Wednesday 25 May 2011

DIY facial!

Girls, Summer is just around the corner and that means we're all after that flawless complexion to flaunt sans make-up. Problem is you might find the solution for dull, blemished skin either costing you a pretty penny or a few more spots!

Expensive face-masks may work, but not for a student budget. Cheap face-masks may not cost you much money, but sensitive skins may be left looking worse than before!

As a sensitive skin sufferer, I've been through countless pots and tubes and sachets of face masks to try and get my skin looking good for the hotter months. The Lush Fresh Face Masks are the only real affordable miracle-workers I've found on the high-street, but at £5.25 a pot, they're not always cost effective for everyone!

After a couple of experiments in the kitchen, I've concocted an all natural face mask which is tightening, brightening and sensitive skin friendly.

You will need:
  • 1x small, ripe avocado (moisturising and anti-bacterial)
  • 1x small, ripe mango (brightening and tightening)
  • 1x bag of oats (exfoliating, moisturising and soothing)
  • 1x pot of manuka honey (anti-bacterial, soothing and healing)*
  • 1x blender/mixing bowl and electric hand blender

This little recipe is for 1-2 people, for sleepover numbers just adjust the quantities in accordance!

Step 1: Halve the avocado and the mango and put the other halves back in the fridge (healthy treats for later!). Remove the stone from the avocado, cut into quarters and peel off the skin. Do the same with the mango. Then finely chop both and place in a mixing bowl/blender (depending on which tools you have.

Step 2: Add a regular mug/cup of oats and a tablespoon of manuka honey into the mix.

Step 3: Blend until a thick but even consistency, about the same as whipped cream.

Step 4: Pour into a tupperware and put in the fridge to settle for half an hour (just in case there are any left overs, those can go in the fridge for another day/another person!)

Step 5: Take it out and slap it on! Apply thickly and evenly over the face. Leave for 20-30 minutes, then rinse off with cool water in circular motions.

Et voila! A clean, toned, exfoliated and brightened complexion for next to nothing! If you've tried it let me know how it went!

*N.B. Manuka Honey is more expensive than normal honey to buy, usually coming in at about £7.99 for a regular size pot (health food shops usually have the best deals!) but once you have it, you can use it for face masks, for putting on toast or even for putting in hot water with fresh lemon juice and ground ginger as a sore throat remedy!

    Saturday 14 May 2011

    violently sexy lips!

    OH. MY. GOD. If it was possible to fall in love with a beauty product I think I've just gone head over heels! On my blog travels I have stumbled across what I think has to be a cosmetic phenomenon!!

    Click here for Violent Lips!
     They're a temporary lip tattoo, just like those super cool temporary tattoos from about 10 years ago (no but seriously, these ones are amazing!). You cut them to fit your lips, wet them, hold them, then peel off the backing et voila! Hot lips like never before.

    The Pink Polka - around £9.25!

    Now I know what you're thinking, how the hell are they going to stay on?! Well the Violent Lips girls are always at hand to answer questions. As long as you follow their application tutorials and leave off eating and drinking (or kissing!) for 15 minutes after application then they can last you between 4-8 hours, perfect for a night out!

    Violent Lips already have a great range of colours and patterns, though in the next 3 weeks they will be adding an amazing 36 new designs to their website!

    The Leopard - around £9.25! (one of my favourites!)

    NOW is the time to buy these beauties too, because even though Violent Lips is in the US, for a limited time they are offering FREE international shipping when you buy any 3 products! (as with all International purchases it's always better to see if any friends want them too, works out cheaper for you!)

    What with the currency conversion, one design with three applications will cost you around £9.25 which just over £3 a tattoo, that's cheaper than your average set of falsies!

    PLUS this weekend they're offering 20% off all purchases with the code VLMDS, so you get even more for your money!! So go fill up your basket now!

    Thursday 5 May 2011

    juicy fruit!

    Last weekend I think I stumbled across the cutest little bikini on the market right now!

    If you've flicked through any of the fashion bibles recently you'll probably have seen Stella McCartney's fruity pieces, and there's plenty of imitations and inspirations on the high street.

    Stella McCartney RTW SS11
    H&M's new collections have been splashed about everywhere from TV screens to bus stops, and they've had some great pieces on show (alas the Seventies style jumpsuit they dangled in front of my eyes seems to have sold out everywhere!) BUT they haven't showcased this little beauty yet, and more fool them!
    Banana bikini top - £9.99
    Banana bikini bottoms - £7.99
    This adorable little two-piece is on trend for the Summer with a great design and cheap as you like! You can pick up the whole set for just £17.98! You can't see from these pictures but the bikini is a halterneck, has support panels at the sides and removeable padded inserts, so it can actually give you a good lift despite its non-supportive appearance.

    (N.B. having tried it on myself, I would say that this bikini is better suited to C cup sizes and smaller OR those with gravity-defying boobs!)

    It also has super cute pineapple charm details on the ends of the straps, continuing the fruity theme and sealing this bikini's status as a real steal!

    Sunday 1 May 2011

    a two-trend bargain!

    This Summer's style era: the Seventies.
    This Summer's most adorable pattern: polka dots.

    Sometimes the most simple pairings can produce the best results: I have just become the excited owner of a pair of these amazing navy with white polka-dot palazzo pants by Florence & Fred at Tesco for £16!


    F&F Spot Print Palazzo Trousers only £16 from Tesco!

    Please believe me when I say that palazzo pants work for almost everyone:

    • they lengthen the leg
    • they can create volume and shape for straight up and down figures
    • or they can slim down a larger leg (yay for me!!)
    • plus the high-waisted, flat-front is great for people who aren't big on tummy-showing!

    These super adorable palazzo pants combine the Seventies sensation, the palazzo pant with the cute polka-dot which is a favourite for Spring/Summer with fashion houses like MaxMara and Moschino. I'll be wearing them with a simple silk blouse, blocky suede platforms and lots of costume jewellery for an updated, eccentric look.

    MaxMara RTW SS11

    Moschino RTW SS11
    As well as looking great and being cheap, the F&F Palazzo Pants will also earn you valuable Clubcard points!! So go grab yourself a super-flattering, bang-on-trend bargain right....... now!