Face and Foundation Routine | Nars Sheer Glow 

Preparing my skin before applying foundation is just as important (if not, more so) than the foundation I use.

1. First of all I wash my face with The Body Shop Seaweed Facial Wash and then wipe my face with a damp muslin cloth. 
2. I then spritz some of the Sanctuary Pore Refining Toner onto my face to minimise the appearance of pores and calm redness.
3. I apply a thin layer of the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo to further reduce redness.
4. Finally I will apply my current moisturiser: Clinique's Moisture Surge. I only have a sample size pot at the moment as I wanted to try it before I burnt a hole in my purse but it is soooo good! The woman at the Clinique counter instructed me to only use it a couple times a week but my skin is so dry that using it daily works wonders!

The foundation I reach for when I want a flawless, high coverage finish, is the oh-so-raved-about Nars Sheer Glow. I'd heard so many beauty bloggers talk about this and say how good it was and I could not resist trying it. When I first started using it, it appeared a little dry and cakey on certain areas of my skin. However, I now apply it  when my moisturiser is still damp with a flat foundation brush all over my face and I then buff it in with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush and this leaves my face looking flawless. 

When I was matched up in Space.NK I was the shade Deauville (Light 4) and I find it still matches my skin tone even when I have a tan.

It covers up any red patches really well and truly does leave you with a sheer glow which I love as it doesn't look oily nor dry.

It lasts really well and stays on pretty much all day! For extra stay I spritz on some of The Body Shop's Vitamin E Face Mist which you can read all about on my blog post here. 

alice x

Nail Varnish Review | Essie Splash of Grenadine 

I cannot get enough of this amazing nail varnish! The colour is so nice and I'm a massive fan of essie nail varnishes as they glide on the nails so perfectly. I got it from boots in the colour 'Splash of Grenadine'

Rings

Ring Finger: Gone Potty

Index Finger: Pandora

I finish my nails with a coat of essie all in one base which gives them a super smooth glossy finish. I also prep my nails with this as it's multifunctional and is made to be used as a protecting base whilst strengthening the nails and also acting as a top coat. 

alice x

How an Apple A Day really keeps the Doctor away

We've all heard the oh so famous quote "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away" and I'm not saying that if you live on a diet of apples you'll never have to visit the white walls of the doctors surgery again, but I thought I'd share with you how it can contribute to a healthier (illness free) life.

Helps Balance Blood Sugar Levels: the antioxidants and fructose in the apples help to slow the speed at which the sugar is absorbed in the bloodstream and this prevents blood sugar imbalance which in turn helps to prevent irritability, anxiety, depression, poor concentration, cravings for sweet foods and excessive thirst.

Tackles Diarrhoea and Constipation: apples contain pectin which can work as a base or an acid (which is known as having an amphoteric action bit of chemistry for you there folks) and this means that it can contribute to relief from both constipation and diarrhoea

Helps Strengthen Bones: apple skin contains phlorizin which can help to prevent bone loss associated with menopause due to its inflammation fighting properties and as it fights free-radical production and strengthening your bones will reduce the risk of osteoporosis. 

Helps Lower Cholesterol: pectin and other components helps to lower the amount of LDL (unhealthy fats - low density lipoproteins as opposed to HDL) and slow down it's oxidation which helps to prevent the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Benefits of low cholesterol include the lowered risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Comment below if you like this style of post and would like to know the benefits of other foods (and what foods in particular!) 

alice x

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Mini Haul | Cabot Circus 

I recently took the train to Bristol for a quick shop and thought I'd share with you a few of the items I bought. I am in desperate need of new clothes for college but couldn't seem to find to many things which caught my eye which was disappointing... Anyhow, here are my purchases!

First of all is this book from Foyles: (which is an amazing bookstore) F**k It Therapy by John Parkin  which I had been wanting for quite a while. It's a philosophy style book and it basically telling you not to sweat the small stuff, how the issue that is stressing you out really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things and to relax and let go. I really cannot wait to read this and will do a blog post on it as soon as I have!

I found this lovely sheer striped top in primark which would I think would look great worn with a bralet (does anyone know of a place that sells any good ones?) underneath and a pair of jeans or a midi skirt. Also a bargain at only £5!

And after finding a bargain I completely splurged on a pair of trainers, which justifiably I did need! 

I then went to Zara and I seem to have a thing for stripey tops at the moment as I couldn't resist this t-shirt...

I really had to refrain myself when I was let loose in MAC, there were so many items I wanted but my bank account would not thank me if I spent all my money for the month in there! So I decided on this Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Asian Flower which is a really lovely purpley pink lipstick.

I've been wanting a pair of boyfriend style/ripped jeans for a long long time and when I saw these on the rail I fell in love and they felt soooo soft and lovely. However this turned out to be the item that looked great in the changing room and then when I put them on again at home.. not so great, so (heartbreakingly) I had to return them. If anyone knows of any good boyfriend jeans, please please let me know in the comments!

Last but not least is yet another top (even though I have too many tops and not enough bottoms??) and it's a just a really nice simple t-shirt from Topshop. 

alice x

July Favourites

My first beauty favourite of July would have to be my MAC Face and Body foundation. It's perfect for the summer months as it's really light in texture and doesn't feel heavy or sticky on the skin at all!

I've also been loving this very simple, very cheap clear Lash Care Mascara by Natural Collection. I've been using it to set my brows and it's done a great job of keeping them tidy and in place all day

The fragrance I've been loving this month is the Dolce and Gabbana 3 L'Imperatrice Eau De Toilette. It has a fruity yet sophisticated scent and features watermelon, rhubarb, musk and sandalwood. 

My book choice has to be A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. I'd been put off reading it for a while due to the huge size of it but I finally caved in as I like to read the book before I watch the program/film and I have a burning desire to watch this series. I really enjoyed this book and it's not short of action, I highly recommend if you are into action/adventure style books! 

Series wise, a bit late on the bandwagon, I've been hooked on Orange is the New Black. If you haven't seen it, it's about an unlikely convict who is sent to prison and her time whilst there and each episode it features a different story of why a certain inmate is there. I've really enjoyed the plot and characters, possibly too much as I almost finished both series in July! 

Let me know about the things you've been loving in the comments below!

Healthy Eating | Leon Fast Vegetarian 'Pearl Barley Risotto'

This recipe is a bit different as I cannot claim it as my own; I have taken in from the Leon Fast Vegetarian cookbook. This recipe book has the most delicious dishes in it and I absolutely love cooking from it and I just had to blog about one of them. I think my favourite is probably the butternut squash risotto or this one - the Pearl Barley Risotto, I just find that risotto dishes are really easy to make and sooo delicious!

Below are some images of the recipe if you want to try it out, I strongly recommend purchasing the book!!
(you can buy it here)  http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/henry+dimbleby/jane+baxter/leon3a+fast+vegetarian3a+book+5/10060205/

(sorry it's a bit difficult to read, comment below if anythings particularly unclear)

Health Benefits:

Mushrooms - cleansing and anti-inflammatory - feeds good bacteria in the gut - good source of vitamin D - contains anti-cancer substances

Onion and Leek - has a powerful antibiotic action - helps lower cholesterol - feeds good bacteria in the gut

Sugar Snap Peas - promotes a healthy digestive tract - boosts iron stores to combat fatigue - helps fight infection

Barley - helps feed bacteria in the gut - helps lower cholesterol - helps balance blood sugar levels

Lemon - helps prevent kidney stones - helps lower cholesterol - aids healthy digestion - helps remove accumulated toxins

Parsley - supports healthy kidneys and liver 

Let me know in the comments if you have an recipe books you recommend or if you have any risotto recipes!

The Chubby Stick | Revlon Just Bitten Kissable

As ever, I am late to join the trend and this time it's on the chubby stick. This is the first one I have tried and after great success with it, I can't wait to try more.

I purchased the 'Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain' in '005 Crush Begun'

The chubby stick is really easy to use and you can get a good application with minimal effort. You also get quite a lot of product with it as you twist the silver bottom in order to push more of the chubby stick up.

It gives a really even and smooth coverage and the colour is quite solid after just one application. I found it to have a really strong lasting power though as with all lipsticks, I have to check after several hours that I haven't been left with the lip-liner effect!

I really like the colour I bought this in as it's quite different from any of the lipsticks I own. It is quite a deep purple pink colour and I think it would compliment any skin tone. The balm stain costs £7.99 which I would say is average for a lip product in the high street but it's definitely worth every penny! I highly recommend this product and would love to hear about any of the chubby sticks you have been using!

http://www.boots.com/en/Revlon-ColorBurst-%C2%99-Balm-Stain_1208067/ 

link to purchase this product