Summer Scents | Gucci Bamboo

I don't know about you, but for me fragrances complete an outfit. I love the YSL Black Opium to death, but I was wearing it around autumn/winter so it just feels wrong to wear it in spring/summer because I think of Christmas and vanilla goodness as it smells so sweet. Cue Gucci Bamboo*. 

This beautiful fragrance is inspired by the bamboo handles featured on some of their signature Gucci bags and it's said to be 'strong yet graceful' to emanate strength and confidence but also femininity and poise.  This fragrance is so light but still has vanilla notes which I love, but it's so fresh and beautiful. It combines sandalwood and vanilla (two of my favourite scents) which contrasts to the more floral scents of lilies and orange blossom. 

But can we just take a min to admire this beautiful packaging? It's shaped like bamboo - duh. Look at how cute that lid is! I feel so sexy and feminine when I wear this, it's like I've been given an alter ego (slightly ridiculous I know). I've been wearing this none stop as we transition to summer and it's such a beautiful scent which actually lasts on the skin. That's right, it lasts. I'm literally obsessed and I can see this becoming a staple within what's left of spring and through to summer. 

What are your favourite spring/summer scents? 

Til next time xx 

*contains gifted products but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. 

Summer Essentials

I'm so excited to finally share this post which comes in collaboration with Fragrance Direct, the queen's of providing discount on all your favourite fragrances, skincare and makeup. Literally, this website was my go-to in Sixth Form, so I actually couldn't believe it when they emailed me asking if I wanted to do a collaboration - obviously the answer was YES. It's amazing to see all the high-end brands they stock now (and they also do student discount yassss) so I know where I'll be headed to cross items off my never ending lust list. 

The weather has literally been so beautiful at the moment and I feel like I'm on holiday already plus,  we all know that everyone will be jetting off on those beautiful exotic destinations around this time, so in preparation here are my must have essentials to pop in your makeup bag.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

The original and the best. My mum would always apply this on our holidays and during summer months. It's just the most amazing multipurpose cream. I literally take this with me on any holiday as it's actually great in winter too. Any mosquito bites, you can use this to soothe them. Chapped lips? No problem. Honestly this cream is just the bomb and the smell always makes me think of summer and holidays - it's an essential. 

Elemis S.O.S. Tea Tree Spray 

I'm a lover of Elemis skincare, it works so well with my skin, and this product is no exception. This product is also multipurpose. As my skin is so blemish prone, it's perfect for spritzing on your face and ahem, for those 'under the bra' spots. You can also use it on your feet, when they're all clammy and stuffy you can use this to freshen them up and purify. This spray also works as a natural disinfectant so any little scrapes from casually falling into the pool or collapsing a deck chair then this has got you covered.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau De Toilette Spray 

Oh there's nothing better than a summer fragrance is there. What I love the most is you use them on holiday, but when you get back and smell them again it brings back the memories. This fragrance is so beautiful; it's fresh, floral and perfect for summer. It also contains fruity notes which makes me feel like I'm sipping an exotic cocktail on the beach without a care in the world. On another note, can we talk about the packaging too?! Marc Jacobs kill it with their bottles and lids. The beautiful lids though, I can't get over them. Too beautiful.

Bobbi Brown finishing powder in Bronze Glow 

How blimmin' beautiful is this powder. Are you actually seeing how majestic this is though from the picture? I'm obsessed. You know it's extra fancy when it comes with it's own little pouch - I love how it's so extra. I'm literally in love with it. It contains a selection of shimmery and matte shades which gives you a beautiful radiant bronzed finish. You can also use these shades with your eyeshadow brushes and use it as an eyeshadow palette which is perfect for travelling and multipurpose products make life so much easier!

NARS Multiple Stick in Copacabana 

I love this little stick so much. It's so nice for a natural glowy dewy look in the summer months. I just love how this looks on the skin. Instead of that thicker glittery highlight you can sometimes get from powders, this gives a beautiful sheen which looks very dewy and natural (almost as if you've just emerged from a giant shell in the ocean like Aphrodite). If you do want that kind of 'glowing to the gods' kind of highlight, this is perfect for giving a power based highlight that extra staying power and makes it POP.

NARS blush in Super Orgasm 

I am obsessed with this blush! Obviously because I am a bit extra I had to get Super Orgasm which has more shimmery majesticness than the original Orgasm blush. I feel like this blush completes any look as it's perfect for achieving that healthy flush of colour. The consistency is just beautiful and blends like a dream, definitely need more of these beautiful blushers! 

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Raquel 

We all need a summer lipstick and something that I find is even on holiday I tend to stick to pinky nudes and go for 'summer goddess' vibes. I don't even know what happened to me, I used to wear bright lipsticks all the time but I'm now a nude convert and a firm believer that these shades are perfect for any look. I already own a couple of the Audacious lipsticks and the formula is creamy so it won't be drying your lips out in that warmer weather.

I hope you've enjoyed reading about my picks for summer and that you're all enjoying the beautiful warmer weather on this glorious bank holiday weekend!

Til next time xx 

Taking the edge off exam stress

My life lately has been a massive bundle of stress as I'm right in the middle of my University exams where they have placed my 6 exams over a period of 2 weeks i.e. they're so close together so as you can imagine that i'm in stress city for me right now - le cry. On a positive note I feel like they've gone quite well so far but I've come to the conclusion that I'm definitely a coursework gal. So anyway, here are my current fav products for relaxing/trying to destress within your exam period. 

- Makeup -

You're probably thinking, makeup? Why does makeup make you feel relaxed? Well let me tell you, when I go into my exams feeling like a goddess it just helps okay. If I feel more confident in myself then my writing will be better, so you see, perfect logic. In particular I've been loving this Nars blush in Super Orgasm, the Multiple Stick in Copacabana for a beautiful dewy glow and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid lipstick in Pure Hollywood - obviously have to wear this cause it'll stay on for the whole exam duh. The other thing is nail varnish. I was recently gifted these beautiful nail polishes by Sally Hansen* and they're so so beautiful. They sent me a gel topcoat which honestly it's been such a life saver. I always find that I chip my nails so easily and with this I haven't like I'm so happy to find something that combats this. Again it's a confidence thing because in the exam you can see yourself writing but it makes me feel better that my nails look pretty? Is that weird? (Don't answer that).

- Skincare -

Skincare comes in the one form that I love and I'm forever repurchasing. Frank Body do some of the most amazing products which suit my skin type perfectly. They've recently come out with this beautiful scrub (I love the original one but as I keep it in the shower the packaging doesn't look so picture worthy so please take my word for it) but this one has all the unicorn vibes. It's a sugar shimmer scrub which I am obsessed with. It leaves your skin with a beautiful shimmer and I feel like a beautiful mermaid/unicorn. 

I also swear by their everyday face moisturiser and it sits under my makeup perfectly - I apply this every morning and evening. But you know when you're stressed and you want to scrub away your stress. Literally these products are just so refreshing and I always feel so much better afterwards and better yet they always help any breakouts which I'm particularly prone to when under pressure.

- Haircare - 

Another thing that goes in line with skincare is haircare. I'm currently in love with this hair mask from Hairmüd*. You apply it all over your hair - from root to tip - and leave it for 10 mins to sink in. It makes my hair feel so soft afterwards and it smells so good - you can smell the shea in it. It's one of those conditioners where you can physically feel the softness of your hair while it's still wet after you've washed it out in the shower.  I always feel better when my hair has had some TLC because when I'm revising I put it up in a bun and tend to be a bit lazy and not brush it (I know I know, I am a bad person - #HagridVibes). 

- Stationary - 

I am literally obsessed with the marble/rose gold stationary range from Sainsbury's at the moment. I picked up this cute little marble weekly planner which has been so helpful and some little notebooks to jot stuff down. I've always found that if you plan out what you're doing each day it's so helpful and takes the stress off when you can see it written down. 

So if you're in the same position as me right now and you're feeling the stress, just remember to take some time to yourself. Now i'm not saying spend 2 hours pampering yourself and to run a bath and go for a massage because let's be honest you'll probably be more stressed from not using that time to revise. But also for the love of all things good, take regular breaks so you don't go insane, make sure you eat and drink before your exams, and get some z's in.

Til next time x 

*contains gifted products but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.