My Christmas

My Barry M Christmas Nails; Christmas Dinner Prep; Santa Came;

Penguin PJs; My Presents; My Christmas Day Face & Outfit;

Boxing Day Face & Outfit; My Snowman; Too Much Festive Fun for the Boy.

This is my first Instragram picture post that I have done but I felt that it was appropriate for Christmas. I hope you all had a great Christmas with all of your family and friends. If you are anything like my family then you will have leftovers to last you another week or two. Nom Nom Nom!

Enjoy the rest of your boxing day!

 

FOTD

Hi Girls,

Sorry I have been away, I have been busy preparing for Christmas - I left all my shopping and wrapping to the last minute - all of which is complete now. Also I am having a mare with my new camera which is a Canon 600d - I am no good at it - so my pictures have been looking funny - even this one has lines on it. So if you have any tips/websites you know, please let me know.

I will try and blog now up until the new year and hopefully, I will have something exciting for 2013!!

Thanks guys :) xx 

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask

Lush - Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask - £5.95

Well, the first thing that I am going to say is that, I look fit in this mask. Haha. Not. However, this is my favourite face mask by far from Lush. It is so soothing and smells great. Firstly there is one new trick that I have discovered with the applications of these masks and that is to lathering it on with an old foundation brush. This stops the product caking up your hands and getting everywhere. With the Lush masks they have to go in the fridge as they are fresh. This also makes them really cold and refreshing when you first put them onto your skin. I then leave it on for around 15minutes when I gentley exfoliate the mask off. I then rinse with a muslin cloth to make sure that no remains of the mask are left behind. 

I have tried around 6-7 different face masks from Lush, because I am a little obsessed, however this Catastrophe Cosmetic has to be my favourite. I have combinational and blemish proned skin. I find that the blueberries calm any redness around my spots and when I exfoliate it into my skin, I feel that the mask cleanses deep into my pores. I always find that the morning after using this, that my face looks and feels a lot clearer and my make-up smooths onto my skin better too! 

I personally think that the mask isn't too expensive for what it is - true, that they don't last long but I think that is just the problem you face with a fresh mask. I personally don't mind it really as my skin enjoys have the freshness on it. :)

What is your favourite Lush mask?

Green & Spring Deep Face Scrub

Green & Spring Deep Face Scrub - 70ml - £24

I am still yet to find a face scrub that really does it for me. To be honest I think my face has slight bipolar because one morning it wants one thing and the next it wants the other. I do own a wide selection of scrubs none of which have stood out for me until present. I have never brought anything from this brand but I have seen great things written about it. I succumbed and it lives up to the hype. Though before I delve into more about the product there is something else that always makes me like a product a little more and that is if it is made in the UK. I'm a little patriotic like that. 

The scent is quite strong and I think it is always quite unique, which I would make it a little like marmite - you ever love it or hate it. And I personally, love the smell but I find it impossible to describe but there is definitely strong whiffs of lavender. The consistency is very creamy with hard but sparse grains which exfoliate deep into the pores. My skin feels like no other after using this, it feels and looks smooth and clear. I am currently suffering with quite a few breakouts but when using this it brightens and clears my skin. You need a good moisturiser afterwards as my skin tends to feel quite tight but I think that is due to the product cleaning deep into the pores. 

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has combination skin or blemishes, especially if you are looking for something to clear your skin up. 

Have you tried anything from this brand? 

F*CK Monday: Drunk Texting

Hello,

So this Monday's post is due to my embarrassment of the weekend. I haven't been out for a while as you will know if you saw my last post and well lets just say, a couple of drinks... multiplied into a lot. And the problem with this is that when Lacey gets drunk... Lacey likes her phone and she likes to txt people. My messages are normally good natured. My last stint of drunk texting consisted of me messaging a bunch of people who were in my phone book (about 25-30) asking 'how they were and what was new?' - which I doubt was appreciated at 2.30am. I'm pretty sure, the only thing that went through my mind is oohh I wonder how people are who I haven't seen recently... ooops!

Then I have the over emotional best friend drunk messages. But luckily they are to my best friends who know me and don't judge me. I have the best best friends, to put up with me - I just can't help wanting to spread the drunk love. Ooops

What I have done:

* I deleted all my messages before I could read them as they embarrass me too much
* Txt people who replied - apologise but make fun of yourself (unless you have really offended someone)
* Keep telling yourself to not do it again - be strict.
* Try not too worry too much :) 

Is anyone else guilty of this crime? 

FOTD

Tonight, I am throwing in my poorly bear towel and heading out... only for a couple. Haha... we'll see in the morning. But I tell you it feels nice to get yourself dolled up a bit even if it is freezing outside. 

My getting ready song of the night is a bit of a weird one - Be A Boy by Robbie Williams. I recently saw him at the O2 and fell in love with him. 

Face:
Primer: L'oreal Lumi Magique Base
Foundation: Benefit Hello Flawless in Honey
Eyebrows: Gosh Brow Pen in 004 Wheat (see routine)
Bronzer: Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light 
Blush: Bare Minerals Ready Blush in The Tease (see post)
Eyeshadow: Sleek Storm Palette (see post) wearing the first 3 on the top row & the black)
Eyeliner: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Eye Pencil in Onyx
Eyelashes: Ardell Demi Wispies (see post)
Mascara: Barry M Intense Black 3in1
Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brûlée 

Hair: see post 

Have a good saturday!!

Why I Am Loving My Hair...

 

Recently my hair has started to get a million times better than it has ever been. For all of you knew readers to my blog, I have super dry and matte hair - it doesn't help that I dye my hair (shocker!), I'm naturally a dark blonde. My hair is also great at mimicking my body and if I am really sick or run down then my hair gets super dry and brittle. But not as the moment, it is in desperate need for a cut but regardless it is so soft and tamed. All due to the following products to be honest:

Lush BIG Shampoo - £11.25 - This exfoliating sea salt scrub shampoo with it's clarifying ingredients help to unclog your hair from product build up. I only use this once a week but it makes such a difference. I have a full review of this item here.  

Dove Hair Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo & Conditioner - £2.49 each - I read somewhere that you should steer clear of "cheap" shampoos and conditioners, so as a rule of thumb I stuck to that. Now as it has been a poor couple of months for me - these were on special in Boots and I couldn't resist. And wow, the conditioner is the best, it is so nourishing and works into my hair. It leaves it smelling amazing and looking shiny - this always lasts until the next wash too! So I don't think it is a cover up job. 

Dove Hair Therapy Intensive Repair Leave-In Conditioner & Care Spray - £3.49 - This purchase was after I bought the shampoo and conditioner. I had used up the rest of my John Frieda Leave-In Conditioner and I was unsure which one I was going to buy and I wasn't going to repurchase the John Frieda because I wasn't over wowed by it. Now this is going to sound werid because the best thing about this product is the way the product squirts out. It has a gentle product distribution so it doesn't just clump at one area of your hair (i know that sounds so odd) but if you have ever had a hair product that shoots rather than sprays, you'll understand.

Seven Seas Zinc plus Vitamin C Chewable Capsule - £4.39 - I tend to take on everyday (if I remember) but if I am feeling particularly poorly or down in the dumps. Then I take a couple more; it says you can take up to 4 capsules a day. I really notice a difference if I stop taking these - so on that basis I guess my body needs it. Zinc is amazing for promoting heathly hair and letting it grow too.

Organix Coconut Milk Serum - £5.99 - I don't know how I ever coped without this product, I have both of my best friends hooked on it. I used it as a serum or as a mask depending on the condition of my hair. You only need a small amount but I can just feel my hair drinking it up. It smells amazing too, this is my second one as I gave the other one away to a friend.

L'oreal Elnett Satin Extra Strength Hairspray - £6.60 - To be honest, these hairsprays are quite expensive (well over the price I normally pay), I don't use it that frequent to worry too much about it. But there is a reason why it is expensive and a classic... because it is good... end of.

L'oreal Elnett Satin Heat Protect Styling Spray 3 Days Straight - £5.99 - This is a super recent purchase and I really love how it protects my hair and it does help keep it super straight - not for 3 days but 2 for sure. The only thing that I really don't like about the product is the smell - but I am hoping that this is something that I can get used to.

Tangle Teezer - £10.20 - I have had this since my best friend at uni, showed it to me 3 years ago. I feel in love with it from the moment I used hers. I do still love my paddle brush and this one is so gentle on your hair and stops you from tugging and tearing your hair. It doesn't matter what type or condition your hair is in, you need to get your hands on one of these!

What are your haircare gems? Any suggestions for my hair? 

Look Beauty Nail Pop: Dazzle & Dove

 Look Beauty - Nail Pop - Dove & Dazzle - £5

So I am like 100 per cent sure that I literally want the whole entire collection of the Look Beauty Nail Pops. I know I have said this before but they are my favourite polishes for the following reasons:

- The last for ages, the best at not chipping on the high street.
- The glitters look good and effective, yet they can be removed by standard nail varnish remover easily.
-  The constency is really thick and you can get away with just one application. 
- The brush is perfect for my nail, long enough - not too thick but not too skinny.
- They don't take extra long to dry.

The Dove and Dazzle duo is my favourite for the winter, it kind of reminds me of snow/ christmas lights but I'm not sure why. I know it wasn't long ago that I brought my other favourite duo Plum & Pearl effect. I'm addicted - Send help. :)

What do you think of this combo?

F*CK Monday: Enough

If any of you have been following me for a while I am quite sensitive to many things and I do always think the grass is always greener, which is not always the case. And I am annoyingly one of these people who worries about everything and sometimes my worrying stops me doing things spontaneously or things which I might actually enjoy. So today I thought I would share with you my advice on ways to just pull yourself out of any little rut that you may have got yourself in. 

* See Happiness As A Choice: Too many times I wait for happiness to come to me rather than see it as something that we choose. And I really need to adopt the thought that if I choose to see positives in the world then I'll just feel happier. 

* Search For Positives: I am the worlds worst sometimes in finding negatives in situations rather than look at the positives. I just need to be more alert to things that make me feel good. I'll start to see opportunities even where it's not immediately obvious.  

* Be Mindful Of The Present: Doing things like yoga or having a bath or reading a book helps me feel happy and that is because it is hard to feel anything other than stress when you're constantly rushed. So I make sure to make an effort to focus on daily pleasures and it will help you enjoy the simple things in lift which sometimes are over looked. 

* Be Grateful: I always focus on what I don't have or what I am lacking rather than appreciating what I do have and who I do have in my life. On a Sunday I try and write down three things which I am grateful for that week. This makes me feel better and makes me worry less about what I may not have. 

* Take Care Of Body & Mind: I need to keep remembering that a healthy body aids to a healthy mind. Drinking enough water, exercise three times a week and eaten wholesome food. It really helps you balance your mind :) 

How do you keep yourself smiling?

All I Want For Christmas...

 L-R Clockwise: New Look Navy Velvet Skater Dress; H&M Purple Glitter Nail Polish; George at Asda Faux Fur Collar; Look Beauty Face & Glow Set; Nails Inc Nude & Neon Collection. 

L-R Clockwise: MacBook All-In-One For Dummies; Adidas Swimsuit; Rimmel 1000 Kisses Lipliner in Red Dynamite; ASOS Oversize Vest with Washed Born Free Print; Outnumbered Series 1-4; Black Bowler Hat.

L-R Clockwise: Boux Avenue Black Mircofibre Bra; River Island Black Croc Purse; Lush Christmas Eve Bubble Bar; Lush Snow Globe Soap; Lush Golden Wonder Bath Bomb; H&M Grey Tube Scarf; Charles Worthington Intense Rescue Melting Balm; Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment; Steam Cream Bow Packaging. 

I'm a little child at heart and at Christmas I love to receive presents. I prefer it so much over receiving money or one big present. I always right a really big list too. Gah I'm a such a child! 

What's on your Christmas List? 

My Favourite Heat Defence Hair Products

Mark Hill - Heat Protection Spray - £rebranded for 75ml

GHD - Thermal Protector for Normal to Fine Hair - £8.99 for 150ml 

As all of my frequent followers will know... Is that I have super thick, dry and bleached hair. None of which is good combination. I try to keep my usage of heat products to a minimum and for a while I didn't use any. It helps that I HATE blow drying my hair - it makes me arms ache and where my hair is so thick then it takes ages too. I know I should section it out but I just get super lazy and if I do need to blow dry then I tend to sprits some heat defence then tip my head upside down... shake it about of a while with the hairdryer on it then boom - I'm done. 

Though when I do need to use straighteners or curling tongs (rarely) or a hairdryer then I do make it essential to protect my hair - as it is super fragile. My preferred one out of the two is the GHD Thermal Protector, now I'm not quite sure how you can judge if they really protect you hair however, I don't feel that burning or have crispy hair once pulled through the straighteners. It is keeps it soft and helps keep it straight - now the reason I have the normal - fine is because I received it as a gift. I tend to buy products which cater for dry, thick or unruly hair. 

The Mark Hill product I use if my hair is feel super dry or burnt or chemically overdosed. You have to put this on and leave it for a couple of minutes to settle into the hair - that is the only downside to this product, is that you really need to work it into your hair before putting heat onto it other it does just make it worst. Once it has had a few minutes to coat your hair then it works like a dream - I particularly use after I have had a hair cut and the hair is still soft. Plus this also prolongs the ends splitting.

What are you favourite heat defences? Or heat protection routines?