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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Reservoir walks

Jeans&tee - Topshop
Scarf - vintage
Trainers - Nike

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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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Lip loves

Above: left to right: 1. Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque in 08 Babe Idole, 2. MUA Luxe Whipped Velvet, 3. KIKO lipstick in 606, 4. Miss PUPA lips in Rossetto

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Maison de Moggy

Last weekend I was lucky enough to visit the Maison de Moggy cat cafe in Stockbridge, Edimburgh. The wonderful staff are all so knowledgeable, happy to help with anything and their love and passion for cats is so clear!

The cakes were yummy and the decor bright and Paris-themed, but the highlight was definitely meeting the stars of the show, the cafe's resident moggies!

So cute that they all have Frenchie names. There's a real mix of characters and ages, but all the cats are super-friendly and love attention.

Pauline was my favourite - she's a young maine coon with a playful, little bit crazy side!

If you're in Edinburgh and you get the chance to visit Maison de Moggy, you definitely should. You have to book in advance though - make sure to visit the website for more details.

Stockbridge in the sun was lovely too - I had lunch at The Stockbridge Tap and wandered round the little market selling crafts and local produce. I had the BEST hot chocolate I've ever tasted!

Cats, sunshine, good food and vintage shops... Can't all my weekends be like this?

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10 things I learned in Rome

So I visited Rome last weekend. And although it was a flying visit, it was long enough for me to completely fall in love with the city. Here are just 10 things I learned about Roma Aeterna (The Eternal City):

1. It's effortlessly beautiful
Unlike Paris, which can be a bit pretentious and over the top at times, Rome feels like it's just breathtakingly beautiful without even trying. The juxtaposition of the simple and the grandeur, the awesome history and architecture, the nature and the quirky modern artwork makes for a feast for the eyes.

 

2. Crossing the road can be tricky
One of the things I loved about Rome was the constant buzz of the city - the energy, the sounds of horns beeping and Vespas cruising by. It does make crossing the road a bit daunting, though! However a seasoned Roman knows that confidence is the key to success.

3. The people are super friendly
No matter where you are- a bar, a pizza place, a little boutique or just wandering round a piazza admiring the artwork - everyone you meet in Roma is friendly, smiley and happy to chat. The warmth and hospitality of Italians is famous for a reason.

4. Courgette pizza at 3 a.m. is the best thing ever
Just trust me on this one.

5. It's a shopping paradise
Not just for clothes, shoes and bags.. everything in Rome from the designer to the shabby chic markets is enough to make a shopping addict like myself squeal with delight. Like the Champs Elysses in Paris and Las Ramblas in Barcelona, wandering down the Via Del Corso is a joy. (And the Zara is over five floors).

5.5. Sometimes people take their pet pigs out for a stroll...

6. They know how to make cocktails
From classic mojitos to tiki rum concoctions, I didn't have one bad cocktail experience while I was here (and I sampled a fair few). Like most things in Italy, the preparation of drinks is an art form, not to be taken lightly. You might have to wait a bit longer for your drink, but it'll be worth it.

7. It rivals Paris for passion
Everywhere you look in Roma, it seems like there's evidence of amore - brides and grooms dashing off to be married packed into the back of a tiny Fiat or rickshaw, couples on street corners locked in a passionate embrace, or street performers showing off their sizzling Argentinian Tango:

8. They're serious about coffee
It's true what they say about Italians and coffee. The Romans have espresso down to an art form here - the key is not too hot, not too cold (and it's cheaper if you drink at the bar). Italians aren't big on breakfast but every day will start with a good cappuccino.

9.  The Italian ritual of "Aperitivo"
This literally translated means "to open one's stomach" and it is the glorious Italian tradition of having a drink (usually a Campari  or Aperol spritz) and a small snack n the evening, at a bar, just before dinner, to get your appetite ready and warm you up for your meal of pasta carbonara! How wonderful.

The Roman Supplì (wonderful balls of Rice and mozzarella goodness) are a favourite Italian street food and only I euro each.

10. Go once, and you'll immediately want to return
Sadly the Trevi fountain was being renovated during my visit so I didn't get to throw my coin in and make a wish. But if I could, I would have wished more than anything to come back to Rome soon! There's still so much more I want to see of this place. Now I understand the magic of it, and why Audrey Hepburn's character in Roman Holiday was so enamored by it! La Vita Bella...

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