Bargain Bikinis

I've been looking for bikinis a lot recently as i'm off on holiday soon and i've seen some really great bikinis at such good prices, particularly in supermarkets. I loved Asda's selection so much I ended up buying 3 from there!

 So i thought i'd share 5 of the best bargain bikinis i've found...

1. George At ASDA - Laser Cut Frilled Bandeau Bikini - Top: £8 Bottoms: £4.

2. Matalan - Floral Print Ruched Bandeau Bikini - Top: £6 Bottoms: £5.

3. George At ASDA - Stripe Bikini - Top: £8 Bottoms: £4.

4. F&F At Tesco - Tie Dye Fringe Detail Bikini - Top: £10 (SALE: £6) Bottoms: £6.

5. New Look - Geo Print Bikini - Top: £12.99 Bottoms: £9.99.

Spring Refresh...

I have a couple of products in my make-up bag that I will always buy again and again but in the summer I like to use lighter products and tend to swap a foundation for a BB cream. I've replaced a few items recently so that my make-up bag is summer-ready…

New Items:

Foundation:

Instead of my usual foundation (Maxfactor Whipped Crème) I’ve started using Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream, which I am really liking. It feels a lot lighter on the skin but still gives a good amount of coverage, as well as really evening out skin tone – it also gives a nice glow and smells gorgeous too.

Blusher:

I usually use Natural Collection powder blusher but this summer I thought I’d try a cheek tint. I’ve been using Rimmel’s Stay Blushed in pop of pink, which looks quite a scary colour when you first squeeze it out but once blended into the skin it looks really natural. I'll be taking this on holiday with me as it's so easy to apply and gives a nice bit of colour.

Accessories:

I’ve also recently added a few new make-up tools to my collection from Real Techniques and I don’t know how I have survived without them! I had been using the brushes that come with the Bare Minerals starter kit, however, since using the Real Techniques Powder Brush & Blusher Brush, I have realised how bristly they were. My new brushes are so much softer and when applying powder/blusher I find they give a nicer finish. 

My favourite item though has to be the Miracle Complexion Sponge… I’d usually just use my fingers to apply foundation which I thought gave a pretty good finish but now I’ve started using this, I’d never go back to doing that. I’ve tried applying my CC cream with just my fingers and the difference from using the sponge was huge – this product will from now on always be in my make-up bag! 

Make-Up Bag Favourites:

Primer:

At the moment I’m using Maybelline Baby Skin primer but I also love Rimmel’s Fix & Perfect primer too, both of these really do minimise the appearance of pores and as soon as they are applied, my skin texture looks so much smoother. They're both also a bargain at under £10!

Eyeliner:

Soap & Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen is my go to eyeliner, I never buy anything else! It’s great for creating a bold eye look, is so easy to use and seems to last for ages without drying out – which is why I love it.

Powder:

Rimmel's Stay Matte powder is great for keeping shine at bay and creating a flawless look, it's the perfect finishing touch.

That Summer Glow – Faking It!

Being a red head, I unsurprisingly have quite pale skin so tanning naturally is something that does not happen easily but now that summer is approaching I’d like to get a bit of a tan. I don’t think I’d ever use a sunbed – I’ve heard too many horror stories and sitting in the sun (wearing factor 50 of course) doesn’t really do much, so I’m left with tanning products. I’ve used two relatively new products recently to help achieve a bit of a summer glow and I’ve not been disappointed…

Body:

No7 Perfectly Bronzed Quick Dry Tinted Mousse:

I saw this in the May/June issue of Boots Health & Beauty magazine before it launched in stores on 14^th May, so I waited until this was available and got a bottle last weekend.

What They Say:

It’s a lightweight mousse which gives your skin a natural glow without the risks of tell-tale streaks or fake tan smell. The mousse glides on effortlessly to provide an instant hit of colour and within 3-5 hours, develops into a natural looking tan.

What I Say:

I love this – it does exactly what it says on the bottle! It is a really lightweight mousse and gave a good amount of colour when first applied before developing slightly more after a couple of hours. I had no streaks and there was no smell! – I didn’t believe when it said on the bottle that there was no fake tan smell, there always is but with this there was nothing.

I prepped skin first by exfoliating with No7 Microdermabrasion Body Exfoliator (which is also really good too, by the way) and then applied a thin layer of moisturiser a couple of hours before applying the tan with a mitt. It did ‘glide’ on really easily and instantly gave a nice, natural colour. I washed off after a couple of hours and most of it did come off leaving just a hint of colour, so I think if you wanted a longer lasting tan, you’d need to apply it for a few consecutive days to allow it to build up. It’s great for a nice instant natural colour though and has no fake tan smell – I definitely recommend!

Face:

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster:

I also saw this in the Boots magazine and thought it was really clever how it is just mixed with moisturiser to provide an instant glow, it also allows for a customised tan as you can choose how many drops of oil you add.

What They Say:

A natural formula that provides all the benefits of a self-tanner without the drawbacks! Its high-precision dosage works with any day or night cream to deliver made-to-measure results. Simply add 1, 2 or 3 drops to your daily moisturiser and apply to your face in the normal manner.

What I Say:

I mixed just one drop with my Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturiser as I didn’t want to go too dark and instantly I had a really natural looking glow – perfect for summer. It’s not like using fake tan at all – it doesn’t make you orange and like the No7 Mousse, it doesn’t have a fake tan smell.

It is quite expensive at £18 a bottle (which is also smaller than I expected too), however if you’re only using 1-2 drops every couple of days then it should last quite a long time. I’m really glad I tried it and think it will be perfect for when I go on holiday this summer to build up a bit of a tan before I even go. I managed to get my bottle online from Debenhams but they along with Boots.com seem to be sold out for now. It’s a great alternative to foundation or tinted moisturiser as it’s not heavy on the skin being that it’s just basically using your normal moisturiser.

I really like both of these products and they’re great for achieving a natural glow, I absolutely would buy them both again!

Clarins Pore Minimizing Serum - Review

What They Say:

A unique formula that improves skin texture and slows down oil production, the product reduces dilated pores with Alpine Willow Herb, Hibiscus flower acid and Lantana from Madagascar. Daily use refines skin and provides a smoother complexion.

How To Use It:

The product can be applied under day or night cream where pores are visible to reduce their appearance.

What I Say:

It sounds like ‘one of those’ products that has lots of fancy ingredients but doesn’t actually do anything, however, whatever Alpine Willow Herb, Hibiscus flower acid and Lantana from Madagascar are; they really do have an effect. I don’t have particularly huge pores but they are slightly enlarged on the apples of my cheeks, I have tried several products to shrink them but none have really made that much difference – until I started using Clarins Pore Minimising Serum.

I started using this product along with the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam & Clinique Clarifying Lotion – Mild, which have probably also helped to refine skin but I would say that the pore minimising serum is doing most of the work.

I’ve been using this product for about a week under my day cream but I started to notice a difference after about 2-3 days, I think I may start using it at night time too as I think using it twice a day will really make a difference.

It’s a really refreshing product, leaving skin feeling clean and definitely smoother as soon as I’ve used it, I do also feel as though it moisturises slightly too and therefore I find I don’t need to apply as much moisturiser. I have also noticed fewer breakouts since using this product so in my opinion it’s a wonder product – smaller pores, less oily skin and a smooth, spot free complexion… What’s not to love?!

Would I Recommend?:

I think if you had huge pores that were really visible it would take a little longer to notice visible results but I think if you persevere it will definitely improve them. If you are looking for something that actually works and can afford to pay £26 for the 30ml bottle then I would say it is definitely worth it. I think the bottle will last quite a long time as you only need a pump or two to cover the whole face so repurchasing will not happen too frequently. I’ve seen mixed reviews for this product, some saying it really worked and others saying it did nothing, maybe because my pores weren’t particularly enlarged, it was more effective but I have absolutely seen a difference in my complexion and will be buying more once I have run out.

 

La Roche Posay Effaclar K

I have recently been looking for a skincare product to minimise pores and prevent breakouts... I'm pleased to say i have found one!

I have only been using this product for a couple of days but have noticed results from the first day, this product is for combination to oily skin, which is uneven and prone to breakouts from blocked pores and whilst my skin isn't particularly uneven i definitely notice it has a more even and smoother texture since using this.

La Roche Posay use a unique ingredient in all of their products; thermal spring water, which contains Selenium, which blocks free radicals from irritating the skin. The thermal spring water has a nearly neutral pH making it kind to skin and suitable for a variety of skin types.

As the product helps to tighten pores, i was slightly afraid of it drying out my skin in the process and after the cold winter, i have found that it doesn't take much to dry it out at the moment but Effaclar K seems to be doing what it's supposed to without altering the moisture in my skin at all.

I think this product is amazing but have found just one tiny problem with it, the product information says that it makes an 'excellent make up base', however i tried using it under make up but it just rolled up into little balls and my make up looked terrible. Therefore i have been applying this product just at night but once a day application doesn't seem to affect the effectiveness of the product.

I will definitely be buying this again in the future, the price (£13) seemed a little high compared to what i would normally spend on skincare but after seeing the results it is well worth it!

Birmingham Hippodrome High Society & Sutra

In the last week or so, i have seen two shows at the Birmingham Hippodrome; Sutra-A fusion of martial arts and dance-and High Society-a 'feel-good' musical. 

I found High Society to be the sort of show that didn't require a lot of thinking as it was easy to follow with a simple storyline. In short the plot was about a bride-to-be choosing between her fiancé, her ex-husband and another man who has recently entered her life, but the plot revolves around the question of who she will decide to marry as her wedding day draws closer. 

The vintage Hollywood style musical is based on a film of the same name starring Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly from 1956 but has been adapted for the stage. The staging of the show was very clever, with part of the stage rotating which assisted in set changes which i have to say were very fitting for the lavish house in which it was set and looked incredible.

Although the set was beautiful, i found the general story to be a little boring as it was quite easy to predict how it was going to end. If an easy to watch musical is what you're looking for though then this is perfect but personally i prefer something with a few more twists and turns in the plot.

On a more positive note, i absolutely loved Sutra, as it began i thought i was in for a long ride of slow moving 

contemporary dance but as it gathered pace the combination of dance with martial arts was amazing. All performers in the show were monks from the Shaolin Temple in China, with the youngest performer being 10 years old! The show features 21 wooden boxes which are used throughout the performance in various ways, some of which were completely unexpected. I'm not sure if they represented anything in particular but i felt it may be a representation of being held back, as the boxes enclosed them and confined them. I may be completely wrong but my A Level dance class has me always analysing works now to find a meaning. 

Sutra 2013 Trailer

For more information about previous Hippodrome shows, you can listen to their podcasts.

Liverpool Albert Dock

       

Just a few final pictures from my trip to Liverpool last week, below are a couple of the Superlambananas that are scattered across Liverpool. The original Superlambanana is a large yellow sculpture which was designed by Taro Chiezo and first appeared there in 1998, since then smaller replicas have been designed and sponsored by various organisations.

I found my trip to Liverpool very inspiring, i saw a couple of great exhibitions and enjoyed the scenery around the Albert Docks, the architecture down there is really gorgeous, the old white buildings have a nice contrast against the newer buildings that have recently been built but they still compliment each other. It made a nice change to visit a different city rather than London to visit some exhibitions.