Nip & Fab Haul & First Impressions

Nip and Fab seem to be the brand that everyone is talking about at the moment, they have a highly raved about skincare line and to add to that a makeup line that is focuses on quality. After seeing so many people talk about their products, it was time I tried them and here's what I picked up. 

As a general note, the packaging for their makeup line is very simple yet so pleasing to the eye. I love anything monochrome and creating a line with fuss free packaging is just the way to my heart, its simple, sleek and looks good in the colletion too. Their skincare products similarly have sleek packaging, each different range has a colour scheme which makes it easier to know which products contain the same star ingredient. 

The two skincare items are from the Glycolic Fix range, this is their best selling range and I have very high hopes. Both products aim to give the skin radiance and exfoliate to leave a smoother complexion. I've only been using these for around a week so can't give you my whole opinion but so far so good. I've been using the cleansing pads (£12.95) every morning before applying makeup and the scrub every other night. Together both of these have made my skin look brighter and pores next to invisible, it has to be done to these glycolic heroes as nothing else in my routine has changed. Very exctied to see what contiuned use will mean. 

The first makeup product that went straight into the basket was a liquid lipstick, this is in the shade Biscuit (£7.95). It was a tough challenge choosing which one to order, there are ten shades in total and each one is on the nude spectrum. As the range is new, there aren't really any swatches floating around apart from what is on instagram but I went with my gut and ordered this shade. This shade is really pretty when you swatch it but on the lips it is completely different, it is a true brown shade and doesn't compliment my skin tone very well. Applying a darker/pink lip liner underneath helps slightly but I think I need to go to a stand and see all the shades. Formula wise it is very matte, long lasting and dries instantly! 

The next two purchases were real no brainers, I love a good palette and one that has multiple shades for different moods are my favourite. The Blushed palette (£8.95) is an absoutle bargain, containing four completely different shades it is one palette perfect for the summer. All four of these shades are very pigmented, so you only need a small swipe on the cheeks and they are all matte! I love a good matte blush because it is so much easier to wear with all the other things you apply to the cheeks. My favourite way to wear these are actually mixing them in a diagonal pattern, combined they create some gorgeous looks. 

Now the last product is the one that I am the most excited about, a highligher palette (not that I need another one). Let me introudce you to the Stroboscopic palette (£15), that includes six gorgeous golden, sunkissed shades that I am head over heels in love with. Each shade is buttery, pigmented and not glittery. I've used all the shades at least once to see what they are like and each one is beautiful on my skin tone, can't pick a favourite just yet but I have a feeling it's going to be the middle, bottom row. These shades also look like they would make a gorgeous brown eye look, can't wait to try them as eyeshadows! 

Overall, I am beyond impressed with Nip & Fab, makeup and skincare alike. Can't wait to carry on using them and see what happens, also need to pop into a store with a makeup stand to swatch the eyeshadow palettes, other lipsticks, foundations and concealers - basically the whole range! 

Have you ever tried anything from Nip and Fab?! 

Lazy Girl's Guide to Fitness

I find that all people talk about at this time of year is getting fit, the holiday countdown is on and wedding season is just around the corner. Now more than ever, people are wanting to tone up, eat better and get fit - of course I am one of those people. Even though I despise too much exercise, finding ways of making it fun and enjoyable gets me through it. Here are some simple ways to add some fitness into your life without even thinking about it...this is for you lazy girl's out there like me! 

Get Your Feet Ready For Sandal Season

Personally, I think that it is now appropriate to wear open toed shoes, sandals and wedges. Its May so you don't need any excuse, get those summer shoes out! Work rules don't permit me to wear open toe/sandals plus I wear tights half the time with my uniform but every other opportunity that I get those summer shoes will be out in full force.

If you are anything like me however, then your toes have been hibernating for the past six months. Layered under socks and stuffed inside boots and wooly tights, safe to say they need some TLC and here are some easy ways to do that. 

Wearable Everyday Eye Palettes

A few years ago, if you'd have told me that I would be someone who wears eye shadow on a daily basis then I would probably laugh. The hassle of spending that extra time in the morning to create an eye look did not appeal to me, however over the last few months I have loved wearing eye shadow on a daily basis. Not a smokey eye with winged liner but more of a subtle swish of colours over the lid and I am good to go. My go to palettes include shades along the brown, beige and taupe spectrum because they are the easiest shades to wear and always look good no matter the outfit. I also have so many eye products and they don't get enough love, this way I can finally hit pan on an eyeshadow!!

For When Your Skin Needs A Boost

Early morning get ups and late nights have really taken a toll on my skin, it's looking dull and drained. No matter what or how much makeup I apply it still looks meh and boring. If you're experiencing the same thing or ever do these are just a few ways/products that can help to combat this and get you looking alive again without being too over the top. 

The most important way to give your skin the boost it needs is to think about what you put it in, water, vitamins and healthy food will give you an instant lift and feel good feeling. One thing to ditch is of course sugar, I can't cut it out of my life completely because girl needs her cake. But having days where I avoid any processed sugar helps me a great deal. It is also amazing how drinking water every day as much as you can helps the skin, mine feels so much more hydrated and supple, even if I have to go to the toilet about hundred times. 

Skincare wise, I bring out all the radiant claiming products that work. I've only had the L'Oreal Glow Mask for a few days but I am already in love, applying this for 5 or even 15 minutes gives my skin such a gorgeous finish. It also makes it feel really soft and cleansed, if you're yet to try out these masks, then please go and try! I also love the Caudalie VineActiv Moisturiser* applying this under makeup or even on its own makes my skin feel and look amazing.Its a really light formula that blends straight in without feeling heavy/looking oily. If an oil is more your thing then the Kiehls Midnight Recovery is the one.  When you apply this before going to bed, I guarantee you that you will wake up with new skin. The ingredients in here are combined beautifully to give your skin time to rest overnight and work wonders. 

Then there's the makeup that will instantly give your skin a boost. The products that you get excited over using are also going to give you a boost. For me this includes the NARS Orgasm Blusher & Too Faced Bronzer. Both of these add a gorgeous shimmer to the skin and make me look 100% more awake and alive. The blusher in particular has gold running through it so when it hits the sun it looks gorgeous. I said earlier that makeup hasn't been helping my skin look any better but these two products along with a good old highlighter helps. Applying a bit of highlight along the cheekbones, cupids bow and my new favourite place, the nose makes me look better compared to how I feel. Of course we can't forget concealer, the product that I can not live without. Recently, I've become a concealer junkie and applying different ones all around my face helps to make me look better than any foundation does.

These products are on rotation at the moment in a bid to give my skin a very needed boost! What products do you love when your skin needs a boost? 

The Foundation That Is Everyone's Holy Grail

Recently, I have become a foundation junkie. Always wanting to try them and see the different formula's around. Since discovering the Lancome foundation, its given me a urge to try out more high end foundations to see how they wear and compare. I took to the Internet to find out what other foundations people love, the one that constantly came out on top was the Estee Lauder Double Wear. This is actually one foundation that I have wanted to try for the longest time due to everything that it claims to be and do, next thing you know I'm in Debenhams at the counter getting shade matched. 

I actually matched to a range of shades, but went with the middle one in order to balance it out all year round. When I get darker in the summer, I'll need to invest in some sort of shade adjusting, mixer product to darken it up.