My Top 3 Favourite Brands

Number one favourite brand…of course, Cocoa Brown. It is the only fake tan I will ever use. It gives the most perfect colour for Irish skin tones, it applies beautifully and basically is fool proof. Also Cocoa Brown have the best tanning prep products and I have been enjoying playing around with the Golden Goddess oil (can't wait to use this in the summer). 

Number two favourite brand is MAC… they just have got it all, haven't they! Their lipsticks are amazing, their eyeshadows are brilliant and I use the foundation and concealer every day. Also love fun products like their glitters and limited edition things (I just love looking at the Cinderella powder pictured - it's so stylised Disney looking!). They are also not the most expensive brand out there I don't think and are really accessible to all. 

My final favourite brand is of course Clarins. You have heard me rave about Clarins on this blog many a time before so I won't bore you with more of that. I just love the elegance of their products. Their bases are amazing (if you haven't tried the concealer yet you must!) and they also make lip products like no other brand. Also for Summer they always bring out the most amazing collections! 

Honorable mention goes to Lancome and Too Faced, I love those brands as well but I just haven't tried enough of their products to say that they are my favourite "brands".

*new* Cocoa Brown Instant Tan Bronzing Gels

I had a fantastic time last month at the Cocoa Brown Passion Persistance Pink event, when the latest Cocoa Brown products were revealed. I was so delighted, I really wanted Cocoa Brown to come out with an instant tan! And it's great that you have the option of matte or shimmer.

I wanted to give these bronzing gels a proper go before I wrote about them on here. Although it has to be said, I have only really put the matte one to the test. The shimmer one looks fabulous, and I imagine it will look phenomenal on legs during the summer months. So sadly I haven't had a chance to try that yet! This review is of my experience using the matte gel.

Check out that shimmer!

I used the new Cocoa Brown Pink Velvet tanning mitt to apply..which is absolutely amazing and I went online straight away to order another one as a backup. It is so soft and really nice to apply tan. It also washes really well. So I would definitely recommend checking out the mitt! 

So you can see the gorgeous bronzed glow it gives me in my before/after photo! 

The Bronzing Gel is really nice to apply. I can't even describe the texture of it! It is a true gel, it glides over your skin and you have quite a bit of "play time" with it if you are afraid of it looking streaky. Just keep blending it in until you get the look you desire. I do feel it is a little sticky for a minute or two after applying, but it does set and does not budge on me all day.

I used to use the Cocoa Brown Lovely Legs all over the summer when I couldn't be bothered fake tanning, it's just so handy to put on an instant tan as and when you need it. And it washes off so there is no maintenance involved! But I definitely think the matte Bronzing Gel has a much better, more natural looking colour than Lovely Legs and it is a lot more durable too, I got a lot more wear time out of the Bronzing Gel and it still looked perfect at the end of the day.

These Bronzing Gels are also water resistant so no need to worry if you get caught in the rain! I find they only really come off in the shower with plenty of shower gel.

The Bronzing Gels are £5.99 each and the Pink Velvet mitt is £4.50. My suggestion is to snap these up quickly! You need them in your life!

Current obsessions! Featuring Cocoa Brown, Accessorize, Soap & Glory

Here's a few products I have been absolutely obsessed with in the past few weeks!

The first one is Cocoa Brown Lovely Legs Spray! I have only been tanning the top half of my body lately (no point tanning the legs if the weather is not so good!) so when I am wearing pumps I like to tan the tops of my feet using Lovely Legs! It works really well and is dead handy in tan emergencies! If I am fully tanned I also like to layer Lovely Legs over my tan. It's just a fantastic all around product.

I still consider myself a total Soap and Glory newbie. I got the Sugar Crush scrub and body butter a while ago and absolutely loved them. But the best thing about them was the scent! When I found out Soap and Glory actually bottled the scent in the form of this Sugar Crush Body Spray I rushed straight out to buy it. It smells identical to the products! My only criticism is that the scent disappears very rapidly. I guess that means you can spritz away to your heart's content! At £4 it's not exactly going to break the bank. I swear I could eat this scent if I could!

Another Cocoa Brown product I am obsessed with is Chocolate Whip! They are quite hard to find, any time I see a Cocoa Brown stand, Chocolate Whip is always sold out! I order mine from Cloud10Beauty. I would use a tube of this up in a couple of weeks, I use it pretty much every evening and my tan looks all the better for it. I was never that much into body moisturising before! It smells absolutely incredible and sinks really well into the skin. I love the tube packaging, it's so much easier to use and best of all if you think you have finished up the tube, cut the top off and you will see there is still loads of product left!

I had to re-order L'Oreal Wild Stylers Texturising Spray, my hair just wasn't the same without it! I have quite flat and silky hair. This spray just gives my hair a bit of grip and a bit of body. It's a very nice spray and doesn't leave your hair feeling sticky or tacky. I haven't used any other texturising sprays so I can't say how it compares with the likes of the VO5 one that everyone seems to love at the minute! But I do really love this spray!

And lastly are my sunglasses which I got in Accessorize. It's true I haven't been able to wear them much, thanks to our lovely weather! But I am obsessed with them just the same. I wanted a really cool, retro style sunglasses for my holidays and when I saw these I fell in love. I absolutely adore the cat eye shape and the design on the legs. They are just really lovely and stylish, and cost me £12.00.


Let me know what you are obsessed with lately!

January Favourites

Is it just me or has January been a very long month? I had been feeling a little under the weather (hence the lack of blog posts the last couple of weeks!) but I am now ready to get back into the swing of things! Starting with the products I was reaching most for in January.

1. Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze - I just did a review of this one so I will not go into too much detail why I love this! But basically, it gives me the most beautiful hint of tan which has seen me through the Winter months and I shall be continuing to use it in the Spring/Summer months! I find it so easy and fuss-free to apply, and there isn't too much maintenance involved. So happy with this product!

2. Soap and Glory Sugar Crush - I bought these 2 in Boots a few months ago on a whim…basically because I liked the smell of them! But I have been using away at them both and have completely fell in love. The  body scrub is a little on the gentle side which is absolutely perfect. I use it on wet skin in the shower and it really works a treat (plus the bathroom smells amazing afterwards!). The body cream is just amazing, I love the smooth and light texture of it. It absorbs really well and doesn't leave a horrid sticky feeling. Honestly the Sugar Crush range smells good enough to eat!

3. YSL Baby Doll Mascara* - When I first tried this mascara I actually said "Wow!". It has a great wand with a flexible tip, really great formula (with a light scent). It makes my lashes so long and perfectly separates each one, no clumps here! Plus the packaging looks ultra glam. Definitely reaching for this one a lot more than my regular Lancome mascara!

4. Real Techniques Nic's Picks brush set - Somehow over Christmas I ended up with 3 sets of these brushes! Of all the Real Techniques brushes I own, it is Nic's Picks which really made me stand up and pay attention. They have completely changed the way I apply my make up. The face brushes are fantastic and so soft. The eye brushes are just amazing and great for more precise application.

5. La Roche Posay Nutric Intense Riche - Over the last couple of months I am suffering with terrible dry skin, for the first time in my life and I don't know why! A few weeks ago, after trying what felt like every product under the sun, I was recommended this moisturiser and it has made such a difference. I still get dry patches around my nose but they are definitely getting less and less. Hopefully by the time I finish this jar my skin will be back to normal! I just love taking my make up off and using plenty of this moisturiser. It's very thick but it feels very comforting and nourishing.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturising Stick - The dry skin wasn't just contained to my face, it affected my lips as well! I actually went to the chemist to get the Reve de Miel lip balm that comes in the jar. They didn't have that so I bought this little stick version instead. It has a lovely light, kind of citrusy scent. It is lovely and smooth and glides onto the lips. It doesn't really last as long as I would have expected it to, cue me obsessively re-applying it every half hour! But it really is a saviour for dry lips and has helped me a lot.

Thierry Mugler Angel Perfume* - This has become my signature Winter scent. I wear it every day now! Where perfumes were concerned, I was into fresh/fruity scents only. Angel changed all that. It is oh so unusual, and a completely unique scent in my opinion. It is quite woody and spicy, almost like a masculine scent. I honestly haven't came across a perfume like this before. It is quite a heavy scent, you only really need a spritz or two as it is so strong. I also quite like spraying a bit on my scarf or on my hair. I also love how the bottle is re-fillable! Mine is the limited edition Glamorama bottle which came out at Christmas. (I did a full review of Angel here )


Have you tried any of these products? I'd love to know what your favourite products were from January!

Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze Review

Am I a little late in reviewing this? Gentle Bronze, which is Cocoa Brown's gradual tan, was released last year but truthfully it is only since Winter began that I have gotten the most use out of this! I don't want a full on tan, but I need something to take away the horrid purple/grey of my skin tone.

Back in the day, when I was a complete tanophobe, I would have used Johnsons Holiday Skin for a subtle "glow". Now, from what I remember, Johnsons Holiday Skin was horrible in texture, similar to that of wallpaper paste. It had a horrible smell and it took an age to dry, leaving you with that awful sticky feeling for hours on end. Plus, you would have to apply it every night for about a fortnight to notice any sort of colour at all. Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze is the complete opposite of this!

I had been so accustomed to using Cocoa Brown One Hour Tan, which gives me the perfect tan that I want and has never let me down. It's quite nice actually to try something a little bit lighter, and a little easier (for me) to apply.

It has a beautiful, light texture and has a nice but subtle scent, similar to that of the One Hour Tan. I apply this with my hands, just like a regular moisturiser. Not once have I experienced any difficulties with this application method, no streaks or anything! It absorbs really quickly so you don't have to sit around with that awful sticky feeling. I also like to put a little bit on my face (I love tan on my face!) and have not experienced any breakouts or anything of the kind. This product is very kind to my skin.

Think it's time for some before and after photos!

 Before

After

These pictures show what just ONE application of Gentle Bronze can do! You can continue to build up your colour with further applications if you want, but I am absolutely thrilled with how I look after just one application. This is exactly what I want, when I want to be just a little bit tanned however it looks quite natural in Wintertime. 

I love Gentle Bronze for a perfect bronzed glow, ease of application and best of all it is only £5.99. I am definitely going to be stocking up on this stuff for Spring coming in!

My Top Products of 2014

Everyone is doing one of these posts so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon! I try out a lot of different products throughout the year but I have chosen a selection of products/brands which have really impressed me more than any other.

La Roche Posay skincare! Ever since I took a bad reaction to a Clarins cleanser, I switched up my skincare routine (actually it was more of a complete overhaul). I went and bought everything La Roche Posay and the condition of my skin has improved dramatically. I love each and every single product I have bought, and I will continue to repurchase. The prices are kinder to my wallet too. I seem to have amassed quite a collection of La Roche Posay products over Christmas! Honestly it will now take a lot for me to stop using this brand.

This year I started using Mane 'n Tail products on my hair this year, and am so impressed. I am just mad that after several years of paying big bucks for the likes of Kerastase shampoos, I could have been using this. Mane 'n Tail just really agrees with my hair. I have found that my hair gets less greasy, and the detangling spray is a godsend for my tatty hair. Wonderful range of products and reasonably priced too.

I tried a lot of makeup throughout the year too, but only one new foundation which was the Clarins Extra Comfort. I am so, so impressed with the coverage of this product and how comfortable (as the name would suggest) this foundation is to wear. It is extremely beneficial to dry skins and contains a lot of skincare and anti-ageing properties. It was quite a spendy foundation, and the packaging isn't at all practical but it is the only make uppy product that really overwhelmed me in 2014.

Another skin care product! Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover is the one and only eye make up remover which really works for me. It is kinda expensive (£18) but I have tried drugstore alternatives and they are just not a patch on this stuff. A bottle of this usually lasts me about 2 months so I have gone through quite a number of bottles in 2014! And I shall continue to purchase this in 2015. It is the best make up remover and is really gentle on my eyes too.

It is interesting that this year my favourite products are mostly skincare. I had to include some make up too. I wanted to include something that I reach for every single day, so I cannot choose between the Clarins Lip Balm Crayons and Tanya Burr Lip Glosses! I reach for one of these every day. I love the colour selection and pigmentation of the Tanya Burr glosses (and they smell lovely) and Clarins Lip Balm Crayons really were my holy grail products especially during summer. Especially the shade "Creamy Pink".  I have worn them down quite  a lot and they are nearly done - sad times! At the moment I am wearing Tanya Burr lipgloss in "Aurora" which is a lovely sparkly, pinky-nude. I wore it a lot over Christmas too. Beautiful!

Since I really got into the habit of fake tanning in 2013, 2014 was the year when I kinda laid off the tan and went for something a little lighter. Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze is in fact my holy grail gradual tanning product! It's the total opposite to the hideous gradual tanners I used many years ago. It has a lovely light consistency, it absorbs really quickly and has a nice scent. I am left with a beautiful colour the next morning, no streaks or patches either! Just one application of Gentle Bronze has been perfect for me, when I want a little hint of tan but not too much. I have really particularly taken to this product in the Winter months. For me, this is the best gradual tan out there. I will have to stock up on a few more tubes for the new year! 

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think? Oh and of course, Happy New Year to everyone! :) 

Six Products for Autumn!

I am so excited for Autumn, i can't even describe it. Without a doubt it is my favourite season, and I look forward to it every year! I have already re-jigged my wardrobe, and boots and chunky cardigans are already making an appearance. But it is natural that we shake up our beauty products too. Here are six things which will be a staple part of my beauty routine this Autumn!

Lancome La Vie est Belle Perfume - Gone are my summery, fruity perfumes. It is time for this classic beauty. This is the most gorgeous, elegant perfume. It is not something I associate with summer, for me it is the ultimate Autumn/Winter perfume. I try not to use it too much, as it is my "good" perfume but damn it smells so good!

Lancome Teint Idole Foundation - Over Summer I used CC Cream and tinted moisturiser a lot for my base. Lancome Teint Idole is my ultimate foundation, of course I used it over Summer too when I needed a bit more coverage. I really missed using it every day though! It's my holy grail foundation.

Urban Decay Naked Palette - To me, this is Autumn in a palette. Beautiful warm eyeshadows. There is nothing about this palette that I don't like. My favourite combination for Autumn is Half Baked all over the lid, which is a beautiful gold and Dark Horse in the crease and lower lid.

Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze - I have to admit that I have got a little bit addicted to tanning over the last year. For the new season however I am trying to wean myself off it (it's amazing seeing my natural skin tone again!). Gentle Bronze is the most fabulous gradual tanner, EVER! It gives me a beautiful light colour, just a little bit of "glow" to take the edge off my pale skin.

Cocoa Brown Lovely Legs Spray - I have been reaching for this a lot lately as well! I am a bit of a lazy tanner, and quite often I only use Gentle Bronze on my top half. I whip out the Lovely Legs depending on what I am wearing that day. It is dead handy to apply to your legs and the tops of your feet if you are wearing pumps and have forgotten to tan your legs! It has great staying power too.

L'Occitane Hand Cream - I got this when I was on holiday in Paris and absolutely love it. I use it several times daily! I hate when my hands feel dry and tight and this is perfect to combat that. Plus I love that the tube is absolutely enormous! Hopefully it will last me a long long time! It has a beautiful scent too. It is a very luxurious thick cream but it absorbs well and does not feel greasy or sticky. Brilliant!

What products do you like to use in Autumn?

Spring is here! :) :) My Spring favourites

Yay! First outdoor pic of the year! :)

There's just something about Spring that I love. There is a freshness in the air and without even realising it, I find that my taste in make up suddenly changes. I am drawn to bright colours, lightweight bases, and yet things that are long wearing.

I don't know where I would be without my Cocoa Brown tan. I apply it once a week, perhaps now the better weather is coming in it will be more. But I have also been using it with the new (and amazing) Gentle Bronze. I will apply my Cocoa Brown as normal and throughout the week I will use Gentle Bronze to top up my colour. Gentle Bronze is such a beautiful, lightweight moisturiser. It gives a beautiful colour and it doesn't feel sticky when you apply it which I love! (I suddenly have flashbacks of years ago as a teen when I didn't want to wear tan but I used to apply liberal amounts of Johnsons Holiday Skin *shudder*)

I got a little sample of Clarins Hydraquench Tinted Moisturiser. I loved it so much I went out and bought the full size. I shall definitely be using this all over the summer! I wouldn't normally go for a tinted moisturiser because I just love foundations so much, but this one is different (a full review is coming soon!)

Of course my beloved Chanel Soleil de Tan makes an appearance. It's my favourite bronzer ever, it's just so nice to apply. I can't fault this product in any way. The finish of it is lovely, and sometimes I even wear it alone.

I dug out my Clarins Splendours eye palette which I got last summer. I think it's lovely to wear nice soft gold eye make ups during Spring/Summer! This palette has the most gorgeous colours and is perfect for me. Sadly it was limited edition but Clarins' new summer palette looks equally as gorgeous.

I have been obsessed with my Tanya Burr lip gloss and nail polish! The colours are so fun and bright, and perfect for Spring and Summer. My favourites are the gloss in Exotic Island and the nail polish is Bright and Early.

And of course, you'll need a nice fresh perfume! My favourite is the Escada Cherry in the Air, I absolutely can't get enough of it! All the Escada perfumes actually just smell like Summer in a bottle!

What are your favourite Springtime products?

Cocoa Brown Lovely Legs Spray

Here we go! I am super super excited about Cocoa Brown's latest releases. The first of the new products which I tried was this, the Lovely Legs spray! I was curious, having never tried anything like it before. I assume the concept is similar to your Sally Hensen, Sun Shimmer etc.

It is instructed that you spray onto a tanning mitt, and buff into your legs. I sprayed it and was a little alarmed at how dark it looked! The colour of this spray on tan is a bit different to my beloved Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan, I believe it to have more "bronze" tones. This is how it looked sprayed onto the mitt:

And so, I began to buff it into my legs as directed. It is so easy to do this, even a novice like me got it right first time. It applied really evenly and I wasn't left with any streaks or any patches I missed.  I think you need to see a comparison photo to get the idea:

This stuff made my legs look absolutely flawless. Not only do you achieve a great colour, but I actually think it hides any imperfections too. Is that just me?!
This tanning spray is also water resistant. So no need to fear if you accidentally get caught in the rain on a night out! Actually, it took a good bit of scrubbing in the shower to remove it completely, so it definitely passes the test for staying power! It didn't transfer onto my clothes either, though I suppose you would need to be careful if you were wearing something very light in colour.

Another fantastic product from Cocoa Brown. With the Summer on the way, we all need to have our legs looking fabulous!

Cocoa Brown Cocktail Evening at the Vintage Cocktail Club

I was absolutely delighted to be invited to the latest Cocoa Brown event to celebrate the launch of their three latest products- a cocktail evening in the Vintage Cocktail Club in Dublin! Which was so exciting to me. The Vintage Cocktail club is a venue unlike anything I have ever been to, it seems very "exclusive" and was so atmospheric. I loved this fabulous Cocoa Brown sweetie display!

We were all presented with this menu featuring Cocoa Brown themed cocktails! How awesome is that?! Each one named after Cocoa Brown products. I had the "Lovely Legs"! 

...And after this I was very bad and neglected my camera so I have no more photos! I was too busy chatting away with fellow bloggers. It was so great! As was chatting to the Cocoa Brown team about their recent stint in Los Angeles, something which I was so excited about almost as if I was there too! It just shows you how fabulous Cocoa Brown is, that in just over a year it has come so far and I have a feeling that the success of Cocoa Brown can only expand and onto even bigger things! 

I tried to go for a more "vintage" look due to the venue I was attending. I used my favourite Lancome Teint Idole foundation as my base, my Clarins Splendours eyeshadow palette and Lancome Midnight Rose lipstick.

At the end we were all given fabulous goodie bags containing the three new products - Cocoa Brown1 Hour Dark, Lovely Legs Spray and Gentle Bronze Gradual Tan! I am super, super excited to try these out! I tested a teeny bit of the Gentle Bronze already and the scent of it is so divine!

A huge thank you to Marissa and the rest of the Cocoa Brown team for having me. I really appreciate it and I had such a brilliant evening. Cocoa Brown deserves every success, not only are their products absolutely amazing but the team behind it are so lovely and genuine. Many thanks!

Life's Little Saviours... Beauty Edition

I was thinking about what little essential products really just make life easier while at the same time being incredibly useful. So I went through my bathroom cabinet and make up drawer to see what I could come up with. Surprisingly there is only one "make up" product.

1. La Roche Posay Cicaplast Mains - I love a good hand cream and this is what I am currently using. I got this just before Christmas when I spotted it in my local chemist. I have read so many La Roche Posay reviews, so I couldn't resist. It is kind of a gel-like formula which acts as a barrier too. Great if you suffer from seriously dry hands. Mine aren't too bad but this hand cream is really brilliant.

2. Mane n' Tail Detangler - This is a fairly new product in my collection, but in those couple of weeks it has made life so much easier for me, you know, hair wise! My hair is so incredibly tatty. If I brush it through smooth, I will have knots in it after about 30 seconds flat! I spray this Detangler in my hair after I wash it, and it is incredible how I can brush my hair with ease. You can use the Detangler in dry hair too, but I find just using it in my wet hair is enough, and I can still brush my hair easily right up until I next wash my hair. Fantastic product.

3. Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan - I never used to wear fake tan apart from the odd special occasion...now I wear it all the time. Ever since I discovered the fabulous Cocoa Brown a little over a year ago, I use it religiously at least once per week. It is the most lovliest tan, easy to apply, not a streak in sight and it gives me the most perfect colour. It looks so natural. I don't even remember what I look like un-tanned! Honestly, this is one product I could never be without.

4. Batiste Dry Shampoo - Another hair product! My hair gets greasy pretty quickly and if it wasn't for this dry shampoo, I would have to wash my hair every day and that is just not happening! Now I can wash my hair and get a good three days out of it. I have used other brands of dry shampoo but Batiste is by far the best. They have a huge range of scents but the original is my favourite, it smells quite citrusy and I actually think it is the most effective on my hair. It's also great for adding texture to your hair for styling.

5. Burts Bees Lip Balm - A good lip balm is essential every day and Burts bees is my favourite. They are so moisturising and last a long time on your lips before having to re-apply. The scents are just amazing too. The original honey is my favourite, but the chocolate and blueberry is gorgeous too! I have one of these in my handbag, on my dressing table and one at work as well. They are really good quality for the price. When you compare them to something like Baby Lips, you can really tell that the Baby Lips are a little waxy in comparison. Burts Bees are just so nourishing and beneficial.

6. YSL Touche Eclait - I got this for Christmas and I swear I have never looked back since. I am extremely conscious about my under eye area. I have spent years searching for concealers to cover my under eye bags, but nothing worked. I realised that I actually don't have bags or dark circles, just the natural contours of my eye. What I needed was a brightening product, and one which has a thin/light consistency. Enter Touche Eclait. This is every thing I had been searching for. A quick stroke of this and my eyes are transformed. It is a wonder product and one which I now could not be without.

The Best of 2013 (Beauty Edition)

It is so difficult for me to believe that 2013 is at an end. I have to say that it has been a wonderful year for me, and I hope 2014 will be just as good. I wish everyone a very happy and prosperous new year.

I started this blog in January 2013. I have always tried numerous, varied products but ever since I started blogging I find that I have bought things that I wouldn't normally have looked at, thanks to everyone's great reviews and blog posts. 

I had to think long and hard but I have chosen seven products which have entered my life in 2013 and hopefully will never leave!

1. Clarins Instant Eye Make Up Remover - This is one item which will now always be a staple in my skincare routine. This eye make up remover has an oil and water layer which you shake together and which really cuts through all eye make up with one swipe. It is so gentle on your eyes, there is no need to tug or pull on the skin. It is £15.00 a bottle which normally lasts me about 10 weeks. It is worth every penny!

2. Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan Mousse - I never used to wear fake tan, until I discovered this. Now I wear tan every single day. Isn't it funny how things change? I don't know what I would do without my Cocoa Brown. I don't look normal without it. Actually I don't even remember what I look like without tan. It is just the most natural looking tan, so easy to apply and it is dry almost instantly after applying. Sure it is so handy, why wouldn't you wear it all the time?!

3. Lancome Teint Idole Foundation - I decided to invest in a good foundation back in May and I am so delighted I chose this. I have not spent this much money on a foundation before, but I can tell you that you can actually feel the difference in quality compared to other foundations. This is without a doubt the best foundation to ever land in my make up collection. It is so light yet gives great coverage. It has a nice scent, and I love the glass bottle with the pump.

4. Art Deco Dip Eyeliner - I used to be so crap at applying liquid eyeliner. I don't know how I can apply this little beauty so easily, but I can. The formula, the brush, everything about it makes it so easy for me to line my eyes. And it has lasted so long too and hasn't started to dry up or anything. Although, I am incredibly upset now that I have just realised Debenhams do not stock this anymore! I don't know what I will do when this runs out!

5. Lancome Hypnose Mascara - After trying my first Lancome mascara earlier in the year (Hypnose Star) I can confirm that out of all the brands of mascaras I have tried, nothing even comes close to the quality of Lancome. I love the formula and the wand. My lashes are so amazing looking when I use this!

6. Illamasqua Cream Blush - Remember the Illamasqua 50% off sale everyone went crazy for? The only thing I bought was this cream blush in the shade "Dixie". I didn't really get on with it at first, but I have worn it every single day and have not even hit pan yet! I like to apply it with the Real Techniques Stippling Brush or I tap in on with my fingers. Even if I am wearing a powder blush, I always put on a bit of this underneath as a base. It is absolutely brilliant and well worth the money,

7. Urban Decay Naked Palette - I snubbed this palette for such a long time. I didn't like the idea of "nudes", I mean what is the point of wearing eyeshadow at all if you are going to go nude? But when I first saw this palette up close in real life, I quickly realised that my assumption was wrong. These shades are all so beautifully shimmery and in my opinion they are not what I would call "nudes". I love bronzey, gold shades and this palette is packed full of them. Since I got this palette I have worn no other eyeshadows! I like the idea of Naked 2 and now Naked 3, but in my opinion, the original Naked palette is the best.

Do you like any of these products? What products have you tried in 2013 that you love? Please let me know in the comments below.

Review - Cocoa Brown Chocolate Whip Oil-Free Body Moisturiser

I was absolutely delighted when this little beauty landed on my doorstep a couple of weeks ago. I really wanted to put this product through its paces before reviewing it! I wanted to use it during tanning application and afterwards to help prolong my tan too.

My first impressions were that the tube was a nice, generous size and when I squeezed a bit onto my hand...oh my god, that beautiful smell! It features of course Cocoa Brown's signature scent of Tahitian Gardenia but with a chocolate twist. It is simply divine, I have never smelled a more pleasant body lotion.

I firstly applied this to my elbows, hands, knees and feet just prior to applying my Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan. The lotion is of a nice creamy texture, though not too thick. The tan applied really well and I was not left with any dark patches. The following evening, I applied this all over in order to help to prolong my tan. As this lotion is oil free, I felt it absorbed into my skin a lot quicker than regular lotions, which is perfect for me now at this time of year, it's too cold to run around feeling all sticky with moisturiser!

I applied this lotion all over for a full week after I applied my tan, and I am most impressed with the results. Although my tan had faded a little, the lotion definitely helped to prolong it and it had faded in a very even manner and I was not left with any patchy tan on me! This really is  a wonder product in my opinion. I will never fake tan again without this moisturiser!

This moisturiser is by far, the most effective I have ever came across. It ticks all the boxes and it does exactly what it says. I would also enjoy using this product alone, even if I was not wearing any tan but just because I am also addicted to the scent, and my skin feels so nice and beautifully moisturised afterward.

I would love to see a tinted version of this moisturiser! The same consistency, the same beautiful scent but one which gives us a subtle glow. That would be awesome!

Cocoa Brown - "Tough Stuff" !

Well here we go, another fab product from Cocoa Brown! I was so excited to try this out. You know when you have stubborn tan that you just can't get off? This is what you need!!

..And it is pink! What a nice touch! You can barely see the exfoliating beads here, they are so tiny and yet so "tough"! This exfoliator also features the signature Cocoa Brown scent, Tahitian Gardenia. So nice!

This is by far, the most effective scrub I have ever used. I have used this both in the shower and also when my skin is dry. I find it is more effective for removing tan when your skin is dry. Give yourself a good scrub, and when you shower it off, you can actually see the tan washing off your skin. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! It gives a slightly more gentle exfoliation when your skin is already wet.

After using this product, my skin has never felt in better condition. No rough patches, no lumps or bumps, just super soft skin. This really is a wonder product in my opinion! The sachet is good for maybe 2 full body applications. If you are worried about storing an open sachet, then don't worry, this product will be available in a tube come October. In the mean time you could store the Tough Stuff in those little travel bottles you can get it Primark.

Now because I was already wearing some fake tan (Cocoa Brown 1 Hour of course), I thought I would show you all how good "Tough Stuff" works at removing tan!


At the weekend, I was invited down for afternoon tea, courtesy of the lovely Cocoa Brown team. It was held in the fabulous Radisson Blu St Helens, Blackrock, Dublin. I had an amazing time, I met some lovely bloggers and just really enjoyed myself. Here are a few pics...

 L-R: myself, Danielle from The Imperfect Beauty, Rebecca from Give a Posy and Laura from Life, Laughs and Laura

Myself and the lovely Marissa Carter

Cocoa Brown have done it again for me! Tough Stuff is a great accompaniment for you fake tan wearers. Amazing at removing stubborn patches of tan, whilst leaving you skin super soft, ready for your next application! 

Current Favourites! / Early June Favourites!

I hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather! I know I am, it's great to see it and here's hoping it will last a long time!

Recently, I have been reaching for these products a lot - I thought I would show them to you - lately I have decided that I cannot live without these products! (Well, not literally!)

Lancôme Teint Idole Foundation (shade 3) - I have been loving this foundation recently. I got a little sample of it in Debenhams and I couldn't belive how good it looked on, so I went straight out and got the full sized bottle. It is completely matte, and it has been staying on all day even though it is a fairly light foundation. I am so impressed with this!

Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan - What else can I say about this, apart from it is the best tan in the world! I used to never wear fake tan and now I think I am addicted to it! What I like most is that it is the most natural coloured fake tan I have ever seen, and it wears off quite well too, unlike other tans I have tried which wear off in patches! This one is perfect and is oh so easy to apply. I now love wearing tan every day, I think it makes me look a lot healthier or something!

Lancôme Bi-Facil Eye Make Up Remover - This is genuinely the best eye make up remover I have ever used. It removes every little trace of make up with just one swipe of a cotton pad. Amazing. I got this as a free gift but I will definitely be buying the full sized version. I know it is a little expensive but it really is that good! I've been using this every day for the last month or so and there is still a good amount left in the bottle.

MAC Prep & Prime Protection SPF 50 - I bought this primer mainly for the SPF 50 but I have really noticed a difference in the longevity of my makeup too especially at the end of a long, hot day. I don't really use primers but now I feel like I couldn't be without this one! I love the added high protection too. If this good weather holds out I would highly suggest investing in this! It is quite moisturiser-like and easy to apply.

Angelica Nail Polish (shade "Hip Hop") - I have been wearing this nail polish almost every day since the summer began! It is so bright, actually it is a neon colour! It is the finest coral shade I have ever used (and I have used a lot!). The formula is quite thin, almost gel like. It lasts me about a week too. It is probably the best nail polish I have ever used,and it was so cheap too! I'll be using this all summer!

IsaDora Bronzing Powder (shade Light Tan) - I bought this last year, but never really used it. I saw it in Debenhams and fell in love with the beautiful packaging, the huge compact and nice mirror. The product is of course amazing, but it is not until now that I have been wearing fake tan that I have really got the use out of it. I am not really into bronzers, but I have never seen one like this before! It is the most gorgeous tan colour, a tiny subtle hint of shimmer, that I use all over my face every day now. If I am having a good skin day, I actually just wear this alone instead of foundation. I will definitely be re-purchasing this, and I cannot recommend this bronzer enough! It is such good value too for the amount of product you get!

MUA Power Pout (Justify) - I absolutely love this lip crayon. It is so smooth and moisturising, there is also a slight peppermint hint from it which feels really refreshing on your lips. I find that even after the actual balm has worn off, I am left with a hint of colour which is nice. But I have been generously applying this every single day, it is nearly all gone now! Luckily at £3.00 a go, this is one I will be buying lots more of!



I hope you have enjoyed seeing what products I am loving at the moment. Has anyone else tried these products? I'd love to know what you think!

Cocoa Brown Night & Day Tan - Exclusive Look

I am so happy to try out this amazing Cocoa Brown Night and Day tan, before it is even released. I am such a fan of the original Cocoa Brown, I was so excited to give this a go.

 Now the idea of this tan is that you can apply it and instantly you will have a beautiful, deep tan for your night out. Instant tan that does not turn blotchy when your skin is in contact with water! The next morning you can have a shower and you will be left with a light, natural glow that can last up to five days. Amazing!

I used the Cocoa Brown mitt to apply this product, and I think this mitt is brilliant. It feels so sturdy to use, I am so used to using the £1 tanning mitts from Primark. This one is much better quality and it is brilliant because it did not stain my hands at all.

 As you can see, this mousse is slightly darker than the original Cocoa Brown. It still has the same lovely scent and feels really soft and easy to apply.

Here is a photo comparison. As much as my right leg has a really deep tan, it still looks like a really natural colour (which I adore!). I cannot believe that I can put this on and go straight out the door! It is amazing! I do not usually wear darker tan but this is nothing that I imagined. It is the most perfect colour and this tan is perfect for those impromptu nights (or days!) out! 

This tan will be out next week! This will be so handy to keep in your bathroom cupboard!