Get summer body ready!

So it's summer and even though British weather can be unreliable, us girls always have to be prepared.
For my skin I have always relied on the Garnier Body range- pocket friendly and does the job brilliantly! Being a bit of a tan-a-holic I have spent so much time and money finding the right gradual tan for me and the Garnier Summer Body moisturising lotion is the only one that has fit my criteria- and my budget.
Yes, you will still wake up smelling like biscuits but I guess every tan on the shelves at the moment will leave you smelling like a tasty snack (although I'm planning on trying the new L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Elixir which promises to have no self-tan smell and last two weeks!- if anybody has tried it please let me know what you think!) However, I love the natural glow it gives me rather than the typical blast of tangerine and when applying, it smells all summery and apricoty.. (if that's even a word). Streakiness can be avoided by applying with a tanning mitt and the glow can last up to a week if looked after properly! If you want a natural looking tan without splashing the cash, this is definitely the one for you!

To look after my tan and avoid streaks, I love using Garnier Intensive 7 Days Ultra-Replenishing Lotion with Shea Butter. Not only does it smell fresh, but it really does fulfil its 7 day promise- although I have recently been using it more than once a week, so my skin has been feeling amazing! It's  important to moisturise skin before applying any form of tan because streaks are usually caused by the product clinging to dry skin; it's best to moisturise 24hrs before otherwise your tan will not develop!
I've only been using this product for about two weeks but I'm loving the results! My skin feels nourished and has a glow that lasts for days!

Exfoliators are also crucial for glowing summer skin and can keep a tan looking even and natural. I recently found this Clarins Soothing Body Scrub For a New Skin in my draw (along with plenty of other beauty products I never knew I had) and I thought I'd give it a try.
I'm pretty lazy when it comes to looking after my body so I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about. After the first use, my skin felt instantly smoother and when teamed with the Garnier Ultra- Replenshing Lotion, I literally wanted to show off my summer skin to the world- very rare considering an over sized baseball top is my best friend. It's also very rich and luxurious so I wouldn't use it regularly, I'm thinking I need to search for a Soap & Glory scrub for a summery treat and for more regular use!

Another reliable Clarins beauty product that I always carry in my purse is Beauty Flash Balm. It's a must have for any time of the year, but particularly when on holiday for a fresh faced, natural look. It can be used as an intensive moisturiser when skin needs a splash of hydration and it's a perfect base before applying makeup. A must have for tightening and brightening, buy and try for yourself!

Before completely my uni exams last week, I felt really nervous and apprehensive so my lovely mum went into town and purchased these beauties for me to cheer me up! I was soooo excited to use them because Benefit is my favourite beauty brand and even better- it's for tan-a-holics like me!

This really cute 'totally tantalising' kit came with Benefits oh so famous Hoola bronzer and Bene Tint, my new favourites as they add a tropical holiday vibe to any look.
They say to sweep Hoola bronzer across chin, cheeks and forehead for a natural looking tan, but I just go crazy… I mean crazy. I also sweep it across my neck, chest or maybe even to highlight non-existent abs (don't judge me) for when my bikini makes an appearance.
It's a new and permanent addition to my makeup bag and I can't wait to take it on holiday! Even though I won't be wearing much makeup, I can still achieve a glowing summer look.

The Bene Tint is lush- a very much needed change after overusing my Sleek powder blush for so long. The girly posy pink compliments Hoola perfectly and they are quite the pair; particularly for a fresh faced look with minimal makeup; the liquid tint adds a pop of colour.
However, for those girls who like to spend a long time on their makeup, you'd be surprised by how speedy you need to be to apply this product. If it isn't blended seconds after it's applied, then you may have to sport two clown-like circles of unblendable blush- not a good look and a lesson I have sadly learnt.
However, I love the results and this kit is definitely a must have for this summer; a brilliant way to try both products in one go!

If you have any summer favourites or newly discovered must haves then let me know! 

A cleanser for every occasion

As the seasons change, so does the condition of our skin; its important to kit ourselves out with the right skincare, ready to tackle any occasion. From scrubs to oils, the list can be endless and it can be hard finding a cleanser that is suitable for you. So here are a few that have benefited my skin and made my morning and night routines a little bit more bearable.

1) L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection Nourishing Cleansing wipes:

We've all done it. After a night out or hard day; when the last thing you could ever want to do is take off your war paint- the thought of going to sleep seems so much more appealing. ENTER THE CLEANSING WIPE- the easiest way to perfectly cleanse your skin without all the hassle.
My favourite cleansing wipe at the moment is from L'Oreal's skin perfection range. I absolutely love the range and when I teamed it with the Skin Perfection serum, my skin felt amazing! Quick, easy and leaves skin feeling silky smooth… fabulous quick fix cleanser!

2) Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (hot cloth cleanser): 

After hearing my good pal and fellow blogger The Beauty Type speak so highly of Liz Earle, I thought I'd give it a whirl (excuse the cheesy rhyme). The Cleanse & Polish hot cloth cleanser promises to gently exfoliate, leaving smoother, clearer skin- a promise very much fulfilled. The mixture of natural ingredients (Rosemary, chamomile, cocoa butter, eucalyptus and essential oils) leaves a fresh, beautiful flowery smell and skin instantly feels smooth when generously massaged.
However, I'm a learner when it comes to hot cloth cleansers and it turns out I need to keep my L plates on.  I tend to be quite speedy when removing cleansers so at times I missed a few spots and indeed they turned into a spot or two- some so horrid they had their own shadow. But since learning from this little mishap I have learnt the beauty of a hot cloth cleanser. When skin feels dull and needs a quick fix, a quick hot cloth can leave skin feeling fresh and squeaky clean! Now I know what I'm doing, Liz Earle is a good friend of mine!

3) L'Oreal Skin Perfection Miracle Cleansing Oil: 

This product came as quite a surprise to me (yet again another Skin Perfection product that holds a place in my heart). At first I was a little apprehensive because I have oily to combination skin. However, clever ol' me thought that maybe if I fight oil with oil, then it would balance out and in a ideal world, I wouldn't have oily skin… maybe..yes? no? YES! As other harsh cleansers can strip the skin of natural oils that it NEEDS, the miracle oil re-balances the natural oil production, leaving skin feeling perfectly hydrated.
Since I use numerous spot gels and creams, my skin tends to feel tight and dehydrated, so this cleanser is perfect for when my skin needs a splash of hydration. After all, I reeeeeeeeeeeally wanted to get along with this product because it looks so luxurious and summery... eek!

4) Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser: 

This is another gooden. It does the job and everything you'd expect from a loyal exfoliator and cleanser! The scrub isn't too harsh on the skin so can be passed off for a cleanser as well, although I wouldn't use it every day. Like me, if you have spot prone skin, using exfoliators more than once or twice a week can in fact irritate the skin further; only use when your skin really needs it!
It buffs the skin and removes any dead skin perfectly without being too harsh on the skin, and the Orange extracts makes it smell summery, fresh and suitable for all skin types!

*QUICK TIP*

When using scrubs, masks or hot cloth cleansers it's important to remove the product with CLEAN and reliable towels or flannels. Towels can hoard tons of bacteria and if you don't wash them a couple of times a week then soak up the residue of product with a dry paper towel. They're reliable and will not spread bacteria and cause pesky breakouts! Just a few little changes can make the world of difference to your skin!

Evening dress design inspired by magnificent mesh!

Whilst watching the Eurovision, I decided to get my sketch on and it developed into this! I love mesh; it's my favourite trend at the moment. It's sleek, sexy and so sophisticated when worn it the right way!

This design was inspired by glamorous Gothic chic; a tight knee length body with black mesh sleeves. Lilac screams summer and with many pastel shades hitting the high streets, I wanted to add a sexy twist by adding the colour black- rock chick ready!

Recently, I have been drawn to backless dresses. They're the most subtle way of showing off lots of skin without making the wrong impression (however finding the right bra would be a challenge).

Wear with a simple Kardashian up-do to highlight the beautiful backless aspect of the dress, dark lip and black strappy platforms and stand out in any room!

This is the first time I've incorporated my passion for art into my blog and I can't wait to get creative and show you all of my ideas! 

Photograph of the week: Family

Last week I had my lovely family visit from Italy and Wales- excited was an understatement! I hadn't  seen them in such a long time and the rush of emotions and euphoria cannot be written in words. So why not use this weeks inspirational photograph to sum up the week?!

From seeing my uncles face as he walked into his surprise 50th birthday party to simply relaxing and feasting on typically British food; the week can be personified by two people I see most days, but are incredibly important to me.

Insisting I take a photograph on my iPhone, my nanny and sister, Charlotte snuggled in a woolly patchwork throw. In a quirky little garden, filled with flowers, fairy lights and vintage ornaments; my nanny giggled as she took off her glasses (insisting it would make her look better) without realising she was still waving a cigarette around, caught up in the excitement of the moment.

Two people in a beautiful cottage garden, content with the warmth that a cup of coffee or blanket brings. A moment of complete content and euphoria as my family is reunited. The best week ever!

A blogger entering the world of fitness: GYM PROBLEMS!

Photograph from www.picturecorrect.com 

A glamorous world of boobs, bums, tums, perfect faces and tiny waists or hard graft grunting, sweating and aching? The gym is either loved or loathed. As a curious beauty blogger, I have entered the world of fitness, hoping to get abs like slabs and biceps bigger than my boyfriends. Getting into the routine of going three times a week has been tough, but whilst on my mission, there have been a few things I've noticed. 

1) Couples workouts: Cute or Cringe? 

There always seems to be a couple, perfect in many ways, who are just there to make you feel inferior. Cute? Sometimes. Yes, they must have worked for years chiseling those abs and sculpting that form, but going to the gym topless (the guy) and sports bra and shorts that could be mistaken for knickers (the girl).. really? 

Me and Sam go to the gym together and there are just as many positives as downfalls. Firstly, you have to look hot. Whether it's what you wear to a quick scruffy but sexy up do- that you obviously spent ages doing; you will always try to impress. 

Sam is much more active and fitter than me… unfortunately… and I have to admit that I do from time to time boost the effort level to the same or higher than his to make it look like I can handle the heat. After flying across the gym and landing on my bum after falling off the treadmill, I think I learnt my lesson!

2) Uh oh! Bumping into someone you know: 

It will always happen- at the times you least want to be seen. When rocking out in a messy bun, baggy tee and no make-up, the dreaded call of your name by a familiar being is SO annoying. 

It could be a girlfriend you love seeing, but there is nothing worse than gossiping whilst panting heavily on the cross trainer or treadmill- unless they want to be covered in spit and die at the sight of my painful workout face! 

If it's someone you haven't seen in a long time, it's perfectly acceptable to say "yeah I'm here all the time" to try and impress. Who doesn't want that "she's looooookin goooood since seeing her at college" compliment?

3) Style:

Being a beauty and fashion blogger, of course the first thing on my mind is looking good. Who said you can't look fabulous at the gym? Whether you're curvy or straight up and down, it's important to find the right gym wear for you… as I've learnt. 

My best bud is the cross trainer, but like most of the cardio equipment, it involves a lot of going up and down… bad news if you're a girl with boobs. After looking down and seeing they have a life of their own, I decided to get a decent sports bra. But there's no harm in wearing a bra underneath for extra support! 

A girls best friend is also a good pair of comfy gym leggings. However, I have seen plenty of catastrophes with see-through malfunctions, revealing knicker lines here there and everywhere! Check the lines gurrrrlllsssss. 

4) Competition? 

Girls compare. But at the gym that is just escalated. It's fine to have a sneaky peak at the talent; how can you not with boobs and bums flying everywhere! 

I think many girls have a mental image of what they want to look like when their body is at their best but there's no harm in having a mental notepad… "I  want abs like hers and maybe if I got my arse in gear I could get legs like hers".

Whilst others see it as competition, I use it as motivation. There's nothing more empowering than seeing women grow with confidence and work to be the best they can be.    

5) Which Category do you fall in? 

The gym is a mini society in its own right and there are cliques; if you thought you'd be leaving them in school, you are wrong! I have seen:

- The guys who go just to socialise 

- The guys who like to look at themselves in the mirror 

-The guys who go to actually work hard 

-The guys who like to grunt really loud to show everyone how hard they are working… yes yes well     done. 

- The girls who wear hardly anything and know they look good… god forbid they ruin their makeup! 

- The girls who get down to the nitty gritty and don't care what they look like

- The girls who know what they're doing.. move away lads, it's time for the ladies to hit the weights!

But most importantly… which one are you?

Summer Style- Prep for Barcelona!

Yank out ya faithful bikini and shorts you know are too small for you- a bit of cheek would never hurt anyone; Laura is going on holiday!!. After my first year of university and dipping my toes into the harsh realities that adult life brings, (i.e.spending my money on noodles and beans instead of clothes) a holiday with Sam in Barcelona is like music to my ears! 

My first thought was 'finally I can have a natural tan!', but of course every girl needs a Summer wardrobe to compliment the new bronzed complexion.

You know it's true. A holiday is every excuse to go shopping, and I made it my mission to get myself a few bargains. 

My first purchase was this cute floral, high-wasted skirt from River Island, and a sale item at just £12! 

I absolutely love the bold print. Orange and clashing patterns scream the style of Summer! With a plain tee or body, this skirt is the perfect key piece for a bold but girly ensemble. 

Okay, this denim beauty wasn't in the sale but I couldn't resist. Originally I thought a light wash would be a bit risky because I don't have airbrushed pins like Miley Cyrus but hey ho, they'd look great with a tan!

I also love the high-waisted aspect of these shorts. Look cute on the beach in a bikini top or wear them tactfully to hide a midriff harbouring a food baby (me all the time). 

What a way to make shorts look more badass than to add a gold lion to a black chunky belt… BADASS! 

(Excuse the orangeness but Lady Gaga had more of a tan than me at the time)
I teamed my new fave shorts with a bright peach tee (also from River Island). I can't wait to wear them on holiday with some glads or flip-flops but why not go all Miley Cyrus on the world and team with some Docs?

I desperately needed some sunnies for my holiday because unfortunately my last ones cracked… from the heat of the sun… oh the irony. But I loved this tortoise shell pair from New Look- at just under a fiver, why not! *grabs a few more pairs*.