WHERE HAVE I BEEN?!

 HELLO!

WOW, this feels hella weird. Remember me? It's been over a year and a half since I last sat down and logged into this blog. I feel like a stranger in a place that used to feel like home. 

Let me tell you one thing - this pandemic - covid aside - has been surreal, for me. Let me give you a BIG life update..

Rewind back to March 2020, when the pandemic struck. I was a few months off of finishing my HND College Course in Photography. We'd just handed in our final project plans, when we went into lockdown. This meant one thing - changing our whole original idea. Sure, heartbroken, but determined nevertheless to deliver a strong project. In the end, I collaborated with my sister (who loves baking, check out her instagram) and created some mouth-watering treats and delicious photographs. I worked extremely hard, given I was working from home and still achieved a final grade A - not bad, right?

Since then, things have been wild! First off, I graduated. Not quite the graduation I imagined I'd have - in other words, non-existent due to the lockdowns - but education world had came to an end. Into the big bad world for Jasmine! Food and product photography land, here I come! I have been extremely fortunate to work with some INCREDIBLE clients, which I'm forever grateful for. I've shot packaging for Mathiesons; Dumfries House to be featured in Tatler Magazine; shot some tasty bread treats for Just Gluten Free Bakery to mention a few. The last few months though? MADNESS! 

Credit: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/317292736255797801/

Back in April, Central Bakery contacted me - an exciting new brand. Between July to September, I was shooting their super scrumptious puddings and running their social medias. Additionally, I've been shooting fun, exciting and creative content for Mackays - no, not the crisps, ice creams or whiskey, but the jam company. Alongside this, I've been working on creating a strong portfolio to reach a further audience and clients - damn, I've been a busy bee!

My mind works 24/7, it's non-stop - ideas running through my head at the most inconvenient of times, such as when I'm trying to sleep (here, they sometimes turn out to be the best!) - and it's hard to switch off. Would I change it for the world? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

In the space of a year and a half since graduating, I think I've managed to achieve some bloody wonderful things - especially as a 21 year old! Sometimes I have to pinch myself, because it's all so, so surreal; every exciting email/DM; every opportunity and brief; every time the shutter clicks. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of seeing the final result of something YOU shot - from the planning, to the setting up, to the shooting and the final selection & editing process. 

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/allyblaireco/

Why am I telling you this? 2 reasons - for the absence, and as a reminder. A reminder that, you too, can pursue a passion, no matter what that may be. Want to be a creative? Go for it. The arts are a job, no matter how many times people tell you it's not. Follow your heart. Live a life you want. It might be difficult - no path in life is linear - but believe in yourself. Have the strength and courage to just do it.

I am blessed and grateful for every opportunity, as well as the support; my own self-belief, my friends and family, and sometimes people I don't even know! I may have a long way to go, but I know that with my determination, motivation, enthusiasm, passion & drive, I'll make it. I won't stop until I do. Even if I need to open and close some doors; and I'm not afraid of leaving my comfort zone!

For the now - you can find me on EVERY social media (yes, I've jumped onboard TikTok too!)

Facebook - @jasminelawriephotography

Instagram - @jasminelawriephotography

Website/Portfolio - @jasminelawriephotography

TikTok - @jasminelawriephotography

Twitter - @jasminelawriephotography

Till next time, catch me on the above socials,

Lots of love,

Jas x

Dreaming Of Summer Days💕

I absolutely love having a selection of body sprays. On days where I'm just in the house, I don't tend to wear perfume, instead I go for a body spray. I also like to carry one in my bag when I'm out the house just incase I feel like a top up during the day. Much like perfumes, I own a variety of scents, so I have different ones to pick from depending on what I fancy wearing. I am Impulse loyal, their body sprays are one of my favourites (read more here and here), but after browsing the Savers site, I came across this body spray, and needless do I need to say anymore?

Love Island Strawberry Daiquiri || £1.99 - There were 3 scents available - Strawberry Daiquiri, Pina Colada and Mai Tai - and not knowing what any of them smelt like, I went with the logical choice of Strawberry Daiquiri because the bottle is pink. Literally. And, I don't regret my choice at all, I LOVE it! As the name would suggest, the scent is meant to resemble the cocktail itself; infused with wild strawberries (fraise des bois), blackcurrant, juniperberry, and sandalwood. I've never had a strawberry daiquiri before, so I can't compare it, however, I can tell you that it is definitely fruity and sweet, but not sickly and overpowering at the same time. It reminds me of summer time.

It's only 100ml, which means it's small enough for on the go. It's quite lightweight yet lasts quite a long period of time too. As it's quite sweet, it might not be for everyone's taste, but if you're a fan of fruity scents, give this a bash! I know I really want to try the other two scents available too. Definitely makes me dream of holidays, sun and general summer (oh, and not to mention cocktails!) 

xx

Putting SheIn Makeup To The Test💕

I have wanted to try the online site, SheIn, for the longest time ever. I don't know what was putting me off because their clothing items are so cute and extremely affordable too. Then, after my friend told me it was worth ordering from, I thought "awk, why not!" and took to their app. After opening, I realised they had their own makeup line, SheGlam, and that was me, hooked. I decided to order a few makeup pieces, along with some random fashion accessories. And I can confirm, the makeup has taken me by surprise!!

Eye Candy Medium Coverage Concealer || 201 Finland || £2.49 || Originally I was going for their long wearing liquid concealer but I'm not sure what changed my mind! However, I cannot get over this concealer. I had read the reviews, and they were all super positive, so I was excited to try it out! For a start, the tube is actually a lot bigger than expected, so it'll last me quite a while. I just went for the palest colour as I am quite pale so knew it'd match me well. When I wear concealer, I typically apply it beneath my eyes, down the bridge of my nose and any imperfections I wish to cover, ie spots. I couldn't quite believe how thick the consistency is - I find that liquid concealers are quite thin, but this one is heavy duty. It blends really easily, and it's pretty medium - high coverage! It doesn't look dry or cakey whilst on the skin. I can't believe how good it is for the price it is!

Little Black Tube Lasting Setting Powder || 01 Natural || £3.49 || I've never really experimented with loose setting powders, but I'm running really quite low on my usual pressed powder so decided to switch things up. I just chose the shade natural, again for the same reason as the concealer and also so it's not overly natural. It does come with a puff sponge, but I'm not a fan of these. Instead, I tip some into the lid and use a large powder brush to apply as I find this to be the easiest method. I love the look it leaves; my skin appears matte, but without looking cakey. Instead, it looks super natural and fresh. I only apply a thin dusting and it sets my base pretty well. Impressive! I'd tried a setting powder in the past that was white in colour, and I found it was often noticeable on the skin, so I like that this is natural and matches me better!

3 Pairs Thick False Eyelashes || £2.99 || Now that I'm no longer a false lash novice, I'm quite partial to playing around with different brands. That's why when I spied these beauties at £3, I had to grab them - that's literally £1 a pair! They had a total of 15 styles available, so it took me quite a while to settle on a pair. In the end, I went for these; fairly natural yet long and effective. Some of them were more dramatic and bold, whereas others were more subtle and natural. I wasn't sure if they'd be quite plastic based, because they were so cheap, but I couldn't be any further wrong. The lash band is fairly thick, a black plastic band, however the lashes couldn't be any more natural if they tried. I had to trim them to fit, but applying them was fairly easy. They look super natural on, feel really lightweight and overall, I love how they look! They really help spice up a plain makeup look.

Dual-Ended Fine Eyebrow Pencil || 03 Dark Brown || £2.49 || I've tried pomade, brow gels, powders and all, but I've truly fallen back in love with brow pencils. I used to over estimate how good a brow pencil can be, and now it's all I will use! I love the natural effect they leave my brows, but also help give definition. This little brow pencil is a gem. It takes only a few minutes to do my brows but the results are magnificent. It helps to enhance my brows natural shape, bringing some added definition and structure to them. It's a dual ended pencil, so one end is the pencil, and the other end has a spoolie, which I find handy to use whilst doing my brows. I like that it's quite a creamy consistency, making the process easy - some pencils are a bit "dry" and hard to work with. I like that the tip of the pencil is slanted, which again makes it easier to fill in. The shade I have is the darkest to match my hair, and it's pretty much the most ideal match you could get, so overall, very impressed!

3pcs Star Velvet Lip Glaze Set || 02 Elegant || £5.99 || I had been searching for some new liquid lipsticks for the longest time ever, most specifically, a brown toned one. When I seen this gorgeous little box, I might've squealed a little. It comes packaged in a fairly sturdy cardboard box, and 3 lipsticks inside - a red, a pink and a nude/brown. I won't lie, the website did make them look slightly larger than they are, but for £6, I wasn't complaining. The pigmentation is super, I can't get over how opaque the colour is when applied to the lips! They feel quite thin in terms of formula, but it doesn't look thin and transparent on the lips. My favourite part is the fact they dry matte, but don't feel dry on the lips at all - in fact, it doesn't even feel like you're wearing anything. I am obsessed!!

In the above three selfies, I'm wearing the Shein lipsticks. Thought I'd include these instead of swatches so you can see how lovely they look on, and how pigmented they are! (Oh, and just realised I've used the brow pencil in all 3 too!).

The Artistry Eyeshadow Palette || 01 Bejewelled || £7.49 || This palette has my name written all over it. Seriously. Golds, browns and reds/oranges, what more could you want? It has a combined total of 18 shades, with a mix of mattes and glitters, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it - think of the possibilities of different eye looks you could create!! But, pigment? Damn, I can't believe how pigmented it is! It's more pigmented than some palettes I've paid more for, which I couldn't get over at first. The glitters have little to none for fallout, which I am still seriously impressed with. Course, it needs built up a little bit, but I can live with that! I find that the shadows blend quite well, they are more on the buttery side as opposed to chalk. I can't wait to keep experimenting with this little palette even more.

Shein, you have taken me by surprise!! After placing my order (which took roughly a week and a half to arrive), I ended up discovering more makeup (such as highlighters, foundations, contour kits etc) which I'm desperate to try next. Watch this space, I'll end up with the whole range!

xx

Be The Ultimate Fashion Icon💕*

I won't lie, I own way too much clothing. But, I am right into my fashion these days. Give me a pair of patterned trousers and I'm quite happy to build together an outfit! I also love a good night out with my pals, and this lockdown really got me missing the "what you wearing?" texts and multiple outfit meltdowns. However, over this period of time, I've ended up with a new few outfits which I CANNOT wait to wear out. But, my outfits are going to be on a new level with these little beauties from Femme Luxe.

One thing I've never really owned is jumpsuits, but damn I love how much of a staple this Red Strappy Wide Leg Jumpsuit* is!! It's super elegant and classy. I decided to wear it with a pair of black and silver diamante heels to add to the sophisticated vibe. Can someone have a formal party of some sort after lockdown please?! With trousers and similar full-length items, I often find that they're too short for me (I'm around 5ft8/9), but this genuinely fits like a glove. I wouldn't typically go for wide legged items but this just works well. Paired with some lashes, winged liner and bold lip, I am living for this jumpsuit! A gorgeous, simple and casual jumpsuit, but one that leaves you feeling bold and confident due to it's beautiful, striking colour!

I feel like for a night out, black is forever a safe bet, so it's no surprise I am super excited to wear this Black Utility Contrast Stitch Playsuit*! I feel like paired with my creepers, fishnets, sunglasses and cap, it's an absolute look!! I feel super comfortable in this playsuit as it's made out of the comfiest material ever, which is also stretchy too. I love the neon green detail, and paired with the "seat-belt" style belt, my fashion levels are totally through the roof! There are so many ways to style this playsuit, and if you want a striking playsuit that's not colourful, this black playsuit is the way forward!

And since I loved the black playsuit so much, I ended up getting it in white* too! Much like the black playsuit, the white one also has the same neon green detail, but it's hard to see it in the above photo because of the sunlight reflecting off it. Again, comes with a "seat-belt" belt, but because this suit is white, I'm keen to invest in some other "cool" belts to change up the outfit every so often. I'm not quite sure where I'll wear this one - white is an extremely risky colour on a night out! - but I need to find somewhere after lockdown! Also made with the same material as the black playsuit. I don't own any white dresses, nor any white playsuits, so super excited to add it to my wardrobe for the perfect excuse! And, can we take a minute to appreciate how well they go with my new white boots?!

Femme Luxe got me covered for my future nights out with some gorgeous and fashionable jumpsuits, and I can't wait! Bring it on, and let me be the biggest fashion icon out!

xx

*PR Samples

Beauty Bay's Liquid Eyeshadow Trios💕

For New Years Eve, I decided to explore the world of liquid eyeshadows, and bought myself two of the beautybay's own branded ones (read more here). I instantly fell in love with them, and truth to be told, rarely touch any eyeshadows because I love the simplicity of the liquid shadows. And, because I loved the first two so much, I ended up ordering another nine...lol. Rather than buying individual shades, I bought 3 of their trio packs cause at £15 a pack (or £6 each), it was cheaper to buy trios.

Beauty Bay Liquid Crystal Eyeshadow Trio Solstice || £15 || I feel this is perhaps the boldest, most out there of all the trios I got. The trio includes Garnet (left) which is a beautiful rich red shade; Pyrite which is a stunning gold shade; and Malachite which is a beautiful green shade. It's an interesting trio because all the shades vary from each other significantly. I feel that Pyrite (gold) is probably the most wearable, with the green and red being rather out there, but if you're brave enough, then I dare you to experiment! Each of them ooze pigment and are true to their colour. I recommend this trio for people who enjoy playing with bright eye colours.

Beauty Bay Liquid Eyeshadow Trio Celestial || £15 || Now, this is the trio full of colours I'm more inclined to work with! Golds, brown and oranges are my safe colours and go-to, so I feel that this trio is a safe shout for me. The trio includes Moonstone which is a silver shimmer; Rutile which is a bronze shimmer; and Precious Topaz which is a champagne shimmer. Each colour is rich in pigment, and I feel that this trio would work with most eye colours too! Due to them being more "wearable colours", you can either glam these up or tone them down, depending on the look you're after. 

Beauty Bay Liquid Crystal Eyeshadow Trio Equinox || £15 || I really like the Earthy tones in this trio, a lot of cool undertones too. It includes Tiger's Eye which is a rich copper with gold flecks; Selenite which is a soft white with silver flecks; and Smoky Quartz which is a black with gold flecks. Personally, I find these colours quite difficult to work with because I haven't quite conquered an eyeshadow combination to create a look that suits me yet. However, with that being said, they are beautiful colours which I need to experiment with more.

I now have a varying selection of colours available from the range. I'm pretty sure I'm missing one shade and I own the whole collection!! I find the shadows super easy to work with, and they are super pigmented too. All in all, I don't think you can go wrong with these. They don't crease nor transfer, and are pretty opaque. But, to make sure I get their pigment to its fullest potential, I always applying an eyeshadow similar to the colour I'm using before applying, using the doe-foot applicator it comes with before using a flat eyeshadow brush to top it off. These are my go-to for a night out because they don't smudge or sweat off either, and this is pretty important for me. I can't wait to get creative with them!

xx

Andrew Barton Haircare💕*

2020 has most definitely been the year that's seen the most, and best, haircare treatment my hair has had for a while!! I have been loving trying out new products, seeing what works or doesn't, the impact it has etc. My collection is growing at a steady pace, and has been all year. The brand, Andrew Barton, got in touch with me to try some of their products. Of course, right up my alley, so I agreed. Whilst doing my research into my brand, I discovered two things; 1. the vast range of shampoos and conditioners available; and 2. the fact it's stocked in Asda so is easily accessible!

Andrew Barton Kind & Gentle Shampoo* || £2.50 || First thing I noticed is that it's infused with moroccan argan oil, cactus flower extract and aloe vera - if you've been reading my latest haircare posts, you'll know I'm loving argan oil at the moment - so as soon as I seen this, the shampoo was already in my good books. They have shampoos for different hair concerns, so I was intrigued to this as it's classed as being "soothing and hydrating". I noticed it had quite a thin consistency to it, which doesn't bother me as I find formulas like this will lather up better. You know it's a good shampoo when your hair feels cleans before you even rinse the bubbles away - my scalp already felt a lot fresher. In terms of scent, it reminds me of baby shampoo, but also the clean cotton Yankee Candle. And, if you know what both those smell like, you'll understand what I mean when I say this shampoo smells gentle yet clean. It's soft and delicate on the hair, so I could imagine it being beneficial for those with a sensitive scalp: although I don't, I know it's kind on my hair and will protect it.

Andrew Barton Kind & Gentle Conditioner* || £2.50 || I used to be lazy with conditioner and use whatever was in the bathroom, but now I've very specific and like to use a conditioner that matches my shampoo. So, it's no surprise that I have the conditioner which is the same as the shampoo; their soothing and hydrating. Much like the shampoo, I find the conditioner to be quite thin in consistency, so I definitely don't need a lot per use - I only apply conditioner on the lengths of my hair, avoiding the roots. I find it quite difficult to wash out of my hair, so I spend a little extra rinsing to ensure there's no leftovers. But, I do love how smooth and silky it leaves my hair. Neither the shampoo or conditioner causes my hair to tangle which is a godsend. Again, much like the shampoo, it has the same gorgeous and delicate scent. It doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy or heavy either; instead it's smooth and feels healthy, which is what it claims to do in the first place, winner!

Andrew Barton S.O.S Hair Repair Miracle Hair Oil* || £2.50 || I love hair oils! They really make a difference when you're drying your hair. I always make sure to only use a small amount to avoid any greasy messes. I was relieved to see this one had a pump as I find it easier to judge how much oil to use - typically I go for 3/4 as I have thick hair. Same as the conditioner, I only use it on the ends of my hair whilst damp. It has a gorgeous scent which I can't quite pin-point as of yet. It's enriched with both moroccan argan oil and macadamia oil, meaning it will hydrate your hair to the max. If I use a hair mask whilst in the shower, I don't use the oil because I don't want to weigh my hair down, and again, avoid greasiness. But, it's totally worth looking into this little bottle. It leaves my hair feeling super hydrated and soft at the ends, so if you have dry or damaged hair, I could only imagine the benefits that it would deliver! 

Andrew Barton S.O.S Hair Repair Mask Sachet* || £1.20 || So usually, if I have a hair mask, it's a whole tub worth of product. However, this one comes as a one-use sachet, which I actually prefer the idea of as it gives you more of a trial before splurging out on something you might hate. So when I opened the sachet, I actually expected there to be more product inside. At first glance, I didn't think there was all that much, but after applying to my hair, found it was the ideal amount of product - not too much nor too little! But, I think I have found my new favourite hair mask. And by no means, am I just saying that because the brand sent me this. Like my hair feels so good, it honestly feels as though I've just left the hairdressers - salon worthy!! It leaves my hair in such good condition, not only smelling amazing but the shine is unreal too. I can't wait for my next Asda trip to pick up some more of these sachets! 

I love each of these products, and now I know my local Asda stocks a wide range of them too, I can't wait to try some more. They smell lovely, leave my hair in such good condition and aren't overly expensive. As well as their wide range of shampoos and conditioners, all designed for different purposes and issues, they also have a styling range, including heat protector etc. And, I am pleased to announce that they are also vegan friendly too!!

xx

*PR Samples

Bio Glow Products💕

Years ago when I used to receive beauty sets upon sets for Xmas and birthdays, my shelves used to contain numerous body scrubs, which I'd use fairly religiously. Then, as I got older, I started slacking (I feel I keep saying this in all my blog posts, but it's true, self-pampering really did fall out the window, but it's back!!) and now, I love a good body scrub. I mainly rely on them for my fake tan; to exfoliate and prep my skin beforehand, but also to scrub it off and remove it afterwards. I sometimes struggle to find the right balance with scrubs though - some are too harsh, whereas some are ineffective and do nothing. It's a case of trial and error, but I've eventually found one that's budget friendly, and does the job. Alongside this, I've found the ideal companion for it - a body lotion - which ensures you keep your skin in tip-top condition.

Bio Glow Apricot and Rosemary Face & Body Scrub || 99p - although I can't find it online, it's most definitely stocked in Savers - I've bought it that many times I would know!! I never use it as a face scrub so can only give the verdict for it being a body scrub. To me, it smells like a peach yogurt! It contains small "gritty" pieces which gently exfoliate my skin yet still act effectively - you know it's done a thorough job. It doesn't feel harsh nor leave any red marks indicating that it's too severe on the skin either. One tub does last a while as I feel I only need a small amount each time - but focusing more on my knees, wrists, ankles and elbows if I intend on fake tanning. It washes off easily, and my skin instantly feels smoother and exfoliated, without feeling dehydrated in the slightest. Due to the strong scent, it may not be ideal for sensitive skin incase it irritates the skin, but for normal/dry skin, there shouldn't be any problems!

In terms of using with gloves, I love! The ones I use I got from Morrisons for £1, and they're decent quality - not too thin and fit my hand perfectly. I thought that combined with the scrub, it may feel quite rough on the skin, but it's not really - just a bit more intense compared to using the scrub solo. If it's for removing tan, you can legit see it coming off your skin, so the gloves are essential for quick tan removal! Is there anything this scrub can't do?

Bio Glow Cocoa Butter Moisturiser || 99p - Because I love the scrub so much, it only felt right to expand into the range and buy the body lotion! Looking at the moisturiser, it honestly looks like a tub full of yogurt - so, at first glance, the formula looks thick and creamy. However, it's not as thick as I initially thought - it's actually quite thin, almost water based. Therefore, resembles more of a body lotion formula than a body butter. I adore the scent, it's  cocoa butter but not your typical scent - it does smell like cocoa, but almost a bit toned down and sweeter at the same time? As it's a thin formula, I don't need a lot at all, and my skin literally soaks this up instantly, and with that being said, doesn't feel greasy or heavy on the skin; it's very lightweight and feels smooth on the skin. I love how smooth it leaves my skin feeling, and when I wash it off, it feels milky, so I know my skin is well nourished and hydrated. I especially like using it after exfoliating just to treat my skin - slather on some of this and you're a literal goddess.

All in all, I love this combo! I wish I could find more bio-glow products online but I'm struggling, so I guess it's time to have a long nosy in Savers next time I go!

xx

Lockdown Doesn't Mean Unstylish💕*

With the days of lockdown continuing, and no where to go, its no wonder people are turning to their pyjamas and comfy clothes. But, who said comfies cannot be both comfortable AND fashionable too? I know for sure I like to be both! Have you ever stumbled upon Femme Luxe? Not only do they have some gorgeous clothing, but their loungewear collection is equally as fashionable! I spent a good while flicking through their website cause they have such a good selection that it took me a while to narrow down my choices!

Dark Grey Cuffed Joggers* || £14.99 || RRP £27.98 || I won't lie, joggers aren't something I own in my jammas or loungewear, but when I seen the selection on Femme Luxe's joggers collection, I was shocked; so many pretty colours, different styles and all look super comfy. These greys joggers are a bit different to what I own or would ever wear, but I'm obsessed! They're oversized on me, meaning they look slightly baggy, but that just means maximum comfort, right? And they have pockets!! I own a few jammas which mimic joggers and they don't have pockets, so when I seen these joggers had pockets, I was low-key buzzing. There is a draw-string hidden on the inside of the elasticated waistband and they also have a cuffed hem at the ankles. They're perfect for lounging about in, but also acceptable to wear out in public too - your choice whether to dress them up or down! Cute casual or comfy casual, whatever your preference may be. If you fancy something a bit more colourful, there are a total of 16 other colours to pick from!

Pink Off Shoulder Loungewear - Blake* || £18.99 || RRP £39.98 || I couldn't resist this super cute matching set when I seen it, pink is my favourite colour after all! With that being said, there are numerous other pink loungewear sets available to choose from. I went with this one because it's slightly different; I was a fan of the off the shoulder idea. The top is slightly cropped, but this doesn't bother me - I think it looks good with the neck design! I love that it's a matching set, it's the ultimate girly loungewear! It's made with super soft material meaning they're extremely comfortable to sit around the house in. They have cuffed hems at the ankles, however I found I had to go up a size to get them to fit properly on my legs. Apart from that and now I have the perfect size, I am in love with these! If pink isn't your colour, it's available in another 6 colours - a great variety!!

Camel With White Stripe Off Shoulder Loungewear Set - Shani* || £20.99 || RRP £39.98 || I am really liking this stripe trend that going on at the moment - and I'm not one for trends normally! That's why I instantly wanted and needed this loungewear set! I also think this camel colour is so pretty and complimentary on everyone too, which is forever a winner in my books. Another set from their off the shoulder collection - seems I'm following this trend too then?! - and it's another stunner. I feel that even if it was all camel colour, no white stripe, it'd still look great. But in my opinion, the white stripe adds an essence of style and sass. It's pretty much the exact same set as the previous pink one, so I won't ramble on too much. It's also made of the same material so it's comfortable and guaranteed to keep you cosy warm on those miserable lockdown days too. Also available in another 3 colours if the camel colour doesn't take to your fancy!

As I previously mentioned, there are many, many other loungewear sets if you don't like the look of the above (although I'm a big fan!). For the days I'm not working, I am living for these sets as they're comfy yet stylish - so come on, what you waiting for? Treat yourself to a new, trendy loungewear set during lockdown!

xx

*PR Samples

Live in The Light💕*

If you're an avid reader of my blog, you'll probably know by now that I am a big lover of trying new brands. Whether they're small, independent brands or large-scaled, well-known brands, I'm all for it. I'd never heard of Live in The Light until their PR got in touch with me. After having a nosy through their website, it was clear to me that they had a large selection of products with varying scents too! I settled for trying three of their items; a body butter, sugar scrub and facial mist. But their stock doesn't stop there; they also have vegan handbags, haircare, makeup and much more!!

Whipped Body Butter - Mango and Peach* || £9.95 || First things first, this genuinely smells like a yogurt. As the name would suggest - mango and peach - it's super fruity and sweet, but I personally love that. It's a fair-trade African and cocoa butter, blended with organic Moroccan argan oil to help nourish and hydrate your skin. It's a hydrating body butter for extremely dry skin, including eczema, psoriasis and sun-damaged skin, but also dry hair and thin nails! As much as I love the scent, the formula is quite messy. When you look at it, it looks like your typical body butter, however when you begin moisturising it into your skin, it melts in a way and becomes quite greasy, which I did NOT expect at all. It took a few minutes to dry into my skin, which I can deal with, but the results are totally worth it; it leaves my skin feeling so soft and thoroughly moisturised. I decided to lather my legs in it one day after shaving and boy, I can totally recommend doing it! The only thing is that the tub is smaller than I expected, but not to worry!

Sugar Scrub - Wild Cherry* || £14.50 || Although there were a few sugar scrubs, I instantly decided to try this one because of the cherry scent - and it's absolutely gorgeous! Unfortunately, same can't be said for the products itself in my opinion. I had a bit of a disaster with it. I've had a hit and miss with sugar scrubs in the past but did have high expectations for this one. First things first, I found it way too waxy and greasy. It left my bath a bit slippy which I was not a fan of at all. And, when it came to washing off my skin, it just wouldn't? I had to scrub my skin with soap to wash it off. I am rather annoyed that I didn't like this product more, but hey ho, it is what it is! Despite saying that, after drying my skin, it left my skin soft, but it was a bit too messy for my liking.

Victorian Facial Mist - Lavender and Rose* || £15 || I had one of the Superdrug Vitamin E Hydrating Facial Mists years ago, and I love how it left my skin, so I was intrigued to see how this one lived up! Although it's a facial mist, it has 3 purposes; traditional toner, refreshing mist or hydrator. Personally, I've only tried it as a refreshing mist cause I felt my skin was a bit dried out from all the warm weather we've been experiencing, and it just helps my skin feel refreshed and hydrated. I haven't used this much, but I will be publishing a separate blog post all about it, putting it to the test to discover how well it performs all 3 purposes!!

I've really enjoyed trying out these products! Although I wasn't a big fan of the body scrub, doesn't mean someone else wouldn't like it either! I recommend giving the brand a check because their products smell good enough to eat.

xx

*PR Samples

Trialing InVogue False Lashes💕*

Now that I'm finally coming to terms with lashes, I'm more than willing to try out some new, different styles and brands! That's why when the PR over at In Vogue asked me about trying their lashes, I was delighted! I couldn't get over the wide selection they had either, all which fell into the categories of volumise, glamourise and naturalise, as well as individual lash extensions! There's a lash style available for everyone, and the packaging is pretty cute too, which also includes a small lash glue too.

Invogue Volumise False Lashes #7* || £3.99 || Trust me, I cannot WAIT to try these lashes, but I don't want to waste them just being in the house so I'm waiting until lockdown is finished and I can finally go out again! I love how dramatic and extra these lashes are, they're super long and dark, so are definitely going to be noticeable. Although I haven't tried them, I can already tell they'll live up to their name of volumise!

Invogue Glamourise False Lashes #10* || £3.99 || The first of two glamourise lashes, but these I haven't worn yet. These are interesting, cause they look like normal lashes but then appear a bit more wispy, textured yet natural towards the end. What I like is that they don't look cheap and plastic either, but the extra long lashes at the ends really help to make your natural lashes appear longer and fuller, helping to enhance your eyes. They state that they help provide you with a medium volume and length, so nothing too dramatic.

Invogue Glamourise False Lashes #9* || £3.99 || The other pair of the glamourise lashes, this time a pair that I've actually worn! They look super long and extra, but once applied, they're not too extreme, they actually look really pretty on! They are so lightweight despite their length, and I feel that they'd be suitable for most eye shapes, and any eye look too; whether it be bold or more chilled. I find that I don't need to cut the lashes either, that they actually fit my eye shape really well! I may have only worn them in the house for trialing purposes, but I cannot wait to wear these on a night out! They flare out slightly towards the end, which is very complimentary as it helps accentuate and elongate your eye.

I decided to wear them with quite a full on makeup look (I had a red/deep burgundy liquid eyeshadow from Beautybay I was desperate to try!) but I reckon it'd work well even with a more toned down eye look.

Invogue Naturalise False Lashes #21* || £3.99 || Again, a pair of lashes I've worn, and to be honest, a pair that have really taken me by surprise! When I initially seen them, I didn't think they'd have that much of an impact as they're "short and natural", but damn, I was wrong - I am obsessed!! Although I said they're natural, they still help to enhance your eyes, bringing you extra length and definition to your natural lashes. 

Here, I chose to pair them with a basic winged linger and red lip, and the classiness was unreal! I didn't want to take them off cause they were so pretty.

One of the main reasons I love these lashes is because they're so lightweight! Sometimes some lashes can feel heavy and tiring on the eyes, but with these, it didn't even feel like I was wearing any. They have an extremely thin lash band, and the application process was super quick and easy - I managed to get them first time! (That's an achievement for me, trust me). I am happy to inform you that they are cruelty free, and vegan friendly! The lashes come with their own glue, but I prefer to use my own glue. For me, invogue lashes get 10/10!

xx

*PR Samples