BEAUTY: Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Eye Cream

I've been trying to get into the swing of having a proper skincare routine recently and I noticed that a staple that was missing from my routine was an eye cream. I'd always gone for eye creams that tried to tackle dark circles and was never really impressed with them so I would just forget to use them. So, I was on the look out for an eye cream when I spotted Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Eye Cream.

I wasn't really expecting much out of the eye cream as I had never been impressed with them before, however, I think I had been expecting miracles with the other eye creams that I had tried. However, as this was just focusing on moisturising the area I've found that it really has helped. For a start under my eyes it isn't as dry as it had previously been and doesn't feel as tight. Plus my concealer looks better now and less cakey.

The packaging is really good too as there is only a small nib where the product is released which means only a small amount of product is given out meaning that you don't use too much or waste any. It's quite creamy and soft and applies really easily, sinking into the skin quickly. If you're after an eye cream that simply gets the job done, then I would definitely recommend this product. It's simple and keeps your under eyes moisturised and feeling soft.

What is your favourite eye cream?

♥

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BEAUTY: Sanctuary 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask

As mentioned in my Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm post, I've recently been switching up my skincare routine. I felt like winter has really been taking it's toll on my skin this year, it simply looked dull and dry and I've been having an awful lot of breakouts. I'd heard some good reviews on the Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask so when I was in Boots a couple of weeks I decided to pick it up.

The mask warms up ever so slightly when you apply it to your skin which really helps draw out any impurities. It feels really love when it's on your skin, I hate it when masks make your face really tight, whereas this, I didn't notice had this effect on my skin. It feels quite light on your skin as well but you can feel it really getting to work.

After removing the mask with a damp cloth, I noticed that my skin felt softer and looked a little brighter. I've been using this mask twice a week for about three weeks now and my skin has cleared up an awful lot. I still get the odd spot which is irritating but I am prone to break outs. However, it was how dull my skin was looking that had been getting me down. It now looks a lot brighter and fresher.

I've really been loving using this product. I've not tried any of the Sanctuary products before and I'm thoroughly impressed with how well the mask has worked. Next time I'm in Boots I'll be sure to check out some of their other products. It's not the cheapest mask available in boots at £10.50 but I definitely think it's worth it, plus they always have some promotion on instore. You can also pick up sachets of the mask if you want to try out the product beforehand without splurging on the full bottle.

What are you favourite mask to use for a pamper session?

♥

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BOOKS: Lindsey Kelk - Jenny Lopez Series

I was never a fan of the idea of e-books, but it appears that more and more authors are releasing short stories that are only available via Kindle or other e-book sites. To me this was a little annoying but in the past couple of months I've really been enjoying reading these e-books. After downloading the Kindle app on to my phone, I find it so much easier to read books whilst I'm on my lunch breaks and this way I don't have to carry the book to work with me.

Anyway, I've recently read Lindsey Kelk's spin-off short stories of Jenny Lopez. This includes 'Jenny Lopez has a Bad Week' and 'Jenny Lopez Saves Christmas'. I'm a big fan of Lindsey Kelk already and I loved the 'I Heart' Series, which is where the character of Jenny Lopez has come from. She's one of those really fun loving characters that if you've read the 'I Heart' Series you no doubt loved her. So reading these short stories about the character herself was really fun. I only finished reading 'Jenny Lopez Saves Christmas' the other day but I loved every minute of it. From the old characters to the new ones they were all completely lovable. I can't help but wish that I could live Jenny Lopez's life for a single day because no doubt it will be eventful.

If you're looking for something to read on your lunch breaks or whilst travelling, I would seriously recommend the 'Jenny Lopez' series. They are so funny and they don't feel too short  or too long. They were just perfect and especially if you're having a rough day at work/school these will cheer you up no end. What I also really loved about 'Jenny Lopez Saves Christmas' is how Lindsey Kelk also tied in her second series of books of 'About A Girl' using the character of Bertie Bennett. I love books that tie together even if it's loosely.

What other e-books would you recommend because I am on the lookout now.

♥

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BEAUTY: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Products

Last year it felt like you couldn't go on YouTube without someone mentioning Charlotte Tilbury products and I'm not going to lie it really made me want to try some of her products, especially her lip products. Her products have been getting amazing reviews which is not surprising as she is a makeup artist so surely she knows what we really need from out of our makeup?

After noticing that her products were a little discounted on the Selfridges website I decided to have a little snoop around after Christmas. What is it about discounts in January where we tell ourselves it's okay to spend more money than usual? I've been desperate to try out the Lip Cheat Re-shape & Re-size Lip Liner in 'Pink Venus' (not pictured) ever since I Covet Thee featured it on her blog, I loved that post. I already purchased the lip balm from that blog as soon as I saw it. I couldn't not pick this up. Sometimes I don't want to wear a bold or dark lip and just want a little bit of colour that I know will last all day. This does exactly that. It's a peachy-pink nude shade and looks absolutely gorgeous if you're doing a 'no-makeup makeup day' or if you've got a heavy eye makeup on and want a simple lip. The pigmentation is lovely in the lip liner and I've been wearing this an awful lot recently.

('Amazing Grace')

I also picked up two of her Matte Revolution Lipsticks (I am addicted to lip products). I wanted a slightly bolder but a natural coloured shade, not really a nude but something that was quite simple (does that even make sense?) I picked out the colour 'Amazing Grace' which is a gorgeous pink/red/peach colour. It's a lot brighter than the original pencil I bought but it doesn't look too bold compared to some lipsticks that I love to wear. When I haven't been wearing the lip liner this is what I've been using. It's just really simple and easy to wear and also makes your entire makeup look a lot brighter and healthier. I feel like this would look lovely throughout the entire  year too, whereas some colours you can only wear in the winter and others are summer shades, this is just very neutral without being a true nude tone. I like how moisturising it feels on the lips too. Again, the pigmentation is amazing but I wouldn't expect anything else. Finally, I love the smell of this lipstick, is that weird? I say it about my Soap & Glory Lipsticks too but they just smell gorgeous.

('Glastonberry')

Finally, I also decided to buy 'Glastonberry' because who doesn't love a berry lip in the winter? I also really loved Zoe's Makeup Tutorial on her channel when she used this and had been dying to try it. Again it's really moisturising on the lips and very pigmented. It's not one that I'm wearing everyday just because I've been wearing a more simple, natural looking makeup at the moment, but I absolutely love the colour. I have a lot of plums and berry colours in my collection but this is quite unique.

I've been really surprised how much I've been loving these lip products. Also, the packaging is gorgeous. They're quite heavy so feel luxurious and are in rose gold casing - who doesn't love a bit of rose gold? I'm definitely looking into purchasing some more products at payday that's for sure. I've never really bought into expensive/luxury makeup before other than the Urban Decay Naked Palette's but I am blown away by how much I love the Charlotte Tilbury products. I know my bank account will hate me in a couple of hours time when I get paid again.

Have you tried any Charlotte Tilbury products? What do you love?

♥

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BOOKS: Miranda Dickinson - I'll Take New York

I'm going to admit that I have been reading Miranda Dickinson's 'I'll Take New York' for absolutely ages and not because I didn't enjoy it (I honestly, loved it) but with working over Christmas pretty much non-stop and it not really slowing down afterwards I've been getting into my bed and switching the light off immediately. However, I spent last weekend finishing the book and I loved every minute of it.

It's one of those stories that I feel like is going to stay with me. Every part of it created a vivid image for me, it was like watching a movie. The detail and the characters were so clearly portrayed. 'I'll Take New York' is designed as a second part to her 'Fairytale of New York' however, it can also be read as a stand alone story - which is how I read it - it's just some of the characters are the same.

The story follows Bea who meets Jake at a party, both having experienced pretty terrible relationship problems recently connect over their love of New York and make a pact swearing off relationships. I like how Miranda made Bea a strong female protagonist making it on her own in New York and I love the friendship she shares with Jake. Jake is also just a lovable character. The story is from both of these characters point of view which normally I don't like as it can get confusing, or I just like reading from one characters perspective. However, I was intrigued to read both of their stories as although they shared time together, I liked finding out more about both the protagonists past.

It's a great easy chick-lit read. I don't want to give too much away, I think if you're a fan of Lindsey Kelk or Sophie Kinsella you'll love this. As soon as I saw this is WHSmiths a few weeks ago now, I saw New York and had to pick it up (a girl can dream about going, right?) It was definitely worth the read and the story has lots of twists and turns, definitely a memorable one. I've also picked up 'Fairytale of New York' too, which I can't wait to read. Finally, I  liked at the end of the book, where she included a list of her favourite movies set in New York as well as a playlist of the songs that she was listening to whilst writing the book, which I just think adds to entire novel.

Have you read any Miranda Dickinson books before? What's your favourite.

♥

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MUSIC: James Poole - Alive

With Twitter, I find that you're constantly getting bands that you've never heard of following you on there, or you get people tweeting you to check out their music. Most of the time I ignore it. I don't know why because they may be the best band/singer in the world and I'll never know. So recently, when this has happened I've tried to make more of an effort to listen to whoever this new follower is. The other day I was tweeted by James Poole telling me about his new song 'Alive' and I really didn't know what to expect to begin with, assuming he would sing very pop songs. But I was pleasantly surprised.

'Alive' is a slow ballad but there is a lot of power behind it too. James Poole has quite a unique tone to his voice which sounds incredibly sexy (to me) and I really like this. It kind of reminds me a little of Gavin DeGraw just with a little less grit and we all know how I love a little bit of DeGraw. Despite having a strong chest voice, Poole's falsetto is just as impressive and he uses this in all the right places to take the song into other places and make it more beautiful and angelic.  

Using only a piano, the song is incredibly emotional and who doesn't love a sad song? I think this would sound beautiful live especially with a choir to build and create more atmosphere where Poole can't alone. You can hear the hard work that Poole has put into the song even though it sounds completely effortless in the way he sings. This song gives me goosebumps and has an almost haunting effect. It's a beautiful song, for me it's about living your life the way you want and with who you want even if people think you're 'out of your mind'. It's about starting over and moving on. It's definitely a song that gets you thinking about situations which is what music is all about. 

Check out James Poole's 'Alive' below: 

Have you checked out James Poole's music before? What do you think?

♥

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MUSIC: Years & Years - King

Every now and again, I love to listen to a little bit of dance music but I like the more indie sound to it. I'm a huge fan of Foster the People and Two Door Cinema Club, so recently when Years & Years were advertised before a YouTube video, I decided to check them out and I stumbled across their song 'King'.

The music is very much what I like from this sort of genre. It has a club vibe and a party feel so you get that feel goodness from it but the lyrics talk about a destructive relationship which kind of goes against the music. It's odd in that way but I quite like it. The music does just want to make you dance and have a good time with your friends.

The singer uses a lot of runs and trails which adds to the song and follows the music a lot which is quite quirky. Usually, I'm used to runs being used in big power ballads but this is quite unique. I think that Years & Years have found a gap which they fill really well. Getting the balance of songwriting and production just right, plus you can hear that he has a great voice behind him. One thing that normally irritates me about dance music is that it sounds completely different live but after looking at their live performance they do actually sound pretty similar which surprised me. I'll definitely be checking out more of their music.

Furthermore, I really like the music video for 'King' it's quirky and different with the use of contemporary dance. I like the use of showing clips with the dancers moving the singer but then clips of the singer being pushed into those shapes with the dancers invisible, it just makes it quirkier and I love things like that.

Check out Years & Years music video for 'King' below:

Are you a fan of Years & Years, leave a comment below. 

♥

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MUSIC: James Bay - Hold Back The River

I can't remember when I first heard of James Bay, but for some strange reason I never really listened to him at the time. It was only the other day that I was at work and I kept hearing this song being played and I became obsessed with it. After writing the lyrics down on a piece of POS signs to remind me to download the song when I got home, was it that I realised I was obsessing over James Bay's 'Hold Back the River'.

(Source)

I can't get over how beautiful this song is. We all probably know now that my favourite music is that which sounds really authentic and without loads of production. Songs that will sound the same live as they do on the record and this is one of those songs. It just makes me want to see that artist even more live knowing that it'll pretty much be the same. Plus, I think it shows the artists talent off more as they aren't hiding behind anything like synthesized elements and I think James Bay is full of potential and talent. He also has that bluesy feel to his style that I love and his songwriting is just incredible.

I love how 'Hold Back the River' starts quite simple and low, it's just got a nice flow to it and it's quiet and understated. But then it builds throughout the song into a fast pace  and he plays around with his falsetto and a much more powerful gravelly sound with his voice exposing the grit in his tone. It's so simple and James Bay shows off everything that he can do that you can't help be blown away. There's so much power behind his voice towards the end of the song and you can hear the emotion which gives me shivers.

Despite being a serious song, it has an upbeat tempo to the chorus which makes you feel optimistic about the situation and makes you feel that everything will be alright for these two characters. 'Hold Back the River' is also incredibly catchy, I can't stop singing this song and I'm constantly listening to it at the moment. Everything about this song is right up my street and I can't wait for his album to be released because if it's anything like this single I'll be obsessed with it in no time.

Check out James Bay's music video for 'Hold Back the River' below:

Are you a fan of James Bay? What music are you loving at the moment? 

♥

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