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 : - )

FOTD: Get festive with Kiko - a warm eye look

Seen in photograph: 

- Foundation: Bourjois healthy mix (Vanilla)
- Concealer: Collection 2000 Lasting perfection concealer ( 01 Fair)
- Benefit Hoola Bronzer
- Lipstick: MAC Kinda Sexy
- Eyes (my staple product!): Kiko long lasting eyeshadow stick (37 Burgundy)


Not seen in photograph (because packaging is too grubby):

-Powder: Max Factor creme puff pressed powder (41 medium beige)
-Mascara: Bourjois volume 1 second mascara (ultra black)
-Brows: Hi impact brows palette

I LOVE this look. The warm burgundy eye is perfect for winter and the up-coming festive season! Team with a nude lip for a casual day look or with a dark berry lip for a mysterious, sexy evening do. Heavy contouring will always be in - from Cheryl to Kim Kardashian, effortlessly get the look with Benefits famous bronzer, Hoola! I never leave the house without my ol'faithful Hoola... even though it's getting a little bit grubby. It also has no shimmer and appears completely matte which doesn't make it too overpowering for everyday use - holy grail right there!

Kiko's burgundy eyeshadow stick also makes blue eyes really stand out and is soooo flattering, so blue eyed beauties... get to Kiko! I also love how easy it is to apply as eyeshadow can be a little daunting. It's a quick fix product that can completely transform a look in seconds; simply sweep and blend for a flawless finish!

I really hope you enjoyed this post because I haven't done a FOTD or MOTD in a loooooooong time. Be sure to let me know what products you're loving for the upcoming festive season and any eye products that make blue eyes pop!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lipsticks

Last week I went to the fabulous Bourjois 24hr Party Ready event and had a sneak preview of some of the gorgeous A/W range - including a new Rouge Edition Velvet lipstick in shade 09 Happy Nude Year! (how cute).

Sprinkled with bouquets of roses, cocktails all round, ghd stylists and nail artists at the ready, I felt pampered like a princess. I had a glass of wine in one hand, delicious mini hamburger in the other, whilst getting my hair done at the same time; my excitement (especially after a few wines) made it perfectly clear that this isn't a daily occurrence… hehe.

When I got home - head slightly hurting - I couldn't wait to try my new goodies! I've heard such great things about Bourjois' ultra long-lasting matte lippys, and they really lived up to their reputation. At first I thought: oh great, another standard lip gloss that tastes weird, with a sticky consistency and goes gloopy after a couple of weeks.. but no! I was super surprised to find that it had a smooth matte finish with a consistent pop of colour, easy to apply and just gorgeous. 

Happy Nude Year is a very pretty pink, but it's natural and subtle enough to wear everyday. The pop of colour gives any complexion a really healthy glow and it can easily be taken from day to night with a bold eye look - party ready for the festive season ahead! 

Even my mummy swooped at the sight of these, lathering it on whilst pouting in the mirror, mmm-ing with approval and insisting on stealing it for her evening out! They're so lovely and I'm really impressed by how long they last. I wore it on a date night with Sam and had a whopping great burger (only to test if my lipstick will last, of course) and surprisingly it had clung onto my lips like a trooper! So, it's really great for someone like me who intends to apply my makeup once a day, and once only. Oh, I also love the applicator wand which makes the product easier to apply than the standard-style lipstick… in the words of Bourjois, Rouge Edition Velvet is the "new era of lipsticks"- so much easier and convenient in my eyes! LOVE.

The red shade 03 Hot Pepper is also as hot as it looks. Like the little black dress that every woman needs, the same applies to the red lip. Bourjois' Rouge Edition red is, yet again, another beautiful matte shade that's super bold and long-lasting, keeping up with you towards the party season. 

I'm so impressed by the Rouge Edition Velvet range and they have to be the most long-lasting lip products I've ever used - bold statement, yes. I can't wait to try some more gorgeous shades because I have a feeling these are going to stay glued in my makeup bag for a long loooooong time. It's also inspired me to buy more of their products because I haven't really tried many up till now, so look out for more Bourjois inspired posts in the near future!