminds me of Christmas lights and tinsel which looks so pretty sitting on the side of my bathtub! The scent itself is just beyond amazing, I might even have to say that I prefer this over my beloved Pure Seduction spray from Victoria's Secret. It's described as a mixture of White Vanilla and Berry Spritz but to me this smell just reminds me of the holidays even though there isn't a hint of cinnamon, spices or nectarine. It has such a comforting effect and it is perfect for everyday wear. I've been getting so many compliments when I wear this, even from my mum who isn't usually a fan of sweeter, more fruity scents! The fragrance lingers for quite a long time, especially when I use the two products together. The 2 in 1 Wash & Scrub lathers up nicely whilst the small, exfoliating beads effectively scrub the skin without being too harsh. The Body Mist contains 250ml of product (the same as the VS Mists) and the Wash & Scrub contains 300ml which will last me ages!

The products retail for £15 each but, if I remember correctly, you can purchase 2 for £18 or 3 for £25. However, this scent is limited edition and from what I can tell from looking at the US website I think some, if not all, of the All I Want products will probably be going in the sale so I might have to stock up in case they don't bring it back next year! Also, if anyone knows when the VS Sale begins in the UK please let me know!

What are your favourite Christmas scents? Do you have any favourite PINK products?

(P.S. I purchased these products with my own money and I'm not sponsored by Victoria's Secret however I am part of the VS PINK Street Team at Leeds University! If you go to Leeds Uni you might want to check out my post here for more information as we run loads of events and giveaways throughout the year!)

Victoria's Secret PINK at Leeds University!

I don't know how many of you are from Leeds or go to Leeds University but something really exciting is currently happening at my university! If you're from America, or follow Victoria's Secret as avidly as I do, you'll know all about PINK (Victoria's Secret's little sister store) and its presence on campus in America - over 99 universities take part in the scheme to celebrate all things Pink! It seems like England is fully embracing all things Victoria's Secret this year with the London Fashion show in December and the Campus scheme kicking off in Leeds and Manchester!

 Each University has two campus reps and a group of girls who make up the street team that help to run special PINK events across campus. As a lucky member of the Leeds Street Team, I thought I'd write a little post to spread the word that PINK is now on campus! After our successful Bra Fitting event on campus, where we fit 200 girls and gave out 200 £10 vouchers to spend, we can't wait to announce the date for our Holiday shopping event with even more discounts and competitions! We'll also be hosting an exclusive viewing of the London Fashion Show before the end of the semester and, as always, our competitions run constantly throughout the year.

If you'd like to win loads of PINK goodies and keep up to date with all the latest Leeds PINK news, please follow our Facebook page @VS Pink at Leeds University.

You can also find us on instagram and twitter:

@vspinkatleedsuni

@vspinkatleedsuni

If you don't go to Leeds or Manchester University, what do you think of PINK coming to England? Where would you like the Campus scheme to go next? 

July Favourites 2014

Somehow it's already August, and it really is true that time seems to pass by quicker as you get older! July was a wonderful month, full of travelling, sunbathing and spending time with my favourite people and I'm quite sad to see it end. Hopefully August will be just as exciting and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the sun to keep shining - I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to my summer wardrobe just yet! 

Beauty Favourites

The Body Shop -  Coconut body butter:  For as long as I can remember, the body butters from The Body Shop have always had a place in my bathroom cabinet. My mum has used them for years and the coconut scent was actually the first body butter I ever used! They have a creamy and rich texture and sink into the skin fairly quickly, keeping my skin nourished and soft all day long. They're a beauty favourite of mine all year round but the coconut body butter has stolen my heart this month!  The smell is incredible and it's an instant cure for post-holiday blues. One sniff of coconut and I'm whisked away to a beautiful tropical island! 

theBalm - Nude 'Tude Palette: I'm actually quite surprised by this one, have I finally met a neutral palette that rivals my beloved Naked 2? The texture, pigmentation and color selection in this palette is wonderful and the packaging is so cute! I'll be writing an entire post on this soon.

Victoria's Secret - Pure Seduction Bloom fragrance mist (limited edition): Ah Victoria's Secret, ever since you landed in Leeds my bank balance has suffered immensely (but my underwear draw looks fabulous!) Fragrance mists are perfect for summer, they're light and refreshing and I've been loving Pure Seduction Bloom this month. It has notes of red currant and violet blossom and it's the perfect mix of fruity and floral.

Essie - Meet Me at Sunset: My favourite way to wear my favourite colour of the month!

Garnier - BB Skin Perfector in Light: As temperatures started to rise this month, I needed something lighter for my face. After trying out a sample of this at the end of June, I fell in love and purchased the full size in Boots. The coverage is quite light but easy to build up, although if I have a bad skin day I have to add a touch of bareMinerals to completely cover my imperfections. This BB cream is weightless and it's also oil free so my skin only needed one touch up with matte powder throughout the day! It looks natural, adds a subtle glow and even has SPF 20! 

Non-Beauty Favourites

Staring at Stars - Camisole in Boho Floral Print: I picked up this top in Urban Outfitters and I'm completely in love with the print. It's something that I think will always be in style and it looks effortlessly cool, especially when paired with beachy hair, white shorts and gladiator sandals! The material is light and it has quite a loose fit, yet it's slightly cropped so it doesn't swamp your body. Urban Outfitters also make a matching skirt in this print too! 

Clarks - Oditi Lucky Sandals: Clarks have always made the comfiest shoes and I've literally worn these sandals every day this month! I love the gladiator style and they look great with every outfit. They're currently in the sale (sold out online but you might be able to find them in store) and they come in pink too!

Jack Kerouac On the Road: This book is actually one of my all time favorites but I've been rereading it for my dissertation and I think I might love it even more after a second read! It's based on the life of Kerouac and his friends as they travel across America between 1947-1950, however it's the style of writing that makes this book so incredible. It mimics the world of the Beat generation perfectly and you really have to read it to understand how wonderful this book is! I've actually never watched the film version of On the Road, I don't think a film could ever capture the beauty of Kerouac's writing, but it's definitely on my list of films to watch in August.

♫ Lana Del Rey - Brooklyn Baby

Let me know what your July favourites are in the comments below!