NUGG BEAUTY FACE MASKS

You guys should know by now that I am a sucker for a good face mask. There's nothing better than putting your feet up after a long day and catching up on soaps whilst pampering yourself. 

The lovely team at Nugg very kindly sent me two of their masks to review. My skin type is normal but can be quite oily so I was recommended their hydrating and deep cleansing masks. As well as the hydrating and deep cleansing masks, Nugg also have other masks targeted at different skin types. These include: soothing, revitalising, exfoliating and anti ageing.

I have seen so many bloggers rave about these so I was pretty darn excited to try them out for myself. The packaging is super cute and the perfect size for travel. 

 

  

These masks are really easy to use, just peel back the lid and apply generously and evenly to the face and neck. I popped the masks in the fridge for about 10 minutes before applying them to give me a cooling sensation - this was so refreshing as it was a super hot day when I was testing them out. After about 15 minutes, all that's left to do is to wipe it away with a wet cloth.

The texture is light and non sticky. I have found in the past that some face masks can feel really heavy on the skin, but thank fully these weren't. 

Out of the two, my favourite was the deep cleansing mask. The cucumber was really refreshing and took away a bit of shine. Both masks left my skin feeling soft and hydrated.

My only concern is that I personally think that there is too much product in the pods and therefore they should consider making the lid resealable for further applications. Besides the packaging, I really recommend Nugg face masks. They are really affordable and have great results. A pack of 4 is available to buy here, for just £13.00.

Let me know which ones are your favourites!
Love, Maddie x

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - PARADISE FOUND

I'm not going to lie, when I first had a peek at what was inside my box, I wasn't estatic. I saw tubes of creams and a neon pink lip balm, my initial thoughts were disappointing. After giving all of these products a try, I proved myself wrong. I LOVE this months box. From the box design to the contents, everything about this box just SCREAMS summer to me. 

Jelly Pong Pong Paradise Pigment in Fig Jam RRP £17.95

This would look lovely on darker skin tones, but if you are fair skinned with bleach blonde hair, like me, then I'm afraid this is not for you. The formula is nice and creamy. Although I would recommend applying this with a brush and not your fingers, just to get a more precise application.

Absolution Le Nettoyant Purete RRP £26

This gel cleanser uses natural ingredients like chamomile and oats to remove dirt and make up, as well as reducing redness and irritation. I really like the formula of this, it feels so light and gentle on the skin.

Whish Coconut Milk CC Body Cream RRP £15.50

This has got to be my favourite product from this months box. In fact, it's probably one of my favourite products I've ever received in a Birchbox. This cream is designed to hydrate the skin but also bronze at the same time. It gives the skin a gorgeous shimmer which is going to look amazing on top of a tan. The smell is also INCREDIBLE! If you love coconut scented things then you are going to love this. I cannot praise this enough, I will definitely be purchasing this when I run out.

Huygens Le Gommage Visage RRP £17.90

This brand was totally new to me so I was especially looking forward to trying this out. This creamy scrub is amazing at buffing away dead skin cells. It has a strong citrus smell which leaves you feeling cool and refreshed.

Percy & Reed Reassuringly Firm Session Hold Hairspray RRP £12

So far I am impressed with this hairspray. I used it for the first time this morning to keep my braids in place. Just over 5 hours later, my hair is still looking as fresh as it did this morning. It's humidity-resistant, which makes it great for summer and ideal for taking on holiday with you.

This month you also have the option to upgrade your box to receive a beautiful pair of Quay Australia sunglasses at a heavily discounted price. I wish I had done this now because I've seen so many pictures of the sunglasses and they look gorge!

If you would like to treat yourself to your very own Birchbox, use my referral link to sign up and you will receive 50 points (worth £5) to spend in the Birchbox store. If you use the code TUBE you will get a massive 30% off of your first box.

Love, Maddie x

HOLIDAY BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

I have just returned from an amazing holiday to Morocco so I thought it was a good idea to share with you my Holiday Beauty Essentials. Trust me, my make up bags were absolutely brimming, so I have just picked out a handful of things that I think are the absolute necessities for travel.

First up are these cleansing face wipes from a brand I have only recently discovered - YesTo. I am literally obsessed with these cleansing wipes, they are coconut scented so they smell divine. They make your face feel really hydrated and do a good job at removing make up, including waterproof mascara! I also took these in my hand luggage so I could use them to clean my hands on the plane. 

I have so many skincare products so it was really difficult to decide on what to take with me. I opted for this REN wonderful night-time facial. It's really moisturising and smells nice too. This particular one is 10ml so it was perfect for travel and the size also meant that I could take it on the plane with me.

Batiste is my ultimate holiday essential! When I am on holiday my hair tends to get 'dirtier' quicker from all the sun cream and pool water. Instead of washing my hair every single day, I like to use dry shampoo in between washes to freshen up my hair. I chose the tropical Batiste because it smells AMAZING and reminds me of holidays! You can also pick this up in mini travel sized cans which is super handy if you're on a luggage weight restriction.

Next up is my trusty Tangle Teezer! It is compact so it doesn't take up lots of room and it also has a cap which prevents things getting caught up in the bristles. The Tangle Teezer can also be used on both wet and dry hair so it is really handy to take to the pool.

If you're like me and you don't tan what so ever, then bronzer is going to be your best friend whilst on holiday! My all time favourite is Benefits Hoola. Its a lovely matte bronzer with cool undertones. It also comes with a little compact brush so you don't need to worry about packing one.

Cleaning make up brushes is always a chore but if you're going away for a long period then you're going to have to clean your brushes at some point. Beautyblender's Solid Cleanser is perfect for travelling because it is so . You won't need to worry about packing a big bottle of baby shampoo or brush cleanser because this does the same job.

A good highlighter is also a necessity. If you don't feel like wearing a full face of make up, then you can pop on a little bit of this to give you a lovely healthy looking glow. I loooove Benefit's High Beam because it looks so natural and blends really well.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I'd love to hear what products you take with you on your holidays!
Love, Maddie x

WE ONLY WANT YOU FOR YOUR BODY - ANATOMICALS REVIEW

For those of you who don't know me, I am a graphic designer so I am a sucker for fun and creative packaging. I was so happy when I got this package through the door from Anatomicals. Not only are their products great but the language used on their packaging is just brilliant. The attention to detail is superb and the random and humorous paragraphs are just guaranteed to make you laugh (or at least smile!). Their slogan is 'we only want you for your body'. 

I had never tried anything from their brand before, but I had seen some of their products on both Asos and Urban Outfitters, so I was really excited to try out this little selection.

The first product I got was the 'Hawaii Five-Glow Tropical Hydrating Face Mask'. This mask is enriched with coconut water, papaya and pineapple extracts, cocoa seeds and soy beans to cleanse skin and leave silky smooth. The bright yellow packaging is great and the smell reminds me of holidays! There is a generous 15ml in the sachet which is enough to cover your entire face.
After applying this all over my face and leaving it to work its magic for about 15 minutes, I then wiped it off with a wet cloth. It left my face feeling smooth and hydrated.

Next, I got another face mask, this one is the 'Farewell The Scarlet Pimplehell Deep Cleansing Mud Mask'. This contains special minerals to absorb oils and deeply embedded dirt and make up. It helps control spots and fights blackheads. This thick and gloopy mud smells quite nice. I had applied a generous layer to my face and there was still some left over, so I gave this to my sister for her to use.
I left this on my face for about 20 minutes whilst I had a bath, and once it set, I wiped it off with a wet cloth. I really love how you can benefit from all the goodness in such a short space of time. 

I was also given a 'Puffy The Eye Bag Slayer Revitalising Eye Mask'. This gel eye mask has an elasticated strap that slips over your head and can be used either hot or cold. Just place it in hot water or in the fridge for 10 minutes. I used mine cold to help soothe my eyes. I love how this mask can be reused and the name is cool as well! 

Finally, I have the 'Englands Clean and Pleasant Hand Norfolk Lavender Hand Wipes'. This is a pack of 15 wipes. I don't really like the smell of lavender so I wasn't expecting to like these wipes. However, the scent was subtle and not overpowering, so they were actually quite pleasant. My hands felt clean and moisturised after using the wipes so they have the thumbs up from me! This pack is the perfect size for slipping in to my handbag because I am always carrying around antibacterial gel or wipes when I am catching the bus to college.

If you have tried out anything from Anatomicals, let me know! I'd love to know what your favourite products are. 

Shop the whole Anatomicals range on ASOS and on Urban Outfitters

Love, Maddie x

LIZ EARLE BRIGHTENING TREATMENT MASK REVIEW

Hello again!

Last week I was lucky enough to be sent this Brightening Treatment Mask from the wonderful Liz Earle. I have only recently started using Liz Earle skin care as I have always been too lazy to cleanse, exfoliate and drown my skin in moisturisers every morning/night.

Since trying Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish I have taken a lot more care in looking after my skin. 

Problem: dull, lacklustre skin.

Solution: our fast-acting mask instantly revitalises dull skin. It contains stimulating camphor oil and toning witch hazel to help give your skin a natural-looking radiance.

Use in the morning or whenever a quick fix is needed.

Naturally active ingredients include aloe vera, witch hazel and white clay.

This treatment mask soon became a staple in my skincare routine. Apply a generous layer over your face and then wipe using the muslim cloth that came in the set. I love how you only need to leave it on for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. I tend to put it on at night and leave it on whilst I brush my teeth etc. This is enough time to benefit from all of the natural ingredients, aloe vera, witch hazel and white clay.

This mask leaves my skin feeling and looking healthy and radiant. It helps calm my irritated skin and helps reduce redness and dark circles. 

I am very impressed with this product and this is definitely one that I will be repurchasing myself. I look forward to trying other products in their skincare range, I know for certain that they won't let me down!

Want to try out Liz Earle for yourself? The Brightening Treatment Mask Starter Kit is available to buy here for £16.00.

Alternatively, you can check out the whole skincare range here.

I'd love to know what your favourite products are! 
Love, Maddie x

JURLIQUE SKINCARE REVIEW

Hi everybody, I hope you are all well.

The latest additions to my skincare routine are these beautiful products from Jurlique! 

Jurlique is a cruelty free brand who apply advanced technologies to biodynamic ingredients from their Australian farm to produce high performance and quality skin care.

Rosewater Balancing Mist

So what does it do?

This light, hydrating mist with precious rose essential oil is designed to help improve skin tone, moisture levels and skin balance. Marshmallow (Althaea Officinalis Root Extract) and Aloe help to hydrate skin's surface. Skin feels hydrated, refreshed and dewy.

The benefits are:

• Restores and hydrates skin
• Skin is refreshed, balanced and soothed
• Possesses antioxidant properties

I use this mist as a toner after cleansing and when I feel that my skin needs hydrating. I have been using this product for over a week now and it has definitely made my skin look more radiant and healthy. It is a must for these cold wintery months where I need to take a bit more care with my skin.

The delicate rose scent is elegant and not too overpowering - a must for any lovers of rose scented products. It also comes in a matte glass bottle which I really love because it looks super elegant in your bathroom.

Overall I would score this product a 7/10.

Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Cleanser

Next up we have the hydrating foaming cleanser. 

This lightweight cleanser is packed with an antioxidant complex that helps moisturise and protect dry and dehydrated skin.

The benefits are:

• Dissolves dirt and impurities
• Enhances cell turnover
• Provides immediate and lasting hydration

I am a big fan of cleansers so I was really excited to see how this compares to my usual. 

It is really lightweight, it doesn't feel heavy on the skin and it leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed (what more can you ask for?!). Again, the rose scent is not too overpowering.

The packaging is simple and sturdy and it is the perfect size for taking away on holidays or weekends away. 

I would score this cleanser a solid 8/10.

Want to try Jurlique for yourself? Check out their full range of skincare products here.

Love, Maddie x

L'OREAL INFALLIBLE 24HR FOUNDATION REVIEW

Hello! I hope you've had a good week. 

Last weekend, I managed to pick up the L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Foundation and Matte Powder.

Okay, so maybe I didn't entirely neeeed these products but after trying out the testers in store I really couldn't resist! (Plus, I did get to use up some of my Superdrug beauty points!)

The L'Oreal Infallible 24hr foundation costs £9.99 and the Matte powder costs £4.99, but I was lucky enough to snap up these products on a 'buy one get one half price' deal in Superdrug.
I've heard everyone raving about the Infallible primer and Matte foundation so I was super excited to get my hands on these.

The foundation claims:

• 24 hour coverage
• No transfer
• No visible imperfections
• No visible shine
• No dry-out
• No mask-effect

It is also enriched with hydrating hyaluron and extreme hold pigments for optimum comfort.

This foundation comes in 8 different shades with 'Porcelain' being the lightest and 'Golden Sun' being the darkest. Of course, I picked up the lightest shade for my milk bottle skin tone.

I have quite oily skin and I always opt for a full coverage. I applied two layers of this so it's totally buildable and it didn't leave me looking really cakey.

However, my face ended up pretty shiney after a full day at college. So unfortunately, it didn't last 24 hours like it claimed to, but what do you expect?

The Infallible Matte powder comes in 3 different shades. Again, I picked up the lightest shade which is 123 Warm Vanilla.

I applied this over the foundation to reduce shine and I was really impressed with the matte finish that it gave. 

Another thing that I really like about this product is that it has a little mirror in the compartment underneath, so it is ideal for touch ups on the go!

Overall, I was really impressed with these products and I would definitely repurchase them again.

Check out the Infallible range in Superdrug here

Love, Maddie x

AEOS SKINCARE OPTIMAL ESSENTIALS REVIEW

Hello there, I hope you are having a good day. 
I cannot believe we are more than half way through January, Christmas seems so long ago now. One of my new years resolutions was to properly look after my skin and to make sure I had a skincare routine to follow for the new year. 

I recently tried out some new products from AEOS (Active Energised Organic Skincare)

About the brand
AEOS is an organic brand who use the essential oils of plants and herbs to provide moisture and hydration to the skin. The products are all organic and contain no toxins or synthetics. I tried out the AEOS Optimal Essentials kit,which is designed for maximum hydration and nourishment.

3 Phase System
AEOS products are designed to be used together as a 3 phase system to allow the products to penetrate to deeper layers of the skin to allow maximum effects.

Morning
Phase 1: Renewal
Begin by cleansing your skin with the Gentle cleansing lotion and follow with the Gentle exfoliant. 
The smell is so fresh so it makes me feel more awake in the mornings. 

Phase 2: Rebalance
After cleansing, you should use the Energising condition, followed by the Refreshing Hydrating mist. 

Phase 3: Replenish
The final part of the morning routine is applying the Realive Serum followed by the Enriching Moisturiser. 
A little goes a long way with the moisturiser, you really do not need a lot. I leave the moisturiser to settle for a minute or so and then proceed to apply my makeup. 

Evening
Phase 1: Renewal
First start by removing all makeup with the Cleansing Oil de Maq and follow by cleansing with the Dew Facial Wash.
I found that this oil is very good at removing all traces of makeup including mascara (BONUS!)

Phase 2: Rebalance
Apply the Energising Conditioner followed by the Refreshing Hydrating Mist. 

Phase 3: Replensish
The final step is to apply the Realive Serum followed by the Enriching Moisturiser.

I am so glad that I got to try out these products. My skin definitely looks and feels more healthy after trying these products and I believe this is all down to the Phase 3 system and the natural ingredients. 
My favourite products from this range were the Cleansing Oil de Maq, Realive Serum and the Refreshing Hydrating Mist. 

Want to try AEOS yourself? The Optimal Essentials kit is available to buy here for £68.

Love, Maddie x

GET TO KNOW ME TAG

Hello again!

So today I am going to be doing the Get To Know Me Tag so you can find out a little more about me.

Me
Nicknames: Maddie, Madd
Birthday: 3rd May
Starsign: Taurus
Occupation: Full time college student, part time receptionist and shop assistant

Appearance
Hair colour: Blonde
Hair length: Medium
Eye colour: Hazel
Braces: I've already had them
Tattoos: None, I'm not 18 and I don't particularly want any
Piercings: Two in ear lobes, nose and belly button
Left or right handed: Left

Favourites
Film: I literally don't have a favourite but I'm into comedies and horrors
TV show: KUWTK, Corrie
Book: Paper towns
Drink: SMOOTHIES
Shoes: Vans
Restaurant: Oooo anywhere that serves pizza and pasta
Holiday destination: Has to be EGYPT!!! This year will be my 8th holiday there

Currently
Feeling: Ridiculously tired
Single or taken: Taken
Watching: The Sacconejolys
Wearing: Cosy rabbit onesie from Primark!
Listening to: Nothing atm
Eating: The last thing I ate was a Mcdonalds.. healthy I know

Randoms
Time spent getting ready in mornings: About 45 minutes
Favourite YouTubers: Sacconejolys, Emily Canham, Jake Boys, Zoe and Alfie, Joe, Hannah Renee, Chloe Morton, Eve Bennett (I HAVE SO MANY TO LIST!)
Number of selfies taken a day: I take selfies on good face days
Where do you want to live? London
Favourite artists: Ed Sheeran, The 1975, Justin Bieber
Hobbies: Graphic Design and watching YouTube


So that's the end of this post, I hope you enjoyed reading a bit more about me.
I will have some product reviews up by the end of the week and maybe a small beauty haul, who knows!

Love, Maddie x

WOULD YOU RATHER BEAUTY TAG

Questions:

1) If you had £1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup? 

I'd have to say makeup because there is sooooo many products that I am desperate to try out!

2) Would you rather only shop at MAC or Sephora?

Well we don't have a Sephora in the UK so it would have to be MAC. However, if I had the choice I'd choose Sephora because there is so many brands to choose from.

3) Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?

I'd definitely have to go without nail polish. I don't know what I'd do without makeup.

4) Would you rather have no eyelashes or no eyebrows?

No eyebrows because I fill mine in anyway! I wouldn't be able to apply false eye lashes every day haha!

5) Would you rather use just one eye shadow colour or one lip colour for the rest of your life?

I'd have to say one eye shadow colour because I tend to use the same colours daily anyway.

6) Would you rather have Kylie Jenners lips or Cara Delevignes brows?

CARAS BROWS! Gosh, that girls brows are on fleek.

7) Would you rather only wash your hair once a month or only brush your teeth once a month?
This has to be the grossest question. I'd say only wash my hair once a month because you can use dry shampoo. 

8) Would you rather throw away your entire makeup collection or your entire skincare collection?

I have so much more makeup products so I'd say I'd have to get rid of my skincare collection.

9) Would you rather have a faint monobrow that you can't remove or a faint moustache that you can't remove?

Hmmmm... I'd rather have a faint monobrow lol!

10) Would you rather have a bad haircut or a bad hair colour?
I'd rather have a bad haircut because eventually it would grow out and you can always tie it up so it's not on show.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed answering these questions! 

Please let me know some of your ideas for future blog posts! 

M x