Yankee Candle Haul

I've wanted a wax burner/warmer for years, but am not allowed naked flames in the house. I looked at electric ones a couple years ago, but there weren't many options and they were much more expensive than tealight ones. Then, last week, Hannah reminded me of them and I went on an online hunt. The selection still isn't great, and they're still not the cheapest, but my parents offered to buy me one for my birthday (I'm going to be 22 on the 20th). I bought the one above from here, and then set about buying some wax tarts to go with it. 

I know I went a little overboard, but I just got excited about finally being able to buy them! I bought 10 from this listing for £11.95, and another 10 from Yankee Direct (another recommendation from Hannah). The ones from Yankee Direct were 'buy 10 pay for 8', and delivery was £1.95 (£2.95 if you spend £10-£24.99 and £3.95 if you spend over £25).

They're already scenting my room, and I haven't even opened them yet! Salted Caramel is particularly strong, and one I can't see my parents appreciating, so I'm going to break it into smaller pieces.

I also wanted to try some wax melts from smaller brands to see how they compare, so look out for another haul.

Are you a fan of wax tarts? What's your favourite brand, scent, and place to buy them?

Reading | Kindle Paperwhite

I've never been against eReaders, because reading is reading, but I've just never felt the need for one myself. My dad has the original Kindle, and my sister the Fire HDX, so I'd borrow theirs. I also like going charity shopping for books, even receiving Amazon orders and opening that satisfying packaging. Still, I was running out of room and wanted my own collection of eBooks on my own device, so I bought the Kindle Paperwhite (from Boots because they've just started selling them and I had points vouchers!). 

I was going to get the Fire HDX because the graphics are obviously better, but I'd only use it for reading, so it made sense to go for the Kindle designed for just that. The Paperwhite isn't back-lit like tablets, so doesn't tire your eyes, it doesn't glare in the light, and it has a significantly longer battery life.

Yes, you do have to pay for the device and then the books on top of that, and there's no excitement in the buying of them, but there's so many more pros. It holds over 1000 books, saving space, it's a lot more comfortable to hold, you don't even have to hold it to be able to read (handy when you're eating on your lunch break), you never lose your place, and you're able to look up words with the built in dictionary. There's also plenty of free/cheap books available, which you're able to download and read within seconds.

There's this divide between paper and digital reading, but they're both reading at the end of the day, so I don't see a problem. I'll still continue to go to charity shops and buy my favourites in hard copy, but I'll just be reading more on the Kindle.

My case is from a brand called Punchcase, and was bought in Tesco for a few pounds during one of their sales. This was a couple of years ago, though, for my sister's old device. It's available on Amazon here, but they want £25.99 for it.

I've only got four books on my Kindle at the moment, so would love to add more with your recommendations. I also have a Goodreads profile here, where I'd love to add more friends.

2014 Favourites: Part One

I wasn't planning on having this many favourites, so I've split them into a couple posts. As you can see, this one contains the makeup!

There's clearly a theme with the lip products, with them either being coral or red. The ones above are No7 BB Lips Beauty Balm in Berry Rose, L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Exclusive Reds Lipstick in Julianne, Maybelline Colour Elixir in Alluring Coral, NYX Butter Gloss in Peach Cobbler, The Body Shop Colour Crush Shine Lipstick in Sunset Romance, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Frambourjoise, Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon, and No7 BB Lips Beauty Balm in Geranium. Some are glossy, some are matte, some are sheer, some are opaque, but they are all absolutely beautiful.

Another lip product I've been loving is the Blistex Intensive Moisturiser. Hands down, the best lip balm I've ever tried. Unlike many, it doesn't just act as a barrier, but actually improves the condition of your lips.

I started wearing foundation in 2014, after not being able to get on with any for years. The No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation changed that. The packaging is practical, it's one of the lighter shades on the highstreet, it gives a full coverage, and doesn't feel heavy or look cakey.

The Body Shop's All In One Face Base in 02 is a product I've been using for a couple years now. It's silky and provides a little extra coverage. I've yet to come across anything better.

I don't like the handles of the Real Techniques Stippling and Powder Brushes because they take up so much room in my brush holder, but I've been using them nearly every day for the past year and they're still looking good. They've held their shape and haven't shed a hair, so I'm really pleased with them.

The No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter is just beautiful. It's the perfect candlelight shade and is easy to blend. 

The ELF Studio Eyebrow Kit in Light. I've been through so many of these over the years. I used to use the Medium shade, but started using Light in 2013/2014 and find that it's a much better suiting.

I had a couple styes in October that lead to me pulling out my eyelashes (I know), and the Eylure Individual False Lashes saved the day. I only used the short ones to fill in the gaps I had, but they looked natural and weren't that difficult to apply. They didn't last more than a day because of cleansing, but they lasted through the day without any problems. 

Another product I started using for the same reasons is the Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Black, and I now use it every day. It's jet black, easy to apply, and lasts all day, even on the upper waterline.

To my lower lash line, I smudge in the Maybelline Eye Studio Colour Tattoo Cream Gel Eyeshadow in On and On Bronze. It's a beautiful metallic shade that lasts all day.

Maybelline really is my favourite brand for eye products! The Rocket Mascara is another favourite of mine that I've been using for years. I don't find it clumpy in the slightest, and it really lengthens the hairs.

The last products are cream blushes. NYX's Cream Blush in Natural is my favourite blush of all time, and I've just hit pan! So proud. It's pigmented, creamy, and easy to blend. The Illamasqua Cream Blushers in Dixie and Seduce are also great, although not quite as creamy. The shades, though, are beautiful.

Are you a fan of any of these products? What were your favourites of 2014?

Lush Sale Haul

It was the early morning of Boxing Day, and I found myself dreaming of the Lush sale. You'd think I was a mad fan of the brand, but I'm not. Anyway, this dream woke me and I couldn't get back to sleep, so up I got, thinking the sale would have just started. Hours passed and still no sale. Then, when it did start, there were difficulties with the site. Most of the Christmas products I wanted didn't even show up, so I settled with four items (three of which were from the permanent line).

I bought a large bottle of Snow Fairy for £5.97, which is still overpriced for a shower gel. I like the pear drop and cotton candy scent, though, and it's one of the few that actually lingers on my skin. I had my last bottle for about 10 months before I started using it, and it still smelt the same as when I first bought it.

I then added an Each Peach (And Two's A Pair) massage bar to my basket for £2.97. I already have and love this, and it's still smelling great after all this time, so thought I may as well get another while it's half price!

I received two shampoo bars for Christmas, but that didn't stop me buying two more. How could I resist when they were down to £2.87 each? I'm going to keep the ones I'm not using in a vacuum bag to ensure they stay fresh! I've already owned Squeaky Green in the past, but am most excited to use one of the new additions; Honey I Washed My Hair. I believe my first introduction to Lush was a set gifted to me on my birthday many years ago. If I remember correctly, it contained a Butterball bath bomb and a chunk of Honey I Washed The Kids soap. The sweet scent now brings back memories and I find it comforting. They just need to bring out a Comforter smelling shampoo bar now!

Did you manage to pick anything up in the sale? I couldn't get to a store because of work, but will hopefully have more luck next time!

What I Got For Christmas

For Christmas this year, we knew most of the presents we were getting from one another in my family. It wasn't as 'exciting', but we all received things we really wanted this way. I decided to choose things I wouldn't normally buy myself. For example, I couldn't justify buying the Topshop Dressing Gown (so soft!), Lush's Ro's Argan Body Conditioner (love, but expensive) or Lindt Lindor Maxi Ball for myself, so asked my parents for them. They also bought me Lush's Montalbano and Braziliant Shampoo Bars, Accessorize Koala Slippers, and a tin of sweets (mostly for the tin to store my baking bits in!).

From my sister, I received the Clintons Heart Print Diary (great quality pages), Paperchase List Book and Pen (love the print), battenberg shaped tin with recipe notes (we used to eat these on the way home from school - makes me feel sick just thinking about it now!), Next Apricot Blossom LED Candles, Next Apricot Blossom Reed Diffuser (had the smaller one previously and loved it), a pretty Next glass for milkshakes, and some sweet treats.

I just wanted to show you the things I chose, instead of everything I received. I had to include the Debenhams Fox Slippers my friend got me, though, because they're so cute!

I hope you had a good Christmas!

Boots Star Gift - No7 Ultimate Collection

The last Star Gift leading up to Christmas is the No7 Ultimate Collection. It's better than half price at £37, down from £75. They've annoyingly increased the price from last year, but you still get £124.45 worth (the box says 'over £130 worth', but I've worked it out to be £124.45). I bought this for the Protect and Perfect Intense creams, which are £23 and £24 on their own. I'm also intrigued to try the rest of the contents in the smaller box. I'm thinking about leaving the products in the larger box and giving as a present, possibly for Mother's Day.

In the No7 Ultimate Collection, you receive:

Protect and Perfect Intense Day Cream - £23

Protect and Perfect Intense Night Cream - £24

Protect and Perfect Intense Hand Cream - £10.50

Beautiful Skin Dry Skin Rescue - £12

Lovely Lashes Mascara in Black - £12.95

BB Lips Beauty Balm in Ballerina - £9

Blissful Body Wash - £7.50

Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion - £9.50

Sumptuous Bath Soak - £7.50

Completely Quenched Body Lotion - £8.50

I think this would make a great last minute Christmas gift, especially because it's packaged so beautifully. Or you can buy it for yourself, like I did!

Foundation (No7 Beautifully Matte and Stay Perfect)

2014 has been the year I've started wearing foundation. Before, I just used concealer because I didn't like the way foundation looked on my skin, or the colour selections available. I would have continued doing so, but as well as using it on blemishes and under my eyes, I started using it on the rosy bottoms of my cheeks and my nose where there's so many freckles that it's a couple shades darker than the rest of my face. I thought it'd be more cost effective to just buy a foundation.

I bought the No7 Beautifully Matte (£13.50) and Stay Perfect (£14.50) foundations because I had a Boots employee voucher. I wouldn't have bought them if it wasn't for this, but now that I've used them, I'd buy them again. I have the lightest shade (Calico) in both of these, and although I think it's still one shade too dark for me, my sister insists it looks fine. It's also lighter than most other highstreet foundations I've seen. Although the Stay Perfect packaging looks more appealing, with its glass bottle, the Beautifully Matte one is definitely more practical, pushing the product up so none is wasted. Aside from this, they're very similar, in terms of formulation. The Beautifully Matte one is ever so slightly more matte (hence the name), but that's it. They both have a medium to full coverage, don't feel heavy or look cakey, and have an SPF of 15. They don't keep my oily complexion at bay all day, though, even with a primer and powder, so I have to use shine absorbing sheets half way through to help control this.

I would absolutely love for them to bring out a lighter shade, but for now, these are doing a great job, and have converted me to foundation. I would love to try some others, though, so let me know your recommendations (especially if you're as pale as me!).