Vita Liberata holiday glow

So, there have been a few nice days in Glasgow. Finally, we can rejoice and revel in the Spring weather! No more winter coats, bulky jumpers, bobble hats and pasty skin.

Fully embracing the Summer vibes, I went along to an event at Polished salon in the south side, to launch the new range from Vita Liberata.

I've always been interested to dive into the world of sunless tanning (for me, a using a gradual tanner a few times a week is as far as I go)  and Vita Liberata was a brand I'd heard good things about. I was particularly intrigued by their new 'Body Blur' products which promised glowing, natural looking skin. Could it be possible? 

On a glorious Wednesday evening (temperatures soared to 17 degrees!) the girls at Polished let me try out the new products and see how they worked. 

The Body Blur (for face and body) gave an instant, golden finish to the skin which didn't look streaky or patchy. Perfect for an instant boost to your skin before an event or a night out.

The Beauty Blur - a hybrid primer/tinted moisturiser/foundation wonder product - gave my skin a natural finish - like I'd spent all day sunning myself on a beach. A really good one to take with you on holiday for a glowy evening look.

I also picked up the Illuminate Wash Off Body Bronzer, which I am yet to test out.

For those of us in search of exotic, tanned skin for an unpredictable Glasgow summer - Vita Liberata is a great shout. There's no danger of looking orange or over-done here (RIP Dale Winton, we love you but we don't want your tan). Just a natural looking glow that's super easy to do at home (even for a tanning novice like me).

You can find all the Vita Liberata products online or stocked at Polished salon. While you're there, they offer every kind of beauty treatment you can imagine: nails, hair and make-up. Even if you're just looking for some beauty advice, these girls really know their stuff.

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July and August favourites

1. Clinique Pop Lip Colour and Primer in Melon Pop - gorgeous, comfortable to wear and cute! I can't wait to try more of these. I fancy Sweet Pop next.

2. Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream - This has worked wonders for the bags under my eyes. Definitely does what it says - brightens and de-puffs! Smells and feels lovely, too.

3. Korres Milk Soap for Stressed Skin - Smells gorgeous, moisturizing and gentle for sensitive skin.

4. COLAB dry shampoo in Monaco fragrance - Smells like a glamorous summer holiday.

4. OGX Shampoo and conditioner - these are amazing products and I love coming back to them and trying all the different ones in the range. The lemon one is new and smells so yummy!

5. Tres-semme Oleo Radiance shampoo and conditioner - I've been big on the haircare products recently! I haven't been using these long enough to notice a great difference, but will keep you updated!

6. Essential Waitrose Rose body wash - Bit of a random one but these Waitrose shower gels are fab! This one smells gorgeous, I love the smell of rose.

7. St Tropez In shower tanner - I haven't had a chance to try this yet but I can't wait to give it a go! Will follow up with a review.

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New beauty things

Elizabeth Arden eye shadow trio in Viridian Bloom

 I couldn't pass up this little palette - it's so cute and the colours are gorgeous- it reminds me of Summer :)

Nails Inc Gel Effect polish in Beaufort Street

All the glossy colour but none of the chips. Good investment.

KIKO eyeshadow in Pearly Violet and Pearly Dark Dove Gray 

Amazing quality eyeshadows -  and currently on sale!

KIKO lipstick in 501 Light Rose

Amazing, amazing creamy formula and BEST pinky nude shade for my lips. I'm in love with KIKO cosmetics, it's official!

Buxom Full On Lip Polish in Katie - Pink Lemonade

LOVE the colour and how full it makes my lips look. Is this the best lipgloss ever?

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Monthly favourites: May

Since we're now quite a fair way into June, I thought I better get a move on with my May favourites! See what I've been loving this month...

Skincare, make-up and hair care

Lush  Celestial moisturiser - This smells amazing! It's lightweight but so hydrating, feels amazing on the skin. Perfect for day or night, and for dry skin. LOVE.

L'Oreal Infallible matte foundation - Already a cult hit with beauty bloggers, this foundation is perfect. I've used NARS Sheer Glow in the past and I find this a very good dupe - even though it's a matte finish, it still gives you a lovely glow and doesn't feel tight or heavy on the skin.

Origins Drink Up Intensive overnight mask - I've been using this about twice a week, just before I go to bed. The difference it's made to my skin is amazing - I've been waking up feeling hydrated and refreshed! I don't know if it's this but my skin's been looking a lot brighter and clearer recently, too.

Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Treasures shampoo and conditioner - smells amazing, and leaves my hair lovely and soft. The conditioner in particular is my favourite.

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster - Another cult beauty hit of this year, I was desperate to try it out for myself. I am so, so pleased with the results. I've been using it two to three times a week, putting around two drops into my regular moisturiser. I already feel like I have a pretty good tan on my face! I love the sun kissed look, but if you only wanted a subtle glow you could use even less.

Lip loves

Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait - I am still absolutely in love with these. The formula is amazing and hydrating on the lips, with a gorgeous glossy colour pay-off. This colour, peach parfait, is ideal for Spring and really brightens the complexion.

Revlon Ultra HD lipstick in Hydrangea - I love a bright pink lip for Spring, and this one doesn't disappoint! Really long lasting, too. 

Swatches below:

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Golden sugar

Can we take a moment to appreciate just how beautiful this blush palette is?

I had a mini squeeling fit in Superdrug when I found this. The colour selection is amazing! 

And the best part is it was only £6, My first Makeup Revolution product, and it definitely won't be my last!

Have you tried anything else from the range?

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Sugar high

Since I've been feeling the Spring vibes recently, I decided to invest in a new perfume for the occasion. The DKNY Delicious Delights are super cute and smell AMAZING. I wanted to buy them all and couldn't decide but in the end I went for the pink: 'Fruity Rooty'. I love the bottle too, it makes me so happy!

I also treated myself to a Tangle Teezer (finally!) I've always wanted to get one because I think they're super handy for carrying around with you. I loved this limited edition Lulu Guinness one.

I also picked up these MUA sweet sheen lip balms - absolutely amazing! They're a total dupe for the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Balm Perfector (which I am obsessed with but is nearly finished, sob!) These are almost exactly the same - smooth and creamy, hydrating with a great colour payoff and only a fraction of the price at £2! Which means I might just have to buy all six colours!

What's your favourite thing about Spring? Mine are: cute fluffy bunnies, bright sunny mornings, blossom trees, Easter eggs and wearing yellow!

See you soon! xx

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Diorskin Star

So, I felt the time was right to try something new in the magical world of foundations, and when you're feeling particularly spendy on a Tuesday night after work, pre-Mexican food and long island ice teas, there's no better time to treat yourself at the Dior counter! I picked up the Diorskin Star foundation.

Previously my foundation favourites have been NARS sheer glow and MAC studio fix fluid, so I was interested to see how this one compared.

First of all I was matched to my shade (020 for reference) by the niftiest little machine I've ever seen! Who knew such wondrous technology existed.

So, onto the product.. the bottle is absolutely gorgeous, as you would expect with Dior! The foundation itself is just as amazing - it goes on like a dream, evens out my skin tone, feels hydrating and lightweight.

As for lasting power, it does stay on pretty well although I'd recommend a primer especially if you're going to be out all day and all night and you want it still looking fresh.

Overall, I'd highly recommend this if you're looking to try something new in the high end foundation market!

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Make up treats

My Sunday haul

Since the other day was payday for me, I decided to treat myself to a few bits and pieces... the first being this gorgeous Illamasqua nail varnish in the colour Jo'mina. Can't wait to try this!

I couldn't resist this super cute Island Escape eye shadow palette by Purminerals: they're cream formula and the consistency and colour pay off is amazing! I also love the way the palette looks: like a little set of paints! 

I also picked up a Yes to Carrots eye cream and a Physician's Formula mineral concealer, which I will test out and review soon!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

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Purples and Pinks

Picked up some new lovely things since it was pay day and I haven't bought any new make up in a while! (justification justification)

I've been lusting after the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Balms for a while now, so I finally decided to pick one up. It was well, well worth it. The colour is beautiful (shade 2, Coral) - mostly sheer with the perfect hint of pink, a lovely glossy, nourished finish on the lips, super hydrating and smells of vanilla. Gorgeous packaging as well! My first Clarins purchase and it won't be my last! I really want to try the Instant Light Lip Perfector glosses too.

I also picked up the Complete Limited Edition Eyeshadow Palette in Dead of Night from Superdrug's 'B.' range - not only does it look pretty but the shadows surprised me! Really creamy and well pigmented, and the colours are lovely. I went for mauvey purples since I don't usually wear those kinds of shades but I wanted to branch out away from brown smokey eyes!

Since it was buy one get one half price on that range I also picked up one of their serums. It's the 'B Nourished' serum which is designed for younger skin, aged 20-30. Apparently it's never too early to start using a serum! I've only applied this twice since I got it so the jury's still out on whether or not does anything spectacular, but I will report back in a few weeks' time.

I picked up a 'Luxe Velvet Lip Laqueur' lip cream in 'Kooky' from MUA: a deep purple. Yet to try this but it looks good! 

Finally, I got myself a nail varnish from No.7 in 'sweet lilac'. Such a pretty colour and the quality is excellent too. It's one of their gel-effect polishes and I'll definitely be going back to get more! And such a bargain at £3, since I had one of the £5 off vouchers from Boots.

Who else loves treating themselves to make up as much as I do? Such a rush...

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Spa Day at New Lanark

Ah, January. That fabulous time of year... Christmas is over and everything feels a bit emptier and a bit, well, sadder. But I have to say - this January has been pretty awesome so far! I have been keeping busy, and aside from the horrendous weather my mood has been higher than I anticipated!

Maybe it's all the hope and excitement of a whole year of promises ahead.

Oh 2015, what will you do to me? What will I do with you??

One of the main things I want to do is get back into blogging again. I miss it and I miss writing in general! So I'm starting the year as I mean to go on.

And this applies to more than just blogging! I'll do another post on my new year's resolutions (because how original would that be!?) but one of the main ones on that list is to LOOK AFTER MY SKIN MORE!

In fact, look after my whole body more. That means, taking the time to have regular detoxes: relax, cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize!

With this in mind, I booked a spa day for myself and my mum at New Lanark Mill Hotel.

My Spa Attire!

Having stayed there before I knew it'd be lovely, and I wasn't wrong!

I had a 'pick me up facial' and a manicure.

Nails Inc Chelsea Manor Gardens pink polish

Donned a fluffy white robe then took to the pool - spent a while in the sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi before swimming a few lengths to finish up before tucking into a yummy lunch.

Left feeling revitalized, energized, relaxed and de-stressed! I would highly, highly recommend a spa break like this to anyone who works hard or has a busy life. Just taking the time out to say THANK YOU to your body now and again does a world of good.

New Lanark is a beautiful, peaceful place and it looked wonderful in the snow.

After time at the spa I spent the afternoon doing a tour of various garden centers and exploring old fire trucks!

What weekends were made for, clearly.

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