Laura Loves List:

As the months of 2016 have been rapidly progressing, my organisational skills, sadly, have not been keeping up. I’d love to be one of those really ‘together’ bloggers that just seem to have a knack for making lists of things they love as the weeks go by, in preparation for their enviable hauls and monthly favourites posts, but I don’t seem to fall in that category. I start to make a list but that ends up becoming just as – if not more - dusty than my ironic book on organisational skills.

So, I’ve decided to mix it up a little. There are numerous things I take a liking to each week/month, whether that’s anything to do with a new fitness routine, exercise, food, fashion, music, beauty product, or simply a moment in my day etc, either way it will be filtered down week by week into the Laura Loves list. I find myself being inspired by bloggers random favourites, a collection of materialistic items, thoughts and experiences that give me an insight into their lifestyle rather than just the products they buy. It’s more of a way to inspire rather than punish the bank account! I’ve had many people ask me for diet and fitness tips so this way I can keep you all updated as to what I’m doing and loving as I go!

Training chest:


Like many women, I never thought we needed to train chest. We have boobs for crying out loud so what good is it going to do? But as my upper body becomes more toned, and I look in the mirror to assess the progress, and I can actually tense my chest... could that be a PEC? yeah, that makes me feel badass. Training chest can also lift your boobs and enhance cleavage, creating better form and shape. Why shouldn’t we be getting on that? 

Yoga after a workout:

So it may sometimes just be a Downward Dog, the Cobra, and of course I’ve been living for the Savasana (for non-yogi’s that’s the one where you lay there basically asleep at the end of a yoga session) – but it’s been a great way to stretch off after a hard training session and it’s been aiding recovery better than anything else I’ve tried.

Herbal tea:


This is probably going to be in this list every month. Anyone who knows me well would think there was something majorly wrong if I didn’t have a herbal tea in my hands. It counts for your daily water intake, cleanses the system, and is a natural energy boost – much better than a morning coffee or sugar-filled energy drink.

Marley Headphones:


These I just bought on a whim. Cheap and cheerful and on sale at HMV so how could I go wrong? The sound quality may not be as good as say if I were to splurge on Beats, but they do the job, they’re comfy and loud enough to block out any background noise at the gym. They’ve been perfect for zoning out and getting focused during a workout. Music is everything, so arm yourself with a good pair of headphones/earphones and a killer playlist, and you’ll be motivated in no time.

Toni&Guy Glamour Serum drops:


I really believe that investing time and energy into your hair and body, making them your best and most powerful accessory, is key. My hairs really been neglected recently and I’ve rarely been looking after it when I’ve been shoving it up most days for the gym. I’m quite a ‘how I look when I wake up is how I’ll be’ kinda girl, so minimal effort with hair products is ideal for me. Since applying this serum to the lengths and ends after a bath/shower, I’ve noticed a big difference in the condition of my hair. It’s softer, shinier and much easier to tame. I’m considering a big colour change in the summer so now is the time to be prepping and getting my hair in fighting fit condition!!

Fresh spring mornings:


There is something about waking up to the sound of birds singing and the sun peeping through my curtains of a morning that just makes my heart smile. I’m a summer baby so the sun makes everything in my mind and life feel much fresher, happier and I’m considerably more motivated. The other morning, I sat outside to have my herbal tea, and everything felt so calm and relaxed, like nothing mattered but that moment and finding happiness in the smallest of things. Developing an appreciation for small things like spring mornings, birds singing or the flowers blossoming, makes life seem not so heavy and serious, and waking up simply with an optimistic thought, or gratitude for something sets the mind up for a day enriched with positivity.

LAURA

Relaunching Lulaa-Belle.

Things are changing here on Lulaa-belle. I want this space to be a creative outlet for my thoughts, my life, and a place for inspiration rather than just another blog crammed with product reviews. Product reviews are great and I turn to blogs for them myself when I need advice etc, but I've made the decision to start writing for myself and about the things I enjoy instead of focusing on mainly beauty; I know a large chunk of my readership comes from the many beauty posts I've accumulated over the past couple of years, but I feel like I'm ready for change. 

 I find myself being drawn to bloggers like Sonya Esman from Classisinternal who exuberate an energy that leaves me feeling so inspired, something that I hope to achieve from my blog some day. My mind has been full of thoughts that I've wanted to share on Lulaa-belle but have held back because it never fit with the overall theme of my blog. Putting more energy into lifestyle posts and writing whatever my mind desires will allow me to find the freedom I've been looking for. 

I'm not entirely sure where this is going to go in all honesty. When bloggers spruce up their blog, it's normally a form of re-branding, change of layout whilst having a clear idea of the posts that will follow. But just as we are all human, and we don't know what life has in store for us, I'm just going with it.. and for it. This has been a long time coming, but expect this space to change as we do. My head space is very different compared to where I was two years ago so this is a move towards creative freedom instead of pigeonholing myself into one category of blogging. 

You can still find me at Lulaa-belle but titling this space with my name is a case of personal preference, a way of connecting to my writing. 

As I've already mentioned, this has been a long time coming and just as I have done today, do something everyday to get closer to where you want to be : - )

My summer essentials!

It's summer, it's summer! It's been sweltering over here in the UK and around London this past week or so. Whilst my dad complains about the heat and my mum goes into hibernation, I can't help but take in the sunshine and embrace the happiness that it brings to everyone! Everyone just seems to be in a good mood when the sun is out and since I'm a summer baby, it's when I feel most calm, free and motivated! I also have a holiday to Greece planned at the end of this month so this is when the preparation gets started - over packing, thinking of every possible scenario and occasion to dress for, and buying too many bikinis when realistically I'll only wear one or two. I just love it. 

Here are a few bits I've accumulated over the past couple of weeks and over my birthday that I will certainly be taking with me, or I'll keep by my side throughout this gorgeous British weather! 

(The Virgin Mojito Happy Hour Collection - comes with a Mojito Body Butter, scrub, shower gel and Mini Green bath Lily)

The launch of The Body Shop's new Virgin Mojito range has had everybody talking this season and I was lucky enough to receive pretty much the whole range for my birthday to try out. I was obsessed with the Fuji Green Tea range earlier this year and I just know I'm going to be obsessed with this one too *she says sniffing away at the body scrub like no tomorrow*. I've been trying so hard to keep my mitts off all the products because I really want this to be my holiday scent this year - but I don't know how long I can last! It's super fresh and sweet with bursts of lime and mint extract. I basically smell like my favourite drink, and I have this incredible image of myself laying on a beach in Greece, smelling like a Mojito whilst drinking a Mojito.. urm YES.

The Body Splash product is a lovely addition to the range. A light splash of this stuff after a cool shower on a hot summers day would be so refreshing and gorgeous. A worker in my local store said a Coconut base (i.e. a body butter, lotion or spray) would enhance the scent and make it last longer. I haven't tried this yet but let me know your thoughts!

This is the Organix Coconut Water weightless hydration oil and to say I love it is an understatement. For so long I've been using my coconut Ultimate Blends oil, but I've recently been finding it too heavy for my hair this summer. Since my hairs had the chop (I will be writing a post on this soon), I have been embracing its natural thickness; I finally have no more split ends and I really want to start looking after my hair - it has been prone to breakages, damage and dryness in the past. This oil gives my hair hydration that feels weightless whilst smelling a-m-a-zing. If ya love the smell of coconut, give this a sniff! It's like summer in a bottle.

I've spoken about these two babies before but they're my go to drugstore products for when I'm in need of a pop of natural colour. The Max Factor Creamy Blusher in 14 Soft Pink gives the cheeks a gorgeous natural flush and it's creamy consistency makes it look really pretty and dewy on the skin.
This goes perfectly with my old faithful and much loved Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in 09 Happy Nude Year. It's a fuss free, matte pinky nude that lasts all day on the lips - no need for top ups whilst you're enjoying the sunshine!

Who doesn't love flowers in their hair?! I've been embracing my inner hippy recently and at the moment they seem to be a festival season statement that anyone can get their hands on. I picked up this pretty floral headband from Primark for just £3/4 - absolute bargain! You'll definitely see me sporting this at Brownstock this month! (another hint at posts to come in the next couple of weeks) : - )

And last but not least, who can go through summer without an ott beach bag? Not me. My lovely mum got me this for my birthday from Accessorize and it's so gorgeous. Covered in vibrant neon elephants, Aztec stitching and A BIG TASSEL. Anyone who knows me would know that tassel's are my thang!

I'm loving all the summer posts right now on everybody's blogs, leave links below so I can see yours and let me know one of your summer essentials this year! Over and out : - )

My top tanning and bronzing must haves!

Having bronzed skin throughout the summer is a trend that will never grow old, but as we become more aware of how harmful the sun can be to our health and to the condition of our skin, it has never been more important to take care on those beautiful sunny days, leaving beauty gurus like myself to search for affective alternatives for women looking for that healthy glow!

Of course, sitting in the sunshine has it's health benefits but too much can be damaging for our skin - it may only be a burn now, but this is causing permanent damage to our skin that will become more noticeable in the future! So although many take to the sun for a non-patchy, all-over tan, I thought I'd show you a few of my healthy alternatives in a can/bottle to get that glow all year round without the risks!

Garnier Ambre Solaire dry body mist - 

This is a fairly recent purchase for me and I have to admit, my laziness when it comes to applying fake tan was the driving force for this buy. The idea of being able to quickly spray gradual tan on your body without having to wait ages for it to dry or that awkward stickiness that cream formula tans bring, is great, but of course it has its downfalls. As I was spraying myself with this new purchase, whilst dancing around my room and getting prepped for going out that evening, I suddenly thought - wait, this was way too easy.. surely there's a catch? It wasn't until 3/4 hours later that the catch became evident. STREAK ALERT. It's very hard to apply dry mist tans liberally and without missing a spot or two - or hundreds in my case - so it's probably best to apply this a day before actually going out to an occasion or event, because after a second coat it seemed to all blend in and look socially acceptable.
The colour was great though, natural and not too orange and even though I did have a little disaster on the first application, I think I will get to grips with it after a few attempts. The easy application makes it still very attractive for someone like myself who hates that stickiness of tanning lotions, but be warned! Expect to visit streak city until you get the hang of it - unless you're a tanning mist expert in which case, please comment some tips!!! : - )

Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter - 1 hour tan mousse: 

I actually love this tan, and I have to say, it's really wiped out my ol'faithful Garnier Summer Body tanning lotion off the top of my holy grail list. I usually leave my favourite till last but thought I'd mix it up for you guys and keep you on your toes!! hehe. Of course it's a tanning mousse so application is quite fussy, but its so worth it for the beautiful result! It's such an affordable alternative to more expensive tanning products on the market but its finish is just as good!
Simply apply all over your body and on your face for an all over bronzed look - don't be alarmed by how dark the product looks, it needs to be washed off after a couple of hours (I usually leave it for 3/4 hours) but after you've hit the shower, the colour and evenness of the product is lovely and really natural. And in case you're wondering, Cocoa Brown is made from a vegetable derived tanning agent, it's suitable for sensitive skin and it's moisturising and kind enough to be used on the face - WIN! This saves the trouble of having separate tanning products for the body and face which I know many brands haven't sorted out yet for people on a budget like myself!
I've really fallen in love with this tan and I know other big names in beauty like Tanya Burr have raved about this product too so it's definitely worth checking it out - and in case you're interested, this tan saved me from my little palaver with the previous tan I mentioned so I managed to leave the house with an all over, streak free tan! : - D

Garner Summer Body moisturising lotion:

I mentioned this product on my blog last summer and it's still up there with my favourite tanning products (it's been knocked off though by Cocoa Brown.. sorry Garnier!) but it's still a very reliable go-to tan for me because most of the time if I've prepped - exfoliated and moisturised the day before that is - it develops evenly leaving me with a nice deep but natural looking tan. However, the smell is very love it or hate it. I know some people who don't mind the smell of fake tan, but I happen to fall in the 'hate it' category and it becomes unbearable sometimes. However the even finish makes this product worth it and I think it's a definite must-try for anyone on a tight budget and wants a fuss free tan.

Click HERE if you want to see my other review and some other thoughts on this product from last summer!

Now onto bronzers! I know sometimes it can be a little daunting applying fake tan onto the face because it's harder to cover if something goes wrong and a lot of tanning products (apart from Cocoa Brown) are not suitable for face application and can sometimes cause break outs. So, to be safe, I like to apply a nice bronzer to match my fake tan to the colour of my foundation, and there are plenty of options out there to try and explore! Here are my two favourites right now : - )

 Hoola by Benefit:

Hoola is every girls best friend, and no she's not a human or a tub of ice cream, she's an old faithful bronzer that has graced every beauty gurus vanity table at some point. I can only describe this as your basic matte, fuss-free, brown bronzer. No shimmer or glitter or all hues of orange - just a brown powder. It's like a LBD for example, every girl needs one! I think the simplicity of Hoola is what makes it so popular; it's easily blended into the skin and perfect for an all over bronzed look when swept across cheekbones, nose and forehead. The fact I've hit the pan as you can see in the photograph is a BIG thaaaang, normally products don't even make it to being half empty before I'm bored and interested in searching for better or more exciting alternatives!

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer - 02:

And last but not least, The Body Shop's Honey Bronzer has been in my makeup bag for a little while now and it's compact mirror has become a must-have for my handbag and it's always on hand when I'm out and about. In my opinion this is a a great alternative to Hoola for girls with fairer skin and want a lighter bronzed look, because sometimes when I haven't applied tan, Hoola can be a little too dark for my skin tone. Yet again it's a matte brown powder which isn't too pigmented so perfect for anyone who wants a light bronze or a buildable bronzer for any makeup look. You can probably tell that I'm not into all of the shimmery bronzers out there with crazy patterns and blocks and wheels of pinks, yellows shades etc. A basic brown powder allows me to control and personalise my makeup so much easier with my choice of highlighter if I fancy injecting a little brightness into my makeup look! 

I hope this has given you an idea of a few tanning products to try this Summer ladies and please let me know in the comments your holy grail bronzing and tanning products so we can look like effortless bronzed goddesses! : - )

P.S: I also reviewed L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Elixir last summer and it claims to be 'indestructible', lasting for two weeks with no streaks or smell!!! See what my thoughts are after I put it to the test! Click HERE to read my review. 

Lets talk acne: My favourite foundation!

*Sorry for the messy eyebrows guys.. growing-out-my-eyebrows-to reshape-them problems*

Why Estee Lauder?

I’ve always had a thing for Estee Lauder. I don’t know whether it’s because I’ve seen my mum use the products religiously since I was a dot, or because Kendall Jenner is the face of the brand - either way, it’s a brand I’ve dabbled in here and there. I even worked on counter for some weeks before my hectic university timetable wouldn’t allow me to carry on. So, it’s fair to say I’ve got a little soft spot for the products that I spent much of my time learning about.

My skin

I have oily to combination skin, which at times can be a little unruly. It goes through stages – mainly for hormonal reasons – and sometimes it’s clear whilst other times I have crazy breakouts. I wish I was one of those people who only gets a spot or two but no, when I break out, I really break out. And it was on one of those bad skin days that I decided to go on the hunt for a foundation that doesn’t feel like an oily layer on my skin or clog pores, whilst lasting a long time.

The down low on Double Wear Light

Double Wear Light is pretty self-explanatory for already avid users of the original Double Wear. It’s a much lighter formula for people looking for sheer-to-medium coverage; it still carries elements of the original formula that so many women love, and it lasts all day!

I’ve used Double Wear before, but full cover in a foundation isn’t a desirable quality for me anymore. A lot of the time my face feels cakey and uncomfortable – I hate it! However, Double Wear Light allows me to start off with sheer everyday coverage that can be built up without feeling thick and oily on the skin; it’s perfect for those looking for a fuss-free foundation that gives a beautiful finish.

But most importantly, for those who suffer with acne like myself this lightweight foundation is non-acnegenic (products that are formulated to not clog the pores) and oil-free just like the original Double Wear, which is so useful for oily skin types that are prone to breakouts.

The lightweight formula is perfect for summer, and along with SPF 10, it really takes care of your skin all year round.

Why have I chosen Double Wear Light instead of the original?

I’ve recently taken a different approach to my skincare and makeup and I think this is important for all acne sufferers who are conscious of their skin. It’s so important to be patient with yourself and your skin during a breakout and I’ve come to realise that no amount of makeup caked on my face will make me feel any more comfortable with my spots. So instead, I think it’s time we embrace the lumps and bumps. Our skin goes through so many changes throughout our lives and the naturally ‘airbrushed’ look is almost impossible without Photoshop.

Instead, I’ve been using lighter products to cover up redness and just accepting that today, this is how my skin has decided to be and I think we all should. After all, I can guarantee that the only person looking at your spots is you – give people a pretty smile to look at instead!

What makeup or skincare products are you loving for acne-prone skin this Summer? : - )

Summer Skin Saviours!

As the British summer cranks up the heat, we need to turn up our skincare game. Naturally the condition of our skin can change with the seasons so its important to make sure we maintain its healthiness whilst striving for that beach girl glow. Whether your skin becomes more dry or oily in the heat, these products will kit you out for the months ahead! : -) 

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (hot cloth cleanser)

You know what’s coming. I’ve mentioned this product on here quite a few times now and I have to say, judging by the amount of empty tubes I’ve hoarded over the past year, it’s become a holy grail of mine! For anyone who hasn’t jumped on the Liz Earle bandwagon yet, hop on RIGHT NOW although I don’t think it’s going anywhere anytime soon!

I’ve tried other cleansers but I can’t help but come back to this one. It’s so gentle on the skin and the beautiful mix of naturally active ingredients always leaves my face feeling smooth and fresh - compared to other cleansers anyway, it’s the only one that leaves my face feeling squeaky-clean. Either way, I don’t think this baby is going anywhere out of my skincare routine and in case you’re wandering, it’s for all skin types so suitable all year round!

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate Facial Oil

This is a product I’ve had my eye on for aaaaaaages since developing my loyalties to Liz Earle as a brand but I have always assumed that having oily skin meant that introducing facial oils into my skincare routine would make the situation worse. However this particular oil is suitable for all skin types and has in fact counteracted the excess oil that I’m constantly trying to battle.

Firstly, the scent is overwhelmingly soothing and I can’t pump a drop without someone commenting on the aromatic waft! It’s quite a rich oil so can only be used at night but I really prefer this because our skin is continuously regenerating and repairing every night so it’s important to find the best product to enhance this process.

However, when applied at night (I like to take some time to massage the product onto the face) the oil doesn’t sink in straight away but continues to sink in throughout the night, allowing me to wake up feeling fresh; my skin always feels smoother and plumper the next morning! Give it a whirl if you’re looking for a boost of radiance this summer! : - )

No.7 Purifying Exfoliator

Everybody needs an exfoliator! It’s so important to get rid of all those dead skin cells to avoid congestion and potential breakouts and I’ve recently taken a liking to this No.7 exfoliator in particular. Since clawing my way through university exams, my skin has been all over the place and it feels like the dead skin is making a come back every night! So although it’s not the best for dry skin types, this more abrasive exfoliator has been doing the trick.

I’d describe it as your everyday exfoliator that is an essential for any skin type – but sensitive and dry skin types only stick to once a week application! Any form of exfoliation will do but this is the one I’ve been trying to use up – plus I thought I’d include it in this post because the colour of the packaging matches the other products and looks cute in my perfectionist mind (please don’t say it’s just me who does that… hehe).

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Body Butter

In this case I really am saving the best till last. Believe the hype but until you have a sniff of the Body Shops green tea range, you’ll understand why everyone’s been raving about it. Obviously my favourite thing about this product is the scent – super super fresh, and most of all hydrating. I’ve always thought that the other body butters were overrated because apart from the potent scents, they weren’t actually that moisturing. However the consistency of this body butter is more of a light gel formula that sinks into the skin quicker leaving long-lasting, comfortable and non-sticky hydration.

I have yet to purchase the rest of the range but i’m sure I won’t be able to resist much longer!

P.S Does anyone know why the Fuji Green Tea body butter is a different formula to the other Body Shop butters? Is this a thing now? (pls)

Comment and let me know! : - )

Have a lovely day guys and I hope you’ve taken away some ideas to add a little sunshine to your skincare routine!